Shaugn sat upright with a gasp. His heart pounded in his chest as if he'd just run a marathon. He clutched his damp shirt to his chest and tried to steady his breathing. The bed shifted beside him and the lamp beside the bed was lit. He closed his eyes and counted in his head to calm himself down.

What the hell was that?

"Zinzin, another bad dream?"

Shaugn shook his head as his hand trembled. How could he tell Xoan he'd dreamt of his real spouse who had passed on? How could he tell him that he was now in the OG Shaugn's place forever?

What would he think? His soul had been swapped with his real spouse's. Would they think he was possessed or evil? Would they burn him at the stake? Would Xoan think he was crazy?

Hell, Shaugn was beginning to think he was going crazy.

Xoan wiped the moisture off his face and looked at him with worried eyes. "Speak to me. What's wrong?"

"I..." he thought of OG Shaugn's words. He gave his blessing for Shaugn to be here and live on in his place. He took a deep breath in and let it out.

"Nothing. I'm fine." Shaugn opened his eyes and looked at Xoan. "I'm fine now. Go back to sleep." He turned on his side to lay down and pulled the blankets over himself. He couldn't explain what had happened in his dream. Not yet at least. He needed to find this Daga person and talk to the priest. He shivered as the blanket was pulled off of him. Before he could whine, he was lifted up like a damsel.

Reflexively, his arms wrapped around a sturdy neck. "Xoan! What are you doing?"

Xoan kissed the side of his head and strode toward the bathroom. "You need to wash the sweat off and change into dry clothes otherwise you'll catch a cold."

He clutched two handfuls of silky black hair and pulled. "I can walk, you know," he said through clenched teeth.

A smile touched Xoan's lips at Shaugn's little attack. "Mmhm. I just like to carry you around."

Shaugn shook his head. Xoan was just too smitten. He didn't protest as they were both stripped down and sat in the large bathing pool together. Shaugn had to give it to the ancients of this time and space. They always had hot water.

Xoan pulled Shaugn to sit in between his legs with Shaugn's back to his chest. Even though OG said it was okay, this was way more intimate than he was used to. Shaugn tried to pull away but ended up being pulled onto Xoan's lap with strong arms around his stomach. Xoan's breath tickled his ear making him shiver.

"Why are you so resistant to being held by me?"

Shaugn fumbled for an excuse. "I just...um..." Warm lips pressed to his shoulder.

"When I find out who did this to you, they are going to get more than a bump on the head."

"Don't bother with that person. They failed to kill me." Shaugn smirked to himself. Not to mention, he had plans for that person when he found out who it was.

"They won't get another chance." He sighed. "You still don't remember anything?" Xoan picked up the washcloth and began to wipe down his body.

Shaugn shook his head. "Every time I see their face in my mind and try to focus on the details, their image disappears. Like smoke and I get a headache." He took a shuddering breath as the washrag grazed one of his nipples. What was the man trying to do?

"Mmm." Xoan's hands slid down his torso and rested on his belly. Shaugn felt a flush all over his skin and put his hands on top of the emperor's.

"Xoan, I-"

"I just want to hold you. I miss you."

Hearing the sadness in his voice, Shaugn sighed and let Xoan hold him tight. What was he supposed to do in this situation? Even though he was given permission and was technically married to the man, he didn't want to be too intimate with Xoan just yet. Xoan still thought he was OG Shaugn. Even though they were similar and he now had this body, it wasn't the same.

This was all so messed up. He frowned. Hopefully, the priests here knew a lot about soul stuff and could help him solve this predicament he was in. "Are you going to court tomorrow?"

Xoan nodded against his shoulder. "Aya. Hopefully, there won't be any disputes between neighbors over pasture grazing or disobedient children."

Shaugn couldn't help but chuckle. "We should get to bed and rest. You don't want to be sleeping on the throne in the middle of court, majesty." He stood and shivered as the cold air hit his heated skin. Xoan didn't move. His eyes were fixated on the water beading off Shaugn's body.

"Earth to Xoan."

Blinking, Xoan looked up and gave Shaugn a lopsided smile.

"What's with you and my stomach?"

"Nothing."

Shaugn raised a brow and put a hand on his hip. "Uh...huh."

Xoan rose out of the water and pulled him close. Shaugn's eyes widened as he felt something hard press against his belly. Damn the man for being tall and well endowed.

"Let's get you out of the cold and into bed." Xoan kissed the corner of his mouth.

His stomach fluttered and Shaugn gripped Xoan's wandering hands. "To sleep, your majesty."

Xoan smirked. "Of course." He placed a soft kiss on Shaugn's lips and carried him out of the bath. Shaugn focused on his breathing and trying to name all the different types of butterflies he knew in an effort to keep his little self from reacting. He wasn't a virgin by any means and the heavens knew it had been a while since he'd gotten laid. He just didn't want to embarrass himself cumming by touch.

Oh, and let's not forget the secret guards skulking about.

Shaugn scanned the room trying to find the hidden guard as they toweled off and redressed. "Xoan."

Xoan toweled off his wet tresses before putting on a new sleep shirt. "Yes, zinzin?"

Shaugn pulled the soft nightshirt on and pulled on his shorts. After he was able to get out of bed on his own, he had the royal seamstress make him shorts to wear and shorten all the nightgowns in his wardrobe except for three. Just in case.

"Do the shadow guards stick around even when we are in bed?"

"They serve as extra eyes and ears in case someone tries to assassinate us in our sleep." Xoan tied his hair up and hung up the damp towel.

"What about when we are..." he trailed off and looked at Xoan with a 'you know' look.

Xoan raised a brow. "Yes."

How embarrassing. Shaugn could feel his face burning. That means they could see and hear everything.

"Something wrong?"

Shaugn tugged on the front of his shirt. "Could they...ya know...while we are doing...intimate stuff? Or bathing?"

"No."

"You didn't even think about it," Shaugn huffed. He threw his towel at Xoan and dived under the blankets.

Xoan hung the towel up. "What's there to think about? This is how it has always been. Besides," he slid into bed next to Shaugn and pulled him close. "-had they been there that night, you wouldn't have been attacked."

Shaugn detected a bit of anger underlying Xoan's tone. Guess he wasn't as calm as he'd seemed. "Fine." He laid his head on Xoan's hard chest and sighed. What a worrywart. Shaugn closed his eyes.

After a while, Xoan spoke in a soft voice. "I can have them stay outside when we are...intimate if you prefer."

"And bathing." Shaugn hissed as Xoan pinched his side. "Mean ass."

"Don't push it."

Shaugn gave him a goofy smile. "Thank you."

Xoan kissed him. "Goodnight, zinzin."

"Goodnight." Shaugn closed his eyes and soon drifted off. A warm hand stroked his hair before lips kissed his forehead.

"You heard."

Several black-robed men appeared at the foot of the bed. "Yes, your majesty."

Piercing, jade slivers looked them over. "Stay close."

They bowed. "As you command, your majesty." The black blurs disappeared from the room just as swiftly as they'd arrived. Xoan waited until he could no longer feel any of their presence then looked down at the sleeping man in his arms with a pensive expression.

"What secrets are locked away in that head of yours, Shau?"