VALORIA WILDEROSE
I stand hesitantly in an unexplored wing of the castle I’ve never been to before, supposedly belonging to the Luna and usually closed off in her absence, standing outside large double doors that lead to her room.
Azrael’s and Yara’s warnings replay in my head.
Be a wallflower. Keep your guards up. Don’t stand out. Easier said than done when she’s already singled out.
How far up should my walls be, I wonder? How cautious is cautious without it being too obvious that I’m being cautious around her?
The longer I stand there, the more I lose my mind, so I swallow my nerves and fill my lungs with air and knock on the door.
Silence and anxiety follow, and I’m second-guessing myself all over again, realizing I’m not ready to face her yet.
But the doors slowly pull open before I can run.
A maid stands on the other end, her dull expression greeting before a bow.
"Her Majesty is expecting you."
With that she steps aside, gesturing to co in. I swallow my courage and take the first step forward.
The door closes behind , sealing off the only exit. There’s no going back now.
Whatever happens in this room, I’ll have to face it head-on. Running is no longer an option.
I gasp at the scenery around .
Walking into her room is like stepping into another dinsion, with large windows and silk see-through curtains—a mini mansion with its own floors that can be seen from the lowest level, and lavish expensive décor.
I thought Azrael was overly extravagant. I was wrong.
She makes him look like a hermit with the way she flaunts their wealth.
Gold trimmings line every surface, and the furniture looks like it belongs in a museum rather than soone’s private quarters. It’s almost obscene.
"Darling, you’re here." Elowen calls to from a couch facing an open balcony with an amazing view of an expanse of green fields miles away.
Four maids surround her, servicing her all at once.
Two at her feet and one at her left hand, massaging her extremities with scented oils.
The last one holds a bunch of grapes over her head and a pipe she’s currently smoking from.
The smoke itself spreads across every corner of the room with a characteristic sll that has a sweetness to it.
It fills my lungs uninvited, making my head feel lighter than it should.
With the wave of her right hand they bow and shift away, giving her space to rise up and stretch with an exhausted yawn.
Now that she’s on her feet, her completely sheer robe that leaves nothing to the imagination is very much visible.
I avert my eyes, caught off guard by it, and lower my gaze.
"Your Majesty."
"Don’t just stand there. Co, sit."
She gestures to an entertainnt area deeper in her space, set up with couches surrounding a table filled with treats and snacks—chocolates and biscuits.
"T-Thank you."
I awkwardly hover over, settling on one of the chairs stiffly.
She snaps her fingers and her maids return, stripping her and fitting her into another outfit without her lifting a finger—a more conservative outfit than the first, with fluffy feathers sewn into the low neckline and sleeves.
A classic dress I wouldn’t dare to wear for sitting around in my room.
She looks towards again as they change her.
"Have so treats. The maids brought them in the mont I arrived, but I’m not much of a sweet tooth as I used to be," she says, making another gesture to what’s on the table.
There’s so much of it that I haven’t even seen before, but they’re all colorful and look deliciously tempting.
"Go on, don’t be shy," she urges .
I reach for a chocolate-coated strawberry, biting into the crunchy mix of dark and white chocolate and the juicy fruit.
Unimaginable sweet and juicy flavors burst into my mouth all at once, giving a mouth orgasm.
I moan out loud before I can control myself.
"Is it good?"
"It’s delicious!"
"You look like a mouse discovering cheese." She chuckles for the first ti since eting her, and I can’t help feeling at ease or the contagious smile that captures my lips.
Now she’s fully clothed and walking towards , more beautiful than before now that her platinum blonde hair is down to her hips and swaying with every delicate step she takes.
She plops down on the chair in front of with a sigh and then another hand gesture.
"Bring the tea too."
Her maids are like robots moving with speed and precision. Instantly there are two china teacups between the two of us being filled up with hot tea.
She tastes it first, smiling with satisfaction.
"I find myself liking herbal teas these days. It’s very calming."
She’s being more humane than most of the people I’ve t in my entire life in the short span of five minutes.
I’m being fed and catered to like a respectable guest rather than being punished and tortured for being late.
What was Yara so worried about? What could be so heinous?
Maybe she was exaggerating. Maybe her history with Elowen clouded her judgnt. This woman in front of seems more like a bored queen than a ruthless monster.
I sip my own cup, hating the grassy taste but loving the calming sensation that follows it. Not bad, but I make no complaints while she finishes hers and drops her cup back down.
"Valoria Wilderose." She calls my na, suddenly fully focused on .
Her eyes watch with renewed interest. I drop my cup as well.
"My sources say you had a stutter until recently, specifically after going on a pack visit? I’ve also been inford that you have a particular closeness with him?" She raises a brow.
The warmth from monts ago evaporates instantly. The room feels colder, and the tea in my stomach turns to lead.
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