Anti Heiress

Chapter 24

"Damon would be beside himself," I mutter, glancing in the mirror. Though it's proving difficult in my state, I insisted on brushing Malissa's hair before bed. I love how her hair smells." 'You have other matters to attend to than Malissa'. What shit." I deepen my voice to attempt to match Damon's heavy tone.

Malissa smirks at my impression. Her expression becomes serious again and she glances up at my reflection in the mirror. "He isn't wrong. You have an entire kingdom to think of now."

"I am thinking of my kingdom," I insist. "I won't be able to rule it if I'm terribly depressed from having to part with you. I need to be at my best, and you are what makes me my best." Holding the loose end of her braid, I bend down to kiss Malissa on the forehead. She pats my arm gently, then hands me a length of ribbon to secure her braid.

"I know it was a hard decision to decide to get married," Malissa mutters. "But I'm proud of you for-"

"Of course, it's hard. You know it's not what I want. But I'll have you next to me to ease the pain of it." I lean down to kiss Malissa. Her hands rest on either sides of my legs. I've wanted to kiss her like this all day. And now it seems, I'll be counting the last few kisses where she can say she has me truly to herself.

Malissa pulls away. "You taste like wine," she comments. That's never been a problem for her before. Her eyes are downcast.

"Is something the matter?" I ask. It's a stupid question. I cross the room to sit on the edge of the bed.

Malissa remains on the small chair in front of the dressing table. She plays with the hairbrush on the table. "Actually, Sarina, it's just what you said earlier, about me becoming your mistress-"

"We knew it was bound to happen. At least that it was a possibility. The positive in all this is that I might be able to make an engagement without having a vase thrown at me, or being kicked." Malissa doesn't react to my comment. I kick off my shoes and recline in bed. The floral tiling on the ceiling makes me feel a bit dizzy. "I suppose you feel differently now that it's reality?"

"I love you," Malissa whispers fervently. "And I want to be at your side. However, with you being married and being queen, it will be different. With me as your mistress, it will be different."

"How?" I question. "Do you think I plan to share a bed with that man? Outside of getting my throne and making an heir, I want nothing to do with him. I don't even want the heir." Malissa knows these things. If anyone could possibly make me lose feelings for her, it surely wont be the bastard son of some king who I want nothing to do with.

Malissa turns her back to me. She rests her forehead in her hands and sighs. "Yet, that will still be time spent away from me. And when you're with child? Sarina, I couldn't bear to touch you then. And besides you having a husband, being queen is a ton of responsibility, and work and stress-"

"You act as if other kings don't have mistresses," I interject. "I don't care what anyone would say. I'll do my duty, but for that, I deserve some happiness. I deserve you." If anything, the stress of being queen will only make me hungrier for her.

"And where will the line be drawn between me waiting on you as my lover, and as my queen?" Malissa asks. Her voice catches.

I sit up to look at her. I can only really see the back of her head. "Where it's always been drawn, Malissa. We can be how we've always been-"

"You haven't always been married, or had a kingdom to rule." Malissa speaks slowly, but her tone is tight.

"I'll make all the time I possibly can for you. I swear it. And as queen, I can give you whatever lands or titles you want-"