Sometime after Sabine left I stood inspecting myself in the mirror. My hair had tumbled free from its updo, falling loosely in rolling waves down around me, and I still wore the dress I had worn that evening, golden with hints of red. I knew I should retire to my chambers, but there I would only continue to relive the day over and over.

I didn't need rest, I needed a distraction.

I wasn't sure when I made the conscious decision, or if I had even thought of it at all. But within moments I was slipping out my door, looking up into Darren's face.

"Ophelia," he whispered, his eyes darting around the hall. "You should be in—"

I shook my head and turned from him before he could finish. I faced the other side of the hall. Tonight a guard also sat outside the room next to mine-- Jourdon's. I walked past him, head held high. I didn't look back.

For once the halls were silent, no music playing this late into the night. I approached the guard outside Pierre's room. He eyed me with surprise.

"I would like to see Prince Pierre, is he still awake?"

The guard's gaze darted down the hall, his voice falling to a whisper. "Princess, it is late—"

"Please. If he is still asleep, I will return to my room."

The guard looked me up and down, then shook his head. His lips turned down in disgust, but he held open the door, no longer looking at me.

I brushed past him, his judgment rolling off me. The flickering light of candles lit the room within. Pierre was sprawled out on the couch in the parlor, his white shirt untied to reveal his smooth olive skin. He tilted his head lazily towards me as I entered, his eyes roving up and down my frame. Beside him sat a glass, only a small sip of wine remaining.

He rose from his reclined position, the darkness of the room molding to him. He didn't react, only tilted his head wordlessly, but his gaze said everything that needed to be said. I approached him until we were only a few inches apart. He tilted his head tilted back to look up into my face.

"It's been a while." His eyes were so dark they looked black, hardly any of the blue remaining. "I heard you attended the Queen with my brother."

There was a slight tightening around his eyes as he spoke, but he seemed0 more curious than anything else.

"I did," I confirmed. I didn't flinch at the mention of the queen. I didn't feel anything. "But I would rather not talk about that."

Pierre narrowed his eyes. "Then may I ask what brings you here at this hour?"

I paused. Why was I here? I had been so determined moments ago, feeling like I needed to see Pierre. But why? What was it that drew me to him?

I licked my lips and his gaze darted to them. He made me think of a forbidden fruit, lips still red with traces of wine, his skin smooth where it was exposed beneath his shirt. The memory of our kiss burned through me. It scorched my veins, it quieted the whispers. It made me feel something I had never felt before. A liquid heat started low in my stomach and spread through me, igniting me. As long as I could feel like this, I didn't have to feel anything else.

I stepped closer, Pierre's gaze following me behind hooded lids. I burned in every place his gaze touched me. I wasn't sure what this was. It wasn't love—not how I had dreamed it to be anyway. But it was as heady and as intoxicating as sweet wine. I moved so I was within touching distance, my skirts brushing over one of Pierre's long, outstretched legs.

"A distraction."

There was a flicker in Pierre's gaze. He rose, slowly, focusing on me as he leaned closer. He arched one thick dark brow under the untamed mess of black waves around his face. He didn't seem surprised.

"Are you sure?"

I didn't hesitate. I knew the consequences, but none of them mattered anymore. I wasn't going to be here much longer, and I didn't care what Jourdon or the entire Court thought. Pierre was the only one that could take away the pain and penetrate the cool veil of numbness I had surrounded myself with before it shattered all over again.

I knew I could never have him.

But the future did not matter. I could have him now and that would be enough. Even if the love was an illusion, nothing that would last beyond this night, I knew for as long as he held me, I would feel wanted— needed.

Desired.

"Yes."

Something shifted behind his gaze. Like he, too, was making a choice. Changing some great plan that I had been unaware of. Choosing me. Pierre reached out and took my hand. He brought it slowly to his lips, watching me closely as he kissed each finger, feathering kisses across my knuckles. I shivered.

"If you do this, it will be more than a distraction. I won't want you just once or twice, Ophelia." His words were a low murmur. He stretched out my fingers, kissing my palm. "You will be mine. Completely, wholly. You won't be able to kiss anyone without thinking of my lips." Those same lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes remained focused on me.

His voice lowered. "You won't touch yourself without calling out my name."

I sucked in a shuddering breath. Heat was spreading through me so quickly I thought I might ignite, and all he had done was kiss my hand. I licked my lips.

"I know."

He pulled me to him so I was between his legs, pressing his lips between my breasts, sending a hot trail of heat over my skin. I tilted my head back, wrapping my arms around his neck as he tightened his arms around my waist.

I moved onto the couch, my legs straddling him on either side. His long fingers tangled in my hair, and I let out a sigh as he trailed his mouth up over my collarbone to the skin of my neck. He kissed up my jaw to teasingly bite at my earlobe. Our bodies melded together, the skirts of my dress bunching up around us.

"I've wanted to make you mine from the first moment I saw you, standing outside in that hall blushing as you watched," he whispered. "I never expected to desire someone so much. Especially you. Never you. But I can see now why—I need you, Ophelia. You. Me. We are meant to be together."

Before I could respond he was tightening a fist in my hair, lowering my chin so his lips could hungrily capture mine. The other hand pressed on the small of my back, forcing my hips snuggly to his so I could feel his desire against my core.

I gasped, kissing him back feverishly.

My lips parted from his. "I have not been able to think of another since I met you. I knew I couldn't have you, that..." I trailed off, biting my lip.

Pierre smirked, leaning forward to capture my lips in a slow, lingering kiss. I closed my eyes.

"But I take it circumstances have changed." He inhaled like he was breathing me in. Pierre let out a reverent sigh. "Roses. It's intoxicating. You're intoxicating."

I leaned forward so that he was pushed back on the couch, leaning down to press my lips to his, rolling my hips over him so he let out a soft moan into my mouth. My fingers trailed over the exposed skin of his chest. He captured my hand, bringing it to his mouth where he let his lips softly brushed over my fingers, looking up into my eyes.

"Even if it is only just this once..." I said when he released my hand. Letting my fiery red hair form a curtain around our faces. "Please make me forget everything but this moment with you."

Pierre's gaze darkened for a moment, and he moved his head back, peering up at me. An emotion played behind his eyes before he set his jaw, his full lips pressing together.

Before I knew what was happening, he was gripping me, flipping me over so my back was to the couch, my legs on either side of his hips as he towered over me. His dark waves fell forward into his eyes as the dim candlelight framed his face in flickers of vibrant red, leaving his features in shadow.

"I plan on capturing both your heart and soul, darling." He leaned forward, his voice a hoarse whisper. "I don't plan on letting you go after this. You've ruined absolutely everything, but I can't find it in myself to be angry about it."

Before I could answer, his lips were back on mine, his hips grinding into me, a shock of pleasure spooling through my stomach. I gasped against his lips as they came back to mine again and again. His hands were everywhere, trailing up my sides, brushing over my chest. Yet still I wanted more. I writhed under him, clawing my fingers into the loose material of his shirt, pulling it from his shoulders.

"Please," I gasped.

He knew what I needed.

He pulled me up, his hand expertly unlacing the ties of my dress until it fell over my shoulders. I stood so that it fell around me, pulling it down my hips so I was in nothing but my underclothes. Pierre's gaze trailed over the shape of me, visible through the thin material.

Then he stood, drawing me to him. He planted another ravenous kiss on my lips before pulling away, gripping my hand in his as he stepped backward, his gaze never leaving mine. His bare chest glistened with a sheen of sweat.

I didn't stop when we reached his chambers. Didn't hesitate as he pulled me to his bed. The dark velvet of his bedspread was soaked in pale shafts of moonlight spilling through his curtains.

He leaned over me. Gone was the coyness, the flirtatious glint in his eyes. The boy that always seemed to be playing a game. The rest of our clothing fell to the floor. His fingers were cold as they traced up my thigh. I shivered. All I could feel, see, or think of was Pierre. All I knew was the euphoria of his touch.

"This was meant to be," he whispered, his tone low and seductive. "Can't you feel it? The fates pushing us together?"

"Pierre," I murmured, tightening my thighs around his hips, arching my body up to his. "Please."

Soft laughter brushed my lips.

"I want you," he murmured.

My eyes fluttered open, his hips rolling against mine, flames building in me.

"You have me right now."

He paused, his rapid breaths hot against my face. He was shuddering over me as he restrained himself. "All of you?" he whispered. "Even your heart?"

I groaned, trying to tilt my hips toward his. But he pressed down on my abdomen, holding me still. "Pierre..."

"Your body, your heart, even that power running through your veins. I want it all Ophelia. Break your engagement to my brother. I get what I want, and I want you."

I twisted below him, struggling to find words.

"Just say it. Say you will be mine. Say that I can have you."

I knew what he was asking was impossible. I had to leave. If I stayed, Jourdon would see me killed.

But I had come there to forget that. So, I did, even if I knew it was a lie. I allowed myself to believe it for the duration of the night.

"I'm yours."

Pierre let out a shuddering groan into my hair, breath hot on my skin. "Remember those words, Ophelia." There was a pause as we breathed in each other.

"Stay with me tonight," he said softly.

And I stayed. I stayed until thinking of Jourdon no longer hurt me.

---

Got a little heated there! *Fans self* Hope you enjoyed! Things are sure getting complicated for Ophelia. How do you think Jourdon will feel about what just happened?

Please vote/ comment if you are able! I always love reading my readers comments.

-Kat xx