AVERY

  After that meeting, I was asked to tour the King around the palace. I was hesitant, but as a good hostess, I should be able something as simple as touring.

  "Over there is the palace gazebo where I usually spend my free time." I pointed out to my special hiding place.

  Wait. Why did I even tell him that?

  "So it's like... your hiding place?" King Typhone asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

  I huffed and started walking again, "You're assuming things, Your Majesty."

  "Oh? Am I?" He caught up to me almost immediately, his larger frame towered over mine as we walked side by side.

  I felt his hand brush against mine and I blushed. It was larger than mine and I hummed. I decided to change the topic and talked about politics, which I realized that he wasn't interested in.

  We kept walking and ended up in the library. The doors were heavy and I barely managed to push them open. I heard a huff behind me and I turned to him, glaring.

  "Are you laughing at me, Your Majesty?" I asked.

  "No. Not at all, princess." He said, smirking. Then, he walked towards me, trapping me between him and the door. I looked up at him and his eyes were glowing.

  I let out a soft yelp when his hand slammed against the wooden door behind me. I felt him pushing the door open. I gasped, feeling my body being dragged away with the door.

  I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact, but I didn't. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked once. Twice. I realized that his other hand was gently placed on the small of my back. I blushed furiously.

  I felt his lips brush against my ear when he whispered, "You shouldn't lean on the door like that, princess."

  We stayed in that position for what felt like hours, but I quickly regained my composure and pushed him away. Barely.

  "I could open the door myself, you know?" I said, cheeks tinting a bright shade of red.

  Once the doors were opened, I walked inside and maintained a good distance from the king. The curtains were wide open and I haven't seen the library look so bright and clean.

  "I suppose this is another of your safe places, hm?" He commented, walking towards a table.

  "Why do you say that?"

  "You're not exactly good at hiding things, princess. I mean..." He then held up a set of pink papers. He was smirking.

  I blushed again and stormed over to him. I gathered the papers and kept them in the drawer. I prayed internally that he did not manage to read what was written in those papers.

  Why did I even leave those papers in the open?

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  "This place is my solace. My peace. I love reading that's why I have things scattered around here. My apologies for the mess." I said as I watched him walk towards the shelves. He hummed and ran his fingers through the spine of the books.

  "I'm not a reader or a scholar, but I do enjoy a book or two." He chimed, "You see, princess, I don't have the patience nor the time to read."

  I decided to tease him a little, walking towards him just a little, but still keeping my distance.

  "Oh. It's quite alright, Your Majesty. I understand that not all people can... read diligently." I smiled innocently, teasing and smug.

  King Typhone let out a chuckle. Then, he smiled at me, taunting, intimidating.

  Seductive.

  "Here's the thing though, princess. I may not read diligently." He was now walking towards me. His steps were slow yet heavy. I felt my heart racing against my chest.

  "I may not read all the time like you, but I..." He paused, "I read fast."

  My eyes widened and my smug smile disappeared. He was now standing in front of me, towering over me again. I could smell him and my mind was blank. Dark, musky, and fresh.

  I swallowed thickly and tried to get my voice back. I was soft, whispered, "How fast can you read a book, Your Majesty?"

  "Very fast." He whispered low and deep, "I remembered a few lines earlier. Do you want me to recite them?"

  No. He couldn't. He--

  "If I remember correctly, the lines were 'His lips traveled down my neck, tasting me as my small hands wrap around his thick neck. I moaned when his lips--'" He recited the lines perfectly, but I did not let him finish. I covered his mouth and glared at him, cheeks red until, the tip of my ears.

  "Just... don't tell anyone about it." I said, embarrassed that the King of Beasts read my writings. I slowly removed my hand to let him breath.

  "Tell them what, princess? How you also wrote the line 'He pushes into me hard and his aching length pulses inside me, driving me wild. Our shared bed creaks under--'" He said, smug and confident.

  He was teasing me at this point. I had to cover his mouth again and that's when I realized something. His cheeks had a few stubles, his lips were slightly dry yet it felt soft under the palm of my hand and I had to remind myself then and there that I cannot kiss him. Not until I married him, that is.

  He laughed. It was deep yet it felt so genuine. I looked at him as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

  "You are adorable when you blush like that, princess." He commented and I was sure I was about to melt at the very spot where I was standing.

  His touch was warm and comforting. I was surprised by how nostalgic it felt. I suddenly remembered when he held me on the balcony.

  "Do you say that to all the women you meet, Your Majesty?" I asked, curious, suspicious, and maybe... just a little jealous.

  "Why are are you asking?"

  "I'm curious."

  "No. You're not. You're jealous."

  "You're assuming things."

  He chuckled again and leaned in closer, our nose brushing and our lips barely grazing. I felt my heart beating louder than it was before.

  I hope he doesn't hear the loud pounding in my chest.

  "Am I?" His voice was low and hushed.

  I closed my eyes, expecting his lips to touch mine. He was slowly inching closer. His breath on my lips was warm and I felt a shiver down my spine. He was holding me in place and it was a good thing because my legs are feeling wobbly.

  Thump.

  Thump.

  Thump.

  "Your Majesty. Our knights have--" The doors were slammed open and a loud voice echoed in the library.

  We were frozen in place for a brief second before King Typhone held me up straight and he turned to face the intruder-- rather, his right hand man. His back covered my whole figure and I had enough time to straighten my dress and calm myself.

  "I'll just meet you outside, Your Majesty." I did not understand why his right hand man said that almost as if he wanted to leave immediately, but based on King Typhone's stiff shoulders, I'm guessing he made the king mad.

  Once the man was out of the room, King Typhone faced me and sighed softly, "Forgive Grimore for his inconsiderate behavior. I shall see to it that he is reprimanded."

  His voice was firm and there was no hint of the playfulness it held earlier. I nodded, not confident in my voice.

  "I shall see you for lunch, princess." With that said, he took my hand and placed a chaste kiss on my knuckles.

  He left without another word and I was standing in the middle of the room room thinking 'what could have' and 'what would have'.

  I feel like I'm slowly falling for his trap and I don't like it one bit.