Chapter 21
“Wear your bracelet, think of me.”
Rick smiled and stepped out, Martin herding him. Marta stared, confused. I didn’t have time to explain what she’d just witnessed. I was out of words.
“Ma’am, I think we need to have a chat,” Marta said.
She sat on the bed next to me, like a mother or big sister might.
“Ma’am, I will be frank with you because I care about you and worry. What you almost did… could have… consequences.”
Embarrassed, tears welled and I flushed bright red. “We weren’t… nothing happened.”
“Your Majesty, I am not upset with you. Nor should you be guilty,” Marta’s tone was sweet and kind, maternal. “Things can escalate fast. And men may not always think of what happens when they do, ma’am. There are consequences?—”
My embarrassment turned to fear. “Please, please do not tell Celeste. She might kill me this time!”
“Oh, darling, no!” Marta exclaimed.
I cocked my head.
“My sweet, I am here to help you. To care for you. I would never turn you into Celeste. My concerns are about you and your safety. He is very handsome and things whipped up quickly. Everyone has been there a time or two, ma’am. It is okay. I want to talk to you about it, so you are… aware.”
I was relieved. “Oh… okay.”
“What can begin as just kissing can quickly turn into… far more. And I know you are not… well you are not as prepared as you should be to keep yourself from suffering one of the most obvious consequences.”
“Pregnancy?” I whispered.
She nodded. “Among other things. But in your case, that is the primary concern for the next few months. Have you ever considered getting on the pill?”
“I screamed at Celeste and threatened to do so recently, yes.”
Marta chuckled. “Oh, dear. Well, we might need to see about taking care of that. If you are prepared, you will be able to make better choices.”
“You wouldn’t tell on me?” I asked.
“I cannot promise that the halls would not talk, Your Majesty, but I plan to keep your secrets as well as I have any great lady I worked for. I vowed to care for you as I would my own and I continue to do that.”
“It’s not a moral failing? We aren’t married. What if we do it and he drops me?—”
“I suspect His Royal Highness cares little about the status of a woman’s virginity. I think he fancies you. And, given what I saw, would be only too willing to go a lot further than he just did.”
I blushed.
“Make choices when you are ready. You are young. Life is long. If you want to do more, you should, but let us take care of the practical problem first. I will get the pills.”
“Thank you,” I said, relieved.
I would be taking matters into my own hands. God, it felt glorious to do that! Every day, I would take a pill and stick it to Celeste, the Church, and the old men who told me what to do with my body.
Marta left me to sort myself. I revelled in the way it had felt when Rick touched me. I wanted more. I had no idea it could feel so good to have him run his hand between my legs. I wondered if we might do it again soon, but I suspected I should wait until Marta was able to procure the pill. I would have to try hard to avoid him. I still felt the pleasure of his fingers rolling over my nipple. I wanted him so badly.
I snapped out of the fantasy. I remembered Rick’s words. He didn’t seem the sentimental type. I found the bracelet box, still closed and undisturbed. The phone was inside, switched off. I locked the door, flicked the phone on, and waited for it to boot. The logo came on and I went through the steps to set up. I prayed no one bothered me. It took so long. No wonder why these things were impossible!
After minutes of trying, I got a message from someone I assumed was Rick.
Rick
Tonight, be ready to flee. I have a plan. Bring A with you.
Me
How?
Rick
Dress like normal people going out. Dress down, okay? Jeans.
Me
You’re mad
Rick
I’m not
I changed the caller ID to Rick the Prick. I’d played on these before since Astrid got one without any access to making calls or texting years ago. We used it to stream movies late at night sometimes when we were too lazy to get out of bed. Not that it mattered. After all, who would we ring? We knew no one.
Me
Okay
I smiled and powered the thing off, shoving it inside a big box of tampons. No one would go in there.