Chapter 4: Bound by Desire
822 Words
The palace was a world of whispers, where secrets thrived in the silence between footsteps and stolen glances. Amira had learned to move unnoticed, to exist without drawing attention. But that had changed.
She could feel it in the way the other servants looked at her, their gazes lingering with curiosity, envy, or pity. The triplet princes were paying her too much attention. And in a palace where power was absolute, that attention could be dangerous.
She tried to bury the thoughts as she moved through the bathhouse, preparing the grand tub for the royal heirs. The water shimmered beneath the torchlight, perfumed with jasmine and sandalwood. Steam curled around her, thick and intoxicating, clinging to her skin like an unseen force.
She was just placing the final towel when the heavy doors creaked open.
She knew who it was before she even turned.
Jacob. Jayden. Jordan.
The three of them filled the room with their presence, their towering frames and sharp gazes making the space feel smaller, the air heavier.
Jacob’s golden eyes found hers first. His shirt was already unbuttoned at the top, revealing smooth, tanned skin. He exuded effortless confidence, always the first to command attention.
Jayden smirked as he leaned against the doorway, watching her with amused interest. His dark hair was tousled from the breeze outside, a contrast to the careful calculation in his gaze.
Jordan, as always, was the quietest. His presence was steady, his deep-set eyes unreadable. But there was a flicker of something beneath his composed expression—something dangerous.
Amira lowered her gaze and dipped into a bow. “Your Highnesses, the bath is ready.”
She turned to leave, but Jayden’s voice stopped her.
“Stay.”
Her breath hitched.
“I—”
Jacob stepped forward, his fingers brushing against her arm, light but deliberate. “Amira.”
Her name on his lips sent a shiver down her spine.
Jayden tilted his head. “You always run from us.”
“I don’t—”
Jordan finally spoke, his voice lower, more controlled. “You do.”
Amira swallowed. “Because I know my place.”
Jayden’s smirk deepened. “Do you?”
Jacob’s fingers slid lower, tracing the delicate bones of her wrist. “If that were true, you wouldn’t tremble every time we touch you.”
Amira’s entire body tensed.
“Do we make you nervous?” Jayden murmured, stepping closer until she could feel the heat of him at her back.
She should deny it. She should say no.
But her silence spoke louder than any words ever could.
Jordan watched her carefully. “You don’t have to answer.”
His voice was softer than she expected, almost gentle. And that—more than anything—shook her resolve.
Jacob’s grip tightened ever so slightly, grounding her in the moment. “We don’t want to scare you, Amira.”
Jayden exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair. “But we won’t ignore this either.”
Amira’s pulse pounded. This. Whatever it was between them. It was impossible.
Jacob leaned in, his lips barely a breath away from her ear. “Tell me to stop.”
Her entire body tensed. The warmth of his breath sent tingles down her spine, an intoxicating pull that made it difficult to think.
She tried to say it.
She tried to force the words past her lips.
But nothing came.
The silence stretched between them, thick with tension, before Jacob finally released her wrist.
Jordan sighed, stepping back. “Go, Amira.”
A command, but also a mercy.
Amira hesitated for only a moment before turning on shaky legs and fleeing the room.
She didn’t stop until she reached her quarters, her back pressed against the door as she tried to catch her breath.
What was happening to her?
What was happening to them?
And why—despite everything—did a part of her wish she had stayed?
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Later That Night
Sleep was impossible.
Every time Amira closed her eyes, she felt the ghost of their touches, the heat of their gazes.
She had spent years in this palace, learning to be invisible. And yet, with them, she felt utterly exposed.
A knock at her door shattered her thoughts.
Her breath caught. It was past midnight—who would come at this hour?
With hesitant steps, she approached the door, her fingers trembling as she pulled it open.
Jacob stood before her, his expression unreadable. The dim torchlight cast shadows across his sharp features, making him look both regal and untamed.
“Your Highness?” she whispered.
He exhaled, his golden eyes locked onto hers. “Come with me.”
Amira swallowed hard. “Where?”
His voice was soft, but firm. “Somewhere we won’t have to pretend.”
Her heart pounded. She knew this was a moment of choice.
And this time, she wasn’t sure she wanted to run.
- Writer
