Chapter 42: A Familiar Woman in an Unfamiliar Role

Zeria and I returned to the castle under the protection of invisibility.

Which, I was discovering, was possibly one of the greatest inventions in the history of bad decisions.

No explanations.

No awkward greetings.

No guards asking why the Great Sage and the kingdom's diplomat had disappeared together for most of the day.

Just walk inside while nobody could see us and allow everyone else to develop their own theories.

Healthy political behavior.

Night had completely settled over the castle by the time we reached one of the quieter interior corridors.

The lamps mounted along the walls burned with steady magical light, casting warm circles across polished stone. Tall windows revealed a dark sky beyond the castle, dotted with stars and the distant lights of the capital.

The corridors were considerably calmer now.

A servant occasionally passed carrying linens.

A knight patrolled an intersection.

Somewhere far away, a door closed.

Otherwise, the castle had begun settling into its nighttime rhythm.

Zeria walked beside me.

Invisible.

Well, invisible to everyone else.

I could still see her perfectly.

Her pink floral dress had survived our adventure with slightly less dignity than when we left, but it was intact. Her golden hair was more disordered than before, several strands hanging around her face.

The mischievous smile remained.

That one had apparently become permanent.

We stopped near an intersection where our paths separated.

Zeria looked toward the corridor leading deeper into the royal wing.

Then toward me.

Our invisibility slowly faded.

The magic peeled away like transparent silk.

My hands became visible first.

Then my arms.

Clothing.

Body.

Beside me, Zeria returned at the same pace until the two mysterious patches of empty air became two extremely innocent-looking citizens standing in the corridor.

Completely innocent.

Model behavior.

Nobody could prove otherwise.

Zeria clasped her hands behind her back.

"We should probably separate here."

I nodded.

"Excellent idea."

She tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Because I'm genuinely surprised Nemris hasn't turned the entire kingdom upside down looking for you."

Zeria giggled.

"She wouldn't."

"That's optimistic."

"She knows I'm safe."

"Nemris worries when furniture is slightly out of military formation."

"That's not true."

"She threatened me with swords the first day we met."

"You were a suspicious stranger."

"I'm still suspicious."

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Zeria smiled.

Then she said, "She knows I was with you."

I paused.

"She does?"

Zeria nodded.

"Nemris trusts you with me now."

That landed differently.

Not because I thought Nemris distrusted me.

She had literally trusted me with the biggest secret between us.

But trusting me with herself and trusting me with Zeria were two different things.

Nemris was fiercely protective of her.

She had been since the beginning.

The idea that she would know Zeria disappeared somewhere with me and simply assume she was safe said a lot.

I smiled slightly.

"Yeah."

I looked toward Zeria.

"I can see that."

Zeria's smile softened.

Then changed.

Again.

Mischief.

Danger.

This woman had too many smiles and at least three of them should have required permits.

"Come here."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You already dragged me through half the capital today."

"Come here."

"Are you about to tell me another kingdom-changing secret?"

"No."

"Political crisis?"

"No."

"Vision?"

"No."

"New monster soup recommendation?"

Zeria's face twisted.

"Definitely no."

Fair.

I stepped toward her.

"So what is it?"

Her blue eyes sparkled.

"I'm going to kiss you."

I stopped.

Then smirked.

"Ah."

Zeria lifted her chin.

"Problem?"

"Absolutely not."

I leaned toward her.

Zeria rose onto her toes.

Our lips met.

Softly at first.

Warm.

Familiar.

Then she moved.

Her lips pressed more firmly against mine.

She was leading.

I realized that almost immediately.

So I let her.

No guiding.

No teasing.

No changing the rhythm.

Zeria wanted the kiss.

Zeria decided how it moved.

Her hands came up against my chest, fingertips resting lightly there as she kissed me with the confidence she had been slowly developing since that first night together.

Her mouth moved against mine.

Slow.

Then deeper.

She tilted her head.

I followed.

A quiet breath escaped her nose.

The kiss continued.

Longer than a goodbye kiss needed to be.

Which made it significantly better.

Then footsteps appeared from one of the connecting corridors.

Neither of us noticed immediately.

Or perhaps neither of us cared.

A servant woman rounded the corner.

She carried a folded stack of towels in one arm and some kind of polished silver pitcher in the other.

Her eyes landed on us.

Zeria kissing me.

Me kissing Zeria.

Middle of a royal corridor.

Her reaction was immediate.

"Aah!"

The towels launched.

The pitcher hit the floor.

Metal rang against stone.

Water spilled everywhere.

I broke the kiss and turned.

The servant stood frozen.

Eyes enormous.

Mouth open.

She looked like she had accidentally discovered the king secretly raising dragons in his bedroom.

I looked at Zeria.

Zeria did not even flinch.

Not one bit.

She calmly stepped backward.

Her lips were slightly pink from the kiss.

Her cheeks flushed.

Her expression?

Delighted.

The servant looked between us.

Her eyes moved toward Zeria.

Great Sage.

Then me.

Diplomat.

Then back to Zeria.

Her soul appeared to leave her body.

Zeria clasped her hands behind her back again.

"See you around."

I blinked.

"That's it?"

Her smile widened.

Then she turned.

And ran.

Actually ran.

Bare feet pattering lightly against the stone.

Her pink dress bounced around her legs as she disappeared around the corner with the energy of someone escaping a crime scene she was extremely proud of creating.

I watched her leave.

"Of course."

The servant was still standing there.

I looked at her.

She looked at the floor immediately.

Very interesting floor.

Excellent stonework.

Probably worthy of lifelong study.

She quickly collected the fallen towels, snatched up the pitcher, and walked past me without making eye contact.

Not one word.

Her pace increased once she passed.

I shrugged.

"Good evening."

She walked faster.

Wonderful.

I turned toward my own corridor.

The day had been exhausting.

In a very good way.

Zeria and I had escaped the castle.

Eaten suspicious soup.

Visited shops.

Went to a zoo.

Accidentally consumed an aphrodisiac.

Made several decisions public decency would strongly object to.

Then sneaked back inside.

Productive day.

My body, however, had submitted a formal request for rest.

And for once, I intended to listen.

I made my way toward the guest wing.

The castle grew quieter the farther I went.

Most doors were closed.

Servants had finished the majority of their work.

Even the knights looked less aggressive about existing.

Eventually, I reached my room.

Home sweet temporary royal accommodations.

I grabbed the handle.

Opened the door.

Walked inside.

Then stopped.

Someone was sitting on my bed.

I stared.

My exhaustion disappeared so quickly I suspected it had never existed.

Nemris.

Nemris Goldmane.

Lord Commander of the Knights Order.

Second daughter of the king.

Woman who normally considered armor appropriate ballroom attire.

Was sitting on my bed.

Wearing a maid outfit.

I closed the door behind me.

Very slowly.

My brain needed time.

The outfit was black and white.

Classic.

Cute.

Dangerous.

A fitted black dress hugged her torso and waist before spreading into a short layered skirt. White lace decorated the sleeves and neckline, while a pristine apron rested over the front.

She wore dark stockings that disappeared beneath the skirt.

Cute black shoes.

And, because apparently the universe wanted to make sure I died satisfied, a small white maid headpiece sat between her lion ears.

Her golden hair had been arranged carefully behind her shoulders.

Not as formally as yesterday's date.

Softer.

More appropriate for the ridiculous fantasy she was currently making real.

Nemris was sitting straight.

Too straight.

Hands resting on her knees.

Eyes aimed downward.

Tense.

Her tail lay stiffly beside her.

And she was blushing so hard I could probably have used her cheeks to heat the room.

I stared.

She noticed.

Her eyes lifted.

Widened.

For one second, neither of us said anything.

I leaned against the closed door.

"I don't remember ordering room service."

Nemris's lips pressed together.

Her blush deepened.

The mighty Lord Commander looked approximately three seconds away from escaping through the nearest window.

Then she took a slow breath.

Stood.

Smoothed the front of her apron.

And bowed.

Gently.

"Welcome back..."

She hesitated.

I waited.

Her fingers tightened against the skirt.

"Master."

Oh.

Oh, no.

Something inside my brain woke up.

Something new.

Something that had apparently been sleeping peacefully for twenty-four years until Nemris decided to wear lace and call me Master.

I crossed my arms.

My smirk probably became unbearable.

Nemris saw it.

Immediately looked away.

"Please don't look at me like that, Master."

There it was again.

Master.

Amazing word.

Fantastic invention.

I should send whoever created it a gift.

Nemris's voice had changed too.

Softer.

Controlled, but barely.

Every syllable carried embarrassment.

She was forcing herself through the roleplay one line at a time.

Which somehow made it better.

"How am I looking at you?"

"You know exactly how."

"In admiration?"

"In a way that makes this much more embarrassing."

I slowly looked her over again.

Headpiece.

Golden hair.

White lace.

Apron.

Stockings.

Shoes.

The complete package.

Something truly had awakened.

Possibly with claws.

"I think you may have discovered a preference I didn't know I had."

Nemris's ears twitched.

She looked toward me.

Then quickly away again.

"You wanted to see me wearing this."

"I did."

"You said I needed to make you earn it."

"I remember."

She stepped closer.

"And?"

I smiled.

"Apparently I earned it."

Nemris stopped directly in front of me.

Her hands reached toward my blazer.

"Hold still."

"Bossy maid."

She gave me a warning look.

Then removed the blazer from my shoulders.

Carefully.

Smoothly.

She folded it over one arm.

The roleplay was apparently receiving full military commitment.

Nemris looked at my face.

"You seem tired."

I exhaled.

"Eventful day."

Her fingers paused.

Then resumed.

"How was your date with Zeria?"

There.

The question.

Her voice changed.

Not angry.

Not jealous.

Not bitter.

Something else.

I studied her.

Nemris looked at me normally.

No accusation.

She genuinely wanted to know.

"It was fun."

Her expression softened.

"I'm glad."

And she meant it.

No competition.

No hidden attempt to compare herself with Zeria.

Nemris knew exactly what my relationships were becoming.

She wasn't demanding all of me.

She just wanted a place beside the others.

Her own time.

Her own memories.

Her own part of me.

Nemris unfastened my outer shirt.

"But now..."

Her gaze lifted.

"I hope you can spend some of that time with me."

I smiled.

"That was the plan."

Her hands pushed the fabric from my shoulders.

"Good."

She removed the shirt.

Folded it.

Placed it beside the blazer.

I looked down.

"You're taking the maid part seriously."

Nemris's blush returned.

"I said I would."

"You never technically promised an entire performance."

"I decided that if I was going to do this, I should do it properly."

I nodded.

"That's the Lord Commander I know."

Nemris frowned.

"Not tonight."

"Right."

She took my hand.

"Come."

I let her guide me toward the bed.

She stopped me at the edge.

I sat.

Nemris remained standing for one second.

Then knelt.

I stared down.

Interesting.

Very.

She reached for one of my shoes.

Her fingers loosened it.

Removed it.

Then the other.

She placed them neatly beside the bed.

Of course.

Even roleplaying as a maid, Nemris apparently could not tolerate disorganized footwear.

I leaned back on my palms.

"You look cute."

Nemris paused.

Her head remained lowered.

"I know you already said something similar yesterday."

"This is different."

She looked up.

"How?"

"The dress was beautiful."

"And this?"

I looked at the little maid headpiece.

Then the apron.

Then her expression.

"Extremely cute."

Nemris's cheeks went red.

I continued because I valued danger.

"I didn't expect the outfit to suit you this well."

"Caled."

"Master."

Nemris stared.

I smiled.

She exhaled through her nose.

Then rose onto her knees.

Both hands rested on my thighs.

She leaned toward me.

My amusement quieted.

Nemris kissed me.

Softly.

One warm press of her lips against mine.

I kissed her back.

Or tried.

Because the moment I began moving closer, she pulled away.

I frowned.

Nemris placed one palm against my chest.

Then pushed.

I allowed myself to fall backward.

My shoulders met the mattress.

I looked up.

Nemris remained beside the bed.

Something had changed.

Embarrassment was still there.

Absolutely.

But beneath it?

Control.

She liked having a plan.

And apparently her plan involved me doing very little.

Nemris climbed onto the mattress.

"Please remain still, Master."

My eyebrow lifted.

"This servant will take care of you."

Okay.

That sentence should have come with a warning label.

Nemris settled beside me.

Her hands reached for one of my arms.

She began massaging.

Slow pressure against my forearm.

Then upward.

Her soft fingers moved over the muscle of my biceps.

Firm enough to actually feel good.

Gentle enough to keep the whole thing intimate.

I watched her.

Nemris concentrated.

Of course she did.

This woman could probably turn giving a massage into a military certification.

Her thumbs pressed into a tense spot.

I relaxed instinctively.

She noticed.

Tiny smile.

"You liked that."

"Very much."

She repeated the pressure.

I sighed.

Okay.

Actual massage.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

Nemris's hands traveled higher.

Shoulder.

Neck.

Then returned along my arm.

She looked toward me.

"And please..."

Her cheeks warmed again.

"Don't say anything that will embarrass me."

I smiled.

"That's a difficult request."

"Try."

"I enjoy honesty."

"You enjoy causing trouble."

"Also honest."

Nemris's fingers paused.

I turned my head slightly.

"Or else what?"

She looked at me.

For a moment, I expected another threat involving restraints.

Instead, she leaned down.

Kissed my lips.

Once.

Short.

Sweet.

Then pulled away.

"Or I will report you for noncompliance."

I stared.

"To whom?"

"Me."

"That feels like a conflict of interest."

"I will investigate myself."

"Corrupt government."

Nemris fought a smile.

Then shifted.

She climbed over me.

My jokes immediately lost several employees.

Nemris sat across my hips.

Not putting all her weight down.

Just enough.

The maid skirt spread around her thighs.

My eyes traveled upward.

White apron.

Fitted bodice.

Golden hair.

Flushed face.

Cute headpiece.

Yeah.

Definitely awakened something.

Nemris reached for my shoulders.

She began massaging again.

Slow.

Firm.

Her thumbs worked along the muscles.

Then down.

Across my upper chest.

Her palms flattened there.

Warm against my skin.

She moved lower.

And lower.

Then stopped at my stomach.

Of course.

My abs.

Nemris's ancient weakness.

I smiled.

She immediately looked at me.

"Don't."

"I haven't said anything."

"You were going to."

"I was going to compliment your professionalism."

"Liar."

She traced one line along my stomach.

Then another.

Her fingers pressed carefully against each ridge.

Longer than the massage required.

Much longer.

I watched.

"You seem very dedicated to that particular area."

Nemris ignored me.

Her hands continued kneading my abdomen.

Then she frowned.

Her palm stayed against my skin.

"You are unusually warm tonight, Master."

Oh.

Right.

That.

The soup.

The alley.

The consequences of the soup.

The highly effective cure to the consequences of the soup.

I opened my mouth.

"About that..."

Nemris lifted one finger.

Pressed it gently against my lips.

"Shh."

I stopped.

Her golden eyes held mine.

"For now, I only want yes or no."

My eyebrow rose.

Nemris kept her finger there.

"Understand?"

I nodded.

She removed it.

Her hands returned to my stomach.

Slow circles.

Firmer pressure.

Then lighter.

"Does this feel good?"

I smiled.

"Yes."

She nodded.

Apparently pleased.

Her hands continued.

The warmth of her palms.

The position of her body.

The outfit.

The roleplay.

Master.

Yeah.

My body started reacting.

Quickly.

Very quickly.

Nemris noticed.

Obviously.

She was sitting over my hips.

Not exactly a difficult mystery.

Her eyes lowered.

Then lifted again.

A very subtle smile appeared.

"You are already excited?"

I breathed out.

"That's technically more than a yes or no question."

Nemris's eyes narrowed.

Then she leaned slightly closer.

"How predictable, Master."

Oh.

There was teasing now.

Great.

She had discovered power.

I reached instinctively for her hips.

Nemris slapped my hands away.

Not hard.

A quick flick against my wrists.

I blinked.

She straightened.

"What did I tell you?"

I smiled.

"Remain still."

"Correct."

"I was adjusting."

"You were touching."

"Technically my hands were moving toward touching."

"Master."

I returned my arms to the mattress.

Nemris nodded approvingly.

"Better."

She resumed the massage.

Her hands worked upward again.

Chest.

Shoulders.

Then back to my stomach.

Absolutely biased massage route.

I didn't mind.

Nemris lowered her voice.

"Let me do everything."

I looked at her.

She was still flushed.

Still obviously embarrassed.

But there was confidence now.

A quiet kind.

The sort that came from knowing I was enjoying this.

Nemris brushed her fingertips across my abdomen.

"I don't want this to reach the point where I need to restrain you because you're being stubborn."

She said it softly.

Almost sweetly.

Like discussing tying me up was perfectly ordinary maid etiquette.

I swallowed.

"Was that supposed to discourage me?"

Nemris paused.

"You aren't supposed to be talking."

"Sorry."

She gave me a look.

I stared at her.

The stockings.

The skirt.

The little white apron.

Her breasts framed perfectly by the fitted uniform.

The flushed cheeks.

The strict expression she was trying very hard to maintain.

I laughed quietly.

"What?"

"I don't know if I can stay still."

"Why not?"

"Nemris."

She waited.

"Do you have any idea how hot you look right now?"

Her expression cracked.

Just slightly.

The confidence slipped.

Blush.

There.

The Lord Commander had returned to fighting for survival against compliments.

She looked down.

Then, unexpectedly, smiled.

Not shy.

Not completely.

Something more playful.

"Then consider this a test."

I stared.

"A test."

"Yes."

She traced one finger slowly across my chest.

"You will remain still."

Her gaze followed her own finger.

"You will let me decide what happens."

Then her eyes met mine.

"And if you do something I don't like..."

Her fingertip stopped against the center of my chest.

"You fail."

Interesting.

I could probably have given a diplomatic speech.

Asked for clarification.

Negotiated terms.

Established boundaries.

Requested a formal document.

Instead, I swallowed.

"Understood."

Nemris watched me.

Apparently checking whether I meant it.

I kept my hands exactly where they were.

She seemed satisfied.

Then she leaned forward.

Slowly.

Golden hair slipped over one shoulder.

Her face came beside mine.

Her warm breath touched my ear.

My entire body tightened before she even spoke.

Nemris whispered softly.

"Good boy."