I'm alive! Kind of. Close enough. Sorry I left you with a cliff-hanger! A terrible one at that. nya.

Edward 1st POV

The world tips. It sways. It blurs.

"Edward?" I hear a familiar voice but I can't pin it down. It echoes off the empty caverns of my head, making it sound like "Edward? Ward? Ard?"

I blink my eyes open. Bella's face, my Bella's face. I think it is, at least. I can hardly make out what is up and what is down.

"Edward? Oh my God, Edward! You idiot!" She hits me in the head, then bends down and squeezes me in a bone crushing hug.

Yup, it's Bella.

Without realizing, my eyes had closed and I'm breathing in her scent. She smells like mint and lemons, roses and clean cut grass.

She pulls away, too soon in my drowsy opinion, and blushes.

I slur, "What happened?"

"On your hunt, a bear attacked and nearly killed you. I visited you everyday-" at this Bella blushed further, though for what reason was completely lost on my. "And I even protected you from those vile leeches."

I smile and roll my eyes. She was always ranting on about something wrong with the kingdom. The leeches, the streets, the politics.

"I'm really happy you're okay, Edward," Bella whispers at me, her voice caressing my name with a softness I can't comprehend. My hand reaches for hers, and it feels like lightning when our skin touches.

She quickly takes a step backwards, and runs into the nurses table.

"Bella? Bella, what's wrong?" My stressed and worn out brain can't quite figure out why she's acting so weird.

"I have to go. I have to..." She trails off and glances around the room.

It feels like there a wall of cotton surrounding my cranium. I can't think straight.

Pushing myself up, I pull her into my arms because it's the only thing I can think to do. And God it just feels so right, I don't even care if she's my sister.

Bella obviously does, though. She pushes away and kicks the door open, taking off like a gazelle with a cheetah right on it's heels.

What an odd thought. Am I a cheetah? Is that how she sees me?

"M-my Lady!" I hear the nurse on call say. Bella ignores her and keeps running.

"Your Highness! What's wrong?" The nurse continues in vain.

I sigh. "It's no use. Once she starts running, there's no stopping her."

The attendant gasps, oblivious to the fact I was awake until this moment.

"Sire, how are you feeling?" She rushes into the room.

I can still hear Bella's fast footsteps, carrying her far away from me.

I do the only thing that I think would make things right when they are obviously so wrong. I stand and limp after her, my heart leading the way.

"Your Highness, I digress! You must rest!"

My body only makes it to the doorway before it gives out.

Bella, come back to me... please...

Bella 1st POV

My thoughts are tangled.

On one hand, I'm practically jubilant about Edward waking up.

On another, I'm heart sick with love for him.

On another, I'm confused on why I feel this way.

And on yet another, I'm queasy. He wanted me... Me! Even though I'm his sister.

I never knew some one could have this many hands.

Eventually I stop running and put my head between my legs. I can't breathe and am about to retch.

"Is poor wittle Pwincess Bella unwell?" I hear a sickly sweet voice to the left of me.

Oh, anyone but her. The Baroness waddles over to me on her fat legs, multiple chins waggling with every word.

"Is Edward okay?" She asks with mock sympathy.

"Screw off," I mutter under my breath. I just want to dig a hole and hide for a century.

"You know," she whispers in my ear. "It isn't right to kiss your brother."

I can't help it. I gasp. How does she know this? We were alone, I told no one, he was in a coma...

She cackles. "Wow, didn't know you went that far..."

The poem! She saw the poem! Common sense tells me to act like nothing happened. But she already knows, and she has proof.

"What do you want."

Maddelane examines her filthy fingernails. "Oh, I don't know... For you to disappear?"

"And how exactly do you expect me to do that?" I snap.

She grins. "I could help. Well, I would never touch a putrid beast like you. But I could just 'accidentally' have some one push you into the river..."

"Why? Why do you hate me?" Years of her bossing me around make my voice louder than I intended.

Again she howls with laughter. It chills me to the bone. "I don't hate you personally. You are an annoying brat, but honestly, all I want is your money and power," she pauses, then adds in a menacing tone, "And I'll do anything to get it."

Was that terrible? Was it hard to follow? Did I totally suck this chapter?

Yup yup yup.

I apologize, but thanks for reading! I'll update sooner. Hopefully.

R&R? Please?