Chapter 21

HAZEL

I gave him a walk. And then another. My legs were going numb and my wounds were opening up from the rough floors and the fact that I still wasn’t wearing shoes or socks.

Blood stains in the shape of my feet showed the exact steps I walked and I tapped my fingers together softly when I noticed the numb feeling in my hands.

“Again.” He barked.

I stopped and swung back and forth.

“I can’t,” I said lowly.

He tapped his cane and groaned.

“Then let’s move on to our next lesson—seduction.”

I looked up in a flash and saw him stepping closer. Mr. Bates reached out and it all went in slow motion when he lifted my dress, his fingers dragged across my skin and he took a big whiff of my scent in a deep inhale.

“Completely untouched. The king will appreciate that. I am to make it so that you know just what to do to make him happy,” he said as he nestled his nose in my hair and his lips whispered by my ear.

His hand rode up my side