Chapter 73: After the bite
Upon reaching her room, Anastasia closed the door and leaned her back against the wooden surface. She hadn’t stopped heaving for air, as she could still feel Prince Dante’s hands on her waist, on her neck, his grip on her wrist, and his breath fanning across her skin.
Her cheeks burned brightly, and what the first prince did flooded her mind with double the intensity, like a tempestuous sea storm threatening to engulf a sailing ship, ready to drown it deep under the surface of the water where no light could reach.
As she had to wake up early for work, Anastasia slipped into her nightgown. Her hair, previously tied in a neat bun, had unravelled as she walked through the corridors and cascaded down her shoulders. As she caressed her hair, her fingers weaved through the strands, triggering her to recollect the feeling of his fingers entwined in them. She couldn’t forget the look in his eyes, which stared at her as if brimming with a mixture of settling scores and hunger to do more, sending a shiver down her body.
Knock! Knock!
Hearing a knock on her unlocked door, Anastasia doubted it was Theresa, as the older woman knew she didn’t need permission to enter her room. Grabbing the candle by its holder, she walked to the door and opened it.
It was the servant who had caused her trouble. Gabriel, the new servant in the palace.
When their eyes fell on each other, Gabriel sighed in relief. He whispered,
"I just wanted to make sure that you were fine and didn’t get into trouble. I am sure I would want someone to check on my sister if she ran into any problems." Gabriel then bowed deeply to her and apologised, "I was late to realise that you were trying to warn me about the woman in charge. I will be more attentive, thank you."
Anastasia wanted to tell him that if he tried to snoop around the way he did this night, it would cost him his life.
With the candle that burned brightly enough to cast light upon both Anastasia and the man standing outside her room, his eyes fell on her neck, which looked bruised. A faint crease formed between his eyebrows. He looked left and right as if making sure the corridor was empty before he said,
"I have heard about the tyrannical reign of the Blackthorns, and it is no secret to anyone how cruel they are to their enemies and those below their station, taking things by force. It is the same story in every kingdom, with no difference. I hope you are alright?"