Valore, Princes and Bad Guys

Twenty Five (V2)

Everything You Ever-Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Derek didn't ask her what she was doing down in the drawing room at two in the morning, in nothing more than a flimsy nightgown and staring vacantly at his recliner. He didn't ask if she was okay, if something happened. He didn't say a word, just guided her back to her room so she could sleep and, as she slid down onto the cool, fresh sheets, he crossed the room, peered out into the garden and frowned.

And then he turned, barely even sparing her a glance, and closed the door behind him. Chloe stared at the door, unable to wrap her mind around her stupid fiancé, and eventually closed her eyes, curled up in a ball for warmth. Behind her eyelids, the Dark King danced, his black eyes filling her vision as he stayed, they weren't interrupted, and kept leaning into her, his face too close to hers for comfort. "What're you waiting for?" he'd whisper, his face cast in strange shadows while she'd struggle for an answer before his mouth smashed against hers, too harsh and hot; when she struggled, he laughed and hold her tighter, bruising her.. In her dreams, Derek wasn't—didn't exist. There was no Derek, only her and the king, and it was dangerous; she didn't like playing with wild, uncontrollable fire like that.

It was only a matter of time before she got burnt.

oOo

Her mind rattled with his proposition. If you'd had told her over a week ago that she'd be conspiring with the world's most dangerous madman, she'd have laughed in your face. Now, here Chloe was on a grassy patch of land overlooking a beautiful lake on the outskirts of the city after sneaking away from the castle, throwing chunks of bread to the ducks in the water and contemplating helping him.

He's a fugitive. He's mad.

But it's our fault that Carson's injured. He was only following orders, anyway; he knows what that crazy oath would've done to him had he refused.

He's my fiancé's father. He knew…

Mother. He knew Mother. Which means he must've known Father! Father could certainly capture him, no? His men are reliable.

But so are the Dark King's. He's got men all over the city, all over this continent, and if I were to betray him, they wouldn't hesitate to strike me down like a rioter in England. Remember how the young prince died?

They said he did it himself. Hung the rope, tied the knot, knocked the chair down. Couldn't cope with his mother's death.

I don't think it was by his own hand. Maybe the Dark King got angry and struck him down like he'll strike me down. What does he want?

For you to fix Carson's shoulder, but of course.

But why me? Why not force a skilled professional, like Dr. Gil? Surely she could help him. I'm not much of a doctor.

Because you're close to Derek. He wants…

At this, Chloe's monologue broke off as she stared at the ripples in the water from where the ducks where gliding. "Penny for your thoughts?" asked a voice behind her and she turned, startled out of her thoughts. The Dark King stood behind her, his face cast in shadows from the hood of his cloak. She shook her head softly, keep her eyes down; if she looked at him, something bad would happen, she was certain. His smile widened. "Feisty."

She squinted at him, her mind jumping back to the dream, his hard mouth on hers, hands on her sides and his knees touching her hips, his kiss too hard, like he was trying to devour her. He looked like a brute, taking and taking without give, sadistic and evil and he thought her to be her mother. "Have you thought?" He was leaning down, sinking down beside her, his arm brushing her shoulder on the way down to the grass. He pried off a chunk of bread. "No, seeing as my fiancé came down not two minutes after you left and forced me to bed."

The cloak rustled when he shrugged his broad shoulders. Her eyes rolled. "Forced?" Something dark tinted his voice. "Not like that. As in he escorted me to bed and promptly set a guard outside my room," she explained quietly, ripping the piece of bread in her hands into fragments. She tossed them as hard as she could, nearly pitching herself into the lake in the process and only was stopped from falling in by the Dark King grasping the edge of her cloak and yanking her back.

"I would've let you drown," he said, clarifying, "but then I wouldn't have gotten an answer from that pretty, pink mouth of yours." His smile was all teeth and sent something sharp and hot down her spine. Derek never looked at her like that; in fact, he'd hardly looked at her besides the incidents of Royce and the Dark King's doings. She bit her lip, pressing her thumbnail into the crust of the loaf and watching the indent.

It was so hard for her to get his attention anymore. It was like after the afternoon of attempting to speak to Kit, everything involving contact between them was stripped away, save for the occasional brush in the hall or mealtimes. Even those were between far and few, leaving her aching for human contact. The servants weren't allowed to speak with her; Simon had his own outings to attend; Tori stayed to her own devices and Kit had a country to run while attempting to eliminate the problem of his eldest son's crazy father. They had no idea where she was and the Dark King would probably chop her body into pieces and ship them as a warning. Bleary-eyed, suddenly, Chloe sniffled.

"Now, Chloe, there is no need for those oceans of yours to leak salt water," the Dark King said, but his smile was too harsh and sharp. His hand shot out, wrapping around her arm, nails biting. "Unless, of course, you want me to give you a reason," he whispered, smile widening. She tried to stop crying, wiping her nose on her sleeve and ignoring how appalled her Proper Princess Manners tutor would be at the very unladylike behavior. Unacceptable bee-havya. He's crazy. Her stomach twisted as she tried to yank her arm away.

"Now, now, don't make a scene," he hissed as she squirmed, trying to kick out her legs. She only managed to lash out at air and slip, knocking herself backwards. When she landed harshly on the ground, he straddled her, digging all his weight into holding her down. Gorge rose as she frantically tried to buck him off. His huge hands groped her face, pinching her nose and clamping her mouth shut. He swam in her eyes. Something sweet invaded her nostrils and she gagged, choking.

She caught a glimpse of a brown-red-haired woman leaning over her, grey-blue eyes squinting down at her. Aunt…Lauren?