SAPPHIRE.For a moment too long, I remained standing. I did not have any words, though the servant had not looked like she wanted a response, I was uncontrollably motionless.“It is not preferred to keep her majesty waiting.” The woman stared calmly at me, her voice leveled as she advised.“I apologize.” It was enough for me to start moving, with my breath held, I followed her, my heart pounding in my chest as we walked down the hall.What did she want from me?I felt my lips quiver, my hands and legs shaky as I walked. I did not remember offending her? When I had seen her with lord Vargen, I had bowed! Or w-was I not swift enough?My thoughts circled round and round my mind, and noexplanation I gave myself made it better.Or could it be-I froze as a shiver snapped down my back.Did she know..I was..his mate?“Is there an issue?” I flinched as the woman spoke, she was already a few feet away, and I realized I had stopped walking.“I am..I am fine.” I swallowed, following her with my
CHAPTER 42SAPPHIRE.“No.” Bujok scoffed, shaking his head.“B-but i feel it is a better role.” I lowered my head as I tried to make him understand my reasoning. “is it not?”“It is absolutely not!” He laughed like I had said something of humor, his lips raised in mock amusement. “Do you hear yourself, Sapphire?” He let out a sharp breath.It was almost embarrassing how he had made me sound foolish, and I burned at his words.“The personal maid,” he began, his gaze hardening with his words. “Of the royals.”“Y-yes, however-"“These same royals, whom we try our very best to avoid being around?” He cut me off. “You want to spend the remainder of your mornings and even noon times, with them?”I sighed quietly, my cheeks flushed as I tried to remember the words I had spoken to myself on my way to the quarters for him. It had been so convincing then..“It i-is not just any r-royal, Bujok.”I blinked. “It is lord vargen.” I tried appearing calm, but in truth his words had shaken the alread
SAPPHIRE.I was unable to move.I could not help it.Perhaps it was because every time I had met the queen, it seemed another layer of bad luck was added to fate.My lashes fluttered as I swallowed, biting lips hard.“Oh, Vargen!” She looked half surprised, her bright blue eyes widening slightly, but she still stood confidently, with the grace only a queen could ever muster.A true queen.“Your majesty.” Lord Vargen bowed slightly, and I bowed as well, my heart pounding as I stared at the ground.“What a pleasure.” I could hear the smile she had on her face as she chuckled. “I barely see you around these days, always so busy!” she teased, but lord Vargen only chuckled lightly.It was partly empty, airy, a filler for his lack of response.“What do we have here?” I felt my heart jump as she remarked suddenly, and I could not help feeling her gaze was on me. I bit lips harder as I remained bowing.“Do me eyes deceive me Vargen, or do you have a maid?” She gasped.“Yes.” Lord Vargen sigh
CHALTER 40SAPPHIRE.I did not say a word as I stared at him.He did not look like he was making jest, rather he continued to stare at me, his brows low.“A-“ I paused as my lashes fluttered. “A-as you wish, m-my lord..” With a twitch to my lips, I took a step to the settee, feeling the plush cushion brush my calf, I sat down slowly,Heavens!This was the softest fabric I had ever felt. It was smooth and velvety on my skin, my thighs partly sinking into the settee as I sat. I did not realized I had sighed till lord Vargen’s features softened.“Th-thank you, my lord.” I bowed slightly, reaching up to take another sip from my cup before he would change his mind. I could hardly believe it, and I simply wanted to savor the blessed moment as long as I could.“It is nothing, Sapphire.” His blonde lashes lowered as he watched me sip my tea, looking momentarily lost in thought, and I felt my cheeks flush as I lowered my gaze.We remained in silence as we sat, and I inhaled slowly as a current
SAPPHIRE.This was my life now...I watered my lips as we walked down the hall to his room. Occasionally I would peek up at him, stealing glances as we walked. He was so quiet. I thought to myself as we reached the inner hall.I could not tell what went through his mind.What he was feeling...With the other royals it was easy. It was almost always anger.Anger, irritation, disgust. Always..But it was not that way with him.It made me uneasy.The creak of the door turning open pulled me out of my thoughts. Lord Vargen walked in, moving to the side to let me in as well. I felt my cheeks flushing as I walked in with my head lowered. I fear the day someone sees him doing things like this for me..He shut the door calmly behind me, and I felt my palms dampen as he walked in, sighing faintly as he glanced at me.“W-where shall I put the p-papers?” I stumbled out shakily, not sure what to say.“On the desk, thank you.” I noticed the faint smile on Lord Vargen’s face. Before he could see me
SAPPHIRE.“I want her to be my personal slave.” I froze. It was almost like I had not heard him, like I could not understand his words.But he was still standing there, in the silence of the council, unmoved by their stares.His-My mouth hung agape in shock. I could not even say it.“WHAT?!” Lord Brogan voiced out the one word that had been circling like a current of wind in my head, his eyes wide in rage. “This is preposterous and you know it!” He spat darkly, his jaw clenched impossibly tight. “The slave is mine!”“No servant in this palace belongs to anyone, but our king.” The Beta had not even turned to Lord Brogan as he corrected calmly, his gaze still firm on King Ryken.“But, I-"“Which implies-" He cut him off again. “-It is his majesty that may choose to accept or reject my request.” Lord Vargen turned to him, his eyes darkening. “Not you.”My throat was desert dry, my heart pounding like the galloping of the field horses.Just-I blinked lightly, staring at the Beta in co