VALERIA

I felt him freeze, his lips brushing against my scarred cheek.

I thought he would withdraw, upset by my rejection, storming off like the ogre he usually was.

But I’ve never been able to fully understand the King—he remains a mystery to me.

A soft kiss landed on my scarred cheek, sending a shiver through my sensitive skin.

It felt more intimate than kissing on the lips.

My chest fluttered nervously.

He exhaled deeply and finally let me go.

The coldness immediately invaded my body without