Mad Dog

Chapter 6 - Dinner

In my last life, me going to the royal hunt would have been unheard of. Even leaving the grounds was met with disapproval then. I feel my mouth still agape and quickly shut it. It was too late to protest. We must be halfway there by now. I curse myself for not asking sooner.

"I don't even have a dress." I snap back. "You expect me to go the hunt like this?" I gestured to my dress that I had chosen at random. You could tell it was several seasons old, but I liked the feel of it. Its age had molded it to my shape. Nothing would fit me like this did. "No, let's do that." I continue. "What better way to catch the crowds' attention like you want."

He threw a glare at me but didn't reply back. Just set his lips in a grim line, looked over me, then stared out the window. The carriage ride dragged on for hours. There's nothing worse than a stale ride with unwanted company. Not to mention, the lack of movement was starting to really get to me. These dresses were never made with long travel in mind even if it was my best feeling one. Finally, when I thought I couldn't stand it any longer, he called a stop. We had made it to an inn. I was almost giddy thinking of a warm bath and soft bed. I open the door and go to get out, but Rohan beats me to it. He stands behind the stairs, holding his hand out for me to take, but I ignore it. The thought of touching him made me sick. He sighs but lets me be and goes inside to get our rooms. I could smell the kitchen from where I was outside, and my stomach grumbled. Not wanting to wait any longer, I walk in and sit down at a table. A guard I assume Rohan assigned to me followed close behind. Before long, a waitress came and gave me a menu. As I look it over, I hear a chair scrape. Looking up, I see rohan sprawled leisurely in front of me. I can't help it for second he's beautiful. As if the devil himself had come down and chosen his form. I look away bile, filling my stomach. He's like a poisonous frog. I ignore him and try to think of what I want. If I was going to be forced to be in his presence, I was going to eat good, too. When she came back for our order, I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu and several bottles of wine. I waited for his protest, but it never came he just ordered his food. I guess a dinner like this was nothing to him. The thought made me want to do something to wipe that stoic face off. I pulled the nurse as she passed.

"Can you give the same meal I got to our men, please? They deserve it, right dear? After going so far with us. Honestly, I thought we'd never get a break on the way here."

"Do what you want. But get our meals first. "

I sat back. I wasn't allowed to see our finances, so I didn't know how rich we were. I had assumed that based on my wardrobe, we were on the decline, but him not batting an eye at this made me think differently. To think this fool and his wretch of a mother were living lavishly. As if they deserved any of it. Suddenly, I smelled something heavenly. Looking up, I saw the waitress had brought what I ordered. I was so hungry I was practically salivating. I stabbed at my steak aggressively. I knew army guys didn't need to eat as much, but did any of them think about the civilians? No. Of course not because their commander didn't care to. It irritated me. The way that as my husband he could do as he pleased with me. Stuffing my mouth, I almost groaned. God, whoever cooked this is amazing. I don't know if it was the hours of uncomfortable riding or the tastiness of the meal. But as I neared the end of it, I started to get sleepy. I push my plate back.

"You ready for bed?" Rohan asked. He had finished a while ago. Why did he stay when I could get the room number from the owner? Who knew. What I did know was that he seemed to have an uncomfortable habit of analyzing me.

"Yes." I say, wanting nothing more than to crawl in my bed where I didn't have to see him. I follow him up the stairs to a room on the second floor. He unlocks it, and I go in, trying to shut the door behind me, but he grabs it, stepping in.

I bristle. "What are you doing?" I demand. I was tired and not in the mood for his bullshit.

"This is my room too." He says coolly, then heads to the door, I'm assuming, is the bathroom. I'm too in shock to stop him. He can't sleep here. I can't sleep next to him. I felt a numbness spread through me. What can I do? I really can't sleep with you.