The Talamute Prince
Chapter 11

The thought of losing the only place I can find solace hit my heart like a bullet. In a bit of an angry panic I begin to glow lightly with anger. I see everyone step away from me.

"Laoonica," Patrick's voice sounded the way it did that first time I heard it calling to me through my powers, "calm down, my love. I just want to protect you. I know I've been a bit off since we got here and I'm sorry. There's no excuse for the way I've treated you. Please calm yourself." Patrick looks at everyone, within a second I pull it back in and take a deep breath. I glance around everyone returns to being concerned about the fact I was being watched.

"This is the only space that is mine and untainted by your world. Please, I beg of you find another way." I'm almost pouting at this point. The fact that he just reached me in a moment of weakness doesn't mean anything, or so I try to reassure myself that it doesn't. Trying to think of the sadness that would come at losing this space helped calm the fire inside. It is all I have, and other than the occasional butting in of my maids and Patrick no one messed with me out here.

"I'm sorry Laoonica, but there is no telling how long he was there watching you. I told you that you could roam the castle, by yourself, and I'll keep that promise. In the meantime, bear with me as I only want to protect you." It's almost laughable as everything he had done up till now was to fool me. In order to get me here so that he could have my powers. I'm not sure, but I had the feeling the Talamutes didn't even know about what I could do. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Okay." I'm starting to tear up, so I turn and wipe it away quickly not wanting to let him see. I hang my head and walked back into my room. The maids scramble to get everything ready for my fitting. I can't breathe, I have always been alone, but I've never felt lonelier. I sit back at the breakfast table where my food, now cold still sits. I touch the plate heating it back up as I've done before.

"I know you're sad, I get you enjoy being in your garden. For now, at least, it isn't safe." I take a bite of my food chewing slowly as I stare straight ahead. That is until he places himself in front of me. "Maybe, if you want me to, I can relieve your maids for a short time. We'll postpone the fitting till after lunch with me, that will give you some private time. I'll place guards outside your door and on the balcony, but you can have your breakfast in solitude." I look up at him as he stands on the other side of the table from my seated position. I take a small bit then wipe my mouth as I'm in deep thought of my prison walls growing closer together. "Laoonica?" his eyes haven't moved from me the entire time.

"No, your majesty, I'm fine just continue with things as you have planned." I exhale taking another bite but refuse to acknowledge him. I guess it's just like Booravia; worse in so many ways. I take deep breath and raise my head as I have done so many times when in my life although seemingly more since I met him. No matter what they did, I wouldn't let them break my spirit. Hopefully he wouldn't go back on his promise and after everything was done, I'd get to escape my room for a bit unchaperoned.

"Are you sure? I hate to see you this way. There has been way too much disappointment in your eyes, but I can' blame you. Look at everything I've put you through and still am forced to because of the danger I've put you in. I do love you; I want you to be safe and happy. I don't want an assassin attempt to dampen your spirits." I raise one eyebrow. He seems so sure they're trying to hurt me. Steal me maybe, but I have no doubt they don't mean to harm me. They drugged me for mating not to kill me. The man on the balcony didn't even touch me he just spoke and left.

"I'm fine, Patrick. Please, go about your business which I'm sure has doubled at his presence. I'll be fine." He grins his teeth with a fake acceptance in his grin. I must go with whatever he says until I find a way to leave. How would I even get out of my room without being seen and stopped? It hit me; I'm trapped without using my powers. Love or hate him it didn't matter I couldn't control them and there were way too many lives here.

"Perhaps, your highness, if I may interject." Heather speaks quietly as she steps forward from the line they usually form in his presence. I watch his face contort at the sound of her voice; the piercing dagger seem positioned in his eyes. I've treated my maids probably better than they are used to which has allowed them to be braver than they should.

"Go ahead, Heather." Patrick's eyes widen and his mouth all but drops open. My guess is he isn't used to allowing the help to speak freely. I didn't care if he liked it or not. My cell mates and I were bounding. It was better than his company.

"The transport platforms can be connected to any metallic surface and be used as an elevator. Perhaps you could connect two or more outside on the wall of the castle as it is metallic on the outside. They can be used to place guards just out of view of her majesty. Thus, allowing her privacy whilst she still maintains the level of protection your highness wishes to bestow." It's a brilliant idea, but Patrick almost immediately objects.

"You're pretty smart for a hand maiden." He seems to bow his chest like a gorilla. He turns to me and I simply smile trying not to full out laugh. He can be so ridiculous when he tries to be stern. I can tell he doesn't like any of this. From her speaking out, to my obvious disapproval of his opinion.

"I think it's a wonderful idea. It allows us both to have what we need." I raise my chin with a deviant smirk. He gives me an angry glare; he is not satisfied with this compromise. I'm not sure if it's because he didn't come up with it or because a servant did, a maid at that.

"I don't think it'll be enough. It may provide a way for the Talamutes to reach your balcony. A thought someone educated in strategy would have realized the instant such a notion popped into their head." He has been impossible since we got here. His temper seems to flare at the most insignificant thing. I wonder how far he can or will go in my presence. Would he go as far as to physically punish her with me sitting here?

"I'm sorry forgive my ignorance. I shall not speak out of term again your highness." The poor girl steps back in line hanging her head low. If it could get any lower, she had never raised her eyes even when she spoke. My maids at home were never treated with such intolerance. I can't stand it.

"I'm tired Patrick. If you would please go. I need to eat for my fitting." He has placed two guards on the balcony. I sit looking at the mirror watching the women set up. It's simply takes me being able to see my shower door in the reflection to come up with a strategy to get my way. It's sad that it has come to me tricking him just to get what I need.

"They'll keep watch and inform me if anything happens.

"Absolutely," I pause as he starts to walk away, "Patrick..."

"Yes, Laoonica?" He turns toward me.

"Please make sure you inform the men not to peek into my room. After all, the space is wide open with all my furniture and things out here in plain sight." He raises his eyebrow as he looks around.

"They'll be out there." he insists.

"Of course, I'm sure they won't be tempted to peek. Why would anyone want to see me naked."? His face turns a bit red, but not from embarrassment.

"They wouldn't dare." His voice sounds like a growl. I continue to speak knowing exactly what it's doing to him.

"Everything I do in here including matters that are private such as bathing, changing, and other acts that shouldn't be witnessed by eyes of any man including those of my husband. It would be a shame for someone else to see what only you should view." The smirk on my face isn't even attempted to be hidden from him. As he stands in realization that there is no way to close the window and at any time a tempted male guard could peek in. I've studied the fact that there where way more male soldiers then female. I'm making a point he himself hadn't considered. I can see that being proven wrong isn't a strong suit for him. His face turns red at my short informational input.

"Very well, I'll place four platforms underneath your balcony out of view of your room to allow for privacy. A total of eight guards would be present at one exchange and harder to defeat by these savages. Surely that will be enough, I'm sure their intention is to use you to get to me, until their caught." I'm not sure he can grind his teeth any harder without breaking one at this point. I see him take a breath in and close his eyes. I stand from the table and walk over to him.

"I'll stay away from the edges to avoid any temptation for them and perhaps if it's harder to see me they won't be so tempted to come for me." I press my small hand against the side of his face. He opens his eyes staring at me.

"That's the first time you've touched me that way since you found out who I really was." I gently curl the corners of my mouth. He wasn't the only one who could manipulate feelings. Staring at him now I see how easy it is to fool the willing.

"Thank you, I know it's not perfect but it's a compromise and that's a step in the right direction." I place both hands on his chest causing him to relax instantly.

"You really are going to shake the very foundations of my existence aren't you, my love." His face is stern as he speaks to me. There's a haze that comes over his eyes. This may be the only thing he can't hide from me. The want that comes over him when he wants to kiss me. I bargain with myself over if I should let him. I'm guessing he won't be so cross with Heather if I allow it.

"I've barely begun to open your mind. There is a world beyond yours that is wide and wonderful. Perhaps one day you can view it from my eyes." I close my eyes and press up onto my toes. Patrick doesn't hesitate he places a gentle kiss on my lips. His hand wrapped tightly around me causing me to lose my footing for a second.

"I love you." He whispers. I'm not sure I'm ready to say it back, mostly because I don't. It's horrible that I just completely manipulated him, I won't let him believe I love him if I don't. He turns quickly leaving the room. Now he had to get everything in place for my new set of guards. I watch him leave then turn to the guards who are still on the balcony. I'm guessing when he gets the platforms in place they will be placed there instead. Hopefully it's soon.

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