Seven

Annalisa sat up in her bed panting, trying to control the sobs that overtook her body as she awoke from her nightmare. She could hear Drake's words reverberating in her mind over and over. Tears had started to flow down her face by the time she had thrown herself out of bed and over to the window.

Images of the horrific scenes that awaited her the day of her parents' death flashed in her mind violently, suffocating her. The blood. The bodies. The broken glasses and chandeliers. Her stomach lurched at the thought.

"Annalisa? Love?" She heard a croaky voice ask as her door practically flew open, revealing her husband, who had been in the other room.

"I... I am fine, Herr." She whispered, keeping her eyes fixed on the city below. If she could find a fixed point, maybe the uneasiness would go away.

In a second, she could feel his arms wrapped around her, "Annalisa I need you to tell me what's wrong if we are going to get anywhere in this relationship."

Her body began to feel heavy again, wanting to throw itself into the floor, but she refused. He turned her to face him and as her eyes met his, her tears began to well up again. She shook her head, pressing her lips together to suppress her cries.

His lips parted as the realization dawned on him, "Your mother." He took a deep breath, "This is about your mother."

She didn't answer him right away, but when she did she couldn't look at him, "They were murdered right in front of me. How could a child not forget their parents' death?"

His arms tightened around her, "You didn't deserve this. I wish I could give you a better."

"Just leave me alone." she sobbed, pushing him away. His body didn't move. Instead, he pulled her closer to his body and sank to the ground with her. He rocked her back and forth in his arms, "I will never leave you."

"That's what everyone said to me and eventually they leave. My mother and father said that. Hans said that. The nuns said that. And yet, I was left alone. How can you say that? How can you trust someone?"

"You learn." He whispered in her ear, sending shivers up her spine.

Their hearts were beating together wildly as Annalisa laid against his chest. His hands stroked the skin of her arm, whispering softly in her ear. After a while, she started to drift off to a dreamless sleep, but three words woke her up.

Her breathing stopped as she pulled away from him and stood, "Edward..."

He stood also, "Annalisa, I'm sorry, it slipped out of my mouth."

She wanted to cry again— her feelings were so confusing, "Is it true?"

Edwards brow creased, "What? That I love you?"

Annalisa didn't reply as she hugged herself. She didn't really want to know the truth because of the pain she knew rejection would bring. She was afraid that if she found out that his love was really so, her whole life would never be the same.

He stepped forward and took her hands in his, "I love you. I really do love you. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you in that dress, that blue one at the party. I thought you were an angel."

"I love you too." The words slipped out of her mouth, but she didn't regret what she said.

The two of them studied each other for a moment before Annalisa fell forward. Her lips crashed onto his in a more than intimate kiss. Her hands wanted to touch his chest, covered by the silky, white cloth. She desperately wanted to be only his, forever. She was willing to give herself to him. The fear she felt on their wedding night was no longer there.

Their tongues danced together in a silent but erotic song, mixed with quiet moans and pleas. Edwards hands snaked around her waist and pulled her closer to him, deepening the kiss. Her hands fisted his hair, pulling him close to her as they continued.

Annalisa was in paradise. She loved the feeling of her husband being so close to her, loving her. She had never felt this way before. She had never felt this kind of love. She felt as if her body was on fire. Her stomach clenched as his hand trailed down the side of her body, slowly reaching for the edge of her nightshift.

And then suddenly Edward was gone, pushing himself away from her.

"Edward." She breathed, reaching out to him. She felt the heat start to fade away from her. She wanted it back so desperately.

"No." He snapped, in a hard voice.

Her heart broke into tiny pieces as he paced the room, muttering incoherent words. He was almost terrifying to her— the way he paced and held himself. She didn't like it at all.

Had she been repulsive? Did he not like how she felt or how she looked?

"I wanted to, Anna. I wanted to touch you so badly but I couldn't... I can't take your innocence away from you. I forced you into this marriage but I will not force into completing the bond. Not until you are ready."

Annalisa crossed the room over to him in short, quick strides. Her hands immediately went to his shirt and undid the buttons, "I want you"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A smile formed on her lips as Annalisa stretched her sore body. The silky sheets wrapped around her bare body like a cocoon.

Edward groaned beside her and put a hand on her arm, "Liebling, stop moving and come back to me. I miss your body next to mine."

She rolled back over and propped herself on her arm baring a huge grin on her face, "But I'm so happy, how can I stay still?"

He laughed and pulled her to him, "I can make you stay still if I need to, but I rather you just do it yourself. I was having a nice dream when you started to move."

Her curiosity sprouted, "Tell me about your dream."

His hand landed on the middle of her back and started to stroke as he retold of his dream, "There was this girl in a magnificent royal blue dress. She had beautiful dark hair and shiny, loving brown eyes that could lure anyone to her with a snap of her fingers. She had a soothing laugh that rang out through the room as she twirled around to a foreign tune."

Annalisa sat up with a grin on her face, "That's me!"

Edward laughed, "No, liebling, it was the foreign bride."

Her brow creased in confusion, but Edward continued, "Her name was Annalisa." She smiled again, letting herself fall back on the sheets, "And she was beautiful. She was memorizing, alluring, and she's my wife." He lifted her face to kiss her.

"And you're my husband." She replied.

Edward smiled, "Yes I am." He kissed her again.

"When we get back, we should spend the whole day in your bed. We could eat every meal together in bed and we could even tell all the maids to leave us alone so it's just us."

Edward smiled, "We could do that today if you want."

Annalisa's eyes lit up, "Could we? Really?"

"We shall." He replied, smiling up at her.

She fell back into the bed and giggled. She had never felt so happy. She felt content and happy and in love.

"Edward."

"Mhm?"

She shook her head, "Nein, our first child, Edward. Or we could name our daughter R..."

"Rose." He finished for her.

She nodded curtly and squirmed into his side, "What if they are twins?"

"Then they are twins."

The door opened and Annalisa yelped, throwing her body under to covers again.

"Herr..."

Edward's voice overtook the maids, "Tell the King that his sister and I request to be left alone for the day. Bring only meals, I ask. And remember to knock before entering."

The maid went out quickly, leaving the giggling couple.

"I love you." she giggled.

"I love you too." He replied putting his lips to hers.