Chapter 8: Kiss me

The small wooden bath was tucked in the farthest corner of the women's quarters, dimly lit by lanterns casting soft, flickering glows on the walls.

She needed space, the royal haram was big but the heat of everyone's gaze on her made it a bit less spacious.

Steam curled upward in lazy tendrils from the warm, rose-scented water, filling the air with a heady floral fragrance that clung to the skin and soothed frayed nerves.

Rae sank deeper into the tub, her shoulders barely above the waterline, the delicate petals brushing against her skin like whispered caresses.

Her headache throbbed faintly, but the warmth of the bath worked to ease the tension coiling in her temples.

Her mind replayed the conversation with Ethel earlier, her words circling like a vulture around her thoughts.

"Did she really make the prince want her?" she murmured aloud, her voice barely audible over the quiet lapping of the water against the wooden edges.

Her amethyst eyes were heavy with contemplation as she stared at the swirling petals. "Could I use this as a means to gain my freedom? Could I finally… go home?"

Her musings were interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps approaching.

The click of bare feet against the stone floor sent a ripple of awareness through her.

Before she could look up, slender, shapely legs slipped into her line of sight, the skin glistening faintly from a recent bath.

Ethel perched herself at the edge of the tub, the candlelight catching on her golden-brown skin.

She was fully naked, her lush body shamelessly exposed. Her curves were a masterpiece, full, high breasts that rose and fell with each breath, the soft richness of her thighs, the swell of her hips, and the perfect curve of her buttocks.

Her long, dark hair tumbled over her shoulders in damp waves, framing her flawless features in a way that made Rae gulp involuntarily.

Ethel's toes dipped into the bath, creating little waves that lapped against Rae's submerged body.

Her lips curled into a faint smirk as she watched Rae's reaction with a dark, knowing glint in her eyes.

"Teach me how to fuck like that," Ethel said, her voice sultry, cutting through the silence like a blade.

Rae gasped, her cheeks burning with an intense blush that rivaled the heat of the bath. "It was a mistake!" she stammered, her voice high-pitched and defensive.

"I didn't know what I was doing, for heaven's sake!"

Ethel's smirk deepened, her amusement clear. Slowly, deliberately, she parted her legs, revealing the glistening, pink lushness between the wet valley of her dark curls.

The sight was captivating, almost hypnotic, and Rae found herself unable to look away, her breath catching in her throat.

"Fine," Ethel said, her tone laced with mock resignation. "Let's learn to fuck, then… if we must survive."

Her voice dropped to a whisper, sultry and commanding. "Touch me, Rae."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken desire. Rae froze, her body rigid, her arms wrapping instinctively around her knees in a protective gesture.

The water sloshed softly as Ethel slid into the tub, the movement graceful, almost predatory.

The warmth of her body pressed against Rae's legs as she drew closer, her dark eyes locked onto Rae's amethyst ones with unrelenting intensity.

"You're so beautiful, Rae," Ethel murmured, her voice soft and reverent. Her thumb traced over Rae's lips, the touch light but electrifying.

Rae's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She couldn't move, couldn't think, as Ethel leaned in closer, her lips just a whisper away.

"Come on," Ethel coaxed, her voice barely above a breath. "Kiss me, Rae. Please."

Her dark eyes burned with desire, drawing Rae in like a moth to a flame.

Their breaths mingled, the heat between them palpable as Ethel closed the distance.

Rae's eyes fluttered shut, her lips parting slightly in anticipation.

And then the door slammed open, the sound ricocheting through the room like a crack of thunder.

Rae flinched, her heart leaping into her throat as she jerked away from Ethel.

The madam stood in the doorway, her expression one of barely contained fury.

Her sharp eyes swept over the scene, taking in Ethel's naked form and Rae's flushed face.

"The women of the harem," she said, her voice cold and biting, "only pleasure the prince. Not themselves. Out!"

Ethel let out a soft sigh, her expression one of resignation as she rose from the bath with fluid grace.

Water cascaded down her body in shimmering rivulets, clinging to her skin like liquid silk.

She stepped out of the tub, her chin held high, her gaze defiant as she retrieved a nearby towel.

Rae remained in the water, her arms wrapping around herself as if to shield her from the weight of the madam's disapproving glare.

Without another word, Ethel left the room, her head held high despite the madam's scorn.

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Rae alone in the bath, the scent of roses now mingled with the sharp tang of humiliation.

Her hands trembled as she sank deeper into the water, her mind racing.

The tension that had filled the room moments ago still lingered, a heavy, unshakable presence.

She closed her eyes, her thoughts a jumbled mess of shame, confusion, and an undeniable flicker of something else, something she couldn't quite name.

The water lapped gently against her skin, the rose petals floating around her like fragments of a shattered dream.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but her heart continued to race, her mind replaying Ethel's words, her touch, her gaze.

What had she done to deserve this attention? Why did Ethel look at her that way? Why did the prince?

Her fingers clenched around the edge of the tub, her knuckles white as she tried to push the thoughts away.

But they lingered, haunting her like a ghost, refusing to be silenced.

And deep down, she knew they would continue to haunt her for a long, long time.