Make Your Move Katherine

Not My Bed

“Are you going to kill me?” Kat asked Oscar hours later while they sat down to tea to unwind. They were not alone as two servants were stationed by the door but they could not hear her words at the distance they were at.

‘When is the food arriving?’

“What?” he looked as if her words caught him off guard, for the cup he was about to replace on the little coffee table was stilled. A slight dent was visible on his chin, indicating to her his mind was at work, followed by a furrow between his eyebrows.

Her life as she knew it, was over. She was now legally married to some supernatural being that could appear and disappear from his country and into her apartment, convince her president about kicking her out, had something going on with his eyes- maybe a demon from the hundreds if not thousands of books she read.

That much she knew.

Well, why not? For she was seeing things that only happened in fantasy movies and books. But her father would be dept free. So that was a plus. Her family would be safe. Her little unborn sister and stepmother would be safe.

“I am not a virgin bride- so hah.” She didn’t think it was funny but she was strung out a bit to the point of almost hysteria. If he did kill her because of it, her family would suffer not Oscar. She crossed her fingers still hoping that in the event that she did die, he would still pay her father’s debt- which was really stupid…’why would someone just give money away Kat?’

“Excuse me?” he placed the cup on the table and leaned back watching her.

Kat lifted her chin, just as he taught her too and continued on, “Well I know you’re some sort of demon. And I know demons like virgin brides. So, I assume you want to kill me.” Her stomach chose then to start its protest of hunger.

“Funny. You are a funny one. But erm- no. I believe that the term virgin bride…er pertaining to demons, of course, is just a polite way of saying r*pe? Till death?”

Her eyes grew wide as saucers, with his evil words and he smirked and he went on with, “Oh, I’m not going to kill you. Relax- hungry?” He looked at her stomach area making it obvious he had heard it, gesturing with one hand open palm out at her.

Of course, she was hungry. Following the wedding, they had lunch back at the castle but with the tight gown, she couldn’t eat- plus she had no appetite- although she was indeed wanting food. Then the guests that were invited back with them that they had to entertain in the throne room following her little ceremonial crowning as Queen then the throne next to the King’s. She was now changed and into another white gown but a much more comfortable one before joining him here.

The heavy crowns left back at the Throne room.

“But why? I thought the day was over?” Kat had wailed at Julie when she had called the beautician to freshen up her face and started removing the gown. It was almost eight at night! The wedding was over- everyone had left, she protested earlier.

“The reporters are gone Your Majesty but the servants are still here,” Miss Moon had stated in her monotone voice.

Kat hadn’t understood what she meant. She was hungry, tired, and in need of sleep. She was also worried about if Oscar would go back on his word about her cell phone- she had to call her father. Was she actually safe here?

Julie had shaken her head saying, “The castle has ears and eyes. The servants need to see you go into the King’s chambers until morning-”

“What?”

“It is what is expected or they will talk,” Miss Moon had said.

So here she is…hoping that by the time she finishes her food the servants will be asleep and minding their own businesses. As if on cue the food arrived.

“My Queen, “Oscar mocked her as he had since the luncheon with his guests, “You look so tired- shall I leave my beauty to rest tonight?”

The servers froze for a second before continuing on. Oscar gave her a knowing look. He was showing her how nosy servants could be even in the presence of the King. Kat furrowed her eyebrows and started stuffing down her food.

Bowing the servers left, leaving two maids by the door but Kat was too hungry to worry about gossiping staff at the moment. Why didn't he just fire them?

Oscar cleared his throat and the remaining two stepped out.

“Can I have my phone? I need-” Kat stopped what she was saying when she saw Oscar closing his eyes and holding an index finger to his lips. Then he pointed to one of his ears.

“Outside. Speak softly. Your phone? I never said your phone- I said a phone. Shh,” he finished off with as Kat opened her mouth to yell at him, standing up. She glared at the King before sitting back down and went on to eat her food.

“Your table manners are lacking, my Queen,” Oscar observed as he looked at her, looking all…well mannerly in his brown trouser pants and a white long-sleeved shirt. Even his matching loafers screamed class. His wet hair that covered his forehead, confirmed he had just indeed showered, like her.

Kat was hungry and she didn’t care for his insults or his damn etiquette. Tears rolled down her eyes as she swallowed her food. He was an ungrateful pig! Okay so he didn’t starve her but she had just sworn to spend the rest of her life with him- she had given up Simon! Did Oscar even know how much she loved him? Simon was her dream- her happily ever after. Her world.

Nothing would ever have made her give up Simon. Only because her father was in trouble, she did this sham of a wedding to this creature. Because he had cancer- a relapse now that was spreading to his lungs.

Most cases of cancers that are going to come back will do so in the first two years or so after treatment, the doctors had informed them, so by year three, they were way beyond elated when he didn’t relapse. After five years, you are even less likely to get one- but alas…year three he did relapse and they were still paying off the medical bills from the first treatment.

“How are you, King? I thought you might have been a Prince,” she boldly asked after a few bites, taking a sip of the water from one of the goblets in front of her. She almost choked- it was not water after all. Oscar pointed to what she thought was wine in a slender one. She gobbled the entire contents of water.

“You are slow. A prince is referred to as ‘Your Highness’ not ‘Majesty’,” he snorted looking away from her. “I am King for my father was previously- you know…the usual way? I intend to spend my wedding night with the woman I love, I’m just informing you.”

“Where- where would I sleep then?” Kat stuttered. She was wondering how to refuse his unwanted advances at the same time wondering why he had no parents or siblings at his wedding. Her eyes widened... Oscar was an orphan? Isn't that the way someone becomes King- when the previous one dies?

“Wherever in the room you like- just not my bed.”

Any pity she might have felt towards his loss, disappeared with the scorned expression he looked at her with. Just how the heck did Julie think she would want to sleep with him? Kat had protested…even put it out there that her chambers and the King’s chambers were separated for a reason but still, the head maid had insisted she go to her husband.

Kat stared at the man- He was repulsive to her even in all his good looks.

“What is happening with your eyes?”

Oscar’s glass stopped midway to his mouth as he stared at her, “My eyes?”

“Yes- they change-”

“Vampire I told you. They change according to my moods- don’t annoy me…yeah?”

How could he make jokes at a time like this?

“I-I am mad that my parents couldn’t be here today but I am sorry that you lost yours-”

“My parents? My mother is dead- you will meet my father in the morning.”

Kat’s eyes widened with his words. He had family… close family alive?

‘His father is alive but didn’t come to the wedding? What- why wouldn’t a King come to- previous King…so he’s not dead, but still why didn’t he come to his son’s wedding?’

“How are you feeling now?” he asked looking at her forearm.

“Just peachy,” she replied, having just recovered from the injury she came with. The stitches were gone and she no longer limped. Even the scars behind her hand were healing nicely but she didn’t say that. He nodded as if he understood what she meant, or maybe he just didn’t care for her to elaborate more.

“Go to my chambers please when you are done eating- gosh.” Oscar got up and walked out into the balcony as if she was the repulsive one. But not before she saw his eyes turning black.