Thank you to Mel and Pamela!

Chapter Six

Edward

Were all humans this utterly infuriating, or was Bella some sort of specialist? I couldn't remember ever being quite so frustrated with a single being before—though I'd certainly been angrier many times.

We had to find Ananka quickly. The sooner we could detangle the mess Bella and I were in, the better.

"Your Highness."

I stopped short in the hallway, surprised to have been caught off guard. Had I truly been so deep in my thoughts?

"What?" I asked, turning toward the servant. The man swallowed hard, and I recognized him as one of my father's men.

Fantastic.

"The king demands your presence at once," the servant said.

"I'll bet he does," I muttered under my breath, turning on my heel. I thought about taking my time, winding my way through the castle a bit first, but I knew better than to keep my father waiting.

That could only lead toward more trouble for me.

My mind flashed to the list that had started in my mind of all that there was to get done and then briefly to the pipe in my room that I longed to lose myself to.

Letting out a frustrated breath, I reached up and tugged at my hair, my fingers knocking lightly against the tips of my ears. Unbidden, my mind flashed to Bella's small, round ears and I felt my stomach clench. Everything about her was so other.

"You there," I said, snapping at a maid trying to pass me in the hall. She let out a squeak of fright as she turned to look at me. "Tell my captain to meet me in my rooms in one hour."

The maid nodded and scampered off as I continued toward my father's chambers.

There were two guards posted outside the door and I slowed when I saw them. They were on strict orders not to let anyone in without the king's permission, including me. "My father sent for me," I told them, trying to fight back my scowl. Demetri and Riley were both pieces of work, though they served my father with unflinching loyalty.

"He's busy," Riley sneered. "Come back later, prince."

The animosity had been there between us since I could remember, but usually they didn't let themselves go too far. Still, I heard the intended lack of respect in Riley's voice and immediately felt my fingers curl into fists.

"Out of my way," I demanded. "Or you can be the one to explain to my father why I am late."

Riley sneered.

"One day, your daddy won't be around to save you, little prince," Demetri warned. "You better pray to the gods that you've learned some manners by then."

Without another word, the two men stepped out of my way. I was sorely tempted to pick a fight with them, if for no other reason than to release the tension mounting in my body, but I couldn't afford to act out, not when I had to face my father and ask him for a favor he was not likely to grant.

I pushed past and into my father's chambers. They were twice as large as mine, with an antechamber that served as a foyer and a massive sitting room that boasted a grand stone fireplace. There was a large table set before it where I found my mother sipping a glass of wine. My father was nowhere in sight.

"Edward," Mother said, lighting up as soon as she saw me. "Darling, how wonderful of you to come visit." She motioned me toward her and patted the chair to her left. "Come sit with me, darling. Tell me how you are."

I frowned. "Is Father around?"

Mother waved a hand vaguely through the air. "Yes, here and there," she said dismissively. "Darling, you haven't come to see me in weeks. Sit, tell me all that has been happening with your life."

I opened my mouth to protest when my father emerged from his sleeping chambers. Technically, the rooms belonged to both my parents, but as king, my father claimed the lion's share of them. Mother had her own drawing room where she entertained guests, but when she wasn't playing hostess, she was here.

"Edward," Father barked. "Where have you been?"

I let out a breath. "I'm sorry, Father," I said, shaking my head and dipping it quickly into a bow. "I know I haven't performed my duties—"

"Two days, Edward," Father said, his tone glacial. "Two days you've been away from your post. Have you any idea the damage that has taken on the kingdom?"

In her seat, my mother's eyes widened. "Oh dear," she murmured. "Darling, what has kept you? You know how important your work is."

I felt my teeth grind together. "Something …" I took a breath. "Something has happened."

Father's cold glare moved over me. "You appear to have all your limbs," he said, his voice flat.

I shook my head. "No, it's not …" I let out a breath. "There was this girl."

"Edward," Father scolded while Mother let out a weary sigh.

"Oh, Edward," she chastised.

"There will always be a girl," Father said, his face forming a hard scowl. "And I've told you I don't care how many you fuck so long as you don't stop doing your work."

"Oh Carlisle, please," Mother tsked, shaking her head.

Father glanced at her, and for a moment, I saw his hard exterior melt and a small smile he reserved only for her graced his face. Then he blinked and the moment was gone as he glared at me.

"Father, that's not what I mean," I said, shaking my head.

"Is she pregnant?" Father asked.

Mother groaned. "Darling, I had hoped we could wait at least until you are married to produce illegitimate offspring."

"No, will you both listen to me?" I demanded, pacing away from them. "There is a human girl that I have made eye contact with and now we are in the midst of binding."

Both my parents froze, and I stopped mid-stride to stare at them.

"You found your sultra?" Mother asked, her voice verging on some sort of hysterical excitement.

"What do you mean she's human?" Father demanded.

"She's a human with red blood and all," I said, lifting up the vial around my neck.

Father frowned. "What is that?"

"Tanya gave us these," I told them. "To slow the desire to complete the binding." They worked, but only if I didn't think about Bella too hard.

"So you haven't bound with her?"

I shook my head. "I'm not even sure that's what's happening," I said miserably. "It feels like it. I can feel my magic just under the surface of my skin, demanding to make contact with her."

Mother sighed dreamily. "Oh, how marvelous would this be? A bound pair on the throne one day."

"Esme," Father said, shaking his head. "She's human."

Mother seemed to finally snap out of her dreams at the sound of Father's voice. She turned to me, her green eyes wide. "Darling, she can't be human. Humans and fae don't bond together."

I shrugged helplessly.

"We can't let this happen," Father said, shaking his head. "She cannot …" He trailed off as he turned toward the fire. "Edward, this needs to be given top priority. You must stop this from happening."

I let out a breath. "Tanya only could think of one way," I said slowly. Both my parents looked at me expectantly and I bit the inside of my cheek before speaking. "She suggested we find Ananka and reverse the binding of our souls there."

Both my parents looked stunned, as if I had just sprouted a second head.

"Darling, when you say find Ananka …"

I nodded. "I know. I know it's likely a land only in fables. But if there is even a shred of hope to stop this from happening, then I must go."

To my surprise, it was Father who nodded. "Yes," he agreed. "Yes, this needs to happen."

"What?" Mother asked in surprise, turning around to look at Father. "Carlisle, surely you cannot mean—"

"He must go," Father argued. "He cannot be tied to a human, Esme. Think of the repercussions of that."

Mother's mouth pursed and she shook her head.

"Assemble an army if you have to," Father said, looking at me. "I want you back before the next full moon."

My eyes automatically turned to the pregnant moon outside. One month, that was all I had to get the impossible done.

I swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."

Father shook his head and let out a long breath. "Go. You must leave at first light."

I nodded and took a step to exit, but stopped when Father called my name. "Edward," he said, his face sober. "I expect you to still bleed for this kingdom."

I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, sir."