“Oh… I-I would hate to take up any more of your time than I already have.” She drops her gaze to the patch of rug between us.
“Am I not allowed to spend my time where I please?” I cock an eyebrow at her, and her eyes shoot back up to mine.
“No, of course you are. I-I didn’t mean… I’m sorry…”
I shake my head and clear my throat. “Let me rephrase. Would you like me to accompany you again?”
Her lips part, and the urge to brush my thumb across her plush bottom one ignites a fire in my chest. A stupid idea, one that will get us both in trouble, but I can’t deny the desire.
“Yes,” she finally says, her voice a little tight. “Anytime you want.”
Tension thick enough to slice fills the room as I choose my next words carefully. “And if I want to spend every day with you in the library?”
Silence.
My heart slams against my ribs, threatening to break out of its bony cage, as I wait for her reply. Time drags by, seconds stretching into hours.
Finally, the corner of her mouth lifts into a mischievous smirk that has heat sinking straight to my cock. “If it pleases Your Highness, then I guess I’ll allow it.”
Allow it.
I grunt a laugh. That’s another bit of her mask chipped away, and I find myself craving to discover what’s underneath. She's fiery and funny, and fuck if I'm not already looking forward to seeing her again.
“Tomorrow?” I ask, my hopes creeping dangerously high.
If she says no, I'll try not to be disappointed. I’m sure I can find something else to do, even though nothing else sounds remotely entertaining.
Thankfully, she nods. “Tomorrow.”
Four
Lizette
Oryx wasn’t kidding when he said he’d spend every day with me in the library. For the next week, we meet there after breakfast, disappearing into our little sanctuary, for hours. Our time together grows longer with every passing day, and most of the time, I don’t even read; I’m too lost in conversation to give the books any attention.
I’ll read them all eventually, I’m sure, but first I’ll soak up Oryx’s attention until he changes his mind. The way he speaks to me, rather thanatme, makes me feel a little less inferior, even if only in the confines of the library.
However, despite how much I enjoy our time together, I’m slowly steeling my heart, preparing for the day when he loses interest in our conversations.
I’m lost in a daydream, as I help prepare breakfast in the kitchen, when an unfamiliar male servant approaches. He’s a full head taller than me, with black skin and bright eyes, but he isn’t part of the normal kitchen staff. Perhaps he’s just lost, or maybe I’m in his way.
“Lizette?” he voices a second later, and my stomach sinks.
Nope, he’s clearly in the right place.
But what could he possibly want with me?
“Um, hello.” I smile kindly, setting aside the empty pot in my hands. “Can I help you?”
His grunted response is flat. “Yes, please come with me.”
The blood drains from my face, making me lightheaded, and my eyes bounce between the servant and the stove. I have tasks to complete, food to make. I don’t want to get in trouble for abandoning my duties, but the serious look in this servant’s eyes has anxiety wrapping around my spine.
My mind immediately jumps to Oryx and the alone time we’ve been spending together recently. Did someone find out? Am I being summoned for punishment?
I swallow over the lump forming in my throat.
“Am I… in trouble?” I keep my voice low. My eyes dart around the kitchen to the few servants bustling about; thankfully, none of them appear to have heard.