The floor was cold beneath Eliora's knees as she scrubbed. Her arms were already aching from the hours she'd been at it.
The head maid stormed into the yard with fury.
Just as Eliora lifted her head, the woman grabbed her by the arm and yanked her up.
Before Eliora could speak, a slap landed on her face, so hard her ears echoed.
Her hand flew to her cheek which was now red. "W...why did you hit me?"
The head maid's eyes were wild. "Because of you! You cursed little rat, you got me sacked!"
Eliora's brows furrowed in confusion. "I… I didn't do–"
"Shut up!" the woman screamed, raising her hand again. "You ruined me! I'll..."
She never finished the threat. A large hand caught her wrist in the air. The grip was so strong, she heard her bones crack.
The woman screamed and fell to her knees with her wrist bent unnaturally.
Eliora's heart dropped. Standing behind the head maid was the King.
Zarek.
His eyes glowed a deep red and without even touching her, he lifted the head maid off the ground. She clawed at her neck, choking, her feet dangling helplessly.
"Your Majesty!" Eliora stepped closer, terrified out of her mind. "Please...please stop, she'll die!"
He didn't hear her, or perhaps he did but rage had drowned his reasoning. The woman had dared to hurt his soulmate.
She took a another step closer. "Your Majesty," she whispered, still she got no response.
His magic tightened around the maid's neck. The woman's eyes rolled back.
Desperate, Eliora reached out and touched his arm.
The effect was instant. The magic holding the maid vanished like smoke and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
And Zarek… stilled.
Eliora quickly pulled her hand back, shocked, but Zarek wasn't focused on the fallen woman.
He was staring at her and the place her skin had touched his. His beast who was always wild and restless went quiet in one breath. A peace he had never known flooded him, like the touch had poured cool water over fire.
It was intoxicating.
A blur of movement swept into the hall. Aldric arrived with supernatural speed. He took one look at the unconscious maid and shook his head. "Foolish woman."
He turned to his soldiers who were behind him. "Take her away."
The men lifted the woman. Then Aldric glanced at Zarek and Eliora and wisely ushered everyone out, leaving them alone.
Eliora took a step back, unsure of how to act before the King. Zarek lifted a brow and took a step forward, but she continued to retreat until her back met a pillar.
His gaze dropped to her scarf. Slowly, he lifted his hand and slid it off her head. Her hair fell out, and he drew in a breath.
Beautiful.
He had noticed she hid herself for obvious reasons. Good. He roared in satisfaction. Then he traced her cheek lightly with his fingers.
Her knees buckled at the contact, but he caught her by the waist on time and pulled her close so she wouldn't fall. His touch burned and soothed her at the same time. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the pleasure running through her veins.
When she opened them again, her voice was soft, frightened, yet yearning. "Why… why does your touch feel so good?"
"Because you were made for me. Your body answers only to me."
Her lips parted in shock, but before she could even think of an appropriate response, his hand brushed the swollen mark on her cheek. His power surged gently and the sting vanished.
Her skin was restored.
She held her cheek and gasped. "How did you do that?"
She then raised her head to thank him but he was already gone. He vanished right in front of her, leaving only the tingles of his warmth on her skin, and more questions about what he had said that.... she was his.
.
.
Zarek reappeared in his chamber.
His breath came rough and uneven. He placed his hand over his chest as if he could cage the fury inside but it was useless.
His beast was raging because of her and because she had been hurt. He had felt her pain in a way no beast should feel another's.
And then she touched him.
He inhaled deeply at the memory, he could still feel the warmth of her hand burning on his arm. It shook him to his core.
"What are you doing to me?" he whispered.
The more he tried to calm himself, the more viciously the bond pulled him, demanding he returned to her and claimed what was his.
He slammed a fist against the wall, cracking it.
Meanwhile…
Eliora stood still, stunned by everything that had just happened.
A pair of footsteps approached, and she looked up to see a young beast girl.
"Miss Eliora," she said respectfully, "I was sent by the palace butler to escort you to your new room."
Eliora blinked. "New room?" Her voice squeaked in disbelief. "Why would I have a new room?"
The beast girl hesitated as she replied, "I do not question the butler, miss. I only follow orders."
Eliora frowned, but she quickly lowered her gaze to the floor. "Forgive me. I meant no disrespect."
She knew that even with whatever was going on between her and the king, she was still a human and before her was a beast. She still had to show respect.
The beast girl nodded, accepting the apology. "Please follow me."
Eliora clutched her scarf and trailed behind her through corridors she had never stepped foot in.
They went up a staircase and stopped before a beautifully carved door.
"This is your chamber," the girl said.
She opened the door but did not step inside, beast servants never entered private quarters without invitation.
Eliora stepped in and stopped.
The room was bigger than the one she had shared previously. The bed was draped with white canopy curtains. There was a dressing table with a mirror by the side.
The wardrobes glowed with symbols that kept clothes fresh; an indigenous magic of Eldfrost.
It was…beautiful and definitely not for a human servant.
The girl bowed again. "Your belongings will be brought up shortly, miss."
Then she left, closing the door softly behind her.
Eliora's heart raced. She wasn't foolish. She knew exactly who had ordered this. Her fingers drifted to her cheek which was already smooth now.
"The Beast King…" she whispered.