The Prince Kidnap Bride

"Poor, poor, Vance." His friends approach him taunting him shaking their heads. "Who would have thought you would have to go this far." His friend Zain states. "I know you didn't see this coming, my man. What an awful surprise." Leonard expresses. "Better you than me, buddy." "No, it's not better for me. Besides, it's just an engagement." Vance replied nonchalantly. "Well, I'm about to go, fella's, and have me some fun. Look at all the beautiful ladies I have to choose from." Zain says, primping while adjusting the collar on his shirt. "Oh, by the way, before I go get my groove on. I noticed how you are not interacting with your new fiance. So if I see it, you better do something about it before all these very significant people notice it." Zain warns his friend, then shuffling off, taking a gorgeous girl to the dance floor on his arm. Prince Vance watched his friends live the life he used to have only a month ago. He sighs, leaning against an ornately tall pillar, looking at all the other guests having a good time. Vance surveyed the crowd looking for one person only, that wasn't present at his engagement party. Thinking maybe if he had gotten his act together when he received the many warnings from his father the king, perhaps things would be different, and maybe, just maybe, his father would have considered his wishes in selecting a marriage mate for him. But Vance was never one to heed anyone's warnings or advice. Things always had to go his way. So he decided to stick with what he knows best—his scandalous escapades being splashed across the front page of the internet/media news. He mingled further with other guests to hide his disappointment and take his mind off of what was happening to him. Vance casually continues greeting guests around the ballroom, filled with dignitaries, his parent's friends, and his own, and yes, his bride-to-be, guest. Eventually, he stops and gets a drink from one of the servers as he takes notice for the first time tonight, the enchanted forest decor, complete with tall trees and chandeliers dripping with crystals. Finally, his eyes glance over at his favorite part of this theme—the mural of a maiden in a tower. The prince had his mother commission the best artist in Crisco to paint the mural for the engagement party. The queen walks up to her son, putting her arm around his elbow. 'What a grand feature! Didn't it turn out marvelously?" She says, also looking up at the painting. Vance explained, "Yes, mother, you did excellently. It's just what my new bride loves, fairy tales." "My darling, how sweet of you to grant your bride to be her wishes and so soon, and you haven't even said I do yet." He smiled at his mother as they both gazed up at the large mural depicting a helpless girl looking out her window, waiting for her rescuer to come and save her. Then, over the hill on his white horse, he's galloping toward her. Vance thought, 'how child-like and innocent for an adult to enjoy such fables.' The soon-to-be bride is scanning the room, searching for her dream man. Finally, her eyes land on the prince as he lovingly smiles at her. Several minutes more, as she carries on entertaining her family and friends, and other guests, she glances over her shoulder and sees him still looking at her. Naomi's breath catches at the sight of him. Moments later, she sees him striding confidently across the room, exactly like a man assured of his place in the world. He's tall and fit, so handsome in the custom-made Italian suit. And he knows it. He doesn't care because he's so used to it. He revels in the attention. All eyes follow him as he's about to let everyone know just how much he loves his fiance and is thrilled to be marrying her in a few weeks. Her heart is beating so hard and loud as she glances up at him to see how close he is. Considering how nervous and anxious she felt, she always doubts if she would make a good princess and wife to him in the back of her mind. He approaches. "How are you this evening?" The prince's voice, low and sultry as it washes over her. "Fine. Thank you." "May I get you a fresh drink?" "Yes, I mean no. I should be serving you." She manages to get out as she hears the slight rise in her pitch. His fingers brush against hers, and Naomi's knees buckle, not with fear, though. Not even close. "What would you like to drink?" "You're welcome to get for me any assortment of adult beverages." Naomi watches him walk away. She was eyeing him from head to toe. Knowing even the contour of his muscles gave his slightly bow legs the perfect shape in those fitted suit pants. He returns shortly with her drink. "Thank you. What is it?" She asks after tasting the divine cocktail. "It's my specialty. Sweetened fruit and a little rum." "Your specialty is delicious." She says, unable to make eye contact with him now that he's standing so close. "Is there a reason why you won't look at me?" "No." She forces her chin up, thinking she should be so thrilled to have him standing before her. And she is, but the man makes her whole body tingle when she looks into her eyes. The prince's eyes are dark and fringed with heavy, dark lashes. Her eyes drift down his face, taking in his perfectly straight nose, high cheekbones, and full lips, then back up again to his gleaming, dark hair that he's wearing very conservatively tonight. The king's voice echoes across the opulent stretches of the ballroom, reverberating through a crowd that responds, including Naomi, as she's distracted from furthering her tour of the handsome prince. Every corner must have microphones and speakers to carry the king's sultry words throughout the elaborately monumental building. "Can I have everyone's attention? I would like to have the engaged couple come to the center of the floor, please, for the evening dance." The room erupts into loud applause. Vance smiles coyly at the plain young lady whose beautiful white after five cocktail dress far exceeds her looks. But her demeanor always shines as honorable, the kind of girl he can tell always does the right thing. She bashfully takes the elbow of her prince as they stroll to the center of the floor together. Prince Vance exquisitely rolls his broad shoulders back, making the females sigh. He reached for Naomi's hand; she felt a zip in her blood, the hot sensations curling within her being. Prince Vance hated to admit that Naomi's hand felt delicate and warm under his fingers. The prince prepared to put on a grand performance for the crowd watching them intently. The one thing Vance knows about the people of Crisco they are always looking for flaws in the royal family. So he tucked the girl against him quickly, about to give them a performance they would never forget. The crowd awed, in delight giving their approval. It took everything in the prince to finish this dance. He wanted to turn and walk away, but he had to play it safe and convince everyone he was happy with his parent's choice for him. So he wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand spanning her hip. Naomi felt like she was floating on cloud nine, looping her arms over his broad shoulders as he pressed her body against him. The contact was almost too much for her, drawing a shallow breath as she inhaled his spicy scent. Her head begins to feel like a spinning top suddenly. She couldn't disguise her confusion and anguish. "Careful..." The warning was like a wisp of smoke from his lips. Naomi suddenly pulled away. She looked dazed and felt disoriented. "Are you feeling okay?" The prince asked. His eyes were wide with shock and worry as he gazes at her while still moving her across the floor. As others soon begin to join them in the slow dance. "I'm not sure. I need to lay down for a minute." "Let's not make a scene." He took her in his arms. "Lay your head on my shoulder." She obeyed. They easily glided through the crowd as others swirled onto the dance floor. Naomi tried to open her eyes, but the spinning lights and dark shadows made her close them. Vance discreetly leads her off the dance floor and out into the corridors. Before he knew it, she was limp in his arms. He swiftly has one of the two men-servants assist him with her. "Here, bring her to her room and lay her in bed," Vance orders them. "But Sir, does she need a doctor?" The servant asked out of concern for the limp, young lady that laid in his arms. There was no room in Vance's heart for adjustments or acceptance. "No, take her away." "Yes, sir." The older male servant replies. He is the senior servant over the others in that department in the Palace. He has been working and living in Palace for many years. He gives the prince a sly glance as they carry the young lady up the staircase. Prince Vance responds to his cell phone and quickly heads down the corridor. "Go and see where he's in such a rush to get to right now. And report back to me what you see?' The older servant encourage the younger one "Yes, I will, sir." The younger servant took off discreetly, following the prince. The palace grounds were vast, on six acres of land stretching eastbound, westbound, south, and north. The engagement party was held on in the east wing, but he headed west when the servant followed Prince Vance. In the opposite direction of the party. In each area of the Palace, they had beautiful gardens. In the west wing, the garden is where the servant had followed the prince, pulling out his phone to video his report. He records the prince looking around as if he's looking for someone. "Well, well, look at what we got here." the servant utters in a quiet tone. "Hey," Vance whispered, moving out of the shadows at the edge of the garden. She had finally arrived at their meeting spot. Aria smiled and skipped the last few steps of the path into his arms. He picked her up with a soft moan. She felt his vibrate through her bones as he kissed her, long and hard, until her breath was coming faster, and that delicious hunger rose inside. "I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind," he whispered against her mouth as his hands wandered. Aria's throat constricted, and an electric jolt surged through her in response. "I only came because I still love you and wish it was me you were getting engaged to." "I'm so glad you're here," Vance murmured. "Pieces of me have been dying all night to be alone with you. I need more time. But, I promise it's going to be you." "How can you promise such things? It's not like she is going to disappear." "Do you trust me?" "Yes," "How much?" "With all my heart, soul, mind, and body." "Same here. I'll do anything to make you my bride and princess." They kissed for another long minute until the garden was filled with the sounds of their swiftly drawn breath and soft sighs. Aria's head became filled with hope once again. Then, finally, she pulled away. "I don't think we should go any further than this tonight. I feel nervous." Vance drawled in that deep silky voice. "Give me this one memory of you in my arms until I can make it permanent." He took her hand and pulled her deeper into the shadows of the garden. The servant stops recording since he can no longer see them clearly. He quickly left the scene in the garden. He had seen more than enough to satisfy his boss. Prince Vance moved to kiss her again. She put a finger to his lips. She whispered in a shaky voice. "How will you convince the queen to accept me when she has already chosen this girl Naomi? And now Naomi is residing in the Palace with you and your family until the wedding." "I have my mother under my thumb. She listens to me most times over father. So I will convince my mother. And as for that bunny face girl, let's say she's gone on a little vacation. So I'll have plenty of time to get my mother to accept you." Aria snuggled closer to him, letting her heart free to trust his words. Then, wrapping her arms around his neck. "All you ever do is make me feel amazing, Vance." "I really like you. A lot," He said. The prince wasn't big on using the words "I love you." "I love you too," Aria said, realizing exactly what he meant. They had talked about this thing between them being long-term, even though they lived in different worlds and on opposites sides of Crisco. The prince is in a palace, and Aria is in a wooden house with her parents, brother, and sisters. They went to the same international high school, and that must have put a financial strain on her parent's pockets to send her to such an elite school for the rich and privileged. However, Aria knew Vance well, and because he was the heir to the throne and she was a girl from the outside of Crisco, they both felt nothing should stop them from making a relationship work. Except for the queen and king of Crisco.