§LÄVÈ

S L A V E ~ 19

Catalina

~ 1 week later

Taking a deep breath, I held my head back as my eyes closed in pleasure.

The kisses that were being left on my neck made my body shiver in delight, my body going tense as the chills made their way up my spine. I bit down on my lower lip, trying my best to silence my moans before they had the chance to escape my lips ... I felt so safe, so secure and amazing being in his arms, he made me feel free and loved - even if it was only for a short time, I cherished every moment knowing that it could be taken from me at any given time, knowing that he does not necessarily need me, even though I needed him.

When I felt his hand on the back of my thigh, ascending towards my uniform, my eyes opened and with hesitation I took a hold of his hand, stopping him from possibly proceeding any further. Justin looked at me, his eyes glued to mine before he attached our lips once more. No matter how much I loved this feeling he gave me, and I never want it to end, I knew that we needed to stop at this moment before anyone saw us and so I slowly detached our lips. "Someone might see us.." I whispered as I trailed off. Justin then removed his hands from my skin and took a step back, glancing around the huge library in which we stood, located at the far right end of the mansion. We stood in the back, shelves blocking us from the entrance — my back against the wall and Justin in front of me. "No one will see us, we are the only ones here" he stated, placing another kiss on my lips,

"I-I have been gone for a while, I do not want to be in trouble" I said, "Anyone could walk in at any given moment" I added as a frown replaced the prince's content expression. I slowly looked down and took his hand in mine - placing my free hand on his cheek, causing him to look me in the eyes, "I wish we did not have to hide" The words slipped off his tongue, which caused me to softly smile and take a deep breath, "But we do" I stated the obvious, "I love being with you Justin, I really do but..." I trailed off, both of my hands falling to my side as I looked away from him, A sad expression taking over my face as thoughts approached me,

"But what?" he questioned, taking my arm and forcing me to make eye contact, "but this—" I gestured to us, my gaze falling to the ground, "this will not last for long, you get married next week" I frowned as the words escaped my lips. This past week, despite everything that has been happening — the preparations for his marriage, and everything that comes with it, we have managed to be discrete about us. Any chance that Justin got, he would kiss me, hold me, and make love to me.. each time, indescribably better than the last, and now, his urge for me grew — so much, that he wanted me all the time...which explains us being in the homes library at this moment.

    There was no doubt in my mind that Justin felt love for me as I did for him in such a short space of time, my feelings for him grew rapidly and unconditionally... I was most definite that I am in love with him. I was just not sure if he felt the same way, I did not know if he was in love with me too. I remember he told me once — the first time we laid together, but I have not heard him say it since. In all honesty, that bothered me — I feel it would anyone if they were in my position. I needed to know that I was not sacrificing myself in vain... I needed to make sure that I was not sacrificing my life for someone who in the end, could care less about me.

With a sigh escaping his lips, Justin moisten his lips with his tongue, "No one knows the future, so .. I can not guarantee what I do not know" Was all he said, "I do get married next week, that is something I can not avoid. It is not my choice, it is my duty to this country to do what is best as I become their king and that is getting married to Isabella" he added after a few moments of silence.

I merely nodded, keeping my head low as I took a step to the side, ready to be finished with this conversation. It was undeniable that it hurt, it hurt knowing how he could never be mine... I could never have his heart and we could never be together in this reality. It hurt knowing that he will be marrying another and there is nothing I could possibly do to prevent that. Why am I here? why am I doing this to myself? I knew from the start that there could be no other logical outcome, and yet I let this continue.. I allowed myself to develop these feelings for the man that stood in front of me, letting myself fall when I knew deep down that I should not have.