The King and The Maid

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Cali’s POV

I stretched with a groan and rubbed my lower back. I’d been cleaning for hours, long past my normal quitting time. Lana had already gone to bed, along with the other maids. As I promised, Lana and I both missed dinner. My stomach rumbled at the thought of food. I would give anything for a big bowl of mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup.

I miss them — my parents. Some days I can almost make it until evening before a memory comes crashing through, but other days, the grief is so heavy I feel like I could fill an ocean with my tears. Their deaths left a hole in my chest that never really closes.

Before I realize it, a tear slips down my cheek and lands in the mop bucket. I wipe my face and pick up the bucket to empty it in the bathroom. This is my last room for the night — thank the Goddess — and my bed is calling my name. I let out a long sigh and grab the rest of my cleaning supplies.

“Where are you going?”

The deep voice snaps me out of my daze. I spin around so fast the mop bucket flies halfway across the room, water sloshing everywhere.

“Goddess, Ivan! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I snap, my heart hammering in my ears.

Ivan crosses his arms over his chest, wearing that smug, permanent scowl. “Don’t be so dramatic, Calianna. It’s not becoming.”

I bite back the eye-roll I desperately want to give him. If he could read my mind, I’d be dead where I stand. Can he be a bigger prick? Would anyone even notice if he just… disappeared?

“I thought you’d gone back to your room for the night,” I say carefully. “You startled me.”

He rubs his temples like I’m the problem. “I told you this morning — all tasks are to be checked off by me.”

“I remember. I just… didn’t think.”

“Exactly — you didn’t think!” he barks. “I have half a mind to bend you over my knee right now and remind you what happens when you disobey me.” He drags his hand down his face, his voice dropping into a growl. “But I won’t. Consider it a one-time-only birthday gift.”

My jaw clenches so hard it hurts. After all these years, you’d think I’d be numb to his bullshit, but he finds a new way under my skin every damn time. I swallow it down — telling him off won’t help me now. Not when I still need something from him.

I lower my head in fake submission. “You’re right, Ivan. I should have listened. I promise it won’t happen again.”

He looks pleased, which makes bile rise in my throat. Even pretending to placate this man feels like rolling in filth. But it’s survival. Just a little longer.

“Well,” he says, “just remember what happens if you forget again.”

“Ivan?” I say, my voice dripping sweet poison.

“What?” He narrows his eyes. “If you’re asking to leave, the answer is no.”

“I was only going to thank you,” I purr. “For my birthday present. I know I misbehaved earlier, but because you’re so… understanding, I wanted you to know how grateful I am.”

Every alarm inside me is screaming. I step closer anyway, pushing the boundaries of safety until they vanish. If he wanted to, he could take whatever he wanted right now. And I would be helpless to stop him.

I force myself closer — inch by inch — until only a breath stands between us. He straightens, licking his lips. “I was wondering…” I say softly, watching his chest rise and fall faster.

“Yes?” he rasps.

I trail my fingers up his chest, fighting the urge to scrub my skin raw later. “I know you know my birthday’s tomorrow, but… this one’s special. I get my wolf at midnight. The king allows a little time for our first shift. I was hoping you might… escort me? Tonight?”

The taste of bile is sharp on my tongue. This is the lowest, most disgusting thing I’ve done. But what choice do I have? I need him to let me out — just this once.

He grins, that predator’s smile. “And what’s in it for me?”

I pause, finger on my lip. “What do you want?”

He grabs me, his bony hands gripping my ass. I jump, every muscle in my body locked tight.

“What do you think I want?” he growls.

I’m going to be sick. “Well… it can’t be here,” I whisper, forcing calm. “How about after the party tomorrow? The king will be satisfied and we won’t mess up the room I just cleaned.”

He groans, low in his throat. “Fine. Tomorrow — but don’t think I’ll forget our little arrangement.”

“I won’t,” I lie sweetly. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Ivan glances around the room, then nods. “I’ll come get you fifteen minutes before midnight. Rules say you can bring a friend — if you even have any.”

“Thank you, Ivan.” The words taste like poison.

He drags a finger over my lips, sighs something I don’t catch, then leaves. The door clicks shut and the nausea swells, swallowing me whole. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m bent over the toilet, emptying my stomach.

I grip the cold porcelain and breathe through the wave of disgust. Was this worth it? Selling pieces of myself for the tiniest chance at freedom? My only comfort is that I’ll be long gone before he tries to collect on my promise.

When the nausea fades, I gather the cleaning supplies and put everything away. The supply closet is across from the kitchen — temptation in the form of warm bread and fresh pastries. My stomach growls again, angry and empty.

I slip into the kitchen. Pots and pans hang from the ceiling like mismatched chandeliers. Baskets of bread and vegetables line the counters. It smells like home — if home were warm sugar and fresh dough.

“Who’s there?” comes a voice from the back. Miss Lilly.

“It’s Cali, Miss Lilly. Do you have a second?” I call out.

“Sure, darling! Just getting the last batch of danishes out of the oven!” she calls back.

I hover near the opposite counter, forcing myself away from the pastries stacked high on a tray. My stomach growls again.

Miss Lilly bustles out of the pantry, wiping flour-covered hands on her apron. She’s short and round and warm, her gray-streaked hair tied back in a messy bun. She smells like cinnamon and feels like my grandma used to feel — safe.

“Cali! What a sight for sore eyes!” She pulls me into a floury hug.

I laugh, wiping flour off my skirt. “Good to see you too, Miss Lilly.”

She fusses over my clothes, brushing at flour that won’t come off. “What brings you down here, sweetheart?”

“Nothing big,” I lie. Partly I came for food, mostly I came for her. “I was hoping you might have something extra. It’s been a few days since I ate properly, and… well, you know how it is.”

Her eyes soften, but she checks over her shoulder, lowering her voice. “Someone’s in the eatery,” she whispers, pointing past the kitchen door.

I stiffen. “Who?”

She shrugs. “Don’t know. They came in while I was pulling the pastry from the oven. I don’t think they heard anything — but we shouldn’t risk it.”

I hug her tight. “It’s okay, Miss Lilly. I’ll be fine.”

She presses two warm danishes into my hands. “Take these. I’m sorry it’s not more.”

“It’s perfect,” I whisper, tucking them deep in my pockets. I kiss her cheek. “Thank you. For everything. I love you.”

She cups my cheek, eyes full of guilt. “I love you too, dear. Try to stay out of trouble.”

I nod and slip away, careful not to make a sound. The smell of warm pastry clings to me like a promise — or a curse.

Footsteps echo behind me. My breath catches. Not now. Please, not now.

“Cali?” a voice calls.

I keep moving. I pretend I don’t hear him. But the footsteps get closer. His voice gets louder — sharp and commanding.

“Cali!”

It’s him. The prince. Of all the times.

“Cali!” he barks. “Stop!”

His voice rumbles through me. I freeze — like prey caught in a trap. Slowly, I turn.

“Didn’t you hear me calling you?” His eyes search my face, too gentle for someone like him.

“No, sorry. I’m exhausted. I only wanted to get to bed. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” I lie smoothly. Survival is second nature now.

“It’s okay — I won’t keep you long, I promise.”

I lean back against the door I’d been desperate to reach. My hands tremble at my sides, hiding the pastries in my pockets.

He watches me like he’s trying to solve a riddle. “I was worried about you.”

“Worried about me? Why?” The words slip out before I can swallow them down.

“You hit your head pretty hard. I couldn’t take you to the infirmary like you needed. I was worried you were hurt worse than you let on.”

“Oh.” I fold my hands tight in front of me. “I feel much better now. But you shouldn’t worry about me. I’m sure you have more important things—”

“Wrong.” He cuts me off. He lifts a finger and presses it gently to my lips, so soft my breath hitches. He shakes his head, slow. “If I think you’re worth worrying about — then you are. No one else gets to decide that.”

“But—”

He just shakes his head again, dropping his hand but not his eyes. “There’s something about you, Calianna. I don’t know what it is yet — but I want to find out.”

I feel it too — something electric humming in the tiny space between us.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

The ten o’clock bell. I’m late. Too late.

“I’ve got to go,” I breathe. “I’m so sorry.” Before he can answer, I push open the door and slip down the stairs, the warmth of Miss Lilly’s gift hidden in my pockets — and the echo of the prince’s voice tangled in my chest.