To Kiss a King

Chapter 8

Fiora looked from Rafael’s eyes to her blade, he had caught it easily between his two hands and actually managed to bend it backwards. Disappointment and at the same time a bit of relief washed over her.

 Rafael wrenched the blade out of her hands and threw it across the room.  She followed it with her eyes as it clanked noisily across the stone floor until it finally skidded to a halt. Fiora turned back to Rafael and breath caught in her throat, he was staring at her. His wolfish eyes baring into her mere soul, he was breathing hard the edge of her gown still caught in his steel grip.  

 "What did you think would happen if you stabbed me?" He asked still breathing hard. 

Fiora stared at him wide eyed. She hadn't thought that far.

"How far do you think you could have gotten? I have over one thousand men in my personal guard stationed all around and in this castle." He paused.

“Did you really mean to murder me...” He asked a small amused smile tugging at his lips. 

Fiora said nothing, she just bristled with anger at his amused smug grin. Finally finding her voice she spat “No, no, not murder. I merely wished to fatally wound you. A nice messy stab to your chest would have caused you much pain. You would risk horrible infection...” Fiora continued shrugging lightly.  “and once your fevered body eventually gave out I would come and spit on your mangled corpse.” 

“How very lady like of you!” Rafael said all the amusement gone from his face. 

“As if you deserve any form kindness!” Fiora scoffed. 

“You know nothing.” Rafael growled standing up and straightening his shirt. 

“What? What don’t I know?” Fiora asked angrily also standing up, not bothering to fix her gown. Rafael said nothing, just shook his head. 

“What don’t I know Rafael?” She put extra emphasis upon his name. 

“Well Fiora” he began,using equal emphasis. “I have just been attacked...I’m not sure I’m in the mood to explain myself.” 

“Then get in the mood!” Fiora cried throwing her arms up in the air in frustration.

Rafael took a step forwards eyes smoldering “Perhaps you could...persuade me to get...in the mood.” He suggestively lifted a dark eyebrow. 

“ahh!” Fiora cried out in disgust slapping him in the face. “You pig!” 

He squinted his eyes darkly at her. “I am not just some man you can push around...I am your King, you would do well to treat me with respect.” He drew himself up. "Some Kings would have people put to death if they laid a hand on them..."

“Hah, I have no respect for you! And if it pleases the King then put me to death, I have nothing left anyways.” Fiora laughed bitterly putting her hands upon her hips. 

The comment made him pause and bristle with anger and deep regret as he made his way to the door.

“Hey...wait!” Fiora’s stomach fluttered in fear. “You..you can’t keep me locked up here...” 

Rafael spun on his heels to face her. “Oh? Can’t I?” He mocked 

“This is...this is against the law! This is kidnap! You have to let me go!” Fiora cried out unable to put her thoughts in a logical order. 

Rafael paused in the doorway “Against the law huh? Well who dictates the law?” 

Fiora opened her mouth but he cut her off holding up a hand. “Oh right that would be the...King. You should get an audience with the King and discuss this law.” 

“Oh, but you’re not on very good terms with the King at the moment are you?” Rafael continued, still referring to himself in the third person. “In fact you attacked him! Hmm that’s a hanging case if you ask me...assaulting the King.”  He shook his head in a mocking manner. 

“Rafael!” Fiora interrupted his rant.

“Yes? Would you like an audience with the King?” He said in mock question. 

Fiora fumed angry that he was making fun of her now. “Leave you pig!” She spat turning away from him. 

“Shame.” Rafael said angrily and slammed the door behind him.