PP2 TAINTED

CHAPTER 14

A/N: Sorry for the posting delays and then flooding you with updates. I wanted to have the rest of the story written already before I posted.

There's some vampire/mutant citrus in this chapter.

As always, read and review. Please and thank you!

"Edward! Bella!" a new chorus of voices called, bursting the couple's bubble. Before they fully broke their kiss they were enveloped in four sets of stone arms, crushing them in the most loving way.

"Oh thank God! My children are safe. Edward, let me look at you..." Esme cried as she pulled back from the group hug. "What have they done to you?"

"Not much, Mother. All is well now. It's over. Please, Esme, don't cry," Edward opened his arms, shifting Bella on his lap to welcome his adoptive mother into his arms.

Esme inhaled deeply at Edward's neck near Carlisle's bite, absorbing the familiar scent which held traces of her mate—Edward's sire. It comforted her, helped her to grasp that their reunion was real.

Edward chuckled at his mother's behavior. "Oh shut it, you. I've missed you, Edward. Let me have my moment to just soak you into my pores. First you were away at the Institute, now this..." Esme's thoughts trailed off as she once again was overcome.

"I've missed you too, Esme. Go ahead...sniff away," Edward teased, extending his neck to provide his mother and his wife better access.

While lifting his head Edward's eyes met the remorseful ones of his sire, his father, Carlisle. "I am truly overjoyed that you have returned safely to us, son. Your loss has been quite difficult for us all to bear. Please forgive me for not protecting you as I should have. This trauma that you and Bella have endured...blame falls squarely to me, son." Carlisle's eyes shined with humble tears that will never fall.

Edward moved to stand, still holding his wife and mother tightly to his side. Bella refused to look at Carlisle. Her bitterness was still raw and simmered just under the surface of the euphoria of Edward's return.

Edward felt her tense as he moved closer to his sire. "It's all right, Love. We need to address him. I'm not going to leave you again," Edward whispered. Esme looked at the young couple, acknowledging their discomfort and removed herself from Edward's embrace and glided into Carlisle's.

"No, Edward. I don't want to go to him. It's all too much right now. I don't have the control that I need in order to deal with everything that I'm feeling...Carlisle and the Volturi, it's just too much right now," Bella confessed as she trembled in her husband's arms.

"Edward, I see that Bella is quite distressed. We shall move into the next room and provide you two some semblance of privacy," Carlisle offered. He moved through the doorway of the antechamber. The others filed in behind him. Mutant and vampire alike moved in an orderly processional behind the stately vampire. Bella watched their forms retreat through the broken door. Once they were all in the chamber Bella utilized her telekinesis to quickly right the shattered door, and closed she and Edward off from the large cadre of supernatural beings in the next room.

"Walk with me, Bella." Edward took his bride's hand and led her out of the castle.

The Italian hillsides glowed with the purple, reds, and oranges of the sunset as twilight fell on Volterra. Edward inhaled deeply. It had been too long since he was out in the open, clean air. He caught the scent of of a fox which caused venom his to flow. He was thirsty.

"You need to feed," Bella stated. "I'll come with you. Maybe you can find something more substantial than weasels, rabbits, and foxes up in the park."

Edward took Bella's head in his hands and kissed her soundly before they raced away toward one of the many nature preserves which surround Tuscany.

The scent of wild boar permeated the air. They were abundant but aggressive. Edward was not in the mood to fight with his meal. Moving farther into the park the scent of deer overwhelmed him. Spotting a small herd to the north, Edward took off after them. He interrupted a pack of wolves who had the same idea. The scent of the carnivores was so much more appealing than the small roe deer. Without hesitation Edward lunged at one of the large males near the head of the hunting party, and crushed its spine before truly realizing there was danger.

Hot rivulets of the beast's blood ran down Edward's throat sating his thirst. In the flurry of the hunt, Edward let go of Bella's hand. His hunger had overtaken all rational thought. As his wits returned, Edward became nervous. His eyes scanned the countryside for his bride.

Before Edward's panic could set in Bella withdrew her shield and landed with a soft thud beside her husband as he discarded his meal of a wolf and two deer. He felt rejuvenated and Bella could hear the glut of blood sloshing around in Edward's belly.

Bella's delicate but unmistakeable scent wafted around him. It permeated all parts of him—physically and spiritually.

"I love you," he declared as he stood facing her; his hands at his sides while his fingers twitched, desperate to glide across Bella's soft, warm flesh. Edward's eyes, bright and golden just moments before were now black as coal as they raked over his wife's body.

Bella's snug jeans and loose, long-sleeved Henley, in Edward's mind's eye, were akin to the most risque lingerie. Edward's eyes narrowed as he realized that Bella was wearing his shirt. That knowledge made her all the more appealing to him. Suddenly nervous, Bella tugged on the hem of the shirt that hung on her like a tunic, grazing her upper thighs. "I needed to feel close to you somehow. To keep your scent with me always," she confessed as she fidgeted. Her body trembled with eager anticipation. Edward looked feral and hungry. His piercing gaze reawakened a deep need.

"I want you...I need you, Bella," Edward growled. Before she could respond, Edward was upon her. He picked her up and settled his bride upon his hips as he pressed her back against a nearby tree. He wanted to consume her. Edward's body needed Bella just as much as it needed blood to sustain itself.

Having been kept in a constant state of arousal for days, Edward was near combustion. Sucking Bella's top lip while she nibbled on his bottom one, Edward ground himself into her. The friction caused a delicious heat to send swirls of their combined pheromones up into Edward's nostrils. He growled again, fighting his animal-nature in order to keep his bride's clothing in tact.

Edward clawed at Bella's denim-clad core, ruining the material. "Damn, sorry, Love. I'll buy you a hundred more pair when we get home." Bella was left panting before her husband in her now seat-less jeans. The fresh wave of Bella's scent slammed Edward hard. He began to fumble with his own fly, releasing himself to the cool night air. Bella giggled through their kisses at Edward's eagerness.

Edward dropped to his knees and gazed up at his wife with reverential adoration. "I love you, so much, my Bella." His hands massaged a fiery path up and down his bride's legs. The sensation was exhilarating. Bella trembled and shuddered as Edward's fingers grazed her swollen and pulsating sex.

"Edward," she choked out. "I love you too. There's no me without you." Edward gripped Bella's hips, directing a leg over his shoulder and devoured his wife's essence with precise finesse. Bella's eyes flew open wide at the new sensation. Edward had never kissed her that way before.

Tears of joy and completion spilled from Bella's eyes as she ground her hips into her husband's face. Edward expertly sucked, licked, and nipped bringing Bella to a surprising climax. Bella gasped and screamed Edward's name over and over as her entire being quaked with pleasure.

Edward listened to his beloved's mind as he brought her pleasure. The weight of her pain during their separation was nearly too much for Bella to carry; she retreated within herself, operating off of instinct and routine. As Bella crescendoed Edward saw a Thunderbird rise in synchronicity with his wife's instinctual response to his ministrations.

Bella's fingers gouged thick tracks into the tree as the power of her orgasm rocked her. The Thunderbird of Bella's psyche spread its fiery wings in preparation for ascension. Edward felt even more heat radiate from his bride as the bird flapped its wings and took flight.

Bella's small body convulsed as she released a primal utterance of ecstasy. The sight, sound, feel, and taste of Bella's release caused Edward to unexpectedly reach his own vertex. His hips thrust forward while he growled and groaned as his seed spilled onto the ground in thick, haggard spurts.

Edward placed languid, open mouthed kisses to his bride's core as their bodies calmed.

Righting their clothing as best he could, Edward pulled his bride to him. He relished the thick and steady beat of her heart and took pride in causing its current rapid pace. "Are you well, Love?" Edward asked with a knowing smirk.

Bella smacked him in the chest and shook her head. "I'm perfectly fine...now." Bella grabbed Edward by the shirt and pulled him down into a kiss. "Thank you," she mumbled through their kiss. "We'd better get back. We still have business to attend to.

Edward shimmied Bella's shirt down to cover her ruined pants in an effort to maintain his bride's modesty. He noticed behind her the tree had deep gouges and scorch marks. Discreetly he spied the back of Bella's shirt, it seemed unaffected. Edward internally shrugged. His bride was one of a kind and her powers were continually growing. These changes were unpredictable and extreme and something Edward would never quite get used to.

"What is it?" Bella asked, picking up the inquisitive tenor of her husband's mind.

"I'm curious...when did the Thunderbird appear?" Bella looked at Edward in confusion.

"What are you talking about? What Thunderbird?"

"A large, blue bird with wings of fire. Doesn't ring a bell?"

"Come on, Edward. Get serious."

"I am serious, Love. You are more like your mother than you care to admit. I should talk to Logan about this. Maybe he's noticed something while I was away." Edward tried to play off the lasting effects that his kidnapping may have on his bride. It pained him to know that this new manifestation could be a result of the emotional turmoil that they've recently experienced.

Bella ran her hand along the charred tree. The damage seemed superficial, her nails did more harm.

"This is weird, Edward. Let's talk to Logan as soon as we're alone. In the meantime I think it would be best if you didn't get me too excited," Bella said with a coy wink.

"Yes dear," Edward said huskily. His mouth dangerously close to the sensitive flesh behind Bella's ear.

"You are a dangerous, dangerous man, Edward Anthony," Bella teased, using her shield to push her husband away from her. "Come on, I'll race you back!"

~PP2~

Bella had effectively sealed the mutants and vampires into the Volturi's antechamber. Carlisle smirked at his daughter-in-law's impressive ability. The group that stood before him was brought together because of her. They each were irrevocably changed by Bella in one way or another. Marcus witnessed the strength of those bonds before and saw today that those bonds were no less strong as they were three years ago.

"Carlisle, I am glad that this trouble has been brought to a peaceful resolution. You have your first returned and those who stand accused have been detained," Marcus greeted with false sincerity.

"I have no more patience for ceremony today, Marcus. I have shamed myself and my family by following your advice. I fear that I have lost the respect of my son and his bride. I will not risk my family any longer for the sake of diplomacy. Aro must pay. His accomplices must stand trail and pay for their crimes as well. The only acceptable judgment is death!"

Demetri emerged from the shadows and spoke quietly. "What you suggest would mean death for us all, Carlisle. In my opinion, we all are responsible for the young ones' torment. We, as the Volturi Counsel, sentenced Aro to eternal confinement when, at least for me, he should have been turned to ash. I will not plead for leniency, I do not deserve it. I was put in a position to lead and I did not have the courage of character to stand for what I believed to be the best and most right course. I failed those who trusted my judgment just as heinously as Aro."

The mutants were aghast at Demetri's speech. The X-Men spoke up to challenge him. "You've been the only one, in this whole fuckery, who operated with any real measure of the kids' best interest at heart. I trust you, man. You don't need to lay down and die because of one mistake. To err is human..." Logan countered.

Demetri chuckled lightly. "Human...I am not. I have walked this earth nearly as long as the Brothers, I should have acted with more wisdom."

"Look, the shit that's gone down was all Aro's doing. Point blank. Period. You at least have enough wisdom to admit that you've made a mistake. You owned up to it, dude. We all accept it. We accept your apology. Once Bell and Ed come back, they'll accept it too. I just know it," Emmett argued.

Aro continued to lounge on the throne room stairs, exhibiting more human mannerisms this evening than he had his entire existence. "I agree with the Oaf. You have always been wise counsel, Demetri. Do not throw away your talent over a small lapse in judgment," Aro added.

"No one asked your opinion, Aro," Rogue interjected. Bitterness, anger, and inferiority rolled off of her in powerful, pulsating torrents.

Behind them the door quaked, drawing their attention to the reunited newlyweds as they floated into the chamber. Edward was surprised at the internal arguments roiling in his friends' and family's minds. A frown marred Edward's recently placid face. Bella became agitated at the tension in the room. She knew they weren't going to be braiding each other's hair or dancing in their underwear when she returned, but she had hoped that some progress would be made toward the best way to rid the earth of Azazel and Aro.

Much to everyone's surprise, Azazel remained in the chamber with the group. His presence offered a sense of finality—closure for those most deeply affected by Aro's schemes. Azazel was not running; instead he faced those who he had wronged and would accept their wrath. Edward and Bella both scanned the mutant's surprisingly tranquil and resolute mind.

Edward gave a sideways glance to his wife, asking if the demonic mutant was still under her control. She shook her head no.

"Ah, the happy couple has returned. I see, Bella, that color has overtaken your pallor. Such a lovely blossom of pink now dwells in your flesh. Our dear Edward is most certainly the cause of it, yes?" Aro teased, observing the couple's slightly askew clothing.

Edward growled forcefully at Aro as Bella seethed beside him.

"Enough, Aro!" Carlisle demanded. There was no mistaking the authority and fury in his tone. Aro's eyes brightened at his old friend's slight loss of composure. Aro always thought Carlisle's most admirable trait was his steady calm. Today he relished in seeing that practiced facade crack. Even if he were to die today, Aro knew now, without a shadow of doubt, that he'd left an indelible mark, changing each and every being around him.

"Edward, I don't want to be here..." Bella pleaded. Her emotions were all over the place. Jasper diverted his focus from Rogue to his sister-in-law, pushing wave after wave of calm at Bella only to have his talent fall impotent at her feet.

Edward leveled a stern look at his wife. "We MUST deal with this, Bella. We cannot run away because it is unpleasant. We are adults – we must behave as such. I am here—with you—nothing will change that. Ever again." Edward gripped Bella's chin firmly, giving it a dominating tug which forced her eyes to meet his. "This is what we wanted all along, to have a say in the final decision. We should have never stepped aside. Now we have the opportunity to right that wrong." Edward placed small, chaste kisses to his bride's lips as he shared his thoughts with her. "I need you, Bella, to stand beside me, not behind me."

Closing her eyes forced tears down Bella's cheeks. She was tired of being strong, of leading. It seemed as if she'd been plopped down on a throne at the tender age of sixteen and told to rule. All the fighting was instinct. She simply needed to protect those she loved. During all that she learned that she was born to be some sort of messiah for the mutant world. Nearly every moment since then has been spent in training. Training for what—bounty hunting and revenge killings?

Bella was unsure of what she was here for. Jean hadn't visited her in years. Bella feared that she'd fumble around for eternity, waiting for another threat to arise. Exhausted, Bella wanted to be led, but not blindly so. She desired firm guidance with a loving hand. She wanted to contribute, to partner with wise counsel—not be the absolute power it seemed that her mother designed her to be. Firmly embedded in Edward's embrace Bella decided that she wanted to be just a girl in love with a boy and experience all that that entailed.

Edward saw it all. Everything that Bella was thinking and feeling. His dead heart broke for his beautiful bride. The Victorian man in him wanted to erase all her doubts and take on all her burdens The modern man in him challenged that part of what he loved was Bella's fierce mind and strong will. Her instinct was to lead and face problems head-on. He could not let her back down now that the threat had been neutralized. "Look at me, Bella. We can do this, we will do this—together."

A/N: The lovebirds have been reunited. Next couple of chapters we'll deal with what the Counsel judgement of Aro and his cronies.

Bella's emotions are still raw. Edward's with her now and she just wants to ignore unpleasant things. She hasn't learned anything, has she?

Until next time...