Samuel felt muddled after Melinoe left. He was unsure what the whole thing was all about. Why would a maiden simply offer herself up to him when he promised nothing in return? While his body desired hers, his conscience and honor held him back.
The young king did not want another Raylana, and the maidservant was not innocent when he first met her. The rules were clear from the very beginning. With Melinoe, it was something more profound and, well, more confusing. Samuel could tell that something was bothering her. Her approach was not that of a lovesick young woman’s. Something was bothering her, and he did not want to make a mistake. If he could not marry her, he knew that he would rather see her properly married to someone who could offer his name and protection.
The mere thought of
