Lemon Incoming!

Once they've left the room, Edward chuckles, confusing me. "Are they okay?" I ask.

Edward nods. "That's kind of how it is with them. It's like their version of foreplay."

"Foreplay?" I frown. I can't remember ever hearing that word.

Edward gives me a curious look. His eyes start to darken and pushes up the skirt of my dress. "Do you know what foreplay is, Princess?"

"No," I breathe out. His hand inches up. We were practically out in the open. Anyone could walk into the parlor room at any point, for whatever reason. I stop his hand from moving higher. "What are you doing?"

"Hm?" Edward's voice is distracted as he uses his other hand to pull down one sleeve and plant open mouthed kisses on my shoulder. "Showing you." I instinctively tilt my head to the side to allow him more access. My mind is cloudy and I almost can't remember what I was saying.

He trails his kisses higher, sucking on the skin right behind my ear. I let out a light moan, my hand on his loosening. He takes that as permission to keep moving his hand higher. He bunches up one side of my skirt at my waist, leaving my entire leg and underwear exposed to the cool air. He captures my lips with his and my hands fly to his hair.

"Edward," I try to get out in between kisses. "Someone will see."

He growls in acknowledgement and turns me in his lap, pulling my back flush with his chest. The front of my skirt flares out, covering my legs and draping around his lap but Edward somehow pulled the back completely up so I'm sitting on him with only my thin underwear between us.

One of his hands rests on my right breast over my dress while the other is under my skirt, dangerously close to my center. I know I shouldn't, not here, but I can't help the ache that starts to pulse in me.

"Edward," I hiss. He starts to massage my breast, slipping his other hand into my underwear. "This isn't-oh!" I let out an audible moan as he slips a finger into my opening. His thumb pushes down on my clit and my hips automatically lift to meet him.

"Shh," Edward gently chastises. "You don't want anyone to hear us, do you?" I can hear the smile on his face.

Well, then. Two can play at that game.

Through my muddled thoughts, I swivel my hips against him. His entire body freezes for a second and he squeezes my breast harder with a groan.

"You're so fucking hot," he says, sucking harder on a spot on my neck.

"Your highness?" A male voice comes from the hallway, footsteps getting closer.

I gasp, panicking, trying to move off of Edward's lap. He doesn't let me and instead moves his hand off my breast, hooking it around my waist, pulling me even tighter against him. He adds another finger inside me, stroking slowly, languidly. "E-edward," I choke out in warning, but he doesn't seem to heed it.

One of his men enters the room and I'm sure he'll stop, but he doesn't, continuing to pump his fingers inside of me using my skirt to hide his movements. I try to reach my arms out to stop him, but his hold on my waist has my arms pinned down to.

"Your highness," the man says, seemingly oblivious to what was happening right in front of him. I suppose from his position it simply looked like Edward was holding me, something completely understandable after what we had just gone through. He looks to be slightly younger than Edward, a little scraggly and eager to please.

Edward curls his fingers up, brushing a particularly sensitive spot inside me. I bite my lip hard to hold back my moan.

"What is it Seth?" Edward asks, keeping his entire attention on him, not letting up on his movements for a second. My core aches more with every stroke and it's almost impossible to stay quiet.

"We've secured the castle and the perimeter and have sent a representative to pacify the subjects. Are we clear to start preparing Ruthenia to move back?"

"Yes. But only send one group to prepare the others. Everyone else should stay here in case of any backlash." Edward says, pressing his thumb against my clit.

A small squeak escapes my throat and I feel myself turn bright red.

Seth frowns, studying me. I squirm under his gaze as Edward's movements quicken, hurtling me closer and closer to the edge.

"My lady, are you alright? You look quite flushed."

"Fine, thank you," I barely manage to get out. I bite my lip even harder and I'm sure I'm about to have an orgasm that I'll have to hold in. I brace myself for the euphoric release when it all suddenly stops. Edward halts his movements and a frustrated gasp escapes me.

Seth tilts his head. "Are you sure?"

I shift my hips, desperate for any kind of friction, but Edward doesn't move an inch. "Uh-huh."

"Because I just passed one of the other doctors-"

Edward suddenly starts his movements again, this time, even faster. "Oh!" I let out, feeling myself lose balance on his lap. Edward keeps his strong hold on me, and I'm sure I'll burst any second.

"She's fine, Seth. Just a little shaken," Edward calmly says. "Thank you. You can go."

Seth frantically nods, rushing out of the room without a second glance. As soon as he's gone, Edward pulls out his fingers again and lifts me up just enough to unbutton his pants and pull out his hard cock.

"I need to be inside you Princess," he says, his voice low and strained.

I can't take it anymore. The way he teased me and held me at the edge was too much and I don't care who sees us as long as he makes me feel the way he did last night. "Please."

He kisses my shoulder, moving me back to slip inside of me. In this position, he feels bigger than he did last night. I can't help but whimper, trying to lower myself to take more of him.

"Is it too much?" He asks, slight worry in his voice.

I shake my head. "No. I can do it."

"Good girl."

I've realized hearing his praise only makes me want to please him more and with renewed determination, I open my legs so they fall on either side of him, bracing myself on his thighs. I relax myself as much as I can to take more of him, lightly bouncing to try to get the last couple of inches. That feeling of being completely filled after what just happened is too much and I feel the first orgasm take over. His name slips from my mouth, my entire body shaking from the release.

I'm not sure how long it lasts before my mind is cleared enough to hear Edward groan behind me. I look over my shoulder and he immediately takes my lips in his with a bruising kiss.

"Can you take it a little faster?" He's looking at me with so much lust that I feel like I might have another orgasm from the look alone.

I nod, expecting him to start moving right away. Instead, he lifts me off of him and I cry out from the loss of him.

Edward shushes me. "Patience, baby." He grabs my waist, tugging on one side letting me know he wants me to turn. I awkwardly maneuver myself until I'm facing him and adjust my skirt around us. "I want you to keep your eyes on me. I want to watch you fall apart while I'm inside you."

I'm trapped under his green gaze. "Are you ready, Princess?"

"Please." My voice is a breathy whine as I sink my fingers into his hair.

Edward hooks his hands under my thighs, lifting me up to slip into me. His cock fills me and it doesn't hurt like the first time. "Are you okay?" He asks.

"Just move," I plead, feeling like I might explode from pleasure.

He kisses me, fast and hard, before grabbing my hips and lifting me up. I don't expect him to slam me down so hard as he thrusts upward and I bite my lip to hold back my scream at how deep I can feel his cock. He doesn't let up for a second and continues to pound into me until I'm a mess, breathing hard against his shoulder.

"Eyes on me, Bella," Edward demands. His voice leaves no room for argument and I dig my nails into his shoulders, lifting my head to meet his eyes. They're so dark, I don't think I can even call them green anymore. "Tell me what you're feeling. I want to hear you."

"F-feels so good. You feel-" It's all I'm able to get out. I wish I could be more eloquent but I was completely consumed by him. "Faster."

"Do you like that anyone could walk in right now and see us like this?" Edward growls, moving one hand up around my throat as he picks up his speed. "Who do you belong to?"

An action like that would have scared me coming from anyone else, but the want in his expression was undeniable. He would do anything in the world for me. All he asks is that I remind him I'll stay with him. Always.

"You," I respond.

"That's right," he says, increasing the pressure on my throat slightly. Not enough to hurt me, but just enough to keep me in place. "Not your brother, or that bastard prince. And not your father." He punches his hips up with every statement, and I moan in pleasure. "Touch yourself."

I untangle my fingers from his hair and place a hand against his cheek. "Show me."

He doesn't relent on his pace for a second. He take his hand off my throat, grabbing my wrist and pushing the front of my dress upwards. He slips our joined hands underneath and pushes against my clit, furiously rubbing in circular motions. I'm so close, and the anticipation only builds as I feel myself climbing higher and higher and my release. "Let me see you fall apart," Edward says.

That's all it takes and I fall off the edge, pulsing around him. He captures my lips in a kiss, his own movements becoming sloppy until he lets out a guttural groan and I feel him spill inside me.

I lean into him, feeling completely worn out. My body is still sensitive and I shiver as he kisses along my neck, gently running his hands over my legs.

I play with his hair, which was more unruly than usual from how much I had pulled at it. "That was…different."

Edward pushes the hair out of my face, kissing me. It's slow and languid and I let out a soft sigh when he traces his tongue along my bottom lip. He pulls away but not before placing one more kiss on my lips. "Did I hurt you?"

I shake my head. "Quite the opposite, actually."

I can tell he's holding back a smile, shaking his head. "You are…" He tips my chin up. "The love of my life. Perfectly made to be my other half."

"And you're mine," I tell him. I wonder if this feeling will ever go away. This feeling that my heart might just burst from being near him.

Edward helps me off of him and we quickly make our way to my old room before anyone spots us. The shower takes longer than it should but there's still so much to do that we don't stay in there for long. Edward still had his clothes in the room he stayed in so he leaves me to change alone. I'm not sure how long he'll take so I start to venture around my old home. Or, I guess, my new home…again. But I can't help but stop when I get to one particularly familiar room.

My brother's, which still looks virtually untouched.

I'm not sure how long I stand outside, but eventually Edward comes to stand next to me. He doesn't say anything though, waiting for me to provide explanation.

"This is Jasper's room," I tell him.

"Did you want to go inside?" He asks.

"I-" My hand twitches towards the door knob before dropping to my side. "No. I don't. But…can I see him?" My voice is so quiet, even I barely hear myself. When he doesn't respond, I glance up at him, but he's not looking at me. He's staring at Jasper's door. "Please, Edward?"

Edward sighs, his brows pinching in distress. He cradles my face, kissing my temple. "You never have to ask me for permission."

"I know," I smile against his hand. "But you said we're a team. I want your input too."

"Do you want me to come with you?" He asks.

"Wait, he's still here?" I thought they would have brought him back to Ruthenia, but I suppose it makes sense to keep him here if they were going to send him away. Less transport.

"He's…in the dungeon," Edward says, his face looking both pained and apologetic. "We can bring him up it-"

"No," I say. "I w-want to go down there."

"Are you sure?"

I nod. "Alone."

Edward's voice is strained. "Baby…"

"Will you wait at the top of the stairs for me?" I ask.

"Always."

I grab Edward's hand, my grip tightening the closer we get to the dungeon. I feel my breathing quickening, but I have to do this. For myself. For closure.

I freeze right outside the door. I haven't seen it since my father dragged me down there all that time ago. It was just a door. It shouldn't cause this kind of fear in me. My father was dead and yet…

"You don't have to go down there," Edward says, squeezing my hand.

I knew that. It would be so simple to walk away. To forget about all of this and leave my brother down there without a goodbye.

But I can't.

I open the door with shaking hands, and stare down the stairs. There's a small light down there which makes it a little less ominous. But what throws me off is the sound of multiple voices at the bottom.

"Who else is down there?" I ask Edward, who frowns in confusion.

Just as the words leave my mouth though, the talking stops and footsteps quickly ascend the stairs. Edward pushes me behind him, taking out a small dagger he had in his belt.

I can't see whose walking up but Edward seems to recognize them right away.

"Alice?"

Edward's sister, still in her doctor's coat, pops her head out the door, looking surprised to see us.

"What are you doing here?" Edward asks, suspicion in his eyes.

"I was just checking on his injuries," Alice casually but something in her voice was off.

"Is he okay?" I ask, worried my father might have hurt him worse than I thought.

Alice nods, distracted. "Yeah, yeah, he should be fine. I have to go," she says, quickly.

Her reaction for some reason worried me and I left Edward to stare after his sister, moving down the stairs, my concern for my brother greater than my fear of this stupid room.

"Jasper?" I call. When I turn the corner, peaking down into the dark room, he's sitting in the corner, looking worse for wear, his face covered in streaks of blood, his clothes ripped, and his arm bandaged where our father had cut him. The food and water in front of him remained untouched, and he was staring out the small bar-covered window.

"Jas?" I approach slowly. Was he angry at me? "Jasper?"

He finally moved his head to look at me, I gasped at the lifelessness in his eyes. They were glazed over, like he was looking at me, but not really seeing me.

He blinks slowly. Once. Twice. His eyes clear slightly. Now that I'm up close, he looks terrible. He's only just been put down here today, but the bags under his eyes show he'd been suffering a lot longer.

"Isabella."

"How's your arm?" I ask.

He frowns. "My arm?" He glances at the bandage. "Oh." There's a moment of clarity in his eyes. Just one. But it's enough. "I'm so sorry, Isabella. For everything."

Hearing that kind of apology from Jasper, now, after he had lost everything, broke a piece of my heart. He was my brother. As kids, he was my hero. And now…

"You protected me," I tell him. "When father tried to…you protected me."

"Father…Where is father?" Jasper frantically looks around the room, pulling on his cuffs. If he pulls any harder, he might hurt himself.

"Jasper! Jasper, calm down. Please! Father's dead!"

That stops him in his tracks. "What?"

"He hurt a lot of people. He's dead, Jasper."

The glazed look in his eyes is back. "Do I have to take the throne now?"

What was wrong with him? Why did it seem like he didn't understand what was going on?

"I don't think I can rule with these," he says, holding up his cuffed wrists.

I'm hesitant to explain the situation to him. "Jasper, this is Ruthenian territory now. Edward is going to be king."

"Edward," he mumbles. Suddenly, he narrows his eyes at me and for a second they remind me of the man I hate. "You betrayed us! For people who will never care about you! You're a whore! Just like our mother," he spits out, in a voice that doesn't even sound like him.

Because it wasn't him. It was almost identical to the words our father had said to me before. It was like he was possessed by my father's spirit. Or maybe that was now who he was too.

I feel my breathing getting heavier at the thought of Jasper being like my father. He screams profanities and I back away, fighting against his chains to get to me. He's almost feral, and I choke back tears, racing up the steps, yanking the door open and throwing myself into Edward's arms.

I know he wants to ask what happened, what's wrong, but I'm a sobbing mess.

Because now, I've lost hope to ever be able to mend the relationship between my brother and I.