The room's decorations were beautiful… but disturbing. White clothes everywhere, countless lit candles, and seven old women dressed in white, each of them smiling at me.
"What's happening?" I whispered, looking at Ethan. He was exchanging glances with the oldest woman as if they were talking through their eyes.
"Ethan?..." I tapped his chest nervously. My heart was pounding.
"Hello, Allison," the oldest woman said, stepping forward with a gentle smile.
"H-hello," I quickly bowed. I'd never seen her before, but from her aura, I could tell, she wasn't someone ordinary.
She chuckled softly. "So respectful. Please, don't bow to me," she said, placing her hands lightly on my shoulders.
I straightened up and sighed quietly.
"You need to wash away what's on your neck," she said.
"Ohhh." I smiled awkwardly and glanced at the beautiful silver bathtub behind them. The water shimmered, filled with flowers and strange herbs that gave it a brownish hue.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
I sighed deeply. The question was simple, yet it suddenly felt profound, as if it meant more than I could understand.
I looked at Ethan. His eyes were full of worry.
"It's time to leave, my King-to-be," the old woman said to him gently. "Nothing can be forced here."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Just trust me, Allison," he said softly before walking away.
I watched him leave and sighed. He's just trying to help me… if the queen sees this mark, I'll be in real trouble.
"Yes, I'm ready," I said finally.
The woman nodded. "Good girl. Then strip and enter the tub."
My face burned with embarrassment. I'd never been naked in front of anyone except Ethan and now there were seven of them! But they were old, and the candlelight was soft, so I forced myself to move.
Closing my eyes, I slipped into the warm water. A deep sigh escaped me as I sank into it felt strangely comforting. The tub was large, the water reaching my neck.
One woman placed her hands on my shoulders. Another began gently massaging my legs. Then the oldest, Maria, as she later said, brought a silver cup to my lips.
I frowned, trying to see what was inside, but she didn't let me look.
"My name is Maria. I am at your service," she said with a smile.
I hesitated, then opened my mouth. The liquid tasted like wine but not quite. It was warm, strange, and hard to describe.
Soon, heat spread through my whole body.
"Ahhh…" I gasped. The women holding me pressed down gently. My body felt too hot, like it was burning from the inside.
"What's going on?" I whispered. My vision became blurred.
"Her body is rejecting the treatment! Bring the red robe, quickly!" I heard Maria shout.
Two of them lifted me out of the tub, drying me carefully before dressing me in a long red robe, which looked more like a seductive silky gown than anything else.
"It's getting worse," I mumbled weakly.
"Don't worry, dear. We'll send you to the prince. We can't cure you here," Maria said softly.
Two of the women took me by the arms, guiding me to another door, different from the one we entered through.
Beyond it was a dark tunnel. At the end, I saw light… a familiar light. Ethan's room?
My body felt weak and numb, but they urged me to keep going. "You're doing well, my lady," one of them said. "Almost there my lady."
Their voices were oddly soothing, even though everything felt unreal.
When we finally reached the end, I realised it was Ethan's chamber. But it looked different…. red roses, candles everywhere, the air thick with something I couldn't name, just how romantic Ethan is to think about all these things.
Then two younger maids appeared, my fellow maids, took me gently from the old woman and led me to Ethan's bed.
He was sitting there, watching me. The room glowed softly in candlelight. The maids bowed to us both, turned off the lights, and left through the secret door.
I looked at Ethan, confused. "What's happening?"
He didn't answer at first, only stood and looked into my eyes. I couldn't see him very well, but his expression was so… intense. He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently slipped the robe off my body, leaving me completely naked.
"Uhmmm…" I blushed hard and covered myself with my hands. He chuckled, then suddenly scooped me up like a bride and carried me to the bed.
I closed my eyes as my back hit the sheets. I wouldn't lie, I loved the way he touched me. It felt like pure relief! My instincts are telling me it was the wine or whatever Maria gave me.
Ethan climbed over me and glanced at my neck. "Does it still hurt?"
I stared up at him, lost in that handsome face. Suddenly, I wanted him so bad. Like, I want to devour him badly. "Ethan…" I sighed. "Are you sure you wanna help me relieve? My body's only getting hotter," I murmured.
He smiled in amusement. "Your skin's so sensitive… I have no choice but to take it all away myself."
I blinked, confused. "What if the queen… You know we still have guests… and…"
"Shhhhhh." He pressed his thumb to my lips and raised a brow. "You're thinking too much, my queen." He shook his head. "I don't like that. The only person on your mind should be me."
"But what about my mom…" I couldn't finish before his lips crashed into mine! He sucked my tongue and lower lip hungrily, his hands roaming on my body!
"Ahhh… Ethan…" I grabbed his head and threw mine back as he placed his wet mouth on my jaw, then my neck. His tongue swirled there, making me curl my toes. He started stripping himself while latching onto one of my breasts!
Once he was fully naked, he sat up and grabbed a big red sheet, spreading it over us before climbing back on, eyes locked on mine. "I asked you to trust me. Do you?"
I sighed and nodded. Let's see where this goes. He frowned. "I wanna hear it."
"I do…"
He smiled. "Thanks."
Then his wet mouth was on my neck, my nape, my chest… he found a breast and started sucking hard.
"Ahhh…" I sighed, fingers tangling in his hair. He moved back to my lips and positioned himself at my entrance. I felt him slide slowly… gently…
"Ahhh…" I gripped his shoulders tightly. Once he's fully inside, he paused, then buried his mouth on my shoulder, right over the hickey and started thrusting in and out.
"Ohh… ahhh, Ethan!" I had no idea why I was screaming. Is it because of the pain or pleasure or both?
He nuzzled into my neck, thrusting deeper and faster. "Ethan…" I moaned. To be honest, no pain in my neck at all.
All the thoughts vanished as his moves turned powerful. I tried shifting away. "Stop that." he hissed, he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head.
Our eyes met. "I'll kill you if I can't walk normally tomorrow."
He laughed and nodded. "Hmmm, I love this new you."
I blinked. New me?
"And I'm looking forward to it. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time with me from now on."
"Wait, you ahhhh…" He thrust harder and bit my nipple! I gritted my teeth. Damn you, Ethan!
"Save your voice for screaming my name." He smirked, then flipped me over, my back to him now. Before I knew it, he was thrusting from behind.
I clutched the sheet and moaned. Ethan was pushing our relationship further every day! Wasn't he scared of his mother? What if she caught us? I just hoped nothing happened till next month… then I'd be free from this panic.
His pace became faster and our moans filled the room. Soon, my fever started fading, my body cooling back to normal. Even my vision is cleared.
He flipped me again, kissing me deeply, our tongues colliding as he kept thrusting. A few minutes later I felt him release inside me.
I yawned weakly as he rolled off. "I'm satisfied for now. Gotta save your strength for another day." He grinned and pulled me close. I glared at him and closed my eyes, I need to get my strength before tomorrow!
"Thank you, Allison…"
....
The next day.
"Allison?" I heard a whisper.
" Allison wake up…" the person tapped me gently.
" Allison the queen is here" Hearing that my eyes flung open!
The queen is what?