Page 36 of Saved By The King's Gamma

“Oh la la, My Queen! Lovely birthday suit,” he says, not even being subtle as he stares at Azalea.

Liam reaches past Gannon, grabbing Azalea’s wrist, jerking her to him, and loops his arm through hers while I stand stunned. Azalea quickly grabs my arm as Liam tugs her toward the door.

“What are you doing?” I gasp in horror trying to stop her as she heads for the bedroom door.

“We are showing you. You aren’t the only one a little broken,” Gannon says, offering his arm to me. And I stare at him.

“Man, the king doesn’t shut up. Bit bossy if you ask me. How do you put up with him?” Liam says. Azalea doesn’t answer and my face heats as he stalks forward toward the door and I catch sight of his white ass.

“Well, now this is definitely an adventure, so I guess we are off,” Liam says, opening the door and bowing. I giggle, and Azalea glances over her at me when Gannon suddenly covers my eyes as Liam shakes his bare ass at us.

Yet when Gannon removes his hands, I see outside into the corridor and gasp. All the guards are still stationed where they were, their clothes at their feet in a heap, their eyes straight ahead and hands over their privates. My face flames and I suddenly want to slam the door shut.

“Ready, My Queen?” Liam laughs, looping his arm back through Azalea’s. She nods, and steps out with him, and my heart breaks into a million pieces knowing this is her doing. Her way of showing me I don’t need to be ashamed. Azalea and Liam lead the way as Gannon and I follow them back toward the king’s quarters. Every staff member lines the halls naked, eyes straight ahead. My chest tightens, seeing how everyone would do this for her.

As we walk the halls, I feel a strange weight lift from my chest. If they are willing to stand naked with no shame, I can surely leave our room. Each person we pass bows or nods, and I let go of Gannon and loop my arm through Azalea’s. As we climb the last set of stairs to find Clarice and Dustin standing up top naked.

“I knew you were a fine lady, Clarice, but damn!” Liam says, giving a whistle.

“Liam, you are not too big for me to spank or wash your mouth out with soap!” she scolds and I chuckle. That man has no shame.

“Lucky me! Which knee would you like me over?” he laughs, and she folds her arms across her chest and her eyes narrow on him.

“My Queen,” she says and nods. Dustin walks over and opens the door for Azalea.

“Abbie?” she whispers.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I tell her, yet the tension in my body has left.

“Yes I did, you needed to see,” she looks out at all the naked guards and staff and so do I.

“Did you have to make them do it, too?” I whisper to her.

“No one made them do it, love,” Gannon leans down and whispers, and everyone in the hall bows or tips their heads to me, and my cheeks flush pink.

“So, can I take you somewhere now and can I put some pants on, it is a little chilly?” Gannon asks, and Azalea gives me a nudge with her elbow.

“Go, no one cares what you look like,” she tells me, and tears brim in my eyes. My heart swells at the fact that I am lucky enough to have her as my friend, my sister. I wrap my arms around her.

“More than my life,” I whisper.

“More than my life,” she replies.

“More than my life,” all the guards and staff murmur in unison, making my heart skip a beat. Turning they all bow to me and my lip quivers.

“Come on, love,” Gannon says, and I nod. Unable to fathom why they would do this for me.

16

The steering wheel is cool beneath my palms as I navigate the forested road. Trees, tall and sturdy, flank the path. In the passenger seat, Abbie’s outline is motionless against the window, her reflection ghostly as she watches the world speeding by.

I steal a glance in her direction, noting the distant look that clouds her eyes—dulled by shadows I cannot chase away. The silence between us isn’t empty; it’s laden with the weight of unsaid words, echoes of her pain that neither of us can voice. I grip the wheel a tad tighter, my knuckles betraying the concern etched within me.

I can tell she’s lost in her thoughts, probably replaying the horrors she’s endured. It’s why I’m doing this—taking her away from the castle, from all the memories that haunt her. She needs this break, a chance to breathe, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

We’re heading to a secluded cabin I know about, a place used as a safe house in case of emergencies. It’s far from everything, surrounded by nothing but nature. I figure it’s the perfect spot for Abbie to find some peace, even if it’s just for a little while.

“Almost there,” I murmur, more to myself than to Abbie, though I hope the words might bring her back to the present. The tires crunch over the gravel as I pull into the last grocery store before we head out to the cabin. Abbie, however, refuses to come in with me and waits in the car.

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