Chapter 8

Alice helped in covering me back up. The clatter of Edward cleaning the blood off of his instruments had now ceased and he was carefully placing then back into his bag. I was tucked up quite comfortably as they had just finished bandaging my lower stomach up. The blankets were well worn and not scratchy at all. And the shirt I wore was softer than any silk sheet I have and will ever sleep on.

"What was it like?" Alice piped up. I look at her questioningly as she took another swig of that nasty, translucent liquid from the bottle.

"What was what like?" I ask back.

"Becoming Queen. What was it like? Were you scared?" She asks, looking at me with such innocent curiosity. I consider the question. So much has happened between this morning and now. I'm not sure anyone would believe me if I told them my odd tale.

"Of course I was not scared," I say bravely. I look over at her as I continue. "I was terrified." I smile slightly. She laughs jovially.

"I like you, Bella." She states as she takes yet another swig. A large hand reaches over me to grasp the bottle from Alice's fingers. It releases from her mouth with a pop as Edward places it at his side.

"Hey! Give it back Edward!" She goes to get up, in what I assume was an attempt to reclaim her lost possession but she just ended up lying on the floor next to me. I giggle as Alice bursts into another round of belly laughs. Edward looks at her before shaking his head amused. He looks at me.

My goodness. Every time he looks at me is like an electric shock in my body. But I stay stock still and do not let on. "How are you feeling, You- er, Bella?" He stutters. It makes me want to smile bigger than I ever have before. What is wrong with me? I have been kidnapped. I am the Queen and I have been stolen from my role. On my first official day.

"I am fairing well, Edward. Though I must be getting home soon, for I do not want the whole of London ripped apart." Only half joking. Without an advisor around, I do feel quite lost in the cities goings on. Edward heaved a heavy sigh before running a hand over his face and hair. He looked...distraught.

"Can I ask one thing?"

Curious, I nod once.

"I accept my fate, along with the four imbeciles who put together this atrocious plan. But could you maybe leave my mother and Alice out of it? They don't deserve to be dragged into this. And there are young children living here and I'd hate to imagine where they'd end up without a guardian or a home." He pleads, looking at his hands and he wrings them over and over. He really is a kind man. He has done nothing wrong, yet he would sacrifice his young life for that of others. I smile a careful smile and reach out to place my hand over his moving ones. They stop instantly and his eyes snap to mine.

"Edward, I cannot promise the future of the four who planned this event. But I can promise you, on my life, that your mother and Alice are safe." He lets out a shaky breath of relief as his head begins to sag, like it has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I continue. "And, I can promise that you are safe, Edward." His head snaps back up. I squeeze his hands. "You have been nothing but kind and heroic since we met mere hours ago and I do not believe it is because I have caught you on a good day." I smile in jest. "I believe that is who you are and you will make a wonderful doctor one day." I smile wider as his own grin creeps onto his face. His cheeks grow pink from the praise but I stand by what I have said. He places his own hand over my own and this jolt of electricity passes through me once again. We are broken out of our moment by Alice's snores. I chuckle.

There are noises coming from downstairs.

"I think if we waited until nightfall to get you home, we'd have less chance of a full on riot." He suggests, and I completely agree. I trust Edward; he hasn't given me any reason not to. There is also this feeling within me. An instinct of sort. So, I agree with his plan. He takes a glance out of a small, dusty window."I, erm, I have to nip down the market to grab food for everyone." He says, listening to the noises downstairs get louder and louder. "Will you be alright if I leave you in the care of Alice? I'll only be a half hour." He asks, looking worried.

I nod in affirmation.

"I will be fine. Are you sure no one will walk in?"

"I'll think of something." He says, gathering his bag and dusting himself off. As he makes his way towards the door, I call out.

"Wait!"

He shoots around. I point with a shirt-covered arm towards the pile of my destroyed dress. "Left hand cuff. There's a small hidden pocket. Please, take it." I say as I begin to feel the effects of the day catching up on me. Plus the alcohol, I am sure.

I drop my arm and my eyes begin to close. Maybe a short nap is just what I need. The last thing I see before I succumb to sleep is...Edward.