It was the dead of night when a gentle knock at her door roused her from sleep.
"Huh- wh-?"
"Keybearer?" Kieran's voice was muffled through the thick wood.
She scrambled out of the bed. It wasn't exactly the first time she'd been woken in the middle of the night, but the sheets were softer and nicer than anything she'd ever felt, and it was so difficult to wake up.
And, well. Even if she'd gotten some sleep in that forest when she'd appeared in this place, she was still so heavily exhausted from her long work days that waking up at all was always a challenge.
Even with a less inviting bed than what she had now.
She hurried to the door and opened it.
"Kieran? Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all. I brought your meal."
She blinked blearily and...just. Stared up at him. Dumb.
"A...meal...?"
He smiled indulgently. "You slept through dinner. So I brought you something."
"Oh."
She rubbed her eyes, and moved out of the way so that he could walk in.
"Please, have a seat. I'll prepare a place for you."
He walked over to the vanity and set down the tray of food.
She followed him, and her eyes widened.
The meal was more food than she'd seen in one sitting since...since she started working. There was a platter of meat and potatoes and greens. She sat and looked up at him, and he gestured. "Eat. Please."
"It...smells wonderful."
"Of course. The royal cook prepared it."
She took a fork, and hesitantly began nibbling at the food.
It tasted even better than it smelled. She didn't know food could actually be mouth watering but this...it was incredible.
"It's delicious."
"It is. I've not found a meal that can compete with it."
He sat across from her.
She tapped her fork to her lips and squinted over at him, then. "So. Why did you really wake me up?"
He raised a brow at her. "The meal, of course."
"Of course...." She couldn't help a tiny smile. "You're a terrible liar."
"And you're very observant."
She struggled to hide her blush as she ducked her head, poking at the food and failing utterly to hide her flattered smile.
She wasn't exactly...plain, she knew. But she was too busy at work to even think about dating anyone, and she never dressed up. And usually looked half-dead from her long work week.
How long had it been since anyone looked at her the way Kieran was looking at her?
Much less someone so attractive and kind, and strong, and who saved her...
She coughed. "Um. So...the 7 keys, what are they?"
"That, I'm afraid, is not my knowledge. I do know they have special powers, and will be revealed only to the Keybearer." He shook his head.
"Prince Adrien will explain more in the morning, and you can decide if you'd like to become the Keybearer or not. But please consider it. We've been waiting for you to arrive for a long time."
"You'll be there, right?"
He smiled. "Of course. You are a treasure that needs protecting."
Her cheeks were bright red.
"You...haven't told me why you're really here..."
"I did. I came to bring you dinner."
She smiled, shaking her head. "But the real reason. Why you're here."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
His lips were warm, and soft, and the kiss was slow and sweet. Like...honey. Or molasses. She'd been kissed before, a few times, but never like this.
Kieran was the kind of man that took his time, that savored his kisses. And...her.
She felt...tasted.
She shivered, and when he pulled back, she was left breathless.
Stunned.
She should definitely be angry or...something, right? A man just kissed her without warning!
But-
Realistically...she felt like melting instead.
"Why...did you do that..." She murmured, touching her lips.
"Because it was something I'd wanted to do since the moment I saw you. The way you looked in the sunlight, like a delicate and beautiful flower...I can't decide if I want to nurture and protect you or pluck you and keep you for myself."
The smile on his face was seductive. Dangerous.
Her mouth felt dry.
She suddenly found she liked 'dangerous'.
"I-I...w-we just...met...isn't it scandalous or-something-?" It certainly seemed like this place was...that kind of place. The kind to frown on one night stands and quick hook ups.
His brow curved. "Do you plan to announce your private life to the court?"
Her face flushed.
"...N-no..."
"Then they won't know." He chuckled. "Nothing kept secret becomes a scandal."
This was probably the dumbest decision she'd made since her parents forced her to apply for jobs because 'being a NEET is not okay Emily, if you're going to live in our house you need to contribute something' and she'd ended up an office worker.
But it felt exciting.
The things he was doing to her were making it hard to breathe, but in a good way.
This handsome man who rescued her wanted her.
And- well-
They were adults!
Adults could do reckless things like...like this...! And no one had to know...right...?
She fidgeted in her chair, and shifted her knees under the table, slowly inching them open.
"If we...do this...you wouldn't-...think less of me...?"
The hungry look in his eye was all the answer she needed.
He lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her. He lifted her out of the chair so quickly she felt dizzy.
He spun her in his arms, and shoved her back onto the bed.
"You've ensorcelled me, woman. I must have you. Be mine."
She moaned as she felt his hot hands roam under her skirt and over her hips, tugging down the lacy panties she was wearing.
"Ah-" She squirmed on the bed, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
"You must-! Kieran, you must get naked!"
His laughter filled her ears and he pinned her hands over her head with one hand and tugged the skirt up with the other.
There was a glimmer in his eyes as he looked down at her that made her catch her breath.
"I do understand the concept of this quite well, my dear."
He leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Let me show you how much."
Before she could react he captured her mouth in a rough kiss, and she found herself arching into the mattress. Her whole body felt on fire with need as she responded to his aggressive passion.
The dinner never did get eaten.
She couldn't bring herself to complain.
After all, Kieran had provided a rather different feast.