"My lady its me, Sarah"
"Come in" Sarah walks in with a huge smile on her face. When she knows the coast is clear she abruptly jumps in bed with Esmeray "so tell me, how was it" the door opens again, Mari looks at Sarah with an annoying look.
"Sarah get up, don't bother the lady she is tired."
"Oh please you know you are curious.." giggles Sarah taking a strawberry from Esmerays plate. "You two are like little naughty kids."
"Okay but what's the tea though? My Lady we know he was good based on how late you woke up"
Esmeray knows if she doesn't spill the beans her maids won't leave her alone. "Fine but get my water ready" Sarah jumps out of bed again getting things ready for Esmerays bath.
"Was he good?"
"Is he you know " wonders Mari using her hands as "guidance" to her naughty question. "He made love to me, he didn't fuck me as one would expect. He was gentle, he made sure I was comfortable, and that I had meet pleasure before him. And yes he's B.I.G"
Sarah squeals in excitement as if she were reading a book "Based on the marks on your body, I assume he did you good."
"In all honesty it was more then good, it was as if I was floating. He was gentle with my body, he made sure I knew how much he's been craving me."
Mari brushes Esmerays hair "Do you think he loves you?"
"He has expressed it to me but I don't know to believe him.." the girls continue their chatter with no intentions of ever stopping.
Dinner came with no signs of the Prince showing up. She roams around looking for his silhouette. With no avail.
She stays in his chambers for a while, looking back at the clock the reads eleven forty. 'Something bad must have happened' she whisperes to herself.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
I see the little bird I sent earlier. He chirps his lungs away keeping me updated on the Prince.
'He's been with her... again.' Something in me shatters. The night we had, the way he kissed my lips, the way he held me, touched me, it seems like that was an act. Not wanting to see him I retreat to my own chambers.
My stomach twist at the thought of seeing them together. But why? Why do I feel like this? And who is she to him? What part of him is drawn to her?
My eyes begin to get heavy, I carry my shattered pride to my chambers. Sleep comes quickly and quietly. I wake up feeling the presence of an unknown figure. I move my hands slowly, calling out to the vines that cover the palace walls.
A muffle sound is heard, I turn the lights on revealing the prince hanging from the vines. I releases him "My Prince, are you okay?"
He brushes himself off from the leafs."I apologize," he says, his voice low, "I didn't mean to startle you."
"You're lucky I saw you in time. What are doing here?"Xerxes steps closer, his eyes intense. "I couldn't stay away," he admits, "I missed you. I know I have a busy schedule, but I couldn't bare the thought of you being alone."
His word sound genuine, but his actions, those speak louder and although a part of me wants to believe him my pride is to big to allow his lies into my heart. "So much so you went to see Lady Isabella?" I ask walking away from him, looking out the balcony.
Xerxes' jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with guilt and anger. "It's true," he admits, his voice tight, "But it means nothing, she means absolutely nothing."
His honesty angers me. He claims she means nothing but why? Why go with her, especially after our consummation night.
Many questions race my mind at once, the pounding in my head gets louder. Xerxes' grip on my shoulders tightens, his eyes burning into mine. "It was a mistake," he says, "I was angry, frustrated. I thought that by seeing her it would distract me from..."He hesitates, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions.
"About?" I ask. His hands loosen,
"About being forced into this marriage," he admits, "About losing control of my own life-"
I don't know what hurts more, his actions or his confession.
"About marrying me and not her?" I add to his confession. His silence lets me know I am right.
I know he never wanted this marriage, and neither did I. But we have consummated. If he didn't want it, he could have skipped the night. Instead, he made me his. He made me believe his feelings are true, but what did I expect? For him to be truthful? 'For God's sake Rubi wake the fuck up, this is a marriage that works both ways' I scold myself.
"I- I'm sorry."
"You think I wanted this marriage? You don't think I wanted something else? I had plans with someone else, I had dreams with someone else, someone who I love....So don't you dare think you are the only one suffering in this...*sigh* Prince Mateo, please exit my chambers at once "Xerxes hesitates for a moment before nodding and exiting the chambers. The cool night air does little to soothe my racing thoughts and aching heart.
'If he can play games why can't I?'
'Fine,' I murmur. I take on a cover that blends me in with the darkness of the night. I sneak past the guards, making it outside. Knowing from our last conversation where Zion is at, I go to him.