The Dragon's bond

Chapter 8

The sharp knock had shattered everything, once again saving her.

"Your Majesty, the council awaits your presence."

His hand stilled between her thighs, not withdrawing immediately. His breathing harsh against her neck and his entire body shivering with barely controlled need.

"For fucks sake," he snarled toward the door. "Not now."

But they both knew he had no choice.

He pulled away leaving her gasping and disoriented on the table. As he adjusted himself and run his hands through his disheveled hair she noticed his fingernails had darkened to black talons. He was losing control of his form. She heard whispers that it usually happened when they felt emotions too intensely.

"Attendants will be here in two hours to help you move your belongings to the chamber next to mine. Don't think of running again because it won't end with me just touching you. And Elara..."

He looked at her, hunger still evident in his gaze.

"What happened just now was just the beginning, tonight we finish this." He said disappearing through the door.

She was alone in his chambers now, her body still humming with unfulfilled need and her mind a total mess.

For a moment she simply sat there on the table, trembling.

Then she noticed it.

The pendant at her throat, the one she'd been wearing from birth, the only thing her mother had left her before disappearing. it was warm. Weird

She touched it and she could've sworn...

No. It must have been a trick of the light. The crystal couldn't have been glowing, could it?

She shook her head, climbing off the table with unsteady legs. She looked a mess. Her dress lace was loose, the fabric was rumpled, her lips felt swollen and her hair had come half undone from Serena's careful braiding.

She looked exactly like what she was, a woman who'd been thoroughly ravished.

Her face burned at the memory of his fingers between her thighs, the way he'd touched her through her undergarments and the nasty sounds she'd made.

Stop it. Don't think about it.

But of course, her body refused to listen. That ache he'd built, but not satisfied still throbbed between her legs demanding attention she refused to give it.

She tried to fix herself up with shaky hands. It was hopeless, but she has to try.

Taking one deep breath she opened the door.

The two guards flanking the entrance glanced at her. Their expressions professionally neutral but something flickered in their eyes.

They knew. Of course they knew, but they said nothing as she hurried past them with her head down.

The walk back through the palace should have been a nightmare but it was mid morning and most servants were already busy with their duties making the corridors of the Royal Wing blessedly empty.

She'd just turned towards the servants stairs when she'd felt it.

Someone was watching her.

She stopped as she turned, scanning the corridor .

At the far end of the corridor, silhouetted against a tall window stood a woman.

The distance was too great to make out the details but Elara caught an impression of flame coloured hair. And her eyes, they seemed to burn with Golden light.

The woman stared directly at her with an intensity that made Elara's breath catch.

For a moment they stood frozen watching each other across the empty corridor.

Then a servant carrying linens crossed between them, blocking Elara's view for just a few seconds.

After the servant had left the woman no longer stood there.

Elara blinked, her heart racing. Had she

imagined it?

"Move along girl. You shouldn't be lingering in the Royal Wing."

Elara jumped spinning to find a stern faced housekeeper.

"I'm sorry, I thought I saw…."

"Saw what." The woman's tone was sharp and impatient.

"Nothing, I'm sorry." Elara ducked her head and hurried to the stairs.

But as she descended she couldn't shake the feeling of those eyes watching her.

*Two hours later*

Elara sagged against the wall staring at her trembling hands. She still couldn't believe she had let him touch her so intimately.

She had scrubbed herself raw trying to get rid of his scent on her skin and his touch. But she could still feel the ghost of his hands on her body and his voice in her ear. "You're soaked. I can feel how wet you are through your underwear.

Her face burnt with shame.

The ache between her thighs refused to die down. She pressed her thighs together trying to ignore it.

The pendant grew even warmer against her skin. She pulled it off, examining it in the dim light filtering through the window.

She noticed strange cracks on the crystal. Have those cracks always been there? She couldn't remember ever noticing them before.

Before she could examine it further she heard the sound of footsteps. She tucked it safely back beneath her dress as three women in crisp uniform if the Royal household staff appeared in the doorway.

"Elara Vane?" the lead woman asked, her tone brisk and professional.

"Yes?"

"We're here to escort you to your new chambers, pack your belongings."

Elara's mouth went dry. "Already?"

"We leave in 5 minutes."

Elara stood on shaky legs looking around the dormitory that had served as her home for the past year. Her bed, her trunk and her few possessions.

It didn't take long. Elara owned almost nothing. A spare dress, a few personal items and a small wooden horse a village child had given to her years ago. Everything fit in a single worn out sack.

"That's all?" the lead attendant looked almost offended by her meager possessions. "Nothing else?"

"I don't have much."

The woman's expression was carefully neutral, but Elara quickly caught the judgement in her eyes. Of course you don't. You're nobody. A kitchen maid who just got lucky.

If only she knew how spectacularly unlucky Elara felt.

His Majesty has ensured your new chambers are….adequately furnished." The woman said. "You won't lack for anything."

The way she said it made Elara's skin crawl.

Elara was escorted out of the dormitory through the corridors she'd walked a thousand times, away from the only life she'd known in this palace.

Other servants stopped to watch as she passed. She could feel their eyes on her and she could hear the whispers that began the moment she was out of earshot.

That's her. The king's new whore.

How long do you think she'll last?

Less than a month, maybe. He gets bored quickly.

Poor girl, she has no idea what she's in for.

They passed the entrance to Draeven's chambers and continued to the next door down the hall.

"These are your chambers now." one attendant said, fishing for the key in her pocket.

The door swung open to reveal a room that made Elara's breath catch.

It was enormous and breathtaking. It was almost twice the size of the dormitory. A bed dominated one wall, with a wooden frame and draped in silk sheets in deep sapphire blue.

A wardrobe of black wood stood against another wall and a writing desk sat near a window, an actual window with glass overlooking the gardens she recognized from her time gathering herbs. There was even a door to what looked like a private bathing chamber.

It was luxury beyond anything she'd ever experienced. It was a beautiful prison.

"His Majesty had these prepared for you." the attendant said opening the wardrobe.

Inside of it hung dozens of dresses. Emerald greens, sapphire blues, deep burgundies, midnight blacks. Silks and velvets that probably cost more than Elara had earned in her entire year of service. And behind them, in the deepest part of the wardrobe, scanty nightgowns of lace and sheer silk that left nothing to the imagination. One of them was completely transparent except for the strategic embroidery. Her face flushed a deep crimson, scrunching up in disgust. I'm not wearing those. Not ever.

You're to wear these from now on." The woman continued. "Servant attire is no longer appropriate for your….. position."

That word again. Position.

"And this…" the woman gestured to a door on the far wall, directly opposite her bed.

"This connects to His Majesty's chambers. It remains unlocked at all times. He may come and go as he pleases.

How shameless of him. She stared at the door, no lock, no bolt. Nothing to keep him out if he decided to visit in the middle of the night.

"His Majesty expects you to join him for dinner this evening at seven. A dress has been selected for you and laid out on the bed. Ensure you're presentable and don't be late."

Then they left her alone in her furnished cage.

She stood in the center of her room slowly taking it all in.

She moved to the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. Below she could see the herb gardens where she'd spent peaceful mornings gathering lavender and rosemary. She'd been invisible then. Safe.

That life was gone now.

She was trapped here. In luxury she'd never asked for, waiting for a King who went after anything wearing a skirt.

Tonight we finish this.

A chill ran down her spine.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in." She said quietly.

"The door opened to reveal a young serving girl no more than fifteen, carrying a tray." The girl's eyes widened when she saw Elara nearly dropping the tray.

"L.lunch, Miss," the girl summered as she set the tray on the small table near the window. Her eyes were wide and curious. "His Majesty ordered it sent up. Said you're to eat properly.

"Thank you." Elara whispered, not used to being served.

The girl bobbed an awkward curtsy, a curtsy to her, and left.

"She stared at the tray. Fresh bread, cheese, fruit, meat, warm milk. More food than she usually ate in a day.

She wasn't hungry but she forced herself to eat a little remembering his command from this morning. You're going to need your strength. The food tasted like nothing In her mouth.