The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the tangled sheets. Adelyn stirred in bed as her eyes opened slowly, her head feeling heavy and foggy from the passion of the previous night.
As she shifted, she realized that the man she had been with was still lying beside her, his arm draped across her waist. She felt a pang of anxiety as she tried to disentangle herself and slip out of bed without waking him. But as she tried to move, the man's arm tightened around her, pulling her back into his embrace.
"Where do you think you're going?" The man whispered, his lips grazing her ear.
"I-I have to go," she stammered, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.
He tightened his hold on her, kissing her neck softly. "Stay a little longer," he murmured.
She lost count of the time they had done it. He had been gentle and rough with her in bed last night yet, a strange feeling of satisfaction filled her. And the next thing she knew, the moon was replaced by the sun.
Adelyn hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to go, had to leave before things got too complicated. But as she looked down at him, his eyes filled with need and longing, she found it hard to say the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
In the end, she allowed herself to lie in his embrace, her body sinking into the sheets beside him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he nuzzled his face into her neck. Adelyn closed her eyes, her body relaxing into his embrace.
For a few moments, they lay there in silence, the only sounds were the soft rustle of their breathing and chirping of birds outside. Adelyn felt a sense of peace wash over her, a feeling of contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time.
But she knew that this moment couldn't last. She would soon have to leave and return to her reality where she must face her future head on.
But for now, she was content to stay here, wrapped in his arms.
She lay in the bed, her eyes closed, her mind lost in thought. But then, she heard his voice, breaking the silence.
"Why did you give your first time to me, a complete stranger?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Last night, he was taken aback at first when he penetrated her – the unmistakable scent of blood wafted through the air and filled his senses. He knew what it meant, even if she refused to tell him the truth.
Adelyn's eyes shifted away from him and her hands fidgeted with the sheets between her fingers. She took a deep breath, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She knew what she had done was wrong, and it went against everything she had been taught as a princess. But she couldn't help herself.
She didn't want to be shackled forever.
She took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice low and hesitant at first. Twisted truths spilled through her lips. And she hoped he didn't see through her lies.
Adelyn knew that she couldn't completely hide from him. The way she carried herself, moved and spoke – all screamed volumes of her being a noble lady.
And so, she made up a lie.
It was easier than she thought. Even Adelyn almost fell for her lies, making herself believe that she was just a noble lady who had strict parents and was forced to marry a man she did not want to marry.
And in an act of defiance, she found a way to have some power over her life. Even if it means giving her body to someone she will never see again.
"Why didn't you run away?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Adelyn hesitated to speak for a moment, her eyes fixed on the canopy above.
"Because I can't."
The truth was, she had thought about it many times, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Her heart stung. When she was at the palace, all her maidservants stayed for they couldn't come with her to a distant place, having a family and siblings of their own, Adelyn couldn't take them away. Countess Elvita was an exception, who sneaked out despite her husband's disagreement.
Without Elvita beside her, Adelyn did not know what she would have done during that one week of being exiled to a far away and unknown land.
Therefore, Adelyn also wanted to do something for the countess. She will keep her word, her promise to the Blood King, and marry his brother.
A warm hand was suddenly placed on her cheek, startling her awake. She realized what she had said just now. She needed to leave before she ended up spilling words she couldn't take back.
"I should be going," she said softly, disentangling herself from his arms.
Adelyn thought he would stop and pull her again, but he released her. Watching her as she scrambled to set her feet on the ground, and failing miserably as her legs didn't feel quite her own.
A few tries, and finally, Adelyn was able to stand uprightly. She grabbed her dress – of what was left of it because of this man's rough treatment towards her gown last night – and quickly dressed before covering herself with the black cloak.
As she made her way to the door, she heard the man stir behind her, but she didn't look back.
"Stay a bit longer. I'll have someone bring some food to pad your stomach before you go," she heard him speak from behind her.
Adelyn paused her steps, turned around, and saw that the man was sitting on the edge of the bed. He was still naked with only the crumpled sheets covering bits of his skin, and with the sun completely awake and shining through the windows, she could clearly see him from where she was standing.
And god, forgive her. She was almost reluctant to leave him.
But it was time for her to return.
"No, there's no need," Adelyn said, pulling out a gold coin from her pouch and placing it on top of the round table next to the door. "Please accept this gold coin as a bonus for your service. I'm quite satisfied with it."
His eyes darkened as he smiled enigmatically back at her.
"Thank you, my lady," he said, his voice low and deep. "It was my pleasure to be of service. Shall I expect you to come to seek me again?"
Adelyn shook her head, "No, I won't be needing your service again as I will be a married woman by then."
"Will you?"
Adelyn was uncertain if she heard him correctly. "What did you say?" she asked.
He shrugged and smiled again, "Nothing. I just have a feeling that our paths will cross again."
"I doubt it."
Adelyn was intrigued by his words, but she knew that there was no way they would ever meet again.
But she was unsettled by the curve of his lips hinted at a hidden knowledge, a confidence that he knew something she did not. It was a smile that held both mystery and allure, drawing her in with its tantalizing promise.
"Shall we bet a gold coin and see who is right?" he asked.