The Dark Princess Chapter 3

"What is this I hear of an injured human being in my private quarters?" Athenodora asked as she stormed into her sitting room. She had been training with the guard when a messenger brought word that Caius wanted her to meet him in their rooms because a human had been hurt. She pressed the messenger for more information but the young vampire knew little else. Seeing Jane sitting on her couch cradling a human Athenodora made her way to the pair and before she could demand to be told what was going on, she made eye contact with the young human girl. Looking into those brown eyes Athenodora now knew exactly why she had been called here. This beautiful human was her bond child. Dropping to her knees she held the girl's pained face in her hands. "What is it? Where do you hurt?"

"We think Bella's wrist may be broken. Caius sent for a doctor already." Jane told her as she shifted her mate towards Athenodora. She understood that Bella was the queen's bond child but Bella was her mate and she was hurt so it was hard for Jane to not keep others away from her.

"How did this happen?" Athenodora demanded softy. She didn't want to stress out her daughter anymore than she already was. Not her daughter she thought, her Bella. A beautiful Italian name.

Jane growled." Edward Cullen did this my queen. He was claiming a false mate bond."

"I'll kill him." Athenodora never liked Carlisle or the rest of his coven. They looked down on vampires who didn't live as they did. Many times she felt the need to teach them what it was to truly be a vampire but was always forbidden. Now it looked like she may get her chance. First though she needed to make sure Bella was ok. "Are you hurt elsewhere or is just your wrist?"

Bella held out her arm to the intimidating woman. She looked like a warrior and Bella felt like she should be frightened in the situation she found herself in but she was content in Jane's arms and the queen although angry made Bella feel safe. Especially when she held Bella's arm and examined it like it was the most precious thing she ever held. "It only hurts on that arm. I was walking towards Jane and he didn't like it so he grabbed me."

"What can I do to make it better?" Athenodora asked helplessly. She wanted to help her daughter but knew nothing about humans. She tried to push away the feelings of failing to protect Bella to focus on helping her.

"Your hands feel good on it." Bella told her shyly. "The cold will help with the swelling so if you don't want to hold my arm ice will do."

Athenodora sighed in relief. Finally something she could do. "I will hold it for you."

Jane tightened her hold on Bella as she heard footsteps approaching the room. Athenodora had taken to standing crouched in front of them ready to attack the intruders but relaxed as Caius, Marcus and Aro made their way into the room. Caius rushed to her side to inspect Bella. "How is she?"

"Her arm is bruised and very swollen. When will the doctor get here?" Athenodora sat next to Bella on the couch and retook her arm hoping it would help the swelling.

"I told Alec and Felix to tell the doctor Bella may have broken her wrist and to bring everything that would be needed to fix it. They were given permission to use force if needed.”Caius told her.

"Good." If they failed to get the doctor Athenodora would just go get one herself.

"I'm sorry I've been such a bother. You don't have to bring a doctor I can go to one on my own." Bella said. She didn't want to inconvenience these people anymore than she already had. "I'm sure you have other things to do than fuss over me."

"No, you are the most important thing in our lives. Your safety trumps anything else going on." Caius told her.

"Why?" Bella asked. "I feel like I should be scared of all of you but I feel so comfortable and safe with you. I'm a human shouldn't I just be food to you?"

Athenodora smiled at the fact her daughter felt comfortable with them already. She hoped it would make it easier for the human to accept the the new bonds.”Bella my dear what do you know of vampire bonds?"

"I know that Edward claimed I was his mate." Bella quickly added when she heard the growls coming from all those present. "I know it isn't true. I knew he wasn't when we were dating. Before the Cullens left me I had been planning on breaking up with him. He just beat me to it."

"You are correct when you say that Edward was not your mate. I am." Jane told Bella shyly. She wasn't sure how the human would take the news as they had only just met.

Bella thought this over. She had felt a need to be near Jane and knowing she was upset had made Bella want to do anything she could to comfort her but that only explained part of her feelings. "I think I knew we had a mate bond because I do feel drawn to you but that doesn't explain why I feel close to both you, the king and her highness."

"Please Bella you don't need to be so formal with us. You may call me Caius and this is my mate Athenodora." Caius motioned to the other two kings. "These are our brothers Marcus and Aro."

Deciding he was the best to explain the child bond Marcus spoke. "I think I should be the one to answer your question young one. I have a gift that allows me to see bonds between people whether they be vampire or human. I can confirm the mate bond between you and Jane but you also have a very rare bond with Caius and Athenodora. It is called a child bond."

"What does that mean? Are you guys like my vampire parents?" Bella asked.

Athenodora chuckled. "In a sense that is exactly what that means. The bond makes it so a vampire or in our case a pair of mated vampires feels an instant connection to another vampire or human that makes it feel as though they are a child born of their own bodies. When I locked eyes with you I felt as though I was the one who actually gave birth to you and from this day forward there is nothing that will ever stop me from feeling that way."

"That explains why I feel the need to comfort you right now." Bella reached her hand out and caressed Athenodora's face gently.”It feels like I can feel your anxiety and want to do anything I can to make you feel better."

"As a vampire I feel those feelings more intensely and it is taking everything I am not to rush out of the door and find you a doctor to drag him back here to check your injuries." Athenodora looked Bella over. "As a matter of fact we should have you get a complete physical. Have you had all your vaccines?"

"I'm caught up on my vaccines I promise and since I know it will make you feel better I will consent to having a physical done." Bella knew she wouldn't be able to get out of it so she thought it better to just agree.

"Thank you Bella." Athenodora had been worried Bella would have protested but she really needed to make sure the girl was healthy.

"Can I ask what happened to Alice?" Bella was concerned for her friend. She didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

Caius was beyond pleased his daughter hadn't asked about the mind reader. "I had her escorted to her own private quarters. She is being treated as a guest and was told she could see you after you saw the doctor."

"Thank you. Alice is a good friend and I really didn't want anything bad to happen to her." Bella said.

"I wish to let you know that she proclaimed her loyalty to you and denounced any she had to her brother. That is the reason she is being treated so well." Aro told her. "I have to say it was rather funny seeing the boy's expression when Alice grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground."

Bella laughed picturing it."He's such an idiot."

Jane placed a kiss on the top of Bella's head glad that the girl didn't care at all about what happened to Edward. "Yes he is, my love."

"Bella I know this is a bit of a stressful time with all the surprises but I can hear my mate pacing the hallway trying to figure out what is going on. I'm sure court gossip has reached her and she has come to investigate. As we said a child bond is extremely rare. With knowing that she would like to meet you. Would that be alright or would you like to wait until you feel better?" Marcus asked. He had heard Didyme in the hallway trying to decide if she should just come in or wait and he desperately wanted his mate to share in the joy of the situation.

"I guess that would be fine. It's not like we have anything to do until the doctor gets here." Bella told them. She was also interested in meeting another one of the queens. The royals were turning out to be nothing like what Edward had told her about them and she found that quite interesting. Thinking of the other queen she asked Aro. "Would you like for your mate to come in as well?"

Aro smiled brightly at the thoughtfulness of the young princess. "I would like that very much. However Sulpicia will gladly wait until you are ready as she would not wish to overwhelm you."

"I wouldn't mind meeting her." Bella told him.

Before Aro could reply the door opened carefully and the other two queens entered the room. Sulpicia rushed over to Bella right away. She took a step back from the girl when she heard both Athenodora and Jane growl. "I mean no harm. I just want to know if your child is alright?"

"I apologize my instincts are taking over because Bella is hurt." Athenodora took an unneeded breath and blew it out. She knew no one in this room would hurt Bella but with her child being so vulnerable Athenodora was fighting her vampire's need to take Bella away from everyone to keep her safe. "All we know for now is that she may have a broken wrist."

Didyme kept herself a few feet away from the group. "Hello Bella I am Didyme Marcus' mate. That is Sulpicia Aro's mate."

"Oh yes of course how silly of me." Sulpicia would have blushed if she could for forgetting to introduce herself. "It's nice to meet you Bella."

"The pleasure is mine." Bella replied.

Cauis smiled brightly at his daughter’s manners. "We are just waiting for a doctor to come and check Bella over. They should be getting here any minute."

"What are you going to do about the mind reader?" Sulpicia asked. "I was led to believe he is the one who hurt her."

Athenodora growled. "I will be having a private word with the boy as soon as we make sure Bella is taken care of."

"I would also like to have a word with him if possible my queen." Jane was already planning on how to make Edward pay for what he did to her mate.

Bella put her non hurt hand on Jane's.”Just make sure you stay safe. I don't want him to hurt you."

"Oh Bella I doubt anyone could hurt our dear Jane."Aro told her. He along with the others in the room were beyond relieved that Bella seemed to care little about what happened to Edward. If he wasn't reading her wrong, it seemed like Bella was encouraging them to punish the boy. It was another confirmation that Bella was indeed Caius and Athenodora's child.

"I'll be fine Bella. I promise Cullen will never even be able to touch me." Jane was also glad that Bella was more worried for her than Edward. Even if that worry was unnecessary.

Footsteps from the hallway caused the room to become silent as each vampire was determining whether a threat was coming or not. Aro made his way to the door and opened it before the messenger on the other side could knock. "What is it?"

"You majesty, I have message from Alec." The messenger said. "It seems that they are unable to bring you the doctor because the equipment he needs to look over the injury is specialized and it would take longer to bring it here and set it up then it would for the princess to go to the doctor's office and be looked at there."

"Thank you, you can go." Aro watched as the vampire bowed and left.

"Of course myself, Athenodora and Jane are going. Can you assign some of the guard to go with us?" Caius asked Aro. "As it is now nighttime we can take a larger group. I don't want to leave you unprotected but I don't want anything to happen to Bella while the three of us are focused on her."

"I doubt anything would get by us but I agree with sending some guard." Athenodora told him.

"I'll have them ready in five minutes." Aro told them already making his way out of the room.

Didyme stopped before following Aro." It was nice meeting you Bella and I hope you feel better soon."

"Thank you." Bella said to the queen as she watched the others file out of the room leaving her with Caius, Athenodora and Jane.

Athenodora motioned for Jane to stand and took Bella in her arms carrying her bridal style. "I will have to carry you as it would look strange with the size of your mate. Should we go on foot or would a car be more comfortable?"

"I think we should take a car for Bella's comfort. It does get quite cold at night here." Jane said.

"Very well." Caius led the group towards the garage as he worried over his daughter's health. He was already planning many horrible punishments for the mind reader but if Bella was hurt worse than they originally thought he would prolong the pain as long as he could.