Chapter 79: Seeking Help
Lily sat perfectly still on the small wooden stool in her bedroom as Martha’s nimble fingers worked through her hair, weaving it into an intricate braid. The room was a far cry from the dark, damp shack she’d once called home not so long ago.
“You’re awfully quiet today,” Martha commented, her weathered hands moving with practiced precision. “More so than usual, I mean. Something on your mind, child?”
Lily shrugged, her eyes fixed on a small crack in the floorboard. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the infirmary, to Zayn’s touch, his warm kisses down her neck.
“Hmm.” Martha’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “I heard something interesting from one of the kitchen maids this morning.”
Lily glanced up, raising an eyebrow in question.
“Apparently,” Martha continued, her voice dropping to a soft whisper, “a poor, unsuspecting servant walked into the infirmary the other day and found our Alpha and a certain someone—” she gave Lily a pointed look, “—completely naked in bed together, doing—”
Lily’s eyes widened in horror.
She spun around and pressed her hand over Martha’s mouth, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. The sudden movement made her wince slightly as the healing wound on her abdomen pulled.
Martha could not help but smile. When Lily finally removed her hand in defeat, the older woman burst into laughter.
“Oh, the look on your face! I guess it’s true then!” Martha chuckled, resuming her work on Lily’s hair. “No need to be embarrassed, child. It’s natural between mates.”
Lily turned away, unable to hide the small smile on her lips. The memory of Zayn’s touch, his voice in her ear, the way he’d heard her thoughts, it warmed her heart.
“There,” Martha said, securing the end of the braid with a small leather tie. “All done. You look beautiful.”