Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 7

Sitting in silence, I bowed my head and closed my eyes as I felt his strong fingers continue to massage the soap deeper into my back. One by one, he lifted my arms and gently washed the dirt and grime away, revealing my pale skin.

"Why are you so pale?" the Prince murmured. "For someone living in a city full of long, glorious sun-filled hours, you aren't very tanned?"

"I don't like to get out much," I shrugged casually, surprised at such a casual question. "I usually spend my days looking after my grandmother. Or staying hidden indoors while drawing, reading books or sewing."

"Were you hiding away because of your bullies?" the Prince queried with a slight snarl. "Don't worry. I will find out who attacked you. And I shall make sure they pay!"

I nodded slowly, not daring to protest against the Prince anymore. I was vaguely aware of a cold liquid dripping onto my hair before the Prince began rubbing the mixture into a soapy lather, gently massaging my scalp with his gentle fingers. Before I could stop myself, a relaxed sigh escaped my lips. It was only now that my body felt tired and achy, and I knew I needed some much-needed sleep, wherever that would be. As tired as I was, Samba was different. It took a lot of mental strength to blot her out at this point, but even I could sense that she was ecstatic at being in the bath, naked with this god of a man, let alone him touching us.

"Come on. Let's get these suds washed out of your hair," the Prince grunted before tipping a large jug of warm water over my head. "I can see you are tired, and you need sleep. Your body healing itself has taken it out of you. Anyway, we have a busy day tomorrow."

"Do we?" I stammered slowly. "Why? What's happening?"

"Oh, the usual," the Prince replied calmly as he twisted my hair tightly to squeeze out any remaining water. "The day after the annual selection, we have a big party down in the ballroom so that we can show off our newly found girls to our friends and family. Some of the girls we picked out will even get sold to our friends and family if the price is high enough."

"You’re disgusting!" I cried out in shock, pushing myself away from the Prince. "We aren't just some pieces of meat that you can sell or buy between you and your fancy men. We have feelings too!"

"Did I say that I sell any of my girls?" the Prince replied cooly, resting his steely gaze on me. "Unfortunately, my brother has a slight reputation for being a womanizer. He will have slept with all of his new girls by the morning light and will have made his mind up about them. Any girls he doesn't think will be able to keep up with his demands will be sold to the highest bidder, no doubt about it. If they don’t sell, then they will most likely be killed. He doesn’t like returning the girls back down to the city!"

"He is a monster then," I hissed in disgust, feeling my tummy swirl at the thought of being auctioned off. "No doubt you are the same as him! You both share the same disgusting blood in your veins after all!"

"I am not discussing this with you anymore," the Prince retorted stiffly as he rubbed one hand over his face. "You are tired, and you need sleep. Get up and get out of the bath. There's a towel over there in the corner. Wrap yourself up and wait for me, over by the archway."

Quickly, I stood up and climbed out of the tub as elegantly as I could, being careful to hide my modesty with my hands. Blushing, as I bent down, I grabbed the towel and firmly wrapped it around me like a large shawl. The towel was still warm and extra fluffy, which felt good against my cold, wet skin. Sneakily, I peeked up as the Prince made his way out of the bathtub, showing off his body in unashamed nakedness. His member gently waved from side to side as he walked toward me. Embarrassed at being caught prying, I quickly bowed my head.

"I'll pretend that I didn't see you ogling at me," the Prince grinned smugly, holding out one hand. "Come, Elena. Let's get you warmed up and dressed. Unless you want to sleep in a wet towel all night."

Silently, I followed the naked Prince back into the bedroom, shocked to see Davina still waiting patiently by the bed. Glancing up, I peered around the Prince to see Davina glaring at me angrily before retaining her calm posture as the Prince finally addressed her.

"What are you still doing in my chambers, Davina?" the Prince scolded loudly. "I thought I told you to get out?"

"But, but I did leave the bathroom, your Highness," stammered Davina quietly, quickly looking down to the floor. "You said I was to be your chosen bedmaiden for tonight, so I've waited here patiently for you."

"Well, I've changed my mind!" the Prince growled angrily, coiling one arm around my shoulders protectively. "When I said get out, I mean get out of my apartment! Go back to the bedmaidens quarters. I don't need you tonight!"

Biting my lip, I remained silent but trembled at the sound of how angry the Prince was. A tiny part of me felt so sorry for Davina and I wanted the ground to eat me up. All I could hear was a startled squeak coming from the direction of Davina before I felt her run past me, followed by the sound of a slamming door.

"Thank god she has gone," huffed the Prince darkly as she stomped over towards the bed and sat down on the edge. "I can’t believe the thick cow thought I meant to just get out of the bathroom. Nevermind, she’s gone now! Elena, come here so I can dry you. I had some servants bring you some dry clothes to change into, so don't worry about being naked in front of me."

Quickly, I walked across to the Prince and stood in front of him while he removed the towel from my body, and he leant back to take a long hard look. My nipples began to harden in the cold air and I could feel my cheeks beginning to flush once more. Instinctively, I began to move my hands to cover myself, but the Prince quickly stopped me by grapping my hands and pinning them to my side.

"No!" the Prince ordered. "Don't cover up. Remember what I said. Let me look at you. You have a lovely body, Elena. Please don't be ashamed of it, and don't try to cover it away from me. Come closer."

Gulping nervously, I stepped closer to the Prince, slightly afraid of what he was going to do to me. But to my surprise, he simply grabbed the towel and began gently rubbing my arms and legs and my back before drying the water out of my hair. He turned to the bed and picked up a floor-length white cotton nightgown with elbow-length sleeves. It was pretty but simple but it did the job of giving me some decency back.

"Here. Put this on," the Prince murmured softly. "This is all we could find at short notice. But I’ve decided that I want you in silks and satins and velvets from now on. I will get my servants to go shopping tomorrow for some new clothes for you."

"But aren't those materials only allowed for senior bedmaidens?" I asked nervously. "You said I am just going to be a servant. Destined for the brothels."

"Yes, you are, but I still want you sleeping in decent clothes," the Prince muttered before pointing to the sofa in the corner. "But for now, don’t worry yourself about that. It’s time for you to get into bed. There's a blanket on the couch waiting for you!"

Nodding, I walked over to the couch and lay down, pulling the thick fur blanket over me for warmth, but the cold leather of the sofa made me shiver. I could hear the Prince slowly climbing into his bed as it creaked under his weight. The room was deathly silent and much darker since the Prince had blew all of his bedside candles out, except for a loud sight that came from the Prince’s direction. The light of the fire was the only thing illuminating the room, sending eery shadows dancing all over the walls and ceiling, accompanied by the sound of my chattering teeth. Again, the room filled with the sound of the Prince sighing once more, but this time, slightly more agitated.

"Elena, get into this bed with me. Now!"

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter