Chosen By The Prince (2 page)

Their hands felt so soft on her skin, relaxing her, until they touched her breasts. She slid to the side, trying to evade the personal touch. The sharp sting of the rod slapped her foot again, making her moan. When their hands glided to her cleft, oiling her thoroughly, she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to be still.

They led her to a stool where she sat as they skillfully applied makeup to her eyes and lips, darkening them. Her hair was curled and twisted back so it cascaded over her shoulders, leaving her profile exposed. They twined pearls through her hair, letting the strands dangle against her bare skin.

She stood when they were done and followed them into her chamber, nude. They dressed her then, starting with undergarments of the softest silk. There was a mirror where she could see herself. The white lace was sheer, clearly showing her nipples through the corset and the dark line of her sex, her pouty lips outlined clearly, now that she was completely bare.

She looked away, hardly believing it was her own body. She felt so removed from what was happening to her.

One of the maids knelt in front of her and slipped a finger along her slit, applying one last cream. She would never get used to these intimate touches...

"Oh! What is that?"

"Honey."

"What for?"

The maids looked at each other, not answering. They slid a gown over her head. It was lightweight silk, threaded with real gold. The color matched her eyes perfectly. The back dipped low, revealing her back nearly to the top of her round, high bottom. The dress showed the hard points of her nipples clearly.

She frowned. She looked obscene. Why were her breasts doing that?

"It's the cream."

"What?"

"We applied a stimulant to your skin Sofriquette."

"
Oh.
"

That explained the tingling, centered on her nipples and also between her legs...

She felt completely out of her element. She knew nothing of what was expected of her. She wanted to go home... She pushed the thought aside as tears started to well up in her eyes. If she ruined her makeup they would surely punish her again. She forced herself to relax as they lowered the collar over her head, snapping it into place.

Her tears threatened again as she felt the cold weight of it against her throat. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her skin and hair and body were displayed in such a way that made her look sublime and tender, good enough to eat.
 
At the same time she looked regal, like a queen and a slave at the same time.

Maybe that was the point.
 

The door opened behind her. The maids curtsied quickly, leaving her. She turned, knowing it was him. She lowered her eyes, afraid to look at him.

She heard the door shut and swallowed, her nerves returning full force. She forced herself to raise her eyes and face him. He inhaled sharply as their eyes met. He didn't look mean or angry as she feared. He looked... awestruck.

"My god..."

His voice sounded low and harsh to her ears. He was across the room, towering over her in an instant. She could see the rich cloth of his evening clothes as she stared straight in front of her. He was so tall...

His hands reached out and slid over her shoulders, gliding across her collarbone and over her breasts. He moaned softly as she turned her head to the side. The humiliation of her situation was making her face burn. He could do whatever he wanted to her, touch her however he liked and there was nothing she could do about it.

He grasped her chin lightly, raising her face so she looked at him. She could not hide the defiance in her eyes.

He smiled at her sensually.

"You are exquisite little one."

She looked away from him, annoyed by his possessive gaze, so sure of his ownership of her. He laughed softly.

"Such a little brat you are. We'll soon see to that. It's too bad the banquet is about to start..."

She tossed her head a bit, swallowing against the collar. He frowned.

"Is that too tight?"

She looked at him quickly, opening her mouth. She had no idea what to say to him...

"It's- a little."

He stared at her thoughtfully.

"We'll fix it. Unfortunately there's not enough time now, but you don't have to wear it later when we are alone."

She said nothing, staring stonily at the ground. He chuckled again and lifted something from his pocket. The chain. He fitted it to the hook in her collar and slid the handle over his hand. She stared at it, his large hand holding the leather circle firmly.
 

"Come. You will walk in front of me so I can look at you."

She stepped out of the room into the hallway. There were four guard there. Two of them led the way. She fell into step behind them, feeling the Prince's eyes on her bare back. The other two guards brought up the rear.

She stared straight ahead, her back straight, as they walked through the castle. Everyone was watching them, all eyes on her. She felt naked, her skin tingling under the light silk of the gown. She refused to react in any way. She had her pride after all. Too much of it most likely.

They walked through the hall to the dining chamber where the Royal table was set high on a dais. There was another level with a small table set off to the side before the main floor, where most of the nobles and dignitaries sat. She was guided to the small table where Sephina already stood, waiting. The King and Queen were already seated. The Prince joined them, still holding her leash. It stretched between them, making a clanging sound as it hit the floor.

She was given a seat that faced sideways, so the Prince could watch her easily. Sephina had her back to the main floor so she was also within the King's view. She smiled at Jillian softly. They waited as the Prince took his seat, and then they sat down.
 

"You look lovely."

The woman's voice was so soft she nearly didn't hear it. She glanced at her sideways as they were served wine. Sephina looked utterly serene, her eyes demurely lowered.

"And terrified."

Jillian lifted her eyes to Sephina again, but the woman was staring down at her empty plate, a soft smile on her lips.
 

"Not that I blame you. When it was my turn, I had months of instruction before I was claimed. Times have changed."

Jillian sipped her wine, trying to ignore the Prince who was openly staring at her. He grinned, tugging on her chain. She flashed her eyes at him angrily.
 

"I would try to avoid aggravating him right now, my dear."

The servants moved around them, laying plates along the tables. All except theirs. Finally a small plate of salad was placed before each of them.

"Do they intend to starve us?"

Sephina's lips tilted up again.
 

"It's best to eat small meals throughout the day. I have my biggest meal in the morning."

"Why?"

Sephina's eyes lifted to hers conspiratorially.

"Because you don't want to be full at night. That's the time he's most likely to call upon you."

Oh. She wished she hadn't asked.

"Of course, if he doesn't require you for the evening you can always have food brought to your room."

Jillian took a dainty bite of her salad, trying to mimic the older woman.

"Though in your case, I suspect you will get little rest for a good long time."

Jillian almost choked on her wine. The older woman smiled at her, hiding a laugh.

"I wish I could give you advice my dear but I was specifically told not to. If and when the time comes to formally instruct you, I will be happy to do so."

Jillian stared down at her plate. She was having trouble breathing suddenly. She could feel the people from one side looking her over, inspecting her. On the other side, the Prince's hot gaze seemed to burn into her skin.

She felt tingly all over and the light coating of honey between her legs was sticky... She glanced at the Prince. He was smiling as if he'd just been given a great prize. She was sure he knew about everything they had done to her. Everyone in the room most likely did. She wanted to crawl under the table and hide.

"You know nothing of what is to come?"

Jillian shook her head 'no', a little more violently than she meant to. The pearls clinked against the collar. She looked up, her eyes wide with mounting panic. The Prince was frowning at her. Sephina looked alarmed.

"Hush now, it will all be alright, I promise you. Drink your wine."

She let out a breathy laugh, feeling slightly hysterical. She sipped the wine, distracted by the bitter taste as she got closer to the bottom of the glass.

"What is that?"

"It's an aphrodisiac."

Jillian stared at the woman. The whole world had gone mad.

"It's a drug?"

"It's harmless. And you are expected to drink and eat everything they put in front of you so try and hide your reactions."

"I hate this. I hate all these rules."

She was whispering, a calm look pinned to her face. Sephina nodded approvingly.
 

"That's it, you are learning. Trust me, many of the rules are for your own protection."

"From what?"

"If there was not a rule about seating us separately, you would find yourself laying on that table being eaten instead of the meal."

Jillian shot her a horrified glance.

"Not literally. Oh, I'm not helping at all am I? It's just hard not to notice how he's looking at you."

Jillian slid her eyes to the Prince again. He was brooding, his eyes hard on her face. His father said something to him and he turned away momentarily.

"That's how he always looks at me. He hates me. He's just doing this to humiliate me."

Sephina raised her eyebrows at that.

"Is that what you think? I would say he hates waiting for something he wants rather badly. He's been waiting for some time from what I understand."

Jillian lifted her chin.

"Yes, he's been waiting to shame me."

"Hmmm... I wouldn't be too sure."

They ate the rest of their salads in silence, each being served another glass of wine, this one more bitter than the last. The whole room was gorging themselves on meats and pies but they just sat there with nothing in front of them. Finally they were each served a small plate of berries. Jillian watched as Sephina picked up a berry and delicately slid it between her lips.
 

"Use your fingers."

She did her best to imitate the other woman, certain this was part of some ritual she had to follow. She was trying to do her best, knowing how vital her compliance was. She slipped a berry between her lips and bit down, the tart flavor exploding in her mouth.

She ate each berry as Sephina did, one at a time. She looked up and the Prince was staring at her mouth, transfixed. She stopped abruptly. Sephina shook her head lightly.

"Finish them. The meal is almost over."

Jillian ate the last few berries resentfully, turning to the side so she didn't have to see the Prince watching her. It made her feel very strange, warm and jumpy at the same time.
 

Finally things seemed to be wrapping up. The Prince stood abruptly and two guard were quickly at her side.
 

"Good luck my dear. You'll be fine."

Jillian gave the woman a last searching look then stood up, staring straight ahead. She ignored the knowing glances being cast her way. She followed the guards back the way they came, taking the main staircase this time. They were going somewhere else. Maybe he'd changed his mind- maybe-

A door opened onto a huge bedroom. His room. She knew it instantly. The room was extravagantly luxurious and so masculine. A fire was burning in the enormous hearth, pillows strewn before it. There were two bottles of wine on the table with two glasses.

The door shut behind her, making her jump. She turned and there he was, staring at her with an odd look on his face. He looked very... focused.

His eyes slid down over her body and back to her face. He walked toward her purposefully, making her take a step back. He narrowed his eyes, reaching for her. She closed her eyes tightly, forcing herself to be still.

"Are you truly so frightened of me?"

She opened her eyes. He was inches away, his chest giving off waves of heat. He lifted his hands to her shoulders. She just looked at him, utterly panicked. He sighed and reached around her throat. He was going to strangle her!

The lock holding her collar in place snapped open. She lifted her hand to her throat, rubbing it. He watched her, his mouth open. His eyes drifted to her lips. She knew suddenly without a doubt that he was going to kiss her.

Her first kiss.

He lowered his dark head and pressed his lips into hers. His lips were warm and softer than she'd thought a man's lips would be... he slanted his mouth over hers insistently, sliding his tongue between her lips. She gasped and tried to pull back.

The Prince groaned and lifted his head.

"Don't."

She closed her eyes as he kissed her again. Warmth was spiraling through her body as his tongue pushed into her mouth, tangling with her own, stroking her firmly.

Oh god... she felt like her body was on fire.

He pulled her against him, her chest slamming into his, her breasts smashing up against his shirt. He moaned again and the kiss deepened. She felt his body on her, and something pressing against her stomach. Something big and hard.

She twisted away from him, before she realized what she was doing. He was panting, staring at her, anger and need darkening his face. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Oh god, what had she done?

He strode away from her, his hand reaching for the door.

"Wait-"

He stopped.

"Please-"

Had she just signed her family's

 
death warrants? She had to try and stop him- she had to-

He turned and looked at her, waiting.

"I was just surprised. I didn't- I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

His eyes searched her face, wanting to believe her. He sighed and closed his eyes. His hand dropped from the doorknob. She swallowed convulsively, feeling like she might faint. He was watching her again.