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Dedicated to all my wonderful readers. It's nice to know you're there to read. Thank you storygirl and Mandee for the powerstones and comments and for the gift as well. I was very happy when I saw it. 💜

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Alina arrived back at Haven's Peak to find Sebastian waiting for her. She had come back in a foul mood. None of the new spells and potions she'd taken with her worked. The curse still lived with the vampire Lord and the time was moving faster than she'd like. If only they could find the moon kissed witch.

Kieran had delayed getting married just so he could find a cure for the curse. But now he refused to wait any longer. How would the princess deal with the fact that she was simply one among many. Hopefully her pride could take it. If not it could end up costing her life and that of her kingdom.

At long last she gave Sebastian the news he desired. " The vampire Lord has agreed to the possibility of marriage between him and the princess. "

" What do you mean by possibility? " he asked, confused.

" Haven's Peak is not the first kingdom to ask the king to marry their princess. But we can't tell the princess this. What you have to tell her though just might cost you your life. She has to go to Shadow's Kiss at the soonest so the king will know if she's truly fitting to be his bride. " she turned around and placed a book she had taken with her on the shelf behind her.

" But he's in search of a wife. Shouldn't he be the one coming to her? " The Councilman asked, confused.

" If only it were that easy, if there's anyone that matches the dear princess in temper and pride it's the vampire Lord. " she said, removing more things from her bag.

" This will only make the princess take back her acceptance to marry him. "

" Then it would probably not be a good idea to tell her he made mention of her becoming more humble. If only she were more like her mother. "

And councilman Sebastian was right, the princess refused to be treated in such a manner.

" Come to him?! " She asked, boiling with anger. " Be humble?! "

Perhaps he really shouldn't have mentioned it.

" Who's idea was it that we ask this neanderthal of a man for help?! "

No one answered but all eyes were on the Councilman.

" Does he know who I am? Even the back of his feet is not worthy of my presence. I was willing to give him the chance to come before me and do the needful. Yet the idiot insulted me in such a manner that I should come to him and he dared to say I. Should. Be. Humble?! "

She screeched out loud causing those who were before her to get more afraid than they'd ever been. No one had ever made the princess lose control in such a manner. Her hand itched to throw something, anything.

That fool would come begging for her and when he did, she would throttle him. Vampire Lord or not. That slimy bastard.

The thought of throwing her shoes at the councilman's head seemed appealing but that would be undignified. She had already made a ridicule of herself by screaming and reacting so childishly. Such things could be handled in a better diplomatic manner. Like sending him a good dose of fresh poisoned blood in good faith and hoping he suffered for a long time before he died.

She stormed out of the throne room, slightly easing the minds of the Council but then she turned around and came back in, seconds later. " Oh and please do tell the bastard that the offer of marriage has been taken away and one more mention of this before me and I will have your heads. " she said in a calm tone before storming out one more time.

She'd barely walked a long distance when the sound of her screech was heard again, shocking everyone.

Her palace maids wondered if they would see the bad side of the princess now.

She leaned against the wall, trying to get reins on her temper again but her mind kept directing her to thoughts about what the vampire Lord had said and what she would like to do to him.

She was about to march to her room to avoid killing someone else in his place when the sound of small feet came to her. The sound was very annoying.

She turned her head to see Dante coming to her in a hurried fashion but not running. The boy was a fast learner.

He bowed and she rolled her eyes, although it was quite funny watching him act the part of a gentleman.

She had found herself easing on the little boy lately. She blamed it on the fact that her new maids were more efficient than the ones she'd had before. She would try thinking of something useful to teach him before the day was up.

" Your highness, are you okay? " he asked quietly.

" Yes, " she replied, walking away from him.

She no longer wanted to go to her room. She wanted to enjoy the beauty of the garden which was at the front of the castle. This little child was teaching her to enjoy the little things in life. In a way it felt rebellious. She was the one supposed to be teaching him stuff.

She had seen him playing with the butterflies that always seemed to be here in the garden and running after the other creatures that were drawn to the garden, rabbits, squirrels and the sort. She had wanted to scold him but found herself enjoying the silence. The last time she'd sat down to do this, she was still a child and her mother was alive.

" Then why did you scream? " Dante asked, taking a seat next to her. " I thought something bad had happened to you. "

" Some people annoyed me. " she could feel the anger coming back to her.

" Will you kill them? " there was fear in Dante's voice.

" No, " she said, wondering if she should.

" How did they annoy you? "

Such a curious child. She thought it was time he learnt to mind his business and still yet she told him " I was asked to go meet a very obnoxious fool and this fool said that I should become humble. I Dante, how dare he? " she said, getting heated up again.

" Is there anything wrong with meeting him? " Dante was confused. Didn't people meet all the time?

" He's supposed to meet me and ask for my hand in marriage but he dared to ask me to come to him. So yes Dante there's something wrong with going to him. He's trying to show he's superior to me and no one is superior to me. "

" So you don't like him? "

" No, " she said, clearly angry.

" Then why were you going to marry him? "

" Because I needed his help. "

" To do what? "

God, he asked too many questions.

" To defeat the dark witches who have been attacking our kingdom. "

The child moved closer to her as he remembered stories his nanny had told him of the dark witches who come to collect children like him who were bad.

" Is he powerful? "

She nodded.

" Well I think you should go to him... " he said, shocking her. " It's only right if you ask for his help directly. "

Now she was boiling mad and when Dante saw the look on her face he quickly rescinded his words. " But if you don't want to, then I can always protect you. "

She found the anger fading away. " You would protect me? " she asked amused.

" With my life my princess. "

She sensed his fear but the child had a brave soul to make a promise like that. She rolled her eyes. " You're just a child, you can't protect me. "

And The vampire king was not ready to help them; if not, he would have come to her.

" Yes I can, I am strong. "

" Keep quiet Dante, you're starting to get on my nerves. "

" okay my Lady "

She leaned against the bench they sat on and rubbed her aching head.

" What's that? " Dante asked, looking to the side.

She looked as well but what she saw was dark and furry. It couldn't be a rabbit or squirrel, the ones which were found in Haven's Peak were normally brown squirrels or white rabbits. She stood up and drew her sword as she moved closer to it.

Author's note

Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to vote, comment, share, rate/review, add to your libraries and reading lists. Don't forget that you can gift the book now. Thanks again💜