Fire and Ice (The London Jewels)

"Master London, the Prince has been instructed to make you an offer," the crown's speaker began as he survey the older gentleman who sat behind his wooden desk with a pained look on his face. "if his highness is expected to marry one of your daughters, you must present them." I sat helplessly watching as Thomas London scowled before scratching his neck. "I've already chosen who he shall marry," London began, not bothering to look in my direction. "As I told his father, this visit was not needed. I was going to send the girl to him." I almost laughed as Cristoph, my father's minion, became flustered. London continued with a bored expression, "Diamond, my eldest, is the one he will marry. They are the same age and will get along fine." "Be that as it may sir," Cristoph began, " we have been instructed to meet and inspect your choice." London bristled at the decree. "Enough," I interrupted, rolling my eyes at the two men staring daggers at eachother before looking my way. "London, my father is old in his thinking, and I am growing bored with this conversation. Would you mind terribly if I were to stretch my legs while you and Cristoph fight this out?" once he nods his head I bow to both of them and stride out the door breathing a sigh of relief once I am free. As I walk away I can hear the two men begin to argue again. "Oh my god what is wrong with you?!" I hear a screech as I neared the end of the hall. "I'm telling dad, you know we are not supposed to be out here right now!" the voice is high pitched and demanding and belonging to a girl who is standing a couple feet away. She is pretty with blonde hair that is cut to an inch past her shoulders. I'm not able to see her face as she is turned from me, but by the command in her voice I can only guess that this is my supposed bride. "Di get over it." another voice sounds, drawing my attention to one of the girls past her sister who is sitting on the floor with another between her legs. "We are just having fun." the girl says rolling her eyes at her older sibling. I am struck this girl is young, but she is beautiful. Her black hair is in a messy bun that sits on top of her head, her eyes are the deepest blue I have ever seen. I find myself gravitating more toward the girl then the scene in front of me. "Maybe if father wouldn't demand that we stay hidden away then the kids wouldn't want to play so bad." "Dad," Diamond starts only for the other girl to cut her off. "Is to busy being pissed off that someone would dare to demand anything of him. And is trying to save face by agree for you to marry royalty when really all he wants is to be left alone and for us to be locked here, away from the world. Again get over it." oh damn this girl is feisty. "Excuse me ladies," I say causing the older to whip around her crystal blue eyes widening in surprise. The younger girl just smirks and raises a black shaped brow at me. "I couldn't help over hearing," "You mean eavesdropping?" "Sapphire!" Diamond yells in shock. "As you say," I agree easily. There is just something about this girl and her deep blue eyes. "Anyway, I was hoping maybe someone could show me around." "I'm sorry but we are not allowed to leave" Diamond says meekly. "I'll show you around," Sapphire answers and stands up, "Ruby take Pearl and go back to the numerary with Diamond please." she tells the little girl who smiles and nods picking up the youngest of the siblings. With a last look at her older sister Sapphire turns to me, "well which way?" **** The young man is just staring at me as we make our way around the house. Diamond was furious that I dared to ignore our fathers order of staying in our rooms. I'm sure she is just waiting to tell him. So I decided to make the most of the up-coming punishment and volunteered to show the guy around. "This was my mother's favorite room", I say as we enter my mother's library. "She and I would get lost in here with our books for hours." "How old are you?" the guy asks as he runs his hand along one of the book shelves. "Sixteen." I answer I'm not sure what it is but I feel comfortable with him and continue to tell him about some of my favorite books and memories with my mother. "So that would make your sister 18?" he interrupts again. "Yes, we are two years apart. And well, Diamond is the apple of fathers eye." I say a little bitterly, though I'm not sure why I am feeling jealous of his attention to her. Most guys fall over themselves to gain the attention of my older sister. "I can see why, she's pretty." he agrees, which causes me to huff in annoyance. "So she is to be married?" "I guess so. That is what our father is doing today. He is basically "securing her future" or so he says". I tell him. "Which is weird if you must know, because she doesn't even know the prince. Why would she want to be sold to the highest bidder." "Do you think the prince is buying her?" he asks with a smirk. "No, but I don't think he would want someone who just blindly follows whatever order she's been given." I answer honestly. "By the way, what is your name? I mean we have been walking around and talking but you never introduced yourself." "Nick" he answers running a hand through his chocolate brown hair. "So Nick what do you do?" I ask him but before he can answer the library door burst open and my father storms in. "Sapphire, what did I tell you?" He demands coming to stand in front of me. "I don't know dad, what did you tell me?" I ask him innocently which causes him to narrow his eyes. My father is seething when he grabs me by the arm. "I will have you locked in your room for this," he hisses with a tight grip. "Master London we are not through with this discussion." another man walks in after him. "We are done, you have your answer." my father states plaining and begins to drag me around the gentleman who is now gawking at me. "Dad your hurting my arm" I whimper as I am now being pulled from the room. "I don't care. I told you to not leave your rooms and you decided to go for a walk." he seethes still pulling me. "London, if you take one more step I will have you jailed." Nick's strong voice booms from behind us and my father freezes. "Now let her go." Nick demands as I feel my father's rage begin to boil. "And before you say another word, keep in mind that unlike Cristoph here, I will be obeyed and I will leave no room for argument." he says simply. Gritting his teeth my father narrows his eyes and loosens his grip on my arm. "Your grace," he says tersely. "excuse me, I had asked that my daughters remain in their rooms so that they may rest to-" "Enough," Nick states calmly as he steps forward and speaks lowly or a moment with the other gentleman. After a moment he nods then walks toward my father who is still standing beside me. "I don't know what you had decided but I am telling you of my decision now. So listen closely. I will not be marrying your daughter Diamond," he pauses and his words fully sink in. "Nick? You mean Prince Nickolas soon to be kind and soon to be my sister's husband?" I choke out in shock, once everything sets in. "Yes to some and no to the other part", Nick says speaking directly to me and ignoring my father's gasp. I tilt my head slightly and peer up at him, squinting, "and which part is the no?" I ask now more curious. "Well, I will not be your sister's husband." He answers then looks toward my father as he finishes his explanation. "I will be yours." "No" my father states flatly and I watch as Nicks brow raises in question. "That is not how this works. You will marry who I choose." Nick laughs. "London, I've been paitient. as has my father. We allowed you the opportunity to work with us for years and have been trying to work with you over the past couple of months and you have refused us at every turn. The only reason Cristoph and I were even permitted into your home today was because he arrived with out first telling you we were coming and you could not leave or refuse." Nick takes a step closer to my father smoothly putting himself between us as he continued. "You had us wait outside before having us usher into your study where you began to argue with my fathers assistant and giving us demands on who would be my wife. And then I learn that you demanded that your daughters be hidden away while I visit? And then I stood and watched as you were going to forcibly drag one of those daughters off because she didn't hide like you wanted her to? "Let me be very clear London, I have made my choice and as the future King, you will abide by my decision. And after spending some time with her," He says now turning to face me. "I have chosen you." he says softly offering me his hand. I am dumb founded at first, he is choosing me? I stare at his hand for a moment then look to my father for guidance and notice that he is angry. I decide then and there that I will not be staying to face his wrath. I slip my hand into Nicks and pray that this decision is the right one then take a deep breath and seal my fate. "I accept."