Ridgeway.
The night had devoured the metropolis and lights illuminated the ever-busy streets.
Limousines cruised by filled with topless women and beer-chugging guys whilst I watched all this through the tainted glass of the Range Rover driven by the RSS.
Two agents sat in the front seat, whilst I impatiently tapped my feet against the floor, anxiously biting my bottom lip. It was a habit I hoped to one day get rid of.
As Archer had said, there was a car waiting for me as I stomped out of Grandeur Palace, but despite my tantrums, the big RSS agents easily shoved me into the car.
I simply had no other option but to go with them.
God, I hated Ridgeway.
It was my least favorite city in Ashen.
A city filled with casinos, strip clubs, and bars, a place one went to completely get wasted, get illegal drugs, throw a bachelorette party, and have no fear of consequences.
What happened in Ridgeway, stayed in Ridgeway. It was a rotten city.
I watched as we sped away from the city lights, grand stages, and billboards, moving further into the residential areas.
The houses grew bigger and farther apart.
"How long till we get there?" I asked, leaning forward.
My gaze trailed between the agents. We had been in the car for 2 hours. They did not reply, working like robots, eyes steadfast on the road...
I grunted at this, falling back in my seat, and folding my arms.
"The least you can do is apologize. Who the hell chloroforms a lady?"
They remained quiet and I rolled my eyes, once again looking out the window.
My phone dinged and I checked my messages. More worried texts from mom and my girls. I spilled everything to Annalise and Ila but mom... Well, I just couldn't bring myself to reply. Not quite yet. All I could do was reassure her I was alright.
I didn't want to tell her of Archer, it would only break her heart.
Biting a fingernail, I glanced out the window, contemplating how to respond when I felt the car slow down. We had stopped in front of a large fancy gate.
"Who is it?" A drunken voice asked over the intercom, music blaring in the background.
"This is the RSS, official business for Prince Rolan."
"Oh... Shit man," the voice huffed, buzzing off, the gate opening a second later.
I shut my eyes at this revelation. I was at one of Rolan's estates then.
The bastard, the stupid King was going to rule my life it seemed. Why on earth am I this cursed?
As we drove in further, following the driveway to the estate only to realize I was at something much fouler.
One of Rolan's famous parties.
Lights were blaring all over like a nation of disco lights, neon lights dressed around naked girls half asleep on the lawn, couples making out on the large marble steps leading up to the mansion.
The car stopped, doors opening for me a moment later.
I stayed in the car refusing to get out. The Agent opened the door wider, peaking in, raising an eyebrow, "Ma'am... It's the easy way or the hard way."
My jaw dropped at this, before pursing my lips angrily and pushing past him, finally getting out of the car.
"Easy way or the hard way my foot," I mumbled, stepping into the fresh air- nope, scratch that, it smelled of puke and beer.
I gagged watching a lady with no top, stumble across the large lawn, puking onto the grass where she dropped, sighing as she lay down near her vomit.
I turned to the agents, "You don't expect me to go in there after seeing that, now do you?" I huffed.
They remained unresponsive, like two robots with glasses.
I let out a frustrated huff, turning toward the house pissed off as I marched closer.
It only took me a second to realize the agents were not accompanying me.
I turned once again, eyes wide, "Aren't you coming, giants?"
They said nothing and my frustration hit the roof.
"Wow! Yeah just let me go get raped then!!" I yelled, flipping them off, "You don't even need stupid sunglasses it's almost midnight!" I yelled back, "assholes," I cursed under my breath as I hobbled up the stairs, stepping over a passed-out man. Disgusting.
"This is the RSS, on official royal business," I mocked.
How about my rights? Don't I get a say in this?
The entrance was open, but the blaring of music was undeniable. I had heard of Rolan's lavish parties, many of which had leaked online and a few pictures of the wasted prince had sold for thousands of dollars to tabloids.
But being here in person was.. abominable. It was all about drugs, alcohol, and sex.
I paused in the center of the wreck of a party, unable to process it all. Everything was disgusting in my opinion. No morals, no decency.
I walked through the party with one eye closed, meandering through horny individuals, music blaring and blasting for no apparent reason as no one was dancing.
Finally making it through the bodies, I moved to a more empty hallway, where the lighting wasn't disco but normal, where a few drugged out, passed out individuals were randomly sprawled.. some couples were making out quite fiercely.
I kept to myself, moving quietly down to more empty hallways, passing up the stairs, and meeting random couples spaced out. Following my instinct, I made it to the master bedroom, where a guard seemed to be placed.
A bodyguard I realized was the only one who wasn't wasted out of his mind.
I knew I had to distract him if I wished to get passed, but I didn't have to.
As if by magic, he checked his watch...glancing about, before moving out of sight down a corridor. I hid behind a pillar as he passed, watching him disappear into what seemed like the bathroom.
Letting out a deep breath, I walked toward the large door, squeaking it open and cautiously slipping in. Closing the door quietly behind me, I realized you could barely hear the music from here.
The walls seemed slightly soundproof.
The bedroom itself was massive. Like the ones in Grandeur.
I could hear the soft deep breathing of the figure that lay between dark covers at the center of the large king-sized bed.
Walking cautiously towards him, I focused on Rolan.
The youngest prince was asleep, eyes firmly shut, sprawled on top of his bed, and still in his clothes. I sighed, moving toward him, and studying his face.
It had been so long.
I found myself smiling as I studied him. He had grown so handsome, just like his brother.
I see he had dyed his brown locks silver. As wild as I remembered him to be. An earring dangled from one of his ears
I could only imagine Archer's reaction when he saw this. I chuckled to myself as I watched him.
My fingers brushed against his cheek, the grin widening on my face when he suddenly opened his eyes, hands grabbing my wrists and, pulling me onto the bed.
We rolled over and he hovered over me pinning me down with both hands, bright green eyes peering down at me in a lofty gaze.
"You think you can rape me?" He grunted.
My eyes were wide as I stared up at him. His breath reeked of booze. His eyebrows suddenly arched, as he took me in.
"You're the one who's on top." I huffed, breathing harshly at the unexpected change of events.
We were close- too close.
His eyes widened momentarily, but they seemed to fall back in their drunken gaze as he fell off to the side with a soft huff.
I could finally breathe, though his arm draped around my waist pulling me into his side, and I could feel his eyes on the side of my face. "You're finally here."
I took out a loose breath, slowly turning to the side, capturing his eyes.
He was only a breath away.
"Will you stay this time?" he asked softly.
I searched his gaze, and then he did something surprising, leaning in and placing a kiss on my forehead with a soft hum, "Please, I miss you."
My heart pounded within me but I reminded myself he was dead drunk, and Everest high, thanks to the millions of things he could have taken at this diabolical party.
I pushed off him, and he sighed lying down as I sat up drawing my knees closer, his arm retreating off me but his eyes watched me in wonder as if I was a fleeting dream.
"No, I can not stay here because frankly, it stinks in here," I grunted, moving out of the bed.
He sat up, swaying slightly, his eyes narrowing on me, "You're leaving Kera? Already?"
I nodded, dusting myself off with a sigh.
His shoulders slumped, and he swayed again, shaking his head.
"You always leave," he mumbled.
I picked this up, my eyebrows arching at the weird statement but brushed it off, moving toward him.
"C'mon big boy, you're coming along-"
His eyes widened, blinking blankly before pointing at himself. "Me?"
I rolled my eyes helping him up, "Let's get you out of here."
He smiled, helping me as I pulled his heavy self up to his bare feet. I fished for his shoes, struggling to get him to fit.
"You're taking me this time?" He hummed like a toddler.
I nodded yet again, "You want to go right?"
"With you? Always."
I chuckled at his childish behavior. "Alright, Mr. Yes Man. Let's get going."
We staggered toward the door and he kept saying the most ridiculous things.
We finally made it to the hallway, running into the bodyguard.
My eyes widened, my heart beating fast but Rolan was quick to action.
"Goodbye, Angus! I'm leaving with Kera!" He gleamed, stumbling passed him, "anywhere she goes, I go now."
I stumbled with him on my shoulder, nodding to the guard nervously but he seemed only amused. "It's about time. Perhaps, I can help your majesty."
He offered his strength and I obliged curiously as Rolan piggybacked off the large bodyguard. I walked awkwardly behind him until we reached the outside. It was only then that I realized Angus knew who I was and the RSS. He helped put Rolan into the car.
When we finally settled in, I sighed, brushing my hair backward as we started back to Grandeur.
"Wild locks," Rolan hummed, playing with my hair, "still untamed?"
I rolled my eyes at this.
Yes, this was the Rolan I remembered.