Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Kole once again pleasured me using his fingers and tongue. But when I encouraged him to thrust his cock inside me, breaths ragged and pupils blown wide open, he shook his head. “Not yet, Princess.” His words were guttural, more growl than anything.
I stopped, even though the size of his length made me wonder if he meant that. “You don’t want to fuck me?” I rubbed my palm over him, indicating that his body clearly spoke otherwise.
His head fell back, and he groaned. “Stars, Princess, I want that. Believe me, I want to fuck you so hard that you scream, but we can’t. Not yet.”
I frowned, not understanding, but figured his reluctance to engage in true affections might have been because Callahan and Xaven were stationed just outside my chambers.
Regardless, since Kole was still the warrior assigned to me, I knew we had time, and we didn’t need to rush the intimacy in our budding relationship.
Not long later, Betsee knocked on my door, but since Kole had already returned to his post, fully dressed and looking the portrait of a dutiful warrior, I didn’t hesitate to call out to let her enter.
She hurried into the room, her eyes wide and her hands flapping every which way. “Oh, Your Highness, I’m so relieved to hear all is well. The events of last night are truly horrific! The entire capital is talking about it!”
I glanced at Kole to see if he’d heard that word had spread of the creatures’ attack, but he only frowned, which told me he hadn’t known either.
“How did they find out?” I asked Betsee. I sat up more in bed and straightened my slip.
“Why, it’s in the Whiteolf Tribune,” Betsee exclaimed. “The entire capital knows that the palace’s wards were breached last night.”
My eyes widened. If the attack had reached the papers, that meant Ree, Gwen, and Timith likely knew as well, which meant that I needed to check in with them immediately.
Betsee went about her work, tidying up my chambers and opening the curtains. I used the moment to contact my aunt and uncle mentally, and as soon as my magic connected with them, my aunt breathed a sigh of relief, and my uncle voiced his gratitude that we were all okay.
But when I checked in with Ree, she was near panicking.
Prim, Stars Above, I’ve been worried sick!
I winced. I’m so sorry. I only just found out that the entire capital knows.
I got up to eat breakfast and made sure to use the potion before doing so, but my hand shook when I poured the foggy contents over my tray.
The events of last night and reliving it all as I explained it to Ree made it seem even more imperative that I never forget to use the potion.
The entire time Ree and I were speaking, I sipped tea and ate a baguette while Kole watched me from his position near the wall. He’d declined joining me, and I figured it went against his duties. Callahan and Xaven were also still on guard, and I couldn’t help but wonder how tired they must all be.
By the time I finished breakfast, I’d gotten Ree up to speed on the new restrictions that’d been placed on me.
So you’re now locked in the palace until whoever’s behind this is caught?
I sighed. Yes, my parents think it’s safest, but I don’t plan to sit idle. I’m going to speak with them to see if I can help research the creatures. Perhaps if we can discover what they truly are, we’ll have a clue as to where they came from or why they’re after me.
Good idea. I can help, too, if your parents allow it. Just tell me where and when, and I’ll be there.
I was so grateful for her support, but when Betsee approached me, I told Ree I had to go.
Contact me soon, she said.
I will, I promise.
Alone in my head once more, I plastered a smile on my face.
Betsee clasped her four hands together. “Your Highness, we really must make haste so you’re not late for the king and queen. They want to introduce you to the rest of your family this morning.”
“Oh, of course, I nearly forgot about that.” I stood and followed the lady’s attendant to my wardrobe. The entire time, Kole’s aura strummed through the room.
“Did you sleep all right?” Betsee glanced over her shoulder, her blue-tinged skin shining in the morning sunlight.
“I did.” It took everything in me not to blush. Kole had ensured I slept soundly. “Did you?”
She sighed. “I tried, my lady, but it was hard once I heard about the events in the maze. I also tried to come by to help with undressing you following that horrible disaster, but the warrior in the hallway turned me away.”
“Thank you for trying, but don’t worry. I managed just fine.”
“Shall I draw you a bath before you dress?”
I shook my head. “No need. I bathed last night. And if my parents are expecting me, I can just dress and go meet them.”
“Very well.” She opened the wardrobe to rifle through the options just as a knock came at the door. A pulse of my chambers’ magical wards flared around the doorframe, but the alarms weren’t triggered.
I peeked around the changing area to see Kole grasp the door handle and pull it open.
Xaven stood in the hallway. The blond had a similar appearance to Kole, a day’s worth of beard and heavy-looking eyes. Behind him stood three males, all carrying weapons, yet they were males I’d never seen before.
“Our replacements are here.” Xaven hooked a thumb over his shoulder.
Kole looked them up and down, and a slight edge of irritation flared in his aura. One of the males behind Xaven, with auburn hair and blades strapped to his waist, smirked slightly at Kole.
“Swordwielder, you’re being relieved of duty,” he stated, and his smirk grew.
Kole’s expression didn’t falter, but another pulse of energy entered his aura. “You’ve been briefed on what happened last night?”
They all dipped their heads, but auburn-hair’s smirk remained, and he replied dryly, “You know you can trust us.”
“Then you know that the princess isn’t allowed anywhere without us today? And that she’s not to leave the palace, and you’re all to remain close no matter what?”
“Yes, sir,” the other two replied, but auburn-hair said, “I’ll be closest. The commander assigned me to her direct care today. The others will stand watch at the doors. You, Callahan, and Xaven are to be off until tomorrow.”
“Why did he assign you?” Kole’s jaw worked.
“I think you know why.”
Kole’s aura soared, and he said in a deadly quiet voice, “Guard her with your life. Understood?”
Auburn-hair cocked his head. “I believe that goes without saying, Kole.”
Kole’s expression immediately smoothed, but the male studied him closer, then glanced behind him toward me.
I ducked behind the dressing screen again, but not before I saw Kole shift in front of auburn-hair, which immediately cut off his view. “The princess still needs to dress.” His tone grew lower, more of a growl than anything. “Stay in the hall until she’s ready to go.”
He shut the door before any of the new warriors or Xaven could comment, but I still caught the surprise lifting Xaven’s eyebrows just as the door slammed in their faces.
I peeked around the screen again.
“Kole,” I said softly, hoping Betsee wouldn’t hear since she’d retreated to the wardrobe to grab me a pair of shoes.
I gave him a meaningful look, hoping to communicate that we needed to be careful.
He was acting possessive and territorial, and those brief looks I’d seen on his fellow warriors, along with whatever had passed between him and the auburn-haired one, let me know loud and clear that they’d noticed as well.
Kole put his hands on his hips as if only realizing the same. “Shite,” he whispered quietly.
“What was that?” Betsee traipsed toward me.
I smiled brightly. “Oh, um, I just asked if you’d heard how Lillith is?”
Betsee bent down to help me into the shoes that matched the beautiful day-dress she’d picked out for me. It was a magenta shade, soft and comfortable. “I have, Your Highness. Her lady’s attendant told me she was still a bit shook up, but she’s right as rain otherwise.”
“Thank the stars.”
Betsee straightened and nodded toward the door. “Well, you’re ready to go now, so we best be on our way.”