I barely had time to react before I was assaulted by the cold, sexy lips of the King. My back collided with the wooden backrest, completely trapped between his mouth and the chair. A rough hand gripped the nape of my neck, urging me to lift my head further, surrendering completely to the heated invasion…

“Why not? Are you afraid someone will find out you’re a cheater? Look at this serious maid here; she’ll know exactly how to choose the most handsome one, won’t you, darling?”. He threw his arm over my shoulders, and I froze completely. Clearly, the “darling” was meant to sway me in his favor. I was…

“Vale!”. Walking toward the training gym, I heard the hurried voice of Juliette behind me—the maid who had always been kind to me. “Hi, Jul… wait! You’re going to trip and fall face-first!” I exclaimed, grabbing the large basket of laundry she was carrying before she nearly toppled into it. “Whew! I thought you wouldn’t…

I felt him freeze, his lips brushing against my scarred cheek. I thought he would withdraw, upset by my rejection, storming off like the ogre he usually was. But I’ve never been able to fully understand the King—he remains a mystery to me. A soft kiss landed on my scarred cheek, sending a shiver through…

The disdainful stares didn’t take long to arrive when they eagerly stood, expecting the King, and only saw his ugly maid. “Where is His Majesty?” one of them asked, glancing toward the door that had already closed. “The King cannot come personally. I will be making the selection.” I don’t even know how I managed…

At last, he released me from the pressure of his power, and I could finally breathe again. Guardian Quinn also stood up, wiping the blood from his bruised cheek despite his rapid healing. That punch had been brutal. “Tell me, what did you discover?” he asked, the three of us standing before the Goddess’s Altar….

I froze at Quinn’s words. He kept deciphering the message, but my mind could only think about what the King must have felt when his children were murdered, and he had to take his mate’s life with his own hands. I know all too well that soul-crushing pain that leaves you wanting nothing but death….

After making the boldest agreement of my life, Aldric left and asked the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath. I appreciated the gesture and sank into the soothing water up to my neck, alone in the room, sighing in relief. I didn’t want to think about anything, but as I raised the hand where I…

My brain finally connected with reality, and it told me I was lying on my side on a bed. Not chained. Not imprisoned. Not bound. And definitely very much alive. I felt an incredible vitality surging inside me, healing, repairing my wounds. Confused, I opened my eyes halfway, staring at an old wooden wall. I…

A tug at my hair started, insistent. “Wait, baby… Nmmm… I just need a second… Shhh…” I lifted my gaze to meet her blue eyes, desperate to come, so damn close. “Don’t waste it, I want to taste you like you did with mine. Stand up, Your Majesty…” she whispered, pushing me by the shoulders….