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Edited at March 31, 2026 08:42 PM by Rose Thorn Manor
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Camery Valatieri - Camery felt a flicker of surprise when she saw the anger in his eyes. No, it wasn’t just anger—it was something sharper, something she wasn’t used to seeing from him. He had been joking only moments ago, and now… this? It left her standing there, stunned, unsure of what to say or do. He had lifted her, setting her back on the ground with a force that made her heart skip, and for a second, she felt like she had stepped out of time. She moved to pick up the tie, a small frown tugging at her lips as she tried to process what had just happened. It felt like everything she did was wrong, everything she said seemed to make things worse. But why did it matter? He was just her bodyguard, after all. Why should his mood have such an effect on her? Still, something about the way he spoke—his voice tight with frustration—lingered in her mind. Did he always sound like that? Or was it her? She had said or done something she didn’t even realize. Again. With a sigh, she stood, brushing the thoughts aside. It was ridiculous to dwell on it. Rolling her eyes, she began preparing for the evening ahead, trying to push the awkwardness from her mind. She didn’t have time for it. Her other guard appeared soon after, looking worn out. Bless him. He normally worked the night shift, just as he had the night before. "Good afternoon, Jack," she hummed softly, her voice light as she addressed him. He was a little older than her, mid-twenties, maybe, with a quiet demeanor that made him seem more approachable than the others. He was the type of man you wouldn’t expect to see in such a role, but when needed, he had proven himself fiercely protective. He was standing in the corner now, looking every bit as tired as he sounded. "Sorry for the late call," she continued, trying to sound casual as she gathered her things. "Mr. Negri had an emergency." The words slipped from her lips easily as she began changing, her mind already shifting to getting changed and ready for the ball. Jack gave a tired, but kind smile as he stretched his shoulders. "No need to apologize, Your Highness," he replied, his voice soft and steady, though heavy with exhaustion. "I’m always happy to help, no matter the hour." He paused for a moment, his gaze flickering over to her as she moved around the room. "Mr. Negri's emergency sounds serious though. Everything all right?" Camery glanced over at him, offering a small nod. "I’m sure it’s nothing. Just... one of those things." She didn’t want to get into it, not right now. Jack didn’t press her further. Instead, he leaned against the wall, his eyes softening as he watched her gather herself for the evening. "Well, if you need anything, just let me know," he said, his tone warm, but sincere. Camery nodded gently, though she just felt so... stuck in this cycle. She did like Malakai, but she wasn't sure if she wanted more yet. How could he ask her to make that descision now? |
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Edited at March 31, 2026 08:43 PM by Rose Thorn Manor
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Camery Valatieri - Camery changed quickly, her mind whirling with thoughts of the entire situation. It felt like everything was just so exhausting, an endless cycle of missteps and misunderstandings. She pulled on the sleek purple dress, the fabric fitting her perfectly, hugging her curves just right. Soft golden stitching ran across it, the design almost blending with the sun-golden markings that adorned her skin. The glow was more pronounced tonight, the markings spreading slowly up her neck and jaw. She glanced up as she finished adjusting her dress, meeting the sight of the full moon outside. Of course, it made sense they were more visable. She wasn’t particularly shocked by her appearance; after all, this was nothing new. She wore outfits like this often enough, and the markings had long since ceased to feel unusual. What bothered her more was the tension she still couldn’t shake. She sighed softly, her gaze landing on Jack, who was standing by the door. With a quiet smile, she held out the purple tie, though she wasn’t entirely sure whether Kai would be willing to join them. Jack was used to the routine by now. He often stayed in the background, hovering just close enough to be a presence without actually being intrusive. He understood his role, and Camery found comfort in that. He was her protector, sure, but he was also a subtle reminder of the power she wielded. No one would get near her if she didn’t want them to, and she trusted Jack to make sure of that. Still, the look on his face—a mix of exhaustion and quiet vigilance—made her smile sympathetically. As they began walking toward the ballroom, she gave him a glance, her voice light and teasing. "If Mr. Negri is here, you’re free to leave. You probably feel as tired as you look," she mused softly, giving him a playful nudge as they entered the room. Instantly, Camery’s posture shifted. She moved with ease, her smile wide and her eyes sparkling with a mix of genuine warmth and practiced charm. It was second nature to her by now, greeting the nobles and guests with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times before. She was already lost in the swirl of conversation and polite laughter, the weight of the evening’s expectations momentarily forgotten. |
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Edited at March 31, 2026 08:43 PM by Rose Thorn Manor
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Camery Valatieri - The woman quickly immersed herself in conversation, navigating through the crowd with ease. She knew the importance of building connections—forming alliances with those of power from other kingdoms. They would be useful in the future, after all. Camery briefly exchanged pleasantries with her parents, the three of them looking every bit the perfect picture of royalty. Her father stood tall and proud, a pillar of strength, while Camery was the spitting image of her mother, though perhaps a little more slender. The brief moment with them was almost comforting, but it didn’t last long before she found her thoughts drifting elsewhere. After about an hour, her attention was pulled to the crowd again. She was skimming faces, searching for the one she hadn’t seen yet: Kai. He was her bodyguard, after all. He should have been here, no matter how angry he was. Her eyes continued to scan, but the prince who seemed to be sticking a little too close to her was doing more than enough to distract her. Her glass never seemed to empty, constantly refilled with wine and champagne, and before long, Camery found herself a bit tipsy. Still, she kept her composure, never letting it slip too far, though her giggle had a more giddy edge to it. It wasn’t entirely unusual for her. Camery was generally an upbeat person, the kind to light up a room without even trying. She was the center of attention for a while, enjoying the conversation and the compliments, until the mood of the room began to shift. As the night wore on, the laughter grew louder, and the behavior of some guests turned... rowdy. She was well aware her subjects wouldn’t want to see this side of their nobility, but she had little power over it now. She found herself still talking to the prince, his arm around her waist a little too casually, his whispers growing more inappropriate by the minute. She giggled, almost in spite of herself, but when his hand reached for hers, something in her changed. Her eyes found him—Malakai. There he was, standing across the room, watching with that ever-present quiet intensity. Without thinking, she skipped over to him, a flush across her cheeks and a wide smile on her face. “Malakai,” she complained, her hands instinctively finding his chest, her voice a little slurred. She blinked a couple of times, her eyes red from the wine, before pulling herself together. Her hand slid around his neck, tracing along his shoulder blades as she pouted up at him. She glanced around to make sure no one was paying too much attention before leaning in closer. Her voice dropped to a soft whisper. “You said I should come to you if I…” she trailed off, her head tilting slightly, as if the rest of the sentence didn’t need to be spoken. The playful mischief in her eyes said everything she didn’t finish saying. She looked like she didn't even remember what had happened earlier... she just looked happy, she supposed. |
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Edited at March 31, 2026 08:43 PM by Rose Thorn Manor
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Camery Valatieri - Camery couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped her lips when she was suddenly scooped up, her eyes never leaving him as he carried her up the stairs. She was far too tipsy to care about anyone seeing them—her thoughts hazy and free of the usual restrictions. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his shoulders as she was gently set down on the bed, a soft hum leaving her lips. Everything about her felt alive, burning with an almost overwhelming heat, and yet, she could hardly focus on anything he was saying. His eyes were intense, a sharp fire that seemed to bore into her very soul, and his hands on her sides only added to the heat swirling inside her. She couldn’t even process the words properly, just nodding when he spoke. Her lips parted slightly as she watched him, entranced by the movement of his mouth, her fingers trailing lightly down his spine as he asked if she understood. "Yes," she murmured, the word almost a whisper, eager and sure. There was no hesitation in her voice, just the deep, undeniable feeling that filled her every sense. She repeated it, a soft but firm affirmation of what she was beginning to understand. “You’re the only one from now on.” Her eyes gleamed, light and full of something like surrender, as she felt the soft, warm glow of her skin, the familiar markings beneath her collarbone radiating with an almost ethereal brightness. |
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Edited at March 31, 2026 08:43 PM by Rose Thorn Manor
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Camery Vatatieri - Camery couldn't help her grin at the praise, although before she could say or do anything, his lips were against hers, their kiss deep and... well, the soft whimper that escaped her just seemed desperate. She still wasn't sure how she felt about him but... well, this certainly wasn't bad. She was drunk enough not to care all that much. She leaned up into him the best she could, her eyes brightening as he went to take his clothing off. She looked at him expectantly, her cheeks bright red, though she soon figured he wasn't going to do it. She fumbled with his shirt as she tried to kick her heels off, but they were on pretty tight. She let out a frustrated huff, but soon she managed to pull his shirt off, then went for his pants. She just stared at him for a moment. God he was just... perfect. Her hands ran down his chest, her fingers playing as his V-line as she pulled him back in, pressing her lips back to him eagerly. |
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Sunny and Warmer
