Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
DALEK
“Your father failed us. He should’ve been king, giving us everything we could’ve ever wanted. You deserve more than scraps, Dalek. Promise me, on my deathbed, you’ll correct your father’s mistakes.”
I needed to wake up from this nightmare, but my eyes refused to open, my voice refused to call for help. I was at the mercy of my dreams. I remembered leaning down where I could hear Mother, as her breathing became labored and her voice nearly gone.
A shiver ran through me as her cold, skeletal-like hands grabbed hold of my lapels and held me to her face, the stench of rot coming from her mouth, making me nauseous.
“I cannot die peacefully until I have your word—you’ll go after the throne, no matter what.
You’ll not stop until YOU are king. This is the only thing that will give me peace in the afterlife. ”
I panicked, trying to pull away from her grasp, but she had a death lock on me I couldn’t escape. I didn’t know how she got the strength to hold on so tightly, given she looked like a living corpse of skin and bone.
My head shook in denial. “It’s an impossible task. The throne is rightfully Maxim’s, not mine.”
“I cannot leave this life until I have your word. Your father was too much of a coward to wrench back control. DO what your father could not!”
Her coughing and wheezing worsened, and a blue hue tinged her lips. I knew I’d have to lie to her. “Fine. You win. Go in peace, Mother. Be free of your demons.”
Watching in horror, she whispered, “There’s another hope,” before her eyes rolled back and she was gone.
Needing distance, I tried to step back, but her hands were locked on to me.
I screamed, “Help! Someone get her off of me. Cut me out of this damn coat if you have to!” Sadly, that’s exactly what happened.
PRESENT DAY - 2021
Bolting upright in bed, I screamed at the top of my lungs. I grasped for my chest, trying to pull her hands off of me, only to find it was just a bad memory.
My guard, Maliki, rushed in, gun drawn. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”
I was drenched in sweat, but I managed to nod toward him, as he realized I’d been hit with another nightmare. I wondered if they would ever end. They’d been going on six months now, with no relief in sight.
The door was still open as he stowed his gun, bowing before returning to his post outside my door. As he left, Josef, our family’s household manager arrived, giving me the once-over with a disapproving shake of his head.
I was about to criticize him for barging in, when I noticed he composed himself and looked at his tablet. “Your Highness, my apologies for the intrusion, but you have a meeting in your office in one hour.”
Glancing over at the clock, I noted it was only ten in the morning. “You know I don’t accept meetings until after lunch time. Can you reschedule?”
Josef affirmed. “This conference is mandatory per His Royal Majesty and your father’s request. You’re obligated to attend.”
Running both hands over my face and through my hair, I let out a loud sigh of frustration. “Fine. I’ll be down shortly.”
I waved my hand in dismissal, and Josef took the hint, pulling the door closed behind him.
My father and uncle had pulled me into some of their work as of late, trying to test me and see what I could handle, and I found myself enjoying it.
However, my every move had been watched like a hawk, given my mother’s dying wish.
Apparently, someone on the medical team had alerted the royal family about my “promise,” which I had no intention of fulfilling.
I got up and attended to my needs, making myself presentable to whomever this conference was with. I hoped the day would not be hectic. Lately, I felt run down, always needing an afternoon nap to try and keep moving. I’d be glad when these horrific imaginings no longer controlled my life.
Thankfully, my office was in the same wing of the castle as my bedroom, where it didn’t take long to arrive.
I hoped Josef had the foresight to have a tray of coffee and treats sent to be hospitable.
I needed caffeine to keep awake, and I wouldn’t want to come off as rude to whomever I was entertaining.
As I passed my secretary’s desk, Ms. Yanovich nodded her head in greeting. “You’re appointment is already waiting inside, Your Highness.”
“Will you tell me who it is?”
She looked contrite. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, sir.”
Cracking the door open, I peeked inside to get perspective to what awaited me on the other side.
Would it be one of the prime ministers, an ambassador from a neighboring country, or would it be some businessman attempting another donation for their charity or business of choice?
At this point, if I could get them out of my office quickly, I’d offer almost anything.
To my surprise, I came upon a woman’s back as she stood by my desk, glancing at the shelves of books I had in the wall behind it.
She was perfectly sized with an hourglass figure every man dreamed of holding.
Her hair was fiery red, cascading down her back with waves and a few ringlets I suddenly longed to run my hands through.
Her posture was one of authority, while her perfectly heart-shaped ass made me want to bend her over the desk and spank her while I took her from behind.
What the fuck was happening to me? I’ve never had this visceral of a response to any woman.
“Are you done checking out my backside, or would you like me to bend over and shake it for you?” Her voice was sarcastic yet melodic, that of an angel, making my heart skip a beat.
I took the defensive, entering my office and slamming the door behind me. “Who the hell are you and why are you here? You don’t have permission to go through my things.”
Turning around, she crossed her arms, placing her full breasts on display, causing my mouth to salivate and all the blood in my body to rush southbound.
“If you had been punctual, I wouldn’t have had to entertain myself by looking at your book collection.
” She paused, looked back, and waved one hand toward the shelves.
“Which I find enlightening as to who you are as a person.”
I noted my watch stated I had been a few minutes late. “You still had no right to invade my space,” I argued as I walked toward her. The anger was evident in my voice, which caused her to move out of my spot. I took position where she’d been.
Before sitting, I motioned toward the chairs in front of my desk.
“By all means, take a seat, state your business quickly, and be done. I have things to do and don’t need the likes of you taking up my time.
” I didn’t dare admit I needed my desk not only to put distance between us but also to hide the hard-on I was now sporting.
She lifted her satchel from one of the chairs and took out a professional leather-bound notepad before taking a seat. My eyes were glued to her legs, where a slit ran up the side of her pencil skirt, causing me to swallow hard.
Leaning forward, she handed me a business card. “My name is Aurelia Ruzika. I’m a psychologist who helps navigate dreams and aggression. His Royal Majesty and His Royal Highness have hired me to help you come to terms with your mother’s death, putting an end to your sleeping issues.”
Immediately, I dropped the card on the desk, becoming defensive. “My apologies for wasting your time. I have no need for your services. Please remove yourself from my office immediately.”
Her introduction was better than a cold shower to put me back in control. Picking up my phone, I dialed my father. He answered on the first ring, immediately going on the defensive. “What are you doing calling me? You’re supposed to be speaking with the psychologist.”
“Father!” I yelled, getting his attention. “I do not need a fucking shrink. I’ve asked her to leave. I won’t put up with any games you and Uncle throw at me.”
Pacing the office, I noted Aurelia was still sitting in her chair, watching my every move. She made no motion to leave. Pausing, I asked, “Why are you still here? I told you to leave!” My voice increased with anger toward her.
She shook her head. “No!”
My brows furrowed. No one ever defied an order from me. What was her deal? Before I could say anything further, my father cleared his throat, letting me know he was still on the phone. “What?” I demanded into the phone.
“This is my brother’s doing, and I agree with him, Son.
You’ve been on edge, unable to sleep through the night, and basically a royal pain in the backside of everyone you’re around.
You will sit with the psychologist and get to the bottom of what’s bothering you.
If you do not, my brother is threatening to strip you of all royal duties and force you to work as a commoner to get a better appreciation of the kingdom.
Is this what you want? Or are you willing to give this a go? ”
He’d never stood up to me before. It was eye-opening. I’d never believed him to be a leader, but in this instance, he was proving me wrong.
I’d always known I was a Dominate, both in life and in the bedroom.
I needed a level of control. To feel like I was submitting to multiple people, all at once, was disconcerting on many levels.
It left me speechless, like the walls were closing in around me.
I reached up to try and loosen my tie, which now felt like a noose around my neck. I couldn’t breathe.
My father kept yelling something through the phone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noted Aurelia walking toward me.
In slow motion, I watched her loosen my white-knuckled grip on the phone case.
She calmly put the phone to her ear. With her other hand, she intertwined her fingers with mine, sending tingles up my arm and anchoring me to the moment.
“This is Aurelia.”
I couldn’t hear what was being said, only how she responded.
“Yes, sir. He’s having an anxiety attack. Let me walk him through this, and I’ll give you my assessment.”
After disconnecting the phone, she placed it back into the pocket inside my jacket.
I stared at her, unfocused and in disbelief.
She squeezed my hand. When her free hand came up to the side of my face, I found myself staring into her green eyes that shone brighter than the most beautiful emeralds ever mined.
There were soft flecks of gold at the outer edge of her irises.
Her skin was soft and creamy like a porcelain doll, dotted with faint freckles here and there.
Her lips were full, plump, and oh so wet, as her tongue came out to moisten them.
I longed to know how soft they’d feel against mine or, better yet, how they’d look wrapped around my—
Something was seriously wrong with me as my eyes became unfocused. My heart felt like it was ready to pound out of my chest. Each breath I took was a struggle, as though I were trying to breathe underwater.
“Help me,” I whispered. “Please.”
The words hit harder than they should have. I was a prince. I never begged, not for anything. Yet, the panic I felt was undeniable, raw enough to tighten my chest.
Aurelia moved her free hand down to my heart. “Focus on my voice, Dalek.”
My eyes zeroed in on her mouth.
“Let’s take a deep breath in through your nose.”
I did as she asked.
“That’s good, now hold it for four seconds and let’s let it out through your mouth.”
We did this several times before my heart rate started to settle, and I felt the band around my chest start to loosen.
Her hand gave a reassuring pat against my chest. “That’s it. You’re doing great.”
Slowly, control bled back into me, and I straightened my posture.
Aurelia guided me to one of the chairs in front of my desk. “Here, let’s take a seat.”
A few minutes passed, when I inhaled sharply and straightened in the chair. My shoulders squared as if instinct alone would restore what I’d lost. My gaze snapped to hers, sharp now, assessing, furious. “What the fuck just happened?”
“You had a panic attack,” she said evenly. “And until we understand why, the nightmares will keep coming.”
I was still trying to wrap my mind around things, when her words finally broke through my haze. “Dalek? Can you hear me?”
“Yes. Why?”
She stepped back, severing the connection between us, causing me to feel anxious. “I think your mind was overwhelmed, and you went into a moment of derealization, becoming detached from yourself.”
She handed me a coffee and a pastry from the cart.
“Let’s take a moment to enjoy our coffee and food, then we’ll analyze what just happened and why.” Her words were soothing, almost maternal in nature, and I felt compelled to honor her request.
My jaw flexed as I dragged a hand down my face, frustrated by what transpired. After a long swallow of coffee, my voice dropped, as I admitted, “You win. I can’t keep up the lie anymore. I felt my control slipping. My father has never dominated me and…”
Words failed me as she took the seat across from me. She was beauty personified. The next few weeks would challenge me. Either my mind or my need for her would eventually break me.