"My lady!" I said, running into Melody's room, gasping for an ounce of breath. My chest felt like it was about to explode, and I couldn't contain my trembling body any longer.
I nearly fell to the ground as I entered her room.
"I tried to remain hidden, but he saw me," I said in a breath, pressing my palms against my chest to steady my rapid beating heart.
Her eyes widened as she stomped toward me.
"You let him see you?" She hissed, her icy silvery gaze returning to her. I flinched as she stepped closer to me, embracing the impact of her hands. "I told you not to let him catch you."
"I'm so sorry," I breathed. "I meant no harm."
"What did he say to you?" She demanded to know.
"Nothing..." I stammered; I couldn't tell her what just happened. She would have my head in an instant. "He just told me to never lurk outside his door again."
She scoffed.
"You're lying through your teeth," she hissed, pressing her long pointy finger in my chest; I winced at the sharp impact of her nail against my flesh. "You know how I know you're lying? Because you can't look me in the eyes."
Her voice was low and threatening; she was right. I was staring at the ground; I couldn't bear to look at her. I swallowed hard; I didn't know what to say at this moment.
"My lady..." I tried to say.
"You're useless. You're pathetic. And you have no chance in hell with my prince," she said between gritted teeth.
Before I could say anything to defend myself, we were interrupted by a knocking sound on her bedroom door. We both jumped at the sound, but Melody recovered quickly and went to open the door.
"My lady," William's footman stood at the door, bowing to Melody.
I sucked in a sharp breath; had William sent him here to fetch me so he could finish the job? I felt my entire body going weak and I held onto one of Melody's dressers to keep myself from falling over.
"Prince William has requested you to accompany him in his chambers tonight," he said to her.
She gasped and placed her hand on her chest.
"Are you serious?" She asked in awe.
The footman nodded.
"Oh my goodness," Melody cooed as she backed up further into her room; the footman stood there confused. "I can hardly believe this."
"He would like you there now, my lady," the footman said, eyeing her carefully.
"Of course," Melody said turning to me.
"I need you to accompany me tonight," Melody ordered firmly as she ran around her room to get ready.
"My lady?" I asked, not sure what she was asking.
"You will stand watch outside his door tonight," she explained with an eye roll. "Make sure no one gets in."
"Doesn't his chamber door have a lock?" I asked, still confused.
"Anyone could still knock," she said with a scoff. "Your job is to keep them from even doing that," Melody explained.
I knew she was worried that Lady Jane would somehow get restless tonight and try and bed with William.
"No one is going to ruin this evening for me. Understand?" She asked, her eyes darkening as she leaned closer, seething her words in my face. "No one."
I nodded once.
"Yes, my lady," I answered.
I followed Melody and the footman into the hallway; she eagerly marched down the hall, closely behind the footman and I trailed a distance behind them both. I stared down at my feet as we walked; thinking about a moment ago when William was trying to have his way with me. Again.
I was glad that my body was more obedient to my mind this time. But what if it hadn't been? He would have dragged me into his room, and it would have been me with him tonight instead of Melody. She would have had my head if that happened.
I felt a ping of sadness in the pit of my stomach as we neared his chambers. I was apprehensive about standing outside his room the entire night while they were inside having a night of passion. I grimaced at the thought and tried to keep the pain off my face as I thought of what his night with Melody was going to consist of.
Why did I even care that much? It's not like I wanted to be his mate. I hid the mark for a reason and my priority wasn't to mate with Prince William. It was to leave this palace and finally gain my freedom. I was so close I could nearly taste it. Something like this would ruin my chances of that and couldn't allow that to happen.
I had to brush the thought of William and Melody out of my mind if I wanted to get through these next couple of months. Though that was going to be difficult if she expected me to sit outside his chamber doors every time, they spent the night together.
"Chin up," Melody said, turning to look at me as we continued walking down the long halls. "You might enjoy yourself. Listening to us all night."
She chuckled as she spoke those last words.
I grimaced again at the thought. How much of this was I going to hear?
We stopped in front of William's chamber door and stood awkwardly, trying to count my breaths as my nerves started getting the best of me.
"Don't start hyperventilating now. I need you to keep a watch and make sure no one interrupts us," Melody reminded me as she knocked.
I pressed my back against the wall as William opened the door to greet his lady. He glanced at me briefly and I felt my features blushing. I curtsied quickly to him.
"Your majesty," I said, as properly as I could. Thankful that my voice didn't quiver.
He glanced back at Melody with a frown.
"I asked Doris to keep watch for tonight. To be sure we aren't interrupted," she told him. He was hesitant for a moment, but then pushed his door all the way open for her to enter.
She didn't look at me once as she stepped inside his room, slamming the door shut behind her. With my back still pressed against the wall, I slid to the ground, pressing my knees close to my chest, and burying my head in my lap.
...
I pressed my hands against my ears as I heard Melody's moans. It's been over an hour, and she keeps getting louder. I can hear him grunting as he thrusts into her, releasing himself like a caged animal.
I couldn't stand it anymore; I just wanted it to be over. I needed the sounds the stop. He had called her his mate as they embraced, the same way he had said it to me the night he marked me. I remembered the feeling of his hands on me, tearing me apart like I was nothing, and the pain that came with it. It was painful, but his tender kisses and touching eased the pain instantly. At the time I felt ruined and corrupted, but my body remained still, eager, and hungry for his touch.
I closed my eyes and buried my head in my lap; I felt warm tears wanting to break free from my swollen eyes. I had to keep myself from crying any further; it wouldn't be long before they finished, and they would see me sitting in the hallway. I couldn't let them see me breaking down.
Fresh tears washed over my features and my body continued to shake uncontrollably as Melody screamed out William's name. Again, and again.
Why was I reacting in such a way?
My heart sat heavily in my chest; beating like it was a race against time. I couldn't stand this pain.
I had to keep reminding myself that it was only going to be a little longer. I had to push myself a little longer and then I can walk away and not look back from this. Once the King signed the amnesty, Beth and I would be able to leave here and never return. We would have our freedom and I would finally be able to pursue my dreams and make my mother proud.
I wished more than anything that Beth could be here right now. I missed her so much and she'd at least be able to make this torment bearable.
It was nearing morning and I had hardly slept; I was becoming so sleep deprived, that I don't even know when the moaning and grunting had stopped. I didn't realize when William's chamber door swung open and he stood in the hall, staring down at me like I was a roach he was about to squash.
I gasped and scrambled to my feet; attempting to pull myself up using the wall.
My feet snagged together, and I started to feel myself falling forward; I tried to grab onto William's chamber doorknob to keep myself balanced, but I missed.
The ground neared me, and I braced for the impact.
Until I felt a firm chest, stopping me from falling, and arms wrapped around me to keep me balanced.
It's him. Prince William.