The Royal bride selection trials

chapter two

Sunlight crept through the gap in the curtains and spread across my face.

I blinked repeatedly trying to remember where I was.

The memories from the day before came rushing back.

That asshole kidn*pped me!

I stretched my arms and stood up walking around the room

I searched for anything I could use as a weapon, but there was nothing in the cramped room except a small bed on the floor and a chair by the wall.

I thought about looking out the window and screaming for help but that would only tell them I was awake.

The door knob turned and I quickly went back to my sleeping position, closed my eyes and held my breath.

Heavy footsteps made their way into the room and I heard the door click.

"I know you're awake, your mother would like to speak to you"

I jolted up from the bed immediately.The stranger held a phone towards me

I snatched it away from him and placed it on my ear.

"Mum?"

"Good morning my darling, how are you?" her soft voice echoed in my ears

Tears filled my eyes instantly, I had been so worried.

"I'm okay mum, where are you, where's Richie"

The stranger was watching, but I couldn't say anything suspicious yet.

"That friend of yours ... Callum was it?"

I squeezed my eyebrows my eyes darting to him standing beside me

"Callum?" I asked

"Yes, the handsome man in the suit took us to a nice house. We're fine, when are you going to join us?"

She did not sound like she was trying to calm me down

She definitely did not sound kidn*pped.

I wondered if they had left the house freely.

What could he have possibly told them?

"Soon, I just need to sort a few things out" I glared at him as he reached for the phone.

"Hey.. I'm not done speaking to-

"You'll speak to her after we've had a proper conversation"

He ended the call and put the phone in his pocket.

"Callum? I raised an eyebrow

"Yes, lovely name isn't it?"

"I've heard better"

He smiled

My chest tightened.

"Rue?"he said, trying to imitate my tone.

"You already knew that" I walked back to the bed and sat on it.

He dragged the chair close to the bed and now we were sitting facing each other

Only he was towering above me.

"I apologize for how yesterday went, I didn't mean to scare you, you're extremely stubborn"

"Well you didn't expect me to be all cozy with a stranger in my room and my family gone.

He leaned back.

"Ahh..yes I see how that wasn't ideal"

"Are you going to answer my questions now?"

He sighed, running his fingers through his beautiful hair.

"My name is Callum Corvane"

"Like The house Corvane?" I looked up at him

He leaned in until our faces were an inch away from one another. I held my breath, I wanted to look away but then I noticed the golden flecks in his eyes, he was perfect.

"Yes, I have a request"

"Why didn't you just say so?

"You didn't let me"

"You were in my room!" I yelled

He smiled again and once again I reacted, this time with a slight pull in my chest. proud that I had made him smile.

"I apologize"

I couldn't tell if he was joking, he seemed different from the brooding man who pulled me to the ground.

"what request"

"I assume you've heard of the Thornwood estate"

"You mean the royal family, what normal citizen wouldn't know the royal family"

He increased the distance between us, leaning back on his seat.

I could feel disappointment swell in me.

"I mean you didn't recognize me, it wouldn't be far fetched"

"Why would I recognize you?"I crossed my arms

"You know my house"

"Everybody knows your house, Long ago your house abdicated the Royal throne to the Thornwoods"

"WE ABDICATED NOTHING!" he yelled

I flinched, caught off guard by the sudden change in energy.

He was insane

"I apologize for my outburst" he said calmly

Completely opposite of what he had just displayed

He stood up and took a deep breath.

I continued to stare, Terrified to say anything else worried I might tick him off again

I had forgotten that I was being held against my will.

He faced me, his eyes softened as he noticed the look of fear and shock on my face.

"I am extremely sorry Rue, it's a sensitive topic for me...hence my request"

"If I do this request of yours, will you let me and my family go" my voice came out smaller than it was.

The shock slowly wearing off

"yes and with a proper reward" he stepped back almost like he didn't want to scare me again.

"What is this request?"

"The Thornwoods are a family of liars, manipulators and murderers they do not deserve to rule and I will destroy them" he clenched his jaws

There it was again, the tone and personality shift.

Whatever the royal family did to him he was enraged.

So much that he could barely keep his composure when he spoke of them but what did it have to do with me?

"And?"

"And I'd like you to infiltrate their estate and find something"

I laughed, I laughed so hard my stomach knotted.

"me? how the f**k would I do that"I cleaned the tears stuck in my eyes.

"By joining the Royal bride selection trials"

"Are you insane? No I take that back, you are insane"

"Rue you seem to forget that I have your family" he still hadn't moved from his spot.

I scratched my head, he was right, I needed this to be over as soon as possible.

I needed to see Mum and Richie

"Fine, I'll do whatever you want"

There was no need trying to stall, who knew what would happen if I wasted too much time.

"let's go over the details somewhere more comfortable"

He walked towards me and lent his hand to me.

I took it and he pulled me off the bed and led me out of the cramped room.

what mess had I gotten myself into.