IPOV

I couldn't believe it.

I shook my head, trying to wake myself from the dream I was surely in. Sir Edward Cullen did not just take my hand as we walked along the corridor. I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I was awake, but I knew he would see. So instead, I bit the inside of my mouth.

Ow!

Okay, definitely not dreaming.

And now I taste blood. Great.

I looked down at our inner-laced hands and a smile crept onto my face. He had been so sweet today, so attentive. Actually, he had been like that for the past few weeks, ever since he decided to pursue me. Sometimes I think it's all an act, that he's doing it out of sympathy or a bet. But when his green eyes look into mine, all I see is honesty and desire.

He wants me.

He turned to me, a smile on his face. "You okay?"

I nodded. He chuckled.

"You're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?"

I bit my lip. I wanted to tell him about Sir Jacob. He has stepped up his efforts in trying to woo me as he now knows his best friend is interested. Jacob has mentioned to me several times that he's feeling betrayed. He wants me and he thinks Edward is up to no good, another reason why I believe this is not for real.

"Isabella?" Sir Edward asked gently. We had stopped moving and he gently ran his free hand down my cheek.

I shook my head again.

He sighed. "Is this about Jacob?"

My eyes grew wide. He continued. "I know that he's angry with me. I can't help it. I know that what I'm feeling now," he gestured towards our hands, "is real. I get this electricity every time we touch. You've told me that you feel it too with me, but not with him. He needs to accept your decision."

I nodded and spoke quietly. "I thought he had taken it well, but apparently not. I am so sorry that I've come between you two."

Edward pulled me closer to him. "I don't ever want to hear you say that," he said, matching my voice level. "It's not your fault. We have been best friends for a long time; I'm certain things will be okay. Jacob isn't one to hold a grudge for long."

"What about the Princess's vision?"

His green eyes bore into mine. "Alice's visions are subjective; the future can always change. Just because she saw Jacob challenge me to a duel doesn't mean we actually do it…or that he even asks. The last few weeks her visions have been off." He moved a strand of hair behind my ear. "Don't worry about me. I will be fine."

He continued to look into my eyes. I pressed myself against him as hard as I could. I really wanted him to kiss me. He never has, although I make a point to hint every chance I get. I lowered my eyes from his to his lips and then back up again. Recognition dawned on his features as he realized what I was doing.

"Isabella…" he trailed off. We were being pulled towards each other magnetically. It was as though we were puppets in someone's play and were powerless to resist. His hand found my cheek again and he stroked it gently, leaning down and brushing his lips against mine.

"Excuse me," a voice said.

Edward's head snapped up and he scowled at the person interrupting. He didn't pull away, though. "Yes?" he said tersely. I turned to see Seth standing there, a scared expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, Sir," he said quickly. "I've been asked to fetch Lady Isabella; she has a guest at the main door." He shifted on one foot.

Edward looked back at me. "You are expecting company?"

I shook my head, confused. Who could it be?

He pushed me away gently and straightened. "Very well," he said to Seth. "Please tell Lady Isabella's guest she will be there in a moment."

Seth bowed and ran off. I chuckled. "You scared him."

He narrowed his eyes. "Seth couldn't have chosen a worse time." He pulled me to him again, but I pressed my hands on his chest.

"I'm sorry, Sir Edward. The moment's gone. I should tend to my guest." I pulled away. He looked hurt for a moment but then recovered. "As you wish."

I now ran my hand along his cheek. "Please don't be mad," I said, feeling his day-old stubble. "I hope you will kiss me later. I was very much looking forward to it."

He nodded and took my hand. "You better not keep your guest waiting." He turned and we continued along the corridor, walking at a brisk pace to reach the main hallway.

There was a man standing with his back to us. He was tall and lean, much like Edward, but with sandy-brown hair. I grinned widely. I'd know that form anywhere.

I broke away from Edward and started running at full speed. The man turned around and a smile crossed his face as his arms came up to embrace me in a hug. Unfortunately, I was going too fast to stop and plowed into him, knocking both of us over.

"Umph!" he said as his shoulder blades hit the marble floor.

"I'm so sorry," I said, sitting up.

He laughed. "Not a problem, Bells. You are a klutz, remember." He tweaked my nose, brown eyes shining. I stood quickly, smoothing my dress out and he jumped to his feet.

"Such a woman," he said teasingly. "Always worried about your clothes than whether someone is injured or not."

I shoved him. "I know you're okay; your big head took most of the fall."

He laughed loudly this time, the sound echoing through the main hall. Edward had approached quietly from behind.

"You love my big head," he said and pulled me into a tight hug. I squeezed him back as hard as I could.

"Indeed I do."

He pulled away and looked up at Edward, who was scowling at our embrace. I sighed. Time for introductions.

"This is Edward," I said to the man in front of me. He grinned and extended his hand. Then I turned to Edward. "Edward, meet Riley Swan, my brother."

Realization dawned on Edward's beautiful face and he took Riley's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Riley," he said warmly.

"Likewise," he replied. Thank God that's over.

Edward reached for me and I took his hand. "What brings you here, Riley?" he asked.

"I wanted to see my sister," he said, winking at me. "And I was hoping I could get a job here."

Job?

"Why?" I asked. He shrugged and ran his hand through his hair. "I've missed you Bells," he said, using the nickname he gave me as a child. "I've been away at school and now you're here. I thought I could maybe help out in the kitchen or something."

Edward cocked his head to the side. "You're a cook?"

Riley nodded. "Yes. There are no places hiring back home and I thought since Bells is a lady-in-waiting here that maybe…" he trailed off.

"It shouldn't be a problem," Edward said. "The King is looking for help. I can't guarantee that you'll be cooking, but I'm sure he can use you." He looked down at me. "We'll both give you a recommendation." I nodded up at him.

"That's very kind of you," Riley said. "I don't expect any special treatment and I'm scared as hell to meet the King, so knowing you have my back is comforting."

I tore my eyes away from Edward and took Riley's hand. "Anything for my one and only brother," I said honestly. He squeezed mine in response.

"Isabella," Edward said. "You never told me you had a brother." Riley looked at him.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I replied softly. "It just never came up." I batted my eyelashes at him. "Will it be a problem?"

He shook his head quickly. "No, not at all. I'm sorry about earlier, I was confused."

Riley waved him off. "No blood, no foul," he said smiling. He opened his mouth to say something else when the alert bell started ringing.

Edward's head snapped in the direction of it. I saw his jaw set. "Riley," he said firmly. "Please get Isabella and yourself into one of the rooms next to you. Do not come out until I come to get you." His voice told me there was no arguing on this.

"Yes, sir."

I watched Edward turn on his heel and head in the direction of the alarm bell. Three other Knights immediately appeared and they all ran in the same direction. I saw the head of Jacob as he disappeared in the crowd.

Riley pulled on my arm as he led me to a door. He stepped inside and looked around, making sure it was okay.

"It's clear," he said, shutting the door after I had crossed the threshold.

I hoped everything was okay. The recent events of break-ins had everyone on edge.

"Does this happen often?" my brother asked.

"Only recently," I replied, sitting down at the window. "There have been attempted break-ins in the past few weeks so the King has ordered extra security." Riley walked over and joined me. "I'm surprised you got in so easily."

"It wasn't that easy," he said. "I had to tip that page, Seth, to find you."

I wasn't surprised by that; Riley usually paid people to get what he wanted. "Do you really mean to work for Camelot?"

He nodded. "Absolutely. I'm done being a rebel. I've experienced life, now I want to work."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Mom and dad cut off your funds?"

He sighed. "I never got that much to begin with." He looked out the window. "I was hoping I could make a decent living, maybe meet this beautiful princess I've heard so much about…."

I took his hand. "She is beautiful, Riley and you would be good for her. Just get established and see what happens."

He glanced at me and squeezed my hand. "Tea?" he asked, getting up from the window. I nodded. He got up and walked to the table in the middle of the room.

"So how do you like it here?" he asked me. I didn't hear him. I was looking out the window and my panic was rising. "Bells?" he asked.

I backed away slowly. "Bells?" he repeated, placing an arm around me. I pointed at the window. "A man…" I gasped, "climbing up the window."

Riley immediately crossed the room and looked down.

"Get back, Bells," Riley said. He moved to the corner and grabbed a flag that was hanging on the wall. The man finished his climb and peeked in the window, grinning when he saw me. He threw a rock against the pane, smashing it. I screamed and ducked as shards of glass flew everywhere.

The guy began climbing in when Riley appeared in front of him. He looked up as he saw the flag come in contact with his forehead. It left a bloody crescent-shaped moon on him as he fell back, losing his grip on the rope. Riley readied the flag again.

The man reached for his dagger and was hit repeatedly. He was holding onto the rope for dear life, but Riley was determined that he would lose his grip.

Suddenly Riley threw the flag across the room and grabbed the rope, shaking it. He pushed down on the man's shoulders until he got his hand around Riley's neck.

There was noise below and suddenly, the man dropped. I heard a dull thud as he hit the grass below. I stayed in my position, scared that he took my brother with him.

A movement made me look up. Riley was coming towards me, his brown eyes almost black. "Are you okay, sis?"

I nodded. His gaze focused on my arm and he scowled. "You're bleeding." I followed his gaze and saw a piece of glass sticking out from my arm. I moved to pull it out.

"Don't," he said, reaching me. "It might make it worse." He looked around for something to use.

Suddenly the door flew open and Rosalie stood there, blue eyes wide. Before she said anything, she saw the blood. "Oh my God, Isabella!" she yelled, running in the room. Then she focused on Riley. "You will pay for this, you ass."

Riley was frozen in his spot, his eyes on her. She reached him and began hitting his chest. "You creep! Get out of here before we throw you in the dungeon."

"Rose," I said, quickly, wondering why Riley was just standing there. "He's okay. This is my brother, Riley. He was defending me."

Rosalie stopped, mid-swing and looked at me. "Your brother?" she asked. I nodded. She dropped her hand. "I'm sorry," she said, looking in his eyes. "I misunderstood."

Riley just stared at her. She waved a hand in front of his face. He snapped out of it. "Sorry," he said. "Yes, I'm Lady Isabella's brother."

What the hell was that?

Rosalie turned from him and grabbed my arm. "You have to get this looked at," she said. "Come on, it's safe now."

The three of us left the room and headed for the infirmary. I looked around for signs of battle but saw nothing. "What happened, Rose?" I asked.

"An attack from an unknown army," she said. We reached the infirmary just as Edward caught up to us. His sleeve was torn and his hair disheveled, but other than that he was unharmed.

"Is she alright?" he asked, panic in his voice.

"Someone broke the window of the room we were in and a shard of glass lodged itself in her arm," Riley said calmly. His eyes never left Rosalie.

Edward nodded and looked at me. His green eyes were wild with worry. "I'm fine, Edward," I said reassuringly as the nurse came over to me.

I was taken in the back room so the wound could be attended to. I was glad to have a few moments alone as it gave me time to think. Another attack. No leader, though. Sounds like no one was hurt, thank God.

Rosalie appeared in the doorway. "You ready?" she asked, her voice kind.

"Is Jacob okay?" I asked, worried more for her than for me. He is her brother, after all.

She nodded. "Yes. He was actually the first man on the scene, according to Edward. He said Jacob kept muttering something about 'Sir Jasper being right,' but no one knew what he was referring to." Rosalie fluffed her hair. "I'll ask him later."

I nodded and followed her out. I smiled at the two men standing in the next room, both with worried expressions on their faces. Edward reached out and took my hand, kissing it before turning to Riley.

"I don't think talking with the King today would be such a great idea," he said.

"Right there with you," Riley replied. "I will return tomorrow." We began walking to the main hall. Riley turned to me and pulled me into a hug, lifting me into the air.

"Be careful of her arm," Rosalie barked. I rolled my eyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow, sis. Be safe." He placed me back on the ground. "Edward," he said, extending his hand, "thank you." Edward nodded at him. Then he turned to Rosalie. "Lady Rosalie," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "It's been a pleasure." She nodded and smiled.

"Riley," she said softly.

I watched my brother leave the castle, watching for signs of intruders. He climbed onto his black horse quickly and the two of them cantered down the walk. I sighed and suddenly felt weak.

"I'm going to lie down," I said. Rose put her arm around me and looked at the Adonis in front of me.

"Edward, please inform the King of whyever Riley was here," she said curtly. "I'm going to help Lady Isabella to her chambers. I'm sure the King will want a report of what happened."

Edward clicked his heels together and bowed. "Yes, my lady," he replied. He turned to me. "I'll come and check on you later."

I nodded.

"I'll inform Jacob that you are okay," he said to her. She shrugged.

"Let him sweat a little," she said with a smirk.

He walked away quickly and Rosalie pulled me towards the Ladies' chambers. As we walked, I chill went down my spine. I knew that, for whatever reason, the serenity of Camelot was in jeopardy.

Something bad is on the horizon.

A/N: Whose army do you think it was?

Thanks for reading and reviewing last chapter. Do it again and I'll give you a teaser to chapter 11.

Have a good weekend!