Ever After

by AgoodWITCH

Princess Isabella has been hidden away for her own safety since she was a child, but once she returns to the world she once knew, all bets are off. The fairytale ending is just the beginning of her tale.

35. Chapter 34

So, I talked about having issues with writing last week, and they got loud on me the next time I head to work. For those wondering, I do not have an outline for this story, I have tent poles, but how I get from one to the next is a little fluid, as this series of chapters shows.

Disclaimer: All characters and plot ideas are the property of their respective owners, no copyright infringement is intended. The original plot and characters are my own.

Chapter 34

The weeks leading up to the wedding sped by. Alice was a whirling dervish of activity, with Edward and Carlisle helping when she allowed. Garrett took on the mantle of Swan Lake's military and guard as one of the councilmen, much to his delight.

Isabella was worried that Phillip would make a final attempt before the wedding, but Carlisle assured her that if he came, they would know before he crossed the border, and he would be handled.

Garrett was also adjusting to life in a kingdom that allowed magical beings to come and go freely. It seemed many of the beings of Jackal had fled there after the magical ban that had forced them to run. Where Masen had only allowed non-magical to cross, Swan Lake had been a haven to all. Jasper was the biggest help in that adjustment as they worked together, not only as the leading military men, but as the personal guards of their respective monarchs.

Isabella, however, felt lacking with all the magic around her. When she confided this in Edward, he tried to soothe her.

"My Dear, for all the magical beings around you to have a purpose, there needs to be someone to protect. I know you don't like that, but it is your part. But you are not without power."

"What power do I have that competes with all of you?" she asked.

"A wizard's magic binds itself to the practitioner in specific ways. As my desire to learn the forbidden arts, as they were knew in Masen at the time, was tied to you, my magic is bound to my heart. If anything were to happen to you, it would leave me powerless. So I may protect your body, but you protect my heart and soul," Edward explained.