Chapter 9-

"You'd be wise not to tell lies against my wife, Demetri." I thought Isabella's happy attitude would last all day -and annoy me just the same-, but as soon as we ran into my brother that changed.

She's frowning deeply, even while still recovering and not 100% her yet, she was still very frightening. Her face went dark, though her Lycan eyes made no appearance. Perhaps, she had no intention of attack Demetri, though her body language said other wise. She stepped one foot forward, towards him. Fists clutch, nostrils flaring. One hand grabbed him by the collar, while the other pushed me behind her, securely.

I groan and buried my face in my hands. Demetri is badly scarred, but he seemed to be recovering quite well just as Brice said,. He looks like a burn victim, or someone who had half their face torn off...

The scars are as ugly as one could imagine. Thick, nasty, and covering half his face and his entire neck.

A horrible feeling of nausea rush over me. I did that to him. And I'm supposed to be his big sister...

Through Isabella's growls I heard a chuckle, then a raging laugh. I peeked out to see my scarred brother grinning like a damn fool. "Against her? No-no. You read me wrong, Sister." Isabella's grip didn't loosen until he continued, "I'm not mad at her. Nor am I trying to say she's a horrible person. You and I both know that isn't true, don't we?"

"Ugh." Tanya, who was clutching tightly to Demetri's hand, and somewhat hiding behind him, from me no doubt, scoffed. Her stupid face scrunched up into a frown. "She is a monster. Look at her! Now that you're here, you'd be wise to control her!"

"Tanya please. Mary didn't mean it. Look at her, she's red with shame. No need to be, I forgive her. She didn't mean it." Demetri peeked around Isabella to take a long look at me. "Besides, if I make her feel guilty, she'll feel so shamed she won't want teach me to do it."

It's my turn to scoff. "I'm not teaching you anything." I mumbled. Isabella releases him and brings me forward so she can wrap her hands around my waist again. I wiggle.

"No way." She said, ignoring my protests. "My little Alice...did that...to you?!" She reached out a finger to run over Demetri's scars. He proudly brought his face forward to her so that she may poke to her heart's delight. "Forgive me for not believing you. You can imagine why. Gods, Alice." She turned to give me a horrified look. "What could possess you to that to someone?"

"Anger. The demon is full of it." Tanya hissed. "I told Rosalie to lock her up, like she deserves, but of course not. Rosalie likes her too much. She's risking our safety!"

"Like I said, It's okay. All is forgiven. I'm sure Mary will simmer down now that you're here to comfort her some. Won't you? - Oh, it doesn't matter. As long as you teach me. I want to be able to do it too."

Isabella huffed out a breath, still shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe how much I missed...Dammit, Alice finally kicked someone's ass and I missed it."

I tried hard not to smile, I really did, but she gave me a squeeze and mumble how proud she was in my ear and just like that-

I feel accomplished. Proud. I'm strong. I can defend myself. She doesn't have to fight for me ever again - or die for that matter. If anything I can protect her.

"We'll talk more later Demetri, I definitely want details. As for right now, have you seen my mother? Alice wishes to talk with her."

He nodded. "Yes, actually. There're all in the council room. Brice asked us not to disturb them for anything. I guess it's extremely important."

"And private." Tanya added, sourly. "I don't think you'll be anymore invited than we were."

"I don't need an invitation to talk to my mother." Isabella frowned, pulling me off.

It turns out it wasn't just Brice and Rosalie who were joining Marie in the council room. I've never seen the room so full. It was Brice, at the head of the table, Rosalie to his right. Sasha to his left. Marie, Rosalie's grandfather and a bunch of other, older faces I haven't seen before.

All of them looked somewhat troubled, even Rosalie, who always seemed to have something to be annoyingly happy about.

"I didn't realize we were having a meeting." I frowned. "Why wasn't I invited?"

Brice stood to address me. "This is nothing you need to concern yourself with, Alice. Please, go somewhere else for the day. Rosalie and I are busy."

"We all thought you'd like some time to reconcile with your wife. Why don't you guys go into the capital together? It is very beautiful." Sasha added as motherly as she could.

Isabella snorted, and in the next second her arms were hugging me. "Reconcile you say, but Alice hasn't even given me a proper kiss yet." She giggled. "Feisty little thing she is."

"Yes, yes. She tends to be a bit...harsh at times. Please, will you leave us now? This is very important and I really don't want you getting concerned with it." My frown towards Brice deepened and his face went pale. He sighed. Of course I wouldn't just let him slide like that. "Alice, Please-"

"Well if it's important then I definitely want to know. Even more so if it involves Isabella." I pushed her away from me, but of course it didn't break her spirit as she came back at me, hugging tighter than before.

"Ah, it doesn't matter now anyhow!" One of the faces frowned. He's a really old man, maybe in his late eighties..."What's done is done. Nothing to say about it now. We have a hybrid and a..." he carefully eyed Isabella, making me upset and somewhat agitated. Why was he looking at my mate like that? It seems he couldn't find a word to describe her so he huffed on it, then continued. "Wrong or not, what's done is done. May the Gods have mercy on us. Especially you." He wagged a finger at a shamed Marie, who sunk down into her seat.

"Brice, I warned you. These things...these black magics are not taken lightly to the Gods. When she is punished for playing with fire you will be burned as well."

"Thank you, but Isabella and Alice are friends. We do not turn away friends."

The old man grumbled as the rest of them stood, thus ending the meeting I guess. One by one they all began to retreat.

I waited till they were all out of the room to ask. "Black magic?"

Brice tried to smile, but he's tired and stressed, his smile looked just the same. "Alice please, not now would you? I know how you are. You will stress the situation far beyond what it is. You'll worry yourself. You have your mate back. Go fuck or something."

"I want to know." I said, shoving Isabella from me and marching over to him. Angrily I slammed my hand down on the table in front of him. He jumped in his seat. "Don't hide things from me."

"I'm not hiding anything. You know what was done isn't natural, don't you? Surely you have thought of the great problems Isabella's return will cause..."

"I don't even understand this. No one has explained anything. You can't just give me her back and expect me to just accept it." I fumed.

Marie sat up straight once again, sighing. She rubbed her temples with shaking hands and gave me a pleading look. It might have worked, if I wasn't still so upset with her. "Alice, trust us when we say, you'd rather not know."

I bared my teeth at her, but tried hard to keep my anger under control. No need for a scene... "You've made things so horrible for us and now here you are again. I'll ask one last time and I expect a proper answer. What did you do?" I growled.

Darius is a small and happy boy. His resembles to Carlisle is uncanny, even while he is still healing himself. He has long blonde hair, bright red eyes, even the same grin as his father. I tried to remind myself that Darius is not Carlisle. He is a child. He hasn't done me wrong, his father has. And I have no reason to punish him for his Father's mistakes.

Supposed, he spent the day with a maid Rosalie assigned to him. And while I'm very much aware she is from Bloodrose, I can't help but mistake her for Azah. Same happy smile, same wild orange hair and freckles. The look-alike smile at me and rises from Darius. After sharing some words with Marie, she takes Darius' hand and leads him from the room.

The little boy waved his little dimpled hand goodbye to me.

My heart melted. I want badly to ask Marie of my own children. I want her to go in detail. Nothing is useless, I want to know...but there are greater issues at hand.

"Please, sit..." Marie said, offering us a seat on her bed. I don't want to sit. I want to punch her in the face, but Isabella drew me down into her lap anyways.

"You're tense." Isabella whispers in my ear. "Relax, Mother will tell you what you want to know."

Marie gave a nervous chuckle. "Yes, yes...I just never know where to start."

"Are you still trying to hurt me Marie?" I raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "Because it seems like you are. First, you tear our family apart and then you bring her back to me. What are you getting out of this? Haven't you hurt us enough?"

Marie's face went pale, she fidgeted with her hands in front her and looked from Isabella to me. Isabella chuckled behind me. "Forgive her Mother, it seems as though she has found a reason for everyone to be on her bad side."

Marie shook her head. "No, no she's right. I did some horrible things and it resulted in your death. I am very sorry and I understand if you don't want to forgive me, but either way, this is me trying to fix it."

"By using 'Black Magic'? It sounds like you're making things worse."

"I figured it would be worth it. You won't understand how much shame I felt in the past few years. After I met Dorotheus, I felt like I had to fix it. I didn't know what else to do. Zafrina refused her, and her clan doesn't fight. There was no way I was going to convince someone as hard headed as her to stand against Maria. I thought the same would go for Brice, as he continuously refused her gifts, and letters. What good was it going to us any of us anyways? If Maria fell without an heir to the throne it would just result in another war. And if she did leave behind someone to sit after her, how would that make things any better? So, I thought of the only person I know to be as strong as she was. It was a long shot, I didn't even expect it work."

"Expect what to work?" I urged her to go on. She let out a frustrated groan.

"Like it was said, black magic. It's not something that's use commonly. In fact, It's so rare that we thought it was all just a myth. But, The Black Isles exists and it is not a fun place. I know you've never heard of it, because no one wants to talk of it. It's Hades' playground. It's a place for the dead. I knew I'd find what I was looking for and I did, but like all good things, it comes at a price."

I frowned, now more curious than angry. "What price? Is it worth it just to have Isabella back for a little while?"

"A little while?" She smiled a little. "Is that what you're worried about? No. Isabella's back. She and Darius are here to stay until they die again. I'd expect it to stay as so since I'm paying so much for it. As you can imagine, the Gods don't appreciate you messing with this kind of thing. Whether she died too soon or not. I met with The Fates, and they told me that a price would have to be paid. You can't so sow a life back together. Hades will want something from Isabella in return. They didn't say what, but I assume that when the times we'll know."

I felt dizzy when I stood. I don't know what to make of this. Isabella is here until she dies again. Hades will want something from her.

"There is no certain guarantee that everything will be okay again. How is this any better?"

"Alice, as Brice said, don't stress it. Enjoy her. Make it worth it."

I felt the tears well up in my eyes. Isabella could very well be leaving me again. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. "You shouldn't have done this." I said. "It's not worth the pain, you shouldn't have done it."

"Alice, may I ask you something?" The silence between Isabella and I was only just becoming somewhat comfortable when she broke it. Still, her voice was soft, innocent. I couldn't get upset. She chuckled lightly to herself, "Listen to me. I have to ask my wife permission before I can question her."

I open my eyes to look at her, she's a lot closer to me than I thought. My bed is beyond big enough for two, and she's practically on top of me, even after I willingly made room for her. I moaned. I'm not uncomfortable with her so close to me, but I don't particularly want her to be either...

"Well, you can ask me anything. I just can't promise I'll answer." She gave me a pout, but then asked anyways...

"How do you expect things to get any better if you don't give it a chance? And don't turn away from me. I seriously want to know. It's like you don't trust anything anymore. Even when it's clear people are just trying to help...Mmm?" I didn't answer. I couldn't answer. What the hell was I supposed to say that wouldn't end in me crying about it? "You know, it's okay. You don't have to talk to Brice, or Demetri, or anyone of them about it if you don't want to. However, I expected you would at least open your arms to me a little. I don't like this. I don't like that you don't want me to hold you. You're my wife. I love you. I don't want you to hurt anymore. I'm here, trust that I won't go anywhere, won't you?"

"I can't." I told her honestly. "How am i supposed to trust that you're here to stay when you aren't even sure of that yourself. What about our family? When Dorotheus and Mercy join us once more, how will I explain to them why you have left us again so soon as well why we weren't there for them all this time?"

Her face quickly became softer. She sat up right and pulled me into her arms, hugging me tightly. "I think a lot parents have a hard time explaining death to their children, but it's okay. I'm not going anywhere. We won't have to worry about that until they are full grown, by then they will already understand it. There's no shame in fear, but you can't let it drive you away from all the people who love you." She told me. "I think you of all people should know that. You should let it out. It won't get better until you let it out." I hadn't realized I started to cry until my eyes started to burn and I was shaking. "I don't expect us to go back exactly the way we were, but if we could try, that would be nice."

Nothing would be exactly the way it was. I learned that ages ago. Too much has changed. We won't even be returning to the same home we left. "We don't have to start with talking. I can see that you don't want to. It would be beyond fantastic if you didn't treat me like you do everyone else." She pulled me from her chest to look at me. She's smiling pretty big. It's comforting.

She wiped my tears slowly, then kissed cheeks, my nose, my forehead, everywhere she could until finally...

She settled upon my lips.

I stiffened though, I didn't mean to. I want to relax into her, I want to pretend, just for a second, that she was right. Everything would be okay. She won't be leaving me again. Dorotheus, Mercy, Her and I would all be together again soon and everything will eventually return to something similar to what was normal.

Hades will want his payment from her in time, and when it does come, we will work through it together.

So, I try to move with her. I try to kiss her back just as effortless and passionately as she was kissing me.

I'm trying. I make a note of that. That's a good start isn't it?

She laughs when we finally pull apart. "I almost forgot what that felt like." She took my hands from her neck and kissed them. "Are we okay- no. We're not. I mean...are we getting there at least?"

I smiled with her and nodded. "I hope so...This is good for now. I don't want to be without you." Perhaps Marie was right (And I hate when she's right). Perhaps it won't hurt too much to make the most of what I have before it's gone and I truly regret not loving her like I should.

I can let this go. I can move on. Isabella deserves it. I'll worry about the future when it gets here.

"That's good enough." She leaned in for another kiss when we are interrupted, by a light knock on the door.

I don't have to hear her voice to know its her. "What do you want Rosalie?" I called, a bit bitterly.

Isabella and I finally have a moment and it's cut short.

She opens the door, a bit shyly then her face went red. "Oh, forgive me, I didn't realize you two were- um...busy."

Isabella shifted, just slightly, but it didn't go unnoticed.

Oh right. The imprint. I hadn't forgotten exactly...It just hadn't been an issue...until now.

I made a face at the Blonde Queen. No fair, she has a husband. Isabella is mine.

"Nothing to forgive." Isabella stated as smoothly as ever. She gave Rosalie a smile and kissed my forehead, then pulled us apart. "What is it?"

"Well," Rosalie started, shyly. "You've been occupied since you arrived. I kind of wanted to talk to you..." She's nervous, as she should be. I clasped on to Isabella's hand, keeping her from leaving the bed.

Isabella looked at me and laughed. "While I would love to talk to you Rosalie, I'm afraid my wife isn't too comfortable with that."

Rosalie frowned at me. "Are you sure I can't just-"

"No." I grumble.

"Not even for a minute?"

"No!"

"Humph." Rosalie crossed her arms across her chest. "Some other time then I suppose. I apologize for interrupting." With that she left, half slamming the door behind her.

"You're jealous?" A grin formed on Isabella's face.

I scoffed. "Jealous of what?"

She shrugged. "You tell me that..."

"When were you going to tell me you imprinted on her?"

"I thought you already knew...it isn't going to be a problem. Rosalie and I are mutual and I do not intend for it go any further than that." She kisses my lips again and promised her love was only for me.

She laid down with me again, only this time, I held on to her as I tight as I could.

Mmm...

Was that too much for one chapter? I feel like it was.

Oh well, it's done now.

What did you guys think?

Good? Bad?

I think it's a start, I mean, Alice still has a long way to go...

Anyways,

Till next time

*Flies away*