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Maris bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands, the hands that could control water and manipulate it at her own will. “I just am.”

Valda nodded. “You should never fear anything, especially if you are in my presence.”

“Not even you?”

Valda chuckled. “I tend to have a temper, but I would never do anything to put you in harm’s way.”

Maris nodded before heading to the closet. “Fine. I am going to change.” She walked inside the closet and quickly found the dress. It was a simple black linen dress with wide sleeves. An intricate golden design embellished the shoulders, collar, and front side of the dress. It was wide, not fitted to the body. Maris wondered if the dress was long enough to trip on the hem. After all, Valda was a foot taller than her. Taking the dress, Maris placed it over herself, to check the length, then headed to the changing panels on the other side of the room.

“Really? You’re going to change behind the dividers?” Valda chuckled, stood up, and moved to her bureau. She searched for the chair, and placed it in the middle of the bedroom. “You don’t need to do that.” She waved her hand in front of her eyes.

Valda had purposely sat down in front of the divider, spread her legs, chin resting on her knuckles, eyes open. If Maris didn’t know better, she could’ve sworn the soon-to-be queen was staring at her.

“Please, don’t let my presence stop you.”

What is she doing?

Maris sighed, placed the dress on the bed and grabbed the edges of her blouse before stopping with a frown. “Why did you really go to my chamber last night?”

Valda didn’t answer. Instead, crossed leg jutted forward and bounced over her knee.

“What did you think was going to happen last night, Your Highness?”

Still Valda acted as if she wasn’t listening.

“Did you mean what you said?”

“I told you a moment ago that I was willing to move everything to my chamber—”

“You asked me to be your heart mate.”

Valda bit her lower lip, closed her eyes and shrugged. “I guess I was inebriated after all.”

Maris narrowed her eyes at Valda. “You don’t remember?”

“Listen, I haven’t fucked in a while, Seashell. We’ve gotten closer. Why not take advantage of the situation?”

“Seashell?” Maris asked, her brow arched. “You asked me to be your heart mate. Or did you mean mistress?”

Valda chuckled, picking at the meaty part of her hand as she faced nowhere in particular. “It sounds classy, I suppose. But I clearly remember you saying ‘no’. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Heart mate, mistress, lover—” Valda shrugged. “You can name whatever we have however you want.”

“I won’t deny that it is tempting,” Maris said, her hands rubbing the fabric of her blouse. “I won’t deny my attraction to you.”

“You’ve made it clear since day one.”

“Other than pleasure, what would I get out of this?”

“If you decide to be my heart mate—”

“I don’t desire a heart mate,” Maris cut her off. “I have my reasons.”

Valda nodded and continued. “Then it will be purely physical,” Valda answered, squaring her shoulders. “You still have to obey orders, do as I say and… behave, as you have been till now.”

“I’ve been behaving?”

Valda chuckled. “Don’t get too comfortable, Seashell.”

“I am a seashell now?”