…
“What?” I exhaled. “Am I the subject?”
“Indeed, miss,” the footman remarked, scrutinising me. “He is adamant that you accompany him immediately.”
“Um…” I faltered. “Allow me to retrieve my shoes…”
He nodded and proceeded into the hallway to await my arrival; I closed the door that divided us.
What is Jayce’s motivation for wanting to meet with me? He desired my presence in his chambers?
I experienced a flush of warmth on my face and my heart raced vigorously within my chest. My body commenced trembling uncontrollably while I searched for my shoes.
I donned them and then knelt beside Kylie’s bed, gently shaking her with my quivering fingers. She drowsily opened her eyes, and I endeavoured to conceal my apprehension, yet she discerned that something was amiss almost immediately.
“What is occurring?” she enquired, sitting upright, anxiety manifesting in her gaze. “Are you well?”
“I am uncertain,” I exhaled; I bit my lower lip to suppress tears, yet she discerned the anguish evident on my face.
She grasped my shoulders delicately to prevent me from trembling uncontrollably. I had not recognised the extent of my trembling until she attempted to stabilise me.
“Molly, what transpired?” she enquired, maintaining a subdued tone.
She scanned the room frantically for a moment, as if anticipating someone’s presence, before her gaze settled on me.
I whispered, “Jayce’s footman is outside the door,” while gesturing towards it.
Her eyes expanded in size.
“What?” she enquired, arching her eyebrows. “Why?”
“I am uncertain. He stated that Prince Jayce has summoned me to his chambers for the night,” I replied, my voice weak and tremulous.
“His private quarters?” Kylie enquired, raising her voice slightly.
Her face displayed numerous enquiries as she gazed at me, attempting to interpret my expression, yet I provided little for her to analyse.
“Affirmative,” I responded. “His private quarters.”
…
The footman awaited my departure outside the maid’s quarters, while Kylie observed as I exited the room. Her gaze was fixed on the back of my head, inundating me with a multitude of questions that arose in her mind. I possessed numerous enquiries, yet I recognised that the footman would be no more informed than myself.
I inhaled unsteadily as I trailed him through the maid’s quarters and into the palace’s main foyer. The hour was late, resulting in the absence of maids or servants in the foyer or throughout the palace. However, a few nightguards adhered to their assigned posts as directed.
I ascended each step deliberately, uncertain of what awaited me. My body began to ache violently while it trembled uncontrollably. I sensed the perspiration accumulating on my palms and wiped them on my robe. As I did so, beads of sweat began to accumulate on my forehead and trickle down the nape of my neck.
I felt as though I had been holding my breath since departing my bedroom. I exerted all my effort to refrain from weeping and fleeing in the opposite direction.
Occasionally, the footman would glance back to ensure I was still trailing him. I believe he was also apprehensive that I would flee in the opposite direction. He would regard me with curiosity for a moment before averting his gaze and proceeding towards Jayce’s chamber.
We halted outside Jayce’s chamber door, and the footman cleared his throat before knocking. He evidently lacks confidence in my ability to summon myself, unlike his trust in Lady Vera.
The footman addressed, “Your majesty,” while bowing his head as Jayce entered. Jayce ignored the footman, and his gaze fixed on me almost immediately. I sensed the intensity of his gaze piercing my skin, reminiscent of the experience at Luna Queen Kamila’s birthday celebration. “I have brought you the requested maid.”
“Depart from us,” Jayce commanded, yet his gaze remained fixed on mine.
The footman bowed again.
“Indeed, your majesty,” he replied as he turned in the opposite direction.
I stood in the hall, uncomfortably, shifting my feet. I attempted to conceal my nervousness, yet I was certain he would perceive it immediately.
He ultimately averted his gaze from me and turned, proceeding back into his bedroom. He left his door ajar, prompting me to interpret it as an invitation to pursue him.
(Perspective of Jayce)
“Refrain from frightening her this time. Our companion has endured sufficient adversity to last a lifetime,” Zayden cautioned, his tone subdued and irritable.
Jayce merely rolled his eyes before redirecting his attention to Molly, who was positioned nearer to his door than to him. He gazed around her figure for an extended period. She exhibited dark contusions along her jawline, arms, and legs. She ambulated with a subtle limp, indicating that she was likely experiencing considerable pain.
Her lengthy, dark, curly hair cascaded in a dishevelled manner around her shoulders; she appeared pallid and somewhat more emaciated than she had a few days prior.
“If Jack approaches her again…” Zayden commenced while assessing her appearance.
“Calm yourself,” Jayce cautioned his wolf. “We will not permit him to approach her.”
