Wings of Grace

Chapter 7

     "Our what!" Lara stood up indignantly, glaring at King Reardon. Her heart  pounding away like a pneumatic hammer.  "I don't think so. There is no way I'm marrying you. I've never met you before in my life. I don't know who Tiana is, but I can assure you, she isn't me." What was he thinking.  Just looking at the madman in front of her  made her want to swipe that complacent smirk off his  face.

     "Now don't distress yourself, my dear. I think you should have a rest and then we can discuss it when you're feeling better."

     "We will discuss this now." She yelled. The nerve of the man. "How can you possibly think that I would want to marry you? I'm only nineteen. You're old enough to be my grandfather!" Ugh.... Just the thought made Lara feel sick.

     "Tiana." Lara was too distraught to notice the displeased change in his voice.

     "My name is Lara. My middle name is Tiana. But rest assured it has never been my given name."

    "I know you're not my Tiana. But you are her daughter and that's close enough." He snapped. His irritation, even more noticable and should have acted as a warning sign but Lara was too surprised at his words to take any notice." I knew she was with child when she was taken from me. And all this time..." His indignation quickly softened to a deadly  whisper.. The chills ran up her spine as he grabbed the back of her neck, forcing her so close she could feel his breath on her cheek." All this time, I thought she was dead...When your father, King Strenton, died, I made him a promise, that I would look after his wife." His tone tempered. "I kept my promise. We were to be married..." A scowl distorted his harsh features again as he let her go, talking as he walked away "but she was kidnapped three days prior ...and I never knew what happened to her." Suddenly he stopped. Turning slowly around to stare pointedly at her."I loved Tiana very much. I alway had. " In two short strides he returned to her side. Grabbing her face gently between his fingers. "You look exactly like her. I know that you will come to love me, given time."

     Woah... How wrong can one man be. 

     Quickly stepping back, away from his lingering hands, Lara knew no matter how formidable  he was,  she needed to take control and put a stop to this right now.

     "I am not Tiana's daughter. and my father is not King Strenton. I told you, I am Lara Wakesfiell. I live in Australia. And I will never love you." This cannot be happening. Why was he not listening to her? He was crazy. Delusional.

    King Reardon turned his back on her and returned to his throne.  "We will discuss it later. Now let Lattana take you to your room. I have other matters to attend to." 

     His sudden dismissal  got her riled even more. She wasn't a child to be sent to her room.

     "No. I will not go anywhere until you see reason. You have to listen to me." Following him, she approached his throne only to be pulled back by two guards. With one flick of the King's hand the guards removed her from the hall. Kicking and screaming and totally being ignored. "I am not going to change my mind!" She announced, her voice echoing throughout the hall, just before they closed the door.

     Lara was taken to the most beautiful suite. The luxurious décor, from the silk of the curtains around the elaborate four-poster bed, to the polished wooden flooring and the fine ornate white and pastel green furnishings, were all lost on Lara, as she was too upset to appreciate her surroundings. How dare he assume she would marry him. He was so old and ugh... It would be just wrong on all accounts.

     She was not going to marry anyone.

     Now Lyon... he was a different matter; remembering the way he made her feel, as he orchestrated that last kiss. What was it about him that made her feel so infatuated? Never before had she been drawn to someone like this.