Page 39 of Maid for the Alien Prince

“Prince Rayaw?” she said. “He wants you to… perform your… duty in the Pink Petal Suite?”

Even Emma had picked up on the not-too-subtle true meaning of what Ges had said.

I couldn’t meet her eyes. My cheeks flared red, and I hated that Emma now knew what was going to happen in that room. What other reason could there be for the Prince to want a lowly maid to join him in a private suite other than the most obvious one…

“You won’t tell anyone, will you?” I said, fully aware of how desperate my voice sounded.

“Of course not,” Emma said, taking my hands in hers. “My lips are sealed.”

Sealed for about ten seconds, I thought. I knew how much of a gossip she was, and also knew that the moment I left, her “sealed lips” would quickly find a pair of willing ears.

I needed a way to ensure her silence. I could think of only one.

“Good,” I said, peering through my eyelashes at her. “I would hate for it to spread.”

“Of course not! I would never do such a thing!

“I knew you would understand. I doubt you would want anyone to know about you stealing the Prince’s antiques either.”

Emma’s eyes broadened with shock. “But I didn’t steal anything!”

I shrugged. “The truth rarely matters with accusations. Even if people just suspect it… Well, it would be very difficult for you to keep your job here. Or find any others in this town. That’s why I know, with us being good friends and all, that you would never tell anyone.”

“No! Of course not! We’re really good friends, aren’t we?” she said, clutching my arm a little too tightly.

“Very,” I said with a smile. “Sorry to leave you to do all the cleaning again. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

She waved a hand. “It’s no problem! I like cleaning! It’s better than…” Her eyes snapped to mine before shyly looking away again. “Other things.”

On that, we could both agree.

I tucked the dirty rag in my front pocket once more, let out a deep sigh, and left the library.

A Steyatt mate’s work was never done.

* * *

The walk back to the Pink Petal Suite felt longer than my earlier walk away from it had been.

I felt nervous that I would have to go through a repeat of the previous scene that had transpired there. I blockaded myself against the negative emotions, knowing that he could only harm me if I allowed it. Whatever happened next, I would be made of stone.

He would not find the same willing female he had the first time we met in secret. I would be as hard as ice, and the moment it was over, I would immediately dress and leave.

I came to the Pink Petal Suite and this time, did not hesitate as I knocked on the door, depressed the handle, and let myself in.

The suite was, once again, empty. I considered turning on my heel and leaving right away—that would teach him to constantly keep calling me to this room!

This time, I would be the one to make him surprised at the sudden turn of events. I had hardly formed my thoughts of redemption when the door slammed shut behind me.

I spun around and found a large scaly hand pressed against it. The long arm belonged to a square figure standing behind the door. “Well, you sure took your time.”

I stumbled backward as if his words had physically struck me. It wasn’t the words that had stunned me into silence, but the sight of him.

Ges.

My lips flapped and only vague sounds came from them. “Y-you?”

“Yes. Me.”

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