Page 64 of The Princess's Pet

“Yes, our fishing treaties are becoming a contentious issue. Rabina has suffered from harsh winters for the last few years and they are struggling with an uprising from factions of their disenchanted subjects. The Rabina crown is desperate to prop up their purse. They believe our fishing treaties an easy way to raise funds,” the woman next to General Creel spoke.

“Please, Noblewoman Baros and General Creel, we are here to eat and socialise. Let us keep the intricacies of politics awayfrom topics of conversation as much as we can,” the Princess commanded politely as the food was brought to our tables.

Edward placed my plate and Noblewoman Baros’s before us, while other servants did the same around the table. Gregory stood beside the Princess having placed her plate first.

“For starters, we have spinach and feta filo parcels with a creamy tzatziki dip,” Gregory introduced the dish.

I hadn’t had it before, but I recognised feta as cheese, and it looked similar to cheese made from goat milk. The thin golden pastry was delicate and crispy. I looked to see what utensils the Princess used before selecting the same and trying the dish.

The table settled into talk amongst the individuals and no topic seemed too serious.

“Is it only I, that finds it particularly peculiar that we are dining with a bloodbag?” Lady Sana asked across the table, looking me over with an intent I couldn’t decipher. We had recently finished the main course of lamb and aubergine moussaka and were resting before dessert. I had been blissfully ignored so far, apart from catching Edward's eye a couple of times in silent greeting and thanks as he placed food or refilled my cup. I shrunk back in my chair under her stare.

The Princess reached out and pulled my chair by the arm closer to her. The movement was jarring and surprising. I looked to find molten silver looking me over with appreciation. Closer now she reached out her hand stroking down my neck.

“My pet sits at the table because it pleases me. It pleases me more so to have my pet close than it does to sit with the healer that failed my mother and appears to similarly be failing my father,” the Princess replied, her eyes not leaving me.

The table had fallen silent at the Princess’s actions and words. Although I could not look away from the Princess, I could practically feel all eyes at the table and around the room on us.

When the Princess removed her hand from my neck, she turned her molten gaze to Lady Sana. “If the presence of my pet offends you, you are free to leave,” she said calmly but her glowing eyes suggested she was less than calm.

“I am not offended My Royal Highness, only curious. My apologies for speaking out of turn,” Lady Sana replied her head bowed low.

The table chatter picked up again as if nothing had happened but Lady Sana did not say another word.

I did not eat dessert. It was simply too much food for a meal.

When the meal was finished the Princess was the first to excuse herself and offered her arm to me as we left.

“You didn’t touch your karidopita,” the Princess commented as we returned to her wing.

“The first two dishes were enough for me,” I explained looking up at her.

“My pet isn’t accustomed to large meals,” she replied guiding me towards the bedroom. “It’s for the best you did not overeat. I have active plans for you that would be hindered by a belly full of cake,” she told me as we entered the bedroom and she pushed the door shut behind us.

“What kind of plans?” I asked, my stomach filling with excitement.

“Take off your dress,” she commanded in reply.

I wasted no time complying and I heard the fabric of the dress tear in my haste to pull it down my body.

The Princess sat on the stool at her vanity, legs crossed, and watched me undress hastily.

“Heels and underwear off too,” she continued when the dress was at my feet. I did as she asked, soon standing naked and trembling with excitement in front of her. She smiled and raked her eyes over me.

“Get on the bed, lie in the middle,” she commanded as she stood and I climbed quickly onto the bed laying down.

“Pet, how do you feel about being tied down or chained up, at my mercy?” the Princess asked and I turned my head watching as she pulled a metal box from under her bed. She placed the box on the bed and opened it but I couldn’t see past the open lid to what was inside.

“I’ve never been, uh, tied up before,” I told her, excitement pooling in my core and curious about what she had planned. She reached into the box and held up a set of thick brown leather cuffs for me to see.

“If I cuffed your arms above your head so you couldn’t move away, couldn’t escape me, how would you feel?” she asked curiously, her liquid-silver eyes growing brighter as she spoke.

My heart sped up at the intoxicating thought. “I think I’d like that,” I told her, clenching my thighs tight. She smiled and placed the cuffs on the bed beside me before closing the box and placing it back under the bed.

She climbed onto the bed still dressed and wearing her heels. She crawled towards me before she pulled her dress up to her hips and straddled me. My hands reached out to touch her, but she captured them, leaning forward to kiss my wrists before she reached for the cuffs.

Carefully she placed each cuff around my wrists and pulled them secure. A chain hung from one cuff, and I could see how it attached to the other. She leaned over me and threw the many luxurious pillows behind my head to the floor, until I was flat against the thick quilt and mattress. Pulling both my hands abovemy head she looped the chain through a wooden spoke of the headboard and attached it to the other cuff. I was trapped, arms stretched out above me and the weight of the Princess on top of my hips pinning me to the bed.

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