Here's chapter 9, please please please review!
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The day of the mask I made sure the hall was set up appropriately and then went to fetch my ladies.
"Now be willowy, we want to look like angels." My dress was fancier then all the other girls, and very intricate. I had chosen a blue and silver dress that had designs sewn into the sides and all up my stomach. I demanded to have my corset, ignoring my doctors' orders and my hair was left loose and curly. I pulled on my blue and silver mask and smiled at my reflection. I put on a pair of earrings and then quickly went to gather my ladies.
"You look stunning." I smiled at the ladies and then went down the line to check them.
"Very good, remember what we discussed and our entry points." They all nodded and we headed down the halls. All the men were waiting for us and we split up. We would enter at different time to confuse the men. Rosalie was the first to enter. I watched as she spun through the room and danced around the men's legs. Edward seemed amused by this, but was quickly confused by the next group entering. Everyone turned and then another group entered. It continued that way as my ladies danced, and then it was my turn. I was with Tanya and she spun out before me. I followed slowly and curtsied to the king.
"Your majesty." He grinned and jumped down from his throne. He quickly pulled me to his arms and everyone started dancing.
"You look quite stunning in that color." I laughed as he spun me.
"So I've been told." He kissed my forehead quickly and then spun me again.
"I should be careful, my betrothed is supposed to be here, only I cannot seem to find her. All I see is this beautiful angel before me." I blushed and laughed with him.
"Well then you should look closer." He laughed as I pulled away and danced with Carlisle.
"You should not test the kings' patience." I stared at him in shock.
"Has he said something?" Carlisle shook his head but turned away.
"Not directly, but you can see it sometimes when he looks at you. Like you're a puzzle he's trying to solve." I raised an eyebrow and spun.
"I'm sure that's not a bad thing." Carlisle shrugged and turned to see Esme.
"Go dance with her." I pushed him away and then made my way over to Tanya.
"Do you think I test the kings' patience?" She laughed and picked up Rosie.
"Oh every day, but it's not a bad thing." I sighed and glanced out for him.
"I need a moment." She nodded and I slipped out to the gardens. I was just turning a corner when I saw him. I paused as he spoke with my brother, who then hurried back into the hall. I started walking in the other direction of the garden and leaned back against a tree.
"Bella?" Edward walked up to me slowly and grinned at me.
"Your majesty." He had stopped fighting with me about calling him Edward and let me do it when I pleased.
"Are you feeling okay?" I nodded and glanced up at him warily.
"Do I test your patience?" His eyes widened and he gave out a loud laugh.
"More then you could possibly know." He leaned down and kissed behind my ear.
"Does it bother you?" He shook his head and ran a hand down the front of my corset.
"Not in the slightest." I eased into his touch and glanced around.
"Do you think we would be terribly missed if we didn't go back?" His eyes lit up and he glanced at me.
"What did you have in mind?" I shrugged and moved away from the tree.
"I'm not sure exactly, but I'm not in the mood for dancing right now." His hands were on my hips and he pulled me back into his arms.
"I could think of a few things we could do." I leaned back against his chest and shook my head.
"No, that's your Christmas present." He laughed and kissed my neck.
"Ah very well, what would you like to do?" I glanced up at him and grinned.
"I have no idea." He grinned and kissed down my neck.
"Then let's just walk." I smiled and looped my arm with his.
"That sounds like an amazing idea." He smiled and kissed behind my ear.
"So have you picked your dress yet?" I was surprised that he was the one to bring up the wedding.
"Yes, and I hope you will like it." He ran a hand across my back.
"I'm sure you will look stunning, however I know I will like it better once I am taking it off of you." I blushed scarlet and hid my face in his shoulder.
"Your majesty…" I stifled a laugh into his arms and he pulled my chin up and met my eyes.
"I love making you blush." I grinned and stood up on my toes to kiss him.
"I know you do." He laughed and patted my hand. We walked in silence for a long while, stealing kisses and laughing at each other. The moon was high and Edward pulled me to face him.
"Come, let us retire." I followed him silently to his room and let him untie my dress. His hands were quick and gentle as he pulled the laces loose. I stepped out of the dress quickly and he gasped at me.
"Edward?" He spun me and glanced at my back. He pulled my corset off quickly and pulled at my nightgown.
"Edward!" I spun away from him and saw he had blood on his hand.
"The doctor gave you orders." His face was furious and I felt the warm liquid spread down my back.
"It was just one time…" He narrowed his eyes and then called for the maid to come. She hurried in with wet towels and started cleaning my back. He called for the doctor to be brought and stared me down as I pouted.
"Your majesty, is there a problem?" He glanced at me and clucked his tongue disapprovingly.
"I see she doesn't listen very well." Edward rolled his eyes and stormed out to the balcony.
"It was just one time…" The doctor silenced me and cleaned my back. I cried out when he poured the burning liquid into the cut and I clutched at the bedposts. I expected Edward to come take my hand, but I couldn't see him. A few tears slipped down my cheeks as he dabbed my back and then covered it again.
"Every time you wear the corset this will have to be done. Just a few days Lady Bella, no one will look down upon you for being injured." I nodded and he left quickly. I sat at the edge of Edward's bed and waited for him to come to me. I turned to see what was taking him so long and he was still on the balcony. I sighed and rose slowly. I slipped back into my room and put on a clean nightgown. I brushed through my hair quickly and snuck back into his chamber. He was still facing away from me and I angrily climbed into his bed. I set my head down on the pillow and faced the wall angrily. It wasn't long before I saw the candles blow out and felt him climb next to me. His arms wound around my waist carefully and pulled me into his arms.
"You really must listen to the doctor." I pulled away from him but his arms were like stone.
"I don't feel like talking." He kissed my shoulder and moved his way up my neck.
"Sweet Bella, I tell you because I care. I don't want to lose you to a shoulder injury." His voice was gentle as he whispered in my ear and I sighed.
"I don't want to be seen as weak." He laughed and turned me so I was facing him.
"Isabella, you were shot in the shoulder while running from the resistance; that hardly makes you weak." I grinned with him and laid my head in the crook of his neck.
"I suppose that would make sense..." He grinned and kissed behind my ear.
"You are setting a very stubborn example for Rosalie you know." I laughed and glanced up at him.
"Please, she spends so much time with Tanya I hardly have an effect on her." He grinned and kissed me gently. I sighed against his lips and he pulled me down to his chest.
"Couldn't we just…" I smiled against his lips and rolled away.
"Not a chance. Cuddle or nothing." He rolled his eyes and pulled me back into his arms.
"I guess I'll have to settle for cuddling." I grinned and curled closer into his chest.
"Good because I'm sore and just want to be held." He sighed in my hair and rubbed his hands down my back.
"Then I shall hold you until my arms fall off." I laughed and playfully hit his shoulder.
"Sleep Edward, you've had a long day of putting up with me." He kissed my neck.
"I couldn't agree more." He fell asleep with his head buried in my neck and I fell asleep shortly after him. We would make great rulers of England, I already knew it.
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