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“I would say so, yes. The poor dear needs her rest. The queen had her up late last night, complaining about the wee princess again.”
A tsking sound followed before the second voice added, “It’s as if no one cares how much energy it takes out of her to grow that child. Those ignorant royals are always demanding her time and attention. She’s always fixing everyone else’s problems. I swear, these naps each morning are the only peace she finds.”
The quiet clink of dishes spilled into the hallway. I had a suspicion the maids who were gossiping inside would come out soon with leftover breakfast trays. I darted a glance around, once again cursing the emptiness of the hall, before I dove behind a knight’s armor display when I heard footsteps approaching.
The two women appeared, one pushing a cart laden with dirty dishes, the other carrying an armful of napkins and tablecloths. I wasn’t hiding well, so if they’d had half a mind to look, I would’ve been spotted immediately. But thank God, they were too busy talking about how messy the king and queen had left their bedchamber that morning to bother glancing around.
Once they had turned a corner and were out of sight, I crept toward the open doorway.
They’d said Vienne was resting, but I was still cautious as I peered into the room.
My breath caught when I found her sitting in her chair with her head canted at an unnatural angle. I wanted to find a pillow to cushion her cheek, make her more comfortable, but that would probably be too risky. I didn’t want to wake her and get caught, plus she needed her rest.
The pull to get closer, however, had me stepping into the room and easing her way. I held my breath once I was a few feet from her, worried she’d wake and find me looming. But she slept on, peacefully and soundly, her lips parted slightly and eyelids pulsing with dreams.
I was watching her dream; it was a humbling, awe-inspiring experience.
Her slim hands had fallen limp in her lap where she’d dropped a wad of yarn and a crochet hook. A nearly finished bootie was dripping off the side of her thigh. I drew in a breath as I took in her simple artwork before I returned my attention to her face.
Her light hair had been piled up on the crown of her head again, making me wonder what it looked like down and flowing around her shoulders. Her cheeks and nose were splashed with small, light freckles, save for three larger, darker ones that underlined her right eye in a straight row. One of her two main top teeth was slightly crooked, giving her a more amiable, personable look than she had from a distance. And a light, one-inch scar marred her left forearm.
Intrigued by every single detail I took in, I pressed closer, trying my luck because I needed to learn more. When a flowery scent filled my nostrils, I closed my eyes and breathed in deep, memorizing her smell. It was sweet and light, not overpowering yet strong enough to fulfill me. I stepped closer still, my shadow falling over her face. My hand shifted just enough to allow the backs of my fingers to barely brush the silken flesh of her bare arm, and a breath escaped me. She was soft. So incredibly soft.
Shifting, she murmured something in her sleep and moved her head to an agreeable-looking angle.
I froze, certain I’d woke her, but she slept on.
Exhaling with relief, I crouched before her so our faces were barely a foot apart. And this…yes, this would give me plenty to remember and envision the next time I pleasured myself. Lady Vienne was a stunning sight to behold. She didn’t dress her beauty up either, like her sister did; she just let her natural enhancements shine through and tell their own story.
I liked that. I liked everything about how she looked. I could easily picture myself laying this woman on a rumpled bed and stripping her bare before I—
“Vienne?” a sudden voice called from the hallway. “Oh, Veeeee…yen? Are you up here?”
The woman in front of me startled awake, her eyes flashing open before she blinked repeatedly and jerked upright.
Shit, shit shit!
As she shook her head and pressed a palm to her brow, she squeezed her eyes closed. It was possible she hadn’t quite seen me yet, that the abruptness of her waking had momentarily blurred her vision. Taking a chance that she hadn’t, I started wildly around the room, searching for a place to hide before I hurtled myself toward the floor-to-ceiling curtains that hung open at either end of the room.
I’d just ducked myself behind one and was breathing hard when someone else entered the East Salon.
“There you are!” It sounded like Princess Nicolette. “Vienne, can you tell that awful sister of yours that I absolutely refuse to take those stupid flute lessons again. I may be a smart, capable girl, but my abilities do not extend to the musical arts. And… And what in the devil are you looking for?”
“I… Nothing,” Vienne sounded half awake and still out of it. “Sorry, I just could’ve sworn I saw… Never mind. It must’ve been a dream or strange shadow crossing my face when I first woke.”
“Hmm,” Nicolette answered, “yes, possibly. It is quite sunny out today, casting shadows everywhere.”
I turned to glance out the window to check the amount of daylight myself, and I nearly pissed my pants. Hiding behind the curtains, I was pressed right up against a massive wall of clear rock, and it looked as if there was nothing between me and the hundred-foot drop out of the top of the keep.
Holy hell, how had I not noticed this view when I’d first stepped into the room? The lure of my one true love must be some powerful shit to draw my attention from a sight like this. Because this… This was truly remarkable.
“So, will you talk to her?” Nicolette was saying on the other side of the curtain. “Please.”
“Oh, sweet Nicolette,” Vienne murmured. “You know it isn’t my place to tell the queen what to—”
“Yeah, whatever,” Nicolette butted in. “Except you can convince her to do anything. I’ve seen you in action. You twist things so that it seems as if it was all her idea in the first place. You’re a master at it and the only one who knows how to handle her. Vienne, I swear, you’re like a queen whisperer or something.”
“Goodness, you make me sound quite manipulative.”
