A/N Thank you for all the feedback, keep it coming :) And thank my readers and reviewers and a big thank you to my beta SunFlowerfran!

I do not own A Court of Thorns and Roses, or Twilight

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Edward left from the realization, only murmuring a doleful, "Be nice," Because he was unable to stay any longer. He knew it was pathetic to be angry, for who could ever love a cursed bastard like him? But still, that small blip of hope was just that.

He had hoped.

'If you make her angry,' Edward said to Jasper through his mind, 'You'll have to answer to me.'

Jasper just smiled in return.

Edward didn't know where he was going as he prowled through the halls but he knew as soon as his stomach retched, and his palms became sweaty, he was going to be sick.

He barely made it to the lavatory before he was losing everything he had eaten. And as disgusting as it was to be reduced to something so human as this, he deserved it.

He deserved everything he had been given; and more. He had refused Victoria for nothing more than his pride and arrogance. He had ignored his mother's pleading and gone to the night court instead. And now he was paying for all of it.

So it was fitting that Bella couldn't bear to look at him when she said she'd never felt love. And that silent look in her eyes told him she never will, at least not with him.

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When at last he was done, he cleaned himself up and went back to the dining hall. Jasper, with his sharp tongue, would no doubt be testing how tough Bella could be; and even if Edward was deep in his own pity, she didn't deserve that.

But Edward already knew Bella's strength…all too well. She had survived the Oillteil and being kidnapped from the only life she'd ever known, so he knew she'd survive the nosey sentry.

And no matter what Jasper pushed, Edward would make sure she survived past Victoria. Survived for years and years knowing nothing but happiness and prosperity.

And most of all, knowing nothing of Edward's cursed life.

"Have you had a tour of the ground yet?" he heard Jasper ask through the walls of the hallway, and Edward stopped to hear her answer.

"No, and I do not wish to," she said, a shimmer of fear in her voice and Edward knew why.

The Oillteil; those wretched monsters had made her too afraid to even step foot outside, and Edward shook with the shame of causing it.

"Oh," Jasper resigned, actually sounding surprised for once, "I just thought you—"

"Jasper," Edward's said tensely from the doorway, 'Don't push it,' he reminded through his mind. And he swallowed thickly when he heard Bella's heartbeat quicken. "I require your assistance," he lied.

'Afraid my flirting is better than yours?' Jasper teased through his mind.

Edward fought not to roll his eyes, "No, your idea of flirting sounds more like berating. Leave her be."

Edward's eyes flashed to Bella, as hers did the same. But she quickly looked away.

Jasper stood before giving an over exaggerated bow, "It's been a pleasure, Lady Bella,"

Only when they were carefully out of Bella's ear-range did Jasper say, "Why'd you come and get me?"

"I came to get you," he sighed, "Because we need to fix this. She can't be trapped in here, Jasper, she has to go outside, or else she'll go mad."

"Like you did?" Jasper's words were not meant to harm, but they still shot straight to his heart, and the unavoidable pit there.

When Edward had returned from his visit to the Night Court those many years ago, he had been determined to find his mother and free them both from his father's terrible reign over their lives.

Because Edward had gone and met his father; his real father, that is. And with one look at the male that had sired him; of learning of the High Lord that had never stopped loving his mother even after she was mated to another, he saw what lives they could have had far away from her mate. And suddenly, Edward knew what needed to be done.

He returned to the Spring Court to take his mother away. Even if he knew his false father would hunt them until the end of time, anything would have been better than being trapped there.

But when Edward finally found his mother in her chambers, his father's vile hands held her back in bindings.

And by his side was a red-haired female he'd never before seen. before.

'Had a nice visit to the Night Court, did we? Did you get to meet the male your whore mother fucked?' His father's voice still echoed in his skull, and the strange female smiled beside him.

'We're leaving,' Edward ordered, channeling that anger deep inside himself. His eyes flashed to his terrified mother, and he tried to tell her with his eyes that everything would be okay, 'And you can't stop us.'

He had been a fool to be so arrogant. At his age, he had barely been able to come to terms with the depth of his power, and his father took advantage of that.

And so, he had been imprisoned with his mother.

Edward went limp with the reminder, "That's why I need your help. You need to get her outside, Jasper."

"Why not you?" he asked, "Edward, you can't keep pushing her away."

"Yes, I can." His shoulders heaved with the weight of it, "I'm no good for her, Jasper. I can already see she's more relaxed around you, and you've only just met."

Somehow, his friend sensed the pain in the words, and he agreed with a nod, "What do you want me to do?"

"Train her," Edward's chest ached to say it; ached to know that she would have to be prepared for the worst scenario. But if he could give her even a sliver of advantage in this world, it would be to defend herself.

Even if the Fire Drake had affirmed what they all already knew, Edward would fight tooth and nail to make sure she never met that fate.

"You can start in the weapon's ward first, but eventually, try to get her outside," Edward said.

"Edward, I don't know what you're about to do. But just give us more time; we almost have the book translated—"

He shook his head to Jasper's unfinished plea. "That book only tells us what the Drake already did. And believe me when I say I will never let Bella face Victoria. But perhaps learning to defend herself will be some sort of…outlet for her. Will you do that for me, can I trust you to do this at least?" the unspoken words hung in his mind, 'Will you take care of her even when I'm gone? But he gulped them away.

His friend was uncharacteristically serious as he placed a hand on Edward's shoulder. Perhaps understanding what the High Lord was saying by giving Bella to his care.

Edward was going to sacrifice himself to Victoria.

Because even if he wasn't brave enough to do it for his people, he would have to be for her, for Bella.

He didn't know when; for he would have to make the preparations, but maybe in a week or in a month…But he would be ready, and he would do it before the clock ran out and doomed them all. He would do that for his mother's people and his own.

"You don't have to take on all the burdens yourself, my friend," Jasper said.

"Yes, I do." But beyond the sadness of knowing he was going to die by Victoria's hands, Edward was overwhelmingly grateful to have been given a small taste of what his life could have been without pain ... with Bella.

If he had been stronger or smarter, he might have been granted an eternity of being able to be with friends and family. But beyond his regrets and mistakes, Edward thanked the Gods for granting him a few days with her.

"Where are you going?" Jasper called as Edward began heading towards the door.

"I'm going to have some fun while I still can," He grinned, "And kill every last monster that thinks it can threaten the woman I care about."

And even if it would never be enough; never enough mornings of seeing her face, and never enough times of hearing her voice, Edward knew what a gift he had been given.

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There was a small knock on Edward's chamber door, and his head popped up to see a wary-looking Alice. He was still tired from hunting the Oillteil after breakfast, but the work never seemed to end.

He motioned her in.

"Jasper told me what you're planning on doing," she said.

Edward went back to his work; a parchment filled with his demands to Victoria when he gave himself over. And it seemed like it would never be enough. But it would have to be.

"Jasper has a big mouth, as usual," was all she said, but a small smile was starting to form. He was glad Jasper had another to confide in, and he was happy that it was in Alice.

"I know I can't stop you, Edward. But can I at least ask when you're going to do it?"

He was careful to keep his eyes on his parchment and quill, because if he looked up and saw all the faces he never would see again, he would break down.

"After Antearrach, so I can at least give the people one last chance to survive before I leave."

"When that time comes, will you say goodbye to her?" Alice asked.

That forced his head up, and he saw the maid's face was stern, as if she was daring Edward to leave Bella without an explanation. It seemed as though his mate even won over the heart of the usually, closed-hearted Alice.

"I promise," he lied.

"If you won't do it beforehand, at least say something to her now. She's in the greenhouse."

Edward swallowed, "Alice—"

"No, excuses, not today. Do you know it's her birthday?"

Edward's eyes flared as he glanced at the calendar. He had lost track of the weeks that he hadn't realized she had turned nineteen. "Gods, I'm an idiot," he said.

"Yes, you are." Alice agreed, "Now if nothing else, find your courage and go say goodbye before it's too late. Give her that at least."

He only nodded.

Edward found Bella's scent overwhelmingly strong in the greenhouse, letting him know she was somewhere inside, as Alice had said. And it only took three seconds—he counted—to find her seated on a hidden bench.

He allowed his cursed eyes to take her in; her body so relaxed and her face at ease as she quietly sketched. For as soon as he made his presence known, her posture would go rigid and her eyes would go hard. And he wanted to remember her not afraid of him, but perhaps able to find a sliver of happiness in her time with them.

But when she ripped a page from her notebook and threw the crumpled paper at his feet, he couldn't stop from picking it up.

He could feel her eyes on him, and even if Bella had yet to say a word, he gently unrumpled the drawing and tried to ignore how the warmth from her skin still lingered on the parchment.

It was a well-sketched building she had made, while little squiggles of trees lined the sides and the background; and it was unmistakable what she had been trying to recreate.

"This is your home," he said softly; his muscles going taut at the realization.

"Yes," she said a bit thickly.

"It's a true likeness," he noted, "Even the trees you've drawn." Indeed; the details of the leaves and trunks made him smile, only so much detail could be given from someone who had seen them day after day.

And his heart sunk.

"If you say so," was all she said, clearly not comfortable with the compliment.

But what he didn't tell her was that it was perfect. And he went limp at the fact that this would be perhaps their last conversation together. And the visage of her house; that shack where he had first smelled her scent at full power before seeing her face inside of it… well, he wanted to keep it forever. It seemed fitting, this being the anniversary of when he had first seen her as an infant. But he shut out the thought.

"May I keep this?" he asked.

And her usually firm features softened slightly, her brows lightening as her eyes went a bit warm. There; that was the picture he would remember.

"Of course, although I must say, I've drawn better," she said.

The comment made the corners of his mouth tug, and he just folded it carefully before placing it in the vest pocket closest to his heart.

'Quite the symbolism, don't you think, if not a bit sappy,' his demon voice ridiculed.

And suddenly, Edward found the words he wanted to say caught in his throat. He couldn't have this be their last time together, "I came to ask if you wanted to take lunch out in the gardens."

She blinked up at him, "Lunch, in the gardens?"

"We could even—" he wavered as he pathetically motioned with his hands, "… talk about some of the questions you might still have?" He would have said anything to get her to agree to be with him one last time and for him to be the one she was with when she faced her fears.

But all she said was, "No."

'When will you learn that she doesn't want to be with you?' it was not his demon voice that said it, but his own conscience.

"Thank you," she added starkly.

And he was unable to hide his shame and guilt as it shone on his face, "Very well." Was all he said. But the next words came without a filter and without hope of stopping them.

She was just so breathtaking, sitting in his mother's gardens, content to sketch away, alone. And the fact that she had rejected him had nothing to do with it.

"By the way," he said as she looked up, "You look beautiful today, Bella."

Let that be his last words to her; a gift on her birthday if he could give her nothing else. Hopefully, the way he caressed her name told her what he couldn't say out loud, and the fact he thought she was beautiful would stay with her for the rest of her days.

But she only blinked at his words, obviously taken aback by the sudden declaration. And he left before she could scoff at him.

Barreling down the halls, Edward wiped a harsh hand down his face. How was it that he could do nothing but make mistake after mistake? It was her Gods damned birthday, and she deserved everything and more. She had survived eighteen birthdays of nothing but starvation and exhaustion. And even if he wouldn't be there for her twentieth year, he was there now.

And he was going to make the most of it.

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"Stop fidgeting," Jasper groaned, "It's as if this is your first time with a female. And we all know that to be false."

"I'm not fidgeting," Edward rumbled, "I just hope she likes everything."

Jasper looked up to the banners they had scrambled to buy from the village seamstress. The words 'Happy 19th Birthday, Bella,' were hastily stitched onto the biggest one.

"Uh, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this will be the most extravagant party she's ever received," his friend teased.

"Good," Edward said. The decorations, food, and gifts he had gotten had drained Edward of his own personal savings. However, he wouldn't need gold when he gave himself over to Victoria, so he couldn't have been happier to spend it on anything else.

"How did training go today? Did you take her to the armory?" Edward realized he was babbling, but he needed to distract himself from all the second thoughts he was having

'Would she like the color they chose, or accept the gesture at all?' The questions went on and on.

"Yes, training went well," Jasper said dimly, "But things really picked up when we went outside."

Edward nearly sputtered, "You got her outside? On the first day?"

"What can I say?" his friend shrugged, "She's eager to prove herself. And she's much stronger than you give her credit for, Edward."

He clenched his lips together to stop the growl from escaping. Jasper was talking about her as if they were best of friends, and he had just met her that morning.

"I'm…uh, happy for you. I'm glad she's taking such strides."

"You know, you don't have to sound like there a noose around your neck when you say it," Jasper chuckled, "She just doesn't know how to act around you. It's not that she likes me better, it's that she likes you too much."

"What?" If Edward's skin wasn't dead and gray, there might have been a flush there.

But before he could press Jasper for details, Bella had entered the hall.

"There's the birthday girl!" Jasper said a bit too cheerfully. As much as a front his friend put on, he could tell the sentry was beginning to like her.

"What?" she asked as her eyes dimly registered the bounty of food. And Edward's chest swelled when they widened slightly, "What's this?"

"Your birthday celebration of course!" Jasper motioned with a sweeping hand. Edward could only watch as she took each step towards them, "We've never had one before since it's more of a human thing."

Edward swallowed nervously before asking, "Do you like it?"

Her head turned to his, and a softness had reached her eyes, "Yes, of course. It's splendid."

Edward was aware of Jasper's smugness, but the High Lord's eyes remained on hers. She deserved so much more than their hastily thrown together meal.

"We didn't have much time, since we only knew this morning after Alice told us," Jasper chided gently, "So we had to guess your shade of choice."

"Shade?" Bella asked with confusion.

"Color," Edward quickly corrected while shooting Jasper a scolding through his thoughts, "We guessed your favorite color."

He hoped it was green, for she seemed to enjoy her time in the greenhouse. And it was fitting, since they were in the Spring Court, after all.

Edward's favorite color, however, was the richness that was Bella's own eyes and hair; and even with his cursed senses, he knew the color would rival the night sky in its depthless beauty.

"Green. Yes, it is my favorite color," step after step she took towards them as Edward counted until she took a seat. "Thank you, but how did you know?"

Edward felt Jasper's eyes rest on him. "You seem to especially love the greenhouse, and since your human realm was rather dull, we hoped you would enjoy a particularly lively color," Edward said pathetically.

'And it's the color of your eyes in your portrait,' his beast reminded. It was the only thing that had remained after Victoria had….changed him.

Even before the curse, after his dark skin and hair had been leached into something lighter and browner by Victoria and his father's will, his eyes were the only thing that remained of his blood court. The one thing they hadn't taken from him.

His mother's eyes had been the clearest blue like the sky, while his had been a vibrant green. His mother had said his eyes reminded her of the glowing northern lights; only visible after the sun had gone down. The same lights that could lead them back to their home court.

And he hoped when he had caught Bella staring at his portrait in his study, she liked them too.

Jasper stifled a chuckle, "What he said."

"Thank you, sincerely," Bella smiled at Jasper before they settled on Edward, "It means more than you know," she said solemnly.

"You're welcome, Bella," he could say her name over and over, and he would never tire of hearing it.

"Am I allowed to serve myself today?" her voice was different; lighter.

Jasper failed to muffle his chuckle, but Edward's mouth twitched at her teasing, "Tell me what you want, Bella, and I'll give it to you," he said. He watched her swallow, and he knew she had caught his meaning.

"Never mind," she murmured, "I'll serve myself," And even if his magic was itching to take over, he let her; only happy to grant her one, last, happy meal together.

When she was done, Edward made a cup of espresso appear in place of her dirty dishes.

"Oh no," she groaned, a rare ease resting on her face, "I can't touch another thing."

Edward's magic hummed; the familiar groaning starting to sound whenever he was near her. So much pent-up power needed to be leached from time to time or it would drive him mad, so he was happy to use some to make the drink disappear.

"Normally, we would unwrap presents right now, correct?" Jasper asked. Bella looked between him and the sentry as a blush began to appear.

"I don't know, actually. I was too young to remember birthday traditions before my family's downfall. By then, we were too poor to celebrate them."

Edward sucked in his cheeks at her words. He wished there was more time to lavish her with every luxury imaginable. But the next few days would have to do.

"Oh," Jasper was the one that answered, "Either way, both our presents will have been late. We didn't know in time to plan accordingly."

"You didn't have to get me anything." She shook her head, "Your decorations and dinner were more than enough."

Edward clenched down on his anger. She didn't think she deserved any of it, "Nonsense, they will both be in your room tomorrow."

The dress he had gotten her was spun from gold and the finest silk. Jasper had offered to pay for the jewels he had chosen to match. Edward just hoped she would like them.

"Thank you." he was shocked to hear her accept.

A silence settled over them as Jasper shot him a silent look, 'How can you leave her now?' his friend said in thought, 'We can figure this out, I know it.'

Edward just shook his head when Bella wasn't looking. What his friend didn't understand was that today was a clarification of what he needed to do. Bella had found friends and a bit of comfortability in the Spring Court. And he would not take that away from her.

"We have to leave you anyway; Jasper and I have some business to attend to." Edward looked to his sentry, but Jasper just remained firmly planted in his chair.

"Nonsense, Edward. Bella has gotten all dressed up for her birthday, and I refuse to neglect her as you have."

Edward gave Jasper a long look, 'Preparations need to be made,' he said in thought.

"Bella is quite capable of entertaining herself," Edward said out loud, "And we have many things to attend to." Indeed, the Spring Court would be left to Jasper, but Edward was finding it more difficult to decide who would rule his blood court.

Or perhaps he didn't want to spend time with her because he knew it would never be enough.

There would never be enough minutes with her. And with each passing moment, he could feel himself slipping from his decision to face Victoria.

Because even if Edward knew he didn't deserve any happy ending, that didn't stop him from wishing for one with Bella.

"Work, work, work." Jasper sang, suddenly cheerful, "That's all you ever drone on about. Let us have fun for once," Jasper turned to Bella, "Don't you agree? Wouldn't you say Edward works too much?" His sentry was using her to change Edward's mind about leaving.

Bella had a rare amusement in her eyes, and Edward noticed how they slightly crinkled. He allowed himself to look at her fully and realized Jasper was cleverer than he gave his friend credit for.

Damn him.

"Hmmm, I would have to agree with you, Jasper," Bella said.

Edward was so shocked Bella was teasing right along with the sentry, that he was speechless.

It seemed as if just when she was starting to come out of her shell, Edward was never going to see it fully, "I knew I would grow to regret this," he said.

It was going to be hard leaving knowing she resented him, but this side of Bella, this mischievous and carefree side, this was something different. It was a slice of her real personality breaking free, and Edward suddenly realized he would never come to see all of it; all of her.

And his stomach turned at the thought.

"Good! So what shall we do?" Jasper said as Edward gave his friend a look before shooting through his mind,

'Just what are you trying to do, here?'

His friend didn't answer.

"Anything other than the library and greenhouse," Bella said. "It's all I've been allowed to do for weeks!" Edward's eyes widened at her admission. And if his face could have heated, it would have. He was embarrassed at how he hadn't taken more care to see how she was spending her time.

"Edward, how could you only limit poor Bella's entertainment to the library and greenhouse? It's a good thing I returned when I did," Jasper exclaimed with a wink towards the High Lord. "Anything is sure to top the dreary greenhouse." Jasper chuckled, clearly having a plan afoot. "So what would you like to do, Bella?" Edward watched as Bella paused in thought. He wished he could stay longer, and have more days like this.

"I don't know, what else is there to do?" she asked.

His sentry looked to Edward before saying, "Hmmm, well since we already went outside today, that's out. And who would want to anyway? It's dreadfully ugly outside. It won't be worth anything until Antearrach."

Edward's blood went cold, and Jasper just shrugged at his silent fury. There was the plan; revealed as clear as daylight.

"Antearrach?" Bella murmured.

"Yes, it should be here in a couple of weeks," Jasper rubbed his chin and shot Edward a knowing look.

'Feel free to jump in,' Jasper prodded in his mind,

'I will not tell Bella about such barbaric traditions.' Edward shot right back. The last thing he wanted to do was share the more animalistic side of the Fae.

"Only then will the gardens and forest will be worth visiting." His friend said.

Bella bit her lip as her eyes lit with curiosity, "Why's that?"

Jasper was silent to try and spark Edward to join before asking through his mind, 'Has Victoria stolen your sense of fun, as well?'

Edward resigned with a sigh, "Antearrach marks the beginning of spring," There, that was explanation enough.

"Which means," Jasper drawled, "All the faeries within the region gather together for a mighty celebration. All the High Lords gather together to fill the earth with their magic, isn't that right Edward?"

He swallowed, finding the sudden urge to knock Jasper on his ass with his mist just to shut him up. Bella did not need to know the more…specific details of how the Lords made spring possible.

His father had told him it was an honor to become the hunter and to choose a female. But all it did was remind Edward of how little the Spring Lord valued his wife; his mate…

"High Lords?" Bella's wide eyes met Edward's, and his un-beating heart melted. He wished he could keep her protected from the traditions of his species, but he knew that fire beneath her skin would never cease. Her curiosity would always win in the end.

"We perform a ritual," he explained, "Which blesses the soil and ensures a good harvest for the coming season." Edward almost cringed thinking about the ritual; what he would have to do in the name of his father's people…

'Can we be done talking about this now?' he said, shooting Jasper a look.

'That's up to Bella,'

Edward silenced the rumbling beast at his friend's familiar tone when saying her name.

"This all happens in one night?" Bella asked, Jasper just nodded.

It was only then that Edward realized where Jasper was leading; they were going to the gaming gallery. Which was fitting of course, because his friend was currently playing a dangerous game.

Because if Bella ever wanted to research the history of Antearrach, she would be horrified of their entire race, of him.

'Can you shut up for once in your life? You know very well she's going to figure out the ritual,' Edward scolded.

'Yes,' Jasper grinned.

"And the High Lords, how many does it take to create enough energy for the harvest?"

Christ, now she knew of the High Lords. Edward hoped Jasper would keep his explanation brief because if he revealed the truth, the knowledge would only put Bella in more danger.

The High Lords were always sought after for their magic and power over their people. And anyone close to a High Lord was always at risk.

"There are only seven High Lords. The Great Rite is performed by one, but the others participate as well," Jasper pressed his lips together and pointed his eyes at Edward,

'She's going to find out eventually,' his friend warned.

"Oh," Bella responded softly, "So normal faeries like you and Edward, what do you do during Antearrach?"

Edward almost tripped over his feet as Jasper hid a smile. Gods she was so naïve, but at the same time, insatiable for knowledge. And he was determined to keep it that way.

"We offer up gifts in our own way," it was a miracle Jasper wasn't snickering; he even managed to make his voice sound somewhat serious.

Gifts, it was an effort for Edward not to scoff. It was no gift to be consumed by the earth's magic and be forced to take a stranger to bed. Edward was more likely looking forward to giving himself over to Victoria than putting himself on spectacle.

"What kind of gifts?" Bella's voice shook him from his thoughts.

"Nothing of importance," Edward grumbled.

"Is it that bad?" Bella looked to him, and something inside softened.

"Believe me, if you had to attend, you would feel the same way."

"You mean I can't come?" Bella's face fell, and Edward clenched his fists. And he was all too aware that his friend was waiting for his response.

Gods, he could only imagine what would happen if she came to the Great Rite. Edward had been carrying out the ceremony ever since his father couldn't, and he never remembered much. But he did remember how the magic from the earth rendered him helpless from everything else...except that one need.

So Edward knew that if he even scented Bella near him during the proceedings, he wouldn't be able to control those instincts any longer.

"It's not something for humans," he said. He watched her shoulders slump slightly as she pulled in her bottom lip. Edward ached to tell her it wasn't her species that was incapable, but his own.

He would become a barbaric monster the night of Antearrach, and he could only hope that Bella would be locked far away when he became the hunter.

But by then, they had reached the gaming rooms.

"What's this?" Bella perked right up, and he silently thanked his friend for the idea, "Why am I not allowed here?" she gave Edward a stern glare as she gazed to all the equipment. And his stomach rolled inside his gut, suddenly embarrassed that he hadn't thought of it. Usually, gaming was for males, while females fancied more orthodox things. But then again, Bella had never been orthodox.

"I feared you would get lost if allowed to venture this far into the castle," was what he came up with. Pathetic, really.

She quirked a brow, "You thought me that helpless?"

"Now I see it was foolish of me." He lowered his head, "Forgive me." Her eyes widened slightly as a quiet encased the two of them. He didn't know where Jasper had gone, but he couldn't have cared less.

'Forgive me for leaving. Forgive me for pulling you into all of this,' he said with his eyes, and Bella only straightened at his intense gaze.

Jasper just scoffed, "I'll forgive you both if you stop griping and come and join me for a game."

Bella turned with a whirl as Edward barely turned his head to the paid any attention to his sentry.

"I don't know how to play," Bella stated, but she dragged a finger along the soft felt, and Edward was momentarily mesmerized by the sight.

"Don't worry, Edward can teach you." Jasper grinned.

'That's High Lord to you,' Edward quipped.

"Well, Edward," Jasper made a show of stressing the word, "Aren't you going to show your guest how to play?"

He ignored how his chest flared at the image of him behind Bella and instructing her how to strike. And in that dress, no less.

He gulped, avoiding eye contact with Bella as he handed her a cue stick. She took it quickly, but the heat of her fingers almost brushed his. There was a pause as Jasper just quirked a brow, and Edward just motioned to the table,

"Well? Rack it up. I'm going to show Bella just how terrible you are at pool."

The beast inside him flared at the admittance. Competition was at the core of any mate showing himself worth, so if he wasn't careful to shackle the more animalistic side of himself, things could turn very bad...very fast.

His friend huffed, "Your break."

Edward's felt himself smirk slightly as he lined up for his first move. And he felt Bella's eyes on him when he struck the balls with a crack.

"Your call," Edward lazily rolled his shoulders as his friend mumbled out his choice.

The game droned on and on, but he was always cautious of Bella's intent eyes on him. And he was sure to return his friend's banter with careful teasing as to not strike the cue over his friends head for his pure arrogance.

'Is this show for me, or for Bella?' Jasper teased through thoughts and Edward could have groaned out loud.

'It's for me, actually,' Edward returned smartly, lining up to sink the eight ball, 'You see, I haven't practiced in a while.' But he was unable to stop his gaze from flitting to Bella right as the ball sunk into the pocket. And his beast grinned when her eyes went a bit wide.

'Liar,' his friend returned. "Care for another game?" Jasper asked aloud, 'You've yet to teach Bella how to play,'

Edward's answering grin could only be described as animalistic. "Rack them up."

"So eager to lose?" Jasper quickly shot back.

Edward reigned in his laughter, "Oh, you'll lose Jasper, but not to me." His eyes fell to Bella.

He wasn't an idiot; he had seen the way she had observed the table with appreciative eyes; reading every one of their moves with a level of calculation that only came from someone familiar with the game. And somehow, his desire for her grew.

"Bella?" he eased when she had yet to answer, "Care to give Jasper a run for his money?"

"I won't be very good," she offered, even as her eyes went a bit glazed as she touched the table.

"Is that right?" Edward felt a brow rise in question. He watched as the realization that he knew her little secret crossed her face. And her eyes hardened with his challenge.

"How about we decide that for ourselves?" she simpered with the cock of her head. And Edward's blood started to boil in the best way.

'We finally have a worthy playmate,' his beast purred. Edward swallowed the thought away.

"Never mind me," Jasper scoffed, "I want to see you two play each other." He pointed between Bella and the High Lord, and Edward could have slapped his sentry right then and there.

'This won't end well,' Edward warned his sentry.

Jasper only shrugged, but his friend didn't know mating bonds like the High Lord did.

Edward had been warned by his father that if he ever found his mate, that that level of power between the two would either have to be accepted; or ignored. If not confirmed or denied, such unrelenting power would fester between the faeries until it erupted.

And Edward and Bella's connection, even if she didn't know it was there, it was not something to be toyed with.

And that was exactly what he was doing.

Bella shrugged, but the gleam in her eye told Edward she had hoped Jasper would suggest a match. "Rack it up," She ordered, her voice pure steel as it raked against Edward's resolve.

'Look how feisty she is,' his beast chuckled. And even if the rational side of his brain was screaming at him to stop, his beast was raging at him to go go go.

And so Edward listened to his inner monster for once.

It was one thing to prove dominance over a sentry, but Edward felt something completely different playing against his mate. And all he could do was watch in rapt attention as she deftly sank shot after shot.

And even if the bond was unaccepted, and Bella was merely human; the magic between them seemed to hum in recognition, 'There you are,' his beast growled as Bella smirked at him before sinking another ball, 'I've been looking for you.'

But finally, she made a mistake by overcorrecting to a minute degree. And Edward was unable to stop his grin from spreading. But she only scowled at him; another strange ripple of power making him pause.

"Fourteen, corner pocket." Edward was cocky enough to announce his first shot. Because as soon as his muscles recognized who was watching him with critical eyes…well, he had no problem delivering.

That was until his gaze caught Bella trail a hand along her throat; and then his thumb suddenly slipped resulting in a botched shot. He clamped down on his anger for being so foolish, as well as his lust for wanting to take Bella right on the table.

He watched with a minute scowl as she sauntered up to the table and lowered her brows in concentration as his friend watched with just as much intent.

But Jasper might as well have disappeared into the walls when Bella turned to him with a hand planted on her hip and said, "Let's make this a little more interesting, shall we?"

"Already so sure of yourself?" he returned coolly. But deep inside, his body was commanding him to take her over and over, to see if the power that seemed to ripple outward was enough to satiate his own. And perhaps to discover if that wicked mouth was just as wicked when it was put to other uses.

But she just gave him a sweet smile, "It's no fun if there isn't some risk on the table."

It was an effort not to groan with pride. She was fearfully good at pushing his buttons...just the right ones to get him to do exactly as she wished; as if he was helpless putty in her capable hands.

And she knew it.

'Take back control, now,' his beast ordered. 'She is your mate, and you are her High Lord,' but somehow, the voice no longer sounded like his demon…but his father.

"Beware," Edward said with harshness, "Of the woman who looks like a Duchess but behaves like a street gambler."

She only narrowed her eyes. And he could have sworn that his beast recoiled from her gaze. "Name your stakes," he said.

"I wish to visit my family." She said with conviction, and his blood ran cold.

She wanted to go home, just as he presumed. And even if her father and sisters treated Bella like nothing more than a meal ticket, she wanted to return to them. Bella would leave the faeries that gave her everything she could ever wish for in exchange for humans that could give a damn if she lived or died.

They didn't deserve her, not one bit.

'And you do?' the demon cackled, and Edward couldn't stop the words from sinking into his very marrow.

"Is that it?" Edward asked starkly.

'Be careful Edward," Jasper said through their minds. Edward didn't answer.

"Yes. If I win, I would like to see my father and sisters," she said.

"How long?" his voice sounded dead to his own ears, and his un-beating heart seemed to sound the reminder, 'You are dead, remember?'

And suddenly, everything came crashing down: his decision to leave, Victoria's determination to make him her slave, as well as the overall hopelessness of their world.

For a moment, Bella had made him forget all of it, and he had become himself again. He had found his humor and his mischief.

Edward had felt alive.

But that was all leeched away in a second as soon as he realized she was here against her will.

"A month," Bella ordered as she perked her chin higher.

He blinked, "A week,"

"Two weeks."

"Ten days." He sounded like an actual master giving a servant an order.

'You won't be a master for long,' the demon mocked. And that great weight seemed to settle back on his shoulders.

"Fine," Bella barely ground out, and it was the stark reminder that she didn't want to be here any more than Edward wanted to give in to Victoria.

So without another word, she moved to the other side of the table. Her eyes flitted to move after move, and his chest heaved with how much she suited their world. She was clever, witty and fierce, and it was a shame that she had been fated for such a mundane human life; that she couldn't see her own worth in order to search for more.

And then Edward felt something tug inside himself. It was the opposite of his father's voice that told him to take and take in such a selfish world; but instead, it was his mother's soft voice reminding him to give, in hopes of a better one.

So before Bella could make her final move, Edward said, "Ah, ah, ah, we haven't discussed the terms if I win."

Bella straightened, but gasped when she brushed his arm. But he watched her look at him with cold eyes, "What?" she bit.

Edward's own eyes darkened when her breath brushed across his skin, "You have to accompany me on a tour of the grounds," he said.

She wavered only slightly, before stating, "Done." She lined up for her shot, but not before she took great care to stretch her arms and neck before going through with it.

Cheeky.

"Whenever you're ready." Edward had no doubt she would make it, but he wouldn't lose Bella to people that only pushed her aside. Even if he had to cheat to make sure of it.

In hopes of a better world. He heard his mother's voice.

"Eight ball, middle pocket," Bella's clear voice rang, and Edward took a step back.

Jasper caught his eyes then, a silent nod of his head telling the High Lord that his friend agreed.

'Don't let her go back there, Edward.'

So when Bella finally made her move, Edward made sure she missed. And the noise of the cue ball swiftly falling into the pocket was the only sound in the entire hall.

"Shit!" Bella shouted as her hands clenched around the stick, shocking both him and Jasper out of their skin.

Jasper hacked out his surprise, but Edward was determined to remain calm as he carried out the last two moves with perfect accuracy. But he had begun to sweat. He didn't want to betray Bella's trust, but he had to do anything to keep her safe.

"I win," Edward was unable to clamp down the remark, and Bella upturned her lips in a humanlike growl, "And who knew the Duchess had such a foul mouth?" he grinned at her.

And that ripple of power came and punched him right in the gut just as Bella's eyes flitted upwards.

"You cheated!" Bella burst as her face suddenly turned red with the realization. And Edward almost retreated a step when she actually confronted him head on.

Not good.

"Now Bella," he did his best to keep his voice even, but he was lying through his teeth, "Don't be a poor sport." He turned towards Jasper to see if he would help, but she just stomped around the sentry like he was nothing but a piece of furniture.

"Bastard!" she cried, coming closer, "Admit it."

His eyes widened as he swallowed. 'The human is more perceptive than once we thought,' his demon admitted with approval, 'That is what you are, after all. A bastard.'

But even if Bella didn't know she was treading in dangerous waters in calling Edward a bastard, it was that she was calling him out, period.

He hated pulling himself back to ensure he only was perceived as the cold, aloof Lord. He hated hurting her in the process only to guarantee she didn't get too close.

Because he saw how easily it was to revert back to himself in her presence; and the High Lord of the Night Court could never be himself; not really.

"I won fair and square," Edward said quickly, "Now calm yourself, it's unbecoming of a lady to raise her voice." He thought that might get them back to where their relationship had been before. However, that was when her face turned from red to scarlet.

And Edward heard a warning in the back of his head.

Jasper was male enough to say it out loud, "Better not provoke her Edward, even I wouldn't mess with a woman like that."

But Edward couldn't stop the words from slipping out, his beast seeking to take back that control. "Why not? She's nothing more than a human throwing a tantrum."

They were low-cutting words; words that his father would say with equal distain; words that Edward wished he could rip back from the air.

Shit.

He shouldn't have said that.

"But nonetheless," he added half-heartedly, "You will join me tomorrow for a tour of the grounds."

There, that would establish set rules and expectations that he had before. But as he turned back around to avoid her heated stare, he felt her presence shift.

Edward didn't have time to prepare himself before she was hissing in his face, "I would rather die than go anywhere with you," her voice cutting to his very core. And at that moment, Edward suddenly saw that the girl he had picked up in that cottage a few months ago, was no more. She had grown into someone fearless and unafraid right under his nose; she was brave enough to face him when no one else would.

And Edward realized it wasn't so much her family that was holding Bella down, but him.

"Not on my watch," he murmured too low for her to hear, determined to find himself, and for once, start acting like the male his mother would want him to be.

But before he could react, Bella was already storming out the door.

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A/N Tell me what you think :)