The Dark Princess 25

“Your majesty, the princess has been whimpering in her sleep.” A male guard told Anthenodora in the hallway as the queen was making her way back to her private rooms. Not even replying the queen rushed through the halls to her room. She wasn’t sure what was going on but getting to her daughter to help her was her only priority.Knowing Bella was sleeping Athenodora slowed herself and carefully made her way into her bedroom. She frowned when she saw Bella’s sweaty face.

“I don’t know what to do.”Tanya admitted. “She has been whimpering and even with the blankets off, she is overheated.”

Athenodora made her way to Bella’s side and rested her hand on the girl’s forehead.”She does feel overheated.”

“My coolness isn’t helping her.”Tanya was feeling panicky about Bella’s condition. If the queen hadn’t come when she did Tanya was going to have one of the guards go get her.

“Did she mention feeling unwell?” Athenodora asked.

Tanya shook her head. “All she said was that the coolness of my body felt nice.Then she went to sleep.”

“Mom.”Bella groaned as she reached out for Athenodora’s hand. Once she had it she snuggled it close to her and went back to sleep.

Athenodora smiled at the action.That smile turned back into a frown when the girl started to whimper again.”We need to get the doctor here now.”

“Do you have one that will come immediately?” Tanya asked.

Instead of answering Athenodora pulled out her phone and dialed Caius.She spoke before he had a chance to.”Bella is sick and needs a doctor.”

“What is wrong with her?”Caius asked not even a minute later as he entered the room and made a beeline towards Bella.

“I think she has a fever and who knows what else is wrong.”Athenodora told him.

“Guard.” Caius called out softly.Once the woman appeared he ordered.”Tell Heidi and Felix to go to the original doctor Bella visited and escort him to the castle. All we know as of now is Bella has a fever.”

“Of course my king.” The guard took one worried look at Bella and retreated quickly.

Athenodora noticed the look and took it as conformation of her prediction that Bella would be the most loved royal. The woman seemed more concerned for Bella’s health than she did about standing before the king and queen.Usually guards barely looked them in the eye and definitely showed no emotion other than fear around them.

“Is there anything we can do for her?”Tanya asked.

“From my studies I learned that humans need to stay hydrated when they have a fever.” Athenodora told them.

“That means we need to wake her up.” Tanya didn’t really want to disturb Bella while she was sleeping.

“Bella.” Athenodora tried to take the hand Bella was holding away from her. When Bella didn’t stir she tried again.”Bella you need to wake up.”

“Tired.” Bella grumbled.

Caius softly patted Bella on the leg.“We know you’re tired but you need to wake up and drink some water.”

“Ugh.” Bella groaned as she opened her eyes. She had been feeling sluggish earlier but figured that it had to do with all the excitement of dealing with the robe fitting, the doctor and meeting Tanya. Her head feeling like it was split open and someone decided to host a death metal band concert on her brain made her think otherwise.

“Bella can you sit up?” Tanya asked.

“I don’t feel so good.”As Bella’s stomach started to rebel she jumped away from the bed bypassing her mother and raced to the bathroom.

Tanya along with the two royals rushed after Bella and as she saw Bella throwing up in the toilet her parents had installed in their bathroom for Bella, Tanya began to panic. “Bella are you aright?What do you need?”

“When will that doctor be here?” Athenodora demanded as she knelt next to Bella and held the girl’s hair back as she emptied her stomach.

“He better be here soon.” Caius said as he pulled out his phone and texted Heidi.

Tanya caught Bella as she slumped to the floor after finishing dry heaving.”What can we get you?”

“Water.” Bella groaned. She gratefully took a sip of water her mother offered her and rinsed out her mouth before spitting it in the toilet.”Thank you.”

Athenodora flushed the toilet.”It’s no problem sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

“Not so good.” Bella said. She leaned into Tanya happy with how cold her mate’s body was.

“The doctor once again wants us to bring Bella to him.” Caius told them looking up from his text from Heidi.

Athenodora growled.”She’s not fit to travel.”

“I know my love but he claims that since he doesn’t know what is wrong with her that he can’t bring the right medication to heal her.” Caius wasn’t happy about Bella leaving the castle either but wanted his daughter to get treated.

“I don’t like it.”Athenodora told him.

“Neither do I but it’s what’s best for Bella.” Caius said.

“Gather the guards.” Athenodora wasn’t going to leave without being heavily protected.

“It’ll be alright Bella. We’ll make sure you get better.” Tanya soothed as she cradled Bella in her arms.

“Can I brush my teeth?” Bella asked.

“Oh course.” Athenodora grabbed Bella’s toothbrush and put toothpaste on it. Instead of letting Bella do it herself the queen held the toothbrush to Bella’s lips. “Open.”

“Mom I can brush my own teeth.” Bella protested.

“I know you can but right now you aren’t feeling well and I would like to help you.”Athenodora told her.

Bella just sighed and opened her mouth.It was easier to comply than to fight her mother. It was obvious that she was making the three vampires nervous. Bella wasn’t that concerned though. She figured she just caught a bug.She definitely wasn’t looking forward to how they all were going to act until she felt better.Bella wouldn’t be surprised if when Jane found out she returned home right away.

“Let’s get you dressed and get going.”Athenodora motioned for Tanya to hand her Bella and when the blond didn’t move the queen growled.”Hand me my daughter.”

“My apologies your majesty.”Tanya gently handed Bella to Athenodora. It went against her instincts to not protect her mate especially when Bella was unwell but Tanya knew that if she fought the queen she would likely lose further access to Bella.

Instead of scolding her mother for her behavior Bella simply snuggled into Athenodora’s body taking comfort in not only the coolness but the scent and knowledge her mother would protect her.”Can you bring a blanket with us?”

“If you want one of course.” Athenodora set Bella on the bed and put her shoes on. Once done she wrapped Bella in the comforter she was sitting on and picked her up again.

“I have some of the guards already on their way to the doctor’s office to clear the building and set up security.”Caius told them when they made their way out of the room.

“I think we should look into getting a more comfortable car for Bella to ride in.” Athenodora said.

“She isn’t going to be outside the castle much while she’s human.” Caius wasn’t going to let it happen.It wasn’t safe for his daughter.

“I know but don’t you think even if it’s only for one trip our daughter deserves to travel in comfort?” Athenodora asked.

“Of course my dear.We can look into it when we get Bella settled.” Caius told her.

“Good.Maybe we can get one of those vans that has a bed in it. That way she can lay down and rest on her way back from the hospital.”Athenodora liked that idea because then Bella could stretch out and relax on her way home.

“Rosalie would be a good person to consult as cars are her passion. I can get her to start searching.”Tanya offered.If she got Rosalie’s help then maybe Tanya could have input in what they bought. She wasn’t feeling happy with the fact that she hadn’t been able to be the one that Bella relied on as her vampire side demanded.So helping buy the car would sooth her somewhat.

“Yes, ask her.” Athenodora was going to have Gianna do the research but it would be better for someone that had some kind of knowledge on the subject to do it.

“I’ll do it right now.” Tanya said as she pulled out her phone and sent off a text to Rosalie.

“Good for now let’s take the limo.” Athenodora wished if they could only have one of Bella’s mates with them it was Jane. She knew little about Tanya’s fighting ability and without a gift the queen doubted she would be as formable as Jane. They would need to discuss training Tanya with the guards.It wouldn’t do for Bella to have a mate that wasn’t able to protect her.Hearing Bella whimper again Athenodora tightened her hold on the girl making sure not to hurt her. Her priority was Bella so maybe she would leave it up to Jane to take care of Tanya’s training. The queen had faith Jane would get Tanya in shape.