80 | ACT V, SCENE VII

P R E V I O U S L Y

"Welcome home, my Queen," he whispered, before I finally fell asleep in the warmth of his arms.

HARTINGTON CASTLE, ALNWICK, STORMHOLT.

TRISTAN

I FELT SOFT LIGHT AGAINST my lids. My eyes groggily opened to find dusky light filtering in through the curtains. There was something - someone - soft and warm in my arms, breathing against my neck, and I turned my head slightly. The smile crept quickly over my face as I looked at the magnificent woman curled up into me. It wasn't just a dream. It was real. She was real. And now mine in every way possible.

Edwina shifted slightly, pressing her body to mine. Her legs were draped over me, and she curled her arms around my chest.

"You exquisite creature," I whispered under my breath, overwhelmed by her intoxicating scent, and our... exploits of last night. It made me grin again. The sheet slipped down, exposing her sweet, delectable breasts. Unable to control myself any longer, I pressed a tender kiss to her delicious lips and began to trail kisses down her earlobe, the curve of her neck, the dip in her lovely collarbones. Suddenly, Edwina softly muttered something in her sleep and I went still, watching her rock her hips by just a fraction, her hand sliding down.

Ah, it was that sort of dream.

I listened, trying to make out what she was saying.

"Yes..." she breathed, barely more than a whisper. I wondered what was happening behind her fluttering lids and waited with bated breath. "Oh god, right there... there, yes..." her words floated out.

I was smiling so broadly that my lips threatened to tear off. I continued with what I was doing, leaving behind trails of burning kisses on her smooth skin, and feeling her writhe and softly moan under. I pulled the blankets down, admiring my lovely wife's glorious form, tracing a hand down her slender waist, her supple legs, the dewy roses blooming between them.

"It's rude to stare," Edwina's voice startled me in the silence. Her eyes were heavily lidded and sleepy, a beautiful, clear teal, like the sky near the sea, hair cascading in soft curls, like streaks of fire.

"I wasn't staring. I was admiring," I chuckled, and her sensual lips curled seductively, inviting me. I couldn't control myself any longer and bent down to kiss her, she flung her hands around my neck in sudden abandon, and rolled on top of me, her silk skin brushing mine. Soft hair fell around her face as we pressed our lips together in sweet symphony, the sweetest morning I'd ever woken up to.

"Who's staring now?" I teased, as Edwina's eyes raked over my body, eyes lit up and dancing with mirth as her hands gripped the rock hard evidence of my desire, making me let out a low groan.

"You, sir. You are very attractive. Therefore, I will stare," she firmly asserted, her hand drifting lower and lower. She lowered her hungry mouth to the evidence of my arousal, and I threw my head back, letting out another groan.

"Edwina... gods," I breathed, my voice ragged as I knotted my fingers in her hair.

She merely continued her assault with determination, a rich laugh tumbling out her lips. I ground my teeth as I tugged her closer by her silky hair. She looked so incredible, her blue eyes clouded only by a desire to please me, and her mouth - damn it, was she talented.

"Fuck... you are - going to make me lose it-" I wound up tighter and tighter, nearly on the precipice, lost in heavy, hot desire. Suddenly, she sucked deeper and her teeth slightly grazed the velvet of my skin, and I exploded in a volcano of sensation, holding her tight to me as I slowly came down from the intense high.

"Delicious," Edwina shot me an incredulous grin as she looked at me. I pulled her to me by her waist, a smug smile atop my lips.

"My turn now," I muttered with amusement, straddling her and nuzzling into her warm neck. Her spine pressed into my chest, like satin spilled over glass. My lips grazed her artery and she let out a moan, her back arching as my hands made their way southward.

"What time is it?" she asked incredulously, trying to make out the strange sense of lighting outside the window.

"It... looks like evening," I breathed unbelievably. I found her wanting and sweet down below, and dipped a finger into her hot sweetness.

"You're telling me that we've slept past the whole morning into the evening?" she asked, feigning horror.

"Precisely."

"And you're telling me that no one came to wake - oh!" Edwina gasped suddenly, as I slid another finger into her. She craned her neck back, letting out soft mewls of pleasure, as I explored her hot, tight center.

"No one came? Are you sure?" I chuckled, feeling her shake in my arms, and picked up the pace, hearing her letting out delightful, honeyed moans. "I love those little noises you make," I murmured into her ear, kissing her nape. She laughed, moving her hips further to catch the strokes of my busy fingers, warm and dripping with need. I teasingly drew out as Edwina pouted and let out a growl.

"Stop teasing me," she fiercely groaned, and I laughed merrily, reaching up to cup her breast, rolling a cherry red nipple between my fingers.

"Think of how much sweeter it'll be when it finally happens, darling," I teased. "Now get up, we need to have a bath."

"Together?" she asked incredulously, crossing her arms.

"I'm just saving water," I said innocently, holding the door open as she rolled her eyes, trying to hide the smirk on her lips. "Ladies first."

"You're just saying that because you like the view."

"Can you blame me?" I traced the shape of her glorious curves, down to the backs of her knees. She smacked me on the head.

"I promise I'll finish what I started," I grinned, and swiftly lifted her into my arms, both of us laughing our heads off.

• • • • •

EDWINA

It took us two hours to shower and get dressed, so lost were we in each other. I couldn't get enough of him, he couldn't get enough of me. The lust and desire threatened to consume me whole, singeing my blood, but all I wanted was his touch on me, branding me, searing me and making me his. I had never truly been anyone else's the way I was Tristan Valmont's.

We managed to get some clothes on, but it wasn't helping, not with Tristan's crooked grin every time I turned my back to face the mirror and saw him looking at me like the moon and stars shone right out of my eyes.

"Beautiful dress," he muttered, as I adjusted my stockings and gown, a deep, red hue. I saw him button his crisp shirt and fasten his black cloak, buckling his belt with a sly smile, dark eyes glinting. I smiled mischievously at him, batting my lashes and watched his breath hitch. I teased him further, giving him a smoldering look. My laugh rang in the air as I watched his jaw drop, raking down my waist and hips.

"I think I'd like you better without it," he declared, wrapping himself around my waist as we watched our reflections. We looked glorious, immortal, our true form, me in my blood red and him in black slashed blue. I had never felt so self content and satisfied in my life.

I gave him a very wicked smile, mysterious yet knowing. His eyes lit further as he saw my lips part, his lips tugged up in a plump smirk. Tristan pulled me to his chest and I pressed my lips to his chiselled neck, hearing him let out a low groan.

"Ah, no, woman. I may be a gentleman but if you look at me with the devil in your eyes, we are fucking against the nearest surface we find."

I bolted the door shut and heard someone snigger down the hall. Pulling the brooch out of my hair, I let it fall to my waist, watching him regard me with admiration.

"Why don't we test that theory?" I asked.

His eyes deepened and he pushed everything off his desk, ink, parchment, letters falling down. Consumed by raw desire, he grabbed me and pushed me onto the table, until I was laid out on the desk, spread out like his own personal feast.

"You were saying?" he murmured.

• • • • •

"Ah. Good morning," Llewellyn delicately serenaded our arrival as we set foot in the dining hall the next morning. I saw literally everyone sitting around at the table, from my father to Eric. They all regarded us with a knowing grin. Well, we'd technically left our room after a whole day. Tristan smirked at me, trying not to smile, then pulled out my chair. I sat down rather subconscious of all the stairs, and he sat opposite to me. Everyone looked at us expectantly.

"They thought you both were dead. Called me to investigate," my father greeted.

"Ah."

"But what happened, by the way?" Celinette asked chirpily. "Were you both just feeling too tired to work?" yet her eyes were sparkling with hidden mischief, and she gave Verona a wink, making her giggle.

"Er - something of that sort," Tristan muttered. He tried to concentrate on pouring spoonfuls of sugar into his cup of coffee, his muscles rigid and alert, but trying not to smile and wink at me. I pretended to be busy peeling my blood orange, and heard Nyx laugh into her sleeve, looking at me and then at Vanessa.

"Tired after the Trial?" she kindly asked, making no effort to stifle her giggles.

"I guess," I murmured, feeling blood rush to my cheeks.

"It sounded like my brother was too demanding in bed," Llewellyn said slyly, and Vanessa giggled once more, Tristan nearly choked on his oversweet coffee and Eric dropped his fork, howling with laughter. I menacingly put a hand on my knife.

"Oh, you do not."

Llewellyn grinned and bounced over to his brother.

"How long did you last?" he chuckled, missing the smack of Tristan's hand. His ears turned very pink.

"What's that on your neck?" his brother asked, pointing to him. He let out a string of curses under his breath, massaging his neck as Celinette teased him further. There was a love bite on his throat, the result of a heated moment of passion near the staircase before we entered the room. Then he turned very red.

"Ah. That - er -" his voice trailed off. "Er. That's a - a - a mosquito bite!" he exclaimed brightly, voice too loud, fooling no one. This time Nyx and Vanessa couldn't take it more and both the women let out a cascade of giggles.

"Are you sure it was a mosquito that bit you?" Llewellyn grinned.

"Okay, people, that's enough," I said firmly, smiling despite myself. Tristan's eyes met mine, very blue, and I grinned, seeing the hickey on his neck. He tried to look furious but failed.

'Woman, you and I have some business to settle.'

'Yesss?' I asked in a singsong voice, and they burst out laughing now, as Llewellyn cracked another of his lewd jokes.

"No... hard feelings, cousin," he guffawed. I felt myself blush furiously, completely incapable of answering, aware of Vanessa's sly nudges to my elbow.

"Uh huh, I think he really tired you out, Edwina. You ought to go back to sleep-"

"-back to bed-" Nyx chortled, and Tristan put down his third glass of wine, now turning pink.

"Okay, people. You've had your fun. Stop," he hissed.

"That's clearly not what she said," Llewellyn whispered, and now I pulled him to me by the scruff of his shirt.

"Stop making jokes about my sex life in front of my father, for fuck's sake," I pleaded furiously. He grinned playfully, but finally waved the others down, cutting back their innuendo fest as I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Alright. Now what happened while we were away? We need to-"

"-away?" Helios spat out the water he had just gulped. "More like screwing each other's brains on the couch-"

Everyone roared again with laughter and I couldn't help but crack a smile, lips curling.

"Now," Tristan stood up, "we have work to do. If you'll excuse us. Eric, the second piece-"

"-wait," he said suddenly, all laughter drained out of his grey eyes. I felt Amphitrite and my father stiffen suddenly.

"But we have to find-"

"-it's something about that-" Eric said quietly, his face now solemn. "I - have to tell you something. About it. Leave us," he looked around the table, meeting everyone's eyes.

"What's going on?" I asked, slightly alarmed as everyone began to get up. The last person, Helios, closed the door after him, leaving just five people in the room. My father, my sister, Eric, Tristan, and I. The other three seemed to be slightly tense, my sister was positively shaking, refusing to meet my eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked, and my father met Eric's eyes, nodded at him, and readied himself to speak. Tristan stepped beside me, a hand around my shoulders, as Eric finally began to speak.

• • • • •

TRISTAN

"Er, see," Lucius Tremayne began, turning his head to Edwina. "You - um - you know that the Rotavelles want you dead, right?"

"That's old news," she said absentmindedly.

"No, look," he tilted his head, "you know that they want you dead since a very long time, don't you?"

"Ever since you came back from your Trial to the rebel states - everyone had been wanting to assassinate you, so as to eliminate you," Amphitrite clarified further. Her sister completely turned her head away, looking towards us.

"But no one succeeded," Edwina told them. "Then why in hell are we bringing this up now? I know that the Rotavelles mean me a whole continent of harm-"

"-you're missing the point," Lucius said, "there's a reason they weren't able to succeed in killing you in the ten days between your Trial and coronation-"

"-you're saying that there's a reason why she isn't dead already?" I asked in a dangerous voice. "Is there any reason she should be dead?" I spat, and the man laughed nervously.

"Er - see - there's something you need to-"

"Then why don't you stop spinning riddles and tell me what the bloody hell is going on?" Edwina's eyes flashed, her patience wearing thin.

"Look," Amphitrite said with a slight whimper, "just - just hear us out - don't - jump to conclusions - okay?" I noticed a bottle of cut crystal in her fingers, and an enamelled box in Lucius's hands.

"I can't jump to conclusions if there's no information to conclude about!"

"What in hell is that?" I demanded, my eyes flashing to the crystal bottle.

"Memories..." Lucius said uncertainly, taking the bottle and I watched his daughter's eyes follow it suspiciously, watching the silver swirls inside the cut facets.

"Whose memories, precisely?" she asked, now with an edge to her voice. "And memories from where?"

"Memories of the mortal world..." Eric said nervously, avoiding the first question, and now I could sense his calming presence starting to counteract the temperature of the room, which had been stealthily rising till now.

"Whose memories?" Edwina asked sharply. Her stern eyes fell to the enamelled box, big enough to hold three rings, and her gaze hardened. "Whose memories?" she briskly repeated.

All three were silent.

"Damn it, Eric, whose memories are these?" she nearly shouted, her expression turning cold. The silence was all the answer she needed. I watched her eyes flicker, lids dusted with stars. Then her lips pulled down and her voice lowered ten notches. "Now," Edwina ordered softly, "you answer my question before my sword comes out."

No one said a word. Her deadly glare fell on all three and then on the enamelled box. Slowly, those teal eyes glanced over the memories swirling in the crystal bottle, like silver wisps.

Her memories - they were her memories.

She began to laugh.

She threw her head back, deep laughs leaving her throat, face sparkling in cruel mirth.

"Edwina!" I got up, alarmed. Amphitrite was now shaking her father, fearful.

"I told you," she whispered to him. "This would drive her mad, I told you, father," she said quietly, her eyes moistened with tears. Lucius gulped once as Eric began to turn pale, his face losing all its colour.

"You vile man," I snapped, "what have you done? Do you have any fucking idea what have you done?"

"Oh, stop," Edwina giggled, now her eyes sparked with insanity, madness flowing in her veins, "this is so fucking hilarious! So hilarious-"

"-woman-"

"-everytime I think life can't get me fucked again, it comes and taps me on the shoulder like 'oh, hey, Edwina, I've come to fuck you again!'"

"-you cannot lose hope-"

"-I am just not a person without fucking hope," she laughed, "I'm a person without hope who just lost the last extra bit of hope she didn't know she had!"

"Edwina, hear me out-" Lucius pleaded, taking a step back, but I stepped in between, stopping him.

"Oh, no, you don't."

"Every time I think life finally will let me have some peace it just whooshes past and I'm like, 'hey, it was a nice forty five seconds!'"

"Just listen to us-" Eric interrupted, but his voice was washed away in her ranting tirade.

"-because fucking life just has to come and fuck me again!" she shouted, now the laughter drained away from her eyes which hardened like gemstones, focused on the bottle. "Give me the fucking bottle."

"-listen-"

"-oh, no, I think we're quite past listening," she snapped, pulling a knife out of her sleeve and walking to the three with grim determination as they took a step back. "Give it to me!"

"-please-"

"-Give it to me!" Edwina erupted, wild and savage, and her knife and fingers pried the bottle out of Eric's hand, blood spurted out but she paid it no heed. She flung the knife aside, skidding it on the floor, and before we could stop her, she twisted the crystal bottle open and drained the contents into her throat.

• • • • •

EDWINA

"Edna? As in Edna Tremont? You're telling me that the Edna Tremont is in my hospital?!"

A beep sounded. Lights flickered above, a sterile smell hung in the air and I felt my lids drooping.

"Ten blade, please."

"Sweet Jesus, this is a mess."

More yelps. Shouts. A sob. A single authoritative voice.

"This case is inoperable, Drew. This woman will die the next time we cut her open."

Metal clanked as someone picked up another instrument, the knives cutting into my skin.

"Is Miss Tremont here? The President is on the line, he wants to know how the surgery is going."

"Tell him not to get his hopes up."

"-are you insane, Sophia? We have to try!"

"-I won't have her dying. Not on my watch. Take her back and lift the anesthesia. I want to let her live for her last few months, not dead in my OR-"

More lights. And voices. There were so many voices and I couldn't answer them. A car honked. A door opened.

"I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do," a man said sorrowfully.

"An amulet, would you like to buy an amulet?"

Paper bills crackled in my hand.

"Here, child, I'll buy them all."

Another door slammed, I crashed into my suite. A chink of glass sounded.

"Long time no see, Edwina?"

A gun, a gun in my hands, a glass of champagne. Water in my suite. A scream.

"Do it."

"Good. Come on. Sit here. Amphitrite, give me the bottle."

A whisper of wind, my eyes opened, I was standing at the edge of my castle, suddenly disoriented, I saw Aidon walking to me, eyes wide with surprise.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you since ten days! Any idea how bored I got?"

A crown, a wedding, a woman. A Ball. Insults and curses rained on me. More lights. My wrists circled by chains, my blood dripping on the floor, a Stone buried in my side.

"I know your little secret," my brother whispered. "It was in the Louvre."

"It was in the Louvre."

"In the Louvre."

"The Louvre."

• • • • •

Sooo... she's found out now. She's found out who she was!! And trust me, it's not gonna be pretty when you see her reaction next chapter. Things are getting pretty fast now and they're all gonna go downhill because we're left with only a few chapters. And once Edwina does something on finding out... the next chapter is a shocking one.