Sitting aside a long bench, Isabella watched palace staff scurrying through the huge hallway as they completed their duties. She rested amongst the large portraits of the bygone Kings of the Golden Oracle monarchy. Earlier Isabella had scrutinized each of the paintings to absorb the likeness of each of the rulers. She was fascinated with each of the sovereigns and their past-history. She searched for clues in the portraits to help her identify the qualities that made them great Kings. Some canvases included portrayals of animals such as the lion pictured in King Kristopher’s painting. A few images depicted the castle in the background as it was being built.

Isabella in her glorious boredom wandered within the castle hoping it would share some of its secrets. She strolled through immaculate drawing rooms which seemed to be created strictly for appearances. Isabella found a huge library filled from floor to ceiling with books she was unable to read. She passed several glorious bedrooms occupied by the members of the royal court. Isabella paused at the main dining hall to only be stared at by groups of men and women. She even attempted to investigate the staff kitchen and staff quarters only to be shooed away by palace guards. That is when she found solace in the hallway of portraits.

When she began investigating the hanging portraits, Isabella would pester passersby asking questions about the varying Kings. She felt an outsider because of her lack of knowledge of the previous rulers. Many people, staff included, had pedigree blood lines and were born into this lifestyle. Isabella had felt ostracized by certain members of the royal court for not having a discerned line of ancestors. She came from a regular family of mortals who did not possess any elements of magic. Isabella was an outsider amongst her parents and siblings, and yet within the castle of people similar, she still felt herself an outcast.

Isabella not wanting to feel sorry for herself stood up to review the portraits again. She made her way to the tallest picture and scrutinized the image within the painting. A blonde man with a mustache wearing a gold crown stared back at her. Dressed in a red uniform, the man seemed to command attention and emulated leadership. Isabella knew this was King Kristopher, the first King of the Golden Oracle monarchy that created the Council. From speaking with a servant, Isabella learned he brought peace to the warring Dulra and Vilkros. The handmaiden explained legend has it that King Kristopher adopted three children with werewolf blood and raised them as his own. He had won the respect of both the Vilkros and the Dulra.

Isabella moved to the different portraits as she recalled the history she was taught. The Golden Oracle Council dictated how the Dulra and Vilkros could live in peace with not only themselves but with the mortals. One of the first decrees forbid both species from killing and feeding on mortals. By abiding by this rule, both species found fewer mortals would hunt and destroy them. But the fear of being targeted remained as one or two mortals still hunted them for sport, such as the legend of the Black Knight. Isabella heard rumours of the knight from not only residing at the castle, but she heard tales about him when she lived in Hibernia.

Malagi became accepted members of the Golden Oracle Council at the end of the thirteenth century. Isabella did find it odd that she could not find one of the appointed Kings were Warlocks. Examining the portraits, she found she had more questions than answers. How long were the terms of reign? How does the Council choose a King? Do blood lines play a role in being chosen? And why were there not any portraits of Queens? Isabella did inquire a rushed servant about the role of Queens in the monarchy. The servant in a hurry stated most rulers were married and shared with her that Queens were beloved such as King Lucas’s wife. Except the Queens were never portrayed alongside their husbands.

Isabella wondered about how the different Queens saw their roles in their kingdoms. She questioned it as she worried about being a good Queen to her people. Isabella recalled Shaylee’s advice that a good Queen cares for her people and their concerns. Instantly she felt a sting of guilt for not pushing Nathanial more about Klause and the Lilo Clan’s concerns. If the clan does not feel their concerns about the sacred site are heard, would they push to take the land by force? There had to be a peaceful compromise that can be reached between the two clans. Maybe Isabella needed to try a different approach in explaining the situation to Nathanial.

Letting out another sigh at staring paintings of unknown men, Isabella decided to return to her room. She could not last another day of exploring the castle as she would much prefer to be outside in the natural elements. Hopefully, her husband would change his mind about her being cooped up in this stuffy castle. Isabella thought to herself she could put more effort into blending in with the members of the royal court. But she found the royal court was not an accurate representation of the people in her kingdom. It was the men and women within the villages who she wanted to represent. And if she could not get out to speak with them, she was farther away from her goals of being a good Queen to her people.

As she strolled through the hallways, Isabella passed the spot where Nathanial had bit her the previous night. She wondered if the reason Samuel is avoiding her is disgust of what he had watched. Isabella did not truly feel comfortable with Nathanial using her in that way. Perhaps Samuel could not stomach that Isabella gave herself to her husband to harness her powers. That was another thing she forgot to discuss with Nathanial this morning. Isabella wanted to explain to her vampire husband this drinking of her blood needed to stop. When they first married, Nathanial stated several vampire unions completed this practice of bloodletting. Once he understood this made her uneasy, Nathanial would stop.

Approaching her room, Isabella saw several palace guards standing outside her door. She recognized the bushy brown hair as Samuel talking with three other men. For the first time today, she smiled as she fought the urge to run straight into his arms. Samuel turned his head noticing her and she heard him speak to the others. “Never mind, here she is now.” Isabella finally finding a familiar friendly face ran her fingers through her black hair primping. The bushy brunette walked towards her and asked her. “Where have you been? You have had everyone worried sick.”

Confused she explained to him. “I have been wandering around the castle.” His brows knitted together as he stated. “And you thought it funny to ditch and lose your guard. Even when there is some madman out there trying to use you as target practice?” She glanced down at her feet as she explained to him. “I did not mean to lose him. He just could not keep up.” Isabella a little flustered did not enjoy having this tone of conversation with Samuel. She had dearly missed having Shaylee or Samuel around her today. Tears stung at her eyes upset that he was not eager to see her as well. Samuel rubbed his chin with his hand. “Next time, do not ditch your guard. He is there for your protection.”

Isabella folded her arms together in front of her chest stating. “Why were you not there this morning? First, Shaylee is gone and then you after such a stressful evening.”

“I have been preparing for the competition.” As he began speaking, the immediate reminder of the competition struck her, and Isabella felt the floodgates holding back her tears break open. She broke down in large sobs as she brought her hands up to cover her eyes. Samuel reached out and pulled her into an embrace to soothe her. “Shhh. It is going to be alright.” Isabella trying to compose herself explained to the brunette. “I am sorry. I am so scared that I will be stuck with some horrible brute of a warlock.” Isabella found herself thinking of trying to flee the castle again. In a soothing voice, he stated. “I promise I will do everything in my power to win this competition. It is going to be alright.”

Isabella heard Samuel’s promise and recalled Nathanial’s promise to rig the competition in the warlock’s favour. It offered her some comfort as her tears slowed down to a stop. Samuel rubbed her back with his hand as he spoke. “I will move heaven and earth for you darling.” Embarrassed at her lack of composure, she gently pulled out of his arms to show him she stopped crying. With her hand she brushed away any tears remaining on her face. Weakly smiling up at his handsome oval face, she stated. “I understand it will be alright.” Samuel leaned over and placed a small kiss on her forehead. “I think the events over the last couple of days has been stressful. Maybe it is best if you took a rest?”

Letting out a ragged breath and smiling weakly again. “Yes, I think that is a good idea.” Isabella walked past Samuel into her room, waved at him and closed her door. Being alone she crawled into her bed burying her face into her pillow and began crying again. Where was Shaylee? She desperately needed someone to discuss these things with.