Part 48

I was surprised to find Stanley standing near my bedroom door, slightly turned away, a layer of his soft blue colour dress flew in the morning air making him look like a god descended from the sky. He seemed to be deep in thought, almost to the point I didn't want to interrupt him. I quietly looked around noticing that he was alone. I wondered if he'd wanted to meet me and spend time with me or if he was just standing there for no reason. I took in a deep breath and walked to him and spoke first."Prince Stanley," I called his name softly.When he turned toward me, I gracefully curtsied just the way we do in vampire land and met his beautiful blue eyes. He seemed to be in a good mood today, contrary to the hateful looks he gives me when our eyes meet."Sophia," He said and looked at me with his deep blue eyes. The way he called my name with his deep tone sent butterflies down my stomach. I smiled and took a step closer to him.He hesitated to speak."Prince Stanley, do you have anything to say to me?" I asked with a beaming smile. His presence alone makes me happy and lifts my spirit to the moon. Maybe just maybe he understood my love. A thin line of hope bloomed within me."Would you mind taking a walk with me?" He asked with a tight smile. I nodded eagerly and looped my hands around his arms happily. He looked like he wanted to pull away from me when a frown formed on his face but he didn't say anything and allowed me to walk with him. This was the best day of my life. I couldn't get any happier.When we walked to the garden he stopped and pulled away from me gently. "There is something you need to know." He said and for some reason, I felt in my heart that this conversation was not going to end well looking at his expression. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at him."I know after our last meeting I avoided you but you must know that I have no interest in you. I love Kristen and she is my mate and there is no space for another woman in my heart." His words made my blood boil. He didn't even care about how I would feel. His eyes locked into mine I blinked furiously as tears welled behind my eyes."I am really sorry if I gave you any wrong ideas but you must know I am not the man for you." He says and his eyes lingered on me for a second. Another round of tears made its way to my cheeks. I sniffed."What you feel towards her is not true. She is not your mate. I am." I said confidently to him. He looked at me sharply while his eyes darkened."What makes you think you are my mate?""Because I feel it. I am blessed with two mates and I have the power to choose. When I first saw you I realized it." I told him. He frowned and looked confused."How can a person have two mates?" He questioned."I don't know. My grandma was a powerful witch too and she could see the future. She told me that I must choose between good and evil and I am blessed with two mates."He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Sophia, even if what your grandma said is true, the mate bond is not felt by only one person, only your partner will feel the bond and I don't feel it with you." I snapped at him in my head."Maybe your true love is the other person. Have you met him?""No, and I don't want to. Even if I meet him he will be evil. I do not want to choose evil." I said with no space for argument."Who are you truly? What is your true identity?" He asked in a dark tone and looked at me like he stepped on some dirt. How can his expression flip within a second? I wondered. "We all know that you have dark powers within you and you have not mentioned it to any of us. You dared to hurt Kristen and now you're trying to come between us.""Tell me who you truly are?'' He demanded."I was raised by my grandmother in vampire land. I lived alone with her and while growing up I realized that my powers are not like others and it would always cause destruction. I had no control over my powers so I had to live in hiding and never mingled with my clan to practise. I was bullied and called evil.When my grandmother died she said that I am special and I was blessed with two mates in this life. I had to choose good over evil and the choice I make will change the fate of our clan. I didn't believe it at first and when she passed away I hid myself deep inside the forest and trained to control my powers. I made peace with my life and never wished to look for my true love.But everything changed when King Edmond summoned us all to the castle and picked me along with the few other witches to find Kristen. I didn't want to be any part of it but I was forced to abduct her. I only heard rumours about her being more powerful than any of us and she was blessed with the powers of hundreds of witches. I wished to meet her and when I did the situation was not right. When she was forced to go back I kind of felt like saving her and I went on with my instincts to help her and here we are. I told him the truth and hoped he would understand why I wanted him."When I met you on my first day here I felt a strong wave of connection towards you and when I came to know that you are Kristen's lover it broke my heart and I wanted to give up on you. Trust me I really tried. But my feelings towards you started to get stronger every day and I couldn't help it. I do not know who the other mate is and I do not care. I choose you." I declared. Stanley whipped his head around and glared. You do not have that kind of power over me. He hissed and his hands fisted at his side."I want you and I will not let anyone get in my way," I stated. Stanley closed the distance between us, and his electrifying blue eyes were ablaze as he gazed down at me while pinning me to the tree clutching my neck hard. "I hate you." He roared."Please, give me a chance. What you feel towards Kristen is not true." I begged him, I knew I had to shut up before he choked me to death but I couldn't help it. This is my only chance to talk to him."You don't know what you are talking about! You're brainwashed. You think how the vampires want you to think, after all, you are their minion." He said in a dark tone."I can see the darkness in your eyes." Even if you were my mate I would reject you." He said and pushed me away.I blinked and for the first time, his dark words hurt like a sword in my chest. I took a step back. My eyes widen as my heart thumps wildly. I never thought Stanley could be this cold. His words hit me so hard that my knees gave way and I fell to the ground."How can you say that?" I asked. I curse myself mentally for stuttering."Because love is not something you could choose or own. You are just attracted to me and confused. You cannot choose your soul mate and I do believe that your real mate is out there somewere." He said taking a step towards me, causing me to take another step backwards. My heart was pounding out of my chest."Stanley, I believe in my grandmother's words and she clearly said that I must choose between good and evil. I refuse to choose the evil out there." I said honestly.He sighed. "How would you know that your mate will be evil without even meeting him? Don't be stupid." He said in a sarcastic tone."Please don't reject me." I cried taking another step back and turning away so that he couldn't see my tears. He is just trying to convince me to find the other man because of Kristen. He is not even ready to give me a chance because of her."I didn't mean to hurt you, Sophia. But you must understand that I am not your mate." I finally turned toward him, not caring if he saw my tears and bulging eyes."Stanley, I would never give up on you. Maybe you cannot see the truth now but you will someday and come to me. I have hope." I said wiping the tears away from my face. His blue eyes darkened when he looked at me one last time before he left.I sat on the cold bench all night and let my thoughts wander. When the sun broke out I decided what I should do next. I must eliminate my rival and I have two ways to do it. I took a deep breath and summoned Mary in my head. She responded immediately as if waiting for me on the other side."Sophia.""I know her weakness and I am ready," I said confidently. I chose this road and there is no going back now."We will send an invitation to sign a treaty between the vampires and witches. The king wants to bring peace so all you have to do is convince Kristen to visit Vampire land along with the Queen and the Prince." She said and waited for my response."Okay." I agreed. I do not know what they planned but I am sure I can protect Stanley.