4

The castle had remained almost completely the same as the day I left it two centuries before. Of course there was some restoration work in the oldest parts of the estate but its rustic exterior was strictly upheld. No doubt Rosalie had a say in this, she, quite frankly detested change in all regards, her life revolved around tradition and her very status in life was questioned by newborns in life who saw no reason for royalty in our world. Sometimes I agreed with them and sometimes I didn't. Relatively young vampires say a hundred years old had not seen the power exhibited by the royals, the oldest in our society. They kept our existence a hushed myth with no real validity in the eyes of humans and once upon a time they hunted the wolves into near extinction. Even I was distinguished and labelled as young at just over a thousand years old by some noble blood but I was kindly regarded as an ancient to the young ones.

There was only around twenty five ancients in the world still in existence not counting the royals. We were all above eight hundred years old with close links to the royal family and the old world of battling the lycans and protecting our species. Many vampires barely made it past their first century due to their ignorant mistakes and failure to keep their identity secret. Their elimination was swift since any disregard from protecting our secret was our most prominent law. Since around three hundred years ago there was a law put in place forbidding a vampire to sire a human unless overseen and permitted by the royals and council members made up of a handful of ancients. If anyone was caught disobeying this, their bloodline was cut, no exceptions. Only two ancients broke this law and they were executed along with any vampires they sired without the essential permission from the royals. I never felt the need to create another being since my change. If I did, I wanted him or her to possess the choice and understand the life they would live and how huge and significance this choice of life was. This was something I was not gifted when I was changed against my will so I presumed my lack of desire to create another vampire fed back to that.

The interior was much the same as the outside in relation to design, nothing differed. Candles hang sparsely from the stone wall corridors, the same walnut African wood I remembered disappeared into the darkness beneath my feet as I followed Emmett through the winding passages. From what I could gather he was taking me to his quarters, the ones he shared with Princess Rosalie. I suppressed a sigh and rolled my eyes.

Her rosy scent hit me hard when Emmett pushed open the door revealing a lounge like area. By her side stood her personal guard and cousin, Lady Tanya. Great as if this situation couldn't get any worse.

"Isabella how lovely it is to see you," Rosalie welcomed, standing from her chair. I doubted she was that happy to see me but I played along for Emmett's sake.

"I feel the same way Rosalie, it has been too long," I moved toward her, closing the gap between us. Emmett smiled his toothy grin at us but it didn't last long. Tanya swung a golden staff between us, nearly startling me but I half expected it.

"Is it not customary for an ancient to address royalty with a bow?" she taunted, her thin lips pouted into a familiar customary grin reeking with slyness.

"Nonsense, remove that out of my sister's way immediately. I am a prince here, your royalty and she is my flesh and blood, I would suggest kindly in removing that pathetic stick before I do something I regret," Emmett growled lowly. Rarely and I mean very rarely did Emmett ever show such anger or behaviour and especially in the presence of and to his mate's cousin. I smirked right back at Tanya who looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Of course my prince," Tanya obeyed with gritted teeth.

Rosalie looked on somewhat impassive but clearly distracted about the situation, probably still unforgiving about all that as happened between me and her family.

"Yes, Isabella is family…in more ways than one," Rosalie chastised lightly through ruby painted lips but I wasn't convinced with her misgiving about the situation. She was referring to her brother Edward and mine's relationship. Perhaps she enjoyed it just a little or perhaps she was hoping for Emmett to not be so defensive over me after all this time.

None the less she embraced me, towering over me but encasing me in a strangely affectionate hug. I returned the favour breathing in her rose like scent.

We stayed like this for some time.

"Dear Isabella, please sit we have much to discuss," Rosalie insisted and beckoned me to sit on the seat across from her. I sat, letting my body sink into the overly stuffed cushions and relaxed crossing a leg over my knee.

Emmett joined Rosalie on their seat, wrapping a hand around her blouse encased waist, pulling her near him. I hated to admit it but they fit perfectly together, like mates should. She snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest, letting her waist length hair fall over his abdomen in seemingly endless silken blonde waves.

"I must at first offer my condolences about the death of your uncle Aro. He taught me invaluable skills as a newborn and I was proud to call him a friend," I offered, meaning every word I said. Aro was the quiet one of the royals in contrast to Rosalie and her cousins. He was patient with me and shared many priceless facts and training methods with me. Tanya dropped her head at the mention of her father's name. No matter how I tried, I couldn't feel remorse towards her, she didn't appreciate her father when he existed.

A trickle of a blood ridden tear escaped Rosalie's eye, flooding down her cheek. Emmett consoled her by holding her tighter whispering reassurances into her hair. Once she regained her composure, she answered,

"Thank you, it means a lot coming from you. I just have no idea how I will break it to my father after his awakening tomorrow, you know how close they are."

I nodded, I knew how much Carlisle treasured his only remaining brother, and I had seen their relationship with my own eyes. Looking towards Emmett, I imagined how I would cope if someone told me that he died. I wouldn't cope, I know that for a start. A part of me would be lost forever and I could only hope King Carlisle was stronger than I was.

We spent a few hours catching up and somewhat bonding. For some reason, the passing of her uncle brought me and Rosalie a little closer in terms of our relationship. I mean by all accounts she was my sister. She was my brother's mate, his wife and his princess and yet we still held on to past feelings regarding the events surrounding her brother and me. I couldn't help but wonder what our relationship would be like if it wasn't shrouded by her loyalty toward her brother. Just thinking of Edward hurt and I couldn't discuss anything anymore.

I retired shortly before midnight into my old chamber that Emmett kept preserved for me. He didn't need to, any old room would have sufficed but seemingly he let none of the castle's inhabitants change a thing or remove anything from the time I left it. The memories associated with this room threatened to break me but I focused my mind. For in less than twelve hours, the process of reawakening the king and prince would commence.