TWELVE...

REGAN'S POV.

I was much aware that she saw me checking her out but I didn't care.

Hell, I could get use to this sight. I mentally praised myself. No wonder Edward wanted to have my head for accepting this marriage.

She was a rare beauty. Pretty blue eyes,a soft diamond shaped face, well tanned skin, a cute pouty lips,slender nose,.........and her stature, she was just perfect. Cute.

Though the robe was tall and baggy, I could still make out her hourglass figure behind it. I wondered how her face would look like with her hair down.what color was it?

A picture of her head full of red hair flashed before me. I blinked to get rid of It. She was staring at my now wet lips.

A smirk made it way onto my face. Her gaze shifted to my eyes and I groaned inwardly.

No woman had ever had this effect on me before. At a point it scared me. I felt helpless around this girl and it was a sign of weakness.

I decided to break the awkward tension in the room. I cleared my throat and started.

"I wasn't expecting you to be up at this time. You must be very tired from the long journey. Sorry for scaring you."

She opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. Her eyes fell on our joined hands and I slowly let go.

"I didn't mean to slap you with my slipper. I thought you were a thief or an assassin...."

She trailed off. I laughed softly. Raising a brow, I decided to be a little teasy, just to make her relax a bit. She seemed so tense.

"A slipper! Really? How was that suppose to protect you?"

She bit down on her lip,trying to hide her smile.

"It was the first thing I found." She looked away.

"Let's go inside.its freezing out here.."

Not that I felt it but the way she pulled her robe tightly around her proved it.

Nodding,she followed me into the bedroom. I sat down on the bed and when I didn't see her move from her standing position,I patted my side for her to sit.

She did, but not as close as I would like her to be. Was she afraid of me?

"This wasn't the way I planned our first meeting. I wanted it to be more welcoming and comfortable. Now you probably think I'm some freak who uses the window instead of the main door. I promise I'm not always this awkward. "

"Its OK. " she smiled at me.

I'd do anything to see that smile everyday.

Wait what?

That wasn't me speaking!

"Maybe its not too late....hi! I'm Iris...".... She began.

The name kept ringing in my ears. How coincidental could this be? Her name was Iris?

I didn't know what connection I had with the blue iris flower but I was somehow drawn to it.

Its tender petals and sweet scent seem to calm me all the time. And her name was IRIS!! What more could this girl possibly do to me?

"Regan.."

My voice came out scratchy and horse.

I looked at her outstretched hands for a minute before gripping it. She instantly pulled away and held her hand with the other,looking at me in horror.

I felt the burn too,no pretending here.

"Sorry........." I mumbled. I shot up from the bed.

"You should have some sleep. Father will murder me if you end up looking sleep starved in the morning. Um mm.....I'll be out there in the living room. Good night ......Iris..."

"Good night Regan".

I heard her whisper as I reached the door. Turning to have a last look at her, I closed the door behind me. What happened back there?

This time round I didn't feel the electrical shock when I took her hand in mine. It was a cold shiver, like fire met ice. And I'm sure she felt something too......

IRIS'S POV.

I had zero sleep through out the night. I couldn't stop thinking about him and all these emotions running through my heart.

He was burning like fire when I touched his hand. I was so surprise that I pulled away instantly.

He must've felt bad because he left immediately. But why ?

I kept the image of his face fixed in my head as best as I could remember it. Of course I was told the Prince was a handsome man.

Turns out it was an understatement. He was beautiful ! He was tall and well built. Chiseled jaw and clean shaved. His eyes were a unique hazel that could get any girl to melt at a spot.

Thick eyebrows and long lashes any girl would kill for !! And he was my husband!!

How did I get this lucky?

I mentally kicked myself for the last thought. I had to remind myself that I wasn't married because he chose me but because he was forced to! I was his Father's choice actually.

It didn't matter now did it? I was still his wife and he my husband by choice or by force.

Pushing off the covers, I stumbled into the bathroom. I was exhausted but nothing a hot bath couldn't fix.

I came out of the bathroom to find my outfit chosen and laid out on the bed with the maid, Celestine standing beside the bed. I felt the soft blue fabric between my fingers.

"Are you sure this is what I'm suppose to wear?" I asked her.

"His highness put this out here for you my Lady..."

"The king?"

I opted for him because I couldn't imagine the Prince picking out an outfit for me.

"No M'Lady ...the Prince,your husband."

My eyes widened,then a smile slowly formed. Wow....that was so ....sweet....

I kept turning around before the mirror. This dress was so lovely! It was nothing like the ones I used to wear back home. I hated those hideous gowns. But this dress, it made me feel .........beautiful.

"You look stunning my Princess.."

.

Celestine said for the umtieth time since I stood before the mirror.

"You think?"

"Positive. The Prince will drool over you! "

We laughed.

"What should I do to my hair?"

I frowned.

Pulling out a chair for me, she smiled ..

"Just relax and watch.." She said.

I was loving my hair the moment Celestine put down the comb. She let my hair fall back in its natural curls and pulling out Some strands,she formed a pretty bowtie behind my hair and left a small section of hair falling before my face. It was simple yet elegant. Another maid interrupted my little stare down.

"The Prince is waiting for you my Lady.."

"Are we going somewhere?" I asked

"The king expects everyone down for breakfast."

"You're ready my Princess." Celestine assured.

Taking one last look at myself,I walked out of the room."