The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 4

~Tori~

I had to fight back. I can’t give up because if I do , I’ll lose and I’ve lost so much already. But I couldn't breathe and my legs were giving out . I tried to speak, but his hands were around my vocal cord. My body went limp and darkness clouded vision. As I was prepared to take my last breath, the last thing I heard was a voice. His voice.

Flashback..

“Oh my God!” I ran to the older man and knelt down beside him. I looked for where the bleeding was coming from and when I found it, I applied pressure. He was stabbed multiple times and from the amount of the blood that was pouring out, he didn’t have much time. I panicked as I tried to use my free hand and find my phone. “It’s okay, sir. I’m going to call for help,” I reassured him.

His eyes were fluttering. “Just stay with me.” I found my phone and dialed Gia’s number but she didn’t answer.

“Who did this to you?” He was in and out of consciousness and sweat began to form on his head. I heard footsteps marching, hoping that more people were coming to help. The wounded man looked familiar and was dressed in clothing that screamed power. He was someone important. I looked down at him and he was unconscious now. “No, no, no. Come on, stay with me.” I’ve been a nurse for six years now and this is the second time I wasn’t prepared to save a life. I checked for a pulse and was counting his fainting heartbeats when four men snatched me away. “No! Let me go. I’m a nurse and I need to help him,” I yelled as I tried to fight off the two guards holding me.

“You stabbed him and checked to see if you completed the job!” More blood was coming out and his skin appeared to be gray. His lips turned dark blue. “Can’t you see he’s dying. Why aren’t you helping him?” I screamed.

I was met with a slap across the face. “You murdered our King.” All of the color drained from my face, despite the pain I felt, I was shocked about what one of the men just blurted. The King? The King of Adenville?

Present..

My eyes popped open expecting to still be chained to my cell. But no, I was covered in a soft, warm blanket. I looked around as confusion began to swirl in my head. Am I dead? If I was, then how come I could feel my heart beating? Why couldn’t I see- I paused not wanting to remember. Oh how I wish I could hear their sweet voice? Just one more time. I would give anything, even my life. I tried to speak but my throat was so dry and sore. As I went to touch it, I remembered exactly what happened. That guard! He choked me. He tried to ra-. Tears began to form and run down my face and my heart raced even faster.

“Hey, it’s okay. He won’t ever hurt you again, okay?” You should probably drink some water.” That husky voice again. I looked towards the door where the new king stood. Two women dressed in beautiful dresses held trays of some delicious smelling food. He nodded his head and they brought it to me. One of the girls helped me sit up and the other sat the tray on a small bedside table. Once they were done, they walked away leaving me with him. He radiated power as he walked closer to me. He was so intense but that didn’t scare me, in fact I felt something different. Something that I haven’t felt in years. I was—intrigued. I watched as he observed me with unreadable eyes. Instead I matched his look. I wanted to read him and from what I can see, he’s struggling, more like conflicted. Standing there dressed in clothing that probably cost more than my penthouse, I watched as he folded his arms and his muscles flexed through his shirt. Oh god, Tori, get a grip. You can’t be attracted to the man who was going to have you killed.

“What are you thinking about, firecracker,” he asked. s**t, he caught me staring. Great, just great. Neither of us said nothing as I focused on the food. I didn’t answer him and that seemed to get him riled up.

“Answer me, Victoria,” he demanded. He didn’t yell, it was more of an authoritative tone. That was the first time he said my name and the way it sounded coming off of his lips was more than sexy. Goodness, I need to get laid. Wait, how did he know my name? Duh, my phone!

Clearing my throat, I finally spoke. “Nothing, your majesty.” My voice was raspy and it hurt a little to even talk. The food was some of the best food I’ve ever had. It was zucchini and grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed mushrooms, with some fruit juice, and water. “I see you like the food,” he said.

“I do. I just hope that your cooks didn’t poison it.” He rolled his eyes. He didn’t bring up what happened before and I was thankful. I didn’t want to think about that.

“It’s not. My cooks wouldn’t do anything without any orders from me.”

“What about Victor? Did he needed orders to try and take advantage of me?” I didn’t mean for my tone to come off so harsh, but it didn’t seem to faze him one bit.

“Victor acted on his own and he was immediately thrown out of the royal castle. His title has been stripped he was banished.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “The one thing I will not tolerate in assault of any kind on anyone.”

The room was silent again and I appreciated his gesture of getting rid of Victor and even moving me to a room. After a few more seconds passed, he cleared his throat.

“Anyway, we made a deal and you did your part, so, I will let you call your sister.” Excitement flooded through me as he pulled out my phone. He gave me the phone and I dialed her number and put it on speaker. The phone barely rang before she began screaming on the other end.

“What the hell happened to you? Mom and dad are going crazy.”

“I know and I’m sorry, Gia. I’m fine.” I didn’t want them to feel this way. My mom had a heart condition and I definitely don’t want her to end up in the hospital because of me.

“Where are you? I stopped by your place but you weren't there.” She sounded relieved.

“I-um.” I looked at the King and he made a face signaling me to make up a story. “I met someone.” Gia’s tone changed to excitement.

“Really? You finally got some. I mean it’s been so long, ever since-“

“Gia...,” I growled. That was the last thing I wanted to talk about. Especially in front of him. I didn’t miss the inquisitive look on his face.

“I’m sorry. I’m just glad you’re okay. When are you coming home,” she asked curiously. I won’t be, but I couldn’t tell her that.

“I-I don’t know. I really thought about what you said about me needing a vacation and needing to have a little fun. So I’m going to spend time away with my friend. Can you put in the time for me at work for at least a month? I booked a flight to Spain and we leave in the morning.” Gia was the nurse supervisor and so was I, but only as needed. I preferred to be in the floor providing care to the patients. I really hope she doesn’t pry because I don’t know how many more lies I can come up with before she notices something. “Yeah, I got you. You always said you wanted to go to Barcelona and you deserve after everything that you’ve been through. Don’t worry, I’ll call mom and dad for you right now but please call them later.” I glanced at him and watched as he sat there with no emotions on his face. Or maybe he was masking it.

“Okay I will, I love you, big sister,” I smiled.

“I love you, too.” I hung up the phone and gave it back to him. Thank you.” He nodded his head and turned towards me. “I can read people well. Want to know what gives it away?” He paused. “The eyes. Do you know what I could see when I looked into yours?” I’m not sure I really want to know.

“Let me guess, murderer?”

“Sadness and grief. Something tragic happened in your past and from what your sister try to mention, I’m right.” I could feel myself getting emotional. He was right but I don’t want to talk about it. Not with him. I don’t want to remember because it would hurt just as bad as it did when it actually happened.

“You don’t know a damn thing about me. Just like you don’t know who actually killed your father,” I hissed. I was so mad that he was spot on about everything. “You don’t believe I actually killed your father because I would’ve been dead already.”

I could see him getting angry, his dark brown eyes were almost black. His jaw was tight. “I know that you did and death would be too easy for you. It’s the anticipation of not knowing when I’m going to allow it.” His voice was malice and deadly. “When the time comes, nothing will stop it from happening.” He stormed off leaving me in the room alone.

*****

Victor

“So, what brings you here?” The prince of Fenwink asked me. That little commoner got me kicked out of the royal court. If she would’ve just complied, I would’ve still been there, but I have something special just for her. As for Adrian, I wanted to end him. After he attacked me for that prisoner, he lost all of my respect.

“Your highness, I can see that your father and the former king, had a peace treaty between Fenwink and Adenville.” I wanted revenge and I wanted her to pay. As for King Adrian, he will get what’s coming to him.

“Yes, but I hear you were kicked out the royal court for s****l assault and attempted murder. You’re lucky you’re still alive.”

I growled but kept my composure because I’ve been around the royal family for years. I knew everything about them. All of the scandals, the rules that they have broken,and the illegal things that have been going on for generations. I knew all of the secrets that the former king had and the only man powerful enough to expose it, is him, Prince David Kirby.

“Well, now that the King is dead, his son, Prince Adrian, is now the new king. I also know that you and Adrian do not get along.” I smiled to myself as I watched him take in what I said.

“But what does that have to do with the agreement?” He asked. “We signed a peace treaty.”

“Everything. The agreement is now void and you have the opportunity to take over Adenville. I know the country so well. I know every single secret that has been kept quiet from the public. If we work together and take out the new King, then you will have two countries to run. That’s what you’ve always wanted.”

He smiled wickedly and I knew I was in. “Okay, but how do you benefit from this?”

“I just want to be your... commander in chief. And revenge. But there’s also one more thing,” I smirked.

“What is it?”

“The prisoner, she’s his weakness. He’s softening towards her although I can hardly blame him. She is a very beautiful woman. But he attacked me for her. It’s not something that a King would do.” That piqued his curiosity.

“Really? That’s interesting. So you’re saying we should use the prisoner to get to Adrian.”

I nodded my head.

He shrugged his shoulders, “Okay, but if this backfires then, you and me will have a problem.”

“Then, I suggest we shall get to work.” He was known for getting what he wanted from women rather by force or willingly. Prince David held a different type of power. One that has people fearing for their lives if they even speak and that’s just the type of king Adenville needs.