I look at Theo's sleeping face on my lap. His arms are still around my waist and his face is turned towards me. He also forces me to place my arms around his body. He looks like an ordinary, defenseless man, and somehow, I am hoping that he is. So, I allow myself to touch his black-violet hair. It feels like a long time since I last touched him.
He moans in his sleep as if he finds delight in my action. Getting lost in it, I interlace my fingers in his hair. It is soft and beautiful and in the dim light of the room, the violet in his hair is reflecting against the light.
When someone knocks at the door, I jump, causing me to pull at his hair. His brows scrunch, probably from the sting, but before he opens his eyes, I untangle my fingers from his hair. His eyes find mine. He lifts his body and is about to kiss me when the knock comes from the door again.
He freezes, with his hands already on my cheeks. Our faces are only a few inches apart. I can't move and my heart is pounding in my chest. He blinks once, and he wakes up fully. He sits up and glances at the door and me.
"I think I had a nice dream," he says, his eyes focused on me.
I look away and hope that the red in my cheeks is not visible.
"I dreamed that you actually love me. So much that you can look the other away every time I am with my concubines."
"That's just your wishful thinking," I say, not meeting his eyes.
"I think so too," he responds and gets up. Then, at the door, he bellows, "Why the heck are you here?!"
"We are here for Miss Kaiya," the young servant stutters. "We must prepare her before meeting with King Seth."
"It's just a simple dinner, why do you need to prepare her?!"
"The same way we need to prepare Princess Kissa to meet you tonight, King Theo."
My ears perk at that. It feels so unfair. I will meet with another man in a wholesome manner, and Theo will meet with another woman, all to make an heir. Should I do the same with Seth? I snort. That's the problem. I can't make love to someone who is not my mate. So, my chest hurts and I stop myself from clutching at it. Instead, I reach for the books and pretend that I am reading instead.
After a while, the door closes and I sense Theo approach me. In a few heartbeats, his arms go around my shoulders, and he hugs me from behind.
"You know you can claim me before Kissa arrives."
Kissa. They are already on a first-name basis. And besides, claim? I don't think that 'claiming' is really what he wants. As if proving my point, his hand slides down my chest and presses, at the same time that his tongue glides on my neck.
I push at both his arms and head. "You mean, have sex with you before you take Princess Kissa in your bed?"
"If you don't want to, I will not fuck her in my bed. My bed is solely for you."
I scowl and move away from his embrace. However, when his warmth vanishes, it is I who regret it.
"The location is not important to me. You can fuck her anywhere you want, but I don't want to have sex with you anymore."
Pain registers on his face again. "You are really good at hurting me. I wonder which one of us will break first?"
Probably me, since I've done some 'breaking' before. It's not surprising to be in that same situation again as long as I have this mate bond. However, I keep that thought and instead ask, "Can I leave now?"
He crawls towards me and catches my hand. "How about we don't hurt each other anymore? And try to live and survive together?"
I look daggers at him and take my hand from his hold. Another knock comes, and a voice says, "Darius here. I am here to guard King Theo while Miss Kaiya is away."
Theo clicks his tongue and stands up. "That Seth might be too desperate that he even allows Darius to leave his side," he comments.
"That must mean I can leave now."
I ‌move away from him when suddenly, he catches my wrists and pulls me to his body. In a split second, he gives me a searing kiss that leaves me breathless in desire and weak on the knee. My body moves on its own and I press my chest against him. I savor the taste of him on my lips until I realize what I am doing. I pull back and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, earning a scowl from him.
"When you are with him, just remember that you are still mine."
"When you are with her, just remember that I know you are not mine," I respond.
When I move away from his hold and walk towards the door, I make sure that I won't fall over with the intensity of his kiss, especially the way it makes me feel.
I open the door revealing Darius who looks at me from head to toe. Then, in a whisper, he says, "I can smell your arousal. Maybe you should take a bath first before meeting with King Seth."
"Shut up," I say, and pass him over.


*************************
In actuality, Darius didn't have to suggest taking a bath to wash away my arousal due to my desire for Theo. The ladies who take care of me before meeting up with their King had done more than that. According to the ladies, they want to make me look presentable so the instant I enter the room they have already taken off my clothes. I even squeal when they grab my underwear and take it off my body. I redden as I cover myself, especially when one of the older servants looks knowingly at me.
After the bath, I am dressed up in Orttenburg fashion–airy, seductive, and showing a lot more skin than the Pitchford ones. It is too provocative that I keep pulling the skirt down to hide the slit showing half of the side of my legs. I am lowering it too much that the same oldest servant slaps my hands when I try to ride my skirt down for the tenth time.
My midriff is also showing with my belly button out. It is only covered with a flimsy cloth that I can rip open with minimal effort. The top is sleeveless and there are tassels on the edge. They also place some coiling jewelry on my arms. This time, they allow my black hair loose behind me and forced me to wear sandals with knots that reach up to my knees.
When they go to my face, they kept on complaining that I look gaunt and pale. They said that they need me to look healthy and ready to be desired so I can be pregnant with an Orttenburg royal baby. I choke on that comment. They are already expecting that I will be Seth's concubine!
Instead of correcting them, I stay silent while they do wonders on my face and clothes. They are all rushing and stressed and yet, it still takes them two hours to make me look good enough for their King.
"Finally! King Seth won't be able to say no to you!" The oldest servant exclaims. Then she cries, "It's been a long time. I thought he will never be attracted to a woman."
I raise my brow especially when other servants try to console her. "I am not-"
A young servant takes my hand and says, "You can do it. King Seth has never shown any interest in a woman. But to you, it's different."
Only because I was the werewolves' Alpha Queen. "I am the personal guard of another King," I say instead.
"Being King Seth's concubine, or wife, or our Queen, it's the best decision you will do. Our king is good, magnanimous, and very handsome. He is also a talented man and well-loved by his siblings."
Okay… I thought. But that still won't persuade me to change my citizenship.
"He is also good in bed! The previous King made sure to teach him the art of pleasure to stir his desire for women. We really thought… that he's…" Then she cries as well.
"… that he wants men instead," another servant continues.
"I am not-"
"We are all counting on you!" the servant says, cutting me off.
Then the oldest one adds, "Orttenburg wants you to stir his desire and have a royal baby and-"
"I can't get pregnant," I cut her off this time.
Their faces fell simultaneously. It is a funny sight. It is the old lady who recovers first. "We can make preparations for that. Stirring his desire is enough. Maybe, he will have more women once he experienced it once."
I wince. I have no plans to have sex with him though. But their crying is halted when someone knocks on the door. They all look at me with a determined look on their faces that tells me one thing-'You can do it!'
They will all be sorely disappointed.