Love Can't Be Denied

The Engagement

"WHAT?!!" A screech echoes through the walls of the castle.

"My mind is made up, Bloom. You will not be marrying the prince of Eraklyon; instead, Prince Jared of Isis" Oritel places his hands on his youngest shoulders, in attempt to keep her calm.

"Mom?" The red head pleads, tears brimming in her eyes, but her mother just shakes her head with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but I'm afraid your father feels very strongly about this" the sugar coated way of saying she can't do anything about the situation.

The first tear falls and then more follow suit. She shrugs her father's hands off and runs up to her room, sealing herself inside. Her posse of maids sharing sympathetic looks for the heartbroken princess.

Later that week, when Bloom gave up trying to convince her dad about the engagement, the insisted prince held an appearance at the palace. Meanwhile, she had avoided all contact from her friends, especially Sky. Sitting in the throne room, her hands tightly woven together, anticipating the arrival of her soon-to-be by force, her thoughts raced. An hour passed and she relaxed, thinking they wouldn't show up, but...

"King Leo, Queen Briana and Prince Jared of Isis" a guard announced, the three walking into the room, adorned in heavy clothes. Each name seeming to fit each one perfectly.

"Welcome to Domino" Mariam greeted.
"The honor is ours" Leo spoke as they all bowed/curtsied in front of the family. "This is our son, Jared" the handsome prince took a step forward.

Oritel and Mariam looked at him, a blue haired, pale skinned gentleman with light green piercing eyes, standing at about 6'2. They looked at each other with approving smiles and then their daughter, who had wore deep frown.

"I'm sure in time, our children will learn to love one another" Oritel said, trying to convince everyone, especially his daughter.

While the pairs of parents went to the dining room for tea, snacks and discussion, the princess and prince went on a walk around the castle grounds, in hopes that they'll grow closer.

"So...Princess Bloom, what's it like here on Domino?" Jared spoke up to try and ease the tension between them.

"Bright and beautiful. Some could call it 'perfect'" she shot a death glare at him but he just ignored it. Sighing, she stopped walking and leaned against the railing of the small bridge they were crossing. "I'm sorry. I'm not upset with you. More or less, my dad. Everything was amazing and he just came out of nowhere with an arranged marriage..."

"And your heart belongs to another" he stood beside her, looking at her reflection through the water. Responding with a nod, he continued. "Well, I promise to love you the best I can, Princess. And, if you give me a chance, promise to knock you off your feet" he suddenly picked her up and stairted spinning around.

Bloom laughed at the surprise but little did she know who was coming over the horizon.
"So...this is why you have been ignoring me?" The all too familiar voice of Sky, her one true love, rang out. The world stopped, at least for Bloom. She didn't notice her soon-to-be place her down on her feet.

"Sky..." her voice barely above a hoarse whisper. Being snapped back into reality, she realized how terrible the situation actually is. "Sky, it's not what it looks like" she started off. How cliché.

"So... you weren't in another guys arms laughing? Oh good. I thought I was going crazy for a second" he stepped forward, a sarcastic smile plastered on his lips. "Or is that exactly how it is, Bloom?" She didn't respond, only hung her head down, feeling her eyes sting painfully.

"Hey man, it's not like that..." Jared stepped up beside Bloom. Sky's head snapped to look at him.

"Who are you and why are you with my girlfriend?" Sky asked, anger lacing every word.

"Your girlfriend is my fiancé" he threw his arm around her shoulder. Eyes wide, Sky looked down at Bloom in disbelief.

"Bloom? Is that true?" He tried to look her in the eye but she turned her head away. "Bloom..."

"I'm sorry, Sky" the first tear fell, and another, the another. Shrugging off Jared, she ran back to the castle, her heels warning everyone of her quick approach until she got to her room, where she locked the door and collapsed into her bed.

Kiko, being waken up from his bunny nap, hopped over to Bloom, getting her attention with gibberish and random noises. Smiling through her tears, she took her pet in her arms and gently hugged him.

"Oh, Kiko. Everything was perfect, now it's just a mess" more tears fell and plopped on his head and using his long ears, shielded himself with one and comforted his owner with the other.

A knock at the door disturbed them. "Bloom... sweetie. Are you ok?" Mariam asked from the other side of the door. Bloom got up and opened it, immediately being pulled into a warm embrace and happily excepted. "It's gonna be ok, my love" the mother kissed her mini me and patted her hair down.

Later that evening, while Bloom was taking a walk through the garden, a bright light caught her off guard and waited to see what was coming through it. 5 girls stepped out and she ran to them, pulling them into a group hug.
"BLOOM!" They screeched and hugged their best friend back.

"Hey Winx" tears filled her eyes and they hugged again, but once that was over, she was bombarded with questions. The main one was: WHAT'S GOING ON?! 

"Long story short, dad doesn't want me and Sky to get married anymore. Instead, the Prince of Isis"

"Who?" Stella asked.
"Prince Jared. The Prince of Isis. A very cold kingdom that has pretty good battle technology. Run by King Leo and Queen Brianna" Tecna ranted off from her computer.

"Thanks Tec" Stella looked from Tecna back to her best friend. "Have you talked to Sky?"

"Kinda..." she admitted, the sadness creeping back into her as she recalled what happened with Sky. Her friends hugged her again and gave her words of encouragement, but she couldn't help herself from thinking about what happened and even what's going to happen.

"So when's the wedding?" Aisha asked, which got everyone nervous.

"Hopefully never. No ring. No marriage, right?" Bloom asked, looking towards Stella, knowing she's a pro at that kinda thing.

"Uhm....not really. If the King doesn't see a better fit suitor, then you won't have any choice but to get married. Or if you get pregnant" she paused and looked up at down at Bloom. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

"STELLA!" The group screamed and she blushed.

"Ok. Not pregnant" they all laughed and relaxed, not knowing this would be the last time they would see Bloom in a long time.