The Bastard Prince

11 Searching for the prince.

Bella stared at the empty space in her bed next to her. She hasn’t slept all night long, thinking and questioning everything that happened between her and her mate – everything had been going so well. She as so sure…but…

 Her heart squeezed painfully, because she didn’t know what happed. All she knew was that her mate should be there with her.

But he left her at the most important moment of her life…of their lives.

He should have claimed her last night.

He was well on his way of doing that but then he stopped.

What happened? Bella asked herself for the millionth’s time lacking an answer.

She turned away from the empty space, facing the other side of the bed, because it represented the emptiness she could feel inside.

And God…it ached.

She didn’t understand why she would feel like this so soon. They’ve only kissed, and done nothing else.

Shouldn’t she feel a mild attachment to him, and not this aching and hallow emptiness she could feel so acutely.

“My princess,” Micah’s voice came through the door followed by a knock. Bella sighed getting out of bed, because she knew she won’t be able to sleep anymore. It was morning already.

She doubted if she will sleep again, not after feeling what felt like being close to her mate. Whatever bed she lies in will feel very empty.

She got out of bed and walked to the door.

Micah stepped into her room looking around as if he was searching for something.

“He’s not here either,” he said sounding so disappointed and scared.

“Who?” Bella said coming to stand next to him. She took his hands in hers, as he kept wringing them in his worried state. “Tell me Micah.”

“The prince. I went to his room this morning to help him get ready, but he wasn’t there. His bed is empty. I don’t know where he went.”

Bella stared at Micah confused.

She bit the inside of her mouth trying to think of where Dominic could be.

He wasn’t one to go somewhere without telling Micah.

Huh? Bella frowned.

“Oh maybe he’s gone for a walk. He couldn’t have gone far. He’ll be back soon,” Bella said calming Micah down. Her brother’s servant tended to overreact, and over worry about Dominic. “Go wait for him in his room. He’ll want to get ready as soon as he returns,” Bella said patting his back, even though she was a little worried.

Micah nodded, and then walked out of the room. Bella turned to the bed, and then turned away. She needed to get out of this room too. She went through her morning routine of taking a bath, brushing her teeth, combing her hair, and then getting dressed.

She stepped out of the duke’s house, and almost berated herself as her gaze was drawn to the servant’s quarters.

She shook her head, as her heart slammed hard in her chest as the need to see her mate filled her.

No.

He’ll have to come to me, she said to herself.

She’d made a fool of herself last night begging him as he walked away from her. This time he’ll have to come to me, she thought biting the bottom of her lip as she felt her resolve shake.

She couldn’t resist him even when he wasn’t there.

Damn…

She turned away and walked to the opposite side of the house, where the duke kept his animals.

She walked around there watching the sheep graze. She walked around there long enough until hunger pulled her to the house.

She went to the dining room where they were serving their breakfast.

She waited for her brother there, and when he didn’t show up, even after breakfast has been served she got worried.

“You seem worried this morning,” Phillip noted staring at her.

“My brother…” Bella said without thinking. She felt Phillip’s hand on hers. “Uhh…its…he never misses breakfast. I guess I am worried.” She said pulling her hand away from him. She didn’t even look up to see Marian’s reaction to Phillip’s attention. But Bella could feel her eyes on her.

“He probably sleeping in,” Phillip said offering her a brilliant smile.

“Yes,” Bella agreed even though she was starting to worry. Even when the curse was at its highest, making Dominic feel sick. He showed up, so that she knew he was still alright.

“I’ll go and check…” Bella made to get up. But there was a commotion outside.

The duke got to his feet just as his house manager came and announced the arrival of the Grand King.

The duke gasped and moved to the door.

“Make sure you bring him the best food,” he patted the house manager, and then walked out of the door. Marian following her father out.

“They act like he’s God or something,” Phillip comments staring the duke and his daughter.

“Have you met him?” Bella asked looking at Phillip.

“Yes,” he said with such smugness, Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “He and my father are really close. He comes to the castle many times. But he hasn’t been in a while. I’ve been wondering what is happening with him.”

Phillip dropped his napkin on the table and then got to his feet. “Shall I escort you to form the greeting party,” he asked as everyone in the room filed out to go and greet the Grand King.

Bella inclined her head, even though she wished she could go and check on her brother.

She’ll go and look for him later, she decided as they walked out of the house to form a line, which at the head of was the Duke and his daughter Marian.

A man dressed in royal regalia – he had a small crown at the top of his head. A white coat with black fur that seemed to belong to some animal for a collar. He had long black boots encasing his legs and white pants on. Bella couldn’t see what he wore for a shirt from where she stood.

He looked formidable, and well built. He looked very much like the Grand King.

She watched him as he moved down the line until he came to a stop next to Phillip. And she could see how handsome he was.

“Phillip of Kantarina,” he said clasping Phillip’s hand with such familiarity that Bella believed they knew each other.  

“My King,” Phillip said bowing, he straightened and then pulled Bella close. His possessive hand on her waist made Bella grit her teeth, but she didn’t want to course a scene, “may I present princess Bella Killengly of the Killengly Islets.”

The Grand King jerked slightly at the mention of her home, but he managed to hide it with a smile.

“You’re very beautiful,” the Grand King said.

“Thank you,” she curtsied stepping away from Phillip at the same time.

The Grand King looked at her for a few uncomfortable minutes. Bella fidget folding her arms behind her back.

He gave her a nod and then walked into the house.

Bella breathed out a sigh of relief.

What was that about? she asked herself.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

After meeting the Grand King, Bella literally ran to her brother’s room to go and look for him.

“Micah?” she asked as she found him sitting on the bed staring at the wall blankly.

Has he been sitting here the whole time? she asked herself.

Bella’s heart thudded in her chest as she stared at Micah’s tears stained face.

What...what happened? Bella asked as she touched his hand.

“Micah,” she said again shaking his hand slightly.

Micah blinked as if he was waking up from a dream. He stared at her, as another tear rolled out of his eye.

“He’s not back,” he turned to stare at Bella. He wiped at his face. “I’ve been sitting here since morning. And he hasn’t come back.”

“No.”

“I don’t think that he’s coming back. What if he fell in the forest and he couldn’t get up? And he died all alone. I need to go and find him,” Micah said suddenly jumping to his feet. He ran out of the house, before Bella could stop him.

“Micah!” she screamed following behind him. But she was stopped by Phillip at the door. “No. Let go. I have to go and find him.”

“Calm down, my princess. Who do you have to go find? Tell me and I’ll help you,” he said holding on to her so that she didn’t bolt out. Bella felt his hand like a vice.

She couldn’t understand why he wanted to keep her there.

“My brother,” she said turning in his arm to face him. “I need to find him.”  

  “He went missing?” Phillip asked sounding worried.

Bella stopped struggling and looked him in his eyes. Prince Phillip truly looked worried. She took a deep calming breath, she needed help to go and look for him anyway.

Maybe Phillip could help, she reasoned.

“Yes, I think…I am not sure. Maybe he went out for a walk and fell I don’t know. He’s been sick lately. Please help me find him. He could be helpless in the forest,” she begged him.

“Yes, of course. I’ll go saddle my horse,” Phillip offered, patting her hand. She felt so grateful that she didn’t mind the pat.

Prince Phillip rushed out followed by his brothers.

“Oh what a misfortune,” the duke said close to Bella. She hadn’t realized that he was there, that most of his guests were there staring at her with pity in their eyes.

The Grand King too. He walked to stand close to her.

“I’ll send some of my men,” he said already nodding to someone behind them. “They’ll join the search. If he’s out there we will find him.”

Bella nodded because she didn’t know what to say.

“Maybe you should go and rest in your room. You look suddenly pale. We will inform you if there is any development,” the Grand King said.

“Thank you my King,” she said already moving to her room. She suddenly felt weak, she didn’t think she could stand any longer.

Oh Dominic, Bella thought as she closed the door behind her.

Her heart hurt in her chest at the thought of her brother dying just like that. Not like that.

He still had more days to live.

Yes, he was weak, and the curse hovered over him bringing death so near, but he still had time.

Oh God, her eyes filled with tears. She shook them off and closed her eyes. She concentrated trying to find him. If they could communicate using their minds, she could feel him.

She never tried it, but it was worth a try. She felt for him and all she could feel was a void, where her brother should be.

There was nothing there.

The tears that filled her eyes fell, Bella slid down the door as everything within her ached.

He’s gone, she thought crying.

She didn’t think the curse will take him so soon. She thought that they still had time, that she could help him find his mate as well.

But…

It seems it was not meant to be…

Oh Dominic… Bella wailed harder.