The Maid and the Monarch

Chapter 4: Far, Far Worse

It took a constant and dedicated effort keep my path straight. If my thoughts strayed even for a moment, my feet would turn towards Prince Leon's chambers and I would be in the hands of a beast. Not that my intended destination was any better--the twin princes had a devilish, playful streak in them, if the rumors were to be believed.

I knocked on the door to their chambers, trying not to make eye contact with the guards posted outside. They probably saw countless women in my position. It was fortunate they couldn't hear.

"Enter." The word pulled me inside.

Prince Matthias waited for me there. Unlike Prince Leon, Matthias favored the clothes of foreign lands: soft silks, bright colors. He had a long robe of faded red that hung open to expose the toned muscles of his abdomen and chest. His hair was dark and tousled, his eyes a shining blue--just like those his older brother, though they still paled in comparison to Princess Minerva. I caught myself eyeing the width of his arms and imagining the strength therein. I quickly bowed my head.

"You called for me, sir?" I asked.

The door shut behind me. I turned to find Prince Xander standing there, a soft grin on his face. "We did," he answered.

Prince Xander looked exactly like his brother save for one detail--his eyes were a dark lingering brown. His robe had a sash tied lazily around the waist, but all it did was force his collar open wider and accentuate the admirable taper to his figure.

"We heard there was a new girl working today, and that she was the one who found father dearest." Prince Matthias spoke again. I hesitated; flanked as I was by the princes, I didn't know which one to face. What was the protocol for situations like this? My training in etiquette danced just out of reach.

"I was there, sirs," I stammered, "I'm sorry about the king's passing."

Prince Xander clicked his tongue and glided closer to me. "It's no real loss. Father dearest was something of a monster."

"And now it's just us princes," Prince Matthias added, "left to contend for the throne."

"And your sister--sirs." I immediately regretted speaking. Was I losing my mind? Correcting a noble?

Luckily, both twins chuckled. "Poor Mad Minerva," Prince Xander said, "I doubt anyone's even thought to tell her yet."

So they didn't know everything. That, I could use to my advantage. Hopefully.

"I could go tell her, sirs," I offered, trying to seem helpful and not desperate-for-any-excuse-to-leave.

"No no." Prince Matthias smiled at me and my stomach flipped. He had a beautiful smile.

"We had a few questions for you," Prince Xander whispered. I nearly jumped. At some point, the prince had drifted close enough that I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Don't worry," Prince Matthias also took a step closer to me. "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."

"But you seem afraid," Prince Xander purred, "So what are you hiding?" He ran a hand along my back, I took a sharp breath at his touch.

And then Prince Leon's Imperative hit me, worse than ever before. My feet gave out and I fell to the floor, shaking with desire. I had to go to him. He wanted me, I needed him. A soft moan slipped from me. I clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Oh!" Prince Matthias laughed. "Brother, I think she's been ordered by our more licentious sibling already."

"Are you suggesting our brother has more adventurers with the fairer s*x than we do?" Prince Xander almost sounded offended. Even in my daze, I wondered at the word 'we.' Did they make their conquests together? Everyone always said the twins were inseparable. Images flashed in my mind of the two of them leaning over me, one holding me down while the other sought something deeper.

"Would you help the poor girl out?" Prince Matthias asked.

Prince Xander crouched down beside me. He slipped one arm around my waist, and brought his other hand to my face. He pulled me to my feet and leaned my ear towards his lips. Softly, he whispered, "stay with us a while."

And like that, Prince Leon's Imperative broke. Like a fever or a nightmare, it left me drenched in sweat and gasping for air. But my mind was clear. I was myself again. After a moment, I opened my eyes. Both princes watched me closely.

"We're curious," Prince Matthias said, "do you hate our brother?"

Did I? I sought inward, trying to separate my own feelings from the ones imposed on me. He was definitely attractive. Something burned at me still. Perhaps the twins hadn't undone Prince Leon's orders then, merely suppressed them. Maybe I did hate him. It isn't easy to hate someone you've just met, but he had treated me like a pet, he had taken away my very thoughts and mind from me, he had turned my body into his toy.

I nodded, not certain enough to speak.

Prince Xander signed to me, (Would you like to see him fall?)

Their silence spoke volumes. Neither twin wanted this conversation overheard.

Again, I nodded, fearing the consequences of refusal.

Prince Matthias withdrew a small, wrapped parcel from within his robe. His brother signed to me again, (when you go to him tonight, hide this in his rooms. He has a weakness for women like you. Keep him distracted.)

My stomach dropped. They weren't trying to help me. These princes wouldn't save me from their older brother's desires. Instead, they wanted me to seduce him and lay the groundwork for their scheme. I was, in their eyes, just another game piece.

Prince Xander signed to me, (Don't worry. We take care of people loyal to us.)

I swallowed. Maybe it was safer to be a piece the players cared about. I shut my eyes and signed back, (I'll do it.)