Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(102)
She tilts her head. “All right.” But it’s not hard to read the craftiness in her eyes. I’d bet my entire wardrobe that she won’t agree to a divorce. She’s going to take advantage of this sudden turn of fortune.
In my mind, I apologize to Edward. I can only hope that Mr. Davenport, or some other lawyer well-versed in marriage laws, will be able to obtain a divorce for him as soon as possible. I don’t want to give Edward up, but since it has to happen, I want him to eventually find love, no matter how long it takes for him to get over me. I want him to meet a nice girl who genuinely cares for him, regardless of his royal status, a girl who can soften his gaze and make his eyes twinkle with amusement. I very much doubt Katriona fits these criteria.
47
On the last day, we have no doubt that what Krev says is true. The mark on my shoulder has faded into an almost indistinguishable shade of pink. If I didn’t know it was there, I wouldn’t have noticed unless I looked really hard in the mirror. And my health has deteriorated dramatically. I’m having trouble breathing, and I cough every five minutes as I move around. So, I try to avoid walking as much as possible. Fortunately, I had already asked Elle and Poppy and Henry around to visit me, under the pretense that I’m worried about the trial. They comfort me and tell me that no matter what happens, Edward will stand by me. I don’t dare to tell them the truth of my health, of course. It’s too much of a hassle to explain everything.
“Here’s a mug of hot water and lemon and honey for your throat, Your Highness,” Mabel says, setting a tray on the table.
Amelie enters my bedroom, carrying a pile of glossy pink and green satin. “I unearthed an extra handmade quilt from the storage closet. It’s the warmest one we have.”
“Thank you. Oh, by the way, Amelie? I know you don’t want to get married, but you’re still so young, and there are good men out there. Trust me.”
Amelie blinks her pretty brown eyes. Seldom have I lectured her on men. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“It’s the other way for you, Mabel. Spend some time getting to know that handsome palace guard you’ve been ogling, and if his character is as wonderful as his looks, then you can consider a serious relationship with him.”
I smile at them, then turn away abruptly so they can’t see the tears threatening to slide down my face. I’ve grown very fond of my maids, and I’m sorry that I can’t live to see what will become of them.
* * *
By the afternoon, I just sit in the study and gaze out of the windows. I am swathed in blankets, leaning against the back of the window seat. Edward doesn’t leave my side. He does most of the talking, since I tend to cough as I attempt conversation.
My last day in Athelia. I feel like crying, but strangely, there are no tears. It’s as if all the tears I have were used up on the day that Krev told me I was going to die. I clutch Edward’s hand and wish that I could imprint this image of him in my mind permanently.
“I don’t want to go home,” I say suddenly. “I want to stay with you. I want to stay!” My voice turns into a cough, and Edward gets me some water.
“When I said I would do anything to keep you in Athelia, I thought that once I had your heart, everything would be all right. But now, I see how powerless I am. I can only stand here and cannot do anything to save you.” He looks away before I can make sure there’s a tear glistening in his eye.
“Just hold me, Edward.”
He draws his arms around me, and I lay my head against his chest. Because I have a problem breathing, he doesn’t dare to embrace me tightly. Nor does he kiss me on the lips, for fear that I might be short of breath. Only butterfly kisses on my face and neck, but never my lips. I feel so bad—I’m reminded of the last day we said goodbye to each other before the wedding day. This time, it feels even more tragic, not just because of my emaciated body, but also because we have grown closer to each other in body and spirit.
“Say you love me.” Edward’s voice sounds broken. “Say that you will never forget me.”
I lift my head and kiss his jaw. “I love you, Edward. Even if I go back to my own world, I will never, ever, forget you.” I pull back so I can look at him in the eye. “You have spoiled me for life. I expect that I will remain single always, because no one in my world will ever measure up to you.”
“I could foresee the same for myself.” He adjusts his position so I can snuggle more comfortably in his arms. “After you . . . go, I am going to tell my parents that I will abdicate. Henry can have the throne. I will not be pressurized into taking a wife and begetting an heir.”
My hand goes to my stomach, which is flat and smooth. Edward and I slept together for some time, but I never showed any sign of pregnancy. Maybe I can never get pregnant unless I am an Athelian. “You can’t do that. You are your parents’ only son.”
“They will understand,” he says quietly. “And I will not bring some hapless maid into a loveless marriage.”
“You shouldn’t think like that,” I mumble. “But I’m glad you do.”
* * *
When night falls, a snowstorm sets in like an ill omen. I am coughing so frequently that I don’t even bother to speak. Edward has to bring me paper and a pen for communication. By this time, though, neither of us feels inclined to speak anyway. Most of the time, I just lean against him, my head tucked snugly under his chin, his arms around my body. Now and then, he gets up to pour me some water, but for most of the time, we remain in a comfortable embrace.