The Dark Princess 15

“Is Bella alright?” Jane asked as she entered Queen Athenodora and King Caius’ sitting room. She had been doing her duties and still had some tasks to take care of before she could spend time with Bella so she was surprised when she got the summons to go to the royal’s chambers. From what she was told Bella had gone shopping with the queens and the two Cullen sisters. Jane didn’t know what could have gone wrong but as she looked around and noticed all the royals in the room as well she felt herself begin to panic. “Where is she?”

“Calm down Jane. Bella is fine.” Athenodora assured her. “She seemed to have had a good time shopping and fell asleep in the car on the way home. She is now sleeping in my bed.”

Jane let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad she had fun. May I ask what I was called here for my queen?”

“Yes Dora what is it that has you, my mate and Didyme looking so angry?” Aro asked. When they came to the castle Aro had figured they would have been happy with the time they spent with his niece. That was not the case though and when Sulpicia met up with him and told them that they needed to have a meeting he didn’t understand what was going on. He just knew whatever it was had angered his mate greatly.

“While shopping the three of us found out some information that we believe the four of you should know about.” Athenodora cut off any questions. “I am going to show you something but I need you to promise that you will hold back your anger until we are no longer near Bella. I don’t want any of us scaring her.”

Caius took in the faces of the three queens and from the look on each of them he knew that whatever he was about to see was going to upset him greatly. He would do as his mate asked and try to rain in his anger but since it obviously had to do with Bella he wasn’t sure how successful he would be. “I promise to try.”

Athenodora knew that was as good as she was going to get so she put her finger to her lips to indicate they needed to be quiet and led them to the bedroom where Bella was sleeping. She smiled hearing the soft snores coming from her daughter and allowed the sound to sooth her. She rolled Bella on her good side careful not to wake her and motioned for the others to stand next to her. She had already seen the scarring when Bella had fallen asleep in the car so she understood how the other four felt when she lifted Bella’s shirt up and exposed the scars and obvious burn marks that covered the skin of Bella’s entire back.

“What the fuck?!” Jane growled. She didn’t know who did this to her mate but they were going to pay.

“Calm down, we will discuss this in the other room.” Athenodora carefully pulled Bella’s shirt down and rolled her on her back making sure she was properly covered before she went back to the sitting room shutting the door to the bedroom behind her to hopefully not wake Bella by talking too loud.

“My love who did this?” It took every ounce of control Caius had not to wake Bella up and demand she tell him who hurt her so he could slowly torture the perpetrator to death.

Athenodora took a seat next to her mate and waited until the rest of the group settled down before she spoke. “While we were out shopping Bella had asked if she could go and get a treat with Rosalie. When she left Alice told us a bit about Bella’s life. When she was asked if Bella’s parents would report her missing Alice told us about Bella’s relationship with them. Alice said that she had vision of walking in on Bella changing and noticing the scars on her back but Bella refused to tell her how she got them. She never actually confronted Bella about it because she didn't want to upset her.”

“Her parents did this to her?” Jane asked.

“It seems she got the wounds while she was living with her mother.” Athenodora said.

“Her father was no better though. He treated her like a slave and berated her constantly.” Sulpicia added. She was still having a hard time believing that someone would hurt such a gentle soul like Bella.

“Your majesties, may I have your permission to abduct both of Bella’s parents personally and bring them to the castle?” Jane knew she wouldn’t be able to kill them herself. The royals would all want a piece of the filth that decided to abuse Bella.

“That’s one of the things I wished for us to talk about. What should we do about this?” Athenodora knew what she wanted to do but she didn’t want to be selfish in her revenge. She knew the other occupants in the room deserved to have a chance to avenge her daughter as they all had come to love the human very much.

“I like Jane’s idea.” Marcus said. If it was feasible he would go with Jane himself but it wasn’t safe so he at least wanted a chance to confront the people who hurt his niece.

“Do we know if her parents were the only ones who abused her?” Caius asked. He wanted to make sure they got everybody who had the audacity to lay a hand on his daughter.

“Alice didn’t know if it was actually the mother who caused the scaring only that Bella received the wounds when she lived with her. As for the father Alice had heard the way he talked to Bella and saw the way he treated her but never saw him get physical with her. The man also never intervened to get custody of Bella the entire time she lived with her mother. Apparently the mother got married and decided she didn’t want Bella anymore and shipped her off to her father.” Athenodora explained.

“I think that Jane’s idea is the best way to go. Since we don’t if Bella’s mother was the one who actually abused her but that it happened when Bella lived with her bringing them both to the castle would allow me to read them and find out exactly what happened to Bella.” Aro wasn’t sure he actually wanted to see the memories of Bella being abused but he would do it to make sure he got justice for the girl.

“Would you be able to control yourself when faced with them?” Caius asked Jane. He didn’t want to send her to get Bella’s parents just so she can kill them on the spot.

“Of course my king. My main priority is to find out who hurt my mate and killing either of the two humans would prevent us from getting proper revenge on those who dare touch Bella.” Jane didn’t want to be separated from Bella but her vampire side demanded that she herself track down the two people responsible for her mate’s suffering. She wasn’t lying to the king when she said she wouldn’t touch them because she really did want to make sure they got the names of every person who thought it smart to touch Bella.

“Then Jane take who ever you need to get this done. I know you don’t want to be away from Bella for long so if you want to set up two teams so each could go after a target that is perfectly fine as well.” Aro told her.

“Do you think we should tell Bella about this?”Sulpicia asked. She didn’t want to make Bella upset if they killed her parents and she didn’t want them dead.

“I think we should. Bella has shown great understanding when it comes to vampire behavior. Once I tell her we saw the scars I will explain that we cannot let what happened go because our beast would demand retribution.She may be upset we didn’t ask her to see her back and took the initiative to do it on our own but I’m positive my child will forgive us and give her blessing for us to punish her parents.” Athenodora wondered if it would be a good idea to maybe contact a therapist to speak to Bella. The human mind was fragile and it was obvious her daughter had been through some truly traumatic events. She would look into doctors after the group finished talking and bring it up to Bella when she confessed about seeing her back.

“That is true Bella is very sensitive to our needs. Why she even said she would learn Italian after she had accidentally hurt Dora’s feelings.” Didmye said.

“What happened?” Caius asked.

Athenodora waved off his worry. “I had heard her use an English phrase that I misinterpreted. After I got defensive Bella explained what it meant. It was obvious she felt guilty about the misunderstanding and had asked to learn Italian so it would never happen again.”

“She is such a caring child.” Caius was happy that Bella seemed to care as much about him and his mate as they did her. The fact that Bella wasn’t shy about showing her affections pleased him to no end.

“What are the plans for tomorrow? Eleazar is going to be here in the morning and he is excited about meeting Bella.” Once Aro had explained how strong Bella’s gift was even though she was still human Eleazar had promised to come to the castle as quickly as he could. Aro could tell his friend had been intrigued by the princess because never had the vampire made such an effort to come examine anyone gifted before.

“We have a meeting with the nutritionist in the morning. I assume you and Jane would like to be there my love?” Athenodora would not leave Caius out of any appointments that pertained to the health of their daughter no matter how much she wished to be the only one with the information so Bella would have to rely on her to fulfill her needs. The rational part of her brain knew that it was unreasonable to want that but her vampire side all but demanded she be the one to cater to all the human’s needs.

“Yes I do.” Caius wasn’t going to miss out on a meeting with someone who could tell him how to better take care of Bella.

“My queen I would like to attend as well but I was wondering if I could have permission to join you when Bella meets Eleazar?” Jane wanted to be there when her mate found out what her gift was. She hoped it worked similar to her gift so she could help Bella practice with it.

“That is a reasonable request and as Bella is your mate I will grant your wish to attend.” Athenodora knew it was only fair that Jane be there when Bella found out what kind of gift she had. If she were in the same position the queen would have demanded she be allowed herself.

“If that is all I will take my leave so I can finish my duties in time to see Bella at breakfast.” Jane would have preferred to stay with her mate as she slept but she was a high ranking guard and that came with important responsibilities that she couldn’t ignore.

“You are dismissed.” Caius said.

“I think we are going to take our leave as well.” Aro knew that his brother and sister wanted to spend some time with Bella even if she was asleep. After finding out what happened to Bella their bond would demand they make sure Bella was safe and protected. He wouldn’t be surprised if Caius skipped some of thier official duties to spend time with his daughter.

“We are going to go as well.” Marcus needed to have some time alone with his mate. He needed some space to deal with the emotions that came with learning about what happened to Bella. Looking at his mate he could see that she needed some comfort as well.

“We will see you tomorrow.” Caius let out a sigh of relief watching the door close behind his siblings. “Do you think Bella would object to us laying with her as she slept?”

“I think she would be prefer if we did. I know I would.” Athenodora told him.

Caius stood and held out his hand for his mate. As she took it and they began making their way to their bedroom he thought about this latest development. The people who hurt Bella needed to pay but the problem was not knowing if Bella would approve of her biological parents being harmed. He knew Athenodora believed Bella would be fine with it but he still had the feelings of insecurity that came with thinking about Bella’s parents. His fear was that Bella would choose them over her vampire parents. Even with the reassurance he got from his mate and even Bella herself he still worried. The only thing that would settle him would be when Bella was turned and she was able to fully feel the bond. That wouldn’t be for a while though and as he laid on one side of his daughter across from his mate he worried he would only became even more insecure as time went on.