CHAPTER 6
That night he held me like I was something delicate. Like I was not ruined or used or left behind in the cold with nothing but pain in my bones. His arms were strong and steady and warm and for the first time in so long I felt safe in someone's hold.
And I slept.
Not with fear in my chest or pain in my heart or the sound of heavy boots approaching in the dark.
I just slept.
Peaceful and still and whole.
So when I woke up the next morning it took a moment to realize I wasn't back in that place. I wasn't in the dungeon or the servants' quarters or a nightmare I couldn't escape.
The sheets were soft and smooth around my legs and the pillow still smelled faintly of sandalwood and something that reminded me of him.
But the space beside me was empty.
I sat up slowly and rubbed my eyes and that familiar ache of panic started to rise in my chest.
What if he changed his mind? What if he regretted everything? What if last night was a mistake he was trying to forget already..?
I tried not to think about it.
Then came a knock on the door.
I whispered. "Come in"
Mia stepped inside with a bright smile. "Good morning Milady. The King requests your presence in the dining chamber for breakfast"
My breath caught in my throat.
He wanted to see me.
I nodded quickly. Maybe too quickly. "Okay. I will get ready"
Mia gave me a grin. "I will draw your bath"
---
The water was warm and smelled sweet and for once it did not sting the bruises on my skin.
Mia helped me wash my hair and she brushed it with gentle hands while humming a tune I did not know but wanted to remember. Then she dressed me in a cream gown that fell softly to my ankles. It was simple and clean and beautiful and nothing like the rough clothes I used to wear.
When I stood in front of the mirror I did not see the girl who had been broken and discarded and forced to crawl through dirt.
I saw someone trying to breathe again. Someone trying to become whole.
A small smile touched my lips.
I was going to see him.
The man who saw me when no one else did.
---
Mia led me down the staircase and the palace was quiet with only our footsteps making a sound in the wide golden halls.
We turned the corner and I saw the grand dining room doors ahead of us and my heart started to beat faster.
But before I could take another step
A hand came out of nowhere and struck my face... Hard.
I gasped and stumbled back and my hand flew to my cheek where the sting was sharp and immediate.
Mia froze beside me with wide frightened eyes.
Standing in front of me was a tall woman in a blood red gown. Her lips were painted dark and her eyes were colder than stone. Her hand was still raised from the slap.
"You filthy little thing!" she spat. "How dare you???"
My lips parted and I blinked. "W-what...?"
"Do not pretend you don't know" she hissed and stepped closer. Her heels echoed with each movement like a warning meant only for me. "I won't let some pathetic Omega take what is mine. Do you hear me??"
I opened my mouth again but my voice failed me. I was too shocked too hurt too lost.
She looked at me like I was less than nothing.
"You really thought you could sneak into his bed and become important? You thought he would forget about me? That if you looked at him sweet enough he would choose you?"
Tears burned behind my eyes.
She leaned in close and her voice turned low and sharp. "I have been by his side since I was sixteen. Do you understand what that means? You are nothing but a broken little toy he found in the woods. A brief distraction. You will not last!"
She turned and walked away without another word like she had not just crushed whatever was left of my chest.
Mia rushed to me and her hand trembled as she touched my face. "Are you alright? Milady. I am so sorry."
I couldn't speak.
The sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the ache that had started to grow in my throat.
"Who was that?" I whispered.
Mia's voice shook. "That was Lady Amanda. The King's mistress. She has been with him for years"
I stared at the floor.
"She came to the palace last night" Mia continued in a quiet voice. "She was supposed to be in his bed. But when she got there you were already there"
My stomach twisted.
"She is furious" Mia said again. "Everyone here knows she belongs to him"
Belongs to him...
My legs weakened and I leaned against the wall and tried to breathe. Tried to push the burning tears back.
I didn't ask for this. I didn't choose this. I didn't even understand what he wanted from me or what I was supposed to be to him.
But that didn't matter.
Because to everyone else I was nothing but a filthy little Omega who dared to sleep where she did not belong.
I wasn't allowed to feel safe. I wasn't allowed to hope.
And maybe I wasn't allowed to be loved either.