It has been many years since the King James had found his Queen in Maria. Together they had kindly ruled the people around them, with a fair and just rule. They had raised Paige together as they had done with JJ. Both of them had once hoped for Paige to take their place with Seth at her side, but accepted her choice when she stated she did not wish to become Queen. As always Gunner watched over Paige, smiling as he watched her grow. Even after she married Seth, he continued to watch over her, knowing that one day she would be in need of his help. Plus he had been charged with such a task by King James, as he had done every day since he had gone to retrieve her all the years prior.
"James, you know as well as I do, Milo will come back. There is only one way to protect her" spoke Gunner, he knew James had asked for someone who could detect the past lives of another, he knew his King was more determined than ever to protect his daughter. He had tried over and over again to find any way of protecting her other than the one that was staring him in the face. He knew if he was to do it then he could risk breaking Maria's heart. Something he didn't want to do, although he knew if this person came back with the information he didn't want then he would be left with no other choice. He would have to turn his daughter and her groom in to vampires, although they would have to wait a little longer due to Paige expecting her first and likely only child.
"I will wait until our wizard comes back with the answers. If it is what you suspect then I want you to turn her and Seth. But if not and it is someone else then track and eliminate them" responded James. He knew he had to do what was best for his daughter. Just like he knew he couldn't tell Maria or Bobby what he was planning in case they tried to stop him. He knew Maria would be angry at first but he also knew she would come to understand why he had done as he had or at least he hoped she would understand. He knew her top priorities have always been Paige and JJ. Her children and the future of the kingdom in which they had built. "If it is the worst news then we would have to wait until Paige has given birth. Hide her until then to make sure no one can find her" continued James, smiling when he thought about Paige being pregnant, he was overjoyed when he was told the news by Seth as it meant that his family line was once again carrying on.
"My King" spoke the voice of the one who had been tasked with finding the necessary information on Milo and on his past life. James and Gunner both looked around to the man in robes, his two followers either side of him, almost like they were protecting him or attempting to do so. Both James and Gunner soon turned their full attention to him, he smiled at the men knowing they could take the news either way. "I have done all tasks you requested my lord. But the answers in which you are to be give for one is not what you wanted to hear" spoke the wizard, he knew the reply was likely to be undesirable but he had promised to tell them the truth although he was unsure if he could deliver the news he had when it come to Kate and Maria, especially when he seen so much hope in the kings eyes.
"Please Bray, just tell us. Maria will be back soon and I would like to get this sorted before she does return" spoke James in reply, seeing the other man smile awkwardly at him in he reply. He knew the wizard they had come to trust over the years was always going to be truthful with them, or at least he had been so far, he hadn't been given any reason to doubt the words of the helpful man stood before his throne. "What is it you have discovered?" asked James almost dreading what he was going to find out. Mainly because he didn't know how much it would effect the castle and kingdom he had built around himself and those he loved.
"You know Paige is the reincarnation of your daughter of the same name" spoke Bray after a few minutes of a silence that could be described as awkward. He knew the man wanted to know, and he could see Gunner too was interested to know what he had found. "But were you aware that your son-in-law is the reincarnation of her lover that you killed or that your wife was once the queen in which you lost centuries ago?" asked Bray revealing Seth was also reincarnations of someone whom his daughter once held close to her. Gunner looked to James and smiled when he heard Seth too was reincarnation, he knew straight away who it was. Bray looked to both of his followers in Erick and Luke not being able to bring himself to give the news of Maria.
"Looks like killing Tyler Black all those centuries ago couldn't keep them apart after all. Both of them found each other again in this life" spoke Gunner, he knew who Seth was a reincarnation of, and had been proven right by how the two had once again found each other, even if they were unaware of their past lives. "Looks like they were soul mates after all" added Gunner, seeing the way that James and Bray looked at him. It was clear Bray didn't have the slightest idea on what he was on about. Where as James just smiled and turned his attention back to the now confused Bray. The king remembered how heartbroken his daughter was when he had killed Tyler, to the point he had gone to a Sharman in the hopes of doing something to make sure they would find each other again, it brought a warm feeling to him knowing his efforts to reunite them had worked.
"Milo, he is a reincarnation of your brother. But it appears Milo has the same traits as your brother once processed. As well as the same goals he once had before his death at your hand" spoke Bray carrying on with what he had found out. "Your grand-daughter will have the beauty of her mother, as well as the magic of her father. She will be a powerful sorceress" added Bray. He smiled when he was given his payment, leaving shortly after. He knew the king would return to him if he wanted anything else answering. Once Bray and his followers left, James turned to Gunner once more, seeing the smile had also disappeared from his features. It was clear he too was now more worried than even especially since both Milo and Mason both had an obsession with Paige. One of which was reason why James had turned Paige in the first place and the other was supposed to be her best friend. Both men knew Milo wouldn't be working alone, they knew he had to have help from someone, although it was unknown to either of them if he knew of his previous life as the King's brother. James smiled a little to know his grandchild would be a girl, another little princess in the castle, just as he could Take pride in knowing she would be as powerful if not more so that her paternal grandfather.
"We have to hide her until she has given birth to her child. Once she has turn both her and Seth. That way she will never be alone again. She hated me for centuries when I killed Tyler. I would rather not she hate me until my deathbed because I took Seth away from her this time" spoke James he could remember her refusing to be around him after he had killed Tyler, especially when he realised it was real love between them, he felt overwhelming guilt when he seen how heartbroken she was. Gunner nodded, he could remember being told of that and knew that was the reason why he was turned in the first place. To be a friend for the original Paige and her protector, similar to how he was now, although he was more of a friend to her at the moment.
"Do you wish me and Winter to go with them? Once her daughter is born then both of us will turn them, we will make sure they can control their thirst before we bring them back. I will get Winter to bring their daughter here so she is safe" asked Gunner, he knew it was hard to adjust to being a vampire but he also knew Paige would likely find it easier due to having being one for eight centuries in her previous life. He also knew she would stay at her husbands side and help him adjust to the life of being near immortal. It wasn't long before James nodded, waving slightly when he seen Bobby enter the room, he had gotten to know the former vampire king rather well over the last 12 years and watched as he interacted with his niece although she was still unaware that James was not her biological father.
"Is everything okay? Your poker face is failing you" asked Bobby knowing from looking at his brother in law something had happened that was incredibly concerning to him. "Maria's second pregnancy is coming along well by the way. She has just returned and has several different decorations for the nursery. And Paige appears to enjoy walking the castle surroundings. She is at the waterfalls where she normal is" spoke Bobby revealing Maria was back and she had brought a few more things for their second child's nursery, as well as the whereabouts of Paige. Gunner soon left do his task, he knew all to well James would send them to Black Rock Palace again, the place was hard to find unless you knew where it was, plus he could see despite the concerning information James was proud to hear his grandchild would be as powerful if not more so than the rest of the family.
"Gunner is just going to inform Paige of a trip she and Seth will be going on. Since she is in danger here of Milo finding her and doing something. To protect them I am going to send them away until their child is born. That way no stress will be put on her. Gunner and Winter are going to stay with them until it is time for them to come home again. It will be better for Paige and Maria since both ladies are expecting" replied James, revealing what he and Gunner had been talking about when he arrived. Or at least part of it. He had no intention of telling him his niece and her husband would be children of the sun when they returned as well as parents. He wasn't going to tell Maria that either, until it was absolutely necessary that she know. He was also happy to keep the information on the gender of their child a secret, knowing the only two he believed should know were the parents of the said child. Seth and Paige. "How are Angelina, Taryn and Shannon doing?" asked James, he knew Angelina no longer had hopes of becoming a vampire, as she had found everything she had once hoped for when Bobby came to the castle for his sister's wedding all those years ago. She had gotten the family she once dreamt of having, as well as the friends she had once wished for.
"Angelina is doing good. She enjoys looking after Maria and helping out where she can. As well as teaching our girls all the things she learnt as a child. Taryn and Shannon are learning not everyone has the things they take for granted, as well as enjoying going through the history of this place. They have recently found out about Ghost and Timber" responded Bobby, slightly concerned both Paige and Seth were being sent away for their own protection, he knew about reincarnations and things but never understood why James wasn't doing anything to stop the one plaguing their family. "Why haven't you done anything to stop Milo?" asked Bobby more out of curiosity than anything else, like most in the castle he was aware Milo was a danger to Paige, yet James had done nothing to stop him.
"The answer to your question my dear husband. James here wont do anything to hurt Milo because he promise Chris a close friend who became human when he found Susan. That he would never harm his son, even if he was a danger or if he did something to Paige. Plus he wouldn't want anyone to do something to JJ so he wont do it to someone else" suddenly came the voice of Angelina, although she was no longer a hand maiden to Maria, she still liked to help her sister in law. Especially when it come to the little things like once again getting a nursery ready for the new arrival. "Chris has been doing all he could to stop Milo, but he doesn't want to accept Paige has chosen Seth over himself. He thinks if Maria hadn't sent his away six years ago then she would have chosen him" she added, she still kept in contact with Chris and he was kind enough to give her that information. As well as some other details when it come to the obsession his son had for the princess and the near resentment he had for Seth.
"An obsession with my daughter didn't do anything to help anyone in the past. Even my own brother. I lost her once I have no intention of losing her again. Plus as I said to Gunner, I would rather she not hate me until my death bed" spoke James remembering the past, how his own brother in Mason had waited until his daughter had turned eighteen before attempting to kidnap her so he could marry her. It had taken him and Chris just over a year to find them. He wished that would be the last of it but knew he was once again powerless to stop history repeating itself.
"What do you mean?" asked Bobby wondering what James had meant, it wasn't very often James spoke of the original Paige. Sure he had seen pictures of her and understood that his own niece was that same young lady just reincarnated, sent to live once again. James looked at Bobby when he heard the question, before it dawned on him he had mentioned the one they had come to call the original Paige. A small sad smile appeared on his lips at remembering her, and how she was ripped away from him, especially when it was by a vampire hunter. He knew the pain he felt was similar to what he had force on his daughter when he had killed her lover so many centuries ago.
"My older brother Mason, he took the original Paige when she was eighteen before she become a vampire. He took her with the intention of forcing her to become his wife. It took me and Chris just over a year to find her. When we did it was the planned wedding day. When she seen me, she ran into my arms, tears in her eyes. He had abused her in order to make her submit to him. Chris took her brought her back here while I dealt with my brother. After questioning him, it became obvious he was never going to stop so I was forced to kill my own brother to protect my daughter. When I returned to the castle, I turned Paige into a vampire to make sure than she would never be victimised again" replied James, explaining what had happened all those years ago and why his daughter was turned into a vampire in the first place. He didn't do it out of spite or to make sure he would never lose her. He had done it to protect her from the world which would hurt her.
"Milo, is the reincarnation of Mason. Sadly he has the same intentions as Mason once did, but James there wont do anything to harm the boy because he is the son of the man who helped him find and bring the original Paige home safely" added Angelina she was at least aware of that, it was practically screaming all of them in the face it was just none of them took any notice of it, until the recent attempts Milo had made to get Paige. Although he had stopped once he had realised she was expecting, letting her go and return to the place she felt safe. Even he wasn't cruel enough to force her to lose her child. James knew that wouldn't be Milo's last attempt, he would no doubt wait until another opportunity arose after her daughter was born.
With Gunner, he had told Winter what their King had ordered, she smiled and offered to tell Seth. Knowing it would save a lot of hassle, just as she was aware her husband was going to tell the princess in question. As Gunner was going to place where he knew Paige was, he spotted JJ, Taryn and Shannon going past on horses, bright smiles on their features, he knew they were at least happy with what was around them, although they were learning life lessons and seeing the world outside of what they knew. It wasn't long before Paige come into view, she was sitting in the grass near the river bank watching as the water went tumbling over the waterfall crashing into the calm water below.
"Princess" spoke Gunner, coming to sit next to returning the smile when she smiled at him. "Your mother has returned and your father has sent me to inform you of the news he has received from Bray. Although I must warn you it isn't good" continued Gunner. He knew why she like to sit in this area of the land. It was peaceful not many people around to disturb her and out of the way of her younger brother and cousins riding their horses. "Milo is indeed the reincarnation of your father's brother. Your father has decided to send you and Seth away for the remained of your pregnancy, so Milo will not be able to find you. He is doing it so less stress will be placed on you. He is also sending Winter and myself with the two of you" added Gunner, seeing her nod to him. Then return her attention back to the waterfall, enjoying the peacefulness the area she was in gave her.
"This is the last time, I will be here as a human isn't it?" asked Paige, revealing she had an incline on what her father had ordered. She didn't know for sure but knew her father wouldn't send her and Seth away with Winter and Gunner unless, he had something planned. It wasn't long before she turned her attention back to the man in question who smiled sadly at her before nodding to her question. "Is it the only way?" asked Paige, once again seeing him nod in reply. "You promise me you will keep our child safe while we adjust to the vampire status, I wouldn't be able to bare it if either of us hurt them" finally spoke Paige, making Gunner promise, again turning her attention back to the water. She knew eventually it would come to this. Just as she was aware Gunner knew something about both of them, although he had refused to tell them. Although it had been near enough thirteen years since she began to call the castle home, she knew there were things she hadn't been told, she knew there were things being kept from her.
"I promise Princess. Your father has already come up with a solution to that. He is sending Winter so she can bring your daughter back, once she is born. While I turn both you and Seth. It will give you time to adjust to your new status before returning to the castle. James will keep an eye on her until you return along with Winter" spoke Gunner revealing that her child was to be a daughter. He could tell that she was happy about that, especially when she put her hand on her swollen stomach. There was only a few more weeks to go. "Bray said before he left the castle, that your child would be a girl. And she was would be loved although inherit her paternal grandfathers magic" added Gunner revealing she was destined to be a sorceress and a powerful one at that. Although her parents would be near immortal, he knew unless their daughter too turned both parents would be forced to endure the pain of losing their child.
It wasn't too much longer before he helped her up and escorted her back to her chambers. Leaving her there since Seth was already waiting for her. He was already packing some items, although he kept looking around the room. His gaze soon landed on his pregnant wife at the doors to the room, to which he walked over to her and soft wrapped her in a hug. He knew she was aware of what their fate was to be, as she was aware he knew the same thing. Maria finally joined her husband in the throne room, it was clear to her he was deep in thought. So she gently place her hands on his shoulders, smiling when he looked to her. Seeing the concern he held for something although he tried to mask it by returning her smile, she could see it didn't react his eyes.
"What is bothering you?" asked Maria, sitting in her own throne at his side. Seeing the empty ones JJ and Paige normal sat in for special occasions. She smiled slightly. "Come on James you know I will find out sooner or later. Does it have something to do with Paige?" asked Maria, seeing James nod to her latest question, it was now she was beginning to worry. He soon moved to kneel before her and placed one of his hands on her stomach, as well as kiss both of her hands. She herself only had a few months left of her pregnancy, just as he knew he couldn't tell her the truth on what he had planned for Seth and Paige, if he did it would only stress her and put their unborn son.
"There is nothing to worry about my queen. I'm sending Paige and Seth away with Gunner and Winter for the remained of our daughters pregnancy, that way no one namely Milo can go after her. She will be safe and out of harms way. It will also put less stress on you and our second son, knowing she is somewhere no one who means harm can get to her. Both she and Seth have been told and are currently packing for their trip. They leave at sundown and will be back when they have adjusted to being parents and Paige is fit enough to come home" responded James, informing his wife of what they were going to do although missing the part out that Paige and Seth would be vampires when they returned. He knew she would be angry when she found out but it was a risk he was willing to take. Even now his top priorities were his children and their safety.
