Fran is the beta, and 2browneyes and Judyblue pre-read!
As the days have passed, Edward has done nothing but admonish himself for his foolish actions. Her body felt so right in his arms that his heart had overruled his mind, leading him to make a move that could very well cost both of them their lives. For he is under no illusions, King Carlisle is enamored by his bride to be, and even Edward would be vulnerable to his wrath.
In an attempt to bury the shame from his actions, Edward busies himself in training his knights. He spends every day on the field, running his men through combat simulations. These are important to keep Edward's mind off the feel of Bella's lips beneath his, but they also play another very important role.
He is preparing.
Bella was correct when she expressed her reasons for hiding her identity, so why would King Charles willingly hand her over to the enemy? Edward knows that whatever it is, the King of Policia's intent is dark. Preparing for an unseen threat gives him a focus that does not have silken hair and dark, doe eyes.
The sound of metal clashing causes his blood to pump in his veins. He has always been invigorated by the battle and practice is no different. He stalks around the opposing pairs he has squaring off, assessing each knight for weaknesses.
Propping his chin on his hand, he studies Tyler and Michael as they spar. "Spread your stance, Newton. A broader base will give you more control of your swings."
The men pause and Michael attempts to reposition as Edward has asked. "Like this?" He takes a firm stance with his feet still too close together.
Edward approaches and kicks his calf, pushing his legs further apart. "More like that. Start again."
The two men break out in a much more even battle, and Edward moves on to Jasper and Emmett, who is a big burly guy with a lot of strength but tends to act before he thinks.
"Pay attention to his movements, Emmett," Edward barks, irritation clear in his voice. "He is quick, but you are stronger. Use it to your advantage."
As the men twist and battle, Edward gets angrier due to the clumsy movements of Emmett's bulky frame. Though he knows that Jasper is a tough opponent, a man the size of Emmett should have an automatic advantage.
Just as Edward draws his sword, ready to spar with Emmett himself, Carlisle interrupts them. "Edward," he calls as he covers the last few feet between them, glancing around to the various battles occurring on the field. "I have hardly seen you lately. Is there a reason you are training so much?" Carlisle's brow is wrinkled as he looks over his most trusted knight.
"No, My Lord. Nothing specific, but you can never be over-prepared," Edward replies, instantly annoyed by his king's presence. "I cannot help but expect a move on the part of King Charles."
Carlisle grips his shoulder. "Let us walk."
Edward tenses with his touch, but he battles within himself to calm. This is a man whom he respects and admires, a man who raised him after his own parents were murdered—saved his life, even—but he is also the man who intends to wed his Bella. And because of that, a rage like no other burns Edward from the inside, a rage he is unable to quell.
Taking a discrete step to the side, brushing off his king's touch, Edward starts leading them away from the other knights. "Is there something, in particular, you would like to discuss?" he asks, once they are sufficiently away.
Carlisle releases a deep breath. "I know you, son. I have cared for you since you were a boy. It is not like you to spend so much time in the field. I know that I have been preoccupied with Isabe—"
Unable to allow Carlisle to speak her name, Edward brings his hand up and interrupts, "I am aware of your preoccupation, but I think one of us should be prepared. King Charles did not give his daughter's hand without a plan. Are we even sure she is to be trusted?"
King Carlisle stops his forward progress, and his blue eyes pierce Edward. "You will not speak ill of Isabella." Though his voice is calm, it is a deadly calm.
Even though Edward, himself, is not sure from where those words came, he cannot help but feel even angrier at the protectiveness in his king's voice. His mind decides in that second to push the matter further in an attempt to cast doubt upon Isabella and the validity of their betrothal.
"My Lord," Edward says forcefully, "while I know that you would not wish to think it, this would not be the first time someone has been planted inside a kingdom."
"Edward," Carlisle growls in warning, but what he does not realize is that the more defensive he becomes, it only feeds Edward's anger.
"No, sire. I will not allow you to be blinded by a woman. What do you even know about her?" Edward asks, but unbeknownst to him, he has only opened himself up to more pain.
King Carlisle throws his head back and laughs loudly. "What do I know about her? The question you should be asking is what do you know about her, because I can assure you I know her. While you have spent your days out here"—Carlisle motions around them—"I have spent my days by her side, not only discussing our intent to wed but learning every conceivable thing I can about her. Do you know why I do this, Edward?"
Too horrified to speak, Edward can only shake his head.
King Carlisle steps forth and grips Edward's shoulder firmly, and this time, Edward does not wince, for he is too empty inside to even react. "I do this because she is my chance, son. I have lived many lonely years, and now the heavens have opened and laid a gift at my feet. I plan to cherish that gift and hope with everything I am that she will cherish me in return."
Swallowing back the emotion that is sure to choke him, Edward says, "You love her already." Though it is not a question, Edward casts his eyes to the ground and prays that his king will deny it.
And though he does not, he also does not confirm it either. Instead, King Carlisle studies his knight, taking note of his defeated stance. "Son," he says and pauses until Edward finally looks back up. "Do you have news of a specific threat against Olympia?"
"No, My Lord," Edward replies, thankful that he did not hear the confirmation of his deepest fear aloud.
Carlisle nods and prods them to begin walking again. "Good, then how about you make yourself less scarce. Join us for mealtimes and meet her officially, get to know her. I think you will see for yourself that she is an exceptional woman, one worthy of my love."
Edward, unprepared for the sudden insinuation, has to clench his jaw to keep from screaming, You cannot love her. She is mine!
With deep breaths taken in through his nose, Edward fights the fury that is building within him. His mind works to reason with itself to the point that he fears he is going mad. He created this situation, he knows this, yet he cannot help but want to drive a blade through his king's chest.
After several steps of silence, Edward finally collects himself. "It would be an honor to spend time with my future queen, My Lord," he says, shocked by the words that are flowing from his lips.
Carlisle, on the other hand, breaks into a large smile. "See, that was not so hard, was it?" With a jovial shoulder bump, he stops them once more. "Finish up with the knights' training, and Isabella and I will see you for the evening meal."
"Yes, sire," Edward replies, standing still and watching as his triumphant king wanders off toward the castle.
Edward is both stupefied and disheartened by his actions. He has done everything he can daily to escape the thoughts of her, driving himself to keep busy every second, but he should have known Carlisle would seek him out. He should have prepared for a visit. He did not, though, and now he has only compromised them further.
Before he can even think it through, his feet start moving, the large bushy hedge already in his sights. For he knows exactly where she is due to his daily skulking tendencies. With purpose, he slinks into the shadows of the garden and moves along the brush, seeking the one he cannot forget.
Instead of simply observing, as usual, when the sweet sound of her voice meets his ears, this time he steps into the open without thought. Both Bella and Angela freeze in their spot, but it is the smile that forms upon her face that blooms inside his chest, taking his breath.
"Angela," Bella says before Edward can even recover. "Could you excuse us."
Angela's gaze snaps sharply to her princess, but before she can speak, Bella barks, "Now!"
With one last unsure look, the handmaiden scurries off, her mind in chaos over the choices her princess is making. Things have been better here in Olympia than she could have ever hoped for Isabella, and she worries that Edward will lead them all to their deaths.
Keeping the smile upon her face, Bella starts closing the distance between them. She has not seen him since their kiss days ago, and while she knows it did not resolve anything, she somehow has felt lighter than at any other point since her arrival. Knowing his motivation for giving her up has only endeared him more to her—if that is even possible.
So overcome is Edward by the happiness that is upon her face that he fails to retreat before she encloses her slender arms around his waist. Instead, he stands with his arms stiffly at his side until her scent permeates his airways. Unable to resist, though he did not come here for this, he wraps his arms around her back and savors the precious few seconds he is allowed to hold her.
When she does step back to peer up at him, her brow immediately wrinkles. "What is wrong?" she asks, already feeling alarmed.
Edward rubs his thumb across her forehead to smooth the lines and offers a small, unsure smile. "I have made a mistake, I am afraid." He steps back, severing all contact, causing a slight panic to build within her.
"No," she says forcefully, grabbing his hand to stop his movement. "Do not disappear again."
The shock of her words hit him full force, like a jolt of electricity moving through him. He shakes his head sadly. "Do you not see, Bella, we cannot do this." He waves his hands around them—the seclusion, the affection, the general rapport between two people who are assumed to have never spoken. "Carlisle has … urged that I make myself available to get to know his future wife. And I have foolishly accepted." He spins away from her and grips his hair in frustration. "What was I thinking?"
Though Isabella hears every word from his lips, she cannot make herself stay away. She steps closer, looping her arms around his waist from behind and laying her head upon his muscled back. He tenses but does not move. Instead, he reaches down and covers her hands with his own.
The contact between them is silent, but it is enough to calm his overwrought emotions. After absorbing all he can, he takes a deep breath and opens her arms to step away, keeping one of her hands in his but refusing to turn back to her completely.
With his eyes locked on an apple tree in the distance, Edward says, "I must go. Soon, I am expected to dine with my king and his future queen."
As he steps away, her hand drops to her side and tears shimmer in her eyes.
Wow, thanks for all the love last chapter! I did manage to get some writing done, and we're still on schedule for two this week.
A quick note about Angela, remember that she is who helped save his life with Bella originally. She already knows about their past and now their present, too, but she has been with Bella her whole life.
See you Thursday :)