The stone floor was cold beneath Eliora's knees as she scrubbed. Her arms were already aching from the hours she'd been at it.
The head maid stormed into the yard with fury.
Just as Eliora lifted her head, startled, the woman grabbed her by the arm and yanked her upright.
Before Eliora could speak, a slap cracked across her face, so loud it almost echoed.
Her vision blurred.
Her hand flew to her cheek, now flaming red. "W...why did you hit me?"
The head maid's eyes were wild. "Because of you! You cursed little rat, you got me sacked!"
Eliora blinked, stunned. "I… I didn't do..."
"Shut up!" the woman screamed, raising her hand again. "You ruined me! I'll..."
She never finished the threat.
A hand, massive, strong, lethal, caught her wrist mid-air. There was a sickening crack.
The head maid screamed, falling to her knees, her wrist bent unnaturally.
Eliora's breath caught.
Standing behind the head maid was the Beast King.
Zarek.
His eyes glowed a deep, dangerous red. And without a single touch, he lifted the head maid off the ground by her throat.
She clawed at her neck, choking, feet dangling helplessly.
"Your Majesty!" Eliora stepped forward, terrified. "Please...please stop, she'll die!"
He didn't hear her. Or perhaps he did but rage had drowned reason. The woman had dared to hurt his soulmate.
She took a trembling step closer. "Your Majesty," she whispered.
No response.
His power tightened around the maid's neck. The woman's eyes rolled back.
Desperate, Eliora reached out, her fingers brushing his arm.
The effect was instant.
The power holding the maid vanished like smoke. The woman crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
And Zarek… stilled.
Eliora snatched her hand back, shocked. But Zarek wasn't focused on the fallen woman.
He was staring at her.
At the place her skin had touched his. His beast, wild, restless, untamable, fell silent in one breath. A peace he had never known flooded him, like her touch had poured cool water over fire.
It was intoxicating.
A blur of movement swept into the hall. Aldric arrived with supernatural speed. He took one look at the unconscious maid. "Foolish woman."
He turned to his soldiers, "Take her away."
His soldiers lifted the woman. Then Aldric glanced at Zarek and Eliora and wisely ushered everyone out, leaving them alone.
Eliora stepped back instinctively.
Zarek stepped forward.
She retreated until her back met a pillar.
Zarek's gaze dropped to her scarf. Slowly, he lifted a hand and slid it off her head. Her hair tumbled out, and he drew in a breath.
Beautiful.
He had noticed she hid herself for obvious reasons.
Good.
He roared in satisfaction. His fingers rose, tracing her cheek, feather-light.
Her knees buckled at the contact. He caught her by the waist instantly, pulling her close so she wouldn't fall. His touch burned and soothed at the same time, like she fit perfectly there.
Eliora trembled. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the pleasure threading through her veins.
When she opened them again, her voice was soft, frightened, yet yearning.
"Why… why does your touch feel so good?"
"Because you were made for me. Your body answers only to me."
Her lips parted in shock. But before she could process the words, his hand brushed the red, swollen mark on her cheek.
His power surged gently and the sting vanished, the pain melted. Her skin was restored.
Eliora gasped. "How did you do that?"
She turned toward him to thank him but he was already gone.
He vanished in a ripple of power, leaving only the echo of his warmth against her skin and the unspoken truth hanging in the air.
She was his.
.
.
Zarek reappeared in his private chamber.
His breath came rough, uneven. He pressed a hand to his chest as if he could cage the fury inside but it was useless.
His beast was raging. Because of her. Because she had been hurt. He had felt her pain in a way no beast should feel another's.
And then she touched him.
He inhaled sharply at the memory, he could still feel the warmth of her hand burning against his arm. His beast was unbelievably so calm.
It shook him to his core.
"What are you doing to me?" he whispered.
The more he tried to steady himself, the more viciously the bond pulled at him, demanding he returned to her, demanding he claimed what was his.
He slammed a fist against the stone wall, cracking it.
Meanwhile…
Eliora stood still, stunned by everything that had just happened.
A pair of footsteps approached, and she looked up to see a young beast girl, clearly a servant.
"Miss Eliora," she said respectfully, "I was sent by the palace butler to escort you to your new room."
Eliora blinked. "New room?" Her voice squeaked in disbelief. "Why would I have a new room?"
The beast girl hesitated. "I do not question the butler, miss. I only follow orders."
Eliora's eyes widened, but she quickly lowered her gaze to the floor. "Forgive me. I meant no disrespect."
The beast girl nodded, accepting the apology. "Please follow me."
Eliora clutched her scarf and trailed behind her through corridors she had never stepped foot in. They walked past richer tapestries, grandeur halls.
They went up a staircase, into an upper wing.
She had never been allowed up here. The door she stopped at was carved with delicate patterns.
"This is your chamber," the beast girl said.
She opened the door but did not step inside, beast servants never entered private quarters without invitation.
Eliora stepped in and froze.
The large chamber bathed in warm golden light. A soft feather-stuffed bed was draped in white canopy curtains. There was a polished dressing table with a mirror framed in silver branches.
The wardrobes seemed to be carved from dark oak, glowing with runic symbols that kept clothes fresh; an indigenous magic of Eldfrost.
It was…beautiful. And completely unfamiliar to a human servant.
The beast girl bowed again. "Your belongings will be brought up shortly, miss."
Then she left, closing the door softly behind her.
Eliora's breath trembled.
She pressed a hand to her chest. She wasn't foolish. She wasn't naïve.
She knew exactly who had ordered this.
Her fingers drifted to her cheek, smooth now, because he'd healed it with a single touch. Her heart thudded painfully.
"The Beast King…" she whispered.