Word Count: 1904

~Kiva

I gape at Caspian, unable to will my trembling legs into standing position to come greet him.

Ark has throughly ruined my composure.

"Ah, the Prince." Ark sweeps into a bow, which is obviously mocking, only adding to the tension in Caspian's shoulders.

It's late. Very late, and Caspian has come to my room...

"Guard. What are you doing in Kiva's room?" He questions coldly, looking at me in my almost sheer night clothes.

"A final sweep for the night," Ark reports. His procedural tone relieves some fear in me. Caspian cannot fault me for having my guard check my room in times like these.

But I can't shake the thought of what he interrupted...

What would have happened had he not? Would Ark have kissed me, or done more? Would I want him to?

"She is perfectly safe here-"

I stand swiftly, brushing past Ark. "Caspian! Whats with the late night visit?"

His intentions for coming here at this hour cannot be entirely innocent. Ark knows it, it's why he seems rooted to his spot, not having excused himself the moment the Prince deigned to arrive.

"I thought we could talk about that night, when I visited..." He rubs the back of his neck.

Ah yes. The night I tried to fuck him.

"Certainly." I clasp my hands together, even if I'm not sure I want to have this conversation with Caspian. "Ark...You can leave now."

Ark stares at me, darkness flickering in his eyes. That primal sort of protectiveness arising from his lack of trust in Caspian.

"Actually guard, why don't you stay. I have a question for you," Caspian says.

Slowly, Ark turns his attention to the Prince, not saying a word.

I push at my guards shoulders, trying to usher him out the door so he can't witness my poor excuse to get Caspian away next. "Ark needs to go and guard me. From outside."

"What's the question, your majesty?" Ark says sardonically.

He feels like a statute carved from marble. No matter how much I push at him, he doesn't move.

Caspian folds his arms over his chest. "You look like a man who has sex, right?"

My mouth dries.

Ark blinks, momentarily confused. I feel as though I've been spun into another world entirely. I didn't even known Caspian was capable to saying the word, let alone confronting Ark about it.

"Caspian..."

The Prince looks down at me. "No, seriously. He looks like he's had his way with a fair share of women."

I stare back at him, bewildered. Am I supposed to know the answer to that? Am I supposed to have insight into Ark's private affairs?

"What's your point, sir?" Ark questions tiredly.

"Well, I'd like some advice." Caspian's tone suggests amusement, however his eyes convey another story. "I've been so sheltered, I wouldn't know the first thing about pleasing a woman."

My stomach sinks. Ark glances at me, and then back at the Prince.

"And?"

"It's no secret that Kiva and I may be married one day soon. I have no plans to sleep with another woman, so what is to say I can satisfy her?"

All I can do is look between the two men and wonder if I've been shoved into a nightmare.

Royals don't speak of sex like this. Caspian has been the picture of politeness since our interrupted evening together.

The only person who has that the confidence to mention sex so casually in front of a Princess has been Ark, which makes me fear that the conversation that is about to ensue may not be entirely proper.

My guard looks down at me, and slowly, he smirks, as if sharing a private joke. "If you can't, I'm sure she can."

My eyes widen, making it painfully obvious to everyone present what he means.

He knows about what I do early in the mornings, when the manor is dark and no one is around. Or at least, what I did do, before he forbid me from it for the sake of my training.

"Ark. Don't, I grit out.

Caspian pays it no mind. "Seriously. I don't want to disappoint!"

"You wouldn't, Caspian-"

It's Ark, who cuts me off. "You will learn her body, what she likes."

My stomach turns over. Not because of the nature of the conversation, but because of what Ark is insinuating. I didn't know until now that the thought of falling into bed with Caspian is now the last thing I want...

Caspian sits down on the edge of my bed, pointing at Ark. "Give me specifics. It's an order."

"I wouldn't want to make Kiva uncomfortable." Ark shakes his head.

My eyes fall to my feet. This conversation is a nightmare, but strangely, I want to hear what he has to say.

Maybe it would give me an indication of what he would have done to me had Caspian not knocked on the door...And from what he might say, it might confirm whether I would have wanted him to continue or not.

"You won't," I barely whisper.

"Tell me, guard, how would you fuck Kiva if you got the chance?" Caspian questions. The bluntness makes me shudder, but I can't bring myself to look at him.

Ark shifts uncomfortably. "You truly wish to hear this?"

He is probably wary that Caspian is going to have him fired or killed if he does this. There is a storm in Caspian's eyes, but I don't think this is a trap.

"Go on," the Prince insists.

Ark releases a long breath, and when I look up, he's staring at me, not Caspian.

"I would take my time with someone like Kiva," he murmurs lowly, the heat in his eyes paralysing me. "She needs settling down, put in her place. And first time or not, I wouldn't go easy on her."

My heart almost fails me.

"Really?"

Caspian sounds genuinely surprised. Surely by now he knows I'm not some simpering Princess who will allow a man to walk all over me.

"I would take a long time making her beg. Bringing her to the edge over and over until she's a trembling, pathetic mess. And maybe then I would fuck her." Not once, does he remove his eyes from me.

I'm not sure I'm breathing.

"Wow," Caspian exclaims.

"And I wouldn't stop until she was thoroughly fucked. Everyone near will hear how loud she can scream my name, until that is the only word she knows. My name."

The way he says it, it's as if his early words are true. I own you.

Ark isn't my mate. He can't be, unless he is conspiring against me and my reign. Which means my draw to him is for an entirely different reason.

"Sounds like you've thought about it," Caspian notes darkly.

Ark laughs a little, the sound bitter and strained. I'm surprised Caspian hasn't stood up and struck him right in the face for being so graphic, although maybe he has actually taken the advice to heart.

It's not really advice though. It's what Ark would do...

My guard looks at me. "She would never want that though, would you Kiva?"

I narrow my eyes, rubbing my sweaty palms together. "Maybe I'd put you in your place."

Something flares in his eyes. A challenge.

"Well, that was quite the description," Caspian notes, getting to his feet again. He looks thoughtful, making me hope he isn't imagining Ark's graphic description.

Ark boldly takes a step toward the Prince. "And, after you have done all that, and she is not satisfied, then you can let her find a real man who can fuck her how she truly deserves."

My mouth falls open.

"And who would such an honour befall, Ark?" Caspian tilts his head, daring him to say it.

"It would be her choice," Ark responds, tucking his hands behind his back. "That's likely a strange concept for a Royal, considering Kiva has never had a choice in her life, has she?"

"Get out," I growl at him, before Caspian can strike him.

He turns to me, bowing his head. "My pleasure."

And with that, he walks from the room, closing the door behind him.

My head falls into my hands. What just happened? He has successfully left me as a shell of who I was before.

"That is a strange man," Caspian mutters. Thankfully, he doesn't sound as angry as I thought he may have been. He has been cold to Ark, like he suspects something is going on between us.

Is something going on between us?

"You did ask him..." I mumble.

He shakes his shoulders, as if he's ridding the conversation from his mind completely, forcing a tight smile onto his face.

"I hope I can propose to you as soon as possible, dear Kiva."

"I would like that," I force myself to say. This is why I am here, in his home. Securing a proposal is my only objective now.

Caspian runs a hand through his faded blond hair, stepping forward. Immediately I can tell his intention before he does anything.

He cups either side of my face, leaning in to kiss me.

"If we do that now, I'll get carried away," I say against his lips, trying not to wince. There is no way I can engage with him in anything now.

Not after what Ark divulged...

Caspian practically falls back a few steps, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. He looks as though I've just hit him.

"That's okay," he mumbles, his cheeks flushing bright red.

I glance at the door, knowing Ark is behind it. Once, I wanted to taunt him with the thought of having sex with Caspian, and now the concept terrifies me.

"I think I want to wait until the wedding night, if that is okay?" I ask softly.

He rubs his forehead, nodding. "Of course. Goodnight."

He brushes past me, pausing only to softly kiss my cheek. When he opens the door, Ark doesn't turn around, opting instead to just shuffle out of the way.

"Night," I say, just as the door slams shut.

I sigh dramatically, throwing my hands up. What a night this has turned into.

Quietly, I settle for bed, trying not to think about Ark standing outside my door still. Once I've shoved my legs under the covers, switching the lamp off, I'm left completely alone with my thoughts.

And they are on one thing. Ark's advice to Caspian.

Graphic thoughts of what Ark could do to me flash through my mind. He would pin me to the bed and make love to me...no, fuck me how he promised.

My fingers shift on their own accord, right between my thighs. I close my eyes, allowing images of Ark to flood my mind, until suddenly, the bedroom door a crack.

It's Ark. "The rule for training still applies."

I've never drawn my fingers away from between my legs faster. He can't see because of the sheets, but I'm sure he knows, considering how my cheeks are staining with colour.

"Who said I was going to touch myself?" I bite back.

He only smiles. "I just had a feeling."

And then, he closes the door.

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I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! and as always it is available 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

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~Midika 💜🐼