Chapter 7: Sleeping Amidst Danger
Salviana sank deeper into the bath, her body aching from tension, yet the warmth slowly began to soothe her weary limbs. Candlelight flickered against the marble walls, casting long shadows that danced across the room, while the gentle sound of water lapping against her skin provided a brief respite from her racing thoughts.
She closed her eyes, hoping to silence the turmoil in her mind, but one thought gnawed at her relentlessly.
'Would they consummate their marriage tonight?'
Her fingers stilled mid-stroke along her arm, gripping the edge of the bath as the weight of the possibility settled in. Her heart raced, beating loudly in her ears.
'Is that why he asked me to bathe?' Her pulse quickened at the thought.
She imagined those sharp fangs she had heard so many rumours about, cold as death, sinking into her skin. She shuddered and shook her head to dispel the image.
'Would he hurt me? Could he?'
How do vampires consumate? Girls at home had gossiped about intimacy but it always made her uncomfortable so she'd block their conversation or simply walk out and now she was panicking.
What was she supposed to do? Lie down? Dance? Smile?