I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THE CW NETWORK. THIS IS A WORK OF FANFICTION BY OMEGA WHITE.

FORBIDDEN

The smell of fresh cut grass glistening with dew permeated the air. The beautiful scenery should have been captivating to Catherine, but as she walked along the palace grounds, holding Vincent's hand, the reality of their situation settling in. Trepidation laid claim to her mind, with doubt close behind. Taking one last step, before entering the palace, she cleared her mind, abandoning fear and doubt for a future with the love of her life.

Guards came to attention as they breezed by, headed for the throne room.

Disregarding protocol, Vincent and Catherine entered without being announced.

Sitting in his throne chair, the king raised a quizzical brow. "Vincent, is something wrong?" He asked, foregoing greetings.

"Father, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, but I must ask that we relocate to a more secure location. You will understand when you've heard everything I have to say."

"If that is your wish, then I will comply."

King Allen exited through a side door, followed by Catherine and Vincent. Coming to an abrupt halt in the middle of the hallway, he turned toward an alcove and moved an object, triggering a door in the wall to open. The king entered and flipped a switch, causing lights to illuminate the room, as he gestured for them to enter. The small nondescript office was sparsely furnished with two wingback chairs and a larger chair behind a desk.

"Have a seat. No need to follow protocol in here. I'm simply a father right now," the king stated, taking a seat behind the desk.

"I know you're wondering why Catherine is here, so I'll get straight to the point. I haven't changed my about marrying Catherine." Vincent said, watching his father's jaw clench, but he was determined to follow his heart, so he pressed on. "I know marrying a commoner contradicts what is expected of a future king, but I made the wrong decision once and by some miracle, I've been given a second chance. Before we can move forward, I believe we have several problems that could threaten the future of the monarchy. I told you the details of my kidnapping and escape thereafter, but I omitted some of the details, including the location where I was held," Vincent said, pausing for a moment.

He grabbed Catherine's hand, needing her support to continue. She gave him a smile and squeezed his hand.

"I have a feeling I'm not going to like this, but please continue," he father said, with a solemn look on his face.

"It all started when I took Catherine to see the dungeon."

His father jumped out of his chair. "You what!"

"Father, please. The story only gets worse and I promise you that you'll want to be sitting by the time I finish."

"Very well. Proceed," King Allen said, reluctantly taking a seat.

"As I was saying, Catherine and I entered the dungeon and took a look around, and in the process, we came across a skeleton."

Vincent noticed his father's face turn pale. " Father, are you okay?"

His father gave a slight nod.

Vincent continued. "We found a ring and I tried it on and it was a perfect fit, so I took it."

His father interjected. "Where is the ring?"

"It's in my pocket, but it is imperative that you hear the rest of my story, so I'll try to give you a condensed version to speed things along."

His father nodded again, barely able to maintain his composure.

"As you know, I was kidnapped at the party and subsequently drugged. I believe the killing of the apothecary is what set the whole plan in motion. The group of potential brides provided the perfect distraction for the sinister act. The current druggist has undoubtedly been installed in the castle to assist in the clandestine plan to force me to renounce the throne by any means necessary, including death. Apparently, there is another person who can rightfully take the throne if I walk away, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

So, I awoke from being drugged and a guard was in the dungeon with me, only he wasn't a real guard, he was an imposter, and he threatened to harm Catherine, if I didn't renounce the throne. By then I had found the ring in my pocket and slipped it on my finger. As he continued to goad me, I turned the ring on my finger, trying to stay calm. Unfortunately for him I inadvertently turned the stone and weird things started to happen to my body. Excruciating pain was only the beginning. My eyes bulged and my teeth protruded. My vision became enhanced and my sense of smell was acute. For a while I had no control of my movements or thoughts. It was like an out-of-body experience. After the transformation, I attacked my kidnapper and almost killed him, but luckily I was able to regain control of my body and run away, leaving him injured. I checked the dungeon later, but he was gone and I can't identify him, since he was wearing a mask. There was something eerily familiar about him, and I got the feeling I would recognize him without the mask. And his interest in me renouncing the throne, seemed too personal for a henchman."

Vincent expected to get yelled at, but his father was already on his feet and completely in king mode. He pushed a small button on the wall, before turning around to look at Vincent.

"Son, we don't have much time, so please follow my orders to the letter and I'll explain later. Catherine call your mother, inform her that we've had a security breach at the palace and you'll be joining the royal family at one of our other holdings, until further notice. She is to stay at the studio while we work to eliminate the threat."

The king exited the door, not slowing down or looking back. Vincent and Catherine hustled to fall instep beside him. Catherine called her mother and quickly explained the situation, with a promise to update her later.

A flurry of activity filled the hallway, as guards scurried past. All protocol was clearly suspended. Finally a stairway came into view, where Queen Naswarya waited. She nodded as they approached. Everyone quickly ascended the stairs, climbing until they reached the door to the roof and exited. A helicopter was waiting, and at that moment, Catherine realized, her life would never be the same. She'd always thought when people said that, it sounded trite, but as the blades of the helicopter whirled around, experience was quickly replacing words as her world shifted on its axis. The palace faded into the distance as did her past. Her future peeked over the horizon, waiting patiently to welcome her with open arms. It was a new dawn, a new day, and son to be, a new reign.

The helicopter cleared a small copse of trees, and a modest looking house came into view. Landing on a nearby helipad, everyone disembarked. A short walk later, the king opened the front door and escorted everyone in. Once everyone was settled in what appeared to be a parlor, the king began to speak.

"I don't have the luxury of time, so forgive me if I speak too fast or forget something. First, I would like to say, we are on a code yellow alert. Security measures are in place, but I'm afraid there is no way to prevent the events that must unfold to ensure the future of the monarchy."

He looked at Catherine. "My son loves you and I hope you love him, because he is going to need you. He has complete trust in you, therefore I will trust you with the secrets I must reveal."

Catherine smiled and nodded, unsure if she should respond.

"Vincent, many years ago your great-grandfather, King Oliver impregnated a village girl named Amelia, but since he was the heir apparent and she was a commoner, he couldn't marry her. Well, there was one way, but his father would never have changed a law to allow such a union. Deserted and shunned by Oliver and her family, she was reduced to an outcast. As the story goes, she was also a witch with powers, and one day when Oliver came to visit the village, she stealthily approached him and slipped a ring on his finger. She chanted some mysterious words, but the words everyone remembers is, the happiness you seek to find, will be only be for the son of mine. Your path will be riddled with despair, until life leaves you with your last breath. With this ring, you will become a beast until your body gives up the ghost. Lay dormant, the curse will, until the bastard from faraway, the fruit from the loins of the exalted one, born on the wrong side of the blanket, activates the ring and ascends to the throne. To escape the years of infinite torment, a union with a queen of pure heart must produce an heir. For only the son born of a bastard king, will end the curse forever."

King Allen paused, struggling to continue.

"By the time, the spell was cast, Oliver was married and Queen Maya was expecting their first child. To make a long story short, Queen Maya ruled for the next sixty years until their son Nicholas was crowned, who was also my father. Unfortunately, King Oliver had to be locked away, and my father kept him in the dungeon to ensure the safety of everyone around. His body was never moved after his death, because we feared it would revive the curse.

Two major events must occur today. Vincent, you must be crowned king, and you must marry Catherine. If she is of pure heart, then a son conceived from the union would end the curse. I have the abdication paperwork and everything has been approved by parliament. The plans were already in the works, but considering the circumstances, the process has to be expedited. Everything will be done today, so Catherine, if you don't want to marry Vincent, now is the time to speak up."

"I love him, and if I have to marry him today, then that's what I'll do," Catherine quickly stated.

The king smiled. His opinion of Catherine was changing exponentially. She had to be the one with a pure heart. He wasn't wrong very often, and didn't think he was now. He believed she would make an excellent wife and formidable queen. "I'm glad to hear you say that. My last act as king will be to abolish the law that prevents commoners from marrying into the royal family."

Catherine smiled, but it never reached her eyes. Considering the road ahead, happiness would definitely be a luxury.

"Father, why didn't I stay a beast, if I activated the curse?"

"Even though I legitimized you by royal decree, the curse recognizes you as a bastard."

"Allen, you can't seriously believe after all these years, the curse will work," Queen Naswarya interjected.

"I do. Vincent transformed into a beast when he turned the stone on the ring. The die is cast. The only solution is to take the necessary steps to end the curse."

"What about the threat to prevent me from becoming king?"

"Water under the bridge, my boy. If we can get you crowned king, the curse will work to your advantage. The beast will protect you if you let him out. The ring has to be your permanent accessory until the curse is gone."

"What if my firstborn is a girl?" Vincent asked.

"We'll have to cross that bridge when we reach it."

"Is everyone in agreement with the details?"

Everyone nodded.

"Very well then, we must be on our way. I have a king to crown and a wedding to attend."

"Father, how can you be so upbeat with the future looking so bleak."

"Son, it's the way of a king. Never let it be said, you didn't go down fighting with honor. Your enemies will always look for chinks in your armor, but a great king faces his adversaries with a poker face, even when the problems seem insurmountable. Although, we may have lost the battle, the war has just begun.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REVIEWS AND I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP THEM COMING. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME AS I GET BACK INTO THE FLOW OF WRITING. THANKS FOR READING.