Chapter 27 – Death by Teasing

Book:MY SCYTHE-WIELDING HUSBAND Published:2024-5-1

It was early eight in the morning when Solene woke up. She first registered the soft rays of the sun filtering through the glass doors and then a faint sound of water running inside the bathroom. She hummed a relaxed tune, still wanting to enjoy the softness of the mattress and the pillows, but as the events of last night started flooding inside her, she quickly sat up and tossed a wide-eyed look at the empty space beside her.
Henri wasn’t present, but she was willing to bet it was he who was inside the bathroom showering.
‘Showering…’ her thoughts voiced out and ideas of him naked—something she wasn’t able to witness last night—drowned her poor, virgin mind. Her heart skipped beats then. She took a long breath to calm herself and fortunately it worked.
“Uh, what the…” she muttered, her mouth hanging thereafter upon seeing her current state.
A white chemise with semi-sheer fabric and a sweetheart neckline clothed her, far different from the wedding gown she wore last night. What was even more surprising was how she was butt naked underneath it. No brassiere to cover her breasts or even underwear to secure her modesty.
Obviously, it was her husband that took care of her last night—more than enough actually—and that somehow flamed her cheeks.
“Good morning Solene.”
At the sound of someone greeting, she immediately looked up and found Henri already nearing her with only a gray towel wrapped around his waist covering his… essentials.
Exactly as she thought, he just came from the shower. His inky hair was still wet and dripping, runnels of fresh water began to trickle down his temple, chest, and the hard planes of his abdomen. Silently, she praised the heavens for this sexy scene in the morning.
“Go… od morning Henri,” Solene managed to say despite being dumbstruck. Her eyes couldn’t keep away from gazing at his muscles and that damn V dip…
‘Damn indeed…’ she cursed inside. Her husband was certainly evoking that side of her that fantasized a lot.
“Did you get a good sleep?” Henri asked, successfully pulling her attention to him. He stared at her like he was teasing her, as if telepathically sending her pictures of his voracious veneration last night.
Solene felt heat climb up her cheeks. Oh goodness, he just had to subtly say that.
“I did. Th… thank you,” she choked an answer.
Henri flashed her a knowing grin in response. “Great to hear that then.” He moved to a corner and opened a rectangular cabinet where fresh towels were stored. He picked one with an embroidery of the family crest and used this to dry himself.
Meanwhile, all Solene could do was gape at him, admiring the view of his sexy back, the ample shape of his ass, and the tensing of his muscles as he used the towel.
She had almost forgotten about herself until the chiming of the grandfather clock took her out of the trance.
“Um, were you… you know, the one who changed me into this chemise?” she asked hesitantly. Although she already knew his answer, she questioned anyway for her peace of mind.
Henri faced her and nodded once. “I didn’t want you to sleep still wearing your wedding gown, Solene.”
“Right, th—thanks again…” she muttered, lowering her eyes on the floor. He was thoughtful enough not to point out her fainting in the middle of his foreplay and that fact made her appreciate him all the more.
She wanted to apologize but didn’t know exactly how to do that.
“You should take a bath now. We leave at nine,” Henri informed, cutting her again from her deep contemplation.
She gave him a questioning look. “Where are we going?”
Henri’s mouth tugged upward briefly before he answered, “To my other estate east of here for our honeymoon, Solene.”
“Honey… moon?” Her eyelids fluttered. “But I thought, well, you’re too… busy… with work?”
Henri finally closed the distance between them and cupped her face.
“My beautiful wife, I prefer to spend my time with you than run a business where I face nonstop dead people,” he stated.
Solene met his stare head-on only because she was trying her best to avoid the obvious bulge he had under the towel.
“I was actually referring to your pharmaceuticals, hotel, shipping, and steel businesses, Henri,” she pointed out which made Henri hum in understanding.
“Worry not, I have people taking care of that, Solene,”
“Right. Of course.” She averted her gaze from him and inwardly sighed.
Somehow, when faced with the truth about the Rantzen Family straight from Henri’s lips, it made Solene shudder. It was one of those mind-blowing truths a human like her could get. She hadn’t really seen the family’s so-called Soul Collectors on the job, but Henri’s actions and words easily confirmed they were a family of supernaturals—a bunch of baloney in the eyes of the common-folk and she would have believed the same if it weren’t for her conjurer father and if it weren’t for the fact that she also benefited from the Rantzen’s abilities.
Henri tipped her chin up, demanding attention from her again. When Solene’s eyes flickered back to him, he lowered his head and planted a chaste kiss on her lips—or at least that was the initial plan until Solene, on impulse, deepened their exchange.
Groaning inwardly, Henri guided her back to the mattress. He used one arm to balance himself while the other started exploring her curves.
Solene arched her back and caressed his jaw and chest with her hands. Maybe if she didn’t faint last night, she would have already mastered every inch of his body, but it was too late to regret that now.
She reveled on his confident hand touching her… igniting her. She simply wanted more of it. However, Henri had other plans. Instead of continuing, he abruptly withdrew and flashed her a playful smile.
“In addition to what I said earlier, our wedding wouldn’t be complete if there’s no honeymoon, right? I’m yet to finish my husband duties to you, Solene.”
“Touché,” she breathed out and hurriedly recollected herself. Damn him for teasing her like this.
“I’ll start packing, I guess,” she announced just as Henri stood up.
“Your clothes are already taken care of so don’t worry about that. However, you may want to see your family first before we leave.”
At the reminder, Solene’s blushing face lightened.
“Yes, of course, I’d love to do that.”
She left their bed in a hurry trying her best to shield herself from his gaze, but she knew… she knew he was watching her with enough intensity the flimsy chemise would have turned to ashes.
***
“You look radiant this morning, Sweety,” Meridith announced when Solene joined her family in the breakfast table half an hour later.
Erotic images from last night flashed before her but she quickly shoved them at the back of her head.
“I was able to sleep well I guess,” was her simple answer. She noticed her mother and Riza throwing glances at each other though, clearly thinking they knew better. Solene just ignored it and went to fork a mini pancake from the serving plate.
“I was told by Mrs. Su you and Henri will be going on a honeymoon later,” Meridith started.
Solene bobbed her head in affirmative whilst chewing. “Yes, he surprised me earlier when he mentioned that.
“Is your tattoo still intact, my dear?” Riza butted in.
“Yes, uhm… grandma,” Solene answered, but this time, she felt suddenly hesitant to address her that way after remembering the truth. “It is still visible but again, it continues to lose its vibrancy,” she continued.
“I see…” Riza mused. “Anyway, you don’t need to worry about accidents anymore.”
Meridith stretched her arm across the table and held Solene’s hand.
“We are so proud of you, Sweety. You kept your father’s last wish. You survived.”
She smiled at her mother’s words and nodded. “Father could rest easy now.”
Trying to avoid getting emotional early in the morning, she heaved a breath and forced a smile towards her mother.
“So, what do you plan to do in this country?” she asked, genuinely curious. Her adopted brother was busily eating waffles and strawberries and Solene was delighted to see it.
“Sightseeing of course,” Grandpa Gerard replied instantly. “My arthritis aside, I think we will be able to cover all tourist spots in five days. I’m super hyped!”
Solene chuckled loudly at his statement.
“And hope that you’ll return by that time to see us fly back to Germaine, Sweety,” Meridith added.
“I’ll check our itinerary, but I’m sure Henri got this all covered,” Solene answered.
Meridith squeezed her daughter’s hand again and flashed a sincere smile.
“Enjoy your honeymoon, Sweety. Make beautiful memories.”
“And babies too!” Grandpa Gerard interjected.
“Pops!”
“Grandpa!”
The mother and daughter quickly expressed in exasperation. Meridith rolled her eyes heavenward while Solene laughed the awkward moment away.
“Ignore him, my dear, he is just excited to meet his grandchildren,” Riza pointed out.
“Well then, enjoy your sightseeing later,” Solene stated. “And I’ll see you again soon.”
“You too, Sweety,” her mother replied.
***
Inside the limousine, Solene sat silently while Henri was busy taking calls. He had been like this since they left the Rantzen Estate fifteen minutes ago and it was nothing new to her.
She decided to direct her attention to the scenery outside her side of the window.
Her husband said that they’ll be in his other estate east of the main house and from the looks of the Google map in her smartphone, east meant lush forests and towering mountains.
That would be a definite change from the usual advertised honeymoon in magazines and televisions. The beach was always a preferable choice for honeymoon goers, but it seemed it wasn’t the case for her husband. She, on the other hand, didn’t mind. She loved the forest floor better than the sands in the shoreline and she loved the coldness the mountains brought than the sun above her head.
Maybe, he was thinking of her after all when he chose the venue and this wild thought brought a smile to her face.
Ten minutes later, Henri was still on the phone barking out orders. To Solene’s confusion, he was actually dealing with the family earthly business despite saying he had people for it.
Deciding to ignore her husband further, she continued to watch the passing houses outside their car. Suddenly though, she gasped when she felt Henri’s hand capture hers. He was still on his phone but it seemed half of his attention was on her.
Solene managed to hide her growing smile as Henri tightly intertwined their fingers. It made her heart swell up and her cheeks burn and this prolonged until they arrived at their destination.