Spoiled Rotten But Sweetly Loved

Please note:  The following prologue will also be seen further into the book.

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Prologue

Clio's P.O.V

I watched with terror as the doors to the left of the arena opened, revealing Kieran.  There he stood, bare-skin and bathing in sunlight.  His tan skin covered the rippling muscles of his handsome body.  His dark hair fell into his eyes, covering his glimmering blue eyes, and a shadow of hair lined his muscular jaw.  A small sword was strapped to his thigh, in case he would open the wrong door and the beast would attack him, so he would be able to defend himself and if 'blessed by the gods', kill it.  Never did I think that what I felt for him, could be felt by a single human being, or in this case by two simple human beings.  As he walked towards the middle of the arena and turned towards us confidentially, I couldn't help but to feel my eyes rim with tears as they burned behind my lids, knowing that whatever happened from now on would cause me to loose him.  My father, the king, sat beside me and smiled slyly.  My stomach hurt as I watched him stand there.

     My father stood up and took a step towards the edge of our charming balcony to be sure everyone could see him clearly.  He raised his two hands to get his peoples' attention, letting the fat rings on his fingers glitter in the sun.  Even though the people could see him, I doubted most of them would even be able to hear him.  But they knew what he would say.  We all did.  He raised his powerful voice and let it echo as clearly as possible throughout the circular arena.  "My people, we have gathered here today to witness the fate of the accused," He motioned to Keiran "Kieran Whitlock.  His crime? Claiming he loves my daughter, Princess Clio, and daring to lay a hand on her."

     Laughter erupted throughout the arena.  My father smiled with arrogance at his peoples' response.  Kieran was looking at me.  He expected an answer from me.  My father went on, "We have now placed one ferocious tiger behind one of the doors," He motioned again, this time towards two large doors at the right side of the arena "And one of the most beautiful ladies in all of Uthruil behind the other.  He will open one, if the tiger, he dies, if the lady, he marries.  Fate will guide him in this decision.  If the gods believe him to be innocent, they will guide him to choose the door with the lady behind it.  If the gods believe him to be guilty, they will guide him to choose a very painful death."  He said with a smirk.

     I knew which door had the tiger in it, and which had the lady, and Kieran knew that I knew.  With a helpful servant, a little gold, and clever thinking, I had managed to learn which door would hold what.  Kieran looked at me hopefully.  I had to tell him which, but there was one thing the stopped me.  I knew who the lady was behind that one door, and I despised her.  Even though I was beautiful, she was too.  It was Rosaline.  I had always had everything she had ever wanted, yet she still competed with me.  Could I really give her the satisfaction of having something that I didn't?  If I couldn't have Kieran, should anyone have him?  I remember seeing her look at him with that familiar desire burning in her eyes.

     But the tiger...that ferocious beast that would tear him into bits seemed glued to the insides of my eyelids.  Whenever I closed my eyes i could see it pounce on Kieran and with one easy swipe of its paw, tear through Kieran's heart.  I couldn't let that happen...

     The one thing I wont admit, but know I'm afraid of will happen is that Kieran will realize Rosaline is  just as perfect as I am, and fall in love with her and completely forget me.  The fact was hard to accept, but the possebillity was starring me right in the face.  I had considered this over and over for the last few days and my final decision had to be now.

     Even though he was too far away from me to see it, I knew his eyes were burning into me, waiting for an answer.  I raised my hand and quickly made a nonchalant signal to the right.  He bowed to us and straightened his back, turning towards the doors.  Without hesitation, he waked straight up to the right door, and opened it. 

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Cliff-hanger!  Please read on and comment, I would love to hear from you all.