(A/N): By far my longest chapter yet...with a beautiful 2000 plus words...yay!!! Just a small warning...I'm trying to achieve my half-goal of completing this story within 30 chapters...which means that some parts may be rushed a little to make room for the scenes that I'm really looking forward to (and my ending). I'm appologizing for sometimes trying to hurry things up by cutting down on the dialogue or descriptions. And thanks to all those who reviewed. Yay!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight nor New Moon (sobs).

Chapter 15

The light I woke up to was dazzling. Squinting, I looked at the ceiling, just realizing that there were decorations and patterns up there that seemed to come alive. There were intricate little birds caught in mid-flight; bunnies and rabbits that seemed to be tensed, ready to hide. As my vision adjusted, I was captivated in the scene on the ceiling.

The sound of the door opening and closing brought my eyes to an old-aged doctor. Not realizing that I was awake, he came over, took my hand and examined it. I winced as he touched the bandage covering the wound, but he never noticed. Someone must have bound it up when I was unconscious.

"Not enough blood loss for unconsciousness," he mumbled. "Tell me, Your Highness, do you have a previous history of fainting at the sight of blood?"

That brought me to a standstill. He did know that I was awake. He was a very good actor if my opinion ever counts. I nodded although it was not completely true. I faint at the smell of blood, not the sight, although usually, when I see it, I smell it…so it went hand-in-hand.

"You're okay," he said. "It'll heal in a bit, but try not to hurt it more." With that, he left, closing the door behind him. I heard some mumbles outside my room before Edward came hurriedly came in. At first, he seemed panicked, but when he saw me looking at him, he visibly relaxed.

"You scared me last night," he whispered, loud enough so I could hear. "All I heard was a crash, and when I checked on you, the glass of water I brought on the table was shattered and you were out cold." He seemed to shudder at the memory. "Do you faint at the sight of blood?"

"Sight's okay, but the smell…" I trailed off, thinking how ironic it was.

"Humans can't smell blood," he countered.

"Well, I can. It smells rusty and salty and…" I made a gagging noise, before giggling at how unladylike that sounded. He smiled too. "Did you stay here all night?"

He nodded in reply. I mentally tensed. I knew that I like to sleep-talk. Unconscious or just sleeping, I still sleep-talk. I wondered what he heard…or if he heard anything.

"Do you feel okay now?" he asked. I nodded. "Then, get dressed. I have a surprise for you." I groaned. "Do you not like surprises then, dear Lady Princess?" he teased. I shook my head no. "Well, I'm sorry, but that's not going to pass well. Now, are you going to get dressed, or do I have to help you myself?"

My eyes widened. He wouldn't dare…I blushed at his words…but then…he just might. Seeing how I was still reluctant to move, he made as if to lift the covers. I shrieked. How improper he was today! "Fine," I grumbled. "I'll dress myself…if you will kindly take your leave and call Sophie in to help."

He chuckled before gracefully striding out of my room. A moment later, Sophie stumbled inside. I swear something's wrong with her ever since she arrived.

As she dressed me in a snow-white woolen winter dress with embroidered hems, brushed my hopelessly tangled hair, and made me presentable, I asked her what was the matter.

She just shook her head saying that she wasn't feeling too well although she had no fever. She only seemed like a shadow of the lively girl she was back in Rome. It had only been a few days, and yet she seemed so depressed. I gave her a hug, begging her to spill her troubles, but her stubbornness stayed. Then, she put on a cheery façade that only I could tell was false, and ushered me out the door. I knew not about what she did when she was not serving me, nor where she truly lived, but I aimed to seek these out for clues as to why she was behaving so oddly.

Outside, Edward led me to the stables where two horses were saddled and ready to go. Both were sleek and strong. Even I, who had no experience with any animal other than the cows on my grandfather's farm (A/N: I feel like I'm trying to advertise or something. The link to the story about the cows is up on the profiles page…and I'm sorry for the multiple mentions…lol), could tell that these were extremely fine horses indeed.

"Um…Edward…?" I called.

"Hmm?" he said as he stood by my side, ready to help me up.

"How do you expect me to ride that…thing?" I asked, gesturing to the horse.

"Have you never learned to ride?" I shook my head no in answer. He sighed. "Guess we'll have to ride one horse until you learn." My heart went crazy. Did he not enjoy my company? Was he just being gentlemanly by taking me out to see this…surprise?

Without warning, I felt his hands grasp my waist, lifting me up higher and higher until I was seated on the beast, sidesaddle. He then gasped the reins and climbed up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. Though the air was frosty and he seemed no better, I felt extremely warm and comforted in his half-embrace. I leaned into his strong chest, feeling one of his arms hold me more tightly to him. I closed my eyes as I felt the wind whiz past us as he stirred the horse into a slow trot.

I had no idea how long I rode on the horse. I only knew that the sun was hiding behind thin clouds; and that we had passed through several snow-covered fields and that we were now in a thin forest with a tall mountain to one side. The woods around us were brightly lit by the snow reflecting the light. There were icicles hanging from the trees, making them look enchanted. The woods had no sound. It was all quiet except the steady footsteps of the horse and our breathing (A/N: in the profiles page is a link that leads to some pictures of what I kind of imagined it to be like).

Soon enough, we neared a clearing. The sun had peeked from behind its covers, and its rays sent all the snow a-glow. Edward hopped down from the horse before lifting me down. The air was suddenly chilly without his embrace. I tugged my cloak closer to my body, and made the rest of the way into the clearing.

The clearing was probably a meadow in the summer. It was perfectly round, lined by the surrounding woods and split in half by a lazy, ice-covered stream. The crisp gurgling sound of the water flowing under the layer of ice could still be heard. To one side was a tall cliff where the mountain ended abruptly, on which a frozen waterfall hung precariously down the cliff-side.

It was amazing…it was more than amazing. Words could not describe the beautiful scenery that lay before me. I sought for Edward, just then realizing that he had not followed me into the clearing. My heart started to panic – to race. And then, I saw him standing beside a snow-covered tree, just out of the reach of the sun. I remembered what he had said – he did not burn in the sun…but something else happens instead. Curious, I beckoned him over; watching carefully as he reluctantly left the cover of whatever shade the leafless trees provided.

Edward in the sunlight was amazing. His skin literally sparkled even if not much skin was showing because it was winter. His hair gave off an unnatural light, and his face shone as if it was made from a thousand tiny diamonds. He watched me carefully, almost as if expecting me to run away. A part of me told me that I should…but I could not…I did not want to.

As he came closer, he took off his heavy cloak and carefully rolled up his sleeves and sat down where I was. I followed the same suit. The meadow's dazzling appearance in the sun paled to the sparkling wonder that was Edward. To think that such an amazing creature could like me – all of me – was almost impossible.

His lips quivered, but when I asked, he said that he was singing. I asked if he was cold, but he just chuckled and said, "If you're as cold as I am, you don't feel cold anymore." I laughed at that.

I lost track of the time we spent in the once-meadow. He just lied on the snow-covered ground, and I kneeled beside him, tracing patterns on his forearm, never looking away. The cold air meant nothing, and it was not until the sun was starting to disappear that I realized how cold and frozen I was.

"We need to go home," he stated simply. My heart jumped at the word 'home.' He got to his feet first, and then offered me a hand, in which I took. He pulled me up, but didn't let my hand go. Instead, he just stared at me with his golden eyes until I blushed. "Isabella," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I-I…" he sighed, shaking his head. He pulled me into a tight embrace, kissing me tenderly, yet hard, on the lips, as if trying to say everything he couldn't in that one kiss alone. A part of me knew better than to push him, but it lost. I felt my face flush as I leaned into the kiss, feeling him turn immediately into stone.

"Oops," I whispered. "Should I-"

"No," he responded, his eyes a dark black. "Just…just give me a moment."

I stayed still in his still-tight embrace until he relaxed, his eyes turning back into a light topaz. "I'm sorry," I said, my throat suddenly felt hoarse. I looked away, suddenly finding the lazy drops of water trickling down the waterfall very interesting. He tilted my chin up with a finger, forcing me to look into his eyes again. I realized how close we were…how amazingly sweet his breath smelled.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry. Would you be able to understand if I say I'm only human?" his eyes were almost pleading.

I nodded. "Where's the horse?" I asked, changing the subject.

His eyes went wide. "Shoot! I forgot to tie it up!" I giggled at his expression. Now this was a side I don't think I had ever seen. As I watched, his expression changed from one of shock to more of a grin. "But…would you like me to show you how I travel in the woods?"

Now it was my turn to be shocked. Then, without warning, he picked me up and set me on his back with such ease and grace that it almost scared me. My arms automatically locked around his neck, and off he ran.

The speed was amazing. The chilly wind blew at my face, drying it, and I watched with horror as Edward sidestepped one tree and another. The trees always seemed to miss by just a few inches. I tried to close my eyes and hide my face in the crook of his neck, but I lost control.

Finally, he slowed down. We were in front of the stables, where his horse was 'lounging' lazily outside the door. I knew I should get off, but I lost all control of my limbs.

"Bella?" Edward called as he waited for me to get off.

"Um…I think I need help," I replied, my voice shaking.

He chuckled as he unlocked my strangling gold on his neck. I slid off with a thud. "Ooomphf."

I watched as worry replaced the look of excitement he had. My head spun and I felt as if I was going to vomit. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Do I look as if I'm okay?" I moaned, trying hard not to faint. "I should have closed my eyes."

He flashed a quick smile. "Remember that next time."

"Next time!" I yelled. I immediately regretted yelling. My head spun harder. "Next time'll be the death of me," I mumbled.

"Do you have a special friendship with the word 'death' or are you going to court it someday?" he asked, a faint edge to his voice. "Must you always speak so nonchalantly about it?"

"Well, it happens that I am best friends with death! We knew each other since I was born!" I croaked, still trying to stop my head from spinning. I could care less what I was saying.

"Is it your curse?" he whispered, his voice suddenly tender.

"How did you know?"

Lol...a cliffie! There's two possibilities: Bella faints or Bella tells...or...Bella walks away...but I don't think she's in the state to do that...Review!!!