A young princess who has lived all her life protected from the outside world is suddenly tossed into a world of vampires and other supernatural creatures.The harsh reality of her life is astonishing and quite unnerving.Deep and hidden truths of her life will be uncovered, a brewing romance between her and her captor.Will she come out unscathed?
View MoreIsabella frantically rubbed her palms over her cold legs that were drawn up to her chest in an attempt to rid herself of the cold.
The hard concrete floor was not helping matters neither was the fact that she was scantily clad in a silk dress which was not fit for a prison, especially when you had no idea how long your stay would be.She clenched her fists in a bid to stop the tears from flowing but like always her tear ducts seemed to have a mind of their own and soon after she was sobbing uncontrollably.In a blink of an eye, her world had turned upside down and she had done nothing other than stand on the sidelines and watch as an onlooker as her world crumbled before her.It was just like yesterday when the palace was alive buzzing with a flurry of activities in preparation for the grand ball that was planned for her.She wasn’t elated about the ball, no one would be thrilled by the idea of getting engaged to someone you didn’t know but if she had to choose again she would choose her past life over this without batting an eyelid...she stared off into space and soon she was lost in the thoughts of her past...“Father...”“Isabella it is important that a lady is married off". He stared at her, his hands clamped behind his back, in the all-familiar stance that was peculiar to him.“And as the princess, you should rest assured you will be married off to someone renowned...”.Isabella groaned loudly...King Frances managed a short laugh, “Isabella that is not very princess-like especially now that you’ll be representing the whole kingdom. You need to be of good behaviour".Isabella stared at her Father, there was no talking her way out of this one, her father had never asked something of her. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try to do something for him, she thought. How bad could it get? “I will not disappoint you father". He straightened up further if that was even possible, “Of course, you won’t”. He walked towards the exit with long strides, “I trust I’ll see you in the ball later”.“Of course Father”, she replied solemnly.When he was out of earshot Isabella groaned loudly, it was always about duties or the other. She had never made decisions for herself and right now she had no say in the matter, she would have to do as her father had asked. Their relationship wasn’t one where she could argue with her father.She spent the rest of the day in her chambers, it was only when it was time for the ball, much later in the evening did her mother come to her. There was a brief knock at the door and then a voice called out to her from outside the door, “Isabella”.She got up to unlock the doors, “mother?”, her eyes turned to her hands, when she noticed the dress she was holding, a reminder that she had an important function to attend.She rolled her eyes, “Of course my bachelorette party or engagement ball?, I have no idea what it is".“Isabella dear...”.“How could I forget my own engagement?”, Isabella retorted sarcastically, “Oh right it’s because I was only informed yesterday. If I didn’t know better I’d say it’s almost like you want to get rid of me...”.Her mother quickly laid the dress on the bed and turned to her, “Your father’s decision is probably for the best”, she encouraged.“Mother this is a gamble, I have no idea the calibre of men that would be out there and I’m supposed to pick a suitor...”.“On the bright side, you get to pick the man you want”.Isabella’s shoulders dropped in defeat, “How do I even know I’ll make the right decision, for all I know these men would only be putting on an act”.Her mother sighed in exasperation and sat on the bed, she gestured with her hand for Isabella to sit beside her. Isabella dragged her feet to her and quickly embraced her.She placed a kiss on her head, “I trust that you’ll make the right decision and if it makes you feel any better you can refuse to choose your suitor today”. She placed a palm on her face, “However I know you’re strong, strong to stand by whatever decision you make”.“Mother...”“It will all fall in place my dear, you should get ready quickly now”, she called out and almost immediately two maids rushed in. Her mother stood up, “They’ll help you get dressed”.“I love you mother”, Isabella blurted out.She smiled brightly, “And I Iove you”.When the maids were done fussing around her, she looked at herself in the mirror, despite her current mood she smiled, she did look beautiful.They had somehow managed to arrange her long black curls on top of her head, her jewellery was a striking blue matching the colour of her eyes. The black evening silk dress complemented her hair, of course, it was her favourite colour.She was quickly escorted to the throne room where the ball was held, she was joined by her parents soon after. The courtier bowed and quickly opened the doors and in a rehearsed manner cleared his throat to gain the attention of everyone, “King Frances the IV, escorted by his wife Queen Violet and their daughter Princess Isabella”. There was a light round of applause and just then her brother walked in from behind. The courtier briefly acknowledged him with a short nod of his head and announced again, “Of course, Prince Louis has decided to grace us with his presence". Isabella could have sworn she heard a hint of sarcasm in his tone. The applause continued, she leaned into her brother and whispered in his ear, “Way to go elder brother".He snorted in response. They proceeded towards the ballroom when the courtier's voice rang out again, “...all of the kingdom of East Angles”.Her parents like good hosts they were began to waltz around the hall greeting guests that were present. Isabella held her brother’s arm." Please, don’t leave me here all alone". Louis gave a mock bow, “I have princely duties to attend to". She rolled her eyes, “Of course duties...”Her father's voice rang out interrupting her musings, “The ball is in honour of my daughtePrincessess Isabella”. She curtly nodded as a hundred pairs of eyes fixated on her. He continued, “She is to pick a suitor today and whatever her decision may be, it will be respected. Her decision would further strengthen the bonds between the two kingdoms and we will be open for whatever treaties there would be to sign in the future".All the while her father spoke, Isabella plastered a fake smile on her face as she watched most people's expressions light up at the mention of treaties which could be economically beneficial to their kingdoms, gold diggers she snorted quietly.“...cheers everyone”, Isabella was jolted back to reality as her father rounded up the speech, “Enjoy the party".“Long live the King", there was the resounding noise of clinking glasses.Not long after many men were already by her side offering her a dance, prince and noblemen alike. This was indeed going to be a long night...Five dances later, many fake smiles, lame conversations, reasonable conversations, after incessantly turning down the offers of a dance, Isabella decided she had had enough. She was going to sit at an unoccupied corner of the hall and nothing was going to deter her, she snatched a glass of wine and as she brought it to her lips, a deep baritone voice behind her interrupted her...Alessandro made a mental note to pass the point across to the man in deserving ways, that Isabella was queen of the whole of Isle and East Angles. “...the issue at hand borders on our security as there could be a repetition of history if...” “There, security", Vladimir scoffed, “We have put pertinent matters like our security into the hands of a mere woman to handle” “It is more surprising that she is allowed to be a part of this meeting", Sebastien remarked. Alessandro clenched his teeth and was about to give a piece of his mind to them but his father beat him to it. “This is a meeting I have organized in my kingdom to talk about very pressing issues not who I allow into my court", Malcolm replied, he turned to Isabella, “Please do continue my child". She nodded with a small smile. “We have ignored the wishes or desires of the humans, that is why they revolted. I have spoken to them and they have made demands that are only fair...” “We now make deals with humans?”, Draven cackl
Isabella took one last deep breath before she took fast strides towards the crowd gathered in front of the castle gates, her eyes scanned the crowds and she could make out they were humans. They were agitated, it was evident in their expressions. Men, women even children were gathered. They all harmoniously tipped their heads in a bow when she was introduced by the courtier, “Queen Isabella”. It was her first official meeting with humans and it was nerve-racking, rumours were flying around, humans lived in fear for their lives, they were terrorized and Alessandro had thrown the problem her way to deal with it. His excuse was that he trusted she could handle herself. She masked her nervous expression behind a facade of a prim and confident Queen. “People of Isles and East Angles, I must express my gratitude to you all for leaving behind your troubles to come to talk with me today", she stared at the crowd and intently and began after a brief pause, “It is pertinent to note that this
Alessandro was dressed in a gold tunic, and a red long robe over him, a golden crown on his head, he stood beside his father, Kieran on the other side of him. The court was filled and overflowing with vampires and humans of very high class. Luckily for him, the arrangements were rounded up before sunrise and the wedding ceremony was on the way. Alessandro straightened up and stared at the door for the umpteenth time, he couldn’t wait to see... The doors opened up to reveal the most beautiful bride anyone had seen, the musicians began to play, Marie stood beside Isabella as they slowly sauntered in, she wore a silk gown with rich trimmings of other materials. It was gold in colour, the length stretching far outside the door. The dress was embellished with lace, jewels and other fine ornaments. Her dark long curls were held atop her head, and a few stray curls framed her face. A white fur graced her shoulders. His breath stopped at the sight of her, he stared transfixed, as she walked
Alessandro had been with many women in all his life but being with Belle, the feeling was ethereal. Damn was she beautiful, every inch of her. Her full perky breasts, those curvy hips, the enticing scent of her arousal that drove him mad and led him to multiple orgasms... She moaned aloud as another wave-shattering orgasm shot through her, soon his came and he felt his feral side awaken, he bared his fangs as he had an overwhelming need to mark her, to claim her as his. He leaned forward, he licked her neck, the area around her carotid artery, his fangs plunged deeply into her causing her to moan loudly, this time around it wasn’t in pain but pleasure. It was a thing peculiar to vampires when forming a bond as strong as this, it wasn’t only her pleasure that she felt, he had transferred his pleasure through the bite mark... He held her close to him as he waited for her to regain her composure. She buried her face in his neck while her body was still shivering in the aftermath of the
Isabella looked at her reflection for the umpteenth time in the mirror, she didn’t know if she should wear her hair up or down, so she decided to tie it up. The maid had helped her clean up with a lot of scented soaps, she was dressed in a black lace robe. The room had been decorated as per Alessandro’s instructions.The red curtains with a streak of gold were drawn shut, rose petals were scattered around the room and on the large king-sized bed. The candelabra was the only source of illumination in the room, the bed sheets were white and red. The bedside tables had goblets of wine and blood. She knew what Alessandro had planned, the importance of the night to her, Alessandro and his kingdom, she moved towards the bedside table and picked up a goblet of blood and drank it. Just then the doors opened and Alessandro strode in. His eyes raked her body as he stared at her, his mouth slightly open. She quickly tucked her beside her ear, his gaze caused monkeys to jump in her stomach, thi
He itched to tell her what was on his mind but sitting beside her, holding her hands and watching as her eyes lit up at the starry sky had left his thoughts jumbled. He couldn’t seem to make sense of it, he had many words to say to her, and he had ended up telling her how beautiful she was. Beautiful was a far cry from how she looked tonight, without making any effort she had managed to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in all his life. Maybe it was his love for her, or the fact that her beauty was simply ethereal and otherworldly... He had many ideas of how this night could end with her in his... “Alessandro?”, her alluring voice called out to him “Yes, Belle?”. “You know this is where you profess your unwavering love and devotion to me and tell me I’m your soulmate and ask me to do the honours of being your wife and queen?”, she asked breathlessly. He stared at her in shock like she had told him his mother was still alive, “Do I really... have to say those words?. Is
Marie walked in on Isabella sitting in the large musical hall, her fingers slowly tapping on the keys of the grand piano, Sam had told her she would be there. She watched from the doorway as she played the piano. It was a beautiful melody, Marie smiled lovingly at her, she loved Isabella like she was her child. She had devoted her whole life to taking care of the royal family and even though Alessandro was centuries older than her she had treated him as her child. It was the same feeling she felt when they were introduced, no one deserved to go through half of what Isabella had gone through, she thought to herself, however, she had come out stronger. There was hope after all, a new dawn in Isles and a shot at happiness for Alessandro and Isabella. She walked inside the room clutching the dress Alessandro had made her keep in the past few years. “Bella child, you play so well". She smiled sheepishly and removed her hands immediately from the keys, “My mo...I mean Queen Violet taugh
Malcolm had fully recovered and gone back to being his usual arrogant self, the people were calmed but Alessandro knew he needed to find a long-lasting solution to their problems. The court was going back to normal and people were going about their normal life as usual. However one person had not fully recovered, Isabella. She had not stopped blaming herself for all that had happened. She had disassociated herself from any form of human interactions, even Marie could not do anything to uplift her mood. She stayed tucked on the couch barely eating. Marie had advised that she needed to deal with her grief anyhow she pleased at her own pace but his patience was wearing thin, he couldn’t bare to see her like this. He opened the door to his chambers to see Isabella sprawled on the couch, twirling her locket in her hands, if she had noticed his presence she didn’t show it. “Belle I think you have punished yourself enough", he said, “It is not your fault that your family was too deranged t
When they were outside, Alessandro looked at her, “I hope you will be fine, I’ll send Aunt Marie to you. I need to check on some things”. She looked at the worried expression on his face, “What is the problem, Alessandro?” “I need to see my father” Her eyes filled with concern, “Can I come with you please?” He paused for a moment before nodding his head and led her towards his father’s chambers. They walked in, and a few servants were gathered around him, he was pale as ever but he managed a smile when he saw them walk in. “Excuse us", Alessandro ordered the servants. They scurried away. Alessandro and Isabella sat beside his bed. “I thought you had abandoned your father”. “I couldn’t bear to see you this way”. They said nothing for a while, they just sat staring at him. “Why do you both look like you’re attending my funeral, I mean I’m still alive", Malcolm managed a short laugh. “Father you can’t be nonchalant about this, you’re not healing”, Alessandro replied, “The sil
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