.
Chapter 28
Honeymoon
James
They rocked and I heard her breathing become calmer and her heartbeat slower. Apparently she had fallen asleep. That had been a beautiful wedding night, certainly in her spirit. I was happy for her. My Prince had really romantic ideas. At the same time, I was worried. What Nanny had said would surely bring problems. Aro and Alec were selfish guys who would go over dead bodies. Even if they didn't act themselves, they would try to find ways to harm her. And that scared me. I wanted to protect her and also my Prince, who had never been as happy as he was now.
"Come over here, James," said my Master.
I went back to the swing.
"I heard your thoughts, James. You're absolutely right. I'm afraid for them, too. I think my father will send an additional Volturi guard near her," he said.
"That's okay, I had hoped so. I might be able to take Alec on, but if he had reinforcements, it could be difficult," I said.
"I am aware of that. We'll just have to hope that she's guarded well enough and that we'll be warned early by Alice Gabe or mine if something is brewing," my Master said anxiously.
"Yes, my Prince. I will try everything in my power to protect them," I said.
"I know, James. You're the best guard I could ask for."
Now I was speechless. He had never praised me before.
My Prince looked again at his wife in his arm and then closed his eyes, enjoying her smell and the slight rocking.
At some point the moon disappeared and it became very leisurely brighter. The sun rose and the morning dew began to glisten on the blades of grass.
I heard the Princess wake up.
"Good morning, Mrs. Volturi, did you sleep well?" my Prince asked tenderly.
"Hmm..." she murmured. "Yes very much," she then said.
They stayed lying there for a while.
"I think we have to go back. I have to go to the bathroom and I'm hungry too," she stated.
"Well, let's get you dressed for now," he smiled.
They rooted around in the bed and every now and then she giggled.
"Oh ... I'm all disheveled. I hope no one sees us," she then stated.
He laughed.
"I like you like this. You look all wild. We'll just run really fast," he then suggested.
He jumped out of bed and slipped into his shoes. She slid to him and stretched her feet out to him. He put her pumps back on and then lifted her into his arms.
"It's best to hold on tight and close your eyes, dear Princess. I'm running now!"
She laughed and he stormed off.
I followed them smiling and the guards joined in.
In the room, she first scurried to the bathroom and showered, then put on fresh underwear and a blue dress, combed her hair and felt noticeably more comfortable with it.
Breakfast was already there and she ate first.
The Prince had also freshened up and joined her.
"Bon appétit, my love. You look adorable in that blue!" he said.
"Thank you," she said, probably meaning both.
The Prince caressed her hair once and she looked up at him standing there in front of her. He took the necklace with the moonstone she was wearing in his hand and looked at the stone.
She took the moonstone from his hand again and let it slide back between her breasts.
"I suppose you wear that all the time now?" he asked.
"Yes, he feels good!" she said, and he nodded.
He sat down next to her.
"James, could you put the picture of La Push up there for me?" she asked me.
"Yes, with pleasure," I said and did the job immediately.
She rose, took the wolf on the leather strap from the casket and hung it on its side over the picture frame.
She would not wear it, I felt.
The carved Isabella box ended up in a drawer next to the box with Alec's gift. She then put her harp necklace and the Prince's bracelet back on and carefully placed the opal jewelry in her jewelry box. She kept the bangle from the Quileute on. She hung her father's locket on the bedpost so that it would dangle to the side of her head.
"Aren't you going to wear the wolf and the medallion?" the Prince asked with interest.
"No. The wolf is beautyful, a nice reminder, but it feels wrong to wear something of Jake's on my body. I would never put it on. My father's medallion is also beautiful, but it is very large and heavy. But if I ever had to travel without you, I would take it with me because it has a picture of you in it," she said with a smile, walking over to him and kissing him briefly.
He smiled at her in love.
I placed her bridal bouquet on the table and she looked at it lovingly.
"Where's Grace's flower garland?" she then remembered. "I'm sure she'd be offended on her next visit if I didn't have it then."
"Here, Your Highness, I brought them again."
I handed her the handmade flower garland and she hung it on the bookshelf next to her desk.
"My Princess, I took the liberty of buying you something too, but I haven't had a chance to give it to you yet," I said.
Astonished, she looked at me.
I handed her my package and the Prince also eyed me with interest.
"Thank you," she breathed, opening it carefully.
"Oh ..." she then said.
"What is it?" asked the Prince.
"A door harp," she whispered. "Oh, James, it's wonderful, thank you!" she said, carefully placing the wooden piece on the table, coming to me and hugging me.
I was a little embarrassed, but my Prince smiled.
"It was a pleasure, Your Highness," I said.
"Hang them right now, please?" she asked me, letting go.
"Of course, which door?", I asked.
"On the front door to my room. I think it's the most frequently used."
I nodded and attached the wooden crescent.
She sat down next to her husband and watched me.
"Why are you crying?" he suddenly asked in horror, pulling her onto his lap.
She snuggled up to him and kept silent, but the tears were running.
It hurt my soul. Why on earth was she crying now?
"Please, Isabella, talk to me," he requested gently.
But she remained silent.
When she had calmed down a bit, he gently pulled her face in his direction.
"Hmm ... what was wrong, dear?" he asked, gently kissing her lips.
"Nothing," she said, trying to smile.
"That didn't look like nothing," he whispered.
"It's okay again," she said.
"Don't you have faith in me?" he asked sadly.
"Yes, of course, but you wouldn't understand," she whispered.
Tenderly he stroked her face.
"Please, give me a chance?" he begged.
She looked at him for a long time.
"It's James," she whispered.
I winced in shock.
Had I done something wrong?
She turned around and also looked at me from time to time.
Because she didn't want to talk about me when I was there, but with me - I felt that immediately.
"How did he know I would love something like that? His gift touched me deeply. Only a true friend knows so well what you like, right? And it's so unfair. He is so sweet and good to me and I can't give him anything. I want to please him too and for him to be happy."
Her tears rose again and her words had touched me deeply.
My Prince stroked her gently.
"Princess Magnolia, I've told you before. I have never been so happy here as I have been these past few weeks. You are the most adorable job I've ever had, and when you laugh, I'm fine!"
She sighed.
"He's so stubborn," she whispered, and the Prince smiled.
"Oh Bella, you are so sweet. But at the moment I don't know how I can help you either," he said.
"I know," she said, kissing him briefly. "What are we going to do with what feels like five million other presents?" she asked him. "I don't even know when we're going to unwrap all this?" she moaned.
In the large living room, there were mountains of gifts piled up on the side.
"I have no idea. I guess we don't really want three-quarters of the stuff anyway," he noted.
"We could give the stuff away to nursing homes and children's homes, or to flea markets," she chuckled.
"Okay, but we have to unwrap them already. Who knows, not that we give away some crown jewels or beautiful books later?" he said.
"That's true," she admitted.
There was a knock.
The Prince nodded invitingly and I opened the door.
The door harp jingled happily and put a smile on my Princess's face. She looked at me gratefully.
Oh ... the King himself and even a Volturi guard.
"Good morning," he called cheerfully as he entered. "Well, did my favorite bride and groom have a nice night?" he asked.
"Of course," the Prince smiled and my Princess smiled rather sheepishly.
She slid off Edward's lap.
"Dad, I just wanted to thank you first for the beautiful ring. For passing on something so beautiful to me. I'm honored," she said and just gave him a quick hug.
The King had to swallow.
"I'd love to, Isabella, I've rarely given anything away with so much pleasure," he said and gave her a hug too.
"I will always wear it on special occasions," said my Princess. "Also, thank you for what you did for me yesterday," she whispered firmly and sat back down next to her husband.
She looked somewhat anxiously at the guard who wore his black cloak.
"Isabella, Edward, I brought Demetri with me. I hope that my son will agree with me. He is very reliable and is absolutely behind us. Also, he's a tracker. That's a gift, Isabella. He senses when someone is up to something, he finds tracks, and he tracks everyone no matter how well they hide. He senses sounds and smells even much better and from greater distances than other vampires, and besides, he's one of our best fighters. Very sharp-witted, fast and from today on always near you when you leave these chambers," he explained.
The Prince rose and went to Demetri.
"I thank you, Baron. If something happened to her, it would be the end of the world for me."
He shook hands with the guard.
The latter took off his hood.
He was outwardly around thirty, good-looking, had black hair. A huge broad guy.
He bowed before the Prince, while the latter held out his hand.
"It is my honor to protect the Royal Highness, Your Highness."
"I have let him in on the secret of Isabella's gifts and powers, my son. He understands our concern and shares our opinion," said the King.
"That was good, Dad," the Prince nodded.
My Princess slowly rose. She walked toward Demetri and extended her hand to him as well.
It looked grotesque. This little delicate person, pretty in this dress and barefoot and this huge vampire, in whose hand hers completely disappeared.
"I thank you, Sir," she said quietly.
He took her hand, breathed a kiss on it and bowed.
"I will do everything in my power to protect you, Your Royal Highness," he said reverently.
She nodded and stepped back a bit to lean against her Prince, who gently pulled her close and hugged her.
"James, he is getting the room next to yours. Please always let him know when you are leaving the chambers," the King said to me.
"Very well, Your Majesty," I said.
"I wish you a good day and bon voyage," said the King, kissed the Princess briefly on the forehead, patted the Prince on the shoulder and left.
"Journey?" asked my Princess.
"Yes, my sweet, we are leaving this afternoon," my Prince said, smiling mysteriously.
"But where to?" she asked in amazement.
"Honeymoon?" he asked.
She smiled.
"A honeymoon?"
"Of course," he said, grinning broadly.
"Oh thank you, how nice," she rejoiced, falling around his neck and kissing him.
The Prince freed himself laughing.
"Baron, you can retire. We'll be leaving at 4:00 o'clock."
Demetri bowed and left the room.
The Prince picked up his little wife and twirled her around in a circle.
"Come on, let's open presents," he said, and she groaned.
"James, you get to help or we'll never make it," she said with a smile.
So we started unwrapping the packages.
We piled the gifts on the table, the pile of trash on the floor grew.
After two hours everything was unpacked and the Princess was completely unnerved.
"Oh God, I'm so glad I'm only marrying you once," she moaned.
"Darling, you will still experience this more often. After all, you still have birthdays, there's Christmas..."
She looked at him in horror.
He laughed.
"That was a joke, right?"
He nodded, still laughing.
She shook her head at so much impudence. Then she went to the table and looked at the gifts.
My Prince joined her.
The Princess randomly read the cards that were by the gifts.
"Do we have to answer each one separately?" she asked anxiously.
"No, Mom sends everyone a generic thank you card," he said.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
There were several books in there that she decided to keep and moved over to her shelf for now. Two CDs that appealed to him.
"Look, this vase here is nicer than mine," she said, taking it and exchanging it for the one on her table. "What are we going to do with kitchen utensils?" she sighed.
"I don't know, precious," he smiled. "What a load of stuff," he sighed after another few minutes. "James, you can call the girl and have her dispose of the stuff. How, I don't care," he then said.
"With pleasure, my Prince," I said.
"Don't we have to pack?" my Princess asked.
"No, that's all done," he grinned.
She nevertheless packed a small bag with things important to her. He watched her and followed her every move.
"Are you bored?" she asked him.
"No, not when I can watch you," he said.
She went to him and snuggled up to him. He closed his eyes and held her tightly.
"Shall we still play music?" he asked softly.
"I'd be happy to," she said.
He went to the grand piano and she to the harp. She closed her eyes, stroked the strings and began.
The Prince looked at her in surprise.
It took me a little longer to understand. She played My Immortal - the piece that had been sung yesterday by the Volturi guards.
The Prince shook his head.
He was stunned, but then joined in and accompanied her.
When they ended, she looked at him and he at her.
"Do you know what you were playing?" he asked.
"You guys sang it yesterday. It touched me," she said. "It just flowed out of me."
"You had never heard it before and you can just play it?" he asked.
She nodded.
"It's called My Immortal."
"Oh ..." she said. "It's nice," she added.
Then she just closed her eyes again and played something else and he got in.
Later she ate, they talked, they cuddled, and then they got ready to leave.
"Do I need to dress warmer?" she asked.
"No, put on shoes, that's all you'll need, precious."
I had packed her jeans, sneakers and a cardigan in her hand luggage as a precaution, preferring to be on the safe side.
We left the room and Demetri walked silently behind.
The luggage was already in the limousine.
Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Grace, and Rose were waiting outside.
"What are you doing here?" my Princess laughed happily.
"We just wanted to say goodbye," Alice said, flying around her neck.
They all hugged once again and little Grace was a little sad.
"I'll be back soon, sugar, and then I'll have time for you, okay?" my Princess said, pressing the child tenderly to her.
"Yes," Grace breathed, hugging her back.
On the back window of the limousine was written Just married and there were actually tins rattling behind the car.
The Prince laughed.
"You're not serious, are you?"
Alice laughed, too.
"Yes it is!"
The two of them got in, Demetri and I joined them.
"You probably won't reveal where we're going?" my Princess asked.
"No, let it be a surprise," he said and kissed her gently.
She leaned against him and held his hands in her lap.
The cans rattled behind the car.
"James, please tell the driver to stop somewhere right away and remove this. I don't want to cause quite so much of a stir," said my Prince.
I nodded.
We drove to Olympia Airport and boarded a private plane there.
There were no rows of seats, but rather a cozy living room setup. So we sat down around the table and the royal couple on the sofa.
The captain came in to greet us personally and exchanged a few words with Your Highnesses.
Then things started to happen.
A steward came and asked for our requests.
My Princess ordered a water.
"Do you have a chess set?" the Prince asked.
The steward nodded and shortly afterwards brought the water and the chess set.
He eyed the Princess and the Prince glared at him annoyed. My Princess had not noticed the steward's look, but she had noticed the Prince's change of mood.
"What's wrong?" she asked, startled.
"He had dirty thoughts," said the Prince.
"Who, the steward ... or what?" she asked.
He nodded.
"Oh, I see," she said, bored, and began to set up the game.
He held her hands tightly and looked at her. She looked at him in irritation. Firmly he pulled her to him, closed his eyes and kissed her head. She held still for a while, then shoved him away a little, took his face in her hands and kissed him on the mouth.
"You're not thinking I'm going to run out on you for a steward, are you?" she asked with a smile.
He looked at her tenderly.
"Isabella, all men desire you. It is cruel. Why do you love me?" he asked.
"Because you are my husband, my Edward, and the man I truly love. I don't care about anyone else, believe me."
He kissed her tenderly.
"If you knew how I felt about you," he whispered.
She gently stroked his cheek.
"The same way I feel about you, Edward. You are my future."
At that, she smiled at him. Then she turned back to the game.
"Shall we?" she asked.
He nodded.
Silently they played.
Demetri watched them with fascination.
At one point she said softly, "Checkmate, my Prince."
He sighed.
"Your father was right. You are unbeatable."
"I'm sorry," she said.
The Prince looked at Demetri. Then he smiled.
"Your guard would like to play with you," he said.
Demetri became a little embarrassed because the Prince had seen his thoughts.
The Princess looked at her Prince.
"Play with him," he said encouragingly.
She slid the board across the table and looked at Demetri.
"Thank you, Your Highness," he said softly, helping to set up the figurines.
Now they played in silence. The Prince put an arm around her hips and watched tensely. It lasted longer.
At some point she said again softly, "Checkmate."
Demetri nodded.
"Congratulations," he smiled appreciatively.
She leaned back into Edward's arms and snuggled in.
"You need to eat something," he stated.
"What's there to eat?" she asked.
"I think James pre-ordered something you like," he said.
I nodded.
"Salad, bread and fruit, my Princess?"
"Gladly," she said.
So I called the steward and ordered the food for her. He brought it shortly after.
"For the lady, please," I said.
"Ah ... with pleasure," he said, setting the table before her. "May I get you something to drink as well, fair lady?" he asked, and the Prince tensed furiously.
"A water and a coffee please and save your lewd remarks, I am not interested. If you ever verbally harass me again, I will make sure that my husband induced your dismissal."
She said that in one breath, coldly, looking at him angrily.
"Excuse me," he said, and fled.
All of us men had to smirk and she began to eat her salad comfortably.
With the fruit, she leaned back into the Prince's arms. As she popped a strawberry into her mouth, the Prince grinned at her. She looked at him in irritation.
"Oh Edward," she said then, blushing.
He laughed and kissed her.
"So it brings back erotic memories for you, too," he noted quietly.
"I'll never eat strawberries again without thinking about it," she breathed, and they kissed intimately.
I looked away and read in a newspaper.
How this crackled again ...
Later, she fell asleep in his arms.
I called the steward and ordered a blanket for her.
"Maybe you'll take off her shoes, James," the Prince suggested, and carefully I took off her blue pumps.
The steward was already standing next to me and handed me the blanket. Then he disappeared again.
When we landed, it was the middle of the night and the Prince gently kissed her awake.
"We're here, love," he whispered, and she awoke.
She took a moment to collect herself and then sat down.
"I feel all scrunched up," she said.
I helped her into her shoes.
"Besides, I should have worn a jacket after all," she noted.
I went to the bag and wordlessly took out her cardigan.
"What would I do without you?" she asked.
I just smiled and the Prince helped her into her cardigan.
We were picked up by a car and her husband helped her get in.
The steward reloaded the luggage with another man. Then we drove to a harbor and changed into a motorboat.
The Princess sat down and I put a blanket around her, which she accepted with thanks.
The Prince himself set off and visibly enjoyed chasing the boat through the waves.
"What sea is that?" asked the Princess.
"Pacific," I said. "South Pacific!"
It was just getting light here and the sun was shining on us. It was getting warmer and she pushed the blanket away. Then she took off her shoes and went to her husband. He briefly looked to the side, then held the wheel with his right hand and put his left arm around her.
"That's great," she said.
"Yeah ..." he said, and you could sense his enthusiasm in that little word.
Then our island came into view and the Prince slowed down, headed into our bay and headed for the jetty.
"WOW ..." the Princess exclaimed in awe.
At the jetty we were already expected and the man there took the rope and secured the boat. I jumped out, and so did the Prince. He helped his wife out and then walked with her towards the beach. Demetri handed over the luggage and the man and I took it. He grabbed two suitcases, walked along a path on the beach and disappeared.
I see... that was the way to the house.
I brought the other two suitcases after and Demetri followed with the rest of the bags.
The Princess let go of the Prince, flung her shoes into the sand, and ran toward the sea on our right, through deep white sand. The Prince followed her, smiling. She ran into the water and let the first waves roll over her feet.
"Edward, it's all warm," she exclaimed excitedly, looking around for him.
Then she took off her dress, threw it into the sand, took off her underwear and ran into the sea.
Demetri and I first took refuge in the house.
"What a woman," he said.
"Yes, Sir, enchanting," I said.
"That's her," he nodded.
The house was huge, with large window facades.
Two girls took our luggage and brought it to the rooms.
"Where is the Princess's room?", I asked.
"Come with me, please, Sir," said the one, and I followed her.
She put down the Princess's suitcase and I went to the bathroom to get bath towels and sunscreen. Outside I found a parasol and in the kitchen a bottle of water. With that I went back to the beach.
The Prince had also undressed and they were both in the water. They were kissing intimately and it looked like they were making love in the water.
I stuck the parasol in the sand, put the towels, water and sunscreen under it and then retreated a bit.
So I could comfortably survey everything, just barely seeing the two of them. I was damn far away and enjoyed the warmth on my skin.
After a while Demetri settled down next to me.
"Oh God, he loves them in the sea," he said.
"They love each other all over, Sir. They are both insatiable and crazy about each other," I replied.
After a while she cried out and he pressed her against him. So they remained for some time. Then he kissed her and they swam ashore. She lay belly-down on a towel under the parasol and he lovingly creamed her.
"What are you doing to me?" she asked.
"Love you," he said, kissing her shoulders.
"Hmm..." she moaned comfortably.
"I want to cream your front too, turn around!" he demanded and she turned.
He blew the sand off her body. She laughed out loud. Then he spread sunscreen on her belly, on her breasts and she arched towards him moaning. He kissed her breasts and caressed them. Then his hand slipped lower.
"Demetri, why don't you tell something," I sighed and let myself fall backwards because I didn't want to watch the couple on the beach.
He laughed and let himself fall backwards as well.
"It's going to be a hot honeymoon for me," he said, and I had to laugh now.
"We need to get you a woman so you can let off steam once in a while," I suggested.
"No, thanks, I'm not into one-night-stands," he said.
"That take character," I said appreciatively.
"Thank you," he said.
"Have you ever had a wife? But you don't have to answer if I'm being too indiscreet," I added immediately.
He considered.
"Yes, I had. It was ages ago. She died in a vampire attack," he said then.
"I'm sorry about that," I said honestly.
I liked him.
"Yes, it was hard at the time, like my body had been divided. It took me decades to get over that," he explained. "And you, did you used to have a wife before you were maltreated?", he asked.
"Yes. The daughter of a sultan. We were caught, unfortunately. My punishment was castration."
"This is cruel," he said.
"I've lived with it for so long now. I really don't mind anymore," I said honestly.
"But you still have erotic feelings, don't you?" he asked with interest.
"Absolutely," I nodded.
"Isn't it hard for you to hear and see them all the time?" he then asked.
"No. I immediately took the Princess to my heart. I love her, but more like a brother. From the beginning, I had a natural need to protect her. I adore her. And I'm happy that she's so happy with the Prince now."
"Yes, she is. The way those two look at each other! It's insane. I've never seen anything so intense," he said.
"They were kind of waiting for each other, I think. It wasn't a coincidence that they're together now. It was fate," I mused.
"Yes, it fits perfectly for both of them," he said.
I heard her scream.
But I didn't look up. I knew she was fine. Fucking fine, actually.
When I heard nothing more, I looked up.
They were still cuddling. At some point they got up and he helped her into her dress and led her to the house.
So we also went back and arrived shortly behind the two of them.
A girl greeted the two.
"Get the entire staff," the Prince told her.
"You could have added a little 'please,'" the Princess rebuked him softly.
The Prince looked at her. She smiled at him charmingly and kissed him gently on the mouth.
A short time later, a total of three housemaids, a cooky and two footmen appeared. One of them had just fetched the suitcases, I recognized him.
"I am Edward Volturi, this is my wife. She is the absolute main person here and all her wishes are fulfilled immediately. The two gentlemen are my wife's personal bodyguards and their instructions are to be obeyed as well as mine. No one enters a room in which my wife is present without the permission of one of the two of them."
To the cooky he said, "My wife is the only person who eats human food. She doesn't eat meat, prefers salads, vegetables and fruits. So it would make sense for you to prepare for that in your mind." He looked at the Princess and then back at the staff. "Thank you. You can go now."
The Princess smiled.
I led her to her room.
The Prince came after.
"Don't we have a room together?" she asked, surprised, and it also sounded disappointed.
He laughed.
"Nothing in the world could make me lie anywhere without you," he said, pulling her against him. "I don't need a bed at all, and I don't have one. Here's your room, your closet, your bathroom, there's the connecting door to my room. It's without a bed. Only my clothes will be there and my bathroom. Please feel free to use both rooms, use both bathrooms and if you like, we'll just hang out the interconnecting door. I love you, sugar!"
She snuggled against his chest.
"I love you too, Edward. I don't want any doors between us."
"Don't be," he said, tenderly stroking her back.
Then she detached herself and looked around. Inspected his room, the bathrooms and then walked through the entire house.
The Prince smiled at her and then stepped out onto the terrace and looked out to sea.
Demetri had disappeared into his room.
The girls had already unpacked and distributed everything.
So I strolled after my Princess.
At the end of her round, she went to the kitchen. She looked around, discovered a coffee machine and made herself a coffee.
The cooky came running.
"Oh ... Royal Highness, I can do that for you."
She quickly fetched her milk and sugar.
"Thank you, I drink my coffee without sugar," said the Princess kindly.
"Would you like something to eat? You must be hungry, right?" she asked.
"Yes, please. I had the last meal on the plane last night," my Princess said softly.
"Do you want a roll with jam or are you fond of something savory? I also have muesli? Fruit?"
"A roll, please. Jam sounds good and I'll have fruit too, ma'am."
The cooky eyed me briefly because I was standing in the middle of the kitchen door.
"It's very hot here," the Princess noted.
"Should I open the windows, my Princess, or see if there's a fan here?", I asked her.
"Thanks, James, airing out sounds good," she nodded.
The cooky put another glass of water in front of her and then breakfast.
After the meal, the Princess rose again and said, "Thank you, ma'am, that was very good."
"With pleasure, Your Highness," the lady replied and bowed.
The Princess went to the terrace and put her arms around her husband from behind. He still stood motionless and looked at the sea.
"It's wonderful here, Edward," she said. "Thank you!"
Slowly he turned around in her arms and looked at her face.
"You are wonderful, Isabella," he whispered, stroking his fingers over her cheeks.
"I think I need to lie down for a bit," she whispered. "The sleep on the plane was a little too little, and the heat here is making me feel woozy."
With a smooth movement, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to her room.
"I'll put you to bed and cool you down ... hmm ...?" he asked.
She laughed.
"That would be something completely new. Normally, you make me hot!"
He laughed, too.
"First hot, then cold," he whispered greedily.
"Edward, again?" she whispered indignantly.
"Yes, Mrs. Volturi, again ..."
I went to my room across the hall, left the door open and made myself at home.
The days on the island passed slowly and in a daily rhythm.
The two walked along the beach, swam, dove, sunbathed, played a game, watched a movie, read and had sex. They enjoyed their togetherness.
Demetri followed them at a distance when they left the house.
After ten days, they were lying on the beach and she asked, "How long are we staying here?"
"We'll have to make our way back the day after tomorrow," he sighed.
She moaned.
"Would you like to have stayed?" he asked, letting sand trickle down her back.
"I have to hand you back to the law office when we get home," she sighed sadly.
"But I'm still very close to you and I come home as often as I can," he whispered.
"I know," she whispered, "but here I have you all to myself!"
"We can have another vacation here later ... hmm ...?" he asked.
"Yes, that would be nice," she said, "Do we own the house?"
"We own the whole island," he said.
"So you've been here often?" she asked.
"No, I bought it for you and the honeymoon. I wanted you to be nice and warm for a change and I could go out in the sun with you without any problems. How the house should be, I determined from Olympia and the staff sent Dad ahead," he explained.
"You just bought me an island?" she asked incredulously.
He nodded.
"This is ... is totally crazy," she said, overwhelmed, but he just smiled lovingly at her. "Can we keep all this then ... or is it too expensive in the long run?" she asked.
"If you like it, we'll keep the island. I thought the rest of the family might like to vacation here once in a while," he said.
"That's great," she nodded, "then I'll have something to look forward to - the next vacation with you!"
He smiled happily at her.
"I'm happy to be here with you, too. Bella, darling, I'm going over to the mainland alone tonight, okay?" he asked.
She looked at him, registered the dark color of his eyes, and nodded.
"James is with me, after all," she whispered.
"I'll be quick, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded.
But I immediately sensed that she was displeased.
Then after dinner he said goodbye and she accompanied him to the jetty.
Demetri and I followed them.
They said goodbye with a heartfelt kiss.
Then she looked after him. He slowly disappeared from the bay, waved once more and was then completely gone.
My Princess sat down on the jetty and dangled her legs in the water.
Demetri and I settled down in the sand and just waited.
She rocked her feet in the water, watched the waves, looked out to sea, and slowly night settled over the bay.
"Oops..." she suddenly cried, startled, and pulled up her feet.
I was about to jump up.
She looked into the water in amazement and said, "Dolphins! What a thing!"
"Stay put, James. If you go closer, the dolphins will be gone. I'm sure they're afraid of vampires. I don't think they'll hurt her," Demetri said, and we watched the jetty intently.
The Princess looked enthusiastically into the water.
"What are you doing here?" she asked with a smile.
A dolphin lifted its beak out of the water and made a whistling sound.
"You want to talk to me?" the Princess asked with a laugh.
She lay belly down on the dock and stroked the animal. Two animals swam to her hand, touched it and nudged it lightly.
"You are really beautiful," said the Princess in awe.
One of the animals hit the water with its tail fin and it splashed.
My Highness laughed again.
Then she stood, took off her knee-length jeans and carefully - in top and underwear - let herself slide into the water between the animals.
"You're sure the critters are harmless, Baron?", I asked, slightly nervous.
"Yes, dolphins save human lives and are harmless," he said firmly, and I prayed he was right.
My Princess laughed and stroked the animals that nudged her and played with her. We watched the spectacle and it was really harmless. At some point she said goodbye to the animals and swam to the beach. She came up to us, but then ran back onto the jetty to get her pants and sandals.
I rose, because surely she wanted to go into the house and take a shower now.
That's how it was. She came back and then walked barefoot back to the house.
"That was impressive, Your Highness," I said.
"Yes. I had read many times about the trusting nature of dolphins, but to see it live was terrific," she said with a smile.
I opened the doors for her and accompanied her to her room.
"First I have to take a shower," she said and disappeared into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, I picked out her nightwear.
She came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, went into the Prince's room, took the T-shirt he had worn last night and put it on. After that, she took the panties that I had laid on top of the nightgown and put away the nightgown again.
I was allowed to blow dry her hair.
"It's so hot in here," she moaned.
"I've already pulled open all the windows because the night air is a little cooler. The fan on the ceiling is running at top speed. That's all I can do, Your Highness," I sighed somewhat helplessly.
During the last nights the Prince had cooled them at night.
"I know. It's not your fault, James. But I still need water, I'll go down once again," she said.
"No, I'll have it come up, Princess."
She nodded and went to the terrace.
I ordered the water and went out as well.
"The light wind is pleasant," she said, standing on the railing, looking out to sea and letting her hair blow.
Even in that huge T-shirt, she looked adorable.
The younger servant brought the water, looked around the room, and then came out.
"On the table, please," I said.
He nodded and glanced at the Princess.
The spun around, smiled at him and said, "Thank you."
He poured her something in the glass he had brought.
"With pleasure, Royal Highness," he said, bowed and left again.
I think it was good that the Prince was not there. The thoughts had certainly not been housebroken.
My Princess sat down at the table and drank. Then she leaned back in her chair and looked out to sea again.
"I think I'm going to sit here tonight," she said.
"This is much too uncomfortable, my Princess," I said anxiously.
She was silent.
But after a while she did get up and go to bed. She read a little more and then asked me to turn off the light.
I had suspected it. Shortly after that, the tears started to flow.
I sat down with her and took her hand.
"I don't even want to cry," she sobbed, "but I can't even sleep without him!"
"I know," I said, understanding her.
They were one unit. If one was missing, a piece of the other's I was missing. Probably the Prince missed them as well.
"Because of the heat, could I help in that I will lie down next to you and cool you down, my Princess?", I asked.
She reflected.
"He wouldn't have anything against that, would he?" she asked, and the tears kept flowing.
"I don't think so. I didn't intend to sexually harass you in the process, Your Highness."
She slid into the middle of the bed. I took off my T-shirt, but left my half-length jeans on and lay down with her.
"May I lie in your arms, James?" she whispered.
I slid my arm under her head, she immediately lifted her head and slid onto my chest. One arm she also put over my middle and slid altogether very close to me.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Gladly, my Princess," I said.
She actually fell asleep after a few more sobs.
It was nice to hold her like that. She was warm, soft and fragrant.
"Edward," she whispered from time to time, startling.
I stroked her back.
"He'll be back soon," I then said and she breathed, "Thank you, James."
The next morning she awoke and yet had slept relatively peacefully overall.
"Thank you, that was sweet of you," she said, smiling at me.
"Good morning," I said, smiling back.
She went into the bathroom.
After breakfast, she wanted to go to the beach.
Demetri had brought a parasol with him, set it up at a slight distance and sat under it.
The Princess spread her towel under her parasol and ran into the sea first, this time in a bikini.
With her husband, she had always jumped in naked until now.
I also sat down under her parasol and waited.
She swam out a bit and then back again. She sat on the beach for a while, letting the gentle waves lap at her legs and sand trickle through her fingers. Afterwards she lay down on her towel and put some cream on. Smiling wordlessly, she handed me the bottle of suntan lotion and lay down on her stomach. Gently I creamed her back and she clearly enjoyed it, relaxed and dozed off for a while. At some point she turned around again, took her book out of her bag and read.
"Do you speak Italian, James?" she asked.
"Yes, my Princess, but not very well. I speak French and Arabic fluently," I said.
"Too bad, with some words I don't know the pronunciation and some things I don't get here either," she sighed.
Demetri rose, took his parasol, rammed it into the ground next to the Princess, sat down under it and said, "I am at Your Highness's disposal. Italian is my mother tongue. All the Volturi guards speak Italian fluently."
"True, Edward too," she nodded, "Thank you, Sir, that's very kind."
She asked him some questions, he explained some things or made her repeat words. As always, she was focused and persistent.
"Your Highness is a very quick learner," Demetri said approvingly.
"I've been studying Spanish for a while, after all. It's pretty similar," she said.
He nodded.
"It's easy to get confused when you learn both, I find, because sometimes just tiny things are different or emphasized differently," Demetri said.
"Yes, it's possible, but I think I can separate it well. I've always been able to switch back and forth between individual things well. For example, it is rather unusual that someone regularly plays the piano and harp alternately, but I have no problem switching my thinking around."
"True, Your Highness always seems very focused, no matter what you do. Perhaps that is also a talent," Demetri mused.
"I tend to think I'm good at focusing on one thing and then tuning it out," Princess said.
The sounds of a motorboat approached and her head flew to the sea. She put the book on her bag and ran to the jetty.
It was the Prince and as soon as they saw each other, they never took their eyes off each other. My Prince smiled at her, tied up the boat and jumped onto the dock. She pressed herself against him and he hugged her tightly.
"How I've missed you, Isabella," he breathed.
"I missed you much more," she sobbed.
"Hey ... don't cry, sugar," he whispered.
He shoved her a little away from him and looked at her. She quickly put her arms around his neck and then they sank into a kiss.
Demetri took his parasol and moved to the back of the beach again. I followed him and sat down beside him.
"She already speaks pretty darn good Italian," he said.
"She's a quick learner," I confirmed.
"Did she sleep at all last night?" he asked with interest.
"Yes, but deathly unhappy. When he's not around, she cries herself to sleep."
He nodded.
They stood there forever, caressing, kissing, holding and whispering to each other.
"You have to get out of the sun, darling," he said, and simply carried her under the parasol.
"Hi ... and thank you," he said to us.
He pulled her between his legs, she leaned her back against his chest and breathed more calmly again.
"Have you been drinking?" she asked.
"Yes, enough," he said. "Did you sleep?" he asked.
She nodded.
"But I missed you terribly and it was so damn hot. I asked James to cool me down," she said.
"Yes, it's damn hot at night. Tonight I'll cool you down again," he said.
"I hope so, I'll sleep more soundly too," she whispered.
"Have you been crying?" he asked.
"Oh, very little," she said.
Liar, I thought.
And the Prince gave me a knowing sideways glance.
"We can take a nap right after you've eaten," he said gently.
She laughed.
"Then I already know how this ends," she said, and he laughed too.
Then she turned around, knelt down and looked at him. Gently she kissed the tip of his nose. He put his hands around her hips and pulled her closer, kissing her neck, her shoulders.
Suddenly I heard a motorboat again and looked up.
The Prince gently pushed his wife away from him and sat her down beside him in the sand.
"That's not the supply boat. It was there the day before yesterday and won't be back before we leave," he said loudly, referring to us.
"Who could it be?" asked Demetri.
"Tourists?" asked Edward.
"When we stand up, we sparkle," I said.
"My plan!" said the Prince. "Isabella, you go out on the dock, but not too close when the boat approaches. You ask what they want. If they're tourists, you tell them to go right back, it would be private property. I dive under the jetty and watch the whole thing from below. Demetri, take your umbrella and slide closer to the jetty."
He rose, slipped into the water and was gone.
Princess Isabella got up leisurely and strolled to the jetty.
I was tense as hell. I didn't like the whole thing.
Demetri was very close to the jetty, but under the parasol.
Isabella looked towards the boat and the Prince emerged from beneath her.
On the boat were three young men, clearly people, clearly buzzed.
They slowed down and glided to the jetty without a motor.
"Hi ..." said Isabella kindly, "may I ask what you want here?"
"Oh... meet such a sweet chick, I wanted to," said one and I groaned.
"Haha...," said my Princess and rolled her eyes. "The pick-up line was very creative. What do you guys want here?" she then asked.
"Dock and view the island?", asked another.
My Princess shook her head.
"I'm sorry, that's not possible. The island is private property, visitors are not allowed. You can turn back right now."
The guys laughed.
"And who should forbid us?" asked the one.
"I do," said the Princess. "The island belongs to my family, and if you don't clear off immediately, you're in for a world of trouble."
Again, she received only laughter. One looked over at Demetri, who had put on sunglasses and was pretending to read.
"I would believe the lady, boys, and now get the hell out of here. If you force me to get up, I'm afraid you won't survive," Demetri said coldly.
"Oh ... now I'm scared," one of the guys bawled.
One of them looked over at me.
"There's another one sitting there!"
"What kind of funny guys do you have, sweetheart, sitting around so bored while you try to get rid of us?" one asked.
"They want to give you guys a nice chance to leave. Now please do it before it's too late," she said pleadingly.
"Oh, sweetie, this is all bullshit. Come on, show us your little island, and I'll show you something else," said one of them, and now my Princess got angry.
"I'm not your sweetie or your sweetheart, you dumbass. How can one be so stupid. Get the hell out of here!"
The guys were having a great time. The one now threw the rope over the mooring post and they all three jumped onto the jetty almost simultaneously.
That was their death sentence.
Now several things happened at the same time.
The Prince swung onto the footbridge in an elegant sweep, Demetri was beside him in a second and gently pushed the Princess behind him, who ran into my arms.
"Oh God, James, how can one be so stupid and stubborn," she sobbed.
She had been terrified, but had suppressed it on the footbridge. Now it was over with her self-control.
"James, take the Princess away a bit!" the Prince ordered.
I took her in my arms, walked with her quite a distance up the beach and sat down in the sand.
She snuggled up to me and cried and, knowing full well what was about to happen, did not turn around.
"Princess?" said the first of the young men, grinning.
"Shut up. Look at the guy's eyes," whispered the second.
"Red eyes - and they sparkle," breathed the third in amazement.
"And they look damn dangerous," the first now added to the sentence.
Almost simultaneously, they now jumped back into their boat.
"My wife had warned you, but you wouldn't listen," said the Prince.
"His wife?" whispered the one.
The helmsman tried to push the boat off the dock, but Demetri bent down and just held it.
"Let go of our boat," he yelled.
"No, the lady and I had told you that you could leave. Now we had to stand up. Now you're not going anywhere," Demetri said.
"I also don't like my wife being hit on with stupid sayings," said the Prince and jumped into the boat. Then he said, "Demetri, I had enough to eat on the mainland, you can have all three of them. Then you don't need to go tonight, Baron."
Demetri bowed.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
The guys looked irritated.
Demetri grabbed the first one, bit his neck and drank him dry. The other two cried out in panic and wanted to jump into the sea, but the Prince held them. They screamed, hit him and he looked at them annoyed.
"Stop it, guys, it's not helping," he said.
Demetri dropped the first one and my Prince handed him the next one. The third began to plead and whimper for his life. The Princess in my arms trembled and cried.
"Oh, God, that's awful," she said.
The Prince looked over at us. Then he knocked the young man out so that the shouting stopped.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is it over?" she asked.
"No, not yet. Relax, everything is fine," I said and stroked her back reassuringly.
Demetri now drank the third empty.
Then he said, "I've rarely drunk anything so crisp. Actually, I avoid handsome young men ... What do we do with them?"
"We'll put them in the cabin and tie them down. Then we'll drive a few miles away so no one will think it could have been us. You go in the boys' boat, I'll go in mine after them. We'll crash the boys' boat into some rocks, explode and sink. You, Baron, jump off first, swim to me, and we'll head back. Okay?"
"Okay, Your Royal Highness. Now or after dark?"
"Better now. Who knows when a search party will come. The boat could be rented, after all."
The Prince looked at me and I nodded.
'Everything's okay. I'll take her into the house for dinner, then...'
He nodded.
Then they got the bodies in and drove off.
My Princess turned around and looked after them.
"I'll carry you back, Your Highness, hmm ...?", I asked.
"No, I'll get my bag and my book and go myself," she said quietly and rose.
I stopped and watched her get her things and then we walked to the house.
The servant bowed to her, but she paid no attention to him.
"The meal is ready, Your Royal Highness. Where shall I serve it?" he asked politely.
She paused.
"I can't eat, Sir, but thank you," she said and ran to her room.
I followed her.
She disappeared into the bathroom, I heard the shower. Then she came out wrapped in a towel, went to the closet and took out a thin pink summer dress. She put it on, pulled the towel away and went out to the terrace. She didn't put on any underwear.
Phew ...
She looked out to sea.
I also stepped out.
A hint of magnolia wafted towards me with the sea breeze. What an aroma.
"Isabella, you need to eat something," I said.
"No," she said, "I don't have to do anything."
"Are you mad at the Prince?", I asked.
"No," she said.
"Are you afraid of him now?", I asked, horrified.
"No," she breathed, "he loves me. Never would he hurt me," she whispered.
That relieved me.
She stood there for an endless time, looking out to sea.