Good Morning Lovelies!

I'm so sorry this is posted a day late. I'm in Chicago for the weekend coming off an insane week.

Anyway, let's jump in! Thank you as always to Mel and Pamela!

Chapter Two

Bella

I didn't stop running until I'd slid the second lock into gear on my front door. My heart beat wildly, my breath labored from the exertion and the general fucking terror of what'd just happened to me.

I leaned against my door, my heart pounding so frantically, I thought it might actually kill me.

The prince … the fucking prince…

I banged my head against the door.

This couldn't be happening. I wouldn't let this happen.

But even as I vehemently denied it, my body was splitting in half, my magic screaming at me to make things right, to track down the prince and finish the binding of our souls that had begun the moment our eyes locked.

No, no, no, no!

I paced away from the door, not trusting my body to not betray me and open it despite my mind's commands. I crossed the room, kicking out of my boots and pulling off my coat before flinging myself onto the low cot I slept on. My eyes fixed on the ceiling above me, and I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths, trying to steady my heartbeat.

It didn't work.

I was angry on so many levels.

Had I known the crown prince was sitting a mere few feet from me in the tavern, I would have gotten up and punched him myself. I'd never been that close to a royal, and I was furious with myself for missing the opportunity to give one of them a piece of my mind.

The people of Eventid deserved answers, and I was certain that I could make that happen, given the right proximity to any of the royal family.

But there he'd been, footsteps from me, and I'd not known. The squandered opportunity had me absolutely furious.

I couldn't even begin to process the binding that was trying to happen.

My magic screamed in my blood, building an ache down to my very bones. I curled up on my side, squeezing my eyes shut and willing sleep to drag me into unconsciousness.

Sleep never came, and by the time I normally woke for work, I was exhausted, sleep-deprived, and anxious.

I dragged myself out of bed, changed my clothes, and headed to work, hoping that hard labor would be the thing to clear my mind.

But even the rigorous tasks at the presses couldn't soothe the restlessness in my blood. It felt like someone had dug a meathook into my belly and was tugging on me, trying to drag me away from my own life.

I refused to let myself be served up on a silver platter to him.

"Bella?"

My back stiffened, my hands automatically reaching up to my face to put my glasses on, but they were still broken, and I'd yet to acquire another pair.

Not that it mattered anymore.

"Yes?" I asked, not letting myself look up at Al. Even though I knew I could not magically bind to him, I didn't want to risk him seeing how very wrong things had turned in my life. One of the many side benefits of the glasses had been how well they hid my feelings from others. Without them, I was more vulnerable than I was comfortable being.

"Is everything all right?"

I winced. I hadn't checked in with him this morning, just had gone straight to work. It had been apparently out of the norm enough to draw him out of his thoughts and come find me.

"Everything's fine," I said, lifting one arm and swiping it across my brow. I felt sweat dripping down the back of my neck and moved my sleeve to dab at it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Al staring at me.

"Any special news to report this morning?" I asked, my eyes still on the press.

Al shifted. "No."

I almost looked up at him. Had I had my glasses on, I would have.

"No?" I asked, my voice rising with my question.

"Nothing new. Things were … quiet last night."

His words fell over me, heavy and suspicious.

I swallowed thickly.

There was no way he could know about last night. It had been a random bar fight, and the prince, despite his absolute incompetence, hadn't gone around telling everyone that he'd locked eyes with some stranger in the midst of a brawl who just happened to be his potential magical mate.

Even he had more sense than that.

"Bella."

I didn't realize I was picking at my cuticles until Al said my name. I quickly folded my fingers into fists, blinking hard as I continued to stare down at the printer.

I waited for Al to say something else, but he never did. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh. "I'll be in my office if you need me."

I didn't dare move until I heard the heavy thunk of his office door shutting.

I let out a shaky breath, my body shivering at the strain I was putting it under by denying the magical bond that was desperately trying to form.

With tremendous strength, I forced myself to get back to work.

…

Al left me alone all morning, and it wasn't until lunch when he tried talking to me again.

I felt him step up behind me, and I vehemently kept my gaze down. "I'm going to skip lunch today," I told him without looking up. My stomach was in knots anyway, tied up with the stress my body was under as every fiber of my magic and my being now called for me to bond.

"Do you run all these machines by yourself?"

My stomach tightened then immediately plummeted, and I whirled around, my gaze finding the bright, emerald eyes of Prince Edward.

I let out a breath that sounded close to a snarl and folded my arms around myself to stop from lunging at him.

At this point, I wasn't sure if it would be a move of attack, or desperation.

"What are you doing here?" I bit out, my voice weaker than I would like. It didn't quite deliver the venom I had in store for this man.

Up close, the prince was more ragged than I'd even expect. His stubble was long, like he'd gone several days now without shaving, and his normally flawless skin was sallow, with dark purple bags under his eyes. His hair was mussed and stringy, as if it needed a good washing. I could see the tips of his long ears, and even those looked to be wilted, worn down by exhaustion.

Despite his natural beauty, the prince looked like absolute shit.

Unfortunately, it in no way detracted from the pull over my magic which caused me to step closer to him.

"I've been looking for you," he said, one hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. "I've been searching since last night."

I swallowed hard but didn't say anything. What was there to say? Nothing that wouldn't get me thrown into jail for slandering the crown.

"I'm Edward," he said, his hand sliding from the back of his neck to his chest.

"No fucking shit," I breathed, my voice acidic.

He blinked, looking surprised, and I bit down on my tongue.

"Right," he said after a moment. "What is your name?"

His hand slipped away from his body, coming toward me, palm up. All I had to do was reach out and take it and our binding would be complete.

I wedged my fingers deeper into my armpits and locked my arms down.

"It doesn't matter," I said, shaking my head. "You're not really here to find out anything about me."

Edward frowned, one thick eyebrow furrowing deeper than the other. It was a surprisingly endearing look on his face, one I'd never seen him make before in any photo.

It was almost disarming to see him look so … normal.

"Why would you say that?" He didn't sound mad, but confused more than anything.

My fingers curled deeper into my palms, my nails biting into the flesh.

"If you don't require anything of me, Your Highness, I have work to get back to." My tone was flat, barely civil, and I watched the furrow in his brow deepen.

"Look, I …"

His words broke off as we both heard Al open his office door. "Bella? Are we doing lunch today?"

I caught a smile spread over the prince's mouth and my anger doubled.

"Bella?" Edward asked, turning to me. His tone was verging on mocking and I felt my anger double.

My teeth ground together, stopping me from saying what I truly wanted to this man. I'd already tested my luck enough today. He could have easily had me arrested by now for the flagrant disrespect I was showing him.

"Look, Bella, we both know what happened last night."

My spine stiffened, and I glared at him. Was he seriously going to say it? Out loud?

"Something happened?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

He opened his mouth, probably to spout something that would make me want to actually strike him, when Al made his way toward us, looking confused.

"Your Highness," he said in surprise when Edward turned to look at him. Al dipped a shallow bow and Edward responded with a tilt of his head. "We weren't expecting any members of the royal family," Al said, his eyes fluttering around the room as if to see what was out of place. My eyes did a quick scan too, just to make sure none of our hidden work was out in the open.

"I'm not here for an inspection," Edward said with a shake of his head. "I needed to speak with Bella."

Al's eyes bugged, and he turned to look at me. He knew better than anyone how I felt about the crown.

"Your Highness, whatever claims have been made against her, I swear—"

"No claims have been made," Edward interrupted. "I've come on personal matters."

Al looked lost for words. My hands were cramped from clutching them so hard under my armpits, but I refused to unlock my position lest my body betray me.

"In that case," Al said slowly. "My office is available for conversation." He pointed back in the general direction of the small room. "It'll be quieter than out here."

Edward nodded. "That is an excellent idea, thank you." He turned to me, and without reaching toward me, motioned with his head. "After you, Bella."

There was no way out of this.

I couldn't run away; he knew where I worked and what my name was. I couldn't even refuse him now that Al was here as witness. Though I knew Al wouldn't be surprised by my refusal of a royal summons, he was legally bound to testify against me if the crown ever called upon him.

All I could do was obey.

Gritting my teeth so hard I was afraid they might crack, I bound my hands tighter under my arms and stalked away from the prince, making sure to leave a wide berth between us. I felt him turn to follow me toward Al's office, but I didn't stop to check.

Once I was in the small space, I moved behind the desk, trying to create distance between us.

Edward shut the door, and immediately the sound of the machines died down. He turned toward me, his face difficult to read.

"We have a lot to talk about, Bella."

I squared my shoulders. "We do," I agreed. "Would you like to explain to me why our city is dying? Or how about our missing tax dollars? I'd sure love to know where those have gone."

If Edward had been expecting docile and compliant, he was in for a rude awakening. He stared at me, his mouth hanging open slightly as if I'd just turned into a talking fish.

"Or what about the secret meetings your father has been having with Threndall?" I knew I was pushing my luck. Threndall was perhaps the only kingdom on our continent worse off than we were. Their government had gone mad and had the country in a chokehold. The rest of the continent had tried to condemn Threndall's actions and threatened them with war if they did not bring relief to their people, but so far, Threndall's leadership remained unresponsive.

I didn't have any actual proof King Carlisle had met with the leader of Threndall, but I wouldn't put it past him.

"You are very close to treason," Edward hissed, his face growing furious. He stepped toward me, and automatically, I moved back, not wanting to be within reach of him. My body was screaming for me to make contact with his skin, and the longer I held off, the more I ached.

It hurt to deny my magic.

"Then arrest me," I snapped, my tone unflinching. "What would the good people think? The crown prince, bonded to a traitor to the crown."

I wasn't sure where the bravado was coming from. Perhaps lack of sleep was finally catching up to me. But I could feel years of anger and frustration welling in me, and now that I had an outlet, I couldn't stop.

The prince looked confused.

"We're not bonded yet," he said, offering his hand once more.

I glared at him and twisted my body so that I was sitting atop my hands against Al's desk.

"No," I agreed, even though my knees were beginning to tremble. "I suppose we're not." One touch, that was all it would take. One touch of our skin pressed against each other and our magic would fuse, forever tying us together.

There had to be an alternative.

"I won't touch you," I told him, even though my voice was starting to shake. "I won't complete the bonding."

Edward frowned. "Why not?" He sounded genuinely confused, as if it had never occurred to him to fight against losing his individual identity.

"I am not throwing my life away to be your captive," I snarled, surprised by the vehemence in my voice. "I will not."

Edward's eyes were too green, too bright, as he stared at me. "Bella," he said, his voice low. "You can't fight this off. We have to bind our magic. We have to finish what's been started."

I shook my head. "No, we don't," I bit out. I wasn't actually sure it was possible. I'd never heard a story about someone resisting the binding. As against it as I was, even I was struggling to stay in my seat.

Edward brought his hand to his hair, running it through the mussed locks. His hands brushed past the tips of his ears and he let out a shaking breath.

"I'm not trying to take you as a slave," he said finally, his gaze finding mine again. "It's not like I wanted this to happen."

I shook my head. Whether he wanted it or not, I knew the inherent power imbalance between us meant only one thing. I was going to be consumed by his world, and then like a candle in a hurricane, I would be snuffed out forever.

Underneath me, my hands were aching, my fingers stretching into claws, scratching at Al's desk in their desperation to reach for Edward.

"I want you to leave, please," I said, barely remembering to tack on the last shreds of manners I had in me.

Edward didn't move.

I couldn't make him leave, and if he stayed, I was going to break; I knew it.

Edward opened his mouth, perhaps to argue, perhaps to try to reason with me.

Before he could speak, the office door opened and Al stepped in, looking wary. "I beg your pardon, my prince," he said, dipping his head. "But there is an emergency with the press. I need Bella at once."

My relief was palpable and I nodded to Al.

"I'll be right there," I said, wanting to storm past the prince now, but not daring to in case we accidentally touched in the process.

"I'll leave you to your work," Edward said, frowning in my direction. For a moment, he didn't move. But then he was shifting, uncoiling his body as he headed toward the door. I hadn't realized he was as wound up as I was.

"Bella, I'll be back. I hope that you take the time to reconsider," Edward said, turning toward me. "It won't be what you think. I can guarantee you anything you'd like. All you need do is ask."

Al's eyes were wide as he gazed between us.

"Goodbye, Crown Prince," I bit out, unable to answer him.

Edward frowned but then dipped his head and turned to leave. I stayed frozen against Al's desk until I could hear the heavy creak of the front door open and shut.

The farther Edward got, the worse the ache in my chest grew.

"Bella?"

I blinked, turning to Al.

"What was the problem with the machine?" I asked, shaking out my fingers as I righted myself.

"There is no problem with the machine," he said quietly. "Bella, tell me what's going on."

I took a deep breath, trying to settle the ache in my nerves.

"Bella," Al said gently. "What sort of trouble are you in?"

I looked at him, and for the first time since I'd met him, our eyes met without the barrier of my glasses. I could see him taking in my face, examining who I was under the shield I constantly wore.

I felt too exposed … too vulnerable.

"Al," I whispered, my voice quivering. "I think I'm in serious trouble."

Al let out a breath and closed his office door. He motioned for me to sit back down, and when I did, he moved to a cabinet underneath the boarded window on the east wall.

"How long ago did it happen?" he asked, opening the cabinet door and pulling out a brown glass bottle. He poured two measures of amber liquid into chipped glass cups before turning to offer one to me.

"What?" I asked, my voice croaking.

"How long have you known you are the sultra of the crown prince?"

I flinched at the official name for those magic-bound mates. It was a word that I'd never wanted to know because I never wanted to use it.

"We're not bound," I said, sipping the drink. It was strong and it burned through my chest, making me cough.

"No," Al agreed. "Not yet." He eyed me. "But your body is shaking, Bella. You won't last much longer."

"I can't do it," I said, meeting his gaze. "I can't bind myself to him."

Al considered that. "Why not?"

I scoffed. "You know why not," I protested. "Al, I'm trying to bring him and his family down. How can I do that when the moment our skin touches, my life will be consumed by him and his needs?"

Al frowned. Sultras were increasingly rare these days. In fact, apart from my own family members, I'd never seen a bounded pair before.

But I'd seen enough to know I wanted nothing to do with the whole practice.

"Please," I begged. "Please tell me you know of a way to free me from this."

Al blinked, his dark eyes widening in surprise.

"I don't know," he said, sounding doubtful. "But, I never say never." He shrugged and finished off his drink. "Come along, Bella. You need to get back to work and I need to do some research." He offered me a small smile and reached for a pair of old leather gloves sitting on a shelf near him. "Here," he offered. "If you are truly intent on not bonding with the prince, you might want some protection."

I took the gloves, thanking him as I slipped out of his office to return to the press.