Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Julian
I loathed having Wynn leave last night and had offered for him to stay.
He’d blushed adorably but explained that he needed to spend some time with his friends and that he had a busy day ahead.
Which meant I wouldn’t get to see him today.
I was bothered by it, however I had a certain governor to kill this evening and planning to do.
I had a time and an address. She’d stated that she’d tell people she had a date but not with whom.
The only tiny thread in my plan that could unravel was if she lied and spilled that she was meeting me.
I’d easily talk my way out of it—Edward would be my alibi, and honestly I was the heir apparent.
The thought of a future king getting his hands dirty would be preposterous to the public.
I spent the day keeping to the itinerary of my tour: a children’s hospital, read a story to a bunch of kids at Brushwood Elementary, a luncheon with a group of veterans.
It was all productive and while it made my life easier that everyone seemed to like me, all I kept thinking about was either Wynn or what sounds Rona would make as she died.
Before Wynn had left last night we’d exchanged cell numbers, so around dinnertime I was able to text him and see how he was doing.
Wynn
Great. Walked like a million miles today on a hike up a mountain. Had lunch there too. Took a nap after and saw an afternoon show at the theater. Was your day all about dignitaries and such?
Julian
Sounds active. No. Lots of children and then veterans.
Wynn
Wow.
Julian
I have a dinner to get to now. I wanted to check in and see how your day was.
Wynn
That’s sweet. I’m going to get a bite and pass out. Our boat to Thrindell is at eight in the morning.
I knew he was only on Crellesia for a couple of days, but I wasn’t going to be on Thrindell until tomorrow afternoon.
Julian
I will arrive there in the afternoon, would you be interested in dinner?
Wynn
Do I need to tell you where I’m staying?
I chuckled.
Julian
No, but I will message you once I arrive.
Wynn
Sounds great. Have a nice night.
Julian
You too, Wynn.
I would have a nice night but oddly, I found myself wanting to spend my time with Wynn instead of sating my need to kill.
Dinner was annoying. It was with Duke and Duchess Marble, and he had a fixation on war and history. He droned on for so long, I thought perhaps I’d kill him instead of Rona. But before the urge overtook, he was bidding me farewell and I was blessedly alone.
I had to be meticulous with Rona’s death. I couldn’t wipe the place of fingerprints as that would be more suspicious. I had to make it look like the “date” had cleaned up after he left but not too much like a professional.
My hair was short but that didn’t mean strands couldn’t fall out. Therefore the plan was to step inside her house and immediately sedate her so I could cover up.
I didn’t worry about people seeing me since I had on a disguise. I waited for Edward and the rest of my security to think I was tucked away for the evening, and then I left the castle.
Her home was a simple five-minute walk, so I didn’t require a car. I had a duffel bag with everything I needed and soon enough, I was stepping up to her door. I rang the bell and she must’ve been standing right there, because my hand hadn’t even returned to my side when she opened it.
“Hi.” She was breathless and in a very short, satin blue silk dress.
“Good evening.”
She eyed the duffel and cocked her head. “What’s in the bag?”
I shrugged and stepped over the threshold. “Wanted to bring a change of clothes, and I had to put my disguise somewhere.”
She beamed, and I knew she was thinking I’d be there overnight, but that wasn’t the case. As soon as she shut the front door, I came up behind her and jabbed the syringe into the side of her neck. She yelped and tried to fight me off, but it was potent and quick.
Soon enough, she slid to the floor and it was lights out. I opened my duffel and pulled out everything I’d need. I didn’t leave my spot by the door until I was completely covered from head to toe: gloves, booties, the whole nine. Then I scooped her up and carried her to the sofa.
I’d chosen a green, six-strand nylon rope.
Green for her jealousy, nylon because it was the most common rope out there, and more than one hundred people this month alone had bought this exact same rope.
It was good to be a prince and have access to information on what the people of the Lamdera Islands purchased.
I wrapped her wrists and ankles together but kept her lying on the couch. With the third rope, I circled her neck and waited for her to wake up. I didn’t sit, choosing to limit where I was in the house.
After fifteen minutes, her eyes fluttered open. She looked around frantically, freezing when she saw me.
“What’s happening?”
“Rona, I don’t like you very much, if I’m being honest. My plan was to simply tell my father to find a different governor for Crellesia.
Truly, that was all I was going to do with you.
Usually, I take from this world those who won’t really be missed.
Thieves, murderers, petty criminals, the occasional houseless person who is violent.
I’m making an exception for you, and I’ve gone to a lot of work to make this perfect. ”
She swallowed, and her eyes misted over. “I don’t understand.” She yanked at her wrists. “What are you going to do to me?”
Did she not understand, or was she being purposely obtuse? “ ‘Take from this world,’ Rona, means kill.”
“You’re going to kill me?” She shrieked and while her nearest neighbor was a fair distance, I didn’t want anyone to hear her.
“Yell and scream, and I will make sure it hurts a lot more than it needs to.”
“Why kill me, Julian? Don’t do this, I’ll be missed—I have kids.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s ‘Your Highness’ or ‘Prince Julian’ to you.
Yes, you’ll be missed, which is why this is so inconvenient for me, and lastly, you’re a shitty mother, Rona.
Three times you forgot to pick them up from school because you were inebriated or with a man.
Your reputation is not one the royal family approves of, and therefore you must go. ”
“So then fire me. Why kill me?”
I crouched down closer; I wanted to see her eyes as I explained. “You were rude to Wynn, that’s why.”
“Wynn.” Her eyes widened.
“Yes. I very much favor him, and I won’t tolerate anyone being unkind to him, so…” I reached out and pulled the rope tighter against her neck.
“Wait! No! I’m sorry, I’ll apolog—”
Her pleas were cut off when I tugged harder, not wanting to hear her voice anymore.
She thrashed about enough that I had to apply pressure to her legs. Her tied arms were wild, and she almost got a good hit in before I pressed my weight on top of her completely.
I was mere inches from her face that was turning a delightful purple. My heart beat excitedly as her eyes filled with blood, her tongue swelling. Her fight began to die along with her body.
Once she stared lifelessly at the ceiling, I stayed that way a few more minutes. Her breath wasn’t one I cared for, so I didn’t yearn for it. This was an inevitable death, and I could admit she was far more pretty dead than she’d been while alive.
I stood and began my cleanup. It didn’t take too long. I’d left her tied up, all the ropes around her. It had to appear that the man she’d invited over had done this.
I could see from my vantage point that she had champagne chilling and two glasses. That was perfect; she’d set the scene.
I staged everything the way I wanted it and slipped out her back door—in disguise, my duffel with my coveralls and everything else tucked away. I’d be sure to toss it all into the fire after I arrived home. For now, I’d shower, sleep, and plan my dinner with Wynn tomorrow.