Page 131 of North Queen
The woman bowed low. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She gripped the side chair close by, her heart still racing. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m yours now,” she said quickly.
Norah drew in a sharp breath and clipped it out again. “No, you’re not mine. That’s not…no.”
Panic flashed across the woman’s face. “Do you not find me pleasing?”
“I don’t,” Norah said shortly. “You have to go. No one can see you here.”
The woman fell on her knees in front of Norah. “Your Majesty! I’m sorry I displease you. But I beg of you, please don’t send me away! Let me try again.”
Norah shook her head as she swallowed back the awkwardness of the situation. “There’s nothing to try again, I don’t want”—she waved her hand—“whatever it is you do.”
“I’m most discreet. And trained in pleasure for both men and women.”
Norah’s cheeks flushed hotter. “That’s exactly what I don’t want,” she insisted. “Please, go.”
“Do you have a need for a maid?” she pleaded.
“No, I—” Norah paused. She did need a maid. She thought she’d be given one, but that seemed unlikely now. She eyed the woman doubtfully. “Are you trained as such?”
“I’ve been in Kharavian court for three years. I know the ways of Kharav, and I know what proper maids don’t.” Her deep-emerald eyes sparkled, begging. “I can help you.”
But Norah pushed the idea from her mind. “No,” she said. “I can’t have you as my maid.”
The dancer bowed low on her knees. “Please, Your Majesty! I can’t stay at court if you won’t have me.”
Why would she want to? “You don’t need to stay at court. Go. I free you.”
“But I can’t live freely in Kharav as an outsider. They won’t allow it. I’ll be killed.”
Norah let out an exasperated breath. “Why don’t you go home?”
“I can’t return home. I was a gift to King Gregor. Nor can I return to Japheth. If I can’t stay at court, I have nowhere. Please, Your Majesty.”
Norah felt a twinge of guilt. What was she to do with this woman?
The dancer’s emerald eyes found hers. “Your Majesty, I know what it’s like to be a stranger in a strange land, to not trust anyone or anything around you. Please, let me serve you in whatever capacity you see fit.”
Norah pushed out a long sigh. She did need a maid, and this woman might be able to help her in other ways she hadn’t anticipated. “What’s your name?”
“Vitalia, Your Majesty.”
“Do you have clothes, Vitalia? Appropriate clothes?”
The woman gave a breathless smile. “Yes. Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Very well,” Norah relented. “We’ll try it out. Fetch your things. Take the side room, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Vitalia jumped up, smiling and bowing. “Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you! Thank you!” She bowed again and fluttered from the room.
Chapter thirty-nine
Norahmadeherwaydown to the dining room for breakfast with her new maid close behind. She hoped no one would recognize the dancer in a more conservative dress.
Mikael’s gaze locked on her as she entered. He straightened, and his mouth opened slightly, but he didn’t speak. He only stared at her, and a flush came to her cheeks.
