Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 26

Liliana

Despite Garrick's threats still echoing in my mind and the queasiness churning in my stomach, I forced myself to stand tall and bury that fear deep within. In a place like this, any hint of weakness could be fatal.

I pulled the dark hood of my cloak lower over my face, ensuring my distinctive features remained hidden in shadow. The coarse fabric felt foreign against my silk gown, but it served its purpose—allowing me to move through the castle grounds without drawing unwanted attention. I kept to the lesser-traveled paths, avoiding the main corridors where servants and guards might recognize me. This meeting required absolute discretion.

The dying rays of the sun filtered through the rotting wooden slats of the barn, illuminating dancing motes of dust in the stifling air. I paused at the entrance, scanning the interior to ensure no unnecessary witnesses lingered nearby.

I approached a nervous guard who was stationed near the grain stores, keeping my voice low and my face shadowed by the hood. When I inquired about Tristan's whereabouts, his stammered directions led me to the farthest corner of the barn, where I found my quarry struggling with heavy grain sacks.

Only when I was certain we were alone in the secluded corner did I lower my hood, revealing my identity to Tristan. The lanky man with slightly stooped shoulders nearly dropped the sack in his hands, his coarse cloth tunic stained with grime and sweat.

I allowed my lips to curve into a calculated smile, direct and purposeful. "Do you know a girl named Giselle?"

His Adam's apple bobbed nervously, his gaze darting away, unable to meet my eyes. He bowed his back submissively, his voice carrying deliberate respect tinged with distance. "Noble lady, forgive my boldness, but I do not know the girl you speak of."

The lie was transparent in his eyes, as clear as spring water.

My smile remained fixed, but my voice dropped several degrees in temperature. "Don't waste my time, Tristan. I've already investigated—you and Giselle have been lovers for years. It's practically an open secret in this fortress." I extended one slender finger to trace along his trembling chin. "The consequences of lying to me are far worse than you can imagine. Be smart. Cooperation will help you live longer."

Fear finally shattered his pretense. He dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, his forehead nearly touching the tips of my delicate shoes. "Please forgive my offense, my lady! Yes, I know Giselle. We have... we have indeed been together for a long time." His voice trembled with terror. "I don't know if she has done something to offend you... but please believe me, I know nothing."

"How touching, such loyalty," I laughed softly, withdrawing a delicate crystal vial from beneath my cloak. The vessel contained a pale blue liquid that seemed to shimmer in the barn's dim light. "Don't worry, I have no interest in your pathetic little lives. This contains male werewolf pheromones." I crouched down, placing the vial into Tristan's shaking hands. "I want you to give this to Giselle and have her spray it on Adelaide's clothing. Complete this task well, and I'll arrange for you to work in the royal court. Imagine it—no more hauling grain and cleaning manure, but serving in the warm castle instead."

A flicker of hope sparked in Tristan's eyes, followed quickly by hesitation. He rubbed the small vial between his fingers, his voice low and uncertain. "My lady, I don't know what effect this might have on Giselle..."

I lifted my foot and gently placed the tip of my elegant shoe on his shoulder. With a slight press, I made his already bent back hunch even more. "Think carefully about your choices, Tristan. Do you want to remain trapped forever in this filthy barn, or seize this opportunity for advancement?" My voice was as smooth as silk, yet carried an authority that brooked no refusal.

After a brief internal struggle, Tristan's eyes dimmed as he chose submission. He gripped the vial tightly and spoke in a low voice: "I will complete the task, my lady." Then he bent forward to kiss the top of my foot, a gesture of loyalty and servitude.

I didn't withdraw my foot. Instead, I revealed a satisfied smile, my eyes gleaming with interest. "You understand etiquette better than I expected, Tristan."

Emboldened by my tacit permission, Tristan grew bolder. His hands carefully cradled my ankle as he continued his worship with increasing devotion. His movements shifted from tentative to eager, those adoring kisses climbing up my smooth calf, eventually disappearing beneath the opulent hem of my dress, growing increasingly fervent.

Despite his lowly status, the mix of desire and fear in his eyes was quite intriguing. I released a soft sigh of pleasure, my cloak falling back slightly as I leaned against the barn wall. My fingers threaded through his hair as I closed my eyes, savoring the intoxicating sensation of control and being served, occasionally letting slip satisfied moans.

As Tristan's ministrations became more focused and skilled, my breathing quickened and my toes curled with mounting pleasure. His tongue worked with desperate enthusiasm, alternating between broad strokes and targeted flicks that sent electricity through my body.

"Yes," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as waves of sensation built within me. "Just like that..."

Tristan's technique was surprisingly adept for a lowly servant. He seemed to understand exactly how to use his tongue and lips, drawing soft gasps from my throat as he devoted himself completely to my pleasure. The contrast between his humble position and the intimate service he provided only heightened my arousal.

When the crescendo of pleasure finally crashed over me, I gripped the barn post tightly to steady myself, a long sigh escaping my lips as my body trembled with the force of my climax. The sensation seemed to last an eternity, each pulse of pleasure sending aftershocks through my sensitized nerves.

When it was over, Tristan emerged from beneath my skirts, his face flushed and his eyes holding a mixture of humiliation and secret satisfaction. I gracefully smoothed my skirts while leaning down to pat his head with patronizing approval.

"You truly have some unexpected talents, Tristan," I said, my voice carrying both satisfaction and contempt. I pulled my hood back up, concealing my features once more as I prepared to depart. "Don't forget our agreement. Succeed, and your... talents will find better use."

The promise hung in the air like a golden chain, binding him to my will through his own ambition and desire. As I departed the barn, drawing my cloak tightly around me, I could feel his eyes following me, already calculating how best to serve his new mistress.

The evening air felt cool against my skin as I emerged from the stifling barn, once again hidden beneath my disguise. I took the long way back to my chambers, using the servant corridors and shadowed paths to avoid detection.

My mind already turned to the next phase of my plan. Adelaide thought herself protected by the Wolf King's favor, but even the mightiest fortress could be brought down by the right pressure applied to the weakest point.

And I had just found mine.