Chapter Five: The Ordeal

I felt dirty, as if I could never wash off Liam's touch from my skin.

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Immediately after the incident at the forest concert, I went straight home and vowed to remain in the security of my bathroom until I felt that every molecule in my skin was spotless. Yet, no matter how hard I scrubbed, how hot the water got or how much soap, shampoo and conditioner I used, I just couldn't escape that bastard of a man's touch.

My lips felt swollen and bruised. My body felt as if hands were still lingering on my skin, trying to stake their claim. My eyes were red and puffy from my sobbing, salt crusted along my lashes. I felt like such a fool, to allow that thing to manipulate me like that - it had been too much to bare.

Kip had tried on several occasions to coax me out of my washroom, claiming that I'd feel much better if I laid in my bed and relaxed. The thought was tempting, but I knew it would do me no good. Every time I closed my eyes I saw that green-haired freak, his smile making my stomach churn. I was afraid to even sleep, for I knew he'd be there to haunt my dreams.

And so I continue to sit in this larger-than-nesccary tub, my knees pulled protective to my chest as the water around me slowly turned cold. I couldn't cry any longer, I had no more tears to shed. I wouldn't know what to cry over anyway. There were too many different variables to this equation, I couldn't decide which one deserved my attention first.

The one I kept wanting to be my main idea was my own sorrow.

Goodrich - I absolutely refused to call him by his first name - had practically laid claim to me! That vial creature honestly thought he could have me for himself. I couldn't fathom what I had done to warrant his affections. Sure, I had been polite to the man, but he's a prince. That is what one is suppose to do when in the audience of royalty, right?

My next headache came from that damned rabbit. I know that Tony had done nothing to cause this situation - he was only trying to save me from that monster, after all - but I couldn't stop the animosity I felt. If he had only shown up to the concert a few moments earlier none of this would have happened! Or if he had just grabbed me and taken off, instead of sticking around to argue with that monster.

I can't blame him, though. I know my anger is unjust. Tony had been ready to destroy the first thing that had moved towards me. He knew that his instincts would have taken over and he would have attacked anything that posed itself as a threat. He had to calm himself down, to regain some of his gentlemen-like demeanor.

But he still let that thing hold you, my mind whispered, pulling those horrible memories back to the surface as the flower-lover's words rung through my head.

"I will give you until the day of the ball, Tony. Do not disappoint me."

A shudder of disgust raked through my body as I lowered myself back into the now freezing water, trying with all my might to ignore the cruel laughter as it echoed in my memory. Only three more days, I realized, locking my gaze with the tile on the floor. Only three more days of freedom.

Oh what I would give for a math test right now...

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The day progressed quickly after that. Kip finally left me in peace, spouting off some nonsense about finding Tony and discussing our next line of action. I ignored him for the most part, just happy to have the silence I had been wishing for all evening and settled myself down on the bed with a cup of tea.

However I found out quickly that silence usually leads to thinking, and thinking was the last activity I wanted to be doing at this particular time.

As before I still was unable to find any wiggle room with this predicament. Liam seemed determined to win at all costs. I couldn't see a way out, not unless I suddenly disappeared. I had flirted with the thought of making Kip send me home - I mean, if he helped the Princess find my home why couldn't his powers do the same for me. I'm sure the Princess was bored of school by now.

The idea was very tempting, but I knew I wouldn't go through with it. It might have been different if I hadn't worked so hard for what I have gained here. I genuinely enjoy dancing and I've gotten surprisingly good, if I may say so myself. Tony has praised me on countless occasions for my natural talent, and the King seems so very proud of me. I was the daughter he had always wanted; driven, passionate. I couldn't just run away from all of that. This place had slowly grew on me; become my home, and these people my family.

No, leaving was out of the question. But if I can't leave, then how? Sighing disheartenly I took a sip of my tea as my eyes drifted to the small window looking out on the pathway leading up to the practice hall. My cheeks burned slightly as I thought of Tony and the strange words Liam had taunted the rabbit-man with. I could vividly recall the deal the two had made - albeit one of the males wasn't as enthusiastic as the other.

It all seemed so surreal, considering the altercation was almost entirely unprovoked. By the time Tony had made his appearance and calle out on Liam's rough and indecent treatment, it went from a simple conversation of rights and wrongs to a strange accusation of instinctual behavior. What had Liam teased about? Carnal desires? I mentally mouthed the word to myself, tasting the foreign - yet not so foreign - concept in my head. I had had an idea of what that word meant after Liam's inappropriate remarks, but I wanted to know exactly what had been said. So, before locking myself away in the washroom this evening, I had ordered Kip to produce a dictionary for me in hopes of understanding this new word. What I found hadn't been healthy for an innocent mind - or a mostly innocent one.

"Relating to or given to sensual pleasures and appetites" it had read. The images that were painted in my head had me sprinting for the solitude of the washroom, fearing that Kip would gain his curiosity again and ask unwanted questions.

I can still feel myself flush a pretty pink as that strange tingling sensation spread throughout my limbs like a poison. Still seated on my bed in silence, I fought to understand the motive behind Liam's racy retorts. Was it simply natural for men to pick fun on each other over embarrassing material? If so, why had I been dragged into the whole mess. I couldn't help but feel as though Liam had far more up his sleeves then just a wager.

And to use a man's sex-life as a pawn in said wager... I could fathom where Liam got such a crazy idea, but I definitely know neither Tony or I enjoyed it. As if I would actually attempt to be inappropriate with my instructor. A crush is one thing but this-

Well, why not? A part of me suggested with a sly grin. Tony's a male and he must have instinctual desires like every other being of his sex, perhaps even more so beings that he's a rabbit, the giggle that lingered in my mind had me as red as a passion fruit while images of my younger cousin's pet rabbits came to mind.

I distinctly remember the summer we had visited her and her family. She had just purchased two adorable gray bunnies for her birthday. Me, my cousin and her siblings all played with the furry creatures for most of the visit, but soon it was time to go. Having promised to come back the next year, I was pleased to find out it was possible. However, when we arrived things were very different from what I had remembered. Those two adorable bunnies had exploded in numbers, almost tripling their numbers in the short span of a year.

"Oh god," I whimpered, putting my head in my hands. My brain continued to torment me with racy images and ideas. How was I supposed to face that man now with all of these thoughts and strange feelings? I was barely able to function around him before, now it will be impossible.

And to make matters worse, I knew I would be forced to succumb to these frighteningly desires if I am to escape Liam's clutches. I just wasn't sure if I was ready to throw my childhood aside to accomplish that yet.

\_-*~*-_/

I have been left alone for hours to my dangerous thoughts, so much so that the moon was already lighting up the night sky. Kip had returned for only a moment to announce that him and Tony were going to continue to work throughout the night, and to not wait up for much longer.

I hadn't had the time to give him a reply before he rushed out again, carrying out some papers and books in his short, little arms. I didn't give him much thought anyway, I assured myself that both men were working as quickly as they could to come up with a plan, I just had to be patient.

After having had all that time to myself, I had finally realized that there wasn't much else I could do but go along with Liam's demands. However, I was also very sure that Tony would not Be thrilled at my level of acceptance. With that being said I now sit here, unsure on how to go about it. Having an endless supply of books on hand from the palace's library, I forced back my embarrassment and searched for books that would help me find my "womanly charm", hoping to gain a little knowledge to give me strength.

As humiliating I knew this would be, I just had to go forth with my plan: seducing my dancing instructor. Granted that I had virtually no experience in this particular art - my friends and I were still too young to dabble in that sort of thing - my mind was supplying me with potential ideas on what might work. I just wasn't sure if I had the courage.

In the books I had read, none of them gave you a step-by-step guid on the how-to of seduction, just that apparently all women have the ability and that how well you succeed is determined by your self-confidence. If that is true, I have a horrible feeling that I'm going to fail miserably at this plan, I whined internally, chewing on my lower lip in worry. What if I am unable to entice a reaction from him?

He is just a male, the voice in my head reassured me. Nothing but a testosterone fiuled male. He may be the upmost gentlemen in the light of day, but given enough temptation...

I had to cut off my train of thought to save face. I had never given it much thought to how Tony would act outside his element. My curiosity spiked at the idea, but I didn't feel that I could stomach his pure, animalistic instincts. If I were to push too much...

Enough! Shaking my head once more, I shoved all of my thoughts away for the night with a frustrated huff. I guess I'll just have to wait for morning, I decided as I slipped underneath the covers on my bed. Maybe by then I'll have ironed out my plan.

\_-*~*-_/

Hello again lovelies. Sorry for the long wait, I won't even try to excuse myself.

I will apologize for my short chapter this time around. I thought after the fright Ven and Tony had received in my last go at this, we needed a change of pace to see into their heads.

Yes, I said their heads. I'm flirting with the idea of making my sixth chapter about this same night but in Tony's point of view. I am unsure if I will be able to succeed in portraying him correctly, however.

I don't feel like I will be able to keep Tony in his "noble" ways for long. Granted I would want him to have conflicting feelings regarding what happened, I am just unsure on how far I want those feelings to go.

The rating might have to be altered to adjust my thoughts about the next chapter for his account of this night.

If you think I should change the rating please feel free to voice your opinions. I'll gladly attempt any and all suggestions I am given, as long as they are within my abilities.

Until next time, darlings.~