CHAPTER FOUR

Edward rushed down the corridors trying to find Bella. If he found her before he was spotted he could convince her to grab her stuff and run away with him. He just couldn't run away without Bella because… because he'd rather be in an unwanted marriage and still have her then be alone without her.

If only he could marry Bella, he thought jokingly.

But the more he thought about it, the more the idea of marrying Bella appealed to him. If he had to marry anyone, why not his best friend. He'd much rather have her for a bride than an airhead princess from a neighboring kingdom. He had never seen Bella that way but at least marriage with her would be easy, simple.

With his mind in the clouds he didn't see his best friend also in frantic search for him. The two bodies collided sending them back and onto the ground. They looked up and their eyes found each other. Bella crawled toward him hurriedly and reached him just as he reached his knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried herself in his scent. He smelled like summer and heat. He had been riding!

Bella sighed in relief. She had been worried sick when the guard had informed the majesties of their missing son. King Carlisle had mounted his horse and was too search the forests while Bella was sent to scour the castle.

She held him tightly, embracing the scent that wafted around her and the muscles that wrapped themselves around her. She could hear the steady drum of his heart under his chest. She was overjoyed. She felt like crying. Her mind had come up with the worst possibilities. Thieves, orges, dragons. Anything could have happened. The forest was dangerous after sunset.

"Oh Edward, you had me worried sick. You're supposed to be home before sunset," she scolded, keeping her arms around him just to make sure he was truly here. He laughed and buried his nose into her hair that always seemed to smell of vanilla or cinnamon.

"I was home. I was off searching for you, love."

She pulled away to stare at him.

"I was with your parents. They had something to tell me, but the guard interrupted our meeting," she informed him and he groaned. Of course she would have been exactly where he hadn't wanted to look.

"What's wrong?" she asked, placing a hand on his head to check for fever. Was he ill?

"If I asked you to do something for me, would you?" he asked, his eyes desperately searching for the answer within hers. She didn't need to think twice. She would do anything he asked of her. Not only because he was her prince, but because he was her very best friend.

"Of course," Bella answered, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Bella, we need to run…we need to run away. Now. Pack your bag quickly. Take only what you need," Edward said, rising from the ground and lifting her with him. Bella stared at him confused.

"Wait, why? What's wrong, Edward?" she asked, placing her hand on his cheek and staring into his eyes. They were such a vibrant green and she could see the storm brewing behind them. He was scared.

"Please, Bella. Please. Leave with me," he begged, placing his hand atop of hers and leaning into her touch.

"Edward, whatever has gotten into you? You're the prince, you just can't up and leave," she said, shocked by his request. She wanted nothing more than to run for her things and run with him. She had only ever fantasized about leaving with him, making a home with him by her side, but she was the sane one in their duo. He needed to think clearly before rushing into such a rash and careless decision.

"Bella, you don't understand. I have to leave," he pleaded.

"I'm sure whatever it is you can figure it out. You are a prince. You have responsibilities," she reminded him.

She didn't understand.

"I've never wanted to be a prince. Bella, it's not as amazing as you believe it is. I don't have as much control as you think I do. I can't even control who I marry!"

"Don't be—what?" she asked stunned. She felt a cold chill run down her spine as she wondered what would have Edward dying to runaway. Marriage? Why would he bring that up?

"Tomorrow is my courting date," he said, his shoulders sinking as though he could actually feel the weight of the kingdom on them. Bella's hands dropped from his face and chest. She felt the shock slipping throughout her body.

"What?" she whispered breathlessly, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of her very gut.

Bella's heart pounded. A Courting Date was when neighboring princesses were brought upon the prince. The prince invited each one to a dance and at the end of the night announced who he would marry.

Marry. Edward would have a wife.

The thought tore Bella's heart in half. She could literally feel it ripping at the seams.

"No! NO! You can't!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the open corridor. Edward took a step back, surprised at her reaction.

When Bella was a girl she was sure she would be a princess. She was sure of this because she imagined Edward marrying her. This was the fantasy of a small girl, but as she grew older the fantasy became a hope, a wish, a desire, but not because she wanted to be a princess, but because she had fallen in love with Edward.

She grabbed the ripped part of her apron and tugged it hard. She could run away with Edward. She would have to leave everything she knew in the castle, but she would be with Edward. She could make him fall in love with her. She could have a life that wasn't possible if she stayed here. It was forming such a lovely picture; Bella's reasonable side was overcome and soon lost.

Why shouldn't she run away? If he didn't care about being a prince why should she?

"Let's run. Let's go, right now, today. We could run. We could make a home for ourselves. It won't be like the castle, but it will be freedom, for both of us," he said, grasping her face and forcing her to look at him.

"Yes," she said. A smile so bright overcame his features she couldn't help but smile as well.

He brought her face near his and planted a kiss on her lips. It didn't last long, it was simply a peck and he seemed like he had no clue he had done it, but for Bella it was just one more promise of their life together.

"Pack. Only what you need. Meet me at midnight, behind the stables."

She nodded and he was off, walking down the corridor to plan their life.