Karandy was preparing to go out in the evening when he got a knock at the door. He put on his coat, his socks, and his shoes, then headed for the door and threw it open. The mistress stood behind the door, looking as impatient and as angry as usual.
“Mistress.” He inclined his head in greeting.
“It took you ages to get to the door. I was freezing outside.” She walked inside towards the small fireplace.
“I am sorry I kept you waiting, Mistress.” He was observing her carefully, watching the features of her face.
She strode towards the old chair and lowered herself into it. She crossed her arms, her gaze sliding over him slowly. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I am. I want to go to the brothel downtown.” He didn’t try to mask his meaning.
She snorted in disgust. “Going to pick a prostitute for the night?”
“That’s the idea.”
“Well, this isn’t the time to tumble the sheets with dirty whores. I have a plan. You can be in on it or not,” she announced rather reluctantly.
Karandy’s brows knitted in thought. This plan of her would most definitely favour him. “Let me guess, our main plan? The first plan?” He tried to tap down the anticipation already coursing through him.
She nodded once. “With a minor change.”
A change? “What do you have in mind?”
“I will get Danika out to the back of the palace, and you’ll grab her. There’s a small hut back there. Take her inside and do everything you want with her. A maid will happen to come across you two lying in an intimate position. She will go and report it to the king.”
Karandy found the nearest chair and sat down on it. He didn’t want to miss this for the world.
Vetta smiled inwardly at the sight of his eagerness. “It is something you have wanted for such a long time, since she arrived in the mines.”
“You have no idea. I have wanted her for a long time. The bitch got me demoted and caused me pain.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “She will finally pay.”
“She will. On the day after tomorrow, you will get Danika. Drugged and at your mercy. You can do everything you want; no need to control yourself. I don’t care what you do, but don’t kill her, and don’t bruise her where it’ll be visible. A lover’s bite is okay.”
Karandy glanced at her suspiciously. “You have it all planned out.”
“I do,” she stated calmly. “So, are you taking the opportunity, or should I find someone else?”
“Of course, I’m taking it. It’s the main reason I tangled with you, Mistress, from the beginning. You promised me you could give me Danika.”
Her lips split into a smile. “I’m about to fulfill that promise.”
Danika went to the royal kitchen. The cook already had the king’s food on his tray, and everything set for her on the table.
“Here it is,” the cook pointed.
“Thank you.” Danika carried the tray of food out of the kitchen towards the king’s chambers. She rounded the servant’s quarters only to see Remeta sitting on the paved stairs, staring into space.
“Remeta? Are you alright?” Danika asked, slowing her steps, and watching the girl with concern.
She had her fox in her lap, stroking its auburn body. The fox was watching Danika with eyes that creeped her out. Danika wouldn’t be surprised if that fox wasn’t an ordinary animal. It seemed unnatural.
“Remeta is worried, my queen.” Her eyes found Danika’s. “Remeta is scared.”
“Why?” Danika forgot about the food she carried, concerned for the girl sitting beside her. “Did anything happen?”
Remeta hesitated. Then she shook her head.
“Alright, go to your mother’s bedroom. I need to give the king his meal. I will be back.”
Remeta gave her a small smile and nodded her head in affirmation. Danika returned her smile and walked past her.
“My queen?”
Danika turned, “Mm?”
“I am sorry, my queen, but it is written. But the gods favour you. The heavens favour you. Darkness is all around you, but a bright light so blinding is ahead of you. Just a little out of reach. Hang in there, my queen.” She smiled at her sadly. Then she turned and walked away.
Danika sat there for a full minute, trying to comprehend what the girl had just said.
In the end, she gave up and continued her journey towards the royal quarters.
Danika reached the king’s quarters and knocked on the door. She waited patiently.
“Come in,” came the deep voice of the king
She hadn’t heard his voice since the day before, and a shiver ran down her spine. It made her heart flutter, too. She had it bad for him. It wasn’t something she didn’t already know, but the knowledge never ceased to hurt her. Love was not supposed to soothe and hurt at the same time, but hers did.
She opened the door quietly and let herself into his chambers. He was rolling a finished scroll up and dropping his inked pen on the desk. He raised his head and looked at her.
“I brought your food, my king.” She inclined her head.
He gestured his head towards the table without saying a word. She nodded and walked to the small eating table on the other side of his chambers. She cleared the scrolls and parchments on it and began arranging his food methodically. It had been that way in the past few days. He always requested that she be the one to bring in his food. Or help him with his clothes. Or to help him write and translate.
She felt more intimate with him, even though he hadn’t been taking sexual pleasures from her body. “Your food is ready, Your Highness,” she announced softly, turning towards him when she was done.
His eyes were on her. It unsettled her, and a flush spread through her cheeks.
King Lucien could not stop staring at her. The past few weeks had not been easy, having her so close, but he was forced to curb his hunger for her. When his control slipped, he’d call her and have her take him deep into her sexy little mouth. It was mostly enough for him and satisfied him because his innocent Danika was very good with her mouth. The best part of being with her was her selflessly wholehearted eagerness to please. He did not regret letting her in. He did not regret trusting her.
Maybe, just maybe, he would be able to believe in another person again. Maybe he would finally heal.
“Your H-Highness?” her soft voice stuttered as she shifted nervously on her feet.
The weird urge came again, just like it had for the past few weeks. The weird urge to let his cheeks stretch into a smile. His brows knitted in confusion. “I am coming,” he responded to her, shutting his mind to the thought.
He got up and walked around his desk and started for the table.
Danika inclined her head again and turned towards the door.
“Do not go.” The words were firm but gentle at the same time.
She turned and looked at him seated in the classy chair made for a king, his eyes on the food in front of him. “Your Highness?”
He did not raise his head as he stated, “Come and sit with me. I do not want to eat alone. I do not want you to go.”