Chapter 23

"Fine," I said. Edward ushered me to my dressing room. Our maid and butler followed us to assist in getting ready for the day.

Edward turned to the Peter and Charlotte and said, "Please Peter and Charlotte, it is nothing against you or your work. I promise you'll find out later today; but for a while Queen Bella and myself will take care of ourselves when it comes to dressing. Please pardon us."

"Thank you, your highnesses."

He sat me down and helped me lay down on my chaise. "I'm going to apply the salve to your legs. I am so sorry about this." He did and I screamed some more. Then he wrapped my thighs in thin gauze to protect my thighs from rubbing together and popping the blisters under my gown. We then picked out one of my simpler dresses. When my dressing gown and robe fell to the floor, we both gasped as we looked in the mirror. My chest was very badly bruised when Edward examine all way around I was black and blue all the way around from having my breasts bound.

"I am so sorry, your highness," Edward said through tears.

"Edward, you did all this to protect me and so far I am safe and sound except for a lot of bruising and very stiff muscles. Keep me alive and this will all heal," as I gestured at my body.

He then leaned down captured my lips, "I love you, Bella and I do not deserve you." Edward helped me get dressed. Once my boots were on, he secured both my daggers to my legs. Before we finished buttoning up my gown, we secured my one dagger to my arm. He helped me with my hair and then we went to his dressing closet for his clothes. He went into the back corner and came out with an outfit that I'd never seen. "Edward, James never wore that."

"My brother was arrogant and refused to wear any of my clothing. They have all been in the back of the wardrobe the whole time." Edward quickly dressed and slid two daggers into each of his boots. As I stood up to leave, I asked, "Can you tell that I have one in my dress sleeve?"

"No, I can't but you will have to be careful while you are sitting that you do not run into anything because that will give it away. Now may I kiss you, good morning Bella."

"Yes, please do," and he did but he held me very gently around my waist. "Let's go. No running away from my guards. You will always have two and I will, as well."

"I won't; but do you really think I could if I wanted to. Can I see my family?"

"Very funny. No not until this is over. I am trying to have as little contact with them as possible in case someone is already watching us."

"Fine."

We got to the grand dining room and we sat at the head of the table. Jacob came in and shared the schedule with us regarding all the guards. Tonight we are going to move into the sleeping quarters which neither of us liked the idea of. We were going to keep one guard behind the door one guard in each of the dressing rooms. One of my contributions was that all the guards had bird call whistles to alert others when anything was seen. Edward and I agreed the rebels would show up tonight or tomorrow night depending on how fast they got everyone together. We were leaving the meeting to barricade the two entrances into the castle from the underground tunnels; then meeting with the castle staff. "Edward, we're just going to lay in our bed at night waiting for them to get to us."

"Yes, but with guards all around us."

"What if they get passed the outside guards?"

"We're also keeping three guards in the sitting room as backup; so only one wave gets to us."

"I have an idea," I said.

"What is it?"

"Two guards lay in our bed one can use a wig for me and every night we lay sand at the door to the entrance. All our guards know to go over it; but the rebels won't. The sand will be one more added level of security for us. You and I sleep in my wardrobe closet and we can act is back up to the guards."

I then looked from Jacob to Scott and finally got to Edward. "I like it," they all said. "But the only ones that will know about the sand are those from inside the room. These are the guards that have proven themselves one hundred percent loyal to you and I. Jacob and Scott pass the word minus the sand and then get some rest. I need five guards to help us get furniture moved over these entrances from the tunnels. The furniture was quickly taken care of within the hour blocking the underground entrances. Edward got me alone for five minutes and asked, "How are you?"

"Sore and my ribs feel like they were on the losing end of the battle. I have to take smaller than normal breaths. But I am moving and my head is ten times better than this morning. Of course, the constant danger helped wipe away the alcohol pain."

"Good, let's go explain to our staff about the rebels. One and a half hours later, we had told them what we could including we were expecting no heroes. The guards were everywhere to protect all of us. Loyalty to Edward and I would be rewarded. Edward reinforced that as he did with the guards. We had a late lunch and the doctor came in to check on me. "Bella, your legs must be painful. Numerous blisters have popped."

Doctor, as long as I'm alive and I have Edward protecting me; I will be fine. This will all heal."

"You're a truly amazing Queen after everything you've been through."

"I am managing." They applied more salve and rewrapped my thighs in gauze.

As the doctor left, he said, "Keep moving my queen and it will get better. Every morning will get better; but will still start out hard."

Then Edward and I went into my dressing closet. "How are we going to sleep in here?" he asked.

"On the floor. There are plenty of clothes we can pile up for us to lay down on."

"You are a marvel. I never knew a queen to sleep on the floor."

A/N Hi my loyal readers and fans. Would you drop me a quick note and tell me what you think?