His Feisty Hybrid Princess: The Prince’s Proposal

8

Belle glanced at herself in the mirror, she didn’t remember a time she’d ever felt as beautiful as she did now. Her thick, blue hair was styled into loose waves with pieces from the sides being braided until they met in the middle at the back of her head. A few loose strands fell down the side of her face in an effortless yet put together fashion. Her sold gold tiara rested on her head perfectly, with potentially the biggest topaz gemstone she had ever seen positioned in the centre.

Her lips had been painted a natural shade of pink, allowing the centre of attention to be on the soft blue eyeshadow along her eyelids, encouraging her ocean eyes to pop even bright than usual. Matching her hair and makeup, she was wearing the most exquisite topaz shaded gown she had ever seen. It started with a strapless corset, amplifying the curves of her body as it enveloped her waist, before delicate gold embroidery separated the corset into a free flowing, floor length skirt with a 3 metre train.

The look was completed with topaz, lace shaped into flowers wrapped around her mid biceps and a extravagant topaz choker, detailed with golden jewels and topaz gems that finished with a point towards her breasts.

“Wow..” Queen Serena sobbed as she took in the sight of her daughter. “You.. just.. oh, Belle.” She pouted, before engulfing her daughter in a tight, life-threatening embrace. Belle giggled, feeling like the true princess she was on this day only.

“You look like a Queen.” Sutton gasped, admiring her friend in awe.

“She is a Queen.” Immi confirmed, pouting her lips as she adorned on Belle like a proud mother.

“There’s just one thing missing..” Lottie started. “Get those incredible wings out girl.”

Belle laughed, she had been so used to keep them at bay in Amaris, she often forgot it was completely normal for faeries to proudly show off their wings. She crinkled her nose and gave her friends a knowing smile, before her allowing her wings to sprout from he back.

Immi gasped. “I’ll never get over how beautiful they are.”

Just like Nia, and her mother’s wolf, Leia, Belle’s wings were the perfect shade of blue with lilac shading and golden streaks along the outlines. When they fluttered, they sparkled as though they were decorated with diamonds. Because her most prominent ability was fire, many people expected her wings to represent that and be a delicate shade of orange. But Belle’s fire element went much further than the standard faes abilities, she was of royal blood after all.

Belle was able to not only control fire and create fire, but she could go much further than that. Belle could channel electricity and lightening, she could create a power outage for an entire continent with the click of her fingers. Not only that, much like her mother, she had control over all the elements. It was just that fire was the element she was most connected to. Again, like her mother, Belle could act as a shield. Not only for herself, but for anyone nearby, allowing her to rebut any magic being used against her. This was another reason why she was the perfect fit to take over from her mother.

“I know I tell you all the time, but I really am so proud of you my sweet girl.” Serena placed a gentle kiss on her daughters cheek. “Now, I know your father is itching to see you, so are you ready?”

Well, there was no going back now really. Belle had accepted the fate she signed up for and was ready to carry out her duties, the sooner this day was over the sooner that could happen. She just needed to get down the isle to marry Layke and then they could get to work.

Her stomach fluttered at the thought of Layke. He was going to look incredible in his wedding suit and that made her nervous, the last time Belle needed was her feelings towards him being conflicted further. But as the nervous butterflies swarmed the pit of her stomach, there was something else lingering in the background. Excitement, was it?

She inwardly scolded herself, and Nia who was purring in the back of her mind at the thought of Layke all dressed up, for even feeling anything of the sort. This was a business transaction and she needed to do better to remember that. She shouldn’t be excited to see him. The man was infuriating, he purposely pressed her buttons to get a reaction out of her for his own amusement, and goddess was he uptight. But he was also intoxicating, addictive and that dominant side of his that she had only experienced a couple of times, it had the ability to consume her.

Get it together, Belle. No, no and no.

“I’m ready.” She told her mother.

-

Belle gripped onto her fathers arm as he guided her into the castle gardens where the ceremony was taking place. She hadn’t known what to expect and despite her mother always taking everything over the top, she never could have imagined how incredible the scene would look.

As if she had walked straight into a fairytale, lights surrounded the area reflecting more colours than Belle could count along the paved walkway and the surrounding trees. With every step, there was a new coloured reflection beneath her like little orbs of light. Pinks, blues, purples, greens, all reflecting from the intricate flowers that laid bedded around her. Twinkle lights hung from tree branches as candles lined her path in glass holders on the floor. It felt as though she was walking amongst the stars.

But what truly had Belle’s breath stuck in her throat was the man waiting at the end of the walkway for her. His icy waves were no longer in his favourite half-up do, but instead cascading down his back in a way that had her fingers itching to comb through it, to feel the silkiness of the strands. His crisp white button down shirt only added more attention to his emerald waistcoat, which detailed the most extravagant gold embroidery.

His deep green bottoms colour coordinated with his waistcoat perfectly, completing the ensemble. His uniform was completed with the traditional Avalon cape which, much like his waistcoat, was a deep emerald shade with gold embroidery right down to the hem. He looked so good, incredibly fitting to the nickname she had given him.. Prince Charming.

Layke’s heart stopped, suddenly every guest in the room disappeared and all he could see was Belle. He didn’t think he had ever seen a creature so beautiful in his entire life. Everything about her was simply perfect, he couldn’t take his eyes away from her. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of his stomach as for the first time, he finally felt nervous. Seeing her this way, Layke realised he could be in deep trouble. His heart thundered against his chest, pacing faster with each step closer his bride took towards him. He felt drawn to her in a way he'd never experienced with anyone before, as though his soul was calling out to claim her.

And as Belle joined his side, it took every ounce of strength he had to force himself to believe these feelings were only being stirred up because of the attraction between them. It couldn’t possibly be anything else. As mesmerising as Belle looked, she was still the hot-headed, short-tempered, impulsive Princess he had come to know over the last few days. So the attraction.. well that was the only explanation.

Gladdis, the High Priestess of Fer Fung and Immi’s grandmother, was waiting for them on the podium as she prepared to officiate the couple’s nuptials. As Belle joined the stage, Gladdis shot her a knowing wink that caused Belle to study her with a sceptical smirk. What had that been about?

Some kind of electric shock shot up Belle’s arm as Layke held her hand in his momentarily startling Belle, who quickly decided to put it down as a rush of adrenaline. Nothing more.

“Thank you all for joining us today,” Gladdis began. “Today, you are all witnesses to the joining of Prince Layke of Avalon and Princess Belle of Midsummer, as they not only unite in matrimony but unite their kingdoms as one and vow to protect one another’s subjects.”

Gladdis proceeded to read a prayer which was sacred in both Avalon and Midsummer, before asking both Belle and Layke to recite their vows. The subjects of the two kingdoms were provided with the opportunity to rebut the union, but no one came forward. Queen Serena had spent most of the ceremony sobbing, which Belle found rather amusing, considering her mother knew this was a marriage for face only.

“Do you, Prince Layke Eyrek Jonah Finlay of Avalon, take Princess Belle Scarlett Rhodes to not only be your lawfully wedded wife, but as your chosen Queen and promise to love her, protect her, accept her subjects as your own and accept your rise to the throne as King of Avalon Summer through this union?” Gladdis asked.

Layke’s eyes landed on Belle for a moment, their gaze locking as they knew this was their final opportunity to back out of this agreement. But for some reason, not a single part of him wanted to do that and funnily enough, neither did she.

“I do.” He confirmed with a warm smile.

“Do you, Princess Belle Scarlett Rhodes, take Prince Layke Eyrek Jonah Finlay of Avalon to not only be your lawfully wedded husband, but as your chosen King and promise to love him, protect him, accept his subjects as your own and accept your rise to the throne as Queen of Avalon Summer through this union?” Gladdis repeated.

With a deep breath and a slow nod, Belle answered “I do.”

“Please raise your palms.” Gladdis instructed, pulling a small golden blade from the pocket of her tunic. Both of them did as told, lifting their palms for Gladdis to complete the last part of the ceremony. Neither of them seemed to flinch as Gladdis dragged the blade across each of their skins, causing a pool of blood to form in their palms.

“You know what to do next.” Gladdis whispered, encouraging them to complete the marriage. The pair locked eyes as they joined hands, allowing their blood to mix as they cemented their bond in marriage to one another and joining the two kingdoms as one. Their gazes at one another as a surge of power rushed through the both of them, coercing through their veins as the marriage became completed and they were now considered one.

A warm, bright smile spread along Gladdis’ lips as she clapped her hands together, addressing not only the now married couple but also the guests. “I now introduce you to King Layke and Queen Belle of Avalon Summer! You may now kiss the bride, Your Majesty.”

Layke gulped as he peered down at Belle, suddenly becoming breathless. Every fibre of his being had wanted to do this since he first met her several days ago and many times, he had come close. It felt as though he was ripping off a band-aid and once they had finally kissed, something would change between them. Something he wasn’t ready to admit or accept.

The King’s strong hand wrapped around Belle’s slim waist as he pulled her into his embrace, ignoring how perfectly she moulded against him, as his free hand gently brushed against her cheek. Belle subconsciously leaned into his touch, warmth spreading over her skin from his proximity. He leaned down to her, their lips barely millimetres apart. His eyes fell to her bare chest, which was rising and falling in a sharp rhythm, much like his own. Uneven, ragged breaths were burning their skin with want. The tension between them became insatiable.

“No going back now.” Layke whispered so only she could hear, the warmth of his breath fanning her mouth.

“No going back.” She agreed, just before Layke finally crushed his lips into hers, moulding into them mercifully and claiming them as his own. He ran his tongue against her skin, making her mouth part, before he effortlessly slid his tongue between her delicious lips and greedily took ownership of her usually smart-whipped mouth.

His hand slid up the bare skin on her back, caressing her with his touch and bringing her closer so he could devour her more. Neither wanted to stop, something felt so right between them in this moment that they simply couldn’t quite bring themselves to do it. It was as if they needed it, they needed the closeness and touch of one another to settle down the fire burning between them and the more Layke tasted her, the more he wanted to explore.

Never in each of their lives had either of them experienced something like this, this primal need to claim the other with such desire. There was no care in the world about the lack of oxygen in their lungs, and if they hadn’t heard the cheers begin to echo around them, Layke wasn’t sure he could have stopped.

Breathlessly, as they pulled away, they locked eyes and they both knew it.

Something had changed.