Chapter 14 – Reunion of the Heart

EEEK it's Wednesday ALREADY.. what the heck happened. So sorry. I do so love all the reviews. You are all so much fun.

The bottom dropped out of my stomach at his words, but the nervous way Trainer and Esme were bustling around their cottage and gathering up things served to truly terrify me.

"Carlisle, is she ready? Can we do this? What if we fail? What will happen to our family if this doesn't work?" Esme fired off questions like shots from Edward's slingshot. I just stood in the middle of the chaos as they worked frantically around me.

Finally it was Trainer that stopped and pulled Esme to his chest. "Woman, do you trust in me to keep you safe? Have I ever failed to do what I have said I would do?"

I saw her take a calming breath and shake her head. "No, my love. You are right. I am sorry to have worried. I know you will put us all first."

Not wanted to intrude on their emotional moment I looked away, but I felt so alone. I knew that Trainer would take care of his family, but what was going to happen to me?

As if he read my mind Trainer pulled me into their hug. "Now, don't you get to worrying too. You are a part of this family too. When I took you from that dungeon, you became my ward, but as you have grown you have become my child. My protection will guard you as well. Plus we have many friends in the Kingdom. All will be well."

I was touched by his words, and tears gathered in my eyes. "Thank you Trainer. Thank you for helping me, but please don't put your family's lives in danger." Esme wiggled in Trainers embrace until she could see me clearly.

"I love you sweet B. You were my first daughter. I may not have given you life, but I helped to bring you life with the milk from my breast, and the food on your plate. I have loved you since you were a babe. We will protect our family, and that means you too."

I could only nod at her words. Never had I felt such love from another person. Even though I knew Edward loved me, he had never spoken those words. Esme and Trainer's actions made me feel like I could fly.

As we pulled away, I thought I saw tears in Trainer's eyes, but he quickly wiped them away.

"Now, let's be done with this emotional stuff. You know I hate it." He said with a smile. "We need to get her dressed and prepared for the ceremony. The King is surely going to be beside himself when he realizes what we have done."

Not really understanding what he was talking about, I went with Esme as she washed my hair and body, put lotions and smelling salts on my skin, and dressed me in one of the finest white gowns I had ever seen. The silky material fell all the way to my feet, and the layers of fabric shook side to side when I walked. The rest of the dress was tight against my skin and held my breast high while still allowing them to be covered. I felt like a princess.

Next she braided my hair down my back and curled a few strands of hair on each side of my face with a hot rod.

When she was finished she stood me in the main room for Trainer to inspect. "You look beautiful. Don't be afraid, and remember all that we have taught you. If you follow all the plans, this will work out just fine."

I nodded as Trainer pulled a black cloak with a heavy hood over my back and brought the hood up over my head. All I could see was my feet as he lead me to the King's Castle.

Each step brought not only dread but also anticipation. I was finally going to see my Edward again. I couldn't help but to worry that he would still want me after so many years of being away. To keep my doubts at bay, I concentrated on the lessons Esme had taught me over of the years. I would do my best to make him proud.

All to soon we arrived at the Main Hall, and although I couldn't see what was happening due to the hood over my head, I could hear the voices of the many servants busily getting ready for the event.

"Esme, stay here with B for a moment. I must notify the King that we are here." Trainer whispered. I hadn't even realized that Esme had been allowed to follow. Most of the time, she never came with us back to the castle, but I was relieved to know that she was there. I did want to ask where the boys were. I knew they wouldn't be allowed to come with us, but I didn't hear Trainer send them away. Perhaps the family next door was watching them. I missed them already.

She reached out and grabbed my hand through the cloak, and even though the fabric kept us from touching, the warmth of her hand gave me the support I needed. Even more so when she squeezed my hand in hers.

"So, there's the little demon that has plagued my son's every thought. Remove her hood, and let me see how she has grown. I have looked forward to enjoying the look of her body now that she has become a woman." The King's voice was dark and menacing but also held a touch of sarcasm. He's intention of humiliating me was clear.

My cloak was removed, and I gracefully lowered myself into a waiting position with my head on the floor.

"Get up you fool. Did you hear that I wanted to see you? What has she gone dumb since I was last here?" He mocked.

My temper simmered in my belly. It wouldn't do to get upset. This was all a test to see if I would mess up for him, and I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Nothing would get in the way of me seeing my Edward again.

I stood before him, careful to keep my eyes on the floor.

"Well, you certainly don't disappoint. What a lovely slave you have become. I am almost saddened that I didn't get a taste of you before you spend the last six years in the dungeons." He tilted my chin up so my eyes would meet his. "How did you fare my sweet little slave? Are you well rounded in all things that a bed slave should know? Shall I take a sample now before the main event?"

He began to pull me to him, and I saw his intention before I could react. His head dipped to brush his lips against mine. Luckily, I didn't pull away, but in the end there was no need. Trainer's voice stopped the King just above my lips.

"Sir, the Prince is ready. Shall we move to the next room? I am sure you are ready to see this at it's end."

To my surprise the King did move back, but not without giving Trainer a nasty look as he said, "I will do as I see fit, and you will say nothing of it. If I wanted to gut her here and now, you would have no control over my knife. Is that clear, Carlisle? Or does your Esme here need to remind you of your place in this castle."

My gasp of horror went unnoticed as Trainer fell to one knee and placed a hand to his chest. "To your honor, my King, I did not mean to offend."

The situation was tense, but at last the King sighed and moved away. " It appears that my need for bloodshed has not gone away with my six years at war. I am weary and ready for release. Let's get this done with so I can move on with other things."

"As you wish my King." Trainer said as he stood up, and grabbed my arm. Esme followed us into the next room, but stopped at the door.

"You will sit here until I get her situated, don't speak to any one. No one is safe." Trainer whispered in her ear.

Esme sat on a chair near the door, and I took a chance to glance her way as we moved more to the center of the room. She looked scared, but she gave me a small smile.

"Her clothes will never do." The King announced. "My son doesn't like to see his conquests. Captain, bring Carlisle the appropriate attire."

Trainer tensed beside me, this wasn't something he expected, but he took the leather garments, and began to move me out of the room again.

"Stop! Where do you think you are going?" The King demanded.

"I was going to prepare the slave, your highness. Did you not want her in these clothes?"

"She will be afforded no modesty today. Remove her clothes and get her prepared. I am sure my men are looking forward to the show." A few men around the King laughed at his reply, but I was suddenly more aware of the many male faces surrounding me.

As my beautiful dress was removed, Trainer whispered, "I'm sorry. Lean into me and you will be covered a bit."

I stood naked in front of him, and he quickly tried to get the leather garment around me. It was a strange piece and he fumbled with it several times. Finally my arms were covered, and a strap with a small triangular piece of leather was pulled tight over the spot between my legs. It covered most of the top of my body, but sadly it made me feel even more exposed. The leather was pulled tight at the back making it more like a second skin than a piece of clothing.

"Continue with the headpiece. My son is waiting. Let's not disappoint him."

Trainer lifted my head and I could see the sorrow in his eyes as he pulled the tight fitting hood over my face. There were laces in the back that again pulled the leather tight against my skin. I panicked when I realized I couldn't breathe, and I reached up to try and get the hood off.

Trainer held my hands to my side. "Stop. You are fine. There is a hole for your breathing. Take a deep breath. There you go. Again, take a deep breath. You are fine. Listen to my voice."

It was true. I could breath, but the hood still made me anxious. I felt like I was being buried alive. I couldn't see, couldn't hear much, and couldn't talk. I could feel what I thought to be Trainers hand on my head. He was trying to calm me down.

The King must have said something, and Trainer's voice rose. "Give her a minute. She can do this. Relax slave. I am with you. Listen to me."

Slowly, I began to calm down. Due to my panic, I had no idea where I was in the room, so I was completely at Trainer's mercy as he led me up to a platform. He sat me on the edge of what seemed to be a table, and push my shoulders back until I was lying nearly flat. My legs were pulled open and secured only cold metal bars. My heart was flying in my chest. I was glad that I had the hood now, for I couldn't hear or see what was going on around me.

Once I was tied completely to the table, I could no longer move anything buy my head from side to side. Trainer put his hand on my thigh and gave me two quick pats, and then he too was gone.

I began to shiver uncontrollably. The only thing I could hear was the sound of my own heart and my breath as I pulled as much oxygen as I could into the small hole under my nose.

If I concentrated, I could hear rumblings, but I couldn't make out what was going on. So, when I felt a hand grab my leg, I let out a scream that was muffled by the hood. Panic gripped me again. Would someone I couldn't see ravish me? Would Trainer be able to save me this time?

It was then I noticed that the hand was not causing me harm. It was lightly rubbing up and down my leg in almost a calming gesture. I could tell it was not Trainer's hand. It felt much different, but at least it was not hurting me.

Trainer's words and Esme's training kicked in. I could do this. I would make my Edward proud. If this needed to be done in order for us to move forward, I would suffer through this.

Just as I felt myself relax into the touching on my leg, all hell broke loose around me.

End notes:

HOLY HELL.. EVEN I'M NERVOUS! That the heck is going to happen now? Let's all take a deep cleansing breath. In through the nose.. Out through the mouth. Good girls...and perhaps boys.. who knows.

Love you guys. Boy I am having fun! Review please. I really get a kick out of hearing from you all.