Chapter 40

Nalani's POV

He didn't respond at first and that made me pull away but he pulled me into his lap and kissed me. His soft lips moved on mine as I kept up with him. I have never kissed anyone before so I didn't know if I was doing the right thing.

His tongue licked my lips forcing them open. He deepened our kiss as he demanded more. I could barely catch my breathe. As we kissed he pushed me back slowly until I lay on my back and he was on top of me. His body completely engulfed mine . His hands were on my waist and the other behind my head as he kept me in place.

The hand on my waist softly caressed my side as he settled between my legs. My head was in the clothes and my stomach felt full of something. He wasn't relenting on the kiss as he deepened it further, our tongues dancing around each other. He explored my mouth fully without leaving an inch like a starved man.

I felt it. His member growing on my thigh. I was a virgin but I have picked up some things from the village women. They taught us alot about what to expect from a woman during the wedding night. However this was not our wedding night. Should I stop him?

As if he sensed my hesitation he lifted his head releasing my lips.

" I'm sorry" he said as he moved away from me.

I was left laying there in an akward silence. I tried sitting up but I couldn't because of the pain until he helped me up.

"It's just that....." I started explaining

" I understand Nalani"

"So you are not angry with me?" I asked nervously

"Why would I be mad at you? I should be mad at myself" he continued

" My King, why are you being so hard on yourself?" I asked

Since I came back from the dungeon he has been so hard on himself. Why does he feel so sad when I was the one suffering and not him? Was I missing something?

"You are special to me"

"Meeee?"

"Yes, you"

"How could I possibly be special to you when I am your servant?" I laughed uncomfortably.

It was hilarious really when you think about it. He was the freaking King and I was just a plain servant. How could I be special to a King!

"You will be my woman from now on" he announced

"Pardon me, what!" I was shocked

"I have decided to make you my Queen " he said as if he had already decided.

"Wait ..hold on. You can't just do that? Wasn't there a process to choose a Queen?"

" There is but I don't care for it. I have decided to make you mine and give you the highest status in this kingdom so that no one can ever harm you again" he explained

Oooh! I get it now. I was disappointed. I was hurt by his words. I was so happy when he said he wanted me as his Queen but his explaination hurt me so badly.

"If you are only doing this to protect me then I refuse to be your Queen "

"Nalani!!!"

"No! My King, I will not be your Queen out of duty . I refuse to be a burden to you"

" Nalani, listen to me!!" he commanded

His command broke my clouded thoughts which were taking over my head. His hands held onto my shoulders as he spoke

" I am in love with you"

" Huh!!" I was dumbfounded.

The King was in love with me? What sort of joke of the century was this? Did he loose his mind? Was he sick?

" I started liking you the first day that I saw you in the market. You were brave but idiotic. You could have been killed for peaking at the King"

How did this love confession turn into a lecture.

" You knew it was me?"

" I knew. When you were brought in for breaking my mother's vase, I was surprised to see you but at the same time I was thankful to have you in my castle"

"You had me whipped that day" I pouted

" You did break her vase. If it were someone else I would have put them to death"

I gasped at the revelation. I could have died on my first day at work if it were not for his feelings. If Kellen had taken the blame as she should have, she would be dead by now. The thought made me shiver.

" I would have died" I whispered

"No, I can't kill you Nalani. You are not listening. I gave you the most lenient punishment without arousing any suspicion "

"My back almost broke from those whips"

" I'm sorry but you couldn't go unpunished. This is the castle after all there are spies everywhere. I couldn't show any interest or favour towards you"

"So why are you doing it now?" I asked hoping for a good answer that will help me make up my mind.

"I almost lost you because someone tried to poison me. When I woke up and heard everything that happened I almost had a heart attack . I practically ran to the dungeon to find you. I prayed you would have held on and waited for me"

" I waited for you. I held on through everything praying you will pull through and get me out of there"

"Why did you think I would help you?" He asked curiously

" For the same reason you knew I wasn't the one who poisoned you. I trusted you and your judgement. I have been working for you for a while now and I knew you were impartial and kind. You would consider my explanation before convicting me"

"No one has ever called me kind before Nalani " his hand caressed my cheek as he looked deep into my eyes.

I placed my hand on his and looked back at him. His eyes were filled with love for me. I could see it and I could sense it. I have avoided it but eventually I couldn't stop it from blossoming.

" They don't know you well enough "

"Apart from Stanley, you are the only person who knows me well enough. I want you to stay by my side Nalani, as my woman, my wife, my Queen and my equal "

His offer was so sincere and from his heart but I couldn't accept. I wanted to accept it so bad but I couldn't. I was a traitors daughter. What would happen if he found out? Would he kill me as well?

" I need some time to think" I replied quickly.

"You can take as much time as you want"

I felt guilty for not telling him the truth. Perhaps I should tell him before he finds out from someone else. He would be hurt and angry when he finds out but at least I'll be the one who has said it.

' Ambrose will you still love me when you find out the truth?' I wondered

"My King..." I started

" Call me by my name Nalani"

"Ambrose, we have to solve this case before I can become your Queen"

" Tell me everything without missing a single detail"

" That day I went to the kitchen and found Mrs Smith, while we were talking a new chef by the name Jonathan handed me your meal. I felt so uneasy around him and I wondered why they would put someone like him in charge of your meals. Instead of trusting my gut feeling, I ignored it and decided to trust Mrs Smith judgement. However I paid the price for ignoring it"

" His name was Jonathan?" He asked

" Yes" I Said

" I haven't approved of any new hires. Maybe you could be mistaken"

" No, I was not mistake. I remember everything from the way he looked"

" It is possible he is far away from the castle by now"

"  I need to find him. It is the only way I can prove my Innocence "

" I will help you"

"Thank you my King "

Who would have thought the King would want to help me. King Ambrose is known for his anger and furry. Looking at him now, he seemed like a normal person to me. A normal man who wanted to protect his people. He was perfect.