Page 90

She gasped at the sudden stinging on her cheek. Not from the pain, but at Maris’s audacity to raise her hand against her, and for some reason, desire pooled deep within her.

Maris quickly pulled away, her palm throbbing from where it had made contact with Valda’s cheek. She rubbed her hand against her skirt, her eyes locked on the furious queen.

Valda’s anger was palpable, evident in her clenched fists, corded neck, and flaring nostrils. “Valda...” Maris started, her voice trembling.

“You dare put your hands on me?” Valda’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You dare strike me? In my own bedroom?” Her tone was sharp, laced with indignation.

Maris stood from the bed, slowly putting some distance between herself and the queen. “You speak of my parents as if you knew them. You know nothing about them,” Maris said, her voice wavering.

“I would if you would talk about them,” Valda growled, taking a deep breath to try and calm herself. “But instead, you come into my life as if it were some mystery to be discovered.”

“I never asked for this!” Maris retorted, scurrying away from Valda, just out of her reach. In her haste, she accidentally stepped on Cerberus’s tail, and the cat hissed loudly before hiding under the bed.

“Cerberus! I am so sorry!” Maris yelped, leaning enough to try and see where the cat was.

“What did you asked for then?!” Valda demanded.

“What do you care?! Are you worried that I am sick in the head like my father? Don’t you worry, my Queen, my injuries are more tenable than that.” Maris’s shoulder throbbed, still slightly sore even though Melvian had healed her. She had no visible bruise. She knew she had to stand her ground despite the pain.

Valda’s upper lip twitched, her hands clenched and unclenched as she took deep breaths, trying to control her anger. “Unlike you, I would never lay a hand on you,” Valda said through gritted teeth. “I’ve told you before and I’ll say it again, I will never harm you.”

“And yet your hands say otherwise,” Maris retorted, remembering how Valda had used her gift to hurt her in the past, despite not needing physical contact.

Valda tilted her head towards Maris, but this time her tone lacked the playful affection she’d grown accustomed to. “Maris,” she began, her voice soft and distant. “I understand your reaction.”

“Do you?” Maris challenged, her guard still up.

Valda’s hand moved to touch her cheek where Maris had slapped her, and her anger seemed to dissipate as she looked at Valda’s tousled hair, tight shoulders, and snarling features. Maris felt a pang of guilt for her actions, and for accidentally stepping on Cerberus. But Valda had crossed the line.

“I didn’t mean to...” Maris said, her voice rueful.

Valda groaned and ran her fingers through her unruly hair, turning towards Maris. “Obviously,” she said, her frustration evident. “I don’t think you had a death wish. Even if you didn’t want to hit me…”

Valda paused, closing her eyes and taking another deep breath. “Holy Ouranos, you’re testing my patience like no one ever has,” she said, her voice strained. “I can’t... I can’t control myself near you.”

“I just reacted,” Maris said, hiding her reddened palm. There was a crimson imprint on Valda’s cheek, and she looked down in shame. She knew she shouldn’t apologize, considering Valda had spoken ill of the two people who had given her a home and kept her safe. But deep down, she knew they had their reasons for keeping her isolated from the world.

Gaze on the floor, Maris sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. I just...”

Maris was taken by surprise when Valda slammed her against the bedroom wall, a strong hand gripping her neck as rough lips crushed against hers. A moan escaped Maris, a mixture of pain and pleasure as Valda’s tongue dominated her mouth, silencing her protest and pained groan. Valda’s other hand slipped over Maris’s thigh, pushing up her skirt to expose her bare skin.

Despite it all, Maris couldn’t control her ragged breaths as they mingled with Valda’s. As much as she wanted to push her away, her body betrayed her with a primal desire. The pull in her stomach and the throbbing arousal between her thighs were undeniable. Valda’s aggression had awakened something in Maris that she had never experienced before. Even though the queen’s behavior was irritating and infuriating, she couldn’t help but melt under the queen’s touch.

“You think you can walk around doing as you please with me. You are completely mistaken.” Valda’s growl vibrated against Maris’s lips as she continued to ravish her, her fingers leaving a trail of heat on Maris’s exposed skin. Her thoughts were muddled, torn between her anger towards Valda and the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. She struggled to maintain her composure, but Valda’s touch was electrifying. The queen’s fingers rubbed against her mound, teasing her slit, gathering the wetness between her folds before rubbing it against her clit. Her knees buckled, as her grip on Valda’s shoulders tightened.

Valda pulled her away from the wall and pressed their bodies together. Valda’s form was hard against her own, sending shivers down her spine. As their lips parted, Maris gasped for air, her chest heaving with a mix of desire and frustration. Valda’s slow, teasing touches only stoked the fire, but not quite satisfying Maris’s longing.

Despite knowing she should resist, Maris found herself drawn to Valda, her body craving her touch in spite of her better judgment. Snapping out of the haze, Maris grabbed Valda’s wrist and pulled her hand away from between her legs, pushing for some breathing room. Valda’s expression was a mix of frustration and longing as she moved her hand back to the junction of Maris’s quivering thighs.

However, Maris pushed away, her hand slipping to find the line of buttons on Valda’s trousers. She cursed at how many buttons there were before finally undoing them enough to slip her hand inside and cup between Valda’s muscular thighs. Her hand cupped the dark mound between Valda’s legs, relishing the dampness there. The queen was wet, drenched because of her. Not one of those silly little chambermaids, who probably had no idea how to make a woman like Valda crumble at her feet like she was about to do.

Valda was wet because of her.

“Your Highness,” Maris whispered, almost purring as her lips trailed over Valda’s shoulder. “Let me take care of you, please.” She nipped at Valda’s skin, feeling the queen’s breath hitch.

Valda’s hands glided over Maris’s spine, her fingers curling around the back of Maris’s neck as she tilted her head, diving in for another kiss. This time, Valda’s sultry moan sent a delicious shiver down Maris’s body, igniting a fire within her.

Gasping into Valda’s mouth, Maris slipped a finger through Valda’s slick folds, earning a soft, feminine cry from the strong woman before her. Maris realized she loved that sound and craved to hear it again. She added a second finger, watching Valda’s composure break even more.