Chapter 56 - The Unspoken Truth

Eloise’s POV

I became thirsty from having my mouth open for so long out of shock. While I should’ve been celebrating the swift taking of Gray, I couldn’t get over the fact that Xavier had gotten hurt.

“Although Lord Xavier will not admit it, his wounds are rather severe. Please make your way to Gray at your earliest convenience,” I reread out loud.

I jumped out of bed and despite it being the middle of the night, I ran packed a light backpack, and ordered for a guard to get the carriage ready. I didn’t want to waste any time getting Xavier the medical treatment he needed.

What am I thinking? His medics are more capable than I am. Why can’t I just admit that I want to see him?

On the way to Gray, Mona flew out of the mirror and sat next to me. Although I couldn’t explain my thoughts, I felt my body tense up in her presence.

“What a perfect opportunity to finally rid yourself of Xavier!” Mona smiled. “In his weekend state, all you’d have to do is slip him some poison disguised as a healing potion.”

“Mona—”

“Oh! Or you could use the dagger you got from grandma Sylvie’s house.”

“Mona!” My tone was urgent but hushed.

Mona looked at me with a concerned look. “What? Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts when the perfect window to kill Xavier is right there in front of you.”

“It’s not that. Are you even thinking? It’d be too obvious for me to kill Xavier in his current state. Aside from Adrian, I’m the only other person who would be visiting Xavier’s tent,” I explain.

“People would know who killed Xavier and it would only cause the rest of the Leonards to side with Douglas and attack my family. Are you also forgetting that the vampire royals sided with him, too?” I questioned Mona.

Mona crossed her arms. “I suppose you’re right…”

The rest of the ride was quiet as I leaned my head against the carriage window and fell asleep. A knock came at the door and woke me up as we arrived in Gray.

“Lady Eloise,” a man on the other side spoke. “Sir Adrian requests your presence at Lord Xavier’s tent immediately.”

The soldier quickly guided me past the other medical tents that were erected to tend to the ones injured in battle and got me right outside of Xavier’s tent. He bowed to me before leaving.

I swallowed my nervousness and entered the tent. A gasp escaped my lips as I saw Xavier’s wounded state for myself.

Bandages covered were wrapped around his forehead and up the lengths of both of his arms. His right leg was propped up on a mound of pillows and was encased in a makeshift cast.

“Eloise,” Xavier managed to smile at me. “You came.”

“Of course,” I spoke gently. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Xavier tried to shift himself on the bed and groaned out in pain. I ran to his side and sat down on the bed next to him.

“Don’t overextend yourself! Your wounds are very severe.”

“Well,” Xavier let out a raspy chuckle. “I needed to let them land a few blows on me so they’d feel confident in battle; even if their attempts at thwarting me off were futile.”

I observed the cuts that peeked out from behind his bandages, noting how deep some of them were. I don’t know why he’s trying to play it off… Even his natural regenerative healing abilities aren’t closing these wounds fast enough.

I smiled at him. “I think you were a little too generous, Xavier.”

He laughed but immediately stopped as he clutched his stomach, a pained expression painted on his face.

“Eloise,” Xavier spoke up. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to realize how much of a fool I’d been.”

“The terms of the agreement to become my Luna were not only unreasonable but I was also cold to you… I know I’ve said it so many times already but I’m sorry.” Xavier looked up at me with pleading eyes.

“I accept your apology, Xavier. Family means everything to both of us. I can care for both yours and mine.”

And that was the truth. I’m glad that he realized how absurd his terms were. Now I wished that he would believe I could be dedicated to both him and my family.

Soon, Xavier fell asleep and it allowed me to examine his body. As I unwound his bandages to replace them, a frown tugged on my lips.

Xavier wanted to put on a brave face just to seem like he was okay but because his self-healing abilities hardly kicked in, things didn’t look good.

If I don’t intervene, his wounds could get infected. Or worse…

I went into my backpack and pulled out some herbs and aloe vera. I formed it into a healing paste and rubbed it into Xavier’s wounds before bandaging him back up.

There… That should accelerate the healing process.

When I was done, I laid down next to him and looked at his sleeping face. I kissed him gently on the forehead and that’s when I knew…

Xavier… Lord and Alpha of the Leonard family… I’m in love with you.

Xavier’s POV

I woke up to see Eloise sleeping peacefully next to me. I shifted my body to take her into my arms and was pleasantly surprised to feel like I was almost completely healed.

I sat up on the bed and looked over at the small table to see a small bottle that sat on top of it. I smelled its contents and recognized the aloe vera and other familiar flowers and herbs.

I unrolled the bandages on my arms and smelled the same scent from the bottle on my skin. Even the majority of my cuts were gone.

I looked over at Eloise and smiled as I laid back in bed and snuggled against her small frame.

Even if you’re not the strongest witch, you possess strength in areas I had never thought of before. You are unique, selfless, and wonderful…

Maybe I can learn to be as forgiving as you, too.

I softly caressed her cheek as my hand trailed down her chest, then down to her waist. I then began to gently massage her lower back.

Heat began to build up in my body. It had been a while since we were last intimate.

Eloise stirred from her sleep and opened her eyes to look up at me. A smile spread across her lips.

“You seem better.”

“Thanks to you.”

I placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Her lips spread into a smile against mine.

I shifted my body and hovered myself over Eloise. I slowly pressed my body against hers as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I’d like to show just how grateful I am for all that you’ve done. If you’ll allow me.”

Eloise nodded her head as heat rushed to her cheeks. “Please. Show me your gratitude.”

I smiled and began to gently knead at her soft breasts. A moan escaped her lips and it was just as musical as I remembered it to be.

I lifted her shirt and swirled my tongue around her erect nipples. Her breath hitched and it only heightened my desire to be inside of her.

I slowly rubbed my hardness against Eloise. She reciprocated by spreading her legs and allowing me to adjust myself between her thighs.

I pulled down the thin medical cotton pants that could hardly contain my erection as she took off her pants and underwear, too. It felt so good to rub my length against her warm and already wet entrance.

A new fire lit in the pits of my stomach.

Her soft hands settled at the back of my neck and back as I began to slowly massage her entrance with the tip of my length. I could feel her shifting her body lower as if wanting me to already take her.

I pressed my lips to hers as I plunged my hardened length inside of her, getting lost in the warmth of her tenderness.

Our moans filled the tent—and undoubtedly the ears of anyone around us—as we reached our climax together. Our bodies shook in unison from the waves of pleasure as we settled into each other’s embrace once more.

I looked into her eyes and gave Eloise another tender kiss.

Although I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud, I had hoped my eyes conveyed the message I was trying to tell her.

I love you, Eloise.