CHAPTER EIGHT

Edward paced back and forth through the stables. Dawn whimpered beside him and he placed a gentle hand on her nose to calm her. He was anxious as well. Bella was supposed to be here by now.

Had they stopped her? Had she gotten caught, been hurt, changed her mind?

A number of possibilities ran through his mind as he considered the scenarios that would delay her.

A twig broke and Edward's head snapped up to the entrance of the stables. Bella stepped into the light, her head down and her hair forming a curtain around her face.

"Thank goodness. We need to leave. Immediately," he said, placing his bag on top of Dawn. He walked toward Bella, reaching for her bag, but stopped when he realized she didn't have one.

She looked up then and in her eyes, he could read the apology. He felt his heart sink.

"No," he whispered.

"I'm sorry," she breathed back, but he couldn't hear it. He stepped away from her.

"No. no no no no! No! why?" he begged, suddenly feeling as though his world was falling around him. He had a plan. But he should have known. The life of a prince was not something he could throw away.

"Edward, please, look at me?" she pleaded, walking toward her friend. He stood by the stable door, refusing to meet her eye.

She neared him and took his face in her hands.

"I just, I wanted to be able to control something. Bella, this life isn't for me. I wasn't meant to rule a kingdom," he whispered, spilling his deepest fear, showing her how afraid he was.

It broke her heart. She wanted so badly to leave with him, to go. She knew better than anyone what he was going through. She had never understood why he hated being a royal. He got everything he wanted, he was dressed in the finest cloth, he ate the finest food, learned from the brightest teachers, and he was treated like a god. She had always wanted what he had. Always dreamed of being as important as he was.

But with all that power, he paid a price. His freedom. His choices were not his own. they were influenced by the court, his parents, his entire land. She knew, because her freedom had just been ripped from her own hands and she had to be responsible. She had to tell him no, even though it broke her heart.

"I know. I know, but you have responsibilities, Edward. Your people, they need you. They need their prince. And I need to stay here," she said. He rolled his bright eyes.

"Why in the world do you need to stay here?" he asked. She swallowed. She wanted to tell him the truth, all of it, but she couldn't.

"I'm a Fay, Edward," she stated. He stepped away from her. She couldn't be telling the truth. Bella wasn't a Fay. She was a handmaid. A handmaid he cared a great deal a part, but she was the help. Fay…Fay were almost as important as royals.

"That's not… how?"

"My parents didn't believe they could conceive a child. They had given up hope, but they sought the help of a very wise, very sacred healing Fay. She helped my mother and…" she trailed off. Let him come to a false conclusion.

"But you… never… I…you lied to me," he stuttered not able to piece the puzzle. He couldn't comprehend how his very best friend had been lying to him for their entire lives.

"I just found out. I'm to go into training tomorrow," she whispered and he couldn't stand to be near her.

"Why now? Why did you find out now," he asked, feeling as though she were keeping something from him. She bit her lip. She couldn't tell him. She wasn't allowed.

"I…have to go," she breathed, taking a step back and walking quickly out the stables.

Edward leaned against one of the stalls doors, unable to follow after her.

Dawn whinnied behind him.

"No adventure tonight, girl," he said, walking behind and removing his satchel. He sighed and leaned against his horse. She snorted, sensing his unease and wondering why Bella had left without indulging her in a sugar cube.

Edward patted her head and walked out, his head hung down; knowing he would be marrying soon and there would be nothing he could do to stop it.