**DAPHNE**
Ash stands beyond my bed, shirtless and seemingly full of rage.
“How dare you?” Prince Hayden screams from the ground. Then, standing quickly he moves back toward the bed. “I am the crown prince. I will do what I want when I want.”
“Really?” Ash coos softly, apparently bored. “Have you been to see your father? For he is feeling much improved.”
This seems to give the prince pause as he steps back and snaps, “You lie.”
“Go and see for yourself,” Ash taunts. “I knew you would be here, so I came here to save you. He is bathing right this moment and preparing to visit her himself. Go.”
Without another word the prince disappears from the room.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Ash spins around slowly, his eyes alight with mischief. “I told you before, you need only say my name and I will be here."
*W-what?*
*He heard me?*
*Impossible.*
Ash’s smile turns sour, “Are you hurt?”
My right hand instinctively falls over my breast where I was bitten, and I shake my head no.
“You are lying to me. Why?”
A tear drops from my eyes as I say, “I will be alright.”
Ash’s jaw clenches and he averts his eyes, his fists clenching.
“You humans. Your ability to obscure the truth is coveted by many.”
*You humans?*
Then he looks at me. “The king is feeling better, and he is bathing. But he will not be visiting you tonight. So, relax.”
“He’s n-not?” I stammer, releasing the breath I was holding.
“No. He is currently building his stamina with one of the maids.” Reaching out, his soft fingers caress my lips. “Did he kiss your mouth?”
“No,” I answer as his fingers come away bloody.
“Then you’ve bitten your own lip.” He states angrily. “You were that afraid?”
“I’m a-a virgin,” I answer.
“I know,” he says. Then, “When you called my name, were you dreaming? Because you didn’t sound afraid.”
I shake my head, “No. I thought he was you.”
He startles, and I can sense his confusion.
“You heard me call you?” I ask, in a wonder.
He only nods as he heads for the door, then he speaks with his back to me. “Worry not, little dove, the prince will forget this by morning. I will see to that.”
*He heard me? But how?*
Then he is gone, and I am alone once again.
But I don’t sleep.
**ASH**
*I thought he was you.*
Her statement replays in my mind. Over and over as I stare into the vast obliterating trees of the forest.
I can still hear her voice. The way she sounded as she moaned.
*Moaned*.
Goddess help me, that fact is making it difficult to walk this morning.
She wanted it to be me last night. She would have given herself to me.
Her? A virgin.
Stupid, silly, human girl.
But then, what I did wasn’t much better. I left hints for her. Subtle admissions to dance about inside her brain. Why? I couldn’t say.
However, the anger I felt last night was dangerous and clouded my judgment irreparably. It was as if I wanted her to know me. Wanted her to know that I would protect her with abilities beyond a human capacity.
*Now, why would I do that?*
Why would I stop Hayden from taking what he desired when my entire plan is centered on her getting pregnant with a royal heir in her womb? It could have happened last night. I could have let him take her and I’d be one step closer to reaching my goal.
But the thought of him, *Hayden*, enjoying her body, drove me to insanity. I felt wildly jealous. I lost control when I saw him in her bed.
I could have given him the news about his father differently, but my anger seized him by the neck before I could stop myself. I nearly snapped the damn thing.
I have been in this world for too long.
I am developing human tendencies.
That has to be the reason.
It must be.
As Fae, our tempers are NEVER uncontrollable. Deadly, yes. Vengeful, yes. Childish, also yes. But we are calculating and enjoy a slow show of power. Possessing the ability to see things through from start to finish, with unending patience. Perhaps, if I have her first, it will be easier for us both. Maybe, if she is not a virgin, she will be more accepting of the king.
Somewhere inside of me, I know it has to be the king and not the prince or I might go crazy.
*But why?* What am I afraid of? Am I afraid she might fall for him? The entitled little brat himself?
The image of her moaning Hayden’s name the way she did mine, is a strangling sight. One that has me biting down and glaring up at his window from my spot on the garden green.
I visited him right after I left her. Served him a goblet dosed with a splash of faerie wine to make him forget. He will not remember what he did to her last night. However, *she will*, and I hope it is enough to keep her wary of him.
**DAPHNE**
I was awake all night. Now, as the golden sunlight shimmers through the windows of the tower room, I realize I haven’t moved an inch. My mind keeps traveling back to how I behaved, before I realized it was the prince, and not Ash, that lay on top of me.
I cannot believe I moaned his name. Even worse, I told him about it. What the hell made me think it was Ash?
Just then I understood. I didn’t think it was Ash. I wanted it to be. Even now, the mere memory of his hand on my thigh during dinner is enough to arouse me. I can feel blood flowing freely throughout my body, and I may be coloring to match.
From the moment I laid eyes on him, something has been pulling me. An invisible rope seemed to tingle and stretch between us. I have to wonder if he can feel it too. This hidden cord that connects us both
Last night he was shirtless. All of his beautifully sculpted muscles on display. And while the prince is handsome, in his pretty boy fashion, Ash is beautiful, in such a way that is almost indescribable. He is taller than the prince, and apparently quite a bit stronger. Definitely more valiant. That goes without question.
*I wonder...*
Would Ash help me escape? Could there be life for me somewhere beyond these walls?
He seems to want to protect me and if the king honestly frequents as many women as there is gossip about, then maybe I could disappear without much fuss. Perhaps if I am kidnapped I will only be presumed dead.
I mean, why would they search for me? I am a peasant. I am a slave.
A frightening thing happened just then, as I smiled to myself. Hope began to blossom.
Hope, in the form of a sexy gray eyed stranger.