Fifty two
*Freya*
“You only needed to see it, Grace. It was… magical! It was perfect!” I explained to Grace, who watched me excitedly.
“Well I hope you believe me now when I tell you that you’re his highness’s favorite.”
I paced around my chambers, thinking about her words. “I don’t think he has any favorites right now.. i can’t get my hopes up like that.”
Grace looked up and gave me a reassuring smile. “My lady, anyone with eyes can see the Alpha King is smitten with you.”
I sighed, wringing my hands. “I suppose you might be right. I just can’t help but think-”
A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts. Grace hurried to answer it. Murmured voices drifted from the door before Grace returned, a folded paper in her hand.
“A letter for you, my lady. Delivered by one of the palace maids.”
My heart leaped into my throat as I took the paper from her with trembling fingers. Could it be from him? I broke the wax seal and unfolded the note.
My dearest Freya,
Forgive my forwardness, but I find myself unable to wait to see your beautiful face again. Would you do me the immense honor of meeting me in the receiving room? I am waiting there for you now.
Yours,
Rafe
Joy bubbled up inside me. Rafe wanted to see me, alone! My cheeks flushed at the implications. I held the letter to my chest, a giddy smile across my face.
“Well, well, what has our lady Freya grinning like the cat that got the cream?” Clara walked over with a playful glint in her eye as she plucked the note from my hands before I could stop her.
“Hey!”
Her eyes scanned the words and she let out a delighted laugh. “My, my, a private rendezvous with the Alpha King! How romantic!”
I snatched the letter back, cheeks burning. “Shush, both of you! It’s not like that. He probably just wants to discuss… politics or something.”
“Oh yes, I’m sure he’s desperate to get you alone to talk about the weather,” Grace said with a knowing smirk. “Come on, let’s get you ready! We’ll have you looking so beautiful, King Rafe won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
My skin tingled with anticipation at the thought of being alone with him, even as nerves fluttered in my stomach.
Grace, Clara and Flo descended on me in a flurry of brushes and silk, chatting excitedly as they arranged my hair and dress. I barely heard them, my mind already drifting to thoughts of being wrapped in Rafe’s arms, his lips against my skin…
“There! Perfection.” Clara declared, turning me to face the mirror.
I hardly recognized the woman gazing back at me, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and dark hair tumbling over my shoulders. I looked radiant, confident.
Squaring my shoulders, I flashed my maids a grateful smile. “Thanks guys, I’ll be back in a minute” I said, my heart already racing as I turned towards the door. Rafe was waiting for me.
Taking a deep breath, I slipped out into the corridor. I flinched at the click of the latch behind me. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to myself.
I hurried down the passageway, my silk slippers making barely a whisper against the carpets. Shadows flickered in the torchlight and I found myself glancing over my shoulder every few steps, half-expecting Kelly to materialize from the other side. I quickened my pace, skirts swishing around my ankles. Kelly’s cruelty knew no bounds, but I refused to let her steal this moment from me. For once, Rafe had chosen me. ME. Not Jessica, not Kelly, not any of the other ladies.
My nerves mixed with anticipation as I reached the final corner. There, at last, was the receiving room door. I looked around to be sure it was the right chamber. There was no other vacant Cham so it had to be this.
Taking a shaky breath, I pushed open the door, hope rising in my chest as I stepped into the room.
The room was empty. An expectant hush hung in the air, the only sound the frantic thudding of my heart against my ribs. I paused, eyes straining to penetrate the gloom. Where was Rafe?
I stepped further into the room, the plush carpet muffling my footsteps. Rafe had asked to see me, after all. He would be here. I just needed to be patient.
I trailed my fingertips along the polished sideboard, the cool surface grounding me. The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Just as doubt began to creep in, a faint scuffing noise echoed from the hallway. Footsteps!
Relief surged through me. Rafe! But as the footsteps grew louder, a second set joined them – lighter, quicker. A woman’s steps. Icy dread sliced down my spine.
I couldn’t be caught here, not like this! I scanned the room for a place to hide, blood roaring in my ears. I saw a side closet at the far end of the room. I gratefully went and pressed myself into the narrow space just as the door swung open. Light spilled across the carpet, outlining two figures – one tall and broad, the other slender and elegant. Rafe… and Jessica.
Confusion fogged my brain as I watched them walk into the room, they seemed to be talking about something important. Why would Rafe ask me here, only to come with her? was the letter perhaps a mistake?
I couldn’t make out what they were saying from where I was, but I watched them closely, my heart shaking wildly. One minute Jessica was saying something, another second they were kissing. kissing!
How could I have been so naive, so foolish, to believe Rafe truly cared for me? I was nothing to him, just another silly girl to toy with and toss aside. He’d made his choice, and i should have known it wasn’t me. It never was.
Get out. I had to get out. I couldn’t bear another second of this torment. Blinded by tears, I turned to flee, But in my haste, my elbow caught the edge of the shelf behind me. With a loud bang, heavy books tumbled to the floor, landing with a clatter that echoed like a gunshot in the room.
Rafe and Jessica turned towards the noise, shock on their faces as they spotted me cowering behind the shelf. Rafe’s eyes widened as soon as he recognized me, lips parting as if to call out to me, but no words came.
For a long, agonizing moment, the three of us stared at each other, suspended in the tension of stunned silence. Shame seared through me, the shards of my shattered heart lodged in my throat.
I saw the shock on Rafe’s handsome face. Then I saw the anger too. He was angry at me for catching him in the receiving room with Jessica who by the way, was gazing at me with a vicious glee in her eyes.
I realized with a jolt that this was her doing.
****