ra

hall leading up to his person

eption of my future lightened just slightly. I know he doesn't want me, but part of me hopes he will come to change his mind. At least with him, I don't have to leave the only place I'd known as home with a man that Would have treated me horribly. My hand knocked gently on the door and was met with silence. I knocked again harder and heard nothing. I reached for the handle and the

blew the deep navy curtains, swirling them behind me as I breathed in deeply, allowing the fresh air to fill my lungs, I closed my eyes and took sever

s I heard him shut

ess. I didn't mean to intr

as he spoke. I took another breath before turning slowly to see him seated on his bed, his forearms resting against the tops of his stron

head bowed submissively. "Would

emaining forward. I filled a

tering to the floor as I waited for his acknowledgement. He h

d slowly fluttered my eyes up to meet his own p

ight but firm and I could feel the tension beginn

I answered

as long as I could remember, I'd always acted within my station, never breaking from it. The Queen made sure of it. He took another long sip and stood, now only inches in front of me before turning to refill his glass. As he walked

ever been allowed to have any type of drink before other than water or the festive drinks offered to ev

t on the bed. He kept the second glass next to him and took a sip from his g

d it was time to act my part. I'

ut being that close to him wa

nds, I lifted it to my nose and inhaled the liquor before taking a sip. It burned gently as it went

hips swaying as I walked over to the desk to refill my glass. I didn't need to overdo it. My body already felt warm all over, but I needed more to s

, letting the warm liquid fill me. No wonder they didn't let us have this. It was

that in here. You can call me Adrian.

ame i

upted. "You've been at my mother's

hitched in

hing for them, I'd brought things to this very room more times than I could count, but never directly to him. Always to his servants. I was pulled out of my thou

intense gaze staring into mine. His chiseled face was calm and his brows were furrowed into a scowl I'd seen many times before. His sharp jaw was rough with stubble and his full lips were pressed into a tight line. I dipped m

d, shaking his head. I ga

t keep my own key.That

works, Ciara."

and gripped the key tightly i

ered, "Do I not please

e stone tile beneath my feet as heat coursed through my body from the a

t's not that, you

straddling his hips, my hands slowly moved to rest against his chest. His own pulse increased and I was thrilled to see him finally responding to me. My hands moved inch by inch down his body before tucking under the hem of his shirt to touch his rippling abs with a feather light touch. He shuddered a

ainst the confines of his pants. His hands stopped to rest at my hips, locking around the metal barrier that's grown to become a part of me. H

ain normal breathing. He glared hard at the w

. "I dont want

otherwise." I said lightly. I t

It tensed under my palm, but he did not try t

ing you want.

N

words out through his teeth. My heart panged a

, one purpose that I'd been prepared for my e

?" I could feel the ache beginning to Consume me inside.What

as nothing to do with you, or what I think of you Ciara.

closer to him. "You're not

a tight laugh. "Were you or were

s, I was, but I am perfectly w

ew what she was

in disgust as it left his mouth. I backed away, my eyes locking onto his before turning to face the door in an attempt to conceal my pained expression. "I'm sorry, but I am not permitted to go back to her services. I'm yours now, and you may

f there before I fell apart. H

What was I go