Chapter 6 The Scent of Jasmine

I blinked, slowly sitting up as the sound of the chains echoed throughout the empty room. I had to close my eyes for a second because of the blinding light.

My entire body was aching, it felt like I'd been run over by a train. It was nothing new, yet it didn't mean that I liked it.

Something happened last night. Someone was here. A woman. But why can't I remember what she looked like? I could still catch a faint whiff of her scent.

Vanilla and soft jasmine, warm and comforting. And something else, somebody I couldn't name.

My beast had listened to her. My beast had leaned into her touch. My beast calmed down. I closed my eyes trying to remember her face and all I saw was shadows.

Who was she?

Before I could push my brain harder, the door pushed open and my Beta walked in.

"Your Majesty," he said with a bow,

"Someone was here last night. A woman." I said and Lucien's brows furrowed before looking around like there was something he was searching for.

"I don't see a body," he said as he turned his attention back to me.

"Humor me," I said before slowly standing up, the chains rattling as they dragged against the stone floor. The weight of them was familiar now, but no less humiliating. My bare feet scraped across the cold ground, the metal cuffs biting into my skin.

Lucien was silent as he looked around one more time.

"Don't get me wrong my king, but we both know you sometimes see things. Are you sure this is not one of those times?" He asked and I narrowed my eyes on him.

"Right. So can you describe what she looked like?" He asked but my face remained unreadable.

"I don't remember what she looked like, but her scent..." my eyes went to the door.

Could I have imagined that woman in my state of agony? Could this be as a result of my constant war with my beast and suddenly I'm imagining there's relief for my pain-that there's redemption for my dying soul?

What if she had just been a fiction of my imagination? What if I was hallucinating?

Because it didn't make sense. Nobody comes close to me in that state and survives. They'd be torn to pieces. My beast is feral, merciless and only wants blood.

No. My mind must have been messing with me.

"What are you waiting for? Get these chains off me."

"Yes, my king," Lucien said as he quickly started opening the locks until I was free and I flexed my hands and legs, rubbing my wrists and stretching my neck.

I was free of my chains but it felt like there was something else wrapped around me. A different type of chain wrapped around my heart.

Lucien handed me a red robe and I took it from him, wearing it.

Whatever twisted game my mind was trying to play with me, I wasn't ready for it.

But still. That scent. It wouldn't still be here if there hadn't been anyone.

"Find her." I suddenly said as I started making my way to the door.

"Find who?"

"The woman that was here last night. Find her. Whatever it takes." I said and he nodded as I made my way out the door with Lucien following behind me.

My head was filled with questions. Questions I didn't have answers to.

Who was that woman? And most importantly.

Why hadn't my beast killed her?

*****

My heart was pounding so loud in my chest like it was going to fall out. I still can't believe what I did.

I still don't know why I did it.

It was a miracle I had managed to sneak back into the quarters without anyone's notice. I don't know what would have become of me if the guard was awake or if someone else had seen me.

Oh goddess, I'm so stupid. I threw away my escape opportunity with my own hand. By now I would have been far away. I didn't know where I would go but at least I would be away from this place where my fate would be decided in the King's bed.

I felt so stupid. I felt like dragging my hair but that wouldn't change the fact that what I did was suicidal.

I should have just minded my own business but I didn't, now look what it cost me. My freedom

That beast. Whatever it is. I have never seen anything like that.

But the moment I stepped into that room. I had been drawn to it. I felt the need to comfort it, risking my own life and freedom.

Goddess the pain in its eyes. It was like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

A shiver went down my spine at the memory. The way he growled, he looked feral, untameable but then he had leaned into my touch. Took me in his arms.

Who was he and why did they chain him up like that?

I should have looked at his face before running off but maybe it was better off that way. It's better I don't know the beast or man I spent the night in his arms.

What if nobody was supposed to go into that room, and I went there?

I shook my head as I drew the blanket to my chin.

Whoever that beast or man is shouldn't be my problem right now. I've already thrown away my first chance of escaping. What I should be thinking about right now is how to escape this damn place.

I have to make sure I'm never taken to the King's bed. Ever.

I turned to get comfortable, closing my eyes and hoping to get some sleep but then the door burst open and everyone jerked awake, their eyes going to the door.

"Listen up ladies." The mistress' voice echoed through the room as she scanned every bed to make sure we were complete.

Then she continued. "Tonight. Every one of you will be presented to the king." She stopped as her eyes scanned the room again, stopping on me briefly.

"And trust me ladies... misbehave tonight and you'll wish you never woke up."