Would they be proud?
Would they be mad at me for crossing that line? The palace line that divides those who help and those who rule rich in their blood?
I honestly couldn’t tell you what they would think, and that gnaws at me.
I move toward my en suite bathroom and remove my button-up jacket. I begged Theo not to assign me someone to help with my daily activities in my room like Runa because it would mess with my head. Theo agreed but said once I’m married to Lilly, that will have to change.
So for now, I’ll have the task of undressing myself.It would be far more pleasurable if Lilly was undressing me. Cannot lie.
I quickly get ready for bed. With my briefs still on, I move to my bed and slip under the rich covers, heavy and cool. Despite this bed being one of the most comfortable that I’ve ever slept in, I suffer greatly from a lack of sleep. It’s damaging not to be with Lilly at night, but fuck if I’m going to complain about it. What kind of man would I be if I couldn’t sleep alone?
I rest my head on my pillow just as my phone dings with a text.
Lilly:Are you in bed?
Settling in, I text her back.
Keller:Yeah. You?
Lilly:I am. I hate being away from you.
Keller:I hate it too.
Lilly:I also hated today. I feel like there’s distance between us, and I don’t like that.
Keller:There’s no distance.
Lilly:Feels like it.
Keller:Do you feel like that because we have to be separated at night?
Lilly:No, I felt like that when we were at the temple and sanctuary, like something was standing between us. And of course with Elias . . .
Keller:I don’t like him.
Lilly:That much is obvious. Should I talk to Theo and see if we can get someone else?
Keller:No. It’s fine.
Lilly:Are you sure? Because you sort of lost it today.
Keller:I lost it? You lost it. You were the one flopping your body around. What if I didn’t catch you one time?
Lilly:I knew you would. It was nothing to worry about on my end.
Keller:Still.
Lilly:Still, what? All you had to do was fall back and trust me.
Keller:Much good that did me. My ass is still sore.
Lilly:I wasn’t ready. I would have caught you if I was fully prepared and in the right position.
Keller:Still sticking with that?
Lilly:Yes. Now, how do we move on from here? I feel like everything is still up in the air.
Keller:I don’t know.
