Author's Notes: Well. Here is the long-awaited update. It's really taken me awhile, hasn't it? I hope you enjoy.
Chapter the Twenty-Fourth
In every person's life, there comes a time when they must first face their greatest fears. Mandy used to tell me stories about a girl who was so afraid of her own shadow that she never once found her true love. It was a heartbreaking story since she never got to see the sunshine. In a way, I felt that I resembled that girl. Or I would, if I didn't confront Francois. It was a pretty metaphor if you took the time to puzzle it out properly.
"He is in that parlor there, Your Highness." The maid's voice swept me from my thoughts.
"Thank you," I smiled at her and she sped away. With a heavy sigh, I pushed open the oaken door to the parlor. Francois was sitting on the sofa, reading a book, but as soon as the door clicked shut behind me, he looked up.
"Ella ... hello." His voice caressed my name and I felt immediate fear.
"Hello," I replied, fighting to keep my voice steady.
"Come sit?"
I hesitated but came to sit next to him moments later. "I need to talk to you about ..."
"About ...?" His eyebrows raised.
"The crown."
"What about it?"
"Would you really kill your own brother for it?"
He reached out and touched my hair, leaning in me and smiling a bit dangerously. "What do you think?" he asked, voice soft.
"I ... think you would."
"Is that so?"
"Yes ..." He was playing with my hair now.
"The moment I saw you, I wanted you."
I stared.
"A beautiful young maiden who tames ogres and isn't afraid to speak her mind ... what more could I want in a wife?" He trailed his fingers down my cheek. "I don't plan to kill my brother. I plan to have Lady Hattie marry him. And ..."
I didn't like the way he was eyeing me, his thumb stroking my cheek.
"And ... as long as he gives the crown - and you - to me, his life will not be an issue."
I was still staring at him, still at a loss. He wanted me? That didn't make sense. I understood his desire for the crown but me? That didn't make sense at all. I froze when his fingers traced over my lips.
"Give yourself to me."
I felt afraid. "No," I said softly.
"Give yourself to me," he repeated firmly.
"No."
"You want Char to live, don't you?"
I couldn't believe it; he was using his own brother's life as a bargaining chip. "I ... Char will make a great king! Why can't you accept that?"
"You just don't understand."
"Of course I don't! I don't see why anyone would steal their brother's crown!"
"Or their almost wife too, am I right?"
I stood up abruptly or rather, I tried to but he pushed me down and kneeled over me.
"Don't scream," he said cheerily before pressing his mouth to mine.
Char's kisses were sweet, loving and gentle, always leaving me breathless. Francois' kisses were the opposite; they were hungry, lustful and hard, leaving me gasping for air. It felt like he was stealing my very energy. I struggled against him, trying to get away but he was too strong.
End Notes: I know, I know. I'm mean about the cliffhangers but I'm still working out what will happen.