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 collarbone as he buried his face in the curve of my neck , his towering figure bending over mine , so much smaller in comparison .
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 the last 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 Bella to cast some filthy black 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 displayed his invincible , powerful , bloodthirsty side .
But these raw emotions so complex , 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 replace 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 becomes 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 …