Chapter 48 

The days continue on. Caleb constantly commands that I be on hand, ready to give him a massage whenever he demands one, so my routine starts to reflect Caleb’s own. I wake up early, wash and change, then meet him outside of his door as he leaves his rooms, 

He walks and I follow, to the Hall. There, I stand near Tristan while Caleb performs his other duties, speaking with his people or his advisors, or even dignitaries from foreign nations 

One such dignitary glances at me in clear disgust. “Need that woman be in the room while we discuss such private political 

matters?” 

Caleb growls, deep and low. “Are you questioning my judgement?” 

The dignitary pales. “No, King Caleb, I was simply… uh… making an observation.” 

“Then keep your observations to yourself, lest you unintentionally offend me.” Caleb snaps, his eyes flashing red. 

The dignitary bows his head slightly. “Many apologies, King Caleb. I meant not offense.” 

I have no illusions that Caleb is speaking in defense of me. In truth, I know his anger is as simple as he doesn’t like to be questioned, especially not in his own hall. Really, I should leave the room for some of the things they are discussing 

I don’t understand all of it, not being overly familiar with the southern country the dignitary comes from, but I know enough that I should probably be excluded. 

Perhaps Caleb doesn’t consider me a threat. Maybe he’s right. Who would I even tell the information I learn? I have no way of communicating beyond these walls. 

Caleb knows that. Everyone does. 

At the peak of Caleb’s fury, I glance at Tristan beside me. He seems utterly bored with the entire ordeal. 

Caleb losing his patience must be a common occurrence. It always seems to be, when I’m around. I’d thought it would be different with others. Actually, now that I think of it, when he is dealing with his people, he usually shows a level of 

restraint. 

Perhaps this dignitary has been on thin ice from the beginning, 

“Please remember that I’m here to help negotiate a peace treaty King Caleb,” the dignitary says. “I mean only to promote peace and solidarity between our two nations.” 

Ton 

Caleb grunts. “What you propose is an arranged marriage. How old is the princess you are trying to pawn off on me this time?” 

My heart immediately jumps into my throat. A marriage? 

King Caleb truly is the most eligible bachelor, not just in this kingdom but across the continent, it seems. 

“She’s seventeen now, King Caleb,” the dignitary says 

The answer is no,” Caleb says flatly. Seventeen is too young, budit seems like Caleb would have said no regardless. “You try this every year. The answer will always be the same.” 

The dignitary sighs. “I must ask that you reconsider 

Caleb sits upright in his chair. “I gave you my answer. Are you questioning my judgement again?” 

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Chapter 48 

“No, King Caleb.” The dignitary takes a step back. 

Caleb shoots a frustrated glance to Tristan, who moves in at on 

at once 

“You know the drill by now, Sir. How many visits is this?” 

“Seven, the dignitary replies 

My stomach twists uncomfortably. Someone tell me he hasn’t been here trying to pawn off that same girl since she was ten? No wonder Caleb seems so annoyed with him. 

“How about a drink.” Tristan says. “That tavern you like so much is open by now. The one with the big–chested-” 

“Yes, yes, very good, the dignitary says, eyeing me. “Thank you He beats a hasty retreat, Tristan in his shadow. 

“Consort.” Caleb grumbles from the throne. 

Startling out of my thoughts, I look at him. “Yes, my King?” 

He gestures to his head. “I have a headache. I demand a scalp massage.” 

“At once, my King.” I say and rush forward. By now, I know the places to stand, and take my spot behind him. Leaning forward, I push my fingers through his hair and start to press into his scalp. 

He hums contentedly, as his shoulders sag slightly in relaxation, 

When I start to feel him drifting, I slowly stop the massage. I know better than to try to put him to sleep. He’s always furious afterwards. 

“Better?” I ask, carefully pulling my hands back. 

“For now,” Caleb says, though I can tell by how clear his voice is that his headache has passed. He doesn’t sound nearly so irritable anymore. 

Tristan returns through the door, just as I’m stepping down from the stage to return to my post along the side of the Hall. “King Caleb,” Tristan says. “Madeline, from your harem, wishes to have a word” 

Immediately, Caleb rubs at his forehead again. “Have you told her I’m busy?” 

“She insists on waiting until you can speak, even if it takes hours Tristan says, giving the King a flat look that says he’s already tried to talk Madeline out of this conversation. 

Madeline, I know, can be headstrong. 

With another, lengthy sigh, Caleb says, “Show her in.” 

Tristan returns to the door and comes back with Madeline in tow. As Tristan walks to stand beside, Madeline approaches the throne, then deeply curtseys before it 

“My King,” she says. 

“Consort,” he replies, not even trying to hide his obvious annoyance. “Why do you bother me?” 

“This humble servant merely wishes to convey a request, my King” 

Caleb waits. Madeline waits longer. 

“Out with it,” Caleb snaps. 

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Chapter 48 

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“Since the arrival of your newest consort, my King, you have denied the other women of the harem their visitation with you. The women grow lonely, missing your warmth in their beds, as well as your virility.” 

Caleb smirks at the compliment. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes 

The harem should be pleased that I’ve occupied all of the King’s time. That could give them their own peace of mind and freedom to do whatever they want. They don’t have to sit around waiting for him all the time anymore. 

Madeline obviously doesn’t see it that way. “Perhaps tonight, if my King could choose a different woman to lay with 

Caleb hums, as if considering it. For reasons I don’t want to think about too hard, my heart starts to hurt, like it’s suddenly caught in a vice made of thorny vines. 

sit 

“Is it my dick you miss, consort, or is it my favor?” Caleb replies, his eyes narrowing 

Madeline looks up at him in surprise. “It’s your passion, my King Nothing else, I assure you.” 

“Oh!” Caleb pushes up from his throne, standing now, adding several inches to the already high height he was towering over Madeline. “Do not believe yourself so clever. I’ve seen the glares you and the others of your ilk have sent Harper’s way.” 

“I meant no harm…” 

“When I discover who slashed that mark onto her arm, I will make them suffer,” Caleb says. He hops down from the stag then reaching down, grabs Madeline roughly by the chip, forcing her to look at him. “Pray that it’s not you who lands in use way of my ire” 

Then, he roughly shoves her away. Off–balance, she falls onto her backside. 

As Caleb turns away, Tristan moves in at once, ushering Madeline back to the door, She goes willingly, but not before shooting me a cold glare. 

That night, when I return to my rooms, there is a sharp knife stabbed down into my pillow. 

I know what this is, though I have no way of stopping it. 

A warning. 

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