Zabina
I'm on the balcony, gazing at the night. The stars shine with a coldness, as if they know every secret I keep locked in my chest.
I hear soft footsteps inside the room and peek through the slightly open door. A smile escapes me when I see Abisai standing in the centre of the room, still dressed in the black tunic from the ceremony, his hair slightly tousled by the wind.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, walking toward him.
He arches an eyebrow in that arrogant, seductive way of his.
"Can't I spend the night with you?"
"Of course you can," I reply, stopping in front of him. "But coming here isn't complicated… Stema was telling me how things work in the women's palace."
Abisai steps closer until his body brushes against mine.
"Let the whole palace know you're my favorite," he says in a low voice, caressing my face with the back of his fingers. "In two weeks, I'll be emperor." His thumb grazes my lower lip. "Until then, I have to keep things quiet. I can't take you to my chambers because the only one allowed there from now on is the empress. But I'll come to you. I'll always come to you."
He leans in and kisses me. His hand tangles in my hair, and he gently pushes me toward the bed without breaking the kiss.
"You have no idea how much I like you, Zabina," he murmurs against my lips. "How you drive me crazy."
We fall onto the mattress, still kissing, our hands frantically removing each other's clothes. The gem on my chest glows with a silver light that envelops us as we undress in haste. His fingers trace my skin, possessive.
He enters me impatiently, in one deep thrust that makes me arch my back and moan against his mouth. He's so hard, so hot, I feel every inch as he fills me completely.
He begins to move. Hard. Deep.
His large body covers mine, dominating me with every thrust. He makes love to me in a way that makes it impossible not to fall in love, impossible not to get lost in this whirlwind that drags me with him to the underworld.
Yes.
Because with him, I only travel to hell… and I love burning.
When we finish, breathless and covered in sweat, he stays beside me. Our bodies remain tangled.
"I'll leave when you fall asleep," he murmurs.
"Then I won't fall asleep," I reply, pressing myself closer to his chest. "I don't want you to go."
He smiles and hugs me.
"Tomorrow, I have free time. I'll take you to see the kingdom. Would you like that?"
"Yes," I whisper.
"Then get ready. I'll send for you after lunch. You'll need a cloak. We'll go on horseback."
With a fluid movement, I end up on top of him. My hair falls around his face. I can feel him hardening again beneath me, his erection pressing against me. His hands slide down my bare back, settling on my hips.
I begin to move slowly at first, enjoying the way his eyes darken as he watches me. I start to move faster.
He closes his eyes for a second, letting me take control, and this time, it's me who gives him pleasure until he comes inside me.
He sits up suddenly, gripping my hair firmly and pulling me to his mouth.
"When did you learn so much?" he growls.
"It's a secret," I murmur with a sensuality I didn't know I had.
"At this rate, I won't leave tonight," he says, biting my lower lip.
I smile.
"Then stay with me."
He hugs me tightly and keeps me there, pressed against his chest.
"I'll stay," he whispers finally.
We fall back onto the mattress, tangled together, kissing as if the world is about to end.
"Go to sleep. I'll leave at dawn."
I rest against his chest, feeling his warmth, his scent, the strong beat of his heart… and I fall asleep.
Knowing that now, he is mine.
And I am his.
I step out with a smile on my lips. The other women glance at me sideways. They only call me the lucky human. I wouldn't want rivalry to exist. Most of them are imperial concubines — they belong to the emperor. A few were Abisai's.
A woman plants herself in front of me. She's beautiful, with hair as black as night and eyes that gleam with pride.
"So you're the insignificant human who's stolen the prince's attention?" she asks, her voice sweet but laced with venom.
"My name is Zabina," I reply, inclining my head in a small bow.
The woman sneers.
"I'm Halan," she says, stepping closer and lowering her voice to a whisper. "I was once his favorite too." Her eyes scan my face with disdain. "Don't get arrogant, human. In the end, the prince will tire of you, and you'll just be another body to pleasure him at night. That's all we are. The only one with real rights is the wife."
She smiles falsely and walks away without waiting for a response.
I stand still, my heart pounding against my ribs. Her words pierce me like thorns.
But I understand it was just advice.
I follow the eunuch guiding me to the palace's main entrance.
Then I see him approaching.
Higmer.
My heart races. I don't know what to do. I freeze. The eunuch bows deeply, and I imitate him, though my knees tremble.
"Of all the surprises life could give me," Higmer says with a smile, "you're the most beautiful."
I frown, not responding.
He steps closer to the eunuch and speaks softly, almost in his ear.
"Say one word of this to my cousin, and I'll cut your throat."
The eunuch lowers his head and discreetly steps away, leaving us alone.
Higmer walks toward me with that elegance I remember all too well.
"So you're the famous concubine?" he asks, his eyes gleaming as they land on the tiara on my head. "Don't tell me you don't remember me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I murmur, clenching my fists.
He leans in close to my ear. His breath smells of wine.
"Little dragon… you're in enemy territory. If I were you, I wouldn't trust Abisai. You don't know him."
"That's none of your business," I mutter.
"Are you in love with him?" he mocks.
My eyes flick to the eunuch, who has stayed at a discreet distance, looking away.
"None of your business."
Higmer lets out a low laugh.
"I see why he likes you," he whispers, his breath brushing my cheek. "The future emperor hiding a white dragon of royal blood in his own harem… How dangerous for both of you."
I stare at him, trying to hide how my hands tremble.
"My cousin plays his cards well," he continues. "How naive you are. In the end, he'll do to you what he did to her…"
His words are daggers, but I don't let their effect show. I stay silent, holding his gaze.
Higmer slowly steps back, still smiling.
"We'll see each other soon, little dragon."
He walks away without looking back.
I clench my teeth and quicken my pace, leaving the eunuch behind. The echo of Higmer's words haunts me down the hallway like a ghost.
"In the end, he'll do to you what he did to her…"
I don't know who "her" is, but fear claws at my chest.
Because for the first time, doubt creeps in between the desire and the trust I had in Abisai.
And it hurts.