Chapter 2- 17 Bloody Candles
I awoken to smothering hugs from her brothers and youngest sister. I placed the pillow over my head to block out their voices.
"It's the middle of the day sister, go show your face before father loses his temper"
Bellemy carried me out of bed walking past Fenris as he leaned against the doorway. "Spoiling our sister is not going to get you on father's good side brother"
Bellamy ignored his brother as he walked down the hall to their father's quarter. He sat me down as they walked in on their father kissing the neck of a servant woman.
He quickly backed away and opened his arms to embrace me "Ah my princess, happy birthday" I returned the hug while looking at the servant woman
" Leave us" I demand
The servant woman bowed and quickly rushed out the door. Fenris stood along side Bellamy and rubbed his chin with amusement.
King Zenix glared at his sons, highly annoyed with their presence "We have a country to rule! Attend your duties" Bellamy shook his head while patting Fenris on the back. They both left the room, giving King Zenix a moment to talk to me.
"Sweetheart, your growing before my eyes. Euthania is going to celebrate and feast tonight"
I shook my head and walked towards his desk glancing at the open letter.
"Father please nothing extravagant, I don't feel like celebrating"
I no longer looked forward to my birthday. My mother would be the first to surprise her each year with an overwhelming hug and a new dress made from her own hands
Since her death, I could never enjoy her birthday without thinking about the woman who gave birth her
"You will go get ready for your ball, end of discussion, off you go" He kissed my head and waved me towards the door.
While walking back to my room, I turned the corner and bumped into a hard chest.
"Grayson! You almost caused my fall" A smile appeared upon his face as he bowed and kissed my hand
" My apologies your highness, please forgive me for letting you run into me"
I pushed his arms and laughed uncontrollably causing the guards heads to turn in our direction.
"Back as you were, all of you" I order
The guards obey and turned their focus away.
Grayson twisted my loose curl between his finger while looking down at my gown.
"Do you go to all your balls in your sleepwear princess"
I rolled her eyes and opened the door to my room and leaned against the door frame " Enough Gray, just be there tonight so you can help sneak me way".
He sighed and wiped his hand down his face. "You're always trying to get me killed Alexandra" I winked and stepped back into my quarters
Five minutes later, My ladies rushed in making a bath. I stepped into the warm milky water while leaning back closing my eyes. I slipped into a nightmare involving my mother's screams and the vile words of an executioner.
I was quickly awoken by my long-time lady Duroda. She dipped a rag into the water and rubbed soothing circles along my back. I brought her knees to my chest.
"Your grace if I may, I know how hard it must be to be at the stage in life without your mother. I do know that she would be proud of the woman your becoming. She is still here around all of us, I can feel it"
I touched her hand and smiled trying to restrain the tears in her eyes "Thank you Duroda, I feel her too. You're the only one who has not spit on my mother's name. I'm highly grateful for you"
Hours later, I faced the vanity mirror as my ladies worked on my hair and dress. My fire red hair fell against my back as I admired my black ruffled sparkly gown.
A black laced masked was placed against my grey eyes which made every man in the palace have desires to court me.
My brother Fenris barges in with a annoyed look.
He looks at my ladies and shoos them away "Leave us!"
They bow and quickly exit my chambers. I ignore his rudeness and roll my eyes "No need to be rude brother"
He sighs
"I'm going to need a drink to prevent myself from beheading every man that looks at you tonight "
"Brother I could defend myself, try not to poison yourself before you get the chance to get crowned. We can't have the future king of Euthania leave us when to much is at stake"
He offered his arm as I slipped my hand through latching on to him.
"You're the future of this country baby sister, not even I can overpower your fate" I looked at him in confusion as we exited my chambers and headed towards the ballroom.
"When did my birthday celebration become a masquerade' Fenris laughed as he leaned down towards her "You must know Father tends to go all out for us" The guards bowed and opened the doors to a massive ballroom. There had to be over 300 guests in attendance. People were dancing and mingling amongst one another.
Everyone had on a mask which made it hard to identify the appearance. The horns blew three times announcing the arrival of the princess.
"Everyone rise, please welcome your highness, Princess Alexandra of Euthania"
Everyone bowed and saluted their beloved princess.
I smiled and looked up at my brother who yawned of boredom. "This party is a drag sister" I chuckled and pulled him towards the dancefloor as he desperately tried to pull away.
"We just got here 10 seconds ago, don't be a baby" He grabbed my hand in annoyance while swaying me against the dancing floor.
"Try not to break my toes brother, im afraid your going to swing me into the tables" He ignored me while eyeing the wine goblets that were being carried by the servants.
I released myself from his hold and shook my head "Go get your wine, I know the look of love when I see it"
He left without hesitation, leaving me alone on the dance floor for a moment before she was scooped up into another's arms.
"Princess"
I looked into dark blue eyes in which I quickly recognized.
I ran her fingers through his soft brown hair and leaned my head against his chest "Here to rescue me Grayson "
He wrapped his arms around me tighter and held his chin on the top of my head
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't" I smiled up at him and placed my hand against his chest.
I will never forget meeting Grayson at 11 years old, he was the son of King Zenix most loyal trusted advisor. He spent the past few years repairing my broken spirit and being the friend I needed to become the princess I needed to be.
He secretly trained me to fight with a sword to defend myself when he's not around.
He's done more than my siblings and father's failed attempts of consoling. Grayson became my family.
"Get me out of here before my father sees me" He kissed my hand and started to pull away "Wait for my signal" I nodded and smiled as he walked out the ballroom doors.
Small hands wrap against my waist causing me to jump by surprise. "Happy birthday sister!!!" I look down to see my 6 year old sister smiling up at me.
I grab her into my arms and place a gentle kiss on her head "My sweet dear sister, thank you" Before I can get her into a dance, she ran towards our brothers. Bellamy my second oldest brother raises his glass as a toast to me. Drunk idiots.
I started walking through the crowd as I felt a jolt in my heart. My hand placed at my chest trying to control this weird feeling.
I try to contain my discomfort not wanting my guests to notice their princess in distress. Just as my eyes look up, a mysterious man with emerald green eyes walked towards me.
His mask hid his appearance, but his attire was definitely royalty and that muscular structure. Am I drooling? He stood in front of me. Our eyes are locked, I feel like I'm staring creepily but he won't break the eye contact.
We stand in silence as his hand suddenly takes mine, placing it upon his lips as he kisses it
"Your highness, please give me the honor of dance"
I bowed and out eye contact still strong. I felt like she met this man before. My arms naturally wrap around his neck as he held me tightly. My body reacts with chills running through my body.
I couldn't identify the stranger behind the mask. Frustrated, I reached up to lift his mask when his hand quickly reflexed and wrapped around mine.
His green eyes pierced into mine as we danced amongst the crowd
"Your grace, have we met?"
His hand tightened against my waist as I was quickly pulled against his chest. "I'm a Prince, your highness"
he took the lead and slowly dipped me down b me to gasp by sudden movement . "You dance quite well your grace, I'm impressed"
I kept questioning herself why his smile looks so familiar along with his touch.
"You always been beautiful, but your beauty has grown unexplainably breathtaking" I looked away from him, trying to hide my embarrassing blush. Why is there no sign of Grayson. He crossed my mind suddenly
I quickly forgot the thought, being in the arms of this man, my heart won't stop racing. My hand slides up against his chest causing one the buttons on his shirt to fly open.
I looked at the small portion of his bare skin, ready to apologize, my heart sunk in my chest as I noticed a familiar birthmark.
He let go of his hold on me as my father started walking towards us. Several men dressed in unfamiliar armor barged into the ballroom doors. The room goes in chaos as they approach my father.
I immediately react and try to run towards him as familiar strong arms hold me into a tight hold. It all came back to me. "Get the hell off of me Lorien before I kill you!"
Yaaaaaay!
Hi everyone what do you think so far???. This is my first book so I don't know how I feel about it yet. But so much more drama ahead! Do you guys believe Lorien come to reunite with Alexandra again so easily?? Can't wait to write the next chapter.
Chapter 3 preview "Alexandra, I warn you. Don't disobey me again" I couldn't control my outburst of laughter. The nerve of this man who I don't even recognize anymore, a complete stranger to me in my eyes thinks he can come in my kingdom and order me after all these years.
"You will address me as Princess. Your in my kingdom! You crossed my lands. Talk to me like that again and your heart will be detached at my hand. Do we understand each other your grace?"