There was a decent enough response, so I created a Facebook group for my writing. (I know, it only took a decade of writing fanfic to get on FB.) It is a closed group, called AgoodWITCH writes, so come join the shenanigans.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 8
The late night hours passed and soon I had to clean and dress for the ceremony. Once I was presentable, my family surrounded me as we made the walk to the city center. I was anxious to see Bella, to have her choose me so that I could change her tonight.
We entered the rotunda and once again my father joined me while the remainder of our family entered the gallery. We were the last of the royals to enter so as soon as I was seated, the center platform rose to reveal Bella, Jasper, and her guards.
Bella looked around, her hair cascading down her back as she stood in the white sheath dress. As she turned to face me, I noticed my mother's necklace, a large diamond on a thick gold chain that looked like a snake holding the gem in its mouth. With the exception of her blush, she already looked like a vampire. I tried to be calm, I knew that I was her choice, but until she said the words, I would worry.
Our eyes met and Bella smiled. Her steps never faltered as she approached me, holding the necklace of the king in her hands. Stopping in front of me, she extended her arms, holding the necklace above my head when Alec spoke out.
"How do we know this choice isn't coerced by the use of Prince Edward's gift?"
"We're in the center of the rotunda, you know as well as any powers cannot be projected in this space because of the shield. It is the reason Jasper must touch the little queen for his gift to work," Benjamin called out.
"Even so, he has the ability to read minds, not control them," Nahuel added.
"Go on, little queen," my father urged.
"I once was a Wanderer, but now I am your queen, and I choose you, Edward Cullen, as my king."
The thick metal chain felt heavy as it rested against my skin. The weight of responsibility as strong as the physical weight of the necklace. "I promise to teach you our ways, to guide you in this life, and to protect you from harm. I swear to be the king you need and the mate you deserve."
Bella leapt forward to kiss me and I caught her easily. I tried to keep it chaste but it didn't stop my father from chuckling behind me.
She pulled away and I knew our time was short. "I will see you tonight, and then we'll never be parted again."
"I love you, my king," she whispered.
Bella turned to Jasper and her guards and they stood on the platform as it was lowered.
"Come, Son. It is time for you to see what your grandparents and great-grandfather did to the Royal Residence."
I left with my family, many of the residents of the capital wishing me well. We walked the short distance to the Royal Residence and when we opened the door, I was shocked by the scent that hit me.
"It smells like the ocean in here," I whispered.
"You would be amazed how willing the people of the Pacific Northwest were to please their eldest prince," Marcus said.
I turned to my great-grandfather and looked at him as he continued. "They spent weeks getting the mixture right, but all of the candles that are the pale blue are the ocean scent. The basement has crates of them. The green ones smell like the rainforest, while the white are unscented."
"You brought all of this with you?"
"Among other things. You enjoyed the ten years you spent with me so much, so I thought you would want to share that with your bride," Marcus responded.
"You didn't know the little queen would be my mate."
"I knew the princes of your generation, no one had a better chance of winning over a terrified Wanderer than you. And if not, you would still find a mate."
"Yes, but no one like Bella," I whispered.
"No one like her indeed."