I screamed and then woke up panting.

"Bella, are you alright?" I blinked furiously before I finally was able to clearly see Alice's concerned form.

"Yes, just a dream," I said groggily while rubbing my eyes that were sleep filled. That was the worst dream I have had in my entire life.

Alice and Rosalie and fallen asleep in my bed last night and were just waking up. The light from the window over head was beginning to shine with dawn's light.

The days leading up to November 1st had been excruciatingly slow. With no queen to serve her ladies were free to drift around court and fret over their futures.

I had been praying for the safe return of Esme for hours each day and I was also praying for the king, I did not exactly what I was praying for with the king, I figured the Lord would do as he see's fit.

While I was on my knees praying, my thoughts would drift to the queen, in a cold tower in solitude praying for her life and her own freedom. I pitied to the woman, mad for a son that she had not provided.

Rosalie had gone with my brother and her other escorts at twilight and had begun their ride to Oakland Manor. Alice was somewhere off in the palace, most likely with the duke and the men of the council had been giving a break for the evening.

Edward was anxious and secretly afraid, I could see through his show of ignorance and saw how truly frightened he was. I was as well and the two of us tried to keep one another distracted.

One night in particular I was bathing in the bathing room that was connected to my rooms. It was still light from the window on the ceiling and it was nice to be enjoying the quiet. The hot water stung my skin at first but then worked to relieve the stress from my muscles.

I was humming a song to myself, a complementing affect with the quietness and the golden lights of sun beginning to set casting orange glows around the ornate room.

The doorknob started to turn in a squeak, in alarm I covered myself the best I could with the clear water, in horror of who could be behind.

The sweet green eyes of my love were behind that door. Edward walked in with a little smirk of amusement at my start. I rolled my eyes and relaxed back comfortably; he had seen me in the state of undress countless times before. It didn't matter today.

"Is the water still warm?" He asked after kissing my head that was resting against the back. I looked back at him and saw his face up side down.

"I just got in moments ago, it is still steaming," I told him with a gay smile.

"Care if I joy you," I smiled to myself at the thought of that. It would most likely lead to love making and that excited me.

"And I have to share my bathwater?" I asked in mock exasperation.

"Say I massage your shoulders," he proposed with a crooked grin.

"Perhaps I can make room," I smiled happily at him. He returned me with a dazzling one. He shed his clothing while I moved my hands in the hot water, creating small waves on the surface.

He stepped over the high side and I slid forward. He settled in between me, his strong, muscular legs tangling with my soft ones. I leaned against his warm solid chest as his large strong hands began to create awesome sensations on my shoulders.

"Can I ask you some questions?" I asked him softly, enjoying the silence but feeling like I could still know more about him.

"As long as I ask some in return," he responded with a smile in his voice. His hands had clearly learned from the rubs I gave to his back. He was skillfully and with all tenderness working the knots out of my back.

"You may start," I allowed before letting out a quiet moan of appreciation for the spot his fingers just hit.

"As I undressed you did not even glance my way, am I not pleasing you in anyway?" The king asked me a rejected confusion.

My head turned from where it was rested so I could see his eyes. They were vulnerable and quite honestly almost ashamed.

I did not know how to answer it because I was stunned. He took in my face and sighed before elaborating. "Most women I've been with or even had any sexual relations with have only had eyes for the center of me." It was clear the way he was talking he did not mean his heart.

"It's what you expect, praise only for your cock?" I asked him flatly, trying to disguise any disgust about those women in my tone. He nodded remorse and sadness in his eyes.

"Edward those women that you have been with are disgusting. I love you for more then that. I love you for more then your title. I love everything about you and nothing and no one would be able to change that." My eyes were moist from the thought of Edward being with those low women.

I turned my head, not bearing to see the shame in his eyes. I nuzzled into the crock of his neck. He kissed my hair and stroked it back before pressing his cheek against my hair with a contented sigh.

"Your turn," he said softly, running his hands down my arms, gliding smoothly in the water.

"What is one thing you wish had not been bestowed upon you in this life?" I asked him curiously, closing my eyes and enjoying the feel his arms and chest created the sense of security.

"Some days I wish I was not king. The judgment people make of me, the ones who do not know me but assume me to be a horrid beast with not heart or joy." He sighed, his hands absentmindedly running along the skin of my stomach.

"I cannot fathom," I said with sympathy. This man, this king behind me was so much a man, a human wanting to be loved for what they have inside not what they have to offer.

"What is one of your wildest wishes for me and you?" He asked. I smirked; just like that our conversation had been turned.

As he said this his hand traveled to my breasts. I gasped in surprised as each of them held my firm breasts fondly with them and squeezing like he had been massaging my back. I groaned in pleasure as the familiar strong tingle began to build in my fanny.

"Perhaps we can just begin here," he suggested with a chuckle. I laughed breathlessly, rubbing my back against his chest and my legs together, in need of friction.

I didn't want to turn, for the things he was doing to my mounds of flesh should not be allowed. It was so right and full of lust. I arched my back and leaned into his hands.

Then with a little difficulty I turned so that I was straddling him with my legs wrapped around his large waist. His hands traveled from my breasts down my sides to grab at my bum, firmly and rough.

He growled as I begun to move against his hard cock. I grinned breathlessly, my heart beating frantically as his lips crashed onto mine. I placed my hands on his shoulders using it as leverage. Our tongue tangles sensually with each other.

"Nothing more Isabella, I want you now." I nodded as breathed in deeply. He bit down lightly on my lip before pulling away to leave me breathless. He went to kiss painfully on my neck; it was so amazing to fell it was painful.

Below us he centered him right above my heated core that was so open and ready for him, just like any other time. But this time was different for some reason; it was tenderer but still rough like we were.

Then without warning like their normally was, he arched himself up with strength and plunged into me. I cried out as the painful sensation came upon me, but it was something I could handle and it quickly turned to pleasure as I used his shoulders to push against him to get leverage to meet his thrusts.

"My Lord, always so tight," he growled against my neck before bringing my lips down to his frantically as that tingle turned so intense that I knew it was almost near my release.

We came at the exact time, riding the feeling pure ecstasy together. Just as we normally did.

But that still could only distract us for the night. The night came eventually.

I paced from one ride of our study to the other and then back again. I could not stop and when I had tried to sit down I found it impossible, I needed to be moving for I was so anxious.

"Sweetheart, this was your plan and it will go over perfectly," Edward assured me. He was with me, sitting at the round table that was closest to my door.

That did not stop my pacing. "What if it does not?"

"It will," he reassured me confidently. I wished I could be as confident.

Now I was wishing we had chosen another woman for this mission, not my beloved cousin and my own brother there! I should have sided with Tyler and insisted on Alyssa. I had not been thinking of the danger there really was, I was a fool.

"Bella, you are only raising my own nerves which I am fighting. Stop your walking."

"What do you purpose I do?" I snapped at him, he rolled his eyes and I kept my pace up.

"Call a maid and have your spare bedroom prepared," he suggested. That made me stop for a moment.

Confused I asked. "Esme is staying here? At court?"

"Do you believe I will allow her to go back to Blackberry right now?" He asked me incredulously. I had not thought that far into the future.

"How foolish of me, you're right," I sighed and then slipped into the sitting rooms where a servant was. I asked her to ready the extra bedroom and then went back to the king.

I sat down in the chair next to the king and propped my elbow on the table and pressed my chin into it while strumming my other fingers on the table impatiently.

This irritated the king and it seemed as if he could not take it. "Oh for the love of all that is holy!"

"I'm sorry," I apologized with a sign and leaned back in my chair. We sat in silence, each of us wrapped in our own thoughts.

"Have I ever told you I adore how comfortable you are when with me alone?" He asked me lovingly. I shook my head with a shy smile.

"I fear sometimes it's disrespectful," I sighed, "for I am just a mistress, not your wife."

"I do not believe this is the proper time to discuss this matter but I cannot help myself."

I tilted my head to the side in confusion. He took my hand from where it had been rested on my golden silk gown. He began to play with my fingers lightly.

"Would you ever be willing to become my queen," I sucked in my breath in surprise, and he saw my shocked expression and added, "I am not asking you now for I am still married but, if ever?"

"I love you Edward, I do fear I would not be a proper queen, I enjoy my freedom and privacy, I like to do things my way if possible," I slowly explained while struggling the entire time for the correct words.

"You are much more spirited then any woman, queen's included that I have ever met. You have proved to be my equal, you may be a woman but I trust your judgment in matters other then masques and dinner plans," his face was soft and respectful as he focused on my hand that was in between is own, no longer play just being held against his strong hands.

"You know not how much that means to me," I smiled gently at him and leaned to kiss his lips gingerly.

"You would considerate the offer?" He asked me happily. I smiled without showing my teeth and nodded.

Rising from his seat he lightly pulled me up as well. "Let's take a walk I know you enjoy doing so and I have been unable to accompany you." I nodded and we exited the quiet and peaceful study.

Our walk was quiet and nice though it was barely seeable outdoors. The gardens were all wilted once again. It seemed as if this time of the year so many deaths take place, mostly in wildlife of course.

I remember last autumn; the king had just begun courting me. I was a young girl, but now, even though I am only a year older, I am wiser and more aware of the world. I had called Catherine a young girl but the truth was I was only a couple years older then her.

The ladies of the Privy Council were wiser then the other women of court and even though we were all in our youthful years, we had all aged more.

I pondered on this as we walked entirely around Geneva, when we returned to the place we had begun our walk I heard hoof prints far off. Some men who had known they were due back soon had come out to the stairs with us to welcome them back, hopeful of the success.

Angela and Sarah were with their husbands and some other men as we stood in the chill of the night.

The horses road up to the stairs and I squinted to see who was there.

"Esme!" I yelled in relief and ran to her from where she was on Rosalie's horse. She did not wait for an escort to help her down she slid off the horse and we embraced each other tightly.

I was so relieved I had tears in my eyes, I wanted to laugh with joy but instead we held each so tightly that I did not care I could only breathe a little bit.

The mother to me had her arms wrapped around my waist and I had mine around her completely. No words could be spoken, actions said enough at this moment and I willed myself never to let go of her; never to fear of the losing her again.

But we embraced for what seemed like only a short period of time before I remembered Edward, probably dying to hug his mother. Unwillingly I released her and we looked at each other, and then laughed breathlessly with tears leaking in our tone.

I stepped aside and Esme rushed over to where her son was a few feet back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his around he waist and he swung her lightly over the ground.

I stepped to see Rosalie who had rode behind Emmett on his horse for the journey. She had on her black cape yet the hood of it was down. I hugged her and she promised she would tell me about her adventure later.

"Go be with Esme," Rose smiled at me; I grinned and kissed her cheek before walking over to where the king was setting his mother down.

"Are you well?" Edward was asking her as I walked to them. I hugged Esme on her side again and she happily put her head over my mine.

"A little weary and tired," she answered. Edward nodded and she put her hand in the crook of his elbow and I released her as they glided up the stairs and whispered to one another.

The court fell into place behind the pair of them while I grinned to myself. Emmett came over to me as I started to follow the rest of the crowd indoors.

"It is finished, the man is dead," my brother said gravely and I quietly.

I nodded.

"Did you kill him?" I whispered. Emmett nodded with his lips pressed in a hard line. I put my hands on his arm comfortingly and laid my head on it.

Thinking quickly I decided on something to say. "That took courage, you're a noble man and I am fortunate to have you in my family."

"Thank you sister," he grinned at me and I beamed at him, kissing his lips.

"It seems as if Esme shall be staying in my rooms, I must welcome her," I excused myself from him and he went over to where Rosalie was speaking with Tyler.

I rushed to my rooms, taking a different way then the king and Esme were walking. They were turning down the opposite side of the hallway then I.

We showed Esme her bedroom to the left of mine and then left her to go to bed.

"Are you tired sweetheart?" The king asked me in a whisper just as he was about to slide through the chamber doors. I sighed and then nodded.

Nodding and then kissing my temple he spoke. "You are welcome in my bed, though you are quite clearly too exhausted to make love."

"I thank you," I curtsied and he smiled before exiting the rooms. Rubbing my eyes I decided to check on Esme before going to the Edward's rooms.

I knocked on her door softly. "Come in Isabella." I entered the room that was identical to mine, though the bricks were different in our fireplaces.

"I see you and Edward have the connecting rooms," she teased while unpacking some of the things from her trunk that was brought by her servants.

"It was his idea," I smirked innocently, making Esme chuckle and then sigh.

"Feel free to call me if you need anything." I offered.

The brilliant green eyes of hers rolled. "It is a pity you won't be in your room." I giggled and place my hand over my mouth to muffle it.

"Then Mary Alice will be happy to assist you," she grinned at me.

"You seem quite alright, are you sure they did not harm you?" I asked her after the silence in the room had grown strangely uncomfortable.

"Other then the irritation of me being kidnapped I am perfect. I was kept in an inn only a few miles down the road from here, I was fed and never bothered," it was clearly not how I pictured it, I thought while remembering my dream.

"I am so glad," I went to hug her again before leaving to call a maid in for her. Rosalie had yet to come back and Alice was just coming out to help me change as she did every night.

I put on my nightgown and then my robe over the top of it. The robe was starting to provide warmth in the approaching winter. I kissed my sister goodnight before slipping though the door behind the tapestry.

Tell me what you think because this week I will ACTUALLY reply to ALL of your reviews. Wooh. I know right?

Sorry if the lemon was disappointing in anyway, telll me so I can make future ones better!

Alrighty; think thats it...send me a review!

~Carmen