A Crown of Thorns

Chess piece

Andy's POV

"Rye. Wake up." I woke up to Ryan thrashing in his sleep mouthing inaudible words. It wasn't even close to being time to get up for the day.

His eyes shoot open but soften as he sees me. "Bad dream?"

"Mmm" he hums closing his eyes again. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"It's okay...I'm sorry you had a bad dream. I know how bad mine are sometimes and...what are you doing." I laugh softly feeling his arms wrapping around me pulling me up against his body.

"Mmm let me cuddle you." He sighs leaving a soft kiss behind my ear.

"You want to tell me what you were dreaming about?"

"...dark things that I've done they... they add up after time usually coming out twisted in my dreams."

"Oh... are you.."

"I'm fine Andy. It was just a dream." I frown at his tone of voice. Feeling as if I was being annoying for worrying about him, for caring.

"Well, sorry I asked." I huff sliding out of his hold and onto the floor.

"Andy where are you going it's the middle of the.."

"My room." I snap having a random spurt of annoyance rush through me.

"Andy wait.." I don't stay to hear what he has to say. I make my way down the hallway feeling like I might have overacted, but it didn't really matter at this point, I was in a mood.

"Hello Andrew." I look up to lock eyes with the king. His usual perfectly put together outfits and proper posture not visible. He has a weird glaze over his eyes almost like he's not awake. Brown hair sticking up in different places, clothes hanging off raggedly, but there was something familiar about him. Maybe it was because he reminded me of Ryan

"Your majesty." I bow wondering why he's up so late. Maybe Kings duties? I decide not to ask hoping I can just walk past him.

"What are you doing up so late." The tone in his voice is harsh and not the usual calm king I've talked to before.

"Um, I'm on my way to my room your majesty."

"Where were you the first half of the night?"

"With Prince Ryan..." The conversation is anything but friendly. My body tenses as the king speaks again.

"God, I wish that boy wasn't taking the throne. His brother was a much better choice but he had to fall in love with some village girl no one cared about. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with her very long."

My eyebrows shoot up mouth dropping slightly open in shock.

"And now you. You really are irrelevant. Just a chess piece that your father moved so our countries could be friends again. Ryan could've married a wealthy young lady. She could've given us money, lands, and even sons, but no we have you..."

"Your majesty I.."

"Don't say a word!" He walks towards me, backing me until I'm flat against the wall with only a foot in between us.

"You are useless!" His voice raises making the tears rush to my eyes. "I bet Ryan doesn't even love you. He's just doing what his father tells him to because I'm king. And since I'm king I can do anything I want. Like get rid of you without anyone thinking twice about it."

His voice is venomous and cruel. The little distance between us causes me to turn my face away from him. Fear setting into my chest making it hard for me to breath. My mind running in so many places trying to figure out how to get away from him. I sense his hand lifting as if he was going to hit me.