Changing Times
When I woke up the next morning, my head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton and doused with syrup. My memories of the night before were disjointed, as if they were from a dream where the pieces didn't quite fit together in a logical way. Words and faces blurred together with no seeming rhyme or reason. I recalled flashes of Jacob, Edward, and Chelsea, yet couldn't grasp concrete images of what exactly occurred.
I didn't understand why my memory was hazy or why Carmen was so evasive with me. In fact, I barely got a second alone with her. She had servants in and out of my chambers all day, telling me everything was due for a thorough cleaning while she directed each one of them on their individual tasks.
I spent the day to myself relaxing because I didn't feel quite right. It wasn't illness, just a feeling of being off-balance—like coming to a standstill after spinning round and round. I tried to call Edward several times, but it always went straight to his voicemail. In fact, I tried to call each of my suitors over the course of the afternoon and evening and it was the same for all of them.
None of them had their phones on.
By the following morning, I'd still heard nothing from any of them. I called Chelsea and asked her to meet me for lunch. Something was off, and I needed to know what it was.
Carmen and I were both tense as we sat waiting for Chelsea to arrive. It was clear she was keeping something from me, but no amount of my prodding would make her talk. Chelsea finally appeared, all smiles and kissing my cheek.
"How are you today, Isabella?"
"I'm okay."
I kept up the small talk while the servers placed everything in front of us, but I watched Chelsea closely. She conversed with me and Carmen as usual, but it almost seemed like a mask. Like she was trying to overcompensate for something with bubbliness and enthusiasm. As the minutes ticked by, I grew increasingly edgy and tired with the facade the two of them were putting on, whether it was for me or for the staff around us. By the time our plates were cleared, and the room emptied of everyone except us, I was close to erupting.
"What is going on?" I asked, unable to hide the anger in my voice.
I expected the look of surprise on Chelsea's face, and she didn't disappoint. I wondered if all the courting officials had to go through extensive acting lessons to put on their shows for the Chosen Ones.
"You'll have to be more specific, Isabella. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there's a problem. You were there the other night. I want to know what happened. Why is my memory fuzzy?"
Concern flashed across her face and she stood, walking over to feel my cheeks and forehead. "Your memory is fuzzy? What do you mean? Are you feeling ill?"
I swatted her hands away and scowled. "I feel fine now, but I know something happened the other night."
She sat back down, sipping her tea nonchalantly. "What do you think happened?"
I groaned in frustration. "Why was Jacob there when I called for Edward? Why is it I can't remember specific details?"
She sent me an indulging smile. "There's no need to get upset. It was a simple case of miscommunication. Jacob thought you'd agreed to see him and was never told otherwise. When Edward showed up, it was all worked out."
"Worked out how?"
"You must have been exhausted from your day. You fell asleep and it was decided both Edward and Jacob should let you rest for the remainder of the evening. They went back to the courting house after you were settled in your bedroom. We can reschedule dates with both of them as soon as they return."
Anxiety flared inside me. They were gone.
Was it because of something I'd done? Were they being punished?
The thought of Edward being taken away from me made my heart ache.
"Return? From where? Why haven't I been able to reach them?"
She leaned over and patted my hand, sending me another worried glance. "You were told about this before. It's nothing to fret over. They went on a training exercise for a few days."
How could I not remember that? Had I been so pre-occupied lately I'd missed other important information by not paying attention?
I scratched my head. "When did you tell me this before?"
"At our last meeting."
I looked over at Carmen for confirmation, but she was staring at her lap. Chelsea didn't sound insincere, but it was still difficult for me to believe I'd completely missed this detail. Although, now that I thought back, I did recall something about Carmen having to tell me about my agreeing to meet with Jacob after the fact. Perhaps my ignorance was my fault and not them trying to slip things past me.
"Apparently I wasn't paying much attention at our last meeting. Can you please tell me now about what was discussed? What is this training they're doing? When are they getting back?"
"They will be back in three or four days."
I waited for her to expound, but she said nothing more. My irritation grew with each second of silence.
"They've only been here for less than two weeks and now they're gone on training for a week? Why? Training for what?"
"It's nothing to concern yourself with. All suitors go through the same procedure."
I gripped my thighs, trying to release some tension. Although she sounded sincere and thoughtful, I knew with everything in me she was lying. I didn't recall Rose ever talking to me about all of her suitors disappearing at the same time.
What we they doing to them? Or having them do?
What were they doing to Edward?
My chest tightened, fear coursing through me. In my gut, I knew something wasn't right and that it was likely due to my actions. It scared me to the core to think of Edward being in some kind of trouble because of me.
"What was it in the shot the doctor gave me? Is that why I can't remember that evening very well? Did they drug me?"
She shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous. As I understand, it was a combination of vitamins and a flu shot. We just want to keep you as healthy as possible."
"Vitamins? I'm already taking the new vitamins Carmen has been giving me. Why would I need more?"
She crossed her legs, reclining back as if she didn't have a concern in the world. "I don't have any medical training. You would have to ask your doctor about specific health questions. I only know the shot they gave you was to prevent illness, although they can often induce slight side effects, which is probably why you didn't feel like yourself that night. We'll be sure to note that in your file, so we won't overextend you in the future."
I wanted to laugh. I had tried to ask Dr. Smith questions and they were shot down even faster than those I asked Chelsea. It was clear I was never going to get a straightforward response.
Was this something I had ignored all of my life before now, or was I only noticing it now because I was asking the questions they didn't want to answer?
I needed to throw her off track. Make her stumble and spill out more than she was supposed to. This nagging feeling inside would never disappear if I didn't try my hardest to learn more about who controlled my life and what their intentions were.
For sure it wasn't me who controlled my life.
I took a deep breath. "Why are you pushing Jacob and I together? I thought the choice of my mate was up to me?"
"We aren't pushing Ja—"
"You are! You're always the most positive about him. You set up my meeting with him the other night. Please tell me why. If I knew the real reason behind why he was your favorite, it might persuade me to favor him, too."
Not likely, but she didn't need to know that. She pursed her lips, staring at me in silence for a minute, as if debating how much to reveal.
"You know everything you need to know. Jacob scored high on every trait important to you. He's displayed great affection for you and willingness to do anything to be your chosen companion. He's a perfect match and would make you happy."
I sighed heavily. It was the same runaround as I always got. "All of them scored high on the tests. All of them would make suitable matches."
"You seemed to have the greatest connection with Jacob. That's all everyone cares about. Everything we do is for you."
Lies. It was all a bunch of lies.
Carmen was biting her lip and wringing her hands when I pushed my chair back and stood up.
"How about this." I brushed off my skirt and straightened my shoulders. It was time to act the role of the princess they had made me to be. "I want to end the courting process now. I choose Edward. Bring him back immediately. No further training is required."
"Please sit down, Isabella," Chelsea demanded, her tone harsher than normal. "There's no need to be rash with this decision."
I stayed standing. "I'm not being rash. I've decided. It's over."
She smiled, but it was a small, strained smile. "It's not possible to end it at this moment. We can't do anything until they all return and they are unreachable right now."
I fell back into my chair, feeling defeated. Of course they would have some stipulation. It felt like I was being blocked from every direction.
Was this how they treated all of us? Did they push and push until everyone succumbed to their wishes?
Chelsea stood and walked over, taking a place behind me and rubbing my shoulders. "You should smile. Don't stress yourself out over little things. Times are changing, but I promise everything will work out for the best and you'll be very happy."
I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure what to do or say at this point. I was stuck.
Should I just go along and be as content as I could with my life?
"As soon as your suitors are back, I'll plan something fun for all of you. Take a few days and relax. There's no need to make any verdicts today."
That sounded a little promising. It seemed Edward wouldn't be disappearing from the equation completely. They surely wouldn't just take him out if Chelsea was assuring me he'd be back.
She didn't stay much longer, making her exit after informing us she had another meeting. I paced around my wing, trying to distract myself, until I couldn't take it any longer.
I called my best friend and told her to meet me at the pools.
Carmen was silent as she escorted me, and I didn't even bother to ask her any questions with all of the palace guards eyeing us as we walked. It would be pointless and only increase the distress and frustration I felt at the impasse my life had become when she wouldn't answer.
Rose was already in the water when I arrived, and I quickly disrobed and jumped in next to her. We swam a few laps, the tension in my body somewhat abating as I released some pent-up energy. Rose grabbed my arm just as I was about to push off the wall.
"What?" I asked, taking in her pink cheeks and excited eyes.
"Quiet," she whispered, making sure nobody was close to us. "You'll never believe it."
My stomach twisted in dread before I realized she wasn't going to tell me something awful. She was too happy for it to be bad news.
"What happened?"
"Emmett and I had sex last night."
My eyes almost popped out of my head. "Really? How?"
She laughed and raised her eyebrow. "Do you really need me to explain the mechanics?"
I slapped her arm. "You know what I meant!"
"Shhh!" She glanced around again, but both our nurses were sitting together talking at the other end of the pool. "He came over last night and everything started off like one of our normal dates. I even told him he was the one I was going to pick. We were so happy and kissing and making out..." She sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. "Then the courting official just up and left. He said he needed to take care of something and would be back later."
A faint memory of Chelsea saying something similar popped into my head. Did that really happen or had I imagined it?
"He just left you two alone?"
She nodded, her eyes open and sparkling again. "Yeah. Emmett and I were already halfway there and I practically attacked him as soon as the door closed. It was amazing. I love him so much."
I was happy for her, but jarred by this news. Why were the reins loosened on them? Why did the courting official leave and allow it to happen before they were married? Why was Rose's process with Emmett smoother than mine was with Edward? Had Rose simply gotten lucky because Emmett was the favored suitor of her group by the courting officials?
There were so many questions swirling in my head, I thought it might explode. I only wished there was someone who would give me the answers.
