Chapter 22

Edward's voice then changed and he was whispering, "I know you are in extreme pain Bella, but please sip from this and maybe it will start to help." He held it to my lips and I took slow sips of it. I did keep drinking it very slowly until it was gone. "Bella, you still haven't spoken. Please tell me how you feel?"

As I slowly adjusted my body, I leaned in and cuddled into his chest. "Edward, I said as I moaned from that movement. "Everything hurts."

"I am so sorry, My Love. It will be okay," and he gently kissed my lips. "I'll make you all better. I promised to protect you. We're going to have two guards in our bedroom and two outside of the sitting room doors. We will sleep in here somehow. I realize how much pain you are in; but I cannot handle sleeping in that bed with you knowing that my brother shared it with you as well."

"It's okay," and I kissed him. "I understand, too."

"Now, are you ready for a second glass of wine?"

"Yes."

The doctor came in and said "Just a minute for the wine, let me examine you, my Queen."

"King Edward, please bring her to the couch." As the doctor examined me, I screamed from all the pain. "Your majesties, Bella needs to move around after a good night's sleep that she's going to be very sore. She shouldn't sit or stand in one place for more than one hour at a time once she gets up tomorrow. King Edward, would you like help getting her into her dressing gown before we give her medicine?"

"No," he said. "Please leave the medicine; I am assuming a warm bath will help tonight as well."

"Yes."

"Okay," so the doctor left a powder to mix in with half a glass of wine. "I will check on you in the morning your majesty and welcome home both of you."

"Thank you and good night."

Jacob came in with all our daggers and swords and the maid. "Thank you, Jacob. I will see you in the morning."

"Okay, sir, but I will be one of the two guards in the bedroom. I will see you at 7:00 AM sir."

"Edward, please help me get to the tub and it looks so comforting."

Our robes, towels and dressing gowns were left with us. He slowly undid my jacket. He laid me down on the couch and helped me get my pants off and my boots went with them. Next another layer came off. Then he started undoing my bindings. When he was halfway through, I let out a very large breathe, a sigh of relief. "Beautiful, I did make them too tight."

I said, "Maybe, but did I look like a girl on the horse."

"Not really unless you were next to you. But the guards were amazed, there queen was a trooper through the whole trip." He released the rest of the bindings and then he said, "Your dressing gown is next." He held onto me and unbuttoned my gown. It slipped down to my feet. As Edward went to pick me up to carry me to the tub, we both fell back down onto the couch. "Bella, I am so sorry; I hurt you so badly."

"What did you trip on?" I asked

"Nothing, look at your legs."

"Oh my god," I gasped no wonder I couldn't feel anything by the end of the day. He turned and threw a blanket on me and yelled for Jacob at the same time.

"Yes sir."

"Go stop the doctor and bring him back." Within ten minutes, Jacob was back with the doctor. Jacob went back to his guard post and then Edward showed the doctor the insides of my legs.

"Bella, you still need the bath. But everything is going to hurt your raw and blistered legs. Here is salve to rub on them before the bath and after. You'll probably need another two glasses of wine tonight to fight off the pain. Edward, be careful with her, her wine and pain medicine and the tub."

"Thank you, doctor for coming back."

"This is my job, your majesty."

Edward helped me drink the second glass of wine. Then Edward carried me and sat me in the tub. I screamed bloody murder.

"I am sorry," I heard through sobs. "I did this to you."

"Edward, we both did this to save the monarchy. I will be okay in a little while."

"I know but."

"SHHHH. No butts," and I rolled my head and kissed his lips. Then I lay my head down on the back of the tub and rested my eyes and the rest of me. Twenty minutes later, before Edward got me out of the tub, he gave me the other medicine and part of the wine. He got me out gently, towel dried me and very gently towel dried my legs. He helped me into my dressing gown and my robe. He applied the salve to my legs as gently as he dried me. He gave me the rest of my wine to finish and he went and changed. When he returned he took the cushions off of the couch laid me down and then took cushions from another couch. Once they were in place, Edward laid me down and pulled me into his chest. "Good night my love, sleep peacefully." I think I was asleep before he ever started humming my song.

The next morning I awoke to sunlight and strong arms holding me very tightly. "Edward?"

"Yes, of course."

"I don't feel very good this morning; my head hurts."

"Thirteen hours on a horse, three glasses of wine last night, and pain medicine no wonder. Do you want to try and move yet?"

"No, I like laying in your arms." He tickled me and I moved some.

"How was that?"

"Mean." I slowly stretched; I feel so sore and stiff all over.

"Unfortunately, you know, we're going to have to move you around today. We need to meet with all the staff and get things taken care of. But we're starting with the guards in one hour in the main dining hall. Please try and get ready by then; we will get you to your dressing room. I want three daggers on you during the day. The one up your sleeves needs to be the dagger that can go through armor." I slowly got up and moaned a lot but Edward was right there supporting me. Once I was completely upright Edward asked, "Better?"

"Yes, though my head is throbbing thanks to three glasses of wine. Let's get dressed and get breakfast in you and hopefully you'll start to feel better."