Chapter 6

Three days.

That was all it had been and Edward was damn near tearing his hair out. It was like the box sang to him and every wall separating them was like a blade through his chest. He was pacing like a caged animal, watching time pass with the shadows on his bedroom floor.

He couldn't stand it any longer. He had to talk to his father. He had to see the box for himself.

He threw open his doors and stalked towards the king in the main hall.

It was offerings day. Every month the king demanded each household make an offering to him in thanks for protection and their happy lives. Edward brushed off any guard who tried to stop him and burst through the large doors to the main hall.

There his father sat. His crown on his head and his offerings piled high around him. But Edward faltered slightly in his step as his gaze fell upon his beautiful box, sat on a waist high marble pedestal, atop the raised platform next to the kings throne. The pedestal was dwarfed by the size of the wooden chest. His mother was on the other side, so the boxes nestled between the two of them.

Edward regained his steam, his draw towards the box too great to stop his feet at this point. His father was just nodding his acceptance of some poor farmers offerings when his gaze fell on his son. The king eyes narrowed and his lip curled in anger. The king hated his pomp and ceremonies of worship being interrupted. He sighed.

"What is the meaning of this, Edward?" He growled menacingly, his hand moving to touch the edge of the box to his side. He was a spiteful man. Not even trusting his own sons. So he sent spies along with them on their long crusade to ferry information back to him. He had heard all about Edward's obsessive behaviour over this box. So, naturally, if someone else wanted it, the King had to have it. He stroked his hand over its carved sides.

"I wish to speak to you, father,"Edward requested having come to the edge of the platform. The king waved his hand, signalling his guards to clear the room of civilians. The only people left were the three of them and a handful of guards.

"Well then, speak, boy," the King ordered as he sat back in his throne, amused and cocky. Edward glanced towards his mother, who looked mightily concerned, and then towards the box. He looked back towards his father and found his courage.

"Since we marched upon that cliff top, I have had this… connection to this chest and I'm finding it rather…difficult to…be apart from…it." His speech started strong but as he found himself becoming embarrassed and vulnerable. He must sound like a mad man. And that vulnerability fed his fathers ego ten fold.

"You have become…attached…to a wooden box?" He mocked in a wide eyed sarcastic pout. He then barked out a laugh, causing his remaining guards to chortle along with him. Edward shrunk back and hung his head. What have I done? He sadly thought. He shouldn't have come. He should have remained emotionless and fought this pull on his own. Edward missed the heartbreaking look his mother was giving him, but she didn't dare move from her place. She had defied her husband on the day of their sons return by running ahead of him in her eagerness and she couldn't afford another reprimand so soon.

Edward tried to move towards the nearest door, trying to escape this nightmare. But he was stopped."No, no, I want to hear more about this!" The king exclaimed standing with a spring in his step. He clapped his hands and demanded his other sons be brought to him. Edward frowned and wrung his hands. His brothers stepped into the room with questions of confusion. They saw their feared brother looking defeated and their father grinning from ear to ear. "Boys! Why don't you tell me the stories you told your mother about Edward's strange obsession?"He asked. Edward snapped his eyes to his brothers, feeling betrayed and even more vulnerable. Both Emmett and Jasper glanced towards their apologetic looking mother. As Jasper sighed and looked towards their eldest brother with the same apologetic look, he opened his mouth to speak when they all heard the same haunting noise.

Bang, bang, bang.