The Price You Pay

A Reason For Haste

 ©2012 Price You Pay 

Chapter  7

Patrisha leaned against her chamber entrance, breathless. Her cheeks were burning and her hand tingled so much she was sure it was going numb. And despite what her body felt Patrisha’s mind was on a rage.

‘Who did he think he was?!’ she screamed within the restraints of her mind. 

That man had no right to interrupt her and Prince Henry and then he had the audacity to order her around. Patrisha had no intentions of ending anything with Henry. In fact, things have just started. 

Patrisha gathered herself and forced her weak limbs to cooperate, and by some miracle she managed to enter her chambers before nights end.

***

The King sat in his study reading from the documents sprawled across his desk, but no matter how much he desired to focus, he couldn’t. Some chocolate haired, brown eyed beauty filled his thoughts and refused to leave. He accounted that this was his fifth time trying to expel her from his thoughts, and the only thing she did was envelop his mind a bit more. And he has only known her for a few moments.

Devastated he thrust himself from his desk and paced his more than spacious chamber. She danced a mesmerizing dance in his head, intoxicating him more with each step she took into his life. Everything about her, especially that fiery attitude of hers, drew him in. As much as she may despise being here, she wouldn’t be going anywhere soon. There is no way he’d let her-

Two swift knocks on the door put a halt on his train of thought. The king forced himself back behind his desk and he tried to clear his mind. Of course her image dared not to even budge from his thoughts. He sighed as he grumbled for the knocker to enter.

Trenton, one of his most trusted knights, entered with message in hand and immediately the king’s mood went from frustrated to enraged.

“Why are you here Trenton, when I specifically told you to stay with him.” The king spoke through clutched teeth and anger emanate from his eyes. If Trenton had done anything to upset him, absolutely anything, the king knew he’d be missing a knight by the end of this encounter.

Trenton didn’t even flinch as he made his way to the king. He quickly delivered the document on top of the dozens of documents cluttering the king’s desk, proclaiming its importance.

“Before you decided to kill one of your best knights and not to mention closest friend, you may want to read this.” Trenton replied as he plopped down in seat across from the king.

The king kept a heated glare in Trenton’s direction as he scooped up the document. As soon as his eyes scanned the document his anger deflated and became a feeling of overbearing uncertainty. 

“Is he sure about this?” The king questioned as he dropped the document in half frustration and half wonder. His fingers ran nervously through his hair.

“Would I be here if he was not?” Trenton questioned while finally allowing himself to smile.

The king sighed stuck between immense happiness and crumbling under the stress of the upcoming events. He slightly nodded in acceptance of the document then he sat back in his chair and tried to relax. 

“You know what this means my king?” Trenton asked. “You are going to need a wife.” He continued without waiting for a reply as the grin grew on his face.

The king smiled at the thought. “And that, my knight, is already in the works, but preparations must be made for this,” he said while waving the document, “And I will need your assistance.”   

***

The king sat at his desk looking over his documents, he once again was trying to focus. He had so much that needed to be planned and to be put in order, but there were also many distractions.

A swift knock at the door briefly caught his attention as he grumbled a command for the knocker to enter.

“Did you say enter, my king? I couldn’t quite decipher the answer through the grumbling. ” she stated with a smirk as she floated into the room and set herself on top of his desk.

His focus was officially broken, but he didn’t mind. The king stared at her, trying to fight his amusement. She sat with her bottom placed amongst and his documents, while she blissfully stared down at her feet as they dangled beneath her. 

“Is there a reason why you have come to interrupt my work?” He questioned the dark headed beauty that sat before him. She looked from underneath her eyelashes at him. 

Tatiana tilted her head so that her eyes met his. “You and I both know that you haven’t accomplished any work since a certain orphan took residence within these halls.” She said quite smugly with a smirk tugging on her lips.

Tatiana could have sworn she saw him smile at her statement, but within a blink it was gone. He was in full business mode once again.

“I was informed recently informed by Trenton that my services were needed here.” She sighed as she crossed her legs and waited for more information.

The king nodded as he began explaining the situation. “I happen to be leaving on business trip for a few days and I need someone to keep a few things in order while I’m gone.”

Immediately the words gathered Tatiana’s attention as she leaned forward on the desk in interest.

“And how might my services benefit this cause?” Tatiana asked a small smile playing on her lips.

The king smiled at her eagerness. “I’m sure you are aware of Henry and Patrisha’s ever growing attraction?” The king questioned. Tatiana’s face fell into a deep frown just at the mention of their despicable relationship.

“What of it?” She snapped anger evident in her tone.

The king gave her a warning glare at the sharpness of her tone. “You may be like a relative to me but I would watch your tone when you speak to royalty Tatiana.” He growled.

Tatiana bowed her head in submission and mumbled an apology. The king once again relaxed in his chair and nodded in understanding at Tatiana’s anger. “The only thing that I require of you, is that you make it known that you are Henry’s betrothed.”

Tatiana lifted her head in confusion. “I-I don’t understand.”

“He did announce you as his betrothed at the ball, correct?” The king questioned her. Tatiana nodded her head in confirmation as she thought back to the king’s dramatic announcement and the forced announcement of Henry’s, which occurred after.

“Then all I want you to do is play the part.” The king continued bringing Tatiana back to the present.

“But he made it perfectly clear to me, that he didn’t want me. He practically confirmed that we were nothing more than a mire title and that is how it shall remain.” A frazzled Tatiana explained.

“What if I could make your current position permanent?” The king asked and Tatiana a smirk danced on his lips and she marveled on the idea.

“Imagine it Tatiana. You could be with my dear brother, whom you’ve sought after since the days of our childhood. He could be all yours.” The king coaxed while a glossy film of possibility coated her caramel eyes. 

“So, what do you say Tatiana? Can I put my trust in you?” the king asked.

Tatiana felt a smile stretch on her lips as she finally answered. “How can I be of service, my king?”

So this chapter was kind of eventless and took forever to be uploaded, and I'm really really really sorry for that! It was a serious case of writters block and no free time, but I'm back! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was amazing and the next chapter should be up in a week or two....I hope.

Love you guys!

A.D.