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The painter peers around the edge of the canvas with a goofy grin. “Not long now, Your Highness. I should be finished within the hour.”
“You hear that?” Nor asks, dropping his voice to a whisper and gently brushing my hair away from my neck. The contact sends chills skittering down my body. “One more hour and you can rub my cock as much as you want, Irissa. I’ll have you begging for it.”
CHAPTERTWENTY
Irissa
We’re almost finished standing for the portrait when Lizette finally returns to the throne room, Oryx in tow. They stand just behind Eyal, staring over his shoulder as he adds the finishing touches, trading remarks I can’t hear. I wish I knew what they were saying. Are they complimenting the work, impressed by its likeness? Joking about how terrible he’s made us look?
“Finished,” Eyal says, dropping his paintbrush with finality. He steps back to look at his work and I’m overcome with a huge swell of relief.
I try to relax, but my body is stiff from holding still for so long. I slowly begin to stretch my muscles out, starting with my legs, then reaching my arms up high over my head. I probably look silly, wiggling life back into my limbs, but I don’t care. I’m so relieved, I could cry.
“Don’t worry,” Nor whispers, placing both hands on my hips and jerking me into him. A tiny squeak escapes my lips and my stomach twists at his touch. “I’ll help you stretch out that tightness momentarily.”
Oh gods.My face burns hot, like I didn’t just spend the last hour caressing Nor’s hard member through his pants. Is he really going to follow through like he says, or is he making empty promises?
“We’ll see,” I tease and slip out of his grip, heading for the painting.
Before he drags me back to his room, I’m curious to see what our portrait looks like. I didn’t suffer through most of the morning to skip the results, no matter how ready I am to disappear from the hall. Stepping around the canvas, I pause at Eyal’s side to take it all in, and I’m stunned.
Now that I’m up close and personal, the canvas is even bigger than I thought, and I’m impressed that he was even able to reach the topmost parts. There we are, dripping in navy and silver elegance, but there’s something different about us. My gaze settles on my face, studying and picking apart the features that resemble mine, but they’re slightly off.
The girl in the painting looks older and wiser than me. She looks like she truly belongs there, immortalized for future generations. Strength radiates from her posture; she looks like she could command an army if the task fell to her.
I don’t know who Eyal was looking at while he was painting, but it definitely wasn’t me. That girl looks like a queen.
I’m finally able to drag my gaze away from my imposter, and I look up at Nor’s impressive form. He’s regal and powerful, a true king in the making, but there’s a softness there that other artworks around the castle lack. He doesn’t look bloodthirsty or cruel like his predecessors. He looks stern, but compassionate, the way a good king should.
While I feel he missed the mark on me, Eyal nailed Nor’s persona perfectly.
“Irissa, you look incredible,” Lizette squeals, and grabs my arm. I hadn’t realized she was so close.
“Thanks,” I say numbly, keeping my disappointed thoughts to myself. As long as everyone else likes it, I guess it will do. Maybe they’ll hang it in an abandoned hallway that I don’t have to pass by every day, so that I can eventually forget about it.
“Excellent work, Eyal,” Nor says as he steps up to admire his work. “I’d venture to say this is one of the best paintings I’ve seen in a while.”
The artist looks to be on the verge of tears as he bows his thanks. “You are too kind, Your Highness. Too kind.”
“I agree,” Oryx says, pointing with two fingers at the masterpiece. “You’ve managed to fit my brother’s big ass head on there perfectly. Immaculate job.”
I snort a laugh just as Nor swings a fist and hits Oryx in the arm, making him wince. Liz gasps, but Oryx joins in my laughter a second later as he massages his shoulder.
“I’m kidding,” Oryx says mid-laugh. “You don’t have a big head, just a huge ego. It’s a shame he couldn’t paint that too.”
Nor narrows his eyes and Oryx skirts just out of reach for safe measure, cackling again. It’s fun to watch the brothers interact away from the royal family. They act just like I’d expect siblings to, even though I don’t have personal experience. They’re like best friends with harsher repercussions for each other.
“I promise I didn’t come to harass you.” Oryx throws up his hands. “Lizette asked if I could show her something outside the castle, and I figured I’d invite you two as well. Princess Irissa hasn’t seen much outside the castle walls.”
Nor glances at me briefly before looking back at his brother, and I worry that he’s going to tell them where we’re headed instead. While it wouldn’t be a lie to say we’re minutes away from ripping off these ridiculous clothes, I’d rather no one know the details of my sex life. I might be an open book about most things, but I’m modest in that regard.
Thankfully, he politely declines. “We have a few more things to do today, but you two have fun.” He offers me his arm, which I take. “We’ll see you both at dinner.”
I follow his lead silently, trying hard not to imagine Oryx and Lizette staring after us. I wait until we emerge from the throne room to speak.
“Dinner?” I ask, stepping quickly to keep up with his pace. “Are we skipping lunch?”
I’m not too bothered by the prospect. My stomach is so knotted up, I hardly have an appetite, but it will be blaringly obvious if we aren’t present for lunch. I can already imagine the gossip.
