"Master Valex..." Odesse whispered, her voice barely steady. Her eyes widened as she stared down at him. "You're awake," she said, still frozen, still caught in his gaze.
He looked up at her, his voice low and soft. "Don't go." His eyes burned with something she couldn't name, not command, not danger, but yearning. "One more," he said, his tone a plea rather than an order.
Odesse hesitated, her heart hammering in her chest. Then, almost without thinking, she smiled faintly and brushed his hair back from his face. The warmth between them deepened, and she leaned in.
Their lips met again. It was gentle at first, trembling with uncertainty, then grew stronger, filled with everything unspoken between them. His hands moved to her back, holding her close, firm yet careful, and she could feel the fire in his touch, a pull she couldn't explain.
Time seemed to be still. Every heartbeat echoed in her ears as emotion and instinct warred within her. For a moment, nothing else existed, only him.
As he kissed her down her neck, she felt every emotion and authority he had over her. She kissed him on his neck, he kissed her on the chest. They were all over each other like two souls begging to be combined.
They felt each other. Valex looked at Odesse, whose eyes were close and her face really red. He proceeded to try taking her clothes off. Odesse, who was on the bed, her eyes closed but then, a voice from her memory struck like lightning. "...after the mating... the females always ended up dead."
Her eyes flew open. Breath caught in her throat. She looked at Valex, who instantly noticed the change in her expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his tone softer than she'd ever heard.
Odesse shook her head quickly, stepping back. "I... I'm sorry, Master Valex," she stammered, bowing slightly. "This is wrong. I'm sorry... I've made a grave mistake."
Before he could move, she turned, opened the door, and ran out.
Valex remained still for a moment, looking at the door. His face was unreadable, a mixture of concern and thought, and then a faint smirk appeared. He ran a hand through his hair, eyes glinting faintly in the dim light.
Odesse ran through the corridors, her heart pounding in chaos. "Odesse, what have you done? Are you crazy?" she muttered breathlessly. "Oh no, this is bad... this is so bad."
She reached the servants' quarters, slammed her door shut, and leaned against it, panting. "You fool," she whispered to herself. "Why would you do that? And with the king... a wolf, for that matter!"
Throwing herself onto the bed, she pressed her face into her pillow. "Ahhh!" she screamed softly, muffled by the fabric. "This is awful!"
Her mind replayed the moment... his voice, his touch, the way he'd looked at her, and she shook her head violently. "No, no, no, stop thinking about it!" she said out loud. "He's not bad... maybe that's why his wives..."
She froze mid-sentence. "Odesse, what are you saying?" she groaned, slapping her cheeks gently. "You're losing your mind!"
With a long exhale, she buried her face deeper into the pillow and whispered, "This is awful..."
The next day, in the dining hall, Valex was seated at the long breakfast table, his dark eyes scanning the room as he took a slow bite of food. He glanced at Faye, who was standing a short distance away, attentive but giving him space.
"Faye," he said, his voice calm but edged with authority, "Where is Odesse?"
Faye looked up at him, her expression measured. "Master," she replied, "when I went to check on her, she said she was feeling unwell. For some reason, she doesn't want anyone to catch it, so she's locking herself in her room."
Valex smirked faintly, unconcerned as he returned to his meal, though his sharp eyes lingered in thought.
Meanwhile, in the servant quarters, two young girls were walking past, gossiping.
"I wonder what that girl thinks of herself," one whispered, glancing toward Odesse's door.
"Yeah," the other replied. "Just because Master Valex gave her, her own room, she thinks she's better than us. And she's even his personal servant. We've been here far longer than she has. Ugh."
Unseen behind that very door, Odesse lay slumped against her pillows, her face pale and eyes red from crying. She groaned softly. "Ugh... what am I going to do with myself?" she whispered, banging her head lightly against the pillow. She lifted herself slightly, staring blankly at the ceiling. "How am I going to face Master Valex... after last night? Oh... I'm doomed. My life is over. I'm a hypocrite... a big one."
She had not slept a wink, tears still streaked her cheeks, and the exhaustion made her hands tremble as she pushed herself upright. "Ugh... my head..." she groaned, staggering to the window.
Peering outside, she caught sight of Valex on his horse with Kael and the other men. Her eyes widened, and her knees went weak. "He's... he's so handsome," she murmured, hugging the wall for support. "Look at him... how can someone be so... perfect? Cute, strong, commanding... and still so..." She paused, shaking her head as if to clear the thought. "Odesse, what's wrong with you? Seriously... have you gone crazy?"
Just then, Valex looked around, and she quickly bent down out of sight. A faint smirk touched his lips, and Kael raised an eyebrow. "Sir, is something wrong?"
Valex waved it off. "Nothing," he said. "Let's go."
The riders continued, and Odesse stayed hidden, peeking out just long enough to watch them leave. Once they were gone, she sank to the floor, curling up and burying her face on her knees.
then later, Valex, Kael, and the men had reached a new territory. They rode through the grand gates of another palace, dismounting as servants came forward to welcome them. Valex walked briskly, ignoring pleasantries.
"King Valex... How are you doing?" a man in the palace asked, smiling broadly.
"I do not have time for this," Valex replied sharply, walking in. "Let's get to the point. I must return home."
Kael exchanged a worried glance but followed quietly, sensing there was no room for discussion.
Back at Moonlight Palace, Odesse still lay in her room, groaning as she clutched her stomach. "I'm hungryyyy... but I can't eat. This is punishment for my sin yesterday."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Yes?" she called, her voice weak.
"It's me," came Faye's gentle voice.
Odesse groaned again, burying her face in her hands. "Miss Faye... I told you I'm sick. I can't come out."
Faye's tone was calm, almost teasing. "Does that mean you cannot eat?"
Odesse froze, eyes widening. "Food... yes... I'm hungry... n-no! I cannot. It's punishment for my actions yesterday!" Her stomach growled painfully, and she pressed a hand to it. "No... tummy... stay quiet. Miss Faye, I don't think I can... I'll just throw up..."
"If you say so dear," Faye replied softly, walking away.
Odesse rose unsteadily to the window to look outside, her mind wandering to Valex. "I wonder if he's back... what am I thinking?"
A wave of dizziness overcame her, and the room spun. "My head... ugh..." she whispered, gripping the windowsill. Then, suddenly, darkness swallowed her as she fainted to the floor.
Hours passed. Valex and his men returned to Moonlight Palace. The servants rushed forward, calling out, "Welcome back, Your Highness!"
Valex's eyes darted around the hall. "Faye," he said sharply. "Where is Odesse?"
Faye's face fell, worry etched into every line. "She's been in her room all day. She hasn't eaten anything."
Valex's expression darkened. Without a word, he sprinted toward the servant quarters, Kael shouting behind him. "Sire! Wait!"
Reaching her door, Valex tried to open it, but it was locked. He kicked it with a swift, precise strike. The door splintered, and he rushed inside, only to see Odesse lying unconscious on the floor.
His eyes widened, darkening with concern.