Vetta watched him lazily the next morning as he put on his clothes in that unhurried way that had always been a thing with him. Her eyes followed him greedily, a smile plastered on her face. He had been with her all night, even though he held some part of him back. It didn’t matter much to her because she knew she got to him, and there was a part of him that would always be hers.
“You are going to the training ground and will train new guards today, right?” she asked, lying naked and sated on the bed. She had no desire to put on her clothes.
He reached for his gold-colored robe and pulled it over his head. “You have that right.”
“There have been some silent rumors between the maids…” she trailed off.
He spared her a glance as he tied his royal belt, which he had worn when he’d come to her yesterday. “What is that?”
She bit her lips. “They said that Danika is seeing another man. According to the rumors, she has another lover.”
Eyes so cold they could freeze the toughest of men snapped up and held hers. He spoke no words, but he didn’t need to.
She’d pushed him too hard.
Vetta backpedaled immediately. “W-well, I wasn’t the one that s-said it. It was a rumor I overheard—”
“I never want to hear such a thing from you again,” he cut in.
“My king, I didn’t mean—”
He turned away from her. “Danika is not that kind of woman. She was trained better than that. She has more morals and principles than most princesses. She would not do it—not when she finds it degrading and beneath her status.”
She sputtered in indignation, taken aback. “She is a slave.”
“She was a princess. For twenty-two years.”
Why would he defend her like that!? It annoyed Vetta greatly, but she tamped it down. It would make it even more entertaining and interesting when her plan proved him wrong. In fact, it only solidified her belief that the king would execute Danika when he found her in the arms of another man.
Poor Danika. Vetta grinned. It was a promising day.
“I have to be in court.” He strode to the door.
“I enjoyed last night, my king,” she purred in a sultry tone. “I am yours to summon whenever you want. Even when you’re forced to indulge your broken self and have… special needs. I am yours.”
King Lucien reached for the doorknob and stopped. He turned and walked back to her until he stood in front of her. There was a slight tinge of pity in his eyes as he watched her.
“I am trying to heal, Vetta. Maybe it is time you try to do the same.” With that, he turned and walked out of her bedroom.
Danika woke up feeling unwell. It was not unusual for her since she got pregnant, but this day was worse than the others. She vomited her stomach into the toilet, lowered herself to the floor, and laid her head on the seat to get some sleep. Not wanting to move.
A knock came, followed by the creek of the door. “Danika?” Baski’s voice came through.
“In here.” She tried to shout, but it came out like a murmur.
A few seconds later, Baski appeared at her door and looked at her with concern. “Your food is down the drain?”
“I couldn’t keep it in. I feel very queasy this morning. More than the other days.”
Baski walked closer and helped her get up from the floor. She led her out of the bathroom. “That’s what being pregnant is like. Some days are better—or worse—than the others.” She led her to the chair and sat her down on it. She began rubbing Danika’s back to calm her queasiness. “You must come back early afternoon to put something in your stomach again. If you eat again now, you won’t be able to keep it down.”
“Okay. Zariel said we have to distribute water to another part of town that was having the same water and crop issues. Theirs aren’t as severe as those downtown, but they still have problems with cultivation because of water,” she explained softly.
“That is good. I still can’t believe the king entrusted you with something so huge. I never expected it. He is so unpredictable.”
“I never expected it either. I plan to see Sally when I’m in town, too. I’ve missed her so much.”
“I know she misses you, too. That’s how it is when you recently get married. You miss your family and friends, but you can’t do anything about it for a while. You have new responsibilities, including taking care of your new husband, trying to make a family and trying to adjust to your new life,” Baski explained.
“I understand. Thank you so much, Baski. For everything.” Danika raised her head and smiled at her in gratitude. “You’re the mother I lost when I was young. Thank you for being here for me.”
Baski shook her head, still rubbing her back. “You are a good woman, Danika. I knew almost immediately when I came to see you in the dungeon two days after the king collared you.” The older woman smiled at the reminder. “You were looking so elegant. So very beautiful and proud like the princess you are. But behind that bravado, I saw a vulnerable woman in terror of the strange new world she found herself in. I didn’t let myself feel for you because of your father.”
“What changed?” Danika asked, curious.
“Your strength. Your bravery. Your heart. The goodness in you. The light in you shines too bright; I could not ignore it,” she answered without missing a beat.
Danika’s eyes watered, and she averted her eyes. “You give me too much credit.”
Baski only smiled and gave her back one last pat before she pulled away from her and stood up. “The king is in court this morning. He has a lot to do. We will go to him when you come back this evening.”
Danika nodded. “Alright. I will go to the backyard to pick up the clothes I hung out there to dry.”
Danika rounded the corner that led to the backyard when, suddenly, powerful hands grabbed her from behind. She opened her lips to scream, but a hand slapped over her mouth while still holding her tight against his hard body. A knife poked at her side from behind. “Make a single noise and I will cut you apart.”
The deep, dreaded voice of the former slave trainer reverberated in Danika’s ears. She froze in fear as he dragged her to the storeroom and slammed the door shut.
.