FAGE: Sweet 16
Title: Lose Control
Written for: DeJean Smith
Written by: KitsuShel
Rating: E
Summary/prompt used:
1. Fairytale/Myth inspired
2. Strong Bella
3. Slow burn
4. Minimal Angst
If you would like to see all stories for this event head to the community page FAGE: Sweet 16. All stories past and present will be posted here. Do not forget to add the C2 to your favorite lists for all new stories as they are posted.
O~o~O
A young man sighed as he gazed out upon the horizon. The days leading up to the grand tournament choosing the next king's guard were moving at a rapid pace. King Carlisle would be passing his crown onto his only child, Edward-the very young man looking out from a high castle window. He didn't yet understand why, but something instinctual kept pulling his attention toward the Eastern skies.
Meanwhile, a trio of large shadows fell over a valley just outside of Cullen territory. Three regal-looking dragons slowly landed onto the soft grass. The largest, a midnight blue and black monster, shifted silently into a hulking man with dark hair. He smiled softly as he watched his mate shift from ice blue and tan to a beautiful woman with blue eyes and blonde hair. The third dragon was the smallest of the trio, with shining mahogany scales that were swirled with an unusual emerald green pattern.
Isabella Swan shifted smoothly into her human form, with hair the same shade of mahogany as her dragon scales. Her deep brown eyes were wide as she surveyed the group's surroundings. Grinning, she extended her arms and swirled around the small meadow they found themselves in.
"We made it at last! It should be less than a day's hike to the kingdom now," she spoke giddily to her companions.
Her brother frowned. "Or we could turn around and head back home. It's not too late."
Isabella sighed and put her hands on her hips. "Emmett, you need to get it through your head. No matter what you say, I'm going to compete in the tournament."
"Please, Bella," her brother pleaded. "Don't do this, It's too dangerous."
The brunette shook her head. "Em, it's going to be okay. I've got to do this."
Rosalie reached out and placed her hand on her mate's shoulder. "Emmett,' she spoke softly, "it's her choice. She's not a hatchling anymore. Isabella understands her choice."
Bella smiled gratefully at her sister in law before speaking to her brother
"Emmett, you're the next leader of our clan. You're needed at home, and I want to join the dragon knights in service of his highness. King Carlisle has done the improbable in creating an alliance between humans and dragons. We shifters are a highly valued part of that alliance. It's an honor to serve such a benevolent and kind king. It's been said that his son will be ascending to the throne soon, and I want to be part of that history."
Bella paused before knocking her fist against her chest. "Plus, there's this feeling in my soul, pulling me. I know in my heart this is the right choice for me. You don't have to agree, but I need you to trust me and accept it. Our parents understood, why can't you?"
Emmett shook his head sadly. "That's the thing, I do understand, but you're my twin and I can't bear to let you go."
"Don't act as if you'll never see me again. I will come home to visit. I especially want to meet my niece or nephew when you guys have your own hatchlings."
Emmett watched his sister thoughtfully. "Does this all have to do with the tiny human who saved you as a child?"
Bella blushed slightly. "Not entirely, but part of it does. When that little boy carried me to safety, my scales changed color. No one has ever been able to explain why that happened. Maybe I'll find the answers one day this way. Regardless, I still feel like it's an honor to serve the king and a good way to pay tribute to that human who saved me."
"There are other-" Bella cut off her brother's statement.
"Yes, I've heard your argument before. There are other options, but this is the path my wings have taken. I will not be swayed."
Rosalie stepped between the siblings. "We should get started if we want to reach an inn before nightfall."
Emmett nodded and began walking in the direction of the grand Cullen castle, and the trio decided wordlessly to table their discussion temporarily.
O~o~O
The next morning, Edward walked through the busy town square in disguise. His unruly copper hair was tucked under a cap as he perused wares and enjoyed the fresh spring air. He'd snuck out of the castle earlier that morning and he was enjoying the rare moments he'd been able to steal away. As he passed by one stall in particular, the back of his neck tingled and he felt a spark of awareness. He looked around the crowd of people, searching for who or whatever was causing this reaction.
He locked eyes on a beautiful young woman with long reddish brown hair tied back from her peach shaped face. The pair locked gazes and his heart began to beat at a frantic pace. Her rich brown eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly with what he can only guess was a gasp.
Out of nowhere, someone grasped his arm and twisted him around. Edward struggled as he came face-to-face with the captain of the castle guard, Jasper.
"Edward, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Paying his friend no mind, Edward wrenched free and frantically tried to find the young woman once again, but she was gone.
"Jasper, I need your help."
O~o~O
Bella sat amongst the other competitors as the tournament events were broken down. The shifter's event would be held last, so she was watching from the sidelines as the human knights were put through their paces. Her gaze kept straying to the small group of people watching from the King's dais. King Carlisle sat with his wife, Esme on his right side. To the left, a young man with copper hair sat watching the arena attentively. She assumed this was the future king, Prince Edward. The more she carefully studied his face, the more she was sure he was the man she locked eyes with earlier that morning. He had a sharp, angular jaw and stunning green eyes.
She couldn't understand why, but his presence felt so familiar. A noise drew her attention to the arena and she refocused on the men fighting. The smaller of the pair started convulsing and shifting before everyone's stunned eyes. Suddenly, a large wolf stood where the man had been. He ripped through his opponent and then set its eyes upon the dais with a feral growl.
The wolf clan had been enemies of humankind for centuries, and sightings had been few and far between for the past few decades. To say this shocked the entire area was understatement. When the wolf began to charge the royal family, Bella instinctively jumped the barricade and shifted into her dragon form. Only one thought guided her as she moved as quickly as she could, swooping to stop the wolf in its tracks right before it reached the dais.
"PROTECT MATE"
O~o~O
Edward watched in awe as a mahogany and emerald dragon landed in front of the wolf, halting it from attacking his family. The wolf snarled angrily and launched itself at the dragon, sinking its teeth into the other's shoulder. Edward sucked in a deep breath as his heart felt like it would burst. He didn't even know this person, but he couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to them. He was confused and terrified as he watched the pair of creatures go back and forth. He barely noticed other dragon shifters and knights rushing towards the fray as the dragon finally struck down the wolf.
The larger creature turned its head and locked gazes with Edward, bringing forth a jolt of electricity as he recognized the woman's eyes from earlier that morning. His heart pounded in his throat as he took a step forward, only to drop as he watched her eyes roll back as she shifted and fell to the ground in a heap. His only thoughts were to get to her as fast as possible as he rushed past everyone off of the dais, calling for Jasper to follow him.
O~o~O
O~o~O
Bella slowly came to consciousness, listening to the soft voices murmuring around her. She felt a soft and smooth surface underneath her back. Blinking slowly against the light, she found herself lying in an elaborate bedroom. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder as she tried to sit up.
"Wait, let me help you," a deep voice spoke from her left.
Startled, Bella glanced over and ceased all motions as she looked into the bright green eyes of Prince Edward. He smiled at her and reached out to gently help ease her body into a sitting position against some pillows. Her skin tingled where Edward touched her hand and arm gently.
"What happened?"
He smiled gently as he sat on the bed by her knee. "You passed out after defeating the wolf. We brought you to the castle and our doctors looked you over. You'll be just fine after a little time to heal."
"Emmett," she gasped, remembering he was in the stands with Rosalie.
"Your brother and his wife are just down the hall. We were all waiting for you to wake up."
Bella rubbed her forehead in thought. "I'm sorry, your highness, but I need to ask if we know each other? I feel as if I've met you before."
Edward reached out and took her hand in his, bringing back the tingle of electricity between them.
"As we waited for the doctors to finish, my parents and I had a long talk with your family. It turns out that I was the boy you saved all those years ago."
Confused, Bella cocked her head to the side slightly. "Saved you? The boy saved me, and carried me to safety."
Edward grinned and nodded. "A wild animal had trapped me and a small golden brown dragon saved me from it, but got hurt in the process. I carried it halfway through the forest before I came across a woman who was looking for you. It was your mother and she thanked me, before whisking you away. I was heartbroken that I wasn't able to bring you home and thank you."
Bella felt her eyes sting with tears. "You must be my mate. That's why my scales changed colors when we were children, and why my skin electrifies whenever you touch me."
Edward gently cupped her face with his palm and leaned forward.
"May I?" he whispered softly. Bella answered by pressing her lips softly against his, feeling something in her soul slot into place.
"I finally found you, my future queen."
They lived happily ever after.
The End.
