I nearly run into him waiting outside of my own bedroom, a fist raised to knock on my door.
"Jasper!" I brace myself on his arm, my breathing heavy.
"Isabella." He looks worried. "I should have stopped him. I tried to talk him out of it, I really did but-"
"I know." It wasn't his fault, and It would be wrong of me to even try to blame him. Besides, I had bigger things to worry about. "No time for that. I need a favor."
Jasper nods, waiting for me to continue. I wasn't quite sure how he would react, but he was my only option if I didn't want to get the man thrown out. Jasper and I had never been extremely close, but all we had was each other and he always tried to shield me from the worst with our father.
"While I was out riding, I found a man. He's hurt and I asked one of the guards to bring him to one of my guest rooms. Can you please tell father he's a friend of yours visiting from boarding school?"
"Isabella," Jasper reprimands. He always was one to follow the rules. "You brought a stranger into our castle? Do you know how dangerous that is?"
"Please, Jasper." I'm practically begging him now. "You know father would never allow a guest of mine to stay. If he thought he was from the same circle as your friends he would be more than happy just for that connection." I can still see the hesitancy flickering on his face.
"Can you trust me?" I don't think I've ever asked him for anything so he must know how much this means to me.
I must have sounded desperate enough because Jasper's resolve crumbles as he agrees. "Fine. But have one of the guards with you at all times."
"Thank you."
He smiles, although it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I actually came to let you know that the prince will be visiting later this week. Father would like you two to get to know each other."
"He said that?" I scoff. I didn't want to meet the prince or even think about him. It made the control that my father had over my life that much more real.
"Well, no," Jasper admits. "But I think it will be good for you. I know it certainly helps that I've met Maria a time or two."
Jasper and Maria had been betrothed for almost a year now and I envied that they were not to be wed for another eight months. I only had another month to go.
It doesn't take me long to get back to the guest rooms, where Emmet is standing outside one of the doors.
"How is he?" The dread I had been feeling after my conversation with my brother was quickly overshadowed by my eagerness to know more about this stranger. "Is he awake?"
Emmet nods. "Seems like a nice enough guy, although he didn't say much."
"Should I call for the doctor?"
"He seems to have just sprained his ankle and lost his memory. He also has some cuts but nothing too deep. I would hold off if you want to keep his presence low-profile," Emmet advises. "Want me to go in with you?"
I shake my head, reaching for the door knob. It probably was not the smartest move being alone in a room with a complete stranger. I know I promised Jasper, but Emmet would be right outside the door.
"I'll be okay. Thank you Emmet." He steps to the side, allowing me to open the door.
"Mr. Edward?" I softly call out to get his attention. The man is leaning against the headboard of the bed on top of the covers with his head down looking absolutely confused. His clothes are ripped and covered with dirt. "May I come in?"
His head shoots up, his eyes widening as he jumps at the sound of my voice. A small gasp escapes my lips, and I'm so startled by the vibrant intensity behind his eyes that I'm frozen in place. I've never seen eyes so green before, brighter than the leaves of the trees in the forest but darker than the color of the grass that lay beneath it. It only adds to his features that seem to draw me in. He certainly didn't look dangerous, although I know as well as anyone that looks can be deceiving.
He slowly nods and that breaks me out of my trance. I shake my head to clear it, shuffling in and closing the door behind me, but pressing myself against it to keep my distance.
"Hello," I offer a smile, hoping to put him at ease. I know I would be freaked out if I woke up in a strange place. "I'm Bella," I introduce myself by the name my mother used to call me. My full name sounded too impersonal and I wanted him to trust me. I couldn't quite explain the draw I felt since I first laid eyes on him. "I found you in the woods. You're Edward?"
He continues to stare at me, unmoving, his mouth slightly open in what looks to be shock. He blinks slowly, twice, before furrowing his brows. He drops his face into a frown.
"Yes." His voice sounds hoarse and dry. I should get him water or something. "That sounds right."
His words confuse me. "What do you mean that sounds right?"
His cheeks tinge a light pink as he looks down at his hands. I have a sudden urge to reach out and comfort him. "I don't remember much. Or anything at all, really. But Edward sounds right. It feels right."
Oh boy. Not only was he lost and injured but it seems that he has amnesia too. This may make things much more complicated. Once he was better, I had thought he would be able to go home. But if he doesn't remember where that is, I wasn't sure what I was going to do.
"It's alright," I step closer. "Do you remember anything at all?"
He shakes his head. "I'm not from here, that I know. I was entering the kingdom territory, but that's about all I can remember I'm afraid." He pulls at his bronze locks, clearly frustrated. His arms flop to his sides and he lets out a deep breath, looking back up at me. "I'm sorry, but where am I?"
"Right! I can't believe I didn't start with that," I apologize, mentally face palming. I hoped that he wouldn't treat me any differently once he found out who I was. It would be nice to have a friend who didn't expect something from me, even if he wasn't exactly here by his own choice. "I found you when I was out riding. You were unconscious, obviously, so I brought you back here. To…the castle," I tell him, bracing for his reaction.
Just as I thought he would, his eyes widen. But instead of shock, which is what I expected, he almost looks…scared? "T-the castle? So then you're …?"
"Bella." I skirt around the answer. Edward raises a brow, not buying any of my bullshit. I'm a little annoyed that he can't just leave it alone since he seems to know exactly who I am, but I suppose he wants my confirmation.
I cross my arms, as if that would shield myself from his reaction. "Princess Isabella Swan. My father is King Charles Swan."
Recognition finally dawns on his face. "I'm in Alynthia."
"Are you starting to remember?" I sit down on the foot of his bed, curious if I would finally get to find out exactly who Edward was.
His face hardens, and for a moment, I think I might have pushed too hard too fast. My father always hates when I ask too many questions.
"No." His tone is sharp and I can't help but flinch. I hope that I've played it off well enough but it doesn't go unnoticed.
"I'm sorry," Edward looks down. I feel defeated that my experience with my father has caused me to act like this with someone I don't even know.
"It's fine," I force a smile, not wanting him to feel bad about my reaction. He hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. I would still go as far to consider him a saint compared to the king and I kick myself for thinking he could be remotely similar, Not to mention everything must still be overwhelming for him right now, of course he would be aggravated.
There's a knock on the door and Emmet comes in with a tray of food. I nod my head in thanks, not even having considered that Edward must be starving. My trusty guard must have asked Angela to grab something from the kitchen.
I take the tray and Emmet turns to leave the room. "Here," I place it on the table next to Edward. "I bet you're hungry."
"I…" He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to gather his thoughts. "I didn't realize…why are you helping me? You don't know me."
What a ridiculous question. "Why wouldn't I help you?" I shrug like it should be the most obvious thing in the world. "Sometimes kindness is all we can offer others. I, on the other hand, am able to offer a bit more." I hand him the bowl of soup. His hand covers mine as he takes it and warmth and pleasure spreads from my fingertips.
He opens his mouth to say something but my eyes widen, completely forgetting he was still injured.
"You're bleeding!" I reach out to touch his forehead, mesmerized by his beautiful face. It looks so much like the ones in my storybooks that I almost didn't believe it was real. Edward winces, and I immediately pull back.
"I'm so sorry!" I jump up, feeling stupid for being so distracted that I hurt him even further. "I'll go grab a first aid kit." I feel my face heating up bright red and I turn to run out of the room, only slightly catching my foot and tripping over the edge of the bed on my way out.
"Are you alright, Princess Isabella?" Angela asks. She's quietly talking to Emmet right outside of the door. "You're looking a little pale."
"Hm?" I snap my head up, meeting her concerned gaze and quickly attempt to compose myself. "Yes!" I mean, yes, I'm fine, thank you. I just didn't realize he was still bleeding and I should get him a change of clothes."
"Would you like me to grab that for him?"
I shake my head. "I'll get it. I think I have one in my bathroom. Although perhaps Emmet, if it wouldn't be too much, do you have a change of clothes he could borrow? I hate to ask but he seems to be a bit taller than Jasper and my father. I'll send for something that will fit him better later today."
Emmet gives me a toothy grin. "Sure thing, Princess Isabella. The guy is starting to grow on me."
I roll my eyes at his playful nature. Although that is one of the things that makes him so easy to get along with. "You've only spent maybe all of five minutes with him."
He shrugs, the smile never leaving his face as he turns down the hall to the servants quarters, which Emmet had once told me he had dubbed The Fun Zone, since the King would never think of setting foot anywhere near there.
"I'll stay out here until he comes back," Angela offers.
Luckily by the time I returned with the clunky metal box, Emmet was back handing me a hoodie and sweats.
This time when I knock, I hear a soft "Come in," and see that Edward is still in the exact same position as I left him.
"I brought you some clothes to change into if you want to shower." I gesture to the attached bathroom. "They're Emmet's so they might be a little big but they'll fit better than my brother's."
Edward just nods, slowly standing up, wincing from the pain. He limps over to me and reaches out to take the clothes. His hand brushes mine and they linger for a second and I'm stuck, staring at where we're momentarily connected.
But when I look up to see if he was thinking anything remotely similar, the door to the bathroom was already closing behind him.
I sigh, taking a seat on the bed, flopping back, trying to release some of the tension I was feeling. What is wrong with me? Of course he wouldn't be thinking the same thing, and I try to convince myself that that's a good thing. After all, according to my father I was basically engaged.
It didn't take long for Edward to come out of the bathroom, hair damp and the sleeves of the hoodie rolled up. His arms aren't quite as large as Emmet's but still equally impressive and the sleeve is tight against them. I shift my eyes away so I'm not caught staring.
He limps over, sitting next to me on the bed. The cut on his forehead is clean from his shower but it still looks pretty bad, so I place the first aid kit between us, opening it to pull out the gauze and bandages. I unwrap the butterfly bandage and scoot closer to press it into his cheekbone along the inch-long cut. He's so close now that his breath fans across my face.
"Are you not hot with that scarf on?" Edward eyes the fabric still firmly wrapped around my neck. "I'm sweating in here."
In all honesty, I was too. But I didn't want him to see what was hiding beneath the scarf.
"You look flushed." he mumbles, his eyes flashing to mine in concern. How are they so green?
Edward runs his fingertips along my chin and I close my eyes, allowing myself to revel in his cool touch. By the time I opened them again, he had already moved to unwrap the wool.
"No, don't-" I bring my hand up to stop him but it was too late.
Edward's entire body goes rigid, his hands gripping the ends of the scarf so tight, his knuckles turn white and his eyes turn dark. The menacing look on his face catches me completely off guard and I fight not to lean away from him.
"Who did this?" He grits through his teeth. His voice is low and angry, sounding like a growl rumbling deep in his chest.
I shut my eyes to try to keep the tears from falling. He must think I'm weak and pathetic. I know I do. And I hate the hold my father has over me.
"Who?" He barks out and my eyes snap to his, startled by his sharp tone.
His expression immediately softens. "I'm sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to scare you."
My heart skips a beat as he gently places his hands on either side of my neck as if he would be able to make the bruises go away by sheer will alone.
"My father," I whisper, surprising myself that I had admitted it out loud. "Please don't tell anyone."
Edward wipes my tears. "Does this happen a lot?"
I shake my head. "I don't see him all that often and even when I do, it's usually little things here and there. It was never anything this bad."
"What made him so angry?"
"Why do you care? Nobody else does." There was nothing accusatory in my tone. I was genuinely curious.
"You cared for me when I needed it. You could have just left me in the woods but you didn't. You deserve to have someone care too." Edward grabs my hand and squeezes it.
"He's forcing me to marry the Prince of Elisor. I don't want to and I told him so," I explain.
"You shouldn't have to." I can hear the anger creeping into his voice again.
"No, I shouldn't." I agree. "But duty over desire."
I desperately need to change the subject. I had been in his presence all of thirty minutes and I had already spilled more than anyone else in my life.
"Let's finish getting you fixed up, shall we?" I scoot backwards a bit, moving the first aid kit back between us.
I work in silence, bandaging the rest of his smaller cuts and soon he was looking good as new, minus a couple bruises and the fact he was still limping. I should find him a crutch so he doesn't have to put weight on it.
I glance at the clock and start gathering up the metal box. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."
I stand to leave but he grabs my wrist, stopping me. I look down at his hand and he quickly drops it like he's been burned.
"Thank you."
I nod, offering a small smile.
"Good night, Princess. Sweet dreams," he calls out just before I shut the door.
I can't keep the smile on my face, resting my back against the door to collect my thoughts. When I look up, Emmet is standing there with a knowing look.
"You were in there a while, your highness," he waggles his brows in a suggestive manner.
I can feel the blush forming in my cheeks again as I push past him, back to my own room.
It takes me forever to fall asleep that night, my mind bouncing all over the place from my father's outburst, my impending marriage, and a pair of green eyes that seem to captivate me the more time I spend with them. I feel a smile take over my face as I'm finally able to drift off, dreaming about Edward.