Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
"I'm going to have Verity bring you something," he stated. "Drink it before we leave."
"Okay," I managed to reply. He tilted my chin up with a gentle touch, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. "Kiss me," he ordered, his tone firm but still tender. I obeyed, stretching up so that I could press my lips to his. When he finally pulled away, his eyes held mine for a moment longer heavy with unspoken promises. He turned and left without another word.
I stood there, the phantom sensation of him still lingering inside me, feeling the ache between my thighs. I exhaled shakily, wondering how I would get through the night—what it would take from me this time. Alone, I moved back toward the sofa, where I had left my book, its pages still open where I'd last been reading. The words blurred before my eyes as I tried to focus, but my mind was restless. The sunlight that streamed through the windows painted everything in a warm, golden glow.
The view of the lake, calm and shimmering in the distance, became the last thing I saw as I leaned back on the sofa, the same one Alexander had bent me over earlier. The memory still made my skin prickle. My eyelids grew heavy, and before I knew it, I had dozed off, the quiet warmth of the room lulling me into a dreamless sleep.
I woke to the soft, gentle touch of Verity, her veiled form standing over me, her presence a quiet comfort. Verity was the one servitor I felt most at ease with, outside of Ambrose, who felt more like a guardian than anything else. She had a way of moving, of speaking, that never made me feel on edge.
"Miss Lolita," she said softly, her voice like a whisper through the air. "You must shower now. The others will be here soon to help you prepare."
I blinked away the remnants of sleep, slowly sitting up.
The room was now bathed in the low light of dusk. Verity motioned to the small table beside me, where a tall glass filled with a thick smoothie rested. It was different from the ones I had been drinking in the past days—this one had a richer color, a deep maroon, its surface smooth and glistening.
"This is your drink for today," she said, her tone even. "It will help."
“What is it this time?” I asked, not bothering to hide the hesitation in my voice.
Verity’s head tilted ever so slightly, as if considering how much to reveal. “Sirenum Scopuli,” she replied, her voice as smooth as the drink she offered. “It’s... for the ceremony tonight. To relax you.”
"Only to relax me?”
She nodded, offering no further explanation. Her expression—or what little I could see of it beneath the veil—remained neutral. I hesitated for a moment longer, my fingers grazing the cool glass.
There was no point in refusing. Not with the weight of the night looming over me like a storm cloud. Alexander had made it clear earlier that I needed to be prepared. The taste was… strange. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it wasn’t something I could easily describe either. It had an earthy sweetness, with a hint of bitterness beneath it, and something else that lingered at the back of my throat. It coated my tongue as I drank, the texture thick and cool.
When I finished, Verity took the glass from me, bowing her head slightly as she always did. "I wish you luck tonight, Miss Lolita," she said softly.
"Thank you," I replied softly, though I wasn’t sure luck was something that could help me with what lay ahead.
Verity left the room silently, leaving me alone once more. I took a deep breath, feeling the effects of the smoothie begin to settle in my body.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I stood beneath the hot water, trying to cleanse away the tension that clung to me. It wasn’t just the sweat and shame of the day I wanted to wash off, but the heavy weight of everything that was expected of me tonight. Once the water turned lukewarm, I turned it off, stepping out, and wrapping myself in the soft, oversized towel hanging on the hook.
For a few moments, I lingered, just standing there in the steam-filled bathroom, staring at my reflection in the fogged mirror. After drying off, I dressed in something simple, knowing Esther would arrive soon.
It wasn’t long before I found myself combing through my damp hair and filing my nails just to keep my hands busy. There was an uneasy restlessness that had settled in my chest, making the minutes feel like hours. I hated feeling useless, like a doll waiting to be dressed and primped. Finally, I heard the soft murmur of voices below.
The women had arrived.
I didn’t wait for Verity or any of the other servitors to come fetch me. I left my room and descended the stairs to greet them, the low hum of their chatter growing louder as I approached. Esther stood in the foyer, already dressed in a stunning gown, though her hair was still undone, and her face bare of any makeup.