Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

#Chapter 19 The night isn't over yet

Doris looked down at her hand on the door handle and kept silent for a moment. She didn’t just hear that—

“Me?”

“Close the door. Since your lady has left, you stay here to serve.” William said simply.

Doris slowly turned to face him. Stay with him alone? For the whole night? Why would he want her to do that?

“Your majesty, I should go get Peter. I'm sure he would—"

“Are you defying me?” He frowned and sat up a little more.

“No! Of course not,” Doris said quickly.

“Then shut the door.”

Doris let out a low sigh and turned back to the door. Her nightmare was coming true, wasn't it? How would she ever survive the night alone with him?

“I—I can wait out in the hallways, your majesty.” She offered, a bit of hope dangled inside her that he would let her leave. After all, he hated her. Didn't he?

“Shouldn't you be glad you're here?” He snorted, she flinched at the sound. “Isn't this what you wanted when you tried to tip Peter?”

Doris burned at his words, but stayed silent. She couldn't tell him the real reason she was bribing Peter. She lowered her eyes to the ground and went to sit at the chair near his end table. She picked at her nails and tried not to focus on how close she was to his bed.

Her eyes shot to him when he sighed. “Candle.” He reminded her.

"Oh! Yes, your majesty.” Doris leaned forward to blow out the candle on the side table.

The room fell into darkness, she carefully seated herself back on the chair and folded her hands on her lap. She could hear him settle into bed, rolling back and forth as his breathing steadied. She'd never been in the same room with a man as he slept—it was odd.

Doris slowly released her own breath and closed her eyes to clear her mind. His room smelled lovely and inviting. Much different from the stench of alcohol on him that night he attacked her. This was more unique to him, almost like a stormy morning and pine. It was intoxicating.

His breath was deep and heavy, she felt her mouth was much too dry. She swallowed nervously just as he said, “Tea.”

Tea again? Doris wondered to herself. Hed just had a cup, perhaps he couldn't sleep.

She quickly stood and tried not to trip over herself in the darkness as she poured him another cup. When she leaned over to hand it to him, he grabbed her wrist. The cup shattered against the floor as she was pulled on top of him. “Oh!” She gasped at his strength, her mind flashed back to that night when he pinned her beneath him

She could feel his hot skin through her uniform, she scrambled to stand up but he grabbed both her hands. Their eyes locked, she saw a bit of a storm in his gaze. His eyes lowered to her mouth and suddenly he flipped them over so he was on top of her. He pressed her into his silk sheets, she gripped his bare shoulders and tried to push him off her. “Please let me go!”

“Now you're playing hard to get?” She could hear the smirk in his voice, her eyes blurred with tears His face fell when she kept shaking her head and struggling. “You really know how to earn a man’s heart, don’t you?" He said with a bite to his words, but Doris thought she heard something other than anger. She thought she heard jealously.

Did he want to punish her?

"Unfortunately, it won't work on me.” William lowered his voice as his eyes raked her features for any sign she'd felt their mate bond like he did. It didn't seem like she felt it at all, perhaps if she did she wouldn't be playing with his emotions. On one hand, he'd caught her trying to get his attention more than once, on the other, she'd been nice to everyone except him.

He had to shut down his feelings, he had to let Waylon take over before he grew more irritated. The beast inside him growled happily at his decision. The smell of his mate excited him, he instantly reached to undress her. She pushed at him with all of her stretch and managed to get out from under him. Her dress tore down the front and left her almost bare in her undergarments.

William stared at her in shock when he saw her mark—the real mark he'd left upon her neck. Waylon crackled silently. “/ told you it was her.”

"You really didn't want to sleep with me?” He asked quietly, glad the darkness hid his face enough. He flinched at himself when he heard the hurt in his own tone, it wasn't like him to sound sad over a girl.

“I don't, I never wanted to.” Doris breathed, trying to calm herself. She would not cry in front of him, she would not collapse. Doris lifted her chin, she would be strong.

Yes, many girls would kill to be in her shoes. They would probably call her crazy for not joining him in bed, even for one night. That was the kind of girl he wanted. Someone that gave up their dignity, freedom, even their lives for him and his wealth. They dressed up every day desperately hoping for his attention or even an extra glance from him. They fought with each other over who would be his favorite as if they could win that title if they were cruel enough to each other.

But that was not what Doris wanted. She would take the abuse Melody gave her if it meant the amnesty would be signed. But there was no way she would ever give up her freedom for some man. Even if that man was a handsome prince.

No... never in a million years.

"What are you saying?” Prince William sounded shocked from her response as if he fully believed she wanted him this whole time.

“I'm here to serve you, not sleep with you your majesty.” Doris responded quietly.

"And if I insist?” Prince William threatened, though his heart didn’t sound in it.

Doris stepped back and glanced around the room. She picked up one of the butter knives resting by the tea pot and pointed it at him.

"What? You're gonna murder me with a dull knife?”

Doris pointed the sharp end towards her neck. “I wouldn't dare, but if you insisted I would end my life right here before you could touch me.”

Prince William stared at her silently for a moment before he finally spoke. “Alright, put it down. I won't touch you again.”

"Will you keep your word?”

Prince William scoffed, “What? You think I'm so desperate to sleep with a fucking maid?”

Doris lowered the knife and turned towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

Doris glanced back at him with confusion in her gaze.

"As you said yourself, you're here to serve. The night isn't over yet.”

She glanced down at herself. Her undergarments were on full display from the rip down the front of her dress. Her hair was unbound from her proper braid—she looked like a mess. He must love the idea that he was humiliating her.

Well, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"Alright, your majesty. I'll be here.” She calmly returned herself to the chair by his bed.

The night air chilled her bare flesh, she hugged herself and closed her eyes tightly. Praying to the moon goddess that she would be able to leave soon.

Light poured in from the long windows across from her. Doris blinked the sleep away from her eyes and slowly sat up. She felt warm, Doris looked down to see a coat was draped over her body. She glanced up to see Prince William fully dressed, seated on the edge of the bed with his back to her. “Leave.” Was all he said.