Chapter 3

I followthe man the king had guided me towards almost in a daze. I don't understand what in the heck is happening. The king seemed angry, but not at me. In fact, with me he was gentle and kind. I glance back over my shoulder, feeling his stare still on me. I never knew you could actually feel someone's eyes on you, but I feel his. He looked at me like I belonged to him, but not in the same way my uncle does. No, this was something else. Something different that I don"t understand. I, for some reason, like him looking at me almost as much as I like looking at him. I've never seen such a powerful man before. Not because he's king. He carries it with him. He isn't one to be messed with.

I pull my gaze away from him, my cheeks warming knowing that I was caught staring at him. I'm still a little in awe of this giant who pulled me into his arms and freed my hands. In that moment, when I felt his body pressed against mine, I felt safe. I knew he would make sure of that.

"Where are we going?" I ask the man the king had called John.

"He wants you looked over," the man says. I have to pick up my pace to keep up with the man as he strides down the long hallway. This place looks endless, but my mind is everywhere and I'm unable to take any of it in.

"Why?" I question. I thought the king was a cruel man. My uncle had said so. I don't think he's taking me somewhere to harm me. He said a doctor's name. I don't think I need one, but I'm going to keep that thought to myself. I'll do as I'm told. Maybe I can find a way to escape.

John glances over at me, cocking a smile. "Seems you caught the king's attention." My breath hitches at his words. I wonder if that's a good or bad thing. "He would never hurt you," John adds. It's then I realize I've stopped walking.

"How would I know that?" I throw back, feeling a trace of panic taking hold.

"Our king is a noble man." John puffs out his chest as he says this. Certainty laces his words. It's clear he believes this.

"But my uncle…" I trail off, wondering if I'll get in trouble for speaking badly of the king.

"Do you trust your uncle?" John raises his eyebrows, likely already knowing the answer to his question.

"No." I shake my head.

"Then why don't you see for yourself?" John starts walking again, and I have to run to catch up to him. My eyes are roaming everywhere. This place is just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. I glance down at the hood I still have wrapped around my body and see the bottom is covered in mud. Everything else around here is spotless. I look behind me and my mouth falls open when I see I"ve tracked mud all over the white marble floor. My uncle would lose it if he saw that.

"In here." I turn, almost running right into John who is standing in a doorway motioning and for me to enter. I follow him into a massive bedroom, forgetting about the mud.

"The bathroom is in there." He nods to another door. "Why don't you clean up before the doctor gets here?" I know he says it like a question, but I don't really think it is one. "I'll leave you to it." John turns and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I hear a lock click into place, letting me know I won't be leaving.

I turn, taking in the room. My eyes go straight to the bed. It has a large canopy over it, and the bed itself is almost covered in pillows. My body feels heavy just looking at it. Maybe if I get cleaned up I could lie down for a little before the doctor gets here.

I freeze when I walk into the bathroom. I swear it's bigger than the house I lived in with my uncle. I'm immediately fascinated by the bathtub that I'm pretty sure is a small pool. How I'd love to get into that right now and soak, but that bed is calling to me. I shut the bathroom door and locking it before I start to undress and step into the shower.

The water rains down on me, and I moan a little at how warm the water is. I stand there for a few moments before I reach for the soap and start to wash myself. A honey maple smell fills my lungs. It reminds me of when the king pulled me toward him. He must use the same soap.

All too soon I'm drying myself off. I grab a robe I see hanging on a hook and wrap it around me. It's big enough that it could be a blanket for me if I wanted. I make my way over to the bed, and I have to crawl to get on it. This thing needs a freaking step stool. I fall into the center of the mattress and I'm sure my racing thoughts won't let me fall asleep, but within seconds I'm out cold.