The Queen's Guard

Chapter 11

Maya left with a lump in her stomach that stayed with her all day, even during training she had trouble letting go, and she longed for the sanctuary of being with Carina in her bed. The queen, who had to sit through multiple meetings, longed for the sight of Maya every time the doors opened.

The guard had decided to immerse herself even harder into training until her body physically couldn't take more. On her way back, she walked by the grand hall, the doors still open after someone had walked in. At the end of the table, she could see her queen. Maya didn't realize she was staring until Carina looked back at her. They exchanged a pained glance, but soon someone came to close the doors, reminding them of their roles again.

Carina couldn't maintain focus after seeing Maya, something in her was already terrified of having to go to bed without her. She tried to get the meeting adjourned, but a look from her counselor told her she shouldn't. Just as it fished, she hurried to Maya's chambers, knocking lightly. Met by silence she disappointedly walked back to her own, but then the door opened and Maya was standing there.

The guard bowed slightly, greeting her queen. Carina quickly noticed blood amongst the sweat covering Maya. "What happened?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, I was just training," Maya replied.

"Till you bleed?" Carina came closer, but Maya took a step back, keeping the formality between them. The painful longing all day had served as a reminder that falling for the queen like this was a doomed story, one she was terrified she wouldn't survive. Carina noticed Maya's apprehension, yet she couldn't bring herself to walk away. "Let me help you?" she asked, searching for her blue eyes. And it was too late; Maya was already under her spell. She had already fallen, she couldn't say no, so she nodded and let her in.

Carina opened the supply, allowing water to flush into the tub, filling it before turning back to Maya. She lightly ran her fingers over Maya's bruised skin. Maya looked away, trying to remind herself to keep her distance, but Carina's touch felt so good, so comforting, that she couldn't resist.

"If you prefer, I can leave," Carina offered, recognizing the hesitant look on Maya's face. But with pleading eyes Maya begged for her to stay without uttering a word.

"Come here," Carina whispered, pulling Maya closer before helping her out of her clothes. They stood together, Maya only covered by her undergarments, as Carina went to shut off the water supply to give her some privacy. She then turned around to find a cloth as Maya entered the tub, but she still caught her reflection in the mirror. A surge went through her body, lust uncontrollably streaming through her veins. She had to take a deep breath to remind herself to get a grip.

Maya watched with wide eyes as Carina sat down by the tub side, soaking a cloth in the water before slowly running it along her arm and over her back. "Maya..." she whispered worriedly, seeing the extent of the bruising as dirt and soot were washed off.

Maya wasn't to concerned, instead the guard reveled in the sight of her queen's focused expression, beauty radiating from every feature. She was so lost that the mere feeling of Carina's fingers brushing against her bare skin that it sent a wave of euphoria through her.

"They are not allowed to be training you like this," Carina exclaimed, under the impression that her officials had been pushing Maya too hard. She was unaware that Maya herself had sought physical pain to avoid dealing with something else.

"They're not, I'm okay," Maya tried to convince the queen.

"No," Carina insisted firmly, refusing to let the matter slide. "I would like to know who hurt my guard this badly," she said in a more demanding tone, her concern evident in her eyes.