Sovereign Fate Chapter 19 Teaser

Here's your sneak peek for Chapter 19 which will post next week.

As he went about the chores of the morning, Edward’s thoughts kept drifting back to his Bella. He thought for sure he would have seen her in the halls of the court by mid morning at the latest, but time and again, he caught no sight of her. It was not until after the envoys arrived and the group all settled into lunch that Lady Angela arrived looking upset. She took a note to the King after curtsying and quickly rushing out of the room. Carlisle frowned at the note, an air of concern alighting his eyes. When he was done, he passed the note to Edward.

Edward’s heart ran cold as he read the note written in Bella’s elegant, but shaky hand.

I know I was expected for luncheon today with the envoys, but I am feeling unwell and do not have the strength to leave my bedchamber today. I feel horrible for disappointing you, knowing you were counting on me today, but I do not have the countenance to be an engaging conversationalist this morning. I do hope you forgive me. I shall take all of my meals in my room today and rest.
-Sincerely, Bella

Edward’s eyes shot to his father’s who closed them slowly with a pained frown. His eyes scanned the table as though he were looking for the answer atop the lace cloth that covered it before he looked back at his son with regretful eyes. Without Bella, Edward had to be the one to present to the envoy. Nobody understood the strategy better than the two of them. This was an important meeting that could not be delayed, risking offending the Emperor’s ambassadors. As much as it pained Carlisle to deny his son what he knew he desperately needed to do, Europe needed him to be the English Prince even more.

With a tense jaw and clouded eyes, Edward sucked in a deep breath and tried to steel his vibrating body. He needed so desperately to go to his wife, but duty demanded he stay. Part of him wanted to say the hell with it, and just walk away, but a bigger part of him knew he had to take care of business now and personal issues later.

With a nod over his shoulder, he beckoned a servant working along the wall to his side. With whispered word, he commanded the servant to go fetch word from his bride’s ladies as to the precise malady she suffered, and to dispatch the doctor to her quarters to look her over. He further ordered the servant to relay a message that he had written on a piece of parchment informing her that as much as he longed to rush to her side, duty forced him to stay, but his heart was with her always.