Lienna.
Just thinking about that night still made my face burn with embarrassment. It had been weeks, but the memories lingered, refusing to be extinguished. I had sought out the Shifter Kings myself, like a moth drawn to a flame, and then let all three of them take turns with me. It was crazy, reckless, and utterly thrilling. Even now, goosebumps prickled my skin as I recalled the sensation of their hands on my body, their lips, their bodies. Even right now, my body was beginning to grow warm, going traitorous for them.
Serving the Shifter Kings always came with its immediate downsides. The physical toll was evident – it had taken me a couple of days to walk without limping, and even more for the pleasurable aches to leave my body completely. But it was the emotional aftermath that truly unsettled me. The hunger, the craving, the sheer intensity of my desire for them – it had only intensified with time.
I couldn’t explain it, couldn’t rationalize why my body and mind seemed to yearn for them with every passing day. It was as if I had unleashed a curse upon myself, one that I couldn’t shake off no matter how hard I tried. The memories haunted me, tantalizing and teasing, refusing to let me be.
Right now, the only way I could curb that desire was for me to not see them or think about them, but that was practically impossible. They permanently resided in my head, dominating my every thought like unwelcome guests who refused to leave. Their faces, their voices, their touches – everything lingered, taunting me with memories I couldn’t shake off.
How I wished I could talk to someone about the changes in me, to confirm if it wasn’t the moon goddess residing in me that was driving me mad. I knew there was more to this than met the eye, but who could I trust with such a delicate secret? They would probably look at me as if I had gone crazy, and I didn’t want to expose myself like that.
I also hadn’t been seeing much of Veronica outside, which should have brought me relief. But I knew better than to think her absence was a good thing. That woman hated me with a passion, and I was sure she had something sinister brewing in her mind. Her silence was deafening, and it was making me anxious.
I let out a deep sigh, collecting myself. Mulling over everything wouldn’t change anything, so I forced myself to focus on the present and my pressing duties. I had to keep my head clear, had to maintain some semblance of control. But it was hard, oh so hard, when my mind kept wandering back to them, to the way they made me feel, to the secrets they might hold.
I pushed myself to stand, to move, to do something – anything – to distract myself from the thoughts that consumed me. But even as I walked, my feet felt heavy, my heart felt burdened and my mind trapped. Assigning myself to a random to job, I began to scrub the marble floors, the action offering me with the distraction I so desperately needed.
I continued for a while till I was done with my portion and went to clean myself. I was heading to the maid’s quarters, lost in thought, when I saw King Caspian walking in my direction. My steps faltered, my heart beginning to pound like a drum in my chest as I stared at him, my gaze frozen on his majestic form. All my attempts to avoid the Shifter kings were going down the drain as I drank in the sight of him, my resolve crumbling like sand in the wind.
He had been scarce in the fortress lately, randomly wandering away once in a while. I had learned it was very normal for him to disappear randomly, as Dragon shifters usually led austere lives, needing to be alone for extended periods of time. It seemed he was preparing for one of those trips, and the thought sent a shiver down my spine.
His long black hair flowed freely over his shoulders, catching a glint of the sunlight and causing it to shimmer like silk. A gentle breeze rippled his hair, and his grey eyes looked even brighter, his chiseled features beckoning me to run my fingers through them. Once again, I was painfully reminded of just how handsome the dragon king was. I bit my lips, a warm sensation rolling from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, leaving me breathless.
King Caspian’s gaze met mine, and he paused slightly, his eyes narrowing as if searching for something. Then, he turned and walked towards me, his strides purposeful and confident. I stiffened, a voice at the deepest part of my head screaming at me to quickly find an exit, to flee from the danger that was approaching me. But my body didn’t budge, rooted to that spot like a statue.
Until King Caspian was standing in front of me, his presence towering over me like a mountain. Gathering myself, I did a quick bow, greeting him as a warm flush spread across my cheeks like wildfire. “Good afternoon, your Majesty,” I said, my voice meek and barely audible. “I apologize for my tardiness.”
“It’s alright…” He said, his voice gentle. “How have you been doing?” He asked, a hint of concern in his voice. I looked up at him, feeling the flush on my cheeks deepen.
“It’s alright…” He said, his voice gentle, a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. “How have you been doing?” He asked, a hint of concern etched in his voice.
I looked up at him, feeling the flush on my cheeks deepen. “I’m doing well, your Majesty. Thanks for asking,” I said, my voice quiet, barely above a whisper.
Out of all the kings, he’s the only one who has shown me the most kindness, I thought, my heart skipping a beat. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to him the most. Staring at him, I felt compelled to ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. “You seem to be preparing for something. Are you going on one of those random voyages?” I asked.
“Maybe yes, maybe not. I’m not quite sure yet,” He answered, his response not making sense to me, but I nodded anyway. It wasn’t any of my business in the first place.
“In that case, I wish you well,” I said, delivering a quick bow as I got ready to leave. Caspian nodded, an half smile playing on his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Just as I was about to turn around, I caught his eyes flicker, his body tensing slightly, like a predator sensing prey. Not thinking too much about it, I continued on my way, until he called me back, his voice low and husky. His brow was furrowed, and he was staring at me much more intensely than before, sending shivers up my spine. His nostrils were also flared, as if he had caught the scent of something.
“Lienna, do you realize you smell different just now?” He asked, his voice suddenly gruff, like a growl. My eyes widened as I felt taken aback, my mind racing with questions. I smell different?
What does he mean?