The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 13

~Tori~

I finally made it to the room my family was in. I checked my surroundings before I knocked and poked my head. Gia and mom were sitting on the bed while dad was nervously pacing back and forth. Brush all paused and looked up at me when they noticed I was in the room.

“Hey guys,” I said as I came in and shut the door. I ran to my dad and immediately hugged him and my mom and sister joined in.

“Are you okay, sweetie?” My dad asked as he looked over me.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry you guys had to see that.” I stepped back and looked at them all. I was so glad they were safe.

“Oh honey, we were concerned about you,” my mom worried.

“I’m fine, I promise.”

“Why didn’t you tell us that Adrian was a king?”Gia asked. “When we said he looked familiar, you didn’t say anything.” She wasn’t upset, just confused . It’s not something that you just casually blurt out. Besides, I was a prisoner and that was my way of having freedom. But I couldn’t tell them that. Mom would probably faint and don’t get me started on my dad. Although, they are the best doctors, they’re also worrisome when it come to their children.

“I-I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to keep having a normal life. He wanted privacy and I understood that.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it was for the best for them. Their safety means everything to me and I don’t want them caught up in my mess.

“I can understand that. So, you married a king and now you’re a...” Giana dragged on.

“Queen,” I finished. “Right now only by marriage. I haven’t had a coronation ceremony yet. With everything that’s going on, I don’t know if I should.” I sat on the bed very several different things. Jasper’s offer kept playing in my mind. Help him and I can be free, but what about Adrian. He kept me alive and I repay him by leaving. I can’t kick the man while he already down.

“Wow, my sister is a queen. Do we have to bow to you?” She asked. She wasn’t being funny. She was sincerely asking.

“No, you don’t. I’m still the same Tori. A crown or title won’t change that.” My parents didn’t say anything. This is a lot for them to take in. That was their way of processing it.

“Let’s finish this conversation later, I have to go see about Adrian. I’ll see if someone can bring you food,” I offered.

“No, sweetie we’re fine. We’re going to go home and sleep. It’s been a long night for everyone,” my dad suggested.

“Okay, I’ll have someone escort you out. I love you guys.”

“We love you too, darling.” My mom kissed my cheek and hugged me and my dad followed. Gia finally came up and hugged me. I left the room and found Adrian’s guard, Sir Henry, and asked him to escort my family to their vehicle. I went into my room where Emily and Sophia waited for me.

“My queen,” they bowed.

“Girls, I told you, you’re my friends, call me Tori.”

Sophia cleared her throat. “How are you?”

“Confused. Very, very confused.” I plopped onto the bed. “Please have a seat,” I offered. These girls are amazing, I will not treat them as if they’re some type of servants. That may be their title, but they’re humans just like myself.

“We heard what happened. Prince David came and destroyed your wedding and the emperor has come and stripped the king of his title,” Emily said.

“He’s locked up in that dungeon. I haven’t even seen him yet,” I said.

“As queen, you can,” Sophia revealed.

“But I’m not official,” I shrugged.

“Yes, to the people of Adenville, but in this castle, my lady, you are queen in all ways it counts. We can take you down there,” Emily suggested.

These girls are the best friends anyone could ask for. “We can take you to him, but we’re not allowed to go down to the dungeon.” My eyes perked up at the thought. I needed to see if he was okay. I was immediately on my feet.

“Let’s go,” I said rushing to the door. The girls led me through the corridors and down to the one place, I thought I’d never see again. It was so dark and cold that I shivered.

“Are you sure about this?” Sophia asked.

“Yes,” I answered nervously.

I thanked them and took one step down. Then came another and another until I finally reached the bottom. Flashes of me chained with those two guards flooded, but I shook them away.

“I don’t want anymore visitors,” he yelled. He sounded defeated.

“Not even if it’s from your wife?”

He looked up at me with shock and I looked back at him with an unreadable expression.

“Hello, husband.”

*****

~Adrian~

Tori was actually down here. I moved towards her slowly. She didn’t have a look of fear in fact, I didn’t know what was going through her mind. She stood boldly, like a queen, with her head high. She looked beautiful. She was dressed in casual clothes. The jeans and T shirt hugged every curve on her body.

“My queen,” I bowed.

“Don’t do that,” she groaned.

“Do what?”

“That,” she gestured with her hand. “Bow to me.”

“I have to, you’re the queen now and I’m just your prisoner husband,” I sighed. I don’t expect her to feel bad for me. A few months ago, I wanted her dead. I thought she was guilty of killing my father. Yet, here she was with in the same place we met, the roles are just different.

“Adrian,” she whispered. Her masked slipped and I saw the worry, the vulnerability.

“Tori, I don’t know what’s going on, but a deal is a deal. You married me for your freedom. Why aren’t gone?”

“I-I wanted to see if you’re okay. Are you hurt?”

I huffed out a breath. “I’m fine. I think the guards feel bad. I swear I didn’t know what my dad was up to. I never knew about him selling that toxic stuff to our people.”

“Apparently, your father has been keeping secrets from you all of your life.

“Apparently,” I breathed out. I inhaled deeply and smelled her scent. She smelled delectable. Like a jasmine flower and honey. I walked back and sat on the floor knowing that I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t even kiss her.

“Adrian?” She called in the softest voice. I looked at her. “Umm, a-are you hungry? Maybe I can-“

“I’m fine, you should go. Go home to your family. Go back to living the life you had before you got caught up in this mess. Tell my mother that you don’t want to be queen.” I wasn’t trying to push her away, but she doesn’t belong here. Whatever fate has in store for me, I’ll deal with it. She shouldn’t have to see me be sentenced to anything.

“Bu-“

“No, buts, Victoria. Go home,” I demanded my voice a little louder than I meant.

“I need to tell-“ she started. I told her to go have her freedom. Why isn’t she taking advantage of it. When she didn’t move, I yelled causing her to jump. “Go!”

Her eyes watered but not a single tear fell. She held them back and walked away with her head high. Just as a queen should. I needed to see Sir Henry. My plan needed to go into action. I knew it was a matter of time before he came and I smiled when I saw him in front of my cell.

“My king,” he bowed.

“Henry, just call me Adrian. My title has been stripped.”

He arched a brow. “You would always be King in my eyes.”

I nodded, grateful that he would remain loyal to me. He served my father along with Victor, but remain by my side. “What information do you have for me?”

“Well, prince Jasper wants to take David down for the crown. He has asked, Queen Victoria for her help, in exchange for her freedom and him saving her.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?” Henry had a look of pity. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell me, but then he inhaled and the exhaled.

“The queen was attacked again by Victor and Jasper saved her by killing him. One of the guards pushed her into the room where Victor was waiting. I immediately got rid of that guard. The alligators should be eating his corpse as we speak. When I came back, Jasper was already going into the room.” My face flushed with rage. If he wasn’t dead, I’ll kill him myself. I was more mad at myself for pushing her away when she was only concerned about me. She never mentioned that she was attacked. She about to say something when I cut her off. Fuck..

“s**t,” I cursed. “I’m so stupid.”

“What is it?”

“She was here.” I put my head down and covered them with my arms.

“What?”

I glanced up at him. “Tori was here and I pushed her away. I told her to go home, basically pushed her to take Jasper’s offer. She was trying to tell me something but I yelled at her.”

“Sir, your mother wants a coronation for her to officially become queen. If this happens, then your marriage-“

“Is null in void,” I cut in. I already didn’t like the sound of that.

“Sir, she would eventually have to remarry. You never got the chance to consummate your marriage.” It was the last thing I wanted to hear. Granted, I didn’t know Tori that well, but as I saw her with her family and how close they were, I knew she was a good woman. The tears that welled in her eyes earlier, showed me that she cared about me. Why else would she come down here? Maybe she was falling for me like I was for her.

“What do I suppose to do, Henry? You know once the Emperor makes a decision, he doesn’t go back.”

“But this decision was made based on false accusations. Adrian, you’re innocent. Just like Tori. We just have to prove it,” he said. Proof. All I needed was proof to clear my name and get my title and crown back. I instructed Henry to get as much information as he can regarding Jasper’s and David’s plans for the crown. As well as any information about the drugs.

“I could tell you now that your father wanted to sell prescription opioids, but became addicted to it when he hurt his back a years ago,” Henry explained.

“How come you never told me?” I was slightly hurt not knowing this. I was shielded away from all the scandal.

“Sir, you have to understand that I was a loyal guard to your father. I promised him that his secret was safe. He didn’t want you involved especially if he got in trouble.”

I shook my head. “Look at me now. I’m deeply involved and I’m innocent. I had no clue until now.”

I told Henry to find out when it started. How long has it been going on? Time and day of upcoming shipments and meetings. Once he had the enough information or proof, he’s going to take it to the Emperor. He understood and told me that he would keep me informed and then he left. I felt a little better knowing that this plan may work. I just hope that Henry won’t get caught in the crossfire.