Page 10 of The Princess’s Pet (Soul Match #1)

The Princess woke me up, nuzzling my neck in a way that was becoming common and was far too enjoyable.

When the Princess wasn’t touching me, or simply just existing in the same room as me, I could reasonably process that my bodily reactions to her were concerningly strong. I seemed to lose all control of myself when it came to the Princess, and the more time I spent with her the stronger the pull she had on me. Maybe it was because we were soul matched. She was meant to be perfect for me in some way, and given how much I craved her physical touch, I doubted that perfection was platonic.

“My bite is practically gone.” She hummed over the point her fangs had sunk into me only five days previous. “You heal fast,” she concluded.

“It’s the shifter and vampire in me, Ma’am. I’ve always been blessed with quicker healing than most, well not compared to a pureblood of course, but still, I don’t stay sick for long,” I explained, extending my neck for her and entwining my fingers with her hand that rested on my stomach.

“Does your blood replenish quicker also?” she asked softly, and I stilled, worry creeping into my hazy mind until she brushed it away with a lick of her tongue, and I was humming in pleasure at her ministrations as she marked me .

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “You’re the only vampire to feed from me.”

“I’m the only one who will ever feed from you,” she said possessively against my jaw, before flipping me over onto my back and pressing her lips against mine, only briefly. And when my breath hitched and I tried to lean up into her, she was gone, already out of bed, by the time I opened my eyes in disappointment.

“We have business to attend to,” she said as she pulled clothes from the closet.

The Princess decided upon a long ankle-length maxi dress, short sleeves, deep plunging V-neckline, and a split up to her thigh. Its print was browns and reds, with a dash of blue and she paired it with a brown belt around her waist and a pair of gladiator sandals that tied just above the ankle. The look would be simultaneously perfect for the warm spring, feminine and powerful.

I got up, made the bed, and walked over to the wardrobe. “I’ll be choosing what you wear today,” she said simply. I stepped back as she pulled out a pair of dark navy-blue shorts that would be loose-fitting and stop above my knee and a cotton purple top just as dark, almost blue itself, with a feather-type print of rust red and a lighter blue. “You’ll wear the white sneakers,” she added as she handed me the chosen clothes plus undergarments.

The Princess looked fierce when she was fully dressed. She was like an amazon goddess, all tall and thick in the right places, and her leg visible with her thigh flexing as she walked made me want to fall to my knees and worship her legs. The sight was beyond distracting.

“You’re beautiful,” I told her softly as she stood in front of me. She smiled, gracefully flipping black waves over her shoulder .

“Thank you, pet,” she replied and looped her fingers through my shorts’ empty belt loops, pulling me forward and half tucking my top into the shorts. Pulling back, she looked over me appreciatively, her hands on my hips.

“Where are we going?” I asked her. She released my hips and bent down to press a kiss against my forehead.

“I’m going to visit my cousin, Lady Amelia Borealis, my dearest friend. She owns a beautiful property surrounded by gardens, and I’m sure you’ll find them enjoyable,” she told me.

Gardens that I could hopefully explore sounded wonderful, and I smiled at the prospect.

When we left the building, two cars were waiting for us. “One car, we will travel in with two guards, the other will follow with four more guards,” the Princess explained at my curious look.

A guard in a midnight-blue uniform, with a gun at his hip bowed towards the Princess and held open the car door. The Princess gestured for me to go in first, and I slid along the seat, the Princess entering after me.

“Don’t sit so far away from me, pet,” she said as the guard closed the door behind her, and I scooted back over, her arm coming up to rest lazily over my shoulder. “That’s better,” she purred beside me, a soft rumble in her chest.

The day was sunny, and we drove for some time, it seemed further and further into the expanding countryside. Fields held ewes with small lambs, and wild daffodils lined the roadsides. The sun flashed by in bright reds and oranges behind trees as we drove, sometimes blinding in its brightness. At some point, I had rested my head against the Princess, but I only noticed when I felt her chin rest atop my head.

“We are arriving,” she announced, as I saw large brick columns and steel gates open to allow us access to a long road leading to a circular driveway with a fountain in the middle. A large manor house greeted us.

We pulled up, and a woman with dark hair like the Princess —but that was where the similarity ended—was standing at the open doors of the manor.

“Is that Lady Amelia?” I asked before the guard could open our door.

“Yes,” The Princess answered, smiling down at me, her arm moving from around my shoulders to squeeze my knee before the door was opened and she exited. I followed closely behind her, up the steps.

“Selene, I’m so happy for your visit.” The woman, slightly shorter than the Princess and a little plump, greeted the Princess with a warm hug and kiss on each cheek.

“Amelia,” The Princess said, breathing as if the presence of the other woman was a relief to her. “It’s been too long, and there is much to discuss,” the Princess said in greeting. Amelia’s face became solemn, and she nodded in agreement before turning her gaze to me.

“There is much to discuss, cousin. Perhaps we can start with lighter topics, such as the girl in your company,” Lady Amelia said, her head nodding in my direction.

The Princess glanced back, reaching out to me and pulling me forward a step, her hand at the nape of my neck. “This is Percy, my pet,” the Princess introduced me.

“A pet?” Lady Amelia hummed with a grin and a knowing look in her eye. “How very interesting.” She turned her attention back to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Percy. I am Lady of the manor, Amelia Borealis,” she introduced herself, looking at the Princess and back to me .

“It’s nice to meet you too, Lady Amelia,” I spoke quietly, unsure how I was meant to interact, as all other purebloods had ignored me and addressed only the Princess. I felt my cheeks grow hot at my lack of social understanding in the situation.

“Oh my, I bet she tastes splendid,” Lady Amelia commented to the Princess.

The Princess pulled me into her side, her hand gripping my shoulder, and growled at her cousin. I was shocked by the reaction, but Lady Amelia simply waved her hand and laughed. “I’m not asking for a taste, Selene, no need to be so territorial.”

The Princess stopped growling and cleared her throat. “Yes, I find myself rather possessive of this particular source, cousin,” she said, her voice strained slightly. “You would do well to remember that and ensure that your staff is aware,” the Princess commanded, and Lady Amelia smiled brightly.

“Of course, no one from my house would even attempt to harm your pet,” Lady Amelia replied. “Come inside, the drive from the Academy is long, I certainly don’t miss it from when I was studying,” she said, leading us into the manor.

Inside was modern and bright, beige, light browns, and pale blues were the colour theme, in contrast to the old stonework and windows on the outside.

We followed Lady Amelia through the ground floor of the house to a bright sunroom where there was a circular table decorated with a large vase of a mixture of white oriental lily, avalanche roses, lisianthus, and chrysanthemums. It matched the minimal and bright décor of the room. Glass walls surrounded the pentagonal room and looked out on a large well-kept garden with gravel footpaths separating lush flowerbeds.

There was tea, finger sandwiches, and miniature cakes and pastries on fancy towers waiting at the table. And as cute as the mini food was, it was the vase of flowers that held my attention. It was a lovely arrangement .

“I love your mini scones and cream, Amelia,” the Princess said cheerily as we reached the table.

“I made a batch just for you,” Amelia responded, smiling at the compliment.

The Princess pulled out a chair, and her hand on my lower back guided me to sit. She took the seat next to me and immediately reached for a little scone stuffed with thick cream and jam.

I watched as she brought it to her lips and took a bite. She hummed appreciatively, closing her eyes in delight. A small bit of cream sat at the corner of her mouth and she brought her thumb up to wipe it, cleaning her hands on the light blue napkin that sat in front of her. Watching someone eat had never been more enchanting.

“Here, pet.” She held out the scone to my lips that she had already taken a bite of. “Try this,” she commanded, and I obediently opened my mouth and allowed her to feed me, despite being acutely aware that Lady Amelia was watching. I couldn’t deny the Princess when she looked at me with simple happiness and asked me to share that happiness with her. She seemed open in a way I hadn’t seen before.

“It’s good,” I told her.

“It’s second only to your blood,” she said casually as she popped the last bite of the scone into her mouth. I felt myself blush at her words and didn’t know whether to be pleased with the compliment or upset that she seemed to see me as only a meal.

“Percy, where are you from? How did you come to be Selene’s pet?” Lady Amelia asked me.

“I found her when visiting the beaches out west. I couldn’t resist her scent and purchased her from her father,” the Princess answered for me .

Lady Amelia turned to the Princess, amused “Can Percy not answer for herself?”

“My pet understands that I don’t wish for her to discuss me with anyone,” the Princess said unaffected.

“Very wise, cousin, given recent events,” Lady Amelia replied, and I saw the pain of her mother’s loss across the Princess’s face.

The Princess simply nodded, picking up a blue and white teapot, and pouring herself a cup before pouring the steaming liquid into a cup for me.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” I said, accepting the small milk jug she handed me.

The tea was fine, but I preferred coffee.

“Amelia, how is Henry?” the Princess asked, changing the subject.

“He has become a little hell-raiser, ever since he started school.” Amelia laughed. “He resembles his father in looks and character,” she added, as she sipped her tea.

“You did insist on marrying from the Obscurum coven. And where is my nephew now?” the Princess asked, smiling.

“He’s with his father visiting Vlad’s parents,” Amelia answered.

“A shame,” The Princess deflated slightly. “I had hoped to see him, it’s been a while.”

“You should visit more often,” Amelia replied.

I listened as the two women talked about Amelia’s family and her husband’s work. It was nice to watch the Princess laugh freely with her cousin .

“Anyway, enough about me, I can see that a lot is going on with you, Selene. Since you arrived you’ve been doting on the girl,” Amelia said seriously, as though demanding an answer to something that was being poorly kept from her.

“Are you suggesting I can’t enjoy my pet, cousin?” the Princess asked.

“Of course not, it’s just you’re the last person I thought would buy yourself a bloodslave. It’s unexpected behaviour, out of character,” Amelia replied, reaching out and taking the Princess’s hand.

“It’s healthy to try new things, to change one's routine, Amelia. We live in dangerous times, I wish to live while I can. I found a girl with blood that sings like no other, and so I took her for my pet. Why let pleasure pass us by?”

“I agree with your sentiment,” Lady Amelia answered, lifting her cup and tilting it slightly towards the Princess. “I would like to discuss the dangerous times we live in, but perhaps not in current company,” she continued.

“Pet.” The Princess turned to me, “You are free to explore the gardens of the manor. I’ll find you when we’re heading home.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I answered, standing from my chair. The Princess stood too and walked me toward a door in the sunroom that led to the gardens.

“Be good,” she instructed.

“Always, Ma’am,” I replied, smiling, and her eyes flashed briefly as she met my gaze, before shutting the door behind me.

I breathed in the spring air deeply. I knew, or assumed, that the Princess and her cousin were discussing the murder of the Queen and didn’t want me to overhear. I decided to distract myself and not think about the look of pain that flashed across the Princess’s face when reminded of her mother, and how distressing I found that look on the Princess.

The gardens were truly well cared for. Tulips in every colour could be found and rhododendron taller than me. Each flower bed was well-manicured. I came across tea roses not yet in bloom, but the hybrid was so pretty. I reached out, touching the soil around the plants and humming to encourage the plants to bloom. I smiled as the pink rosebuds formed and bloomed wonderfully.

“That’s quite the talent.” A voice said, and I looked up across the flower bed to see a man dressed for gardening in an apron, pouches full with small tools, pruners, forks, and trowels. He rubbed his hands on the apron and walked over to me, holding out his hand to shake.

I accepted his hand. “I’m Thomas,” he said, yellow eyes glowing; he was clearly a pureblood shifter. “I’m head gardener, and I’d love to have someone like you on my team,” he told me.

“I’m Percy, pet of the Princess,” I introduced myself. He looked openly surprised.

“Ah, well, that means I won’t be able to hire you then,” he said, recovering from his surprise. “Is the Princess visiting?” he asked, and I nodded.

“You’re a pureblood?” I asked.

“Wondering why a pureblood shifter like me is working for Lady Amelia Borealis?” he asked, laughing.

“Exactly,” I answered.

“Ah, not all purebloods are noble,” he said, almost embarrassed. “And I needed a job, horticulture is kind of my thing, though I’d have to guess that it’s your thing too,” he said, smiling openly .

“Yeah, half-witch of the Flores coven,” I said in explanation, waving to myself.

“Ah, that explains your talent. Should I expect my tea roses to die out when their season is just meant to be beginning?” he asked, eyebrows raised in amusement.

“No, don’t worry, they’ll be bloomed for a few months longer than usual. All the beauty for double the time,” I told him.

“Now that is impressive,” he complimented. “Well, I have work to get back to, it was nice meeting you, come find me if you need anything,” he said pleasantly, nodding and smiling. He had bright eyes and dimples in his cheeks. He was quite pretty.

“Maybe I could help you, Thomas?” I offered. He paused in his steps and turned back to me.

“Yeah, actually, I’m a man down today, at the weekend everyone wants off, it’s just me working. You wouldn’t mind?” he asked.

“I’d love the opportunity to get soil under my nails,” I laughed in response.

“Well, come this way. I have crocosmia and gladiolus bulbs which have been soaked and ready for planting in time for summer blooms,” he told me.

“Sounds fun,” I answered, and he led the way to the flower bed we would be working in.

“The gardens here are lovely, you must work hard,” I commented as we planted together.

“A labour of joy, plus I live on the grounds in the servants’ quarters, so I never stop working,” he told me .

“But does it feel like work?” I asked playfully, throwing a clump of mud at him, he responded in kind, dipping his hand in the watering can and spraying water from his fingers at me.

“No, it doesn’t feel like work at all,” he answered, laughing.

“How long have you been here?” I asked curiously. He didn’t seem much older than me.

“Three years now. I’ve been here since my sixteenth year, and I got promoted to head gardener last year.” He smiled proudly.

“A deserved promotion,” I complimented him as I looked around at the garden.

“Thank you.” He blushed.

We worked together for a few hours chatting about flowers, and different combinations and arrangements, soil quality, rodents, and pests. It was nice to talk shop with someone and work under the afternoon sun.

I looked up and saw the Princess approaching us. I stood, and Thomas looked up, and stood also. He lifted a watering can to me in a silent question. I nodded my head in thanks and cleaned my hands off as he poured the water for me. He reached into his apron and pulled out a towel for me to dry my hands.

“Thanks, Thomas,” I said appreciatively, and turned to the Princess, smiling at being back in her company.

“Good afternoon, my Royal Highness, I am Thomas the Head Gardener,” Thomas introduced himself and bowed low when the Princess reached us.

“I hope my pet has not been an inconvenience to your work,” she said curtly.

“Percy has been only helpful. I’m grateful for her talent,” Thomas answered, still bowed .

“Yes, I’m sure,” the Princess responded and turned to me. “Pet, we are leaving now.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I answered and turned back to Thomas. “Thank you for allowing me to help,” I told him.

“Any time, Percy, so long as my Royal Highness allows, of course,” he offered, and I smiled and looked back to the Princess pleadingly.

“Perhaps on our next visit,” she offered, and I smiled wider. “Come along now,” the Princess commanded, and held out her hand.

I stepped forward and gave her my hand. She laced our fingers and pulled me closer, leaning down, her nose pressed against my head, scenting me. Before she stood straight and led me through the gardens and back inside. We met Lady Amelia at the entrance to the manor.

“I enjoyed your company, cousin, please visit again soon,” Lady Amelia said, looking at our joined hands. “And it was lovely meeting you, Percy,” she said to me.

“Thank you, and you too, Lady Amelia,” I said, feeling uncomfortable and awkward again.

“Remember our talk, and stay safe.” The Princess said farewell and led us back to the vehicle to return home.

The sun had set by the time we arrived home, and I went straight to the shower to wash off the day's grime from working under the sun with the soil.

The Princess entered the bathroom as I was leaving, wearing only her lacy underwear, and I tripped on my feet in shock, her arms reaching out to catch my towel-clad body .

“Falling for me, pet?” she laughed as she steadied me. “I’m going to take a long bath. Tell the guard at the door what you would like to eat, and it will be brought up for you,” she told me as she released my shoulders.

“Okay, thank you, Ma’am,” I mumbled, trying to focus on her face and not her chest.

I knocked on the door and stood, waiting for a few moments. I don’t know why I expected the guard to answer the knock. The guard had only ever opened the door on our arrival home, and the Princess would open the door to his knock. Eventually, I built up the courage to open the door. The Princess had not told me that I couldn’t leave her living quarters, but then again, it’s not like she had to tell me, I was her property, and I knew I couldn’t wander around without her permission. Opening the door to speak to the guard felt like I was breaking the law.

The guard stood to attention facing down the corridor.

“Hi, um, can I please order some food?” I asked him awkwardly. The guard turned his head to me but didn’t seem surprised that I was speaking to him.

“What would you like, my lady?” he asked, bowing his head slightly, and it was me that was shocked at his polite response and the way he addressed me. When I got over my shock, I was able to ask for what I wanted.

My order was placed, and within fifteen minutes, I was sitting down to a slice of hot pizza.

I had picked up the book the Princess had been reading when she told me the story of the King’s betrayal by his friend. It seemed the book held many stories about betrayals and war.

The book was taken from me by elegant hands, and I looked up to the Princess who wore a new set of satin pyjamas, light blue and shiny and I wondered what they felt like. As if reading my mind, the Princess grinned, and after tossing the book carelessly to the coffee table, straddled me. Her hands took mine and placed them on her satin-covered upper thighs.

“Did you eat, pet?” she questioned casually, as if she wasn’t straddling my lap, her hands cupping my face. I swallowed and nodded. “Good.”

She simply looked at me then, her silver eyes taking in my face. Her fingers brushed my lips softly, and she leaned down and lightly pressing her lips to mine. The tenderness of her actions was new; I had come to expect her kisses to be hard, or teasing, but she lightly kissed me before pulling away. Her hands found mine again and placed them higher up on her waist.

“Don’t you want to touch me?” she asked.

“Yes,” I told her, my voice was low, finding it difficult to speak, already feeling drugged by my arousal.

“Then why aren’t you?” she questioned.

And at her permission, I pushed my hands under her top to feel her warm skin. I squeezed at the flesh of her waist and taut muscle, slowly rising to run over her ribs. She arched her back, pushing her chest towards me as my hands grazed the sides of her breasts.

I watched as her eyes began to glow, molten silver staring back. Growing in confidence, I more fully took hold of her in my hands. Her head fell back, elongating her neck, and I sat forward, my lips attacking her neck with a hunger I had been trying to control but could suppress no more. Her skin tasted clean from her bath and something wonderful, uniquely of the Princess. And when she moaned, the sound travelled through me to my core. I wanted to feel and taste every inch of her skin. I wanted to be the reason the Princess moaned like that forever.

“Oh, pet,” she said, surprised when my teeth found her skin. Her hand curled a fist at the back of my head and pulled me away from her neck. I was panting as she stared down at me with an almost wicked smile gracing her lips. “Who knew the kitten had a little bite in her,” she commented, amused, before she brought her mouth roughly to mine.

Her hands found the edge of my top, fingers pulling it up my body, and she broke the kiss while I removed my hands from her, to allow her to pull the top off over my head. I had dressed in simple loungewear, foregoing a bra in favour of comfort, and was momentarily self-conscious when the Princess discarded my top and sat back in my lap, to look at me. Her hands stopped me before I could raise my arms to cover myself.

“Don’t hide from me, pet,” she commanded softly. “You’re absolutely delectable.”

The Princess purred, the vibrations rumbling in her chest. Her hands released me and moved to her top, she slowly pulled it off. The way the Princess moved was so captivating, any self-conscious thoughts I had were forgotten. She was beyond perfection. Her breasts were round and full, erect pink nipples surrounded by darker areola, a taut stomach tensing with her movements.

I looked up into molten silver, my hands reaching out to her waist. “Can I?” I knew what I wanted, my eyes falling to my desire, but words left me. Her hand wrapped back in my hair, forcing my head back to look up at her.

“Do you like what you see, pet?” she husked, her free hand running down my throat.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I answered wetting my lips.

“And do you want to please me with your pretty mouth?” she continued.

“Yes, please, Ma’am,” I answered, unconsciously leaning forward, and the Princess laughed as I was stopped by her fist in my hair. She pulled my head back, leaning down for a quick, fierce kiss, and when she pulled away, she guided my head to her chest .

My arms wrapped around her back, my fingers digging into her strong shoulders. My mouth found her nipple, my hot tongue running over, and my teeth gently biting down. The Princess’s breath hitched, and she moaned, pressing herself further into me. I sucked and licked and teased until she pulled me back and guided me to her neglected breast. I was in heaven, the taste and feel of the Princess filling all my senses, and her laboured breaths and soft guttural moans spurring me on.

I whined in protest when she pulled me away from her. She lifted my chin, her hand rough on my jaw.

She pushed herself off me, falling beside me on the couch, and turning in the same movement to pull me into her lap.

“My little pet, so greedy for me,” she teased, her mouth at my ear, one hand around my waist, the other coming up to knead my breasts.

I felt like my entire body was on fire as she licked down my throat and bit at my pulse. She pinched and twisted my nipples until I was a moaning mess, and then her hand travelled down my stomach to cup me through my clothing.

“Remove your leggings and panties,” she commanded as she nibbled at my ear.

And there was no hesitation as I lifted my hips and began to wriggle my leggings and panties down my legs. The Princess helped me remove them when they got tangled at my ankles.

“Good girl,” she praised as she dropped my clothing to the floor. Her hand ran up my leg and to the inside of my thigh, closer and closer to the apex of my legs. And when she reached her goal and gripped me hard, I felt my wetness flooding.

She hummed against my neck, teeth nipping at my pulse point. She ran a finger through my wet folds, and I bucked desperately for more of her touch .

“Mistress, please, please,” I begged.

“You’re so wet, pet. All for me,” she spoke into my neck and continued to tease my pussy, thumb brushing over my clit and fingers pressing at my entrance but never entering.

“Please, Princess, please, I need more,” I begged and groaned, my hips bucking desperately.

“Such a little whore for me,” she commented humorously, her thumb pressing harder against my clit. “Tell me, pet, who do you belong to?” she demanded.

“You,” I whispered through my desire.

“Who owns this pussy?” she asked, pinching my clit between her fingers.

“You, Ma’am, only you,” I hissed out, her actions painful but glorious all at once.

“How many others have you let touch what’s mine?” she questioned, biting down hard on my shoulder and rubbing me in small, quick circles.

“No one,” I moaned.

“No one else has touched you like this?” she pulled back, her eyes searching my face.

“Only you,” I confirmed, moaning as I felt myself getting closer to the edge of release.

She responded with a growl that was raw and primal, and in any other context it probably would have been terrifying, but instead, it made my heated flesh hotter, and I felt myself gush onto her hand .

I was so close, my muscles tight and ready for release, but I needed more. More of her; like I was drowning and the Princess was air, I was desperate for her.

Her mouth found my throat again, biting hard and licking over to soothe the bruise.

“I want you, pet,” she told me, sounding very strained almost as desperate as myself.

“You can have me. All of me.” And I would have given her anything she asked of me, if she would only give me more.

“All of you?” she growled against my throat. And I knew what she was asking of me. I didn’t resist, didn’t question myself. I only stretched my head back as far as possible to give her as much access as I could to my throat, where I could feel my blood thrumming under her lips.

“Please, Ma’am,” I begged.

Her fingers pressed against me, finally entering and stretching me with a sweet pain. I gasped as she stroked in and out, the heel of her palm pressing against my clit, my hips rising to meet her thrusts.

And when I fell over the edge into ecstasy, her fangs pushed deep into my flesh. The mix of pain and pleasure was blissful, and I floated there in a perfect state for what felt like a small eternity.

When I began to fall from my high, I could feel the Princess’s mouth attached tightly to my throat and hear her drinking from me. Her fingers, still buried deep within me, caused my pussy to twitch and tighten and kept me in a state of arousal and want, willingly giving my life source to the Princess.

Too soon, she pulled her fangs free from my neck, her tongue cleaning and soothing her bite. She kissed my neck, and slowly pulled her fingers from me, and I groaned at the loss. She brought her fingers up to her mouth, and slowly, as I watched sucked them clean.

And when she was done, the sight so erotic, I leaned forward, pressing my lips against hers. I wanted to continue being fucked and fed from, for the rest of my life. But my movement to kiss her made me dizzy, and my vision blurred.

I closed my eyes, my forehead resting against hers. Her laughter was low and comforting as I felt her push my hair back behind my ears.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, sounding far more exuberant than I currently was.

“Dizzy and satisfied,” I answered.

She laughed more and rearranged my position in her lap easily, so that my head lay against her shoulder, and legs curled up as she held me tightly against her.

“Percy,” she whispered my name, her lips pressing against my temple. “You are exquisite,” she breathed, squeezing me tighter to her. “And you’re mine.”

“Only yours, Ma’am,” I told her softly.