Winter Wolf - Chapter 6. Part 1

Chapter 6. Part 1

Lysithea woke up around midnight. She had slept for almost a full day.

Upon hearing the crackling of firewood, she sat up. A new flame had ignited where water was added. The bowls and potions on the table remained untouched, but the floor by the door was clean. There was no blood—not even a trace of it in the cracks on the floor.

‘Did he clean it all up? By himself?’

She stood n*k*d beside the bed, without the threadbare robe. The bloody nightgown on the floor had disappeared, indicating that Terrence had taken it.

‘How did he get clean all by himself?’

He worked neatly. She couldn’t imagine his diligence and skills.

Lysithea paused. She pulled on the robe she had left off yesterday. She wiped it once with her nightgown. The blood on her chest and stomach made her skin crawl.

‘I want to wash up.’

The manor had a bathroom with a furnace on the first floor. Lysithea left the room, covering only the front of her body with the clothes she didn’t want to wear.

Her back and as$ were boldly on display, but she wasn’t exactly slutty. The hallway was empty and quiet as the dead bodies and bloodstains disappeared without a trace.

Lysithea knew she had regained her strength as she descended the stairs barefoot.

‘I don’t feel so cold and I can walk as normally.’

‘Did he purchase expensive medicine? How will I pay for it?’

The question of money flashed through her mind, but she stopped worrying. Terrence had saved her life twice. A lifesaver is priceless.

Lysithea descended to the first-floor corridor, not minding that she came aboard as a stowaway with nothing. From the corridor opposite the dining room, where the bathrooms were located, a bright light and white steam illuminated the darkened hallway.

Lysithea walked slowly to the bathroom, remembering Terrence’s bloodied body. She thought he might need a good bath as well.

Clutching the garment that covered the front of her body, she stepped through the misty steam and caught a glimpse of the bathroom. Its smooth tiles and marble tub shone in the light.

Terrence, without a shirt, filled the bathtub, revealing his n*k*d body.

Terrence seemed unaware of Lysithea’s presence as the water bubbled in the background. Lysithea stood silently behind him, observing without speaking.

Watching him work shirtless, Lysithea couldn’t help but be captivated by the smooth and skillful way he moved.

He lifted the water-filled basin, and his strong muscles rippled. His cool shoulders showed his strength, and his straight collarbones accentuated his powerful movements.

Lysithea couldn’t stop looking at his body. He was standing in the bathroom, water droplets running down his broad back, highlighting the texture of his muscles. She wanted to touch his wet back.

Had he been sweating when they had sex? She couldn’t quite remember.

“Terrence.”

As the water finally filled the tub, Lysithea called out to Terrence. He looked back at her and wiped his wet forehead, unsure if it was sweat or water. He spoke in a cool voice.

“Lysithea, you look much better. I didn’t think you’d wake up before I went to wake you up.”

“I slept well; thanks to you, I’m fine now.”

Lysithea turned to face him and smiled. She was glad to be able to tell him she was okay.

“You go ahead and wash up; the tub is full. Oh, and I’ll just take these clothes and wash them in the kitchen.”

He was about to pick up his damp clothes from the wooden tub in the corner.

“I’m going somewhere.”

Her body came into view through the misty steam. He caught her wrist and helped her up. They locked eyes, both dazed.

They were suddenly very close. Terrence looked into her eyes and realized she was n*k*d. Lysithea hesitated.

“I’m in the kitchen. I need to wash these clothes; I won’t go outside. The bathtub is for you.”

“What?”

“I filled the bathtub for you.”

 Lysithea was momentarily speechless at his sincerity. She then shook her head.

“No, I’m okay. You have more blood on you than I do. I just need to rinse off.”

“I can wash off the blood without using the tub.”

“Then why…”

“You had a bad fever and cough and took medicine. Now, soak in hot water and shake it off to avoid getting sick again.”

Lysithea looked up at him, unsure of what to say.

This man stayed up all night caring for her and traveled all day on horseback to a distant village to buy medicine for her recovery.

She could not refuse what he had prepared for her with such care.

“If that’s why… Okay, I’ll wash up and feel better.”

She nodded, and he released her arm, prepared to guide her into the tub if she declined. Although his manner was kind, he possessed the determination of a person who would follow through on his intentions.

“The water’s still hot, so let’s get you cleaned up and get in slowly.”

“Thank you, but…”

Lysithea moved closer to the tub and was struck by its size. She hadn’t realized how big it was until she saw it up close while looking at his body. It was big enough for two or three people, and it was meant for pure pleasure.

“Isn’t the tub too… big?”

Terrence picked up the new shirt he had left by the door and answered when she looked at him hesitantly.

That’s why it took me so long. I wanted to make sure I filled it just right so that the water wouldn’t get cold and make you feel worse.

Lysithea felt grateful and sorry for his actions. She watched him put on the dry shirt.

“Would you like to bathe with me?”

He stopped buttoning his shirt and looked at Lysithea, who had turned her attention to the tub.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing. I don’t want to waste water washing myself,” she said.

Terrence glared at her as her ears turned increasingly red.

“That’s the reason? Because you don’t want to waste water?”

“What else could it be?”

Lysithea had trouble making eye contact with Terrence as she spoke. Terrence finally laughed out loud as he watched her reaction.

“Sure, why not?”

He put on the clothes and then took them off again. The piece of clothing that had briefly covered his body quickly disappeared again, and as Lysithea hesitated, Terrence began to remove his belt.

Lysithea heard the metallic sound of belt buckles being removed and the rustling of clothing. She closed her eyes as the damp tile tickled her bare skin.

“Are you going to stand there holding your clothes like that?”

Lysithea opened her eyes. The voice teasing her was gentle.

The cool water poured down his body, making a gurgling sound. Lysithea watched as the hot water steamed over him.

She had not realized that she had not even seen his body up close when he held her. His muscles were tightly woven, hugging his large body. She caught a glimpse of his massive p*n*s between his thick thighs.

Lysithea’s initial impression of the p*n*s, when viewed from behind, was accurate. He was washing himself, his strong and toned arms pausing, when he noticed her looking at him.

“Lysithea, did you ask me to bathe with you just to stare at my body?”

Lysithea looked away, feeling her heart sink at his confident and relaxed smile. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable; he seemed to be leering at her body right in front of her, despite not seeming to care about it.

“You’d better get cleaned up before the water gets cold.”

Terrence set the basin down and brushed past her. She stood there, still covered, as he stepped into the tub. The water gurgled as it reached almost up to the spigot. He hung his arms loosely over the edge of the tub, looking like the owner of a mansion.

Lysithea dropped her robe, hoping he wouldn’t turn around.

The water in the wooden tank next to the tub was heated to just the right temperature. She used a small basin to scoop it up.

“Whoa….”

She sighed with satisfaction as she soaked herself from head to toe in the warm water.

“This is enough to wash me.”

Lysithea grabbed a nearby towel. She wondered if she had made the right decision by asking him to bathe with her.

She covered the front of her body with a towel, as she did when she washed under the care of the maids. He stared at her backside as she turned to face him. It took courage to sit face-to-face with him in the tub, knowing he was staring at her.