Chapter 14

Seven more nights of torment, seven more mornings of waking up screams. William was beyond worried, always being so gentle with me.

The wedding was two days away and I was in no condition to be a bride. The torment of those nightmares kept me awake most nights. I was too pale and my blue eyes looked bruise with the dark circles around them.

Snow had issue a heavy guard around the hour in fear of my visions. Eric had taken on the role of General of the Royal Guard and he looked regal doing it. His abilities with an axe or sword were unmatched. Only William could best him on occasion.

The dreams were always the same, never changing. The grey man and his crooked smile always laughing at me, it was enough to make the sanest person not well.

Rudy comes to my chamber the day before the wedding, her handy work across her arms.

"M'lady, we need to see if the dress is a good fit." I smile at her, too exhausted to really care.

The castle was all a buzz with excitement, two royal wedding in one month. Snow's wedding to Eric was the affair that everyone was most joyous about. They planned to wed the week after William and I, giving us time to enjoy our honeymoon.

Ravenna's rein had been over for two months and the kingdom was coming to life more everyday. Snow was born to be Queen, her every action made with royal manner and a kindness only she possessed. Everyone that came before her was instantly taken in by her; she was still the fairest of them all.

I smile to myself, thinking of how much Snow had changed. That innocent child that I lavished affection on was now a woman. A woman that bore the crown of her kingdom, that loved a man with such abandon it was simply sinful, a woman that stood her own and did it with a gentle grace.

Snow had become twice the woman I was, her beauty only matched by her spirit.

Ruby pulls to the laces, gathering the dress. She tugs once more, finishing the last lace. "M'lady the dress is a little loose, have you been eating?"

I groan, having heard this a thousand times from William. "I haven't been hungry Ruby."

The sound of disapproval comes from her lips as she adjusts the skirt. "You really should eat before you waist away."

Motioning for her eldest daughter to bring me a pear from the bowl on the table, I smile as I take a large bite.

After Ruby and her daughters are done, I decide to take a walk in the garden. I rest for awhile in Snow's gazebo, the garden so peaceful.

My eyes close slowly as I lean back against the lattice. Suddenly I'm surrounded by flames, the field before me cover in fire.

The grey man rides toward me, his crooked smile looking more evil than usual. I grab for the first sword I can find, running towards him. I can hear Eric call to me as he decapitates the solider behind me.

The sounds of battle rings in my ears but the grey man's laughter bellows above it all.

As I charge toward him, I feel his sword tear into me. I look down to my stomach gushing blood. I feel it run down my legs and pool at my feet.

William draws his bow only to be run through with a spear. With a bloody hand I reach out to him, Eric's primal screams echoing in my head.

Jolting awake, I hold my stomach. I study my surrounding, comforted in the fact that I'm alone. I hold the dream in my mind, studying it. This one was different, it had changed. The vision came and I didn't wake up screaming. Be it without it being you, Muir was right, I could do this.

Eric's voice calls out for me, as I peek from behind the lattice. He smiles that brilliant smile I was so fond of. "I'm here Eric."

"We couldn't find you in the castle, have you been here all day?" He sits down beside me, still smiling.

"All day? Have I been gone that long?" The sun did seem to be lower, the shadows of the day starting to linger.

"I told Snow you had cold feet and had run away. She laughed, telling me you loved William too much to do that. They are having a dinner in your and William's honor, do you not wish to go?" He stands, on foot still perched on the gazebo steps.

"Oh, I had forgotten about the dinner. Of course I wish to go, and with such a handsome escort too." My giggle makes him smile even more.

The night's celebration had tired me completely. I had pouted when William told me he would be staying in his chamber tonight. Tomorrow we would wed and never be parted again.

I settle into the chaise by the window, the sound of the ocean singing me a lullaby.

A soft hand touches my cheek, as I gaze up to his beautiful brown eyes. He smiles at me, making my heart quicken its beats. I feel his hand travel down my cheek, across my neck, down my side to my stomach. He lays his hand on my swollen belly, a growing bump most visible.

"Soon my love, we will have our little one." He places my hands on my belly, his hands laying over mine.

I feel the baby move, the nudge of a foot perhaps. William's face glows with expected fatherhood.

A shivering cold hovers over me, my hands start to tremble. I look for William but a pitch black darkness covers the room. I hear the grey man's laughter and clinch my belly only to find my child is gone.

Waking, I steady myself, finding my way back to reality. The visions are changing now but the grey man is always there. I would have to dive into who he is, find out more about him. But not today, today I am a bride.

Before I have time to collect myself, Snow barrels into my room with a dozen hand maidens. I see a blur of flowers and white, as they dance around the room. I hear water being poured into a bath and giggling coming from every corner. Today I would become more than Lily, I would become Lady Lillian Hammond.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I hope everyone is still enjoying the story. Please continue to review. Thanks to Leeloo250 for the advice.