Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne
Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Chapter 69 He‘ll kill for it anyway

Of all the things she had to pretend to be … his wife was the last thing on the list that she would haveguessed. Doris searched through her clothes and came out with an outfit she thought would blend inbest with those that lived here. A thick cream sweater with a black coat on top and boots that weremeant to brave even the worse snow. She pulled her hair up into a bun and pulled a black hat Eliza hadgiven her over it. She wasn’t sure if anyone would recognize her long brown hair, but she didn’t want totake any chances. When she came back out, William was talking with Patrick close by her cabin. Hiseyes caught on her for a second but she was too distracted by his attire to notice. He was dressedalmost exactly like Enzo with the same crisp suit that was built for snow and one of the many hats she’dseen him in around the camp. When she neared him, he even smelled

different. She’d never seen William in anything but his fancy prince attire and palace themed outfits.Even the ones meant for snow. Patrick turned to look at her and offered a small smile. “I’ll be close by inthe trees, try not to look for me.” He winked and clapped William on the back before he headed towardsthe stables. Even he was dressed more like a villager. She assumed all their other clothes had beenruined on the journey over here-she didn’t even want to think about what happened after she was taken.William picked up her hand and slid a gold ring on her finger. It was nothing fancy, just a simple goldband that was much different than what princes usually gave the women they were marrying. It madeDoris feel a little better, at least she knew for certain this was all fake. Doris released her breath when heset down her hand. “It was all I could replace.” “It’s perfect.” Doris nodded with a smile. He looked a littlesurprised before he shook it off and led her to the horses. “My horses are too obvious, Enzo is letting ususe one of theirs.” He stopped in front of a plain brown horse that looked like the rest of them. Hegripped her waist and lifted her on the back of the horse. She tried not to think about how strong he wasas he lifted himself up in front of her and guided the horse out onto the trail. Doris wrapped her armsaround his waist and held on tightly The ride wasn’t as long as she thought, it was truly right over the hillsas he had said. They took the main path and they were there in less than an hour. No one really spared

them a second glance as they trotted through the market. He steered the horse towards where the restof them were left and hopped off to tie the rope along the fence before he held out his arms for her. Hegently set her in the snow and took her hand to wrap around his arm as they walked. No one wouldbelieve this, there was no way. Him? With-her? They’re all going to laugh and call their bluff immediately

William put his hand over her own and squeezed. “I can hear your heart pound faster than it should be.Take a breath.” Doris took a deep breath as she swerved out of the way for another couple. Williamtipped his hat to them to hide a part of his face. “Do you know how to make the cure?” Doris whispered,she glanced around at the growing crowd but no one seemed to notice her or them at all. Nothing morethan a quick glance in passing before they went on their way. “Yes.” He said through his teeth. Dorisglanced up at him. Why did he always have to snip at her? They stopped in front of a booth that hadendless spices. Doris took in the sight of all of it. Wait-was this the booth that also had the poison thatwas in Melody’s soup? Would he have that? It looked like he had everything. She didn’t have time to askWilliam, he was already flagging down the owner. “Yes, my boy. What would you like today? We just gotin some fresh cinnamon sticks—” “I was wondering how big your stock of poppy seeds andpassionflower is?” William interrupted before the man ran the entire menu. “Oh we haven’t gotten muchof either lately.” The man nodded his hello to Doris as he talked. Doris offered a smile. “We have lessthan a pound of each right now but we should get more next week

“We’ll take all of what you have.” William took off his gloves and she saw he had a matching gold ring onhis finger. He pulled out a sack from his pocket and offered a bit more than the spices were even worth.The man didn’t seem to mind, he quickly took the money and nodded his head. “Yes sir! I’ll get that foryou right away.” William pushed his hands back in his pockets and Doris moved a bit closer to him whena gust of wind picked up and sent a new wave of chills through her. He looked down at her. “Is there anysort of shelter nearby for my wife and I to stay the night?” He asked the man as he bagged the spices.He spared a quick glance at them both before he continued. “There’s an inn at the edge of the market.It’s made for travelers like yourself to stay when the wind gets to be too much.” “Do you get many stormsout here?” Doris asked as she glanced down the road. It seemed to stretch on and on with booths and

cabins like the one Enzo lived. This one seemed to be even more popular, perhaps because of themarket. “Oh yes, we have a system that once the wind picks up a certain way, we collapse everythingand get in doors.” He laughed a little and handed the bags to William, he shoved it in his coat. “The inn isnice though. The rooms are cozy and come with a heater.” “Oh, lovely.” Doris said. “Thank you, sir.” Theman smiled and nodded his head.” You two come from far?”. William shook his head and started to steerDoris away. “Good day.” Doris followed him down the road and took in the sight of all the other sellershad to offer. They had clothes and hats, scarves and gloves. Some sold meat while others sold weaponsfor hunting. It was truly lively place and Doris had never seen anything like it. Of course, she had heardof places like this. But to see it was wild. “Oh.” Doris saw a booth that had a few books laid in a pile onthe front table. Her fingers curled with how much she longed to see what they had. It was so hard beingsomewhere secluded and nothing to read. Everything about this place screamed perfect readingweather. William stopped when he saw her longing gaze and led her a little closer . “Do you want one?”He asked. An old woman stood from the stood and smiled at them both with a toothless grin. Doris shookher head. “I couldn’t.” She didn’t have any money with her, all of it was back at the palace. Williamfurrowed his brows and set down a few coins. “Get two.” The woman snatched the coins before Doriscould say no again. Doris cleared her throat and looked through the pile until she came across tworomances that looked perfectly entertaining. She smiled down at her choices and ran her fingers acrossthe new bindings. “Oh, you’ll love those.” The woman winked at Doris before she glanced up at Williamwith a sheepish grin. “Thank you.” Doris said quickly and guided William away. He glanced back over hisshoulder at the woman before he glanced at the books in her hands.” Thank you for that you didn’t haveto.” William shrugged as if it was nothing but -it was something. He wanted her to have these booksbecause she wanted them so he bought them for her. No one had ever bought her anything before likethat. They silently walked up the street and William bought them some food from another vender beforethey went into the Inn. She didn’t expect to be staying long enough to need it, but she should havefigured it might have taken longer than an evening of waiting. If only she brought more clothes. Williambought them a room and ignored the glances from interested and beautiful strangers. He walked rightpast them with his hand on Doris’s back as if he was claiming her as his own and nothing else would be

considered. Once they were closed in the room, he went to work. He pulled a small vile out of his coatpocket and pulled out the spices. “Do you need help?” Doris offered. He shook his head and alreadyseemed to be lost in his own concentration as he laid out his supplies on the table. He grabbed theheater and turned his back to her. Doris laid her coat on the bed that was much smaller than any she hadshared with him before-but she tried not to think about that. She started to prepare them both a plate offood. “Are you hungry-” “It’s done.” He said before she could finish. He lifted a small glass of liquid to theceiling to observe. “He won’t survive off of this, but he’ll kill for it anyway.”