The Alliance

Chapter 21: The yearning of a woman’s heart

The cool night breeze sweeps through the dark corridors of the castle, rustling the torches that lines the walls. Jasmine stands in the shadows near the prince’s chambers, her heart pounding against her ribs. She had already tried reasoning with the guards stationed at Phillip’s door, explaining that Bianca had sent her with an urgent message, but they refused to let her through.

“You’ll have to come back in the morning,” one of them had said firmly, his spear held tightly. “The prince needs his rest before the wedding.”

Frustrated but undeterred, Jasmine decides to bide her time, waiting for the perfect moment to slip past them unnoticed. She presses herself into the shadows, her mind racing. Her entire future—and Phillip’s—hangs on the edge of this night.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. As the guards’ attention wavers for just a moment, she darts toward the door. Her footfalls are silent, her breathing shallow. Just as her fingers graze the door handle, a voice hisses behind her.

“Jasmine?”

She freezes, turning to see Calista standing a few feet away, her sharp eyes narrows in suspicion. In her hands sits a plate of pastries, she had woken up late at night to sneak out cookies from the castle kitchen.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Calista demands, her voice low but fierce.

“I…” Jasmine falters, her mind scrambling for an explanation. “I need to speak with the prince. It’s important.”

Calista’s expression darkens. “You’re in no position to act on your own whims. Step away from the door. Now.”

But Jasmine’s resolve is too strong to break. Without answering, she slips inside the chamber, bolting the door and leaving Calista behind.

Phillip sits by the open window, gazing up at the starlit sky. The pale light illuminates his chiseled features, softening the sharpness of his jawline. He leans back in his chair, his thoughts consumed by the excitement—and nervousness—of his impending wedding.

When the door creaks open, he turns, his brows furrowing. His shock deepens as he sees a figure enter, dressed in the humble garb of a palace attendant.

“Bianca?” he asks, standing abruptly.

Jasmine swallows hard, her heart racing as she steps forward. “Your Grace…”

“Why are you dressed like this?” he demands, closing the distance between them. “Why would you disguise yourself as a maiden to come here? You could have summoned me if you needed to see me.”

His tone is one of confusion, but his eyes holds a flicker of concern. Before Jasmine can summon the courage to explain, Phillip’s expression softens.

“I’ve missed you,” he says, his voice dropping to a tender whisper.

At the alter of those words, Jasmine feels her inside rupture. She’s standing in front of the man she has been dreaming of for days. The man her every being yearns for. The man she’s willing to risk her life for. She’s fighting demons to avoid holding him, touching him, kissing him.

Before she can muster the guts to respond, Phillip closes the distance between them, wrapping her in his strong arms. Jasmine’s breath hitches as he pulls her close, his warmth melting the tension in her body.

“I’ve longed for this,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against her temple.

Jasmine’s body trembles as he kisses her, his lips soft yet firm, igniting a spark that sent shivers down her spine. For a moment, she let herself give in, kissing him back with a passion she hadn’t realized she was capable of. Time seems to stop, the world outside fading into nothingness.

Phillip, never releasing his grip on Jasmine, moves backwards until Jasmine’s back hits the wall. He steps back to eye her,as if asking her if the crash was too rough. Jasmine responds by pulling his face into hers, kissing him with zeal and aggression. Phillip moves his right hand from her waist down to the hem of her dress, pulling it up slightly. Jasmine lets out slow pants as his bare hand makes contact with her skin.

“You’re driving me crazy” Phillip says, peeling his lips off her lips, and resting it on her neck. Jasmine lets out a soft moan in response to the rough sucking and kisses Phillip’s planting all over her neck. He moves his hand a little bit further under her dress, trailing her bare thigh with his fingers, cautious not to take it further and risk offending her again.

But as the kiss deepens, reality comes crashing back. She pulls away, her chest heaving as she tries to find the words she needs to say.

“Phillip,” she begins, her voice trembling. “I need to tell you something important. It’s about—”

Suddenly the door burst open, and Calista storms in, her eyes blazing with fury.

“Enough of this madness!” she snaps, grabbing Jasmine’s arm and yanking her away from the prince.

“What is the meaning of this?” Phillip demands, “Let go of her this instance!” his tone sharp as he looks between the two women.

“Forgive me, Your Grace,” Calista says, bowing her head slightly. “It is forbidden for the bride-to-be to see her betrothed before the wedding. She has clearly overstepped her bounds. It’s my right to preserve her honor, Your Highness.”

Jasmine’s eyes pleads with Phillip, but Calista’s grip is unrelenting.

“She didn’t—” Phillip begins, but Calista interrupts.

“Please, Your Grace. Let me handle this. You have a long day ahead tomorrow, and after the wedding, there will be no restrictions.”

Reluctantly, Phillip steps back, though his gaze lingers on Jasmine, confusion and concern etches into his features.

As Calista drags Jasmine out of the chamber, she whispers harshly, “You’ve jeopardized everything. Do you have any idea what Bianca will do if she finds out?”

Tears prick Jasmine’s eyes, but she says nothing, her mind spinning. She had come so close to telling Phillip the truth, only for it to slip through her fingers.

Back in the corridor, Calista releases her with a shove. “You’ll stay in your chambers until the wedding tomorrow. Do you understand me?”

Jasmine nods, her heart heavy with regret. As Calista stalks away, Jasmine glances back at the back at the closed door to Phillip’s chambers, a single tear slipping down her cheek.