Okay this chapter has an attempted rape, but nothing bad. Lemon will come eventually so be warned now. Hope you like it and review. Thanks for reading!
I was taken to Kurama's receiving hall where my father sat upon the high chair, smiling at himself smugly. I was not terrified of him nor was I happy to see him either. Paytah had a tight grip on me from fear. More fear of what was going to happen to him than fear of my father. Kimball and Varun knelt before him, followed by Paytah. It was awkward, but he managed to kneel before his king, my father.
"My King," Kimball began, "You asked us to retrieve the Bandit King, Youko Kurama."
"Yes, I did, but I fail to see him here."
"He was with this vi-, I mean female in a clearing a few yards south of here."
I kept my face hidden from my father's and his army in the hall. I was acting like the quiet, bashful type of female fox.
"And what of Youko? Did he slip through your fingers once again, Kimball?"
He winced at my father's tone of voice. My father was getting angry that he had neither me nor Youko Kurama.
"Yes he did, but we feel that if we keep the woman then he might come back for her. He seems to have a soft spot for her."
"Does he now?" my father asked curiously.
"Indeed he does." Kimball nodded.
My father straightened in his chair. I heard gasps and whispers, but I didn't know why.
"How nice of you to show yourself, Youko Kurama," my father greeted venomously.
I heard Youko walk forward and stop next to Paytah. "You came to my castle looking for your daughter and yet you do not see her when she is here."
My father's eyes went wide in shock. "Surely you are not implying that…."
"This is your daughter, Princess of Princesses and yet you fail to see that. What has happened to her that you do not recognize her anymore, your Highness?" He spat the title.
My father's face went red. "Fools!"
I felt Paytah wince at my father's outburst.
"You came here telling me about Youko Kurama when you had my daughter, your Princess, all along. You all deserve the death penalty. I shall have you beheaded tonight!"
"But sir," Kimball cried, "we did not know it was her. She did not tell us nor did we think to acknowledge her."
"Paytah did," I said at last. The room went quiet. Everyone stared at him as I stood up, next to Kurama.
I pulled Paytah up. "He recognized me, father and even said it too Kimball and Varun, but they did nothing about it. They thought that I was a thief and was tricking him into believing that I was the Princess. Even when he showed them my necklace, the one that mother gave to me, they said that I could've stolen it seeing as how I, the Princess, was living here. They strongly argued that I wasn't the Princess, but Paytah knew all along. He did nothing to ruin my honor, father, or yours. Please spare him of a crime he didn't commit. I beg of you, father."
His face was red in anger and frustration. He was thinking and staring at me. Did something in me change? I didn't feel like I was changed, but then again, how would I know? My father sighed. "You truly are my daughter. You have a way with words that I, in my younger years, abused so carelessly, but not you. No…..you have a head full of intelligence and reason. I am sorry that you had to be with these imbeciles, daughter. Please forgive me."
"This is insane!" Kimball cried.
"Kimball," Youko said slyly, "you brought this upon yourself."
I smiled at Youko.
"But…..I did nothing wrong!"
My father glared at him. "Get out of my sight before I punish you in front of everyone. You as well Varun."
They both bowed and left. My father dismissed everyone, but Youko, Paytah, and I. I stood in between the both of them, feeling short and small. Both of them were a head taller than me, at least. My father stood up and walked over to us. Youko shifted uncomfortably. Paytah cleared his throat.
"Paytah," he said gently, "You have shown my daughter great honor and respect. I can see that she favors you quite well."
I blushed at those words.
"By doing so, you have also honored me and my family. You are now to be promoted to the Supreme Royal Guard. You shall be guarding my daughter at all times. Do you understand?"
He nodded. "I do, sir."
"Do you swear upon your life and honor, that by no circumstances would you ever put her life before your own? You will always put your life before hers, even if she, god forbid, isalready at death's door?"
He saluted. "I do, sir."
My father touched his shoulder. "Then you may stand outside the door and wait until we are done."
He was hesitant for a moment, but my father nodded at him. "Go on."
He saluted and walked out. I looked up at Youko who was staring at my father. They were so different from each other. I saw that now. Youko was tall and handsome with long silver hair and deep gold eyes. He was sharp and focused and cold and would do anything to protect his honor and his clan members' honor. My father was different. He was tall, but held himself less proudly. He had short brown hair with old, faithless gray eyes. He was nothing compared to Youko and yet he was everything to his Kingdom.
"My daughter," he said, touching my chin, "you are well?"
I nodded. "Yes, father. Youko saw to that."
His eyes narrowed. "Did he now? That's interesting you say that."
I tilted my head. "Why so?"
He looked at Youko. "He is not one to act kindly towards others, let alone women."
Youko growled.
"Are you sure he has not threatened you to say this? You can tell me if he has."
I nodded. "I speak the truth about him, father. I swear it."
"Then why was he caught with you alone in the meadow?"
I stepped back at his outburst. "We were just talking. Nothing else."
"Not that you knew I of I'm sure," my father said savagely.
"Father, I swear to you he did nothing," I argued.
Youko touched the back of my hand to silence me. My father's eyes widened.
"Seize him!" he shouted. "Seize him!"
Guards rushed in everywhere and grabbed Kurama. He fought them off, but there were too many. They tied his wrists together painfully and held his arms and hair. Paytah grabbed my arm gently.
"You have touched my daughter in a manner that is not respectable in my Kingdom," my father spat at Youko.
"I did nothing of the sort," Youko growled viciously.
"Silence!" My father slapped Youko across the face. A thin line of blood formed on Youko's cheek.
"Father, what has gotten into you?"
"Hush, my daughter. He has corrupted you with his thief ways and he must be punished to the fullest."
"He has not! He has opened my eyes to things that I never thought existed," I argued, "He has done nothing to deserve this!"
"Obey your father, Guinevere," he commanded, "if you cannot do that, then obey your King."
I was about to say something when I saw the look in Youko's eyes. He was staring at me harshly. He didn't want me to argue for him. I closed my mouth and lowered my eyes.
"That's better," my father said proudly. He walked up to Youko and they stared at each other.
"You are still making mistakes, I see," Youko said slyly.
"You have yet to grow up," my father snapped, "Take him to the dungeons when we arrive at the castle. He shall be beheaded in two nights at the beginning of the ceremony."
"Ceremony…..what ceremony?" I asked my father.
He smiled at before. "Your wedding ceremony of course."
My breath caught in my lungs. I was getting married! To who? I looked at Youko. He averted his eyes away from my own. I could find no protection in him anymore. I had no one to talk to anymore. I had no one to look for anymore. I had nothing anymore.
We arrived at the castle at midnight and were greeted by the entire Kingdom. As I stepped out of my carriage, I felt like a puppet. I was being controlled by everyone else in my life. My mother ran up to me and hugged me tightly. I felt nothing. I was neither happy nor sad. When my younger sister Faith ran up to me and hugged my knees, I kept walking. I felt nothing as I returned home.
"Are you alright?" my mother asked as we ate.
I nodded.
"Pardon me for being late," a male said, coming into the room.
My father stood up. "Ah! Prince Wyatt! How good to see you!"
They shook hands and hugged. I looked at my mother. She forced a smile. "He is your husband, Guinevere."
My world crumbled at those words. He and my father came up to me. "Guinevere, this is your husband, Prince Wyatt of the Arctic."
I smiled at him and held out my hand. He took it to his lips. "How very nice to meet you, Guinevere."
I smiled weakly. "Charmed, I'm sure."
Everyone gasped. Prince Wyatt laughed. "You are one of a kind, my Princess."
I smiled weakly again. "Thank you."
My father's face was growing red from anger. "I apologize for my daughter's behavior. She has just been rescued from thieves. I fear she has picked up some of their styles of living."
"Then we shall have to show her the real way of living," Prince Wyatt said and smiled at me as if it were a gift that he was going to teach me.
I sat down and began to eat. Everyone stared at me as I ate the rest of my food, which wasn't a lot, quickly. I stood up and excused myself. My mother grabbed my hand. "Are you alright, dear?"
I looked down at her. "Depends on what you mean by alright."
She dropped my hand and I flew up to my bedroom. Paytah was at my door and was shocked when I pushed him away and nearly knocked down the doors.
"I don't want anyone in here! Leave me alone!" I slammed my doors and collapsed on my bed, crying. I didn't want to marry Wyatt. He was exactly like my father. He wasn't even that attractive either. He had long silky white hair with a tail and ears. He was tall, but short and lean. His had dull sapphire blue eyes. He was nothing like Youko. He was nothing compared to Youko. I cried and cried for hours before someone knocked on my door and Paytah entered. I looked up and glared at him. "I said go away!"
He looked down. "You have a visitor."
"I don't want any company! Leave me alone!"
"I am afraid I can't do that," Prince Wyatt said coming in.
I sat up quickly. "I said leave me alone! Get out!"
He waved Paytah away and stood in front of me. The doors closed silently. I glared at him with all the hatred that I was feeling and there was a lot. He smiled at me. His smile was evil.
He caressed my hair. "You are beautiful, Guinevere. Did anyone ever tell you that?"
I slapped his hand away. "I don't care. I said get out."
"Why are you being so stubborn?"
"That's who I am," I spat, "you don't like it, then don't marry me."
He laughed at me and removed his jacket. "No one would refuse you, Guinevere. You are the Princess of Princesses."
"Among other titles," I muttered.
He cocked an eyebrow at me, unbuttoning his shirt. "And what may they be?"
"None of your concern and keep your shirt on."
He threw it off and pushed my hair behind me shoulders. "You are my wife. It is only natural that we do this."
"I am not your wife, yet. And I would never have sex with you, married or not!" I kicked him in the stomach and ran towards the doors. He grabbed me around the waist and threw me on the bed. He came over me before I could get up.
"This is natural forroyalty like us," he whispered, his hand lowering my gown to my shoulders, "We have to live with this, happy about or not."
"What do you not understand by no!"
He removed my dress completely and began to undo the straps on my corset. "I never did listen to anyone."
"There's a first time for everything," I said and punch him in the jaw. He flew back, clutching his mouth. I darted and ran for the door. It was locked. "No!" I screamed and pounded on the door. I was trapped. I heard him laughing behind me. I turned around and kept my back to the door. He walked towards me, slowly, like a predator.
"It is inevitable to make love to me, Guinevere, my wife."
I looked around and remembered the trap door underneath my Persian rug. I looked back at him. I would have to time this carefully if I wanted to make it out with my virginity still with me. He pressed himself against me and his lips came to my neck. His fingers cut the corset strings and it fell to the floor. I was bare in front of him as he was me. His body was warm and yet I felt no heat from him. His hand went behind my neck as his lips planted butterfly kisses down to my stomach. He looked up at me a smile on his lips. "Are you afraid?"
I shook my head. "Not anymore." I kneed him hard in the chin and he yelped back in pain. I had no time to put on clothes so I rushed for the door and slide the blot shut underneath. He would have no clue for where I was going. I ran quietly through the halls, going down and down. I was trying no tot be seen, but if I was, I would tell them what happened. I had doen nothing todeserve this treatment from my father. Nothing at all and yet it was happening.I ran down to the dungeon and looked in very cell for him. I walked proudly through the halls, looking at anyone who dared to look at me. Most of them were sleeping, but a few were up. I came to a fairly large cell with no one in it. I leaned against the cells bars.
"Youko….?" I whispered.
No answer, but his golden eyes peered at me from the darkness. I stared at him. I was bare in front of him and yet I felt no shame. Truth was, I felt dirty. He walked up to me and grabbed my arms. "What happened?"
I touched his cheek where a line of dried blood stood out against his smooth skin. "My fiancé tried to rape me."
His growl was low and ferocious. I leaned against the bars, hoping I could feel his body heat. He lifted my face up to his. "Tell your father, Guinevere."
I shook my head. "He doesn't care. You were right about him Kurama."
He smiled. "I know."
I heard guards coming from the stairway. I looked up at him. "I don't want you to die."
"I know, but we always want things we can never have."
I didn't want to know what he meant by that. I took off my necklace and held it out to him. "You said you wanted it."
He stared at it.
"Take it, Youko. Take it and keep it, even when you move on to the Netherworld."
His fingers closed around the silver and blue sapphire. "Thank you, Guinevere."
I swallowed. "It is my pleasure."
He lifted my mouth to his and kissed me passionately. Our tongues searched one another's mouths and fought each other in a heated duel. Our breathing became louder as we became more passionate. I wish the bars didn't separate us. I wanted him to take me in his arms and kiss me all night. He finally pushed me away forcing himself to do it. I licked my lips and he smiled.
"Go, Guinevere."
I nodded. "I'll see you again tomorrow?"
He disappeared into the shadows, but I knew that was a yes. He wanted me to return just like I wanted too. I would have to find a way into his cell. I ran back up to my room without anyone seeing me and dove underneath my blankets. I was finally happy in my own home, but it wouldn't be for long and I knew that. I just had to accept it.
So how was it? Next chapter will up soon so please be patient. Hope you liked it. Please review. Thanks a bunch!
M. Neko
