"Mikey," the cub's mother calls. "It's time to return to the castle."

"Coming, mama," the male replies. He kicks the homemade treehouse, sending the small twigs scattering before running into Sasha's open arms.

She ruffles his mane and takes his hand. "Maybe tomorrow we'll go to the sand pit with Anthony."

"That'd be cool, mama," Mikey replies, skipping along the well-worn dirt path.

A quiet knock draws my attention from the book, and I close it, setting it on the small side table. "Come in."

Rose peeks her head around the edge of the door. "You feel like having company?"

"Sure." I nod, cradling my bump. "Any news?"

"Not yet." She takes a seat in the opposing rocking chair. "Emmett promised to let us know as soon as the king learns anything."

"What are they doing in the quest for answers?" I don't want to seem rude or ungrateful, but sitting on a throne isn't getting us any closer to finding my mate.

"The recovery team is expected to return from the crime scene at any second now," she says, lifting a brow. "They're hoping to find evidence that will give us a clue to the culprits."

"I suppose that could help." The outlook gets bleaker by the second.

"I understand your impatience, but it isn't like you to question the process with this much attitude, Bella," she says, narrowing her eyes at me. "What's really bothering you? Is Edward still shutting you out?"

I turn to the treetops outside the large windows, refusing to meet her pitying gaze. "He is, but it's not like before. I can tell he still exists. There are moments when his light dims so much, I fear he may be dying, but over time it returns to that constant spark."

"Oh, sweetie," she says, sighing. "I don't think Edward would make you worry needlessly if it wasn't in your best interest."

Anger bursts from me. "He didn't even give me time to locate him!"

"I get it, okay." She's up from her chair and kneeling before me. The pity is gone, but her obstinance is equally annoying. "But if you could feel him, then he could feel you. That means he knows how worried you are, and he still chose to sever that link. I refuse to believe he'd intentionally hurt you, Bella."

Sorrow drowns the anger, and tears prick my eyes. "I suppose," I say, taking Rose's hand. "It doesn't mean he's right, though."

She brings her other hand over and covers mine, brushing the skin softly. "No, it doesn't."

Another knock sounds just as tears drip down my cheeks, but I rush to wipe them away and clear my throat. "Come in."

Rose is up and stands beside me, a comforting grip on my shoulder as Emmett closes the door behind him. "A messenger from the Supreme Council has arrived. King Carlisle and Queen Esme have sent me to retrieve you."

"Of course." I jump up and nervously spin, unsure what I should do. Make myself more presentable? Run all the way there? Burst into tears?

But my best friend, who's always been there for me, comes through. She grabs my shoulders and holds me in place. "Calm down, Bella," she says softly. "We don't know what this message is, so go in there prepared for the worst."

"He's not dead," I say, shaking my head. "I'd know it."

"Okay," she replies, taking a deep breath so I'll copy her. "Then we know it isn't that. You can handle anything else."

"There's no you in we." I motion between us. "I can't do this without my best friend."

"Together." She smiles and takes my hand as we turn to Emmett.

"Right this way, Princess." He holds open the door, and I can't help but notice the awe in his gaze as his eyes pass over Rose.

I don't have it in me right now.

But one day.

They'll see what I do.

Even if I have to step in.

The journey to the throne room feels like it takes days. The elevators are slow, the paths are extra winding, and Emmett is so fussy about me being careful on the staircase that he gets on my last nerve. I let out a relieved sigh when we enter the long hallway that leads to the king and queen.

Unexpectedly, I come to a halt as soon as I enter. Memories of Edward and me flash through my mind like a full-on assault, and it cripples me. Somehow, coming here, to the room where I both met and joined my life to his, slaps me with reality in a way that hadn't hit before.

Edward is gone.

I have no idea why.

And I may never see him again.

"Are you okay, Princess?" Emmett asks, touching my forearm.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply before nodding once. "As okay as I can be."

Rose links our arms as we move deeper into the room. What was once a place of mystery and intrigue is now the harbinger of news—good or bad doesn't matter.

I seek out Queen Esme first, but she avoids my gaze, causing my stomach to drop to my knees. King Carlisle, for his part, stares directly at me. His head is high, his shoulders are back, his white-blond mane is fluffy and lush, and his tail flicks back and forth like a whip.

"Your majesties," I say, curtseying. "Has there been news?"

"Come, dear," Esme says, and I see her red-rimmed eyes for the first time as she holds out her hand. "Our news is not good, but at least we have some semblance of an answer."

I take three steps up to the dais, keeping Rose attached to one hand while the other shakes as I reach for the queen. "He's alive." I don't expound on my statement because I want her to skip to the point.

I already know that truth.

"Yes, my child," she says, tears welling in her large round eyes. "But he is being held by the Kingdom of Forks for the unprovoked murder of five men."

I drop to my knees as the weight of the words pushes me down. "No. That's not possible."

Y'all should seriously give Eternally Addicted all the kudos because I keep forgetting the Thurs PK update! Sorry!

See ya Monday!