Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 72: I am so hot

Chapter 72: I am so hot

"Quinn!" Hezekiah’s furious yell reverberated through the walls, each knock against the door more urgent than the last. Yet Quinn remained deaf to the commotion, fully focused on transferring his blood into Belle’s wound.

Desperation coursed through him as he picked up her hand again. Still no pulse. His frustration mounted, his jaw tightening as he watched her life slipping away before his eyes.

This time, he bit into his wrist with greater force, creating a deeper wound. Blood spilled freely as he pressed it against her neck once more, letting it seep into her injury. This method had been proven to counter wolfsbane in humans, why wasn’t it working?

Suddenly, her body temperature began to rise alarmingly. Panic gripped Quinn as he checked her over, searching for any hidden injuries, but found nothing. His brow furrowed in confusion and dread.

"I will tear this door down if you do not open it now!" Hezekiah’s voice thundered again, but Quinn remained unbothered, his attention wholly on Belle.

Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her into the bathroom. He placed her carefully on the marble counter and removed her undergarments, leaving her half-naked. Lowering her into the cold water of the bathtub, he positioned himself behind her, her body resting against his chest.

Quinn entwined his fingers with hers and leaned forward, his lips brushing over her wound. He began to lick it—not too hard, not too soft— but determined to draw out the remaining poison. The icy water would help regulate her rising temperature, countering the venom’s effects.

Meanwhile, the door to Belle’s room flew open under Hezekiah’s relentless bangs. He froze, his sharp gaze catching sight of her torn gown on the floor. His heart sank as his eyes darted around the room, eventually landing on the half-open bathroom door.

"Stand outside, and stay away," he ordered his men, his voice low and steely. Protecting Belle’s reputation was paramount, no matter his suspicions.

He hesitated as he reached the bathroom, his hand hovering over the door. A flood of emotions warred within him, fear of what he might see, anger at Quinn’s audacity, and a gnawing jealousy that threatened to consume him.

"Belle!" He heard Quinn’s voice from within, and his impatience boiled over. Gently, he pushed the door open, his eyes landing on a scene that made his blood run cold.

Quinn and Belle were submerged in the water, both naked. Her body rested against his, and their closeness exuded an intimacy that sent a dagger of rage through Hezekiah. He quickly turned his back, exhaling deeply as he fought to contain his fury.

The sight was intolerable. His Belle, in Quinn’s arms, it made his veins tighten with suppressed anger. How could Quinn justify such proximity? The thought of their closeness stoked his jealousy, but he forced himself to remain rational. Belle was in danger, and Quinn’s actions, no matter how enraging, were likely an attempt to save her.

Quinn, oblivious to Hezekiah’s turmoil, continued his task. He picked up Belle’s hand once more, searching desperately for her pulse. Still nothing. Refusing to give up, he resumed licking her wound, each moment feeling like an eternity.

Minutes later, Belle suddenly gasped for air, her chest heaving as life returned to her. She sat up, her eyes wide and unfocused, and Quinn exhaled in relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.

"Belle!" Quinn called, tilting his head to check on her. She clutched onto him, her breath shallow, and murmured, "Hot, I am so hot." Before he could process her words, she seized his lips in a sudden, fevered kiss.

The unexpected action left him stunned. Was it the venom driving her behavior? He hesitated, unsure whether to deepen the kiss if it might ease her suffering, but before he could decide, she went limp in his arms, losing consciousness once again.

Quickly, he grabbed her hand and felt her pulse. It was weak but steady, and he exhaled in relief. She was out of immediate danger but needed medical attention.

Carefully, he lifted her from the bathtub and laid her on the bathroom counter, propping her against the wall. He retrieved her undergarment and dressed her with steady hands, ensuring she was covered. Then, holding her securely, he exited the bathroom.

Standing in the doorway with Belle in his arms, Quinn met Hezekiah’s gaze. Though Hezekiah appeared calm, Quinn could sense the storm of emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior.

"Is she stable now?" Hezekiah asked, his tone measured.

"Out of danger," Quinn replied, "but she still needs a physician’s care."

"I will summon one. Lay her on the bed and leave us," Hezekiah commanded, his voice firm.

Quinn didn’t move, his grip on Belle tightening. "I am not leaving until I see a physician treat her," he said, unfazed by the king’s authority.

"You dare defy your king?" Hezekiah snapped, his anger finally surfacing.

"I am merely saying I will leave once I know she’s receiving care," Quinn retorted, his tone unwavering. Their gazes locked in a silent battle, the tension between them palpable.

"Physician Jeremy!" Hezekiah called out sharply. A middle-aged man entered, his gaze lowering respectfully when he noticed the future queen’s state of undress.

"Ignore formalities," Hezekiah ordered, his voice cold and authoritative. "Her life is in danger and yours will be if you fail to save her."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the physician responded promptly, moving toward the bed where Quinn had just laid Belle.

Jeremy began his work, methodically treating Belle under the watchful eyes of both men.

"How is she?" Hezekiah asked after a tense silence.

"The venom has been fully removed, but it severely weakened her body. It will take several days for her to regain consciousness," Jeremy explained, his tone careful.

Quinn gave a slight nod, satisfied that his part was done. He turned to leave but paused when Hezekiah’s voice rang out behind him.

"Duke Quinn of the North, you are hereby ordered to be confined in the dungeon until the future queen awakens!" Hezekiah’s shout echoed through the room, his authority leaving no room for defiance.

Quinn paused but didn’t look back. Taking a deliberate step forward, he ignored the order entirely.

"I will not hesitate to eliminate my best general if he refuses to obey his king," Hezekiah warned, his voice low and dangerous.

Still, Quinn said nothing, his steps steady as he exited the room.

Hezekiah sighed in frustration and relief, confident Quinn would comply eventually. Turning back to Belle, he approached her bedside and sat down, his gaze softening.

If only Quinn had reported Belle’s presence to him earlier, none of this chaos would have unfolded. He would have taken her away from danger before it ever came to this.