“Ms. Tia?” I called after her, making her stop mid-step. Her hand rested on the door, and she turned just enough to meet my gaze.
“Thank you,” I said, and her stern expression seemed to soften. She gave the slightest nod before turning away and slipping out the door.
I took in the clothes on the bed and smiled, a sense of relief washing over me. I stripped out of my ill-fitting clothes, ready to be rid of them.
I stood there for a moment, admiring the assortment Ms. Tia had left for me. Lacy undergarments, each piece seemingly crafted by Mother Nature herself, were paired with the outfits, a perfect match for every color and fabric. I was mesmerized by the attention to detail, the delicate lace appearing as though it had been spun from silk and starlight.
I was unsure when these so-called festivities would begin, and my hand instinctively reached for a simple blue gown. The undergarments that came with it swirled like ocean waves, so light and intricately woven that I found myself wishing Ms. Tia was still here so that I could ask how something so delicate was made.
As I picked up the lace, still marveling at its detail, the door behind me swung open suddenly. My heart leapt into my throat as I whirled around, clutching the lace to my chest.
Xavier had stormed in, his eyes widening as they swept over my naked body.
“Fuck,” he gritted out, his voice a strained mix between a curse and something dangerously close to a moan. Xavier spun around abruptly, facing the open door. He hurriedly slammed it shut, his palm pressing firmly against the frame, the muscles in his back tensing visibly.
I couldn’t resist. “Never seen a naked woman before, Your Majesty?” I asked, my tone smug as I tossed his words back at him, grinning at how he stiffened in response. He didn’t reply, but stayed glued to his spot at the door.
I quickly slipped into the blue undergarments and grabbed a robe from the pile Ms. Tia had provided. The fabric was soft in my hands, a deep emerald silk embroidered with intricate black swirls. I ran my fingers over the delicate stitching, unable to suppress a small smile. “This is beautiful,” I murmured, walking over to a mirror on the wall and admiring the robe.
“Beautiful indeed,” Xavier said, and I turned to find him watching me, his eyes lingering as his gaze swept over me again. There was a flush creeping up his cheeks that caught me off guard. Was he blushing?
“My guests will be arriving soon,” Xavier began, “and as much as I would enjoy you in your current clothing, you should put on the gown.” His lips curled into a smirk, the kind that always made me want to punch him.
I scowled at him. “Pig.”
That only fueled his wicked grin, and, to my utter frustration, he winked at me. My cheeks heated in response, something twisting uncomfortably in my stomach. A sharp sting of pain shot down my right arm, and I flinched at the sudden sensation.
Xavier’s grin vanished instantly, his eyes narrowing as he noticed my discomfort. His brow furrowed in genuine concern. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone unexpectedly soft.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I bit out, the words sharper than I intended. His gaze lingered warily as if he didn’t quite believe me. Why did he even care? I was his prisoner, after all. I forced a tight smile. “Is that all, Your Majesty? If so, I'd like to start getting ready.”
His face hardened, the fleeting moment of concern gone just as quickly as it had appeared. Without another word, Xavier turned but paused at the door, his hand resting on the frame. “I'll be back in an hour.” His voice was clipped, and the door clicked shut behind him.
Why did my body keep reacting to him like that? I hated how easily he got under my skin.
I wished Jaxon were here. Just the thought of him twisted something deep inside me, and a wave of nausea rolled over me. How had I become so defenseless, stuck here in this cursed place? I was barely beginning to grasp what was happening to me, and now, I was trapped in the very place I feared being trapped.
I thought about my parents and how they would handle this situationandlaughed darkly. They wouldn’t show fear or emotions and would do whatever it took to survive, and I needed to do the same.
An hour later, Xavier knocked on the door.
I had put on the delicate gown Ms. Tia had given me, and it put our seamstress to shame. The dress was made of iridescent black silk, with delicate strands of silver and dark green woven throughout. They branched off like leafy vines throughout the dress, creating a striking contrast of light and shadow. The sleek silhouette draped over my figure and hugged my every curve.
The neckline plunged subtly between my breasts while the back dipped into a daring V-shape, exposing the majority of my back. Sheer panels were sown throughout the gown, revealing skin in all the right places.
It was breathtaking.
My hair hung loose over my shoulders, pinned on both sides with hair combs Ms. Tia had provided. Made of opulent white stone, they stood out against my chestnut brown hair.
I rolled my eyes at the sound of another knock at the door and shouted for Xavier to enter.
I didn’t think he could look even more handsome than before, but he did, and I cursed myself for thinking it.
My breath caught as he swaggered his way into the room. The jacket he wore was a deep obsidian hue, adorned with emerald specks that looked like constellations spread across the fabric.
Underneath a black silken shirt, hugged his frame. The top few buttons undone, revealing a sliver of his chest. The buttons seemed to glint with a silvery glow and appeared to be in the shape of an owl.
His pants matched his jacket and clung to his powerful thighs, each movement causing a ripple of muscle beneath the material.
