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“yes to all of that,” and she slid her hand down the curve of his back, letting her fingers dance across the muscles of his strong, tight, trim body. “But it’s also stupid to act brashly and not expect trouble,” she said. “And trouble is something I don’t want. My parents... well, you summed it up. They gave me to the king so they could keep the farm. And now, they live comfortable, happy lives. I’m happy to give up my freedom so my family doesn’t have to suffer.”
    “But—”
    “No,” she shook her head, interrupting Arad. “We can’t do this. My parents would suffer, my sisters... No,” she shook her head again, more emphatically. “I can’t make them starve so I can have love.”
    “What if it didn’t have to be that way?” he asked, a clever thought coming across his face in the form of a quirked smile. “What if you could have your family safe, and the love you so obviously want? And what if I could finally rest. Helena,” he said, “you’ve possessed my soul, you’ve ruined me with little more than a glance, and now a kiss. I’ll never let you go, and if I have to overthrow a kingdom to have you, then by God I’ll do it.”
    “I don’t want anyone overthrown or hurt or worse,” she said. “But... if you can somehow manage to keep my family safe, then... I’ll think about it.”
    “Ha!” he bellowed. “She’ll think about it.” He was giving a monolog as though she weren’t there. “The girl will think about allowing me to have her if I can deliver the world.” He turned back to her, a savage glint in his eye. “I’ll take your challenge,” he said. “But don’t be surprised when the answer comes in a form you never expected.”
    She cocked her head, not knowing what he meant.
    Arad gave her one final, body-shaking, soul-shattering kiss. “Retreat exactly the way you came. Left at the first intersection, past six doors, then right. Past four more. The fifth is the door to the harem. Go, now, my father is shambling back to his quarters, drunk. He’ll be summoning you soon.”
    “But how can you know?”
    “Because I do. Go,” he said with such force that there were to be no questions.
    With the prince on her mind, and the taste of his kiss still fresh on her lips, Helena emerged back into the harem’s common room just as a messenger arrived through the public door, and caught her attention. “You!” he said. “The king has need of your services. He’s been riding all day and is sore. Are you prepared? You have your oils for the king’s massage?”
    Helena nodded, as demurely as she could. “I do,” she said, averting her eyes. “I’ll go to him right away.”
    “You know the way?” the messenger asked, his voice bored and tired. “No, of course not, you’re new. Here.” He handed her a slip of paper that she didn’t look at until she’d gathered the various oils that the king enjoyed. When she did, she realized why Arad had been so certain of his father’s return – the door they’d been in front of?
    The king’s chamber.
    *
    “K ing Salomana?” Helena asked, carefully pushing the door open and stepping through into the thickly carpeted chamber. “Are you here?”
    A groan was her answer. The smell of wine was thick in the air, just like Arad had promised. If he were drunk enough, this could be a very short visit.
    “Come!” he said, jolly despite his slurring. “My feet, my legs, they ache. You’re the new girl, yes?”
    “Yes, sir,” Helena said. “I’ve brought my things.”
    She lit a candle just as she’d been shown, and placed her oils on warmers, again, just like Maret taught her. The king’s legs were surprisingly thick and supple for a man of his age, but they were knotted like tree trunks.
    It wasn’t five minutes – barely enough time for her to make her way to the calf of his left leg – that the king was snoring happily.
    Sometimes , Helena thought, things really do work out just how you want