Beastmen Kings At My Feet [Reverse Harem] - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Veronica's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, like morning light spilling across her skin. She looked shy and enchanting. She grumbled to herself, 'Why's he treating me like a kid? I'm a grown woman, you know. I don't need that kind of coddling.'
But when she looked into Joshua's eyes—gentle, steady, full of quiet strength—she couldn't say no. She never could.
Without a word, Joshua reached out and lifted her from the bed, like she was something delicate. Carefully, like she might break, he pulled back the blankets and tucked her in, making sure not to disturb her one bit.
Veronica lay nestled in the soft bed, wrapped in Joshua's care and warmth. An unfamiliar tenderness bloomed in her chest. She didn't speak or move but just let herself soak in the peace and intimacy of the moment.
She knew he didn't treat her like a child. This was Joshua's love, pure and fierce, wrapped in the gentlest kind of protection.
For a fleeting second, Veronica felt like she was back in some carefree childhood dream, safe and weightless. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady rhythm of Joshua's heartbeat, feeling his warmth.
At that moment, nothing else existed. She felt like the luckiest person in the universe.
After carefully pulling the covers over her to make sure she'd stay warm, Joshua leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. The gesture was soft, like he was afraid of disturbing whatever peaceful dream she might be drifting into.
"Goodnight, my mistress," he murmured, his voice low and full of quiet reverence. He straightened up, about to leave, when he suddenly felt a pull.
Veronica blinked up at him from beneath the blanket, her eyes wide and glimmering in the dim light, catching his shadow across the bed.
Something inside her stirred—something that wanted to cling to him, feel his warmth, and stay in that cocoon of safety for just a little longer.
Without a word, she tugged him down until their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. Her heartbeat echoed through her chest, thudding in sync with his.
"Goodnight, Joshua," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Then she slipped back under the blanket and shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Joshua froze for a beat, caught off guard by the sudden intimacy. But then he smiled—helpless and a little amused.
He knew her too well. She was timid, but she also had a way of messing with his head that made his heart ache in the best way.
His hand found her hair, gently smoothing it down as he watched her feign sleep. She looked peaceful, innocent, and maddeningly endearing. At that quiet moment, he made himself a silent promise that he'd protect her forever.
"Hey, Matthew," Veronica called out and waved as he approached.
Matthew walked up in front of her. "Wow, look who's finally stopped hiding from me."
"I never hid," she said, rolling her eyes.
Matthew snorted, "Who knows? But even if you want to hide now, it's too late."
Veronica gave a sheepish grin. "So, when are we setting off?"
Matthew said, "Soon. Just waiting for the squad to finish assembling. We can't be sloppy with your safety."
They stood side by side at the airship's boarding ramp, watching the scene below.
Joshua was down there, rallying the troops. The soldiers moved in perfect unison, decked out in black uniforms, each of them tall and imposing. They looked like they'd been carved out of steel.
At the front stood Joshua. He was commanding and composed, and he barked out orders with smooth precision. The air around him crackled with authority, like even a thousand troops wouldn't be enough to stand in his way.
Sunlight poured over him, casting a golden sheen across his figure. He looked like a god out of legend, radiant and untouchable, like he was made of light, like he was people's belief.
Veronica couldn't tear her eyes away from Joshua. It wasn't until Matthew nudged her shoulder that she snapped out of it.