Chapter 8

The stranger then gently touches my shoulder, but a second contraction rips through me. A maid opens the door. The stranger yells, "Get the Doctor, now." On the third contraction, I try to roll away from the pain and the man's hand gently on my shoulder, but the pain is too much and I pass out again. It was worse than delivering either of my two kids. Thankfully I was back in the black abyss where I didn't feel the pain any more.

?POV

As Bella rolled away from me this time, I see a pool of blood coming through her dress layers and onto the bed. My knees collapse, forcing me to sink to the side of the bed. My God I killed her child that was never part of the plan. I am truly evil and selfish. The doctor was there in fifteen minutes. As the doctor started to examine Bella, he said, "Sir, you do not need to stay."

"I will," I growled at him. I wish none of this had happened.

"Nancy, bring us another change a clothes for Queen Bella and bedding for the bed."

"Yes sir."

As the doctor examined Bella, he said, "Sir."

"Yes."

"Bella is in the process of miscarrying. She was probably 8 to 12 weeks pregnant. I don't think she knew she was pregnant."

"I'm responsible for her losing this baby. She fell at the other house and whacked her head and left side."

"Sir, you can blame yourself. This was an accident."

"But I do."

"Sir, once we get her cleaned up, she'll need to stay in bed for two weeks. Just getting up to go to the bathroom and walking around this room every two hours."

"Yes doctor. I will take care of her."

"She will need simple meals. Her emotions are going to be out of control. You need to be very kind. I hate to say this; but on top of you kidnapping her and her hormones, be very careful and gentle with her."

"I've hurt her three times today. I will be very careful from now on. But doctor, she's a very strong woman, too. On top of leaving her family to protect them, she drew a dagger on my guards if not for Tom's warning I wouldn't have been watching for it and someone might have gotten hurt."

"Be careful, sir. She may really love James and not fall in love with you as Edward."

"I know and if that is a case, I will to return her to him. How long will she be out?"

"Once I give her the medicine, until early afternoon. Send Nancy in to help clean this up."

"No, I'll help you. I did this I want to make it right."

"You are torturing yourself, sir." Between the two of us, we cleaned her up. I gently carried Bella to the couch and then we cleaned the bedding. I moved Bella back to the bed. The doctor then left and I went and sat in the chair by the fireplace all night and watched Bella sleep. I slept on and off during the night. Somewhere around 5:00 AM, I fell asleep in the chair until noon when I was suddenly very alert. I then got up and paced waiting for the beautiful Queen Bella to awaken.

Around 1:30, I could hear Bella starting to wake up with moans. She most have been still cramping because she pulled her arm into her stomach and stayed tight in the fetal position. She continued her moaning. The stranger's deep throaty voice asks, "How are you, Queen Bella? Are you in a lot of pain? Can I get you anything? Water, food, anything?"

My voice was cracking and dry, "I hurt some, but it's much more mild than last night. I am very tired. May I have some water please and What happened? Where am I? My family?"

"Water first, your highness." I tried to sit up, but I was very unsteady. So the stranger supported me while I had some water, then I laid back down.

"Do you remember waking up here?"

"Yes then extreme pain."

My Queen, you miscarried. My doctor examined you. You will need to stay in bed for two weeks then you will be slowly as good as new. As to where you are, I'm sorry but I can tell you. Though you won't believe me you are safe."

"My family back in their castle?"

"As promised. I am sure the King is trying to figure out where you are. For right now, you are to stay in this bed for two weeks except to go to the bathroom and walk in this room every two hours."

"I am so sorry you lost your baby Queen Bella. I do blame myself for that."

"Then return me home."

"Right now, you're going nowhere. This I promise you, your time here is limited; but I don't mean that in any bad ways. King Edward has a limited amount of time to make a decision and based upon his decision and yours. You will leave this place, I promise."

"How long?"

"Let's get you better first and then you can worry. Are you hungry?"

"A little bit." The maid Nancy brought in a tray of bread and fruit.

"Do you think you can sit up?"

"Maybe." I slowly pushed myself back up then I ate a piece of bread and half an apple. I drank some more water, too.

I then laid back down and fell asleep. I was thinking about the child I lost and that I wanted Edward to find me, hold me and comfort me. When I woke up again the stranger was still there. "Are you always going to be here?"

"Yes, as much as I can. Plus if I leave the maid with you, I saw how you were with a dagger. You may try to overpower her and I'm sure you could. Now let's get up and try to walk. I will have Nancy tend to your womanly needs."

"Fine."

He was right there holding my arm as I turned my feet to get out of bed. Then he held my arm as I stood upright. My equilibrium was way off and I grabbed his other arm for balance. I slowly straightened up and let go of both his arms. His one arm still went around my waist as I stabilized myself. We slowly walked around for about ten minutes.

"Enough," I said.

"Fine, I'll get Nancy in here to help you; but please behave your majesty."

Once I was back in bed and all cleaned up, the stranger returned and said, "Tell me about you, King Edward, Emmett and Rosalie."

I answered questions then I said, "It's my turn – how do you know our names and why do you live here?"

"Though I live far away from the castle, I still hear the news of the country. The other answer to your question is because I was asked to."

"How many people are here?"

"About 65 total, 50 men fifteen ladies to help in different capacities. I am curious about the dagger."

"What about it?"

"Most ladies don't carry one, and particularly not a queen. So why?"

"There have been revolutions all over France for five years. Edward lost his father and brother during one. So he wanted me protected; I learned how to use a dagger and a sword. He also wanted our children protected."

"But you said you haven't left the castle in five years."

"Yes, but the castle could be invaded. I'm sorry but I am getting tired, sir. I have one last question for you?"

"What's that?"

"Do you have a name so that I am not always calling you sir?"

"My name is Anthony. Good night, Queen Bella. Have a nice rest."

"Thank you."

The next two weeks went by slowly; Anthony asked a lot of questions. There was something comforting and gentle about him and he was smooth and kind. After my two weeks of bed rest, my spotting had completely stopped. I put on a normal dress and was doing my hair when Anthony came in. "Would you like to see the rest of my home?"

"Of course." An hour later, I was returned to my room after we slowly moved around his home. It was simple and efficient for their needs.

"Queen Bella, would you have dinner with me in the dining room tonight?"

"Yes, Anthony".

"I will call for you at seven."

"That will be fine," and I was locked in my room.