After the dinner, the Princesses were escorted back to their rooms. Maren had bathed in the royal bath, lingering for some time in hopes that Cora would come.
But she never did.
Maren eventually left the bath and hid herself away in her quarters. She told her maid to take the night to herself and prepared herself for bed with the intention of using the crystal. But sleep did not come so easy for her on this night.
Maren tossed and turned, trying to sleep on her left side, then right. She even tried to position her head at the foot of the bed, but nothing worked. She was too hot and then too cold, and no matter how many sheep she counted, her mind simply refused to rest.
All she could think about was Cora. She'd hardly said a word to Maren since she snuck into her room, but Maren knew she couldn't take it personally. Cora had a lot on her mind.
As the Prince Candidates began to arrive, so did the Court and the rest of the guests.
Which included at least one of Cora's parents.
Maren knew Cora was probably an emotional wreck. At the dinner, she composed herself so well until that King started jabbing at her with her fathers' words. With all the chaos of the night, Maren wondered how Cora was doing. She wondered if she would wake up tomorrow and Cora would be bedridden from her condition.
A slight blush burned on Maren's cheeks as she lifted her hands to cover her face. She knew that meant she would have another encounter with Cora. Unless Cora released the steam, Maren was the only one who could help her.
She bit her lip, thinking about what had happened the last time. The way Cora's body pressed against hers. How she could feel every soft curve and lean muscle in her frame, and how willing Cora seemed in the moment.
Maren turned over, curling into a ball, her stomach toiling with pain and unease.
There was so much guilt.
Maren didn't hate how Cora was when her power overwhelmed her. She liked it, in fact. However, she knew that Cora in her right mind would not even consider touching her in such a way.
She spent some time in bed, staring at the ceiling, when finally, she'd had enough. Maren sat up, wrapped herself in her nightcap and strode out of the room.
She spared a glance to the Knight guarding her door, only to find him sound asleep. She rolled her eyes and continued on until she came to Cora's door.
"Princess Maren," Cora's door Knight said, awaiting her demand.
"I wish to speak with Princess Cora," Maren announced.
The Knight cleared his throat, shifting on his feet uncomfortably.
"With all due respect, your majesty — Princess Cora has been asleep for some time now, and-"
But Maren cut him off.
"I promise I'll be in and out," she said, tilting her head to the side innocently. "Princess Cora has been suffering from insomnia as of late and she and I have come to an agreement."
The Knight sighed uncomfortably, hesitating for a moment before moving aside.
Maren smiled brightly at him and slipped through the door.
Inside, Maren's eyes were instantly drawn to the bed.
But Cora was not there.
"Maren?" Cora asked.
Maren's head snapped toward the right of the room, where a dimly lit fireplace burned near a couch and tea table.
"Cora," Maren breathed, warmth filling her chest.
Cora leaned into the sofa, a book in hand, and reading glasses slipping down the curve of her nose. Her legs were spread out along the length of it, covered in a white blanket. She didn't bother to move, nor did she look surprised that Maren was in her room.
"I told the guards that you have been suffering from insomnia," Maren said, taking a step toward her, "but I didn't expect that to be true."
Cora let out a sigh through her nose, and set the book on the table, gesturing for Maren to take a seat.
Maren did as requested and softly rested on the opposite side of the sofa, her eyes resting on a bottle and a glass.
"You're drinking wine at this hour?" Maren asked, her eyebrows raising.
"Hardly," Cora muttered. "I couldn't sleep. I thought this might give me some reprieve, but it has only rested my mind a little.
Maren was quiet for a moment, and then asked, "might I partake?"
"Had I known you were coming, I would have asked Harriet to bring another glass," Cora responded.
"I don't mind sharing a glass," Maren said absentmindedly. "Swapping a bit of saliva over a glass of wine isn't so bad considering how much of each other we've already-"
She stopped herself suddenly, but not soon enough.
"I apologize," she exclaimed. "That was too-"
"No," Cora said, evenly. "You're right."
Maren blinked, turning her head toward her.
Cora moved, pouring more wine into the empty glass, and handed it to Maren. She took the glass and Cora moved back beneath the blanket.
"I've been meaning to apologize to you about that," Cora said, her eyes averted. "When I'm in that state — I don't know what comes over me. I've never been like this before now, so I don't have much of a good excuse, except that you simply…bring something out of me."
Maren took a large sip from the glass, finding it surprisingly easy to drink.
"I read a book once about a young woman who was widowed, and she began an extramarital affair with a female servant in her house," Cora said, nervously fumbling her words. "I've not given relationships much thought, if I'm being honest. I don't care much for romance novels so that's the only one I've ever read. I have also never been close enough with anyone physically in that way, other than you, and it's possible that I've become curious about…it."
Maren finished the glass faster than she'd expected. She found its taste to be absolutely delectable and much smoother than any other wine she'd tasted. She poured herself another glass as she listened to Cora's awkward but endearing explanation.
Cora cleared her throat uncomfortably, still unable to look Maren directly in her eyes.
"It's no excuse," she continued as Maren sipped the wine. "But I sometimes wonder what may happen when we're wed – I mean, not We – but us and whatever Prince has the honor."
Though Cora fumbled over her words, she knew exactly what Cora was getting to. Maren had wondered that herself. In fact, the day it was announced, she'd had that exact thought.
"And though it's embarrassing to admit, I've wondered if we should be prepared for such a thing," Cora coughed, her face a bright shade of crimson, visible even in the firelight. "I suppose talking about it would suffice, and that is no excuse for throwing myself at you."
Maren sucked down the contents of the glass, peering at Cora over the edge.
"That being said," she finished, meeting Maren's eyes finally. "I will try to do better. You deserve to be treated with respect and not be sullied by someone who can't control their power, let alone their desires."
Maren glanced down at her near empty second glass of wine, Cora's words bouncing off the walls in her mind. Her body buzzed from the depth of the drink, feeling far more straightforward than usual.
There was a pause between them as Maren considered her words carefully.
"Do you want to?" Maren asked, setting the glass aside. "Practice, I mean."
Cora blinked, her eyes wide as she processed Maren's words.
"Excuse me? I think I may have misheard you."
Slowly, Maren lifted her hand to her bosom and pulled the thread that held her nightcap together, allowing it to fall around her waist. She moved to her knees, curling them beneath her. She undid the top few buttons of her gown, allowing it to open slightly.
"If you want me, Cora, I won't object," Maren said, her chest heaving slightly from the excitement of the moment. The soft glow of the fireplace cast shadows across Maren, illuminating the edges and curves of her body.
Cora's breath hitched, and Maren thought it was as if Cora couldn't process what she was proposing.
Perhaps I should be more straightforward.
Cora blinked, paralyzed in one spot, and Maren thought she might witness her head explode any moment.
Maren giggled, and slowly moved over Cora, pulling the blanket around her shoulders so that they were both caught within its shelter.
She positioned her hips, shifting over Cora just right so that they may be more comfortable.
Every sensation was more intense; her body was alight in Cora's presence. Cora's flesh burned hot, but not hot enough to cause Maren any pain.
Maren had wanted this for some time, but she'd never even considered being so brazen and forthright. She didn't know if it was the wine or the dim lighting. She had always been able to handle her drink.
She didn't know what was different.
"We can try that," Maren said, her voice low and seductive.
"If you want, that is."