MasukSOMA
It’s time for lunch, but I stay planted in my seat. Sheila and Maeve file out of our last shared class for the day, giggling at personal jokes. Suspicion coils in my belly. I can’t prove it, but I can’t shake off the feeling that my cousins are behind the mess of this morning.
The room soon empties, my classmates pushing back their chairs in their hurry to leave. I have two options: the cafeteria with its noise and stares, or back to the quarters where Jad
SOMAIs Brynne being serious right now? His expression shows he is, still...“Must everything be an exchange to you?”“Yes.” His knuckle drags below my bottom lip, and he backs off. “You either want your maid or you don’t.”“What do you want?” I whisper.Brynne grins. “Finally, you’re asking the most important questions. I want to fuck you, Soma.” I suck in a sharp breath, pressing my knees together, and he chuckles. “If someone saw us right now, they would think you don’t enjoy it when I fuck you with my fingers. D
SOMAI should have let her go straight to her dorm. I should have known the princes would—The vibration in my breast pocket startles me, echoing in the quiet room. I fumble for my phone and whimper when I see the message from Helga. She’s asking for updates.Ignoring her message, I scroll through my contacts until I find one name. Lilith. It’s time to take her up on her offer to help. She picks up instantly, her voice smooth as always.“My lady. To what do I owe this pleasure?”“Prince Kade took Jade,” I blurt out.
SOMAIf Jade isn’t in her dorm or my room, and she entered the house but never left, there’s only one possibility.She’s still there. I bolt out of the administration building, barely hearing Helga call after me. My pulse hammers in my ears, and my shoes slap against the stone steps.Brynne came home before his brothers. What if he’s the one keeping her hostage? But why? To get to me?“Soma, wait.” Helga finally catches up to me, slightly out of breath. “Where do you think you’re going?”“If this involves the princes,” I begin, stopp
SOMAI try not to panic, but my heart races.Even if Jade wants space, she’ll tell me. We’ve grown close enough for it to feel like we’re friends rather than a lady and her maid.What if she’s sick?I drag myself out of bed and head to the bathroom, sliding under the shower instead of drawing a bath. The water is cold at first, then too hot. I almost laugh.It’s ridiculous how spoiled I’ve become in the last two weeks. Jade always draws the bath, sorts out the laundry, and ensures I’m fed.Now, standing h
SOMABrynne is avoiding me. Or maybe I’m the one avoiding him, but I haven’t seen him even once since Monday. It’s Thursday, and I hope the rest of my week goes without him showing up. The pranks have diminished. Jade still follows me to some classes, but she’s also learning to read and write.Classes end later than usual today, and my head buzzes with words I don’t fully understand. Jade gathers her things and slides them into a tote bag with a little hum. For someone who’d been so reluctant at first, she now enjoys accompanying me. Maybe she can join me in more classes since I haven’t made new friends besides Helga. Most of my classmates are too scared, and the others flock around Maeve and Sheila.
SOMAThe next morning, someone shakes me awake.Jade. Her lips move, but I don’t hear a thing. I don’t want to rise. I don’t want to move. I don’t want to do anything. My body still feels too heavy, and my chest too tight, like I’m still trapped in that room with Brynne. Even when he’s far away from me, he still haunts me.“I’m not attending classes today,” I say when her words sink in. She tries to argue, but I roll to face the wall. “No one will miss me, anyway.”“My lady…” Jade’s voice wobbles.She seems m







