“It was incredibly odd,” Esme said to those at the table. “We had little trouble traversing the Winter Forest as I expected we would, but there was no one waiting for us on the other side.”
“Our intelligence said they were already there on the line between their land and that of the forest.” Emmett scrubbed his hand over his beard. “I don’t understand.”
“ߴTwas a ruse, Mother,” Isabella said as she strode in with Edward behind her. “Marcus, Alec, Jane, and Chelsea double-crossed us all.”
All eyes focused on Edward as they rose. “What does he know of this?” Esme asked.
“Edward and his brother foiled the rogue plans of those four. Edward killed Jane, and he and Garrett held Marcus until the sentinels could secure him and the others.”
Esme stared unblinkingly at Edward for several moments. He tried not to squirm under her scrutiny. “Where is your brother now?”
Edward cleared his throat. “I believe Archwarrior Katrina wished to speak with him, your highness.”
Esme smiled and glanced at her youngest daughter. “And you, Isabella?”
Isabella licked her lips and shifted to gaze directly into Edward’s eyes. “Edward of Stormcoast, I would be honored to name you as my mate. Do you accept?”
He took a step closer, then stopped. “I—of course I do, princess.”
A huge grin broke out over Isabella’s face. “You have pleased me greatly.”
They stared at one another until Rosalie cleared her throat. “Mother, the ceremony?”
“Oh, aye, I think it should be this night. We have much to prepare for in the coming days. Do you both agree?”
“Aye,” Isabella whispered.
“Aye, your highness,” Edward added without taking his eyes from Isabella’s.
“I have the gown, Isabella. Will you come with me?” Alise asked, waiting for Isabella to acknowledge her.
She blinked and looked over at her raven-haired sister. “I’d like that.”
“And, Edward, Carlisle will see to your attire.”
Edward broke his intense gaze from Isabella to look at Esme. “I would appreciate that, chieftess.”
Carlisle made a sweeping gesture. “Come, young Edward. We have many things to discuss.”
Isabella watched as all four men left the war room. She hardly believed she was finally getting what she had wished for on so many nights.
“I have to admit, I worried it would never happen.”
Isabella gasped and looked sharply at her mother. “You knew?”
Esme chuckled. “What do you take me for? Aye, we all knew.”
“The cow eyes you give each other make it quite obvious.” Rosalie snickered. “I feared you would actually stab me before you got him between your legs.”
“Daughter,” Esme chided. “Must you be so crude?”
Isabella was scarlet from head to toe. “Wonderful,” she mumbled.
She’d been shocked to come back to the keep in the early light of dawn and not find Edward waiting in her chambers. He had never failed to meet her there before, and she was eager to discover if he wanted to kiss her some more. She’d found Peder instead, a boy that had just turned fifteen summers. All the attendants could speak of was the fight in their quarters and how Edward and Garrett had saved the Ember Sword when four of the True-Sworn had turned on the royal family.
Isabella didn’t blame him for being drunk, despite the fact that he wasn’t normally one to overindulge. He’d been through so much in the hours she was away, and the best part was that she was free to offer marriage. She did find it odd when he declared his love for ale at a point when she’d hoped he would throw himself at her feet instead.
None of it mattered. Her sisters and mother would help her dress in the traditional gown worn by each woman in the royal family. She and Edward would go to the chapel and have their union blessed in the presence of the sword. And then they would have all of eternity to devote to loving one another and protecting the people.
Isabella sat in her mother’s chair while Alise braided her hair. They’d bathed her in steaming water filled with rose petals, and the scent clung to her still. Rosalie sewed gems of the brightest blue to the neckline of the gown to represent Isabella’s month of birth, and Esme had gone to inform the priest of the ceremony.
“Are you nervous?” Alise inquired.
“No, merely eager.” Isabella blushed and dropped her gaze to her lap. “I've wished for him to be mine for a very long time.”
“It’ll come naturally,” Esme announced as she walked back into the room.
“I’m more nervous to tell him our secrets.”
The other three nodded.
“Carlisle will ease him into the idea that we are honor-bound to keep some things to ourselves. It won't rest entirely on your shoulders.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Isabella accepted the kiss to the cheek.
“You’re naturally flushed, so there’s no need to pinch your cheeks.”
“And here I was hoping to slap a little color into them,” Rosalie said as she lifted the dress to present to their mother for approval.
“Rosalie, quit antagonizing your sister on her wedding day.”
“Aye, let’s wait until tomorrow after she’s had her maidenhood plundered and she’s walking as though she’s been astride a horse for three solid days.”
Isabella gasped and frowned heavily at Rosalie. Alise laughed, and soon even Esme couldn't hold back her laughter.
“I’m pleased the three of you are enjoying yourselves at my expense.”
“Don’t get cranky now, Isabella. It’s time to dress.”
She held back the epithet she dearly wished to aim at her sister, but her barbs could wait. She was about to be mated to Edward for eternity, and nothing could ruin that thought. The women in her family assisted in bringing the gold undertunic over her head, followed by a red and gold silk brocade gown. The final touch was to smooth her hair and for Rosalie to place Isabella’s circlet atop her head.
“Oh, my daughter.” Esme held Isabella at arm’s length. “You have made me proud all the days of your life. You look beautiful, and you have chosen well.”
She tried not to cry. “Thank you, Mother.”
“Rosalie, the church is ready for you.”
She nodded and made her way out of Esme’s chambers. She would set up what was needed for Edward to be officially welcomed into the family. Isabella would bestow his warrior title upon him after they exchanged rings, and their marriage would be forever blessed.
They created a short processional; due to the secret nature of the ceremony, only the royal family would be in attendance. Isabella was the last to enter, and though she’d witnessed her sisters’ weddings, she was nonetheless shocked at the ethereal beauty of the cathedral. There were candles strewn throughout, casting a glow on the walls and shadows on the ceiling. The priest waited in his robes, and as she drew closer, she spotted Edward. He turned to her, and she gasped at how handsome he looked. His clothing was of the deepest blue, his tunic embroidered in gold brocade. The underside of his cloak was lined in golden silk, and the grin on his face took away what breath remained in her lungs.
It was finally Isabella’s turn at happiness.
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