8. Chapter 8

I swallow another whimper threatening to escape my lips as I curl up into a tight ball beneath the covers. Queen Helvania has thoroughly terrified me into picking her during the gala tomorrow, going so far as to walk me back to my father and announce that I loved her best. The lingering touch as she played with my hair haunts me and I stuff my face into my pillow, trying to forget her presence.

My father immediately dismissed me to my room, locking me inside so that I couldn't escape again. There isn't anywhere to go, however. The entire kingdom knows that I like to run and all guards have been put on alert for wandering princesses. Merely a walk down the hall and I'm sure someone will ask me where I'm headed. Escaping out my ground-level window won't work a second time.

I want nothing to do with her or marriage, really. I don't want my kingdom if this is the life I'll be forced into. The fact that I still had to act like nothing was wrong and that I was excited for tomorrow hurts. Kusovanian royalty is so free and loving. Even Mubraulia's royalty whom we caught kissing in the hallway this morning loves so freely that it hurts seeing my father closed off and rigid.

A sigh leaves me as I kick at the covers so that I can tuck the edges underneath my feet to hide away from the world a little longer. My lids start to droop as sleep wraps me in a warm cocoon, promising to keep me safe until a soft whistle makes its way to my ears.

I frown and try to ignore it but it comes again, almost with a sense of urgency. Sitting up, I look around, confused. It's just after lunch—my stomach grumbling which reminds me that I haven't eaten—and I've never known birds to linger outside my room. When the whistle comes a third time, I climb out of my bed and head to the window. I pull the curtains apart, surprised to see my soldier standing a few inches from the opening with a shy smile on her lips. I hurriedly raise the window, unsure if I want to drag Ophelia inside or climb out to meet her on the small patio just outside my room.

"You left and my father locked me in here and-"

Ophelia shushes me as she steps closer, her hands suspiciously behind her back. She leans across the threshold, her head peeking into my room and I greedily steal a kiss from her. "You are too precious to be locked in a room, sunshine. I also brought you lunch because I'm assuming that was missed." Her hands unfold from her back, a small plate piled high with fruits and cheeses. "Some of the kitchen staff adore me and decided to help once I explained my quest."

I giggle and accept the plate before setting it on the wide window sill. A cool breeze blows inside and I climb up on the edge, gathering Ophelia's face in my hands to draw her into another kiss. She doesn't fight me, wrapping her arms around my back and I sink into her embrace.

"You scared me in there, sunshine. When Queen Helvania asked me to leave? I didn't want to," Ophelia whispers into the curve of my neck as she hugs me tighter.

"I know. She's… very fierce." I release Ophelia and sit back on my knees, content to play with the hem of my woman's shirt so that I can avoid her eyes. I'm not sure how Ophelia feels about breaking the rules. She definitely cares about me but I don't want her to get hurt. Not for me. And yet, I want us to be together even in a world that looks down upon a union between a soldier and a princess. "Queen Helvania scares me but she will be the one I choose tomorrow."

"Juliette-"

I shake my head, tightening my fingers in Ophelia's shirt. "She's threatened my kingdom and the woman I'm in love with." A firm hand catches my chin and angles it upwards so that I meet Ophelia's wild blue eyes. "Yes, I'm in love with you. I want you at my side, Romeo. Sitting with royalty and trying to choose a suitor showed me a world where I lose my free will. One day with you and I felt like I was flying. If I must choose, I choose you. Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury. Our worlds won't allow it. Queen Helvania is my only option."

Her lips press against mine, hungry and needy for more than we have time for. No doubt my presence will be demanded somewhere and Ophelia will have to leave. Still, I cling to her, drinking her in, melting into the comfort she offers without even trying.

"If we had the time, I would make love to you everyday that I breathe, Juliette. I would give you the world and demand its submission. I want to protect you from the future that your father has chosen but there is little I can do." Ophelia kisses me again, drawing a moan from my throat.

"I want you," I whisper against her lips.

"Then show me."

I pull away from her, confused and intrigued by her demand. Ophelia grins as she leans against the windowsill, her arms folding across her chest. "Show—you? Like-"

"I can't come inside and you can't come out here. So, show me the woman I'm in love with finding her pleasure. Show me how I would touch you if I were able to lie you across that mattress." Ophelia nods to the bed which is in direct line of sight from the window now that the curtains are open.

Do I want this?

I've never performed in front of anyone before and yet I want Ophelia to see me. I want her to hear me as I fall apart and I want her to witness her name falling from my lips.

Slowly, I turn around, shimmying out of my gown and unclasping my bra as I walk. I put a little extra sway into my hips, Ophelia groaning in appreciation as I approach the side of the bed. Giving my soldier a full show, I hook my fingers into my panties and wiggle the thin fabric down my legs before bending over fully so that Ophelia has a clear view of my ass.

"Goddess, sunshine, don't tease me like that."

"You said to show you how I would be touched if you were here." I'm playing with fire. If Ophelia steps inside my room without a formal invitation from my father, I'm not sure what will happen. She is protected by Kusovania as that is the kingdom she belongs to but my father doesn't play fair. I lose my resolve, meaning to turn around and tell Ophelia as much when she's right there, kissing me like she owns me, one arm around my chest and other moving to settle between my legs.

Ophelia must have climbed through the window but she moved so soundlessly I had no idea she wasn't still outside.

She squeezes my left breast as two fingers swipe through my folds all in one motion. "Forget your father for a little while, sunshine. I didn't want to need you but my control disappears when you're near. I thought that one night would be enough, that tasting your nectar just once would satisfy my curiosity. It didn't and I refuse to let you waste away with a queen who can't sense your beauty and the happiness you so easily emit."

I moan as those two fingers plunge into my sex and I grip her arm as I raise to my tiptoes while also bucking against the intrusion. "Romeo," I whine. "More."

"You'll fall apart on my fingers, sunshine, and then again on my tongue. When you walk into the gala, you will only remember the pleasure that I've given you."

Her fingers start a pace that my hips begin to mirror as I drink in the pleasure she's offering. My whimpers and moans filter into my room as she sucks on my neck, marking her territory. We're traveling down a dangerous road but I don't care. Ophelia is here. With me.

My orgasm comes suddenly and I slap a hand over my mouth as I shout her name to keep us from being discovered before crumbling against the side of the bed. Ophelia isn't done with me yet as she picks me up and places me onto the mattress, crawling on after me. I'm flipped onto my back before she dives between my legs, her tongue replacing where her fingers were moments earlier.

The aftershocks from the first orgasm haven"t even finished before she's trying to pull another one from me. My fingers dig into her hair, pulling it from the ponytail as I wrap my thighs around her head. "Ungh-Romeo—Ophelia," I moan and it's as if using her real name spurs her on. Her hands wrap around the back of my thighs as she begins to suck and nip at my mound, drawing the most ungodly sounds from my lips. My body begins to shake and I tug on her hair, twisting and writhing beneath her.

Her name tumbles from my lips in a hoarse whisper, tears gathering in my eyes as an explosive orgasm shoots through me. Ophelia continues her assault on my pussy as I try to catch my breath, whining for a reprieve. Only then does she crawl up my body and I pull her into a needy kiss, licking my release off her lips and chin.

"You are so precious, Juliette," she purrs as she slips a hand around the back of my neck and pulls me closer. "You deserve everything in this world. Everything."

"I deserve you," I whisper. Ophelia kisses my forehead, holding me for a few moments as my eyes droop and I snuggle into her hold. I know that when I wake, she'll be gone but just for a little while, I want to dwell in the perfect little world she's brought me.