Page 14 of The Promise Of A Princess

“Be quiet, and you’ll stay off of it.”

I rub my hands together before running one across my scalp. It’s time for the show to get started.

“Kias!” Zolina mistakes me for my brother as I make my way across the dance floor. “Come up on the little stage! I want you with me when I say thank you to everyone!” I stay silent as she pulls me behind her up the steps.

Well, this is going to be easier than I originally planned.

Zolina grabs a microphone and begins her speech while I hold her hand and stand by, waiting for the next phase of my plan.

Her father, accompanied by my father, joins us on stage. Mr. Connors takes the microphone from Zolina and smiles. He reaches in and kisses her on her cheek, careful not to ruin her makeup. Why is he showing a sign of affection before he ruins her? Maybe he knows this will be the last moment she ever trusts him.

“As you all know, not only is this night special to me, but it will be a night that all of you remember as well. We have a special guest with us, Mr. Rudy Moon, and I am pleased to let him continue.”

My father puts his hand out, taking the mic from Mr. Conners, and then puts his hand over the tip, holding it near his leg so he can talk to us privately. He asks me with his eyes if I am ready, and I nod my head. Of course, I’m ready. I’ve been ready for years now. I reach into my pocket with my free hand and grip the cuffs, waiting for the right moment.

“We have set up a special announcement today. Do you allow this, Ms. Connors?” he asks her.

“Yes, I do,” she smiles at him warily before turning to me, unsure and unaware of what has conspired. She tilts her head and stares at me. It’s almost as if she can see who I am and what the plan is. Just a few more moments…

“And you, son, do you agree with this?”

“I do,” I reply.

My father pulls the microphone up to his face. “Good, then I pronounce you Man and Wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

Before Zolina can protest in any way, I tighten my grip on her hand and pull her to my chest. With my other hand, I unveil the handcuffs from my pocket and lock us together. She is mine. She can't leave my side until I deem it necessary. It is a family tradition to be locked in a room together for at least forty-eight hours. She is well aware of this, as is everyone else in the room.

I press my lips to hers, feeling the shocked inhale of her gasp. I cover her mouth with mine. If she wants to breathe, she will have to take the breath I give her. I pull away just as quickly as I had brought her to me.

“You’re… you’re not Kias,” Zolina whispers in fright.

“No, Pet. I’m not.”

“Atlis. What have you done? Where is Kias?” She mumbles, shock coating her trembling voice.

I grin from behind the masquerade mask and turn towards our fathers. They both meet me with a smug look plastered on their faces. I turn my attention back to Zolina, whispering to her so the crowd can't hear. “I took what was promised to me.”

"Promised to you?" Zolina whips her head around to face her father, "Daddy! After everything that's happened, how could you do this?!” She screams.

“There are things that one must do in life that cannot be explained. We will talk about this another day.” He walks over and kisses her cheek once more. “Go with your husband. Happy Birthday, Princess.”

“Daddy,” her voice breaks as she starts to cry.

Yes, cry for me. Cry for your sanity because once I'm done with you, you won't have any sanity left. I will make her crazy in love. Crazy for everything about me. Crazy for the people we will become.

“Come on, wife. It’s time for our honeymoon.” I yank her arm by the handcuff, forcing her to follow in my steps. Zolina puts all her body weight into fighting back, but she isn’t stronger than me.

Oh well.

I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, our cuffed hands bending at odd angles. Her fighting isn't going to stop me from taking what's mine. The guests have been shocked into silence, watching us depart as man and wife. I walk out of the ballroom to the limousine she was brought in and put her down more aggressively than I intended. “I don’t want your tears, and I don't want you to speak. Just get in and sit the fuck down. Do what I say, and this marriage will work for both of us.”

Zolina does what I tell her to do, grabbing the dress with one hand and piling it into the car. She struggles a little, so I reach over and help her. Once that's finished, I shut the door behind us, and the driver takes off.

“Good girl.”

If looks could kill, I'd be a dead man. I swear her pupils turned to little daggers. It's kind of cute.

Chapter 12

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