Isabella hurried to open the door, her entire body flushed with desire over what she’d just done. She’d known Edward was coming; she’d seen him in the hall heading toward her rooms. She knew better than to change her clothing while expecting him, but it was more than that. She’d told him to enter when he knocked. She’d done it on purpose. But had it been worth it?
As she recalled the look on Edward’s face, she knew it was.
She pulled open the door to find Alise ready to assist her with putting on her armor. Alise would have had assistance from Jasper, and she would have helped him in return. Isabella was the one left alone in need of help, a fact that grated on her nerves.
The idea that Edward would never have the chance to prove himself worthy and would instead grow old and die made Isabella’s heart ache. They were close every day, so close no one would even question his presence in her room for an extended period of time. Perhaps she could convince him to . . . what? Have an affair? Risk his life bedding her when it was the strictest rule enforced in their land? But the possibility was there, and she was running out of choices.
She wanted him so badly she could taste him on her tongue. The image of Edward hovering over her in her bed was enough to make her stomach clench. If they could figure it out, she could be happy. But would he agree? Would he be happy with such an arrangement? She owed it to him to make him her official mate, including the mating ceremony and the enchanted element needed to make him immortal. As it was, the inhabitants of the citadel kept curiously good health, but that was due to the power of the sword alone. Edward would never receive extra blessings from Rosalie’s magic unless he became Isabella’s mate.
As she stood with her sister in her receiving room, Isabella tried not to fidget. She could only think of Edward and the way he made her feel. She needed to redirect her thoughts to the battle to come if she were to be focused and deadly.
“Thank you, Alise. Are the others ready to leave?”
“Almost, sister.”
Alise worked quickly to tie on the pauldrons, bracers, and cops, the heavy leather pieces which would protect Isabella’s arms and legs. The last piece was a leather kidney belt that she slipped over the lawn shirt she’d hastily donned before her sister could catch her teasing Edward.
Isabella busied herself with plaiting her hair away from her face while Alise secured the last of her armor in the back. When they were ready, they headed out to the great hall where everyone was gathering. There were twenty people about to ride out of Sandhorne Stronghold; her parents, the other two princesses and their mates, the four archwarriors and one of their mates, four mercenaries, and the ensigns to whom they were mated.
Seven sentinels remained to defend the attendants. Edward and Garrett felt the need to shield the younger boys, despite not being warriors themselves. They would stay up later than curfew in the attendants’ quarters, just in case some of the youngest boys needed reassurance that everything would be all right.
Edward paced in front of the fire, holding a cup of ale and muttering to himself. He needed to tell Isabella how he felt, what she made him feel. He couldn't believe the way she’d looked in her bedchamber. Surely that was a sign she felt the way he did? What if she fell in battle and never knew how much he loved her? He couldn't bear the thought.
“I must speak to her.”
“Speak to whom?” Garrett asked. His eyes went wide. “Edward, no.”
“I must.”
He strode out into the twilight, heedless of the warnings from his brother. The warriors had left the keep moments before, and he needed to find them at the stables before it was too late. He hurried across the hard-packed dirt to the low building, spotting the mercenaries mounting their horses. The ensigns followed suit, riding toward the front gate to meet with the archwarriors. The chieftess was astride her black horse, as was her consort, but the princesses and high paladins had yet to mount.
Edward spotted Isabella and tried to come up with a reason to pull her aside. He hadn’t a clue what he would say, but he had to try something. He stood by the edge of the building and picked up a pebble, tossing it at her boot-clad feet and slinking into the shadows when she looked up.
“Edward?” she whispered.
He gestured for her to follow him and circled around the stables to the back of the main keep. When he stopped, he spun to face her.
“Isabella, please. I beg you not to go.”
Her eyes widened and she looked around them to ensure they were alone. “Don’t be ridiculous, Edward. This is what I was born to do. I’ve spent most of my life training for battle.”
He fisted a handful of his hair, his frustration growing as she refused to take him seriously. “You’ll die.”
She laughed. If only he knew. “We’re not having this argument again.”
Isabella started to walk off and join the others, but Edward grabbed her and spun her to face him. He crushed his mouth to hers and knew the only reason he lived through the moment was because she chose not to make him a head shorter.
Edward was desperate to make Isabella see things his way before she left. He would tell her with his body if she wouldn't listen to his words. He held her face and slanted his mouth over hers, taking what he didn't lawfully have a right to take. He moved his hands to cup the back of her neck firmly, changed angles, and for one staggering moment the kiss went hot and wild and threatening. She brought her fist up, gripping his sleeve for balance as he all but swept her feet from under her. One of them moaned long and low.
It only lasted for a few moments, but felt to be an eternity.
He didn't want to pull away, didn't want to let her go. He’d known for years she would taste like honey and feel like heaven in his arms. She could kill him for getting so close and personal. He knew the laws that were imbedded in every man’s brain from day one, but he had no choice. He had to take the chance and try to make her listen to him.
When she pushed him away, her face was flushed, lips bruised and eyes bright. Her chest heaved, and he waited for her to say the words that would end his life.
“I love you, Isabella,” he said before she could open her mouth. “I always have.”
Her face paled. “Edward, I have to go. It’s my duty.”
He nodded. For all he knew, she hated him. For all he knew, what transpired in her room minutes before was nothing more than an accident. “So, that’s it?”
Isabella looked over her shoulder, but the others were at the front of the keep preparing to leave. He’d been careful to stay to the back of the building so no one would discover them.
It didn’t appear she would answer him. “I had to tell you before you left. I’ll go back inside now.”
He dropped his head and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. Despite his pleas, Isabella and her sisters would join their mother in cutting down those who plotted to steal the Ember Sword. It didn't matter if Edward felt a desperate need to protect her. He snorted. The True-Sworn didn't need his protection; they were stronger than most men. But just because they knew what they were doing, didn't mean he wouldn't worry.
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