Anew light comes to show the way.
Solet the winds of freedom blow,
Andlet the seas of freedom flow,
Forin the heart of sky and sea,
Aworld reborn, once more is free.
Aknock rapped at the door, andIsnapped the book closed, fumbling to get it back on the shelf like a youngling caught stealing jelly rolls.Theknock came again, andIrealized they were waiting for a reply.Itiptoed over to the door and pressed my ear against it.
“YourHighness, it’sCiara.”Icracked the door open to seeCiara’skind, soft face peering at me.
“Ciara,Ihave told you not to call me that.Toriis fine.”
Thehalf-fae woman cracked a smile that was completely wicked fae as she said, “Iwas coming to check to see how you were doing this morning.”Shewinked at me.Ifelt color rise on my cheeks.Hersmile grew even more wicked, if that were possible. “Although, by my observation it seems to me you are doing quite well.”Iscowled at her, unable to come up with anything witty to say.Iwas standing in the king’s room with no underwear on for fuck’s sake.
Shelet out a friendly laugh that managed to coax a smile out of me, before her face became more serious and she said, “YourHighness, truly, do you have need of anything?”
“Howabout an escort back to my own room?”
Thewarm smileIknew well returned to her face and she nodded, “Ofcourse,YourHighness.”
“Tori.”
“Ofcourse,YourHighness.”
Shewalked me down the halls back to my wing of the castle.Ididn’t speak, but it was nice to be walking with someone, as opposed to slinking back to my room.Ciaraspoke casually of the plans for dinner that evening, it was past lunch after all, she added with a snarky wink, and of the new plants coming into the garden this week.Wereached my door, and she opened it for me,Ipassed her in silence when she touched my arm lightly.
“Tori—”Ipaused at her use of my name, “Youare not the first woman to succumb to the king’s…charms.Ifyou need of anything, please do let me know.”
Theknowledge that this was a common occurrence made something twist in my stomach, stinking suspiciously of jealousy.Alook must have passed my face that she interpreted as regret, for she squeezed my arm.
Shecouldn’t have known, but she squeezed my arm in just the way my mother had whenIhad been discouraged with my lessons as a youngling.Oneof the few signs of physical affection she ever showed me.Atear rose to my eye beforeIcould suppress it.HorrorcrossedCiara’sface, and beforeIknew it, she had wrapped her arms around me in a deep hug.Ifroze.Aftereverything that had happened the night before, this was too much.Notto mention this was a highly inappropriate breach of her station.Myhead spun, and that weight was pressed to my chest again.
Ipushed out of her arms, “Ciara,I’malright—I’mfine.I’llcall ifIneed anything.”Ipushed her away, more forcefully thanImeant, and she staggered back and fell to the floor. “I’msor—”
“It’salright,YourHighness.”Shestraightened her apron and stood tall, away from me, all formality returned. “Please, do call if you need anything.”Sheclosed my door and walked away, as a great whirlpool opened up inside of me, sucking me in.
Chapter37
Tori
Mymind raced all afternoon.Despitethe activities of the previous night, my mind was caught onCiara.Shehad been one of the people to show me kindness in my time here, andIhad treated her like a spoiled brat.Iberated myself for also thinking of her station when she hugged me.Ihad always praised myself for never judging others by their station in life, but hereIhad done just that with the closest thingIhad to a friend.Ipaced the room, thinking of howIcould apologize, wondering if she even wanted me to.
Beingin this palace was driving me mad.Andnot just becauseIwas a prisoner.Iwas so tired of trying to see the hidden motives behind everyone around me.Didthey see me as the enemy?Orjust as a captured spoiled princess they needed to deal with?WereCiara,Kaleos, evenAvlyntruly showing me kindness, or were they just doing their duty to the king?Andthe king…
No,Ididn’t let myself think about that.Theocean of my mind had been churning, memories rising up without my consent.Allthoughts of the kingIshoved forcefully back, thoughts of how my stomach had turned at the thought of him being with other people, the way his arm had wrapped around me, holding me to him last night, all filed away and tossed into the recesses of my mind.
Ionly allowed myself to think of the mind-blowing orgasm he had given me.ThatIunderstood, that was physical.Icould have that,Icould keep my feelings for him purely carnal, couldn’tI?Surely, he was doing the same?Iwas just one of many to pass through his door.Evenif he had told me he would never let me go, and kissed me softly and tenderly wrapped in his arms…
Mymemories threatened to rise up, butIslammed them down.Thenervous energy in my body caused my injured arm to ache, small stabs of pain running up over my shoulder.
Asoft knock came at my door.Thankthe gods.Iran over, hoping to seeCiara, but a young human boy held a tray with my dinner. “Foryou,YourHighness.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Andthis as well.”Fromhis pocket he drew a small paper-wrapped box, with a note tied to the top. “Fromthe king himself,YourHighness.”Wellfuck, so much for putting him out of my mind.“Isthere anything else?”
