Chapter 6

The constant drip and patter of raindrops through the evergreen trees rang out about us. The air was filled with the scent of wet moss and earth and the horses assumed a more wary gate through the sodden ground. High above, thunder rocked the sky and lightning lit the forest as far as I could see. For the second time today my heart beat within my mouth as I worried for my cousin and my King.

Emrys and I rode side by side, Edward altering his gaze between the path we were on, the trees and shrubbery around us and deep into the brush ahead. It was clear to see from the churned up ground which way the hunt had set off and then the way some had returned.

I stroked my horse's steel gray neck to calm his nerves as much as my own. I had seen the horse around before and know it was a favorite ride of Sir Jasper's. I hoped I would not be punished to taking his steed and not another. For now, however, my concerns rested only with Seth and King Emmett.

I kept my horse close to Edward's, his large cloak black with the damp, fading him to nothing but a shadow. I blinked, the flashes of light and dark confusing my eyes and I begged internally for a lamp with which to light the way. Suddenly Emrys stopped, his eyes alternating between a number of broken branches and further along the path we were on. He closed his eyes, appearing to ponder and a frown marred his features. Suddenly his eyes opened and he swung his horse to the right, cutting mine up as he pushed his way through the broken bushes.

I urged my horse after him, keeping as silent as Edward, even as the thorny bushes we broke through ripped through my damp dress and cut my legs. I longed to speak, to ask questions about how he knew where to go, yet I dared not. I listened for any sound above the rain that might hint to Seth and the King's whereabouts but heard nothing.

We wove this way and that through the woods, stepping over broken boughs and ducking under low hanging branches. We were immersed within the heart of the forest, the path behind us lost in a sea of misty trees. The storm had passed, dusk falling and I shivered, finally feeling the cold as dread began to settle into my bones. We negotiated a downhill slope, just steep enough for the horses to tackle and emerged on a path. Immediately Edward turned his horse left and I barely had to move my icy fingers on the reins for Jasper's horse to follow.

Despite my best attempts, my teeth chattered and I began to shake against the cold in my wet clothes. Edward slowed his horse, unclasping the neck of his cloak he removed it and passed it to me. "Here, you will catch a cold if you haven't already. I would rather you didn't die yet." He offered a bleak half-smile and I took the thick coat with a murmur of thanks and my cheeks flushed. The inside was warm and dry and smelled divine. I found myself burying into the comfort of it for Edward's scent was sweet and earthy and so alluring. I had not met a man who smelled as good and found the question upon my tongue before I could stop myself.

"Who is your father?"

I saw the tense set of Edward's shoulders as he registered my question. I urged my horse on to draw level with his and Edward remained fixated on the path ahead. "Who my father is should be of no worry to you Isabella." He deflected after a moment of silence. Unwilling to be deterred, my interest already piqued by his evasion, I questioned more directly.

"Is he an incubus?"

Edward scoffed, "You chose a time like this to question me on my parents?" He turned, his eyes nearly black in the low light and suitably admonished I looked to the ground.

Suddenly a figure scrambled down the embankment and stumbled out onto the path ahead of our horses.

"Bella!" I heard Seth's voice shout and I threw myself from the saddle, dragging the horse behind me as I ran to my cousin and pulled him into a relieved hug. Edward's cloak drowned us both as I clutched the young boy to me, fighting tears of relief. Turning from my embrace Seth pointed up the embankment before looking back to Edward. "The king is up there, I fear he is mortally wounded. He is hardly breathing and so cold. They shot him… the archer came from nowhere. I got him to shelter but I didn't know what else to do…" His words bled together in a rush of relief and anxiety.

Dismounting, his face grim, Edward indicated for Seth to show us the way as he swiftly removed a cloth bag from his horse's saddle. Together we climbed the slippery embankment and despite I grasped branches and exposed roots for balance, my foot still slipped. I would have fallen but Edward grasped my arm in a tight grip before I could, his eyes furious. We shared a silent exchange through which I kept my gaze defiant. I was confused by his anger towards me, the way his emotions towards me deviated so fast that I could barely keep up. I snatched my arm back and scrambled up the slope with renewed vigor, refusing to fall victim to the whiplash of his personality.

Oblivious to our exchange, Seth had reached the top and was stood nervously. As we breached the top of the slope, I saw the still form of King Emmett, the long wooden shaft of an arrow protruding ominously from his left chest. Hurrying to his side, Edward lowered his cheek to just above the king's mouth.

"He is breathing… just." Turning to where Seth and I stood, he ordered me to open his bag for a knife. Then, one hand bracing the king's chest, he rose to his knees, and with the other grasped the shaft of the arrow and sharply pulled it out. I cringed at the sound and the sight of blood on the weapon. Edward inspected it before throwing it to the side, "Did you not think to remove the arrow?" He spat at Seth who stood by nervously wringing his hands. I glanced to my cousin, face crestfallen and distraught. "It's poisoned. How long ago was he shot?" Edward continued furiously.

"A few hours." Seth murmured softly, his voice never sounding so childlike and lost.

"You could have killed him by not removing it! Might still kill him if I cannot work out what this poison is." Edward continued on oblivious, or uncaring of the boy's remorse.

"Edward. He is young." I scolded, whilst casting my cousin a sympathetic look.

"Anyone aspiring to fight for his kingdom should know basic care of the wounded." He challenged me, his eyes blazing and his voice dangerously low as he looked up from the wound.

"He has not yet started training. You cannot expect him to know such things. He brought the king to shelter and away from the path. That is enough." I thrust the knife towards him refusing to be intimidated. He glanced at the knife and then into my eyes again, before silently he took the instrument from me.

Picking up the arrow he smelled the arrowhead. Without apology, he ordered Seth away in search of certain plants and the boy disappeared into the darkening brush.

"He will get lost in this light." I worried.

"He won't." He stated blandly without looking up from where he cut the King's shirt and leather breastplate away. "Pass me the water."

I reached for the leather flask, passing it to Edward as I got a good look at the wound. Blue veins stemmed like a web from the arrow's bloodied entry point and the skin circling it was a sickly cyan. The king's face, usually full of colour and vibrance, was wan, his lips nearly blue and his skin waxy. My teeth bit into my lip, fear suddenly filling me for the king's survival.

My heart fell and Edward looked up as if sensing my fears, his face softer. For the first time our exchange was not one of anger, fear, frustration or defiance but compassion. "I won't let him die." He promised as a single tear rolled down my cheek. I realized I could potentially not only mourned my king's loss, but Alice's too and a boy I had played with as a child.