Chapter 8: A Hungry Blaze

"Isabella Marie Swan, will you marry me?"

Happiness, joy, fear, excitement, uneasiness, shyness, and so many feelings at once, yet not one fit. Edward looked pleadingly at her, but she couldn't answer. As so many times before, her heart jumped to her mouth, and her hands shook. Then her father's soothing voice broke her trance.

"Say something, dear. The rest of your life is waiting."

Then she had her voice back.

"Yes!" she cried, "Yes!"

He smiled impossibly wide, quickly put away the ring, and stood so she could leap into his arms again. And they kissed and twirled around. Someone started playing the violin, and its calming sound filled her ears, easing her overwhelming feelings. Then Mother, Father, and the maids left, leaving her and her lover alone in peace.

Only the music and the fountains trickling sounds was heard.

When she woke up, Bella was in her familiar four-poster bed, in her dark room, wearing a nightgown. There was a chair in the corner, but today it was not empty.

"Good morning, love."

She jumped, facing the source of the sound. Edward smiled. She sighed with relief. Last night's memories then overflowed her mind.

"Oh!" she murmured. She looked at her hand.

A shining silver diamond was in the center of shimmering silver rubies, on the top of a gold band. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Bella stared at Edward, who shrugged.

"H-how did you pay for this?" she managed to say.

He shrugged again, but I saw a tight grimace. "Some way I did it, not that you need to know yet."

"But—the blacksmith?"

"Yes. Over a day he made it. Amazing, yes? Do you like it?"

"Of course I do. It's beautiful," she breathed

Edward sat on her bed, and put his hand on hers. "I get my own room now, though I'd prefer to sleep with the other servants…" He paused before he went on, a shy smile spread across his face. "Or you."

A question suddenly burned her tongue. "Did you do this just because of what happened to Sue?"

Immediately, she wanted to take that back. Her mouth snapped shut.

One corner of his mouth twitched. "A sliver of it," he said simply.

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be."

"So you really do love me?"

"Yes."

"Are you certain of yourself?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what I really want?"

"No."

"Do you want to find out?"

"No."

"Nor do I."

"We're not married yet."

"I know."

"When?"

"Ask my father."

"Want breakfast?"

"Yes, please."

He left, then bringing back a plate of tea, oatmeal, and bread.

"Thank you."

These short replies were bugging her, but it was a start. Since last night, things were going to be choppy for a while. But she ate her breakfast quietly. Edward's eyes were on her back, making her nervous.

"Your father said in two weeks time, for the wedding, I mean."

The wedding. "Yes. Where is it going to be?" She looked at him. Smiling weakly, she went on: "I'm not really the planning type."

He snorted, more loudly then he hoped, because he started laughing. She began giggling, then she, too, burst into laughter. But it grew silent as Bella kicked her plate onto the floor. Food splattered over the wooden boards. Edward, eyes still alight, called out the door. A manservant ran in with a mop.

"Good morning!" Edward greeted, slapping the young boy on the back, making the servant let out a grunt. The two men talked quietly while Bella got out of bed and played with her hair in front of the mirror. After the servant finished mopping, Edward wrapped he his arms around her waist, and whispered, "Meet you out at the courtyard."

But she grabbed his arm before he left. "Can we go someplace else?" It would take some time before she could get used to that place.

Edward eased her grip. "Sure. How about just the main entrance? We'll decide there."

He left, and then Jessica came in. "Quite a night there, Princess?"

Bella readied herself. "Oh, quite."

"Do you mind if I see your ring?" she asked as she took out a green dress.

She held out her hand, and smiled. This was proof of his love. Jessica distractedly put on the dress, between staring at the gorgeous wedding ring. Eventually, Bella interrupted her work.

"Jessica, you put my dress on backwards."

She reluctantly tore her gaze to the gown. She made a squeak sound. "Oh!" She hastily took it off and set it straight. "I'm sorry, Princess, it—it won't—"

Bella stopped her. She blinked calmly at the troubled maid. "It's all right, I'm not mad." Jessica let out a sigh. "I would be distracted, too." She laughed once. "And I am. But I need to meet him. Can you please hurry?"

"Oh, yes! Yes, Princess. Of course."

After Jessica left, Bella went to meet Edward. Ever since her maid came, she felt oddly calm and peaceful, like she was superior. But as she stepped down the stairs to the main entrance, she sensed the feeling wash away. Fear was replaced. Fear of what? She didn't know. Was it nervousness of the wedding? Maybe. She knew something bad was going to happen, but not knowing what made it worse.

Edward was in sight; however, he wasn't looking at her. He was staring at a woman. Oh, that foul beast, she thought angrily, fury bubbling inside her. Bella leaped the rest of the stairs, though careful to not tear her dress. She then punched Edward in the shoulder. He started; a wild look crossed his face.

"What was that for?" he snapped.

"Who's that?" she retorted, pointing at the woman, who's back was facing them.

"You should know! It's Sue."

The woman turned with a smile. "Hi," she greeted with a wave. But her smile was instantly wiped clean off her face as she saw Bella's rage. "Oh. Was—was I…?"

"No." Edward gestured for her. She hesitantly came. "Bella had a misunderstanding."

But she wasn't angry anymore. A question scorched her tongue.

"How's your baby?"

Perplexed looks demolished the sad and irritated looks.

"Uh…" Sue made a face. She was young, with black hair tied back in a bun. Her plain dress made her seem short, and her face was flawless. Leah looked just like her. "Well, good." Then she perked up, with joy in her voice, as if she could talk for hours. Bella often felt the same, especially with other women. "We named him Seth. He loves to play with my husband's bow. Harry, my husband, hopes he will be a great huntsman when he grows older. Leah watches the knights that pass by like she sees herself with them!"

"Well," Edward interrupted. "I think I'll just go do…uh, something else."

He kissed Bella on the cheek and went upstairs. She blushed. When she looked back at Sue, she was grinning mischievously.

"What?" she asked, embarrassed.

"He really loves you. I never thought a relationship between a princess and a manservant wouldn't last, but, ha, I'm wrong! You two are perfect. Am I invited to your wedding?"

"Of course! You and the rest of your family. Oh, please tell me more about Seth."

So Sue did, until night covered the windows. Then she said she had to leave, to take care of her children and her husband.

Her heart did a flip. Her wedding. She found Edward sitting on a bench in a spare room. It was big, probably for special guests. She'd never noticed it before.

"She left, so I can spend time with you," Bella whispered as she sat and leaned on his shoulder.

"Good."

"When do you want the wedding to be?"

"That depends on when you want it. Maybe next Saturday? At sunset in the church?"

"Maybe," she started, while he kissed her neck. "I thought we should do something more…open. And outside, like a garden—"

But at the mention of garden, Edward flinched and let go of Bella's hand. Startled, she scooted over, staring incredulously at him. She understood why, though. "I'm sorry. Do you—?"

"No, Bella, its fine." Edward stood abruptly. Then he dashed out. She sighed heavily. Then she, too, felt the impact of the word garden. James's garden held beautiful but horrific memories. So, with a somber smile to herself, she went to her room, to start reading Morning Frost. Bella barely read three pages before a knock sounded. Rolling her eyes, she answered it. But all that was there was a vase of roses.

There was a note attached:

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up every day
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

She felt like crying, she was so touched. Edward sent this, no doubt. But the signature was different. Signed his name—

Not his hand. Was this a trick? Just to be sure, she put the vase on her dresser and went to find Edward. Jessica was scrubbing the floor.

"Jessica!"

The girl jumped guiltily, knocking over the water bucket. Her skirt was now drenched.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Princess!" Jessica cried, hastily mopping the water up.

Bella held her hand, and Jessica looked at her with tears in her eyes.

"Sweetie, have you not learned anything from me? I will not hurt you, or turn you in. Does someone treat you this way? Brutally, I mean."

The maid nodded, putting down the rag. "Yes. Her name is Lauren. If we mess up in front of you, we get—we get—" She broke off in tears. Bella stroked her hair, holding her close.

"Hush, hush."

It was a little while before she was able to talk again.

"She only whips the girls. If the boys are misbehaving, she calls a soldier. A cruel one, too. Then he whips that servant. And some are forced to watch." She looked pleadingly at her princess. "Please, Your Highness, you must do something!"

"I will," Bella promised, intending to do so. "Did my father hire her?"

"I think so, but she acted very different in front of him, I suspect. Besides, she was much younger."

"Were you here yet when she was hired?"

"No. But the other, older maids tell me stories."

Bella smiled at Jessica. "Thank you for the information. But now I must ask another question."

"You're welcome. You can ask me anything, Princess."

"Do you know where Edward is?"

"Ah, your lover," Jessica teased. She seemed to be warming up to her. "No. At least, not that I know of. He might have been the one who ran up to the—"

Bella's dress rustled loudly as she ran in the direction the Jessica was pointing.

"Princess? Princess Bella! Where are you going?" Jessica's voice echoed across the hall, but she hardly understood it. Wind whistled in her ears.

Through the Outer Courtyard, Inner Courtyard, and out to the old willow tree.

Edward was there, twirling a rose in his hands. Hope flared in her chest. He did send those flowers! What if he didn't? a voice mocked in her head. She ignored it, but not completely.

Bella slowed down, not wanting Edward to see she was too eager.

"Oh, hello, love," he greeted cheerfully.

She grinned, taking a seat next to him. The ground was soft and spongy. "What does this place hold for you?" she asked playfully.

"It's peaceful," he replied, dropping the rose in her lap.

She swallowed her excitement of finding out if he did send the vase. "The courtyards?"

"Too…" He rolled his eyes. But she was happy he was out of his sudden anger at the abandon room. "There are too many flowers."

"And that means…?"

They laughed, as carefree as the air. She then gazed at the rose, while he watched her. There were no roses out here, she thought. Where did her get them from?

They didn't come from him, the voice said.

"Where'd this come from?"

Edward shrugged. "Found it on the ground."

"Oh," she said, trying to act as if she didn't care. But she did. So she faced him with a serious face. "Did you send me those flowers?"

"What flowers?"

Dragging Edward by the hand, she took him to her room. She showed him the flowers, then the note, supposedly in his signature.

Anger crossed his face. "Who did this?" he snarled. "When I find out…I'll—I'll—"

Bella put her hand over his mouth. "No," she whispered, and his tensed shoulders relaxed, as well as his rage. "There will be no bloodshed." She couldn't stand bloodiness at all. How did she survive Laurent's blood?

"But someone sent you flowers, and it wasn't me. Does that mean anything to you?"

Yes it does. "Of course. But that's no reason to hunt and kill the man. Please, it's just flowers, Edward. It's not like it's a date! Let it go."

"Fine," was all he said, but he'd do more. He wouldn't let anyone take her from him. A rush of pride and love filled her chest. "Now, with more news." Bella pushed him on the bed, lying on her pillows. "Let's make a list of who we're inviting to the wedding." At the mention of 'wedding', they both shuddered. Then they laughed as they noticed.

But Edward's laughter turned dark.

"Its flowers now, but soon it'll be dresses, then it'll be horses, and then he'll just show up, kicking me out—"

Bella grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him to silence. He smiled slightly. "And how do you know that'll happen?" she asked, with a hint of amusement.

He noticed. His grin grew wider. "I know a guy."

She rolled her eyes, making him laugh again. "Who? And how did 'this guy' get in our conversation?"

He looked down, smile gone. "It happened to Brady."

"Oh."

"Yes, he told me."

Her heart jumped. Brady? Before he came to the castle? A girl betrayed him? No wonder he was snappy, though, the day she hid in the servants' quarters' closet. She felt tears coming now.

"Bella!" Edward held her against his chest. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

She sniffed, wiping her eyes. "Brady is dead," she muttered.

"Hmm," he said, stroking her hair. She twisted her head to look at him. He had a blank face—probably remembering that day. Then it hit her. She didn't know what happened while she was gone.

"Edward, tell me what you saw after you found out I was taken."

He frowned, but said: "Yes."

They sat facing each other, under her covers. "It's going to be pretty long, my love," he muttered.

"I have long nights," Bella argued.

"Fine. Here we go. So, after the night on the beach…"

Bella zoned out, remembering their kisses on the sand. It was so nice and sweet, yet ended in terrible disaster. All because of twomen: Laurent and James. But Laurent, the cold-blooded dagger-holder, was dead now, too. James was where, though? Out running wild in the country? Or lost in a forest?

"…I found that piece of paper over by a dock."

She blinked, out of her trance. Edward gave her a look, asking a question mentally. Are you paying attention?

"Keep going. I was…uh…" She searched for the right words to explain her thoughts. He playfully rolled his eyes. "I was lost in thought. Please keep going. Sorry."

"Are you sure? I could—"

"Your Highness?" a voice called, knocking on the door.

She smiled at Edward, who whispered: "I'll get it."

So he got up and opened the door. "Hello, Tina…" At first his tone was light and cheerful, but it turned dark and angry. Bella swallowed. She knew what it was: another present from her admirer. Edward's fingers curled to a fist, but then he took a basket from Tina the maid and closed the door in her face.

As he set the over-flowing basket on her dresser—next to the flowers—his expression was blank, but his green eyes were sparkling with anger. He sat on the bed silently, laid against the pillow, and stared into space.

But the sudden quiet frightened Bella. She opened her mouth, but only a squeak came out. Edward still stared.

She tried again, this time only a whisper. "Who was that from?" she managed. Not waiting for an answer—not really wanting one, from the way his face darkened—she took the present to her bed. In it were fruits and flowers, neatly arranged. But the two most notable things were the letter attached and the roses.

Swallowing again, dread overcome by fear, she unfolded the note.

"'Good afternoon, Isabella,'" she read aloud, hoping Edward would say something. That probably wouldn't happen. "'I hope you got my last letter, along with the roses. I know those are your favorite. Do you think you would meet me somewhere—?'"

"Stop." Edward leaped up from the bed. Bella, startled, jumped. The note fell to the ground. She watched him pick it up and walk out her door, slamming it after him.

"Edward!" she hissed, angry now. She ran out into the hall, following him. He was right in front of her, note clutched in his clenched fist.

She'd wanted to read it anyway, even though it was too flattering. And although she would not meet with whoever sent it. Edward was the only man for her. But he seemed to think different.

He headed straight towards the kitchen, with Bella hurryingly along. She never noticed how fast he was, much too fast for her.

"Slow down!" she called, menace layering her voice. But she wasn't as angry as she sounded. Edward opened the kitchen door, making several cooks gasp. They started again when Bella entered, breathless.

He stopped at the fireplace, with a menacing expression—like there was revenge in this, yet it seemed he didn't know what for, or to whom—where the flames danced and spit sparks. Dread washed over her. He was going to throw it in the fire.

"No, Edward!" she shrieked, but he already threw the note in the hungry blaze.

A/N: Do you see the strange behavior yet? Don't be confused, it's part of my master plan. ;)

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