Everything I Could Never Want

Chapter One

To avoid suspicion you must be spoken of often, but in a distasteful manner. For the past five years of my life, that is how I have lived.  

A squat man in a disgusting apron approached me. He coughed deeply into his free hand, his other was carrying a drink. He set it down in front of me, allowing his alcoholic reek to overpower me. "One fine ale fer the lady," He coughed. I could see wet chunks fly everywhere.

"Thanks, Evered." I discreetly backed away from the ale. He grunted before turning back to his place behind the bar. I pushed the ale away from me. There was no way in hell I would be touching that. 

Men like Evered were rampant. You couldn't go ten paces without meeting a drunken mess. I was used to it by now, and in a way, I welcomed it. 

I took a quick peek around the bar. It was filled with men and common whores. The men were in groups of three or four, gambling their lives away. Whores would worm their way onto a man's lap, trying to pry them away. Disgusting. The women were no good at what they did. There were far more effective ways to get a man away. 

A draft of icy wind suddenly filled the tavern. I turned around to see who in their right mind would allow warmth to escape. A tall man stood in the doorway. He appeared to be clean, unlike the rest of the filth. Colors bounced off of him. Not grey, beige, or dirt, but red, blue, and bright. We made eye contact for a brief second. Removing his cloak, he tossed it to a man cowering in his shadow. I turned back around. Noble trash was the last thing I wanted to see.

"A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be sitting alone." A chair scratched against the wood flooring.

I looked over to see the man from the doorway. "Lord Androwe Hache. You just couldn't stay away from me."

"It took you a bit to recognize me." He grinned.

"With an average look like yours and the poor candle lighting, I'm surprised I recognized you at all," I turned my head away. His deep voice sounded so intimidating. Yet, it was what caused so many women to swoon in his direction. 

"You should do well to remember that if it weren't for me, Cecly, you would have had no future." He inched his chair closer to mine. 

"You should do well to remember, that had it not been for me, Lord Androwe, my reputation would still be perfect," I stood, shoving my chair back. "Stop pretending to care. I know you do not." I marched to the bar. "One ale," I muttered Evered. 

I chugged. Faster than I had ever chugged before. "For a girl, you can down an ale fast." 

After emptying my can, I set it down. Behind the tin that had once been, a man smiled. I sighed internally. He would have to do. "To be in this crowd, you have to. Any of these men could take it from you." I smiled. "Feelin' lonely?" 

"I suppose you could say that," He chuckled. "You good company?" 

I chuckled. "I enjoy flattering myself into believing that."

"Care to accompany me upstairs?" He offered his arm to me.

"Oh honey you know it." I stood, and began to playfully drag him behind me. 

A man suddenly stood, calling out to us. "Stay away from that one. She's no good. I'm hepin' ya lad. Ya don't want that one. She's evil." The men at his table loudly agreed.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't listen to them. They have me confused with someone else." I turned towards him. "Besides," I traced squiggled up and down his arm. "Everyone else is preoccupied. Decline me, and you may never be," I leaned in closely. "Accompanied." He grinned and allowed me to drag him closer to the stairs. 

A loud bang suddenly echoed through the tavern. At least ten soldiers barged through the door. Like pests, they outlined the walls of the tavern. Swords clanged against their chain mail. Menace was darting in their eyes. They each surveyed us carefully, trying to find the mongrels among the dung. One stopped to stare me down. His eyes darting up and down. At any other time, I would have welcomed it. But now, I wanted nothing more than to cover up and disappear. 

A man emerged through the doorway. He was taller than the others with a very distinct jaw. His left hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "Princess Danielle Mercer," He called. "I know you're in here." Making very little movement, I inched the man up the stairs. Please leave. Please leave. Please leave. I prayed silently. 

I moved the man into my bedroom, closing the door ever so quietly. These soldiers, they wouldn't intrude on someone's privacy. Would they? Regardless, I needed to get my wages and get out. 

I tried to focus all my attention on the man. Smiling my seductive smile, I moved closer to the man. 

Another bang erupted from the room next to me. The doors. They're kicking open the doors. My shoulders must have tensed because the man grabbed my arms reassuringly. "You okay, hun?"

You have to calm down. Calm down now. I told myself. Wrapping my leg around his, I whispered, "Why wouldn't I be?" 

My door collided inwards next. I didn't want to look behind me. A soldier was there, I knew that. He was standing behind me, in the door. I didn't need to turn around to affirm this. I rammed my lips into the man's, trying to make everything go away. "Turn around," The soldier ordered. I continued to press my lips against the man's. Maybe the soldier would go away. Maybe he would let me live my life. "Turn around, you whore," He grabbed my shoulder and threw me to the floor. 

Pain shot through my side. Grunting, I rolled over to face my offender. I looked up at him, letting powerful words shoot through my lips. "Now, is that any way to treat your princess, Danielle Mercer?"

A/N Wow guys. Thanks for reading my first chapter! It means so much to me. I will be uploading weekly on Saturdays or Sundays. But to get this story started, I'll try to upload more frequently. Please comment what you think so far! I'd love to hear it. And if you have any constructive criticism, I would love to hear that too. Vote, share, leave it alone, do whatever you think this story deserves. Follow me if you want to receive story updates. Thanks again for sticking with me through this first chapter. Love you guys!