chapter 1

It was December and 17 summers old Belle was happily running in the backyard to catch her 7 summers old brother, Alberto. The farm house was filled with the laughter of two siblings who lived with their grandparents, Martina Bianchi and Baldassare Bianchi.

"Ahh!" Belle screamed.

Alberto stopped running and turned towards his sister. Seeing Belle laying on her back he started laughing. "I told you!” He exclaimed. “Did not I? That I will

win.” Belle glared at him which had her younger brother erupting into the fits of

gleeful giggles.

“Next time you will lose for sure." She narrowed her big green eyes at him. Alberto snickered while happily running away from his sister.

He made his way towards their grandmother who was busy cooking for them in the

kitchen.

“Slow down child or else you will end up hurting yourself." The old woman turned towards him, her gentle eyes held adoration and worry for the little boy.

“No Nona, I won't." Alberto denied. “I am strong.” He boasted making the old lady smile and shake her head at her little grandchild's antics.

“Nonna I am hungry.” Before his grandmother could reply him Belle entered the kitchen. Martina gasped on seeing the muddy clothes of Belle.

“Belle you are a grown up lady now. Stop behaving like a child or you won't get a fine suitor." She admonished Belle, who gave her a sheepish smile in return.

“You are not hurt? Are you?”

“No, I am not.” She smiled. “Can I go out for picking the vegetables?" She asked, peering at her innocently.

"Si, you can.” She permitted.

“Nonna food?” Alberto was hungry. And hungry Alberto was impatient Alberto. Belle smiled and left them.

On her way out she met her grandfather who was just entering the house.

“Where are you going my dolce bambino?”He asked as he ruffled the young girl's hair.(sweet child)

 She gestured towards her basket. “Vegetables.” Old man shook his head as he knew that she was not going for any vegetables as they had enough to last them this week.

“Be careful and do not go too far.” He ordered her.

Belle nodded and happily skipped towards the small gate.

Her grandparents were always worried for their granddaughter. She was very beautiful and naive which was not a good combination. It was easy to fool her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The weather was chilly, birds were chirping and it seemed like as if it was going to rain soon. Beautiful Belle was walking and admiring the natural beauty. Children were happily playing in the fields after all they were enjoying their Christmas break. Belle was happy to get some time for herself. She loved nothing more than these walks. Last time she went to the forest and saw a deer. She hoped to see it again. Little did Belle know that this walk was going to change her entire life. She would no longer be a free soul who could go where ever she wanted because she was going to be enslaved by a ruthless monster.

~~~~

As she walked by the fields she wondered that what she should gift her grandmother on this Christmas. After few moments she thought that it would be amazing to give

her that special herb about which her grandmother was talking to her that day.

It would be an amazing gift because her grandmother loved to cure people by the help

of herbs and she had a great knowledge about them. So she made her way to that part of the forest which was known for few herbs. When she reached there she started searching for the herb.

After searching for a while she caught sight of a plant which was looking similar to that herb so she smiled and walked towards it. As she bent forward to pluck it an arrow hit the tree beside her. She gasped and immediately turned towards it. But before she could comprehend anything a hand gripped her arm in a death like grip. Belle almost had heart attack.

She turned her back and she was met with a pair of grey stormy eyes which were looking at her intently. Green to Grey. The frostiness in those eyes had the shivers running down her spine.

A handsome man dressed in the clothes of a warrior with a well sculpted face. His broad chest was bare and sweat drops on it made it look magnificent. His eight packs made him look like a powerful warrior. Power was radiating off him.

He was looking at her as if he was trying to memorize her every feature. After few moments she looked away because her blood had run cold in her vessels due to the fear. The man felt a strange sense of protectiveness

wash over him. She reminded him of someone from his past; the past that he has

tried hard to forget.

She looks so weak and innocent like a dove. He thought to himself.

After some time that man spoke. "What is your name?" His voice was deep and rough. She did not reply.

After few moments he asked again but there was a hint of anger and irritation in it. "Well?"

Despite the paralyzing fever Belle remembered her grandmother's advice.

"Nonna told me not to talk to the strangers." She replied softly. Her voice was sweet and soothing to his ears. But his grey eyes darkened. Because no one dared to refuse him till now and those who ever did were buried six feet below the surface of earth by him.

His grip tightened on her arm and he almost twisted it. She yelped in pain. She tried to remove his hand but failed miserably. He was amused by her this act.

This little creature!

She stopped trying and a whimper escaped her pink luscious lips. The corner of his lips turned upwards into a cruel smirk.

She was looking exactly like a little dove. Pure and helpless. Finally she spoke in a very low voice, "Belle." He calmed down.

"Belle?" He asked while loosening his grip but did not remove his hand from her arm. Her name rolled off his tongue very smoothly. "Daughter of?”

“Constanzo Bianchi.”

Strange name for a Greek. He thought to himself.

"Are you an Italian?" He inquired. She did not look like one. Her skin tone was too light. He was confused. She nodded again.

Ti sto dialo! Why this girl is not using her voice. He thought furiously. Maybe she is afraid of me. But why would she be afraid. I have not done anything yet.

(What in the devil's name!)

"Answer me by using your voice koritsi," he ordered, his voice was redolent of good breeding: deep, measured, forceful and with perfect enunciation. It rang chillingly over her. (girl)

“Si." She whispered; her eyes casted downwards.

He removed his hand from her arm making her sigh in relief. Her relief was however short lived as his hand moved towards her face. He held her chin with his index finger and thumb to make her look at him. His grip was firm.

When he saw her green orbs glassy he became furious and as well as confused.

Now why the fuck is she crying? I did not even harm her! She should be happy that she has my attention. Attention of a king of the kings! Alexandros Archontas. The one who is fucking respected by all the kings is fucking talking to her. He thought infuriatingly, his

steely grey eyes watching her with great intensity. I will let it slide this

time but next time if she will without any reason then I will punish and give her a fucking reason to cry.  He cleared his throat in an attempt to calm himself.

“What are you doing here in this forest?” Alexander  growled out.

“I-I came here to get a herb t-that cures fever for my Nonna.” She stammered out.

Why would someone send as fragile as her to a forest and that too alone. She is so small and weak. She cannot even protect herself! What if something happens to her? She is not safe at her home. He wondered to himself as a deep furrow got tangled in his

brows. His deranged thoughts were making him angry and unknowingly his grip had

tightened over her chin making the young girl cry out in pain.

His frown deepened and when it registered to him that it was due to his grip he let go

off her chin. Suddenly they heard the hooves of horses clicking against the

rocks and in no time they saw troops coming towards them.

He turned towards them. Soldiers got off their horses and bowed in front of him.

Why are soldiers bowing in front of him? Belle was confused but she was too scared to ask any question. So she decided to do something which she knew the best; how to get out of somewhere quietly.

Seeing that his attention was somewhere else she stepped back carefully without making any noise and turned to run but before she could take two more steps an arm encircled her waist from behind in a vice-like grip and her back slammed to the hard chest.  Due to their contact oxygen fled her brain and she shuddered.

“Did I tell you to move?” He hissed angrily in her ear. His icy voice raised the hair on the back of her neck. She was too scared to answer him so she kept quiet.

When he applied more force on her waist she willed herself to answer him. “N-no!” She inhaled a sharp breath in an attempt to calm herself.

"I-I am sorry. Please let me go.”She pleaded as few tears rolled down her rosy cheeks. 

He turned her towards him and scowled at her. "Why do you want to go back?”

“My grandparents are waiting for me.”

“No they are not.” He deadpanned. "Because if they were then they would not have sent you to this fucking forest alone. So you are not going back.”

“I am.” Belle jetted her chin out in a show of defiance despite her fear of him.

“Do not test my patience.” Alexander barked, making her flinch away from him. Seeing her frightened expressions he willed himself to calm down.

“You are not safe there.” He tried to speak gently but his voice came out rough. The soldiers were shocked because this was the first time that their almighty king was showing an emotion of worry for a woman other than his mother. It was not that he did not have mistresses but he never gave a fuck about them. And here he was going all protective over this ordinary girl.

"Please?” she begged again.

"No.” The dread of her situation became ten times worse. A panicked expression

flittered across her beautiful features and she stated sobbing; her small figure trembling with alarm. Without thinking Alexander pulled her towards him and wrapped his strongly built arms around her. Her body stiffened.

He rubbed her back to calm her but it was futile. How could she relax in the arms of a stranger? Strangers were never good news for her. And she had learnt that hard way at the age of fifteen.

“Shhhh! Mikri mou peristera. You do not have to be sad for I will be the one taking care of you.” (My little dove). He tried to persuade her.

His soldiers' eyes popped wide. Did someone perform a ritual to bewitch the king? One of the Commanders of his army thought to himself.  Must be some powerful ritual…I need to see

this witch also.

She broke the hug and peered in his eyes, his eyes held a little warmth in them. After mustering up some courage she spoke again, “It's getting late.” She murmured, looking around.

Alexander nodded, agreeing with her.

She is the one who wasted time. And now she is complaining. He scowled.

 “C-can I go now?” She asked; her voice small.

His grey eyes became coal black. Looking in her eyes he gritted out; “No.”

“My Nona will get angry. H-he will hurt you because he also has s-sword.” Belle tried another way to save herself from the brute.

“Afelea koritsi mou. Your innocence makes you deliciously cute.”Alexander chuckled. (My naïve girl).

Belle did not bother replying.

“Do you know who I am?” He

questioned.

She shook her head. She did not know nor did she care. She just wanted to go to her home.

“Mikri mou peristera. I am Alexandros Archontas.” He spoke proudly. (My little dove)

She gasped as tendrils of terror curled into her stomach. She might not know many things about Greece but she was very much familiar with the stories of the king of the Greece, oh the

stories of death and gore.

“ Nona said that those people who do something bad get to see him. But I never did anything bad so why me?” She thought ruefully. “What if he kills me?”  Unfortunately, her thoughts were loud enough for him to hear.

Alexander chuckled darkly. She looked at him, shock and horror was evident in her big green eyes.

“Kanis lathos koukla mou. I would not kill you but your actions will determine that how much time your family members have to live on this earth.” He declared menacingly. (You are

wrong, my doll)

“No! No! Please.” She wailed, joining her hands together.

“What are you crying for? I am giving you a choice. If you come with me and respect my decisions then those pathetic peasants get to live.” The malice in his voice was hard to be missed.

Stupid woman! I am doing all this for her. I am saving her.

 “Okay.” The defeat was clear in her voice. Alberto is so young. I cannot let him die.

“Come now. We are already late.” He grasped her hand and strode towards his horse. Belle could not stop the tears from flowing down her eyes. She knew that now she was at the mercy of Alexandros  Archantas.