CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.

(MELIORA'S POV)


Both the prince and I froze, staring intently into the shadowy dimness, trying to make out who had approached and gasped at witnessing our intimate embrace. After a tense moment, the figure finally stepped forward enough for the meager moonlight to reveal her identity.

"Martha!" I exclaimed in surprise and relief, feeling my pounding heart rate begin to settle. "You scared me half to death!"

However, Martha didn't respond right away, her expression still one of utter shock as she gawked between the prince and me. The nobleman seemed to read the situation accurately. With a slight dip of his head, he addressed us both.

"Well, I'll bid you ladies a good evening then. But rest assured, I'll be seeing you again before my upcoming nuptials, my dear," he said, the last words directed pointedly at me with a meaningful look.

Without waiting for a response, he pivoted on his heel and strode off, disappearing back into the night's inky shadows as abruptly as he'd appeared. As soon as he was gone, Martha whirled to face me fully.

"Okay, what in the actual devil just happened here?" she demanded in a harsh whisper. "Did I really just witness what I think I saw?"

I quickly shook my head, not wanting this to blow up into a major incident. "It's nothing, really..."

But Martha fixed me with an utterly disbelieving look. "Oh, don't you dare try to brush this off! You two were straight up kissing like a pair of forbidden lovers! Spill it - what's going on between you and that prince charming himself?"

Seeing I wouldn't be able to deflect or avoid this, I blew out a tired breath.

"Alright, look...It started when he approached me at the mating ceremony last night, intending to take me back to his kingdom as his bride. But I turned him down then, too."

Martha's eyes went wide at this revelation, but she didn't interrupt as I continued.

"But you know Selene publicly claimed him. So he's only here to apologize for what Selene did. And we were just...clearing the air between us about our understandings, and stands."

I shrugged, hoping the vague explanation would be enough to satisfy her curiosity. Of course, I should've known better with Martha.

"Uh huh, and that 'clearing of the air' just happened to involve you two swapping spit?" she retorted dubiously.

"I'm not an idiot, Liora. This seems like a seriously huge deal to me. Why wouldn't you want to go off with him as his mate and basically a princess instead?"

Spinning around, I headed for the cabin door, not wanting to get drawn into a debate over this. "It just doesn't matter anymore. Selene chose him, end of story."

But Martha simply followed me inside, unwilling to drop the subject so easily. As I moved about the small space lighting a few candles, she settled onto her former pallet with her arms crossed.

"Of course it matters! Especially if he still wants you and is pursuing you, even after agreeing to Selene," she insisted.

"The other girls might try talking some sense into you when your own mate comes calling, and it may not work. But I'm not letting this ridiculous situation go until you level with me about what's really happening!"

I shot her an exasperated look as I plopped down onto my own bed. "You know, I really don't want to get into this right now..."

"Oh, we're getting into it," Martha interrupted firmly. "If you truly don't love this prince, then you shouldn't be going around kissing him in dark corners like some shameless hussy."

"I didn't go kissing him!" I countered heatedly. "He kissed me out of nowhere. But I didn't push him away because that would've been extremely rude of me toward such an important visitor."

Martha held up one hand in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay... but you can bet that better be the absolute last time he forces himself on you like that. Because next time, who knows who might stumble across you two? This could end up being bad for you, Liora."

I could only sigh, suddenly feeling emotionally and mentally drained by the whole confusing situation. A thoughtful look came over Martha's features as she studied me silently for a long moment.

"You know...this cabin is going to be awfully quiet and empty with just you here alone," she mused.

"Have you maybe thought about moving your things to stay with the few younger unmated girls for some company? It might do you some good to have a few faces around."

But I shook my head, massaging my temples wearily. "No, that won't be necessary. I'm fine staying solo for the time being."

"Suit yourself, you stubborn arrogant! You don't listen to anyone, do you?" Martha replied with a huff.


As I opened my mouth to respond, she reached into a pouch at her hip and pulled out a glass bottle filled with rich cream.

"Anyway, I came by to bring you this fine milk from my mate's stock," she said, holding it out to me. "If you didn't get it tonight, you might not receive any in a while."

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I accepted the bottle gratefully. "You're a lifesaver. I can't even remember the last time I had fresh milk to drink!"

Not waiting any longer, I unstoppered the curved glass and took a deep, satisfying pull from it as Martha watched with an amused grin.

"Atta girl - you've earned a little treat after the night you've had," she quipped wryly. "Well, I'll leave you to get some rest. I don't want my mate to start looking for me."

Giving my shoulder a playful shove, Martha rose to take her leave.

"Thanks again for the milk, Martha," I said sincerely. "And...goodnight." I bid her goodnight.

She paused in the open doorway, glancing back at me over her shoulder. "See you around, stubborn girl. And try to stay out of any more compromising situations for both your sakes!"

With one last shared grin and an eye-roll from me, Martha headed off into the night, leaving me finally alone with my jumbled thoughts and the remnants of an inexplicably eventful evening.

Releasing a deep, cleansing breath, I settled back against my tattered pillow and took another long draught of the thick, creamy milk, hoping it would succeed in putting my restive mind into a state of peaceful slumber.