Chapter Four - Tavisha

Getting back to the compound, I head for my room, feeling angry and frustrated.

I do not want to marry a stranger, and I have tried everything to lose my damn virginity so I can prevent it, but my guards are used to my tantrums and always manage to cut me off before any 'damage' is done. 

I am not surprised when, after my quick shower and change into my silk PJs, there is a sharp knock on my door.

'Come in, Papa.'

I sigh again, wearily knowing the lecture I am about to hear.

'Tavisha, it would appear your behaviour was less than exemplary tonight.'

He says, striding into my room with all the authority of his station, but he does not intimidate me as he does his men. 

'I did nothing wrong, Papa, and Andrei was wrong to drag me out so early. So, I was having a little fun, where is the harm in that?'

I snap back at him, fed up with being treated like a child.

'I am nineteen years old, not a kid in high school anymore, Papa. We were celebrating the end of my first year in college and passing my exams with almost perfect scores. I see no wrong in that.'

His lips draw into a thin line, and he folds his arms across his chest.

'You are my only child, the Principessa, and yet my men find you cavorting with American Forces men?'

'I was not 'cavorting' with anybody.'

I lose my temper at the insinuation.

'Those guys had only just arrived. I was having fun dancing and drinking cocktails, nothing more.'

I have my hands on my hips, glaring back at him, no one else would dare answer the Pakhan back so disrespectfully, but I am his daughter, and I have always been rebellious.

'I can see I need to arrange a marriage for you sooner rather than later.'

He growls, and a stab of fear runs down my spine. He had promised to wait until I was twenty-one before even considering it.

'You promised Papa.'

I yell at him, biting my tongue so hard the coppery taste of blood hits my mouth as I refuse to let him see my tears. 

'Perhaps you should have thought of that before you decided to act like a whore.'

He snapped back at me and turned to walk out of my room, leaving me stunned by his words.

Tears stream down my face, and I curl up on my bed to cry myself to sleep, angry and hurt by his accusations.

The next few days I spend at college, rounding up my first year and collecting the reading I need to do in the summer.

'Tavisha, I have a list of animal charities, zoos, and Veterinarians near where you live, and I have set up interviews with three of them for you to do part of your residency required to pass this course. It is entirely up to you which one you choose, but you must spend a month there to gain the credit you need.'

I smile excitedly up at Professor Jordan. This is what I have been waiting for. I can't wait to actually get hands-on with the animals I love so much, and I already know which one I intend to select. 

The Houston Rescue Centre takes in any animal in need of help, including every domestic animal as well as any wild animal that gets injured anywhere in the state. They have rescued mountain lions and other big cats, which excites me. I would love to work with such creatures.

Thanking the Professor, I head out to the waiting SUV. I decide to see what the chances of me getting a place at the Centre are.  

'Head for the Houston Rescue Centre, please, Andryan.'

My guard gives me a grin and nods at Andrei before they head out to the Centre for me. They know all about my College Course; it was heavily vetted before I was allowed to attend, but all my father's men know it has always been my dream to work with animals.  

At the Centre, I meet the Manager, Poppy Johnson, who is delighted to offer me a position when she hears I am studying at the College, and I dream of being a Veterinary Surgeon.

'Can you start on Monday?'

She asks eagerly.

'We are always short-staffed, so as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you are very welcome, and I promise you will have lots of opportunities to earn the credit you need.'

Beaming happily, we shake hands, and I walk out, floating on air at the chance I have been given and get into the SUV for the ride home. Both my guards pepper me with questions about what I will be doing at the Centre, and they roar with laughter when I tell them I will be cleaning out cages and probably walking dogs.

'You? Getting those delicate little hands dirty?

Andrei shakes his head, pointing at my perfectly polished nails and soft white hands with a laugh.

'I'm not afraid of hard work and getting my hands dirty.'

I pout like the brat I am, making the two of them laugh.

'Oh Principessa, we know you will work hard, and this will open your eyes to the real world.'

I know they are only teasing me, so I continue to pout brattily as they drive me home, totally unaware I am being watched and very soon my world will be turned upside down.

At the compound, I walk in with my backpack over my shoulder, with thoughts of working in the Centre crowding my mind, but I stop dead in the entrance. The tension inside the house is palpable; armed guards are everywhere, and my head spins from side to side in confusion.

'What's going on?'

I ask Andryan, who doesn't answer, he just tosses me over his shoulder and takes the steps three at a time before dumping on my bed with a gruff.

'Stay right here.'