Chapter 10: Winds of Change
I stand before him wanting to reach out to him…protect him…console him…I just don't know what to say.
I'm still in whirlwind of darkness myself and the only thing I can manage is open my arms to him. I know
that the words that I have just spoken will change our lives forever. Edward stands before me unable to
move as if the very life has been sucked out of him…the playfulness has left his beautiful eyes to be
replaced by unspeakable pain. He can barely make his lips move to speak. He tries to swallow but all the
moisture is abandoned him. I walk up to him closing the distance between us. "But Isabella that would
mean you're my..." He looks up and falls into a dark abyss. Then it hits me like lightening… he thinks I'm
his sister… "No…no Edward, I'm not your sister. King Phillip was not my father. Your mother…the woman
told me that I was conceived with another man before my mother and father wed." Admitting this to him
crushes me with grief, lost, and betrayal but I will not fall helplessly before him. He needs me and I want
answers…for now I let my anger comfort me. He closes his eyes against the pain and confusion. Bella…is
this all true…I don't want to…this is just so confusing. I can't believe my mother is still alive. Where is she
I want to see her, talk to her?" I shake my head as tears cloud my eyes. He looks like a lost little boy.
"Bella, please try to see if you can remember anything she might have said that would help find her. I
want to know why she didn't fight for me. Was I not good enough for her love for his love? Why didn't he
want to claim me? Why she didn't come to tell me these things instead of you? I need answers." He steps
away from me and paces back and forth as his footsteps echo in the silent room my heart cry out for him.
His eyes are full of hurt, anger, and longing for the truth, for his mother. "Why did they not want me? Was
he ashamed of me… his bastard son?" The look of realization finally registers on his face. "He was
embarrassed by the…mistake that he made and claimed you as his own instead of me..."I wrap my arms
around him to console him…to stop him from hurting himself further. I know I'm losing him as I hold on
to him as his arms fall free. "No Edward you listen to me. You have been everything to everybody but
most of all…you are everything to me. I wouldn't be alive all these years if you were not there to protect
me from myself. We can get answer from my mother I promise I will make sure she answers for this.
Please don't slip away from me now. I need you…I will always need you…I love you. Forget about the
past…if you were a mistake then you wouldn't be here. Please don't tear yourself down like this…you…
are…" I have to think of something fast and I do what I know that I must to make him see how special he
is to me…to everyone. I kneel before him, "My king. The fires of Savor burn for you as do I." That must
have done the trick. He pulls me to my feet and smiles shyly as the pain in his eyes seem to fade. "You
don't ever have to kneel before me…before anyone." He needs my arms as badly as I need his. He runs his
hand down my arm in comfort, "Bella I know you don't know the whole story but if you want to find out. I
will be happy to help you find your father. I know this is hurting you inside…you don't have to hide your
anger or pain from me." I shake my head trying to hold back my tears as I lay my head on his chest.
"There is one ray of sunshine in this madness. I don't have to ask your mother for permission to have you
as my bride. I am free to have you as my wife now." I look away but he grabs my face in his hands and
kisses me deeply. The heat that lances through my body is all consuming like molting lava, burning away
the pain in its wake. How does he do this to me? I began to tremble uncontrollably in his embrace. What is
happening to me? I feel like I'm losing control of myself. "Breath…just listen to our heart beats…they beat
as one." I'm so torn on what to do and what I right. I don't know what will happen if I give into my need
for him. Will I hurt him physically, I have never thought about it. "What about Tanya...her family Edward,
when they find out your King then they will want you to truly marry their daughter." He raises one
eyebrow, Bella if this is all true, I'm king by right and I can marry whom I choose. I don't give a damn
what they think or want. Also it will be perfect for our people, to have a king again and the Figira as his
wife?" I nod slowly then look into his waiting eyes. I fear to hope but being by his side is more than I can
ever ask for. He rubs down my neck, "Look at me, I will never let you out of my sight again. I don't want
to know that pain ever again. That is why I insisted to the Captain that I lead my Night Hunter team to the
Land of the Figira…with you. I will protect you this time and I will not fail again." I grab his warm hand
and hold his against my cheek. "Edward, you did not fail me, there was no way to know these things were
going to happen." He closes his eyes and walks over to the window; opening it. The night breeze wraps
around us as if dancing through the room. He looks off towards the Cankos woods or what's left of them.
"Bella, I was careless I should have followed my instincts and never had you in the Cankos woods in the
first place. I don't know what I was thinking." I walk over and place my hands on his strong shoulders,
looking off toward the mountains. "You were thinking the same thing that I was; I just wanted to spend
time alone with you." He turns to me with the passion and fire of a thousand suns. He has changed before
me but instead of the alarm that most feel in the presence of a Night Hunter…I only feel hunger and need
for him…love. He kneels before me in front of the window staring deep into my eyes. His eyes are glowing
like the stars in the sky. "I promise to love you Isabella and I will always protect you no matter the cause
to me. You are my life until my death and possibly beyond. I want and need all of you or I will die trying to
have you." I watch as the words flow from his enticing lips. His tongue touches the tip of his sharp fangs
and it calls to me in carnal desire. I wrap my arms around his head and cradle it against my belly. I can
feel his warm breath through my gown. "Edward, I never knew this could feel this way. I want you and
yes I am yours…always. He lifts me in his arms carrying me to the bed. "Edward we can't do this, not like
this…not now." I say trying to stop him from making it to bed. I know once there it will be over for me. I
know I will not be able to refuse him. I struggle to move my lips to speak but I can only stare into his
heated eyes. He slides me down his lithe body slowly. I'm silenced with a kiss so full of passion all my
thoughts or reservations are washed away in a burning tide. He lays me down softly onto the sheets never
moving his eyes from my own as he crawls over me. "The way you look to me like this…through these
eyes are indescribable Bella." I laugh at him, "Well try my King" He closes his eyes takes a deep breath.
"You look like a beautiful phoenix on fire…I see you as you really are…rare…breathtaking. Figiras and
Night hunters are meant to mate…you know." He smiles down at me wickedly and I'm glad to have playful
Edward back. "We are perfectly paired they say." I try to push his chest but he's like a wall of stone. "I
want to do something to you Bella… I promise it will not hurt. Close your eyes and try to wipe out
everything from today…feel my touch…listen to my voice." I can feel my heart hammering. He looks so
lethal and dangerous above me. It makes my blood run hot with the need for him." So is this why you
spent so much time at the libraries? You were studying to art of seduction." I close my eyes and he
silently shakes his head putting his finger to my lips to quiet me. I can feel him leaning closer as he begins
to whisper words of comfort to me. The only sound I want or need to hear radiates through me down to
my soul. "Let me take care of you. I just want you to feel…" I feel his hot lips against my skin…I long for
more. I feel his teeth scrap softly against my skin… In a moment of unconscious bliss I call out to him.
"Edward" I can feel him quake with need above me. "I want you so…but not like this Edward…" He smiles
against my neck and nods in agreement. "No, my love…just one bite." he whispers against my ear sending
flames to the core of me igniting every fiber of my being. He opens his warmth mouth against my skin as
he prepares to sink his fangs into me. Anticipation runs rampant through me as I wait. Will this be
dangerous for me? Will it hurt me? No he would never do anything to hurt me. What if he doesn't know?
Like a glass shattering, the world that surrounds us comes back into focus. There is a knock at the door. "I
push him back as he snaps his teeth shut in a growl, "Perfect timing" he grins with humor. I can still feel
his heart pounding with a need that matches my own; as I remove my hand from his chest. I look at the
door, "Who is it? I ask nervously as I grab my robe. I am not to be disturbed tonight." Ms. Clearwater
responds back urgently," Princess it's your mother she is missing from her bed chambers. We think she
has been kidnapped please hurry." Edward jumps up to gathers his bearings; closing his eyes to calm
himself. His eyes change back to the ocean blue I love. I run for the door to open it. "What do you mean
missing, how could someone even get to her, she is the Figira. She could have protected herself. This is
just not possible." I'm trying not to panic. "Where is Captain Hale?" Sue is shaking with worry, "He left
out with a search party to find her, there was a loud noise from her room and when we got there she was
gone. Isabella you need to read the letter from your mother it may give you some insight as to what
happened maybe she had no choice." I nod as I turn to Edward's concerned frown. I know he is already
thinking and preparing. "Can you give me that letter on the table over there?" He grabs the letter from the
table. "Bella I will go talk with the other Night Hunters and find the Captain. Guards will be posted at
every entrance and exit. I will meet you in the Crown Room in an hour. Please talk to no one until then.
We will find her my love." He kisses me briefly and hurries to leave. I'm so torn with emotion. I feel this
nightmare has only begun. Mother where are you? I need you…I need answers…I need you. I crush her
letter to my chest afraid of the unspoken words inside…what will they say…what does all of this mean? I
stare out of my window. My eyes find the baker shop in town as he arrives to start baking fresh's bread
unaware that his Queen is now missing from her throne. What will I tell the people of Savor? Everyone
needs to know that Edward is the King of Savor and that I am by his side ready to protect our people from
what's to come… I hear a rumble in the far distance and I know that there's a storm on the horizon. The
rains of change are coming…for me.
Author's notes: I hope that you like this chapter…a little lemony I know but it is a love story of sorts. It
has a little of everything for everybody… I did add a little more to chapter 9 if any of you want to reread
it.