Chapter 4: Proposition

I don't bother hiding the shock or disbelief on my face anymore. This guy is crazy. His golden eyes haven't left mine for a moment, which only solidifies that he really does believe everything he is saying to me.

"Aren't you rich enough to afford a head doctor?" I say, the irritation evident in my tone. This was supposed to be an in-and-out job. Easy? No, but I was so close to slitting his throat. And now I'm sitting across from him, a little worried that his insanity might be contagious and contemplating how to talk my way out of this one.

King Ambrose laughs deeply, his chest rumbling. He sits back in his seat, relaxing as he drinks the dark liquor in his drink. He's so handsome, it's very distracting.

I wait for him to speak, and he seems to consider his next words carefully.

"You tried to kill me," he says. It's not a question but I respond anyway.

"Sure did," I smirk at him.

"Do you know who hired you?"

"What makes you so sure I was hired? I could be here because I hate your guts and want to see you dead," I say. I'm not sure why I'm antagonizing him, but I refuse to live my last moments in fear. Might as well have fun before he throws me in a dungeon.

Ambrose returns my smirk and my heart can't help but skip a beat.

"So that's a no, then," he says.

His intelligence continues to surprise me. I didn't know much about the king before this, but my opinion of all royals falls under the same branch–rich and dumb. I don't trust people that have everything handed to them, people that haven't worked a day in their lives to survive.

"Can we skip to the part where you imprison me for treason, Your Majesty?" I say sweetly. "Unless you had something else in mind." I make a show of letting my eyes wander down his chest and back up.

The king downs the rest of his drink and sets it down.

"I'm not going to imprison you, Hera," he says quietly. "I have a proposition for you instead."

I raise my brow, waiting.

"You will stay here at the palace and pay off a debt to me. Your life for the attempt on mine. Find the person behind my attempted assassination. While you are investigating, I will prove to you I am not insane. You will dine with me and I will show you my world."

"I'm not an investigator," I say.

"No, but as of right now, you and I are the only ones who know about this. Us and the one behind it. It's safer to keep it that way. Plus, I have no doubt you can defend yourself and you're smart. You also have a contact, I'm sure. So…follow the trail."

I pause, considering. "So I am a prisoner here for the rest of my life?" I ask, turning cold. What about Althea?

"Find the plot against me and the person behind everything. You will earn your freedom after it's done. Then you decide whether you will stay or go," Ambrose responds. "See if you've managed to fall in love with me by the end of it."

"You are a c*cky bastard, aren't you?" I say. "Your Majesty."

He grins. "Do you accept, Hera Star?"

"What's my alternative?" I ask, curious.

His smile falls and I turn cold. "You will be tried for treason and attempted assassination of the king. I won't show mercy because of my…attachment."

Great, option one was looking like the best choice. He knew I wouldn't refuse. Somehow, he knew I valued my life and it wasn't me behind the plot to kill him, so I wasn't dedicated to the cause of eradicating him. Whether he would actually execute me was hard to tell. I want to believe that his crazy 'mate' thing would prevent him from killing me and that he was bluffing. But his hard gold eyes were telling me a different story.

"Very well," I say quietly.

"Delightful," Ambrose smiles. He stands and offers me his hand. I hesitate for a moment before setting my glass down and placing my hand in his. The contact sends sparks up my arm but I ignore it. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of falling for him.

He leads me out of the study and down a few halls, deeper into the palace until he stops in front of a door.

"I didn't think you'd want to return to the ball," he tells me before opening it to reveal a large room. "So this is goodnight. Until tomorrow, Hera." He gives me a short bow, kisses my hand, and walks away without another word.

My hand absently moves to my chest where my heart is pounding against my ribs like it wants to chase after him. I enter the room and shut the door behind me.

The bedroom is huge. There is a large bed in the center, a window beside it with intricate curtains, and a desk opposite both. To the right is a bathroom with a tub and a bathing area. To the left is another lounge room to dress in. I've never seen anything so lavish.

It makes me sick.

I grab a candle from the bedside and walk over to the windowed doors leading to the balcony. I throw them open, stepping outside. I'm now on the third floor and it's too tall to jump, I'd break something or worse from the fall.

I sigh, sitting down on the bed. So this was it, then. I couldn't see a way to escape, at least not at this moment. And no doubt I'd run out of opportunity once the sun rose. I had to admit that my curiosity about finding the mastermind behind everything was growing, but I also feel a sinking pit in my chest. This wasn't how the night was supposed to go. I was supposed to be on a boat right now with my sister, on our way to a new place with our pockets filled with security.

Althea…I'd have to send word for her to stay put in the morning. She'd be expecting word from me but it was best she stayed in the dark instead of knowing where I am. I'd just tell her I got held up and would send a letter soon. She will know to stay at the inn.

I let out a tired huff and kick off my shoes, laying back. Even the ceiling in this room was intricate with decorated golden swirls. I roll my eyes. I never thought I'd miss our dingy little one bed-room at the inn.

The sooner I solve this mystery, the better.