Fabulous Fran is the beta, and yeah, I added a little after she had this one, so you know the drill—all mistakes are mine. 2browneyes and Judyblue pre-read. Thanks, ladies!
The following days are trying for the people of Olympia. The loss of civilian life was unprecedented due to the number of wedding attendees present at the castle at the time of the attack. Eleven of Seattle's knights gave their lives while defending their homeland, but in the end, the mission was a success.
The king is recovering but suffered a fairly traumatic blow to the head, which required a few days of rest. Of the wounded survivors, Jasper is in the worst shape, but he will pull through and is healing each day.
King Charles and five of his army are housed in the dungeon, and twenty-eight more were killed in the fight, while the remaining nine fled. Three lords from the Olympian tribes were also slain, including Jacob Black. The Kingdom is in mourning, but it is also ready to move forward and embrace its future.
As Edward pushes the painting aside, he eagerly peeks into the room, spotting his love, fast asleep on her bed. A sigh escapes him at her beauty as the early morning rays cast a hazy glow over the chamber. Walking quietly, he approaches and stretches out his hand, gently running it down her hair, so as not to scare her. She sighs and nuzzles closer to his palm as he takes a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Good morning, love," he whispers, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. "I know you are awake, I heard your breath quicken."
A quiet giggle escapes before her eyes open, revealing warm brown. "Good morning, sir," she says with a playful smile as she scoots over, pulling him down beside her. "Are you here to ravage me?"
Edward, who was in the middle of complying with her insistent hands, freezes. "Do not tempt me, Bella," he says sternly.
"I will do more than tempt you," she replies, her voice breathy yet assertive. "I have missed you, Edward."
He braces on his elbow, facing her, with his free hand cupping her cheek. "Bella," he says, his voice soft and pleading. "You will never have to miss me again. I am here, and I am yours, but I had hoped"—he brushes his thumb over her bottom lip—"we would be married the next time we joined as one flesh."
Bella opens her lips and nips at his thumb. "The sentiment is sweet, but I think we both know it matters not."
Edward removes his thumb and replaces it with his lips. He is forceful as his tongue explores the confines of her mouth. With his hand guiding her head, they engage in a wicked, heated kiss. By the time they separate with soft passes of lips, both are breathing heavier.
"Bella," Edward starts softly, his hand pushing her hair over her shoulder. "I have made every mistake imaginable with you; from taking your virginity in Policia to carrying on an affair with you here. You are free to choose your path now, and I will not continue to exploit you any further. I love you. I want you to be mine, but only if you want that, too. This time, I promise to do it right."
Bella's brows furrow before a spark of mirth shines in her eyes. "Edward Masen, are you asking me to marry you?"
He heaves a heavy sigh and shakes his head. This woman is much smarter than she should be. "I was leading in that direction, but I had not made it to that part yet."
"Edward,' she states softly. "I do not need fanfare. I only need you. So, the answer is yes, yes I will marry you."
A smile spreads across Edward's lips. "How soon?"
Bella's brows rise. "How soon would you like?"
"The same day Carlisle and Esme are to wed," he says hurriedly. "I know it is fast, but when Carlisle made the suggestion, I could not help but think of it nonstop."
Bella places her fingers over his lips. "You do not need to convince me."
The smile that spreads across her knight's face lights her world, and the couple engage in a heavy petting session to celebrate their upcoming nuptials, but all too soon, reality rears its weary head.
"Your father's trial is today," Edward says, while they lie in a tight embrace, to gauge her reaction.
"Good," she breathes, after only a slight pause. "I want him gone from this earth before I move into the next phase of my life."
"Then it shall be," Edward responds as he moves in once again to kiss her senseless.
Several hours later and the throne room is crammed with bodies. It seems as if the whole village of Seattle has made the trek to the castle to witness the trial of King Charles—or shall we say death, instead. The trial is a formality at most.
King Carlisle sits upon his throne with his future wife by his side on the queen's throne. Edward, Bella and a procession of the guard are gathered around their leaders upon the dais. Before them, in shackles and on his knees, is Charles Swan.
"We are gathered here today to find a suitable punishment for the previous King of Policia for his crimes of war against Olympia," Carlisle announces loudly over the chants of "death, death, death" that fill the room. "You are charged with attempted murder of a rival king, and the slaying of his people. What say you, Charles Swan?"
The former king, though beaten, refuses to submit. He lifts his weary head and casts his stare over the procession before him. With a nasty leer, he shouts, "Kill me! Kill me, but you will never break me!"
The chants from the crowd grow louder. "Death, death, death," they repeat until the room is so loud King Charles can no longer be heard.
Carlisle lifts his hands to settle the raucous crowd. "King Charles, you are hereby sentenced to death by quartering on this very afternoon," he announces with authority.
A loud cheer sounds from the crowd as everyone in the room begins making their way to the courtyard where preparations are already in place. The crowd gathers, lining each side, striving to get the best view as the guard drags the prisoner to the site of his death.
King Carlisle and Lady Forge have moved to a second-floor balcony, taking advantage of the optimal view. He smiles as he watches Edward make his way to the center of the action.
"If I may, Your Highness?" Edward motions to the fallen king, requesting permission to carry out the death sentence.
"So be it," King Carlisle agrees, a swell of pride moving through him.
As his knights shackle each of King Charles' appendages to a separate horse, Edward's eyes search the audience, seeking his love. When they meet, she is smiling. He returns it and focuses back on the vile man who harmed her repeatedly.
Leaning down, he whispers, "This is for threatening Bella," before stepping back and lifting the whip to snap it once. The horses tense and rise onto their hindquarters, causing the ropes to tighten, which begins to pull the failed king in four directions. The crowd quietens as his wails fill the air.
It is only the sight of his Bella moving toward him that causes Edward to pause. Her rushed motions alarm him slightly, but as she moved closer he can see the determination in her stance.
The horses have settled, which allows Charles a reprieve. When he sees his daughter, he begins screaming. "Isabella, stop this madness! I am your father!"
But she pays him no mind. She moves to Edward with surety and steps before him, lining her back to his chest. She braces one hand on his hip and runs the other up his arm, her grip closing on where he holds the whip.
Edward, understanding her immediately, makes one slow motion so that she may get a feel for the necessary motion. The slight snap causes the horses to again buck, the torture underway once more.
Bella takes a deep breath and looks to her love. "Let us end this."
With a nod, Edward and Bella send several vicious cracks into the air. Each horse takes off in a different direction as a sharp shriek fills the air before fading rather quickly.
His death is swift, yet satisfying, and the Kingdom of Olympia basks in the realization that they are now free from the threat which has plagued them for years.
Now they can look forward.
Two weddings, the coronation of their new queen and a peaceful relationship with Policia are all within their reach.
Because it also has a new queen, if only they will accept her rule.
Okay, it's looking like three more and an epi.
Sorry about replies, I got about half of you, I think. I have a confession. A new side-project popped up last week, (I got to be one of the first to read Starry Eyed Inside OF … like O.M.G.), and I couldn't, wouldn't, never ever say no, so it kinda put me behind a little, which is sorta why I'm slacking so much on replies this week, catching up on my writing.
Operation posts next Friday, so that means you get TB on Monday and Thursday. See you then :)