by R. L. Weeks
I wanted to run out of there.
The duke spotted me and covered himself up. He strutted over to me, grinning. “Felicity, I’m glad you could make it.”
I looked around appalled. He couldn’t be serious?
“I realised last night that it’s not that you don’t want me, it’s that you’re inexperienced.”
I could see where this was going and I felt sick. Of course, he wouldn’t think he was the problem for my lack of sexual passion.
“I went the wrong way about it before. I want to show you a whole new world of desire.”
I didn’t want to see his world.
He handed me a glass of whisky and sat me down on one of the plush chairs. I watched as people were immersed in the throes of pleasure, their sweaty bodies sliding against each other, and downed my drink.
Hours passed and I found myself just staring at my hands, hoping I wouldn’t be asked to join in with anything.
“Felicity?”
I looked up. The duke beckoned me over to one of the beds.
My stomach knotted.
He stripped and handed me a rope. “Tie my hands.’”
“What?”
“Just do it.”
His toes curled as I tightened the rope around his wrists. I really didn’t want to do this, but I had too, right?
“Tell me what to do.”
“Uh,” I hesitated. I had no idea what I was doing. “Tell me what you want me to do to you.”
I pulled the skirt of my dress up, slowly. I could feel other men’s eyes on me, but I didn’t look at them. I just wanted this to be over and done with.
I brought my lips to his, parting them with my tongue. I had kissed men before, back in Milborn, so this wasn’t new to me.
I shuddered as he cupped my breast, though. I felt his length twitch against my thigh.
“I want you to hit me, Felicity.”
That I could do.
I slapped him hard across the face. Everyone stopped and stared. His jaw dropped and I watched as the red mark on his cheek grew clearer.
“What? You asked me to hit you.”
“Not like that.”
I couldn’t help but smirk as I looked at him, half naked, with a red face, unable to move. “I have no interest in any of this,” I admitted. “Sorry for hurting you. I didn’t understand, but this isn’t my fault.”
I got up and walked out of the room.
I have no idea where that courage came from, but it felt good.
❦ ❦ ❦
I walked into an empty room after aimlessly wandering around the castle.
I sat down at the piano and sighed with relief. I loved playing at home and was so surprised to see it standing in a room on its own, covered in dust.
I closed my eyes and felt the keys with the tips of my fingers. It felt familiar, comforting even. As I had done numerous times, I let my fingers move with grace, pressing down the keys to fill the room with my favourite melody. I let the feeling consume me, the song went perfectly with the patter of the rain outside. I could have stayed there forever. I didn’t stop, I just let myself slowly go into each new melody, even trying a few new ones, and smiled.
“Sounds good.”
I jumped and missed a note. I whipped my head around and flushed red; it was the prince.
I quickly stood and curtseyed. “Your Majesty, I am so sorry. I just saw it sitting in here and I wasn’t sure if I could use, but, well I did and- “I trailed off as he started laughing. On seeing my red cheeks, he stopped and looked at me as if I was a child who amused him.
“It’s perfectly fine, Felicity.”
He remembered my name.
I gulped. “Thank you.”
He was dressed so casually that I was taken aback a little. His hair hung in waves to his shoulders. He was more muscular than any of the other men in the castle. In fact, it looked as if his sleeves were going to tear from his muscles.
His flawless, olive skin was so different to what I had become accustomed too, but it looked beautiful. Around his neck hung two pendants from black string and he had markings going up one of his arms, like a tribal tattoo. To be honest, he looked nothing like how one would imagine a prince to look.
“How are you enjoying Beau?”
I bit my lip. “It’s nice.” It wasn’t a lie, from what I had seen, it was beautiful. “I haven’t seen much of it.”
“Perhaps you can ask Guran to take you around the kingdom?” He leant against the stone wall and smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth.
I fiddled with my fingers. “He would be busy.”
“Too busy to show his wife-to-be around?” He narrowed his eyes.
I nodded. “Thank you for… um…” I wasn’t sure what I was thanking him for, I was just digging for a change of subject.
He must have noticed I was uncomfortable because he laughed and walked over to me. “Where are you from?”
“Milborn.”
He smiled. “I thought I recognised the accent. Do you miss it there?”
I looked at the floor. He stood six inches above me, and his earthy scent was doing things to me that I would never admit. “A little.”
He touched my face and I closed my eyes at his gentle touch. He tilted my chin up until I was facing him.
“Are you happy?”
Where were all the questions coming from? Was my unhappiness really that apparent? I had tried to cover up how horrible I actually felt.
I tried to find the words to answer, but thankfully, he spoke again before I had too.
“You’re always welcome to come in here and play. No one really comes to this part of the castle.”
“You did.”
He smirked. “Have a good night, Felicity.”
He walked out the room and I was left alone, again.
I waited a minute before walking out. I walked down the dimly lit corridor, following the sound of his footsteps. I don’t know what led me to follow him, but something about him intrigued me.
I walked down until I heard him open a door and felt the draft of cold air swish up the spiral stairwell. I ran down and watched as he walked out into the night.
“Good evening, Felicity.” The duke's voice made me jump.
He looked over my shoulder and I quickly turned, embarrassed.
“He leaves every night, you know. He tries to keep his midnight trips a secret, but I know. I always know.”
His snake green eyes narrowed.
I forced a smile. “Why does he go?”
The duke shrugged but his lips curled into a sly grin. “Who knows. Odd one, he is. A murderer to be our next king. Who’d have thought?”
My eyes widened. “He’s murdered someone?”
The duke nodded slowly, still grinning as if he basked in the goriness of it all. “He believes in dark forces, he plays with dark objects and casts spells after the sun sets.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “The prince is a warlock?”
“Shh,” he hushed, still grinning. “Yes, he is, but you must keep it to yourself.”
I bit my lip but nodded. A warlock. Who’d have known?
He continued. “His last two fiancées died suddenly – both in freak accidents that were covered up by our king and queen, but I know the truth.”
I looked around at the empty stairwell and room behind us. “What are you doing here?”
“I followed you. I couldn’t have my wife to be wandering around the castle alone, could I?”
The confusion must have shown on my face because he stepped forward and took my hand. “I shouldn’t have treated you like I did. It wasn’t fair. I want to make you happy.”
Something in his gaze made me uneasy. “Thank you.”
“Let’s get you back to your room. Also, our wedding is being arranged for the end of this month.”
I forced a small smile. “That’s wonderful.”
He nodded, seeming appeased by my reply and led me back up the stairwell toward my room.
/> We didn’t talk about what had happened earlier at the party. I never wanted to talk about it again, but at least he was treating me better now, or so it seemed.
As we walked, I quickly forgot about the day’s events and new questions stirred in my mind.
Did the prince really kill his fiancées, and why did he keep leaving at night?
THREE
I could barely contain my excitement.
I read the letter twice, just to make sure that my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.
She was really coming, my best friend, Anne. She had travelled to Agrabah several months ago, so I was so pleased to find out she was coming to see me.
I felt safe, for the first time since coming to Beau. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. Still, I didn’t know what to do about the pending wedding.
Anne would know what do. She always knew what to do.
I dressed in my new blue dress. The silk fell over my curves and I twirled around, loving the freedom the dress gave me. I could breathe in full breaths for once.
I skipped down the stone steps wearing a smile that no one could wipe off my face.
I got the letter late so realised she was coming today. I ran out into the courtyard.
The midday sun shone brightly in the clear sky.
Little bluebirds were flying around in circles above the courtyard.
I had never seen such pretty little birds before.
I saw a carriage drive through the entrance and my heart leapt into my throat.
Was it her?
I was practically bouncing on the spot.
Anne would love it here. She always loved trying out the latest fashions, new foods, and travelling.
I saw a leg step out and a bright blue skirt. It had to be her, it just had to be.
Except, the woman that stepped out didn’t look much like the Anne I knew.
She had lost weight and had the tiniest waist. Her usual larger than life hairstyle was gone and replaced with flowing waves of chocolate brown reaching down to her chest.
Her brown eyes sparkled and she had a sun-kissed glow; probably from all the travelling.
I love Anne, but a selfish part of me that I hated so much was slightly envious – I was always the prettiest one.
I mentally slapped myself. I was glad she looked this good.
“Anne,” I squeaked as she approached.
She shot me a wide smile and embraced me in her arms. I rested my head on her shoulder and had to hold back tears. I was unsure if it was because I hadn’t seen her for a long time, or if it was because she was the only link I had to home, but either way, I wanted to burst into tears.
She pushed back my hair so it wasn’t on my face and looked me up and down. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.”
She had always taken care of me, in a motherly kind of way. Three years my senior, but twenty years wiser.
“You look incredible, Anne,” I gushed. “You look so… exotic.”
She twirled in her sky-blue dress and flashed her pearly white teeth. They had always looked a little too big for her mouth, but now they suited her perfectly.
Her eyes lit up. “Tell me all about your husband to be.”
My face dropped.
She frowned. “What is the matter?” She tilted her head and smirked. “Does he smell really bad or something?”
I held back a giggle and shook my head.
She looked over at the entrance. “Come on. We can talk about all this later when we’re not surrounded by lots of listening ears.”
❦ ❦ ❦
We were in my room, sitting on my bed, and we could not stop laughing.
Anne swallowed one of the chocolates she had brought back from Agrabah but almost choked. “Wait, you mean you actually slapped him across the face?”
I nodded with a grin. “He said to hit him,” I said with innocence.
She started laughing again and hit the bed. “Oh, my gosh! I can’t believe you did that. It’s brilliant.”
I let out a giggle and grabbed one of the chocolates – they were divine.
“How are things with Gian?”
Her smile faltered. “Fine.”
“Just fine?”
She shrugged. “It was never meant to be.”
My eyes widened. “You no longer love him?”
Her eyes managed to focus on mine, but something wasn’t quite right.
“What’s wrong?”
She paused, opening her mouth to speak, but it was like she couldn’t find the words she needed.
“Anne?”
“I- “Her glossy gaze studied me. “Nothing’s wrong. You know me, I’ll be fine.”
Something still didn’t feel quite right. “You know if something is wrong you could tell me. We are friends.”
Best of friends, I reminded myself. I should just know what’s wrong. She always did with me. If I was sad, or anything, she would just know.
I felt disappointed in myself.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.”
She cracked a smile and I felt myself lighten up a little. I hated seeing her look… unstable.
“Me too, Cee.”
She used her nickname for me and I smiled, which had become a rare occurrence for me.
She plastered on a smile, but I could always tell when it was fake. “So, tell me more about the prince?”
I lifted an eyebrow and bit my lip. “I’ve heard stories…”
“Like what?”
I lowered my voice for my dramatic effect. “That he murdered his last two fiancées.”
She gasped. “Is it true?”
“I… don’t know,” I admitted.
Considering the source of the rumour, I felt a little foolish that I had blindly believed it.
“Well, you shouldn’t just believe rumours without any evidence.”
I knew what she was referring too.
Three years ago, Anne used to meet up with these two men.
She swears she wasn’t doing anything untoward with them, but I heard panting coming from her room one night and then I saw one of the men leave.
I told one of my other friends and my sister what was happening because I was upset that she would go behind Gian’s back.
It spread like wildfire and she and Gian almost broke up because of me. She said it wasn’t her in her room and I felt so foolish and terrible for not believing her. I should have believed her. She’s my best friend and would never lie to me.
I lowered my head. “I know.”
She stood up and looked out the window. “Wait, is that him? The prince?”
I tiptoed and looked over her shoulder. “That’s him.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
She turned and smiled mischievously. “You should talk to him about your engagement to the duke. He is a prince and I’m sure he would help. After all, you did tell me that he was kind to you last night.”
I did. Perhaps she was right. Maybe he could help.
“What if he is a murderer, though?”
She rolled her eyes. “I doubt it. He’s a prince. Prince’s don’t do that, Cee.”
I hoped she was right.
❦ ❦ ❦
Anne had taken to her bed, she said she was feeling a little sick. It was probably all the chocolate.
I had somehow managed to avoid the duke all day so I was in a good mood.
I strolled out into the gardens and out over to a hill. On top of it, I spotted what looked like ruins.
I lifted my skirt up and ran up the hill. I wanted to make it in time to watch the sunset.
Oh. “Hi.”
It was the prince. He was sat by the ruins, alone.
“Hi, beautiful.”
I blushed at his unexpected comment.
“Sorry, I just saw the ruins and- “
He laughed. “You do like to apologise a lot, don’t you? Come, sit down.” He patted the grass next to him. “Where would you go if you had
a choice?”
His question caught me by surprise. “I don’t really get to make my own choices.”
His eyes twinkled, like two stars dancing in a black abyss. “If you could.”
I gazed out over the hills. “I would go to the lake.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “We have plenty of lakes in Beau…”
“No.” I took in a deep breath and looked out into the horizon until I was squinting. “Past those clouds,” I pointed, “Is a lake by Milborn. It’s enchanted. I used to play on the bay there when I was growing up.”
His lips curved into a smile, showing off his elasticated cheeks. His laugh lines showed and his dimples curved in.
“It sounds wondrous,” he said lightly and stood up. “I would like to go to this enchanted lake one day.”
I grinned. “It’s beautiful and even has mermaids.”
His eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Oh, really?”
I nodded excitedly, got to my feet, and brushed the grass of my skirt. “I saw one’s tail flip out from the water when I was seven.”
He looked down at me with a fierce expression. “Why did you come here, Felicity?”
“To marry the duke.”
He shook his head. “I mean here, to these ruins?”
“I wanted to watch the sunset.”
He smirked. “Interesting. Does the duke know you’re here?”
“No. No one does.” I paused. “I mean, I’m sure people saw me come up here,” I added, you know, just in case he was a murderer.
His eyes narrowed. “I’m guessing the duke told you how terrible I am?”
My stomach knotted. “He said you’re a murderer.”
He laughed. “I can assure you that I am not a murderer.”
I bit my lip. “Sorry. I wanted to see for myself anyway – to see if you were as bad as he said.”
He smirked a little. “Am I?”
I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress a smile. “No. Well, I don’t really know you, but you seem nice.”
“Well, my lady, I guess I can live happily ever after now, knowing that I have your approval at least.”
I was not new to sarcasm, yet his words were delivered with sincerity, leaving me confused.
“Uh.”
He turned. “I meant it,” he said as if he could read my thoughts.
“Jump on.” He helped me up onto the horse then jumped on himself. “I want to show you something.”
