Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

Chapter 66 He‘ll have to trust me.

The ride back to the palace was almost unbearable. The biting wind blew her hair back as he rode as

hard as he could towards the camp. Perhaps he wanted to distance himself as far as he could from that

scene as she did. He couldn’t run from what he’d done. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw blood.

Deep down, she didn’t feel the slightest bit bad for the men. They tortured her for fun and seemed to love

every minute of it. One even appeared to get off on it, perhaps they both did in the most sick and twisted

way. She was so sure she was about to die at their hands, she couldn’t help but wonder how many other

women they had killed before her. Did they do it for fun? She wouldn’t doubt it if someone uncovered all

the bodies they hid six feet under around their cabin. There was just no way she was their first victim.

They seemed too familiar with it, too sure of themselves to get away with it. They almost did.

But still, she wished she didn’t have to see them meet their end. It would haunt her thoughts for months

to come-she doubted she’d ever get another peaceful sleep again after everything she’s seen. She

longed for the time when the worst thing she had ever seen was a bathroom that hadn’t been cleaned in

months. By the time they arrived back to the camp, the sun was up and shining high in the sky. The

village was wide awake and going about their duties without a single glance towards the prince. Perhaps

that was good even though they meant it as disrespect. Doris wasn’t sure how much blood still remained

on his skin even after he tried to wipe it off. Doris felt as if her enter body was drenched in it. Could they

see it on her face? Was it on her hands and in her hair? Or was she imaging it all? 2 Of course she was,

she never touched them, he’s the one that ripped them apart and spread this body parts across the

clearing Enzo was talking with a group of guards from the palace. When he saw them on the horse, he

froze before he stomped across the snow directly to them. His guards followed close behind, it looked

as if he didn’t let them know he would be taking a midnight stroll. “What-what happened?” Enzo asked.

He raised his arms to help Doris down, but William dropped down in front of him and helped her instead.

Enzo stepped back but his eyes still looked for any source of injury on her. “I paid a visit to the men that

kidnapped Doris.” William said simply as he set her down on the ground. He still had a bit of blood

smeared across his chin. She forced herself not to wipe it off him Enzo had clearly already seen it. Enzo

straightened his shoulders and glanced at the gathering crowd. Murmurs started before Doris had a

chance to realize what was happening. They looked at William as if he was a monster terrorizing their

town. Patrick had his arms crossed over his chest as he looked William over. She wondered if he was

the one that told him about who the men were, or if he was just disappointed he wasn’t brought along

“May I talk privately with you, prince?” Enzo asked without a hint of kindness. William lifted his chin and

took Doris by

her wrist before he walked off into her cabin. Enzo followed close behind, clearly William wanted to be

the one in control. She could see how much he hated having no control here. And no respect. Perhaps

that was why he wanted her close by, she would always be his maid. Someone he can control and tell

what to do. Everyone else here that wasn’t a guard? They would rather spit in his face than listen to a

single command. Though, Doris didn’t think they’d last long if they did something like that to him. 1 The

room had clearly been cleaned and aired out since she left. She was relieved, her old sheets were

stained with sweat and the food she ate in bed. The air felt clearer and fresh. Before it was more stuffy

and it suffocated her. Once the door was closed, William let her go. She rubbed her wrist and stepped

away. Why was she even here? Unless... Enzo thought she was apart of their demise and maybe he

wanted to yell at them both for it. “I was told you handled her kidnappers.” William clenched his hands

into fists at his sides before he stretched his fingers out again. He did it several times before

he relaxed a little. “I was going to remove their hands, I hadn’t gotten around to it.” Enzo said calmly. It

was a wonder how anyone allowed them to be alone together. Doris could feel the hatred, she could

almost reach out and touch it. William snorted. Doris was too nervous to say anything, not that she had

anything to add to the fire. She seated herself on one of the cushioned seats. “I suppose you thought it

would be a better idea to take Doris when she was inches from death just yesterday and make her watch

you torture those me.” Enzo walked over to the fireplace and leaned against the mantle. William

clenched his jaw tight. “She’s not your concern, she’s mine.” “That’s not true, I was quite concerned

about her wellbeing.” Enzo brushed off a bit of snow from his suit. “I think it’s time we talk about the

reward I’m owed.” William said more patiently than he looked. Enzo laughed. “I’m sorry to break it to you,

prince. But the offer was only for rogues. Royalty are normally not allowed within a thousand feet of this

camp, as

you quickly found out the moment you stepped through the north. Why would you even care about

having an ounce of power over our little camp?” “I have a plan.” William said with a quick glance at Doris.

He looked as if he was trying to choose his words carefully. “I have a plan to reunite the rogues with the

kingdom.” Doris and Enzo both glanced at each other. Clearly they both didn’t expect William to say that.

Not once has he showed interest in their politics or if they were done wrong by the kingdom. She’d only

ever heard William speak about the rogues in distaste-why did he want to bring them back to the

kingdom? “And how do you suppose we do that?” “It will take time.” William put his hands in his pockets

but Doris couldn’t stop looking at the splatters of blood on his chest and neck. “I think our partnership

could profit us both.” Enzo looked completely baffled. He looked at Doris as if he wished she wasn’t in

the room so he could speak freely. She hated when people looked at her that way. She was a person,

not a statue. She had feelings and she felt as if everyone around her forgot that.

“I always heard you were the one least interested in politics. I would have expected the crown prince to

knock at my door rather than you. Why the sudden interest?” “I’m private about my opinions.” Was all

William said. Enzo tapped his fingers against his arm. He watched William as if he was trying to solve a

puzzle that was supposed to be easy. “Is that why you’re here in the north? Kill a bunch of my rogues

and then talk to me about peace? I can’t say it’s very convincing on if we should work together.” “Rogue

or not, they deserved what they

got.”

“Fair point,” Enzo pushed away from the fireplace and spread his arms wide. “I’m afraid it’ll take a lot

more convincing for me to even consider listening to you. Surely you understand nobody here trusts you

and I wouldn’t wait on them to try anytime soon. They’ll be much harder to reason with than me.” William

narrowed his eyes a little. “Join me for a drink, then.” “I’m flattered you want to take me out, but I don’t

put out on the first date.”

Enzo turned his back to them and walked to the door. “Come for dinner when the sun sets.” His eyes

flickered to Doris. “Alone.” Doris tried not to feel stung, she certainly didn’t think she was going to join

them or anything. She looked away and focused on the crackle of flames in front of her. Was this why he

truly wanted to come to the north? He told her he had a plan, she never considered it would involve

being civil with the rogues. There was something here she couldn’t quite grasp yet. There was something

he hadn’t told her, and she doubted he would. William nodded his confirmation once before Enzo left.

“Do you trust him?” Doris asked. William turned his blue gaze to the flames and all Doris saw was

determination. “It won’t matter. He’ll have to trust me.”