Chapter 21

BPOV

It took me a few moments to remember that I was still in danger after Aro had left.

For most of my vampire life, Aro had been the target of all of my fear, hatred, and anger. Now he was gone, I didn't have to worry about him anymore. So, why was I still tense?

Then I looked around at the former Volturi guards and realized that I could still be in danger.

I set my teeth and crouched again in front of Edward, prepared to attack if I had to.

Didyme and Marcus watched me calmly, although I caught a glimpse of amusement in Didyme's eyes.

"Do you ever relax, young Bella?" she asked me casually.

"I'm afraid I haven't been able to relax for the better part of a century," I replied, my tone echoing hers. "Running from powerful vampires does that to you."

"Don't I know it," she muttered, more to herself than to me. "Well," she added in a slightly louder voice. "I'm pretty sure that asking you to stay would be an exercise in futility, yes?"

"Probably," I agreed, my eyes narrowing as I wondered where she was going with this.

"Alright, then. Do you have a preference in airlines?" was all she asked.

I stared at her for a moment, too stunned to speak.

"Are you sure you're Aro's sister?" I asked when I had recovered the ability to talk again.

Didyme chuckled, her laughter echoing like bells in the circular room. I saw Marcus smile in response to the laugh and decided that smiling was a good look for him.

"My brother is the black sheep of the family, thank goodness," she told me good-naturedly. "Now then, since you seem so eager to leave this marvelously depressing place, you may go as soon as you please. I shall have one of the receptionists order plane tickets for you and that charming young man that you insist on guarding."

I nodded in thanks, my muscles tensing again as she reminded me of Edward. How could I have forgotten him, even for a moment? I turned around, wondering if he was alright.

Edward's black eyes looked back at me, their expression slightly dazed. He straightened into a sitting position and opened his mouth to say something, and then quickly shut it as he noticed the other vampires in the room.

I smiled tentatively at him, my heart sinking slightly when his eyes widened. Was he angry with me?

"I think I'll get the tickets sooner rather than later," Didyme observed. "Would everyone please come with me? I think some re-organization is in order."

I ignored the looks of the former Volturi guard members as they passed by, not really in the mood to see what they thought of me and Edward. I heard Jane chuckle before she exited the room and saw Edward's eyes flash in the direction of her voice, a flash of anger lighting up the dull black of his gaze. I wondered vaguely if the anger at Jane was in my favor or not.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the last member of the guard walked through the doors. Caius and Athenodora paused briefly before walking past the heavy oaken slabs that passed for doors to look back at us. Caius opened his mouth to say something, then seemed to think better of it.

"Take care of yourselves," his wife told us quietly.

Caius smiled at her and nodded towards us. Then they were gone and I was alone with Edward.

I spoke first, mostly because the silence was getting very awkward for me.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

Something flickered across his expression at the sound of my voice and he nodded mutely.

"Your eyes aren't red," he said quietly, his velvety voice hoarse.

I frowned, wondering where this was going.

"No," I said slowly. "I don't drink human blood, remember?"

Edward waved my words away impatiently.

"The Volturi drink human blood," he pointed out.

"I'm not part of the Volturi," I retorted. Oh God, was he still affected by Chelsea's powers?

My last comment seemed to catch him off guard. He blinked in shock and stared at me for a moment, seeming to collect his thoughts.

"Then how-?" he started, only to have his voice break. He cleared his throat unnecessarily and tried again. "How are you alive?"

I hesitated for a brief moment before I launched into an explanation of what had happened, starting with my plan to run after what had happened to the wolves.

Edward listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable. I wondered if it was still possible for a vampire heart to be pounding in fear. It felt like mine was at the moment.

I paused after I had finished, waiting for Edward to say something. When he remained silent, I decided that I needed to say something.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice nearly breaking for the first time since I was human.

Edward glanced at me sharply, his expression surprised.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asked, confused.

I shrugged, slightly relieved that he was actually talking now.

"If I hadn't tried to run away again," I said slowly. "You wouldn't have been put in danger. It's my fault that all of this happened, my fault that you're angry with me…"

"Bella, who said that I was angry with you?" Edward demanded. "How could I be angry with you? I thought that you were dead until a few minutes ago. How could I be anything but overjoyed?"

I felt my face burn and looked away, feeling suddenly idiotic. Edward gently grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him, his eyes soft.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see your face again," he murmured. "Trust me, Bella; I couldn't be angry with you even if I tried."

I smiled at him and leaned forward. Edward met me half way, his lips meeting mine in a soft embrace that sent shivers through my nerves. I sighed with content and moved closer, my arms meeting his as we pulled each other closer.

Someone cleared their throat and giggled, making us break apart.

Didyme leaned casually against the doors, her red-rimmed black eyes nearly dancing with satisfaction.

"Oh, you two are such an adorable couple," she sighed.

I felt my face burn again, although I couldn't help but think that she had a point where Edward was concerned at least.

"Can we help you?" Edward asked politely, seeming slightly annoyed at being interrupted.

"Oh! Yes, I just came in to tell you that we have your plane tickets if you would like to leave now…" Her voice trailed off and she raised her eyebrows at us expectantly.

I felt the ghost of my blush increase slightly and pulled myself to my feet, my hands still clasped in Edward's.

"I think that that would be good," I agreed. "Thank you."

Didyme shrugged and smiled genially at me.

"It is no trouble, my dear. I'm sure I will never repay you for the help you gave to Marcus."

"I didn't do much," I objected hastily.

Didyme's smile widened slightly and she turned to leave.

"That's not what Marcus said," she whispered before walking out of the room. "Be sure not to dawdle too long in Volterra," she called over her shoulder. "I'm sure that your other friends are quite worried about you."

Edward groaned and buried his face into my hair.

"Oh no," he moaned.

"What?" I demanded, suddenly panicked. Had something else happened?

"My family is going to kill me when I get home," he mumbled.

I giggled.

"Don't worry," I teased. "I'll protect you."

Edward glanced down at me, a strange expression in his eyes.

"Many things have changed since 1918, haven't they Miss Swan?" he murmured.

"Not all of them, Mr. Mason," I whispered back before my lips met his.

Disclaimer: of course, I do not own any of these characters *sigh* thanks soooooo much to all of the people who read and reviewed my story! You guys all rock! And once again, I'm sorry that I took so long to update. Just bear with me, please, the ending is coming soon…..

Thanks again!