What does he want to do?

What is the next step of my husband's torture? I just hope I won't be required to do anything because I'm already tired.

Also, being interrupted like this ruined my mood for good.

«Tell me, who is that man whom you were talking with?» he asks. He blocks both my wrists on the mattress, firm about not conceding victory.

He'll keep me still for the whole duration of his interrogation. Unless he decides to use torture to make me confess.

«What are you referring to?» I murmur. I don't remember, really.

What is he talking about?

«Why were you holding arms with that man?» he asks, getting closer to my shoulder. He will bite me, I'm sure.

No matter how I answer, he'll do what he wants. He just needs an excuse to sound less tyrannical.

«Wife, answer me!»

«I don't know what you're talking about, Alexander. Is holding arms forbidden? Your employees don't let me walk anywhere unless I'm helped. And I held arms with men even before you left, for goodness.»

«That's true,» he sighs. «But I was blind to see that threat. I thought my presence was enough to keep my wife in check.»

«I behaved while you were away as well!»

«You did?» he murmurs. «Prove it!»

How can I prove something I didn't do?

«Alexander, stop being mean,» I moan, offering my lips in exchange for peace. Too bad he doesn't take the bait and moves his head away before I can kiss him.

«What about the painter?»

«The painter?»

«The one you talked about in your letter. You used three whole lines to praise him.»

«Ah?»

I was just trying to convince Alexander to let the painter draw the portrait for the Lords' room.

Since Alexander paints as well, I thought it would be difficult to find someone suitable who will pass his scrutiny.

But the painter Martia sent is really so good! He knows his way with colours, and his works are all so dignified.

He managed to make that kid in the capital look threatening!

«What are you thinking about now?» Alexander says out of the blue. «Or better: about whom? Is that painter again, isn't it?»

Oh, but it's only because you mentioned it...

I pout and turn on the side, nestling on the bed and sighing helplessly. Alexander lets me go immediately, almost afraid he overdid it.

«I missed you so much,» I say. «I spent more time thinking about you... Fantasising about what to do when you came back, and imagining our encounter times and times again. Yet, now that you're here, all you do is question me. You doubt my words and my fidelity, Alexander.»

«Oh, no,» he moans, hugging me. He drags me under the sheets and cuddles me for a while. «I didn't want to do this.»

He's sad, somehow. Is it because his wicked plan failed?

«Have I ever done anything to make you doubt me? In two lives, in many, many years, have you seen a sign I might think of another man as I think of you?»

«No, Thea, you're right. Yet I can't help but think... What if that man is better than me? What if he knows something I don't, or is more handsome... What if you decide you like him more and leave me here?»

«We have a child together.»

«I still worry.»

«You're unbelievable! Why do you doubt yourself now? Why don't you act uncertain when you're planning to tie me to the bed and all the rest?»

«Because some risks are meant to be taken,» he answers simply. Just that.

«You're so difficult to take care of,» I complain while turning in the bed. I lean my head on his shoulder and wonder if asking him to take his clothes off would be excessive.

«Sorry.»

«No, you're not sorry. You would do this again if you needed it. What are you aiming at? And, why did you come here earlier than planned? The journey proceeded too fast?»

«Not really. I would have been here yesterday if not for some obstacles on the way...»

«Oh!» I realise. «You read about the painter and decided to come to check what's going on. You couldn't sit for two days and left early. You impatient and doubting husband. You don't trust me!»

«But you're so naive, and men can be cunning.»

«You have the guts to say something like this? If I survived by your side, I grew some resistance to cunning men!»

«But one.»

«But one,» I concede. After all, to him, I still can't resist. «Now take off your clothes. Or do something to make me forgive you.»

«Why?»

«Because you made me angry. Tomorrow we'll need to be in the right mood to proceed with the plan, so get to work and make peace.»

«Peace? We didn't argue, Thea.»

«See? You're still on time.»

I grin, making him realise I'm dead serious. He made me do something as embarrassing as touching myself. Then he stopped just for the interrogation.

The least he can do now is finish the work with his own efforts.

«Be convincing,» I remind him.

He chuckles, shifting on top of me and finally kissing my lips. Oh, it's been so long since the last time I tasted him.

«Call my name, wife,» he murmurs before moving on my neck and chest, kissing every spot he knows makes me tremble.

«Make me call your name,» I rebuke. «Don't be this needy if you can't uphold your part.»

«We'll see if you'll have enough voice to talk tomorrow.»

His lips reach my stomach and then my hips, while his head disappears under the blanket.

I clench the pillow and close my eyes, savouring these familiar feelings. I missed all of this.

It's been so long, yet Alexander didn't change a bit. He's exactly the same as six months ago. Not a single wrinkle or white hair appeared on him.

Regarding me, oh... I lost my fitness the moment he stopped embracing me. I tried so hard to keep exercising, but walks are not enough for this kind of effort.

Thankfully, Alexander won't leave for so long again. And if he does, I'll be by his side.

His mouth reaches my inner thigh, and I groan when he bites the soft flesh. I know that the inner side of the thighs is soft. I touched it to find out.

I also realised that some of the places Alexander bites most often are soft. He must like to sink his teeth.

«Don't make your wife cry,» I complain, and he kisses my secret part with his usual, perfect technique.

Oh, I should really learn from him.

His beard scratches my skin when he turns his head, but it doesn't make me want to stop. On the contrary, it makes me pant louder.

We spent six months apart, sending letters to each other and dreaming about the day we would meet again.

And now that we're together, it's as if we never parted. Everything is as it used to be. We love and cherish each other, just like the day Alexander left.

«My name,» he reminds me after a good minute of silence.

His breath tickles my secret part, and his teeth nibble my thigh. His hands keep me still, even though I wouldn't run away for anything in the world.

I arch my back when he hits a particularly good place, and I call him as he wished. I call his name over and over again, fulfilling his simple wish.

After all, he's earning it.