She sliced the cake into portions and left one on the counter before removing the remainder. She felt a tinge of sadness at the premature conclusion. Time appeared to accelerate during her moments of enjoyment; however, she had experienced the sensation of levity. For a brief period.
With each step towards Jayce’s cabin, a profound heaviness enveloped her as her anxiety and apprehension surged anew. What if he rejected her? He had not communicated with her since he spat at her feet. The memory seared more intensely than any flame could.
She subdued her pride prior to knocking on his door. His profound rumble resonated beyond it. “What?”
“It is I.” Molly inclined closer as though it would enhance his auditory perception of her. She surveyed her surroundings and felt relieved that no one was present to witness her feeble effort at civility with a surly prince.
A prolonged pause endured for hours in her mind. She cleared her throat and took a slight step back, as if bracing herself to flee swiftly from the door. She recognised it was a dreadful decision and not worth the effort.
“Enter,” he stated.
Molly exhaled and gradually opened his door. Her gaze located him immediately by the fading fire. His eyes illuminated strikingly in the light. It must be a burden to possess such exquisite eyes. His dark lashes lifted, and abruptly, they were upon her without forewarning. She shut the door behind her and raised the plate in her hands.
“I prepared a dessert for you.”
“It is not yet dinner time,” he stated flatly. Molly’s cheeks flushed immediately as she retreated towards the door.
“Indeed, I was referring to a later time, naturally.” Molly surveyed her surroundings for a suitable location to place it before departing. “I will place it here-”
“Approach here,” he stated. His words immobilised her, and she resented his ability to exert such influence over her. He leaned forward in his seat and gestured to the chair beside him, compelling her feet to comply.
She delicately positioned the plate of cake slices on the table before taking her seat. She shifted uneasily in her cumbersome coat. Jayce gazed at the slices as though he had never encountered such a dish previously.
“Have you already consumed some?”
“Oh! No, certainly not. The kind elderly gentleman in the kitchen requested a portion if I utilised his belongings.” Molly extricated her arms from her restrictive coat. Why did she consistently feel as though she were on the verge of asphyxiation in his presence?
Jayce caressed his lower lip with his thumb. She regretted witnessing that; now she was unable to avert her gaze from his mouth.
“Join me now, then,” he stated. Molly nearly believed she had fabricated it. Her wolf stirred slightly and emitted a sound of approval.
“Are you certain? I can arrange for dinner to be delivered to you first if you-”
“No,” he stated, seizing a slice with his bare hands. Molly expressed astonishment through laughter when he took a substantial bite. His gaze fixed on her, absorbing the sight of her smile as though he were savouring it.
Molly sealed her lips and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Uncertain of your preference, I prepared chocolate.” She cleared her throat and leaned forward to sample a bit of frosting from the plate with her finger.
Molly emitted a slight moan. “I have longed for the flavour of chocolate.”
Jayce observed her with such intensity that she felt an inferno ignite within her chest. His azure eyes traversed her visage and lingered on her lips with an unfamiliar intensity.
“It is satisfactory,” he finally stated. His substantial hand grasped the edge of her chair, drawing her seat nearer to him. She inhaled sharply as he employed his thumb to remove a smudge of chocolate from near her lips. He was so near to her that she was aware he could perceive the intensity of her heartbeat.
“Why did you create this for me?” he enquired with a tone intended solely for her.
“I presumed you would appreciate it.”
The atmosphere became denser when he gazed at her in that manner. His gaze fixated on her mouth whenever she spoke, struggling to divert his attention elsewhere. He forcefully inserted the remainder of the piece into his mouth and reclined away from her.
“You were correct.” He rose and removed the crumbs from his shirt. “At last, you have discovered a method to render yourself beneficial.”
Molly gazed silently at his back. Her face flushed and her throat constricted immediately as his words penetrated her skin. Molly quietly rose and exited his cabin before he could pivot. Had he been anyone else, she would have defended herself for once in her life. She would have taken the cake and discarded it in the trash directly in front of him. His foolish title restrained her from expressing her desire to smash the dessert in his face. The expression on his face would justify everything.
Her fury supplanted her humiliation. She became aware of having forgotten her coat only upon returning to her cabin. She felt no chill; her anger provided ample warmth. She desired to strangle her wolf for merely proposing kindness towards him, despite their mutual understanding of his undeserving nature. He merited not a modicum of kindness from others, given his sole proficiency in being reprehensible. She performed a kind act for him, yet he responded with insults. Reminding her that she was merely an inconsequential maid and that this would perpetually define her role in his life.
Molly bellowed and hurled a candle against the wall, observing as the wax shattered into numerous fragments upon impact. How could she be so foolish? Was possessing control over her wolf worth proximity to him for more than an instant?
