The Imprisoned Princess

Adelaide

I look over to the door as I hear a gentle knock “Princess,” I hear Trey so open the door. He slips inside and pulls me to him, his head in the crook of my neck. “He thinks you hate him,” he mutters against my flesh. “I do”, I respond stroking his ear.

“He can’t know that.” I sigh, he’s right. He gently places his lips on mine in a tender kiss, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. I sink into him involuntarily but I pull away slightly. “It’s hard to pretend to like him, I like you,” I admit. Trey suddenly pushes me away I look to him offended, but he’s put his finger to his lips. I hear the footsteps he’s heard.

He gives me a pointed look as we see the shadow of feet on the other side of the door “Princess, I know he can appear crass and ill-mannered... but please give him another chance. He really does like you,” Trey says in a well-mannered voice, I think wildly for an answer

“I don’t think he does,” I try to put a little force into my words “and I’m not wasting my time with someone who doesn’t actually like me.” I fold my arms hoping it may convey through the door

“Princess, just give him a few more days.” He holds my hand rubbing circles with his thumb, looking dreamily into my eyes

“Fine, you can go.” I smile to Trey as he starts walking to the door

“Please still join us for films in the games room.” He smiles back, leaving the room. Trey feels like my saviour, while Wade; my jailer.

A few hours later I step out of the room and head downstairs, sliding the games room doors open. Trey’s arranging snacks but straightens when he hears me. “Glad you could make it.” He smiles, a warmth spreads in my stomach at his smile. “Do you want any help?” I step towards the table with snacks.

“You could organise these while I go grab more?” He moves around the table, I nod. As he goes past he quickly squeezes my hand which sends a flood of reassurance through me. Maybe Trey will make this whole situation manageable. Don’t get me wrong... I despise affairs and cheating... but this isn’t that. I don’t want Wade. I’m being forced to be with him.

I open bags and dump crisps and nuts in bowls. I’m just opening the chocolate when I hear footsteps, I expect Trey so call out “You’ve got popcorn right?”

“I’ll make sure to go get some,” Wade’s low voice comes from the door, I jump.

“S-sorry Wade... I thought it was, Trey.” I stutter slightly panicked, “He’s getting more snacks from the kitchen.” I look away from him, he chuckles.

“I’ll make sure he’s popping popcorn,” he says and he vanishes from the door.

A few minutes later both men stroll into the room, balancing bowls of popcorn and drinks in their arms. Trey dumps his goodies and walks out again. I help Wade as he seems to be struggling. I pick up the bowl and a bottle of lemonade from him while he places the other bowl of popcorn and a bottle of whiskey on the table.

“Do you have a film in mind?” Wade turns to look at me

“Oh, I hadn’t thought. I- I thought you would pick... your house.” I drop my eyes from his intense gaze. “Nonsense, you should at least pick the genre.” I think for a bit. I need to bite my tongue and get on with this, this is my life now. I stand taller, head held high how I would normally behave. “That’s very kind Wade, I think a comedy would be good.” He smiles broadly

“Comedy it is!” He steps away and opens a cupboard. Hundreds of films meet my eyes as I glance over.

He lists a few films before I stop him “That one.” I point to a nineties classic.

“Hey, I forgot about this, he dresses up as the nanny to see his kids more?” His face animated looking at the box, I nod “Yeah, I like the humour,” I admit.

“Me too.” He looks over to me smiling again,

“Seems we have quite a few things in common.” I hum before turning around, I grab a handful of nuts to mask the reason I turned.

Trey came back into the room arms full of more snacks and drinks. How much does he think we’re going to eat? “Pizza’s in the oven,” Trey says as he unburdens his arms and plops into the couch “What film we watching?” Wade chucks the box at him as he puts the DVD into the TV. “Oh, good choice!” He launches the box back to Wade like a frisbee which Wade catches without looking back.

It’s fun to watch the pair interact, but a stab in my heart reminds me of the similar relationship I have with Jesse. I miss laughing with him, staying up watching films. As teens he would sneak into my room with snacks much like before me now. We’d have midnight feasts chatting about anything and everything.

No, we have never seen each other as more than friends. But we’ve grown up together, we’ve been inseparable since we were three and being apart from him now hurts. My face must have shown some of my emotion as Wade sat and put his hand on mine “What’s the matter?” His touch and voice make me jump, but I right myself.

“Sorry, I’m fine.” I plaster a smile on my face “Are we ready?” Wade nods and removes his hand. The cold wraps my hand without his warmth. I look down to my hand suddenly wanting his hand back covering mine. I shake the thought, it’s just a little chilly in this room... that’s it.

‘You’re never cold.’

‘Shush.’

‘Just saying! Definitely like this one.’ I swear at her making her turn tail back. She places her wall up. Showing she’s upset with me.

We sit back and watch, Trey and I catch each other’s eye every now and again. I wish I could sit next to him but that would be suspicious. So we settle on fleeting glances and our hands meeting in the popcorn bowl once or twice.

Wade has inched closure during the film, I can feel his leg against mine. He’s not looking at me. I can see him focusing too intently on the screen, as he slides his hand to brush my knee and trails to my hand. I want to pull away, but his hand sends a tingle and it’s warm. His thumb pad strokes ever so gently over the back of my hand sending more tingles over my hand. It feels strangely nice, his hand gentle and soft over my own.

“Mr Blackwood, your father’s on the phone.” A voice behind us makes me jump. Wade’s hand retracts suddenly as he stands. Trey pauses the film “Don’t natter for too long it’s getting to a good bit!” he shouts after him as Wade leaves the room. I can’t help the shakes that take over my body.

“What if he tells him how badly he thinks it’s going?” I whisper over to Trey

“He can’t do anything till he gets back, he can’t mind link, remember.” I let out a relieved sigh

“Can you check on Christopher?”

“I have guard duty four times a week, I’d already planned to do what I can.” A tear slips down my cheek, he's so sweet, always thinking ahead. I want his lips on mine again, just as he had when we had heard Wade’s footsteps outside my room.

Wade comes back 5 minutes later, he looks a little flustered but he changes that to a smile when he notices me looking at him. He sits back on the other side of the sofa, not resuming his closeness.

We watch another film, finally retiring in the early hours of the morning. It was strangely nice watching films with the pair, a sense of normality had come over me which was a pleasant relief over the constant fear and worry I now had knotting my stomach.