Hello! The SONG for the chapter will be track/6Ku0bY5NhoSq9kU1fYz8BH the instrumental version of Use Somebody, no copyright infringement intended. Please play it during this chapter, it'll make the scene later on much better. :)

~Edward~

"What do you want?"

I tried my best not to snarl at my favorite, most annoying sister, but it was quite difficult when she had interrupted one of the most important moments of my life. Alice rolled her eyes at my temper, but her eyes were alight at seeing me so close to Isabella, no doubt. Isabella's face moved away from my hand, and I felt disappointment as I turned to see she had taken a step back. Her eyes were flickering between Alice and me, watchful as always.

"I just thought you'd like to know that they're looking for you in there. It's time for the first event." She spoke for Isabella's benefit, before smiling at us and disappearing again. I ran my hand through my hair as I turned to evaluate Isabella, trying to see if she was still upset with me. Cautiously, I reached out and grasped her little hand in mine, looking into her eyes earnestly. It seemed I couldn't help but keep contact with her skin ever since I'd been in close proximity with her. Her warmth was drawing me in, and I kept wanting more.

"Isabella, I am so sorry for making assumptions, you're right to say I know little to nothing about life where you're from. I had no idea that conditions were so dangerous, or I would sure as hell have tried to do something about it. Do you believe me?" There she went, biting that lip again. If I didn't get ahold of myself soon I was going to scare the poor girl by throwing her over my shoulder and whisking her back to my rooms.

"I think I do...though I'm unsure why it matters to you whether I do or don't Prince." I smiled brightly at her, deciding to ignore her unspoken question for the moment, as I tugged her hand towards the balcony doors.

"Call me Edward." There was silence after this for a couple of moments.

"Alright, what's going on?" She asked as we walked, her feet dragging her feet slightly, but still following me through the hallways.

I turned back to face her as we reached the main entrance to the ballroom, hoping she went along with this.

"It's time to dance." And with that, I leaned against the large doors until they swung open, hundreds of heads instantly turning to look at us as we entered.

Benjamin's voice sounded over the crowd, causing a hush to form over the chatter as everyone stared.

"I call your attention, Ladies, and Gentlemen, to our first event. Prince Edward will start off the festivities for the night by selecting one of the Chosen Ladies to dance with. Now, Prince Edward, who will it be?"

I took a deep breath and turned to Isabella, standing next to me. I held out a hand and a raised eyebrow, an invitation.

"May I have this dance Isabella?"

She remained silently rooted to her spot as she looked at me. She didn't move.

~Bella~

*reminder for the song!*

The nerve of this man. To just stand there and offer me his dance in front of all of these people. My breath was tangled in my throat and I felt overwhelmed, not for the first time today.

Everyone was staring at me. This may have caused me excitement earlier, but that was before the Crown Prince had decided to ask me, the only human girl in the room who had not been taking etiquette classes since the womb, to dance.

A part of me longed to take off, to run through those big mahogany doors and make it all the way back to Phoenix, where everything made sense even when it didn't, and crazy and unbelievable scenarios didn't just fall into my lap. It kept hitting me how changed my life would be after this day. How changed it already was.

The other part of me was more than excited. The other part of me adored that the Prince- Edward, was asking me to dance in front of everyone. There was just something about the way he looked at me...

I tensed and took a step back...then I took his extended hand in mine, using the momentum to spin myself into his arms. He laughed at this, his eyes surprised and light, righting my position in front of him as instruments began to play.

I leaned in close to him as he began to lead me toward the center of the room.

"I'm afraid I haven't been taught to dance as you have," I whispered. Realization dawned on him as he took a step back from me. A circle had formed around us. All eyes were watching.

"Then show me how you do it," He murmured into my ear, taking his place behind me. I smiled at this as I reached out and took his hand, spinning myself back into his chest as I had earlier. Then, I continued by taking his hands and placing his palms on my hips as they moved in time with the music.

In Phoenix, nobody had the luxuries offered here. My family had not been terribly off, but we still longed for much. So, we had to find other ways to be happy. Dancing was one of them. There were times when people would bring guitars out into the square and the entire town would come out to dance in the streets. These moments were the best part of living on the outskirts, with no bother for the propriety or rules of the provinces.

I knew I had shocked the prince when I moved my feet to the rhythm, spinning around to join my front with his and retaking the motion of my hips. His eyes were staring at me like I had just stripped naked and started having my way with him on the ballroom floor. I was still unsure whether it was in a good way or not until he started smiling. I cared very little for the crowd's whispers as Edward started catching on, his body moving with mine. It didn't escape my notice how my skin buzzed everywhere he touched in a way I couldn't quite explain. Whatever it was, it felt like heaven.

Our feet moved quickly as he began spinning me around the floor. I wasn't used to dancing in heels, but I managed somehow. And I couldn't help it, laughter bubbled out of my lips as we danced. He looked so pleased at my laugh that it made me smile even more. We were both laughing by the time the song started winding down, Edward clasping my waist tightly to his as he dipped me close to the ground. My curls lightly brushed the floor as he leaned me farther back so he could look me in the eyes. Then, as the last notes faded he bent and pressed a cold kiss to my collarbone.

Silence.

Then the room thundered with applause.

~Edward~

I was going to combust, I was sure of it. That, or I was having the most incredible dream of my life because it simply couldn't be that Isabella had danced with me like that at the Siring Ball. I had definitely underestimated my family when they had insisted on how much fun I would have at this event. Although, I doubt that that was what my parents had in mind when they planned this.

Oh well.

I was now staring at a very shocked Isabella wrapped in my arms. I knew it was brazen to just kiss her skin here, in front of everyone, but I couldn't help myself. I realized that I eventually had to let her go, so I leaned back into an upright position, not bothering to listen to the buzz that surrounded us after our dance.

Isabella's eyes were still wide, her cheeks flushed and her chocolate curls in a slight disarray. She looked exquisite.

I reach out and take her hand for what had to be the millionth time tonight, still unable to go without contact with her. Then, without a word, I tug her away again. I was determined to finish my talk with her this time.

This time, I would tell her the truth.

All of it.

~Bella~

I look at Edward curiously as he leads me out of the ballroom again.

"Why are we leaving again?" I ask him. He looks over his shoulder at me, eyes narrowing and eyebrows creasing.

"Do you not enjoy my company?" The tone of his voice sounded hurt in such a boyish manner that I found it endearing. I looked down and blushed deeply, something that had never happened to me before. My mind was flashing back to the feel of his cold lips on my skin in the ballroom. How strange, the things this creature before me was making me feel. It was so confusing.

"I was just wondering. It's a party thrown in your honor after all." I replied, skillfully avoiding answering his question. Edward's face formed a grimace at this.

"Can I let you in on a little secret?" He asked as he continued using my hand to guide me through the maze of palace hallways.

"Of course," I said with a smile. Abruptly, he twirled me around until my back lay against the wall. I froze, not knowing if I trusted myself enough to meet his gaze without blushing. What was happening to me? I didn't shy away from people, and I was never intimidated. I lifted my eyes to meet his, gazing at him through my lashes, trying to figure out if the man I saw looking back at me was as terrible as James said. He just seemed so kind. I bit my lip as I pondered this, realizing he had yet to speak.

He began to lean forward slowly, causing me to press myself farther into the wall. The tile was cold on my hands as I moved them upwards, lifting them to rest on his chest, trying to maintain a safe distance from him. He tilted his head, golden eyes smiling as he leaned closer until his lips were brushing against the shell of my ear.

They were cold and sent a shiver down my spine.

"Like you, I didn't want to be here either." He murmured, lowering his nose to skim it's way down my throat, his lips fluttering over my collarbone. I resisted the urge to close my eyes and take in the strange sensations.

What the hell is happening to me?

I shivered.

I felt his lips turn up at the corners against my skin.

His head lifted, his lips making their way back up, cold brushing against warm and somehow managing to run heat through my insides.

I let out a shaky breath.

His lips were at my ear again.

"But I'm finding that I am currently quite happy that I am here."

I gulped.

"I see." I managed. His hand ran through my curls as he buried his face in my hair.

Did he just sniff me?

He leaned back, catching my gaze once again.

"Are you happy to be here Isabella?" As I looked at him, I got the feeling that his lips were saying one thing, while he was truly asking another.

"Yes," I replied truthfully. He regarded me as if he was trying to see if I was telling the truth. Finally, he smiled brightly.

"I have something to show you." He said before taking off again. I tried to regulate my breathing as he took me through a glass door that led to the outside, the warm tang of summer air taking over my senses. There was a brick floor laid out, forming a path that lead away from the palace.

I was a bit hesitant to follow a virtual stranger to an isolated setting. But I quickly realized that he had all the power here from the very beginning, and he'd done nothing that made me uncomfortable all night.

I might as well.

He led me down the winding path until we turned a bend that blocked the palace from sight. We were suddenly facing a wall of draping green leaves, obscuring the view before us.

He looked over his shoulder at me for a moment and I got the distinct feeling that he was nervous.

It made me feel strangely powerful.

That this important man, this man who literally held our kingdom in his hands, was...nervous for me.

I gave him a reassuring smile and he returned it.

Then, he turned and swept away the leaves to reveal one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen. I walked forwards, forgetting his presence as I took in the place around me.

There were flowers. Everywhere.

Luminescent white blooms interweaved with petals of every color. Draping green vines covered the stone walls that surrounded the space, winding all throughout the small meadow. The moonlight covered everything in a dark and ethereal light while highlighting the glass fountain in the center of all the nature.

I reached out and touched one of the large violet flowers, amazed at the texture of it.

We didn't have flowers in Phoenix. Even among greenery like the one in Forks, flowers were rare. Many of the wars from the years before the kingdom was established had destroyed the plant life of this land.

My eyes landed on Edward again, seated on a patch of grass to my left. He was watching me. He seemed to do that a lot. We looked at each other in silence for a moment.

Then I couldn't take it anymore.

"This is beautiful."

"I know." He said softly.

"Why did you bring me here?" I said, finally.

"Come, sit with me." Was his only reply. I walked over to him and struggled to lower myself onto the ground in this dress and heels. I finally lifted my skirts and curled my legs underneath me, fanning them out around me. I then proceeded to remove my heels and lay them next to me, glaring at the hurtful footwear. My feet were killing me. I turned to him to find him resisting the urge to laugh at me.

"Do you understand why this ball is held, Isabella?" He asked.

"Yes, I think so. It's to help you find a wife." I cocked my head to the side as I looked at him. "But you didn't want this ball to happen," I said, remembering his words from earlier.

"I didn't. Marrying for us isn't the same as it is with humans. It's a... strange concept, mystical even. We don't marry, we mate. When we find the person that is, well, destined for us, we feel a connection to them. It doesn't make any sense by rules of science, it just is. But for the Royals, that inclination is much more powerful. Every century, this ball is held, and one of the human girls that attends happens to be the mate or sire of the crown prince. I simply thought it cruel to bring a human into this life. That's why I was wary of the ball." He explained, causing my insides to grow more and more nervous with every word he spoke. I was silent for a bit, playing with the grass at my feet before speaking again.

"How does it feel? When one of your kind finds their mate." I'm not sure where the words came from, but they left my mouth before I could stop them.

There was a pause.

"It feels like...what I'd imagine it would be like to be blind and then regain your sight. After you find her, the world looks different. It feels different. You are no longer only tethered to this world by your own life, your own wills, and desires. She is the tether. There is an urge, a need, to be near her. To protect her. It's….intense." He finished, his voice wavering slightly at the end. I looked up at him and rephrased my earlier statement.

"Why am I here?" My voice was quiet, afraid of speaking loudly and making this moment any more real than it already was.

"You already know." The statement felt like a punch to the gut. I couldn't breathe.

"Say it then," I replied, feeling every emotion of the past hours pulling at me. "I need to hear you say it."

He only looked at me.

"You are my sire Isabella."

Please let me know what you think! I'm still playing with the continuation of this story.