“N…no,” I stammered; her frown intensified, indicating her disbelief.
Jayce remained silent, rolling his eyes and averting his gaze from me as though I were beneath his consideration.
“I apologise,” I stated, inclining my head slightly as I turned away from them.
“Is your name Molly?”“Lady Jane remarked, scrutinising me intently.”
Indeed, my lady. I sincerely apologise. I believed I perceived a disturbance,” I stated, which was not untruthful.
She glanced at Jayce briefly before returning her gaze to me.
“I was expressing my admiration for Lady Vera,” Jane remarked amiably. “Prince Jayce is obstinate and refuses to acknowledge that he has a mate,” she laughed.
He expressed exasperation by rolling his eyes.
“Indeed,” I remarked, suppressing my own laughter. “I apologise for disturbing you both.” I am now departing to my room.
“Pause,” Jayce stated, his tone devoid of inflection.
Both Jane and I gazed at him with astonishment.
“The maid will remain briefly for us to address her eavesdropping,” Jayce elucidated.
Jane acknowledged me with a slight smile.
“Certainly, your majesty,” she replied as she proceeded past him and vanished down the corridor.
My legs quaked under the strain of supporting my weight; I inhaled unsteadily and paused before exhaling. My body was on the verge of collapse; I was fatigued and in considerable discomfort. I was uncertain how much longer I could endure standing.
Jayce stood before me, averted his gaze as if he scarcely acknowledged my presence. He remained silent for an extended period; the silence hung heavily between us.
He ultimately looked down at me, and his lips formed a narrow line.
“You are rather intriguing,” he remarked, his voice subdued as he scrutinised my visage.
“Your Majesty?””I enquired, maintaining a steady tone, relieved that it did not waver.”
“You frequently obstruct my path and appear awkward,” he remarked, continuing to scrutinise my face. I sensed my cheeks flush at his remarks as he leaned nearer to me. His thumb glided beneath my chin, elevating my gaze to meet his as he leaned nearer. “You appear to be frequently in the company of Ashton as well.”
I was astonished; he observed me conversing with Ashton? I did not observe his presence in the vicinity whatsoever. When might he have observed me?
I gulped audibly.
“Evidently, you have developed a rapport with my brother, or he would not have permitted you access to his private study,” Jayce remarked; his tone remained indifferent, yet there was an inscrutable element in his expression.
“I wouldn’t characterise our relationship as close…” I stated, unable to disclose the reason for my visit to Prince Ashton. If he were aware of the reason, he would no longer desire Vera. I required him to desire her.
“Did you want my brother to whisper something to me?” he enquired.
I almost gasped while gazing at him. What was the source of his knowledge? He was aware that I visited Ashton to request him to keep Jayce cognisant of Lady Vera.
He chuckled, a deep, alluring laugh, while scrutinising my astonished expression; however, the laughter did not reach his eyes. I was immobilised as his face approached mine and his grip on my chin tightened slightly to stabilise me. My body remained motionless, reluctant to shift away.
“Clearly descending upon me with deliberate intent.”
I inhaled the aroma of his breath as his warmth caressed my nose.
I desired neither this situation nor any association with him. However, my body was disregarding my mind. As on the night he branded me, I remained motionless and compliant. My lips opened slightly as his breath heated my face. I gazed at his lips with a sense of yearning.
I will never comprehend the influence he exerts on my body and why it disregarded my assertion that I did not desire him.
“Positioned outside my door, I lamented that it could have been you by my side last night rather than your partner,” he remarked, his tone hushed and alluring.
He was misunderstanding me. That was not my intention whatsoever. However, my words were rendered ineffective, and I was unable to articulate a defence.
I swallowed nervously as his lips approached mine, mere inches apart.
“However, you are not the one I desire,” he remarked, his tone becoming slightly more sombre. “I desire no association with you.” He withdrew, extracting the remainder of my breath along with him.
“Why would you utter such words to her?! She is our companion. Retrieve her immediately!” Zayden exclaimed as Jayce retreated into his room.
“I do not subscribe to the notion of a fated mate,” Jayce growled in response; he was exasperated by his wolf’s insistence that Molly was his mate.
“You experienced it. When she collided with you, the aroma and flavour of her hair. The sensation of her skin. It is undeniable.”
“Sufficient. You are aware of the consequences when a wolf copulates. It renders them significantly more vulnerable to extermination,” Jayce contended.
“Not all destined partners meet a tragic end like your mother. What if this situation is unique?” Zayden enquired, softening his voice.
“What if it is not?” Jayce enquired in response.
He was unwilling to take that risk and would not permit such an occurrence, even if it necessitated isolating himself from all prospective partners in the future.
“Your connection with Vera is dissimilar. You harbour no feelings for her,” Zayden articulated softly this time.
“Therefore, it is preferable for me to remain with her. If I lack feelings for her, there will be no harm.”
“You may deceive yourself, but you cannot deceive me.”
(Molly’s Perspective)
I sampled some food while awaiting the completion of Vera and Prince Jayce’s meals in the kitchen. Vera prohibited me from eating in her presence, necessitating that I covertly consume snacks and meals while attending to her needs.
I was unable to cease contemplating my interaction with Prince Jayce this morning. His proximity elicited the same response in my body as it did the night he branded me. I could still perceive the warmth of his breath on my visage when he was merely inches away from my face.
I placed my fingers on my face and contemplated his words, “I desire no association with you.”
What actions had I taken to induce him such distress? He despised me intensely and subjected me to cruelty. He awaited my arrival with Lady Vera in her chambers for their repast; I was uncertain how I would confront him once more.
