Your Princess is in Another Castle

Chapter 11: A Tasty Morsel

Bella was so distraught by the events of what happened last night that she did not venture outside of the library. She could not stay in her room for it bore unpleasant memories. The sheets were rumpled as they had been left, and her ripped dress still lay on the floor like a victim. Bella had cried and cried her eyes out before dressing herself and leaving the room in the dead of night, taking refuge on the armchairs of the library. The smell of musty pages and bound leather soothed her when nothing else could.

She felt guilty and disgusted with her own self. But she was taking all that out on Victoria who had only done as Bella asked her too. And now she had spurned Victoria by being so rude. May perhaps it was for the better that the red haired vampryess kept her distance for Bella's heart could not be trusted right now. Nor could her words or actions.

That was why she deduced she needed a break. A break from all this.

James had come to check on her to see why she was not joining her friends during the third day of the Blood Feast but she had told a fib about not feeling well from too much drink and wishing to stay alone.

He respected her wishes and sent up some water and bread to help with her ailments. But she felt so sick from guilt she could not even force those down her throat.

She had committed a most atrocious sin. She had cheated on her vows of engagement. She had cheated on Edward. And she had sinned before God.

How could she ever have forgiveness after this?

And the worst part was she had enjoyed it. Enjoyed it too well. Even now as her thoughts fluttered back to the act, she could feel heat growing between her legs. She tried to ignore it. However, she could not ignore another emotion inside her.

Anger.

It would vacillate between that and deep despairing sadness. No doubt those were Victoria's emotions she was feeling. And Victoria had every right to feel them. But Bella wished she could have soothed them away somehow. She didn't know how yet.

So she sat in the library which was her refuge and tried to enjoy her books. Yet, no matter what she tried to read she could not focus on entirely. And it was frustrating. She threw the books aside and rose up to go on a walk. Perhaps nature would soothe her mind.

As covertly as she could, she sneaked through the crowd of people, having donned a mask out of respect to tradition. Many were already drunk at this hour and others were enjoying games on the grass. She caught a glimpse of Angela and Eric and avoided them so she would not have to make discourse. She was not in the mood for company.

She walked a ways out, treading through brush and a small copse of trees to stand by a tiny brook that burbled. Birds chirped over head and the sun shone in strips of light through the trees. And the air was warm in a way that should liven up anyone's soul. But it did little to help Bella who felt heavy and disgusted with herself.

She was at war with her morals and with her wants. She knew she shouldn't have done those things but she liked them. Wanted more of them. Wanted to simply have Victoria by her side.

The sad truth was Bella was engaged.

An engagement I slowly grow to despise more and more she thought morosely and sat down on the bank, heedless of whether or not she soiled her dress. She pulled her knees up to her chest and stared off into the water, just letting her inner thoughts ebb and flow. Why did matters have to become so complicated? Why couldn't things just be simple?

She wished she had never meet the vampryes. Then she could have lived a happy life knowing Edward would have fulfilled her. But now she knew he could not, not when perfection such as Victoria walked around.

This gave Bella serious thought. Was she really in love with Victoria?

She might as well come to terms with this. She knew she had kicked the woman out of her bed and she still felt conflicted over what ardor they had shared, but Bella could no longer keep kicking the woman out and running from her problems. She had attempted that last time and almost caused a war between wolf and vamprye.

No, she would have to face her demons with her head held high.

And the first thing to do would be to conduct introspection.

Bella knew she liked Victoria. The attraction had grown out of nothing. After all, she could still recall how they fought and riled each other up. But during the course of that respect had been gained for one another, time had passed to soothe the wounds they gave each other, and they learned more of each others plight.

And Bella was not blind. Victoria was alluring, to the point of it being extremely intoxicating and dangerous. So thus was Bella blinded and prone to foolish deeds because of Victoria's beauty? If the woman had not been as dashing would Bella never have slept with her?

She thought back to their shared history in this castle.

True, they may not talk much and have yet much to learn about each other, but Bella felt drawn, connected, to Victoria as unlike with anyone else. It was like they were kindred spirits. And Bella wanted to learn so much more about Victoria. Wanted to spend more time with her.

So yes, perhaps it was love. But Bella was too scared to use the love word just yet.

And even if she did love Victoria then what did that mean for her engagement to Edward? Did she just give everything up? Throw away her whole role as princess?

She shook her head. She was conflicted.

She needed more time to think.

She settled down and sat out there until midday had arrived and left and then she went indoors.

During her period of solitude she had felt some of the anger stemming from Victoria abetting. While Bella still wasn't ready to face the woman, it was a relief to know she wasn't hurting as much anymore. She was able to go back to her books once more, and this time she was able to concentrate.

..

The day after was the fourth day of the feast. It was almost over and Bella was concerned. With the feast no longer in the way, she and Victoria were going to be the only ones in the castle. This meant nothing to distract them from the issues happening between themselves. And Bella wasn't ready just yet to face the vampryess.

At some point she would. But not now.

So she ventured back to the library, ready to indulge in more books.

James naturally came to check up on her. "Still not feeling well?" he questioned, looking at the stale bread and water from yesterday she had not eaten.

"No. Not quite," she shook her head and a furrow grew between his brows.

"Perhaps fruits and juice will do you well?" he suggested, before excusing himself and expressing his regrets at not being able to take better care of her due to the party he was hosting and his responsibilities there.

She was able to eat the grapes and peaches provided, for they were a rare commodity up this far north and she could not pass up on a chance to ponder their sweetness. Additionally, the guilt inside her had faded away a substantial amount. She really liked what Victoria had done and now that it had already happened, now that Bella had already desecrated her vows, what more would it hurt to let it happen once more?

Her thoughts would run in circles like this. She would want to lay with Victoria once more, her mind reasoning that it was alright to do so since Bella had seen to ruining the holy union. But then she would reason that it was not alright to do such a thing and that she needed to break her engagement to Edward if she wanted continue upon such a venture.

Whenever such thoughts got to be too much, she dropped to her knees for a quick prayer, trying and begging God to help her find her way.

It was becoming increasingly clear to her that what little she shared with Victoria vastly surpassed all that she had shared or would share with Edward. And she knew to throw off the engagement would risk her family name, her future home, and her future family and finances. With Victoria...she didn't know what she would have.

Could she provide stability for them both? Would the lord even look down on them once Bella turned her back on men and went with a woman? And what of the fact she was a vampryess? Would that throw Bella further into God's disgrace?

If only something would steer her right. If only something or someone could show her the way.

She was wandering around outside of the library now. It had steadily become her bedroom over the night for she could not sleep in her own bed. Sharp aches of anger had sprung upon her throughout the day and evening and it was clear Victoria was still hurting. But Bella was not ready to discuss what had happened with her just yet.

She was lacking courage.

As dusk approached, Bella ventured outside once more to relax in nature. The humans had retired for the night and now it was the vampryes who would be given free reign of the castle. Bella made sure to avoid all of them, striding out to where it was quiet and lonesome. There was a little garden just outside the castle that had not been here in the cooler months.

Victoria must have made this garden for the woman loved nature. Each plant was well cared for-trimmed and watered and mulched-, and each stone surrounding the area placed carefully. They were blooming, the flowers in bright pinks and reds and whites. And they smelled sweetly.

Bella sat down on a stone bench there and delicately held up one of the heads of the flowers as she inhaled their scent. It soothed her and maybe a part of it soothed Victoria for the woman's unease that had been thrumming through her body relaxed a bit.

It made Bella feel happy to know she was able to help Victoria even if not directly.

Bella didn't know how long she sat there for, letting her eyes slip closed as she listened to the night song of night time creatures. The air was muggy outside but with an odd breeze or two of cold air that would send chills down her back.

When she opened her eyes, she was given quite a fright.

Three vampryess were approaching her, as silent as the grave in their motions, not even their dresses making a whisper of a sound. They were all stunning, beautiful creatures. All blonde and with glowing blue eyes that sparkled in the night air. Their dresses swayed with their exaggerated hip motions and it was clear from the way they glanced at one another before looking at Bella, it meant they were coming for her.

She felt nervous immediately. She did not like being alone with vampryes especially because they were drawn to her blood. She made to get up from the bench but was halted by them.

"Ztay avhile," said one, with a thick heavy German accent.

"If it's quite all the same to you, I would rather leave. It is getting late," Bella picked up her skirts to scurry away but the three of them blocked her path and she gulped deeply, wondering what they wanted from her. Her blood no doubt was first.

"You are zo full of zo many deliciouz energiez," said another one, also with a heavy accent.

"Ve only vant to help you releaze them," said the third.

"But vhere are our mannerz," said the first one, the tallest one. "My name is Tanya and theze are my zisterz Kate and Irene."

"Nice to meet you," Bella said in a weak voice. She tried to edge past them but they blocked her once more. "Perhaps we can talk another time?"

"No, I think not," Irene declared. "Your energiez are chaotic. Zo much anger and lust. And ve happen to be very hungry." She licked her lips, eyes glimmering darkly.

"You-you cannot drink my blood," Bella warned, backing up and nearly falling over as she ended up plopping down on the bench behind her.

"Oh it iz not your blood we want," said Kate as she giggled. "But zomething zo much more."

Bella took in a deep breath, feeling her chest swell with fear. She desperately wanted to call for Victoria but she knew she didn't deserve too.

Irene grabbed her wrist, Kate grabbed her other, and jerked her chin up to reveal her neck. Bella should not have worried for the vampryesses truly laid no claim to her neck. Tanya got to her knees, rolling up Bella's dress. Another fear entirely over took Bella. "What are you doing?" she gasped out, eyes so wide all the whites could be seen.

"Unlike most vamyrez, we do not feed from the neck," Tanya explained in an ambiguous manner.

Bella's heart was pounding in her chest and she struggled against the tight hold on her, but predictably, she could not break free.

"Is that anyway to treat a guest?" a cool voice asked and all three vampryesses stopped to look at the figure approaching them. It was Victoria and though her voice was easy, her face belied her anger as did the tightness of her body.

Victoria! Bella's heart and soul sobbed in relief. The vampryess must have scented or sensed her distress. She was so glad she had.

"She needz our help," stated Kate as she licked upon her lips. "And we can help her."

"She does not harken upon your kind's help," Victoria stated flatly. Her arms were crossed over her chest to stop them from twitching or worse yet, rendering all the limbs from the three blondes. Bella could feel the hatred from Victoria. It was hot and molten, flooding every crevice of her body.

"It iz our duty to help thoze like her," answered Irene. "Iz it not your fault she iz like thiz?"

Victoria stiffened at this but did respond to that jibe. "Leave her be. That is your only warning."

Grumbling the three blondes did as asked, though with frowns.

"And you are never to near her during the length of the Blood Feast."

"You have our word," Tanya said, for they knew better than to start fights with James's right hand. "But zhould zhe come to uz? Well, that iz a different tale," she added on and then with a zoom, all three were gone.

Bella was free and she could not be more grateful to be away from those women's clutches. Now with them gone, Victoria and Bella were left together in an awkward air. They looked on at each other, unsure what to say. And then Victoria turned on her heel, ready to leave.

"Wait!" Bella called out. "Stay a moment, please."

Victoria stiffened even more but did not turn around.

"I know I have no right to ask this, but please, I need you by my side. They have left me shaken and not myself," Bella confessed and she was afraid to go to her bed chambers by herself.

Victoria did not say anything for a long time; Bella was sure she would be rejected. But then slowly, almost as if fighting herself every step of the way, Victoria turned around, a sort of deep sadness on her face that she tried to hide behind a facade of indifference but failed.

"I shall escort you then." She turned back around, her red hair swaying with the motion and Bella hurried after her, feeling immensely more at ease. She could feel the uncertainty and hurt floundering through Victoria, almost as if her emotions sought to drown her.

Bella could feel them reflected in herself and she could feel the tightness of it all tying around her neck like a noose.

They walked in silence back to Bella's bedroom, Victoria stopping right outside the door. Her motions were very stiff and cold towards Bella. "Here you are. Have a good night," she murmured and she made to sweep past Bella, only for Bella to grab her by her upper arm.

Bella could feel the muscle tighten even more under the flimsy hold of her human body. But Victoria stayed her motions, mid step.

"Not here. The library. Can you read me a book to dispel my unease?"

Victoria set her jaw. It was clear she wanted to reject this plead. But she must have cared deeply for Bella because she nodded her head an inch. "Very well."

They walked over to the library, where Bella sat down on the couch she used as her bed and pulled the blankets up on herself. Victoria sat in the armchair in front of her, snatching up the first book she could find so she could read Bella to sleep.

Bella already felt safer with the red haired vampryess around, but she wanted to hear her voice. To have her stay longer around her even if she didn't deserve it. Victoria cleared her throat and flipped open to the first page. She had one leg swung over the over, in a pose that was trying to be calm and casual and yet the stiffness of how she held the book gave her away. She looked like she was seconds from ripping the book apart.

Bella felt another stab of guilt at that.

Before Victoria could commence reading the book, Bella spoke up. "Who were they?"

Her question hung in the air, unanswered until Victoria shifted her eyes up from the book to reluctantly look at Bella, or the space around her. "Who?"

"Those three blonde vampryesses."

"They were succubi."

"Which means what?"

Victoria sighed out. She looked annoyed they were having this conversation. Drained even.

"It means that they do not drink human blood for sustenance. They instead feed off of sexual desires."

Bella's face flushed. "S-sexual desires?" she squeaked out, feeling improper. Was her need for Victoria that strong that they could sense it coming off of her body? "I recall them saying it was you who caused this-"

The book snapped in half. Victoria rushed up to her feet. "You do not need to keep rubbing this into my face. I understand I did something wrong. I never should have sullied you with my hands and my mouth, princess-" she roared out, hurt and sad and aching to be violent all at the same time.

Bella was startled back by this. She sat up, letting the blanket slide off of her so she could draw closer to Victoria. Though the woman could strike her at any moment, she was not scared of that. She was scared of breaking Victoria's heart more.

"That's not what I meant by my question. I only wanted to know if they could smell it on us. If they could smell your irrepressible desires too for me," Bella said calmly and in a steady voice.

This paused Victoria, leaving her mouth half open, book halves in her hands like lifelines that she clutched onto harder until she fingers relaxed, the leather stopping in it's cracking.

Her eyes did not turn back from the black they had befallen and her chest heaving did not go down. There were things she wanted to say and Bella waited for them to exit her mouth patiently.

"And what did you mean when you allowed me to bed you?"

Bella bit her lip. She looked down. "I...I'm still confused by all that."

"Of course you are," Victoria said lowly, but not with disgust, just defeat.

Now it was Bella's turn to tantrum. "You do not understand how precarious of a position I am in! I am set to marry a prince so I may secure my own future and my family's funds and reputations and yet, I do no longer crave that happy ending of my own fortunes. I crave you and but nothing is certain with you. If I run away with you, will Edward kill my family? Will he seek to kill you? How will we support ourselves? Where will we run to?" She ran her hands through her long brown locks. "I do not know what to do." She sank down to her haunches, sobbing suddenly. She was overwhelmed with her own emotions and with Victoria's.

Victoria knelt down in front of her, not daring to touch her. Not yet.

"I understand Bella. I truly do. Which is why I am not going to pressure you to do anything. You choose on your own. I only ever wish for you to be happy." And Victoria was earnest, meaning every last word even if the option Bella would pick would be her end. She dropped a soft kiss onto Bella's head and then left.

When Bella's cries slowed down, she wiped the salty lines from upon her face and looked down in gloom at the book Victoria had ripped. She had ripped a copy of Romeo and Juliet. How fitting.

And that night, Bella slept alone once more on the couch in the library as inside her chest, ached the pain of two women in love and unable to do anything about it.