A/N:
I'M BACK! And by back I don't mean I was actually gone... Just a little unmotivated... I got a review a few weeks ago for To Love a King and I can't get it out of my mind, someone mentioned that the plot basically sucked towards the end and it's been bothering me sooooooo much I think I might go back and change a few chapters so they make more sense... what do you guys think? A lot of people were upset that I waited so long for Edward to see the babies... anyways I'm rambling now... I hope you enjoy, and I'll try to be more frequent with posts but I don't have much more written after this part so I might be a little longer again...
Thanks!
-Stacy
"Rosalie!" I heard Royce calling me and I froze.
"Rosie where have you been?" He stumbled and I tightened my hand on Emmett's arm.
"Sorry, I don't know who you're looking for." We walked away and Emmett laughed.
"You have all the men going crazy here." I smiled and saw Edward watching us.
"Yes it seems I am desirable." Emmett leaned down to my ear.
"Yes you are, but those vile men want you for the wrong reasons." I glanced back up and smiled at him.
"You're too sweet." He smiled and pulled me to dance with him.
"Emmett I'm so happy you're alright!" I saw a small blonde girl run over and hug him. She pushed me out of the way and I stumbled back in shock. Emmett had wide eyes and looked down at the girl.
"Thanks Jane." She pulled his hands to her waist and smiled at him.
"Let's dance." I scowled and slipped into the crowd before he could say anything.
"Care to dance?" Edward held his hand out to me and I took it with a smile.
"Of course your majesty." I dropped into a curtsy and we danced across the floor.
"What's wrong Rosie? You're usually so happy." I sighed and we passed Emmett and Jane.
"Nothing." Edward followed my gaze and smiled.
"Do you fancy the Duke?" I flushed and shook my head.
"No." He gave me a knowing smile and patted my cheek.
"Of course not." He moved to dance with Bella and I glanced around, seeing everyone smiling and dancing. I slipped out the back entrance to the garden and I walked through the flowers. I walked down to the stable and walked into Beauty's stall. I patted down his neck and he whinnied.
"I know Beauty, I liked him too." I buried my face in his neck and let out a sob.
"Hello?" I straightened when I heard the voice and wiped away my tears, pulling my mask back down.
"Who's there?" I saw the stable boy looking at me curiously.
"I heard noise; I just wanted to make sure the horses were okay." I smiled and patted his head.
"They are fine; I just wanted to check on Beauty." I closed the stall door and walked back up to the castle, taking refuge in the gardens. I could hear the music from the masque and I laid down on one of the benches and looked up at the sky.
"Are you ill my lady?" I sat up quickly and saw Emmett standing next to the bench.
"No, of course not." I moved to the end of the bench and he sat next to me.
"I'm sorry about Jane; she's had an obsession with me for some time now." I nodded and looked away from him.
"I meant what I said about marrying you, you know." I smiled and nodded.
"I know you did." He gently took my hand and pressed a kiss against my palm. I sighed and scooted closer to him.
"Ride with me tomorrow." I glanced up with wide eyes.
"You're hurt, you can't ride." He rolled his eyes.
"Of course I can, there will be a hunt and I refuse to miss it." I smiled and wound my fingers with his.
"Very well, I'll ride with you." He smiled and kissed my palm again. I felt a tingling feeling all the way up my arm and through my body as his lips brushed against my skin. I smiled and took both his hands in mine.
"Until tomorrow." I kissed his hand and turned to leave.
"Wait! Please wait." I turned around and was shocked at how close we were. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead with a smile.
"Good night Rosalie." I smiled and slipped out of the garden.
I slipped into my room unnoticed and laid down on my bed. Emmett McCarthy… I grinned as I thought of him.
"Rosalie!" I groaned and groggily opened my eyes.
"Your majesty?" I saw Bella grinning at me and holding a dress out to me.
"Wear this today." She left quickly and I groaned. I bathed quickly and pulled on the dress. My maid pulled the corset extra tight and I groaned.
"Why does it have to be so tight?" She put her hands around my waist and they touched. I looked at my ivory dress and looked at my tiny waist.
"For that." I rolled my eyes and brushed my hair before my maid braided the top half back. I pulled on a pair of boots and left my room for the day. I walked out to the courtyard and had Beauty saddled for the hunt.
"Miss Hale." I turned and saw Emmett walking out his stead.
"Duke, how nice of you to join us." He smiled and stopped next to me.
"I thought you would be riding with me today?" I smiled and patted my stallions' neck.
"I just want to take him for a quick ride before the hunt. Care to join me?" He beamed and helped me into my saddle. I adjusted my dress and he jumped onto his horse. We rode silently and I kicked Beauty forward into a canter. Emmett followed me and then we turned our horses back towards the courtyard.
"Rosalie!" I saw Royce ride up to me.
"Will you be joining in on the hunt?" I paused and looked at Emmett.
"Just riding today." He grinned at me.
"It would be a great honor if you rode with me." I paused and saw Emmett frown.
"I'm sorry but I'll actually be riding with the Duke today." Royce frowned and nodded before riding away.
"Thank you." I dismounted and Emmett pulled me in front of him and we kicked off with the rest of the hunting party.
"Rosalie!" Royce rode up beside us with a grin.
"Royce." Emmett tightened his hold around me and I wound my fingers into his horses' mane.
"I was speaking with the king this morning, and he mentioned that you aren't betrothed yet." I froze and felt Emmett tense.
"Is that so?" I looked forward and saw Bella cantering next to Edward as they chased the deer.
"Yes and I was thinking-." I heard the hounds barking and I tuned out Royce.
"Em… I'm not feeling well." I felt a sudden wave of breathlessness and leaned into Emmett's arms.
"Rose?" He pulled the horse to a stop but everything was spinning.
"Em…" I felt myself slipping and Emmett's arms tighten around me.
"Royce, tell her mother I'm taking her back to court." Before there was a response Emmett kicked the horse forward into a swift canter and I clutched to him as we rode. He called a stable boy and carefully helped me down. He lifted me easily into his arms and carried me to my room.
"Em…" The maid gasped when he carried me in and laid me on the bed.
"Undo the corset." The maid paused before Emmett yelled. She quickly untied the back and I took a deep breath.
"Leave us maid." She walked out quickly and I leaned back into my pillows. Emmett sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.
"Thank you." He nodded and kissed my palm like he had the night before. I patted the spot next to me and he lay down beside me.
"The king will have me killed if he catches us." I pressed a finger to his lips and curled into his arms.
"No he won't because everyone is out on a hunt." I laid my head on his shoulder and quickly fell asleep.
"Rosie, Rosie sweetie wake up." I felt someone touching my face and smiled when I thought Emmett was still with me. I opened my eyes slowly and saw my mother.
"Mom, get out." I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.
"Sweetie you have someone here to see you today." She pulled me up and threw me into the bath before dressing me and in a blue dress. I left my hair down and curly and she pulled me into the common room. I froze when I saw Royce sitting there.
"Lord Royce." I dropped into a curtsy and my mother left.
"Ah Miss Rosalie." He bowed and smiled at me.
"Would you care to join me for a ride?" I agreed, knowing I couldn't refuse. We walked through the stable and I saw two horses saddled.
"I'd prefer to take my mount." Royce ignored me and walked over to the two bays.
"You shall ride the mare." He mounted and a stable boy helped me up. I fixed my dress and walked along side Royce.
"You're so beautiful Rosalie, you must realize the effect you have on men." I felt uncomfortable answering.
"Well…" I started to speak but he cut me off.
"I've suggested a proposal to the king." I froze and pulled the mare to a stop.
"Royce…" I didn't know what to tell him. He jumped off his horse and I realized we were in a small clearing. He pulled me down and tied the horses to a tree. I stood awkwardly and wished I had refused him.
"It may come as a surprise to you, but you're absolutely beautiful and I must make you mine." I flushed, feeling uncomfortable. He moved forward and took my hand, but his touch was the opposite from Emmett's it was rough, and felt threatening. I let him take it, fearing what would happen if I pulled away. He grabbed my waist and pulled me forward towards him.
"So… willing…." He dropped my hand and placed the other hand on my neck. He pulled me up roughly, pressing a rough kiss to my lips. My eyes opened wide and I tried to move away. I pushed him back and felt a tree hit my back.
"Royce!" He came forward and grabbed me again. He kissed me again and cupped my breast as he pushed me against the tree. I pushed him back and slapped him sharply. Rage was clear in his eyes as I moved to untie the mare and he was so fast I didn't see him come at me. He grabbed my wrist and spun me around quickly. I cried out when he raised his hand back and waited for him to hit me.
"Is there a problem?" I looked up and saw Emmett sitting on his large steed.
"None that concern you." Royce pulled me towards him and I realized I had been crying. His hold was tight on my wrist and Emmett moved his horse forward.
"Rose… come here." I pulled my wrist away from Royce and walked over to Emmett. He pulled me up in front of him and put his arms protectively around me before kicking the horse forward. He was silent as he held me in front of him.
"Rose… are you alright?" We were back at the stable and he was helping me down. I nodded and stumbled as I went to walk.
"Let's go to the garden." He looped his arm with mine and walked with me until we found a bench.
"Did he hit you?" I shook my head and he gently took my hand.
"Rose…" I tried to smile but tears still slipped down my cheeks. I buried my face in his shoulder and let him hold me while I cried.
"Rosalie?" I stood up and dropped into a curtsy when I heard the king's voice.
"Your majesty." My voice was strangled and I saw the anger behind his eyes.
"Duke please excuse us, I will speak with you later." Edward dismissed his men and took my hand. Emmett left after giving me a final smile and Edward pulled me to sit again.
"What did he do to you?" I looked up and quickly shook my head.
"It's nothing your majesty." He narrowed his eyes as I brushed it off, trying to look strong.
"I see…" The rage behind the king's eyes was clear as he tried to figure out what was wrong.
"I shall send the Duke from court…" I shook my head, holding my hands out in protest.
"No… no don't do that… he did nothing… promise me you'll do nothing…" Edward nodded eagerly, hugging me tightly.
"You're my little princess Rosie… you always will be… anything you ask I'll give you." I thanked him, kissing his cheek and letting him hold me a moment.
"Please… don't make me get married…" Edward nodded, brushing the hair from my face with concerned eyes.
"Do I have anything to worry about?" I shook my head, wiping away my tears with a smile.
"Not in the slightest." I couldn't help but smile when I thought about Emmett, my face flushing.
"Good." I smiled as Edward excused himself, leaving me to wander the gardens. I drifted through them slowly, smiling as I picked a small yellow flower.
"Rosalie!" I heard my name being called but I ignored it as I drifted through the gardens, losing myself in the beauty. As I walked back to my rooms I saw a maid waiting for me with a note.
"The Duke left his for you." I thanked her, opening it quickly and rushing out to the balcony.
Ride with me tomorrow… I smiled, slipping the note under my mattress.