Bella Donna

By RoxAnne Fox

Bella lives in a world that is changing around her and the people that live in Kiloran Isle, which is steeped in superstitions and fables. Wanting to prove the fables are just that, fables, she takes one of the enchanted roses from the abandoned Kiloran Castle. What Bella finds out though, is that the fables don't come anywhere close to the true magic on the island. Read Bella's story and find out how her wish to not live in a world full of superstition and lore opened a door for change and caused her to find an unexpected love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RoxAnne Fox
• Release date: Jul 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301238682

RoxAnne Fox

I am a mother, author, and dreamer. My mind is forever creating new worlds and characters and some day I wish to write full time so that I can share them all with you. Washington is my home state and love the fact that I will always be near my family and friends living in a beautiful place. I have traveled all over the country, even to Hawaii, and still feel more awed and inspired by Washington than anywhere else.​The inspiration I feel in my home state is translated into the stories I put out for you all to read. This inspiration can come from anything, be it the solitude of the forest or just watching the snow fall in my back yard. The first thing that really inspired me to write full stories—I had written mostly poetry previous to 2008—was seeing scat while hiking alone. My mind began to wander to wolves in the Cascades—which have since been found—on to those wolves being werewolves.That work, now called the Annan Werewolf Series, was mulled over for a long time and has gone through many transformations before returning to its roots. You can read her story by downloading the first free installment titled, Coming Home here at Smaswords and learn more about that series, and all of my books, by going to my website at: www.roxannefox.netWhen you read any of my stories please remember: I write for adults and I have no editor. With that said, please be kind. If you see mistakes in my stories, send me a message about them ([e-mail]) and don't be surprised when clothes hit the floor and the lights are turned down low... if you know what I mean. Even though you may find some errors while reading, beyond those small mistakes lie worlds full of unique, emotionally driven characters who keep you wanting more.

Book preview

Bella Donna

By Roxanne Fox

Published by Roxanne Fox at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Roxanne Fox

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 ~ The Rose

Chapter 2 ~ Proof

Chapter 3 ~ Kiloran Castle

Chapter 4 ~ The Beast

Chapter 5 ~ Home

Chapter 6 ~ Beautiful Beast

Chapter 7 ~ Mate

Epilogue

Explanation of unusual spellings:

When you read this you will see words that are not real—such as do’na for do not—or lines that sound odd grammatically. I wanted to convey a certain accent as it sounded in my head when I was writing this so that is why I have added them. This the first time I have attempted to write in such a way so I hope as you read it, it sounds in your mind the way it did in my own as I wrote it. In researching I have found that this kind of writing is typical in Ireland and Scotland when texting and tweeting so that their accent is heard correctly when someone reads what they have written.

Enjoy.

~Roxie

If you live on Kiloran Isle

You pay no king a tax

Your land is yours for free.

But if a Kiloran comes for your daughter

A payment it must be.

Chapter 1

The Rose

The short poem repeat in Bella’s mind as she gently held the white rose between two fingers, avoiding the thorns, even though she tried hard not to think on it. She couldn’t avoid it though, when the rose she held between her digits was one of the fabled ever blooming white roses found only on Kiloran land. There would be a price to pay should she be caught—at least that is how the fables went.

Bella looked up at the dilapidated castle. Vines were snaking up the walls and through the openings where windows once were. No one had seen a Kiloran in nearly three hundred years and it had been over a hundred years since the last girl had supposedly disappeared from the fabled land. According to the stories, that woman was on the property of her own volition just as Bella was, but unlike Bella she had gone to the castle because she was unwilling to sign the agreement for living on Kiloran Isle; free land if you are willing to forfeit your life or the life of a daughter or wife—always a woman—if a Kiloran should come asking for her.

Gretchen—as she was named in the tales—was said to have walked right to Kiloran Castle and was never seen again. A long howl, the beast of Kiloran they would whisper around the fire at night, was said to have called out that evening.

The stories she had heard buzzed in her mind as Bella placed the shears on the stem of the rose.

Gretchen’s fable was one of many around Kiloran Isle. It was odd to have to sign such a paper to live for free but many people agreed and nothing had happened because of it. Of course there were many who refused and left the island, mostly young girls who didn’t want to sign a paper like the fabled Gretchen. Bella hadn’t cared, it was of no mind for her to stay and take care of the family’s land; raise a family of her own on it, and care for her parents as they aged.

The shears cut through the thorn covered stalk as Bella smiled. It slipped between her fingers and without thinking she snatched the flower before it hit the ground. Her fingers wrapped around the stem and a large thorn pricked the tip of the one she would someday wear a wedding band on. Bella sucked in a breath as she removed the thorn watching the blood well and drop on the flower, safely in her other hand, as she brought the wounded tip to her mouth.

While sucking on the digit she watched as her blood seemed to run across the white rose, sink in, and turn the petals a deep crimson wherever it touched. Furrowing her brow she brought the flower closer, when a sound caught her attention. She nearly dropped the rose again, but as she crouched she was able to safely place it in the pocket of her apron.

Bella peered out behind the bush of brilliant white flowers, listening and searching, for anyone else in the castle garden. She was sure with