Ceceprincess1217 is the muse, who also pre-read!
2brown-eyes pre-read!
And iambeagle looked it over to help spot mistakes!
I thank them all so much!
This was a Bodice Rippers entry.
We won Public 1st
Judge Jemster23 choice
Most Unique Plot
Read at your own risk, unique plot is unique.
We'll talk at the bottom…
Rose taps the screen, urging me to read the advertisement.
Prince Edward of Kingdom Cullen seeks incubators to carry forth his line. All applicants must be between 19 and 24 with blonde hair, blue eyes, and lithe, athletic bodies with ample bosoms. The right candidates must also meet the sensory requirements of the prince.
The position includes around-the-clock pampering, well-appointed apartments near the prince and the ability to bring their own staff—if so desired.
Monetary enrichment shall be given on a "per heir" basis.
"No way." I swipe through the other ads, intent on talking some sense into my best friend and roommate. "Look, here's one for a liaison between kingdoms."
She glances at the screen, her nose wrinkled in distaste. "If I'm going there, I'm aiming for the top."
"Please, Ros—"
"No, Bella." Her lips settle into a grim line. "I'm not safe here. Royce's hold on Forks has grown too strong." She taps the tablet. "They can take care of me."
"At what cost?" Agony wells inside me as I think of everything Rose has already been through. She was a young woman, just starting out on her own when Royce King stalked into her life and turned it upside down.
He's a man twice her age with money and clout. At first, she was flattered by his attention, but it soon turned dark. He wanted to conquer and control instead of love and adore. His obsession drove her into hiding, and we've had to jump around every few months to keep him off our tails. Because if he finds her, I'll probably never see my best friend again.
She grabs the tablet and pulls up an image.
Without me opening my mouth, she knows exactly what I'm feeling. I wouldn't call myself prejudiced, just … old fashioned. The world that lurks beyond the Kingdom of Forks was hidden from me for most of my childhood, only coming to light when I was fourteen, and it rattled me. I've never been able to think of it as normal, but Rose isn't like me. She's an adventurer, ready to grab the reins and ride off into the great unknown.
"Look at him, Bella."
She shoves the tablet into my hands, and I blow out a heavy breath as my eyes fall. The large screen is filled with a singular image, and I chew my bottom lip as my eyes roam his face.
A luscious, flowing golden mane and tawny skin frame his clear glass-green eyes and strong jawline. Sinew ripples across his shoulders and down his lean, graceful arms. His chest is smooth and brawny, pecs bulging atop a long torso that leads to a trim waist.
My brows pucker as my gaze falls lower, and my breath picks up speed. I'm not sure if it's from lust or repugnance, but I squeeze my eyes closed to block out the mystifying image of the prince.
I shove the tablet back toward my best friend. "This is crazy."
Her trill of laughter grates on my nerves. "I've never been boring."
I heave a resigned sigh. "When do we leave?"
"Yes!" She shakes her hips from side to side and tosses her hands in the air. Her celebration only lasts about five seconds before she taps my arm. "The transport will be here in fifteen."
"Days?" I follow her to our tiny bedroom, wondering if that's going to be enough time for me to work out my final notice and tell my parents goodbye.
"No, silly." She opens our dresser and starts tossing clothes. "Minutes."
"What?" I snatch the suitcase from where it sits at her feet. "Wait just a second," I say as I dodge her reaching hand. "I can't be ready that fast."
"Sure, you can." Her deep blue eyes lock on me, and they're full-on puppy-dog begging. "I can't do this without you, Bella."
"My job," I mutter quietly, my chest tightening as I think of all the things we'll be leaving behind. "My parents."
"They'll understand," Rose says softly, tugging the suitcase from my hand. "We can contact them once we're there."
I'm lost in thought as I pull stacks of neatly folded clothes from our dresser and pass them to her. It's time to relocate, so the change isn't entirely out of the blue, but this is an unforeseen wrinkle that's frightening and downright insane.
But it's Rose, and I love her.
I know 1k-ish word chapters are gonna annoy you, but it took me a long minute to write anything for this story, and then another few weeks to write a 2nd something. Since that first "after the oneshot" chapter, I've written the "next" chapter, then I wrote several that fit between places as the plot formed for me.
Doing all that, Ihave finally found my bearings, so here we are.
2x a week, 1k-ish chapters.
Yes, that means the first 4 weeks will all be the OS, but that will give me a cushion to write more because if you ever start to catch up, I'll dial it back to once a week.
Hi to anyone who missed the original OS!
I'll see you Thurs for ch 2!