Gazing into his hazel eyes, Isabella reached a hand up to brush a stray brown hair from Samuel’s handsome oval face. His eyes closed as he leaned his head down to her face. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she began to anticipate the long-awaited kiss. Isabella knew it was a matter of time before she fell head over heels in love with the shy warlock assigned to protect her. Finally, her dreams of receiving and giving love were coming true. Since she was a small child, Isabella entertained fantasies of a true love rescuing her from her loneliness. And now her dreams were becoming a reality with this strikingly good-looking warlock.

Out of the corner of her eye, Isabella spotted that same blonde woman dressed in a light blue gown with her beaded bag hanging off her shoulder. Isabella had never lain eyes on the petite blonde woman before her attempt to escape from the castle. But since then, Isabella continually saw her at the most unusual times. She wondered who is this woman? She felt this petite blonde was trying to communicate with her, but what was she trying to say to Isabella? She could easily ignore the cryptic messages and sink into a blissful kiss with this fetching man in front of her. But Isabella was drawn into the mystery of her appearance.

With a heavy heart Isabella broke away from Samuel’s impending kiss. Her desire to learn more about this mystifying blonde woman outweighed the possibility of romance. The petite blonde turned to flee as Isabella shouted at her. “Wait!” She bumped Samuel backwards in her haste to give chase. An ever so silent whiz cut through the air as Isabella felt a sudden pain against her shoulder. She glanced behind her wondering what had bit her only to see a long arrow hit the patio door. Very quickly it had dawned on Isabella that if she stayed in the kiss the arrow would have hit her square in the chest.

The appearance of the blonde woman with the eccentric bag had saved her from harm. Isabella turned over in her bed and felt sharp pain shoot through her. Her brown eyes flew open as she quickly rolled onto her back to alleviate pressure on the wound. Bringing her hand up to rub her forehead, her thoughts raced from her feelings about Samuel to her puzzling savior from last night. Isabella had relived the event in her dreams as she held more questions than answers. Who was trying to kill her and who was this mysterious woman? She slowly sat up in bed favoring her throbbing shoulder.

Isabella glanced at her white nightgown and at the bandage wrapped around her upper arm. Shaylee must have changed her clothes and dressed her cut while Isabella slept. She did not remember much after Nathanial bit her to drink her blood. Isabella hated when her husband would feast on her before bed as she did not have a chance to process the events that transpired. She wondered if it was night as her room still lay in pitch dark. Isabella could see bright light brimming around her the edges of her curtains. She found it odd as Shaylee would wake her in the morning by opening her window curtains to allow sunshine into the room.

Maybe she had decided to allow Isabella to sleep in because of the attempt on her life last night. Isabella pulled back the covers and placed her feet on the floor. She traveled the length of the room and opened her bedroom curtains allowing light into the room. Isabella did find it odd that Shaylee had not shaken her awake asking about the ball or the arrow or about Samuel. Either way, Isabella wanted to quickly dress to discuss last night’s activities with Samuel and to see if they did find the shooter of the arrow. Going to her wardrobe, Isabella searched for a gown with puffy sleeves to favour her sore arm.

She pulled out a worn midnight blue gown with off the shoulder sleeves as her bedroom door flew open. Isabella spoke. “Shaylee, I wondered where you were. I have so much to talk to you about.” She spun around to see a timid young woman standing in her doorway. Wearing a small white cap with a bob of black hair, Isabella stood shocked with her mouth slightly open. The maid answered her. “Ma’am, I am sorry I am late. I can help you get dressed.” The maid crossed the floor and picked the gown out of Isabella’s hands. She asked the young woman. “Where is Shaylee?” She stood watching in the mirror as the young handmaiden began to fuss over Isabella’s nightgown. “Oh, she is no longer with us. I think she headed home.”

She stood watching her own reflection as the handmaiden pulled off her nightgown and assisted her into the dark gown. Isabella focused on the noticeable bite wound on her neck and decided she would make it a priority to visit her husband. “Do you know if my husband is yet asleep for the day?” Isabella asked her new handmaiden. She replied. “King Nathanial is working in his study, but I heard he does not want to be disturbed.” Her vampire husband should be able to make time for his wife, thought Isabella. She wanted to check if the shooter of the arrow was captured, and she hoped to discuss with him her conversation with Klause.

Once her new handmaiden dressed her, Isabella crossed the room to her wooden door. She figured she would at least be able to speak with Samuel on her way to the study. Isabella was increasingly disappointed as she opened the door to see a different gentleman standing guard. First, Shaylee was gone and a new handmaiden in her place, and now a new bodyguard. Samuel had been assigned to watch over her since she arrived at the castle. Isabella began walking down the castle hallways as her new palace guard kept up behind her. She was nervous as she had never approached her vampire husband with any concerns before.

Making her way through the maze of hallways, she found herself at a closed wooden door of Nathanial’s study. With bated breath, she knocked on the door waiting for a response. She heard a couple curse words until the door swung open to reveal a shirtless Nathanial. Isabella asked him. “Did you have a moment to speak with me?” He silently answered her by moving to the side allowing her into the room. He closed the door behind her and strode back to his seat behind his bureau. She had never seen him without his shirt before and figured he must be busy. “What can I help you with Isabella?” Nathanial dryly asked her.

She stood in front of his desk with her hands held behind her back. Isabella was taken aback that Nathanial was muscular as his clothes alluded to a thin frame. She inquired. “I was wondering if the shooter of the arrow was caught last night?” The platinum blonde vampire shook his head and answered her. “No, whoever it was alluded the guards and made it off the mountain top in a break-neck speed. But do not worry my Queen, we will catch him.” He appeared to reassure her with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “In the meantime, it is best if I know all of your whereabouts until this matter is resolved.”

“That is a shame as Samuel told me about a witch in the village who might be able to teach me how to control my powers.” She recalled from her conversation with Samuel. Isabella had hoped to learn more about her witchcraft and how to properly control and use it. “My dear, I would feel better if you stayed inside of the castle.” Nathanial explained to her. “Anyhow, you do not need any training. With myself watching you and the other guards, you are well protected.” She felt another sting of disappointment that she could not learn more about her craft. What was the use of having all these powers when she had no idea how to use it? But she decided to hold her tongue and pick her battles.

The platinum blonde vampire laid back in his chair. “It is good that you are here as I have to tell you about the warlock competitions. Remember the decision by the Council about Malagi having to produce an heir within a year.” Her blood ran cold as he brought up the subject. For a couple days, she had forgotten about the Council’s horrible decree. Nathanial continued speaking. “Well, I enacted a competition for the warlocks in the neighboring area to fight for your hand.” Fresh tears formed in her eyes as he spoke. “The first competition begins in a couple days.” She began to stumble on her words. “But I thought…I mean…I figured…”

Nathanial must have noticed her discomfort as he added. “I have noticed you and Samuel have a connection. Not to worry, Samuel said he would fight for you, and I may just rig the competitions in his favour.” Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. She had to admit that she knew cheating was not good, but in this gut-wrenching event, Isabella was fine with this type of fixed competition. Just in case she asked Nathanial. “Do you promise that you will do everything in your power to ensure Samuel wins?” The platinum blonde vampire nodded as he spoke. “Yes, I promise you dear Isabella. Samuel will be the victor.”

Her stomach eased with his reassurance, but the Golden Oracle’s decree still left her feeling dirty. To think that these unknown men could decide what witches must do with their own bodies felt sinful. Thank goodness that Nathanial could fix the results as she could be required to procreate with some heathen warlock. Maybe there was a reason that the bloodlines were dying if her Malagi male counterparts could be so heinous. Isabella thought to herself if there was magic, she could secretly use to assist Samuel in being victorious. She was about to take her leave when she recalled her conversation with Klause. “Nathanial, I was speaking last night with a member of the Lilo Clan...” Nathanial raised his hand and cut Isabella off from speaking. “Save it. I spoke to Klause as well, and I am not changing my mind.”