I awoke abruptly in an unfamiliar dark room, surveying my surroundings with a sense of confusion and urgency. My face appeared oedematous from weeping the previous night, and I became aware that my body was quaking significantly.
I attempted to recall the occurrences of the previous night; I recollected entering Prince Jayce’s chamber with Vera, after which he instructed her to depart and commanded me to fetch him tea. Upon presenting him with the tea … He… He…
Oh my goodness.
He attempted to assault me once more.
I gazed at my partially exposed body and gasped; my maid’s uniform was utterly destroyed. A large, unfamiliar coat enveloped me, resembling a blanket. I observed him; he was sleeping peacefully in his bed, oblivious to his surroundings.
Did the coat belong to him?
What is the reason for him enveloping me in his coat?
I clutched the coat tightly to my body; it bore his scent. It possessed the identical royal musk that he did. My heart pounded in my chest as I gazed at him in astonishment; I could scarcely believe he had permitted me to remain in his room throughout the night. I am astonished that he permitted me to sleep.
He stirred in slumber, drowsily opening his eyes and surveying the room until his gaze settled on me.
He abruptly sat up in bed and gazed at me intently for an extended period; I sensed a flush spreading across my face as our eyes met. My breath became constricted in my throat, and for an instant, I feared I would lose consciousness.
This is not occurring to me at this moment. This cannot be occurring to me at this moment.
If Vera discovered that I spent the night in Prince Jayce’s chamber, she would be furious with me.
“Depart,” he uttered, his tone imbued with drowsiness.
I regarded him with confusion for a brief moment; he no longer directed his gaze towards me. He had entirely rotated his head in the opposite direction.
“Leave,” he reiterated upon noticing my lack of movement.
I remained silent as I hurriedly exited the couch. I clutched his coat tightly against my body, my fingers quivering as I prepared to lay it on his bed before departing. I contemplated how to return to my room, partially undressed, without being noticed.
“Take it with you,” he muttered, avoiding eye contact.
I gave him a glance; I must have misheard him.
Your Majesty?”I enquired, my voice no longer resembling my own.”
“You cannot depart from here unclothed,” he whispered. “Take it with you.”
I inclined my head and performed a brief curtsy, despite his refusal to make eye contact.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I stated, before hastening to his door and into the corridor.
I was relieved that the corridor was vacant, and no one witnessed my departure from Jayce’s chambers. I clutched the coat tightly to my body as I proceeded down the corridor towards the handmaiden wing. I discerned voices emanating from their rooms, but fortunately, the hallway remained unoccupied, sparing me from any embarrassment.
I felt repugnant; despite the absence of any incident between Jayce and me, I still felt sullied and revolted. He threatened to jeopardise my prospects of attaining freedom; should that occur, Kylie would never absolve me. I would be failing her, myself, and my mother.
I felt a profound ache in my heart as I reflected on my mother; I yearned for her presence once more. She possessed an innate ability to comfort me during my times of distress. Kylie had assumed that role for me, yet I find myself without her as well.
I felt tears welling in my eyes and had to bite my lower lip to suppress my sobs.
I finally entered my room; I opened the door and halted at the sight of Vera positioned in the centre of the space. Her eyes were wide and frenzied, with streaks of grey and hints of black swirling around her pupils. She was panting heavily as she struggled to restrain her wolf. She advanced a step towards me, her lip curling in a snarl.
Her teeth enlarged and sharpened, transforming into those of a wolf. Grey fur began to emerge through her skin.
I took a hesitant step backward, apprehensive of her potential actions. My body quivered involuntarily, and tears welled in my eyes.
“I anticipated this,” she spat through clenched teeth. “You have been pursuing him all along.”
“No, my lady,” I attempted to articulate, but my voice emerged as a squeak.
“Silence!””She shouted; I retreated against the wall for support as she approached. ‘You have disrespected me for the final time.’
I began to speak further, but her hand abruptly rose; I recoiled, anticipating the painful blow. I felt the talons of her wolf-like hand lacerating my facial flesh. I screamed as I collapsed to the ground, a pool of my blood already accumulating around me.
I pressed my trembling fingers to my injury and felt the substantial laceration on my cheek as I gazed back at her. The horror in my eyes confronted the animosity in hers.
“You are an immoral individual!”She hissed as the heel of her shoe struck my abdomen; I coughed from the impact. Agony surged through my body, and I curled up to mitigate the pain. Tears streamed down my face, aggravating the open wound and causing me to wince as additional pain radiated through my frail form.
“I implore you…” I murmured.
“You believed you could spend the night with my prince, return unclothed, and I would remain unaware?!”Vera shouted; I perceived the growl of her wolf emanating from her mouth.
I experienced the force of another acute strike to my abdomen from the heel of her foot; I coughed once more and this time I tasted blood in my mouth.
“Please…” I attempted to articulate once more, but my voice was imperceptible.
You believed I would remain unaware of your presence outside his chamber doors. In anticipation of glimpsing him?Vera shrieked as she struck me once more.
“No…” I attempted to articulate, but pain surged through my body once more.
Blood was accumulating in my throat, causing me to gag on my words.
My Lady!Ms. Shirley entered my room, accompanied by several other women who appeared exceedingly worried.
