Princess of Frost - Mila Young Page 0,18

here and wash you personally,” he says with too much enjoyment as he eyes me head to toe. “Or better yet, I can advise the prince and he will wash himself.”

I glare at him, hating how I have no choice is everything I must do.

Kainee, another one of the maids who also works on room duty for the prince, appears, keeping her head low, but she looks my way as she makes her way to the tub. Her upper lip curls into a sneer, eyes narrowing with hatred. Watched by the guard, she sprinkles a cup of perfumed salts into the water and places two untouched soap bars on the table, along with what appears to be a fresh maid's outfit on the back of the chair. She sets a pair of black, shiny shoes on the floor.

I can't stop looking at the soap, as such things are luxuries and unaffordable. Except these are all temptations for the prince to get me to do his bidding.

Kainee gives me a death stare as she marches from the room. I want to tell her that I didn't ask to be locked up in here, but I don’t get a chance. Once the guard shuts the door, I'm left alone with a treat that I shouldn’t eat but can’t resist. My stomach rumbles, so I take a seat and help myself to everything, not wanting it to go to waste. The last time I ate eggs was six months ago when the farm Rin worked at gifted her with half a dozen as payment for two days’ work.

The prince is playing a game, trying to convince me to admit I have powers so he can order me to use them. I despise him manipulating me this way, but maybe I need to bide my time and show him I’m coming around. The moment, I get a chance to escape, I do just that.

I don't stop eating until I feel full because this isn't a sensation I've felt in so long. Taking the plate of pancakes with me to the tub, I set them on a nearby chair along with one of the soaps, figuring I better do this and show I’m being cooperative.

I strip down and awkwardly climb into the tub that reaches my thighs. Scorching hot water laps up against my knees, and I lower myself into its embrace. I smile, loving how amazing the heat feels wrapping around me. I lay back until only my head remains above the surface, then I reach over and grab a pancake. This must be what living in the castle is like, and maybe I was wrong last night. Maybe I could get used to such a lifestyle... if it didn't come with the cost of giving up my freedom and becoming the prince's puppet. My ability might make me different, but I’ve grown used to having it a be part of me.

I finish the plate of pancakes and scrub every inch of myself clean with the soap, I dunk under the water. Finally, I climb out and dry myself before dressing in stockings and a thick undergarment top. I drag the black dress down over my head and poke my hands through the long sleeves, shuffling it over my body. This fits with a bit of give and doesn’t hug me so tightly like my usual one. So much for Veren telling me there were no spare uniforms.

A knock comes at the door, and I stiffen.

Eryk strides straight inside. Tall and broad shouldered, the white button-up shirt he wears looks too casual for a prince, but it makes him seem more human. Black pants hang low on his hips and wrap tightly around his strong thighs and abundant package. He's a powerful man, muscles straining against the fabric, and the fireplace's glow lights up his serious face while those spectacular green eyes burn into me. His dark hair looks wind-messed as it frames his gorgeous face. I’ve never seen a man this handsome before, and in his presence, I struggle between falling under his spell and reminding myself he is a monster.

Heat burns within me in his presence.

He grabs a chair and sits several feet from me, studying the empty plates on the table.

I can’t stop myself from studying every move he makes, how he sits with his legs spread and so easily dominates the room.

“Would you like some juice?” I ask, figuring it’s the polite thing to do.

“No.”

Alright then. I take a seat