A/N: Agh. Who told me I could write action?

Edward's heart pounded against his chest, a roar in his ears as he pulled Bella with him down the castle steps. What he wanted more than anything was to run. He needed to be far away from here. It would be minutes before they found Carlisle with the king's body. Gods, he hoped his friend would be okay, but right then, his priority was the woman by his side.

He let go of her only long enough to bring the hood of his cloak up and over his head. Wrapping his arm around Bella's waist, he pulled her tightly against him. "Listen to me, lovely. Listen. Hold on to me. If someone stops us, we're going to stick to the story you've fallen ill. Just don't look up."

Bella stared up at him with wide eyes. Her face was streaked with blood. Actually, she was a mess of blood. "You have to turn me in," she whispered.

His blood ran cold. "What?"

"You have to. It's the only way they won't believe you had nothing to do with this." She grabbed his arms, her voice spiky and frantic as she spoke. "I won't be the excuse your sister uses to cleave your head from your shoulders. Even if we could get out of here, I left my hairpin. It was a dagger. The dagger I used to—"

Steps in the passageway sent them both into action. Edward pulled Bella down a different passage, his steps hurried. "Have I ever given you cause to doubt my feelings for you?" he asked low under his breath.

They turned their faces away, brushing past an amorous couple. "No," she said, her voice breathless. "But—"

"But nothing." He squeezed her side even as they ran along. "I have no use for my life without you, beloved. All things considered, it would be a privilege to die at your side." He peered around a corner, checking that it was clear before he ushered her through and out into the open air. "That being said, I recall making a vow to protect you. It's high time I kept that vow."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than they reached the bottom of the stairs just as someone else was coming up them. Someone familiar.

"Edward," Aro greeted his son.

"Father." Edward's heart skipped a beat, and so the word came out strangled. Bella did as she'd been instructed and hid her face at his neck. He made an effort to stand up straighter. "Isabella was feeling a touch ill."

Aro's eyes, ever perceptive, narrowed. "And so you're taking her away from your chambers, into the night?"

"I—"

There was a clamor, and all three of them turned to look up at the castle. Indecipherable shouts rang out. The guards at the top of the stairs raced inside.

"Edward, what have you done?" Aro asked, his voice harsh.

Edward turned back to his father, his mind racing. But Aro was already reaching for the sword at his side. Edward had decided what to do before he put words to the thought. It was life or death, and when it was his and Bella's lives on the line, he knew exactly what his father would choose. His heart in his throat, he drew his own dagger—a long, thin blade—and drove it straight for his father's cold heart.

He would remember the look of pain and incredulity on his face for as long as he lived.

Before he could stoop close to the body, the sound of the guards running nearby, their armor clattering, focused Edward's attention. Knowing they had no time to spare, Edward grabbed Bella's hand and, again, they ran.

The marketplace was still teeming with people though evening had fallen in full force. Edward flipped a coin to a vendor at a stall and pulled two blankets from her wares. He passed one to Bella who didn't need to be told to put it about herself to hide her fine clothes. He did the same, and they continued on.

"Where are we going?" Bella asked in a low aside.

Edward let out a breath. "I'm not sure." The city would be locked down before they could think of getting through the gate; that was a certainty. Edward knew of some abandoned lots, but it was likely the guards would search such places.

The sound of shouts had them turning down an alleyway. They ran through to the other side, and Edward pulled Bella to him. He wrapped his arms around her and bent his face toward hers in an approximation of a kiss. Really, he was hiding their faces as guards past them by. He could feel Bella trembling against him, and she clung to his shirt.

"There's only one place we can go," she said near his ear. "But it's not right. It can't be right."

Edward peeked over her shoulder to see if the guards had gone. Seeing they had, he wrapped an arm again around her waist, and they got moving again. "You're right. There's no other choice. We must get off the streets now."

It took perhaps fifteen minutes for them to get within sight of Jasper and Alice Cullen's home. Before Edward could figure how best to approach the door—he couldn't let anyone see them enter—a figure came out of the darkness. Edward and Bella both started, but Jasper pulled his hood back to reveal his face before they could turn tail and run.

Looking at them, Jasper nodded. "I figured, when I heard the bells, it had to be you."

"Jasper—" Edward began, but the other man shook his head.

"There's no time for explanations. Follow me."

They stole together to the shadows, where it was easier to enter their little cottage without being seen. Once inside, Edward felt no safer. If anything, he felt only more vulnerable. Surely this would be the first place they searched. "We shouldn't have brought this on you," he said to Jasper.

The other man shook his head. "No time," he said again. "And yes, you should have. We prepared for as many eventualities as we could." He grabbed the kitchen table and pulled it off to one side.

"What's this?" Edward said in amazement as Jasper felt for and found a hidden handle in the floor. He opened it, revealing an opening just large enough for a man to fit through.

Jasper flashed him a grin. "A priest's hole." His smile fell as they heard the clamor of horse's hooves. Jasper gestured at them. "Hurry."

Edward pulled Bella forward. "Go on, love," he murmured.

Bella took a deep breath but descended quickly down the hole. Edward saw Jasper's eyes bulge as he caught sight of what a macabre mess she was. He said nothing, though. "Thank you," Edward said as he, too, descended.

Jasper nodded.

The priest's hole was, as all priest's holes, very small, cramped, and dark. It was meant for one purpose and one purpose only—to hide one or two people briefly. This one was well-built, given that it couldn't have been too old. It most certainly hadn't been here when Bella was readying the cottage for Jasper and Alice's arrival.

Edward clung to the top rung, listening as Jasper dragged the table back into place. Just in time, too, because it was only two minutes later that Edward heard the stomp of footsteps and muffled voices. He heard Bella whimper below him and cursed his own stupidity.

Letting go of the ladder, he jumped to the ground. Since he couldn't make noise, he got to his knees, his hands in front of him until he encountered the silk of her skirts. Following them up, he found her tucked into the very corner of the hold. One hand held her dagger in a rigid grip—ready to fight despite her terror. The other hand was clamped tightly over her mouth.

It smelled like blood in the small space, he realized. And he had no idea what Bella had been through with the king before he and Carlisle had arrived. He was running high on what soldiers called battle fury, but she had to be near to breaking with all that had happened.

He put his hand over hers that gripped her dagger tightly. He hummed as softly as he dared, urging her to calm. Once he'd coaxed the dagger from her hand, he set it to the side and sat beside her, his back against the wall. "Come to me," he whispered, working to pull her onto his lap.

She was shattering to pieces in his arms, quaking so hard it frightened him. He rocked her as well as he could, his lips near her ear as he hummed. He wished he could tell her it would all be all right, that no one would ever hurt her as long as he was there. They were infuriatingly empty words. He was being protected, as she was, by Jasper at present.

All he could do was hold her, rock her. She'd buried her face against his neck and wept hot tears onto his skin. She had pressed her open mouth to his neck, and he could feel the vibration there of either screams or hysterics. Her teeth stung as they dug into him, but it was the least of what he could give her.

The stomping footsteps moved directly overhead. Edward jumped when he realized he recognized the voice shouting, though he couldn't make out what was being said. It was the voice of his brother Alec—furious and deadly.

Then, it was Edward who shook. He had killed their father. When this was over, he would have to square with that fact. All things considered, Edward didn't think his brother was so upset about his father's death. While Aro had been prouder of Alec than he ever was of Edward, he'd still had no warmth for him. No, Edward was certain Alec's fury had everything to do with the death of the king—his son.

The secret that Bella's father had died for. The secret that had started this war. A secret Edward hadn't known for certain himself until he heard the roar of Alec's voice. His brother was as calm and cold as their father. Only the death of a child, or perhaps Jane, could bring this out of him.

Eventually, though, the heavy footfalls marched away, leaving the priest's hole in silence. Bella was calmer then, merely sniffling and trembling. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice raw. "I'm sorry for what I've brought down on us."

"He brought it on himself."

"He didn't." Her voice, while still quiet, was stronger now. "How many times did I tell you not to rise against him? I knew he would come for me again. I've always known. I should have—"

Her words cut off with a whimper, and her breath stuttered. Edward ran a hand through her hair, further loosening it from the ornate style she'd had it in. He could guess what she'd been about to say. She should have let the king do as he would, as she'd said she was going to.

"There's only so much pain a person can take. You've had more than your share for a lifetime."

"I've put us all in danger."

"We've been in danger." He shook his head. "I've never doubted you'd survive us, Bella. What I've never known is how many pieces you'd be reduced to by the time you were free. No. You've saved more than yourself today. You've killed a king no one will weep for. The bards will sing of your greatness."

She chuffed, but she seemed steadier in his arms. "But if the rest of you die for it?"

"It's war, my love. Your being held captive was an act of war. Your being married off to me was an act of war." He tightened his hold on her, and kissed her brow. "A prisoner killing her captor is part of a war you didn't start. He did, and he died for it. Perhaps we'll die for it too, though I'd much prefer we don't take ourselves out of the equation yet."

"No. Not yet."

~0~

It was hours before the wood above them shifted and light came in. Edward stood with Bella, keeping her in the circle of his arms, and peered up. The light hurt his eyes, but eventually he saw three faces staring down at him—Jasper, Alice, and Esme. His stomach churned. Where was Carlisle?

"He's fine," Esme said, her tone clipped. "As I understand, they're questioning him quite relentlessly. He was the last one to see Isabella before… Well. No matter. The court knows he was found trying to save the king. The murmurings are rapidly turning against the Guard for holding him so long when it's clear he had nothing to do with your crimes." Though it obviously took her some effort, worried as she was for her husband, she smiled at Bella. "Don't worry, lovely. They won't hurt him."

Edward could hear the words she didn't say. Because if they do, they'll answer to me.

"I'd wager they won't open the castle gates until mid-morning so they have time to search in the light," Jasper said. "It's best if you stay in the hole until the coast is clear." He grimaced. "We'll have to think of something by then. You won't be able to stay in the city for long."

"But after we clean you up a bit." Alice went to Bella, taking her hands. "Goodness, but you're a mess."

Bella pulled back. "I…" She swallowed hard and lifted her head up. "I would appreciate if you brought me a basin, however I have something to discuss with you all. I have a plan."

Edward's eyes went wide, and everyone turned to stare at her. She'd been quiet down in the hole. He'd thought she was just sorting out what she felt about all that had happened. He should have known better.

~0~

It was afternoon the next day before everything was ready, and the coast was as clear as it was likely to get.

Carlisle had been released around dawn. It was well known that his wife had gone to stay with their son, and so it was natural for him to go to Jasper's house straight away.

While Edward and Bella—dressed now in the simple peddlers' clothes that Jasper and Alice had procured for them—were forced to stay in the priest's hole, the others assembled what they needed. There was a cart laden in simple wares—boxes with false bottoms where there was a small store of food, weapons, and a small cache of money.

"Though, it's wiser if you keep to the forest at least until you get to the Midlands," Jasper advised. "Inns are nice, of course, but so close to Volterra, someone will recognize you."

As to how they would get outside the walls. Well, that was all Bella. She and Alice had talked at length after Alice had begun taking lessons from Carlisle about his work. At some point during their conversations, Alice had told her of a brew she could make that, when applied to the skin, would produce a rash, swelling, and blistering sores. The effects weren't pleasant, but they also weren't permanent.

"Don't scratch," Alice reminded them both, wagging a finger, before she helped them apply the cream. "Broken blisters will scar, and that would be terrible for everyone."

She applied the cream with excruciating care, getting near enough to their eyes so the swelling would deform their features but not cut off their vision. She dabbed at the skin of their arms—anywhere there was a patch of visible skin. Edward sucked in a breath at the burn on his skin. The pain was acute for a full twenty minutes or so before it faded, leaving behind an incredible itch. Uncomfortable was putting it mildly.

But worth it, he reminded himself, looking at Bella who was staring at her ruined hand with horror. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it, swelling and all. "You're still beautiful to me."

Then, they said their goodbyes.

"We'll meet again on the right side of this mess," Carlisle said, squeezing Edward's shoulder.

"As the Gods will it," Edward said, hoping the man knew without his having to say in this mixed company that he was the father Edward wished he'd had.

Jasper gave his back a healthy thunk. "As we will it," he said with a grin.

"You're both a part of this now," Alice said, giving them both hugs. "I think you're going to be more important than any of us realizes."

Esme, not caring about the current state of their faces, kissed them both gently. "Everything will work out," she said.

They made their way slowly across the city, careful not to draw attention to themselves. Everywhere, people were talking about the king's death, and the new king, Felix's little brother Demetri. Demetri was a sweet child, but he was just that—a child. With Aro gone, no one knew who was going to actually rule.

Edward's theory proved, thus far, correct. No one seemed particularly upset about Felix. Many celebrated or called out cheers. "What'd I tells ya, aye? Swans er vicious creatures," someone nearby guffawed. "Well, good on 'er, and the lordling besides."

Finally, in the early afternoon, they made it to the gate. There was a line. Guards inspected wagons, as they'd known would be the case. Now, Edward did call attention to them.

"Here goes nothing," he heard Bella murmur from her place in the cart.

"Agh!" the guard who looked their way saw his face and started. "What in all hell's happened to you."

"Thas the thing, Sir." Edward made his voice raspy—not too hard given that his heart was in his throat—and his posture hunched. "I'm thinkin' me and the wife's displeased the gods, we has. Cursed we are, with this plague." He made a show of coughing, and Bella echoed it. "Best we get out of the city, aye? Las' thing I wan' is to spread this misery."

The guard looked uncertain. He unsheathed his sword, and Edward held his breath, but he only used it to prod at some of the blankets covering their wares. Bella lifted her head, and the man balked. He nodded. "Aye, get your diseased asses away from me."

He called an order up the line, and people moved to the side to let them through, giving the cart a wide berth. Though he gripped the horse's reins tightly, Edward's heart was pounding out of control. He struggled to keep his breath even, struggled to keep himself from urging the horse into a bolt.

When they went under the city gate, Edward looked up, watching as they crossed. They started down the road, rumbling away from the city.

Only when they were under the cover of the forest did Edward begin to breathe again. Then, from the wagon, he heard the unmistakable sound of giddy laughter. To his surprise, Bella hopped off the wagon. He pulled the horse to a stop, but she was already at his side, offering her gloved right hand to him. Smiling, he took her hand and pulled her onto the horse behind him.

Bella wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. "I thought I'd never see the outside of that city again," she said softly.

He grinned and urged the horse on.

They were free.

A/N: Weeeeeeee.