Page 47

“You take orders from me, not Kayden!” Valda snarled, reaching for Maris but she was faster.

She dodged Valda’s hand and grabbed her wrist before lowering it. “Princess, you shouldn’t be here,” Maris repeated. “This is the servant’s quarters. Did you need something?”

“Of course, I do. I need you back in my chamber.” Taking another step forward, the princess tripped over her own feet, stumbling to the ground and taking Maris with her.

She found herself underneath Valda. Strong muscular arms and thighs caging her in. Maris swallowed hard as she realized the position she was in. The princess was in her chamber, on top of her. Maris was just wearing a robe. If Melvian woke up, she would probably give her an earful after Valda left.

Looking up, she watched Valda bare her teeth in both anger and pain. “I need you back in my chamber.”

“Princess, I—”

“Now!”

Maris swallowed hard at the desperation in Valda’s voice as she lowered her body to hers. Valda moved her hand again, this time finding Maris’s collarbone.

Her callused hand heated her skin instantly. Closing her eyes, Maris prayed the princess wouldn’t notice what she was wearing. The anger in the princess’s face dissipated as her rough hand rubbed against still wet skin.

Valda’s breath hitched, and she moved closer, circling her large hand around Maris’s throat as she pulled her smaller body against her bigger one. Her pinky brushed against the metal of Maris’s necklace and she groaned a noise Maris couldn’t quite pinpoint. Moving even closer, the princess’s nose bumped against her temple. She was so close Maris could smell the alcohol and feel hot breath against her.

“What were you doing?” Valda asked, her hands squeezing just enough to make Maris whine.

Maris closed her eyes tightly. Valda’s warm touch upon her cold skin was exhilarating. Even though she knew the Princess wasn’t in her right mind, she couldn’t help but take advantage of the situation. She had wanted to feel more, to experience more for such a long time, but she never dared. She could have flirted harder. Her touch on Valda’s skin could have lingered longer. She had known Valda slept with the help, Melvian had made it more than clear on more than one occasion. And yet, this was the first time her hand had ever been on Maris with an intention other than to be guided…

With trembling hands, Maris tugged on her robe, revealing more skin for Valda to touch. She was only away from Valda for a couple of hours, and yet, something called to Maris, undoing her and crumbling her walls. Her body ached, wanting, no, needing Valda’s touch.

“Maris!” Valda squeezed again.

“I was taking a bath. I was just heading to bed.” Maris wasn’t sure how she was able to form a coherent, complete sentence.

“You shouldn’t sleep here. You should be at my chamber at all times. If you are going to do your job, do it well or—” Valda’s words died in her mouth. Her hand slipped further down Maris’s neck, as if discovering she wasn’t wearing much. She closed her eyes, taking a mouthful of air before her hand trailed lower, over Maris’s collarbone, down her cleavage and the valley of Maris’s ample chest.

Opening her eyes again, the whiteness of Valda’s eyes seemed to search for something, anything. Breathless, she raised her hand, cupping the underside of Maris’s chest, her thumb brushing over an already aching nipple.

Maris shuddered, her fingers circling over Valda’s thick wrist, trying her hardest to regain an ounce of self-control.The other woman’s touch set her skin ablaze, the coldness she felt moments ago in the tub dissipated, leaving an aching down between her legs.

She wanted this, she wanted Valda’s touch and as much as she wanted to enjoy it, Maris was still in her chamber, with Melvian sleeping a couple of feet next to her.

“You are not wearing anything…” Valda said, confusion forming on her face in a frown.The princess’s nose bumped Maris’s collarbone, and she inhaled. She held her breath, closed her eyes and released a racking sigh before moving her hand back to Maris’s throat. “Were you waiting for me, my little seashell?”

Maris tensed, her eyes narrowing as her brain processed what was happening. Little seashell? Pet names? Since… when?

“Gods, you smell so fucking good…”

Maris felt Valda’s strength through her hand as she squeezed her throat, firmly yet not aggressively. At the slight pressure of Valda’s hand, she opened her mouth to breathe, to take a gulp of air, and a moan escaped her parted lips. Valda’s body radiated might, violent might, and warmth, which she took in like a flower soaking in the sunlight.

“Gods, you like my hand on your neck?” Valda asked, her lips caressing Maris’s cheek.

It wasn’t until she heard Melvian moving in her bed that she reacted, grabbed Valda’s hand, and pushed her away. Fear crept its way into her mind, pushing away the fog of lust clouding her better judgment.

Valda growled softly when her hand was peeled from Maris’s skin, yet she found a place on the curve of Maris’s waist, which she held firmly.

“Princess, you should leave.”

“Not without you,” Valda said, squeezing Maris’s waist tightly, probably leaving a bruise.

“My bed is here. I have been sleeping on a sofa for far too long. My back is suffering.”

“I will order your bed to be brought in,” Valda snarled as she moved closer.