12. Eve
EVE
Staring at the latest arrivals to my room, I suppress a squeal.
Warmth spreads throughout my body, making my fingers tingle. The supplies arrived damp, but are more than usable. A variety of canvases and thick paper lie across my desk. A small, tabletop easel is propped open. Beside it is a jar of brushes in varying shapes and densities.
I grin down at the pigments. They look more akin to watercolors than my usual oil-based medium. My fingers trail over the cakes, cataloging the varying hues of green and blue.
Satin-lined boxes had accompanied the tins of paint.
I trace the rough texture of the diamond bracelet. Beside it rests a pearl necklace. Another box contains a tiara made of sapphire and silver. I’ve never seen such riches.
Dating a king definitely has its perks.
Leri and the other servants left some minutes ago, while I’ve been stuck staring at my new items. In the silence of my room, I reflect on the previous night. What had come over me? I had been bold with men before, but last night with Harven was something else.
I didn’t realize I was such a tease. For his part, he withstood my temptation. Toying with his restraint lit a fire within me. One that had burned so low I forgot I even possessed it. I liked that he obeyed me, but I saw the sheer will it took.
When that restraint finally snapped—
I swallowed, my face heating. Part of me wondered in the hall if he was too lost in our kiss to stop. If he had been, I would’ve welcomed him into my bed despite my protests. I wanted him, even though I knew it was too fast to give in.
Over a year without good sex has left me aching for it.
Harven may not be able to offer me love, but I knew he’d be able to fuck me like I’ve always wanted. His kiss had brought me more pleasure than any boyfriend had.
There is a dominance to him I haven’t come across in human men.
Maybe it’s because of his magic, or because he secured his throne by blood. He is a dominant male and wields his power expertly. A powerful king in every sense of the word.
Harven’s dominance calls to me. Luring me closer like a siren’s song.
Speaking of sirens, Leri’s warning rings in my ear.
She brought grim tidings along with my morning bowl of stew.
The nymph cautioned me that Nixie had many spies stationed throughout the castle, and she wasn’t pleased by my adventure with the king.
Word of my evening with Harven had spread like wildfire.
The servants had all stared at me, whispering in their low voices.
Leri is certain Nixie will seek retribution.
The female may be jealous, but she’s not reckless. Harven needs me. She can’t be foolish enough to harm me. She’d rather have the satisfaction of taking him from me than killing me.
The thought of Harven returning to her bed makes my stomach ache. It may be their custom, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. He agreed to not see them while we got to know each other, but what about after? Once I’m pregnant, will he seek their company over mine?
I loathe the idea of sharing him.
It’s a startling realization. Less than a week ago, I swore to hate him forever.
I couldn’t really be feeling jealous. Despite my best efforts, I’m growing attached.
I always fell too fast. It’s what led to the downfall of so many of my relationships.
I can’t afford to be swept away by Harven too quickly.
I need to keep my wits about me.
However, I couldn’t afford to be too aloof. I lived and died by the king’s will.
If Nixie perceives me as a romantic threat, that means word of the king’s affections has spread. As Hyra bluntly put it, unless I want to find poison in my stew, I’ll need to keep close to him. Securing his affection was more important than ever, but what of my own?
How was I feeling? I honestly didn’t know.
Confused mainly. Hopeful. Hadn’t I set off on this grand adventure to find love? I never would’ve thought it’d be at the bottom of the sea, but beggars can’t be choosers. The scary truth was I could see myself falling for Harven.
Whether out of necessity or genuine connection, I couldn’t be sure.
If I gave him my heart and he still sought out his mistress, it would crush me. Only time will tell if we can have something true—something real. I’ll just have to be patient and stay on my guard.
Knocking echoes through my room.
My heart lifts, thinking it could be Harven. I smooth a hand down my short satin nightgown as I approach the door. I mask my disappointment when I see Princess Hyra on my threshold.
Her white hair collects in the low bun at the nape of her graceful neck. Her tentacles are arranged under a sparkling skirt that matches her short-sleeve top.
She glides in with a warm smile.
“I’m impressed. The king dismissing everyone from a royal dinner is unheard of.” Her smile takes on a feral edge. “Nixie is furious.”
“Good.”
Hyra chuckles before sobering.
“Be careful with her, Eve. Seera and Bly are one thing. They don’t mind being overlooked.”
“Because they’re together.”
It was easy enough to surmise. The closeness. The secretive looks they shared. It went beyond bedmates. They were in love.
Hyra sucks in a breath, slamming the door shut behind her.
“It is forbidden for the King’s Pearls to form relationships outside of the king. Especially amongst each other. They would be punished if my uncle found out.”
“I won’t say anything,” I assure her.
Her nod is sharp, before her eyes glow anew.
“They would be free to be together if the king dispensed with their service.”
She has all the subtlety of a freight train.
I shake my head and cross my arms over my chest. My nipples harden at the memory of our kiss. The fevered way he took my mouth. His heady taste remains faintly along my tongue.
“One kiss isn’t going to make the king get rid of his lovers.”
Hyra’s smile is all teeth.
“A kiss? That’s good, Eve.” Her tentacles graze along the marble. “I take it you don’t hate him as much as you used to.”
“I don’t,” I concede.
“Good. How was your evening then?”
My heart thunders in my chest. Heat spreads thickly through my veins as I think of the king. So much for guarding my heart.
“It was nice. He isn’t as monstrous as I first thought. He behaved like a perfect gentleman. Took accountability. We both want to make a real go of things. To see if what we have can be more than just procreation.” Biting my lip, I sigh. “We need to spend more time together.”
“And you will,” Hyra assures me, mischief swirling in her eyes. “He’s in the hall.”
My heart stumbles in my chest. I glance toward the door, and my palms sweat. It’s like I can feel him on the other side. His power—magic—brushes up against my skin in a caress.
“Seems dinner was too far off for him to wait. Impatient male,” Hyra mumbles with amusement.
I turn the handle and let light from the hall spill into my room. Harven leans against the wall across from my door. He is dressed the same way he was last night.
A skirt of blue satin hides the upper half of his strong tentacles. A belt of shells and pearls holds it in place. Metal cuffs encase his strong forearms. They are made of the same gold as the crown resting on his head. The sapphire at the center sparkles like a star.
My breath catches at the sight of him. The space between my thighs begins to heat. My nipples press firmly against my thin nightgown.
Grinning, I dip shallowly at the waist as all the others who greet him do.
“Good morning, my king.”
His tentacles spread along the floor as he prowls towards me. He lifts my chin with his fingers, his dark gold eyes burning with intensity. My mouth goes dry at the unbridled lust teeming in his gaze.
“You don’t need to bow, Eve.”
My hands splay across his chest. I love the feeling of his rough-hewn muscles. They ripple under my palms. His tentacles snuggle along my ankles and tease my exposed flesh.
“What brings you to my door this early?”
“I wanted to make sure the supplies got delivered to you before I was sequestered away in my council meeting.”
“They arrived, as did your other presents.” I trail a finger between his pecs, delighting in his soft groan. “You are too generous, Harven.”
His fingers skim over my cheek. The gentleness of his touch burrows into my soul. The invisible force that binds us shrinks the room. He is the only thing I see.
“You deserve them, my mate.” The word washes over me. “You deserve everything.”
“And that’s what you’re going to give me?”
Harven swallows, his strong throat bobbing.
“If you’ll let me.”
“Hm, I’ll consider it.” I raise a brow. “What color would you like me to wear tonight?”
Harven’s tentacle skims up my calf and teases the hem of my nightgown. My breath catches as his suckers graze my inner thigh. Harven’s thumb rubs against my bottom lip.
“Dark blue. Like the ocean at midnight. It’ll bring out your eyes”
Heat licks my cheeks.
“As you wish, my king.”
“When you call me my king, Eve, it makes me want to do wicked things to you.”
My eyes glaze over as his thumb dips into my mouth.
“What kind of things?” I ask.
“Ones very unsuitable for a second date, I’m sure.”
“We’ll see about that.” Pressing up on my toes, I taste his lips with a quick press. “Go to your meeting. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight,” he agrees, tasting me once more.
I savor it before he pulls away. His tentacles bestow a lingering caress. I watch him go for a moment before returning to my room on trembling knees.
Hyra sits on my bed, a knowing smirk gracing her full lips.
“We’ll be calling you queen by the next full moon.”
I shake my head as the word settles in my heart. My bones. That is what my future here entails. It should concern me how little I fear the title.
Hyra rises onto her webbed toes.
“The ladies of the court will seek you out for lessons on seduction,” she muses.
“It’s easy to seduce a male who’s already salivating over me due to a primal bond.”
I’m surprised by my tone. Without the bond, would he still want me? The answer doesn’t matter. It’s not as if I can change it, but part of me wants to know if what he feels for me is more than the primal urge to fuck.
If he can love me the way I desire.
Sadness dims Hyra’s eyes.
“He cares for you beyond the bond, Eve.”
My eyes stray to my desk. They trail over the variety of paints and supplies. Snagging on the satin boxes, my heart lifts. I recall Harven’s apology—the reverence in which he speaks of me. Of the vows of protection he swore over and over.
Would he do all of this if he only desired my body?
My heart tells me no, but my mind is not so easily swayed.
Regardless of my confusion, I can’t help the small smile playing on my lips as I say, “Perhaps you're right, princess.”