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Anger heated my chest and face.

“What the fuck is this?” I gasped. “I’m so sorry. I didnotorder these.”

With my eyes on the chain, I pawed at the side of my skirt in search of the pocket, then rummaged inside it for the key that Gem had given me. Its purpose became very clear to me now.

Salas lifted his hands, as if to stop me. “It’s for your protection, Princess.”

That made me pause.

“Do I need to keep you chained in order to be safe with you, Salas? Because if that’s the case, then you should leave. You’ve already earned your money just by coming here. I promise no one will take it away from you now. You’re free to go.” I motioned at the door behind him.

He turned, following my gesture.

“I swear I could punch Gem right now,” I cursed under my breath.

He pivoted back to face me again. “Don’t blame Lady Gem for taking measures to protect you. She doesn’t know me.”

“Maybe she doesn’t,” I agreed. “Butyoushould know. Tell me, do I need to keep you in chains for my safety?”

His stare didn’t flicker. He didn’t flinch when he replied, “No, Princess. You don’t need the chains.”

“Give me your word,” I insisted.

“Will you trust the word of a slave?”

“I’ll trustyourword.” For once, I didn’t feel awkward, holding his gaze firmly.

“Then you have it,” he said. “With me, you don’t ever need to be afraid. As long as I’m around, I’ll protect you from any danger, including myself.”

That was more than what I’d asked for. His words reached deeper than he would ever know. Without saying another word, I opened the lock that held the two ends of the chain together. The chain rattled to the ground, setting free both his hands and his feet. The cuffs remained, but they no longer restrained him since they weren’t connected anymore.

He stepped over the chain on the floor. “Thank you.”

“I meant what I said, Salas. You’re free to leave if you want. It will not affect your compensation.”

He watched me closely, a spark of a new interest twinkling in his eyes.

“I think I’d rather stay,” he said.

“Really?” I felt both unnerved and thrilled by his decision as well as by his attention. “Did you know you were coming here to seeme?”

“No. No one told me who requested my presence at the palace. But I wondered if it was you.”

“You did? Why?”

“You were the only person from the royal court who’s ever spoken to me or even looked at me.”

“So...” I laced my fingers in front of me, choosing my words carefully. “No one talked to you about the purpose of your visit then?”

“No.” He arched an eyebrow, with a new spark of amusement in his eyes. “But I’ve been bathed, fed, and groomed. My hair was trimmed, my nails filed and buffed, and every part of my body has been scented, and oiled. I’d be a clueless fool not to figure out the purpose of my coming here at this hour.”

“Right.” I squeezed my fingers tighter. “And how do you feel about it?”

“How do Ifeel?”He jerked his head. A frown momentarily crossed his features, but it smoothed out quickly. “It’d take too long to list all the emotions I’ve gone through today, but that’s not what you’re paying me for, is it?”

I winced at his bringing up the money. However, his silence about it wouldn’t have changed the fact that he was being paid for tonight and it was my mother who was paying him.

“Let’s just get one thing straight, Princess,” Salas continued, “our arrangement is about sex, which gives you access to my skills and my body but nothing else. There is no need to talk aboutfeelings.”