Prologue: Dreaming
I was dreaming of Edward again. That much was certain, and also not the least bit surprising.
I stood close to the edge of our meadow, so full of pastel flowers and sunshine.
Edward stood just beyond the circle of light, smiling warmly at me from the shadow of the surrounding trees.
I gestured for him to step closer to me, and he did.
I had been anticipating the crystal-like sparkle of his skin, but to my surprise, he looked no different than he had just a moment before, when he had been enshrouded in shadows.
He walked until he was not but a foot away from me, looking down at my face.
I could see that his eyes were neither topaz nor onyx, but a brilliant shade of emerald green that was both beautiful and unfamiliar.
He grasped my hand, and there was no difference in the temperature of our bodies.
We were both warm.
He embraced me, and I could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
As his heart pounded against me, in time with my heart, I tried to understand what it all meant.
Warm skin, different eyes, beating heart...
With that last thought, I woke with a start.