She walked with grace and authority. Her black feathered gown trailed on the floor behind her. A smug smile slowly crept on her face when she saw the King. When her eyes met mine that smile immediately dropped. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. The King stood up and walked forward.
"Countess, it's a pleasure to see you." He kissed her hand. The Countess batted her eyelashes at him.
"Thank you for having me Your Majesty." Her eyes met mine again. "This must be Lady Steele. I have heard about your beauty but I must confess I assumed it to be rumor." I stood up and bowed.
"Countess." The King walked over to take his seat beside me. The Countess walked over to take a seat beside Mia. There was something sour about this woman, I could feel it in my bones.
Once the Countess was seated Gail and a few men walked out with platters. I recognized one of the men to be a man named Taylor. I suppose since I am no longer working in the kitchen Gail needed extra assistance. Guilt crept up my stomach. I should be helping her, not sitting here with the royals where I most definitely don't belong. The Countess interrupted my self loathing train of thought.
"So Your Majesty, what made you decide to welcome Lady Steele to the castle? From what I've heard you don't allow anyone to stay." The Countess eyed me like a snake waiting to pounce on a mouse. Once again I shifted uncomfortably. The King reached out and touched my thigh under the table to still me. His had on my thigh stirred up that unfamiliar feeling again.
"Well Countess, as you are well aware of, I am a very private man. Such rumors you hear about me not allowing visitors is just that, rumor. For are you not presently in my dining room at the very moment about to enjoy a plentiful meal?" The King challenged her.
"Your Majesty." She muttered as he put her in her place. I felt a small smile creep up my lips. The King looked at me at the corner of his eye and I could see the same small smile mask my own.
Gail and Taylor served us all dinner. I had no idea what we were about to eat but it looked majestic. Perhaps it was rabbit stew of some sort.I was not sure but it smelled heavenly.
We all dug into our meal promptly and the conversation was postponed for the moment. I was thankful for that. I didn't want that old crow of a woman asking me any questions. I wasn't exactly rehearsed in this part I was supposed to be playing. Unfortunately supper came to an end all too fast and the conversation began again. Mia and Elliot were talking animatedly with one another as per usual. You could never get a word in with those two during dinner. Christian was silent beside me. I could feel the Countess's glare upon me. I hesitantly looked over at her to meet her eyes.
"Your Majesty, do you intend to make Lady Steele Queen?" Silence fell on the room. Everyone looked at the Countess in shock.
Did she really just ask that?
The King turned his glare on her.
"Don't be foolish Countess Maryse. As you are well aware I have no intention of taking a bride. Especially not a woman of minor nobility such as Lady Steele, or a Countess such as you." He sneered.
The Countess and I both shifted uncomfortably. It appears the tyrant was making an appearance after being absent for awhile.
My mind was betraying me because I felt a pit in my stomach that felt hurt when he scoffed at the idea of marrying me. Of course that's absurd for I am not even of nobility. I am a peasant. It would be scandal if he married me. Not wanting to being in this room anymore I stood up and excused myself. The King eyed me curiously.
"Where are you going?" He fixed his glare on me. The Countess eyes narrowed. It's like she knew exactly what I was thinking. I met the King's eye briefly.
"I apologize your Majesty but I am not feeling well suddenly. Forgive me but I must retreat to my quarters." The King didn't say anything but simply nodded. I met Mia's eye quickly before I left the hall. She was frowning.
"Until we meet again Lady Steele." The Countess crooned after me. With one more bow I hurried out of the dining room and up to my quarters. I shut my door quickly and flopped face first onto my bed. I felt like an imbecile.
What are you thinking? He doesn't want you. He's a King. You're a peasant Nothing more. If anything you're just a distraction to him.
A betraying tear streamed down my face. Everything was so confusing and disorienting. These feelings I was getting would be my undoing. It was becoming difficult to remind myself that this man stole me from my village. Why was I trying to see the good in him? I drifted to sleep with these thoughts swirling around in my mind.
I awoke to the feeling of someone brushing my cheek. I flinched and looked up. The King was sitting on the edge of my bed stroking my cheek. I could swear I saw compassion in his eyes.
"Are you alright Anastasia?"
I sat up in bed and moved away from him looking down. He let his hand drop.
"I'm fine Christian.. I mean your Majesty."
The King took a deep breath.
"I .. wanted to apologize to you. The audacity of that woman. She's a parasite. She's been after my title for years. She sees you as a threat. I know.. What I said hurt your feelings."
I rolled my eyes. Be coy Anastasia.
"My feelings weren't hurt Christian. You were simply admitting the truth. A peasant can't be Queen. It's ludicrous to even consider the idea. Also, I'm not just a peasant I'm a woman who you plucked out of her village for a life of servitude. Speaking of serving, isn't it time we finish this ruse and I get back to work with Gail?"
The King glared at me.
"Is that what you want? To be a slave? Yes I may have taken you from your village but I have given you so much more. Look around Anastasia you aren't suffering. I have given you nice things. A title. Food. You would think you would feel some form of gratitude to me. But you don't do you? I'm still a snake in your eyes."
The King stood up suddenly and went to leave the room.
"Wait." I nearly shouted. The King stopped to look at me.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I climbed out of bed and walked over to face him. He was looking at me curiously. Without another word I reached up and planted a small kiss on his lips. He broke the kiss off and looked down at me wildly.
"What are you doing to me?"
Before I could respond the King's lips were on me. His arms were wrapped tightly around me and it felt like the balcony all over again. Our kiss deepened surpass any of the previous kisses we've had. Suddenly he gently pushed me onto the bed. He climbed onto the bed and hovered over me. He stroked my cheek and smiled shyly.
"You are truly a beautiful creature, aren't you?"
The King trailed kisses down my neck and I mewed.
"Sit up." He ordered. I blinked a few times in confusion but obliged. The King climbed behind me on the bed and started to untie my gown. My blood was boiling. I wanted this. Despite everything that's happened my desire for him was never ending. After a few tugs my gown as untied and hanging loosely on my shoulders. Christian pulled the straps down and my breasts fell out of their holdings. Christian kissed my exposed neck and shoulders.
"You are so beautiful." He breathed into my ear. He climbed up off the bed and stood in front of me. He looked down at me with fierce eyes. He unbuttoned his shirt exposing a sculpted chest. He was so beautiful and masculine. Next he untied his trousers and let them hang loosely at his waist. He got down onto his knees and pulled off my dress and undergarments until I was sitting there naked on the bed. I felt embarrassed to be naked in front of a man. This was after all my first time. The King looked at me with hunger.
"Your body is delicious I would like to taste all of it."
I stared at him incredulously not understanding what he meant. Suddenly the King grabbed my leg and started to trail kisses up to my thigh. I moaned out loud. The feeling was euphoric. He stood up all too soon and let his trousers fall to the floor. I glanced at his member wide eyed. I have never seen the naked male body before but his penis was magnificent. My hand shot out to touch it and his head jerked back in ecstasy. After a few strokes he climbed ontop of me. He looked me in the eyes as he parted my legs.
"Is this what you want?" He asked me.
"Yes" I moaned.
" .Mine." He groaned as he pushed into me. I felt a ripping pain shoot through me with the first thrust. My virginity taken away in a heartbeat. No other man would have me now but I didn't care. I only wanted Christian. He looked up at me and smiled.
"You're a virgin?" I shook my head yes.
"Are you?" I asked him. He said nothing and looked away momentarily. I knew in that moment he wasn't. I didn't let this bother me at this moment because all I wanted to feel was him inside me. He thrusted into me again and this time it didn't hurt as much. He suddenly found his pace and continued the relentless thrusting as I cried out clenching him close to me.
"Oh Anastasia you feel amazing. All mine." After a few more hard thrusts he stilled filling me. He slumped down on top of me his head tucked under my chin. I stroked his hair absentmindedly reflecting what just happened. I would never be his Queen. I wasn't even a peasant anymore. Reality dawned on me. I was the King's Mistress.