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Here's this week's chapter, hope you enjoy! Thanks to Team AGW for their help, as always.

Chapter 12

Isabella tossed and turned in bed, not able to settle with Edward so far away, even with the events of the night binding them together. It was late when sleep claimed her, but it didn't last long.

A scratching noise dug at the edge of Isabella's consciousness until she was unable to ignore it any longer. Isabella climbed out of bed and saw that Argus was the source of the offending sound. When she got up to see what he was into, she noticed that one of the wall panels was not flush to the rest of the wall.

She pried it open the panel and discovered it was a secret door that led to a passageway behind the wall. Intrigued by what could be back there, Isabella grabbed her flashlight and moved inside the corridor. Not far into the passageway, there was an alcove with shelves filled with books and items, containers and figures, and a table below set with objects covered with years of dust. Isabella thought about the room she'd been staying in. Before it had been hers, it had been her mother's as a girl.

She looked to the left, a slow blinking light catching her attention before Edward appeared. Isabella gasped, clutching at her chest. "Edward, you scared me."

"I'm sorry, my love," he kissed her forehead and pulled her into his side.

"How did you make it past my father?"

"I didn't. I could feel a pull to you coming from behind the wall, so I shifted and crawled through a crack in the wall and here I am."

Isabella motioned to the alcove. "Before my rooms was mine, they belonged to my mother. I believe these things belonged to her."

"How did you even get back here?" Edward asked.

"Argus was scratching at a gap in the panels. It was a secret doorway."

"Smart boy. There's a reason he's drawn to you. Now, we should take everything out of here and get it packed up. I think the safest place for it is at your home."

"I agree."

"I'll ask a servant to bring you boxes in the morning."

"I'll need to speak to my father before I leave," she said.

"I'd imagine so. He'll be in with the king and queen first thing, so we can be ready to leave by the time he returns."

It took a few trips, but they carried everything into her room. When the last thing was on her dresser, Edward pointed out a few crates and some rags. "Alice saw to your needs."

Isabella looked to her, shocked. "You know the extent of her gifts?"

"Yes, is that a secret?"

"It isn't widely known, but those closest to her and the king are aware. I can't believe she confided in you."

"I'm a faerie living in her kingdom. She felt a kindred spirit to me, as she did you. Now, I'm going to leave you to pack this, before I'm caught in your rooms."

"Wait, I know this is stupid, but Alice chose that room for you, so you won't be disturbed, correct?"

"Yes," Edward said warily.

"Then can you stay with me? I'm not asking you for anything you aren't prepared to give, but I can't sleep with you so far away."

Edward sighed. "Let's get your things packed and then I'll lie beside you on top of the blankets. If someone comes in, I can always shift."

"Thank you."

They cleaned and packed the items, and then Isabella climbed into bed and Edward settled in on top of it.

"When you fall asleep, I'll turn into a firefly so no one will find me sleeping in here with you. I won't leave without telling you."

"You're too good to me, Edward."

"You deserve everything you get, Bre."

The following morning, Isabella woke up and smiled at the blinking bug beside her. "Good morning, Edward. I'll see you soon."

He took off and Isabella smiled as he crawled back between a crack in the wall. Isabella got up and when a servant arrived with water, she washed and dressed for the day. She packed her bag and was ready when breakfast arrived along with Edward. They sat in the small dining room, sharing their breakfast. It wasn't long before their quiet morning was interrupted by Isabella's father.

"You disrespectful little prig. You have a lot of nerve publicly asking my daughter to be your wife so I couldn't condemn the union."

"Father, you have already made your opinion quite clear. That was why Alice did what she did."

Charles glared at his daughter. "What, he can't speak for himself?"

"Any time I've tried, you cut me off or ignored me. You made your low opinion of me clear. But the fact is I love your daughter and she loves me, so we're going to be married and we will live a happy life. Your part in that life is up to you."

"Well, I'll already be missing the wedding, since Alice is hosting it just before her birthday," Charles spat.

"Father, I love you, but you've never supported my choices. I'm a grown woman and I will marry the person I choose, not someone you picked who lives on the other side of the world. Use your time away to think about what's important. I'll still be here when you return."

Charles grumbled, "Well, I'd better prepare for my journey. A lot needs to happen in the next few days before I leave."

Charles stormed out, leaving the couple alone.

"We should go," Isabella stood.

"Alice wanted to speak with us before we departed. Wedding plans to make and all."

Isabella sighed. "We should go and find her then, I'm ready to go home."

Edward nodded and the pair went to the Throne Room to find Alice waiting for them. "Isabella, I know this is all overwhelming, and a little sad considering your father's reaction, but it will be a beautiful day. I was planning something small and everything you'd want. Let me know if there is anything specific you would like, otherwise I'll have it all ready for the 11th."

"September 11th?" Isabella asked.

"I thought we could do it just before your 21st birthday," Alice confirmed. "If that doesn't work for you, we can push it back."

"No, that's fine. If you can get it together in that time, I like the idea," Isabella agreed.

"Excellent. Now, Edward, take your fiancee home. Servants can help you with the crates and we'll be in touch soon."

"Thank you, Alice, for everything," Edward told her.

After saying their goodbyes, Edward and Isabella went to their rooms and servants helped them pack the carriage. Just before they were going to leave, a servant found them.

"Miss Isabella, Lord Paul has fallen ill and the physician has asked for you to consult."

Edward stiffened beside her, but she turned to squeeze his hand. "I'll meet you down at the carriage shortly."

Isabella followed the servant and found the physician looking over a shivering Paul.

"What is she doing here?" he growled.

"Isabella is the village healer. I've asked her to consult as there isn't anything physically wrong with you, My Lord," the physician replied.

Isabella looked over the man who'd called her frigid the night before. His skin was chilled to the touch, but as the physician had said, there was no outward cause. Using some of his stores that went into his poultices, she mixed a few herbs with a bit of alcohol and handed him the glass.

"Drink this, it should help to make you well."

"Thank you," Paul said. He drank down the dram and she left with little more than a nod. The ride home was quiet, but Edward was content that he'd moved one step closer to securing their future.