Chapter 16 Melody
Melody
My golden hair glimmered in the light streaming through my window.
I ran a brush through the portion that cascaded over my shoulder, counting the strokes so they were even on all sides.
“Ninety-eight… Ninety-nine… One hundred.” I let the brush clatter on my desk, my arm pained from the third and final section.
I’d always taken care of my appearance—my mother not-so-subtly demanded it.
After all, my one purpose was to capture the attention of a wealthy man and marry, to provide support and stability for the entire family.
Maybe the routine had become ingrained in me, or I acknowledged the eyes of society fell upon the royal family. Either way, my routine didn’t falter.
The woman staring back at me in the mirror seemed…
brighter. More sure of herself. More capable and confident.
I fought a losing battle with the smile that broke free, even though it was silly to be smiling at myself.
My life had become a dream, all the fears and concerns that plagued me before had simply vanished.
Nora didn’t have to work herself to death at that dirty tavern, I didn’t have to entertain much older gentlemen, and the most exciting of all…
I raised my palm, letting a ball of light burst into existence.
Small off shoots like tiny whips lashed around until I simply made it vanish by closing my hand.
Staring at my balled fist, I felt a renewed sense of self, of power.
My gaze pulled toward the window that overlooked the sea in the distance.
The warmth of the sun shone on my skin, and while I considered all the possibilities that lay before me, my smile remained.
A knock at the door broke me from my trance. I quickly readjusted my light pink satin nightgown, tying it tight to cover my shift. “Yes?” I called.
“Miss Melody, you have a visitor,” one of the lovely staff said through the door.
A visitor? I hadn’t had anyone come to the castle for me when I hadn’t been expecting it. Kenzie had just left earlier this morning to go home, I doubt she would have returned so quickly.
“Who is it?”
“He told me to say, ‘your good luck charm’.”
“Oh my stars,” I whispered to myself. Heat bloomed over my cheeks, and I raced to change into something appropriate.
Tio had seen me after the awful ordeal on the ship, and after traveling for a day to their camp, but I still put in every effort I could to look presentable in the least amount of time.
Each step down the hall, followed by a guard escort, strained my heart.
Nervous and excited, the two emotions swelled and competed for first place.
When I stepped into the waiting room, with high ceilings and tall windows, he rose from the cream coloured, golden trimmed sofa. His blue-green eyes sparkled against his beautifully tan skin, his curls showcasing more highlights outside of the shadows in his tent.
While what he wore paled in comparison to the fashions of wealthy men that I’d become accustomed to, I assumed they were the most quality pieces he owned.
A black button-up shirt with a few undone near his neck, and beige linen pants with minimal stains.
He stood tall, offering me a bow in greeting with a cheeky little smile.
“Lady Melody.” He straightened, extending a beautiful bouquet of yellows and reds.
A small blush crept across my cheeks as I took his lovely offering.
“Thank you—” I went to reply in kind, but realized I didn’t even know this man’s last name to address him formally.
Having guardsmen present for the interaction made perspiration gather in my palms. This man’s tongue had been in my mouth days ago, and I didn’t even know how to formally address him.
I curtsied briefly, closing the distance between us, pitching onto my tiptoes, whispering, “I don’t know your last name.”
His laugh could calm a raging sea. He leaned in. “It’s Galakis.”
Promptly, I took a step back, removing the closeness. “Mr. Galakis, pleasure to see you again. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?” I may have projected my voice a little too loud, hoping to establish myself as a proper lady in the castle who knew how to greet her guests.
He seemed to catch on, sharing a knowing look between us before clearing his throat and answering with matched volume. “I have come to share an update with the king and queen.”
That caused a twinge of disappointment in my belly. “Oh,” was all I managed to respond with.
He seemed to notice that, too, and stepped closer, whispering in my ear. “Self-appointed messenger.”
I pulled back to glimpse his all too handsome face grinning at me with a mischievous wink. Small flutters filled my stomach at the sight.
His face turned contemplative, seriously so, as he took in the fashionable lounge area.
“You know, I have yet to receive a proper tour of this castle. I wouldn’t dare dream of imposing on your time, but I would be just so pleased if you showed me around.
” His attempt to match my formality sounded too forced to be natural, but gods, if he wasn’t cute for trying.
“I would be delighted.”
He offered his arm, and when I wrapped mine around, feeling the hardened muscle underneath his dirty and slightly tattered coat, my heart skipped a beat.
“You look absolutely beautiful, by the way,” he said quietly, just between us.
I’d donned a gorgeous lavender organza gown with embroidered flowers stitched into the flowing layers.
The sleeves billowed just above my elbows that were covered by pristinely white gloves.
Overlapping material on the bodice gave me brilliant coverage over my shapely bosom, and the rest flowed from the curves of my hips to my ankles.
“You look lovely yourself.” I was beaming.
We began our tour, and not knowing if he actually cared, or much about the history of anything in this giant castle, I imparted what information I could. A pitiful tour guide I would make, certainly.
Yet, he responded with vigor each time I shared something extremely mundane.
I stopped us in the middle of a hallway, turning to address the guard in Highcrest blue following us.
“If you wouldn’t mind, would you please let the king and queen know that Mr. Tio Galanis has arrived and requests an audience? ”
The poor guard froze, the spinning wheels in his mind evident. He’d probably been ordered to keep me under watch, and now that I’d asked him to leave his post, he felt conflicted. I was a member of the royal family, after all.
“Please?” I continued, “I still haven’t memorized the routes in this castle, and I’m afraid I might get lost and waste everybody’s time.” I held a prim and proper smile.
He straightened, swallowed his apprehension and nodded, setting off at a rigorous pace.
“I thought he’d never leave.”
Before I could breathe, Tio’s hand settled on my hips and he backed me into the wall, his other hand sinking into my loose wavy hair and cradling the back.
His mouth was on mine a heartbeat later, and my hands found their way into his beautiful curls.
His stomach pressed into mine, pinning me to the wall under his mountain of muscle.
I melted, a small moan slipping from my lips as they returned his kisses with fervor.
He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine, and essentially growled, his fingers sinking further into the soft flesh around my waist. “You are intoxicating.”
My breathing ran ragged. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Grabbing his jaw with my gloved hands, I brought my mouth to his, where our tongues readily met in a dance they knew how to perform. It was his turn to groan and he pressed his body harder against mine.
Bustling armor down one of the hallways nearby forced us to separate. For a moment, I had to use the wall to keep myself upright against my spinning daze. Then I stepped away, hoping I didn’t look so disheveled that a person walking by would notice what had just occurred.
The young man returned, slightly out of breath. “The king and queen will see you now. I’m to bring you to the dining room.”
“Excellent,” Tio said, holding the posture of a nobleman, hands clasped behind his back. The performative picture of poised innocence. I giggled under my breath.
“Lady Melody, would you be so kind as to escort me?” Another offer of his arm.
I momentarily covered my lips with my gloved fingers, attempting to gain a modicum of composure. “Of course.” We interlocked again, each step brimming with the desire that steadily built between us.