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“That you are the crown princess, and I am who I am. You have dinners with ambassadors, and I have my contract with the slave owner. And so it will remain.”

Chapter 10

Ari

The maid was still lacing the bodice of my morning dress when Gem barged into my dressing room.

“And how is the crown princess this morning?” she thrilled in a sing-song voice.

How was I?

I was a tangled mess of emotions, some of which were a polar opposite to each other.

“I’m great,” I lied with a casual smile.

Salas had left. I’d asked him to stay for the day, but upon further consideration, I had to agree with him: it wouldn’t be wise. Spending any time together during the day would lead to getting to know each other far beyond what was required under the terms of our arrangement.

Gem studied me for a moment.

“What should I report to—” She cut herself off with a cautious glance at the maid. “Are you done here, dear?”

“Almost, my lady.” The maid hastily tugged at the cord, pulling it through the loops.

I remembered how smoothly Salas had accomplished that process in reverse last night. He’d navigated through all my barriers with ease and achieved what no man had done before. He’d made me accept his touch. He’d made me enjoy and even crave it...

Oh, Goddess... I did crave it, I realized.

“Let me finish it.” Gem sent the maid away and took over her task, lacing my dress for me. “The queen canceled your breakfastwith her this morning. She’s working in her study instead. But she’s already asked me about how the things are going with your new ‘mentor.’” Gem snorted a laugh. “Isn’t it sweet she calls him that? I find it adorable how supportive the queen is of your rolling in the sheets with that slave. My mother used to scold me for bringing boys to my room. She worried they’d distract me from my studies. But then again, I was at least a decade younger than you when I started having an interest in boys. Mother must’ve thought they’d be all I’d ever care about.” Gem yanked on the laces, tying them at my waist. “So, should I let the queen know yourmentorhas accomplished what he was hired for? It’s been two nights already.”

“Normally... one night would be more than enough. But with you...”Salas’s words echoed in my mind.

For once, I was grateful for it taking longer. I wasn’t ready to part from him yet.

I couldn’t hide Salas from Gem, but I rigorously protected the feelings he’d caused in me. They pulsed warmly in my chest, like fragile saplings taking root, and I made sure not a single ray of their light shone through.

“No need.” I kept my expression neutral, stepping out of Gem’s reach the moment she was done with the dress. “I’ll talk to Mother myself.”

I found Queen Anna in her study, putting the final touches on her speech to the council. She raised her head from her work as I entered.

“Good morning, Ari dearest.” She set her quill aside and greeted me with a smile. “Is it true what they’re telling me? Are things going well with your... um...”

I couldn’t recall if I ever saw the queen so lost for words before.

“With my initiation into sex, you mean?” I finished for her, forcing her to blink uncomfortably. “Yes, Mother. It’s goingsplendidly. I’ll be ready to impart my new knowledge on my future husband in no time.”

“Well,” she cleared her throat, “that is very good to know.”

I leaned forward, propping my hands on her dark cherry desk.

“I want to pay off mymentor’sentire debt, Mother.”

I wasn’t sure exactly when the idea of Salas remaining a slave had become unacceptable for me, but simply shortening his contract no longer felt good enough. He had to be free. Immediately.

My demand surprised the queen. Her slim eyebrows moved closer in a frown of concentration, as she must be trying to find a reason behind my demand.

“No one should be a slave,” I explained. “No matter how much money they owe.”

Her expression hardened. She drew in a breath, leaning back in her high-backed, carved-oak chair.