Page 34 of Her Dark Reflection

I’d hardly registered that it was the king and not some creature living in a forgotten corner of the dark when he rushed at me, his arms reaching. I jumped back, my heart hammering too fast and hard in my chest, instinct ruling my head as I held out my hands to keep him back. I saw the confusion and disappointment on his face, but I still couldn’t quite wrench back the control of my hands from the fear that seemed to have stolen the helm.

‘You startled me,’ I managed to gasp out.

He came at me again and I managed to force myself to at least be still, to allow him to put his arms around me, though I was still as stiff as a board. He either didn’t notice or didn’t care, because his hands were roaming over me, his mouth seeking skin.

‘I’ve thought of nothing but you for days,’ he rasped. It almost felt accusatory. ‘I’m sitting through some of the most important diplomacy discussions of the decade, and I can’t focus.’

‘Please, Your Majesty, just… one minute…’ I managed to extricate myself from him and take a deep, shuddering breath.

His face was flushed as he frowned at me. ‘What’s the matter? Don’t you like your new rooms?’

‘They are beautiful. I didn’t expect… where does that door lead?’ I focused on relaxing the tension in my body, trying to tether myself to the moment, to keep my mind from darting back to the smell of smoke and the taste of a dirty rag in my mouth. I was safe. He was not going to hurt me. He had just surprised me, that was all.

‘There’s a staircase that leads to my own apartments above, so I can visit you here without anyone knowing.’

‘That’s… how wonderful. Thank you for your favour.’ My voice was steadier now, and I managed a smile that must have been at least half convincing, as he began to reach for me again. ‘I was just enjoying a glass of wine. Can I offer you one?’ I said quickly, darting into the other room without waiting for a confirmation. What was wrong with me? I needed a moment to collect my senses.

He sat himself on the fourposter bed and by the time I handed him his glass, I was composed and ready to perform my part. I pulled my lute from the wall and sat at the end of the bed, tuning it as he sipped his wine and watched me hungrily.

‘How are you, Your Majesty? I’ve missed you,’ I crooned. ‘I hope these meetings that have kept you away have been worth it.’

‘Call me Linus, please. I would have visited sooner, but I’ve been locked in negotiations with Creatia.’ He ran a hand over his face. ‘They’ve not gone well. They want us to overcommit to a defence of the Yaakandale border when I have to prioritise the coastal regions.’

My interest was sparked, but I kept my attention on the tuning peg, turning with tiny movements as I listened for the low, clear sound of the note I wanted. ‘Aren’t we at peace?’ I asked casually.

‘A country is only ever at peace until it isn’t,’ he said, sounding tired. ‘But I’ve not come to talk politics with you, sweet one. I don’t intend to bore you.’

‘I love listening to you talk. You’re fascinating.’ I hoped he might keep talking his politics. If I was going to be his queen, I needed to show him that I could keep up with him. But he only smiled.

‘I’d rather you distract me. Why don’t you play me a song?’

‘Your wish is my command.’ My hair fell in curtains around me as I ran my fingers down the strings, plucking them gently into a melody, something sweet and sad. Linus watched me for a moment before stretching his arms out to me. I swayed out of his reach.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ he murmured, and I smiled, all the while thinking of that face I saw in the mirror every night as I reapplied my glamour. If he saw me as that girl, he would never long to touch me like this.

He reached for me again and I let him catch me and pull me close.

‘I need you.’ He said the words against my hair and greedily pressed his lips to my skin, his hands running over me like they were searching for some kind antidote to this fever I had kindled. If he wanted a reply, he didn’t wait for it.

It was simple enough to retreat into my mind, to sift through images in my head that would suit me better than the one that met my eyes. It was a trick I’d long perfected, one that had served me well many a time. I didn’t see the king as he loomed above me. I simply gave in to the sensations rolling through my body, becoming a creature that didn’t think or judge or analyse. I was just a bundle of nerve endings.

And it was in this vulnerable state that my mind went places it shouldn’t. Warm breath stirring the hair at the back of my neck; a hand gripping my wrist; the smell of clay, of smoke, and a pair of eyes as colourless as a moonlit night. A murky rush of lust and shame washed through me, and my imagination picked up where my memories left off. What would it be like, to see Draven come undone? To see the control slip from him as desire overcame him, to have him between my thighs and own him?

The images flickered behind my eyelids as I gave a very convincing performance of a woman overwhelmed by the passion of her lover, but when it was done, I chastised myself for such a fantasy. I already had a king in my bed. Let that sate my yearning for dominion over powerful men.

Much to my displeasure, Linus demonstrated no desire for returning to his own chambers, quickly sinking into sleep. I pressed a pillow over my head to try and block out his gasping snores, my body prickling with a craving to be alone, to dance my fingers down between my legs and see to my own pleasure, which he had largely neglected. Perhaps, if he was as besotted with me as he seemed to be, I could teach him. With a weighty, sinking feeling in my stomach cooling my need at the thought of how many nights I would have to spend like this, I finally drifted off to sleep.

The morning light was coarse as it peered through the curtains, and I pulled the covers up as I blinked away the night. I was alone in my bed.

Linus was dressing himself with a brisk efficiency. ‘I told your maid to wait outside,’ he said as he peered at himself in the mirror and straightened his waistcoat.

I rolled onto my side, assessing his purposeful movements. He looked as though he had somewhere to be. It should be safe to flirt a little without it resulting in him crawling back into bed. ‘Won’t you breakfast with me?’ I purred and was rewarded with a rueful smile.

‘I’m meeting with council this morning to finalise the last of the treaty agreements, so I’m in a hurry.’

I sighed dramatically. ‘That sounds dull. Couldn’t you skip it?’

‘I wish I could, my beauty, but not when we are discussing my daughter’s future.’

---