Her King Charming

4 : Raven

PRINCESS CORALYNN'S POINT OF VIEW :

I didn't realize how it happened so fast and I found myself was trapped by the wall of muscle. A mix of minty, fresh spring and alcoholic breath fanned over my cheeks. Somewhat bloodshot and seductive eyes predated on me and he crashed his lips with mine. I didn't expect it. It was all a blur and I don't properly remember which thoughts ran inside my brain that I didn't stop him. Perhaps, I didn't want to stop him.

My eyes snapped wide open when he bit down my lower lip delicately and his soft tongue pushed mine inside to explore my mouth while his hands did quite the same. His hand gently touched my face and ran the finger-tips over my exposed neck and cold shoulder. Byron traced the outline of my breast and caressed the waist, travelling south.

A palm was pressed flat against the back of my neck keeping me locked into the position. His fingers tangled themselves with the strings of my corset pulling at them teasingly. Byron then twirled one of my hair stand around his finger and slightly pulled at it. Instinctively, after being immobile for so long, I placed my weak and shaky hands over his chest, I wanted to push him away but I hesitated at the thought. He was filling my mind with certain sinful flashes and I couldn't comprehend if I really wanted them to happen. I was blank.

His kiss turned rough and I made a small sound that turned him stiff.  He paused the kiss and pulled his face away. His face looked like he just saw a ghost. Horrified and shocked, he pulled his arms back and stepped away. Byron stared down in disbelief and sighed with frustration.

"Please excuse me. I need to leave immediately," he announced with a frown and Byron's boots clicked away as he left me all alone in the dark corridor.

My breath was labored from the kiss and I was still processing what just happened. I placed a hand over my heaving chest and watched him leave in a hurry. I closed my eyes shut and leaned back against the alcove. I cannot go back to the ball like this, I thought to myself.

Using the same corridor, I ascended the dark staircase watching my step on the way by lifting my gown up between my fingers. 

Gingerly, I padded to my bedchamber and pushed open the door with dismay. The startled maid who was making the bed looked at me with her mouth open. I politely said, "I need some privacy, please leave that for now Laura."

She nodded, bowed and left at once. I locked the door behind me and unclasped the heavy necklace looping around my neck. Placing it on the vanity, I looked at myself and frowned more. My hair was a mess, dress disheveled and lipstick smudged. I looked terrible. I decided to quietly start removing all the accessories and quickly undid the gut wrenching corset to throw it away on the bed. I stepped out of my dress and stood before the mirror half clad in just a pair of white lace bra and panties.

Staring at the girl in the mirror, my frustration grew worse. I started wiping away my make up while remembering some things that I had forgotten this evening. My stomach dropped thinking that I just had my first kiss and if he comes to know about this, the consequences won't be pleasing.

I ran my fingers along my hair to smoothen the locks out before brushing them well. My heartbeat was still racing and I felt sudden choke of fear and guilt in my heart. Did I do the right thing to not stop Byron when he kissed me? And if yes, why did he show such displeasure at the end?

Taking strides towards the cupboard, I pulled out the plain night gown neatly hanging inside. I dressed myself up and sat down on the sofa seat glancing down through the large window that let in soft breeze, brushing my hair off my face.

"What a strange evening..." I puffed out another breath and propped my face on my hands. The leaves on the nearby tree rustled against each other in the quietness of the night accompanied by dull sound of the music down in the ballroom. Looking down at my hands, I rubbed the thin band of platinum with encrusted stones given by my late mother and wondered about her. If only she could be here to hear me out, I could get the pain of my past off my chest and let it all out without having to hide it.