Chapter 1

It was an autumn wedding in the late afternoon. The area faced the breathtaking sunset on the Oahu beach. At the end of each seated aisle, cherry blossom scented candles hung from tree branches.

Spread down the aisle were white leaves that were slightly moist so they wouldn’t crack when you stepped on them. There was a small group of close family and friends dressed in beach attire for comfort. On either side of the aisle, they sat in white chairs set up for them on the sand. 

In the dressing room where the soon-to-be wife of King Ryder sat, getting ready for the day she had dreamed of for years, was her older sister, Annalise and her bridesmaids which comprised King Ryder’s younger sister, Mirabel, and her friends. Isabella wasn’t one to keep friends as she saw Annalise as her best friend. Outside the dressing room were men, armed to the teeth, ready to give their lives to save Isabella if need be. Ryder had made sure she was safe.

 “Isa, you need to breathe. Can’t you do that for me?” Annalise asked, worry clear on her face as she looked at her sister. The girl looked like she was going to faint any second soon.

Only about six minutes remained before her wedding began; she was nervous, just like the first time she saw the king approach her at the mall. He had escorted Mirabel to the mall that day.

“I’m trying, Anna, I am.” Isabella said to her, “This is normal, right? For me to feel nervous.”

“Of course it is.” Annalise answered, applying lipstick on her sister. “You just need to not think too much about this. Pa is waiting to see you walk down that aisle and fainting isn’t going to make that happen, okay? And if you get too nervous, just look only at Ryder. Just him.”

“Just him.” She repeated. “Just Ryder.”

“Exactly.”

Annalise continued working her magic on Isabella, unable to hide the happiness she was feeling. Her baby sister was going to start a family and even become queen of Ordene. It was something she thought only happened in movies, but Isabella was proving her wrong. Disney-like love happened.

“Anna?” Isabella called her sister, almost in a whisper. “Ma’s bracelet. I want to wear it. She’s not here, and that bracelet is a reminder and a part of her I’d like to have with me today. Do you have it with you?”

Anna nodded, digging into her bag to bring out a silver bracelet that was teardrop-shaped. The bracelet was accented with a huge iridescent dark gray trillion-cut gem surrounded by transparent, vivid red and aqua gems.

Isabella put on the bracelet and looked at her sister through the mirror.

“You look beautiful, Isa.” Annalise kissed her sister’s cheek and stepped back, looking at her sister with a motherly smile. It was how her Ma would look at her. The two were in their own loving world, totally forgetting about the surrounding people.

“It’s time.” A man announced from outside the door.

Annalise, Mirabel, and Isabella shared a look.

“You’ll do great.” Mirabel said, “We’ll be right behind you.”

It was now or never.

Finally, the priest came out and asked every to stand. It was Isa’s turn. All eyes would soon be on her, whether or not she was ready. The flower girl lined the path with white rose petals as the music started. Isabella only took two steps out before her father greeted her. He escorted her down the aisle, which seemed longer than it was when she and Ryder had been planning the wedding. Her Pa became her strength and pillar; without him, she would probably faint or become frozen.

 The guests looked at her, taking pictures of her dress; a V-neck crepe gown complemented by floral lace cap sleeves, an open back, and a striking train. They waved, smiled, but no one made a sound. Up ahead, trying to not shed a tear was her soon-to-be husband, the love of her life, her everything. King Ryder stood taller, his shoulders back and his eyes on her.

At the end of the aisle, Isa’s father hugged her and then presented her to her groom. Derick, her father, placed her hand in Ryder’s and smiled. As a couple, she and King Ryder stood in front of the priest.

      Before Derick walked away, he patted Ryder on the shoulder; a way of welcoming him into the family.

“Was this really happening?” She thought.

The minister said to guests, “You can now be seated”. At this, friends and family followed his request.

“Dearly beloved,” he began, “we are gathered here this evening to witness this man and woman join in holy matrimony.”

        He said a slightly long speech Isa didn’t really pay attention to, and afterward the couple exchanged vows, tears filling both their eyes. It was really happening.

       The ring bearer came forward and presented the rings. Isabella placed Ryder’s ring on first, then he placed on hers.

The priest nodded and asked, “If anyone objects to the marriage speak now or forever hold your peace”.

It was a question that scared Isabella because she felt there were lots of people, especially women who would do anything to sabotage her wedding with the King. After all, he was a King.

Shockingly, no one spoke a word. “With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you-”

That was when all hell let loose.

The sound of gunshot followed by the priest falling to the ground was all it took for the peaceful wedding to become chaotic. Ryder’s eyes grew wide with fear as he looked at the dead priest’s body. The only thing on his mind at the moment was to get his bride and sister to safety.

He pulled out a gun he had hidden underneath the sand in between him and the priest. He had earlier prepared for a situation like this.

“What the hell is going on?” Isa held onto his hand, frantically looking around.

Another gunshot was heard and a woman fell to the ground. Ryder brought out his cellphone from his pocket as he ran to safety with Isabella behind him. He was taking her to where they parked the SUV. His men were there.

“Theo, gather your men fast. Find my sister and make sure she is safe. I swear I’ll kill you if she gets hurt.”

Without hearing Theo’s response, he hung up. They had gotten to the car, which had five men around it.

“Get in, Isa.” He opened the door and helped her get in. “Here,” He put his gun in her hand, “use this if you have to.”

“I won’t kill anyone, Ryder.”

“You’ll have to. I can’t lose you, please.”

She nodded. “You’ll bring Anna and the rest, right?”

“Yes.” He swallowed thickly at the thought of Mirabel lying in a pool of her own blood. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to them.” He kissed her lips softly and pulled away, shutting the door. “To the safe house. Don’t stop for anybody.”

The men nodded and got in the car with Isabella.

Ryder watched the car leave before returning to the bloody scene.

“Mira!” He screamed his sister’s name, “Mirabel!”

“Get down!” A man crashed himself onto Ryder, pushing him to the ground.

“Theo.” Ryder heaved a sigh of relief when he saw who had saved him. “Where’s Mirabel?”

“She’s safe.” Theo answered, handing Ryder a gun. “The bride?”

“She’s safe.” Ryder grabbed a chair to shield himself as he shot at the masked men. “Who the hell are these bastards?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Theo aimed for one man.

“GO! GO! GO! The bride is dead!” One masked man announced.

The men bolted out of the area, leaving Ryder confused and speechless. He immediately stood up and began running in the direction of his own car. Isabella couldn’t be dead, she was safe. His men were with her, keeping her safe. Those men were talking trash, they were crazy. Isa was alive.

“You can’t drive.” Theo said when he saw Ryder sit in the driver’s seat. “You’re not in a right state of mind.”

Ryder pointed his gun at Theo. “Get in or I’ll blow your brains out.”

With hands raised up in surrender, Theo went around the car and to the passenger side. Ryder wasted no time in starting the car and speeding off.

“Where?” Theo’s question got Ryder’s attention. “What hospital?”

Ryder snatched the earpiece from Theo and put in on. “Where the fuck are you guys? Where’s Isa?”

There was a long, maddening silence on the other end of the line.

“Where the hell is my wife!?”

Ryder angrily took the earpiece off and stepped on the gas pedal. He was losing his shit.

“Where is Hyacinth Medical Center?” He asked, looking in the mirror before switching lanes.

“Up ahead.” Theo answered, “We should be able to get there in about three minutes.”

“Too long.” Ryder mumbled, slamming the steering wheel in frustration. “I’ll kill those bastards. I’ll kill them all.”

After a few minutes, Ryder and Theo arrived at the hospital. There was a body on a stretcher being pushed into the hospital for urgent treatment. The person wore a white dress, had light brown hair… Isa.

“Isabella!”

Ryder rushed out the car and pushed his way to Isabella. The sight before him tore him to pieces. Lying on the stretcher was his wife with blood pouring out of her chest. His eyes moved from her chest and to her face. He couldn’t look at her warm, brown eyes because they were close, refusing to let him see them.

“Isa, baby, open your eyes.” He held her bloodstained hand in his. “Please look at me.”

“Your highness, please let go of her.”

Ryder ignored him. “Baby, please.”

“There might be hope for her, Sir. Please let us check on her.”

Ryder unwillingly let go of Isabella’s hand and followed behind as they made their way into the hospital and to the ER. A doctor in his mid-thirties hurried to check on Isabella, much to Ryder’s pleasure.

He placed a stethoscope on her chest and listened for any sound. Any little heartbeat, but none came. Isabella wasn’t breathing and her heart wasn’t beating.

The doctor removed the stethoscope and looked at Ryder. “Who are you to her?”

“Husband.” He quickly answered, “I am her husband.”

The doctor’s expression morphed into one of sadness. He looked at Isabella and then Ryder.

“Sir, I am sorry to say this, but your wife is dead.”

Dead.

Dead?

“You’re crazy.” Ryder told the man boldly. “So you spent six long years in school and you still don’t know what you studied?” He glared at the nurse who attempted to cover Isabella’s body.

“Sir, I know you are in a state of denial, but I ask that you do not insult me. I have been doing this for quite some time.”

“Shut up.” He faced Theo, “Get me another doctor. This…” He eyed the doctor from head to foot, “Quack doctor is testing my patience.”

“But, your highness-”

“Isabella!” Annalise burst into the hospital, looking around for her sister. Mirabel and Derick were right behind her, searching for Isa.

 “Ryder?” Mirabel gasped when she saw her brother about to get in a fight with the doctor. “Ryder!”

His sister’s voice caused him to halt in his action and he turned to her. He said nothing as he watched Mirabel approach him.

“Isa?” Annalise and Derick went over to her body, confusion plastered on their faces. Anna held her sister’s hand, and a frown made its way to her face. “She’s cold.” She looked up at the doctor, “Why is her body cold?”

“I’m sorry-”

“Don’t.” Derick stopped the doctor from saying what he already knew. “Don’t say it.”

How?

How could one’s happiest day turn into the worst day of their life?

But most importantly, who was responsible for this tragic incident?

Whoever it was, one thing was for sure; Ryder would chase them to the ends of the earth and make them pay.