"Was that really necessary, Wills?" Charles asked his son when they were in the hotel to scold him privately and not under the watching gaze of the public.
Yes, Uncle Chuckie, Bri thought, don't allow him to get free on this!
William calmly reasoned. "Whats the difference between me shooting the finger at the paparazzi and Mum telling them 'You make my life a living hell'?"
Bri shot Harry a disappointed expression. Wills had a trump card. Aunt Di, and darn it! he was using it to his every advantage.
They sat down to dinner.
"Bri, you sit next to William. And Harry, sit next to Bri."
"I don't want to sit next to William," Bri grumbled.
"What was that, Bri?"
William gave her a disarming smile. "C'mon, Bri. I'm not all bad."
Everyone at the table was looking at her.
Harry was the only one who understood.
Bri reluctantly obliged. Once she sat down, she immediately stood back up.
"Bri, what's wrong?" her mom asked.
She accused hotly. "Wills placed his hand on my th-"
William gave everyone at the table a look of innocence.
"Now, Bri. He did not. Sit down. You're acting like a child." Mrs. Bedford reprimanded.
"But--!" she stuttered helplessly.
"Bri--" her father warned. "You do as your mother tells you."
Bri sat down without another word.
Wills gave her a slow victorious grin.
Next to her, Harry gave her a sympathetic squeeze on her hand.

"I'll have the pasta with the chef's special Alfredo sauce," William ordered briskly. "And an iced tea for my drink." He handed the menu back.
"And Bri, for you?" her mom prompted.
Bri looked at the words on the folder in front of her. It was in plain English but she just knew William was looking at her and that made it hard to concentrate. "Um..." she scanned the list.
"Bri, we don't have all night," William taunted.
Bri glared at him.
He smiled.
Oooh, how she wished to lash out: who kept us waiting and waiting last time?
He knew this. And he also knew she wouldn't say anything.
Bri closed the menu. "I'll just have a garden salad." she said hoarsely. She sipped her water.
Mrs. Bedford looked at her daughter worriedly. "Is that all, honey? You're already skin and bones-"
"Yes, Mum," Bri cut her off, unable to disguise the testiness in her voice.
"Would you like some wine?" the maitre d' asked.
Mr. Bedford nodded. "Of course. We're celebrating tonight."
Wills shook his head when the bottle was near him. "No thank you." He looked directly at Bri. "I try to limit myself."
"That's a wise decision." Mr. Bedford approved.
Bri twisted her napkin so she wouldn't scream!

Bri forced herself to eat but William was making her lose the appetite she never had.
"Would you like some dessert?"
"Here." William showed polite enthusiasm. "I'll have the chocolate raspberry cheesecake."
"Bri?" someone asked.
"Uh, none for me," Bri said quietly.
"You barely touched your salad," Mrs. Bedford pointed out. "Are you sure you don't want to try--"
Bri shook her head strongly, closing her eyes so to keep the tears from flowing.
Mrs. Bedford sighed. "All right."
When the desserts arrived, Mrs. Bedford again tried to coax her daughter to eat. "Just a little?"
"No," Bri said. Was everyone deaf that she had to always repeat herself?
William looked at her. "Are you sure, Bri?" he motioned to the slice on his plate. "Don't you have even the tiniest craving?"
Bri thought her ears were deceiving her as he stressed the word craving.
His gave her that gaze that left her breathless. "Like Aunt Jade said. You've barely eaten. You must be practically starving."
Bri looked to her right and her left. Was she the only one catching on the hidden meanings in his words?
Everyone chatted without a clue.
He dipped his finger in the icing and placed it at the tip of his tongue. "Delicious," he praised.
An involuntary whimper came from Bri's throat.
William dipped his finger again and offered it to Bri. "Taste it. You know you want to."
Bri's mother nudged her to accept.
Bri looked at the gob of icing, Bravely her eyes met William's. His words came back to her. Wicked, wicked thoughts...
Bri stood up abruptly. She blurted, "I have to use the ladies' room!"

Bri splashed cold water on her face. She breathed heavily as she leaned against the wall. Was she paranoid? Was she reading too much into his words? He was acting all nice. What if last week was just a bad day and he was back to his normal self? What if last week never happened and she just imagined the whole terrible night? She lifted her skirt and looked at the black and blue bruise that was healing but hadn't yet disappeared. She let go of her skirt and looked at her face in the mirror. "Sure, Bri," she muttered. "And pigs can fly, and worms have ears and hell freezes over in that particular order all in the same day."
"Hello, Bri," William greeted once she stepped out into the hall.
"Hi William," she greeted without enthusiasm. If he was going to be polite then she ought to give him the benefit of the doubt. No matter how tiny.
He smiled, knowing what she was thinking. "Don't think I'm back to my old boring self, Bri. Those adults in there can fall for the act but--" he shook his head in disappointment "--I expected better from you."
"Get out of my way, Wills," Bri seethed.
He blocked her path.
She sighed, crossed her arms across her chest, and tapped her right foot. Her lips were formed in an annoyed pursing position.
He walked over to her slowly backing her up against the wall. "I'm still bad and beautiful." he grinned. He leaned to her. "I think you like it that way," he whispered. He kissed her.
"Stop it!" Bri said.
He kissed her again, defying her words.
She found herself responding to his aggressiveness. Her arms went around him. Then sanity settled back in. She pushed him away. "Get off me!" she screamed.
When she got to the table everyone was looking at her, wondering what was the cause of her outburst.
"Your face is all red," Harry observed.
A song began to play.
"Bri, dance with William," Mrs. Bedford said. The way she used to when Wills and Bri were tots.
William gave Bri a smile. "Shall we?" he extended his arm.
"No!" Bri said louder than she meant to.
"Why not, young lady?" her father demanded.
Bri looked helplessly at her father's rage. "Because--because--" she struggled. "Because I'm dancing with Harry!" She took the younger prince's had and led him to the floor.
Harry followed her without a word. He placed his arms around her in dancing position.
"Darn him!" Bri cursed, glancing back at the table.
"He's trying to get to you." Harry informed.
"You noticed it to?" Bri asked, relieved. "Good. I thought I was going off my rocker."
"I think he described it to me once as: if they think I'm a hopeless case than that's it. But if I give them belief that I can be better, I can hurt them more."
Bri sighed. "Harry, what happened while I was away?"
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Do you really need to ask?" he said sadly.
"Damn!" Bri breathed.
They were silent for the rest of the dance.

The group at the table was talking excitedly when Harry and Bri returned.
"What's going on?" Bri wanted to know.
"The upcoming hunt," Charles informed.
Bri sat down. "Oh." She was sorry she asked.
"I really wish you'd reconsider coming this year, Bri," Mr. Bedford told his daughter.
Bri shied away from his touch. "I told you I didn't want to," she explained embarrassedly. "I think the sport is barbaric."
"What's the matter, Bri?" Wills mocked. "You scared?"
His voice brought back memories. She remembered his face the way it looked that night when he was clouded in cigarette smoke and he offered her one and in that same voice stated 'Oh, you're scared!'
Bri shuddered.

"You're going to that hunt whether you like it or not, young lady," Mr. Bedford ordered sternly.
"But, Papa!" she objected.
"No buts. I can't believe how rude you were to William tonight."
"I agree with your father," Mrs. Bedford put in. "I know you don't like animals being killed but after your behavior tonight we must do something to reassure our relationship with the Windsors. They've been our best friends for years. So you're going to that hunt."
"Yes, mum," Bri mumbled.

Chapter Nine
Bri adjusted the boots on her hunting outfit. She cast one last minute look at the mirror in the changing room. Beside her Widgeon barked for attention. Bri laughed. She bent down and scratched behind the pet's ears lovingly. They went outside of the stables into the sunlight. The air smelled of fresh dew. It was a perfect day for the hunt. She shooed Widgeon to the rest of the canines that would be used for the chase.
"Bri, have you seen William?" her mother asked adjusting her leather gloves as she approached. In one of her hands she held a riding whip.
Bri shook her head. Her eyes were on Harry and Tyler who were goofing off next to the horses.
"Last time anyone has seen him, he was entering the gun room. Honey, go check on him."
Bri whined. "Mum...."
"Bri," her mother gave her a stern look.
Pouting, Bri trudged herself to the dark room. She looked at the rows and rows of rifles there and the mere sight of them made her cringe. She could hold a gun, and she could shoot straight--straighter than Wills she thought smugly--but she despised them. "William?" she called. "William?"
She jumped when she heard a sound. Well, at least she knew he was there. She marched to the source. "Isn't this just like you? Keeping everyone waiting?" she said. "I swear, Wills, show yourself right now or I'll --" she stopped when she saw him.
William turned to face Bri. He was pointing a revolver to his temple.
"William, no!" she screamed, arms waving.
Calmly, he pulled the trigger.
Bri's heart stopped. The vision of him falling dead at her feet was too much to bear. Her eyes automatically closed shut.
To her surprise... William was laughing. Wait. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? How could he be laughing? She opened one eye. He was alive! She shoved him with all her might. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!" she yelled.
He pointed. "You should've seen your face!" he clutched his stomach, laughing so hard.
Slowly, she took the gun from him and inspected it. "It's empty." she muttered. She glared at him. "Stop laughing. It wasn't funny!"
Another laugh came. "It was!" he gasped.
Bri left in a huff.
"C'mon, Bri," William called after her. "What happened to your sense of humor?"
Bri stopped in her tracks. It was a gun. A gun! Guns killed animals. Guns killed people. What was so humorous about that? She scornfully asked. "What happened to yours?"

Bri rode behind the pack of hunters with the rest of the women. Among them were Mrs. Bedford, Princess Anne, and Zara Phillips.
"I don't understand why Robert has to bring that old big rifle when the new smaller one I bought for him would work better," Mrs. Bedford complained to Anne.
"Well, you know men," Zara commented. "Always comparing the size of their manhood with their guns."
The women shared grins.
Bri smiled, but knew she could be happier. The events of the morning were still fresh in her mind.
"Hey, Bri," William called to her, looking back from the front of the pack. "Catch me if you can!"
How tempting it was to relive a childhood memory. William on his pony; her on her pony and William calling out gaily, "Catch me if you can!" This would then make them embark on a fun-filled chase past trees deep into the forest, faster and faster till the scenery was just a blur. Eventually she would catch up with him, because she was a better rider (either that or he wanted to be caught). At the end they'd both be breathless and laughing; half-scared and half-joyous, wondering if the adults were going to find them or not.
Enough living in the past. Bri immediately followed him.
"Forget it, Bedford! You're too slow," William shot back in as they passed the group.
"You're slower!" Bri said to him, determined to catch up to him. No fun was in her mind. Just the aim to prove that, between the both of them, she was better. Good always wins over evil, doesn't it? Bri, control yourself, she scolded. He's making you take his attitude adjustment problem way out of proportion.
William laughed. "Just like old times, right?"
"I wish," Bri muttered, keeping control over her horse as she ran a race with the wind.
The two kids were now far ahead from the rest. When Bri dared to glance back she saw no trace of the other hunters. She looked forward again. William was still in the lead and was weaving his horse's trail between the thickets. A few moments later she completely lost sight of him but the sound of hooves beating against the ground clued her in on his whereabouts. With a sigh she blindly continued the chase.
The cluster of trees thinned and Bri came to a clearing. From above sunlight streamed in. Where was William?
"Ah, alone at last," a voice said behind her.
Bri looked back. She didn't like the look in his eyes. Great! she thought to herself. Get yourself alone in the woods with Mr. Psycho! Brilliant move, Bri!
A devilish smile played on his lips as he moved forward.
Bri backed up. Damn, what if he backed her up right over a cliff like in those movies? Weird thought. There were no cliffs in this area.
"Remember when I said when I want you I'd take you?"
Of course she remembered. Damned his piercing, hypnotic gaze.
"I think I could take you now," William said huskily, in a tone that could've either been taken as a threat or as a promise. "Here. Right here. Now. No one's around to stop me."
Bri hated herself for sounding like the helpless heroine as she futilely informed him. "I'll scream." (She was carrying a hunting rifle and that was the best she could do?)
"Oh, I want you to scream," William told her. "Scream all you want. Scream out my name."
Her breath was caught in her throat. "You're sick!" she spat out. Okay, tree blocking way. Couldn't back up anymore. What to do now? Yikes!
"And you're beautiful," William's voice caressed in reply.
"William..."
The smile widens. "That's it. Say my name. You know you want to."
Bri's cheeks became flaming hot. Her heart was beating fast in her chest. Could William hear it? The way he mocked her indicated that he could.
"You and me, Bri. Alone." he reminded.
How can he make it sound so appealing? Bri gripped the reigns tightly. Wicked, wicked thoughts. Yes, plenty of those going through her head right now. She wondered how long it would take for her to unbutton the top of his shirt...
A round of voices were heard. Along with gunshots and horses neighing.
"It's getting away!" this shout from Harry.
"We won't let it, son," a determined declaration from Charles.
Bri broke her gaze from William. Grateful, those outside sounds breaking the spell.
William shrugged and he off-handily mouthed, "Some other time."
Bri went after him and joined the pack. The women looked at her wondering why her cheeks were flushed, but didn't have a chance to say anything.
The hunt had reached a vital point.
Now the victim in all of this. Deer. Could be Bambi's mother, you know? Well, it had antlers. Do female deer have antlers? (A doe a deer a female deer...) Maybe it was Bambi's father. Well, anyways. Innocent victim. (Hint. Hint. to you cold blooded hunters! And that goes the same for those of you who shoot ducks!). Deer runs for its life, literally runs for its life, dodging bullets aimed in its direction at the whim of a the trigger-happy gunman's pleasure. I should've had a V8, deer thinks.
Bri separated herself from the women and rode next to the men where the action was. "Hey, Tyler!" she called above the noise.
"Hi," he greeted, his eyes on the prey. He gestured to Bri's rifle. "Are you going to take a shot?" He wasn't allowed to participate in the hunt. Just attend. The honor of the kill was always given to those of higher rank. Like the princes.
"I could if I wanted to," Bri said.
But you don't want to, Tyler silently acknowledged.
Gunshots turned her attention forward. For some reason her gaze focused on the dogs. Unexpectedly, Widgeon burst forth ahead from the pack.
"What is she doing?" Bri watched as her pet ran ahead. Widgeon barked at the deer. (I wonder what she was saying). Bri frowned, she knows better than that.
"It's my shot!" William claimed to the others as he fired.
Bri looked at the prince. Then back at the Labrador. Widgeon was too close to the prey. She was too close to where the bullets were targeting. Bri rode up next to William and ordered, "William, don't."
William took aim. "Why not? This is what it's all about," he fired again and missed. (I'm really making him suck at this.)
"Widgeon is too close," Bri tried to make him see. "She's TOO CLOSE. You're going to get her killed!"
But he wasn't paying attention.
Bri glanced worriedly at Widgeon. "William..."
William seemed not to have heard as he concentrated, fired again.
She saw it before it happened.
"No!" Bri screamed a high pitched wail as the bullet hit its mark.
All she saw was blood.

"He did it on purpose. He did it on purpose," Bri sobbed in the stables as her mother held her. The smell of horses and hay were in the air. Not that anyone took notice. Or would it have mattered.
Mrs. Bedford stroked Bri lovingly on the back. She was amused at Bri's little cryfest. Bri got worked up over the tiniest things. Sure, she knew Bri was fond of her pet. But, reasonably, accidents do happen. "I know William should've waited," she crooned. "It was foolish of that dog to run out in the first place. But I don't think he intended-"
Bri shook her head from side to side emphatically. He did it on purpose. He did it on purpose. Bri bit her lower lip and the salt of her tears stung her already red face. "He did it, mum. He knew what he was doing." She had a hard time controlling her voice.
Sounds came from the outside. Workmen were bringing their kills in for cleaning, then stuffing (or whatever they do with the animals they hunt). Bri felt her face turn pea-green as a thought flashed in her mind. Widgeon's body. The scene where the blood spurted played and replayed in her mind. She felt nauseated.
The door of the stable opened. And the light before dusk streamed in from the slit opening. "Is she all right?"
William... Bri recognized the voice. Anger renewed, she got off her mother's lap and sprung onto him. Surprising them all she pinned him against the wooden boards of the wall. Hatred and her need to express it were her energy, her strength. "How could you! How could you!" she demanded as she hit him against the boards. She forced her right arm against his larynx.
William clawed at his throat and tried to pry her arms away, but she had unseen power.
Bri saw him gasping for breath. Good! she thought. His eyes bulged as he struggled for air. Could his eyes pop? Good! I want them to. The veins in his neck were vividly blue. Bri applied more pressure.
"Bri, stop this instant!" Mr. Bedford grabbed hold of his daughter.
Another man had to come and break the prince and the girl apart.
And still her grip on William wouldn't loosen until she allowed it.
William fell to the ground as he choked back oxygen into his lungs.
Mr. Bedford looked at Bri, wondering what had gotten into her. "You could've killed him." he stated the possibility.
Bri said nothing. Her hands turned to fists at her sides. She only watched as the prince breathed heavily. She hated him. Monster. And what was she turning into?
"I'm sorry, William," Mr. Bedford apologized. "My daughter isn't herself."
Bri wanted to laugh out loud. I'm not acting like myself? She could've laughed.
To Bri, Mr. Bedford said: "I know you're angry, but promise this will never happen again."
Bri looked at her father with expressionless eyes. She turned to William. William stared at her blankly.
Did he even care? she thought. Using everything in her, she shoved him onto the floor and left the stables.
"I hate him. I hate him. I hate him." Bri said to no one when she was outside. No one would've liked to hear it. But it felt good saying it out loud. "I hate him. I hate him." She remembered the feel of his neck pulsing beneath her hands.
Yes, it had felt good.