A/N: Monday morning is being very MONDAY-ish to me, my friends. Blargh.

Bella woke up disoriented. She didn't know why her head and eyes ached, nor why the nightstand by her bed was so unfamiliar.

Awareness came to her, and she gasped, pushing herself upright. Across the room on the chaise lounge, Edward also sat up right. He reached out, grasping at something that wasn't there. "What? What is it?"

He looked to where his hand grasped nothing but air. The expression of befuddlement on his face was so funny, Bella couldn't help but laugh. He looked at her, and it was then Bella remembered everything. This man was her husband, and she was in her wedding bed.

Her unconsummated wedding bed.

Bella's smile fell, and she pulled the blankets up against her. Would he be upset that she'd laughed at him? Perhaps…

But the damage, it seemed, was done. Edward rose to his feet and stepped toward her.

"I'm sorry, My Lord," Bella blurted. "I didn't mean to laugh. P-please. You must forgive me."

He stopped mid stride, that befuddled expression back. He tilted his head and stared at her. "You're afraid of me."

She ducked her head. "I'm not, My Lord. I mean… I'm not, Edward. I'm sorry."

Her heartbeat quickened as he strode toward her, fully awake now. She clenched her hands in fists and resolved that she wouldn't beg as she very much wanted to. This was her husband, after all. She was his to do with as he liked.

Edward came and sat on the edge of her bed. He put two fingers beneath her chin and raised her head to look at him. "Do you remember what I promised you last night, Isabella?"

Of course she did. She'd lain awake a long while the night before, not daring to believe he meant what he said. She was used to Felix, who played mind games often. Jane's games were even more subtle. Despite how much she wanted to believe his promises, most of her had been certain he would come to bed the instant she let her guard down, and that he would hurt her if she tried to refuse him, no matter what he'd sworn.

"I remember," she said simply.

He studied her. "I'll say it again. I will not beat you." He let his hand drop to his lap. "Truth be told, I've never understood the practice. Our vows dictate that I take you under the cloak of my protection. How is it protecting you if I'm the one hurting you?"

Bella pulled the blankets tighter around her shoulders. Though she believed he would keep his promise not to touch her—for the moment—it still felt strange to have a man close to her when she was only in her dressing gown. "They say it's a man's job to correct and guide his wife."

"Do you believe that?"

Carefully, Bella raised her eyes to look at him. His eyes were as soft as his tone. Gentle and wise, Esme had said. Bella shook her head in answer to his question. "Even when he was was angry with her, I never knew my father to correct my mother."

Her words brought on a fresh wave of anguish as Bella remembered she would never see her mother again. She pressed her lips together and looked away from Edward. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly to ward off the tears.

Well over a year ago, the King had taken to having Bella beaten after every one of her brother's victories. She was dragged before the court to be bruised, bloodied, and shamed at Felix's discretion. After their engagement was broken, he had done the honors himself, all to send Emmett Swan a message. Of what, Bella had never learned.

Either way, each time, she had picked herself up off the floor, held her head high, and walked—oh, gods, it had ached so badly to walk upright at times—back to her room, willing herself not to cry. In her room, she pushed Angela away and only when she was alone did she collapse into a puddle of misery on her bed, sobbing her hurt and fear and degradation into her pillow.

Alone, she imagined her mother's soft hands. It had been years since she was touched with anything resembling tenderness. She went deep inside herself and pulled out the exact memory of her mother's comfort—the warmth of her body when she held Bella. Her patient fingers smoothing the gnarls out of Bella's hair. Her soft voice whispering words of comfort and strength.

Knowing her mother would come for her was the only thing that kept her alive in those dark moments, when it felt like her life was destined to be nothing but pain, shame, and loneliness. She still had the trust of a child who knew without a doubt that her mother would always come for her.

Now, she could not.

Bella's lower lip trembled. She wrapped her arms around herself and angled her body away from her husband. She winced when he touched her cheek but managed to keep herself otherwise still.

"You don't need to hide your grief from me, Isabella." He touched a hand briefly to her arm but pulled it back quickly. "I admired your mother a great deal. She was a strong, fierce woman. I wonder, my dear, if you know how many times she tried to get you back."

Bella raised her head, looking at him.

"You know my brother Alec was your brother's prisoner at one point?" Edward asked. When Bella nodded, he continued. "Word from our spies was that your mother was pushing your brother to trade—you for him. Lord Emmett couldn't do it, and they both knew it. Still, she pushed. She wanted you away from all of us, all of this, more than anything. And then Alec escaped. Oh, you can bet your brother regretted being unable to make the trade most bitterly then."

Bella closed her eyes, losing her battle against her tears. She covered her face with her hands.

Edward moved off the bed, giving her space, she thought. She was lost for minutes to her tears, but with some effort, was able to compose herself.

She heard Edward walk to a small table where he had wine. He poured two glasses and brought them over, handing her one. "Here. I know you don't like it, but have a little. I wish I had a cure to ease the pain of such a tremendous loss, I am, however, familiar with the wonderful qualities of a good wine." He smiled when she took the glass. "Whiskey is better, but this is very good wine."

Obedient to her lord if nothing else, Bella took a small drink. "How do you know I don't like wine?"

"I make it my business to observe people. Everyone at court. You only drink when Jane or Felix has you served." Edward's lips twitched. "And I saw you once pour your untouched wine in Sir Alistair's goblet when you thought no one was watching." He smiled full on when her head snapped up, her eyes wide with horror. "Someone is always watching, Isabella."

"Oh, gods. Oh no. My Lord, I—"

"Don't be nervous. Sir Alistair doesn't like to be out of drink, so you saved the serving boy a trip." He smirked. "And, I thought it was funny."

Bella took another drink of the wine to cover her embarrassment. "I don't like that it makes me lightheaded."

"That's half the point, my dear wife. It's fun to be lightheaded."

"I don't like that it makes it hard to think."

Edward's smile fell, and he nodded, taking a long pull from his own glass. "Ah, yes." He tilted the glass in his hand, watching the dark liquid circle. "Life for you has been a matter of constant vigilance, hasn't it?"

Bella's heart skipped a beat. She regretted her choice of words and his damnable powers of observation. "I'm treated well by the king and his court," she said by rote.

He locked eyes with her. "No, you aren't." He polished off the wine. "I will send your lady's maid to you. We can break our fast in the gardens. I know a spot where we won't be disturbed. Would that please you?"

"Of course."

He held her gaze a beat and his smile then was sad. "You wouldn't tell me if it didn't please you, would you?"

Bella didn't answer. She didn't know how to answer that, but she suspected Edward didn't need an answer. Her place was to be biddable and agreeable. What she wanted hadn't mattered in two years, and it wouldn't matter now.

Besides, what she wanted now—the only thing she wanted—was to be with her mother, father, and brothers again. No matter how kind Edward was or wasn't, he couldn't give her that.

Edward sighed. "In any event. You had nothing to eat yesterday. A little fresh air and a solid meal will do us both a world of good."

He made himself scarce while she was attended to by Angela. When she was dressed and combed, Edward reappeared. He offered his arm, and she took it. They strolled into the gardens where, indeed, he had a secluded place in mind. Only a duo of servants attended them, serving wine, orange juice, porridge with brown sugar and butter for Bella, and bacon and eggs for Edward.

As they walked and then breakfasted, Edward spoke a bit about his family. It was gratifying to hear embarrassing stories of Jane when she was a young girl, and Bella giggled trying to imagine the one time Edward saw his father get drunk. It was hard to imagine the unflappable Aro Masen drunk off his respectable ass.

"I don't know much about your brothers," Bella said, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Hmm. My brothers." Edward sighed. "Our precious king was named after my elder brother, Felix. He was the pride of our family. Handsome, strong, bold. A good warrior. Not good enough, obviously."

"But was he nice to you?"

"No." He took a long drink of his wine and tilted his head to give her a small smile. "But it wasn't personal like it is with Jane. Felix wasn't nice to anyone. He was much like my father—cold and ruthless. Felix was his pride and joy."

Bella frowned, and her heart ached. "Was there no kindness at all for you in your household?" That idea pained her. Perhaps these last two years had been hell for her, but she'd had a happy childhood with two loving parents and three bratty brothers.

"Oh, there's no need to worry about me. I made friends with the servants, and believe me when I say, they were better company. I've never been without friends." He shrugged. "And Alec was there. He's pleasant enough on his own. He loves me as a brother should." His lips turned downward. "The problem with Alec is that he's obedient. He's obedient to the wishes of the king and our father. But mostly, he's obedient to Jane."

Bella's stomach churned, and not for the first time, she wondered exactly how much truth there was to the claim about the king. All of this had started when her father had questioned the legitimacy of Jane's children. She knew who popular gossip said fathered Jane's three children, including the current King Felix. Now, her father was dead and the kingdoms were at war over the high throne.

She knew better than to ask.

Edward stood and stretched, staring out at the sea. His hair ruffled in the breeze. "I'm not sure if you realize, Isabella, but this isn't our home."

Bella blinked. As a high born young lady, she had been well schooled in the other houses. The capital city of Volterra belonged to the Volturi family, and the sitting king was a Volturi. However, the king's mother, former Queen Jane, was a Masen, just as Bella was now. They were from a land to the south and west. A beautiful place by the sea, from what she understood.

"You're to inherit your father's lands," she said aloud, realizing.

Edward nodded. "When my father dies, I will have to go and see to my new lands. Besides, my nephew despises me. He'll throw me off the inner council as soon as my father isn't there to stop him."

Bella shivered. It seemed too tame an action for the devil-king. But surely, he wouldn't kill his uncle?

Well, no. Bella didn't put it past him.

Edward turned around. "Would that please you, my wife? To be the Lady of Casterly Port. Far away from here?"

That stunned Bella. Two years ago, she had thought that dream—of what her life should be, married to a kind, handsome Lord—had fallen to pieces on the floor along with her father's head. The idea she could have it wouldn't sink in. She was too scared to let it.

However, it only made rational sense. She was Edward's wife, and would be for the rest of her life. Someone had to be the lord of Casterly Port, and he was the only surviving heir.

"I think I would like that very much," she whispered, the first truth she'd spoken in a very long time.

He turned to her, a pleased smile on his face. "Good."

"Is that what you want?" she asked. "It sounded as though you had no love for your home."

"I have no...attachment to my family. My home, however, is as good a place as any. Better than some." He swept his hand wide over the view. "Better than here for many reasons. Smaller. Much less complicated."

Bella snorted softly. "Yes, well. That doesn't take much, does it?"

Strange. She'd known all her life she would grow up to marry a lord and be lady of a land far away from the one she'd known. She'd never understood what that meant. She'd never understood when her mother told her there were times she still felt like a stranger in Rainfall where she'd spent most her life.

All things considered, though, she would take being a stranger making a home in a distant land over being captive to a malevolent king any day. That was another strange thing to consider—that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't a captive any longer.

Oh, she knew she wasn't free to leave the city. She knew she couldn't see her brother. But she was beginning to understand that being Edward's wife came with more possibility than she'd had just the day before.

Bella was so afraid to hope.

A/N: Many thanks to Betsy, JessyPT, Eleanor, Mina, and Packy for keeping my docs lively.

Dig the gorgeous banner Mina made me. It's so pretty. I don't know how she manages to make such incredible works of art every time. I think this is my favorite after Trouble Follows.