As I stood there, lost in thought, the door to my chambers creaked open, and one of my ladies-in-waiting, entered with a curtsy. "Your Majesty, the king has requested your presence in the throne room," she announced, her voice low and respectful.
What did he want now?
"I'll be right there," I replied, my voice steady.
As she left, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes seemed to sparkle with a mix of anger and attraction, but I knew I had to mask it all. I took one last deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead, and made my way to the throne room.
When I entered, the king was already seated on the throne, his eyes fixed intently on me. "Take a seat."
I inclined my head, trying to read his expression. What did he want now? I took my place beside him, my heart pounding in my chest.
"You're angry." He said, his voice still cold
"Why did you call for me?" I asked unable to hide the anger in my voice.
"Do I need a reason to call for you? You are my wife after all. And you belong to me. Do you know what that means?"
My pulse quickened as I met his gaze, the intensity in his eyes making my breath catch.
Suddenly he leaned in closer as if sharing a secret. "It means no one else can have you. You are only mine" He whispered sending shivers down my spine.
For a moment, the world around us melted away, and all that existed was the two of us, suspended in a sea of unspoken emotions. My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to break free from the confines of my ribcage.
I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his eyes, unable to look away, unable to breathe. His words echoing in my head.
"Am I interrupting something?" Damaris came in with four men and women behind her.
They then stood in a line introducing themselves one after the other, as they took their robe off revealing their nudity.
"What is going on?" I asked looking away.
"These are your new play toys, so who are you going to choose?" She asked excitement evident in her voice.
I looked at the King and his expression was unreadable. Was this the reason he called for me?
I wasn't interested in getting myself a 'play toy' as she called them but there was one who stood out, who caught my eyes. Something about him was drawing me to him. Maybe it was his silver hair or his eyes that gleamed like polished amber, the irises seemed to shimmer with a fierce, wild light. The colors swirled in a mesmerizing pattern of golden hues and darker flecks, giving the impression of a predator's gaze both captivating and unnerving.
If they were so persistent on me choosing one then I might as well do it.
"I want him." My finger pointing to where he was standing.