The King and The Maid

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Cali’s POV

“Mate?” I whispered, my chest tightening as if all the air had been sucked from the room. My heart slammed against my ribs, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. The signs had been there—the pull, the connection—but for it to actually be true? Saying I was shocked would be the understatement of the year.

My heart sank as the reality crashed down on me. This was supposed to be my only chance at freedom, at love, at family. Instead, the bond felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Maybe becoming a rogue would be better. At least then I could chase the unanswered questions about my past without chains holding me back. His rejection would hurt—I wasn’t naïve—but that would be easier than staying here, bound to this life. I could even reject him first, spare myself the humiliation.

But when I looked into his eyes… I knew I couldn’t. He was everything I’d ever dreamed a mate could be: kind, gentle, caring—and yes, devastatingly handsome, though I never cared much for looks. And still, none of that mattered. It could never work. Tonight, he would be crowned king, and no king would ever choose a slave as his Luna. I was nothing. I could only hope he’d reject me quickly, cleanly. The faster this was over, the faster I could move on.

“Cali,” Willow whispered in my mind, “you haven’t even heard him out yet. You don’t know he’s going to reject you.”

“Maybe so, but come on, Willow.” My voice cracked with bitterness. “He’s the son of the man who enslaved me for six years. Future king of the very kingdom that abused and starved me. What else would he do? Even if he wanted this, his father would never allow it. Rejection is the best thing for both of us.”

A memory flashed before me unbidden—the sting of a whip across my back, the burn of hunger as I scrubbed bloodstains from the stone floors, my body trembling from exhaustion. No crown prince would ever choose that girl to stand beside him.

Prince Harland stood by the clinic doors, hesitant, as if getting too close might shatter something delicate. Maybe he felt it too—the magnetic pull of the mate bond. I was tethered to this bed with wires and tubes, but without them? I wasn’t sure I could keep myself from running to him.

“Cali,” he said softly, inching closer.

“Prince Harland,” I replied, holding up a hand to stop him. If he came any closer, I’d crumble. “Before you reject me, may I say one thing?”

“Cali, I’m—”

“No, please. Let me finish.” My words cut sharp. I had to say this before he could try to soothe me out of pity. His jaw tightened as he straightened, a mask slipping over his expression.

“Thank you,” I said, forcing my voice steady. “I understand the… uniqueness of this situation. There will be no hard feelings moving forward. While I think this is unfair on all sides, I know you’ll find a woman worthy of being your Luna. Your kingdom deserves that. You have a duty, and I respect it. So let’s just make this quick. We both have things to do.”

I closed my eyes, turning my head away. The steady beeping of the monitors filled the silence. Minutes passed. “Go ahead,” I whispered, frustrated by the dragging pause. “Get it over with.”

Curiosity finally forced my eyes open—and I froze. He had a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking, laughing.

Rage flared hot in my chest. My fists clenched against the sheets, my wolf growling inside me. Heat flushed my face. “You think this is funny?” I snapped. “I might just be the girl who scrubs your sheets, but I’d like to think I deserve a little more respect than—”

Before I could finish, he closed the gap between us, crashing his lips against mine.

The kiss hit like lightning, fierce and unrelenting, a fever of desire I didn’t know I had in me. The world stilled—there was only him. His lips were warm and intoxicating, his taste a mix of heat and danger that left me dizzy. My body betrayed me, melting into his touch, parting my lips as he slid his tongue into my mouth. My fists curled into his shirt, tugging him closer, needing him closer. In that moment, I wasn’t a slave. He wasn’t a future king. There was only us.

“Ahem. Prince Harland,” the doctor said, clearing his throat, awkward and apologetic. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but the lady does still require rest. Recovery before… ah, activities.”

I gasped for breath as Harland pulled back, nodding politely at the doctor. My cheeks burned. How had I forgotten someone else was in the room? Mortifying.

“Forgive my rudeness,” Harland said, eyes still locked on mine. “I… got carried away. If you don’t mind, could we have a moment? Then I’ll leave her to rest.”

The doctor left, closing the door behind him. Harland dragged a metal chair to my bedside, sitting close enough that I could see flecks of gold in his green eyes. His fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from my face. My heart hammered. This was it. The rejection. I braced myself.

“I have to head upstairs soon,” he said gently. “But I want you to rest while I’m gone. Promise me you’ll stay in this bed and let yourself heal?”

“But—”

He pressed a finger to my lips. “No buts. I already know you struggle staying put. But I need you to fight that urge and rest. Please,” he added, his puppy-dog eyes softening me instantly.

I sighed, defeated. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

“Good.” He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before standing. My head spun—not from the concussion, but from him.

“Wait,” I blurted. “Don’t go yet.”

He paused at the door, grinning. “Yes, my little maid?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks at the nickname. Willow snorted in my mind, you like that way too much. I rolled my eyes at her even as my stomach flipped. “Does this mean you’re… not rejecting me?”

His smile widened, soft and sure. “No, Calianna. I will never reject you. As long as you want me, I am yours. The goddess chose you, and I honor that choice. If you fear disappointment, let me be clear: there is none. Not in the least. I’ll give you time to decide if you feel the same, but I hope you’ll give this bond a chance. Being my mate won’t be easy—your fears are valid—but I believe in us. For now, focus on healing. I’ll return soon. And if you need anything, Seth will be right outside the door.”

The words sank into me like honey, warm and terrifying all at once. I nodded slowly, and he slipped out.

He didn’t want to reject me. The possibility had never even crossed my mind. But did I want him? I didn’t know how to be anything other than a maid. I definitely didn’t know how to be queen Luna. His people would never accept me. His father would probably kill me. It was too much to process.

“Willow?” I whispered in my mind. “What do you think?”

“I think you’d be a complete i***t to reject him.”

“Willow!”

“What? You asked. The goddess gave us a perfect mate, and you’re worried about a little challenge? Cali, you’re stronger than you know. We can do this. Don’t you want to try? Don’t you want the chance at love, at a family?”

I wanted to argue, but she wasn’t wrong. Still, fear gnawed at me. For now, I just needed a distraction. And maybe to get this damn tube out of my nose.

“Nurse!” I called.

A nurse bustled in. “Yes, miss? What can I do for you?”

“Can you please get me something for this headache? And maybe remove this tube?”

“One moment, I’ll fetch the doctor.”

The doctor returned shortly—a plump, older man with kind eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses. He looked at me over the rims. “What can I do for you, Miss?”

“Please, call me Cali. I’d be grateful for something for this headache. And… if possible, I’d love to get rid of this tube.”

“Understandable,” he nodded. “You’ve had two falls, both involving head trauma, plus severe dehydration and dangerously low blood sugar. The tube was for nutrition, but now that you’re awake, we can remove it and get you real food. I’ll also have something brought for the pain. Sound good?”

“Yes, thank you.”

True to his word, they removed the tube, gave me medicine, and brought food. When one of Harland’s men delivered a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, I nearly wept at the smell. I devoured every drop, warmth flooding me with each spoonful.

But my peace shattered when the clinic doors slammed open.

Ivan stormed in, eyes dark and burning, and my stomach dropped like a stone.