VALERIA Yes , yes , of course , Your Majesty .


    What an honor to have you in my humble shop , Mrs.


    Betty responded nervously , bowing respectfully .


    Thank you for your work .


    Step out for a moment , Mrs.


    Belly Sasha is waiting downstairs to pay , he replied , but his eyes never left mine for a second .


    1 took advantage of the seamstress leaving quickly , closing the door behind her , to head over to where my dress was folded and put it back on .


    However , I had only reached the edge of the table when I heard hurried footsteps , and I tensed , feeling him press against my bare back .


    One hand wrapped around my waist , caressing my stomach while the other slid over the arm I was using to cover my breasts .


    Only the thin slip over my hips separated my body from the Kings warmth .


    Let me go ! What do you think youre doing ? I struggled slightly , trying to break free from his hold , but his arms closed around me possessively , trapping me between the table and his massive body .


    The rapid beating of his heart echoed against my back .


    If he werent the cold , indifferent Aldric , Imight have thought he was nervous .


    nu skin .


    Wait , Valeria .


    Just wait a second , please … Just give me a moment , little one , he whispered against my si His red hair fell over my corbone as he buried his face in the curve of my neck , his towering figure bending over mine , so much smaller inparison .


    What do you need a moment for , Your Majesty ? Do you have an order for me , a task , should I clean your chambers or wash your clothes ? Valeria , stop .


    I know I treated you badly … I shouldnt have shouted at you , the things I said- Everything you said was what you truly felt .


    You dont need to apologize .


    I was the intruder who went through your personal things .


    I did the same as the other maids I abused your trust .


    Im grateful you let me live , Your Majesty , but I dont think Im suited for the position of your maid .


    NO His voice was firm .


    Youre not leaving me .


    Why is it so easy for you to walk away from me every time ? His voice was hoarse as he turned me in his arms , pressing me against his chest while I kept my arms crossed over my chest , my eyes lowered .


    My nose brushed against the fabric of his shirt as I struggled to resist his intoxicating scent that seemed to surround and tempt me , urging me to lower my guard again and surrender my will .


    Valeria , look at me .


    Lift your head I want to see your face , he murmured , his warm breath fanning my forehead , but I refused to meet his gaze , clenching my teeth and remembering all his cruel words , the harsh way he had treated me .


    Fine .


    If you wont look at me , if you dont want to see the truth in my eyes , then listen to it from my heart , he whispered , hugging me tightly .


    Not a single inch of space remained between our bodies .


    LETS MAKE THINGS CLEME His fingers tangled gently in my dark hair , his calloused hand pressing me fully against his chest , where his heartbeat pulsed powerfully against my car .


    Theyre thest memories of my past … my pups ….


    my mate .


    Theyre all dead .


    Im sure youve figured that out by now , he whispered , and I instantly thought of that beautiful woman by his side and the two red haired babies .


    I have to gather all the courage I have each time I need to touch those memories .


    I feel as if theyll turn to ashes beneath my fingers and there will be nothing left of them , just as when I held them alive in my arms , rocked them to sleep in their cradle , and then , in the blink of an eye , I was holding their cold , lifeless bodies.


    His strangled voice broke as he tightened his hold on me further , as though reliving all those painful memories in his mind .


    Once, one of my former maids forced her way into my chambers and stole a photograph of Be to cast some filthy ck magic spell on it .


    That night , my dead mate appeared before me .


    I thought I was dreaming … I nearly gave in to temptation with that maid , but I discovered her trickery and theft .


    Since then , Ive been even more fearful of anyone going near that space .


    I would never do that with a picture of your mate ! I would never defile your familys memories that way ! I raised my head in defense , hurt that he could think Id do the same as that vile woman .


    I know , Valeria .


    I know youre not that kind of person , he replied , taking my face in his hands , forcing me face his tormented gray eyes .


    I know youve also lost loved ones .


    The scars on your stomach tell me a lot .


    I just panicked for a moment … Im a damn beast whos forgotten how to be gentle … how to show emotions … how to love .


    Our breaths were so close , both of us staring into the depths of each other .


    I had never seen the King so vulnerable , so broken , so lonely .


    He always disyed his invincible , powerful , bloodthirsty side .


    But these raw emotions soplex , so difficult for me to understand it was the first time he had ever shown them .


    When I saw you leaving … when I thought about everything I said to you , I knew immediately I had been wrong .


    Valeria , please forgive me .


    Dont leave me .


    Please , dont leave my side … not yet .


    Im not ready to return to that darkness again .


    Aldrics cold lips brushed against mine as he spoke .


    I closed my eyes , overwhelmed by the storm of emotions within me .


    And I was afraid afraid of misinterpreting all this , afraid of making the same mistake again , of opening my heart to someone who wouldnt value my love .


    To this man , women were nothing but a distraction .


    No one would ever truly rece his beloved mate .


    I forgive your harsh words , and I hope you can forgive me for looking through your memories .


    Ill stay as long as It takes to find my cure … but only under one condition , I finally spoke , shielding my chest with one arm and pressing my palm against his chest to put some distance between us .


    Stop confusing me , Your Majesty .


    Im just your maid , and we have an agreement .


    Unless it bes necessary because of my curse , please dont do anything intimate like this again .


    IN LETS MAKE THINGS CLEAR  Dont kiss me .


    Dont hold me .


    Dont buy me anything .


    I am not your lover .


    Treat me coldly , just like you did in the beginning , as your employee … because I cant afford to misinterpret things again and end up hurt .


    Valeria …