Pain shot through my chest, a sword sticking through my chest.  Blood dripped down my chest, the damn stuff filling up my mouth.  Three blonde demons stood behind us, their green eyes glittering with excitement.  A snarl curled on Dean’s lips, my trembling hands ripping the simple black sword out of my chest.  Blood splattered to the floor, the simple black Victorian suit hugged the first one, who ran his hand through his slicked back hair.  The second one pouted, my wound sealing shut.  His white suit was perfect, but his blonde hair was messy.  The third one rolled his eyes, his arms crossing his simple gray Victorian suit.  Taking a deep breath the one in the black suit stepped in front of his brothers, a knife exploding from his sleeve.  Catching it in between my fingers, his lips parting to speak.  

“I am John Smachett, and these two are Jean, and James.” He introduced himself, the other two holding their swords like their life depended upon it. “If you join us, we will spare you from an assassination.  Leave that half blooded loser behind you, and we can show you a good time.”  Rolling my eyes, they didn’t know that I learned every fighting style out there.  My fake mother had made me take all of the classes, mumbling something to the lines of you need to defend yourself.  Using the knife, I cut half of the beautiful skirt off.  The silk crashed to the floor, my fingers wrapping around the simple black handle of his sword.  Black vines curled around my arms, down the blade.  

“Stand down, asshole!” I ordered hotly, blood pouring from my nose. “Or I will kill you right here and now.”  Cocking his head, a smug grin irritated me.  Snapping his fingers, his brothers rushed at me.  Sparks rained around me, our blades clashing violently.  Surprise widened their faces, my skills surprising everyone. 

“How do you know how to f-” The brother in the gray suit wheezed, leaning against the wall.  Pressing my blade against his throat, my hand snatched his gray blade.  The brother in white dropped his sword, the other blade in my hand pressed against his throat.  John rushed at me, anger burning in his eyes.  Swinging my foot into the air, my foot smashed into his face.  Stumbling back, the swords crashed to the floor.  Extreme pain shot through me as their feet slammed into my arms, the two of them holding me. 

“I would love to do a foursome with you.” I teased playfully, the boys’ faces softening. “Come over here and kiss me.”  They got close to me, my elbows slamming into their faces.  Taking Dean’s hand, our footfalls pounded around the maze of the hallways.  His jaw was practically on the floor, my finger closing his mouth. 

“When did you learn to fight like that?” He blurted out, shoving me into the nearby linen closet. “I feel like you just keep surprising me like this.”  A blush rose to my cheeks, his body was pressed against mine.  My thighs rubbed together, a blushing maid opening the door.  Leaping to my feet, he fell flat on his face. 

“I was just looking for a fresh towel.” I stammered awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. “I couldn’t reach the one I wanted, I am incredibly picky about my towels.  My husband was helping me and we fell over. Silly me, right?  Lord knows that I am so clumsy.  We will be on our way.”  Walking past her, a man with long white hair and green eyes stopped me.  My breath hitched, a black vine ring on his ring finger.  His older face creased into a kind smile, his hand sliding down my gloves. Large black bruises covered my forearm, Dean snarling next to me. 

“Princess Vinetia, is it you?” He mused playfully, looking at me closely. “You must be her daughter Ary.  You look just like her.  Where are my manners? I am Uncle Rose, your only surviving relative besides my lovely wife.  His green velvet suit was pristine while I had blood dripping from my nose, and bruises all over me.  

“My mother?” I stammered nervously, my mind attempting to process what he was even saying. “Is my mother’s name Vinetia?  Sorry I don’t remember you.”  His eyebrow twitched, Dean holding me against his hips possessively.  Rose patted my head, Dean growling carnally. A deep blush rose to my cheeks, this new possessive side concerning me.   

“May I borrow you two for just a minute?” He asked politely, playing with my hair. “Perhaps you would like me to punish the triplets, considering that I am in charge of security around here.”  Shaking my head, we followed him to a locked black door.  A vine key swung off of his wrists, the key clicking in lock.  The door swung open, orange flames lighting themselves.  Childlike wonder brightened my eyes, a carbon copy of me was smiling back at me.  A red lily sat in her hair, her red silk dress hugging her hourglass figure.   Warmth and love oozed from her eyes, a picture of my father sitting on the side table.  His kind red eyes glittered with excitement, the baby version of me sitting in his arms.  His black Victorian suit hugged his broad body, his long brown hair hung shabbily around his shoulders.  Tears welled up in my eyes, my fingers tracing the picture. 

“Then how did my memories get erased and my powers sealed away?” I questioned weakly, my emotional limit nearly breaking. “Please don’t tell people that I am the lost princess.  I don’t want to be swamped by people, or targeted for assassination.”  Nodding his head, his blacked gloved hands crossed. 

“I did that, and sent you off with that vile woman.” He admitted apologetically, taking my hand.  Dean relaxed slightly, a parchment envelope sitting in my palm. “That is an invitation to the ball tonight, and I know that you are the star of the show.  Keep it as a keepsake.  Please have a meal with me before you go back upstairs.  Take good care of her okay.”  His footfalls echoed down the hall, leaving us alone.  Collapsing onto the bed, years of dust entered my lungs.  Coughing up a lung, Dean laid down next to me.  Pulling me onto his chest, his arms wrapped around my shoulder.

“Thank you for defending us earlier.” He said painfully, his body still rejecting where he was. “I am sorry for being a bur-”  Smacking the back of his head, I sat up.  An idea popped up in my head, my hands crossing .

“How about we live on Earth, and never look back.” I asked him sweetly, a smile curling on his lips. “It makes you sick to be down here right, or does getting crowned change anything?” His lips parted to speak, a butler appearing in the door.  Clearing his throat, a garment bag hung on his arm.  His face fell, his fangs sticking out over his lips.  Crossing his arms, he was in a foul mood.  

“Your father would like to push your wedding up to tonight, so nothing can go wrong.” He said irritably, bowing in our direction. “Please get ready, sir.  The seamstress will be here with your wedding dress.”  Taking the garment bag from the butler, a scowl darkened Dean’s face.  The butler walked off, a heavy silence between us.  My lips parted to speak, a maid dragging me out of the room.  Saying nothing, she took off my ruined dress.  A snarl curled on my lips, the maid was squeezing a corset too tight.  

“Could you loosen that up a bit?” I snapped bitterly, the maid shrinking back. “Sorry, I am just worried about my devil.  He seems tense.  Do you know where the library is?”  Surprise widened her eyes, her nimble fingers tying up the back.  Tossing a black lace skirt over my head, she ran a brush through my hair. 

“I think that it is just down the hall but I-” She began, a scoff tumbling from her lips as I ran out of the room.  Her footfalls echoed in the halls, her words proving to be true.  Shouts of protest followed me, the doors swinging open on their own.  My jaw dropped, every book ever made lined the walls.  Reading the categories, medicine flashed in my eyes.  Climbing the ladder, the dress was making it difficult to get to where I needed to go.  The poor blonde maid called for me to come back down, my foot slipping off of the ladder.  A strange pair of arms caught me, green eyes staring down at me.  Uncle Rose was holding me, a black book in his hand.  The simple cover confused me, his fingers flipping the pages to a cure.  Helping me to my feet, the maid rushed out to get supplies. My long white hair swayed in the hot breeze, a couple of maids coming back with hair supplies and magical items.  

“You can do my hair if you don’t mind doing it here.” I offered kindly, taking her hand. “I really appreciate you working with me.  Please be patient with me as I learn the rules.  Also, I will sneak you a piece of cake.”  Laughing to herself, she worked on me while I worked on his wedding ring.