Chapter 84: A rough early morning

As Emily's lips almost reached mine, I pulled back.

"What are you doing?" I asked with a nervous chuckle.

Emily frowned a little. "Kissing you?"

I shook my head. "That's not happening".

"Why?"

"Because you just tasted my precum". I replied.

"That has never stopped you before". She replied and her frown deepened.

"Well it's different when I see you actively tasting it". I replied and adjusted my waistband properly around my waist.

She scoffed and said nothing in response. I wrestled with a smile.

"You're mad". Sёarch* The nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I'm not". She replied and stormed towards the gate.

I hurried after her. It was easy to catch up with her short strides.

I threw my arm around her shoulder. I'll kiss you this evening when you've washed it off. I said".

Emily jabbed me in the side with her elbow and I exaggerated the effect. She rolled her eyes and continued walking but I could tell her mood had lifted.

****

With a sudden jolt, I was awakened by a sharp, insistent tapping on my shoulder.

My eyes fluttered open, bleary and unfocused, as they struggled to comprehend the disturbance . In the half-light, I saw a silhouette, a blur of movement in the darkness.

"Get up Levi," came a deep voice, breaking the silence. The emperor wants to see you.

I blinked and slowly, the veil of sleep began to lift, remnants of the dream faded into the fog of memory and I sighed.

"Can you hear me?" Aaron asked and waved his hand in front of me. The emperor wants to see you now.

"I heard the first time". I grumbled.

My eyes were still heavy with sleep but I forced them open and the room was became clearer.

The first rays of light pierced through the curtains and bathed the room in a gray, gloomy glow, casting shadows on the walls and highlighting the familiar shape of my bed.

I got up and inhaled. The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the promise of a new day. It was a beautiful cool morning and everybody would agree they loved it and were grateful for it.

I hated it.

I hated having to wake up early and trudge all the way to the palace when all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and get lost in blissful sleep.

I hated that the emperor hadn't seen a better time for a meeting than this dreary morning.

I yawned loudly and stretched, loving the sound of my joints crackling and enjoying the feeling.

I gathered the covers and folded it in a rough bunch which I threw to one side of the bed. By now I was quite alert and my legs felt stable enough to walk. I dragged my feet along the harsh marble floor and began to walk to the door.

As he made my way across the room, my gaze fell upon the residues of the previous day, scattered about the room. Liam's side had the most litters and his side looked like a budding refuse dump.

The disarray did not concern me, however, my mind was focused on the day ahead.

I reached the door and placed my hand on the handle.

With a gentle twist, the latch gave way and the door surrendered to the pressure. It swung open.

The sound was a familiar one, a creak and a groan. As the door swung open, a breath of fresh air wafted into the room and I instantly felt better.

I stood in the threshold and paused for a moment, savoring the stillness of the early morning.

Mornings were beautiful to witness because they marked a transition point. Half of the world was still at sleep while another half was just rising, ready for the bustle of the day.

And as the light of the rising sun poured in through the open doorway, I stepped forward, less reluctant to meet the emperor.

I stepped out of the room and went outside.

In the corner of the compound, a bucket stood. I'd filled it up with water the night before.

I approached the bucket with a steady gait, my footsteps falling softly on the earth-packed floor.

On the way, I grabbed a bowl from the railing. With a gentle motion, I dipped the bowl into the cool waters of the bucket. The ripples spread out in rings that reflected the dawn's early light.

I scooped up the water and with a swift motion, I raised the bowl to my head, letting the water run down my face and neck.

As the water flowed over my face, a surge of energy rushed through me and it chased away whatever little sleep remained.

I felt the chill of the water against my skin, made even colder by the frigid air but I didn't fight it. I stood there and closed my eyes, letting the coolness of the water linger on my skin for just a moment longer. I breathed in deeply, savoring the freshness of the air and the quiet stillness of the morning.

And then, with a sigh of contentment, I reached for the towel, patting his face dry with a practiced hand. The cold water had done its work, rinsing away the last bits of sleep and awakening my senses fully for the walk to the palace.

When I got back to my room, I knew I had to leave soon if I didn't want to be late.

With deft fingers, the I reached for the simple tunic that hung from a nearby hook.

I pulled it over my head, allowing the cloth to drape effortlessly over my slender frame.

Next, I turned my attention to the pants, a rough-hewn pair of trousers. With a practiced motion, I slipped them over his legs, the fabric falling into place around my waist like a second skin.

With a final tug on the waistband of my pants, I was ready to leave.

I pushed the door open and hurried out.