Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

Chapter 68

Chapter 68 You‘ll be my wife, then.

She would never get used to the sight of the sleeping prince. So peaceful under the warm covers. Did she enter the wrong room? Doris looked around and saw her cloak by the door and an extra pair of her boots by the wall. It was definitely her room-perhaps he was the one that was in the wrong room. Surely Enzo must have given him one. Silently, she slipped off her boots so her steps wouldn’t wake him and quietly went to put away the clothes she was given. Honestly, it was all too much. She knew they would be leaving soon and she would have no use for a lot of the winter clothing they gave but-still. It was kind and filled her with a sense of warmth that came from more than the layers. Despite the cruel ones, they were trying to make her feel like home here. Slowly, she opened a creaky drawer and set everything inside. When she tried to close it silently, it slammed louder than

she intended. Doris cringed and quickly looked back to see William staring at her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” Doris said quietly. “I’ll be on the couch.” William leaned his head back on the pillow and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. He probably realized he was in the wrong room too. “Change out of those clothes.” Doris glanced down at her snow covered cloak and pealed off her gloves before she went to change in the bathroom. She put a large sweater on over her nightgown and silently crept towards the couch. “No, come here.” He said with his eyes still closed as if he could hear her every breath. Doris swallowed and stood at the edge of the bed, “I think it would be better for me to lay on the couch—” “How long are you going to stand there babbling?” He interrupted. Doris licked her lips and tried not to think of the dream she had when he lifted her nightgown to kiss what was underneath. She blew out the candles and sent the room into darkness, with only the

moonlight lighting her way. The bed creaked from her weight and she laid on the very edge. She would never-ever get used to laying next to him. It made her try to tame every breath she had. There were so many cabins that had empty beds-why was he in hers? She wouldn’t dare kick him out after everything he did for her-or even suggest herself leaving. He might take offense and regret ever letting her live by giving up some of his blood. William turned on his side to face her with his eyes closed. She studied his

beautiful face and cursed herself for even admiring it. Could he hear how loud her heart raced? If she tried hard enough, would she be able to hear things like that now that she had a wolf? Or was she not fully tapped into that part of herself? The anxious thoughts died out in her mind. She fell asleep much quicker than she ever had before.

He was already up and dressed when she finally woke. Doris felt a bit embarrassed to be the only one that was still sleeping when she was supposed to be the one

that was waiting on him. She slipped into the bathroom and changed into one of the new sweaters Eliza had given her the day before. William was watching the snow fall lightly out the window when she came out. He glanced back at her, his blue eyes looked so bright against his dark hair and the snow out the window. “Walk with me?” Doris hesitated and nodded. The last time she went out for a walk with him, he went and ripped apart the men that kidnapped her and took her with him to watch. She silently hoped it would be nothing like that this time. Just a simple walk. He opened the door for her and allowed her to go first before he met her on the trail. They took one that led away from the camp and towards somewhere more secluded and quiet. Soon she heard the laughing voices of the village fade into the background. She inhaled deeply, the air was so fresh out here. “I hope your dinner went well with Enzo.” Doris said as she pressed her cold hands together.

“It was… productive.” William said with nothing to hint how he truly felt, his own hands were shoved deep into his pockets. “There’s something I can’t get off my mind, though.” Doris glanced up at him curiously, but he stared forward. “About Enzo?” “No.” He said sharply. “About the night you were poisoned. You said you saw three wolves that looked out of place.” “Yes, they came from the woods behind the cabins. They sought you out and I thought they were part of the rogues and I just hadn’t seen them before.” Doris kicked a rock in front of her and gazed up at the gloomy sky. “It’s strange.” He said more to himself than her “Were they not part of the rogues? I never knew what happened after….” “They fled before I could get all of them. I’m not sure if there was more.” His words were clipped as if he already said more than he wanted to. Doris blew out a slow breath of air. “That is strange, I thought Enzo would have known.” Doris glanced at him again but he only shook his head. Hadn’t

anyone else at the camp recognized the wolves? Surely they must have seen them before if they lived here. “My guards had poisoned claws that night and was able to harm at least one of them.” “Oh, so perhaps they’re dead now.” Doris suggested. “It’s possible, the only cure besides my blood is passionflower and poppy seed but only an expert would know that.” Doris walked on in silence, but her mind was loud. Was it possible the man was still alive? If he was. Doris stopped and turned to William.” How far is the market we were meant to go to from here?” “Not far, just over the hills. Why?” “What if… what if the man isn’t dead yet but doesn’t know a cure? He might start to get desperate the sicker he gets.” Doris said, William watched her closely. “What if you bought out all the ingredients he would need from the market and plant a half dose of cure for one of the venders to sell. He’ll be shouting what it is to the streets and eventually it might draw out the man © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

that really needs it. Or at least someone he knows, then they could tell him about

it.”

William’s brows furrowed and suddenly she felt stupid for ever saying anything. He must think she was ridiculous. He cleared his throat and looked up at the sky as if he wanted to look anywhere else but her. “That’s brilliant, Doris.” He said, and her heart did a silly flip in her chest. He looked down just in time to see her smile and she could have sworn the side of his mouth lifted just barely. “How would we catch him?” He asked as if he was trying to build a small bridge between them. For once, it sounded like he wanted to hear her opinion. 2 “We… we can watch the market for a few days. Go in disguise and pretend to be visiting villagers.” “He’ll know it’s me instantly.” “We can put you in Enzo’s clothes to throw off your scent and—” Doris hesitated, but she reached up and brushed his hair to the side. He blinked at her in surprise but said nothing. “We can put a hat on you.” 1

“You’ll be my wife, then.” He said suddenly. His words knocked the breath from her lungs. 2 “What? I–I don’t think that would be a good idea-No one would believe that.” “We’re going to be pretending, aren’t we?” He took a step closer, she had to tilt her head back just to look up at him. He lifted her hand and

turned it over to look at the scars across her skin. So many that she hadn’t had before. “I’ll even get you a ring.” Doris willed herself to speak, but nothing came out. His eyes left her feeling as if she was about to drown again and he was-so close. She could feel the warmth his body gave and smell the stormy scent of his skin. He dropped her hand and started back towards the camp before she could object any further. It took her a moment to catch her breath before she followed him, hurrying in the snow to catch up with his long strides. It should be considered a sin to be that beautiful. He turned to look at her with a sense of mischief in his eyes. “Meet me back in here an hour.” 1