Captured To Become A Vampire Prince's Bride {Book 2}: Chapter 44
The flight was a relatively quick one, only a couple of hours between take-off and landing. Yet every moment was filled with luxury I didn't even know was possible in the air. From the flat screen tv that revealed itself from the sofa opposite us to being served lobster salad and an assortment of other foods available upon request. There was always something new and extravagant with these royals. I wondered if I'd ever get used to it.
The dazzling azure coast could be seen just as Emmanuel announced that we were close to arriving. There were multitudes of tiny islands that appeared as if they had recently broken away from Praeceps Sinum, and were now adrift.
"From here you can perfectly see why we have the name Praeceps Sinum translating to coral bay; because of our immaculate and mostly undisturbed coral reefs," Emmanuel explained as he caught me gazing through the window. He pointed to a distant island that had what looked like a huge house in it. "That's where you'll be staying. It's the perfect private getaway that has everything you guys could possibly want or need. On the rare chance we don't have something, it can be delivered," he stated nonchalantly.
I managed to squeeze in a power nap before my being awoken when we landed. We'd touched down on a small runway right by the coast and I could see our belongings being hauled over to a boat out of the window.
Stretching, I got up from my seat and caught wind of Emmanuel chuckling at the doorway. "It will never cease to amuse me how much humans can sleep. You're like little cats," he teased. His tanned skin looked amazing in the golden glow of the sun, I only hoped I caught it half as well.
"I wasn't expecting a plane ride today," I answered sheepishly.
Passing the threshold of the plane door, I was met with weather considerably warmer than home, followed by a mellow breeze.
We strolled up to the beachfront and over to the sleek back cabin cruiser that was docked at the pier. Not far off in the distance was the beautiful Mediterranean looking home we'd be staying at.
The boat didn't take too long to transport us to the island, and I got an even closer view of the coral reefs nearby. Alexander was suspiciously still and silent during the trip, giving me the sense that he wasn't a big fan of boats.
When we docked, Emmanuel suggested we go on a tour while waiting for our luggage to be unpacked, he leisurely showed us the usual rooms, along with a gym, indoor pool, outdoor pool, sauna, home theatre among other amenities.
He stopped us at the main entrance, handing us each a white smartwatch I'd seen him grab from the coffee table in the living room in passing.
"As well as this place being self-sustaining, it's also a smart home. It'll control everything from the lights to the opacity of the windows. Just say 'hey house'. The watches are more for use when you're not indoors and you can use it to make announcements through the villa."
So it worked like Alexa and a glorified loudspeaker. I couldn't imagine myself being extra enough to use it like that, Alex and the other hand...
"We should get the castle rigged up like this when we're in charge. Would mean you don't have to go hurtling around the castle whenever you need to look for someone," Alex jested, nudging me gently.
"Yeah, I'll just announce to the castle the entirety of my business."
Stopping in his tracks, Emmanuel put a hand on Alex's shoulder to get him to stop also. "Wait, you haven't taught her vocare?" He sounded beyond shocked.
Vocare was the Latin word for the calls they used when communicating long-distance.
"Wasn't much point. But maybe I should when we get back."
"And what about transformation?"
Alexander raised his brow, "what about it?"
Emmanuel shot his friend an incredulous look, "you really are a special one. Most people would jump at the chance for some pure blood. You've just got it sat here."
"Ah yes, it is I, 'it', the walking blood bag," I deadpanned.
The bickering pair looked towards me sheepishly, dropping the conversation entirely. They looked cute together with their matching heterochromatic eyes, of course, Emmanuel's being a synthetic reproduction. It was a strange thing to take inspiration from and turn in to a trend, but at least everyone's reactions were all positive to it.
We began strolling down the marbled path back to the island's pier, which was located at the front of the villa.
"Captain Nauta will be on standby for when you want to come ashore, so don't hesitate," said Emmanuel.
The Captain offered us a smile and salute when gestured to by Emmanuel. He didn't speak much, even when we'd arrived.
Emmanuel gave us two quick hugs before stepping back onto the boat.
"You're leaving already?" Alexander questioned.
"I have some things to plan for now I'm back. But you know where I live if you want me, and everyone wants me," he winked.
"So modest!" I joked.
We watched him sail away, and about 20m away, we heard him scream crudely over the roar of the motor, "don't soil my sheets!"
"Jesus Christ..." Alexander muttered, hiding his face in his hands.
I couldn't help but laugh at Emmanuel's knack for knowing just how to embarrass Alexander.
Six days passed by speedily, and to say we were technically on our honeymoon, we really didn't do much aside from laze around, and neither of us seemed to care. It was nice to wake up whenever we felt like it, and proceed to do whatever.
We did things normal people our age would do; we did plenty of swimming and even binge-watched a couple of shows. Spent a day with Emmanuel as he showed us the sights and took us to an unforgettable Turkish restaurant. We even managed to visit a zoo without being recognised... mostly because we were armed with hats and huge sunglasses.
It was all very laid back, the biggest shock was a call from Henrietta a couple of days before we were due to leave.
One of the maids rushed up to us with a phone in her grip, claiming it was Henrietta on the line wanting to speak to the both of us. Alexander and I exchanged concerned looks because, well, she never wanted to talk to me.
Alex put the phone on speaker and held it between us. "Henrietta? What's wrong?"
"Can we be a little optimistic, please? I come bearing nothing but good news. Okay," she exhaled heavily, but whatever it was she was going to say, she definitely sounded overjoyed about. "I'm engaged!"
Alex's and my own eyes widened in shock, "to who?" we asked in unison.
Henrietta was silent for a few seconds, until "to me" was said from a male voice. A very familiar male voice. There was no doubting who the owner was, who she was engaged to.
"That's right, I'm engaged to Emmanuel!" She exclaimed jubilantly. "Daddy already knows, but aside from him, you guys are the first to know. He just proposed. Oh, I'm also pregnant."
She made the last statement like she hadn't just hit us with a double whammy; engaged and pregnant!
With neither myself nor Alexander able to muster up a full sentence, we managed to proclaim a very dumbfounded congratulations to the pair.
"Thank you. You guys are going to be even more stunned than you are now when you see where he proposed! I felt like I was in some kind of fairytale story. We were on his balcony, surrounded by flowers and vines, the sun at its highest point, with nothing but acres of beauty below us in the distance. And somehow, he got me a ring that managed to eclipse all of that. Can you imagine?"
"I'd expect nothing less from Emmanuel, to be honest. But congratulations to the pair of you. Keep all of that attention so everyone isn't so focused on us when we get back," said Alexander.
"Of course! We'll keep all the spotlight so you hermits can be recluses in peace," Henrietta chirped.
Alexander rolled his eyes, "thanks?"
"Well, you two have fun! Bye!"
"Bye."
Alex's head fell back against his lounger, his hand covering his mouth, processing everything that he'd just heard.
Honestly, though, it was great timing on their behalf. Everyone would have something to focus on, especially now that Henrietta would be around. People would be keeping more of an eye out for the newly engaged couple, as opposed to the couple trying their damndest to hide from the light.
"I knew there was something between those two, I knew it!"
"Are those brain cells back up and running then?" I teased
He sat up hastily like he'd cracked some code. "All the time they spent together, exchanged looks, that hug before we left. It's all making sense," he gasped as something else clicked in his mind, "he didn't even tell me!"
I frowned teasingly and pulled on his cheek, "it wouldn't have been as much as a shock then, would it?"
He huffed, "I guess."
The following day, I handed Alex his cocktail I went to fetch and returned to relaxing on the sun lounger we'd spent most of the day on. I couldn't help but notice the pale scarring above his grey waistband and the one on his arm. Everything that had happened rushed through my mind until I landed on the present, realising we were totally at peace.
We were at the foot of the pool and the only things separating us from the sea was the white sandy beach and a waist-high glass fence. I watched as the waves strolled up the sand before rolling back into the sea as quietly as it approached.
"We go home tomorrow," I heard him say after sipping his drink, "We should make the most of it."
"If you suggest anything other than finishing that show we started yesterday, I'm going to be very upset," I joked.
"To think you believe I'd say anything but that hurts me to the core, Arianne. What is love if we don't have trust?" His face scrunched up, as he placed a hand on his chest, following the banter.
That evening, we did exactly what we said we'd do and it was definitely worth it. It took a while but we also managed to order food to be brought back to the villa and got the workers what they wanted too, as a thanks for taking care of us during our stay.
The flight home felt heavy on the last day, and not just because we may or may not have been shopping. There was also the impending sense of duty waiting for us on the tarmac in Nox Aterrima. We were going to rule it, overlook it, empower it. It was going to be a challenge, but definitely one we were ready for. Nothing could overpower the stress that loomed over us when Austin was a threat.
Then there was the whole Emmanuel and Henrietta situation was bound to be very publicised right up until they got married or gave birth, whichever came first.
Landing in the darkness at NA airport, I reminisced on all the events that lead me up to that specific point in life. From an unhappy teenager, with a relatively ordinary life, as Arianne Rosalina Dewynters. To Arianne Rosalina Dewynters-Monaghan, Princess and soon to be queen of Nox Aterrima, married and never happier.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top