One thing Maize learned as a thief was to have the confidence of someone who belonged. It didn't matter where she was or what the mission, so long as anyone who may happen to watch her saw not a thief potentially out of her element, but rather a female who looked as though she was just going about her day, then the fewer questions there would be to ask and fewer suspicious glances thrown her way.

So when Laris led her through the castle, not along any servant routes or stairwells but through the most trafficked halls in the castle, Maize walked beside him with her head held high like the lady she was supposed to be and not the thief she really was.

Perhaps there was the off-chance Laris was using her as much as she was using him, but he was offering her a distraction from everything she wasn't able to discuss with Ress, and so she wasn't going to complain one bit.

Laris' rooms were on the second main floor of the castle, and not just a room, but a whole quarter that he was able to call his own. The hall was lined by two guards at each possible entrance, and another at each window and doorway. He nodded to each of them as they passed, but the guards looked like they either didn't see him or didn't care. Perhaps it was for the better that none of them would be in their business, though she wondered how many of them were paid extra to report their sightings to the king.

Or to Lawson Forge.

But neither was on Maize's mind as Laris held her hand as they walked down the long carpeted hallway with the stares of the guards burning into her back. Or when her shoulder was almost popped from its socket as Laris pulled her into the first windowed alcove they passed.

The glass was cool against her spine as his body pressed against hers. For a split moment, she considered asking why not just wait until they were in the privacy of his room, but all thoughts flitted away as soon as his lips found hers.

Their mouths connected in a fit of passion that caught Maize slightly off guard, which only made her want more. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his fingertips dug into her spine, and she pulled away from the kiss only to catch her breath.

"What was that about no expectations?" she breathed.

"None whatsoever," he assured her, his chest heaving. "I've just been wanting to do that since I left you alone outside your room three days ago."

"And now..." He took her in his once more, raising her knuckles to his lips. "I have a promise to uphold."

Not one to blush, Laris' bright blue gaze alone boiled her blood as it rushed to her cheeks, among other regions. "It's rude to keep a Lady waiting."

"Then it's a good thing my quarters are just down the hall."

Unable to restraint the grin that spread across her face, she let him once again take her hand and lead her further down the hallway. This time they did not stop until they were face to face with a pair of white doors that ran from the floor to ceiling, each intricately details with gold filigree. Laris released her hand only the pull a key out from underneath his shirt, and Maize found she held her breath as he opened the door.

Rarely does she have keys, and rarely do picks open a door on the first try.

"After you, my Lady," he breathed, stepping aside to let her enter the chambers before them.

If Maize thought her room was extravagant, Laris' room was a luxury all on its own.

Divided into three sections they were greeted by a sitting area, a personal study, and from where she stood, a large four-posted bed behind. Where her window covered only on panel, Laris' entire garden-facing wall was glass and balconies beyond. No wonder he was so aware of her attendance in the greenery below— his view looked outright over the very same alcove.

The entryway was furnished with two plush armchairs, each between end tables laden with books before a fireplace on the opposite wall. Her curiosity took her through the open archway into the study where the books originated, as each wall other than the grand windows was fitted with bookshelves overflowing with literature of all types. Before the windows was a desk that looked as though it hasn't been sat in for ten years, the top was so pristine and unused.

Finally, she found herself standing on the threshold of the Prince's sleeping quarters, her steps hesitant as she gripped the wooden archway as she peered in. Within was a large bed, more than big enough to accommodate them both, and then some. Various armoires and dressers stood against the wall to her left, while the wall to her right was again windows now covered with heavy black curtains that ran to the floor. A full suit of armor stood on display in the corner, but by the looks of it, it had never been worn beyond ceremonial purposes. She saw another door along the back wall that she assumed opened to the bathing room, but she couldn't pull her attention away from the bed, and whether or not she should move away from the safety of the wall to approach it...

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Laris whispered in her ear. "Though if you're adverse to the bed, I can utilize the wall just as efficiently."

Practically forgetting he was there, Maize startled and instinctively pressed her back against that wall. She'd have had a knife in her hand if she was allowed to carry one, but luckily for Laris she had made sure it was stashed away with the rest of her gear back in her room.

"You should know better than to sneak up on a Lady," she breathed.

"The same lady who agreed to join me in these very quarters?"

"All the same."

The smile Laris gave her was absolutely devilish, which immediately put her deeper on the defensive. Even still, when he once again offered his hands out to her, she took them without further hesitation.

The bed itself was neatly made, covered in a thick, dark red duvet and numerous plus pillows. If what Laris had on his mind matched what she had on hers, those bed covers weren't going to look as pristine much longer.

Stopping at the foot of the bed, Laris released her hands and walked to one side of the bed, the one closer to the windows, and sat on the edge of the mattress to begin untying his boots. Maizie casually kicked off her flats while she stood there and watched, playing out the many ways the situation could go in her mind.

When Laris stood and began removing his shirt, it narrowed down the variables greatly.

"So I assume this is commonplace for you and your courtiers," she mused as she trailed a hand along the plush duvet, surprised at its softness as she avoided Laris' glance.

"What makes you think that?" he asked as he tossed his shirt aside, the bundle of white landing at the foot of the bed.

"It seems almost too natural for you." She looked up to meet the stare already following her every movement. "Finding me at the ball, meeting me in the gardens, luring me into your quarters—"

"You truly believe that I disclose my childhood to every courtier that crosses my path?"

Maize shrugged, though she already knew the answer. There was a vulnerability to Laris when they were in the gardens. Even here, there seemed to be a softness to him that did not match the stories of the hardened, banished prince.

Without a word, Laris laid on the bed wearing only his pants. Leaning on his side he held a hand out to her. "No expectations. I just want to spend some time with you."

An uncharacteristic blush crept to Maize's cheeks as she accepted the hand and crawled onto the bed. It was as soft as it looked, and she lost her balance to fall less than elegantly onto the waiting pillows beneath her.

Laris' gentle laugh greeted her as he turned on his side to face her. She didn't flinch as a hand came up to brush aside a strand of hair that had fallen free of her braid, or pull away with the same hand gently caressed her cheek.

Her heart fluttered beneath the bodice of her dress as she forced herself to maintain his gaze. No one had ever been this close to her— not like this— except Ress. Ress... who was here because of her. Who was putting himself in potential danger trying to find herbs for her, while she was allowing herself to be distracted by the prince beside her instead of searching for the Legacy to earn them enough money to finally escape the Den.

Ress, who was more angry at the potential of her having something to do with the injury bestowed upon his former lover than the actuality of what was happening around them.

Contrary to what her partner wanted to believe, she was working on researching the Legacy, and Laris was her key to getting closer to the source. She decided Ress can have his fit for as long as he wanted, and she was going to do her work and have her fun too.

Rolling over so that she was partially on top of Laris, her hand braced against his chest, she looked down at the prince and gave him a genuine smile. "How would you like to spend our time, your Highness?"

"I'm sure I can think of a few activities," he purred as he leaned up slightly, using the hand on her cheek to slowly guide her down towards him.

This time, Maize did not hesitate, not as her lips crashed into his with a ferocity of pent-up passion that lingered beneath her skin since before he left for the Hunt. As she moved to straddle his waist, the Prince accepted her invitation and wasted no time beginning to untie the front of her dress, almost deftly, causing Maize to smile against his lips. She would have made a comment as well if the piles of fabric weren't unceremoniously pulled over her head, leaving her above Laris in only her undergarments.

The prince licked his lips as he settled back against his pillow, looking up at her as if she was a goddess to be revered. Maize bit her bottom lip as his calloused hands worked their way along her thighs to her hips, up her sides along her ribs to pause at her breasts. His eyes glazed and her core ached as he ran his thumbs over each nipple, and Maize had to swallow back the moan that wanted to escape her lips.

"I thought you said no expectations?" she breathed out.

"I can stop any time," he responded, sounded as winded as she was.

A slight shift of her hips along his hardening member was answer enough, and she did not restrain the moan that begged for freedom.

The sound alone had Laris on the move, and he switched their positions with an elephant grace that shouldn't belong in the bedroom. Maize didn't remember when his pants were removed—she was too distracted by their kiss as her hands sought to cover every in of his exposed skin.

Whether or not Laris was telling the truth about bringing his courtiers to his quarters, he certainly knew what he was doing in the bedroom. She hated comparing him to Ress, but there were some things the prince showed her that would even make her partner blush. And as promised, Laris did not ask her as soon as they both regained their breaths.

In truth, as their sweat-soaked bodies lay in bed, entangled around one another's, Maize didn't want to leave either.