The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

45-Of Confessions And Understanding

"I hate this." He sighs softly as he grabbed my waist with one hand and the back of my head with the other then pressed me flush against his body and kissed me deeply.

I hated that moment too as we stood behind the hidden door behind the wall which was the exit from the underground maze that will lead us to the palace. If only we never had to part.

I moaned softly and wrapped my arms around his neck as his tongue delved deeper into my mouth and I kissed him back as passionately. I clung to him tighter and kissed him more fiercely and hungrily until I could hardly breathe.

Behind us, the palace started stirring. The sun has risen and our secret would be discovered if we didn't let go. We were both grasping for air when our lips finally parted. He breathlessly leaned his forehead on mine and we held each other for a while with our eyes closed-- noses touching and hearts racing.

"Don't go." He whispered, the silent plea in his voice thundered loudly in my heart.

I shut my eyes tighter and inhaled deeply as I held him closer to me. "I have to," I answered although my actions said otherwise.

Reluctantly, I let go of Aidan. He held on to my hand and kissed it as I stepped farther away from him.

"I love you." I whispered and stared longingly into his eyes.

"I love you more." He sighed as he kissed my hand again. "See you very soon, okay?"

I smiled and nodded. "Very soon. I promise."

He was still reluctant and held on to my hand. "How can you be sure? What if..."

I sighed. "Have faith, Aidan. We will be together very soon. Repeat after me."

"We will be together very soon." He smiled softly.

With that, he kissed my hand again and finally let me go.

I pushed the wall behind me and quickly crossed the hall before anyone saw me then opened the door to the study to get to the secret path to my room.

When I sneaked inside the study and closed the door behind me, I was stunned. There was someone sitting behind the desk and by the looks of it, he has been waiting for me.

It was Nikolai!

I stood frozen as I gaped at him.

"Good morning, Maiena. It's a little early for some reading, don't you think?" He smiled but his eyes were sharp as he looked at me from head to toe.

I unwittingly covered the Queen Anne neckline of my white dress with my hand, suddenly self-aware of the love marks all over my neck and chest. I slightly shook my head to get my wits back and recover from my shock and smiled softly. I straightened my back and stepped forward casually. "It's a little early for work, isn't it, Nikolai?" I told him as I made my way to the bookshelf and started browsing the titles but I didn't seem to understand the words I read.

A few minutes of silence passed as I pretended to be busy looking for a book to read with his heavy stare watching my back. Finally, I couldn't bear it much longer and snatched the book in front of me.

"I'm going to see Papa now." I told him as I hurried to the door.

Just as I put my hand on the doorknob, he spoke. "I know you were with Aidan last night."

I froze.

Slowly, I turned to face him. "I don't know what you're talking about, Nikolai. I was..."

BANG!

I jumped back and all the words I carefully strung out to say got caught in my throat when Nikolai hit the wooden desk hard with his fist. "Stop!" He furiously glared at me. "Stop lying, Maiena!"