The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 22

Tori

   I didn’t know what to do with myself. I can’t believe he did this. I left out of his study and headed towards my room. I was about to enter when I saw the doctor. 

“What are you still doing here?” I asked. That was weird. I could’ve sworn he left with the Emperor. 

“I’m sorry my queen, but there was something else I forgot to tell you.” He looked around. “Can we talk in private?” 

I turned towards the door to open it. “Sure, let me just-ahhhh.” I felt the needle prick me in the neck. Suddenly, the room began to spin. 

“Wh-wha did yyouu-“ I panted right before my body hit ground and everything went black. The only thing I heard was the doctor’s voice. 

“I’m so sorry my queen. I had no choice."

    When I woke up, my eyes were blurry. Blinking several times to clear my vision, I finally was able to see a tall dark figure standing over me. I wondered who he was and if he would be able to tell me anything that happened before as I can't remember anything. 

"Welcome back," the voice said. It was definitely a man. Without moving my head, my eyes traveled to his.  "Do you know where you are?" He asked. 

I shook my head. "No."  My voice was a little hoarse.

"That's okay, but you are safe now." His tone was calming. "Can you tell me your name?" 

I cleared my throat. "Victoria Adwell."

He smiled, satisfied with my answer. "And Victoria do you know where you are?"

"No. Can I get some water?" 

"Sure." He reached down and grabbed the water off of the bedside table and held it up to my lips. The water wasn't ice cold, the usual way I like it but it did its job. I drank the entire cup and he sat it back down. 

"Thank you." There that sounds better. 

"You're welcome," he smiled empathically. "Are you able to tell me what happened?"

I tried to remember. The only thing I remember was Alex coming in drunk. He passed out on the sofa and that's when I grabbed Livie and left. Livie!

"Where is my daughter?" I shouted. My heart raced. He wore a confused expression. 

"I'm sorry, I haven't seen your daughter." I began to push every out of the way and jumped from the bed. He caught me as I almost fell face first.   

"Hey, be careful you just woke up."

"I need to find my daughter." Tears began to trickled down my face. Oh God, I hope Alex didn't take her. 

"Okay, okay. We will find her. Sit down, you're too weak to stand." He ordered. I sat on the edge of the bed. 

"We have to find her. She's all I have. Alex probably took her. Please," I begged. I swear I will kill him myself if he has her and hurt her. He's so unhinged. 

"Just calm down, we will find her, okay?" His hand rubbed my cheek. Taking several deep breaths, I managed to calm myself down. His hand against my cheek felt warm and I found myself leaning into it. I closed my eyes just for a second before I realized what I was doing. I quickly straighten up. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," he chuckled. His features were mysterious. He had a brooding, intense aura about him. His angular jawline brought out his smile. It was genuine with hint of darkness. And I was drawn to it. 

"i told who i am, now can you tell me who you are?" 

"My name is Jasper Young."

"And Jasper, are you able to explain what happened to me? And where the hell am I?" I asked. In order for me to find my daughter, I needed some insight. I need to know how I blacked out with no memory of how it happened. 

"I found you passed out. I don't know what happened to you. I brought you here. To my home." His home? This place is like a castle. Literally!  The large master bedroom had high a ceiling with floor to ceiling windows. The rays of the sunlight peeked in through the white draped curtains. I sat on large California-king sized bed that was covered with tan blankets. The exquisite décor probably cost more than my home. It was lavish with a renaissance theme.

"What's the last thing you remember?" 

I lifted my hand. "I-I don't know. I was running away from A-" I stopped as I realized that I was trusting him way too easy. How do I know that this isn't a set up? That he's actually working for Alex. 

"Why did you stop?" He asked thoughtfully. 

"How do I know if I can trust you? You may work for Alex?" He laughed, adding to my frustration.

"You got me all wrong, Victoria. I don't work for anyone. As you can see, I'm very rich. This Alex, is he your husband?" 

"Yes, soon to be ex husband. He may have my daughter and if he does, I have to get her back." He seemed to be trust worthy but I still cant just quickly assume that he's a good guy. But I guess he's the only one who is willing to help me so far. 

Adrian 

    When I opened my eyes, I expected to see my father. Instead, I was met with darkness. I tried to sit up, but I hit my head against the a hard object. I pushed my hands against it and it wouldn't bulge.  I started to get hot and my mouth began to dry. It finally dawned on me that whoever hit me, buried me alive.

 I don't know how long I've been out, but I know I had to get out of this. I had to get back to Tori. I kept pushing and pushing, but nothing happened. I had recollection of the person who did this, but when I find out, I will kill them. I know Jasper had something to do with this. My brother has always been envious of me. But he never came to me to tell me why. Why would he? He hates me. I've allowed myself to accept it as him being the younger brother and it was a simple sibling rivalry. But it wasn't. As I keep learning my family dark secrets, I figured Jasper knows something that I don't. I kept pushing, punching and kicking the heavy object with no success. I couldn't give up that easily. I began to cough as the little air i did have, started to go away. 

"Hey! who's down there!" A voice shouted. I breath out with relief. Someone heard me. Finally, someone heard me. 

"I'm stuck in here, help me out this thing." 

"We're coming!" He shouted. "We're about to dig, your about two and half feet deep." I could faintly hear them moving and knew that I was going to be okay. It took them awhile but I finally felt myself being lifted from under the ground to the top. 

"Are you awake?" One guy asked. 

"Yeah," I coughed as I tried to breathe. 

They worked at opened what appeared to be wood. once they opened it, I was greeted by three men. They were middle aged men dressed in attire that made them look like farmers. They helped me out of the man made casket and as I stood on my feet, everything began to spin. 

"Sit boy or you're gonna fall." 

I sat on the ground, gathering my thoughts while trying to control the nausea that threatening to rise.  

"Where am I?" I asked. 

One of the men answered with a southern accent. "Well, boy your on my farm. What I want to know is who the hell put you here? No one comes on this farm unnoticed." 

I had an idea of who arranged it, but Jasper isn't the type of person to get his dirty. It was definitely mess up the reputation of our family. I'm sure he got someone to do it for him. Now Tori is left all alone with him. The Emperor was there for the most important day of her life. Of our life. This test was going to change everything for us. I was just beginning to learn my wife and from what I know so far, I loved it. It made me fall for her and I wanted to not only running a kingdom, but to actually have some real with her. I had to get back to her. 

"What day is it?" I asked, hoping that it's still time. 

"It's Friday, boy," the other man answered with a similar accent. Oh no! I missed her procedure. Not only that, she's alone with Jasper. Who knows what's happening. 

"s**t, I have to go." I stood on my feet, making sure my vision clears before I moved. 

"I don't know if that's good idea. You're were buried down there for God knows how long. My house is there," he pointed to the small house with a light shining from the porch. "I have an extra room that you can recover in."

"That's very nice of you uhh,"

"Larry," he answered. 

"Larry. I really appreciate the offer, but I need to get back to my wife." I needed to stop whatever my brother had planned. I just hope that I'm not too late. 

"I understand but where are you from?"

"Adenville," I answered. Larry whistled. 

"That's about 3000 miles away. Stay the night and you can figure out everything in the morning." 

"I don't want to intrude," I politely declined, but clearly Larry wasn't taking no for answer. 

"You're not intruding, son. It's not safe to travel 3000 miles in your condition. My wife is a wonderful cook and will have breakfast ready in the morning." He was right. I was not in the right state of mind. Besides, it's better to be here surrounded by people than to be alone and something happens to me. 

"Okay, I'll stay. Only to morning." Larry smiled and him and the two other men walked with me back to Larry's house. My agenda is to get back to my wife and as soon as the sunlight hit, that's exactly what I going to do.