Thank you Fyrebyrd, 2brown-eyes, Gabby1017, and Ceceprincess1217 for prereading, and to jayhawkbb for editing. Please remember all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 18
Quickly, I put on a dress I manage to tie without assistance. I slip my feet into my fur-lined boots and my arms into Edward's cloak before I rush from the room. Without a second glance at the guard stationed at the end of the hall outside my chambers, I hurry through the corridors and down the stairs, nearly missing the turns that lead outside.
The cold air hits me like a slap to my face, and I swallow a deep gasp of it, burning my lungs. But I ignore the sting and push my way through the crowd that has assembled, despite this late hour.
One of the men on horseback bellows above the throng of people as he moves to dismount. "I seek an audience with the king!"
Those gathered press forward, shouting questions, asking things I myself need answers to.
"Where is the prince?"
"Is he alive?"
"Where is everyone else?"
A large arm wraps around my shoulders, and I gasp in surprise. I look up and find the blue eyes of the one accosting me.
"You should not be here, Isabella." Emmett's rebuke is stern, but it is not enough to chase me back inside the keep.
I shake my head. "I will not go back inside, Emmett. I need to be here. I need to know." My hand wraps around his as it gently holds my upper arm, and I plead with him. "Please."
His shoulders fall and he huffs out a resigned breath. "Fine, but you will stay by my side."
"Of course, just do not send me away."
I turn back to the man leading the group of riders and watch as he hands the reins to someone in the crowd. He begins to walk with purpose toward the castle steps but barely makes it five paces before Emmett's voice calls out over the horde assembled.
"Peter!"
The man's head snaps to us, recognition lighting his eyes. "Emmett," he says just loudly enough for us to hear. His shoulders visibly relax, as if he's just realized someone is here to help him carry the burden of his duty, and he steps toward us.
When he reaches Emmett, they embrace as only men do, arms wide and all-encompassing as they wrap around one another. Their voices are muffled as they exchange words with their heads tilted together and their hands gripping the back of each other's neck. Seeing them this way, I comprehend just how much of a brotherhood these men share. They have fought beside one another countless times, likely bled alongside one another, and they have finally been reunited. Judging by Peter's appearance, gaunt and filthy, his journey home was not an easy one.
They finally release one another. "Come," Emmett says as he heads toward the castle steps. "I can take you to the king."
Peter nods and follows us inside. When his gaze finally lands on me, his eyes widen. "Your Highness, it is good to see you safe."
I nod once, unable to ask the questions burning on my tongue.
"Edward will be happy to hear of it."
My heart begins to race, and I am finally able to speak. "So, he is well? Alive? Is everyone else just behind you?"
His eyes flash to Emmett, as if asking if he should answer. Emmett nods once as he stares straight ahead, leading us through the halls. Peter looks back to me. "If they manage the pace they were at when I left them, they are only a day or so behind us, My Lady."
Relief like I have never known floods through me, and tears of joy and relief fill my eyes. "That is wonderful to hear, Peter." I grasp his hand as he walks beside me. "Thank you."
He nods, his cheeks pinking at my display of gratitude. "It is the least I can do to set your mind at ease." He opens his mouth as if to say more, but he is cut off by Emmett as we approach the corridor leading to the king's chambers.
"Isabella, I am afraid you will have to wait outside," Emmett says regretfully. "I will send someone with word as soon as we know more."
I nod. "I understand."
Peter's hand slips from mine as they walk away, and I am left to stand alone, waiting for word of my husband.
It does not take long before I am joined by the queen and Alice. The tiredness in my new sister's eyes is only matched by the worry I find there as well. She awaits news of not just her brother, but her husband as well. I can only imagine the turmoil she is feeling.
The three of us sit side by side, Alice and I with our hands intertwined in support, as we wait for someone to emerge from the king's chambers. Time passes and we watch more men come and go from the room, but none offers us any information or reassurances. I am quickly losing patience, and as the queen grows more restless beside me, I realize I must not be the only one.
"This is ridiculous!" She rises to her feet and stands straight, looking down at Alice and me. "If they will not send someone out to tell us where my son is, I will just go find out for myself."
She strides confidently toward the door and pushes past the men guarding it. The look of shock on their faces would otherwise make me laugh, but there is too much anxiety inside me to find humor in anything.
It takes mere moments for the door to open again. The queen's face emerges to call us inside the king's rooms.
Alice and I do not hesitate. We hold tightly to one another's hands as we rush toward the door, hopeful of getting the answers we so desperately need.
The scene we walk into is rife with unease. The king stands before the roaring fire, his head bowed and his hands clasped behind his back as he stares into the flames. Emmett, Peter, and a few of the king's advisors stand nearby.
Alice and I step farther into the room, and the king's head rises. His eyes do not meet mine as I expect, but instead meet those of his daughter.
No words are spoken at first, tension stretching across the room like a taut thread, ready to snap at the slightest touch. I hold my breath as I wait to hear the news Peter has brought, my heart pounding in my chest. I clamp my lips tightly together, barely containing my pleas to know of my husband's wellbeing.
The king is the first to break the silence. "Edward is alive." His eyes flash to mine before returning to Alice. "And he, along with the rest of the men, should return to Masenthorne by sunset tomorrow. Well, perhaps it is today. I do not know." He rubs at his temples and momentarily closes his eyes.
The sight of him less composed than usual has me on edge, and I am not the only one to notice it.
The queen's eyes narrow on her husband, and she gives voice to what we must all be thinking. "There is more, though, isn't there? What is it?"
The king's gaze falls on his wife but returns, yet again, to his daughter. "Our son's rescue was one of opportunity, but it was not without cost."
Alice's grasp, her hand still intertwined with mine, tightens. "Jasper?" His name passes her lips in a whisper, a plea of her own.
"Is alive," her father reassures. "But he is injured." He looks to Peter—who nods almost imperceptibly—and then to all of us. "Everyone in the rescue party, Edward included, is injured or wounded to some degree." He locks eyes with Alice once again. "None so badly as Jasper, though. They fear he may not live through the night."
The cry which escapes Alice makes my heart ache for her. In all of my praying and hoping for Edward's safe return, rarely did I stop to truly consider the men who would be putting their own lives at risk to save him. And now a woman whom I consider a sister must endure the pain of knowing her own husband suffers.
"Elder Afton and the castle's healer have already been summoned, and we've sent messengers to the neighboring villages for healers and apothecaries to be ready to assist if we are unable to handle the men's injuries." He looks around to all of the blank faces as we absorb what he is telling us. "While our priest will tend to my son and Lord Whitlock, the servants will tend to the others injured. We owe it to the men to give them the best care possible for ensuring my son's return home."
"No, here." I hand Angela the quilt from my own bed. "This is softer."
She takes it but pauses with it still held between us. "Are you sure, My Lady?"
"Of course, I am sure. Why would I not want him to have a more comfortable bed to lie in?"
She hesitates.
"What is it, Angela?" My question is curt and pointed as I stare at her. My husband's impending arrival has made me feel as though I am walking on a knife's edge; I'm ready to lash out one moment and dissolve into a puddle of tears the next.
"Perhaps we should wait until we know how serious his injuries are. I would hate for your linens to be—"
"Do you think I care at all about my quilt being ruined?" I shout in the quiet of Edward's otherwise empty chambers. My handmaiden's eyes widen at my outburst. "I only care that he is returning home, that he is alive, Angela. I know how long he has been held captive, and we've traveled the road from Adwen to Galon, so I realize the conditions he's had to endure since he was rescued. I am fully aware of the state he will be in when he arrives. He'll be dirty, reeking to the heavens, bleeding." My voice finally cracks, and the tears I've managed to keep at bay spill from my eyes.
Knowing he is injured without knowing the severity of it has been weighing heavily on me, and all of the emotions I've been suppressing bubble to the surface. I allow myself a moment to just feel, and the tears fall freely, but I cannot wallow in my sadness for long. As the afternoon sun begins to shine through the shuttered windows, I know Edward's return is fast approaching.
I stand tall and wipe my eyes. "There is still much to do. Go see about Elder Afton. He should have been to see about arrangements by now."
Angela nods and curtsies quickly before disappearing through the bedchamber door. I busy myself with adding more furs and blankets to the bed, making sure Edward will have what he needs to be comfortable. As I smooth my hand over the quilt now lying on top, the door opens.
Elder Afton is led in by the queen herself, directing servants where to place the bundles of supplies they carry. I am overwhelmed as they place bandages, bottles of tinctures and herbs, and a wrapped bundle on a long side table near the window.
Curiously, my hands brush over the strips of linen and colorful bottles, but I pause as they reach the wrapped bundle. Sharp, pointed ends protrude from the top. "What is this?"
"That will be all," the queen says to the women still lingering in the room. "Be sure all the fires are lit. We'll have bedding to wash and wounds to clean, and I do not want to be waiting for water to warm when it is needed."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The women curtsy before stepping out of the room and closing the door.
The queen and Elder Afton briefly glance at one another. Esme nods before the priest finally turns to me. "The details Peter was able to give us were murky at best. We do not know for certain what injuries we'll be dealing with, and we want to be prepared for every eventuality."
"Prepared?" Puzzled, I look back to the bundle. With shaky hands, I untie the cording holding it together and unroll it. My heart begins to beat a little more quickly and my chest tightens as I take in the sharp, gleaming blades laid out before me. "What are these for?" I ask, unwilling to believe what I already suspect.
Elder Afton clears his throat. "Your Highness, I do not think—"
"Isabella," the queen interrupts, "Edward was held for months under less than pleasant circumstances. There is a chance there is infection that will need to be cut away, or worse."
I sniff and swallow as I blink back tears. "No, we cannot—"
"But if he needs it to survive, we must. We will not know for certain until he is home."
I turn to both of them, my eyes blazing with determination. "He is strong. The strongest man I know. There will be no need for any of this," I say, my hand waving over the offensive items.
The queen offers me a sad smile. "I hope you are right."
Trumpets sound as they appear on the horizon just as the sun begins to set. Nervous anticipation fills me, and it takes every bit of my restraint not to run to meet them. At one point, Emmett has to physically hold me in place.
"No, My Lady," he implores me, his hand gently gripping my shoulder. "There are men riding out to meet them. See?" As we stand side by side on the walkway over the portcullis, he points down to the men saddling their horses in the courtyard.
"But I—"
"Believe me when I say they will be here sooner if they do not have to concern themselves with your safety."
"My safety? I'm perfectly capable—"
"Yes, I am aware of your capabilities, but they are not." His eyes soften. "Please let them do this and he will be here that much sooner."
Accepting he is right, I huff a breath and turn back to watch the riders take off in a gallop. My heart seems to beat as fast as their hooves, and I wring my hands as their forms grow smaller as they ride away.
"Isabella." The queen's voice calls out from behind us, and I snap my head in her direction. "Do you plan for him to walk up the stairs to greet you?" she asks with just a hint of amusement.
I shake my head and feel my cheeks heat. "No, Mother."
"Then I suggest you follow me to the courtyard. I doubt it will take them long to arrive now that they have some assistance."
I nod and turn back to look over the landscape. Past the courtyard, past the castle's outer wall and over the low buildings of the outlying city, I watch as the riders reach the small group of men, the group that includes my husband. I turn back to the queen. "Please, lead the way."
The courtyard is lined with people; servants stand at the ready with supplies to help those in immediate need. Healers from the outlying villages who arrived just hours ago are prepared to assist as well. The king and queen stand next to Elder Afton as they wait for the men to pass through the gates. Alice and I are arm in arm as we wait for our husbands, Emmett standing just beside us.
The thumps of the horses' hooves and the turning of heavy wagon wheels are heard before they are seen. When the men come into view, all the breath in my body escapes me. The entire lot of them are bedraggled and worn, their clothing threadbare and tattered by the elements. They all wear the same ashen skin and sunken cheeks, making them appear more than just brothers in arms, but brothers by blood.
Suddenly, shouts ring out as the men come to a stop in the courtyard, and everyone moves to action. Some rush to help men dismount or rise from the two carts being pulled behind the horses.
The shock of blond hair peeking over the edge of one of them sends Alice running. My hand covers my mouth to contain my cries as Jasper's limp body is pulled from the wagon. The men hoist him into their arms and hurry through the parting crowd, disappearing into the corridors of the castle, with Alice doing her best to keep up.
I close my eyes and say a quick and silent prayer to the Gods that he is alive and will recover quickly. When I reopen them, I scan the small group, searching for Edward, and when I finally find him, I gasp. Sitting atop his horse, he is dirty, thin, and pale like his companions. He is bruised and bloodied, his matted hair even longer than I remember, and I ache to take him into my arms and comfort him, no matter his current state. Unable to tear my eyes away, I watch as Edward looks over the crowd, searching, almost frantically, and I know it is for me. I step toward him, willing him to see me in the flurry of activity swirling around us. When his gaze lands on me, I stop and am rooted to my spot, heavy and weighed down by the intense feeling of relief that flows through me.
He is alive. He is home.
A/N: The prince has returned! Is everyone as excited as I am? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Time for some recs!
Recently completed is Fall From Grace by ceceprincess1217. This one is a cheat fic, but there's a HEA! Summary: Theirs is a love story, a fairy tale, they are the ones who have it all.
And a WIP I need to dive into is The Beard by PearlyFox. Summary: "He's so not into girls, it's a shame." "Don't go out with her if you want to have a good time, she's a total nun." That's what people think about Bella & Edward. But they have a plan and it's about to turn everyones' head.
Remember, if you want to know what happened to Edward during his time away—from his POV—before March 1, 2020, donate $10 to the ALCU or RAICES for your copy of the 2019 Babies at the Border Fiction Compilation by November 24, 2019 to receive your copy via email on December 1, 2019. Please visit batbcomp dot blogspot dot com or the public Facebook page, Babies at the Border Fiction Compilation, for more details. I really hope you'll donate to this worthy cause. If you're unable to donate, the outtake will post to my profile on March 1, 2020.
Here's a little snippet for you. ;)
Captive : A Dominion of My Heart outtake.
Summary: Taken in the dark of night, Edward endures the cruelty of his enemies, both old and new. Will he be able to survive his captivity? An outtake written in EPOV, these are the events following those in chapter eleven of Dominion of My Heart.
"Edward!" Her scream echoes across the distance. My head turns, and our eyes meet. In that one moment of distraction, the enemy wielding his sword strikes. His blade grazes my right arm, but it is enough to cause my sword to fall from my grasp. The men surrounding us take the opportunity in my moment of weakness to seize me.
Isabella's muffled screams are but a buzzing in the chaos that follows, and when I am able to meet her eyes once again, with flames and an army between us, I mouth a single order.
"Go!"
She hesitates, and I will her feet to move, for her to escape to safety, and with a final pleading look, she turns and runs into the darkness.
My eyes close, and I say a quick prayer of thanks to the Gods.
"Oh, He'll be mighty happy to see your pretty face," a voice taunts me from beyond my closed lids. I do not see the blow to my head coming, but I am soon blissfully unaware, swallowed by the darkness.
A kick to my bruised side startles me from my repeating nightmare. Smells of soot and ash, along with the burnt remnants of a ruined meal assault me as I gain consciousness. When my eyes open, I find I am still in the same hell in which I fell asleep.
And remember, for exclusive weekly teasers and pics, be sure to check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics! You can also follow me on Twitter at CSunshine1220. 'See' you all soon!
Lots of love
~Sunshine