Chapter 11: Bath

Leander didn't say a word until they were home.

In the hall he stood with his coat still on and his face still turned toward the dark.

"Draw me a bath," he said.

"Hot.

"And stay."

Corwin drew the bath in the copper tub in the dressing room.

The steam hung thick in the air, and the lamp threw gold on the wet tiles.

When he turned, Leander was already naked.

He stood in the doorway with his arms at his sides, thin and pale.

He was shivering in the heat.

"Wash me," Leander said.

"The way you do everything.

"And say nothing."

He stepped into the water.

He sank down with a long breath, and Corwin knelt on the tile beside the tub, rolled his sleeves, and took the soap.

He washed Leander's shoulders.

He washed the long muscles of his back in slow circles.

He washed the back of his neck under the gold hair, where the tendons stood out.

Leander had his eyes closed.

Corwin could feel the tremor in him beginning to ease under his palms, a little at a time.

He rinsed Leander's hair with a jug and ran his fingers through it.

"You haven't undressed," Leander said.

"My lord didn't say to."

"I'm saying it."

Corwin stripped and stepped into the tub behind him.

It was a tight fit.

Leander leaned back against Corwin's chest, and the water rose and spilled over the rim, and neither of them noticed.

Corwin took the soap and moved his hands over Leander's chest, his stomach, the sharp rise of his hips.

Leander's breath hitched.

"Lower."

Corwin went lower.

Leander was hard under the water.

Corwin took him in his hand and stroked him slowly in the slick of the soap.

Leander let his head fall back on Corwin's shoulder with a moan.

"Don't stop.

"Don't ever..."

"I won't."

"Your other hand."

Corwin knew what he meant.

He slid it down behind Leander, over the curve of his arse, and Leander spread his thighs as far as the tub allowed.

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