The Queen of Cards

A Small Provincial Town

We rode through the night and despite my best efforts to stay awake I ended up dozing in and out of consciousness. When I woke up I was tucked snugly against his chest. We were molded together and it was as if our bodies fit perfectly. I sat up straight and glared at Rob who smiled smugly. "Sleep well Princess?" He smirked. 

"Not particularly" I snapped back annoyed. Everything ached and I was angry that I had allowed myself to relax enough to fall asleep against Rob. I hated that I was drawn to him. I'd known from the second that I'd seen him that he was special. It was my luck that the one person who I didn't have to worry about using my gift on was the one person that I needed it to work on.

"We'll stop at a village for the night and should reach Mortaim the following day" Rob shrugged and I felt my heart beat a little faster. If I could get away or at least get word out about who I was then I might have a chance at escape. "I don't have to remind you to behave yourself do I?" Rob chuckled as if he could read my thoughts.

I smiled sweetly "Of course I will behave myself in a manner befitting a lady". Rob snorted clearly unconvinced, but it didn't matter whether he believed me or not. I wasn't going to let him use me in this sick little game. I didn't know exactly what he wanted, but I knew it couldn't be good.

The village quaint and I looked at it in awe. I had been stuck in the castle for all of my life. I watched curiously as people went about their days. I'd always wanted to visit a village like this one, but father had never let me.

Rob rode to an inn where Rob paid for the best room and we headed to the tavern downstairs. We sat down at a table in the back and I watched fascinated. Everyone seemed generally happy and carefree. Rob ordered us stew and ale from a pretty waitress who gazed adoringly at Rob. I tried to picture him through her eyes. He was tall and handsome with piercings eyes and broad shoulders and clearly he had money. I must look pathetic next to him. With my skinny body, pale skin and messy hair we must have made an odd pair.

When she brought back the food she hovered at the table waiting for Rob to notice her. She had pulled the neckline of her dress down to expose more of her ample cleavage, but Rob barely glanced at her. She huffed in frustration and moved on to another table.

I took a bit of stew and smiled. No one in my family had ever eaten anything like this before and I wished I could have seen their faces watching me eat this. I dug in my growling stomach demanding nourishment.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Rob chuckling as I attacked my meal. I scowled at him. "Being abducted really works up my appetite" I glared at him as Rob shrugged laughing.

I grabbed a mug of ale and took a ledge swig grimacing at the bitter taste. "Easy there Princess" Rob raised an eyebrow as I took another swig.

"I'll do as I please" I said draining the mug. I hadn't been planning on drinking this much, but I was determined to assert what little independence I had left. I stood feeling pleasantly dizzy. "I'm going to dance" I said walking towards a group of people gayly twirling about to music. I hoped that maybe I could overhear something news about James movement or perhaps even slip away from Rob in the crowd. I joined the folk dance twirling awkwardly at first before catching on. This wasn't the type of dancing I was used to, but the drink lowered my inhibitions and soon I was moving gracefully with the others.

My strawberry blonde curls fell loose to my waist and my cheeks flushed with drink and exertion. I could feel eyes on me, but I ignored them enjoying the dance. I could feel all the overwhelming desperation and desire in the room. After the blankness that I'd enjoyed from Rob the desire in this room was overwhelming and pressed down on me. I pulled off my gloves needing to do something to release the pressure. I let my fingers trail across bare skin as I danced and the desire in the room flared as if catching fire. This time it felt like the desire was feeding me and I through my head back laughing.

I surveyed my handiwork and saw that the small group had grown and were dancing with a renewed Fervor with several couples locking lips. I took a young man by the hand smiling sweetly at him.

"Are you an angel?" He asked in awe.

"No, but I could you tell me something? It would make me very happy" I purred. The boy nodded eagerly. "Have you heard news from the capital. News of the prince?" I purred stroking his face.

"The princes father died making him the new king. His new bride was taken by the men from Mortaim and the king is gathering an army to march on Mortaim. I'm headed to the Capital tomorrow to join the army" he said glowing with pride.

My heart heart faster and my chest heaved in excitement. I stood on my tip toes whispering in his ear. "Tell them that the King of Mortaim has his bride and has split from the rest of his party with her in an effort to throw them off. Tell them they passed through this village" I whispered urgently.

"Are you.." he started startled.

Before he could finish his sentence I pressed a finger to his lips. "My name is Princess Caitriona and you have to get word to the king about where I am. Go now and tell no one" I said giving him a wide eyed look and running a hand through his hair for effect.

"I won't fail you my lady" he kissed my hand and headed quickly out of the tavern. I smiled slipping back into the crowd rejoining the dance continuing to fuel the crowd.

Suddenly I couldn't feel the desire pulsing around me anymore. I looked behind me to see Rob with his hand on my wrist. "What are you up to?" he asked wryly.

"It's called fun" I said breezily "You should try it".

"Alright then" he smirked not backing down. He took me in his arms and we started dancing with the rest of the crowd although now it felt like we were in a world of our own. I laughed drunk on Ale and desire letting Rob pull me close. His touch felt intoxicating it's self.

When the music stopped I pulled away breathing hard. I had to remember who he was. Rob was the enemy who would do anything to use me to hurt those that I cared about. To conquer my kingdom and kill my family. Rob was looking at me awe and wonder and I realized how silly I must look. A silly little princess letting herself get drawn in by her captors. I was not going to be a cliche.

"I'm going to retire for the night" I said turning from him. I refused to let Rob see how flustered he'd made me.

"I'll come with you"he said his voice husky with lust.

"You will do no such thing" I shoved him away from me.

He grabbed my wrist gently, but firmly enough to remind me who was in charge "Remember the situation that you're in" Rob growled, but I thought I saw hurt behind the anger in his eyes. I shivered and nodded, but thankfully it looked like Rob wasn't going to force himself on me. Instead he headed over to get more ale as I headed upstairs.

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Authors Note: Hey guys thank you so much for reading! Please vote and comment with your favorite characters and what you want to see going on in the future :D