A/N - In case I haven't told you readers already, I freaking love you! :D You guys still pick up on everything! You've already guessed they're going to kidnap the Princess, and you figured out that Verak is Karev backwards hehehe I still have a few surprises up my sleeves, and I'm really HAPPY about this story, so I'm sure updates will come quite often. Hope you don't mind ;) xoxo
Chapter 3
Later that evening, Lord Verak returned to the cabin in quarter three, paying the driver once more and scanning his surroundings.
"Were you followed?" Lord Avery asked after his friend stepped inside and secured the door.
"Not that I know of," the older man sighed heavily, pulling his coat from his shoulders and tossing it onto a nearby chair.
"So no one suspects you?"
"No, they're quite helpful on the contrary," the lord mused as he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "They do not seem the type to be behind the attacks."
"Perhaps they're on their best behavior to the nobles," Jackson suggested, his brows knitting together.
"Perhaps," the older man nodded, considering the idea. "I just...I believe the King and Princess are genuine. Honest. I don't think they are giving the orders."
"Could your care for the Princess be clouding your judgment?" Lord Avery studied the man. When he went silent, the lord continued. "Who else could order the attacks? If King Hunt or Princess Wilson are not ordering the attacks...someone is acting on his own..."
Lord Verak considered the thought. The only person bold enough to do such a thing would be... "Lord Myers," he spoke up.
"Princess Josephine's fiancee?"
"Yes," he nodded. "He is not a true heir to the throne, so it would be possible that he wants to make it appear that he will be a powerful King."
"Is he trying to start a war?"
"I hope not." Lord Verak took a deep breath. "He is abusing the Princess."
Lord Avery's eyes grew large. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, he approached us today as she was escorting me from the castle. His grip was entirely too tight." The older man balled his fists at his side, anger surging through his veins. Abuse of any woman was unacceptable, but a princess?! The man deserved to hang!
"Does the King know?"
"I do not believe so."
Jackson nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. "She will tell him when she is ready..."
"He should know!" the man exploded. "She is his niece! If someone were abusing Amber..."
"We can not get involved, Lord. We must stay unnoticed until..."
"Yes, yes, I know," Lord Verak sighed heavily, running a frustrated hand through his hair. In just a few brief moments, Princess Josephine had captured his mind and attention. How could Lord Myers mistreat her?! Did he not see how amazing the woman is?!
His friend cleared his throat, letting a brief silence settle in. "When are we going to take her? Before or after the ball?"
"After," the man answered without hesitation. He would at least like to have one dance with Princess Josephine. She may not like him once she discovered his true identity.
A quiet, uneventful week later, Princess Josephine left her chambers, moving towards the library for a day of reading. Uncle Owen was out for the day, hunting with Lord Riggs. The brunette was pleased that her uncle was taking some time for himself, doing something that he enjoyed. The man had endured so much pain in his life...plus, she could spend the day hiding from Lord Myers. The brunette sighed dreamily as she stepped into the lavish library. Her most favorite place in the entire castle. Here, she could get away from her gilded cage and live vicariously through her books. Have a life of her own, not be bound to the duties of the kingdom.
Until her sanctuary was shattered by a muffled giggle.
Frowning, Josephine followed the sounds to the back of the library where she caught her fiancee with Heather, a kitchen servant. The Princess gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, as Jason pressed the woman to the wall and lifted her skirt.
You would think a rage would explode within her, but instead, a strange calmness flowed through the Princess. Her hand dropped to her chest as she took a deep, steady breath. "You will never wear the crown of Stonedale."
The kitchen servant squeaked, mumbling an apology before running from the library.
Jason, however, looked to his fiancee with no remorse whatsoever in his eyes. "Good morning, Princess. I take it you slept well?"
Josephine gaped at him as he calmly adjusted his tunic, acting as if nothing had happened. "Ex-Excuse me?"
"Did you sleep well, dear?" he asked, walking over and placing a kiss to her cheek.
Her eyes widened, the serenity from moments earlier fading. "How dare you speak to me as if nothing has happened! I saw you, Jason! I saw you with another woman!"
"And?" the man asked nonchalantly. "Kings have mistresses all the time. Concubines even."
"You are not the King!" the words exploded from her core. "Royal blood does not run in your veins! You only have access to the crown because your father pimped you out when you were a child!"
"Language, Princess," Jason scolded, pointing a finger at her. "That type of talk will not be acceptable once we are husband and wife."
"I am not marrying you!" the brunette sassed back, stepping backwards. "If you do not respect the future Queen, you will never rule this land!" She spun on her heel, gathering her skirts, and heading for her uncle's chambers when she was snatched back and knocked to the floor.
Jason stood over her, his features twisted in rage. "You will not disrespect me! I am future King, your King. You will treat me the way a wife treats a husband, and you will not meddle in my private affairs. Do you understand me?!"
The brunette looked to him, gasping rapidly for air. He had literally knocked the breath out of her. "I will not," she began, then cowed down as she saw his fingers ball into a fist and raise skyward. Lord help her, this was going to be a bad one.
Seconds before his fist connects, his weight is pulled from over her, another man's fist making contact with Lord Myers' jaw. The two men tussled for several moments before a third man entered the library, separating the two.
Lord Verak! Lord Verak had come to her aid!
"Consider yourself reported to the King!" Lord Myers threatened, bringing his hand to his already swelling jaw.
"I will join you!" Lord Verak shot back as his friend attempted to restrain him. "I am sure the King would love to learn of your abuse of the Princess! You will be sentenced to death, that is, if the people of Stonedale don't seek your head themselves!"
Jason looked from Lord Verak to Princess Josephine. "Do not interfere with how I choose to treat my fiancee again," he spat before leaving the library, not even bothering to assist his future bride to her feet.
Lord Verak snatched away from his friend, kneeling and looking to the brunette. "Are you alright?"
"I'm f-fine," she nodded, taking his extended hand and standing slowly. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here to make a deal with the King." The older man turned to his friend. "Princess, this is Lord Avery, a friend of mine. Since returning to my residence, I have decided to turn my many acres into fields, and I thought your uncle might want access to the crops. Lord Avery will assist me as I am not that knowledgeable of field work."
"Princess," Jackson greeted, bowing briefly.
"Lord Avery," she greeted in return. "I am sure my uncle will be pleased. We are in need of crops it seems."
"I have heard," the older man nodded.
The Princess stared at him a moment before looking away. "I am sorry, Lord Verak, but my uncle is out for the day. You will have to meet with him another time."
The lord nodded. "Are you sure that you're alright?" his eyes turned concerned as he brushed her hair from her face.
Jackson bit back a smirk as his friend switched subjects ever so smoothly. It seemed that the lord was simply settling in, putting down roots since leaving quarter eight. Involving King Hunt was brilliant! What a way to throw off any suspicions! However, he was concerned that Lord...Verak was falling in too deep. His heart was going to cloud the purpose of their being at court. "I will see myself out, Lord Verak," he spoke up after clearing his throat.
"I will be there in a moment, Lord Avery," his friend replied before looking back to the Princess. At least Jackson could explore the layout of the castle for their kidnapping in a few weeks.
"Thank you again, Lord Verak," the brunette said softly. "I am sorry that you had to witness...that..." She wouldn't dare tell him that the confrontation was brought on by Jason's cheating!
"I am sorry you have to endure that, Princess," he replied softly, giving her a compassionate look. "Would you like for me to assist you in telling the King?"
"No."
Lord Verak nodded, deciding not to press her. She would not be here much longer anyway. "I must be leaving then, Princess. I will return tomorrow to see your King." He bowed before turning, then stopped, turning back to her as an idea came to mind. "Princess Josephine?"
"Yes, Lord?" she asked, pushing aside the brief moment of sadness at his departure.
"I have spent many years in quarter eight with my uncle, and I am uncertain of the laws for farming in quarter three. Do you believe the King will have time to educate me on the laws?"
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "No, my uncle stays very busy, Lord Verak. However, I am knowledgeable of the laws of farming. I could assist you in the matter, if that will be acceptable?"
"That will be perfectly fine, Princess," he smiled, thankful that she took the bait. Not only could he spend more time with her, but it would be less time that Jason could abuse her. At least he would have a few moments with her before the plan was in motion and she learned of his purpose in court. "It appears that we will be spending much time together."
"Yes, it does," the brunette blushed, looking to the floor. Was he aware of her attraction to him? Had she been too eager in offering her assistance?
"Then you can call me Alex."
"Alex?"
His name sounded so good on her lips. "Yes, it's short for..."
"Alexander," they spoke his name together. Lord Alexander Verak. Alex Verak.
Alex bowed once more before leaving the library behind. "Have you seen enough?" he whispered once Jackson joined him in the hall.
"Yes, I have our escape route planned. Are you alright?"
"What? Of course I am!"
"You're in too deep, Alex."
The older man cringed. Damn him, Avery had heard everything! "I'm fine."
"I hope so. Your heart can not cloud your judgment. We are here for a purpose. Remember that."
Alex knew that Jackson was trying to be his friend and keep him focused on the mission, but his heart was definitely leading the way.
