To Kiss a King

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Hah, now you claim me as your son?” Rafael laughed bitterly. “Only when it is convenient for you.” 

“Like it or not you are the fruit of my loins” The sniveling man smirked. 

Rafael’s fist connected with his fathers face, instantly causing blood to splatter upon his wrinkled shirt. He cried out and Rafael released him as his guards came rushing into the room. 

“Gentleman...escort this rat out of here.” He said turning him over to his men, worried he might kill the man himself. 

“You will regret this!” His father’s gravelly voice called out as guards seized him under his arms. 

“You have already made me regret too much!” Rafael shouted back. 

“My lord.” Erickson was standing beside him and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Do not waste your breath, he is not worth it.” 

Rafael took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Whenever he closed his eyes he was able to compose himself quicker, he shut out everything and just concentrated upon his breathing, counting to ten in his head. 

This man did not deserve to trouble him any longer, yet he had ruined everything. His father...no he didn’t deserve the word. This rodent had ruined possibly forever any happiness he might have had in this world. 

“How did he get in here?” He breathed, eyes still shut tightly. 

“The stable boy said he saw the man slip in through the kitchens. He was questioned by the butler but he claimed he was the doctor.” Erickson claimed. “And as for the actual doctor...” He continued reading Rafael’s mind. “He can not be found.” 

“Find him.” Rafael growled opening his eyes, he had a horrible feeling pitted in his stomach. 

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Fiora fitfully tossed and turned and finally opened her eyes. She was so cold all of a sudden and she felt a certain sort of emptiness. She reached up to rub the sleep from her eyes and noticed the blood stained bandages wrapped tightly around hands. Last night did Rafael fall asleep beside her? Did she really allow him to wrap his arms around her? Everything seemed so fuzzy and dream like. She was so exhausted last night and he was so warm, and comforting, and...beautiful. 

“What is wrong with me?” Fiora shook her head trying to dispel the thoughts. “How could I have even allowed for that to happen? The one who murdered both my parents...comforting me over their loss...” It was just so wrong. She reached a tentative hand up to her tingling lower lip. “Did he kiss me?” The thought brought unexpected color rushing to her cheeks. “Stop it” she chided, angry with herself. 

Today she would fight him, today she would get answers to her  endless questions. Her sorrow hardened to anger once more and she itched for revenge. 

Fiora made quick work, she braided her hair in a single plait and inspected her appearance in a large mirror that rested upon the cold stone floor. She looked well rested somehow but her eyes were puffy and red from crying. Sniffing she turned away and surveyed the room, foolishly she tried the door but it had been locked again.  She had no idea when Rafael would return to her chambers, if he even would at all that day. 

The books she used as ammunition lay scattered all over the floor still, so she began to clean up and inspect the room further. This must have been a lady’s room, she noticed glancing at the small powder area at the back. She moved about the room opening drawers and inspecting everything she could. 

She found a portrait of a gorgeous woman  with raven black hair, she had a stern look to her face but full soft lips. Almond shaped green eyes were framed by dark lashes, they seemed familiar to Fiora but she didn’t know why. Is this where Rafael kept a former mistress? 

Just then she found a letter opener and her thoughts turned back to revenge. Finally she had found something to defend herself with, the tip looked sharp and she tested it by pricking her finger. Ruby blood flowed to the surface of the puncture wound, a smile graced Fiora’s lips. A smile bent on revenge.