SWNOVELS Chapter 17: Lies
I ignore her as I stumble, forcing myself to take a deep, calming breath as I regain my balance and continue walking as if I never paused in the first place. I was nervous about the teasing I would get this morning from her after she realized that I slept down in the servant's quarters, and am quickly realizing that she is in no mood to disappoint.
She's been following me around all morning, latching onto my side the moment she spotted me trying to sneak out of bed. Her taunting and berating came immediately, and I clench my hands by my sides as she cuts deep with her words.
Innocent women are missing, probably in the midst of being forced to partake in unimaginable acts, and all she cares about is insulting me.
"I'll take your bedroom if you don't want it. The King is probably going to give it to me anyway. I'm sure he'll want me close now that he's had his fill of you."
I scoff, ignoring her words. I'd say that the King has more than loudly expressed his disinterest in her, but if she wants to believe otherwise then who am I to stop her.
Her footsteps are loud as trails being me, the noise drawing unwanted attention from the guards. In another world I would snap at her to be quiet, but I refrain, knowing that that'll only cause her to be louder to spite me. How she doesn't seem to fear the Beasts I'll never understand.
It's pretty foolish of her and will someday get her killed.
"Did you hear that the Second ordered me to be the King's 'personal' slave this afternoon? I'm sure I don't need to explain to you what that means."
"I'm sure he did." I respond, not believing any of her words. The last time I took what she said to heart I was made to look like a fool when they were discovered to be lies, and my outbursts landed me in hot water.
"You can ask King Heloix yourself if you don't believe me. I was told to stay late after my shift tonight." She taunts, trying to egg me into asking him.
She continues on as we walk through the hallways, my anxiety spiking every time her loud noises draw the attention of the guards.
As we come upon his office door, Gwen shoulders me and walks ahead to the entrance that leads to his living quarters, her smirk falling as she struggles to heave it open. I watch for a second, internally satisfied at watching her fail, before entering Heloix's office.
He's sits being his desk as usual, and eyes me intently as I enter. I try not to stare as I give him a quick once over, my attention lingering for just a moment longer on his thick forearms that are exposed beneath his rolled-up sleeves and his chest that peeks out from behind his barely buttoned-up shirt.
"Good morning." I greet him, moving to stand behind the chair opposite his desk.
Since having the desk put in my room I don't typically come in here without notice, but my desperation to find some answers to the missing kitchen girls has me rudely inviting myself into his space.
My sweaty palms grip the top of the chair as I cycle through the different ways to approach the subject. If I come in here demanding answers there will be no way I get any, and will likely make the King angry. I was hoping to come up with something on my way here, but Gwen's talking distracted me the entire way.
I take a deep breath, preparing to beg for answers, but am cut off as Heloix drops his pen on his desk and crosses his arms over his chest.
"Where were you last night?" He asks through narrowed eyes.
I blink, shocked that he even noticed that I wasn't in my room.
"Some women were taken from the kitchens last night. I waited down in the servant's quarters until late hoping to see their return." I answer, trying to gauge his reaction when I mention the kitchen women.
He gives no response, eyes flickering as he watches me.
"Why did you not come back? Who did you stay down there with?"
My eyes widen at his questions, and I feel slightly panicked at how direct they are. He asks as if he already knows the answers and that this is some sort of test. I wouldn't be surprised if it was.
"It's unsafe to walk through the halls at night. I was by myself." I respond, lying about waiting with John.
Heloix has made it clear that he doesn't want me around him, and I'd like to prevent angering him before getting any information about the women.
Heloix growls, the sound loud and deep as it emerges from his chest. It catches me off guard, but I try not to let my fear show as I stare at him.
"That's not what your scent says."
I'm shocked by his statement, embarrassing filling me at my ignorance. I should have known that he would be able to smell John on me. We stood next to one another for hours last night; there's no way his scent wouldn't rub off on me.
Heloix suddenly yells Gwen's name, his eyes never once leaving me as we wait for her to come barging into the room.
It takes her only seconds to come barreling inside, and I clench my jaw as I realize that she was probably standing outside the door listening in the hopes of hearing me get reprimanded. Annoyance flashes through me at her actions, but I don't dwell on it, knowing that King Heloix's current anger is more pressing.
"Where was Adeline last night?" He asks Gwen, continuing to stare at me.
I look between the two of them, heart falling at Gwen's smirks. There's no way she would ever lie for me. This is probably a best-case scenario for her, getting to be the cause for my punishment.
Gwen clears her throat, straightening up as she speaks. "Sir, she was out with John all night."
My gaze snaps to Heloix as she says this, taking in his reaction. To say he looks angry would be the understatement of a century. His fists clench up where they rest on the table, his eyes flickering slightly before settling on the Black of his Beast.
My pulse spikes as I rush to change the conversation before his Beast appears any further.
"We were waiting for the kitchen slaves that were taken yesterday. Do you know what happened to them?" I ask, desperation audible in my voice as I attempt to both get answers and draw the attention away from John and me.
Gwen looks back and forth between the two of us, her body practically vibrating with excitement. I ignore it as Heloix's Beast continues to emerge, his muscles visibly shifting underneath his shirt.
I notice his canines beginning to elongate, a telltale sign that it's time to tuck tail and run. Instinctively I take a step backward, continuing until my back hits the wall. Gwen also seems to notice his change, her smile fading as she rushes out of the room.
Heloix pays no attention to her exit, standing as the door closes behind her with a quiet click.
I watch in terror as he rises, his legs carrying him around his desk and towards me with slow, heavy steps that have my heart pumping faster and faster. What is he going to do?
I'm positive that he can smell my fear, the scent encapsulated within the small office. I feel like a chicken preparing for the slaughter, standing idly by as the coyote approaches with malicious intent.
My eyes dart to the door, the thought of running briefly crossing my mind before I deem it useless. There's no way I could outrun him, and Beasts love a chase. Trying to flee would do nothing but secure my death.
Helois continues forward until he is directly in front of me, the toes of his shoes touching mine. I'm forced to realize just how large he is at this proximity, my head barely meeting his chest.
I stare down at his feet with my head bowed, showing my submission as I try my best to conceal my uneven gasps. His breathing is loud and menacing; each inhale expanding his chest until it's only millimeters from my face.
"Take off your dress." He snarls, voice rough.
Wordlessly I obey his command and reach towards my knees, grabbing the hem of my dress and slowly dragging it up my body. My hands shake as I do so, tears building in my eyes before freely falling down my cheeks and dripping onto the wooden floor.
He continues watching me, and a large lump forms in my throat as I pull the dress above my head, disconnecting it from my body. Instinctively I hug the fabric to my chest, using it as a barrier between the King and me.
I wait for him to say something or make some sort of movement, but he stays where he is and continues to watch me with darkened eyes.
Although I've never personally gone through this, I know that there is only one reason why he would want me to undress in for him. Praying that it will be quick, I drop the protective fabric to the floor and lower my arms to my sides, exposing my body to him.
Goosebumps break out all over my skin as he stares at me, my skin feeling like it's on fire under his harsh gaze.
Slowly, and to my horror, the King reaches up and begins unbuttoning his shirt. I continue staring at his feet, my mind racing a million miles a minute as his broad chest comes into view, one button at a time.
Although I keep my head down, I watch out of my peripheral vision as his long fingers make quick work of the buttons, quickly undoing them all before sliding the shirt off his shoulders.
Keeping the item in his hand, he brings his arms around me and grabs my shoulder. I flinch at the sudden contact with my skin, but don't fight him as he lifts my arm and slides it in the fabric of his shirt.
Confusion fills my body as he repeats the motion with my other arm.
"My Beast will not settle until you no longer smell of that boy." Heloix explains, a slight lisp to his words as he speaks around his elongated canines.
He adjusts the material of the shirt so it sits comfortably on my shoulders. My body continues to shake as he begins to close the buttons, slowly covering my exposed skin.
"I, nor my Beast, have any interest in raping you." He murmurs, voice so quiet I can barely hear it.
I nod my head, not believing his words but not wanting to further anger his Beast by doubting him.
Heloix takes a step back after clasping the last button, finally giving me some space to breathe. Although he remains within arm's distance, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Immediately, and without thought, I bring my arms up over my chest, hugging my body in comfort.
His shirt is enormous, covering more of my skin than my dress did, but I still feel exposed. He's done nothing but make me painfully aware that he could choose to take me any moment and there's nothing I could do about it.
The King continues watching me, but I keep my eyes cast downward, scared of further angering him.
"Adeline- look at me." He commands.
Hesitantly, I do as he orders and look up at him. I'm relieved to see that his Beast has retreated, his eyes back to normal and teeth their average size.
"You wanted to know about the kitchen slaves?" He asks.
I nod in response, the motion slow and slight.
"Well- there isn't a tasteful way to put it." He starts, bringing his hand up to scratch at his jaw. "They spent the night with the guards."
Despite the vague language, I know what he means. My heart falls at his words, anger flaring deep within me at the knowledge of what's happened with them.
"They are all alive and will probably all find their way back to the servant's quarters sometime today." Heloix continues, not at all sounding remorseful.
I nod once more at his words, not having anything to say to him.
The room is silent, neither of us making a move or speaking any further. I feel Heloix watching me while I, on the other hand, do everything in my power not to look at him.
Awkwardness fills the room as we both stand frozen, my body rooted to the spot in fear. I want Heloix to excuse me, to tell me to leave, but he does no such thing.
I wait another minute or so, hoping for him to speak up, but am met with only more silence. Tentatively, I bring my attention to the door and gesture it, silently asking for permission to leave.
"No." Heloix says, voice firm. "My Beast will not let you leave."
Fear relights within my body at his words, the unknown filling me with dread. Why can't I leave? Is he planning to punish me? To take me into his bed? Will he harm John?
Heloix clears his throat, taking another step away from me.
"Don't take this the wrong way." He starts, putting me immediately on edge.
I eye him warily, watching through narrowed eyes as he runs a hand through his hair. He looks exhausted, despite it still being quite early, but I struggle to place the other emotions he conveys.
"If you leave my Beast will come out and I will kill your friend." Heloix admits.
My chest deflates at his words, pain striking me in the heart at the thought of John being harmed.
"Please." I beg. "It's not his fault. He didn't do any-"
Heloix raises a hand, cutting me off mid-sentence. I watch as the muscles in his chest quiver, a sign that his Beast is fighting once more to come out, and immediately regret speaking up.
"Defending him isn't helping. You need to stay with me until my Beast calms down."
"Stay with you?" I ask.
"Yeah, probably throughout the night."