The Dark Princess 23

“How did you hurt your arm?” Tanya asked Bella from her spot next to the girl on the love seat in Caius and Athenodora’s sitting room. The two royal guards that the queen assigned to Bella were flanking both sides of the two of them within reach to come to Bella’s aide no matter what happened. Tanya bristled having the guards so close because she knew she was the reason for them being there. She hated the fact that she wasn’t trusted being close to her mate. It was reasonable as was proven when she tried to attack anyone who was close to Bella but it still annoyed Tanya. She was an over thousand year old vampire coven leader who now had to be watched over like a newborn. It was beyond embarrassing.

“When Alice and I came to Italy to save Edward we were escorted to the throne room where Edward became upset that I made a move to walk towards Jane and grabbed my arm.” Noticing Tanya becoming upset Bella quickly added. “Jane used her gift on him and made him let go.”

“I’ll kill him.” Tanya had been told Edward hurt Bella but hadn’t really given it any thought until Bella was the one to tell her. Now it made it very real and now she would demand she got to avenge her mate.

“You’re going to have to get in line because you aren’t the only one who wants to.”Rosalie herself wanted the opportunity to beat on her brother but didn’t know if she would be allowed. From what she had witnessed it seemed the royals each wanted the chance and most of the guard as well. Bella was loved by all she came into contact with and it made everyone upset she was hurt.

“I will speak to my father about allowing you to visit him.” Bella figured it was only fair since her parents and Jane got to dole out punishment to Edward that Tanya should be allowed to as well. “I know that you will feel like you let me down if you didn’t get your chance.”

“Thank you Bella.” Tanya was happy it seemed Bella understood vampire nature so well. She was right Tanya would feel like she failed Bella if she didn’t take care of the person who hurt her personally.

“So Bella how does it feel to have the most feared vampires ever as parents?” Kate asked earning a smack on the back of the head from Irina. “What?”

“Don’t speak of her parents that way.” Irina hissed out.

“It’s alright.” Bella assured her. “I know that not only do my parents have a negative reputation but Jane as well. None of them mind it so I don’t mind it.”

“Oh yeah one of the witch twins is your mate.” Kate said earning not only a smack to the back head but many growls from the occupants of the room. “What did I do this time?”

“How about you just keep your mouth shut.” Irina looked to Bella somewhat afraid of the girl’s reaction to the stupidity that was Kate. They all knew Kate was going to do something but all had hoped it would be after Bella got to know Kate a little better.

“Once again Irina it’s alright. Jane and Alec know they are called that and although I wish they weren’t neither seem to mind.” Bella thought the name was disrespectful but Jane assured her that it didn’t bother her and told Bella not to let it bother her either.

“So anyway how are you doing Bella?” Rosalie asked trying to get the attention off of Kate.

“I got measured for my robes this morning. My mother is still trying to figure out what colors she wants them because even though I’m a royal she thinks black doesn’t show me off enough. I’m not sure what that means but it seems important to her.” Bella hoped that the robes didn’t cause her mother to much stress as it seemed when it came to things involving Bella Athenodora went out of her way to make everything perfect.

“What colors has she liked so far?” Alice asked.

“Right now it’s between hunter green and a violet color.” Bella said.

“I think a hunter green would complement your eyes beautifully.” Tanya told her sending a glare at Kate when the other blond laughed.

Bella smiled shyly.“Thank you Tanya but I won’t have to wear the robes until I’ve been changed so my eyes will be red then.”

“What are the plans for you being changed?” Now that she was Tanya’s mate Tanya hoped that she would get a say in how it happened.

“Initially I was going to have my parents and Jane do it but now that I have found you I think we will need to rethink that idea.” Bella would have to talk to her parents about the logistics. It might not be safe to have four vampires involved in her turning.

“If you wouldn’t mind I myself would like to have an input as well.” Tanya said.

Bella reached out with her good hand and took one of Tanya’s in her own. “Of course you will be involved.”

“Thank you Bella.” Tanya was happy that even though the bond was new Bella was taking her feelings into consideration.

“So Bella what kind of thing do you do for fun?” Kate hoped Bella was a thrill seeker like she was so that she would be able to have something to bond over with her new sister.

“Well I like to read and watch movies stuff like that. My life is kind of boring.” Bella told her.

“I enjoy movies myself. What is your favorite?” Tanya asked.

“I think it would have to be the Clara Bow movie Wings. It was so ahead of its time and the story is as heartbreaking as it is romantic.” Bella said.

“I enjoy silent films myself. Maybe sometime we could watch a few together.” Tanya offered hoping Bella would be willing to make future plans with her.

“They have a movie theatre in the castle and Sulpicia already offered to get any ones I asked for so maybe you could tell me some of your favorites and she can get us them to watch together.”Bella liked the idea of watching a movie with Tanya. She had fun when she watched with Jane and figured it would be just as good with Tanya. Maybe her mother would even let them have alone time as well.

“Perfect I will get you a list.” Tanya was excited Bella agreed to spend more time with her. She had a feeling that even though they were mated that she wouldn’t be able to have unlimited access to her mate. Athenodora had made it more than clear that it was up to her who was allowed to be around Bella. Tanya would have to figure out a way to get on the queen’s good side because so far she had left a horrible impression.

“So what brings all of you guys to the castle?” Bella asked.

“When they hadn’t heard from us they got worried and decided to visit with Eleazar and Carmen.” Rosalie told her.

“I bet you were surprised to find them all alive.” Bella imagined that the Denali had thought the worst had happened to the Cullens.

Tanya nodded. “We figured that after hearing about what Edward had decided to do that the entire coven would have been put to death. Seeing the four of them not only healthy but happy was quite the surprise.”

“My parents realized they weren’t the ones who broke the law. It was only fair that they not be punished.” Bella said.

Alice rolled her eyes playfully. “Yes it was only because of the royals that we were pardoned it had nothing to do with Bella asking her mother to spare the four of us.”

“I don’t have that much power to tell my parents how a punishment should go.” Bella denied.

Emmett snorted out laughter. “Bellsy if it wasn’t for you all of us would be sitting down in the dungeon with the other three having to listen to their many grand plans of how they were going to break out and rescue you. If anything we should thank you for saving us from having to hear them. Being stuck listening to them would have been a fate a lot worse than death.”

“I would love to hear what they have planned. I bet it’s beyond hilarious.” Kate imagined Edward was counting on his gift giving him an advantage.

“My mother mentioned they were being monitored so if you really want to know I can ask her.” Bella offered.

“Would you really?” Kate smiled when Bella nodded. “This is going to be so great. I bet good money that their grand plan will have them sacrificing the four of you.”

“I think he was thinking of ways to kill me the moment I stood against him in front of the kings. If anything they would only try to rescue me because they would need Jasper on their side.” Alice figured Edward had already told Carlisle and Esme that she was a traitor and how badly she had wrong not only him but the family as well.

“I would have loved to see his face when you slammed him on the ground.” Emmett said.

Alice smirked.”It was rather comical now that I’m looking back.”

“So what is going to happen to them now?” Irina asked.

“Nothing good I bet.” Jasper figured that if they had been kept alive this long that the punishment would be extreme.

“It’s definitely not going to be anything good. My parents aren’t the only ones angry with them. I think the only reason they haven’t been punished so far is because they are waiting for Jane to come back from her mission.” Bella knew that the royals wouldn’t leave Jane out of what they were going to do to the trio.

“What type of mission is Jane on?” Emmett figured it was something important if she left her mate.

Bella shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Well she is going to be kidnapping my human parents and bringing them back to the castle.”

“What?Why would she do that?” Irina knew the royals were petty but didn't think they would just kill Bella’s human parents because of jealously.

“I’m sure it’s a private matter that Bella doesn’t want to speak about.” Alice knew the reason and she fully agreed with the royals need to punish Bella’s parents. She figured if they were going to the trouble of getting both of them then Bella had told them what happened. That didn’t mean Bella would want to talk about it though.

“It’s alright Alice. I doubt it will be kept secret.” Bella knew that trying two humans for crimes would get out rather quickly. “I revealed to the king and queen that my parents were abusive and they are going to be brought to the castle to be put on trial.”

“Your parents abused you.” Tanya roared.Suddenly there were two guards grabbing her arms and pulling her away from Bella. Her instincts demanded she fight off the vampires but she reeled it in knowing that she would get dragged away and not be allowed to be around Bella anymore. Relaxing she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am sorry. I am calm now.”

“She is alright.” Bella told the guards who nodded and released Tanya who took her seat next to Bella. The guards repositioned themselves so that both of them were closer to Tanya.

“I apologize.” Tanya said.

Bella moved closer to Tanya so that the vampire could take in her scent and feel that she was alright. “I’m fine. It happened but now that you are near no-one can ever hurt me again.”

“Thank you Bella.” Tanya put her arm around Bella being careful not to injure the girl’s arm any further and pulled her close to her body. Feeling Bella’s warmth and smelling Bella’s scent calmed the blond down and she felt a lot better.

Before anyone could say anything else the door to the sitting room opened with Athenodora walking through it. The queen had heard Tanya’s outburst and instead of rushing right in she held back to see if the vampire would be able to calm down. She had faith the guards would do their job. She also didn’t want Bella thinking that her mother monitored everything she did although Athenodora did of course. Taking in the scene before her she held back a growl seeing Bella snuggled up next to her new mate. The confirmation of a new bond was disappointing and Athenodora wished that Bella didn’t feel it.

“Hello mother.” Bella figured her mother wouldn’t give them as much time as she promised. The queen was probably pacing down the hallway making sure nothing else happened.

“Hello my sweet girl.” Athenodora made her way over to her daughter and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She ignored Tanya completely and just focused on Bella. “I want you to lay down now that your medication has had a chance to kick in.”

“Of course.”Bella looked to Tanya. “Do you want to stay with me while I nap?”

“I would like that very much. Would that be alright with you your majesty?” Tanya asked the queen.

Athenodora held in a growl at the offer. She had hoped to get some alone time with Bella. She would however not deny her daughter a chance to connect with her mate though. “That would be fine. I haven’t gotten a chance to speak to your father yet so I can use the time to seek him out.”

“Thanks mom.” Bella stood from the couch with help from Tanya and wrapped her good arm around her mother.

Athenodora happily wrapped her arms around her daughter and held as tight as she was able without hurting the girl. “You will stay in these rooms. I don’t want you leaving without letting me know first.”

“Of course.”Bella wouldn’t leave unless she got permission from her mother anyway. It wasn’t safe for her to walk around.

“Good now say good bye to your friends and I will come in and check on you in a little bit.” Athenodora sent a glare at Tanya before she made her way to the doorway.

Tanya immediately understood what that look meant. “I will make sure that Bella goes to sleep.”

“You do that.” Athenodora said.

“Bye mom.” Bella called out as the queen left. She turned her attention to the rest of the group. “You guys should go. She will be back in a few minutes to make sure you left and that I’m actually in bed.”

“We will see you later Bella.” Alice went to give Bella a hug but stepped back when Tanya growled at her. “I meant no harm.”

“Sorry instincts.” Tanya told her.

“It’s understandable. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow Bella.” Rosalie said not moving to give Bella a hug. She didn’t want to test Tanya’s control.

“Yeah Bella maybe tomorrow we can go and check the guards out while they are training.” Emmett hoped that if Bella took in interest in the guards then she would be nice enough to put in a good word for him to maybe get them to train him.

“I want to go to.” Kate would love a chance to see the guards without them trying to kill her.

“Sure I wanted to ask my parents if they would show me some of their skills so I’m sure we can go tomorrow.” Bella knew her mom and dad wouldn’t mind.

“Sweet.” Emmett cheered. He tempered his excitement when he saw the glare Rosalie was sending his way. He just knew that there was going to be an argument as soon as they were in private.

“Bye Bella.” Jasper said waving over his shoulder as he pushed the others out of the room.

“It was nice to meet you Bella and hopefully we will get to see more of you.” Irina said as she followed the others.

“Well now that they are gone let's go to bed.” Bella held out her hand for Tanya and led her into her parents’ bedroom.

“Do you need to change or are those clothes alright?” Tanya was feeling a bit shy now that she was alone with Bella.

“These are fine. With the way my arm is I only wear comfy clothes now so I can sleep in anything my mom and aunts bought me.” Bella moved towards the bed and climbed under the blankets holding them up for Tanya to climb in next to her.

“Will my coldness bother you?” Tanya asked.

Bella shook her head. “No, the cold feels nice. It comforts me because I know when I feel it I’m safe because you are by my side.”

“You are safe with me by your side.” Tanya said holding out her arms for Bella to snuggle into her.

“I know.” Bella kissed Tanya’s cheek and laid down carefully trying not to jostle her arm to much. “Tell me a story. I want to hear your voice while I fall asleep.”

Tanya smiled at how cute her mate was. “Tell you a story. Hmm what would be a good bed time story.”

“Tell me about where you live.” Bella said yawning.

“Well we live in Alaska in a beautiful wood cabin. It isn’t so much a cabin as it is a mansion. There are five of us so we need to have our own space because after living together so long we tend to get on each other’s nerves. Especially Kate. She’s the jokester and all around trouble maker.” Tanya looked down and noticed Bella was already asleep. She would have to ask the queen about the medication Bella was taking later. She wanted to know what side effects other than sleepiness it caused. That made Tanya think about Bella’s injury. The queen had told them but Tanya wasn’t paying close enough attention to really get more than a minor overview on what was going on. It was one of the many things that needed to be discussed. Another being Bella being the mate of Jane. Tanya and her sisters had a history with Jane and Tanya knew they would have figure out a way to work through it if they were going to coexist peacefully with Bella. It would be hard but even after only knowing her for a couple hours Tanya knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do to make Bella happy.