Hi this is my first fanfic so please be kind...but seriously feel free to let me know what you think. Hope you like it, enjoy!

disclaimer: I sadly but very truly do not own twilight or any of Stephenie's fabulous characters...

Chapter One

500 Years

An invitation arrived this morning; I don't have to see it to know what it is for. It has been five hundred years since the last gathering. It is now time for the 4 remaining bloodlines to return to Volterra and celebrate our lives. If that's what you want to call this existence.

I was conceived from two very powerful vampire families. My father is Lord Charles Swan of Norwich and my mother is Lady Renee of Volterra. They were married over 1500 years ago and have lived in Norwich ever since. I am Isabella Marie, Princess of the undead. I am 317 years old if you're counting and won't age a day over 17.

We are very rare only one other vampire family has been able to have a child, the Dracul family, royalty from Transylvania. Vlad II the prince of Wallachia and his wife Amelia had a son,Vlad III. Also known as Drake, Prince of Vampires. He is my intended mate, but if you ask me, which they wont I'd say no. I want to fall in love; I want to make my own choice. Don't get me wrong Drake is everything a female vampire my age should want, tall, pale and handsome. But he is all wrong for me. He is too self-absorbed and already has taken many females for mates. He uses and tosses aside, I was so afraid to find out what he would do with me.

I was off in deep thought again, thinking of what could be when my father's thundering voice invaded my mind. "Bella, don't you want to see what is on the invitation? Are you not curious?" he stated "this is your first gathering my child"

I laughed at his expression "Father of course I am curious and excited to go to the gathering. I want to see others like us, other vampires."

"What about Drake are you excited or curious? He had too much interest in his tone.

I shook my head sadly "Neither, I prefer not to see him at all"

"Bella, you are to rash with your judgment of Drake" my father's voice a bit amused. "No father I am not" I muttered "he isn't pure enough for me"

"Oh, I see you have heard the rumors they speak of him." he added.

"I don't believe them to be just rumors father, Henry has seen his displays and says it is true." We sat in silence for a few moments; I waited for him to say something. Nothing came but a strange buoyancy in myself "I will not be with him, he is not my mate. I know this papa I can feel it" I cried.

"I think we should discuss this with your mother, you know he is her nephew?" he said clearly worried about my mothers reaction. "I will speak with her tonight after all I just want my baby to be happy."

I threw myself at him hugging him fiercely. "Thank you father I love you. This means so much to me"

He hugged me back suppressing a small laugh "I know Bella, I love you too."

The rest of my day was a bore; I tried to stay busy waiting to hear from my parents. I called for one of my favorite books from the large mahogany bookcase with my mind. I was surprised my book held nothing for me today my thoughts were in to much in a jumble. I was so lost in thought I started day dreaming of Mr. Darcy, and how I knew he/or a man like him was out there somewhere for me.

"Excuse me Princess" Sophie knocked lightly on my door "Lord and Lady Swan would like to see you in the drawing room"

"Thank you Sophie" I could feel her about to leave "Wait! How are they? Did my mother seem upset?"

She pondered before answering "no miss, I believe it will be favorable for you". At her words I ran down the long hall and slid down the marble staircase almost crashing into my fathers' stone chest.

"Slow down darling you might break through the door" he was chuckling as he held me close. "Sorry, you wanted to see me?" I sent him a little wink.

Behind me a sweet voice called "Yes love we need to speak with you, please come in". By now my breathing was normal; I walked in and sat in the large arm chair in front of the fire, as my father took his place next to my mother on the antique sofa. "Your father has told me of your concerns about your engagement to Drake, is this true?" she pressed me. I looked at my father for guidance he just nodded for me to speak. "It is true mother, I want to choose for myself, I want to fall in love. I don't want to be forced into an unhappy eternity" I turned to watch the fire, I was making the flames jump up and down with my mind. My mother looked taken back by my words, a bit unsure of her daughters proclaimation. She want saying anything, she just sat there looking at me and then glaced at my father. She finally reached across the table and took my hand, at her touch I stopped playing with the fire and acknowledged her again. "Alright" is all she said. Alright what? Yes no what is alright? "During our stay in Volterra, you will find a suitable mate, if your do you may marry him and there will be no questions no fights". My eyes lit up with happiness, she was going to let me choose. My excitement got away with me I almost didn't hear her next words. "If you don't find a suitable mate you will marry Drake and you will not fight or complain." her voice was stern and serious.

It was so final, so to the point I couldn't speak, I only had two weeks to find the love of my life, my existence. Was she mad? Was that even enough time? All I knew was this had to be enough if I was going to have an eternity free of Drake. My mind was still thinking this over I had to make sure this is what I really wanted. That was stupid I didn't need to think about this, this is what I had to do.

"I accept, I will find my mate, you will see". My voice was over confident.

"I hope so my dear" she said as she touched my cheek. "I hope so."

My father just beamed at me, I knew he wouldn't say anything out loud.

Bella, I know you are nervous that this might not work, don't worry I will do all I can to help you to help assure your happiness.

His words comforted me, I was happy he and I shared the same power, we are both telepathic. It makes it easier for us to carry conversations without my mother prying. She was always the stricter by the rules kind of parent. I know she thought it was better for us all, but sometimes we needed to make our own rules.

"Well if this is all for tonight Bella I think you should get your things ready for our trip, we leave in two days". She said as a hint for me to leave her and my father alone. "Thank you again mother, I love you." I kissed her on the cheek and turned to my father to do the same. I let my mind speak for me, Thank you papa; you will see I will find my prince charming. He just smiled and flashed his pearly white teeth. "Good night, my darling."

Time seemed to drag on as I watched Sophie pack my things she wanted to make sure every outfit was just perfect. She wouldn't let me touch my own things or even move them with my mind.

"Bella, please princess you mustn't help with small trivial things like this." She waved her hand at me. "Besides you won't know what to pick out, I have an eye for these things" She said proudly.

"I know I just thought I could help, who will want me when I am not even capable of dressing myself"? I sulked a bit hiding under my pillows. I was letting self doubt take over me now this couldn't be good. After all I was a princess, a powerful one in fact. I could use my telepathic abilities to communicate to others and to control ones mind. I also had the telekinetic power to move objects of any shape or form with just a thought. And lets not forget about my inhumanly features, the kind that could enchant the strongest of my kind. I had all the best womanly features from my mother. I had a soft tone to my skin and could blush red as a rose. My eyes are a smoldering brown with specks of gold my hair is long a rich chocolate brown. I am a petite build but very strong and I must say the curves all lay in the correct places. So why should I worry, who wouldn't think of me as a prize? Hmm, a prize is that what I really want to be? Before my thoughts could wander farther I heard foot steps outside my door. And then he spoke, Henry, the captain of our guard, also Sophie's husband and my favorite informant.

"Bella, Sophie?" he called from the other end of the door. "Yes, come in Henry" I called after him. He entered the room with a warm and mischievous smile. He gently kissed Sophie hello and turned to face me. He was always like a big brother I never had. He was there to teach me about life and to protect me from the evil world outside. He found Sophie in Paris one night alone and dying, he felt a strange pull to her and changed her to become one of us. She immediately took to our way of life and has never complained about what she has become. They love each other dearly and I hope to only find a fragment of their love.

"So I heard the good news, what are we going to do?" he said teasingly "what is our game plan?"

"I'm not really sure, I didn't know I needed a game plan" my face twisted in contemplation. "What am I to do…I have no idea how to make someone fall in love with me".

Henry didn't say a word he just sat there staring at me. Sophie suddenly threw something at his head and with his vampire reflexes he caught it and spoke. "You need to be the princess you are, show them you are powerful and show them you are sweet."

"Oh okay, that doesn't sound hard at all." My voice was sarcastic. "And how do I display this sort of princess'? They both looked at each other and started to laugh. I didn't think it very humorous I threw a pillow at Henry's head. "What is so funny? You both didn't even have to try, you just knew, you just felt it." I pouted.

"It is true Bella, but I know it will be the same for you too". His sincerity was true in each word. "Now don't you worry you will see, with our help you will find love".

I knew they were right I just needed to be me, be the Bella I knew was inside.

We were all ready, and getting things packed into our cars. My mother packed like we were going away for months, 6 large suitcases were loaded into an extra car just for her. My father on the other hand seemed content with his small bag which probably held just the bare necessities. Too bad for him my mother was always prepared and packed an extra suitcase of his finest things.

We arrived at the Norwich International Airport, pulling into the terminal for privately owned jets. We hardly ever used our jet, it was sad really, to think about all the places we could see but never did. My mother and Sophie were so caught up in their conversation I had to strain to understand. I tried to stay calm I was getting nervous with the anticipation. I was just realizing that this was my first gathering and the first time I would see so many of my kind together. My nerves were calmed by the purr of the engines I just focused all my thoughts on the sound. Our flight was smooth it seemed faster than I remembered I was just getting settled when we landed in Florence, Italy.

We were met by three cars, dark and tinted; we wouldn't want to be sparkling on a beautiful day like this. The air was warmer here, different from England. It was always surprising to think that vampires would live in such a bright and sunny place. I don't blame my uncles for staying here; it was a splendor no one would want to give up, even if you had to stay hidden all the time. I was staring out the window taking in the country side, wishing I could enjoy it now.

My father took my hand and squeezed it a little. We will be there soon Bella, are you ready for what is to come? There will be many suitors there, all trying for your hand. Just remember to keep your mind clear and you will know which one to choose.

He gave me another squeeze; I just smiled back at him with thankful eyes.

I am ready father ready to find true love.

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