***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
This work will continue to feature themes of fictional rough, reluctant, dubiously consensual, or non-consensual sexual scenarios. All characters are 18 years or older.
Chapter 6: Royal Pain (Part 3)
PREVIOUSLY...
Festering in my room, I skipped supper that night and had Flos deliver word that I wasn't feeling well. I took the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep without having arousal invade my dreams. Without the ever-present horniness, I was actually able to enjoy the luxurious bed that I was in and the comfortable feeling of my tiny, silken nightgown. Even snuggled into bed, I couldn't escape the cold feeling that was lodged in my chest or the dim buzzing in my brain as I wondered what new torments tomorrow might bring.
NOW...
Maybe because I was free from arousal, my dreams were blessedly void of any erotic content. I was in my bedroom, in my own body. I recognized it when I looked down at myself. My big hands, my tanned skin, my buff torso and meaty thighs. But someone was in my apartment, I could hear them in the living room watching TV. There had to be someone there, I was meticulous about making sure I turned off all electronics when I left a room. My friends had described me as anal about it more than once or twice.
Surprisingly, it was my ex on the sofa, laying there like a corpse. His messy, brown hair was dark and unwashed. It looked almost black and clung to his head. Lee had been down towards the end of our relationship and would skip showering for days on end. Guilt weighed heavily on me.
He turned to look at me. His smile was sad. This must have been about a year ago, right before we broke up. He had a black eye from the fight he'd started with a woman at a bar. Everything unspoken hung between us, making the room feel tense.
I mumbled something, I don't remember what exactly, and in the dream my voice sounded too muffled and far away to hear. His smile faded. I felt a knot in my chest. I had to get out of here.
Heading for the front door, I flung it open and stared into the vast and endless darkness before me. I heard something shift out there, something far away, but coming closer. I started to back up and close the door when a sudden force in the small of my back launched me forward.
Turning as I fell, I saw Lee standing there, his hands still upraised. He got smaller and smaller as I fell backwards into the shadows, the light from the open doorway became a tiny spot far, far away. I heard something moving in the dark again, towards me this time. I could do nothing but fall further and listen as whatever it was crept ever closer.
My breathing came fast. I spun uselessly in the nothing, a ragdoll freefalling.
I jolted awake.
For a moment, all I could hear was my own rapid breathing, my heart racing in my ears, and the tick, tick, tick, of the grandfather clock. It was just a little past three in the morning, the room lit up by the full moon's light.
Staring at the ceiling, I focused on calming my breathing, tried to still myself and settle back into sleep. I was almost lulled into dozing off when a loud banging on my door had me shooting upright in bed. The doors were crashing open as I worked to disentangle myself from the blankets, floundering out of the bed just as Hubriste came into sight.
He stumbled slightly before steadying himself, then took several large swigs from the flask he was holding before tossing it over his shoulder, apparently empty. I swallowed the lump in my throat. He was obviously drunk, it was a state I hadn't had to deal with him in yet. Normally, he'd go straight to his chambers after a night of drinking and sleep it off.
His gaze focused on me and he broke out into a smile, dazzling in the moonlight. "My lady," he called, holding out his hand. Cautiously, I stepped forward, but stopped short a few paces away from him, about halfway between the open doorway and my bed. The two guards stationed outside my room were visible, but had their backs turned to the prince and me. Sir Videre was staring at us unabashedly.
"What brings you here, Your Highness?" I questioned carefully, keeping my voice light. His arm stayed raised and he suddenly lunged forward. He was faster than me, capturing my hand in his and my cheek with the other, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
"I couldn't get you out of my mind," he said, caressing my face. He leaned in and planted an easy kiss on my nose, my chin, then my lips. Ding!
[HUBRISTE COULD USE A PLACE TO REST.]
[OPTION 1: GUIDE HIM TO THE DOOR.]
[OPTION 2: GUIDE HIM TO YOUR BED.]
He was being uncharacteristically gentle, I held the faintest hope that I could get him out of my room and send him on his way, so I gingerly extricated myself from his grasp and pressed OPTION 1. Linking arms with him, I steered him towards the doorway. We managed a few steps before he came to a halt.
"...Your Highness?" His eyes were downcast, his smile gone.
"Guards," he said. The men turned to face us, shocked to be called. He motioned for them to come closer, which they did nervously. Videre stayed in the doorway, observing his liege lord. I shifted from foot to foot, very aware of the skimpy, silk nightgown I was wearing. "Tell me, are you married men?"
Both men nodded.
"Excellent. Now, when you get home after a night of drinking, what are you looking for from your wife? And answer honestly," he said.
"T-to be attended to, sire," answered one of them after a stretch of silence.
