last mistake

@ dezz
This wasn't supposed to be happening. This wasn't what Bella was supposed to be. Marriage for her status in the family was supposed to be one for love. Not this, not an arrangement. To the head of a family that's killed their own for years no less. That had actually killed one of her older brothers. This shouldn't be happening, but it was. Because it was what the don wanted, and what he wanted, he got. No one could go against the don, because his word was law. He was the law. Which was why Bella was dancing at an engagement party, about to be married a week later to a man she knew nothing about.

A laugh escaped from Isabella as she twirled around the dance floor. A fake smile, a fake laugh, a fake name too go along with all of the lies that her life had become. The real Isabella was an amazing dancer, she was a fashionista and loved to shop. Bella, not so much. She was a clutz, she wasn't really into fashion and she found shopping to be a bore most of the time. Unless it was with looking at the newest video games in Game Stop or knives. They were opposite in their likes and dislikes, but in appearance. They were almost identical, it was almost scary. The only difference in appearance was that Bella was smaller, shorter. Her eyes a green color instead of the deep blue of the real Isabella De Luca.

As the song ended, Bella curtsied to the man she had danced with. A smile playing on her lips as she smoothed out her dress. As Bella stod up, she caught sight of Luciano out of the corner of her eye and quickly turned her back to him. Too nervous to make eye contact. He terrified her.

----

The familiar iron scent of blood filled the place. It was warm and comforting to the vampire, the way the red liquid slid through his fingers as he easily slashes and digs into the body of a poor defenseless human. It was invigorating, Ambrose loves it. It is about the only thing that makes him feel a life. Well, as alive as a vampire could ever feel alive. Slowly, running his tongue over his lips, Ambrose wished the delicious iron liquid would pour into his mouth instead of all over the grand floor of the humans' castle. What a shame, a waste really. OH well, there was always a chance for more. Always a chance to feel alive once again.

Walking towards the throne room, a small handful of Ambrose's men trailing behind him for protection. Although he really didn't need any, it was good for appearance's sake. The few guards that refused his request to see the king had been slaughtered by him in a matter of seconds, his men just watched with the same dark desire. As they approached the two large double doors that led to the throne room, a snort escaped from Ambrose. So gaudy, the gold trim, the useless need for such a large door. It was fucking pointless to have that, it only separated the place where a King sat. Nothing special needed to separate it. Just have a guard stationed in the doorway was enough, right? Ambrose thought so.

"Knock, knock." Ambrose called as he pushed the door open to reveal the old King sitting on the throne. A scowl on the man's lips as he watched the vampire stroll into his throne roon as if he owned the place. "We need to talk."

Luciano had kept his gaze fixed on Isabella the whole time she twirled along the dance floor. His soon to be bride. And this was a party being thrown partially in their honor, congratulating them on their arrangement. And what a surprise arrangement it was. Their families had been at war for years, constant bloodshed on both sides. Neither family allowed even a step onto the other's territory. Until now. And that pretty little red number dancing around on the floor was his.

Lifting the glass of scotch back to his lips, Luciano downed the last bit, ignoring the sweet burn that tickled the back of his throat. Dropping the glass down on a passing waiter's plate, the tall, sharp man made his way across the room, towards his prey. It was almost obvious that she was trying to ignore him, hoping that she could shrink away, out of his sight. But that wasn't going to happen. "You look beautiful," he spoke, once he stepped up behind the young girl. His hand landed on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze as he forced her to turn and look at him.

"How about a dance? I was getting a little jealous." He was only joking, knowing the gentleman she had danced with before was no competition to him. Luciano offered his hand out to Bella, wrapping her small hand in his, before pulling her close against his chest. He wondered if she was nervous and that's why she had been wanting to keep away from him, or if she simply had already made up her mind on not liking him. After all, within the week, after their wedding, he would be ripping her away from her family. "Aren't you excited for the wedding? Have you seen your dress yet?" Luciano was trying to be positive, a large smile appearing across his face as his hands ran down her sides, resting gently on her hips as they swayed.

---

The king's head snapped up as the double doors to his throne room came flying open. He had been made aware of the threat making its way through his kingdom, but he had been assured that it simply would not make it into the castle. "We do?" the king straightened up in his throne, lowering his hands to his lap. Vampires. It was so sickeningly obvious, from their pale skin and illuminated eyes. The purple toned veins running under their paper white skin and their sharp protruding fangs. They were monsters. Monsters that loved to constantly terrorize their cities. Their kingdom alone saw at least ten sacrifices a month to their kind.

"What could I possibly do for you?" The king spat, leaning forward as the vampire leader sauntered down towards where he sat. Whatever it was he could want, was sure to mean hell for his kingdom and his people.



The doors to Mag's room were thrown open as four guards came barreling inside. Slowly, feeling fear captivate her heart, Magnolia rose to her feet, looking towards the guards with pure confusion written across her face. "Your majesty, we have to get you somewhere safe. Now." Before they could say much more, the guards were escorting the princess through the halls. Her hands held the skirt of her dress up slightly so she could follow the guard's stride, growing more worried by the second seeing as they weren't giving her any insight on the situation.

Halted in her tracks, Magnolia only saw a black blur, and heard the guards pained cries before they all fell dead around her. Their throats torn out clean. A quiet laugh coming from behind her. "Where do you think you're going, princess? I was just coming to collect you. You're needed in the throne room." The vampire stepped up beside of Magnolia, forcefully linking his arm with hers as he began to escort her down to the main floor of the castle. She was almost frozen in fear, barely able to keep her feet moving alongside her attacker's. What in the hell was going on!?

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Another fake smile placed it's self along Isabella's lips as she heard a compliment on her dress from a passing woman. The smile looked fake, but Bella took it with stride. This was how the upper class worked in the Mafia. In the world in general really. There was always that one person who had ulterior motives. A deep voice behind Bella brought her out of her thoughts and as she turned, her lips parted slightly. Surprise, written on her face as she looked up at Luciano. A man who was supposed to be out of her league. "Oh, um, thank you." She said quietly, after realizing that she was actually just staring up at Luciano instead of speaking to him.

Choosing not to reply to Luciano's question, Bella just followed his lead. Her eyes glancing around for a moment, the hair on the back of her neck raising a little as she noticed quite a few people staring at him. Then, her eyes raised up to Luciano's warm brown eyes as her hands moved to rest on his shoulders. Her body stiffening for a moment as his hands placed on her hips. The feeling foreign and new. Never had a man placed his hands on her body before. "Isn't it every girl's dream to be married?" Was Bella's reply, a small smile forcing it's way onto her lips. "An no, mother won't let me see it." Her eyes looked away, roaming over the people once more.

It took a lot of effort, but Bella slowly managed to get her body to relax. He wasn't biting off her head. He was trying to get to know her. He was being a human being. Just like her, except he was also a murderer. "What about you?" Her gaze slowly raised and looked into Luciano's eyes again. "Excited about the wedding?" She asked, clarifying what she meant.

----

A grin slowly appeared on Ambrose's lips. His fangs slowly poking out through the corners of his lips. "It's nice to see you acting friendly, old man," Ambrose said casually as he stopped walking a couple of steps away from the human King. His dark eyes slowly narrowing as he took in the posture, but pushed it aside as he was also being rude. No need for formalities between them. A Prince and a King, two nobles, royals, who have had scuffles for ages upon ages. "I hear you have a daughter." Ambrose got right to the point. "Supposedly as beautiful as the new day, a freshly bloomed rose." Ambrose slowly ran his tongue over his lips as he spoke. "I want her."

As if right on queue, the knight that Ambrose had sent for Magnolia appeared with he beautiful human specimen. The grin that was on the vampire's lips turned into a smirk as he turned his head and examined the human girl. His head slowly nodding in approval as he walked around her and looked her up and down like she was a piece of meat that was at the market. His tongue slowly ran along his lips. Scenting the air as well as he did so. A small chill ran down Ambrose's back. She was scared, as she should be. "She will become my wife." Ambrose tore his gaze away from the girl and looked towards the king. Grinning like a chasire cat. "We will call it a truce. An end to war, you just have to allow my men to take slaves." He had more he wanted, but first, he wanted Magnolia. He wanted her to at least hold onto something that she'll be thanking him for. An if that was her father's life, then so be it. Of course, once they're married he'll probably die. Of accident of course.

Turning to look at Magnolia once more, Ambrose moved towards her and ran his thumb along her cheek. "So soft, and innocent. I need to have you." He murmured quietly, staring into her eyes. A wave of possessiveness washing over the vampire.

A tiny sparkle appeared in Luciano's eye, liking just how feisty she was coming off. It was subtle, but she wasn't giving him any straight answers, and her eyes were everywhere but him. He could be a very intimidating man, he was aware of that. His hand slowly lifted to hers, before he raised her arm up in the air, and spun her around gently. Twisting her into his arms, he held her against his chest, a devilish smirk on his face. "What man wouldn't be excited to marry such a beautiful young woman?"

Murderer was certainly right, but it was also an understatement to his capabilities. Like if he knew he was being tricked, deceived by the De Luca family... Oh, it would be a bloodbath. A massacre. He wouldn't leave one of the tiny roaches alive. Extinct. But he was the none the wiser. Her answers came off very cold, very short, telling him all he needed to know. As if her emotions weren't plainly noticeable across her face. She was dreading their big day. Had she not been prepared for this day her whole life? Her father was the Don, did she not expect to be married off to another powerful man? As if it wasn't common place.

He decided to stay quiet, letting the matter rest. Belle could be as upset or disappointed as she wanted. Because at the end of the day, she was still being forced to marry him. She was his. Luciano could smell her shampoo, soft lavender. It smelled lovely. "I'm going to take care of you, you know. You'll never want for anything, you'll be happy." He wasn't sure why he was trying to convince her, as if he was trying to win her over. Bringing his hand up to her face, he cupped her cheek and gently rubbed his thumb over her soft skin. So beautiful, with wide doll like eyes and perfect skin. He just knew she'd make a perfect wife, a good mother. But what he really wanted to know was how her ass would look bent over for him. He didn't know if he could wait.

---

Tears were burning Magnolia's eyes as she was brought into the throne room. Her ivory dress splattered with the blood of her guards. Her whole body trembled, her stomach twisting into knots though she tried her hardest to ignore the vomit rising in her throat. Once the doors closed behind them, she slowly looked up, already knowing who she'd see.

Her father's mouth fell open, his hands balling into fists as he stood on his feet. "My only daughter? You're asking for my only daughter? I will not allow it!" The king began on his tangent. No one hated the undead bloodsuckers more than the king and the thought of his only child being forced into marriage with one... He believed it would condemn her straight to hell. He couldn't allow it. Even with the promise of peace, he just couldn't.

Magnolia swallowed, her eyes widening, glassy and swollen from crying. The vampire prince stepped towards her, his cold, icy hand brushing against her face. The princess couldn't help but flinch away, her lips pulling into a tight frown. It sent a shiver down her spine, turned her stomach when she heard how he described her. As if she was something divine and holy that he wasn't supposed to have. "Father, it's alright," she spoke, though she was unable to pull her eyes away from his. They were bright, piercing green, so light they were almost transparent. Glowing. Evil. Her voice dropped to a whisper when she spoke to Ambrose. "You promise peace in exchange for marriage? Then I have to accept."

Her voice quaked, though she forced herself to speak with declaration. It was her job as heir to the throne to keep her people safe. And what if they refused him? It would be a bloodbath. A tear broke through, slipping down her cheek and she quickly brought her hand up to wipe it away.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
A look of surprise crossed Isabella's face as Luciano twirled her around. The move was so smooth and well-practiced you would have never known that a killer had done so. "Woah," Bella mumbled quietly, surprised that she hadn't tripped over herself in the process of coming back to him. Her hands returning to the man's shoulders as she looked into his dark eyes. "Um, probably a gay one?" Bella brought up, trying to keep her wits about herself, and slowly failing. Her cheeks turning a light pink color as she looked away after realizing that she had looked into his eyes for longer than a couple of seconds.

"I know I will be." She said quietly, a lie that she's told herself for months that led up to this. Besides finishing her last year of high school, the head of the family had Bella schooled in the arm of high society. How to act in public, how to speak, how to hold herself when around a man of high ranking. That last part was the easiest, she was already meek, but the other stuff was hard. Bella was a shy, kind, and caring girl. A girl from a higher ranking family was usually more snooty and used to getting everything she wanted. To want for not, as they say.

Slowly, Bella raised her head and looked up at Luciano, holding his gaze as she showed him the first obvious signs of her unease. A frown graced her lips as she searched for any sort of lie behind the hazel orbs. "And you?" Bella asked quietly. "Will you be happy?" Her voice was growing softer as she spoke to him. "I don't know how to make you happy."

----

Oh, this human was a strong one. The edged of Ambrose's lips twitched into a smile, but then quickly vanished as he watched the human woman with interest. The smell of her fear-filled his nostrils, causing them to flare. An actor, a characteristic that could shield them from others of their kind. An act that will not affect the Vampire Prince for he could easily sense that this woman was about to burst into tears. Most humans were like that and she was no different than the rest. Besides in her looks department that is. "It seems that we have a deal then. Your rule can't break love, old King." Ambrose spoke, his hand that had touched the Princess' cheek reached out once more and caught that tear that had ran down Magnolia's pretty little cheek.

Raising his finger to his lips, Ambrose made sure to keep his gaze on Mag' as he licked the tear-off of his fingertip. A smirk wiggling into place and staying there. Then, he turned towards the Kind and stood tall as the man went on and on about not allowing this marriage. "I think you've lacked notice old man, but, where are your knights? Where are your servants?" He stretched out his arms and motioned towards the empty room. "Dead, they're all dead, or. They're hiding, like little cowards." A snort escaped from Ambrose, what a sight, a King that lacked the loyalty of his men. "Surely, your daughter will be safer with someone who could protect her, hm?"

Turning towards the man who was holding Magnolia Ambrose spoke. "We're done here, take the Princess to the carriage." He instructed, his gaze moving to one other knight and nodding as a way to tell him to join for protection. Then, he turned his head towards the old King who was seething. "Until you agree to the marriage, your daughter will be my captive," Ambrose said and then left without hearing the old man's words. He had already turned his offer down, so it was no longer available to him. Meaning, he'll have to deal with the consequences of whatever Ambrose decided to offer instead.

Such a funny girl. The longer Luciano spent around Bella, the more confused he was becoming. He had expected a fiery young woman, a woman who would obviously be very materialistic and posh, hard to please. But instead, the girl held close to his chest was anything other. Quiet, timid, worried... Any sudden loud noise and he was sure the little thing would jump right out of her skin, though the more time passed, she seemed to be growing more comfortable. Making jokes, even if they didn't seem the most tasteful. "Well, I can assure you, I'm very much straight, madam," Luciano laughed, a smile stretching across his face when she seemed to be impressed by his moves.

Luciano didn't seem very convinced when she agreed she'd be very content. There was a look on her face that he couldn't quite decode. Was it fear? He could think of one hundred reasons why she'd be nervous for marriage, especially at her age and to a man much older than her. But, something told him that there were other reasons for her distress. They only seemed to start tumbling forward when she opened her mouth again. That pretty little mouth, Luciano was becoming mesmerized by it, her voice almost fading into nothingness as he watched her lips form the words. Plush, soft pink lips, the kind he couldn't wait to have wrapped around his cock.

His mind was lost in the gutter until her worries sank in. "I'm not a hard man to please, Bella," Luciano turned the couple a few times, swaying slightly to the music as he stared into her eyes for as long as she would allow. Until she was dropping her gaze away from him again. "I promise," his voice lowered, one hand leaving her hip as he brought his hand up below her chin, forcing her to look back up at him. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm going to treat you like a queen, and we will both be very happy." Luciano's words might've sounded romantic and heartfelt, but there was a tone in his voice that made it almost sound... terrifying. Like there was no choice in the matter at all. Well, because there wasn't.

---

Things couldn't get worse, she was sure of it. Even as the man holding her arms tightened his grip on her and the vampire prince before her was running his cold hand across her face, she hoped to find mercy somewhere. But instead, she was only met with more shouting from her father. Closing her eyes tightly after Ambrose wiped away the tear that fell down her face, Mag only listened to her father run out of breath. Her eyes shooting back open only when Ambrose declared that she would be leaving with him.

"What?" She gasped, so quietly she was almost sure no one had even heard. Her breath was lost, it felt like she had completely frozen, everything pausing before her eyes, her heart even stopped. Time continued to move, however, and on Ambrose's command, his guard holding her tightly began escorting her back out of the throne room. Dragging along beside him, Magnolia gaped, eyes wide as she stared out in front of her. Until reality hit. "Let me go!" She shouted abruptly, trying to free her arm from the strangers grip. Twisting to look over her shoulder, more tears filling her eyes, she looked towards her father. "Daddy!" Her voice broke, a shill cry as she was forced forward, being pulled harshly by the man at her side. "You can't let them do this!" The princess screamed, kicking her feet and trying to flail her arms, anything to get out of this situation she found herself in.

But it was pointless. There was nothing her father could do and there was no chance in hell that the vampire underling would let her go. Their touch was so cold, like ice, chilling her to the bone. The doors to the throne room flew open and Magnolia was dragged out, begging to be freed and for her father. Out in the courtyard, Magnolia fell silent when her eyes met the carriage she would be forced into. Pitch black carriage with beasts in place of horses. They looked like creatures straight from her nightmares, or even hell. Her whole body tensed as the man opened the carriage door for her.

"Don't make this harder on yourself," he told her, his eyes glowing under the moonlight. Her face by this point was wet with tears as she looked back at her home that she hoped she'd see again soon, before reluctantly climbing into the carriage.

@ FallenHope95