by Ivy Clyde
Did the girls who were so mad at me for being the princes’ fated mate know about this treatment? They would probably rethink their choices if they knew they had to let strangers wipe their ass cracks!
After half an hour of being wiped and cleaned, I was allowed to climb out of the tub. No one bothered handing me a towel.
It was unbelievable how badly they were treating me. Just this morning, I had a lavish bathroom made up of glittering marble and Gilly to put makeup for me. Was this some sort of scare tactic the queen devised to frighten any new women who were coming into the royal harem? If it was, the plan was definitely working. I already had enough of strangers seeing my naked ass and touching me in the most intimate places.
“Lie down,” said Fiona, pointing toward a tall cot. Several lanterns glowed around us now. “Hurry, child,” she urged as I struggled to obey her.
I lay down on the narrow bed as she hovered over me. A second maid held a lantern close to my feet and that’s where Fiona started, touching and prodding the pads, and running her fingers along the shape of my ankles.
I kept my eyes tightly squeezed as her hands moved up my legs to inspect my knee caps. Her cold fingers traversed further up to part my thighs.
“Jeda, shine the light here,” she said, using her fingers to part my pussy lips.
Colds beads of sweat formed on my forehead. It was becoming unbearable to tolerate her touch there. While Leon’s touch drowned all the horrific memories of my past life, Fiona’s fingers brought them all to the surface.
“Don’t move!” snapped Fiona. “Let me inspect you properly.”
Sobs choked my throat. I had to keep replaying Lady Chantal and Demitria’s warning in my head to keep my magic from blasting out of my body to burn Fiona to a crisp. I needed to get through this humiliation to be able to step inside the palace as a proper member of the royal household. Failing to do so would destroy all hopes of saving my princes.
A long pent-up breath whooshed out of me as her fingers came out of my pussy. Next, she inspected the skin of my stomach and moved upward to cup each of my breasts. Her hand moved to my neck and then to my jaw. She made me open my mouth roughly and seemed to count my teeth.
“Over to her arms,” said Fiona.
The glow of the lantern fell on my long, pale arms.
“There are scars,” said Fiona with a sudden gasp. “Jeda, bring the essence of calendula. If that doesn’t help, we’ll have a problem on our hands.”
I looked toward Fiona whose face was crumpled in panic. Until now, she’d been a frigid bitch but now, she seemed to be sweating.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Those scars have healed a long time ago.”
“A royal lady cannot have such ugliness on her skin!” she hissed. “If the oil doesn’t work on you, you will be thrown out of the palace right this minute. So, shut up and pray to Aine!
If I ever become a queen, I am going to kick you out of here and get rid of this humiliating procedure, I vowed silently.
The maid called Jeda came back and handed a small porcelain tub to Fiona who dipped her fingers into it. “This better work,” she muttered under her breath as she spread some oil on my wrists. A relieved breath escaped her after a minute. “It worked. You’re not permanently scarred, child.”
I brought up the hand where she applied the oil and looked at the skin there. One of the crisscrossing scars looked visibly lighter than the others.
“Give your hand here,” said Fiona, capturing my wrist. “I will apply the oil to the rest and you’ll be as flawless as polished jade.”
“No.” I pulled my wrist out of her hold.
“Don’t be ridiculous, child!” she snapped.
I sat up on the cot and glared at her. “Don’t call me a child,” I said to her. “You have inspected every inch of my body. There is nothing wrong with it at all. So, give me a fucking robe and let’s be done with it.”
Fiona stumbled backward at my harsh tone. “How…how can you treat me with such disrespect?” she gasped.
“Have you treated me with respect?” I asked her in turn. “Give me back my clothes right now.”
“No!” she said, her mouth forming a hard line. “You must let me finish applying the calendula oil so I can present you to the queen.”
“I am keeping those scars, thank you very much.”
“You can’t! Stop being so difficult.”
I shook my head. “You wanted to inspect my body to make sure it was healthy and strong. I allowed you to do so without objecting to anything but this,” I pointed to my wrist. “These scars are a part of my body and soul. I don’t give you permission to tamper with them.”
Fiona raised her hand to silence me. “I have heard enough. In all my five centuries of serving the harem, I have never come across a more stubborn and uncouth woman like you. Since you object to this, you will be answering to the queen directly.” She glared at me like it was supposed to scare me and put me in my place.
I met her cold gaze and raised my chin. “Give me my fucking clothes right now!” I screamed.
The maids scampered at once. Even Fiona jumped, running after the other maids. I climbed off the cot and stood straight with my arms folded over my chest. I wasn’t trying to hide my breasts but to show these women that I was back in charge.
My chest rose and fell with my deep breaths as I tried to control the raging emotions within me. The scared girl within me was screaming. These women had no idea how traumatic the whole inspection ritual had been for me. They brought back memories from a time when I didn’t know who or what I was.
I’d assumed that Leon had healed that part of me but I was wrong. The only reason I could be so intimate with him was because I trusted him. My magic trusted him. The seal of fate between us made it easier. It was the same with Rowan and Cade. Their kisses and touches ignited my body on fire and made me thrum with need.
However, I was still unable to bear anyone else touching me. Even when they were women, I couldn’t bear their hands on my bare skin.
Two of the maids brought me my clothes. None of them dared to stare at me anymore as I got dressed quickly.
“Is she done?” came Fiona’s voice from somewhere near the entrance.
“I am done,” I said.
“Then, follow me,” she snapped.
Fiona didn’t wait for me as she went out of the cavernous chamber. I didn’t lag behind. With the thick-soled boots under my feet, the sharp-edged stone floor didn’t bother me anymore. I hurried after her.
I breathed easier when we emerged back into the sunlit corridors of the palace hallways. The eye-blinding extravagance seemed to make the past hour feel like an odd dream.
Fiona came to a stop at a familiar-looking doorway but it was closed to us. Armed guards lined the corridor.
“I am here to see the queen,” said Fiona to the man who stood before the door. “There was a problem during the inspection ritual.”
“The queen is attending a meeting with Lord Coran and Prince Rowan,” said the guard. My ears pricked up at those names at once. “I must gain permission for your entry before letting you in right now.”
Fiona gave a nod. “Please, do so.”
The guard slipped through the door while Fiona and I waited. He returned five minutes later and hurriedly ushered us inside.
I was about to enter first but Fiona pulled me behind her. Frowning, I followed her inside the throne room.
At once, I noticed a change in the atmosphere.
The air was calm and relaxed the last I’d come here. Back then, it was just the queen and her maids. With the addition of Prince Rowan and the new stranger, I could feel a kind of static in the air. The queen looked restless and angry, Rowan’s face was a mask of cold fury while the man in the dazzling robes of peacock-blue silk seemed satisfied about something.
“What is wrong, Fiona?” asked the queen from upon her throne. Even through the distance, I could see her eyes flashing with suppressed anger. She ignored
me completely, keeping her keen gaze on the maid before me.
“The child wouldn’t let me erase some of the scars on her wrists.”
“Wouldn’t let you?” she asked in a tight tone.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Fiona, dipping her head forward. “The scars can be easily erased but she wouldn’t consent. She’s been violently vocal about it. I had no choice but to bring the matter to you.”
I wondered if anyone had snitched on someone in such an eloquent tone.
“Come forward, Moira,” said the queen.
I strode forward.
“Explain yourself,” she commanded.
I resisted looking toward Rowan. He was the only person in the room who was on my side. Taking a deep breath, I gazed up at the woman on the throne. “Those scars are a part of who I am. They are a reminder of where I come from. No matter what grand status awaits me in Aelia, I don’t want to forget my own history.”
The queen leaned forward in her seat. “Come closer,” she said.
I obeyed.
“Why remember the ugliness of your past?” she asked when I stood near the steps leading up to the dais where she sat. “Isn’t it easier to forget it and have a new beginning?”
“These scars are not ugly,” I said, putting my emotions into my voice. “They are reminders of how strong I had to be to overcome those challenges. They are trophies of my victory. I don’t want them to be taken away from me.”
Queen Brenna’s expression cleared. She leaned back against the throne and cast her glance on Fiona. “Did she pass the inspection?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Fiona. “Other than those scars, she is flawless and in good health. Her beauty will be enhanced the longer she stays in our realm.”
“That is good to hear.” She turned toward Rowan. “Did you hear that, Prince? Your bride is ready for you. However, you have the right to deny her request. Will you be able to accept her with her flaws?”
Rowan stared at the queen. “How many times must I repeat the same thing, Queen Mother? I am not taking a bride or a mate until I have claimed the throne.”
“That wasn’t the question I asked,” said the queen. “Will you accept her the way she is?”
Rowan cast his darkened gaze on me. Looking into them, I felt like I could drown in those pools of molten silver. “She is ugly, untrained, and quite frankly, repulsive. The addition or removal of some unremarkable scars wouldn’t change that fact. I reject her.”
Rowan’s words were like shards of glass piercing my heart. He doesn’t mean those things, I told myself to prevent the prickling tears in my eyes from spilling out.
Rowan performed a stiff bow. “I have to oversee some documents at the treasury department. Please excuse my leave, Queen Mother.” Straightening up, he strode out of the throne room.
The queen let out a sigh and watched Rowan walk out of the throne room. Despite his firm rejection, a cunning grin curved her lips. Her gaze settled on me. “Don’t take his words to heart,” she said. “You are a very beautiful woman, Moira. Any man with a beating heart and a functioning loin wouldn’t reject you so easily. He is simply being difficult. Don’t you think so too, Lord Coran?”
I hadn’t taken much note of the stranger before. He walked forward to stand beside me. My gaze took in the long length of his silver hair that cascaded past his shoulders. He was handsome compared to a human but not in terms of the beauty I’d seen the other fae exude. I looked into his green eyes and felt a jolt go through me.
An emotion close to hatred erupted in my chest. My magic rose to my fingertips, sizzling my skin as I tried hard to control it and not let it loose on this stranger. I felt confused at the way my magic was reacting. Even if he meant to harm me, he wasn’t making any moves now. He was simply looking at me with a polite expression. My magic didn’t feel so restless even when I was facing his daughter, Deirdre and his niece, Desiree, who were hell-bent on killing me right that minute. So, why him?
“Her Majesty is right,” said Coran. “You are a beautiful young lady who is fit to be among the jewels of the royal harem.”
“Th-thank you,” I stammered, struggling to calm the emotion that wasn’t mine. Somehow, my magic was being triggered by the sight of this man.
“You may leave, Moira,” said the queen with a wave of her hand. “Keep those scars. Since they can be removed any time you please, there is no need to think about it much now.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said, attempting a curtsey.
The awkward pose had her chuckling. I let out an internal sigh. At least, she still found me amusing.
With another bow, I walked out of the throne room, feeling like I needed to be alone after enduring the stupid inspection ritual which was nothing short of being molested by a gang of women!
27
Moira
No sleep came to me despite the warmth of the soft mattress underneath me. A half-moon peaked through one of the open windows. It was past midnight and I’d already sent Gilly to bed. She’d fussed over me the whole evening, urging me to eat all the delicious things she brought from the kitchen for dinner. The brownie maid didn’t understand the sickening feeling churning in the pit of my stomach that was still keeping me up.
My skin still crawled from the memory of the maids touching me that morning. I still couldn’t forget Fiona’s cold, rough fingers in my core. The cold, tingling sensations refused to subside. Throwing off the blanket, I sat up. Unconsciously, I rubbed my arm, like I was trying to get rid of ants crawling on my skin.
My gaze fell down on the spot and noticed the faint redness there, remnants of the marks I’d made by scraping my nails along my arm that afternoon while taking a bath. Climbing out of bed, I moved toward the windows. Despite the chilly night breeze blowing in, I kept them open. It was helping me breathe easier through the clogging sensation in my throat.
For a moment, I was distracted by the white petals drifting along the currents of a breeze. While my body shivered with cold, my eyes followed the trail of the petals gently falling on the ground outside. They reminded me of the night I met King Drustan. Back then, I’d been out to find Leon but met him instead.
“Leon…” His name was like a sigh on my lips. His flaming locks and beautiful amber eyes flashed in my mind as my eyes closed gently.
I could go out to search for him again but I wasn’t even sure if he was in the palace tonight. My curiosity and desire for adventure were low tonight, so I didn’t even want to step out of my room. However, I still wished he could be here with me. Only the heated touch of his fingers could make me forget the memories of the cold, prodding fingers on my body.
“Why aren’t you sleeping in bed?” a familiar voice spoke from somewhere close by.
My eyes flew open at once. “Cade,” I gasped. He was perched on the next window with the curtain billowing around him in a gentle breeze. I ran toward him at once. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you,” he said. With a graceful leap, he landed on the floor before me. “How have you been?”
I looked up into his lavender-hued eyes and something tightened inside me. “Not so good,” I admitted.
Grabbing my elbow, he pulled me against him. “Why not?” he asked, his eyes narrowing on me. “What did they do to you?”
I shook my head, not willing to discuss how a bunch of women stripped and molested me for the sake of a stupid ritual. “It doesn’t matter,” I said in a small voice. “It’s over.”
Cade brushed the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “I heard what happened in the throne room today. What kind of scars were you protecting? May I see them?”
Raising my hand, I let the loose sleeve of my nightgown slide down, revealing the white crisscrossing marks on my wrist. “These.”
Cade held my hand gently, like I was something extremely fragile and would break at the slightest pressure. His gaze took in the scars and then slowly looked back at me. “How did you get these? Who hurt you this way to le
ave such marks?”
“No one hurt me. They were done by me,” I told him. Pulling my hand away, I pulled the sleeve down to cover the scars. Meeting his gaze, I asked the question plaguing my mind. “Do you find me ugly because of them?”
His usually cheerful, smirking expression was absent. He looked unusually grim at the moment. “Moira, you are beautiful,” he said in a deep voice, the timbres reverberating through me. “You’ve always been beautiful to me. Don’t pay mind to what the women of the harem tell you. They are all trying their luck to get into bed with one of the royal males so they can climb the ranks. You’re not like those desperate women. Don’t ever compare yourself to them.”
Warmth flickered in my chest, driving away some of the chill that had settled there.
Cade’s fingers moved away the loose strands from my face. He leaned down but didn’t kiss me immediately. Instead, he looked deep into my eyes, his minty breath warming my face. My heart beat in anticipation, wanting to feel those searing lips on mine.
My impatience won as I rose on my tips to press my lips against his. A soft moan escaped me at once. This was exactly what I needed. Cade’s touch had the power to burn away the memory of the foreign hands on me.
A thrill shot through me when Cade wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss. My mind swam as he swirled his tongue around mine but I was acutely aware of his heat seeping through the thin material of my nightgown, warming me thoroughly.
The loud clearing of a throat from somewhere close by broke us apart. Turning around, I found Leon perched on one of the window sills, glaring at us.
“Leon!” I was about to run to him but Cade held me back.
“What are you doing here?” asked Cade in a tight voice, his eyes locked on Leon.
