It wasn’t what Cassandra had expected at all. It was a vast tower, with a roof so high nobody could reach it. There were only two windows, but each was so large that the light was radiating into the room. This chamber was also the one with the most furniture by far. Quickly taking a look at her surroundings, Cassandra noticed a desk, several chairs, two tables, a chaise covered with Kairen’s fur cloak, a large canopy bed, a couple of bookshelves, and at least three or four chests.
When the women walked in, Kairen was sitting on the bed and raised his head. From his messy hair, Cassandra wondered if he had just been resting until then. Or, was he reading? There were scrolls and documents scattered on the bedside table.
“Where were you?” he asked abruptly.
“In the kitchen, helping, my Lord”
Nebora frowned slightly. Cassandra’s calm tone and slight blush while answering their Master was totally unexpected. She gazed at the Prince, but it was obvious he was only addressing Cassandra and wasn’t sparing her a single glance. Once again, jealousy pinched at her heart and she looked down, angry. Cassandra’s actions earlier had made a strong impression on her and now she was only left with her bitterness.
The Third Prince was an impressive, strong and muscular man. His face was rather handsome as well, but stern with his dark eyes. It was like looking at a tiger - dangerous and beautiful. Despite his coldness, Nebora couldn’t help but find him attractive, but he was not a man she could just approach when she wanted. All those times before, she had brought every tray, every bottle, with the slightest hope he might look at her…. He never did.
Yet, that untouchable man was looking at Cassandra, talking to her and listening to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Nebora had a hard time understanding why this was happening. The only thought she was left with was that Cassandra was on a whole other level than her.
Stepping forward, Cassandra silently put the tray down on the table closest to Kairen. As she was doing that, the Prince suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him without even acknowledging the food.
She was brought between his knees, still standing while he was sitting, his face level with her breasts.
“My Lord, your food…”
“Later,” he growled.
Indeed, he didn’t even look at it and instead placed his hands on Cassandra’s hips, drawing her even closer to him. She gasped in surprise at his sudden movement. She recognized the same glimmer of lust in his eyes as before. As he gazed intensely at her, his hand moved down her leg to the end of her skirt, before sliding back up underneath, caressing her skin. Cassandra trembled. It was still the middle of the day, yet he was already intent on touching her!
His torso was bare, and she had no choice but to put a hand on his shoulder when his hot hand suddenly made her shiver.
“Are you cold?” he asked, in his raspy voice.
“A bit…”
Indeed, the room, being the highest in the Castle, was quite cold. Cassandra’s milky skin could barely handle it, but it may have also been the contrast with Kairen’s seductive hands that made it even worse. He smirked and suddenly pulled her on the bed and into the folds of a thick fur blanket. With Cassandra lying across the bed, he leaned over her, placing his hands on either side of her head.
She started blushing uncontrollably, with his face so close and the memories of the previous night coming back to her.
“My… My Lord… It’s still early...” she stuttered.
Kairen obviously didn’t care at all. He started kissing her, licking and biting her lips, while his hands were pulling her skirt up. He kissed lower on her jaw, down from the high part of her neck, but frowned when he met the cold metal of her slavery collar.
“Get this damn thing off,” he growled.
“W...what?”
“Your collar, take it off.”
But Cassandra shook her head.
“My Lord, I can’t.”
“You refuse?”
“No, I really can’t. Look…”
She turned it a little, showing the complex lock that was keeping it closed. There were some very small words and numbers engraved under it...
“These collars can only be taken off by our masters, with a special key… It cannot be simply opened like a clasp.”
Kairen was unhappy upon hearing that. She had to keep the damn thing on? From the looks of it, it couldn’t be forced without injuring her. It was too thick, too large and too close to her throat. Annoyed, he glared at the collar.
Under his arm, Cassandra saw Nebora timidly gesture something at her before leaving and closing the doors behind her. She sighed, feeling a bit less shy now that they were alone. Yet, she couldn’t endure Kairen’s anger about her collar. Was it really so upsetting for the Prince? Did he even realize what taking off that collar would mean for her?
