Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 16 Big Reveal

Chapter 16 Big Reveal

I woke up back in my bed in my room at my parents house. I still felt foggy. I rubbed my eyes and tried to remember the last thing that happened to me. It was light out so it must be no later than noon. f*****g father, he let his guards tranquilize me. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would drug me and drag me to Dublin. 

Suddenly the door burst open and my father came in. 

“What the hell were you thinking just running away. I said be good, but no. So I have no choice.” He said and before he could finish I dashed out and tried to run past the guards only for them to grab hold of me and render me imoble. I was screaming and trying to kick my way out.  “f**k Aria. That’s it. Sedate her. She will wake up over there.” He ordered and then I felt a needle prick my neck. Moments later I start to see blurry and the sounds start to muffle. I tried to beg but my body started to feel numb. That is when I closed my eyes and the darkness took over. 

I finally woke up but on a different bed. My mouth was dry and I kept hearing a buzzing sound. I was looking around the room and it was small with only a round window. I look out and realize that I am in a plane in the clouds. I looked around some more before the door opened and my mother came in. 

“Glad to see you are awake. I have a beautiful yellow sundress and cardigan waiting for you. Shower and get dressed, we will be landing soon.” She said and then left. I sighed and did what she said. When I finished dressing I went out of the cabin to join my parents. I sat across from them and put my seatbelt on. My father was sipping on some coffee while the attendant served me water and coffee. I must assume that I have been out for a couple of days since we are finally on our way to Ireland. 

“What day is it?” I ask harshly without looking directly at them. 

“It is Sunday sweetheart.” My mother said in her chirpy manor. So I have been out for 4 days. That makes me missing for 9 days now since calling Collin. I need to get a hold of someone soon. I can not go through with this. 

We finally land and we all disembark. When I set foot on the ground I make a dash to the tarmac cart. I can drive it until I get to a station and make a call. I was just about to press the gas pedal when I was ripped from out of the seat. I thrashed and screamed for them to let me go. Then I felt the needle on my neck again. Not again. Then Darkness. 

I woke up again on a comfortable bed that wasn’t mine. I was cold and lonely. I was in a room that looked like it was part of a medieval castle. There were colorful tapestries and this room was massive and with a large oak headboard. I get out of bed and walk around finding a bathroom. I walk in and look at the mirror. I don’t even recognize myself. I looked worn and ghostly looking. My eyes looked dull and my skin was so pale. My cheek and lip haven't healed yet. I wash my face with cold water and brush my hair with the brush that was laying there. I looked fresher but still gastly. I walked out and then my room door opened with my mother coming in. 

“Finally you are up. Are you ready to meet your fiance?” She said too enthusiastic for me. 

“No and you can not make me.” I said and went to sit on my bed. 

“Don’t cause any trouble Aria. This is happening. Don’t make me bring the big guns.” She tried to threaten. I rolled my eyes and didn’t acknowledge her. “Fine.” She said and walked out. Moments later two big guards came in and grabbed each of my arms, pulling me up and dragging me out into the long hallway, down some stairs and stopped at some double doors. They opened it and there was lord and lady O’Donnell with my parents having brandy and tea in a formal style sitting room. The couches were elegant in their dark wooden frame and red and green velvet cushion.  

The guards brought me in and forced me to sit on one of the couches. I grunted when I sat and just stared dagger to my parents. 

“Aria dear you look lovely. I am sorry this is happening, but it’s for the best. My son will be here soon.” Lady O'Donnell said. I said nothing. I looked down at my hands that were neatly folded over my lap like the lady that was expected of me. My head and my heart are hurting. This was it. This was my end. For all that I talked about, fighting for my freedom to love all went down the drain. I underestimated my father. The doors opened again and I heard grunting. I closed my eyes, afraid to look at my betrothed. Tears were freely falling down my cheek. I could tell that my betrothed was fighting this arrangement too. 

“Father, this is ridiculous. You can’t make me do this. Let go of me.” I heard his thick irish accent. More tears fell all because it sounded like Collin. I opened my eyes curious now. I looked up and indeed there was Collin trying to fight the guards that are forcing him to sit down across from me. 

He finally sat and looked in my direction only to freeze. He looked at me shocked. I couldn’t believe it. Collin was my betrothed all along. How could this be? I looked at him completely stunned. 

“Well now that we finally got you two together we will leave you to get to know your betrothed.” Lord O’Donnell said and all the parents left us. Alone. We were still looking at each other in complete shock. Collin looked beaten and tired. I guess he had to endure just as much as I did when we last saw each other. 

“Aria?” He finally spoke, breaking the Silence between us. I blinked and nodded. 

“How?” I finally said. He shot up from his seat and started pacing. He was rubbing his face and looking up at me. Then he laughed. I stood up uncomfortable with what was going on. “Wait, you are Lord O’Donnell’s son?” I said as if my head was finally putting two and two together. He then stormed over to me and wrapped his arm around my waist and grabbed the back of my head with the other and took me into the most passionate kiss we had ever had. 

“Yes I am his son and you are Winter's daughter. Now it makes sense.” He said and I saw a tear slip from his eyes. I cupped his cheek and whipped the tear away from his cheek. “Did your father do this to you?” He asked as he caressed my cheek and ran his thumb on my cut lip. I nodded. “f*****g bastard.” He said and then hugged me tight. “I am never letting you go again. Aria. My heart sank when I heard you scream and your father threatened me. I was on my way to come get you when my father came with guards and detained me too. I have been stuck here since.” He said and I held him tighter. 

“I missed you so much Collin. I was so scared that I would never see you again. I tried to escape three times and each time they had to drug me. I couldn’t eat or sleep without you.” I said and cried into his chest. 

“Don’t worry anymore my dove. We are together again and now nothing can keep us apart. But I think we should teach our parents a lesson.” He said and I looked up at his mischievous smirk.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked. Wiping the tears aways. 

“Do you trust me?” He said. 

“With all my heart.” I said back and he smiled bright. 

“Ok follow me and stay close.” He said and then he let go of me and grabbed my hand leading to the fireplace at the back of the room. He pushed on a stone and a secret door opened along the wall. He opened it and when we entered he closed it behind us. I guess he was leading me through a secret passage that ran along the property. 

“Where are we?” I asked. 

“At the family castle in the countryside. These passages are only known by the immediate family.” He said and I was marveling at how vast this place was. 

“So I am going to live in a castle with you. And to think you turned out to be my prince charming after all. Instead of some snobby tycoon heir.” I teased. 

“I think I am the lucky one here, I am about to marry the girl of my dreams and not some slutty entitled heiress.” He winked and I giggled. 

We come out of the dimly lit tunnel and enter into what looks like a stable. He grabs a saddle and starts preparing a horse. He gets on and helps me straddle behind him. 

“Hang on tight love.” He said and I wrapped my arms around his waist tightly. We galloped away into the nearby forest. We were racing following a beaten path until we vered to the left and followed a clearing. The trees were dense and I could not tell anything apart. It was exhilarating. Here I was back with the man of my heart on a horse riding through the forest. Could I be dreaming? This all felt so magical. It was the perfect twist in our love story. We were about to sacrifice it all just to be with each other, now we end up being betrothed to each other this whole time. We were free now to have it all.

Now that I think about it all the signs were there. We never knew each other’s last names so that could have solved everything. Also all the times he was in Alaska and I wasn’t. It was all there. I can’t help but laugh now. We were meant to be together, it was fate. 

We started to slow down and I took in my surroundings. We came to a large lake surrounded by cliffs and large boulders. It was beautiful and enchanting. We finally stop right in front of a small wooden cottage. Collin helps me off and he himself dismounts. He walks the horse to a small coral with a covering to release the horse. When he was done he took my hand, kissed it and led me to the cottage. 

“This is my secret hideout that not a soul knows about. Well now you.” He said and I looked around. There is a small fridge, a microwave. Queen size bed and a two person table with a dresser at the corner with a TV and dvd player, and a stack of movies next to it. I walked over to where there were two single doors. I open one and find the bathroom with a nice size shower. The next door led to a closet with a few of Collins' clothes hanging on it. This was a perfect hideout for the two of us. I turn to look at him and smile. 

“Is this a dream?” I asked innocently. 

“Why do you say that Love?” He said, low and seductive. He looked like he was a predator stalking his prey. He was slowly undressing himself. I lick my lips. I almost forgot how hot and sexy this man is. 

“Um, well, this cottage is perfect. And I’m back with you.” I said, still gazing at the almost naked man before me. He finally stood an inch away from me only covered in his boxers. I held my breath trying to stay in control. 

“If this is a dream please, let us never wake up from it.” He said and then came down hard on my lips devouring my entire mouth. He was a savage. I felt his need. I felt how much he missed me. His hands were roaming my body again savoring every inch. He was undressing me and groaning with every new touch of my bare skin. He walked us backwards until the back of my legs hit the bed and then he pushed me over and now I was only in my panties. 

“Aira, you are a goddess on earth. How did I get so lucky?” He smiled and then he removed his boxers and hovered over me. He kissed every inch of my upper body. He finally stopped kissing around my tummy when his fingers curved at the top of my panties and ripped them apart. I gasped at the sharpness. He was a caveman and I loved it. He then brought his face down in between my legs and used his magical mouth to bring me to the edge. The dams broke instantly and wave after wave of please came over me. Collin looked up at me and smiled. He crawled his way back on top and finally entered into me. He had never felt so good. This was home for me, I knew I was safe and in love with this man. He thrusted into me harder and harder, he was ripping orgasm after orgasm out of me. 

“O God, Collin, I love you.” I said before another organsm ripped through me. 

“f**k! I love you so much Aria!” He screamed and came hard into me. I was a panting sweaty mess. He slowly pulled out and collapsed next to me. He pulled me into his arms and I rested my head on his chest. I felt him kissing the top of my head every now and then enjoying the silence as we held each other. 

“Aria, I don’t want to go back just yet.” Collin said. 

“Ok, that's fine with me as long as you have food here I am ok.”  I said just as my stomach started to rumble. 

“Ok you get freshened up and I will make some sandwiches.” He said and kissed my head. I went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. When I wrapped myself with the towel I realized that I do not have any clothes. I guess Collins shirts will do. 

When I came out of the bathroom Collin had the table set with plates of sandwiches and a side of chips with a couple of sodas. I smiled, enjoying everything. 

“Here, love, take this shirt. Should be long enough.” He said and I grabbed it, threw it on and let my towel go. We sat and began to eat. I don’t know if it was from being starved for a few days or what but these sandwiches were fantastic. I moan in delight every bite. 

“Aria, stop that, you sound like a starved woman or a horny one.” He said. 

“Can’t help it, I don’t think I have eaten in days.” I said back not realizing that it has, in fact, been days. 

“Aria, what did they do to you after you called me?” Collin asked with so much sadness in his eyes. I know he felt helpless while I was trapped. 

“Well My father slapped me.” I said pointing to my face. “Then I stopped eating because I was too heartbroken. But when I tried to escape the first time they shot me with a tranquilizer gun. And the second time, well, they grabbed me and stuck a needle in my neck. Woke up in the plane four days later. And when we landed I tried to escape when father’s guards grabbed me again and stuck me with another needle. Then I woke up at your castle and was dragged down to the sitting room by two bulky men.” I said and finished my sandwich and drank my soda. 

“That is cruel, your father did that to you. I should beat the s**t out of that ass. When he threatened me I was getting ready to leave here and come save you. I called the pilot but he said that the plane was under maintenance and can’t fly for another week. I called all our friends and tried to figure something out. When I was in my condo with the guys, Trish, Lily, and Angie were there also. My father and his guards came, secured me and took me with him back to the country estate, aka castle, as you so put it.” He winked and I just grinned. “Anyways, they made sure that I didn’t have my electronics on me and they cleared my old room and secured it to prevent my escape. I could not believe that my parents were doing to me what yours were doing to you. I was throwing things left and right to a point where they had to sedate me also. I was in and out of consciousness for a couple of days. I at least had an IV drip going for me. Sounds like they purposefully starved you. No wonder you look pale, love.” He finished talking and cupped my cheek. 

“Well you're feeding me now so I am sure I’ll look better soon.” I said. We finished our meal and I helped him clean up. We cuddled on the bed watching one of his movies, Batman, the original. 

“Collin, you know when we eventually go back we are going to have to face our parents and they are going to want to gloat.” I said. Collin Sighed. 

“Yes, I know. They are going to be convinced that this was meant to be and they had every right to meddle. I hate it. Maybe if we stay up here where no one knows where we are, they will begin to worry. Maybe they might finally think that our happiness is important too.” He said. 

“Do we have enough provisions to last us?” I asked. I like the plan, just want to make sure it's doable. 

“Yes love, we have enough food to last us a couple of weeks. So how long do you want to stay and make them suffer in guilt and worry?” He asked as he hovered on top of me seductively. 

“Let us just do two more days. I think if we can get that handled sooner, then sooner you can announce that I am completely yours in public.” I said and he grinned even bigger. He looked so happy, like a kid on christmas morning. 

“Ok I like the sound of that.” He said and with the movie forgotten we made love again and again, until our stomachs rumble, and we made more food to fuel our unquenchable desire for one another.