Dark Castle (The Dazzling Court Book 1)

by Fawn Bailey

  Still, it didn’t change what I’d done. How much I’d hurt her, and how I’d betrayed her friendship.

  Safiya was escorted out of the room and the Queen stepped front and center.

  Our attention shifted to her, and she smiled, saying, “Celebratory dinner will be had at Luxuria’s most beautiful restaurant tonight. I ask you all to go to your rooms to collect a present waiting for you, then meet Prince Olivier down here for dinner.”

  Excitement flowed through my veins, instantly replaced my guilt and regret for what I’d done to Safiya. It wouldn’t be easy to move on from that.

  But I decided to try and move on for the time being, and I followed the other girls to our rooms.

  What could the gift be? I wondered silently. Only one way to find out.

  17

  Amber

  I arrived at my room a few moments later to find two beautiful packages waiting for me on the bed.

  One of them was a small light pink box, embossed with the court’s herald, and the other was a black matte box with a large pink satin bow.

  I unwrapped the pink box first, gasping when I saw what was inside. I slipped the note out and started reading with my eyes glowing.

  Enjoy your custom-made bottle of perfume, created just for you by His Highness Olivier Bellamy. Please wear it to dinner tonight, with the Prince’s compliments.

  I unveiled the perfume from the box. It was a translucent bottle, the glass thick and heavy, with a golden topper. It was beautiful but simple, and the real treasure was the scent inside. I pulled the topper off, smelling the fragrance and letting it take over my senses.

  It was perfect. As if Olivier had managed to bottle everything I loved, everything that felt beautifully familiar yet at the same time, daringly different. I grinned at the thought of him picking out the perfect scent and sprayed my pulse points with the stunning fragrance.

  As I sprayed the scent, I was enveloped in a thick cloud of orange, vanilla, honey, and jasmine. It was divine, the kind of perfume I wanted to wear every day for the rest of my life.

  My expression darkened when I realized Olivier must have done this for the rest of the girls, too. Surely, they all had a custom perfume waiting for them.

  But what’s in the second box, then?

  I put the perfume down, moving on to the little black box. Unwrapping the ribbon, the box fell open by itself and I stared in confusion at its contents. When I finally realized what it was, a blush crept over my cheeks.

  It was a small fuchsia toy, and it took me a moment to realize it was supposed to be inserted between my legs, with the thinner end sticking outside. When I brushed my hands over its smooth surface, it vibrated, and I gasped at the feeling, a smile creeping onto my lips.

  A look at the clock revealed I had mere minutes left before I had to be in the main hall to leave for the restaurant. I bit my bottom lip tentatively, then, before giving it too much thought, pushed my black lace panties off my ass and spat on my palm. I spread my own juices over my pussy, letting out the smallest of moans when I realized how aroused the package had made me.

  My hands trembled as I held the toy, gently forcing it into my cunt and gasping when it found its sweet spot. It was rubbing a tender spot deep inside me, and I just hoped it wouldn’t vibrate during dinner. I was already turned on. How the hell would I be able to hide my arousal from the other girls?

  Then again, if this was a gift from the Prince, the other girls must have gotten one too…

  I knitted my brows together in worry, but I didn’t have a moment left to think. I pulled my panties up over the curve of my ass and smoothed my dress into place, then left the room with my heart pounding.

  Most of the girls were already in the hall, but I couldn’t see Zara. Fleur was there, though, and she divided us into groups for the ride to the restaurant. I was paired with Camellia, Monica, and Eva, and I wasn’t close enough with any of them to ask if they’d gotten the same present as me.

  They were all gushing about their custom perfumes though, and jealousy gripped its fingers around my heart as I realized each one of us got a different, custom-made scent. I could just imagine Olivier picking what would fit each girl, and it filled me with envy.

  The three of us got into one of the lacquered Rolls Royces, just like the one that picked me up from the airport.

  In the car, a mix of enticing, unique scents enveloped us, and the girls chatted about their perfumes created by Olivier. Once again, my jealousy got the better of me, eating away at me as we drove to the destination.

  The sun was setting, and the picturesque landscape outside the window was bathed in gorgeous autumn colors. The sight took my breath away as we drove away from the castle. I hadn’t left the grounds in so long I’d nearly forgotten about the exquisite beauty of the place.

  The drive didn’t take too long, and after driving up a long winding road, we got out of the car at our destination – Luxuria’s most famous restaurant, L’Étoile.

  We were escorted out by suited-up drivers, and I marveled at the sights as we climbed the narrow stairs leading up to the restaurant. We were shown to a large room adorned with gilded decorations. I didn’t dare ask whether they were real gold. The room was embellished with fairy lights, the interior sparkling and the roof made completely of glass. Now, I understood where the restaurant’s name came from. Through the glass, we’d be able to see every star in the night sky soon enough. The French name for them fit the restaurant perfectly.

  Slowly, the other girls trickled in, and the room filled with beauties I knew I could never compare to. Self-doubt ate away at me. I’d nearly managed to forget about the toy between my legs until the smallest vibration made me jump.

  “You okay?” Camellia asked me, her hand touching mine, worry etched on her face.

  “Yes,” I replied with a blush creeping over my cheeks. “Sorry, just got a bit… Excited.”

  My eyes scoured the people in the room, but I couldn’t see Olivier. Not all the cars had arrived yet, but I assumed he would be there soon.

  Will Bruno be here too?

  I found myself wondering, trying to force the thought out of my head.

  Why was I so fixated on the royal bastard?

  He’s an enigma. Unpredictable… and exciting.

  “Amber?”

  I turned in the direction of the voice, coming face to face with a beaming Zara. I smiled back, and we embraced before pulling apart and gushing about the beautiful restaurant. The whole time, I was aware of the toy between my legs, reminding me at whose mercy I was.

  Moments later, we were ushered to stand on the sides as Olivier entered the room. I bowed my head in respect but couldn’t stop myself from glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

  He was looking dashing in a custom-cut tux. That boyish charm he had was all man that night, filling me with desire I couldn’t put into words. And he was looking right at me, smirking when he caught me looking.

  I was surprised to see the Queen wasn’t with him, but my heart jumped in my chest when Bruno walked in a moment later. He was wearing a matching tux, just like Olivier’s. Excitement flowed through my veins at the sight.

  We were all shown to our places. I was sitting to Olivier’s right while Bruno was opposite me. I knew mine was a good seat, and if I hadn’t, the other women’s jealous looks would have told me as much.

  I sat down on my chair when the toy vibrated faintly yet again, and I let out the smallest of moans. I glanced around the table, making sure no one had heard. Olivier gave me a knowing smile.

  “Excited about tonight, chérie?” he asked in his deep voice, making a shiver go down my spine. “You look absolutely ravishing.”

  “Thank you, I am looking forward to dinner,” I whispered in response, my eyes involuntarily going across the table to Bruno.

  He was looking at me too, eyes dark and filled with something inexplicable.

  Sometimes I wondered whether he hated me. There was something about his heated gaze t
hat made me sure he did. But his actions spoke otherwise.

  As the waiters brought out caviar appetizers, I felt the toy start its slow vibrations, gently massaging a spot within me that needed to be touched so badly I wanted to beg for someone to do it. I shifted in my seat, trying to be discreet and hoping nobody noticed what was going on with me. Over the chatter of the other girls, at least nobody could hear the vibrations.

  Bruno and Olivier didn’t say a word to each other, but Olivier tried on numerous occasions to speak to me. I felt wooden, though, so scared I’d betray what was going on I couldn’t focus on the words coming out of my mouth.

  How many of us had he sent the toy to? Were all the other girls wearing one? Was it making them feel like this, too? Uncomfortable and yet so very eager for that sweet release that never seemed to come…

  Those questions popped up in my head as I struggled to keep it together.

  Was I imagining it or were the vibrations really getting stronger and stronger? I couldn’t take it.

  If it didn’t stop, I wasn’t going to be able to hide it anymore. I desperately needed the release.

  My hand touched Olivier’s on the table, and he turned toward me with a surprised glance.

  “Olivier,” I whispered, the desperation obvious in my voice. “I can’t take it. Please.”

  As soon as I uttered the words, the toy started vibrating even harder. I felt it massaging the most sensitive spot inside me, threatening to make me orgasm any second.

  I got up on shaking legs, the eyes of the whole table on me.

  “I… Excuse me,” I managed in a weak voice. “I have to… I need to powder my nose.”

  The toy was relentless, picking up speed as I stumbled out of the room. I was shaking, trembling like a leaf. I nearly fell to my knees in the hallway where a uniformed waiter kindly pointed me to the restroom.

  I opened the door to a beautiful, exquisite room and gawked at the sight of it.

  It was pretty in pink, with translucent shell-shaped sinks with gold pipes. It was made for a princess. The area with sinks was decked out with pretty, velvet pink chairs and loveseats, with complementary products placed by the shell-shaped sinks.

  And best of all, the ceiling was all glass, showing the glorious night sky.

  I sank into one of the chairs, the insistent vibrations of the toy making me lose my mind. A part of me wanted to take it out, but another part was desperate for more.

  The lights around me flickered on and off and I glanced upward, entranced by the starry night.

  A moment later, I heard steps on the hallway behind the door, and managed to get up, running through one of the other doors in the room and closing it firmly behind me. Behind the door, there were two adjoining rooms, one with the toilet, and the other a smaller replica of the main room of the restroom. Both rooms had the same glass ceiling.

  I was grateful for the other loveseat, but before I could sink my weight into it, I heard the door of the bathroom opening and froze in fear.

  The door knob rattled, sending shivers down my spine.

  It’s just one of the other women, I tried to tell myself. They’re not going to come in here.

  Suddenly, I was enveloped in complete darkness. The lights went out with a flicker and all my other senses heightened as the darkness swallowed me up.

  I turned my head to the door. I became aware of another presence in the room, someone’s eyes on me in the dark. I felt it before his hand wrapped around my forearm, before he pressed me against the wall, holding me in place while I squirmed to get away.

  “Olivier,” I breathed. “Stop, please.”

  My helpless fingers brushed the expensive material of his tux and a moan escaped my lips as he reached for me, slapping my thighs apart.

  He didn’t say a word. My breaths were heavy as I followed his silent instructions, my legs parting for him eagerly.

  He found the toy in seconds, knowing it was there. He pushed and pulled on it, making me moan out loud in ecstasy. I wanted more. I needed more. The ghost of my orgasm reminded me what was so close yet so out of reach.

  “Please,” I begged, my voice hoarse. “Don’t torture me. Just let me have it. Let me come.”

  He grunted at the sounds I was making, and the toy sped up, the vibrations so intense I thought I’d fall apart in his arms. He masked my moans with his own grunts, one hand holding the small of my back and the other finding my clit, stroking in sweet, persistent motions that made my knees buckle. But he was there to hold me, to keep me upright, to bring more exquisite madness to my body.

  I was right on the edge, so fucking close I could feel my body holding that release captive, not willing to let go until he let me. I stared up at the starry sky and succumbed to him, wanting him to have every bit of my vulnerability, every vestige of power channeled into holding my orgasm back.

  “Please!” I cried out when the toy started up again. “Oh, fuck, I can’t take it. Give me more. Please, I’ll do anything.”

  “Anything?” he grunted, and I shivered, nodding eagerly.

  His lips were almost on mine, so fucking close, his scent mixing with mine, his grunts making me rub on the toy, on his hand. I felt like a slut. A whore for the pleasure he was giving me. At that moment, I would have done anything for more.

  The lights flickered to life, and I saw his tux, his form towering over me, the shadow of stubble on his chin.

  “Fucking come for me, little girl,” he ordered, and I came apart before his words really hit me.

  “N-No,” I managed to mutter while he continued his assault, holding me in place. “You’re not…You’re not…”

  “No,” he said viciously, and I was faced with the monster who’d used me, taken advantage. “No, I’m not him. But you wanted it to be me, didn’t you, little girl? You fucking craved me, you wanted me all along. You begged for it, Amber.”

  It was too late to stop the waves of pleasure. My body rocked against his hand and he laughed out loud when I came, my breaths coming in fast as the first tear slipped down my cheek.

  “I hate you,” I told him. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you.”

  “No, you don’t,” he growled in my ear, and my knees went weak again. “If you did, you would have stopped me when you realized it was me. And what did you do instead, little girl?”

  He brought his fingers to my lips, my own scent filling my nose and eliminating any trace of the perfume Olivier had created. My juices glistened on his fingertips and as he pressed them to my lips, I opened my mouth for him, feeling like a puppet without a will of my own.

  “That’s a good girl,” he told me. “This is why I know you don’t belong with him, Amber. Because your pussy aches, needs, wants only one man.”

  He pulled his fingers out of my mouth with a pop, gently stroking the hollow in my throat.

  “And that man,” he said. “Is me.”

  With those words, he pulled the toy from me and let it fall to the floor, then he walked away, not even throwing back a single glance when I whimpered and fell to my knees.

  The door shut behind him and the light that seemed so alluring only minutes before was suddenly harsh and unforgiving. I stared at my crumpled form in the mirror, letting out a small sob and then shaking my head clear of Bruno and what he’d done to me.

  With my permission.

  I picked myself up and held my head so high you would’ve thought nothing had happened. I was ready to come back from this. I wasn’t going to let a moment of lust ruin everything. I would tell Olivier what had happened and beg for his forgiveness if I had to.

  Smoothing down my clothes and my hair, I carefully reapplied my lipstick before exiting the bathroom. I felt better, confident. Something about what Bruno had done to me put a spring in my step. It was only later, when I was sitting back with Olivier and the royal bastard that I remembered my forgotten toy in the bathroom of the restaurant.

  “Where were you?” Olivier asked. “They turned off the lights, so we could s
ee the stars through the sunroof.”

  He pointed upward, and I followed his motion, realizing now why I’d been plunged into darkness.

  “I’m sorry,” I told him in a whisper. “I’ll explain everything.”

  At that moment, Bruno walked into the room and took his seat across from me. I flushed furiously when he smirked at me, hating the effect he had on me time and time again.

  I shifted my attention to the food before me. It was beautifully presented, but I had completely lost my appetite. I felt like my guilty deeds were being served to me on the delicate china plates. Time and time again, I pushed the plate back, knowing I couldn’t stomach a bite.

  Finally, when dinner was over, I managed to get a quiet moment alone with Olivier.

  “I don’t like you disappearing like that, chérie,” he muttered in my ear.

  “I’m sorry,” I responded. “Olivier, I… I have to tell you something.”

  “What?” His brows knitted together in worry.

  “I… I thought I got a package from you,” I admitted.

  “You did. The perfume?”

  “I got two boxes,” I managed. “One was the perfume – it was absolutely beautiful… And the other was a… a… toy.”

  “A toy?” He stared at me in disbelief. “I didn’t send you a toy, chérie.”

  “I know that now.” I was burning up with shame. “But I thought you did before, so I… I… used it.”

  His eyes widened as it finally dawned on him what kind of toy it was.

  “Amber,” he ground out. “Who sent you that?”

  “I think it was Bruno,” I admitted. “Because he… he…”

  “What?” His voice was nothing but a growl, his fingernails digging into my skin painfully. I tried to pull my arm back, but he wouldn’t let me, and I shivered at the exciting thought of his strength. “What did he do?”

  “He came up to me in the bathroom.” I swallowed, feeling his grip tighten. “I’m sorry, I… It’s my fault… they turned the lights out and I thought he was you.”

  He let go of me like he’d burned his fingertips and I stared on as he took a step back, mouth pursed and eyes looking for the culprit of the crime.