Baski pulled down her underthings and moved to sit beside her head. She lifted her hands, and Danika went willingly. Baski hugged her head to her chest, patting her soothingly. “You can never be dirt, Danika. Don't ever say something like that again. Tell me. Do you feel like y-your body was...used?”
Danika shook her head slowly. “I don't feel...invaded, and that's the scariest part of it. I don't feel his release on my thighs, only my wetness and blood. I don't feel pain in my inner body. I don't know or feel the things he did to my body. The unknown is threatening to shatter my mind. I will go insane if I have to live with the knowledge of wondering about the things he did to me in that state. I...I don't think I can ever live with that. I don't want to live with that!” she cried.
“Don't ever say something like that again. You are not a woman that gives up easily. Do not ever give up on yourself!” Baski shook her. “Don't ever! Your child is fighting to stay with you, and you should not be the one that wants to give up! Do you hear me!?” Baski took a deep breath. “I just mixed the herbs that might help stop your bleeding. It can't protect your child, but it might hold your bleeding. It will clean your body and wash out bad blood and the wetness caused by the pills. If Karandy's release is inside you, it will push them all out. We will know if he really succeeded in taking advantage of you.”
“I'm scared to know,” Danika sniffled.
“But it will give you the closure you need.”
“I'm so tired, Baski,” she admitted tearfully.
“Don't be. Stay with me. Stay with us. I will do everything within my power to exonerate you, Danika. You just need to fight for yourself. Your child. Fight for the king too. Just fight.”
Tears streamed through Danika's eyes, her body drained of strength, her lower body hurting. “How exactly do you plan to do that, Baski? There is nothing to be done. Karandy is already dead, and the king thinks I have been cheating on him for months. He thinks I c-carry another man's child inside of me.”
“I don't know what to do, Danika. But I'm not giving up on you. Do not give up on yourself too. You have gone through so much, but you are a strong woman. Keep being strong for everyone you love.” Baski smiled down at her through her own tears, wiping Danika's own with her fingers.
Danika clung to her, crying softly.
“I brought you food. You have not eaten anything since morning. You will eat. Then I'll keep looking for Remeta.” Her missing daughter made her heart very heavy. “I really hope she is alright wherever she is. She is my best shot at reaching the king. In helping this situation.”
“Baski?” she whispered tearfully.
“Yes, my dear?”
“Do you think the king will ever heal with this? Do you think my baby will ever heal from this? Do you think I will survive this?”
Baski paused and answered her truthfully. “I have no idea, Danika.” Then she added, “But we have to give your life first. Because once there is life, there is hope.”
Danika closed her eyes to keep the world at bay. She wasn’t sure of life. She wasn’t sure of hope too.
.
an I kiss you?”
Kamara's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected request from Callan. Her cheeks went a deep shade of red, and she lowered her eyes to the ground.
Callan was beating up his head six ways to Sunday for blurting out a request like that. She's a lady, and peasants don't ask ladies for kisses. What was he thinking?
But that was just the problem. He wasn't. All evening he'd been drawn to those bow-shaped pink lips repeatedly. The princess was a very beautiful woman.
Callan shifted uneasily from one foot to another. “I'm so sorry for asking this of you. It was never intended to insult you and put you in an uncomfortable situ---”
“Shh.” She stepped towards him and placed a finger at his mouth, shaking her head. “I did not see it as an insult.''
“Oh.” He raised his hand to the short black curls of his head and scratched them nervously.
'And yes, I would like for you to kiss me,” she whispered shyly.
His eyes widened in surprise at her acceptance, but only for a second. Then he lowered his head and placed his lips on hers.
Her eyes slid shut. It didn't take long for him to do so too. Behind the door, he kissed her softly and gently, like a man would savor a favorite meal. His hands fisted to his side so he wouldn't give in to the urge to touch her. Her mouth opened for him with a soft sigh, and he dove in. That instant, he lost all sense of time and place and began kissing her earnestly. His tongue sucked on her lower lips, and she moaned, her breath shaky. A groan slipped from his lips when he felt feminine arms on his shoulders, and she hung on to him as he kissed her over and over again until they were both lightheaded.
Along the way, he had her backed up against the wall and his hand on her petticoat-covered breast as he ravished her. Finally, he pulled back, breathing like he'd just raced a horse and stared up at her. Her eyes were glassy, dazed with desire. He wanted her. He wanted to do so much more.
But he took a step back, not wanting to disrespect her in that way. “You're most beautiful, my lady.”
Kamara could barely catch her breath. Her legs felt like rubber, but she forced herself to keep standing at her feet. She'd been kissed by a few lovers before, but none felt as heart-melting as Callan's kiss.
“I sh-should get going. My f-father,” she began, flustered.
“Yes. Yes, of course,” he rushed out. Then he inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Thank you so much, my lady, for your visit. It was the most pleasant part of my day.”
She glowed under the compliment but did her best to hide it like a lady would avoid embarrassing herself. Instead, she inclined her head too. “I enjoyed your company too. I will visit some other time.”
“I await your visit again, my lady.”
She nodded and turned towards the door. He reached for it before her and opened it. She murmured her thanks and walked out.
Covering her hood above her head, she walked far away from his house and into the woods before she allowed herself a full-blown smile on her face.
She touched her lips tentatively—caressingly.]\