Anti Heiress

Chapter 28

Talise shifts in her seat, but tries not to make it so obvious she's tired of sitting. "Have you never sat still so long?" I question. 

"Of course, I have," Talise shrugs. "It's only this stool is so uncomfortable."

"Perhaps a cushion?" I suggest. 

"A wise idea," Talise smiles. She waits for my permission to get up. She grabs a cushion from the seat of one of the sofas. Instead of returning to the stool, she stops next to me. Her shoulder brushes mine, and she leans forward to look at the canvas. The jasmine oils in her hair produce an intoxicating smell. 

"Are you pleased?" I question, looking down to her for approval. 

Talise nods. "I am, Your Majesty. But you don't have to do me any favors. We both know my nose is much larger."

"Are you disparaging my talents?" I question. 

"No, Your Majesty. I'm honored, really." Talise winks at me and walks back to her stool. I notice the enticing sway of her hips. Since we've slept together, it's been hard to think of much else, especially when looking at her. Talise places down the cushion and sits on top of it delicately. "Will you continue painting at court?"

I hope so. It's one of the only things that brings me sanity. "I suppose. Or else, how will I ever get your nose right?"

"It's a challenging one," Talise says with that musical laughter of hers. 

"A beautiful one," I say.

Talise grins, and I have half a mind to abandon painting altogether. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Her expression settles. She goes mostly still, save for twisting one of the rings around her finger. We haven't spoken about our tryst, and it's been a few days of pleasant conversation and near-touching, but nothing more. I don't think she regrets it, and I hope I'm not wrong. 

Talise stares forward, and every so often, I feel her gaze on me when she thinks I'm not looking at her. I haven't thought too deeply about Malissa. There's an incessant bother to think about what she might be doing at a given moment, but nothing beyond that. I haven't thought much about the fact that our relationship is likely over, and that she probably thinks me some horrible traitor for what I've done with Talise. Though she doesn't know it for certain, she's already made her mind up. 

Suddenly, the side of Talise's face goes a bit dark. My eyebrows wrinkle in confusion, and she immediately notices my expression. "Turn your head to the left a bit," I instruct. "There's a shadow."

Talise does as she's told. She inhales deeply, and her chest rises and falls. "Some say having a portrait painted is more intimate than sex," Talise says abruptly. 

I nearly choke. "Pardon?"

"Think about it," Talise continues. "An artist has to truly look at their subject, and see every aspect of them. You can sleep with someone and barely look at them once. You could feel absolutely no intimacy, or connection..." 

"I suppose you're correct." I wipe my blackened fingers on a cloth. "Have you said that for any particular reason?"

Talise shrugs. "I've just realized that I agree. It's quite intimate."  Talise continues staring forward, looking just past me. "Though you're all the way over there, the way you look at me, it feels just the same as you touching me." 

I'll take that as my confirmation she doesn't regret it. I try to focus on my sketch. If I look at Talise too long, I'll abandon it immediately. "I quite liked touching you."

"You could again," Talise invites me. "I suppose I'd welcome it."

"Oh you suppose?" I say with a small laugh. "What, if your schedule's clear?"