The Cursed Princess Club fanfic: The Secret of The Plaid Family

Ch. 21

He allowed his body to sink into the water letting out a long breath that trailed into a chain of bubbles. All his tension flowed into the river and left Frederick's body as weightless as a cloud. His peaceful session is perfectly accessorized by his heart beating in his ears, creating a soothing white noise. Lately, bathing had become his escape when the world felt like too much, giving him a chance to organize his thoughts after a hard day. Or in this case, a hard morning.

About thirty minutes ago, some guests decided to make a surprise appearance at their campsite. He and Whitney were just eating breakfast when Calpernia, Curtis, and Saffron emerged from the brush. After a hurried promise of no violence, the trio sat down to discuss the results of their vote.

"We've decided that Frederick can attend meetings. Now, he won't be an official member yet. First, there will be a test trial lasting a full month. You must attend all the meetings, participate in the activities, and do whatever we require. Second, any harm done to any member on or off grounds is cause for immediate expulsion. Third, either Saffron or Curtis will escort you back and forth from the grounds. Fourth, entrance into the red barn is strictly prohibited. And finally, Whitney is not to set foot on club grounds under any circumstances."

Whitney's eyes widened. "Wha-But Cal-"

 She holds up a hand.

"That condition is non negotiable. If Frederick does well this month and obeys with no problem then we'll discuss membership. But until then, I am not to see you on club grounds and if you disobey then you two will be evicted not just from the club, but the woods as well."

 Whitney looked like he wanted to say more but closed his mouth in a thin line. Frederick considered this before responding.

"Can we... take a moment to think about this?"

The woman nodded.

"Very well. But just so you know our meeting is today and we were hoping you'd come along," Then she smiled long and wide; the expression brought to mind a spider spying on its prey as it flew closer to its web. The image was further solidified by the harsh gleam in her yellow eyes.

"You must understand that every one is dying to meet you."

Frederick sat up in the water; that gaze and smug smile still burning behind his eyelids. So that was the woman that Whitney cursed and put through hell. The woman that Whitney was willing allowing to execute him.

The Spider Princess....

A shiver went through his body making the water ripple. Any fool could see that she had every reason to use this opportunity to continue what she had started. Hell, this was practically the oldest war tactic in the book: Divide and conquer. Bring him to the club, distract him with whatever bullshit they had there, then she'd sneak away back to where Whitney was and-

He shook his head.

*No. Whitney won't just let her take his life. Not after....*

Their breakfast at the cafe comes to mind and he starts to tear up as Whitney's word echo around his heart.

"You mean the world to me....."

"I never thought someone could care about me so much because I feel the same about you."

"When you're around I feel like I can let myself be happy."

Those words; An unspoken promise that Whitney wouldn't let death come to take him without a fight. Now, onto the advantages. Frederick wanted to go for many reasons; the most prevailing was to keep an eye on Calpernia, make sure she wasn't going to try anything and stop her if she did. She had to be watched closer.