Danika noticed the king was troubled. It showed on his face as their meal progressed.
“What troubles you, my king?” Danika asked, her eyebrows creased with worry.
King Lucien wasn’t used to sharing his problems. He said nothing.
She noticed his defensive hesitation and didn’t press. He had let her in long enough for her to know him for who he was—a man who was more used to keeping to himself than talking to people. But she already had his trust. He had already let her in. He would tell her when he was ready and not before.
After the meal, she got up and began clearing the plates. She got to his side and packed up his plates. She was about to carry it out when his arm suddenly wrapped around her midriff.
“Don’t. Don’t turn around,” he ordered, stopping her impulsive movement.
Danika froze. Her heart was in her throat because the king’s arm was crossed over her belly. Could he feel their child?
His head came down on her lower back. “Let us be like this just for a moment. Just for a moment.”
He didn’t notice. She let out a shuddering breath of relief.
They stayed that way for a long time. She set the plates she had in her hand on to the table. Then she began stroking his hands rhythmically. His deep breaths fanned her butt. She imagined his eyes sliding close. Finally, he unwrapped his arms from her and raised his head. She took it as her cue to turn towards him. His hand rubbed his forehead as if trying to soothe a headache. She allowed herself to sit in the chair behind her.
Finally, he moaned in a low voice. “Downtown, the crops are dying. Their lower market hasn’t been selling well lately. It has been this way since the beginning of this year, but I thought things would change. It hasn’t.”
Danika had heard about this before from the maids. They talked about a small part of downtown having trouble eating because the crops were no longer growing.
“Crops are dying. There has been no rain in this kingdom for two years. It is unsettling, but it happens in other kingdoms, too. Salem is vulnerable because of what we’ve been through at the hands of King Cone. We are still trying to stand on our own feet. That’s why it’s harder for my kingdom. The farmers are trying, but there is only so much they can do.”
Danika listened quietly as he poured out his mind to her. She could tell that this had weighed heavily on him from the way he talked about it. No wonder he looked so worn out.
“It’s getting worse as time goes by,” King Lucien continued. “These past few weeks, they’ve been getting food from the palace, from the servant’s kitchen. I have the cooks send food downtown, but it can’t go on like this for long.”
Danika felt compelled to assure him. “The people of Salem are very strong, my king. They have survived on their own for a long time. The people downtown might be lowborn, but they are survivors. Do not worry so much.”
“I cannot help but worry,” he groaned.
She bit her lips. “May I make a suggestion, Your Highness?”
He rubbed his hand over his face. “You may.”
“There is a lot of water from the ground here in the palace. Why don’t we connect a pipe from the palace to downtown? It would supply water there, at least enough for them to keep the crops growing and be able to eat and sell. It can sustain the people until rain comes,” she whispered.
King Lucien hadn’t thought of that. He raised his head and looked at the woman before him. He felt like a heavy load had lifted from his shoulders. “This is an excellent idea, Danika,” he said truthfully.
Danika nodded, inwardly feeling pleased with herself. She was glad that she could help.
“I will tell Zariel to do that first thing tomorrow morning.” He paused. “I want you to go there when you can to oversee the project.”
Danika’s eyes widened. That was usually the work of a queen or a person from a privileged position. Not a slave.
“But---” she began.
He got up and walked towards his wardrobe and began undressing his royal wears. “You can ensure that every house will be able to fetch the water they need.”
She snapped her mouth shut, but her heart filled with happiness that he would put her in charge of such an important project when he had a future queen and a mistress. It made her eyes water. “I will make sure not to disappoint you, my king,” she breathed.
Silence descended. Left in his underthings, he walked to the bed and laid down on it. His eyes closed, and he continued rubbing small circles on his forehead.
“I feel so tired.” He paused. “Come and hold me, Danika.” The request made her heart jump. She hesitated. “Do not worry about the courting week. I will not take your body. That will be on the night of the morrow. Now, I need to sleep. That works best in your arms,” he murmured without opening his eyes.
She realized he hadn’t just openly confessed something so important to her, but he also gave her a weakness of his. He slept best in her arms. He trusted her enough to tell her that.
Her legs carried her to him, and she got into bed beside him. The king needed her. For the first time in a long time, she felt genuinely happy. He might not love her, but he felt something for her. Something beautiful. He must, for him to let her in… and keep letting her in.
Her eyes found the door of the library behind him—the place where his sister, Princess Melia, was killed by her father. She could still remember that day he warned her never to go into that library. He was so angry he’d told her he would kill her the day he found her in that library. And since then, she had never gone inside there. It was also a part of him he had kept away from her.
Would the day come when he would let her inside that library? With the way he had been with her lately, she had hope. With time, he would trust her enough to let her in completely.
Automatically, he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. “This is better.”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes and burrowed into him, and a sigh of pleasure left her lips. She loved being in his arms. Had craved it in the past few weeks.
“I know something much better.” He pulled back and began untying the ropes of her corset. Finally, the ropes came free. He pulled it down and freed a plump, creamy breast. A groan of satisfaction left his lips before he took the pert nipple into his eager mouth.
Danika couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped her lips. That part of her had always been sensitive. More so now that she was pregnant. With each tug of his lips, she felt something in that secret place of her womanhood. She pushed down the feeling and closed her eyes again and began stroking his short black curls.
Time passed.
That seemed to be all he needed. It didn’t take long before his breath evened out and he fell asleep.
.