《Love For Hire》


 Chapter 1: 1

    Chapter 1: 1


    Los Angeles, California¡­


    Kinsley tapped her debit card to the machine to pay for her groceries. She bit her bottom, hoping it


    would go through. The machine beeped, and the words ¡®Insufficient Funds¡¯ shed across the small


    screen. Kinsley sighed. She took out her wallet and returned her debit card to its slot, and then took out


    her credit card. ¡°Let¡¯s try this,¡± she said and waited for the clerk to set the machine up once more. She


    tapped her credit card to the machine again and waited. The machine beeped, and the word ¡®Denied¡¯


    shed across the screen.


    She had onest-ditch effort as she took out the credit card her parents had given her for emergencies.


    She did not hold out much hope since both her parents worked for minimum wage themselves and


    often could not make more than the bare minimum payments to their bills. She was pretty sure this


    card was maxed out, too, but she had to try. The clerk set it up again, and Kinsley tapped the card¡­


    Denied.


    Kinsley signed, embarrassed as she stood with a long line behind her of people impatiently waiting.


    Kinsley could not pay for her purchase. She apologized and then made a quick escape from the store.


    She walked the five blocks back to her apartment. Stepping through the security-locked door, Kinsley


    retrieved her mail. She climbed the three flights of stairs to her apartment. She cringed as she reached


    her door and found an eviction notice taped to the door. She had paid her rentte thest four months


    and not at all this month. Kinsley took the notice down and went into her small bachelor apartment.


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    Locking the door, she walked over to the kitchte counter and put everything down. She browsed


    through the mail. There were utility cut-off notices. And a notice from her school informing her that she


    was more than three monthste with her tuition payments and therefore, her status as a student with


    their school had been terminated.


    Kinsley opened a notice from her bank. As she looked over the statement of her bank activity, she saw


    four bounced cheques resulting in four NSF charges of $45 each and penalties from the four different


    vendors she bounced the cheques with. She also saw that her service fees went through, and now her


    ount was so overdrawn $300; she did not know how she was going to get her ount out of the


    red.


    Kinsley only worked part-time. She had been hired on as full-time in the beginning, but in thest year,


    her hours had been cut so drastically. She only made minimum wage, and she lost almost 9% in taxes


    on each cheque. Lately, she only made about $200/week, and she was struggling to survive. She could


    not even move home since her parents themselves had moved to a smaller apartment themselves


    when she moved out three years ago to cut their expenses. They had no room for her. She really had


    to think of some way toe up with money and quickly because she was going to starve to death and


    be homeless soon.


    Maybe she could pick up more hours now that she was kicked out of school. After all, without sses


    to attend, she had all the time in the world to work. Speaking of work, she had a shift in an hour. She


    jumped in the shower and then threw on her pastel pink waitress uniform and raced to the bus stop.


    She almost missed the bus, but as she reached the stop, she banged on the closed door to get the


    driver¡¯s attention. He frowned but opened the door and let her on.


    It was a fifteen-minute bus ride to her job. She worked in a small diner. Kinsley walked in and made her


    way to the back to hang up her coat when the restaurant¡¯s owner stepped out of the office. He pulled


    her aside and told her she could collect her stuff and go home because she was beingid off. He


    handed her a pink slip and a severance cheque of $200.


    ¡°Oh, please, Rick, do not let me go. I need this job,¡± she begged.


    ¡°I am sorry, Kinsley, but we have not been getting much businesstely. I cannot afford to keep you on.


    I have to cut my expenses. I am letting everyone go. From now on, I am running the kitchen, and my


    wife will be waiting tables. I wish I could afford to keep you, but I just do not have the budget. I am


    sorry.¡±


    Kinsley sighed and put her coat back on. She understood where Rick wasing from. The economy


    was down, and times were tough for everyone. He had to do whatever he could to keep his business


    afloat. So, she walked back to the bus stop and made her way back home. As she sat on the bus, she


    stared at the severance cheque. $200, it was not even enough to get her ount out of overdraft. She


    would deposit it and lose the whole thing and still own money.


    She had no choice. She had to ask her parents for a loan. When she got home, she went next door to


    her neighbour¡¯s apartment and asked if she could use their phone. Her cellphone had been cut off


    three months ago for failure to pay the bill. She was $1000 behind, and the cellphone provider had


    taken her ount to collections. But the olddy next door allowed her to use her phone. She was a


    sweet, lonely woman, and when Kinsley used her phone, she would often stick around and visit for an


    hour aspensation for the courtesy of using the phone.


    Kinsley called her mother, Dara and asked if her parents could spot her enough to cover her rent this


    month. Maybe if she coulde up with the money, herndlord might let her slide one more month. ¡°I


    am sorry, Chica,¡± Dara said. It was funny she had been in America for all of Kinsley¡¯s life, and still, her


    ent was so thick one would assume she was still living in Mexico, ¡°we just do not have the money to


    give you. The warehouseid off your father two days ago, and we are struggling to make our own rent.


    I want to help, but we just do not have the money to give you.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I will figure it out somehow.¡±


    ¡°If you get evicted, you can always sleep on our couch until you can get a new ce,¡± she¡¯d rather not.


    Her parents¡¯ couch was so ufortable. She thanked her mother anyway, and then she decided to


    call around and see if she could get one of her friends to loan her some money. She called her friend


    Lydia first, but Lydia could not spare any money. She herself was just getting by. She then called her


    friend Adalynn, but she was a student and living on a fixed ie and could not help.


    Finally, she called her friend Mackenzie. ¡°Sorry, Kinsley, I cannot. I just paid my bills, and I have nothing


    left.¡±


    ¡°Ok, thanks anyway,¡± she said with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°You know if you need the money that badly. I know how you can get it,¡± Mackenzie said.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°First, I have to ask what are you willing to do to get it?¡± She asked cryptically.


    Given that she was going to be homeless on the street begging for change¡­ ¡°Anything.¡±


    ¡°You know people say ¡®anything¡¯ all the time, but they do not really mean it.¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie, I have not eaten in three days. I have no job, no money, and soon no home. I will do


    anything.¡±


    ¡°Ok, well, I have been making some money on the side to supplement my ie, and I have to say it


    pays really well.¡±


    ¡°Ok, so what is it?¡±


    ¡°You cannot let it get back to my folks.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± she said suspiciously.


    ¡°I have been working for an escortpany. Guys call the service, and thepany calls one of their


    girls and sends them over.¡±


    Kinsley could not believe what she was hearing. ¡°You are prostituting?¡±


    ¡°Prostituting is such an ugly term. I am an escort. Basically, I just go on a date. I spend some time with


    these men and get paid.¡±


    ¡°So, you do not have sex with them?¡±


    Mackenzieughed. ¡°Of course, I sleep with them. But it is not so bad, really; it is a ssy service. The


    men that use it are all wealthy businessmen. They are not the sleazy, dirty losers that pick up strung-


    out hookers on skid row.¡±


    ¡°I do not know. I do not think I could do it.¡±


    ¡°It pays $300 an hour,¡± Kinsley could not breathe. That was a lot of money. She could pay off her debts


    fairly quickly if she did it for a short time. It would most defiantly fix her problems. ¡°You did say you


    would do anything,¡± Mackenzie reminded her. Yes, she had said anything. Could she really do this?


    Could she really afford not to?


    Kinsley closed her eyes, feeling horrible. ¡°What is the number,¡± she was left with no other options. She


    would do it just for a short time. Once she was caught up, she¡¯d stop and get a real job. She just hoped


    her parents did not find out. It would kill her mother.

 Chapter 2: 2

    Chapter 2: 2


    Kinsley sat in front of the desk at LA¡¯s Angels Escort Service. The man behind the desk had been


    eyeing her up, trying to decide if she would make him money. Mackenzie had told her that thepany


    had high standards for their girls. She had been forced to take an STD test yesterday to assure her


    new employer she was clean because clean girls were one of their major selling factors. ¡°You say you


    are twenty-one?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir.¡±


    ¡°And you have never been an escort before?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°So why now?¡±


    ¡°I need the money, and a friend of mine suggested I work for you.¡±


    ¡°Well, you are very pretty, and yourb work came back saying you are clean, so that is all good. I am


    just concerned you will not go through with it. You just do not seem the type. I cannot have one of my


    girls get to the client and then refuse to do the job. When that happens, I not only have to give the client


    back his money, but I have to double it to abide by my guarantee. You understand I lose money when


    girls get cold feet. I need to know you will not back out.¡±


    ¡°I need the money,¡± Kinsley repeated.


    ¡°I do not care. I am running a business, not a charity. I need to know you will not chicken out.¡±


    ¡°Sir, if I do not do this, I am going to be starving to death on the street. I have no other options but to do


    this. I will do what I have to in order to survive.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± he said and stamped her paperwork with ¡®approved¡¯ then handed the papers to her. ¡°Take this


    over to dispatch down the hall and to the left. You cannot miss it.¡±


    Kinsley left the office and made her way to the dispatch room. She handed her paperwork to one


    woman behind a desk and then was told to go sit at another desk for her first assignment.


    The middle-aged woman behind the desk was typing on herputer and talking on an earpiece.


    While she sorted through her clients'' calls and assigned various different girls to each, she then looked


    at Kinsley and apologized, saying she had nothing for her at the moment. She asked her to leave her


    contact number. Kinsley cringed. She did not have a number they could call.


    Before Kinsley could confess, she had no number. The woman put up her finger to silence her and then


    touched her Bluetooth bud to take a call. ¡°LA¡¯s Angels,¡± she said, and then her face lit up. ¡°Oh, yes, of


    course. When would he like the girl to arrive, and how long would he like her to stay?¡± She asked,


    typing on herputer while the other person spoke. ¡°Of course, we could amodate him. Does


    he have any preferences this evening?¡± Again, she listened to what he had to say. ¡°Yes, let me see


    which girls I have avable that fit his request,¡± she said, typing on herputer and bringing up


    employee files. ¡°I have two that fit his request¡­ oh¡­ I am sorry, it looks like they are both spoken for


    tonight,¡± suddenly, she looked at Kinsley and smiled. ¡°Actually, I have a new girl that fits the bill if you


    are interested,¡± she paused. ¡°Perfect. You have a wonderful night,¡± she ended the gall. ¡°Well, it looks


    like you have a job tonight,¡± she said as she took a pad of paper and began to write a name, address,


    and time on the paper. She tore it off and handed it to Kinsley. ¡°You will be entertaining his majesty,


    Nichs Kane.¡±


    Kinsley stared at her nkly. ¡°His majesty?¡±


    ¡°Nichs Kane is the Crowned Prince of Kustium, a small wealthy country in eastern Europe. He has


    been living in California for thest six months. He is our best and most important client. So, do not


    screw this up. You do whatever it takes to keep him happy¡­ WHATEVER it takes. You will show up at


    this address by eight tonight, and you will stay indefinitely.¡±


    ¡°Indefinitely?¡± She repeated.


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    ¡°Yes, you stay until he bores of you and sends you home. The longer, the better. The longer he keeps


    you, the more we can bill, and the more you get paid. As long as he is entertained, we both make


    money.¡±


    Kinsley stood up to leave. She looked down at the paper and realized the address was out in the


    country. There would be no bus service out there. ¡°Um, I do not have a car. How do I get to this


    address?¡±


    ¡°Take a taxi; we will bill the expense to the client,¡± Kinsley nodded and made to leave. ¡°Oh, and Kinsley,


    the man is royalty, so dress ssy,¡± she just smiled. She would have to go through her closet and see


    what she could throw together.

 Chapter 3: 3

    Chapter 3: 3


    It took the taxi thirty minutes once it left the city limits to reach the destination. The taxi pulled in front of


    a massive three-story mansion. It looked like a small pce. The exterior was tanned stone walls with


    tall windows with warm lighting from inside. There were balconies on both the second and third


    floors. The front door was frosted ss withrge y nters on either side filled with beautiful


    flowers.


    Kinsley signed the slip that billed the taxi to LA¡¯s Angels, which would be passed on to the client. She


    got out and watched the taxi drive away. Kinsley took a deep breath and ran her hands over her belly-


    ttening out any wrinkles she might have gotten on the drive over. She pulled on the skirt of her


    powder blue cocktail dress. She wore it often when she went clubbing. It had a short skirt and a low


    bust line. Every time she wore it, she got countless free drinks. She hoped the Prince liked it.


    Walking up to the door, Kinsley ran the doorbell and waited. She was feeling a little anxious. She really


    hoped she could do this. She was hoping the Prince was not some ugly out-of-shape forty-something


    kind of guy. She did not know that there were still monarchies in this world. The only royal family she


    knew of was the one in Ennd, and she was praying this Prince was nothing like Prince Charles.


    The door opened, and arge man with short blond hair and a ck suit looked her over. His


    expression was unfriendly, and she wondered if they spoke English. ¡°LA¡¯s Angels sent me,¡± she said.


    The man stepped aside and let her in.


    As he closed the door, she heard him speak to someone telling them the Prince¡¯s entertainment had


    arrived. That was when she noticed he had a very small earpiece in his right ear. ¡°I have to search


    you,¡± the man said. ¡°Make sure you are not concealing a weapon.¡±


    Kinsley gave him an odd look. Her dress was skin-tight, and her handbag was only big enough to hold


    a condom, her ID, and her keys; just where did he think she was hiding a weapon? Kinsley held her


    arms up and let the man pat her down and check her handbag. He then asked her to follow him.


    The man led Kinsley into arge room adjacent to the spacious foyer. The room was very beautiful with


    white walls and wood trim with tall Tudor-style windows. The floor was hardwood, and there was a


    firece. Above the firece was a mirror with small wall-mountedps on either side. There was a


    white rug on the floor and three contemporary white couches set up with the firece as the room¡¯s


    focal point. There was a ss coffee table with candles and a few books on it. Around the couch ends


    were bi-level brass end tables. There was a wooden chest with sliding brass doors on the front against


    one wall behind the centred couch with ss sks filled with dark liquors. There was a painting of the


    ocean on the wall above it. The ceiling was white like the walls with gilded crown moulding and a


    chandelier.


    This ce was very extravagant ¡ª just the kind of ce one would expect royalty to lie in. Kinsley


    made to sit down, but the moment her bottom touched the couch, another man walked in. He was not


    dressed in a suit, but his clothes were clearly expensive. He was a tall fit man with short blond hair and


    dark eyes. He looked like he was in his thirties maybe, and she wondered if this was the man she had


    come to see. She stood up as the man came over. ¡°You, the girl the service sent over?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes, are you the Prince?¡± She asked.


    He chuckled. ¡°No. I work for his majesty.¡±


    ¡°What do you do?¡±


    ¡°Anything he asks,¡± he said. ¡°My name is Octavius.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± she introduced herself and then instantly rethought. Maybe she should have given a false


    name. Oh well, toote now. She¡¯d just have to remember it next time.


    Octavius looked Kinsley over as if trying to judge whether or not he thought the Prince would like her.


    ¡°Ok, follow me,¡± he said and walked out of the room.


    Kinsley followed Octavius out into the foyer and up a set of winding white marble stairs with a gilded


    railing. They made their way up to the second floor and then up another set of stairs to the third. Every


    hall was decked out with fine d¨¦cor and beautiful paintings. When they reached the third floor, they


    walked down the hall. To a closed door. ¡°You will address the Prince as Your Majesty,¡± he instructed as


    he knocked on the door. ¡°Just wait here a moment,¡± he then went inside.


    Kinsley could hear muffled voices, and then Octavius rejoined her in the hall. ¡°You may go in now,¡± he


    said, stepping aside to let her pass.


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    Nervous, she took a calming breath and stepped into the room. Once she cleared the door, Octavius


    pulled the door closed to give them privacy. The room wasrge and dark, lit only by the soft flickering


    lighting from the firece. There was arge king-sized bed, and by the firece were two plush


    light grey armchairs and a brass end table with a ss of brown liquor and an ashtray.


    Rxed in the chair next to it was a man she could only assume was the Prince. He was a tall, broad


    man. His long powerful legs stretched out casually before him. His strong muscled body was dressed in


    expensive tanned cks and a dark purple button-up dress shirt that looked like it was made out of a


    material that cost more than her rent. Oddly enough though he was barefoot, he lounged in his chair


    like a man who was used to power and privilege and was bored with both. In his hand, a half-smoked


    cigar. His shirt was left open, and she could see the well-defined muscles of his t-toned abs.


    Her gaze travelled up that tight-toned body to the face of the man lounging in the chair watching her.


    He was very tall, even in his rxed seated position. His dark chestnut hair was just long enough to


    hang in his eyes¡­ amazing smouldering smoky grey eyes that were taking her in with interest. His jaw


    was strong and shadowed with short day-old stubble. His nose was straight, and his lips were full.


    This man was in shambles, looking like he was a wreck and did not care. But even in this shabby state


    of unkempt, the man was handsome. He was young, much younger than she was expecting. If she had


    to guess, she would not think he was much older than her.


    Kinsley stood there, watching him smoke his cigar and look her over. She did not know what he was


    waiting for. How did this work?

 Chapter 4: 4

    Chapter 4: 4


    Nichs opened the mirror cab and took down his bottle of OxyContin. His hands trembled as he


    tried to open the lid. Getting the bottle open, he dumped four pills into his hand and then tossed them in


    his mouth. It was far more than he was supposed to take at once, but any less barely took the edge off.


    He put the cap back on and returned the bottle of pills to the shelf before closing the cab.


    His hands were nted firmly on the edge of the bathroom counter. Nichs looked at his reflection.


    He was a mess, but he did not care. He was expecting a girl, but he could not be bothered to fix himself


    up. After all, he paid her to fuck him, not judge him. Octavius had called the service hours ago to


    arrange some pleasurablepany for the night.


    As royalty, he should not have to pay to y. He was a wealthy, young, attractive man¡­ if he tried, he


    would have no problem picking up beautiful women in clubs willing to go to bed with him, but in his


    state, Nichs did not like going to clubs, and he did not feel like ying the game. He just wanted


    someone to go to bed with him and leave. No conversation, no getting to know you bullshit, just


    mindless no strings sex and then leave him alone.


    He stared at the mess in the mirror, and he could feel his anger and despair grow. Suddenly Octavius


    appeared in the washroom doorway. His expression sympathetic and his tone empathetic. He had not


    seen Nichs take the handful of pills, but he did not have to. Everyone in the house knew he popped


    pills like candy. ¡°The girl has arrived,¡± Octavius told him.


    Nichs stood up and exited the washroom. He sat down in his favourite chair and picked up the half-


    empty ss of bourbon. He took a big sip and returned the ss to the end table, then picked up his


    cigar. ¡°Send her in,¡± he said, making himselffortable. He lifted the cigar to his lips and inhaled as


    Octavius left the room, and a young woman walked in. She slowly walked around the bed so that she


    was standing in the middle of the room.


    Nichs¡¯ gaze raked over the woman before him. She was very young. She was short, probably barely


    clearing 5¡¯4¡±. She was not voluptuous or curvy; she was actually very petite and slender. She was


    dressed in a soft blue cocktail dress, which was light against her toffee-colouredplexation. She


    clearly was not white, but he was not sure what she was. She seemed to have Latino features, but he


    would not say she was of Mexican or Latin descent¡­ at least not fully. She might have been mixed-


    race; yes, the more he looked at her, the surer he was that she was just that. Her hair was long and


    straight, a beautiful soft caramel colour. It shimmered in the firelight. Her eyes were big and a deep rich


    dark brown.


    She had a pretty heart-shaped face with a perfect nose and lush, full lips. She was far prettier than the


    other women the agency had sent him. It was strange, he knew she was a prostitute, but she had an


    odd air of innocence about her. He sat there, enjoying his cigar as he looked her over. He could not


    help but notice she was doing the same. Looking him over and taking him in. Suddenly he almost


    wished he had cleaned up. But then again, she was a prostitute, and it is not like he needed to impress


    her. She was going o sleep with him regardless of how he looked. He took another puff of his cigar and


    studied her. ¡°What is your name?¡± He asked. He was not sure why he was asking; he never asked any


    of the others. Names were not exactly a critical thing for him, but for some reason, he wanted to know


    hers.


    ¡°Kinsley¡­ Your Majesty,¡± her voice wavered like she was nervous. Strange for a prostitute to be


    nervous. Suddenly he remembered Octavius saying the agency was sending over a new girl. Was she


    just new to thepany or new to the trade altogether? Judging from her state of unease, he was


    betting she¡¯d never done this before.


    ¡°Are you nervous?¡± He asked.


    ¡°No,¡± she was lying.


    ¡°Octavius says you are new.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You are my first client.¡±


    ¡°First, with thispany or first-ever?¡±


    She looked like she did not want to answer. ¡°First ever,¡± she confessed.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± he took another drag from his cigar. ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-one,¡± she said.


    He wondered how fresh she was. ¡°Have you ever been with a man?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she assured him quickly like she thought if she said no, he would find her inexperienced and


    send her away for someone who knew what she was doing. She would not look him in the eye when


    she said it, though. She was deliberately avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°Really?¡± He asked, not believing her. ¡°How many?¡± He asked, pushing the subject.


    She was thoughtful for a moment. ¡°Three?¡± She finally said.


    Nichs lifted one dark brow. ¡°Are you asking me?¡±


    ¡°Three,¡± she repeated with more conviction.


    ¡°Three?¡± He asked, not believing her.


    She could tell from his expression he was not buying it. ¡°Two?¡± She said, changing her answer. He just


    fixed her with a hard stare. ¡°One?¡± She said, changing her answer again. He just stared at her. She


    sighed. ¡°Ok, none,¡± she confessed with embarrassment. ¡°But I am a fast learner, and I am willing to do


    whatever it takes to keep you happy,¡± she said quickly, trying to argue why she thought he should let


    her stay.


    ¡°Anything is a broad term,¡± he told her. ¡°I do not think you have realized what you have gotten yourself


    into,¡± he said, putting his cigar in the ashtray and standing up. ¡°I will have Octavius call you a taxi. You


    may wait downstairs,¡± he said, walking toward the door to call for Octavius.


    ¡°No!¡± She said quickly and grabbed his arm as he tried to pass her. Nichs paused in shock and


    looked down at her hands on his arm. She was the first person to have ever dared to touch him without


    his permission first. In his country, grabbing a member of the royal family was a criminal offence


    punishable by prison time. ¡°Please,¡± she pleaded with him. ¡°I need this job; they will fire me if you send


    me away,¡± realizing she had overstepped, Kinsley released his arm and stepped back, looking


    apologetic. ¡°Please, just give me a chance.¡±


    He turned, so he was standing face to face with her. Less than two feet away, he could not help but


    realize how much smaller than him she really was. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. Her


    dark eyes were pleading with him.


    ¡°Is this really how you want your first time to be? With a john?¡± He asked, trying to put things into


    perspective for her.


    ¡°It is either going to be you or some other john. At least you are cute,¡± she said, offering him a yful


    smile that actually brought a grin to his face.


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    ¡°Why are you doing this? You seem like a nice girl, far too nice to be in this line of work.¡±


    ¡°I need the money.¡±


    ¡°Why not get a real job?¡±


    ¡°I had a real job, and I gotid-off. Look, I have not eaten in days because I cannot afford food. My


    utilities were cut offst night because I have not paid the bills in two months. I have no phone because


    I am so far behind they have sent me to collections. And I am two days away from being homeless. I


    need money, and this is the only option I have left. Please do not send me away. I am willing; just give


    me a chance,¡± there was such desperation in her eyes.


    Nichs stared into her eyes, and he felt bad for her. Maybe he could give her a chance. ¡°You have not


    eaten in days?¡±


    She seemed surprised that he had focused on that part of her confession. ¡°I do not know four days,


    maybe. Why?¡±


    Nichs walked over to the door and opened it. He looked outside and spotted the maid dusting.


    ¡°Have the cook bring us up dinner for two,¡± the woman nodded and rushed off to do his bidding.


    He shut the door and turned to face her. ¡°Did you just order dinner?¡± She asked, confused.


    ¡°Yes, if you are going to stay, you are going to need your strength. Do not want you fainting from


    malnourishment,¡± he teased.


    ¡°But are not you paying by the hour?¡± She asked.


    Nichs snickered as he walked past her back to his chair. ¡°Darling, I have the wealth of a nation


    behind me. I can afford to waste a few hours,¡± he said, sitting down and picking up his cigar. ¡°Besides,


    do you have somece better to be?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said unsurely.


    Nichs gestured to the empty chair next to him. ¡°Sit,¡± she walked over and sat down on the edge of


    the seat, her back straight and her hands folded in herp. She was still nervous. ¡°Can I fix you a


    drink?¡± He offered.


    ¡°No, I am good,¡± she refused.


    ¡°It might rx you,¡± he suggested picking up his own drink and taking a big sip. He was often told he


    should not mix booze with pills but screw them; he¡¯d do what he wanted. What was the worse that


    could happen, he¡¯d drop dead? Big deal, he had nothing to live for anyway. There was a knock at the


    door. ¡°That would be dinner.¡±


    ¡°That was fast?¡± She said with surprise.


    ¡°My staff is very efficient,¡± he said. Nichs did not eat very often, but the cook prepared every meal


    anyway in case he decided he wanted to eat. It ensured he would not have to wait long when he was


    actually hungry.


    ¡°Should I get the door?¡± She asked.


    ¡°No. Enter,¡± he raised his voice, and his maid walked in, carrying a tray with two tes. The cook had


    made BLTs; he loved a good BLT. She walked over and ced the tray down on the small table


    between the two chairs. She then quickly left. He looked over at Kinsley, who was biting her lip and


    practically salivating as she looked longingly at the food. ¡°Please enjoy.¡±


    She then grabbed the closest te and picked up the sandwich. She ate with urgency. And within


    minutes, she had devoured the whole te. She then looked at his. ¡°Are you going to eat that?¡± She


    asked.


    Nichs looked at his untouched sandwich and then back at her. She was clearly starving. ¡°No, be my


    guest,¡± Kinsley snatched up the other sandwich and began to eat it too.


    He watched as she polished off thest. He¡¯d never seen anyone eat that fast before. She put the te


    down and looked embarrassed by her ravenous behaviour. ¡°Sorry, that was not very attractive.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Would you like more? I can have the kitchen send something else up.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she shook her head. ¡°I am sorry I ate yours.¡±


    ¡°Do not be. I was not hungry anyway,¡± he really was not. Most of the time, he could not even stomach


    food. He ate a little every couple of days. Just enough to get everyone off his back. ¡°Feel better?¡±


    She smiled sheepishly, and he smiled. ¡°Yes, thank you,¡± she looked like she felt awkward. ¡°I do not


    mean to rush you, but can we just get this over with?¡±


    ¡°Wow, nothing puts a man in the mood faster than the woman he was going to bed with say ¡®can we


    just get this over with.¡¯¡±


    She looked away. ¡°I am sorry.¡±


    He had a feeling nothing was going to put her at ease. So maybe he should just move things along.


    ¡°Ok,¡± he said, putting his ss down and picking up his cigar. ¡°Stand up,¡± she stood up like instructed,


    and then he smiled. ¡°Take your clothes off,¡± Kinsley stood in front of Nichs, her nerves still obvious.


    He was watching her impatiently as he finished his cigar. ¡°Any time,¡± he prompted when she hesitated


    to do as instructed.


    Kinsley took hold of the thin zipper on the side of her dress and slowly lowered it, letting the dress fall


    to the floor. She stepped out of her dress and using the toe of her high heels. She kicked it aside. She


    stood in front of him now in her dark blue panties and bra. Her body was wless, and he most


    defiantly approved.


    The desire to touch her was too much. Nichs put his cigar down and stood up. He walked over to


    her, standing extremely close. He shrugged off his shirt and tossed it on the nearest chair. She would


    not look him in the eyes. But he was used to that. Most people would not look him in the eye. He lifted


    his right hand, letting his fingers graze her soft jawline. Her skin was so soft, almost like silk.


    Her gaze drifted to his hand, and a questioning look imed her pretty face when she saw the long


    thick scars across the soft fleshy side of his wrist. Kinsley reached up and took his hand to prevent him


    from pulling away, allowing her to inspect the wounds on his wrists. She then reached down and took


    his left hand, turning his wrist upward so she could see the matching scars. A few of them were old and


    healed, and a few were more recent. The most recent only a few months old. Failed attempts to take


    his life. Her eyes lifted from the scars and met his, and he saw curiosity and sympathy.


    The way she was looking at him made him ufortable. Nichs pulled his hands away from hers


    and walked to the door. ¡°Get out,¡± he ordered as he opened the door and stepped out into the hall,


    yelling for Octavius.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± She asked, reaching for her dress to put it back on.


    ¡°Just leave!¡± He barked at her as she reached the door zipping up her dress. Octavius appeared at the


    door. ¡°Call a cab and send her home,¡± Nichs ordered.


    ¡°What did I do?¡± Kinsley asked as Octavius took her by the arm and urged her out into the hallway with


    him. Nichs mmed the door, cutting himself off from the woman and his man. He looked down at


    his scars and felt his hands begin to tremble again. He was going to need more bourbon.

 Chapter 5: 5

    Chapter 5: 5


    Octavius rushed Kinsley down to the foyer. ¡°I do not understand what did I do wrong?¡± She asked as he


    talked to someone on his earpiece.


    ¡°I will have one of my men drive you home,¡± Octavius said, not answering her question.


    ¡°His scars,¡± she pried, ¡°he has scars. Are they suicide scars?¡± She asked. As they reached the door


    and a tall brte in a suit was waiting beside the door.


    ¡°Take her home,¡± Octavius ordered the man.


    ¡°He is royalty,¡± Kinsley said, refusing to be ignored. ¡°Why would a Prince want to kill himself?¡± Octavius


    ignored her question and walked away. She then looked at the man she had been left with. ¡°Do you


    know?¡±


    His indifferent stern expression never changed. ¡°Follow me,¡± he said, opening the door and leading her


    out to the car. She had a feeling she was not going to get an answer.


    Great, her first night on the job, and she got thrown out. It was probably safe to say she was as good


    as fired¡­ and be homeless.


    ***


    Octavius knocked on the door, and when he did not hear Nichs bid him enter, he got worried.


    Though Nichs was his boss, he was also Octavius¡¯ best friend. He had been concerned for his friend


    for a long time. For years now, Nichs had been depressed, and each year he became more and


    more withdrawn and self-destructive. In thest three years, he had tried to end his life five times, the


    last attempt just mere months ago.


    Octavius tried the doorknob but found it locked. That was a bad sign. He reached into his pocket and


    took out the ring of keys he carried. He found the key to the door and let himself in. He rushed in and


    did not see Nichs, he rushed over to the washroom door and looked inside to see Nichs standing


    in front of the mirror, his hands on the counter, and his shoulders slumped.


    ¡°If you are not happy with the girl, I can have another here in two hours.¡±


    Nichs scoffed at the idea. ¡°No. I just want to be alone.¡±


    ¡°You should not be alone right now.¡±


    ¡°You think I am going to kill myself?¡±


    ¡°The thought has crossed my mind,¡± Nichs would not look at him, which concerned Octavius. ¡°Why


    do not I get a bottle of bourbon, and we finish it off together.¡±


    ¡°No. Just leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, your father charged me with the responsibility of keeping you alive.¡±


    ¡°Why? I have nothing to live for. Why not let me end it on my terms?¡±


    ¡°The King¡­¡±


    ¡°The King¡­¡± He snarled. ¡°Screw my father.¡±


    ¡°I do not just do it for the King!¡± Octavius snapped back. ¡°Nichs, you are my best friend, and I am not


    going to let you give up.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Nichs turned and red at him. ¡°Why the hell not? You know as well as I do what awaits me in the


    future.¡±


    ¡°There is always hope.¡±


    ¡°There is no hope. I have epted my fate. I think it is about time that everyone else did.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    Nichs closed his eyes, exasperated by his night. ¡°Look, I promise not off myself tonight. So please,


    just leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°Get out!¡± Nichs screamed and picked up the cologne bottle on the counter and hurled it at Octavius,


    who dodged the projectile. He sighed and left Nichs as requested. He only hoped when he checked


    on him in the morning that he was still breathing.


    ***


    ¡°Give me another week,¡± Kinsley pleaded with herndlord, but he did not hear it.


    ¡°You are a deadbeat,¡± he snarled at her. ¡°I am sick of your bullshit. You have until noon tomorrow to get


    your stuff out. If you are not out, whatever is left bes mine, and I will have the police physically


    escort you off the property. Do not think I am kidding,¡± herndlord was a nasty little man who never


    wore anything besides sweatpants and filthy wife beaters.


    ¡°Please, I have nowhere else to go.¡±


    ¡°That is not my problem.¡±


    Kinsley was going to keep arguing when a maning up the stairs caught her attention. She knew


    this man. This was the man from the mansionst night. What was his name again¡­? Octavius? What


    was he doing here?


    He walked right over to them, andpletely disregarding the little man next to him, he looked Kinsley


    dead in the eyes. ¡°Miss. Wells,¡± he greeted her with a polite bow of his head. How did he know her


    name? She did not recall giving any of them herst name.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she acknowledged him.


    ¡°I trust you remember me.¡±


    ¡°Octavius, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Octavius Hudson. I was wondering if you had a moment to speak with me.¡±


    ¡°Why getting me fired was not good enough for you.¡±


    ¡°I do apologize for that. His Majesty can be¡­ unpredictable.¡±


    ¡°His Majesty?¡± Herndlord repeated.


    ¡°May I have a few moments of your time?¡± Octavius asked her,pletely ignoring herndlord like the


    man was not standing right next to him.


    ¡°I am busy at the moment trying not to get thrown out into the street. Thanks to your moody boss, I am


    going to be homeless,¡± she snapped with great irritation.


    Octavius finally looked at the man beside him. ¡°You are thendlord?¡±


    ¡°That is right, Mr. Prissy,¡± the little man snarled.


    ¡°And what is Miss. Wells¡¯ rent?¡±


    ¡°$850.¡±


    Octavius reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He then took a wad of bills from the


    wallet and handed it to herndlord. ¡°I trust this will suffice.¡±


    Herndlord counted the cash in his hand with a smile. ¡°That will do,¡± he said as he walked away.


    ¡°Did you just pay my rent?¡± She asked, surprised.


    ¡°Consider itpensation forst night,¡± he said. ¡°Now, if I could have a few moments of your time.¡±


    She stepped aside to invite him in. ¡°I guess,¡± Octavius went into the apartment, and she closed the


    door. He stood in the middle of the suite looked around like the ce was a slum. She supposed,


    compared to what he was used to, it was. ¡°How do you even know where I live?¡±


    ¡°I asked the driver that took you homest night,¡± that made sense.


    ¡°So, what can I do for you, Mr. Hudson?¡±


    ¡°Is not it customary to offer a beverage?¡±


    ¡°Do you want a beverage?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then what does it matter?¡±


    ¡°It ismon courtesy.¡±


    ¡°I am going to assume you actually want something and that you did note all this way just to


    critique my manners.¡±


    ¡°You are right, my apologies. It is my understanding that you no longer work for LA¡¯s Angels.¡±


    ¡°That is right. Your boss threw me out, and since I did not keep their biggest client happy, they canned


    me. You know your life sucks when you cannot even make it as a prostitute. Just get to it; what do you


    want?¡±


    Octavius reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and removed an envelope, and offered it to


    her. She epted the envelope. It was addressed to her on the front and on the back. It was sealed


    with a wax seal. A royal crest pressed into the wax. She tore open the envelope and took out the


    invitation inside. The Prince was requesting herpany for the evening. ¡°He wants me toe


    back?¡±


    ¡°He wants you to join him for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Tell him no,¡± she offered the invitation back.


    Octavius looked surprised. ¡°I think you might want to reconsider.¡±


    ¡°Why? He was rude and threw me out.¡±


    ¡°He wishes to apologize. I suggest you give him an opportunity.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°It is my understanding that you might have some financial problems.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°It is my job to know everything about everyone that walks through the pce doors.¡±


    ¡°You investigated me?¡± She asked, annoyed.


    ¡°As soon as his majesty said, he wished to see you again¡­ yes.¡±


    Her pride told her to throw him out, but she had already sacrificed so much of her pride this past week.


    What could it hurt to hear him out? ¡°I am listening.¡±


    ¡°I suggest youe to the pce tonight and allow the Prince to exin.¡±


    ¡°I have no way to get out there,¡± she said, giving in.


    ¡°I will send a car for you. Be ready by six,¡± he said as he walked out the door. Fine, she¡¯d go, but if he


    thought she was going to put out, he was sorely mistaken she was not on the clock anymore.

 Chapter 6: 6

    Chapter 6: 6


    It was seven-fifteen when she walked through the door of the pce. The man at the door began to pat


    her down, looking for weapons. ¡°There is no need for that,¡± Octavius said as he came into the foyer. He


    smiled pleasantly at her. ¡°I trust she is not packing,¡± he said, standing in front of her. ¡°So nice of you to


    come.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Well, I am curious it is the only reason I came.¡±


    ¡°Please follow me,¡± he said, leading her away from the door through the house. Octavius led Kinsley


    through the building to arge room with a dining table. The table was set with two ce settings, one


    at the head of the table and the other right next to that one. She walked over to the table and looked at


    the quail and asparagus on the te. It looked great, and she was starving.


    She made to sit down when the Prince walked in. Octavius cleared his throat and looked at her subtlety


    gesturing for her to rise. She stood up as Nichs made his way over to the table. ¡°Please sit,¡± he


    instructed as he took his seat at the end of the table. Kinsley looked back at Octavius, who nodded that


    it was ok to sit now that the Prince had. Kinsley felt out of sorts. She did not know what proper edict


    with royalty was. ¡°Leave us,¡± Nichs instructed as Kinsley took her seat. Octavius bowed his head


    respectfully and then exited the room pulling therge double doors closet to give them privacy. ¡°Thank


    you foring,¡± he said, picking up his full ss of wine.


    ¡°Well, Octavius said you might make it worth my while. Since he paid my rent this afternoon, the least I


    could do is show up. Besides, I get a free meal out of it,¡± she said as she picked up her fork and knife.


    ¡°You have until I am done eating to say what you want, then I am leaving.¡±


    ¡°You seem miffed with me.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡± She snapped. ¡°You got me fired.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry that had not been my intent.¡±


    ¡°Well, your apology will not pay my bills.¡±


    ¡°No, I suppose it will not. I had Octavius call the agency this morning to see if I could schedule another


    date with you. I wanted to apologize, but they told me they had let you go. So, we tracked you down¡­.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I do not know how I feel about you investigating me. Where do you get off snooping in my life?¡±


    ¡°It is standard protocol. Everyone must have security clearance.¡±


    ¡°Well, I do not like it,¡± she said as she wolfed down thest of her quail and started in on her


    asparagus. ¡°Why am I here? Last night you could not get rid of me fast enough.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to offer you a position in my home.¡±


    ¡°What? Like maid? You want me to clean toilets?¡±


    ¡°No. The position is more like an entertainer,¡± he said. ¡°I just want you to spend time with me.¡±


    ¡°Doing what?¡±


    ¡°Doing anything. Talk, watch a movie, dance, have dinner¡­.¡±


    ¡°Fuck?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that would be part of the deal.¡±


    ¡°Is not that what LA¡¯s Angels is for?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I have grown tired of dealing with random women. I want consistency. I want the ¡®girlfriend


    experience¡¯ without the strings andplications of having an actual girlfriend.


    She stared at him, confused. ¡°You do not strike me as the type of man that would have trouble finding a


    woman.¡±


    ¡°I do not wantmitment. I just want a few months ofpanionship.¡±


    ¡°Is not this pce filled with people willing to hang out with you?¡±


    ¡°It is not the same,¡± he sighed. ¡°Our investigation of you tells me that you are in dire financial stress.


    That in order to dig yourself out of it, you need a considerable sum of funds and quickly. I am willing the


    compensate you for your time. If youe to stay in the pce with me for three months, I will pay


    your rent for the next two years. I will pay off your outstanding debt and give you a million dors on top


    of everything else.¡±


    ¡°I do not think I heard you, right?¡± She said sure she had misunderstood his offer. ¡°You want me to


    spend three months with you, and for my time, you are going to pay my rent for the next two years,


    square away my outstanding debt, and pay me one million dors?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry, I just do not understand why you would not just go out and meet someone and just have a


    real rtionship with someone. Why pay me?¡±


    He sighed as his gaze fell to his meal, the wine still in his hand. ¡°I am dying,¡± he confessed. She was


    speechless. Kinsley did not understand he looked healthy. The question on her face prompted Nichs


    to exin. ¡°A few years, I was diagnosed with Bacton Disease. It is a rare degenerative gic


    disorder. The end result of this disease is premature death. Those who it affects have a life expectancy


    of thirty years. I am twenty-five. I have five years to live. But in that time, my body and mind are going


    to fall apart. I am going to go blind and lose my ability tomunicate. My motor skills will be


    impaired. I will lose my ability to walk. My cognitive capability will degrade; I will slip into psychosis and


    then dementia. I will develop a form of Parkinsonism. Eventually, I will develop cardiac problems, and


    my heart might give out.¡±


    She did not know what to say. His confession was horrible.


    ¡°As it is, I already suffer from seizures. My hands shake. I am nauseated constantly. I am in pain almost


    all the time. My coordination iscking. And I can feel my mind slipping; I have been hallucinating. I do


    not have a lot of time left. I just want to feel normal for a few months, even if I am just pretending.¡±


    She felt awful for him. She looked at his wrists. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt again, hiding the


    scars she had seen the night before. ¡°Is that why you tried to kill yourself?¡± She was just assuming he


    had attempted suicide and that he was not just cutting.


    ¡°Would not you want to die too if your future was a bleak as mine?¡± She supposed she would.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    He actually smiled. ¡°Your innocence, it intrigues me. I want no emotional connection to anyone. I think I


    can get that with you. Besides you clearly, need some help in your life. I figured it is a fair trade. You


    help me; I help you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°Please, Kinsley, I just want to experience normalcy just once before I lose myself to this disease.


    Three months¡­ one million dors. No emotional connection, no strings, noplications.¡±


    Kinsley did not know what to say. She felt for him. His situation was clearly frightening and emotionally


    draining. Part of her thought she should say no, but another part of her thought maybe she should


    ept. If she could make his limited time on this earth more pleasant, she should. Plus, it was her debt


    cleared and a million dors. She would be insane to say no. Besides, it was only three months of her


    time. Would it really be any worse than what she had been willing to do yesterday? How many other


    escorts could say they could make a million dors in three months? If anything, she should be


    ttered that he chose her.


    ¡°Ok,¡± she said, making up her mind, ¡°but I want it in writing before I do anything,¡± she wanted to make


    sure he could not back out at thest moment and not hold up his end of the bargain.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed. ¡°I will have my barrister draw up the paperwork tomorrow.¡±


    With that settled, Kinsley finished off her meal. She could not help but notice Nichs did not eat a


    bite. He sipped his wine but never picked up a utensil. He just sat there watching her eat. ¡°Do you not


    like the food?¡± She asked, wondering why he was not eating.


    ¡°It is fine,¡± he said.


    She had now had two meals with this man, and she had yet to see him actually eat. ¡°Do you ever eat?¡±


    He offered her a grin. ¡°I do; I am just not hungry right now,¡± he looked down at her empty te. ¡°Did


    you enjoy your meal?¡±


    ¡°It was very good,¡± she answered. Then again, she had not had anything to eat since thest time she


    saw him, so puppy chow would have tasted great. On the plus side, entertaining, Nichs would


    ensure she never went hungry again. ¡°I suppose I should go home and pack for my stay,¡± she said.


    Three months was a long time, and she would need more than just a few dresses.


    ¡°Of course, I will have one of my men drive you home. I will send someone to pick you up tomorrow


    evening. We can sign the deal when you get here,¡± he said, rising to his feet. ¡°Have a lovely evening,¡±


    he said, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. He ced a chaste kiss on the back of her hand and


    then walked out of the room.


    Secondster, Octavius appeared next to her. She had not heard hime in. It was like he


    materialized out of nowhere. ¡°Miss. Wells, please follow me,¡± he led her to the door where the same


    man that drove her homest night was waiting. ¡°Stephen, please take Miss. Wells home.¡±


    Stephen nodded and held open the door for Kinsley. ¡°This way Miss. Wells,¡± this was going to take


    some getting used to.

 Chapter 7: 7

    Chapter 7: 7


    Kinsley zipped up her luggage when she heard a knock at her door. That had to be her ride. She


    walked to the door and opened it to find Stephen smiling back at her. ¡°Hello, Stephen.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± he nodded his head politely. ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°As ready as I will ever be,¡± she said, walking back to the bed where she had three suitcases. She had


    to borrow two from her friend Adalynn. She was not sure what she would need, but she was sure one


    bag would not be enough. ¡°Do you mind giving me a hand?¡± She asked as she lifted two of the bags off


    the bed.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± he said,ing in and taking one bag from her and grabbing another. As they left, Kinsley


    locked up and followed Stephen down to the waiting car. They ced the bags in the trunk, and then


    Stephan opened the door. She got into the backseat while Stephen got in and started the car up.


    It was near dinner time when they arrived at the pce. Kinsley went inside as Stephen brought the


    bags in. Walking through the door, Kinsley was met by Octavius. ¡°Good evening Miss. Wells,¡± he


    greeted her.


    ¡°Hello, Octavius.¡±


    Octavius looked at Stephen. ¡°Take Miss. Wells luggage up to the room next to his Majesty¡¯s,¡± he then


    looked back at Kinsley. ¡°If you will follow me, thewyer is waiting in the parlour,¡± Kinsley followed


    Octavius through the halls and into arge extravagant room where a man in his early sixties was


    seated, enjoying a ss of bourbon. He rose to his feet when they entered the room. ¡°Mr. Harry


    Langley, may I introduce you to Miss. Kinsley Wells,¡± they shook hands. ¡°I suggest you two go over the


    contract while I fetch the Prince,¡± he then left the room.


    ¡°Miss. Wells, a pleasure to meet you,¡± he sat down and opened his briefcase and removed a


    document. Kinsley sat down on the couch next to him and epted the contract he was offering her.


    ¡°Please read it over and be sure the agreement is to your satisfaction.¡±


    Kinsley read the contract carefully. It outlined exactly what was expected of her and detailed the


    compensation she would receive and at what point she would receive them. The Prince would pay her


    rent two years in advance immediately so that she had a home to go home to when their business was


    concluded. Upon the termination of their contract, her debt would be wiped clean, and her bank


    ount would receive an influx of one million dors. Should the Prince back out of the arraignment


    before the end of their three-month agreement, Kinsley would be fullypensated as originally


    agreed. Should she back out before the three-month deadline, she would receive nothing.


    It seemed all in order. Now all they had to do was wait for the Prince to join them.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ***


    Nichs hunched over the toilet and voided the contents of his stomach. He had been at it for ten


    minutes, and every time he thought he had nothing left, his body surprised him. The sheer strain of it all


    had resulted in him breaking out into a cold sweat. It baffled him how he had anything to bring up at all.


    He had not eaten anything today. Worn out from the ordeal, Nichsy his head on his arm, which


    was draped over the toilet seat, trying to catch his breath.


    He heard a knock at the door, but he had not the strength to get up, so he just knelt there slumped over


    the toilet. He heard the door open, and then Octavius was in the bathroom next to him. Octavius was


    clearly worried. He knelt down on one knee next to Nichs andy his hand to Nichs¡¯ back.


    ¡°Nichs, are you alright?¡± He asked with concern.


    ¡°Peachy,¡± Nichs breathed.


    ¡°Come on; let¡¯s get you up,¡± Octavius said,cing his arms under Nichs¡¯ and helping to hoist him up


    off the floor and onto his feet. Nichs leaned against the counter, and Octavius prepared his


    toothbrush so he could brush the vile taste out of his mouth. ¡°Miss. Wells and Mr. Langley are waiting


    downstairs for you.¡±


    Nichs epted the toothbrush and began to brush. He scrubbed until all he could taste was the


    mint from the toothpaste. He leaned over and spit, then epted the ss of water Octavius offered


    him. He rinsed his mouth and spat it out. He then took a hand towel and wiped away the sweat from his


    brow. Octavius offered him ab, and Nichs ran it through his hair quickly to make himself


    presentable. Nichs looked at himself in the mirror. He was satisfied with his appearance. No one


    would know he had been getting sick just moments ago.


    He looked down at his shaking hands. He opened his cab and took out the OxyContin bottle and


    the Gravol bottle. He poured both into his hand and popped them in his mouth. With the rest of the


    water in the ss, he washed them down and returned the bottles to the cab. ¡°I do not think you are


    supposed to take that much,¡± Octavius scolded him.


    ¡°When you are dying, you can lecture me about how much medication to take. Until then, get off my


    back.¡±


    After collecting himself, Nichs made his way down to the parlour, where everyone was waiting for


    him. As he walked into the room, both Mr. Langley and Kinsley rose respectfully. He came around the


    couch and nodded hello, then sat down, and the other two followed suit and did the same.


    ¡°You are looking well,¡± Mr. Langley said. Nichs disregarded his pointless titudes. Personally, he


    thought he looked like hammered shit, but no man in their right mind would say so to his face.


    ¡°Can we move this along? I am sure Kinsley must be starving, and dinner is getting cold.¡±


    ¡°Yes, by all means, Your Majesty,¡± Mr. Langley went over the details of the contract. The obligations


    and expectations of both parties involved. Nichs was fine with the parameters of their agreement


    and agreed to sign. Mr. Langley handed Kinsley a pen and pointed out where she had to sign, then she


    passed the pen to Nichs, and he did the same. With the document signed and sealed, everyone


    rose, and Nichs shook Mr. Langley¡¯s hand and had Octavius show the ageing barrister out.


    Nichs ced his hand on Kinsley¡¯s lower back and ushered her from the room. ¡°I trust you are


    hungry?¡± He said as he walked her through the pce to the dining hall where their meal was just


    being ced on the table, the seating arraignment the same as the previous night.


    ¡°Am I that predictable?¡± She asked as he pulled out her chair for her. ¡°Am I not supposed to wait until


    you sit?¡± She asked yfully as he waited to tuck her into the table.


    He offered her a yful smile. ¡°We are alone; there is no need to stand on formality. Please sit,¡±


    Kinsley sat down, and Nichs slid her into the table then took his own seat. He reached for his wine


    ss while Kinsley picked up her fork and knife and dug right in. She always ate so quickly. Like a


    starving orphan afraid the headmaster would take it away. He sipped his wine as he rxed in his chair


    and watched her eat.


    After a few moments, she stopped what she was doing and looked at him. ¡°Are you not eating?¡±


    ¡°I am not hungry.¡±


    ¡°Are you ever hungry?¡±


    ¡°Rarely.¡±


    ¡°You have to eat to survive.¡±


    He just smiled. ¡°I eat enough,¡± he assured her.


    ¡°What do you take in like ten calories a day?¡±


    ¡°There are plenty of calories in wine and bourbon and other libations,¡± he smiled.


    ¡°Is that all you do all day¡­ drink?¡±


    ¡°You forget I mix them with painkillers and other narcotics.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to kill yourself?¡±


    ¡°A few times,¡± he confessed, lifting the ss to his lips. ¡°Apparently, I am not very good at it, though,¡±


    he then forced a smile. ¡°Please finish your meal. Do not worry about me.¡±


    ¡°I suppose this is where we get to know each other,¡± she said as she continued with her meal.


    Nichs shrugged his shoulders. ¡°If you like.¡±


    ¡°So, should we start with themon questions? Where are you from? What do you like to do? What


    is your sign?¡± She rattled off a string of pointless questions.


    ¡°I am from Kustium. It is a small country in northeastern Europe. I like horseback riding, fencing, music,


    the theatre, booze, gambling, and women. As for my sign, I believe I am a Leo. And you?¡±


    ¡°I am from right here in LA. I like the arts. I like the beach. I like movies and music. I am a Cancer.¡±


    He grinned. ¡°You have a birthdaying soon.¡±


    ¡°I guess I do.¡±


    ¡°When is it?¡±


    ¡°July 13th¡­ and yours?¡±


    ¡°July 26th.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°Wow, one right after the next. We will have to celebrate.¡±


    He shook his head and lifted his ss to his lips. ¡°We can celebrate yours.¡±


    ¡°What about yours?¡±


    ¡°My birthday is hardly worth celebrating.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Why celebrate being one year closer to death?¡±


    ¡°You have a very bleak outlook on life.¡±


    ¡°My future is very bleak. If you can find the silver lining, please do point it out.¡±


    She was quiet for a long time, then Kinsley took a deep breath and smiled at him. ¡°What would you like


    to do tonight?¡±


    ¡°What would you like to do?¡±


    ¡°I do not know. What does one do in a pce?¡±


    ¡°Whatever one wants.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to go out?¡±


    Nichs frowned and shook his head. ¡°I do not like going out,¡± he confessed. Over the past three


    years, he had be a real homebody.


    ¡°But you said you like horseback riding and the theatre¡­.¡±


    ¡°I used to go out,¡± he cut her off. ¡°I do not go out anymore.¡±


    ¡°Oh, ok,¡± she thought. ¡°Then how about a quiet night in? We will make some popcorn and watch a


    movie. I assume you must have a TV in this ce somewhere.¡±


    ¡°That would be eptable.¡±


    She looked at his untouched te. ¡°Is it safe to assume you are done?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say so,¡± he said, draining his ss and rising to his feet.


    ¡°So, where is the TV?¡± Kinsley asked,ing to her feet.


    Nichs grinned. ¡°It is not so much a TV.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±

 Chapter 8: 8

    Chapter 8: 8


    A movie theatre, he had his own movie theatre. It was a fair-sized room, and against the feature wall,


    was a screen that went floor to ceiling wall to wall. Set back against the opposite wall was a projector


    mounted to the ceiling and a row of a plush luxury reclining chairs with drink holders in the arms and


    small tables between the chairs to ce snacks on.


    Kinsley could not stop smiling. ¡°This room is amazing,¡± she said as Nichs took a seat in one of the


    chairs. The maid brought in arge bowl of popcorn and drinks for their snacking needs. Nichs


    picked up the remote and offered it to Kinsley, who took the seat next to his. ¡°What should we watch?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you like. We have full cable as well as video-on-demand rentals,¡± he said as she pressed


    the buttons and explored his setup. She checked the rentals, and her eyes widened. ¡°Oh, wow, some


    of these movies are still in theatres,¡± then she frowned when she saw the rental price. ¡°Oh, but they


    cost twenty-five dors to rent.¡±


    She heard him chuckle. ¡°It is fine, I assure you. Rent whatever you want.¡±


    She shifted in her seat, tucking her feet up on the chair and under her bottom as she leaned on the


    padded arm and flipped through the movies. ¡°Ok, what type of movies do you like?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you like will be fine.¡±


    Kinsley turned her face to Nichs. ¡°I cannot ever get an answer out of you.¡±


    He snickered. ¡°My apologies. I like scary movies.¡±


    ¡°Ok, then let¡¯s find a good horror flick,¡± she flipped through the horror rentals. ¡°Supernatural or


    sher?¡±


    ¡°I like them both.¡±


    She selected the newest sequel to a popr supernatural franchise. ¡°How about this one?¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    Kinsley turned it on and put the remote down. She kicked off her heels, making herselffortable.


    She reached for the popcorn. Nichs pped his hands, and the lights went out, giving the room that


    movie theatre feel. The movie turned out to be the best one of the series, and Kinsley was engrossed.


    She nced over at Nichs a few times to see how he was enjoying the show. Each time he would


    smile at her and drink his drink, which she was pretty sure was straight-up liquor from the smell of it. He


    never once reached for the snacks. Even when she silently offered him some her shook his head,


    turning the offer down.


    When the movie ended, Nichs asked if she would like to watch another. She took her cellphone from


    her pocket and checked the time. It was gettingte. That movie had been longer than she had thought


    it would be. ¡°Actually, I think I am just going to take a shower and go to bed. It has been a long day.¡±


    His full lips curved in a sly smile, and his smoky eyes had taken on a smoulder. ¡°That happens to


    sound like a glorious idea. I could use a shower.¡±


    She got the feeling he wanted to shower with her. ¡°Oh, you mean together?¡±


    He snickered at the blush she felt, warming her cheeks. ¡°You are contractually obligated to sleep with


    me.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ I just¡­ it is so fast.¡±


    ¡°We have spent more time together tonight than we did the other night, and you were willing to go to


    bed with me then. It seems sort of silly to object to it tonight.¡±


    ¡°Good point. Ok, I am game,¡± she felt awkward, but she would just go with it. She was sure it would get


    easier with time.


    They got up from their seats, and Kinsley picked up her discarded heel then followed Nichs through


    the building. They went up to the third floor, and she expected him to take her back to his bedroom, but


    he stopped outside the door across the hall from his. He opened the door and gestured for her to enter.


    Kinsley went inside, and he followed, closing the door behind them for privacy.


    ¡°We are not going back to your room?¡± She asked as he turned on amp next to therge bed.


    ¡°No. This will be your room while you are here,¡± he said, kicking off his shoes. He sat down and pulled


    off his socks before standing up once more. She tossed her heels to the corner.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°We are not sharing a room?¡± She asked nervously as she watched his nimble fingers slowly unbutton


    his shirt.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Is not that what couples do? You said you wanted the girlfriend experience,¡± she said as he released


    thest button and pulled the tails from the waist of his ck cks.


    ¡°With some eptations,¡± he said, shrugging his shirt off and tossing it on a plush hair in the corner.


    His heated gaze was fixed on her as he slowly moved closer.


    ¡°I see,¡± she barely breathed as he moved closer, reaching for his belt. She was so anxious her hands


    were shaking. She tried not to look at him. She¡¯d never been around a naked man before.


    He smiled as he removed his belt and tossed it to the chair with his shirt. ¡°Are you nervous?¡± She could


    hear the amusement in his tone.


    ¡°A little,¡± she confessed.


    Nichs reached out and took her trembling hand in his. He lifted her hand to his lips and ced a soft


    kiss on the back of her hand while his gaze held hers. ¡°Come,¡± threading his fingers with hers. He led


    Kinsley into the adjoining bathroom.


    The shower was just onerge ss cubical with tile and plumbing. Nichs stood next to the shower


    facing Kinsley. He ced both hands on her shoulders and slid his hands across her skin, slowly


    pushing the straps of her dress off her shoulders and down her arms and then the dress fell away.


    Kinsley closed her eyes as she relished the soft, gentle way Nichs¡¯ hands glided over her body. His


    hands trailed down her sides as he slowly moved around her. His fingers glided over her lower belly


    tracing over the waist of hercy panties. She sighed when she felt his hot breath on her neck and his


    body directly behind her. He was so close she could feel his warmth, but at no point did his lips or body


    press against her. His fingers moved to her back, and he utched her push-up bra and tossed it


    aside. His hands slid down her sides to her hips, and then he pushed her panties down her legs, and


    she stepped out of them. She now stood naked for the first time in front of someone else. Her pulse


    was racing, and she felt like she could not breathe.


    She felt Nichs pull away as he walked around her once more and stood in front of her. He unzipped


    his cks and stepped out of them, then his shorts followed, and he waspletely nude. Her eyes


    fell to the long thick erection jetting up from a patch of dark curls stretching up across his t solid belly.


    She was speechless. Was it supposed to look like this? The sheer size of him was intimidating.


    Her gaze lifted and met his. The, please smirk on his face made her blush. She was embarrassed she


    had been staring. Nichs took Kinsley by the hand and walked back into the shower, coaxing her to


    follow him. Once inside, she pulled the ss door shut, and he reached for the tap and turned on the


    water. Suddenly water fell from the ceiling, and Kinsley looked up to see the holes in the ceiling.


    Warm water rained down on them. Nichs ran his hands over his hair, pushing the sopping locks


    back off his face. Kinsley did the same, getting her hair out of her face. When she looked back at


    Nichs, he stepped into her. His hands framed her face as the pad of his thumb grazed over her


    bottom lip, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw.


    Kinsley licked her lips thoughtlessly. She was dying for him to kiss her. She craved in, and yet his lips


    never met hers. Deciding to im what she wanted, Kinsley tried to kiss him, but before their lips could


    make contact. Nichs pulled back just enough to avoid. ¡°Not on the lips,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Why?¡± She breathed.


    ¡°I do not kiss prostitutes. Let¡¯s keep this professional.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± she breathed. She could not help but feel a little offended. The word he used like a bucket of ice


    water had been dumped on her. She knew the term was technically correct, but it still felt offensive.


    Nichs captured her chin in his hand and tilted her head back, exposing her long neck to his mouth.


    Her objections melted away as she felt him kiss and suck at the tender flesh at the base of her neck. It


    sent intense shudders of sensation straight from his lips right to the now throbbing apex between her


    legs.


    Her hands went to his chest when Nichs snaked one arm around her waist and pulled Kinsley


    against him. His free hand slipped down her belly and between her legs. His fingers toyed with her sex,


    caressing her in ways she could not imagine. She thought nothing could feel better than this, and then


    he pushed his fingers inside her, and her head fell back as she gasped with pleasure.


    ¡°You are still beautiful,¡± he purred against her neck. His fingers were like magic as they quickly brought


    her to fevered madness. Her breathing was shallow and quick as her mind spun with pleasure. She


    moaned loudly as a wave of blinding bliss washed over her. Nichs grinned as he looked down at her.


    ¡°That was exactly what I was looking for,¡± he said with pride as both his hands grabbed her bottom and


    lifted her off her feet.


    He pressed her back against the tile wall as her legs wrapped around his waist. He then drove himself


    deep inside Kinsley ripping away her innocence. She cried out in pain, but then he began to thrust up


    into her, and the pain faded quickly to be reced by the most amazing feeling. Her head dropped


    back against the wall, her arms around his broad shoulders as he took her with eager force. She could


    not stop from moaning, and the louder she got, the rougher he got.


    The gentleman who had seduced her into the shower had been reced by a rough pleasure seeker.


    The sensation was mind-blowing, and Nichs brought her to climax three more times.


    ¡°Oh, Christ,¡± he groaned with pleasure. ¡°Oh, you are so tight. Fuck, it is so good, so fucking good,¡±


    Kinsley closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip as she came again, her muscles constricting around


    Nichs, and then he groaned, and his forehead rest against her cor bone as his whole body


    trembled with the force of his own release.


    For a long time, neither of them moved as they basked in the afterglow of satisfaction. Nichs


    stepped back and carefully ced Kinsley on her feet. Her legs were shaky. Nichs then turned his


    back to her and reached for the soap. He quickly washed up, then offered her the soap and opened the


    door stepping out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips, then shut the


    shower door and left the room without a word.


    She now stood alone in the shower with soap in her hands, wondering what had just happened. Kinsley


    washed up and grabbed a towel then. She walked back into the bedroom to find herself alone.


    Nichs¡¯ things were gone, and the door was closed. He had just left her. She was confused and a


    little offended.

 Chapter 9: 9

    Chapter 9: 9


    A knock at the door woke Kinsley. She lifted her head from her pillow and looked at the door through a


    sleepy haze. Another knock drew her from her bed. She got up and took the nket from the bed, and


    wrapped it around herself as she walked over to the door. Kinsley opened the door and looked out into


    the hallway to see Octavius looking back at her wide awake and looking put together in his designer


    clothes. He looked like he had been up for hours. ¡°Good Morning Miss. Wells.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± She asked sleepily.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Seven,¡± he answered her question. ¡°Breakfast will be served in twenty minutes. His Majesty expects


    you to join him.¡±


    ¡°Does he now,¡± she frowned. ¡°Well, you can just tell him I am tired, and I am sleeping in. He will simply


    have to have breakfast without me.¡±


    Octavius gave her a confused look. Like he could not believe she was refusing to join Nichs.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± He asked with uncertainty.


    ¡°No, I am noting.¡±


    ¡°His Majesty has ordered¡­.¡±


    ¡°His Majesty,¡± she cut him off with annoyance, ¡°will simply have to eat alone. I will deal with him when I


    am good and ready,¡± she then shut the door in his face and crawled back into bed.


    ***


    Nichs sat at the head of the table in the dining room, waiting for Kinsley to join him. He was trying to


    be patient, but she was taking a long time. He perked up when Octavius walked into the room, but his


    smile was reced with a frown when he came in alone.


    ¡°What is taking so long?¡± Nichs asked. Octavius looked like he did not know how to say what he was


    about to. ¡°Octavius, where is Miss Wells?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ she is noting down.¡±


    He felt his jaw clench. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°She does not want to.¡±


    ¡°I gave an order.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know. I told her that.¡±


    ¡°And¡­?¡±


    Octavius cringed. ¡°She said¡­ she would deal with you when she was good and ready.¡±


    ¡°Did she now?¡± He could feel his ire boil. Just who the hell did she think she was to disobey him?


    ***


    Kinsley heard the door to her room open. Startled by the intrusion, she shot up in bed, clutching the


    nket around her. She had was dressed in her panties and a tank top. It was how she always slept.


    Though she was covered, she was not presentable forpany. She turned to see Nichs march in,


    and the scowl etched into his handsome face told her he was not happy.


    She stared at him, surprised he had barged into her room without knocking. ¡°I gave an order, and I


    expect it to be followed.¡±


    Kinsley frowned. This was about her noting down for breakfast. She straightened her back and


    thrust out her chin defiantly. ¡°Nowhere in the contract did it say I was to obeymands.¡±


    ¡°I would have thought that went without saying. I am royalty. You are a¡­.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She snapped, tossing back the covers and getting to her feet so she could square off against


    him. ¡°A servant? A ve? A prostitute?¡± She thest word with venomous disdain. ¡°Well, news sh,


    Your Majesty, but this is America, and your title means jack shit here, so check the ego at the door,¡±


    she snarled, walking over to her suitcase that was on the chair in the corner. She had decided to get


    dressed since it was clear she was not going to get any more sleep this morning.


    ¡°You cannot speak to me that way,¡± he snapped, his dark brows drawn together in aggravation.


    ¡°Actually, I can. I do not know what it is like in Kustium, but here we have freedom of speech,¡± she said,


    pulling a pair of shorts out from her suitcase.


    ¡°I liked you better yesterday,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Well, I liked you better yesterday, too, before I realized you were just an insensitive prick.¡±


    ¡°Insensitive?¡± He repeated questioningly. His tone was telling her that he honestly had no idea what


    she was talking about.


    Furious, Kinsley spun on her heels to face him, her rage shing in her eyes. ¡°Yes, insensitive!¡± She


    snapped. ¡°I get that this thing between us is a business arraignment, but you knewst night was my


    first time, and you made it cheap and meaningless. First, you would not kiss me, and you called me a


    whore. Then it is not over two seconds, and you just leave me without a single word. Like I was


    nothing. You turned what should have been a wonderful experience and made it as cold and


    impersonal. For the rest of my life, that will be the memory I have. I am not asking for flowers and a


    confession of love, but a little consideration and sensitivity would have been nice. But you are nothing


    but a self-centred, insensitive jerk,¡± she shouted at him. With nothing more to say, she turned, giving


    Nichs her back so he could not see the tears welling up in her eyes. She closed her eyes tight telling


    herself not to cry.


    The room was silent. Neither of them spoke or moved. She kept hoping he would just leave, but when


    she finally heard footsteps, it was Nichs moving closer to her. She could feel hisrge body behind


    her, and then she felt his hands touch both her biceps and gently rub her arms as if trying to soothe


    her.


    ¡°Kinsley, I am sorry. You are right. I should have handledst night differently. I was not thinking past


    getting what I wanted. It was selfish, inconsiderate, and insensitive. I am truly sorry that I made you feel


    cheap. A lifetime of selfish living has left me thoughtless. I know we have a business arraignment, but I


    wish for you to know how much I appreciate you agreeing to this. You were kind enough to give me


    something I have never had and should show more appreciation. If you can forgive me, I promise to


    show more consideration in the future.¡±


    Kinsley shrugged off his apology and walked back to the bed, her back still to him. She said nothing as


    she felt Nichs follow her. ¡°Kinsley, talk to me,¡± Nichs took her by the shoulders and forcefully


    turned her around so she was facing him. ¡°What do I have to do to make you smile at me again? Must I


    beg?¡± She said nothing. ¡°Alright,¡± Kinsley watched as Nichs got down on his knees in front of her.


    He gazed up at her with those incredible smoky eyes and a smile curving his lips. ¡°I am on my knees.


    You have a prince on his knees, begging for your smile.¡±


    She stared down at him, trying hard not to grin. She wanted to be mad at him.


    ¡°Tell me what to do,¡± he said in that sultry drawl. ¡°You want my kiss, you said,¡± his hand gripped her


    hips. ¡°So be it,¡± he whispered as his lips grazed over her lower abdomen pressing feather light kisses


    against her skin. The feel of his lips was thrilling.


    His fingers hooked in the sides of her panties, and he slowly pulled them down her slender legs, letting


    them fall to the floor. Nichs'' mouth found her sex, and Kinsley¡¯s legs felt weak. Her hands braced


    against his broad shoulders was the only thing keeping her on her feet, and his mouth kissed and


    licked at her soft folds making her wet with need. His teeth nibbled over the sensitive swollen bud of


    her sex before sucking it into his hot both. His fingers pushed into her slick passage.


    Kinsley¡¯s grip on his shoulders tightened, and she could feel her legs tremble as Nichs brought her


    to climax with his mouth and hands. She was so close, and when his tongue licked her cleft, then


    pushed inside her hold on, reality shattered, and she came hard. Her body shook, and she moaned his


    name as her fingers dug into his flesh, but he did not stop. His tongue and lips worshiped her sex, and


    her orgasm intensified.


    Suddenly Nichs shot to his feet and lifted Kinsley off her feet. They fell into bed together with


    Nichs on top. He reached down and unzipped his pants, pushing them down just enough to be out


    of his way. Then he drove his hardness into her, sinking to the hilt on entry, making Kinsley cum again.


    Her sex clenching tight around him. ¡°Oh Christ, Knisley, you feel so fucking good,¡± he groaned as he


    started to move with long deep eager thrusts.


    Kinsley¡¯s hands clutched at the sheets as Nichs drove into her over and over. His mouth moved over


    her neck as his hand slipped under her top, cupping her breast. He pushed her top up, and his mouth


    closed around her nipple and sucked hard, sending a spike of delicious sensation to her core.


    It was a rough, primal coupling, and Kinsley was lost to the moment. The whole world had disappeared,


    and all that was left was the blissful sensation. She could fight the climax that washed over her once


    more, and this time even Nichs found his release as his back arched and his face twisted with


    pleasure. He groaned loudly as his body trembled.


    When the moment was over, Nichs rolled off her andy on the bed next to Kinsley. He took a


    moment to collect himself, and then he got out of bed and fixed his pants, setting himself right. Kinsley


    stood up and went into the washroom to clean up. Once she was done, she pulled on a pair of shorts


    and a proper shirt. Returning to the room, she expected to find herself alone, but instead, she found


    Nichs sitting in the chair in the corner.


    She had expected him to abandon her again, but he had not. He smiled at her, and she felt her cheeks


    blush. ¡°I trust I have redeemed myself,¡± he said with a crooked grin.


    Kinsley offered him a yful smile. ¡°I can be persuaded to forgive you.¡±


    Nichs rose to his feet. ¡°Well, then how about breakfast?¡±


    ¡°I could eat. How about you?¡± She asked as he came to stand right next to her.


    ¡°I just did,¡± he said suggestively, and she blushed, turning her eyes down. Nichs leaned in and


    whispered in her ear. ¡°You are my favourite treat. I can get used to the way you taste,¡± he then stood up


    and caught her chin between his fingers, turning her face up so she was looking at him. ¡°Come on, let''s


    get you fed. Do not want you fainting from starvation.¡±

 Chapter 10: 10

    Chapter 10: 10


    Nichs sat at the table watching Kinsley enjoy the French toast the cook had prepared for breakfast.


    It was two thick fried toasts with powdered sugar, syrup, hand-whipped cream and fresh-cut berries.


    Along with the French toast were a few sausage links, some bacon, and a tall ss of fresh-squeezed


    orange juice. Kinsley was devouring her meal, having worked up a mighty hunger from their earlier


    encounter. On the table in front of him the same meal, but as always, his remained untouched.


    Everything except the full ss of fine expensive cognac in his hand that he had been sipping since


    they sat down.


    Kinsley swallowed the food in her mouth and then looked at Nichs, who smiled at her. ¡°Still not going


    to eat?¡±


    ¡°Not hungry,¡± he said.


    ¡°You know I have known you a few days now, and I have never seen you eat so much as a single bite.


    How are you not dead?¡±


    ¡°The human body can go days without food,¡± he told her.


    ¡°True, but that does not mean they should,¡± he just smiled and sipped his drink. ¡°That is another thing.


    ¡°It is not even ten in the morning, and you are drinking liquor straight up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, well, I am an alcoholic.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, or are you just teasing?¡±


    ¡°Drinking is one of the very few pleasures I have left in life.¡±


    ¡°It is not healthy.¡±


    Heughed at herment. ¡°I am dying, darling; trust me, the booze is the least of my problems,¡± she


    paused and watched him without a word. ¡°What?¡± He asked with an awkward grin. ¡°Why are you


    here?¡±


    ¡°I am watching you enjoy your breakfast,¡± he said.


    ¡°No, not in this room. I mean, why are you here in America and not back in Kustium doing whatever it is


    Crowned Princes do?¡±


    He drained his ss and ced it on the table, then shifted in his seat. ¡°There is a doctor here in LA


    that is the leading authority on Batten Disease. He is running a clinical study, trying to find a cure,¡± he


    scoffed. He had little faith in him living long enough to find a cure. ¡°My father insisted Ie here so


    the doctor could treat me and monitor my condition. I also allow him to test his theories. On top of all


    that, my father funds his research.¡±


    ¡°So, you are here for treatment?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°So, the medical system in Kustium is not as good as here?¡±


    ¡°Actually, we have an excellent medical system. It is just that the top doctor in this particr field


    happens to be here.¡±


    ¡°How long are you here then?¡±


    ¡°Until I am either cured, which is unlikely, or I am dead¡­ which is far more likely,¡± he did not want to sit


    around and discuss his mortality. ¡°What would you like to do today?¡± He asked, changing the focus of


    the conversation.


    ¡°I do not know,¡± suddenly, her lips curved in a sly smile. ¡°I¡¯d like to go out,¡± he frowned. ¡°Now I know


    you said you do not like to go out. But we can only do so much cooped up in this huge house. It is a


    nice house, do not get me wrong, but it would be nice to get out,¡± she reached across the table and


    took his hand in hers and smiled. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go out for just a little while.¡±


    He thought about it. He wanted to say no, but the pleading hopeful look in her eyes was hard to say no


    to. ¡°Where would you like to go?¡±


    ¡°Every summer, there is a carnival at the Pier. Why don¡¯t we go? It will be fun.¡±


    He considered her request and sighed as he gave in. ¡°Alright. But if we are going out in public, I will


    have to clean myself up,¡± he said, running his hand along his jaw, feeling the short hair he had allowed


    to go unaddressed for almost two weeks now. He could not be seen so unkempt in public. ¡°Just let me


    wash up and groom a little, then we will go,¡± he stood up, and she did the same. ¡°No, please, sit, finish


    your breakfast. I will be back downter,¡± he promised and then made his way up to his room.


    On his way to the stairs, he ran into Octavius. ¡°Octavius.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Please have men get ready. Kinsley and I are going to the Sana Monica Pier.¡±


    Octavius'' jaw dropped as his eyes lit up. ¡°You are going out?¡± Nichs understood his surprise. He had


    not set foot outside this house in over six weeks, and even that had only been to see the doctor and


    return home. Octavius'' smile faded. ¡°Do you feel up to being out?¡± He was asking how Nichs felt. In


    truth, he felt a little nauseated, but that was amon feeling. He was tired because he did not sleep


    often, but he supposed he could deal with walking around the Pier for a few hours.


    ¡°I will manage.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Then men will be ready in an hour,¡± Octavius promised.


    With that settled, Nichs went up to his room. He walked into the washroom and stripped his shirt off,


    flinching as muscles began to ache. He should take some OxyContin to stave off the pain before going


    out. He opened the cab and looked at the countless bottles of various pills. He took down the bottle


    and dumped two pills into his palm. He tossed the pills into his mouth and washed them down with a


    ss of water he took from the sink. He then removed his pants and stepped into the shower. He


    turned on the water and stood under the hot water. He ran his hands over his face and hair before


    reaching for the soap.


    Nichs washed up and then turned off the water. Stepping out, he grabbed a towel and dried his face


    and hair, then wrapped the towel around his waist and stood in front of the mirror, wiping the steam off


    the ss. He looked at his reflection and ran his hand over the hair on his jaw. Suddenly he doubled


    over from a sharp pain behind his eyes.


    He cringed his hands, braced on the edge of the counter while he closed his eyes tight, trying to will the


    pain to leave. His teeth clenched, he groaned in pain. It took a few minutes, but the pain eventually


    subsided. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Nichs opened his eyes and looked at himself in the


    mirror. He still had a faint throbbing, but it was bearable.


    Nichs reached for his shaving cream. His hand closed around the can when he heard Kinsley call to


    him from the other room. She appeared in the doorway of the bathroom and smiled. ¡°I hope you do not


    mind; I let myself in,¡± she said teasingly. ¡°Do not you look tempting in nothing but a towel.


    He chuckled as he sprayed some shaving cream into his palm. ¡°I just need a few more¡­ ugh,¡± he


    groaned as the sharp pain returned stronger than thest time. His vision blurred, and the room started


    to spin. The canister fell from his hand and hit the edge of the counter before falling to the floor and


    rolling behind the toilet. Nichs lost his bnce. She reached out, trying to stabilize himself with the


    counter, but the shaving cream in his hand prevented him from getting a grip, and he fell to the floor,


    hitting the back of his head against the ss of the shower door. Kinsley was at his side calling to him,


    but her voice was distant and fading quickly.

 Chapter 11: 11

    Chapter 11: 11


    Kinsley was on her knees next to Nichs. He had fallen suddenly and hit his head pretty hard when


    he went down. She called to him, but he was unresponsive. Suddenly his eyes rolled back in his head,


    so all she could see was the white. His jaw locked, and Nichs¡¯ whole body began to convulse


    violently. She screamed as loud as she could for anyone toe help. His head mmed against the


    tile floor, and she did not know what to do. Kinsley moved so she could brace his head and stop him


    from hurting himself. White foam frothed from his locked jaw.


    Scared, she screamed again, and secondster, Octavius, Stephen, two maids, and another man


    appeared in the doorway. They all reacted when they saw Nichs on the floor. Stephen was on his


    phone calling an ambnce while Octavius grabbed a rubber bite guard off the counter and dropped to


    his knees. He struggled to pry Nichs¡¯ mouth open enough to force the bite guard into his mouth to


    prevent him from breaking his teeth or biting his tongue.


    ¡°How long has he been like this?¡± Octavius asked.


    ¡°A few seconds.¡±


    Octavius lifted his right wrist and pushed up his sleeve to expose a watch. He knelt next to Nichs but


    never took his eyes off his watch. That was when she realized he was timing the episode. This must


    happen often.


    ¡°The ambnce will be here shortly,¡± Stephen said, hanging up. ¡°Miss Potter, please go do to the door


    and let them in.


    Kinsley held Nichs¡¯ head while they waited for the ambnce, which showed up in mere minutes,


    but each minute felt like an eternity. The seizure stopped just as the paramedics walked in with a


    stretcher. They asked what had happened as they moved him onto the stretcher.


    ¡°He had a grand mal seizure. Six minutes,¡± Octavius told them, and they lifted Nichs.


    ¡°He hit his head when he fell,¡± Kinsley added as they all rushed out of the room and down the stairs. As


    they walked out the front door, Kinsley saw a STARS Helicopter. Air ambnce, so that was how they


    got to the middle of nowhere so quickly. They loaded him up into the helicopter, and Octavius climbed


    up with him. He gave the staff some orders and then looked at Kinsley, confused when she climbed in


    with them. ¡°I want toe,¡± they did not have time to argue. The paramedic closed the door, and they


    took off.


    They were flown into LA, and by air, it took mere minutes before they werending on the roof of the


    best hospital in California. Nichs was offloaded and rushed down into the building. The paramedics


    had radioed ahead, and a medical team was standing by, including one Dr. Robert Horton. Kinsley


    assumed this was the doctor Nichs had moved to LA to be close to. Kinsley could hardly keep up as


    they rushed their patient into a CAT scan and then took blood for theb.


    Once that was finished, they put Nichs in a private room and moved him to a bed. Since he came in


    by ambnce and his personal security was not with him, the hospital posted two security guards on


    his door. Octavius and Kinsley stayed in the room with him. Octavius sat in a chair in the corner while


    Kinsley paced the floor.


    ¡°Does this happen a lot?¡± She asked worriedly. She recalled Nichs telling her he suffered seizures


    from time to time, but it had never registered in her brain as a reality until she saw him fall.


    ¡°More frequentlytely,¡± Octavius admitted.


    ¡°But he was fine this morning.¡±


    ¡°Theye on suddenly, with very little warning.¡±


    ¡°That is troubling.¡±


    ¡°Every time someone has a seizer brain actually die. Brief episodes are not too bad, but when theyst


    longer than five minutes¡­¡± He sighed and shook his head. ¡°It does far more damage.¡±


    ¡°Are you telling me while he was shaking on the bathroom floor, his brain was dying?¡±


    ¡°There is no telling what damage was done until he wakes, but the fact that he has not yet is


    concerning.¡±


    ¡°Do not write me off yet,¡± Nichs¡¯ weak voice drew their attention to the bed.


    ¡°You are awake,¡± Kinsley said,ing to the bed.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± Octavius asked,ing to the bedside opposite of Kinsley.


    ¡°My head hurts, and I am having trouble seeing.¡±


    ¡°I will fetch the doctor,¡± Octavius said as he left the room.


    ¡°You scared me,¡± she said, stroking his hair and making him jump, and she wondered how she had


    startled him.


    It was not long before Dr. Horton and Octavius returned. ¡°Good to see you up, Nichs,¡± the doctor


    said, standing by the bed, and Nichs turned his head to look at the doctor. ¡°How do you feel.¡±


    ¡°I am having trouble seeing,¡± heined again.


    Dr. Horton took out a penlight and shed it in both of Nichs¡¯ eyes. He then held the pen un in front


    of him. ¡°Can you see the pen?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Clearly?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Do not move your head, just your eyes. Follow the pen,¡± he said, moving it up and down then side to


    side. ¡°His eyes followed, but when it moved side to side, Nichs seemed to lose it. ¡°Can you see the


    pen?¡± He asked, holding it to the side of Nichs'' head.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Dr. Horton sighed and tucked his pen in his jacket pocket. ¡°I was afraid of that.¡±


    ¡°Afraid of what?¡± Nichs demanded, turning his head to look at the doctor.


    ¡°Your CAT scan shows a growth in your brain.¡±


    Oh, that sounded really bad, Kinsley thought and nervously bit her bottom lip. ¡°A growth?¡± Nichs


    repeated. ¡°Cancerous?¡±


    ¡°It appears to be benign, but due to its location in the brain, we cannot operate. I am afraid we cannot


    remove it.¡±


    ¡°But it is not cancerous,¡± Kinsley said hopefully. ¡°That is good, right?¡±


    The doctor frowned. ¡°It is not good,¡± Nichs sighed as he studied the doctor¡¯s face.


    ¡°The tumour is pressing on your optic nerve. It is impairing your peripheral vision. It would appear you


    are unable to see things in your peripherals. You can only see what is directly in front of you.¡±


    ¡°What does any of that mean?¡± Kinsley asked.


    Nichs stared at the doctor. ¡°It means I am going blind,¡± Nichs muttered, doing his best to keep the


    despair from his tone. ¡°Is not that right, Dr. Horton?¡±


    Kinsley looked at Nichs and then the doctor. Dr. Horton sighed heavily. ¡°Yes, Nichs, you are going


    blind. Your vision will continue to deteriorate if I had to guess. You have a few months, maybe a year


    before you arepletely blind. I am truly sorry. I wish I had better news,¡± the room was silent for a few


    minutes as everyone allowed the news to soak in. ¡°As for the seizer, I can only assume the pressure on


    the nerve brought it on. I have to ask, are you taking your medication?¡±


    Nichs stared at hisp, clearly still adjusting to the fact that he was going blind. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Really, because your blood work shows no trace of your medication, just high levels of painkillers.¡±


    Nichs sighed. ¡°What does it matter, doctor? The medication will not cure me. We both know that. So


    why should I take it?¡±


    ¡°You will live longer.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I do not want to live longer!¡± He shouted at Dr. Horton and made Kinsley jump from the harshness in


    his voice. ¡°I want to die!¡± He shook his head with disgust. ¡°But no one will let me,¡± he whispered. ¡°You


    think you are saving a life¡­ but all you are doing is torturing me.¡±


    The doctor was quiet for a moment. ¡°Nichs, I would like to keep you so we can¡­.¡±


    ¡°I am leaving. I want to go home. Octavius, call an Uber.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I think you should let Dr¡­.¡±


    ¡°Call a god damned Uber!¡± Nichs screamed. ¡°I want to go home¡­ now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Octavius said, taking out his cellphone to call for a ride.


    ¡°If you are insisting on leaving, then I wish to send you home with a support cane. It will help you get


    around, and you might as well get used to using one.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°I will have the nurse bring you one while you wait for your ride,¡± the doctor said as he left the room.


    Kinsley put her hand on his shoulder. ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°Do not,¡± he whispered, putting a stop to her attempt tofort him. ¡°Please do not.¡±


    It was clear he did not want her words of sympathy. She retraced her hand and respected his


    wishes.

 Chapter 12: 12

    Chapter 12: 12


    Kinsley came down to the dining room for lunch, hoping to see Nichs. It had been two days since


    they had been at the hospital, and she had not seen Nichs. He had gone straight to his room and


    locked himself in the moment they returned and had note out. He had rejected food andpany.


    He sat alone in his room in the dark, killing bottle after bottle on his own.


    The biggest fear with the staff was that Nichs would try to take his own life again, but Octavius


    checked on him four times a day and assured the staff he was still alive. From what she knew, Nichs


    never let him in, but Octavius had a key to the room for a situation just like this. Kinsley asked if it ever


    upset Nichs that he let himself in when he wanted to be alone, but Octavius told her his orders came


    directly from the King who outranked Nichs, so he did it despite the Prince¡¯s objections.


    She walked into the dining room to see only one ce setting yet again. ¡°He is still noting down?¡±


    She asked Octavius.


    ¡°No, Miss. Wells. He is still in a dark ce.¡±


    She took a seat and ate her meal. She thought about Nichs. She had to pull him out of his despair.


    She wanted to show him his life could still be worth living that he worried those who cared for him.


    When she was finished, she stood up and looked at Octavius. ¡°Would you please let me into his


    room?¡±


    ¡°I do not think he would appreciate that. He wants to be alone.¡±


    ¡°Precisely why he should not be. He needs to know he is not alone.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Octavius sighed. ¡°Alright, I will let you in, but when he bes verbally abusive, do not try to stop


    you.¡±


    They made their way upstairs to Nichs¡¯ room. Octavius unlocked the door and held it open for her.


    She went inside, and Octavius shut the door. The room was dark. The curtains were closed, and only


    the odd beam of sunlight peeked through the drapes and stretched across the floor. She walked around


    the bed to find Nichs sitting slumped in the armchair he had been in the first night they met with a


    mostly empty bottle of whisky in his right hand. Like the first night, he was unkempt and dishevelled,


    wearing a pair of cks and no socks or shoes. His expensive shirt was untucked, unbuttoned, and


    wrinkled. She realized he had not changed from the hospital. He had worn these clothes for days. The


    growth on his jaw was thicker, and his dark hair was unwashed and unbrushed. Leaning against the


    arm of the chair next to him, the support cane the hospital had given him. He was aplete mess.


    ¡°Who is there?¡± He asked quietly.


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± she said, realizing she was in his blind spot. He turned his head, trying to see her, so she


    came closer and positioned herself right in front of him where he could see her.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    She came and knelt down in front of him, cing her hand over his. ¡°I came to see how you are doing.¡±


    ¡°Go away.¡±


    ¡°You should not be alone. Let me stay,¡± she looked him over. Have you done anything but sit here and


    get drunk?¡± He did not answer, which in itself was an answer. He smelled of BO and booze. She came


    to her feet and taking his hand. She coaxed Nichs to his feet. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s get you cleaned up.


    You will feel better.¡±


    She was pleased that he did not fight her on it. She led him into the washroom and let go of his hand


    so she could fill therge w bathtub with hot water. While the tub filled, she reached for his wrinkled


    shirt and helped him take it off. She tossed it in a hamper and then helped him remove his pants and


    shorts, discarding them with the shirt.


    She took his arm as she helped him into the tub. He sat down and sank low into the water as she


    turned off the tap. She took a cloth, and somebody wash from the counted and knelt on the floor next to


    the tub. She started by soaking the washcloth and dragging it over his face and hair. He sat rxed in


    the bath, his head resting back against the edge of the tub as Kinsley gently washed him, trying to help


    him rx.


    ¡°See, does not this feel good. Better than sitting in that chair.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he whispered, surprising her. She had not expected him to answer her, let alone to agree. She


    ran the cloth over his chest, and his hand came up and caught hers, stopping her but holding her hand


    against him. He was facing straight ahead, and she was sure he could not see her. ¡°You smell good,¡±


    he said softly.


    She smiled. ¡°You are smelling to soap,¡± she teased, and the corner of his mouth twitched ever so


    slightly.


    ¡°No. It smells like peaches?¡±


    She smiled impressed, her perfume did smell like peaches, but she had put it on hours ago, and she


    would have thought the smell had faded. ¡°I am impressed. I would not think you could still smell my


    perfume.¡±


    ¡°I like it. It is refreshing and clean.¡±


    ¡°I will wear it more often.¡±


    ¡°I have been thinking,¡± he said.


    ¡°You have had a lot of time to do that.¡±


    ¡°I am releasing you from our contract,¡± he said.


    She looked up at him, surprised. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°My condition is deteriorating faster than I thought it would. You did not sign on for this. So, I release


    you from your obligation. You will receive fullpensation.¡± She pulled her hand from his and


    continued to wash him.


    ¡°I reject the gesture. I made amitment. You are stuck with me for the next three months. Even if


    you drop dead tomorrow, I am staying in this pce until the end of my contract. After all, when will I


    ever get waited on like this again?¡± She teased, and he chuckled. His lips curved in a small smile. ¡°See,


    doesn¡¯t it feel better to smile.¡±


    ¡°I was right to pick you. You have a way of making me feel better about things.¡±


    She shrugged her shoulders as she grabbed the shampoo and began to wash his hair for him. ¡°So, you


    are going blind, big deal. There are millions of people who are blind and live fulfilling lives. Vision is


    overrated,¡± she said as she used the wet cloth to pour water over his hair and wash away the


    shampoo.


    ¡°But I will not be able to see you anymore,¡± he said, reaching for her hand and coaxing her toe and


    sit on the edge of the tub, so she was directly in front of him and within his limited vision.


    ¡°Oh well, I am not much to look at anyway.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°No, you are beautiful,¡± he said, looking at her, his eyes taking on a yful heat. ¡°Like an


    angel,¡± he then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into the water. She squealed as she


    fell into hisp, and both his arms wrapped around her. She was soaked now, and he was looking right


    into her eyes with a smile. ¡°And if I gopletely blind tomorrow, at least myst memory will be of


    your pretty face.¡±


    She smiled up at him as she rxed and melted into his embrace. She no longer cared that she was


    fully dressed and in the tub. His hand came up, and his fingers traced the line of her jaw. His fingers


    stopped on her chin and tilted her face up, so her lips were lifted. He leaned in, and his lips hovered


    over hers for a few taunting seconds, and then it happened, what she had longed for since the first


    night they met¡­ he kissed her.


    His lips were soft against her own. Kinsley¡¯s hand came up and caught him at the back of the head,


    threading her slender fingers through his hair, stopping him from pulling away as her tongue slipped


    past his lips and danced with his own. Nichs moaned into her mouth, and their kiss deepened. His


    hand dove into her hair, pulling her closer.


    Kinsley could feel him grow against her bottom, and she wanted him. Her need was all-consuming. She


    shifted in the tub, so she was straddling his waist face to face. She lifted her skirt and tugged her


    panties to the side, then she sunk down on his erection and heard him moan with pleasure. Nichs¡¯


    hands went to her waist as Kinsley began to ride him, seeking the pleasure she wanted so badly, the


    water sloshing around and over the edge of the tub.


    As she moved up and down, Kinsley thread her fingers through his hair, pulling his head back to bring


    his mouth up to hers. She kissed him long and hard, her mouth eating at his. He returned her desire


    with a white-hot passion of his own. She caught his bottom lip between her teeth and tugged softly.


    Then shey a path of eager kisses over his neck, making him purr. She felt his hand in her hair as she


    sucked and nibbled on his neck, which he seemed to be enjoying.


    The pleasure became too much, and she sat up, fully throwing her head back as she came. He


    moaned as he, too, reached climax. As the madness faded, she leaned forward and kissed his lips


    lightly. ¡°If I knew kissing you would be that good, I would have done it sooner,¡± he whispered against


    her lips.


    She giggled. ¡°Do you feel better?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I am d,¡± she said as she climbed out of the tub. ¡°I need dry clothes.¡±


    He smiled, turning his face in her direction, trying to see her. ¡°I have a better idea. Why don¡¯t we spend


    the rest of the day in bed? You, me, and nothing between us. I¡¯d liked to explore this kissing thing a


    little more.¡±


    ¡°I think that is an amazing idea.¡±


    Nichs took hold of the edge of the tub and pulled himself up into a standing position. HE very


    carefully climbed out of the tub, feeling around for something to hold on to so he could feel his way


    through the bathroom. She knew he was having trouble, but he was trying. She reached for his arm to


    guide him, but Nichs pulled it from her grasp. ¡°No,¡± he said softly. ¡°I have to learn to do this,¡± she


    walked next to him as he slowly found his way into the next room. He made it to the bed and sat down.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Kinsley positioned herself right in front of him, and then he smiled. ¡°There you are.


    So beautiful. Take off your clothes,¡± she reached for the buttons of her dress, and he grinned. ¡°Slowly,¡±


    she grinned. ¡°After all, soon, all I will have are memories. Give me a good


    one.¡±

 Chapter 13: 13

    Chapter 13: 13


    She tugged on his arm as they walked through the door of the trainers. It had days to wear Nichs


    down enough to convince him to leave the confines of his pce. When Dr. Horton made a house call


    to see how the Prince was recovering, it had been a week since the incident, and Nichs had finally


    left his room and was moving around the pce with one hand out in front of him, feeling the walls as


    he walked while learning how to use his support cane. Every time someone tried to help him, he would


    reject their help telling them he had to learn how to get around on his own. Kinsley spent much time at


    his side resisting the urge to lend aid, but she respected his wish for independence.


    During his visit, Dr. Horton had suggested a service dog. They discussed the benefits of getting one,


    and then he told them where they could go to get one. It took a few more days to convince Nichs


    just to go and check out the dogs.


    ¡°All of our service dogs are extensively trained from very young,¡± the manager said as he led them into


    the kennel. Kinsley knew that Nichs was out of sorts. He was away from thefort of his home,


    and his vision was greatly impaired. Wandering through a public building, he could not see clearly, had


    to be both frustrating and stressful. She would have offered him her arm to hold while she guided him,


    but he was a proud man, and independence was important to him, so instead, she did the girlfriend


    thing and held his hand, walking at his side while he used his support cane to feel out the world around


    him.


    ¡°I am not entirely sold on the idea of a dog,¡± Nichs said as they stood in the kennel surrounded by


    service dogs in their cages.


    ¡°Oh, but Your Majesty, service dogs are a wonderful investment. They are loyal and well trained. They


    are your eyes. They help you navigate the world, and they are wonderfulpanions,¡± the manager


    said.


    ¡°Just look at the dogs, Nichs¡­.¡± Kinsley said and then paused mid-sentence realizing her mistake


    when he frowned at her. ¡°Poor choice of words. Just keep an open mind. You might actually like one of


    them.¡±


    ¡°Our most popr breed is the Golden Labs.¡±


    He turned up his nose. ¡°Not exactly my style,¡± Nichs sighed. ¡°This is ridiculous.¡± He said, leaning on


    his cane.


    ¡°We also have a few German Shepherds and one Doberman.¡±


    Kinsley noticed Nichs perk up with interest. ¡°Doberman? Now that one may be interesting.¡±


    ¡°You like Dobermans?¡± Kinsley asked him.


    ¡°I had one when I was a boy. It went everywhere with me,¡± the smile on his face made Kinsley smile.


    His past pet seemed like a good memory for him.


    ¡°Can you show us the Doberman?¡± Kinsley asked.


    The manager led them to the cage at the end of the kennel and unlocked the door letting out an excited


    ck pup. Holding it by the vest, it wore he ordered the pup to sit down, and it obeyed. It was very well


    trained. Awkwardly Nichs got down on his knees andy the cane on the floor next to him. Then he


    reached out and felt the dog, stroking its fur and smiling when it licked his hands.


    ¡°He is barely more than a pup, but he is well trained and good with people and other animals,¡± the


    manager said as Nichs pet the animal.


    ¡°What is his name?¡± Nichs asked.


    ¡°Brutus.¡±


    ¡°That is a good strong name.¡±


    ¡°It looks like you two like each other,¡± Kinsleymented.


    ¡°I think we do,¡± Nichs agreed. ¡°I will take him.¡±


    ¡°Very good. Now, if you will juste with men to my office, we will get the paperwork out of the way.¡±


    ***


    With Brutus'' harness in one hand, Nichs walked around his pce, feeling his way around. He could


    only see what was directly in front of him. It was strange, like looking down a long dark tunnel. He did


    not know if he would ever get used to this.


    Earlier that day, Kinsley had asked for a ride into the city. She said she wanted to see her parents so


    she could tell them where she was and that she was fine since she heard from a friend that her parents


    had been looking for her and worried. When asked why she did not tell them she would be upied for


    the next three months, she told him she had no phone. It was a problem he intended to rectify. So,


    Stephen tool Kinsley into the city and Nichs was on his own for the night and had decided not to


    spend his time alone in his room.


    He explored the pce with Brutus at his side. It was so strange. This ce that had been his refuge


    for nearly a year now felt strange, like a whole new ce. He felt like Alice through the looking ss.


    Everything felt bigger than it used to. He was walking into furniture and doorjambs. He¡¯d banged his


    knee four times just today and nearly tripped over an ottoman but had caught himself on the arm of a


    couch.


    Nichs dragged his hand along the wall next to him, and when she reached the end, he knew he was


    at an entryway. He turned and entered a room. It was difficult to deduce what room he was in. His


    limited vision showed dark colours andrge shapes. Nichs braved the room and walked away from


    the wall. As he walked into the middle of the room, he mmed his knee on a wooden bench, and he


    jerked forward, catching himself on the piano. He knew it was the piano because when his hand hit the


    keys, it made a god-awful noise. He was in the music room.


    The sound had brought staff running. He heard heavy footsteps rush into the room behind him. ¡°Your


    Majesty,¡± Octavius¡¯ voice rang in his ears. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I am fine,¡± Nichs assured him. ¡°I just bumped into the piano.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Would you like me to help you to a couch?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he said, feeling for the bench. He sat down at the piano and released Brutus, who sat down on


    the floor next to the bench. Nichs'' hands moved over the keys. He could not see the keys. All he


    saw was a blur of white and ck.


    He used to love to y, but he could not make out the keys. Nichs yed a few keys trying to


    reacquaint himself with the instrument. Octavius came to the piano. Nichs looked up, and he could


    make out Octavius''rge frame as he stood next to the piano. ¡°Nichs,¡± He said, speaking as a friend


    and not a servant, ¡°Do not do this to yourself. I am excited you came out of your room, but you must


    ept your limitations, or you will only drive yourself mad.¡±


    Nichs yed a few more keys this time. They sounded better. cing both hands on the keys, he


    yed a simple verse. A grade school tune any five-year-old kid could y only in the wrong key. He


    started to feel the hopelessness set in again. He was never going to be able to do the things he loved


    again. He could not y music, could not ride a horse, or fence. He¡¯d never enjoy the theatre again. He


    hung his head feeling sorry for himself when a fragrant scent wafting on the air caught his nose and


    made him smile.


    Peaches.


    ¡°You have returned,¡± he said, lifting his head.


    He heard Kinsley giggle and her heels click against the hardwood floor as she walked his way. ¡°You are


    getting better at this. How did you know I was here?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°Peaches. I smelled peaches.¡±


    ¡°I guess it is true what they say about the blind; their other senses are better,¡± she was standing next to


    him; he could smell her perfume stronger now. ¡°Do you y?¡±


    ¡°I used to,¡± he said. ¡°I cannot anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°I cannot see the keys,¡± he said, wondering why that was not obvious.


    ¡°That is an excuse,¡± she said, tapping his hip for him to slide over on the bench so she could sit next to


    him. Nichs moved over and felt Kinsley sit down next to him so close her leg touched his. He could


    feel her as her arm brushed against his, and her hand took his and led it to the keys. ¡°Music is not


    visual; it is a feeling. You do not have to see the keys. Just listen to your body. It is all muscle memory,¡±


    she said, cing his hands on the keys. Her hands were over his, and when her finger moved, it


    pushed his down on the key, then she would move his hand.


    Nichs smiled, it was slow and choppy, but together they were ying a song he knew well. As they


    yed, her hand slowly moved from his, and before he knew it, he was ying solo and well. Well, if


    that did not beat all, she was right about muscle memory. As soon as he stopped worrying about


    seeing the keys and just felt the music, it all came back to him.


    ¡°See, you can y just fine. Better than most, I¡¯d say,¡± he could hear the smile in her voice.


    ¡°I will leave you two alone,¡± Octavius said, and Nichs heard his footsteps fade as he left the room.


    Nichs stopped ying and turned in his seat, trying to her in his line of sight. When he could make


    her out, he smiled. She always looked so beautiful. She was wearing a yellow sundress, and her dark


    hair was pulled back in a fishtail braid. ¡°How was your afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Alright. My parents are more rxed now that they know I am ok. I told them I was staying with a


    friend for a while. I did not tell them about you or our arraignment. I do not think they would approve.


    Actually, I think it would break my mother¡¯s heart,¡± she was probably right. ¡°I am surprised to find you


    here.¡±


    ¡°I decided to venture out of my room,¡± he had gotten pretty good at getting around his room so long as


    the maid did not move anything. ¡°I cannot stay in my room forever. At some point, I have to learn to get


    around this house.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± She sounded impressed. ¡°The man I met ten days ago would have never left his room. I dare


    say your outlook on life has improved. Not too long ago, you wanted to die, and now you are nning


    for the future.¡±


    He chuckled at the yful tone. ¡°I am just trying not to walking into things.¡±


    ¡°Well, you know what they say, baby steps. You will get there. Like any skill, it will take practice.¡±


    Nicks smiled at her. If not for Kinsley¡¯s constant encouragement, he would likely still be sitting in his


    room good and drunk and plotting how to take his life. But since she hade to stay with him, his


    hopeless life did not seem as dismal. He actually looked forward to things. They were small things like


    hearing her voice or feeling her take his hand. They might have been stupid and trivial to other men,


    but for Nichs, they were the highlight of his day. He had not anything to look forward to in longer


    than he could remember, so to finally enjoy something¡­ anything was like a reprieve from the personal


    hell his life had be. In a short time, Kinsley had be like a breath of fresh air in a life that had


    been suffocating him.


    He knew that she was only here with him because of their contract, but he also knew he was falling for


    her¡­ and he was falling hard.


    The sound of rushed footsteps filled the room, and then Nichs felt arge body lean over and heard


    Octavius whisper in his ear. ¡°The royal family has arrived.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±

 Chapter 14: 14

    Chapter 14: 14


    Nichs shocked outburst startled Kinsley. From the rmed look on Octavius'' face and the surprise


    that now imed Nichs¡¯ something was happening, and it now had her worried.


    Nichs turned his face to Octavius with a look of horror on his face. ¡°Why are they here?¡±


    ¡°After the incident, I made a progress report to your father, and now the whole family is sitting in the


    parlour.¡±


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    ¡°You did what?¡± Nichs snapped with anger.


    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty, but he is the King. I had to notify him.¡±


    ¡°King?¡± Kinsley said anxiously. ¡°Are you saying that the King is in the next room?¡±


    ¡°The whole royal family,¡± Octavius told her.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she felt nervous and out of ce. She never thought she would meet his family. What would they


    think of her when they found out about the arraignment between her and their son? This was a terrible


    turn of events.


    ¡°They are demanding your presence,¡± Octavius told Nichs.


    ¡°Of course, they are.¡±


    ¡°Please forgive me, Your Majesty.¡±


    The fact that Octavius was begging for forgiveness filled Kinsley with dread. Nichs rose to his feet


    and ced one hand on Octavius¡¯ shoulder. ¡°You are forgiven, old friend. Your hands were tied.¡± He


    then reached out for Brutus¡¯ harness, grabbing at empty air. Kinsley rose and guided his hand to the


    dog. He thanked her and then awkwardly made his way to the door. ¡°Octavius,¡± He said, reaching out


    blindly. ¡°Show me to my parents.¡±


    Kinsley stood up, and out of sheer curiosity, she followed. They made their way to the room by the front


    door, the one Octavius had made her wait the first night she came to the pce. Kinsley remained by


    the entrance while Octavius walked Nichs into the middle of the room.


    There were four of them. Two men and two women. Parents and siblings, she would guess by their


    ages and the amazingly expensive wardrobes. The older woman with the long copper hair swept up in


    an elegant configuration rushed across the room and startled Nichs as she took him in her arms,


    and she wept. She stepped back, and her hands framed his face as she kissed his cheek. ¡°


    ¡°Oh, my boy,¡± she wept. ¡°My poor son,¡± she held his arms and looked him over. ¡°You are so thin,¡± she


    then red at Octavius. ¡°Are you not feeding him?¡±


    ¡°Mother, I am fine,¡± Nichs assured her.


    A young man in a fine suit leaned in with a curious look and waved his hand in front of Nichs¡¯ face,


    but Nichs did not respond. ¡°You really cannot see?¡± He asked with disbelief.


    Nichs turned his head in the direction of the voice addressing him. ¡°Hello, Matthew.¡±


    ¡°Father says you went blind?¡± The young woman piped up.


    ¡°Essentially,¡± Nichs said with a frown. ¡°Not totally, but enough to make life challenging. It is like


    looking down a long dark tunnel, and at the end of that tunnel, all I can make out are fuzzy shapes and


    colours. I can see silhouettes and movement, but that is it. The doctor says it will only get worse until I


    ampletely blind.¡±


    ¡°How are you coping?¡± His mother asked as she supportively rubbed his arm.


    ¡°I am distorted, obviously. But I am learning to navigate my new world. I have a cane, and I just got


    Brutus here,¡± he said, leaning over to pet his new pal. ¡°He is my eyes. And of course, I have a friend


    who helps keep my morale up.¡±


    ¡°Really,¡± His mother smiled, ¡°Octavius?¡±


    ¡°No, Mother¡­ Kinsley,e here,¡± he ordered, holding his hand out for her to take. Until now, no one


    had noticed her, but now everyone except Nichs was looking at her. ¡°I know you are there,¡± Nichs


    chuckled. ¡°I heard your heels follow us, and I can smell your perfume. Come forth,¡± with a nervous


    smile, she slowly walked over to Nichs, and he took her hand in his and held it to his chest. ¡°I want


    to introduce you to my family. ¡°May I introduce my mother, her Majesty, Queen Naya Kane,¡± the woman


    nodded her head at Kinsley. ¡°My father, his Majesty King Samuel Kane the Third,¡± the man bowed his


    head politely. ¡°My brother Prince Matthew Kane and my sister Teegan Kane,¡± they both nodded at her.


    ¡°Everyone, this is Miss Kinsley Wells¡­ my girlfriend,¡± thatst word surprised everyone in the room,


    including Kinsley.


    ¡°Girlfriend?¡± His father repeated, surprised. ¡°Octavius did not tell me you were seeing someone.¡±


    ¡°It happened somewhat recently. I saw no reason to tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°Well, it is so nice to meet you, child,¡± Naya said, shaking Kinsley¡¯s hand.


    ¡°And you¡­ um¡­¡± She looked at Octavius for guidance. He gestured for her to be respectful. ¡°Your


    Majesty,¡± she then curtsied. Hoping that was what she should do.


    ¡°Oh, child, no formalities. I do not want you to feel ufortable around us. Especially if you are the


    reason for the smile on my son¡¯s face?¡± Kinsley looked at Nichs to see he was indeed smiling. ¡°I do


    not think I have seen my son smile in four years. So, you may call me Naya.¡±


    ¡°Alright, and you may call me Kinsley.¡±


    ¡°Glorious.¡±


    ¡°Octavius,¡± Nichs spoke up.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Show my family to their rooms so they may freshen up and rx before dinner. Surely they are


    jegged.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°And notify the kitchen that there will be four more for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Kinsley watched as Octavius led the royal family from the room.


    Once they were alone, she stepped in front of him so he could see her. ¡°Girlfriend?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°Do you take offence to the term?¡± He teased and took her hand. ¡°I thought it an easier


    exnation than the truth. Unless you wish them to know the truth, in which case I can certainly retract


    my previous statement and tell them you are an escort paid to sleep with me.¡±


    She did not like that idea at all. She did not think his family would respect her if they knew the truth of


    their involvement. ¡°No, I think the girlfriend is more respectable.¡±


    ¡°I agree. With my family here, I will have your things moved to my room. We will have to share to make


    space,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Believe it or not, this pce just got a lot smaller.¡±


    ¡°I do not know why you seemed so upset; your family seems nice,¡± she said, not sure why Octavius


    had been begging for forgiveness.


    He scoffed. ¡°Give them time; they will show their colours,¡± he said as they turned to leave the room, his


    hand in hers. As they walked, his hand gripped hers tighter. ¡°Just try to avoid being alone with


    Matthew.¡±


    She did not understand. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°He has got boundary issues,¡± which seemed very cryptic. ¡°He gets grabby,¡± he said, releasing her


    hand. ¡°And the only person I want grabbing you is me,¡± he grinned as he reached down and grabbed


    her bottom.


    Kinsleyughed and stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. ¡°You think you are allowed to


    grab me?¡± She teased, and his smile grew. Let¡¯s go back to the bedroom, and I will do more than just


    grab your ass,¡± he leaned in, and his lips brushed her ear. ¡°I will crawl up inside that tight little body and


    make you cum so hard and loud the rest of the house will need a cigarette.¡±


    Just the suggestion made her damp with anticipation. ¡°Then why are we standing here when we could


    be upstairs fucking?¡±


    He groaned with approval. ¡°Girl, I love your libido.¡±

 Chapter 15: 15

    Chapter 15: 15


    Kinsleyy in Nichs'' arms as they caught their breath. She stared at Brutus, whoy on therge


    doggie bed in the corner of the room. ¡°Does not it weird you out that he justys there and watches


    us?¡±


    Nichs snickered. ¡°Given that, I cannot see him¡­ no.¡±


    ¡°He just stares at us while we have sex,¡± she said, staring at the dog.


    ¡°Puppy porn,¡± he teased.


    Kinsley sat up and pped him in the chest. ¡°Do not be bad,¡± sheughed.


    He tucked his arm behind his head. ¡°Would you feel better if I put him in the washroom?¡±


    ¡°No, I guess not,¡± she said and then sheid out across his chest and kissed his lips. She folded her


    arms and rested her chin on them as she stared at him. This close, she studied his eyes. It was strange


    to see the vacant look in those smoky depths. ¡°What is it like?¡± She asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Not being able to see?¡±


    ¡°It is different. Strange. When your sight is gone, you start to notice things that you never notice before.


    Everything feels different. Sex is different.¡±


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    ¡°I wish I knew what that was like for you.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°I could show you.¡±


    Her brows drew together in curiosity. ¡°How so?¡±


    He eased her off him and then got up from the bed. With one hand on the wall as guidance, he made


    his way to the closet and opened the door. He went inside, and she sat up leaning over so she could


    see around the open door, but she could not. Momentster, he came back out and, in his hands, he


    had a tie.


    He made his way back to the bed where she sat and took a seat on the edge of the bed. Doing his best


    to focus, Nichs wrapped the tie around her head, blindfolding her and robbing Kinsley of her sight.


    She remained motionless, wondering what would happen next, then she felt his fingers trace her jaw


    and capture her chin tilting her head back to bring her lips up to his.


    She loved the feel of his lips on hers. They were always so soft, and when they touched hers, her head


    would spin, and her flesh would tingle with the anticipation of those sinful lips moving over her body


    with feather-light kisses ¡ª stimting every nerve ending in her body. He could heat her body and


    bring her to orgasm with just those lips.


    Though Nichs was the first man she had ever slept with, he was not her first kiss. As a teen, she


    had kissed three different boys, but not one of them could live up to this man¡¯s kiss. It was intoxicating


    and addictive. His kiss alone was enough to bring her to the edge, and he did so effortlessly. And now,


    as she sat there blinded, unable to see him and anticipate what might happen next, his lips on her


    seemed all the more intense.


    As his kiss reduced her to putty, she felt his hands gently glide down her neck, over her shoulder and


    along her arm. Though his hand refrained from touching her sexually, the feel of his fingers caressing


    her set her skin on fire everywhere he touched her. It boggled her mind how this man could turn


    something so innocent into something so stimting. He awoke an unyielding yearning within her. A


    screaming need in her very core that could not be quieted. A pulsing need that only he could fill.


    Kinsley smiled as Nichs¡¯ lips moved down over her neck, sending delicious sensations shuddering


    through her whole body. He had to do anything overtly sexual, yet he already had her whole body


    quivering with need. She could stand the sweet torment no more. Her hand came up, and her fingers


    threaded through his hair as his lips worshipped the column of her neck.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she breathed his name.


    She heard Nichs moan as his lips found hers once more. ¡°My name sounds like honey on your lips.¡±


    ¡°I need you now,¡± she whimpered between heated kisses.


    Shey back against the mattress as she felt his body stretch out over hers. His hand moved down her


    side to her hips. Her legs parted to him, and in seconds he had slipped deep into her wet passage until


    she took him fully. His hand on her hip, he held her in ce as he drove himself into her over and over


    with eager force. His mouth was eating at hers, drawing the very breath from her lungs.


    The whole world had faded away, and all that was left was sinful seduction and mindless bliss. Her


    hands moved over his broad back, trying to pull him closer, to make them one. His toned muscles


    rolling and flexing under her fingertips with every move he made.


    His hand came up and closed lightly around her throat as his lips hovered over hers almost teasingly.


    He pushed into her deeper, harder, and she fell apart in his arms. The most intense climax spread


    through her body, arching her back and curling her toes, her nail digging into the flesh of his back ¡ª


    the sweet bite of pain, bringing him to his own release. Nichs rolled off her, and he dropped onto the


    mattress next to her.


    Not being able to see had somehow made the encounter so intense. It had been better than all the


    other times. Laying on the bed, she reached up and untied the tie blinding her. She tossed it aside and


    rolled over onto her side. Her hand on his belly, she kissed his neck. ¡°That was so wonderful.¡±


    His hand came up, and she felt his caress, her hair brushing a lockout of her eyes and behind her ear.


    He smiled contently at her. ¡°I love fucking you. Every time is like the first time.¡±


    She kissed his lips. ¡°You say the sweetest things.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± He asked.


    She rolled over and looked at the clock on the mantle of the firece. ¡°6:15.¡±


    ¡°Well, then I do suggest we shower and dress. We will be expected at dinner shortly. My father


    despises waiting.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± she was getting hungry anyway.

 Chapter 16: 16

    Chapter 16: 16


    Kinsley stood at the table with Nichs and his siblings as his parents entered the dining room. Once


    the King and Queen were seated, everyone else took their seats. Kinsley thanked the maid that ced


    her meal on the table before her. Everyone began to eat, but as usual, Nichs sat at the table calm


    and rxed, not touching his meal but drinking his wine and refilling his ss.


    ¡°Are you not eating?¡± Naya asked when she noticed her son had not so much as picked up his fork.


    ¡°I am not hungry,¡± he said. Kinsley had been at the pce with Nichols for nearly two weeks, and she


    had only seen him pick at his food, only eating a few mouthfuls asionally. In all honesty, she had no


    idea how he managed to get through every day without fainting or experiencing weakness.


    ¡°You must eat to keep up your strength,¡± Naya lectured. Kinsley had to agree with his mother to a point.


    She would feel better if he ate more.


    ¡°I am strong enough,¡± he muttered, lifting his wine to his lips.


    ¡°I insist you eat,¡± Naya ordered.


    ¡°I must regretfully defy your insistence, Mother.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡± She snarled his name.


    ¡°Nauseous Mother,¡± he snapped back, harshly, instantly silencing her. ¡°Nauseous¡­ I am always


    nauseated. The medications you insist on have Octavius force on me turns my stomach, and the only


    reason I am not on my knees bent over the toilet violently vomiting all day every day is I do not eat. So,


    do me the courtesy of getting off my back,¡± he hissed.


    The whole room went quiet, and Kinsley felt awkward being witness to the royal family¡¯s discontent.


    ¡°So, Kinsley,¡± Teegan piped up, ending the ufortable silence that hung in the air, ¡°how long have


    you and Nicks been seeing each other?¡±


    ¡°Long enough,¡± Nichs answered for her.


    ¡°Well, how did you two meet?¡± Teegan asked, addressing Kinsley once more.


    ¡°In passing,¡± Nichs answered again. He then reached out and took her hand then smiled. ¡°I thought


    she was utterly enchanting and knew I had to have her. Besides, when I recently lost my vision, she


    stayed when she could have walked away.¡±


    ¡°And I am sure that the fact that you have the wealth of a nation and the blood of royalty in your veins.


    After all, it is not like women seduce men with wealth and power just to get ahead in life,¡± Samuel


    drawled as he reached for his wine ss.


    Kinsley was speechless. Nichs¡¯ father had just insulted her in a roundabout way that was painfully


    obvious to everyone at the table. The worse part was neither Nichs nor she could refute his


    usation that Kinsley was only with him for the money. Though she was quickly developing feelings


    for Nichs, it had been the money that ced her in this pce and his bed when neither she nor


    Nichs rejected the idea.


    When no one corrected him, the King ced his ss down on the table. ¡°That is what I thought. Well


    then, let us put all the cards out on the table,¡± he said, turning his gaze to Kinsley. ¡°You are a pauper, a


    common unimpressive peasant, who is below my son¡¯s station and breeding. He is so far out of your


    league you two are not even in the same universe. Let me debunk the fantasies swirling in your mind.


    He does not love you. He will never love you. How could he, you are beneath him?...


    ¡°He will never marry you. You will never be a princess. He will not make you a queen; because, though


    it breaks my heart, he will never live long enough to be King. If you think he will leave you anything in


    his will after he passes, you are sorely mistaken because everything he has is mine. My kingdom, my


    pce, my wealth; when he dies, you will return to the streets penniless and forgotten like every


    woman to havee before you¡­


    ¡°But for the gifts, he showers you with now. You wille out of this rtionship with nothing. So,


    enjoy the ride while itsts and knows this; the only reason I am willing to so much as even tolerate


    your existence is that I love my son, and you make him happy; at this point in his brief life, he has so


    very little to be happy about.¡±


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    His words cut deep, and Kinsley looked down at her meal and realized she had lost her appetite.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she said softly and stood up to leave.


    Nichs¡¯ hand shot out and caught her by the wrist, stopping her from fleeing the room. ¡°Kinsley, wait,¡±


    he rose to his feet, still holding his her. He did not look directly at anyone, but the anger was clear on


    his face. ¡°I would like to point out, Father, that everyone at the table is a guest in what is my home. And


    until I am cold in the ground, it is MY home, and out of everyone at this table, Kinsley was invited¡­ you


    were not. So, do me the courtesy that the next time you have an opinion, keep it to yourself,¡± he


    snarled, and then he left the room, dragging Kinsley behind him. He whistled, and Brutus jumped up


    and rushed over to him. Nichs grabbed his harness in the hall, and they made their way up the


    stairs, headed for the room they now shared.


    Once in their room, Nichs let go of Brutus and sent him to his doggy bed. ¡°Nichs, I am sorry


    about leaving dinner. I just could not¡­¡± He turned and took her face in his hands, then kissed her lips


    hard, silencing her.


    His lips lifted from her. ¡°You did nothing wrong. My family means well, but they are arrogant. The


    downside to wealth and privilege. Many would say I have the same faults.¡±


    ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°No, hush, let me say this. Regardless of what my father thinks, you must know I cherish every moment


    you spend with me. I know we have a deal, and that money will change hands, but it means the world


    to me that you stay, given the circumstances not many women would,¡± his hand caressed her face


    affectionately. ¡°He was right about one thing. You do make me happy. When my world has been


    nothing but ck and dark for so long, you have been a ray of light. While my predicament has not


    changed and the oue remains the same. You are making myst days bearable, and for that, I can


    never repay you.¡±


    Kinsley was grateful he could not see her well. It meant he could not see the tears she was trying so


    hard not to let fall. His words were touching. She was happy to hear he was happy with her because


    she was happy with him. In a short time, she had developed feelings for this man, strange, confusing


    feelings. They did not make sense, but she was d to hear they were returned.


    She gazed up at his handsome face and thought about what the King had said. She had feelings for


    Nichs; she did not want anything between them to ever make him question those feelings. She


    reached up and ced her hand over his and turned her head, cing a kiss on his palm and making


    him smile. She then looked up at him. ¡°I do not want the money,¡± she said outright.


    His dark brows drew together questioningly. ¡°What?¡± He whispered.


    ¡°The money,¡± she said. ¡°The rent, the debt, the million dors; I do not want it, any of it.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand,¡± the look on his face confirmed he could not fathom why she would not take the


    money. His hands fell away, and he took a step back, looking worried and tortured. ¡°Are you reneging


    on our deal?¡± His voice choked. ¡°Are you leaving me?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she giggled. ¡°I will stay if you let me. But I do not want to be your employee. I want to be your


    girlfriend, for real, not just in front of your parents.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± He sounded so unsure. ¡°If not for the money, what do you get out of it?¡±


    ¡°You.¡±


    His look of confusion grew. ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    She giggled and caught his face in her hands, then kissed his cheek. ¡°For an educated man, you are


    dense. I have feelings for you, silly, and I want to be with you.¡±


    ¡°I am dying, Kinsley. I am deteriorating every day,¡± she could see pain and sorrow in his expression.


    ¡°Blindness is just the beginning. It is going to get so much worse. I am going to be feeble, a


    burden on everyone. In two years'' time, I will not even remember my own name, let alone who you


    are.¡±


    She took his hand and sat Nichs on the edge of the bed. She ran her fingers through his hair and


    then lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. ¡°Our time together will be brief and will lose you. But in our


    short time together, we will have loved a lifetime; and when you are gone. I will remember you, and you


    will live on forever in my heart.¡±


    A tear fell from his eyes and rolled down his cheek. She¡¯d never seen him so emotional. ¡°You love


    me?¡± He barely managed.


    She stroked his hair. ¡°Yes.¡±


    His hand came up andy to the side of her face. ¡°I love you too¡­ so much,¡± his confession of love


    was odd. When one would expect to see happiness and affection, she saw pain and agony on his


    handsome face. He leaned in and ced a soft lingering kiss on her lips, then pulled back andy his


    forehead against hers as he closed his eyes in anguish. ¡°And because I love you so much. I will not let


    you waste your life watching me die,¡± he then shot to his feet and walked to the door. Opening the door,


    he yelled for Octavius, who appeared out of nowhere immediately.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Miss. Wells is leaving us. Collect her things,¡± he said, snapping his fingers to summon Brutus to his


    side. ¡°Take her home,¡± he said, holding Brutus¡¯ harness. ¡°And see, she ispensated for her time.¡±


    Kinsley stood up and came to stand in front of him. ¡°Nichs, do not, please do not send me away.¡±


    ¡°I set you free,¡± he whispered. ¡°Live a good life,¡± he then left the room with Brutus, and she found


    herself alone with Octavius.


    They both remained silent for a long moment allowing Kinsley to absorb what had just happened.


    ¡°Miss. Wells, if you would be kind enough to pack. I will have Stephen take you home. As for your rent


    and your debt, all has been paid, and your ount will receive a deposit of a million dors by the end


    of the business day tomorrow,¡± her heart was breaking. She had confessed her feeling only to be sent


    away.


    ¡°Keep the fucking money. I do not want it.¡±

 Chapter 17: 17

    Chapter 17: 17


    ¡°You did the right thing sending that woman away,¡± Samuel said as he poured himself a ss of


    bourbon.


    ¡°Father, I really do not feel like talking about it.¡±


    ¡°It was kinder to dispose of her now rather than get her hopes up only to dash themter,¡± he said,


    taking a seat on in the armchair across from his eldest son. They had decided to take refuge in the


    library. The chairs were angled next to the firece to enjoy the warmth and catch the light. He had


    come in after dinner to read only to find his son moping. When asked why he was upset, Nichs had


    confessed that he had sent his so-called girlfriend away. It was strange how much it seemed to bother


    Nichs.


    He just sat in his chair, staring at the fire while scratching the head of his service dog, which sat next to


    his chair. Nichs¡¯ eyes never left the fire, and Samuel was not positive if he was staring at the mes


    because he was lost in thought or if he was just staring straight ahead because he could not see


    anything. It was hard to tell. Nichs¡¯ blindness was going to take some getting used to for all involved.


    ¡°I said I did not want to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°She was not right for you, anyway. A prince should be with a woman of good breeding and ss,¡± he


    said as he unbuttoned his suit jacket to make himself morefortable.


    ¡°I happened to like Kinsley. She is a perfectly wonderful woman.¡±


    ¡°To go to bed with maybe, but she was hardly marriage material. The future queen should meet a


    certain standard.¡±


    ¡°Well, luckily, I will never live long enough to be King, so finding a queen that will meet your ridiculous


    standards is an issue I will not be forced to deal with.¡±


    Samuel sighed heavily at the reminder of his son¡¯s short life expectancy. It pained me to think about


    how his son would fall apart both meatily and physically. How, in a short time, he would bury his


    firstborn. It was a cruel God that would allow any father to outlive their child. Samuel had done all he


    could to save his son¡¯s life. He had sought out the best doctors, funded the research and paid for the


    best medical treatment in the world and still, he was forced to watch his son wither away. He was King,


    and he had more money and power than most, and still, he had to stand by helplessly. It was a pain he


    would wish on no man.


    ¡°Son, what I said at dinner¡­.¡± He sighed heavily, ¡°it was not said to be cruel. I am looking out for you. I


    was thinking of what was best for you, as I always am.¡±


    ¡°What is best for me?¡± Nichsughed. ¡°You never think about what is best for me.¡±


    ¡°That is not true,¡± he snapped, offended. ¡°I think about you all the time. I do everything within my power


    to save your life. To give you just a little longer so the doctors can find a cure.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nichs snarled. ¡°You keep me alive for your own selfish reasons. There is no cure, I have


    epted that truth, and you should too. If you thought about me for even one second, you would let


    me die. But because you are a selfish man, I will die a humiliating painful, drawn-out death. A withered


    husk in some hospices bed. Scared because I cannot even remember my name. Helpless because I


    cannot see, I cannot speak, I cannot move. That is my fate because of you. If you ever thought of me


    and what I want, you would let me die. You would let me go out on my own terms.¡±


    ¡°I have a right as a father¡­.¡±


    ¡°What about my rights?¡± He screamed at Samuel; his words dripped with seething anger. His hand


    fisted on the arms of the chair as he leaned forward. ¡°What about my right not to suffer? What about


    my right to leave this world the way I want? When will anyone consider what I want?¡± He then rose


    from his seat and took hold of Brutus¡¯ harness, and the dog led Nichs out of the room.


    ***


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Octavius made his way down the hall, making his round to see that the running of the manor was


    wless. With the rest of the royal family here, his duties had doubled. ¡°Oh, Octavius?¡± He heard the


    Queen call to him as she followed him down the hall. He stopped where he was, allowing Naya to


    reach him. She had a smile on her face when she reached him.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty? What might I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I am hearing buzz around the pce that Miss. Wells has left.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± he confirmed the rumours. ¡°His Majesty, the Prince, sent her home.¡±


    ¡°Oh, because I the impression she was staying here with Nichs.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that was true,¡± he said.


    ¡°Did he send her home because of what Samuel said at dinner?¡± She asked, eyeing his with that


    motherly look that said she already knew the answer to her question or at least suspected she knew


    the answer.


    ¡°I cannot assume to know the Prince¡¯s mind,¡± he said awkwardly. Nichs was his friend, and he owed


    it to him to keep his secrets. Then again, she was the Queen and lying to a member of the royal family


    was a federal crime, punishable by prison time.


    ¡°Alright, I will ask right out then. No beating around the bush,¡± oh, he really wished she would not. ¡°How


    did Nichs meet Miss. Wells?¡± He cringed. ¡°Octavius?¡± She said in a warning tone.


    He frowned. ¡°He met her through an escort service. She was the girl they sent him.¡±


    ¡°And she came to be in this house how?¡±


    ¡°His Majesty took a shine to her. They signed a contract that she would stay here and be at his beck


    and call for three months.¡±


    ¡°So, she is a prostitute,¡± she sighed. ¡°It figures,¡± it wasmon knowledge that Nichs had a taste


    for prostitutes. He¡¯d never had a real rtionship with anyone. Nichs preferred to fuck and send


    them packing. No strings, noplications. So, it must have confused his family greatly when he


    introduced Kinsley as his girlfriend. ¡°I knew something was up when Nichs said she was his


    girlfriend. I should have listened to my gut. Well then, good riddance to her.¡±


    Octavius frowned. He felt apelling need to be heard, but he knew he had no ce to speak his


    mind. ¡°Your Majesty, permission to be frank?¡±


    She seemed suddenly interested in what he wanted to say. ¡°Permission granted.¡±


    ¡°I have known his Majesty since we were children. He is my oldest and dearest friend. I have never


    seen him take to any woman the way he took to Miss Wells. He has feelings for the girl, and I am


    certain she has feelings for him too. She made him happy. He sent her away not because he was


    bored with her, but because he cares for her so much he does not want her to suffer watching him die.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying my son loves this girl?¡±


    ¡°I am saying I have never seen him happy since the day he was told he would die. Miss. Wells makes


    him happy. I know I should not say, but we all know he is not going to live much longer. She is not


    royalty nor of noble birth, but she makes him smile. Should not hisst days on this earth be filled with


    joy,¡± he hung his head respectfully. ¡°I am sorry, Your Majesty; It is not my ce. Forgive me.¡±


    She was quiet for a long moment. ¡°You are dismissed, Octavius.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty,¡± he bowed and then walked away.


    ***


    Matthew stood around the corner, his back against the wall as he listened to the private conversation


    between his mother and his brother¡¯s best friend. He smiled as Octavius told his mother his brother had


    taken yet another whore to his bed. Figures. He had to admit, though, that this one was very pretty.


    And she had somehow bewitched his brother. It made Matthew wonder how good she truly was. His


    interest was piqued. Well then, if Nichs was casting her out, perhaps he would take a crack at her.


    He wondered what her price was.

 Chapter 18: 18

    Chapter 18: 18


    Kinsley sat on the couch in her shorts and tank top, hugging a pillow and eating a tub of H?agen-Dazs


    and watching the news. It had been a week since Nichs sent her home, and she had spent most of


    the time crying. Her friends wanted her to go out, but she chose to stay home. Her heart was broken,


    and she did not feel like socializing.


    A knock at her door drew her attention from the TV. She put the ice cream down and stood up, tossing


    the pillow to the couch. She walked barefoot across her small apartment and opened the door. She


    was shocked to find Prince Matthew on the other side smiling at her. ¡°What do you want?¡± She asked,


    surprised to see him.


    ¡°Is that what passes for American hospitality?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry, Your Majesty, pleasee in,¡± Matthew stepped into her apartment but gestured for his


    two security guards to remain outside the door. He shut the door for her as she made her way to the


    kitchen. ¡°I¡¯d offer you a drink, but I am afraid I do not have anything but milk and OJ.¡±


    ¡°I am not thirsty.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± she stood in the kitchen, not knowing what to do now. Her initial question still in her mind. ¡°I am


    sorry I do not mean to be rude, but why are you here?¡± Suddenly her mind began to spin with horrible


    possibilities. ¡°Oh god, did something happen to Nichs?¡±


    Heughed. ¡°No, Nicky is fine. In fact, he is doing as he always does, draining the liquor cab and


    fucking the whores thate to the pce,¡± the news that Nichs had gone right back to screwing


    prostitutes made her heart ached all the more. She was missing him terribly, and he was already in bed


    with other women. His thin lips curved in a cruel grin. ¡°That cannot have been a surprise to you. After


    all, you are just one more prostitute to pass through his door.¡±


    She was shocked. How did he know they had met that way? ¡°How¡­?¡±


    ¡°Did I know?¡± Heughed. ¡°The whole family knows. You were not fooling anyone with that girlfriend


    bullshit. Nicky¡¯s never in his life had a girlfriend. He only likes prostitutes. Fuck them and send them


    packing is his MO. However, I am curious why he kept you around? What was so special about you?¡±


    He asked, eyeing her like a predator. ¡°I must confess I am eager to find out. So, what is your price?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± She snapped, offended.


    ¡°You are a prostitute; you have a price. Name it. I will do you one better. You tell me what Nicky¡¯s price


    was, and I will match it.¡±


    ¡°You have some nerve,¡± she snapped.


    He seemed all the more interested by her refusal. ¡°Interesting. Perhaps my father was right about you.


    Maybe you were aiming a little higher than marypensation. Maybe you are a social climber. Is


    that was it is? Were you hoping for a Pretty Woman ending¡± Heughed? ¡°This is the real-world doll.


    Nicky is not Richard Gere, and you are not Julia Roberts. But if you want to enjoy the high life for a little


    while, do not count me out. I am a prince, same as Nicky; I have all the same resources. Only there is


    one difference, unlike Nicky, I will live long enough to be King.¡±


    He spoke of his brother¡¯s demise with eager anticipation. ¡°That is callous.¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°It is the truth. Of course, Nicky is first in line for the throne. As the first-born son, it is his


    birthright,¡± he then grinned, almost giddy. ¡°But since he is dying, he will never live long enough to be


    crowned. And since he will never sit on the throne, my father¡¯s only other heir is me. So, first, Nicky will


    die, and then my father and I will inherit the kingdom. I just have to be patient,¡± he said, taking a few


    steps toward her. ¡°So, if you really want to live a charmed life, you would do better to fuck me, and in all


    truth, I am really curious to know what it is you do that has got my brother all twisted up,¡± he said,


    reaching up and stroking her hair.


    Kinsley pped his hand away. ¡°Do not touch me.¡±


    He chuckled with amusement. ¡°A whore that does not want to be touched. Is not that bad for


    business?¡±


    ¡°Get out of my apartment.¡±


    His smile faded. ¡°Hmm¡­ alright, because I am so intrigued I will double whatever Nicky¡¯s offer was.¡±


    ¡°I would not fuck you for a million dors,¡± she seethed.


    His eyes widened. ¡°Is that what Nicky offered you? Well then, I am all the more fascinated. You must


    really know how to suck a cock,¡± Kinsley¡¯s hand flew up and pped him hard across the face. She


    was livid. He took a moment to collect himself after the assault. ¡°I see you y rough. I like ying


    rough,¡± he said, grabbing her by the arm.


    ¡°Release her,¡± a woman¡¯s voice barked. They both turned to see Naya standing in the hall with two


    security guards nking her. She looked regal andmanding in her designer clothes and expensive


    fur coat.


    ¡°Mother,¡± Matthew said with strained respect, ¡°what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°You never mind what I am doing here. I said, release her,¡± shemanded.


    Kinsley looked at Matthew, who looked back at her and then let go and ran his fingers through his


    copper hair as he regained hisposure. ¡°Another time then.¡±


    ¡°I suggest you leave,¡± Naya ordered her son. Matthew said nothing, but he obeyed and left the


    apartment. When they heard the door close behind him, Naya shook her head. ¡°I apologize to my son.


    He can be¡­¡± She trailed off.


    ¡°An asshole?¡± Kinsley offered her the word she was trying not to say.


    ¡°You do your best as a parent, but sometimes nurture can not suppress nature,¡± she stepped closer.


    ¡°No parent wants to admit that their child is a¡­¡± She trailed off again. ¡°Well, all I can say is you should


    do your best not to be alone with Matthew.¡±


    Nichs had given her a simr warning about his brother, and she was starting to think there was


    something behind it. ¡°Not that I do not appreciate what you just did, but why exactly are you here?¡± She


    understood why Matthew hade, but she did not understand why this woman was standing in her


    apartment.


    ¡°Might I sit?¡± Naya asked as she gestured to the kitchen table. Kinsley nodded, and the two of them


    took a seat at her tiny table.


    ¡°Would you like a drink? I have milk and orange juice,¡± she offered.


    ¡°No, thank you, dear,¡± she rejected the offer as she removed first one silk glove and then the other. ¡°I


    shall get right to the point. I understand that you are a¡­ um¡­¡± Kinsley was pretty sure she wanted to


    say prostitute but could not bring herself to utter the word. ¡°Well, it is not important. What is important is


    that from what I hear from the son¡¯s staff is that no one has seen my son happy in years,¡± Kinsley could


    see Naya was struggling with what she wanted to say. ¡°Nichs was diagnosed when he was. He was


    ten. I have not seen my son smile since he was ten. But when he walked into the parlour with you, he


    was smiling. It was the first smile I¡¯d seen on my son¡¯s face in fifteen years. As a mother, I do not


    normally agree with his choice of women. But it is clear to everyone that you¡­¡± She choked back the


    emotion she was clearly feeling. ¡°You make him happy. Since you have left, he has been miserable. He


    locks himself in his room. He neveres out. He just drinks and the women¡­ It is heartbreaking to


    see him destroying himself again. Without you, he is lost. He has such precious little time left. If we


    cannot save my son¡¯s life, then I at least want his final days to be happy ones,¡± she reached across the


    table and took Kinsley¡¯s hand as she looked at her with pleading eyes. ¡°Pleasee back to him. I will


    pay you anything¡­ anything at all. Just name it.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I never wanted to leave. He sent me away. He does not want me there,¡± she said, trying


    to make the grief-stricken woman understand.


    ¡°But that is just it. He does want you. He misses you terribly. He is just so stubborn he will not admit it.¡±


    ¡°He will just send me away again.¡±


    ¡°Thene stay at the pce as my guest. He cannot send you away if you are there at my request.


    He may be a prince, but I am a Queen¡­ frankly, I outrank him,¡± she smiled yfully, which made


    Kinsley giggle. ¡°Please tell me you wille back with me. And together, we will wage war on my


    stubborn son.¡±


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°But there is also the King.¡±


    Naya made a noise like she understood Kinsley¡¯s misgivings. ¡°Yes, my husband. I apologize for his


    harsh critique. He is not a bad man; he is actually a very loving man. He just wants what is best for our


    son. Unfortunately, generations of conditioning have left him out of touch with today''s world. He will be


    more receptive to your rtionship; you have my word.¡±


    ¡°How can you be sure?¡± Kinsley asked.


    Naya offered her a wicked grin. ¡°Because behind every great man, there is a woman who knows how


    to make him purr. And if he wants to purr any time in the next decade, he will be polite,¡± Kinsley


    snickered. It was nice to know that even Kings were ruled by their desires. ¡°Pleasee back.¡±


    ¡°But everyone knows I am¡­.¡± She could say it; she could not say the word prostitute.


    ¡°It does not matter,¡± Naya said quickly. ¡°As long as Nichs is happy, you will be treated with the


    utmost respect. I will see to that. You have my word,¡± she then smiled warmly. ¡°Please do not make a


    Queen beg.¡±

 Chapter 19: 19

    Chapter 19: 19


    Nichs could feel the world move. He¡¯d been on a binge for days. Booze and rugs. He sat on the foot


    of the bed naked. He opened his mouth as the prostitute he had been killing time with ced the drug


    on his tongue. It dissolved immediately, and then she kissed his mouth. Nichsy back, but it felt like


    he was floating as hey back on the bed, the woman kissing her way down his body until her mouth


    wrapped around his cock.


    He closed his eyes and lost himself to the altered state of mind. If he was lucky, he would die right now


    at this moment. He¡¯d been popping far more of his medication than he should, mixing it with street


    drugs and copious amounts of hard liquor. He kept hoping he¡¯d overdose. That he would have a bad


    reaction and just stop his heart, but despite what he took or what he mixed it with, he was still here.


    He kept waking up.


    Why¡­ oh, why¡­ would not God just let him die?


    Nichs faded in and out of reality. He had no concept of the passage of time. He could not tell


    anymore what time of day it was or if he was even alone. He did not feel the woman anymore, and his


    buzz was fading. So, he got onto his unsteady feet and found his way to the washroom. He reached


    around the counter, feeling for his pill bottles. He did not know which one he had grabbed, but he


    removed the lid and tipped his head back to dump the pills into his mouth, but nothing came.


    Empty.


    He threw the bottle to the floor and opened another, tipping his head back to pour the pills in his mouth.


    Empty.


    He opened one after the next and always got the same result.


    Empty.


    Nichs growled and threw the bottle. Then in anger, he swept his arms across the counter, knocking


    everything to the floor. He was out of drugs. So much for dying in a chemical haze. He stood in the


    washroom. His hands braced on the counter as he thought about his life. He thought about Kinsley,


    and his heart ached.


    His father had forced Octavius to remove all sharp and dangerous objects from his room. Measures to


    be sure he could not slit his wrists. But Nichs was resourceful. Giving in to his deep-rooted anger, he


    drove his fist into the mirror and heard it shatter. His hand hurt, and he knew he had cut himself. He felt


    around until he found arge shard of ss. He held it in his palm and then sat down on the floor with


    his back against the shower door.


    He lifted his arm and pressed the broken ss to the flesh, and cut as deep as he could. The pain was


    bittersweet. He transferred the ss from one hand to the other and cut his other wrist, then dropped


    the ss. He could feel himself grow weak as the blood left his body; he felt peace. The pain was a


    sweet release. His arms dropped to his sides, and his head fell back against the ss door behind him.


    His eyes closed as he felt the world fade away.


    ¡°God damn it!¡± He heard a familiar voice snap. Octavius had walked in. He felt his friend grab clothes


    applying pressure to his wrists, doing his best to stop the bleeding.


    ¡°No,¡± Nichs whimpered weakly, trying to push Octavius away. He did not want to be saved. ¡°No. Let


    me die,¡± he barely managed, and then he slumped over and lost consciousness.


    ***


    When the car pulled up to the pce, there was an ambnce, two cop cars, a fire truck and a


    personal vehicle that was not one of theirs. Kinsley could see the concern on Naya¡¯s face. They got out


    of the car and ran inside. Naya rushed to her husband, who looked worried. ¡°Samuel, what is this?¡±


    She demanded. ¡°What has happened?¡±


    ¡°Nichs tried to take his life again,¡± Samuel told her. And she sobbed, covering her mouth with her


    hand. ¡°Dr. Horton and the EMTs are in his room with him trying to save his life. There¡¯s been no word


    yet.¡±


    Kinsley felt her heart almost stop. Had Nichs finally seeded in taking his own life? She felt tears


    fill her eyes, and she was forced to look away. She did not want these people to see her cry. The rest of


    the first responders were standing around talking. They waited in the parlour for what felt like an


    eternity. Kinsley said nothing, only listening to Samuel tell his wife how Octavius had found him. Kinsley


    felt weak, so she had chosen to sit while they waited for news.


    After what seemed like forever, Dr. Horton came into the room, removing bloodytex gloves. Everyone


    looked at him expectantly. Kinsley held her breath. ¡°He is resting,¡± a gasp of relief spread through the


    room. ¡°He cut fairly deep this time. I had to repair some of the damage. I have stitched him up and


    bandaged his wrists. I wish you would reconsider and allow me to take him to the hospital where he


    can be monitored.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Samuel shook his head. ¡°If he goes to the hospital for trying to kill himself, the press will have it all


    over the news. I will not have him humiliated. This stays between us.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Dr. Horton said. ¡°I noticed he has been abusing his medication. I will write you a


    prescription to rece the drug, but I suggest someone monitor them in the future. We will all leave


    now. I will return in a few days to see how he is doing. He needs rest,¡± they thanked the doctor for


    making a house call and then the staff showed the first responders and the doctor out.


    ¡°May I go up and sit with him?¡± Kinsley asked as she came to her feet.


    ¡°Of course, child,¡± Naya said with a weak smile.


    Kinsley did not wait for the staff to show her to Nichs¡¯ room. She knew the way. She opened the


    door to his room and went inside to find Octaviusing out of the washroom with a trash bag. He


    looked surprised to see her.


    ¡°Miss. Wells, how nice to see you. How horrible the circumstances.¡±


    ¡°It is nice to see you too, Octavius.¡±


    He looked at the bag in his hand. ¡°I was just cleaning up the mess. I will leave you alone,¡± he said,


    walking past her and leaving the room. He pulled the door closed behind him. She walked over to the


    bed where Nichs nowy. He was asleep in the middle of the bed topless. The nket up around


    his waist and his arms on top. Both his wrists wrapped in bandages. She walked over to the bed and


    sat down next to him. She stroked his hair and tried not to cry. She was upset that he would hurt


    himself this way. She leaned over and gently ced a soft kiss on his lips.


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    She heard him take a breath. As she sat up, she looked down at him as his eyes slowly opened. He


    stared straight ahead as he came to. ¡°Peaches?¡± He whispered, and she smiled. He smelled her


    perfume. She stroked his hair and then caressed his face. The stubble was rough against her hand. His


    lips curved in a weak smile. ¡°Am I dead? Is this heaven?¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°No. You are very much alive.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Are you really here, or am I hallucinating?¡±


    ¡°I am really here,¡± she kissed his forehead. ¡°You should rest. Sleep.¡±


    His eyes fell closed again, and she knew he was fading away again. He lifted a weak, trembling hand,


    and she ced her hand in his. ¡°Do not leave me.¡±


    ¡°Never,¡± she promised, and his hand fell away as he lost consciousness again. She would not leave


    him again. She did not care what he said. She was not going to let him send her away. When he


    recovered, she would stand her ground. This would never happen again.

 Chapter 20: 20

    Chapter 20: 20


    Nichs¡¯ throat was dry. He slowly opened his eyes. He saw nothing but light. It must have been


    daytime. He did not know how long he had been out of it. His mind was foggy. He sighed and closed


    his eyes again. He was still alive. God damn Octavius and his timing. He¡¯d had such a wonderful


    dream; He had dreamt that Kinsley hade to him. God, how he missed her.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Nichs opened his eyes. Did he hear the shower? Nichs sat up and listened. Yes, he heard


    running water. There was someone in his washroom.


    Secondster, the water stopped, and he could hear movement in the next room. A few minutester,


    the door opened, and whoever was in his washroom stepped out into the bedroom. Nichs smiled; he


    smelled¡­ peaches. ¡°Well, it is good to see you up,¡± he heard Kinsley¡¯s sweet voice. It had not been a


    dream. She really hade to him; he could not fight the smile that brightened his face. She should


    not be here. He did not want her watching him waste away. He knew every reason she should not be


    there, but he was happy she was.


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± he grinned and stood up. He reached out blindly until he found her and pulled her in his arms.


    He held her so close, moulding this wonderful woman to his body. He buried his face in her wet hair


    and inhaled him deeply. God, she smelled like heaven.


    He heard her giggle as she held him. ¡°I get the feeling you missed me?¡±


    The words just did note to him. He turned his face to hers and kissed her, his tongue slipping past


    her lips and sweeping her over hers. She tasted minty and clean. She must have just brushed. His lips


    lifted from hers as his hand caressed her face. ¡°It is so good to see you,¡± he said. ¡°So, to speak,¡± he


    could not actually see her, but he could picture in his mind what she looked like. His fingers grazed


    over the contours of her face. He could picture that button nose, those full plump lips, her big brown


    eyes, and that soft, wless toffee skin. He dragged his hand down her hair, letting the strands glide


    through his fingers like silk.


    No, he could not see her, but he could picture her in his mind¡¯s eye, and she was beautiful. An angel,


    flesh and blood. The image of her the night they met was permanently burned into his mind. He was


    not grateful for much in this life, but he was grateful he had the chance to see her splendour before he


    lost his vision. She was perfect that night, and, in his mind, she would always be perfect.


    He felt her hand touch his face, and he instinctively nuzzled his face against her palm. As happy as he


    was that she was there, nothing had changed. ¡°You should not be here,¡± he said quietly.


    ¡°I could not stay away.¡±


    He felt her take his hand and walk him back to the bed, and they both sat down. He reached up to


    touch her face once more, and she caught his hand in hers. She turned his hand to expose his


    bandaged wrists. He knew she was looking at the bandages, and she probably had tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she said his name with such sadness and disappointment. He felt her kiss the bandage


    right where the wounds would be. It was slight pressure painful, but he did not pull away from her


    loving gesture. ¡°Why? Why would you do this?¡±


    ¡°I have nothing to live for,¡± he said, doing his best to keep the emotion out of his voice.


    ¡°What about me? Live for me.¡±


    He pulled away and stood up, walking away. ¡°You should not be here, Kinsley. I do not want you here.¡±


    ¡°That is a lie, and we both know it,¡± he could hear soft footsteps cross the floor, and then her hand slid


    up his bare back and over his broad shoulders. Shey her head against his back, and he relished her


    touch.


    ¡°I do not want you to watch me die. I do not want yourst memory of me to be that withered corpus in


    some hospital bed hooked up to life support,¡± he ced his hand over hers. ¡°When you think of me, I


    want you to remember as I am. That will never happen if you watch her fall apart.¡±


    ¡°I want to be with the man I love, no matter how short the time. I want to sit by your bed and hold your


    hand while you pass away so that you go into the next life knowing you were loved,¡± he could not stop


    a tear from sliding down his cheek. ¡°Give me that, Nichs. I beg of you; let me take this journey with


    you.¡±


    Nichs turned and took her hands in his. He was facing her; he could only make out shapes and


    colours. If he had to guess, she was wearing something red. He reached his hand up andy it to the


    side of her face. ¡°Marry me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He could hear the surprise in her voice.


    ¡°Marry me,¡± he repeated.


    ¡°Are you serious? We have only known each other a month.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°I know I sound crazy. It''s really fast, but it is not like I have a lot of time to wait,¡± she was


    silent for a long time. ¡°I want a child.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He felt her take a step back. ¡°I want something to leave behind. Up until now, my life has been


    meaningless. If I die tomorrow, I leave no legacy. I will have been nothing more than a momentary blip


    in time. I will have made no impact and be forgotten immediately. But if I have a child, then a part of me


    lives on. I will have left something behind that says I was here.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, a child is¡­.¡±


    ¡°A bigmitment¡­ I know. And I know I will leave you to raise it alone. But this child will be royalty,


    and like royalty, my family will provide for both of you. You will never have to work again, and the child


    will want for nothing. And if the child is a boy, he will be King when my father dies. You will be the


    mother of a King. He could change the face of a nation. When I am gone, you will have a little piece of


    me to hold and love and be loved by, and my life will have meant something,¡± he then smiled. ¡°Of


    course, I would never dream of getting you pregnant without putting a ring on your finger first. I know


    we have not been together long. I know it is fast. I know I love you, and you are here, so you must love


    me. So, marry me, give me an heir¡­¡± He chuckled. ¡°Consider it thest request of a dying man.¡±


    She was silent. He wished he could see her face because he had no idea what she was thinking or


    feeling. He felt like he was out on a fragile limb that was bound to break and send him plunging to his


    death.


    ¡°I have one non-negotiable condition if I say yes.¡±


    ¡°Name it.¡±


    He felt her grab his wrist. ¡°This can never happen again if I marry you and give you a child. You have to


    live for us. You have to fight. You have to be here for as long as you can.¡±


    He thought about her request. ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Promise me, Nichs.¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    ¡°Then, I will marry you.¡±


    Nichs smiled and pulled her in his arms. For the first time in his life, he had something worth living


    for.

 Chapter 21: 21

    Chapter 21: 21


    Kinsley came rushing down the stairs when the maid told her that her family had finally arrived. It had


    been a week since Nichs had asked her to marry him, and they had kept it to themselves. They


    wanted to give Nichs time to recover from the incident. While his wrists were not healedpletely,


    the pain had faded, and he had regained his strength. Kinsley had wanted to have Nichs meet her


    family before they told everyone they were getting married, and he had suggested inviting them to the


    pce and having the two families have dinner together and telling them both at the same time.


    Nichs had warned his family about their guests, and there was some protest from Samuel and


    Matthew, but Naya was very supportive, and she assured Kinsley everyone would be nice during her


    family¡¯s visit. Kinsley had told her family on the phone that they would be dining with royalty and to


    dress ordingly and Much to her surprise Nichs even left the house to take her shopping and


    bought her a lovely dress appropriate for the asion.


    She reached the foyer where her parents and her little sister Evelyn came in. She ran over and hugged


    them each hello. They were all excited as they took in the pce¡¯s grandeur. ¡°Wow, when Mom said


    we were going to dinner at a pce, I thought she was pulling my leg,¡± Evelyn giggled as she looked


    around. ¡°This is a real to god pce right here in California,¡± Evelyn was eighteen, and she was going


    to University to be a vet. She no longer lived at home. She stayed in the dorms, but she visited every


    weekend to do herundry and mooch a meal. She was pretty with her short dark hair and curvy figure.


    ¡°I am still in awe,¡± their mother Dara said as she pressed out invisible wrinkles from her Sunday best., ¡°I


    hope we look ok.¡±


    ¡°You look fine,¡± Kinsley assured her. ¡°Hello, Daddy,¡± she kissed her father¡¯s cheek. He was dressed in


    the only suit he owned, looking as nervine as his wife. Andrew Wells was a man in his early fifties who


    had spent his whole life working in a warehouse. He was a white man of average build and height.


    Rather unremarkable, but he had fallen in love with his wife when he met her on vacation in Mexico. He


    had gone back every month to see her for six months, then married her and brought her home to


    America, and they had been together twenty-seven years.


    ¡°I hope we are notte,¡± he said. ¡°This ce is kind of out of the way.¡±


    ¡°That is because I value my privacy,¡± Nichs¡¯ voice boomed through the room. Kinsley turned, and


    they all watched as Nichs came down the stairs. He looked amazing. She had never seen him


    dressed up, but tonight he had shaven and brushed his hair. He was dressed in lightly tanned canvass


    dress pants with the leg tucked into the top of his tall leather boots. He wore a royal navy-blue double-


    breasted dinner jacket with gold embellishments and a white sash that draped over his right shoulder.


    He looked like prince charming right out of a fairy tale. In his right hand was Brutus¡¯ harness. Nichs


    had the staff wash and groom Brutus for the night, and the pure bread Doberman looked just as regal


    as his master. There was no mistaking Nichs for anything but royalty tonight.


    As he reached the floor, her nervous family all bowed, respectively. ¡°Everyone, this is Crowned Prince


    Nichs Kane, heir to the Kustium throne. Nichs, my family. My sister Evelyn. My Mother Dara. And


    my Father Andrew,¡± she introduced them all.


    ¡°A pleasure to meet you all. I apologize for themute, but I promise dinner will be worth the drive,¡±


    he said with a smile. Kinsley noticed how her family was staring at Nichs questioningly. Her father


    looked over his shoulder, wondering what Nichs was looking at since he would not look him in the


    eye. ¡°If you will follow me, I will show you to the dining room,¡± Nichs then started to walk away, and


    they began to follow, trailing behind him. ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± Andrew asked. ¡°He will not look


    at me.¡±


    Kinsley lowered her voice, so only her family would hear her. ¡°Nichs is blind.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, that exins why he is holding onto that dog so tight,¡± Dara said.


    ¡°He went blind fairly recently. Please do not make a big deal out of it. He is very sensitive about it,¡± she


    whispered as they walked into the dining room.


    Kinsley noticed Matthew and Teegan were already there. Like their brother, they looked every bit a


    well-bred as their brother did tonight. Kinsley had done her best to avoid Matthew this past week, but


    she had gotten to know Teegan, and they had be fast friends. Teegan was really sweet and down


    to earth for a princess.


    ¡°May I introduce my brother Matthew and my sister Teegan,¡± Teegan came around the table and shook


    everyone¡¯s hand, but Matthew just glowered as he drank his brandy. He was a foul-tempered man.


    Just then, a servant appeared in the door. ¡°All rise for his Majesty King Samuel Kane and her Majesty


    Queen Naya Kane,¡± he announced. Everyone stood, and Kinsley watched as Dara fussedte minute


    with her hair. Samuel and Naya walked in with her arm draped over his arm. Like their children, they


    were decked out in formal wear. They looked amazing as they came into the room with their heads held


    high.


    They all took their positions at the table and waited for Samuel to sit first before the rest of them took


    their seats.


    Naya smiled across the table ad, Dara. ¡°Oh, what dress you have on.¡±


    Dara grinned. ¡°Oh, thank you. I am afraid it is not as fine as the one you have on.¡±


    ¡°Mother, allow me to introduce Kinsley¡¯s mother and father, Dara and Andrew Wells, and their daughter


    Evelyn,¡± Nichs introduced everyone.


    ¡°It is a pleasure to meet you,¡± Naya said. ¡°I cannot tell you how fond we are of Kinsley. She really is a


    wonderful young woman. And our Nichs has really taken a shine to her. You did a fantastic job


    raising her.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you,¡± Dara said happily. ¡°I am afraid we are at a disadvantage. We did not even know


    Kinsley was seeing anyone until she invited us to dinner.¡±


    ¡°Well, hopefully, it is the first of many dinners,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°I must admit I thought Kinsley was pulling our leg when she told us Nichs was a real prince. I was


    not aware there were other monarchies out there besides the one in London.¡±


    ¡°There are very few left in the world,¡± Samuel said. ¡°We are one of them.¡±


    ¡°I have never heard of Kustium,¡± Andrew said as the maids ced the meals on the table. ¡°Where is


    it?¡±


    ¡°It is a small country in northeastern Europe.¡±


    ¡°What is it like out there?¡±


    ¡°It is wonderful. Thendscape is picturesque. Our economy is strong. We have many gold and


    diamond mines. We supply jewellers all over the world. Our diamonds are second to none,¡± Samuel


    said with pride.


    ¡°What do you do for a living, Mr. Wells?¡± Naya asked.


    ¡°Well, I am not a King. That is for sure,¡± he chuckled nervously. I am a skid steer operator at a


    warehouse.¡±


    ¡°A noble endeavour,¡± Naya smiled.


    ¡°It is not as important as ruler of a nation,¡± Andrew said.


    Naya chuckled. ¡°Do not sell yourself short. Every nation is like aplex machine. Every cog and gear,


    no matter how small, is vital, or the machine will fail to work.¡±


    Samuel smiled lovingly at his wife and took her hand in his giving it a little squeeze, and Kinsley could


    see the love between them. ¡°My wife,¡± Samuel grinned, ¡°ever the idealist. Without her, I would lose


    touch with themon man. She keeps me grounded. She is the loving hand behind the crown, and


    the people love her as much as I do.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of love,¡± Nichs spoke up, drawing the attention of the whole table. He reached out, and


    Kinsley put her hand in his so he did not have to search for her. ¡°Kinsley and I have a confession to


    make. There was an ulterior motive to suggesting this ¡®get to know you¡¯ dinner. Kinsley and I are getting


    married.¡±


    The room fell deadly quiet. ¡°You hardly know each other,¡± Samuel blurted out.


    ¡°Given that, I do not have a lot of time left in this world. We figured, why should we wait.¡±


    ¡°I think¡­¡± Samuel began.


    ¡°That it is a glorious idea,¡± Naya cut him off with a stern look. She then leaned over in her seat and


    hugged Kinsley. ¡°I am so excited to have you as part of our family.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley, dear, are you sure?¡± Dara asked. ¡°Marriage is for life, and you do not know him very well.¡±


    ¡°I know all I need to know,¡± Kinsley assured her.


    ¡°Besides, it is not forever,¡± Nichs said. ¡°At best, maybe four years, five if we are lucky.¡±


    Her family looked confused. ¡°I am afraid Nichs has a rare condition,¡± Naya exined. ¡°He is dying.


    Nichs is at the end of his life, expectancy,¡± Kinsley could see the pain in Naya¡¯s eyes as she talked


    about the fate of her son.


    ¡°All the more reason not to wait,¡± Nichs said. ¡°We have also discussed it, and we will be starting a


    family right away.¡±


    Naya¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Grandchildren? How wonderful. I never thought Nichs would give us


    grandchildren. Are you pregnant already?¡± She asked, hopefully.


    ¡°No. Not yet.¡±


    ¡°I think that is fantastic,¡± Teegan grinned. ¡°I am going to love being an aunt.¡±


    Kinsley could not help but notice Matthew had stopped drinking. His grip on the ss in his hand left


    him white-knuckled. His brows were drawn together in anger. His teeth were clenched, and his left eye


    was twitching. He was not pleased with the news.


    ¡°A child,¡± Samuel smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s pray; it is a son. You will leave me an heir,¡± that was when it donned on


    her. Matthew was angry because if she bore Nichs, a son, their child would be king, not


    Matthew. He will have been robbed of the throne he had been waiting so patiently to inherit. She found


    some pleasure in that knowledge.


    ¡°I, for one am absolutely delighted,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°I am going to have a sister,¡± Teegan grinned. ¡°How wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions, Kinsley. I do not think it is possible to do better than a prince,¡± Evelyn teased.


    ¡°Well, if you are happy, then we are happy for you,¡± Andrew said.


    ¡°I cannot wait to start nning the wedding,¡± Dara said.


    ¡°Kinsley was happy that everyone was happy. Everyone except Matthew, but she could not care less if


    he approved or not.


    ¡°Well, I guess that means we are all family now,¡± Naya giggled as she picked up her wine and lifted it to


    make a toast. ¡°To family.¡±


    ¡°To my future heir,¡± Samuel said, lifting his ss. ¡°You two had best get on it.¡±


    Everyone lifted their sses and drank to the union. Naya put her ss down and ced her hand


    over Kinsley¡¯s. ¡°We will have to start nning the wedding right away,¡± she then looked at Dara. ¡°With


    your help, of course.¡±


    ¡°Oh, how exciting,¡± Dara grinned.


    ¡°We shall have the wedding in Kustium,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°At the pce,¡± Teegan suggested. ¡°Oh, Kinsley, the Grand Pce is beautiful this time of year. You


    will love it.¡±


    ¡°Kustium,¡± Andrew frowned. ¡°That is so far away. It sounds expensive.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense,¡± Nichs piped up. ¡°We will pay for everything, including airfare.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Samuel agreed.


    ¡°We must speak to Dr. Horton and be sure he cane to Kustium for the wedding. I do not want


    Nichs too far from his caretaker,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°Do not bother the doctor,¡± Nichsined. ¡°I am sure he is busy.¡±


    ¡°Pish-posh. I am sure he would think of it as an all-expense paid vacation,¡± Naya said, ignoring his


    protest.


    ¡°I think it is a good idea,¡± Samuel agreed with his wife.


    ¡°Do I get a say in this?¡± Nichs asked. With annoyance.


    ¡°No,¡± they both snapped. Kinsley took his hand in hers. ¡°Nichs, it is a good idea. I do not want you


    dropping dead on our wedding night.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Alright. For you, I withdraw my objection.¡±


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Wow, look at that, not married yet, and already pussy whipped,¡± Matthew grumbled.


    ¡°Shut up. You are just pissed of that you could not get her to put out for you,¡± Kinsley¡¯s eyes widened,


    as did the eyes of everyone at the table except Matthew¡¯s, who just glowered at his brother. ¡°Judging


    from the silence in the room, I am picturing dropped jaws. Yes, I know about Matthew¡¯s attempt to sleep


    with Kinsley. I may be blind, but I know everything that goes on.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Kinsley asked awkwardly.


    ¡°Stephan,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°He told me that Matthew asked him to drive him to your apartment.


    Knowing my brother as I do, I deduced he was going to proposition you. He is so predictable. All our


    lives, Matthew has always wanted what was mine.¡±


    Matthew picked up his wine and stood up, adjusting his jacket. ¡°I have a toast,¡± he said, raising his


    ss. ¡°To Nichs, may you drop dead before your nuptials,¡± he snarled with a cruel smile and then


    drained his wine ss in one shot.


    ¡°Matthew!¡± Samuel snapped as his son ced his ss on the table and then stormed out of the dining


    room.


    Kinsley looked at Nichs, who was actually chuckling with great amusement. The only one at the


    table with a smile. ¡°I do believe someone is a bit testy tonight,¡± he grinned as he reached for his wine


    and took a sip.


    ¡°Ignore him,¡± Naya said to Kinsley. ¡°He is just upset about session. He will get over it ande


    around,¡± she assured her. The family seemed to think Matthew¡¯s outburst was nothing more than a


    childish tantrum, but after the conversation they had back at her apartment, she was not so sure.


    ***


    Matthew stormed up to the bar in the salon and poured himself a strong drink. So, Nichs suddenly


    wanted a family. Fuck, that threw a wrench in his ns for the future. He knew married or not, Nichs


    would never live to be crowned. That had not changed. However, if that bitch gave him a son, that child


    would inherit the crown, and Matthew would be passed over.


    He was not losing his chance at the throne just because his asshole brother suddenly got baby fever.


    He could not allow that slut to get pregnant. He would move heaven and earth to prevent it. If he had to


    make a deal with the Devil himself, but Nichs¡¯ child would never be born.

 Chapter 22: 22

    Chapter 22: 22


    ¡°That went well,¡± Kinsley said happily as she walked into the washroom and stood in front of the mirror,


    removing her earrings. ¡°I honestly was not sure they would get along or be happy about our


    engagement. I must say I am pleasantly surprised,¡± she reached for the pins in her hair, letting her long


    locks tumble down her back and over her shoulders.


    ¡°My mother will have the wedding nned by noon tomorrow if you allow her,¡± he said from the other


    room. ¡°We could be married by the end of the week.¡±


    ¡°She can n a wedding that quickly?¡± She asked,ing back into the bedroom to watch him remove


    his sash and unbutton his dress Jacket.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°My father thinks he runs a nation, but the truth is he is a figurehead. My mother pulls his strings. If she


    micromanages an entire country, she can n an extravagant wedding in her sleep,¡± he said as he


    shrugged out of his jacket.


    She smiled as she watched him go about undressing. He moved around the room with ease now. It


    was as if he had every inch of the room memories. He did not need his cane or Brutus¡¯ help to find his


    way around. So long as the made did not move anything, he was good. Unfortunately, it was the only


    room in the house where he had the confidence to move around unaided.


    He draped his jacket over the chair in the corner and then proceeded to unbutton his white linen shirt.


    Kinsley leaned against the washroom door, watching him undress. It was such an erotic sight. The man


    had an incredible body, and he belonged to her. Kinsley crossed the short distanceing up behind


    him as he tossed his shirt onto the chair with his jacket. She ran her hands up his toned back and over


    his strong shoulders, cing a feather-light kiss to the back of his neck. ¡°You look amazing tonight,¡±


    she purred against his skin. ¡°Like a fairy tale prince, I felt like Cindere watching youe down the


    stairs.¡±


    ¡°It is amazing what a shave and some fine clothes will do for a man¡¯s image,¡± she slipped around him


    until she was in front of him, her hands moving down his chest and belly.


    ¡°This polished regal look is so sexy,¡± she purred, brushing her lips over him but refraining from actually


    kissing him. ¡°Makes a girl¡­ hot,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Does it now?¡± He was grinning. He dipped his head and grazed his lips over her ear. ¡°And what does


    that make you want to do?¡±


    She giggled and shoved him hard. He fell back against the bed, and she reached for his belt. Kinsley


    tugged his pants off and then his shorts. She dropped to her knees and took his thick manhood in her


    hand, wrapping her mouth around the head and sucked. He groaned with pleaser and rxed back


    against the bed as she slid him in and out of her mouth, sucking and twirling her tongue around the


    shaft and tip.


    His hand fisted in her hair as she worshipped his cock. ¡°Oh fuck, it is so good,¡± he moaned, his face


    twisted in pleasure. ¡°I am so close. Fuck me, Kinsley; I want to cum inside you.¡±


    She rose to her feet and removed her clothes. She climbed on top of him, straddling hisp. Kinsley


    sunk down on his erection, taking him deep. She purred at the feel of him filling her. He always felt so


    good.


    His hands gripped her hips, and he rocked her. ¡°Yeah, just like that. Ride me hard,¡± he moaned.


    Nichs sat up, and his mouth closed around her nipple, sucking hard, making her shudder with


    delight. Her arms twined around his neck; her fingers lost in his dark hair holding him close. Every


    moment in his arms was sheer delight. His body made herse to life.


    His lips lifted from her breast and found hers in a demanding, heated kiss. ¡°I love fucking your tight little


    body,¡± he purred against her lips. ¡°It is sheer fucking heaven.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Nichs,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I love the way my name sounds on your lips,¡± he said, kissing her neck.


    ¡°Oh god, Nichs, I am going to cum.¡±


    ¡°Me too,¡± his hand gripped her hips and forced her down harder, driving himself deeper and pushing


    them both over the edge. Her body shook as he spilled his seed into her. As the bliss faded, they held


    each other, their bodies stilled. The aftermath was wonderful, just holding one another and enjoying the


    closeness. It was in moments like this when life seemed perfect.


    ***


    A strangled groan drew Kinsley from her sleep. She rolled over in the dark and reached out for


    Nichs, only to find herself alone. The room was pitch ck. She reached for the clock on the


    nightstand and tried to focus on the time. It was three in the morning. She tossed back the covers and


    got out of bed.


    Kinsley made her way to the washroom. The lights were out, and the room was dark. She reached out


    and turned on the light to find Nichs on his knees, bent over the toilet, vomiting. His whole body


    shook with the effort. Kinsley came to his side, and she stroked his hair, which was wet with sweat. She


    looked him over. His flesh was pale, and he was perspiring profusely. His hands gripped the sides of


    the bowl so tightly they were white-knuckled.


    He heaved again, his whole body shaking, and she wondered how long he had been in here. Kinsley


    knelt down next to him, rubbing his back and trying tofort him. She nced in the bowl and


    instantly became concerned. He was not bringing up vomit, no what he brought up was green bile


    mixed with blood. She was greatly concerned. They sat there for a few more minutes, and then


    Nichs stretched his arm out over the seat andy his weary head on his arm. His eyes closed. Poor


    thing was all worn out.


    With some coaxing, she managed to convince Nichs to go back to bed. She helped him to his


    unsteady feet and walked him back to the bed. Once he wasfortable, he fell asleep almost


    immediately. She returned to the washroom and cleaned up, then turned out the light and returned to


    bed. She would have to bring this up with his family in the morning.

 Chapter 23: 23

    Chapter 23: 23


    Dr. Horton removed the blood pressure cuff and tucked it into his bag. ¡°Well, I am concerned,¡± he said.


    ¡°You are anemic and emaciated. What have you been eating?¡±


    ¡°He has not,¡± Kinsley answered for him. ¡°He barely eats anything.¡±


    ¡°Well, that would exin why you are weak, underweight, and malnourished. You must eat,¡± Dr. Horton


    scolded.


    ¡°Eating makes me nauseated,¡± Nichsined.


    ¡°Well, if you do not eat, you will die. You are starving yourself; your body is actually starting to eat itself.


    If you keep on this path, you will start losing muscle mass, and you will look like an anorexic thirteen-


    year-old girl.¡±


    Nichs shrugged like he did not care. Kinsley had to do something she could not sit by and allow him


    to starve himself to death. ¡°If you do not start eating, I will not marry you,¡± she threatened.


    His face took on an annoyed expression. ¡°You would threaten me?¡±


    ¡°Nichs, I want what is best for you, and you promised me to do what you must to survive. Listen to


    Dr. Horton. If you do not, then you are breaking your promise to me, and I will not marry you,¡± she tried


    to reason with him.


    He sighed. ¡°Fine, I will eat.¡±


    Kinsley looked over and Dr. Horton, who stood by the King and Queen. All three of them smiled at her,


    and Naya gave her a nod of respect for the way she handled Nichs. In the short time his mother was


    here, Kinsley had picked up a few tricks on how to manage difficult men.


    ¡°Very good,¡± Dr. Horton smiled. ¡°I want you on a high protein diet. You must ingest a minimum of 2000


    calories a day. As for the blood, I am certain it was because you were vomiting up the lining of your


    stomach, given that you had no food in your system. I will give you a prescription for something to


    settle your stomach, but if the blood persists, I want you to go to a hospital. I am going to schedule an


    ultrasound so we can take a more in-depth look and be sure it is nothing more serious.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Nichs grumbled.


    ¡°I will walk you out,¡± Naya offered as she showed Dr. Horton to the door. No doubt to speak to him


    about hising to the wedding.


    ¡°I will go see how lunch ising along,¡± Teegan said as she too left the room. At that moment,


    Octavius came into the room and whispered to Samuel. Then they both excused themselves from the


    room. Kinsley now stood in the room with Nichs seated in the armchair with Brutus next to him and


    Matthew, who had been silent up until this point.


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± Matthew spoke up. ¡°Would you be so kind as to leave us? I wish a moment with my brother.¡±


    Kinsley was suspicious, but he kissed Nichs¡¯ forehead and left the brothers alone to speak in


    private.


    ***


    Matthew walked to the door as Kinsley left. He shut the door to close them off to the view of those


    passing by the door. ¡°What do you want, Matthew?¡± Nichs asked with a hint of hostility in his voice.


    ¡°So abrasive,¡± Matthew said as he walked over to the bar and poured them both a ss of bourbon. ¡°Is


    it so terrible I wish some time alone with my brother?¡± He said, reaching into the inner pocket of his


    jacket. He removed a vile of arsenic. Removing the cap, he poured the poison into one of the sses


    and quickly stirred it until it was dissolved into the liquid.


    ¡°You want something,¡± Nichs used.


    ¡°You are right again, brother,¡± he said, picking up both sses and walked over to Nichs, who sat in


    his chair, unaware of what his brother had done. Matthew offered Nichs the poisoned drink. He


    epted. ¡°I wanted a moment to apologize for the things I said at dinner the other night. They were


    cruel. I was being petty and having a tantrum. I want you to know that I wish you no harm. Despite our


    differences, you are my brother, and I love you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Matthew.¡±


    ¡°A toast then,¡± Matthew said. ¡°To forgiveness,¡± he held out his ss and nked it lightly with the one


    in Nichs¡¯ hand. He watched with a smile as Nichs lifted the ss to his mouth and drank it back.


    Matthew had a n; he would kill his brother before he could sire a child. With poison, he would make


    Nichs ill, gradually increasing the dosage, making him sicker and sicker. His failing health would be


    attributed to his condition, and no one would suspect he was slowly being killed. Then in a few weeks,


    he¡¯d slip him a fatal dose and happily attend his brother¡¯s state funeral. Keeping him sick would


    guarantee he had no strength to have sex and prevent Kinsley from conceiving. Nichs¡¯ death would


    secure his birthright. And in the off-chance, Kinsley got pregnant anyway¡­ well then, he¡¯d just have to


    kill her too.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ***


    Kinsley sat in the media room watching some TV and flipping through a Modern Bride magazine,


    looking at the dresses and trying to decide what kind of dress she wanted. Naya had told her to find a


    concept she liked and that they would have the royal family¡¯s seamstress custom make the gown for


    her wedding. She was looking at a stunning empress gown when she looked up to see Nichse


    in being lead by Brutus. That dog had been a great find. In a short time, Nichs had fallen in love,


    whit his four-legged friend, and they were inseparable.


    ¡°Octavius said I would find you in here,¡± he said as he came over to the chair next to hers.


    ¡°How did you know the room was not empty?¡± She asked yfully.


    ¡°Peaches,¡± he grinned.


    She giggled. ¡°I think I should change my perfume.¡±


    ¡°Do not you dare? I havee to love that smell,¡± he snickered. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Looking through a magazine trying to decide what kind of dress I want.¡±


    ¡°I wish I could see you in your dress. But I am sure whatever you pick, you will be enchanting,¡± that is


    right; he would not be able to see her in her dress. Kinsley frowned. That was kind of a downer. What


    was the point of a beautiful gown if her bridegroom could not see her in it? She could wear a bag, and


    he would not know the difference. She sighed and closed the magazine, tossing it on the small table


    between them. ¡°That did not sound like a happy sigh,¡± he noted the change in her.


    ¡°It is nothing.¡±


    ¡°Well, I know when women say ¡®It is nothing,¡¯ it really means ¡®you have fucked up, and now you have to


    guess how.¡¯¡± She chuckled, and he took her hand in his. ¡°What is wrong?¡±


    ¡°You are not going to see me in my dress. I always thought when I walked down the aisle that my


    husband would see how beautiful I look and cry. But you will not see me.¡±


    ¡°What if I promise to cry anyway?¡± He teased.


    She smiled. ¡°It is not the same.¡±


    ¡°If it is any conciliation, I wish I could see you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be able to see if that stupid tumour was not pressing on your nerve. It is just our luck; it would be


    inoperable,¡± she shook her head. ¡°Listen to me, whine like a spoiled kid. You are the one that cannot


    see, and I amining. I know it is out of your control. I just wish¡­ it does not matter,¡± she said.


    He went quiet, and then he reached into his jacket. ¡°I have something that might pick up your spirits,¡±


    he said, taking a small box from his pocket. ¡°I went into town with Teegan, and she helped me pick this


    out,¡± he said, opening the box to show her a rose gold ring with a pink heart-shaped gem with two


    matching smaller gems on either side set into the band and surrounded by many tiny diamonds


    arraigned to look like leaves. It was breathtaking. ¡°It is a Morganite stone. Now I know diamonds are


    traditional for engagement rings, but I personally like the way Teegan said this looked. A heart cut gem


    for the woman that holds my heart.¡±


    Kinsley smiled as he took the ring from the box and reached for her hand. He slipped it on her finger,


    and she held her hand out, admiring the way it looked on her finger. ¡°I love it, Nichs. It is so


    beautiful.¡±


    A knock at the door drew their attention to find Naya standing in the doorway. ¡°Sorry to interrupt you


    two, but Kinsley, your mother and sister, are here to go over the wedding ns.¡±


    ¡°I aming,¡± she promised. ¡°I am sorry, Nichs, we will spend some time togetherter,¡± she


    promised.


    He just grinned. ¡°Go¡­ n. I can wait.¡± She rose to her feet and kissed his cheek, then made her way


    to the door. ¡°Kinsley,¡± he said quickly before she left the room. ¡°It is going to be alright¡­ I promise,¡± she


    did not understand what he meant, but she did not have the time to go into it right now, so she just left


    her where he was.

 Chapter 24: 24

    Chapter 24: 24


    ¡°Right this way, Your Majesty,¡± the nurse at the desk said as she led him and Brutus into Dr. Horton¡¯s


    office. ¡°Please take a seat,¡± he reached around until he felt the chair. Sitting down, he told Brutus toy


    down, and he did so at Nichs¡¯ feet. He heard the nurse¡¯s footsteps as she left the room, and then he


    heard Dr. Hortone into the room.


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± He heard the doctor¡¯s voice. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Same as always.¡±


    ¡°Have you been eating?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± not that it made him feel any better. It had been five days since he¡¯d seen Dr. Horton, and he had


    been violently ill every day along with terrible headaches, cramping in both his stomach and muscles.


    ¡°Good to hear. Well, I scheduled the ultrasound for a week from Monday.¡±


    ¡°That is not why I am here.¡±


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Oh, then why are you here?¡± Dr. Horton asked with interest.


    ¡°My eye,¡± he said. ¡°There has to be something, anything we can do to restore my vision. I have heard


    that sometimes an organ transnt can help the blind see.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, that is true.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s do that.¡±


    ¡°It is not that easy, Nichs. There is nothing wrong with your eyes. The organ itself is fine and healthy.


    The problem is therge tumour pressing on your optic nerve. So long as that tumour exists, you will


    not see. And as it grows, it will only restrict your vision more.¡±


    ¡°Then, cut it out.¡±


    ¡°I cannot. I told you the location of the tumour in your brain has rendered it inoperable. I cannot cut it


    out without lobotomizing you.¡±


    ¡°There must be something we can do. There is always something. How do you treat inoperable


    tumours?¡±


    The room was quiet, at the doctor thought. ¡°Well, if you are willing, we can try chemotherapy. With


    radiation treatment, it might be possible to shrink the tumour, and if we can make it small enough, it


    might reduce the pressure on the nerve and possibly restore your vision.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try that,¡± Nichs said.


    ¡°I must warn you there are side effects. Such as fatigue.¡±


    ¡°I am already fatigued.¡±


    ¡°Loss of appetite and nausea,¡± Nichs shrugged. He already suffered that daily. ¡°Digestive problems,


    dry or sore throat or mouth, cough or shortness of breath, dry/red or itchy skin, and even hair loss.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am sure it is going to be miserable,¡± Nichs said. ¡°When do we start?¡±


    ***


    ¡°You did what?¡± Kinsley asked in disbelief as she sat next to Nichs at the table. Matthew was trying


    not to smile. Nichs had just told the whole family at dinner that he had gone and agreed to


    chemotherapy in an attempt to reduce the tumour in his brain that was causing his blindness.


    Everyone was concerned about the side effects and how Nichs would weather them. Personally,


    Matthew was giddy about the whole idea. The chemotherapy would mask the side effects of the poison


    he was slipping his brother. He was already showing symptoms, but as anticipated, the me was


    ced squarely on his illness.


    While Nichs was eating more than he used to, he still ate very little, so slipping the poison in his food


    was not smart. But Matthew had taken to sharing a drink with Nichs after dinner each night. They


    talked about the future and how Nichs was feeling. It was all a trick giving Matthew the opportunity


    to poison his brother¡¯s bourbon. After drinks, Nichs would retire to his room, and so would Matthew.


    His room was right next to his brothers, and listening to Nichs get violently ill all night was like music


    to Matthew¡¯s ears. Now, this Chemotherapy was like icing on the cake. It honestly could not be any


    more perfect.


    ¡°Dr. Horton says that with radiation treatments, the tumour might shrink and relieve the pressure on my


    optic nerve. I might get my vision back,¡± Nichs said.


    ¡°Radiation might also kill the healthy cells around the tumour,¡± Kinsley said. ¡°Nichs, you are talking


    about irradiating your brain. You could end up doing more damage than good.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley is right,¡± Samuel said, supporting her. ¡°I do not think it is worth the risk.¡±


    ¡°I thought you all wanted me to seek treatment?¡± Nichs snapped.


    ¡°We do, but not if it is going to be risky like this,¡± his mother said. ¡°It is not worth the risk.¡±


    ¡°If I do not try this, I am going to be blind for the rest of my life,¡± Nichs snapped.


    ¡°Being blind is not that bad, Nichs,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°Says the woman who can see,¡± Nichs growled.


    Kinsley took his hand. ¡°Nichs¡­¡±


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± he stopped her short, ¡°I want to see my bride,¡± he had effectively silenced her protest and


    made her cry. Matthew could not help but feel this was a reference to a previous conversation he had


    not been privy to.


    ¡°Personally, I think it is a wonderful idea,¡± Matthew piped up. ¡°I support your brother.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Matthew,¡± Nichs returned. Matthew smiled. Honestly, this was too easy. The throne was


    as good as his.

 Chapter 25: 25

    Chapter 25: 25


    Kinsley sat in the waiting area at the hospital with Nichs. She hade with him for his first bout of


    therapy. Traffic had been light, and they wound up early, so they were waiting in the private waiting


    area outside the radiation room. They were waiting when a nurse came out and told them that they


    would have to wait another hour. There was a six-car pileup on the freeway, and the whole freeway


    was at a standstill, and Dr. Horton was stuck in traffic. She asked if Nichs would like to reschedule,


    but he did not want to. His day was free, so he decided to wait.


    As the nurse left, Kinsley sighed. ¡°I hate waiting in hospitals; there is never anything to do,¡± she said,


    picking up the remote to the TV mounted in the corner of the small closed-off waiting room.


    Nichs grinned. ¡°At least you can see the TV,¡± he teased. She smiled and turned the channel to a


    reality TV show about models. Nichs frowned when the host mentioned the name of the show. ¡°You


    know I am not deaf, right? I can still hear this crap.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Sheughed and yfully punched him in the shoulder. ¡°It is not that bad.¡±


    ¡°It is torture.¡±


    ¡°Ok, what do you do when you have to wait in the hospital?¡± She watched as his mouth curved in a sly


    smile, and his hand went to her bare knee, slowly sliding up her thigh, pushing the hem of her skirt


    higher.


    ¡°I can think of something fun to do.¡±


    ¡°We are in the middle of the hospital,¡± she reminded him.


    ¡°I say we slip into the private washroom, and you elevate my heart rate.¡±


    Kinsley nced at the open door to the wheelchair assessable washroom connected to the waiting


    room, and she bit her bottom lip. It had been a few days since they had fooled around. Nichs had


    been so sick and weaktely, so the fact that he was feeling frisky was promising and tempting. The


    location was iffy, but then if she waited until they got home, he would far too sick from the radiation to


    do anything but sleep. ¡°I do not know it is such a public ce,¡± she was not sure this was a good idea.


    Nichs leaned over, and his lips brushed her ear as he whispered. ¡°I will lick your pussy until you cum


    all over my face.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± she said quickly, feeling that tingle of need building between her legs.


    They both got up, and with his hand in hers, Kinsley led Nichs into the washroom. Since animals


    were not allowed in the hospital, Nichs had chosen his cane to get around today. Once in the


    washroom, Kinsley locked the door while Nichs leaned his cane against the wall.


    Kinsley came to stand in front of Nichs, and she kissed his lips. Nichs backed her up against the


    wall kissing a path down her body as he sank to his knees in front of her. His hands pushed up her skirt


    and took hold of the sides of her panties, pulling them down her slender legs. Kinsley leaned back


    against the wall as he lifted one leg up over his shoulder, allowing his mouth the best ess to her


    already damp womanhood.


    Her head fell back against the wall, and her eyes closed as his tongue slid along her slick cleft. His


    skilled mouth worked her sensitive flesh licking and sucking until she was mindless with pleasure. He


    sucked her clit into his mouth and forced two long fingers deep into her. Her fingers threaded through


    his dark hair while he worshipped her and made her body shake with release.


    When the pleasure faded, Nichs stood up and kissed her full on the mouth, his tongue sweeping


    hers. She could taste her pleasure on his lips. His hands on her hips, Nichs lifted Kinsley off her feet


    and sat her on the edge of the sink. He reached down and quickly freed his erection. Pulling her legs


    around his waist Nichs drove himself deep into her in one thrust, forcing her to take him all on entry,


    and she moaned with pleasure.


    Kinsley leaned back, bracing her hands on the edge of the sink and rocking her hips up against


    Nichs as he drove into her over and over. It was not long before Nichs threw back his head and


    groaned as his body shook with his release.


    ¡°Is this how you normally kill time in the hospital?¡± Kinsley asked yfully as he stepped back and fixed


    his pants.


    ¡°Usually, it is Octavius sitting in the seat next to mine,¡± he said, reaching for his cane. ¡°You are far


    prettier than he is.¡±


    Kinsley hopped down and fixed her clothes, then she opened the door, and they returned to their seats.


    ¡°So, what do you normally do with Octavius when you are waiting?¡±


    ¡°I do not wait very often. I am royalty; people, including hospital staff, will bend over backwards and


    rush things in a timely fashion for people with wealth and power.¡±


    ¡°That is not fair.¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°The world is not fair. If it were, the horse would ride half the time.¡±


    ¡°So, when you do wait, what do you do?¡±


    ¡°Octavius carries a deck of cards in his jacket. When we must wait, we y cards. But I have a lot


    more fun with you,¡± he grinned.


    The door to the waiting room opened, and the nurse walked in. ¡°Your Majesty, we are ready for you.¡±


    Kinsley felt nervous, and it looked like Nichs did too as he held his cane with both hands and stared


    nkly. ¡°Here goes nothing.¡±


    She still thought this was a bad idea, but he was hell-bent on doing it so she would be as supportive as


    possible. ¡°I will be here when you get out.¡±


    ***


    Nichs had changed into a hospital gown and was told to leave his cane in the outer room. Holding


    on to the nurse¡¯s arm, he was led into a room and over to a table. ¡°Up you go, Your Majesty,¡± she said


    as she helped him climb up onto the narrow table andy t on his back. ¡°Now I am just going to ce


    the radiation mask we made the other day over. Remain still.¡±


    He hade in a few days ago and spent what felt like forever as the hospital staff made a mould of


    his head, neck, and shoulders so they could make a mask to help them with the therapy. It had been a


    strange and somewhat anxious experience.


    As hey on the table, he felt the finished mask ced over him, and then he heard the click as they


    snapped it down in ce, and he was no longer able to move. He could feel his anxiety rise. With not


    being able to see, he was freaking out, imagining all sorts of horrible things.


    ¡°Ok, I am going to leave the room,¡± she said as she pressed a button and the table lifted. ¡°You are


    going to be alone, but we can hear you from the other room where we will monitor your treatment. You


    are going to hear the machine, but all is well. Try to stay calm and do not move.¡±


    He then heard her footsteps as she left the room and then heard the sound of a door open and close.


    He was alone. Suddenly there was a loud nk followed by a humming buzzing sound. He was doing


    his best not to move, but he had to admit he was out of sorts. This was intimidating. He was trying not


    to freak out, but his breaths wereing quick and shallow.


    ¡°You are doing great, Nichs,¡± he heard Dr. Horton¡¯s voicee over a speaker. ¡°It is only a few


    more minutes.¡±


    A few more minutes? He felt like he¡¯d been trapped on this table forever.


    Nichs closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. He was not going to freak out. He tried to


    remember why he was doing this ¡ª trying to picture Kinsley¡¯s pretty face. Telling himself, this was the


    only way he could see her smile again. He wanted to see those rich dark eyes gazing lovingly up at him


    when he took her as his wife. For Kinsley, he would do anything.


    He did not know if this was going to work, but for Kinsley, he had to try.

 Chapter 26: 26

    Chapter 26: 26


    It took twice as long to get home from the hospital. Nausea kicked in as soon as they got in the car. It


    was like the motion was wreaking havoc on Nichs. They had to pull over four times to let Nichs


    get out so he could get sick on the side of the highway. By the time they reached the pce, he was so


    sick and weak that Stephen and Octavius had to carry him from the car through the house to his room


    on the third floor.


    They got him to bed, and he was out as soon as theyid him on the mattress. Kinsley brought the


    nket up and tucked him in to make himfortable, although she was not sure he would even


    notice. He looked dead lying there in the bed.


    Kinsley left the room and went to find Naya and Teegan. The three of them would spend the rest of the


    day nning the wedding. Nichs would never notice she was not with him.


    ***


    Nichs heaved as he knelt over the toilet. He had woken with the sudden need to be violently ill. The


    muscles of his body trembled with the strain. ¡°Nichs,¡± he heard his brother¡¯s voice and then


    footsteps as Matthew came into the room. ¡°I see you are not doing well. I thought I¡¯de to see if you


    were awake.¡±


    Nichs voided his stomach once more and thenid his head on his arm, draped over the edge of the


    toilet. He heard the water turn on, and then he heard something nk. Matthew¡¯s hand touched his


    shoulder and helped him sit up. Then Matthew took his hands and guided them to the ss he was


    offering him.


    ¡°Here, some water to wash away that nasty taste in your mouth,¡± Matthew said, his hand gripping


    Nichs¡¯ coaxing him to lift the water to his mouth. The rim of the ss touched his bottom lip, and


    Nichs began to drink.


    Nichs made a face. ¡°It tastes weird,¡± heined weakly.


    ¡°That is just the vomit in your mouth. Keep drinking,¡± Matthew said as he forcefully tipped the ss,


    forcing Nichs to drink everyst drop. ¡°There we go,¡± he said happily as he took the ss away.


    Nichs heard the ss as Matthew ced it on the counter. ¡°Let¡¯s get you up off the floor,¡± Matthew


    said, and Nichs felt his brother pull his arm around his shoulders as Matthew snaked one arm


    around Nichs¡¯ waist and heaved him up off the floor and onto his weak, unsteady feet. ¡°So,


    undignified to find the Crowned Prince on the bathroom floor.¡±


    Matthew helped Nichs back into bed. Heid back as his brother took hold of his ankles and lifted


    his feet up onto the mattress, getting him on the bed fully. Nichs rolled onto his side, his arms


    hugging his stomach. He had sharp, burning pains. The cramping was so intense. It hurt.


    Matthew stroked his sweaty hair. ¡°Do not worry, brother. You are not alone. I will be by your side every


    step of the way.¡±


    ***


    Naya opened the door to Nichs¡¯ private room and let herself inside. Dinner would be served soon,


    and she wanted to see if her son felt up toing down or if she should have the staff bring his


    evening meal up to him. She closed the door and walked over to the bed where Nichsy sleeping


    soundly. She almost had not the heart to wake him. Maybe she should not. Naya decided to leave and


    let him rest.


    ¡°Is it time for dinner?¡± She heard Nichs ask.


    Naya stopped and turned to face him; he stilly there with his eyes closed. ¡°I thought you were asleep.


    How did you know I was here?¡±


    Nichs rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. He stared straight ahead, and she was not sure she


    would ever get used to that vacant look in his eyes. ¡°I could smell your perfume,¡± he confessed.


    ¡°Yes, dinner will be served soon. Will you being down?¡±


    Nichs groaned as he sat up in bed and ced his feet on the floor. ¡°I wille down.¡±


    ¡°Will you eat?¡± She asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°Probably not, but I will socialize.¡±


    ¡°Do note down on our ord. If you want to rest, no one will me you for noting to dinner.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Every day, I am one day closer to death. So long as I have the strength, I will spend as


    little time in this bed as possible. I am going to live what little life I have left,¡± he then snapped his


    fingers, and Brutus jumped up from his doggie bed in the corner and walked over to Nichs. Naya


    watched as Nichs stood up and took hold of the harness bar Brutus wore and then made his way


    around the bed to her side. ¡°Now, shall we go down for dinner?¡±


    Naya smiled. She admired her son¡¯s strength and conviction. ¡°Well, then let¡¯s join the others.¡±


    ***


    Kinsley sat at the table, enjoying her meal, while Naya filled Nichs in about the ns for the


    uing wedding. She looked over a few times to see Nichs looking weary. He had not eaten a


    thing all day, and if she was, to be honest, hisck of nourishment was starting to concern her. In the


    short time, she had known him, Nichs had lost weight.


    While everyone spoke, Kinsley noticed how Nichs slowly slumped, and his hand went to his


    stomach. Every once in and while he¡¯d flinch like he was in pain. His hand went to his stomach, andContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Nichs sucked in a sharp painful breath as he leaned forward. Kinsley ced her hand over the one


    he still had on the table. ¡°Nichs, are you alright?¡± She asked, bringing an end to the conversation


    around the table.


    ¡°I think¡­ I should go back¡­ to bed.¡±


    ¡°Octavius!¡± Samuel yelled, and the servant appeared almost instantly. ¡°Please take Nichs back to


    his room.¡±


    ¡°I can make it myself,¡± Nichs said, standing up. He stepped away from the table, and his knees


    buckles. Octavius flew across the room and caught Nichs as he fell, preventing him from hitting the


    floor. He hoisted Nichs back onto his feet with Nichs¡¯ arm draped around his shoulder and his


    arm around Nich¡¯s waist, keeping him upright. ¡°Then again, maybe a little support would be


    eptable.¡±


    Octavius walked Nichs out of the room, and Kinsley looked at those still around the table. ¡°I think he


    is getting worse.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Samuel agreed. ¡°His health certainly has taken a downward turn.¡±


    Naya tossed her napkin on the table. ¡°We should call Dr. Horton.¡±


    ¡°Darling, I am sure it is just a side effect of the therapy. It is to be expected,¡± Samuel said, reaching out


    to take his wife¡¯s hand. ¡°There is nothing the doctor can do. Nichs just needs to rest.¡±

 Chapter 27: 27

    Chapter 27: 27


    The weeks passed quickly, and at the beginning of treatment, Nichs¡¯ health fluctuated. Before


    treatment, he was energetic, smiling, and frisky, but as the weeks went on, he became sicker. His skin


    had be pale and almost anemic. His eyes had be sunken and dark. He¡¯d lost a lot of weight


    to the point Kinsley could see his ribs. He spent more of his time in his bed. As much as he tried to get


    up, he rarely had the strength. The past two weeks, he had not gotten out of bed for any other reason


    than to go for treatment.


    His health was failing quickly, and Kinsley desperately wanted to give him some good news. Kinsley sat


    in the doctor¡¯s office. She had been feeling offtely, so she had gone to her family doctor to confirm a


    hunch. She sat in the office, waiting anxiously. The door opened, and in came the doctor. ¡°Wee


    back, Miss. Wells,¡± he said as he shut the door and took his seat behind his desk. He typed something


    into his tablet and smiled at her. ¡°Shall we see what your test results say?¡± Kinsley leaned forward,


    hoping to get a look, but she could not see what was on the tablet. ¡°It looks like your results are


    positive,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± She was so excited.¡±


    ¡°Yup. You are going to be a mom. I¡¯d say you are four weeks along. Congrattions.¡±


    Kinsley was ecstatic. She could not wait to tell Nichs. He would have his heir. His health was failing,


    but she had managed to give him the thing he wanted most.


    Kinsley said goodbye and then left the clinic, hopping into the car. Stephen had driven her to the clinic


    and had been waiting outside. ¡°Is all well?¡± He asked as he opened the back door for her.


    ¡°Yes. Quick take me home. I want to see how Nichs is doing. I have good news for him.¡±


    ***


    Matthew took the arsenic from his pocket and dumped it into his brother¡¯s tea. The cook had made


    Nichs some ginger tea to help with his stomach. He was far too sick to drink liquor anymore. All he


    could keep down anymore was water and weak tea. The maid had been taking a fresh cup of tea up to


    him when Matthew intercepted and said he would take the tea to Nichs.


    For the past two months, Matthew had been the doting, supportive little brother. Making sure his


    brother wasfortable and well hydrated. The human body could go weeks without food, but he


    needed fluids, and that was exactly how Matthew made sure Nichs got his daily dose of poison, and


    thanks to the radiation therapy, no one suspected what was going on. They simply believed his failing


    health to be the unfortunate side effects of the radiation.


    Matthew walked into his brother¡¯s room to find Nichs right where he left him ¡ª lying in bed, barely


    conscious. He walked over to the bed and took a seat on the mattress next to Nichs. The shift in the


    mattress roused Nichs. He barely opened his eyes. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Nichs barely managed.


    ¡°Matthew,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°I have brought you, tea brother,¡± he said, cing his hand behind


    Nichs¡¯ head and helping him sit up just enough to drink as Matthew held the teacup to his brother¡¯s


    lips and tipped it so he would drink. ¡°It will settle your stomach, so make sure you drink everyst drop,¡±


    Matthew¡¯s lips curved in a cruel grin as Nichs swallowed thest of it. ¡°There you go.¡±


    Just then, the door opened, and Kinsley entered and smiled at Matthew. ¡°How is he doing?¡± She asked,


    coming to the bed.


    ¡°No change,¡± he said, watching Kinsley climb into bed with Nichs and sit next to him as she stroked


    Nichs¡¯ cheek.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± she called to him, trying to rouse him. Nichs opened his eyes, then closed than before


    opening them again.


    ¡°Kinsley?¡± Nichs breathed.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, taking his hand when he reached out for her. ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    ¡°Like I am dying,¡± he whispered. He was so week it really was promising. It would not be much longer


    before Nichs kicked the bucket. It took everything in him for Matthew not to grin with excitement.


    ¡°Do not say such things.¡±


    ¡°It is true. I do not have much longer. I do not think I am going to make the wedding.¡±


    Matthew watched as her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to hide the sorrow from her tone. ¡°I have


    good news,¡± she said.


    ¡°They found a cure?¡± Nichs said yfully, and she chuckled in his effort to make light of his dire


    situation.


    ¡°I am pregnant.¡±


    Matthew¡¯s eyes widened in horror. No, she could not be. ¡°You are pregnant?¡± Matthew asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said happily as she squeezed Nichs¡¯ hand. ¡°Four weeks.¡±


    Matthew looked at the pleased smile on his brother¡¯s face. ¡°That is wonderful,¡± Nichs whispered.


    No, it was not. It was horrible. If this bitch had a son, Matthew could kiss his im to the throne


    goodbye. Killing Nichs would be meaningless and pointless if he had a son to seed him. He¡¯d


    been so sure that his brother had been too ill to conceive, but it would appear he seriously misjudged


    his brother¡¯s sex drive.


    He had worked too hard to ce himself on the throne. He was not going to let this child get in his way.


    He simply had no choice. Kinsley and the baby had to die too.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ***


    Matthew was ring at her. He said nothing more and then rose to his feet, cing the empty teacup


    on the night table next to the bed. ¡°I will leave you two alone,¡± he snarled as he walked to the door and


    exited the room pulling the door closed behind him. Something about that man did not sit well with


    Kinsley. He was suspicious. She could not ce her finger on it, but something about him left her


    uneasy.


    Kinsley sat beside Nichs but did not say much; she could tell he was drifting off again. She lovingly


    stroked his dark hair, and then in horror, she held her hand up and stared at therge clump of hair that


    hade off in her hand. She looked down and ran her fingers through Nichs¡¯ hair, only for more to


    come off in her hand. She knew that hair loss was one of the side effects of his treatment, but was it


    supposed to be that much and so soon?


    She just could not shake the feeling that Nichs¡¯ health was failing a lot faster than it should be. Her


    eyes drifted to the teacup on the nightstand. Curious, she got out of bed and walked over. Kinsley


    picked up the teacup Matthew had left behind. There was nothing but a residue in the bottom of the cup


    left. She lifted it to her nose and smelled the cup. It smelled like almonds. What kind of tea was


    Matthew giving Nichs?


    Kinsley took the cup and left Nichs to sleep. She went in search of Naya. She had been spending a


    lot of time with Naya and Teegan, and she knew that Naya was as worried about Nichs¡¯ failing


    health as she was.


    She found Naya in the library reading a book. ¡°Naya,¡± she said as she came into the room. ¡°Do you


    have a moment?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Naya said, putting down the book in her hands. ¡°What is on your mind?¡±


    ¡°I was just with Nichs.¡±


    ¡°How is he doing?¡±


    ¡°He has been losing a disturbing amount of hair. He is barely conscious anymore,¡± she could see the


    pain in Naya¡¯s face. ¡°I cannot help but feel like Nichs is failing at an rming rate.¡±


    ¡°The doctor said¡­.¡±


    ¡°I think we should bring the doctor in to examine him. Just to put our minds at ease.¡±


    Naya sighed and then nodded. ¡°I will have Octavius call Dr. Horton.¡±


    Kinsley left the room and went down to the kitchen, and asked the staff for a freezer bag. She ced


    the teacup inside and sealed the bag. She wanted the doctor to take the cup and have it tested. She


    wanted to know exactly what Matthew had been giving Nichs. She could not shake the feeling that


    he was behind Nichs¡¯ failing health. She just had to prove it. Kinsley stood in the corner of the


    bedroom with Naya, with Samuel seated in the chair by the firece while Dr. Horton examined


    Nichs.


    The good doctor went through the usual examination with a frown. Checking Nichs¡¯ vital signs and


    assessing the withered condition he was in. He ced his hand to Nichs¡¯ forehead, feeling how


    mmy he was and then he ran his hand through Nichs¡¯ hair and frowned when he held arge wad


    of hair he had taken from Nichs¡¯ head. He made a thoughtful sound as he studied the hair in his


    hand.


    ¡°What do you think, doctor?¡± Samuel asked.


    ¡°He is disying all the side effects of the therapy,¡± he said, taking a biohazard bag from his doctor¡¯s


    bag and cing the hair in his hand inside. He sealed the bag and returned it to his bag. ¡°But, I do find


    it strange that Nichs appears unresponsive,¡± he said, prying one of Nichs¡¯ eyes open as he


    shed a light in one and then the other. ¡°How long has he been unresponsive?¡±


    ¡°Just today,¡± Naya said. ¡°But he has been very groggy for days now.¡±


    ¡°I am going to call for an ambnce,¡± Dr. Horton said. ¡°I want him transferred to the hospital where I


    can put him on an IV drip and run some blood work,¡± he said, standing up and packing up his stuff. ¡°I


    will call the ambnce right away,¡± he said, leaving the room as he took out his cellphone.


    Kinsley picked up her purse from the chair by the door and followed Dr. Horton out into the hall. She


    waited for him to finish his call, and then she stopped him. ¡°Doctor,¡± she began taking the freezer bag


    with the teacup in it out of her purse. Kinsley offered it to him. ¡°While you are running tests, could you


    please test this as well?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± He asked, epting it from her.


    ¡°Just to put my mind at ease. Please do not mention it to Naya and Samuel until we know the results of


    the test.¡±


    ¡°Do you suspect foul y?¡± Dr. Horton asked her.


    ¡°I do not want to make usations without proof.¡±


    Dr. Horton nodded. ¡°I will rush the tests.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±

 Chapter 28: 28

    Chapter 28: 28


    The air ambnce arrived shortly, and Nichs was moved from the pce to the hospital in town.


    Kinsley joined him in the helicopter. She did not want him to go alone. His parents would be driven in


    and meet them there.


    When they reached the hospital, Kinsley was at his side as the staff moved Nichs to a private room.


    It worried Kinsley that he never woke, never stirred once during the transfer. Hisplexion was flush,


    almost white, and he was perspiring like he¡¯d run a marathon in the sweltering heart. As she waited for


    the nurse, Kinsley ced her hand on his forehead and frowned with concern. He was very hot to the


    touch.


    A nurse came in, and Kinsley stepped aside to allow her to do her job. The woman took all his vital


    signs, as Kinsley suspected Nichs had a very high fever. The nurse gave him something


    intravenously to help with the fever. After an hour, the doctor came in and examined Nichs once


    more. Prying his eyes open and shing light in both, then checking his reflexes by running the tip of


    his pen along the bottoms of Nichs¡¯ feet to see if he would flinch. He did not, and Dr. Horton¡¯s frown


    grew. ¡°Nichs ispletely unresponsive,¡± Dr. Horton told her.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Kinsley asked.


    ¡°He is in aa.¡±


    Knisley¡¯s heart almost stopped. ¡°Coma?¡± She gasped in horror. ¡°Radiation therapy can do that?¡±


    ¡°No, this is not a result of the therapy,¡± he assured her. ¡°It is something else. It is possible the disease is


    progressing.¡±


    ¡°The therapy was supposed tobat the progression, not speed it up.¡±


    ¡°It is a rare disorder. We know very little about it, and really any and all treatment is just guesswork at


    best,¡± he said as he recovered Nichs¡¯ feet with the bottom of the nket. ¡°He has no reflexes when I


    touch his feet. It concerns me if he doese out of thisa, he may no longer be ambtory.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°If he bes well enough to leave the hospital, he will do so in a wheelchair.¡±


    Her heart sank. That news was going to devastate Nichs. She loved this man, but part of her almost


    hoped he did not wake up. It might be kinder to just let him go peacefully in his sleep. She was so


    conflicted.


    When Naya and Samuel arrived, Dr. Horton filled them in on their son¡¯s present condition. Naya sat


    down in the nearest chair and sobbed. The doctor promised to do his best to wake Nichs. He was


    running every test he could think of, and if he had to, he would run them all twice until he found out


    what had caused Nichs¡¯ heath to degrade so quickly.


    They all sat with Nichs for hours. Late into the evening, Teegan and Matthew arrived to check on


    how their brother was doing. Kinsley looked at Matthew, unable to hide the suspicion on her face. She


    could not sit here with this man. She was going to go get a drink from the vending machine. She would


    not leave Nichs alone with Matthew, but with the rest of the family in the room, she believed he


    would be safe.


    She stood up from her chair. ¡°I am going to raid the vending machine. Would you like anything?¡± She


    asked Naya. The woman shook her head no.


    Kinsley walked down to the end of the wall, where the vending machines were next to the fire stairwell.


    She was looking over the selection when Matthew walked over and stood next to her. He smiled at her,


    and she tried to ignore him. ¡°How are you doing?¡± He asked.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Given my fianc¨¦ may die before we get married¡­ I am fine.¡±


    ¡°You know you should not put this crap in your body. It is full of preservatives and other chemicals,¡± he


    said with a concern she did not think was genuine. ¡°Why do not we go down to the cafeteria and find


    you something healthier to feed to my niece or nephew. I will buy.¡±


    She looked at the junk in the machine. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should eat something better.


    She was hungry, after all. ¡°I will get my own meal; thank you,¡± she said, heading for the stairwell. It was


    closer than walking back to the elevator. Kinsley pushed the door open and stepped into the stairwell.


    She let the door swing shut behind her, but then Matthew caught it before it closed and stepped into the


    stairwell with her. ¡°Really, I do not need you to tag along,¡± she snapped at him as she turned to confront


    him.


    Suddenly Matthew offered her a cruel smile that made her blood run cold, and then both his hands


    came up, and Matthew shoved Kinsley hard. She fell backwards. Kinsley reached for the railing, but


    she missed it. Landing on her back Kinsley rolled feet overhead as she hit every step on her way down


    the stairs.


    When she reached thending, she was in great pain. Her head hurt, and she felt dizzy. Kinsley looked


    up to see Matthewing down the stairs. She tried to get on her feet so she could run, but she was


    having trouble getting up. Matthew reached thending, and as she was hunched over, attempting to


    get on her feet, Matthew kicked her in the stomach and shoved her again, sending Kinsley down the


    next flight of stairs.


    Hitting her head, Kinsleyy on thending, groaning in pain. Through her blurry haze of pain, she


    could see Matthewing down the stairs. As he reached her, Matthew bent over and grabbed Kinsley


    by the shirt, lifting her to her feet. Then he threw her down the next flight. Kinsley hit her head again,


    and now blood dripped in her eyes. She could barely see as Matthew came down the stairs and stood


    next to her. She could not move. She did not have the ability to move. She looked up to see him


    looking down at her. Matthew pulled back his foot and kicked her in the face, and everything went


    ck.


    ***


    Matthew stood over Kinsley¡¯s motionless body. He was hoping the fall would have killed her. He leaned


    over to ce his fingers to her throat, hoping to find no pulse. Before he could check, he heard the


    sound of the stairwell door below them open. Someone wasing, and he could not be caught


    standing over the body. He looked at Kinsley and then rushed back up the stairs. Hopefully, she was


    dead. If not, he would finish the jobter.


    Matthew stopped a few flights up when he heard whoever had entered the stairwell find Kinsley. They


    could hear two voices. Matthew looked over the edge but could not see them. ¡°Quick, call a nurse. I


    think she is still alive,¡± one of them said, and Matthew frowned. He needed a n-B.

 Chapter 29: 29

    Chapter 29: 29


    Dr. Horton sat in his office, reviewing Nichs¡¯ test results. He was having trouble figuring out what had


    caused his patient¡¯s quick decline. He just had no ideas. All his symptoms were consistent with


    radiation therapy, but the speed and severity of the symptoms were concerning. It just did not make


    sense.


    There was a knock on his door, and Dr. Horton looked up as the orderly came in and offered him a file


    with test results. Theb had sent them up because Dr. Horton had asked for a speedy delivery. He


    thanked the orderly and then opened the results as the orderly left the room. He¡¯d had theb test the


    teacup Kinsley had given him as well as the hair he had collected from Nichs back at the pce. He


    opened the teacup findings first and read the results with surprise. It tested positive for arsenic. He put


    down the test results, and then he checked the results on the test done on Nichs¡¯ hair. His hair


    showed a high level of arsenic poisoning going back weeks.


    Arsenic, that exined everything. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning were extremely simr to


    radiation. That was why it had gone unnoticed. Kinsley had been right to be suspicious. Someone was


    poisoning her fianc¨¦. Only he did not know who, but he was certain Kinsley did. He had to tell the


    family.


    Dr. Horton stood up and made his way up to Nichs¡¯ room. When he got there, he found the family


    sitting around, and they all perked up when he came in. ¡°Doctor,¡± Samuel took a step in Dr. Horton¡¯s


    direction. ¡°Do you have news?¡±


    Dr. Horton turned and closed the door. He looked over at Samuel and Naya. Over the years, he had


    gotten very close to the family. ¡°I know what is wrong,¡± he said, and everyone looked anxious to hear


    the news. ¡°I ran extensive tests. Nichs is suffering from arsenic poisoning.¡±


    ¡°Arsenic poisoning?¡± Teegan gasped.


    ¡°He has high levels of arsenic in his system, and the testing we did on his hair suggests he has been


    steadily poisoned for weeks.¡±


    ¡°Oh god,¡± Naya said, taking her son¡¯s hand. ¡°That means someone has been¡­.¡±


    ¡°Trying to kill Nichs,¡± Dr. Horton finished for her.


    ¡°Do you know who?¡± Matthew asked.


    ¡°I am afraid I do not, but Kinsley brought the poisoning to my attention. I believe she has a suspect,¡± he


    said, looking around and noticing Kinsley was not in the room. ¡°Speaking of Miss. Wells, where is she?¡±


    Everyone looked around questioningly like it were a question they had not considered. ¡°She went to the


    vending machine to get a snack,¡± Teegan said. ¡°But now that I think about it, she has been for quite a


    while. I wonder what is keeping her?¡±


    ¡°Matthew, you went to the machine with Kinsley,¡± Naya turned to her son.


    ¡°Yes, but I went to the washroom down the hall. When I came out, she was gone. I assumed maybe


    she went to the cafeteria. She probably had a craving; you know how pregnant women can be,¡±


    Matthew suggested. ¡°If you like, I will go look for her,¡± he offered.


    ¡°Yes, you go do that,¡± Samuel suggested. Dr. Horton watched as Matthew headed for the door and


    exited the room. Dr. Horton was getting a bad feeling from Matthew. While the rest of the family were


    shocked and horrified to learn someone was trying to kill Nichs, Matthew seemed indifferent. He had


    never gotten a good feeling from Matthew, the man struck Dr. Horton as a weaselly entitled little shit,


    but of course, he could not say so. He would not put it past Matthew to be capable of murder if he felt


    Nichs¡¯ slim chance at survival risked Matthew bing King someday.


    ¡°Well, I have some rounds to make,¡± Dr. Horton told everyone. ¡°I will pop back inter to see how


    Nichs is doing,¡± in the meantime, Dr. Horton was going to have hospital security search the hospital


    to find Kinsley. He wished to talk to the girl. He was dying to know just who she suspected.


    ***


    Kinsley faded in and out of consciousness. She could feel hands on her. She could feel as she was


    moved, and she could hear the faded voices of more than one person around her. She heard one


    person say her blood pressure was low. Another was yelling for a blood IV, saying she was


    hemorrhaging. Someone was ordering an x-ray suspecting broken bones. She was struggling toe


    to, but every time she had a moment of rity, it was followed by darkness.


    ***


    It had been three hours since Kinsley went missing, and no one knew where she had gone. When


    Matthew returned without her, Naya had gone down to security and asked them to search for Kinsley,


    only to find out Dr. Horton had done the same hours earlier. She was concerned by the fact that they


    had been searching for hours and yet to find Kinsley.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Naya decided to go to the good doctor¡¯s office on the main floor to confront him and ask why he had


    sent out a search party some time ago without mentioning it. She had to walk through the ER unit to


    get to the administrative wing. As she passed by an open curtain, she spotted Kinsley in a bed


    unconscious with tubes and machines attached.


    There was a nurse who was working on casting Kinsley¡¯s right arm. Naya rushed to the bed. ¡°Kinsley,


    dear.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley?¡± The nurse spoke. ¡°Do you know this patient?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is my son¡¯s fianc¨¦e. Nichs is up on the fifth floor. She went for a walk a few hours ago and


    never came back. What happened to her?¡±


    ¡°An orderly found her in a stairwell unconscious. It looks as if she had fallen down the stairs. She had


    no ID on her, so we havebelled her chart Jane Doe. I will see it is updated.¡±


    ¡°Fell down the stairs. Good god. Is the baby ok?¡±


    ¡°She is pregnant?¡± The nurse asked, rmed.


    ¡°Yes, only a few weeks,¡± the look on the nurse¡¯s face was notforting.


    ¡°We will run some tests,¡± she said, making to leave the room.


    Naya stepped in her path, preventing the nurse from exiting the room. ¡°What are you not telling me?¡±


    She demanded. ¡°She is still pregnant, is not she?¡±


    ¡°I am really not supposed to give out information. If you like, I can find the doctor and¡­.¡±


    ¡°Speak now!¡± Naya snapped withmanding confidence that came from her station in life. ¡°Is she still


    pregnant?¡±


    ¡°She has been bleeding steady since they brought her in. The likelihood of the baby surviving the fall


    and then the bleeding is slim. I am sorry, but she miscarried,¡± the nurse told Naya. ¡°I will fetch the


    doctor so he may answer your questions,¡± this time, Naya allowed her to leave.


    Naya walked back to the bed and stroked Kinsley¡¯s hair. Oh, cruel fate. Her sony dying in a bed


    upstairs, and her Kinsleyy here a victim of a tragic ident. Her grandchild was gone. Things could


    not possibly get any worse. Someone had to be down here with Kinsley when she woke. Naya would


    go back upstairs to tell the others she had found Kinsley.


    Naya made her way back up to find her family. Nichs still had not woken. ¡°I found Kinsley. She is


    unconscious in the ER Unit downstairs. The staff says she fell down the stairs and that it is believed


    she has lost the baby.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that poor girl,¡± Samuel shook his head.


    ¡°I am going downstairs to sit with Kinsley,¡± Naya said. ¡°She should not be alone when she wakes up.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, Mother,¡± Matthew came to her side, offering her a supportive smile. ¡°You should stay with your


    son. Spend what time you can with him in case he does not pull through. I will go down and sit with


    Kinsley.¡±


    Naya ced her hand over his. ¡°Bless you, child,¡± she took a seat near the bed as Matthew left to sit


    sentry over Kinsley.

 Chapter 30: 30

    Chapter 30: 30


    Matthew asked the staff at the nurses¡¯ station where he might find Kinsley. The nurse pointed out the


    cubical at the end. He made his way over to the section where he found Kinsley lying in a bed hooked


    up to machines. She was still out of it. Matthew pulled the hospital curtain closed, cutting them off from


    sight. He walked over to the bedside and looked down at his brother¡¯s fianc¨¦e.


    Even though he had seeded in disposing of the child that threatened his throne, he still had to deal


    with Kinsley. He could not afford to allow her to wake up and tell his parents he had thrown her down


    the stairs. He had diplomatic immunity, so he was not worried about Americanw enforcement.


    However, his father might have him ceased and flown back to Kustium, where he would likely stand


    trial for attempted murder and treason. He was not going to put to death because Nichs¡¯ little pet


    whore did not break her neck when she fell.


    ¡°Oh, Kinsley, you have be a rather annoying thorn in my side,¡± he whispered as he pulled back a


    part of the curtain between the cubical to see if anyone was in the next bed. Seeing it was empty, he


    picked up the pillow and let the curtain fall shut. He stood next to the bed and held the edges of the


    pillow in both hands. ¡°Time to put you out of my misery.¡±


    Matthew ced the pillow firmly over Kinsley¡¯s face. Smothering her nose and mouth, cutting off her


    air.


    ***


    Kinsley¡¯s eyes opened when she felt something cover her face. Someone had ced a pillow over her


    face. She jerked with panic when she could not breathe. Kinsley thrashed around her legs, kicking, her


    arms iling. She was trying to get the pillow off her, but she could not budge it. She struck her attacker


    with her casted arm. The pain was great, but she had to fend him off before he killed her. Her good


    hand was wing at him. She tried pushing the attacker away and scratching his hand and forearms.


    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡± she heard him swear when she scratched him. She knew she had hurt him, but he


    refused to let up. Kinsley could hear the machines she was hooked up to beeping. The more panicked


    she became, the faster the beeping became until it set off an rm. ¡°Shit!¡± He knew he was in trouble.


    Kinsley could hear the hospital staffe running and a woman screaming for security.


    Her attacker dropped the pillow, and Kinsley pushed it off her face in time to see Matthew bust past


    security and make a run for it. The guards chased after him, and two nurses rushed to her bed,


    checking Kinsley¡¯s vitals and making sure there was no serious damage done.


    Her arm throbbed, and the cast had broken from hitting Matthew with it. Her oxygen levels improved,


    and her pulse slowed to normal once more. The nurse told Kinsley they would remove the broken cast,


    x-ray the arm again to be sure she did not do more damage, and then recast it.


    As the nurse was removing the broken cast, security returned to her bedside, telling her that Matthew


    had gotten away. They were calling the police and would post a guard next to her cubical in case


    Matthew decided toe back and make another attempt. Kinsley asked the guards to go upstairs and


    see if they could find Nichs¡¯ family and let them know where she was, what happened, and that she


    was going to be ok. They had to be worried, and she wanted to tell them about Matthew before they


    found out through the police.


    Within thirty minutes, Naya and Samuel arrived at her bedside. Naya was in tears, and she walked right


    up to Kinsley and hugged her, sobbing about how sorry she was that Kinsley had been wounded at the


    hands of her son. ¡°Oh, child, I am so sorry. I had no idea what he was up to.¡±


    ¡°Where is he?¡± Samuel demanded.


    ¡°Security said he got away,¡± Kinsley told him.


    ¡°When we find him, he will pay,¡± Samuel shook his head with anger. ¡°I am willing to bet Matthew is


    behind Nichs¡¯ poisoning. He was trying to eliminate thepetition for the throne,¡± Samuel sighed


    heavily, rubbing his hands over his face as he took a seat on a stic chair the nurse had brought in for


    visitors. ¡°I have no heir. Matthewmitted treason. Nichs is going to die, and the baby will never


    be.¡±


    Kinsley sat up a little straighter at that. ¡°What do you mean the baby will never be?¡± Kinsley asked as


    the Nurse who was casting her arm seemed to tense up.


    ¡°Has no one told you?¡± Naya asked.


    ¡°Told me what?¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    They all looked at the nurse. ¡°It is not my ce to say. The doctors are the ones that gives out new.¡±


    ¡°Tell me now!¡± Kinsley barked.


    The nurse offered her a sympathetic smile. ¡°I am sorry when you were found you were hemorrhaging.


    Test show that when you fell down the stairs, you triggered a miscarriage. I am sorry the baby is gone.¡±


    Kinsley could not breathe. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. Though she had only known about the


    baby for a brief time, it still felt like she was dying on the inside. Matthew might have failed in his


    attempt on her life, but he had seeded in removing her child from his way. She hoped the police


    caught up to Matthew and that he would be killed while trying to escape. Kinsley had disliked a lot of


    people, but for the first time in her life, she actually hated someone.


    Kinsley closed her eyes, trying not to break down. She opened her eyes and looked at Naya. ¡°Has


    Nichs woken up yet?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Naya told her. ¡°But if it is ok with the doctor, once your arm is taken care of, we will get you a


    wheelchair, and you cane upstairs and be at his bedside.


    It was another hour before she was cleared to leave. The nurse helped Kinsley into a wheelchair, and


    Samuel took control of steering her chair. An orderly offered to push Kinsley so that the King did not


    have to lower himself, but Samuel insisted he would do it, saying it was the least he could do after his


    son had wronged her so grievously.


    When they reached Nichs¡¯ room, Samuel parked her chair next to the bed so she could hold his


    hand with her good one. Shortly after, Dr. Horton arrived, having heard the news about the attempt on


    Kinsley¡¯s life. Samuel informed Dr. Horton about Matthew, and then the conversation turned to


    Nichs¡¯ possible recovery. Now that they knew why Nichs was so ill, they wanted to know if there


    was anything the medical staff could do to help him.


    ¡°Well, now that we know what the problem is, there are a few things we can try,¡± Dr. Horton said. ¡°First


    of all, we beef up the guards on this door, make sure he has no further expositor to the poison. We will


    give him something for his heart to help prevent it from failing due to the damage. We will put him on a


    constant mineral supplement drip. That will help prevent the risk of a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia.


    We will run some tests and see what kind of kidney function he has. He may eventually require a


    transnt¡­


    ¡°As of a more immediate course of action, Nichs is going to require a blood transfusion. We need to


    remove the tainted blood and introduce healthy blood. We can try chtion therapy also. That is where


    we introduce drugs like Dimercaptosinic Acid and Dimercaprol, which helps by isting the arsenic


    in his blood from the blood proteins. Another option is bowel irrigation. We introduce a special solution


    into the gastrointestinal tract, flushing out the contents of the system. The irrigation removes traces of


    arsenic and prevents it from being further absorbed into the body.¡±


    Dr. Horton went quiet for a moment.


    ¡°None of this is a definite cure. Considering the levels of arsenic in his system and the length of time he


    was being poisoned, a lot of the damage is already done. There is a very real possibility that nothing


    will help, and he dies anyway. Given his alreadypromised immune system, I¡¯d say he has maybe a


    30% chance of surviving this. You should prepare yourself, say your goodbye; he might not be with us


    much longer.¡±


    Kinsley looked up to see the pain in Samuel¡¯s eyes as his wife sobbed in the chair next to her. Samuel


    took a calming breath and then looked at Dr. Horton. ¡°You do what you must,¡± Dr. Horton agreed and


    left the room to ry treatment orders to his staff.

 Chapter 31: 31

    Chapter 31: 31


    Nichs could hear the beeping of medical machinery. It was a sound he hade to know well.


    Slowly the steady beating grew louder, and he began to wake up. He had no idea how long he had


    been out. He recalled lying on his bed; he had not been feeling well. He recalled that he had been


    weary and lethargic. He had wanted to take a nap. He recalled Kinsley had been talking to him, but he


    could not really remember about what.


    The mattress beneath him was narrow and firm; it was not his soft,fortable bed. That and the noise


    told Nichs he was in a hospital. How long had he been in a hospital? Nichs opened his eyes, but


    he saw nothing, just ckness. Not even the fuzzy colours and shapes he had been able to see before


    he went to sleep. There was nothing now, no light, no colour, nothing. He was nowpletely blind.


    ¡°He is awake,¡± he heard his father¡¯s voice. He could hear the footsteps as those in the room came


    closer. He felt two arms wrap around him as someone leaned over the bed to hug him. He could tell


    from the soft form it was female, and judging from the waft of perfume assaulting his nasal senses, it


    was his mother. Nichs was too weak to hug her back. His whole body ached. ¡°Wee back, son;


    we thought we had lost you,¡± his father said as he touched Nichs¡¯ shoulder. ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    ¡°Like death,¡± his voice croaked. His throat was sore and scratchy. ¡°My throat¡­?¡±


    ¡°It hurts?¡± His mother asked. Nichs nodded.


    ¡°It is because of the breathing tube they put down your throat a few days ago. You stopped breathing.


    The hospital incubated, and a machine was breathing for you for about 12 hours, then you pulled


    through, started breathing on your own again. I think the blood transfusion helped get most of the


    poison out of your system,¡± his father informed him.


    ¡°Poison?¡± Nichs asked. Who was poisoning him?


    ¡°Turns out, Matthew got tired of waiting for his ce on the throne,¡± Kinsley¡¯s voice came from the left


    of him and then he felt her soft hand take hold of his. ¡°So he decided to speed along your demise with


    a little help from a lot of arsenic. He was poisoning you for weeks.¡±


    Nichs was surprised. He knew his brother was a self-absorbed narcissist with designs on Nichs¡¯


    birthright, but he had never believed Matthew would stoop to actually trying to murder him to secure his


    im on the throne. He supposed that meant Matthew was not in the room at the moment. ¡°How do


    you know this?¡± He struggled to ask.


    ¡°Well, actually, Kinsley discovered it,¡± he heard Teegan say. She thought something was fishy, so she


    had Dr. Horton runs some tests after you lost consciousness.¡±


    ¡°But how do you know it was Matthew?¡±


    ¡°Well, he was suspect, but it was when he tried to kill Kinsley that we knew for sure he was involved,¡±


    Teegan told him.


    Nichs sat up and reached out for Kinsley. ¡°He did what? Kinsley, are you alright?¡± He asked, feeling


    for her. When his fingers came into contact with what felt like a cast, he really began to panic. ¡°Is your


    arm broken? What happened?¡± He demanded.


    ¡°It is broken, but besides that, just some bruises.¡±


    ¡°What did he do?¡± Nichs demanded as his anger began to grow. How dare Matthew harm her.


    ¡°He threw me down a few flights of stairs. He was trying to kill the baby¡­ and it worked. I miscarried,¡±


    he could hear the sadness in her voice.


    ¡°Baby?¡± When was she pregnant? Did she tell him she was pregnant? He could not remember if she


    had. He remembered so little.


    ¡°Do you not remember me telling you I was pregnant?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± he lied. ¡°How far along were you?¡±


    ¡°A few weeks.¡±


    ¡°You lost the baby?¡±


    There was quiet for a long time, and then he heard her speak again, emotion choking her words. ¡°I did.¡±


    ¡°Kinsley, I am so sorry,¡± he would kill Matthew. ¡°Where is that son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°We do not know,¡± Teegan spoke. ¡°He was caught by the hospital staff trying to smother Kinsley with a


    pillow in an attempt to silence her. He ran off when confronted.¡±


    ¡°We will find him,¡± Samuel spoke. ¡°He will pay for his crimes. He may be my son, but he will face the


    same penalty as anyone whomits treason,¡± Nichs could hear the sadness and devastation in


    his father¡¯s voice. It was not easy for any parent when forced to choose between their children. ¡°The


    LAPD has been searching the city for him.¡±


    ¡°He is not here anymore,¡± Nichs spoke. ¡°He is smart enough to know you would have revoked his


    diplomatic immunity status. He would not risk still being in the States when that happened. To avoid


    prosecution here, Matthew would be on the first ne out of the country.¡±


    ¡°The private ne has not been moved,¡± Naya told him.


    ¡°Then he flewmercial.¡±


    ¡°I will call home and see if Matthew has returned. If he has, I will give instructions that he is to be


    confined to his chambers until we return,¡± Nichs could hear his father¡¯s heavy footsteps as he left


    the room.


    ¡°So,¡± Nichs began, fearful of the answer to his next question. ¡°How long have I been in the


    hospital?¡±


    ¡°Three weeks,¡± Teegan replied.


    He had been asleep for so long. ¡°I woke up¡­ I must be out of the woods, right?¡± there was only


    silence. They knew something he did not. He could feel his heart sink. After finding out about Kinsley


    and the baby on top of his near-death, Nichs was not sure he could take any more bad news. ¡°What


    is wrong?¡±


    ¡°Teegan, honey, can you go find Dr. Horton? Tell him your brother has woken up,¡± his mother said, and


    Nichs could hear his sister leave the room. He had a feeling that the news was going to be very bad.


    He did not ask any more questions; he did not think his loved ones had it in them to tell him what was


    happening.


    Dr. Horton arrived twenty minutester. ¡°Nichs, how nice to see you awake,¡± he could feel the doctor


    at his bedside. He was doing something. Nichs could hear him handling something. ¡°How do you


    feel?¡±


    ¡°Like shit, how should I feel?¡±


    ¡°I see no response when I sh a light in your eyes. ¡°Can you see this?¡± He asked, and the room went


    quiet. Nichs had no idea what the doctor was doing. ¡°You do not see it do you?¡±


    ¡°I do not see anything,¡± Nichs admitted. ¡°No colours, no light, nothing but darkness.¡±


    ¡°Your vision ispletely gone,¡± Nichs had figured that out, and he did not require a medical


    degree. ¡°How about this?¡± The room went quiet.


    ¡°Doc, I told you I could not see anything. I have no idea what you are doing,¡± the silence began to make


    him worry as something urred to him. ¡°That was not a vision test you just did, is it?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Dr. Horton said with remorse. ¡°Tell me when you can feel me touching you,¡± he instructed.


    Nichs sat in bed, hoping against hope that at some point, he would feel something, but he never did.


    ¡°Nichs, can you wiggle your toes?¡±


    Nichs tried, but he could not tell if he was or not. He could not feel anything below his waist. He


    heard the doctor make a confused and thoughtful sound. ¡°Did I move?¡± Nichs asked.


    ¡°Are you saying you cannot feel yourself moving?¡± Dr. Horton asked.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand Dr. Horton. How can he move but not feel anything?¡± Naya asked.


    ¡°The symptoms resemble congenital insensitivity; it is extremely rare and usually presents in patients


    with Anhidrosis. It does not make sense that Nichs would be inflicted by it.¡±


    Nichs smiled. ¡°Not being able to feel pain sounds like a blessing?¡± He could use a little relief from


    pain and suffering.


    ¡°I know on the surface it seems like that, but this is a very serious problem. It means your brain has no


    way of telling that your body is hurt or ill and to what severity. This condition is difficult to manage and


    life-threatening. We need to figure out how to treat it and whether or not we have any chance at


    reversing it.¡±


    ¡°Personally, I like the idea of feeling no pain,¡± Nichs smiled.


    ¡°Really?¡± He heard Kinsley speak.


    ¡°Yes, you have no idea what kind of hell I was living in.¡±


    ¡°Suddenly Nichs felt pressure on his cheek like he, she had kissed him, and while he knew she was


    touching him, he could not feel the softness of her lips brushing his skin. ¡°Could you feel that?¡± Kinsley


    asked.


    Nichs frowned. ¡°Barely,¡± he confessed sadly.


    ¡°Your sense of touch will degrade until you can feel nothing at all on any part of your body,¡± Dr. Horton


    exined.


    ¡°Still think it is a gift from God?¡± Kinsley asked. If he could not feel her tender touch, Nichs could see


    how this was yet one more disaster in his already disastrous life.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°What are the odds that you can reverse it?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, Nichs, I am not even sure how you developed it,¡± Dr. Horton¡¯s confession did not fill


    Nichs with any confidence. ¡°I need to do some research. I have never encountered this before. This


    is uncharted territory. I am going to keep you for a few more days. See if your condition does not


    improve. In the meantime, I have a few medical books to review.¡±


    ¡°I need to use the washroom,¡± Nichs said, trying to get up.


    ¡°You have a catheter,¡± Dr. Horton informed him.


    Nichs closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. ¡°One more indignity.¡±


    ¡°Doctor, can we not remove it now that he is awake. I think if he wishes to use the restroom in a


    conventional manner, his independence should be encouraged,¡± Naya said.


    ¡°I will have a nursee in and remove it¡­ if¡­.¡±


    ¡°If what?¡± Nichs snarled.


    ¡°If Nichs can prove to me, he can stand on his own two feet,¡± Dr. Hortonid down his condition.


    Easy enough. Nichs moved the nket out of the way. He assumed he was in a hospital gown, so


    he struggled to move his legs over the edge of the bed. It took a few minutes, but then he sat on the


    edge of the bed for a moment. Someone must have reached out to help him, but then he heard Dr.


    Horton scold them telling them to let him do it on his own.


    Nichs shifted forward, but he could not tell if his feet were touching the floor. Hoping for the best,


    Nichs tried to stand. Once he was out of bed, his legs gave out, and Nichs hit the floor hard. He


    had no strength in his legs. Hey on the floor, trying to get himself back up. Momentster, there were


    two sets of hands-on him as Samuel and Dr. Horton lifted Nichs up off the floor and put him back


    into his bed.


    ¡°The catheter stays in, and you stay in bed.¡±


    ¡°I think I have spent enough time in bed.¡±


    ¡°Well, then I can have a nurse bring in a wheelchair.¡±


    Nichs could feel his heartbreak at the mention of a wheelchair. It was happening so fast. First, his


    vision and now his mobility. He was falling apart at a rapid rate, and his brother¡¯s poisoning had only


    sped his deterioration along.


    Once in his bed, Nichs asked everyone to leave. He wanted to be alone. He did not want to fall


    apart in front of them. They had been through enough. When no one left, Nichs started screaming


    and then he heard the sound of footsteps as everyone left the room. Finally, alone, Nichs covered


    his hands over his face. He knew he was doing it, but he could barely feel his own hands. In a fit of


    emotional turmoil, Nichs screamed out in frustration and began to cry. He thought he was ready to


    face what was yet toe, but he was not. He thought he had a few more years, but he did not. This


    was the end.


    Nichs thought about Kinsley. He loved her so much. Because of him, she had been assaulted. Her


    arm was broken. Her life threatened. Their child was gone. The longer she was with him, the more she


    would suffer. He could not allow her to waste any more time with him. He loved her too much to let her


    suffer because of him. Besides, he was not likely to live long enough to make his own wedding. The


    kindest thing he could do was let her go.

 Chapter 32: 32

    Chapter 32: 32


    His family hade by a few times through the next few days to see him, but Nichs had left orders


    with the medical staff to send them away. He did not want to speak to anyone. He had spent a lot of his


    time thinking. The nurses told him he needed to get up out of bed, so at least once a day, they put him


    in a wheelchair and wheeled him out to the hospital atrium so he could get some air. When they


    brought him back to his room, Nichs asked them to park his wheelchair by the window and to open it


    so he could hear the birds.


    He had been sitting by the window for a while when he heard footstepse into the room. They were


    too heavy to be female, and since he was not taking visitors, they had to be Dr. Horton¡¯s. ¡°Hello,


    Doctor.¡±


    He heard Dr. Horton chuckle. ¡°How did you know it was me?¡±


    ¡°Lucky guess,¡± he lied. He did not feel like exining his process.


    ¡°My nurses told me you asked to see me when I came on duty.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you foring.¡±


    ¡°How could I say no to my favourite patient?¡± He could hear Dr. Horton pull up a chair and sit down.


    ¡°So, you wanted to talk.¡±


    ¡°How is your researching?¡±


    Dr. Horton sighed. ¡°Honestly, I am getting nowhere. I do not know how to help you.¡±


    His heart sunk, but it was what he had expected to hear. ¡°Be honest with me, doctor¡­ I am at the end,


    are not I? I am failing fast.¡±


    ¡°Nichs, there is always hope.¡±


    ¡°No, there¡¯s not. You know it as well as I do. I am about two steps away from the grave,¡± Nichs held


    a hand out. ¡°I want to sign a DNR.¡±


    He could hear Dr. Horton gasp. ¡°Nichs, you know what that means?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it means If I stop breathing or my heart stops for any reason, the hospital staff is not to resuscitate


    me with CPR or other life-saving measures. They are to let me die.¡±


    ¡°You cannot do this. Think about your family; think about Kinsley.¡±


    ¡°I am. The longer I linger, the more they suffer. I am a burden. I cannot keep doing this to them. To


    myself. Just let me die. I promise you may have my body for your research. Maybe one day, you can


    save someone else¡­ but where I am concerned, just let me die.¡±


    ¡°You sound like you have given this some thought.¡±


    ¡°It is all I have thought of since I woke. I am done, Doctor. I am not doing it anymore. No more


    medication, no more treatment, just send me home and let me die in my own bed.¡±


    ¡°If that is what you want?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡±


    ¡°I will have the paperwork drawn up. I will see they are signed by the end of my shift. I will call your


    family and tell them you are being discharged. But I am sending you home in an ambnce. No car


    service is going to take on the liability of transporting you.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    He heard the sound of the chair drag against the floor, and he assumed that Dr. Horton had stood up.


    The sound that followed was Dr. Horton leaving the room.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Now he just had to figure out how he was going to tell his family.


    ***


    Naya rushed through the house to the parlour, where she found the others. Octavius had received word


    from Dr. Horton saying that Nichs had left the hospital against the doctor¡¯s suggestions, and they


    were sending him home in an ambnce. Everyone was gathering in the parlour because the EMS


    had called ahead to tell them they were five minutes out.


    Samuel stood at the firece with one hand resting on the mantle and a ss of bourbon in the other.


    Teegan and Kinsley sat together on the couch, discussing their theories of why Nichs was refusing


    medical treatment. Naya took a seat on the couch across for the girls. ¡°He should be here any minute,¡±


    she said.


    ¡°I do not understand why Dr. Horton allowed him to check himself out,¡± Teegan said. ¡°He is not a well


    man.¡±


    ¡°He allowed me to leave because it is a free country, and even dying men have rights,¡± everyone


    jumped when they heard Nichs speak. He was at the door. He was dressed in a pair of ck cks


    and a deep blue button-up shirt. His eyes were sunken, and he was very thin. He was still seated in a


    wheelchair, and Octavius was pushing it. Nichs did not look like he had the strength to move the


    wheels on his own.


    It was breaking Kinsley¡¯s heart to see him. She remembered the man he was the first night they met,


    and now he was a husk of that man. He looked like a living corpse. ¡°Nichs,¡± Naya spoke as she


    went to his side. ¡°You are not well; you should be the hospital where the doctors can care for you. What


    will we do if something happens?¡±


    ¡°You will do nothing,¡± Nichs told her. He then held his hand up, and Octavius took a document out of


    the bag hanging on the back. ¡°I took the liberty of having the doctor and the hospital draw up some


    papers,¡± he said when Octavius ced the papers in his hand. ¡°This is a living will. It states that I am


    not to be kept on life support if something happens. It also had a DNR. I am not to be revived if my


    heart stops or I stop breathing. It is signed by myself and the doctor. It is witnessed and notarized, and


    legally binding. To go against it would be to go against my final wishes.¡±


    Kinsley looked at the devastated looks on Samuel and Naya¡¯s faces. ¡°You want us to just let you die?¡±


    Naya asked. ¡°That is too much to ask of a mother,¡± she refused.


    ¡°Then, you may leave. I did things your way. All I received in return was misery and suffering. No more.


    I am done with it. His document is legally binding. Make your choice. ept it and stay until the end or


    leave now in protest and be done with it.¡±


    Kinsley watched as Naya and Teegan both rose and left the room in protest. Samuel came over to his


    son. ¡°Nichs, think about¡­.¡±


    ¡°Goodbye, father,¡± Nichs snapped, refusing to listen to anyone who disagreed with his choice.


    Samuel did not bother to fight it; he just walked out the door. Kinsley walked over to Nichs. ¡°I do not


    think this is fair. You are just giving up. If you do this, you will never make it to our wedding day.¡±


    ¡°That will not be a problem,¡± Nichs said. ¡°There will be no wedding. You and I are over. Pack your


    things and leave. Octavius will have Stephen drive you to your parent¡¯s house,¡± she had no choice but


    to go home to her parents because Kinsley had given up her apartment when Nichs asked her to


    marry him. Now he was just casting her out like she meant absolutely nothing to him.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Kinsley asked, trying not to cry.


    ¡°I was willing to marry you because I wanted a child before I died. You failed to fulfill your end of the


    deal. Your services are no longer required.¡±


    He was treating her like the whole thing had just been a business rtionship. Her heart was broken.


    Kinsley walked over and pped Nichs across the face with her good hand. ¡°You are going to die


    miserable and alone,¡± she snapped and stormed out.


    She paused in the doorway for just a moment when she heard Nichs mutter under his breath, ¡°That


    is the n,¡± that was when it struck her; he was not throwing her away; he was trying to spare her the


    heartache of watching him die. She bit back her tears and then left.


    ***


    Nichs sat in his wheelchair, trying not to show the pain he felt at sending Kinsley away. He listened


    to her footsteps as she left. His chest ached at his loss. When he was sure they were alone, Nichs


    spoke. ¡°Octavius, after Miss. Wells has left. I want you to go into town and pick up refills of all my


    medication.¡±


    ¡°I thought you said no more treatment?¡±


    ¡°I am not. I am going to party until I drop dead. Now do your job.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±

 Chapter 33: 33

    Chapter 33: 33


    Four weekster¡­


    Kinsley sat in the exam room as the nurse carefully removed her cast. It had been nearly six weeks


    since she broke her arm. Once the cast was off, Kinsley began to scratch and sigh with relief. That had


    been driving her nuts for weeks. Kinsley thanked the nurse and decided to head home. She gged


    down a taxi and headed back to her parents¡¯ house. She had taken a job as a waitress. The wag was


    complete crap, and so were the hours, but her options were limited, so she took what she could get.


    Kinsley had only been on the job for two weeks, and it was hard to do with her cast on. Things would


    greatly improve now that she had full use of both her arms. Her parents were allowing her to live on


    their couch until she could save up enough money to get her own apartment.


    As the taxi pulled up to the building, Kinsley noticed the expensive luxury car parked on the curb


    outside the apartment. Kinsley paid the driver and got out. As the taxi drove away, Kinsley watched the


    luxury car¡¯s doors open and out stepped Octavius and Stephan. Stephan stood by the car while


    Octavius walked her way. ¡°Afternoon, Miss. Wells,¡± Octavius greeted her with a polite nod of his head.


    ¡°Afternoon Octavius. Funny seeing you here. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°Well enough.¡±


    ¡°And how is the royal family?¡±


    ¡°Well enough.¡±


    They both looked at one another. She was sure the tension was because they both wished to speak of


    Nichs, but she refused to. ¡°Well, it was fun catching up. We really must do it again,¡± she said, taking


    out her keys and heading for the main door of the building. She knew Octavius would follow her, but


    she wished he would not.


    ¡°Kinsley,¡± Octavius spoke informally, ying on their friendship. ¡°It is Nichs,¡± he said. ¡°He needs you,


    Kinsley.¡±


    ¡°He told me to leave,¡± she reminded him.


    ¡°He was trying to spare you because he loves you. Kinsley, he has given up. He is dying. The final


    days are upon him. If you love him, you will not allow him to die alone. Come back to the pce. Spend


    time with him. Hold his hand. He is terrified, Nichs tries to pretend like he is ready, but his pending


    death has him living in terror. Go to him. Comfort him. Help him find peace. You only have to stay until


    he passes. It will not be long. A week at the most. After which, the King and Queen willpensate


    you for your time.¡±


    Kinsley turned to face him. ¡°Why are the King and Queen notforting their son?¡±


    ¡°Nichs has locked himself in his private rooms. He neveres out, and he refuses to allow anyone


    but me toe in, and he only allows that so that I can keep his drugs and liquor stocked.¡±


    ¡°If he refuses to see anyone, what makes the King and Queen think he will even see me?¡±


    ¡°Nichs has a soft spot for you. If anyone can convince him to see them, it is you. If he turns you


    away, then so be it, you will bepensated anyway,¡± Octavius promised.


    She thought about the request. She decided to try. ¡°I wille by tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°With all respect Miss. Wells, the King has instructed me not to return without you.¡±


    Kinsley shook her head. Royalty was far too demanding. ¡°Fine,¡± she said as Octavius walked her to the


    car. Stephen opened the rear door for her, and Kinsley got into the back. She would see Nichs. He


    might have sent her away, but she still loved him. She would help him die in peace and then move on


    with the rest of her life.


    ***


    When she arrived at the pce, Kinsley was met by Naya; the queen hade to the door to meet


    her. Naya hugged Kinsley as she came through the door. ¡°Thank the merciful God, he found you. It is


    so wonderful to see you again.¡±


    ¡°Too bad it is not under more pleasant circumstances,¡± Kinsley said. ¡°How is Nichs?¡±


    She could see the pain on Naya¡¯s face. ¡°He is failing fast. He does not have much time left. Please go


    to him. He really should not be alone at this point. I wish I could be at his side, but he will not allow it.¡±


    ¡°I do not think he will allow my presence any more than he did yours.¡±


    ¡°All I ask is that you try. Please do not let him die alone.¡±


    ¡°I will try to get him to see me, but I make no promises.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°All I ask is that you try. Bless you, child; you are an angel of mercy.¡±


    ¡°I will show you to the room,¡± Octavius offered.


    ¡°I know the way,¡± she smiled and left them both at the door.


    Kinsley made her way through the pce and up to the private rooms. She stopped outside Nichs¡¯


    door and took a moment topose herself for what she might see upon entering. He had been a


    shell when shest saw him, and he had four weeks to degrade further. Steeling her nerves, Kinsley


    first knocked and then went in without waiting for an invitation.


    The room was dark as she went inside. It waste afternoon, but the room was pitch ck. Kinsley


    walked over to the windows and opened the curtains to allow some natural light to flood the room.


    Kinsley walked over to therge bed, where they had spent so much of their time together.


    Nichs was lying in the middle of the bed. He was asleep¡­ or already dead. She could not tell which


    just from looking at him. Kinsley approached and took a seat on the mattress next to the man she


    loved. He looked terrible. He was extremely emaciated. He had withered away so quickly, the man she


    had met that first night was no more. This man lying in bed was nothing but skin and bones. His hair


    was thin, and his face was sunken. His eyes were circled by dark shadows, and his skin was an ashy


    colour.


    Hey in the bed dressed only in shorts. She would assume since he was topless, the nket draped


    around his waist. Kinsley gently ran her fingertips over his chest, brushing over every defined rib. He


    must have just stopped eating altogether after she left. Octavius was right. Nichs had given up. He


    had drugged himself and gone to bed, where he literally remained and simply waited to die. To say his


    days were numbered was an understatement. If he survived a few more days, it would be a miracle.


    Kinsleyy her hand to his face lovingly. ¡°Oh, Nichs, what you have be breaks my heart.¡±


    She noticed as Nichs slowly lifted his heavy eyelids. It looked like the act took all he had. He fixed


    her with his wavering gaze. ¡°Kinsley,¡± he breathed so softly she could have missed it.


    ¡°Yes, Nichs, I am here.¡±


    ¡°You should not be.¡±


    ¡°I am not leaving you,¡± she said, taking his hand in hers. ¡°And if you want me too, you will have to get


    up out of this bed and walk me to the front door of the pce yourself,¡± she said, knowing he did not


    have the strength to lift his arm, let alone escort her out.


    ¡°You are so stubborn,¡± he breathed.


    ¡°I am not the only one. Your Mother tells me you will not allow anyone to sit with you.¡±


    ¡°They keep trying to convince me to seek treatment.¡±


    At this point, she did not believe any form of treatment would be able to save him now. He was too far


    gone. ¡°I do think they are past that point. They just want to be with you when you die. Your mother is


    losing her son. Do not make the loss worse for her by not allowing her to spend your final moments


    with you,¡± Nichs¡¯ let out a shallow breath, and his eyes closed once more. He was not moving.


    ¡°Nichs?¡± She leaned in closer. Did he just die? Suddenly he took in a breath and opened his eyes


    partly. It was a hell of a struggle for him to stay conscious. That much was clear.


    Kinsley looked down at her hand when she felt Nichs¡¯ boney fingers close around hers. ¡°I am dying.¡±


    ¡°I know. I will be here with you until the end, I promise. You will not be alone.¡±


    She saw the slights twitch pull at the corners of his mouth. ¡°You are a good woman Kinsley. It is why I


    fell in love with you.¡±


    ¡°If you love me, why did you send me away?¡± She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear him admit


    it.


    ¡°I sent you away because I love you,¡± his voice was barely more than a strangled whisper. ¡°I did not


    want you to see me like this.¡±


    ¡°I knew you were sick when I agreed to marry you. I was prepared for this,¡± the truth was she had


    thought she was prepared for his demise. She knew this day woulde and soon, but knowing it did


    not make it any easier to see him on his deathbed. She wanted to cry, but she would not. She would


    remain strong for him.


    ¡°I thought there would be more time,¡± he tried to squeeze her hand, but it was barely a twitch. He did


    not have the strength. ¡°I am sorry, Kinsley.¡±


    A tear fell from her eye as she leaned in and ced a kiss on his forehead. ¡°I will be with you,¡± he was


    fading fast. ¡°I am going to call your family in to sit with you,¡± she whispered in his ear. ¡°We will all stay


    with you.¡±


    There was a moment of silence, and then Nichs breathed the words she had been hoping he would


    utter. ¡°Alright,¡± she had seeded where others failed. Kinsley had convinced Nichs to allow his


    family to stay with him.


    Kinsley stood up and went to the door. She stepped out into the hall to find Octavius standing sentry


    just outside the door. ¡°Octavius, fetch the family. Nichs has agreed to allow them to sit with him,¡±


    Octavius nodded his head, but before he left, she had to ask. ¡°Octavius?¡± He paused and looked back


    at her. ¡°Out of curiosity, did thew ever catch up to Matthew?¡±


    ¡°He returned home, trying to escape thew here. The King had Matthew arrested uponnding in


    Kustium. As I understand, he is presently under house arrest. He is confined to his chambers. Upon the


    King¡¯s return to Kustium, Matthew will stand trial for treason. The royal family refuses to return until


    after Nichs¡¯ passing. Do not fear though Matthew will be punished severely.¡±


    That was good to know, but it would not give Nichs back the years his brother had stolen from him.


    Kinsley sincerely believed Nichs would have survived two or three more years had Matthew not


    poisoned him while his immunity waspromised by the radiation therapy. She truly hoped Matthew


    would pay for his crimes with his life.


    ¡°I will fetch the royal family,¡± Octavius bowed his head and then walked away.

 Chapter 34: 34

    Chapter 34: 34


    Dr. Horton sat back in hisb chair and rubbed his eyes. He had been looking through a microscope for


    days. He had been trying out new drug treatment. The drug was experimental and had only recently


    been approved for human trials. He had organized a test group a few weeks ago. 50% received the


    new drug, and 50% received cebos. Of course, everyone was told they were taking the actual drug


    because he needed a controlled test.


    It had been three weeks into the study, and he was personally working on blood workups to see if there


    were any changes. ¡°Dr. Horton,¡± one of hisb technicians called to him.


    ¡°Yes, Nancy?¡± He asked, looking into the microscope once more.


    ¡°I think you need to see this,¡± she said eagerly.


    Interested, Dr. Horton stood up and walked over to Nancy¡¯s station. She stepped back, and Dr. Horton


    looked into the microscope. He could not believe what he was seeing. The white blood cell count was


    up, and the sample was showing signs of vast improvement. Dr. Horton pulled back and looked at


    Nancy. ¡°Is the only sample showing improvement?¡±


    ¡°It is the third I came across. I retested all the samples to make sure my findings were correct. I have


    about another fifty samples to go through. There may be more.¡±


    ¡°Where are the files for these patients?¡±


    Nancy looked around her station and searched the stack of files on her desk. She then handed three of


    them to Dr. Horton, who quickly skimmed all three to find they were all taking the drug. He then looked


    up at Nancy. ¡°Test the other.¡±


    ¡°Do you think we did it?¡± She asked, hopefully. ¡°Do you think we finally found a cure?¡±


    He did not want to get ahead of themselves. He wanted to test the other samples conclusively, but


    even he was excited. This may be a huge medical breakthrough. They may have just cured Batten


    Disease or, at the very least, found a way to control it and prolong the patient¡¯s life indefinably. If it was


    not a cure, there was a good chance that living with Batten Disease from this point on would be no


    worse than managing Diabetes. Those inflicted with it may live long and productive lives.


    He only hoped it was not toote.


    ***


    Kinsleyy on the bed next to Nichs while he was asleep. Teegan was seated in an armchair in the


    corner while her father did the same in the one by the firece. Naya sat on the bed on Nichs¡¯ other


    side, running a cool, damp rag over his forehead and face trying to help him fight a fever. Even


    Octavius had chosen to stay in the room. He might have been staff, but he was Nichs¡¯ friend and


    had dedicated his life to his friend¡¯s care. The Royal family believed he had earned the right to see this


    through.


    The room had been silent for hours. No one spoke. Everyone in the room sat up and took notice when


    Nichs weakly opened his eyes and began to gasp like he could not breathe. He did not have the


    strength to move, so hey there gasping. Kinsley sat up and moved closer. She took his hand in hers


    while Naya stroked his sweaty hair.


    Kinsley felt tears stream down her cheeks as her grip tightened around his hand. This was it. The


    moment had arrived. Nichs was taking hisst breath. Nichs went limp, his eyes open as he


    stared nkly at the ceiling. He had stopped breathing. Kinsleyy her ear to his chest, trying to see if


    she could still hear his heart beating, but she heard nothing. No heartbeat, no breath. He was gone.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Suddenly the door flew open, and Stephen came barging in with a phone in his hand. He was breathing


    hard like he had run all the way. He offered the phone to Samuel. ¡°It is the doctor. He wishes a word


    with you.¡±


    Samuel took the phone and held it to his ear. ¡°Yes?¡± Suddenly he shot to his feet. ¡°Send the helicopter


    immediately,¡± he hung up and looked at Octavius. ¡°Revive him now. An air ambnce is on its way. Do


    not stop CPR until the medics take over.¡±


    ¡°But Your Majesty, the Prince signed a DNR,¡± Octavius said.


    ¡°Revive him immediately!¡± Samuel demanded. ¡°Dr. Horton has made a breakthrough,¡± he looked at his


    wife. ¡°He believes he has a cure.¡±


    Naya looked at Octavius. ¡°For the love of God, man revive him.¡±


    Naya and Kinsley jumped out of the way as Octavius took their ce and started CPR in a desperate


    attempt to revive Nichs. Kinsley looked up at the window when she heard the helicopter outside


    landing in the yard. Stephan ran out to lead the medics to Nichs. Momentster, the room was


    flooded by medical professionals. Even Dr. Horton had hitched a ride in the helicopter. As they


    transferred Nichols to the stretcher, one EMT stood on the run of the stretcher to continue CPR while


    two others wheeled him out to the helicopter.


    Kinsley chased after them wanting to stay with him. As they hoisted him into the helicopter, the EMT


    told her there was no room for her to go with them. Thest thing she saw before the door slid shut was


    Dr. Horton injecting a needle into Nichs¡¯ arm.


    Suddenly Octavius was next to her. ¡°Come on, Kinsley, we are heading for the hospital right now; you


    can ride with the rest of the family.¡±


    Kinsley looked into Octavius¡¯ eyes. ¡°Do you really think they can save him?¡±


    ¡°God willing. If anyone deserves a second chance at life, it is Nics.¡±

 Chapter 35: 35

    Chapter 35: 35


    Nichols could hear the steady beat of the heart monitor in the room with him. He knew he was in a


    hospital. ¡°Motherfucker,¡± he growled. He recalled the moment he knew he was finally dying, and now


    he finds himself in a hospital hooked up to monitors and, from the feel of his hand and IV of some sort.


    He had specifically signed an order forbidding this. He was furious, and someone was going to pay


    dearly for this.


    Nichs felt around until he found the call button. When he finally had the button in his hand, he


    pressed the end. A few momentster, he heard footsteps enter the room. ¡°So nice to find you awake,¡±


    he heard a familiar voice.


    ¡°Dr. Horton, you answer call bells now?¡± He asked with annoyance.


    ¡°Only for my special patients. Actually, I was filling out some paperwork when I heard your call bell go


    off. I thought I woulde to see how you are doing. I must say, though, your vital signs are very good.


    It is very promising.¡±


    ¡°What am I doing here?¡± He demanded. ¡°I specifically stated, do not resuscitate. You signed it. You


    went against a legally binding document. I could have your medical licence revoked,¡± Nichs growled.


    ¡°Nichs,¡± he heard his mother¡¯s voice as more footsteps entered the room. It was more than one


    person. It sounded like a group. ¡°You are awake. How wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Why am I here!¡± He yelled, pissed off that he was still in this world.


    ¡°Nichs, give us a moment to exin,¡± he heard Samuel say. ¡°It was my decision to revive you. Dr.


    Horton called at thest minute to say he has had a breakthrough in his research.¡±


    Nichs did not know what to say. Was it true, and if so, just what kind of progress had he made.


    ¡°What exactly do you mean by progress?¡±


    ¡°It is not a cure,¡± Dr. Horton said, right off. ¡°However, we have found a drug therapy that will manage


    and keep the disorder in check.¡±


    ¡°In check?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Nichs. It is not a cure, but so long as you take one injection a day, you will live a long and


    normal life,¡± he could hear the pride and joy in the doctor¡¯s voice.


    ¡°But, I will still be like this blind and immobile.¡±


    ¡°Well, with this medication and some rehabilitation and physiotherapy, you should be able to regain the


    use in your legs once more, and once you have some time to heal from the arsenic poisoning and build


    up a reserve of the medication in your body, it may reverse some of the other problems, but there is no


    promise. But still, it is a life.¡±


    ¡°How long will it take to recover from the arsenic poisoning?¡±


    That usually depends on the level of arsenic in the body. With your levels, I would say 6 to 12 months,¡±


    that was a long time. ¡°So I know we went against your wishes, but with this new information, perhaps


    you may change your mind and be willing to try onest therapy.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this new drug?¡±


    ¡°The research thus far has proven extremely promising.¡±


    ¡°And the side effects?¡±


    ¡°Minor. It is perfectly safe. Will you give your consent?¡±


    He might as well. Even if he did not consent, he had a feeling his family would inject him while he slept.


    For some reason, no one cared about his wishes. ¡°Fine, but this is thest treatment I will do. If it fails,


    you leave me to die.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Samuel said.


    ¡°I would like to send you to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. It is the best physical rehabilitation


    program in the country. If anyone can help you put yourself back together again, it is the team in


    Chicago,¡± Dr. Horton said. ¡°You would, of course, have to set up residency there. You could pay to stay


    in the hospital, but the amodations are not what you are used to.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I shall make the arraignments,¡± Naya said. ¡°We will find you a suitable ce to live.¡±


    ¡°If you are willing to go, I will call ahead and set up your intake and get your therapy rolling.¡±


    ¡°When would I have to leave?¡±


    ¡°I can have you on a chopper and in Chicago in two days,¡± Dr. Horton informed him. ¡°Are you willing to


    go?¡±


    Nichs thought about his answer. If this drug worked and he had a shot at a real-life, it would be


    terrible for him to be stuck in a wheelchair if he had the chance to get back on his own two feet. ¡°I will


    go,¡± he promised.


    ¡°I will make the arraignments,¡± Dr. Horton told him.


    ¡°Where is Kinsley?¡± He asked.


    The room went quiet. ¡°She stayed until she knew you were going to alright,¡± Teegan spoke. ¡°Once she


    knew you were going to live, she left.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because you broke up with her,¡± Octavius spoke. Nichs had not realized his friend was in the room


    until he spoke. ¡°She is honouring your decision to end the rtionship. Though, if I may be so bold was


    a stupid thing to do. That girl was the best thing to ever happen to you. I mean, really, not every woman


    falls in love with a dying man that looks like the walking dead.¡±


    Octavius was right. Kinsley had proven herself a good woman. Sure it had started as a love for hire but


    had bloomed into a real emotional bond. He wanted her back, but nothing had changed. This so-called


    treatment was experimental, and there was no guarantee it would save his life; they were only


    specting. No, at his point, it was still kinder to let her go. Let her live her life without having to watch


    him wither away and die.


    Until he began to see real improvement, he would remain skeptical. It was better this


    way.

 Chapter 36: 36

    Chapter 36: 36


    Kinsley answered the door after buzzing Octavius in. She had been surprised he hade to see her.


    She stood in the doorway and watched as he stepped off the elevator and came in her direction. ¡°Hello,


    Octavius.¡±


    ¡°Miss. Wells,¡± he nodded politely and then held up the tablet he had in his hand. ¡°I am sorry to bother


    you, but we are leaving for Chicago in an hour. I just needed your signature,¡± he exined, handing it


    to her. She read over a digital consent form.


    ¡°What is this for?¡±


    ¡°It is just written consent to allow the royal family to pay off your debts and to grant them the ability to


    directly deposit a million dors into your personal bank ount, as agreed upon in the service


    contract you signed with the Prince. It is yourpensation for your time.¡±


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Right,¡± She sighed. He made it all sound so casual. Like her fling with Nichs had merely been a


    business arraignment. She was being paid off. Kinsley stared at the consent form. She offered it back.


    ¡°I do not want the money.¡±


    ¡°The money is yours.¡±


    ¡°I told you I do not want it,¡± she did not want her time with Nichs to be sullied and cheapened by


    getting paid.


    ¡°I have orders not toe back without your signature,¡± Kinsley sighed. She did not want to make


    things harder for Octavius. Using a stylist that clipped to the top with a ma, Kinsley signed the


    digital form and handed it back to him. ¡°Thank you, Miss. Wells.¡±


    ¡°How is Nichs?¡± She asked before he could leave.


    ¡°As well as can be expected after dying and being revived. He is skeptical about the oue but has


    agreed to the therapy.¡±


    ¡°I wish him the best.¡±


    Octavius smiled warmly at him. ¡°I shall ry the sentiment.¡±


    ¡°Watch over him.¡±


    ¡°I always do,¡± he promised, and then Kinsley watched as Octavius left.


    Well, that was that. Her time with Nichs was passed, and it was time to return to her miserable life


    as it was. On the other hand, she was now debt-free and a million dors richer. She could afford to get


    her own ce. Hell, she could buy a house outright and maybe a car too. She could even get her


    parents set up in a nice little ce where they would not have to worry about their finances. Yes, the


    future looked bright, so why did she feel dead inside?


    ***


    Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, one monthter¡­


    For three weeks after arriving in Chicago, the medical team¡¯s chief goal was to help Nichs regain his


    strength so that he would be strong enough to participate in the physiotherapy they had nned. So for


    three weeks, his only task was to eat and to keep down food. For years Nichs despised eating


    because he always felt nauseous. However, since he started taking his daily injections, nausea was no


    longer a problem. Nichs was able to ingest and keep down everything offered to him, and in a few


    weeks, he had regained enough strength to perform simple tasks.


    For thest week, he had been doing little things like lifting weight¡­ 5lb weights. Sure the weight was


    on the low side, but to his withered muscr structure, they might as well had weighed 500lbs. They


    were trying to build upper body strength so that he might build enough muscle to hold on to the bars


    when they started to get him walking once more.


    His progress was slow, but he was making progress. Physically he felt better. The nausea was gone,


    and his appetite returned. He had regained sensation and feeling in his body once more. He was


    overjoyed not to be in constant pain; he had not even needed his pain killers. His vision was still gone,


    and he still required his wheelchair, but even little progress was progress, and for the first time in his


    life, Nichs felt hope. Hope that his life could be better. Hope that he could even have a life.


    Nichsy in his bed on his back while Octavius knelt on the mattress next to him. Octavius had one


    hand on Nichs¡¯ knee and the other on his ankle as he lifted Nichs¡¯ leg up into a bent position and


    slowly pushed it, so his knee touched his chest before straightening out the leg and then repeating the


    motion. He had done it to one leg and was now working on the other.


    It was part of his therapy. The muscles had atrophied, and this exercise helped to stretch the tight


    muscles in the legs out and helped him keep limber enough to engage in the physiotherapy in the


    clinic. Nichs was not strong enough to do it on his own, so Octavius helped him. They went through


    this routine three times a day, and it was exhausting.


    Throughout the weeks, Octavius had yed nursemaid to him. With Nichs in his weakened state,


    Octavius had to do almost everything. He would help in and out of bed each day, in and out of his


    wheelchair. He helped Nichs clean up and groom himself each day. He¡¯d help him bathe, and then


    he would shave Nichs and help him brush his hair and teeth. Only a true friend would bathe another


    man. The first week and a half, he had even spoon-fed Nichs until he regained enough strength to


    feed himself.


    With Octavius¡¯ constant help, Nichs was very slowly regaining both his strength and his


    independence. He still needed help getting in and out of his bed and wheelchair, but he was now strong


    enough to feed and groom himself. After a long day of therapy at the center, Octavius would help


    Nichs back into his bed. Then he would sit in a chair near the bed and read the newspaper to


    entertain Nichs. Octavius was ever vignt, and Nichs knew even if he lived to be 100, he would


    never be able to repay Octavius for his kindness and his friendship.


    They were in silence as Nichs was lost in his own thoughts. He was thinking about Kinsley. He


    thought about Kinsley a lot. He missed her, but he had told himself he was letting her go. However, he


    had made himself a promise. If he was ever able to walk again, he would find Kinsley and show her the


    progress he had made. If he recovered enough, he would seek her out and try to rekindle their


    romance only if he recovered. He feared that over the time it takes for him to recover, she will have


    moved on and reced him with another man. He would not me her if she did, but he held out hope.


    He needed hope. It was the only thing that kept him going. The only thing that made him try.


    ***


    Los Angeles, two monthster¡­


    Kinsley dropped down on her couch in the living room of her new house. She had bought herself a real


    home and paid to furnish it. Outside in the driveway sat a new Nissan, and her bank ount still had


    enough money in it to live off for another two years. She owned the house and the car outright, having


    umted no new debt. She was going to work to keep it that way. Kinsley stared at the college


    broachers on the coffee table. She had been thinking about going back to school. She could do it with


    no student debt. She wanted a real career, something that could pay for a decent lifestyle. Only she


    had no idea what she wanted to take.


    She thought about Nichs as she did so often. She missed him, but he was gone, and there was


    nothing she could do about it. She supposed she should move on. Go out with friends and meet


    someone new. But she was not ready to learn t love someone else. Right now, the wounds on her heart


    were still far too fresh, and the only thing that could heal them was time.


    ***


    Aclon Kustium¡­


    Samuel sat on his throne as the Magistrate argued for the punishment of the Prince before the court.


    He went into the details of Matthew¡¯s treason. Thewyer representing Matthew did his best to plead


    for mercy but was getting nowhere. The people were outraged by his actions. Samuel¡¯s heart broke as


    he thought how sad it was that he was forced to choose between his sons. He loved them both, but


    Matthew¡¯s actions were inexcusable. As King, he could not allow it to go unpunished. As a father, he


    could not bring himself to have his son executed even though death was the punishment for treason.


    After two weeks of trial, Samuel could listen to no more of it. He put up his hand to silence the


    Magistrate. ¡°I have heard enough. I am ready to rule,¡± the guard demanded. Matthew stands and


    epts his judgment. ¡°Treason is a serious crime, one punishable by death. As King, I find you


    unequivocally guilty of treason,¡± those gathered began to cheer and p. Samuel put up his hand,


    silencing everyone once more. ¡°As a father, my love for you is unconditional. I cannot execute my child,


    but you will be punished. I sentence you to life in prison with no possibility of parole.¡±


    Matthew red at Samuel with hatred. He did not consider live in prison mercy. Samuel reached out


    and took Naya¡¯s hand in his as she sat on the throne next to his. He could see the tears in her eyes.


    This was hard on them both, but she was clearly relieved he had shown Matthew mercy. With the trial


    over, they could focus on Nichs¡¯ slow recovery. Hopefully, it would work. Samuel did not believe


    Naya could survive any more heartache.

 Chapter 37: 37

    Chapter 37: 37


    Los Angeles, two yearster¡­


    Kinsley pulled into her driveway to find a luxury car parked at the curb. She got out of the car and


    watched as two men stepped out of the other vehicle. Kinsley was surprised to see Octavius and


    Stephen again. Octavius smiled at her warmly. ¡°I thought I would never see you again,¡± she said,


    coming to stand in front of him.


    ¡°It has been too long.¡±


    ¡°How is Nichs?¡± She asked, dying to know if he had survived or if his treatment had failed, and


    Nichs had passed on.


    ¡°The Prince has requested you join him for dinner. If you have the time,¡± Octavius told her.


    ¡°How did you even find me?¡± She was not in the phonebook, and both she and her parents had moved


    some time ago. It amazed her that they had been able to track her down.


    ¡°With enough money and a good PI, you can find anyone,¡± she supposed that was true.


    ¡°Dinner?¡±


    Stephen came around the car and opened the rear door for her to get in. Kinsley chuckled. They knew


    she would go. She did not even have to say yes. Kinsley stepped into the back of the car, and the two


    men climbed into the front, and they started to drive. ¡°Is Nichs well?¡± She asked. Octavius just


    smiled back at her, and she knew he was not going to tell her anything.


    They drove to the pce outside town. The same ce she had spent so much time with Nichs.


    She looked at the mansion as she stepped out of the car. So many memories here. She had honestly


    thought she would never see this ce again. Kinsley followed Octavius inside. He led her to the


    parlour, where he gestured for her to take a seat while he fetched Nichs and told him she was


    waiting on him.


    Kinsley sat down and waited. It was not long when someone came in. Kinsley stood up and turned to


    see Nichs. She was astonished. He looked remarkable. The corpse he had been thest she saw


    him was no more. He was strong. No longer skin and bones. He was well-fed and fit. His skin had a


    healthy colour and not that ashy look of death. The dark circles around his eyes had faded, and his


    face was no longer sunken. His hair had grown back and, more importantly. He was standing. He had


    walked into the room.


    At his side sat Brutus and Nichs had a firm grasp on Brutus¡¯ harness. He still stared directly ahead,


    and she assumed that meant he was still blind. He smiled, even though Kinsley had yet to say a word.


    ¡°I know you are in here. I can smell your perfume,¡± he said with a smile.


    Kinsley was doing her best not to cry with joy. She rushed across the room and hugged him tightly.


    Nichsughed and letting go of the dog harness; he hugged her back. ¡°Look at you,¡± she said,


    stepping back to look him over. ¡°You look amazing. You look strong and healthy.¡±


    He smiled at her, and she could see the pride on his face. ¡°I am happy to say the treatment was a


    resounding sess.¡±


    ¡°Dr. Horton cured you?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No, it is not a cure, but it is now manageable. As long as I take my daily injections,


    I remain well. Think about it as insulin for diabetics.¡±


    ¡°The change is remarkable. You have made aplete recovery.¡±


    ¡°Well, not aplete recovery,¡± he said with a hint of disappointment. ¡°My eyesight never returned. I


    tried radiation therapy again to see if I could shrink the tumour. It did not work, unfortunately. The


    tumour is still inoperable, but the radiation had, in a way, killed it. The tumour is benign now. Harmless.


    It does, however, still press on my optic nerve. They cannot cut it out, but Dr. Horton is confident that it


    will not get worse. So I will simply have to learn to live with being blind,¡± he grinned at her. ¡°I am getting


    used to it. If this is the worst side effect of my near-death experience, I can live with that.¡±


    Kinsley leaned over and petted Brutus, who seemed happy to see her. She was not sure he would


    remember her, but he seemed to, which surprised her. Kinsley stood up and smiled at Nichs. ¡°It is so


    good to see you. I am so happy that the treatments worked. You have reimed your life.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I have many years of lost life to make up for,¡± he took Brutus by the harness once more.


    ¡°Please take a seat,¡± Kinsley sat down on the closest Couch, and Nichs sat down next to her, and


    Brutusy down on the floor next to Nichs¡¯ feet. ¡°I have been told you are doing well.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thanks to your kindness. The money changed my life.¡±


    ¡°We had a deal, and you lived up to your part, so I did as well. You earned your fee.¡±


    Kinsley looked down at her hands. ¡°Is that all it was? Love for hire? Did I ever mean anything to you?¡±


    Nichs reached out and took her hand in his. ¡°Kinsley, you meant everything to me. I did not know if I


    would survive or recover if I did. I did not want to be a burden on you. I wanted you to have a life. One


    not filled with tears.¡±


    ¡°I cried for you anyway.¡±


    He smiled at her. ¡°You are a good woman,¡± she watched as the smile faded from his face. ¡°Is there¡­¡±


    He trailed off like he did not want to ask what was on his mind. Like he feared her answer. ¡°It has been


    a long time; there must be someone special in your life now.¡±


    She snickered. ¡°If you are asking, is there another man in my life¡­ no, there is not. There has been no


    one after you.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°It is impossible to learn to love someone new when you are still in love with someone else.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°So you still love me?¡±


    ¡°Boy, what do you think?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°With that said, I have a proposition for you.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°I have missed you. I havee to LA to collect you,¡± Nichs confessed.


    ¡°Collect me?¡±


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    ¡°I am flying back to Kustium next week.¡±


    She was both surprised and disappointed to learn he was leaving. ¡°Oh, you are going home.¡±


    ¡°Well, now that I have a future, I have to think about the future. I will be king one day; I have to learn


    how to run a country. I have to go home and do my duty as Crowned Prince.¡±


    ¡°I wish you the best.¡±


    ¡°I want you toe with me.¡±


    ¡°To Kustium?¡±


    ¡°Well, I am going to require a wife. I can think of no one I would rather spend my life with than you.


    Come with me, Kinsley, and I will make you a queen.¡±


    Kinsley watched him in silence. ¡°I do not want to be a queen,¡± she told him, watching the hope and


    happiness fade from his face. Kinsley smiled, knowing he could not see her face. ¡°But I would be happy


    to be your wife.¡±


    His grin returned. ¡°Was that a yes?¡±


    Kinsley thought about her life here. She would miss her family, but she would regret it forever if she


    turned Nichs down. She supposed she could gift the house to her parents and let them either live in


    it or sell it for profit. After all, who needs a house in LA when they could live in a pce?


    ¡°Yes. I will marry you.¡±


    He took her hand. ¡°I promise you will not regret it,¡± Nichs rose to his feet. ¡°I am sure dinner is ready


    to be served. What do you say we move to the dining room?¡±


    Kinsley stood up and stepped into Nichs, pressing her body against his. She brushed her lips softly


    over his. ¡°I say, let dinner get cold. Let¡¯s go upstairs and make up for lost time.¡±


    She felt his arms snake around her waist. ¡°Now there is an idea I can get on board with.¡±


    ***


    Aclon Kustium, two monthster¡­


    Kinsley felt beautiful in the amazing yellow ballgown Nichs had made for her. She stood next to her


    fianc¨¦, who held her hand openly before the court. To their left stood Teegan in an equally lovely blue


    dress. Seated on a throne to the right was Naya dressed in an exquisite red gown with the crown atop


    her head.


    Next to her, Nichs was dressed in his finest formal clothes with the long white cks and the royal


    blue double-breasted jacket with the white and golden sash draped over his shoulder, his crown worn


    proudly. He had never looked more like royalty than he did at that very moment. Standing front and


    center stood Samuel dressed very much like his son,plete with sash and crown. In his hand, he


    held a ceremonial sword.


    Octavius stood in the middle of the court before the King dressed in a tux. He looked very dashing.


    ¡°Octavius Hudson,e forth and kneel,¡± Octavius walked up to Samuel, and he knelt down on one


    knee before him and bowed his head respectfully. Samuel ced the tip of the sword on Octavius''


    shoulder. ¡°For years of faithful, diligent, and devoted service in the care of the Crowned Prince Nichs


    and for acts that go above and beyond the call of duty, I Knight you. You kneel before me as a


    servant¡­¡± He then moved the tip of the sword over Octavius¡¯ head and tapped his other shoulder, ¡°you


    rise, Sir Hudson.¡±


    Samuel ced the tip of the sword on the floor before him, both hands folded on the hilt. Those in court


    pped, apuding Octavius¡¯ Knighthood. Octavius rose and held his head up high. ¡°Thank you, Your


    Majesty,¡± Kinsley was happy for him; Octavius had more than earned it.

 Chapter 38: EPILOGUE

    Chapter 38: EPILOGUE


    Aclon Kustium, six yearster¡­


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    Kinsley sat in the royal gardens watching her daughter Bailey ying in the grass with her dolls.


    Kinsley ran her hand over her swollen belly. She was eight months pregnant with their first son (or so


    they believed thanks to an early trimester ultrasound). The sound of footsteps on the stone pathway


    drew both of their attention.


    Kinsley smiled to see Nichsing their way with Brutus at his side. Bailey squealed with delight as


    she jumped to her feet and ran to her father. Nichs dropped to one knee and hugged his daughter


    as she jumped into his arms. After a hug, Bailey stepped back as Nichs lovingly dragged his fingers


    down over her face. It was how he saw in this world, how he knew what his beautiful daughter looked


    like with her dark curls and her cute little face. Kinsley smiled. Bailey always liked it when he did that.


    Kinsley watched as father and daughter said hello. Nichs had gone back to the States to attend the


    funeral of Dr. Robert Horton, the man who had literally saved his life many years ago. Kinsley had


    wanted to go, but being eight months into her pregnancy, she could not fly. Nichs lifted Bailey into


    his arms and leaned over to kiss his wife. ¡°Wee home,¡± Kinsley said as Nichs ran his hand over


    her bursting belly.


    ¡°How is my boy today?¡± Nichs asked.


    ¡°Active,¡± she giggled. ¡°How was the funeral?¡±


    ¡°Sad, it is hard to believe he is gone. I owe that man everything. He gave me my life back.¡±


    ¡°He was a saint, and I am sure he will watch over us.¡±


    ¡°Despite the loss, I cannot be anything but happy. I have everything I never believed I would ever


    have,¡± he hugged Bailey and put his arm around Kinsley, holding her close in a family hug. ¡°Everything


    is simply perfect.¡±


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