The Crown

Chapter Twenty Nine

Beatrice nodded and looked away. "I am fine. I am sorry I woke you."

Tobias shook his head, assuring her it was never an issue.

As they found themselves lying beside one another once more, Beatrice turned and reached out for his face, holding one side in her hand. She sighed and leaned in, pressing their lips together. He kissed her back softly, resting his hand against hers.

Beatrice boldly reached for his shirt, succumbing to his touch. Tobias moved his other hand to her waist, pulling her nearer to him.

Suddenly caught in the heat of the moment, her breath labored as she pulled away. His touch, once comforting, had mirrored the burning sensation she endured during her nightmare moments earlier.

Her head spun as she lef the bed and rushed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She fell to the floor, calming at the feel of the cold tiles below her. She pressed her hands to the sides of her head and bent over, wishing her nightmare would go away.

Tobias worriedly approached the closed door. He leaned against it and listened as the shower started. He turned away at the sound of the curtain being pulled, assuming she had decided to rest under the water.

Beatrice covered her mouth and stood under the shower head, relaxing as the cold water hit her skin. She pondered over the nightmare, wincing at the memory. Is this guilt for continuing the relationship with Tobias? I knew his father was not particularly fond of the idea of Tobias courting me, neither is my father, but would they go as far as to destroy it?

She watched the water pour between her fingers.

How far would anyone go to destroy Tobias and I? As far as burning, perhaps? This nightmare could not have been such a coincidence; I know in my heart someone is meddling with our relationship. Someone is purposefully trying to sabatoge us.

"Beatrice," Tobias called on the other side of the door, interrupting her thoughts. "What is going on with you?"

"N-Nothing!" She responded, shutting off the water and opening the door. He looked her up and down, surprised she was unfazed by her drenched state. "Only a bad dream. A lot of things to think about."

He sighed and reached into his dressor, pulling out a pair of his sleeping clothes. He offered it to her. "Beatrice, I do want to be forever by your side. I would hope that you can feel comfortable enough to tell me what troubles you."

"I do not want to worry you," she replied, taking the clothes.

He chuckled. "It is my duty to worry about you. I want to."

She glanced at him, clutching the clothes. "I can not seem to explain it, but I know, deep in my heart, that someone is interfering with our relationship. It goes further than my father's disappointment; someone wishes us ill."

He looked away, taken back by the mere idea. "Who would?"

"Tobias, there is something wrong," she insisted.

"Perhaps it's only nerves anticipating our future," he offered. "Relationships can be scary as they progress, especially thinking about what lies ahead."

She bartered with his words, biting her finger. Maybe it is just my own self-destructive thoughts; who would truly try to destroy us? Maybe the constant talks of marriage and courting has revealed more fears than it did excitement.

Tobias stroked her cheek, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I will always be by your side, my love. Through thick and thin. Together."

"Together..." Beatrice repeated, her worries leaving her. "Alright. Together."