The Question

My heart pummeled and lamented the cartilage that incarcerated it. Edward tilted his head to the side; the sunflowers trembled and glistened intensely clouding my vision. I drifted, and my hands flew over his molded breasts and were inflamed when the scope of his silky hazelnut fleece of fluff excited them. The ambit of my index fingers met within the mezzo point of his scarce grove, and draggled along the fine path they unfolded until I touched his almond forged nipple.

I circled them, until they plopped out slightly erect. Edward shivered when I unexpectedly fenced one within my soggy lips. I kissed it deeply, and nipped his chest with my tongue for a dosage of lavender. I curled around his breasts admiring how perfectly they were developed, and resembled the marble of a Roman statue. I slid my hands past and beneath Edward's pits, and descended.

I adored how Edward's girth was slender but widened, especially around his strapping chest, and so formed his glossy hook-shaped body. I danced over his ribs and veered to his lower back and was enticed by the notches there – his dimples of Venus. I excavated their depth and felt my nucleus starting to burn.

Next I charted across the v-shaped cut of his abdomen and smiled when I was tickled by his smooth happy trail. I playfully poked his navel and Edward mildly recoiled. Was he ticklish?

I wet my lips and bore into his eyes. The intoxication his mien produced and my passion were triggered when I commenced to unravel his belt. His eyes probed my face, and I saw an exhorting wildfire ignited in them. My muscles flinched when I heard the metallic clasp of the buckle and nearly chocked listening to the zipper dividing the slider.

Gently I pinched the jeans and curved them over Edward's buttock noticing its tempting firm model. Once they were past the boundaries of his private organ they dropped to the ground. Edward had done nothing to stop me, on the contrary, the jolts of electricity being passed between our locked gaze did not break when he stepped out of his pants completely.

I panted and hot gushes of air blasted his face, and likewise wintry flurries that expelled from Edward's mouth blew over my face. I craved to be respectful and maintain a certain esoteric essence about him so I closed my eyes when I bowed, and committed privacy to his private organ.

My lashes fluttered and I beheld his legs. They weren't bushy but like the soft bristle on his chest bedecked just right. I trailed up to his rounded calf, and placed a kiss on his knee. Progressively I etched my other hand over his shinbone and through his modest growth until I felt the delicate surface of his essentially bald femur. I clutched the back of his thigh and was compelled to plant my sodden zeal to his skin but jolted him with my tongue as I drew across the fringe of his leg.

His taste caused my clutch to tighten and I feasted on his masculine bouquet. I paused when I felt the margin of his boxer shorts, strained rigidly around his pelvis. Closing my eyes I rose midway and infiltrated the den of his navel sampling more of his delectable zest. Edward's graceful abs convulsed and he vice gripped my head lightly moaning but I continued my odyssey.

Quickly his hands grew mellow, and his thumb massaged my temple. His fingers ambled through my hair and he chose to push me closer. I braced him by the sides of his buttock, and teased him by picking at the fabric of his boxers. My tongue lingered inside his navel, pressing on and exploring the glorious symphony of his frame. Edward's breathing hitched and I was happy for it – I caused that.

I was averse of my decision but then relaxed, spread my fingers, and cupped Edward's rear. His stomach charged at me more forcibly, demanding a breeze. I stalked above it and crowded it, delving into its tight but limber texture, and squeezed it meekly.

Like droplets of rain on the window pane his fingers cascaded down and over my face, and Edward hoisted my face to look at him. His eyes had darkened but weren't threatening. There was a fierce but avid light sparkling in them. He motioned for me to rise entirely, and I was butter in his grasp.

He prodded my face, poking at the smoldering flames on my cheeks and dandled my ears. Edward's tongue rolled over his swollen lower lip soaking it with its sweet nectar. I tasted it when he kissed me, hungrily, and more when he slipped it to the underbelly of my tongue. He captured my mouth in his embellishing it with his syrup and blew his cool breath inside of me.

"How fond are you of that shirt?" Edward's scalding ecstasy led him over my chin and to the crook of my neck. I was feverish, dazed, and meshed my face into his untidy summit of henna.

"It's not even mine, Avicus ga-," The rip of the fabric sounded like the sharpening of a knife.

Edward's strong hands vanished beneath my arms, and he rocked me. His fingers massaged my skin, and folded over the blades of my shoulders. Scraping down my back, Edward fixed his lips to the crevice of my chest and sketched across it with his slick tongue. I bit my lip to seize the moan when his mouth engulfed my nipple, his tongue bathing it in candy, and he mildly nursed my body of salt.

My fist was chock-full with his hair, and I kneaded the back of his spine feeling the alluring velvet of his membrane.

Edward collapsed, kissing his way down and abruptly poured a massive potion of fuel into my furnace when he copied my gesture and pillaged my belly button with his cold tongue. The emotions produced by his devotion nearly made me keel over. I grew dizzy and crazy at the feel of his moist meat jabbing, burrowing, and plaguing my diaphragm – bereft and pleading for air.

Edward caused an earthquake within me, beyond any magnitude ever recorded on the Richter scale and I wobbled from side to side. Absentmindedly and disoriented by euphoria there was the echo of my belt being unbuckled. I perceived his hands striding further down, and on their own accord I sensed my pants falling.

Quivering I endured Edward's touch at the back of my thighs and grunted elated when his hands dove beneath my trousers, and tested my bum. His kisses showered down my leg, and the chirapsia he applied to my rear made me swoon. But like me, Edward omitted any indication towards my most private part.

He soared to meet my needy lips. I coiled my arm around his waist and merged our bodies. As if part of an orchestra we sang a perfect note when we both felt the others lumps. I felt it barely above mine and punching my stomach, and was immediately intimidated but also impressed by his generous endowment. Edward leaned in holding my back with his stout and muscular shaped arm. His hand cupped and groped my bottom, and as he towered over me I suddenly heard the screech of the faucet. The tub was full, steaming, and beset by a kingdom of silvery foam.

"The bath?" Edward held me back though I craved more of him.

I gulped, hard, reposing myself. I took a deep breath staring at the milky froth and knew the time had come to lose the last bit of clothing. I grazed his face and shut the lids over his eyes. Edward snickered, showing his ultra white teeth, and shrugged.

"I have prudence," he said.

I exhaled once more but finally pulled down my trousers. I peeked past my shoulder and found his eyes still hidden. I dipped my foot in the water, it was hot but not cooking, and I stepped in fully.

I declined submerging my body in the almond scented liquid. It reached just to my midsection, and I slanted against the porcelain steel tub. I tugged my legs to my chest, hugged them, and shielded my face.

"Your turn," I said inaudibly.

I heard Edward removing his boxers, and the power of the sun radiated inside my core. The water was disturbed and lightly splashed my knee. Even though the tub was colossal my head popped up when Edward's tempting leg brushed my toes. He angled his body back further than I had and extended his legs, wholly.

He rested both arms on either side of the tub's ledge and smiled at me. I still tried discerning if this was a dream or reality. Was this intimate moment really taking place? Were Edward and I alone and naked inside of a bathtub?

Leisurely I scooted closer to him and lifted my leg. My excitement grew when I swept over his thigh, and anchored below his other which he arched for me. The sensational feeling of his chilliness frying in the soapy water and thigh boring into my soft skin super charged every electrical current in me.

I contorted my other leg and skimmed down his, and was exhilarated by the feel of his hazelnut turf wafted by the water like daisies on the wind. Behind Edward stood a basket stuffed with yellow hand towels, an elongated loofah, sponge, bath capsules, and rose pedals. I took the sponge.

I drenched the utensil thoroughly and introduced it to Edward's face. Gently I scrubbed the wrinkle free ditches beneath his eyes, eyes which ravaged me. I charged the sponge again and swept over Cupid's bow, and kissed it. Edward blissfully stroked my back as our nirvana intensified forcing our tongues to slap, and milk another.

Edward's pat lunged into the pungent pond resuming its occupancy on my naked bum, and scrunched my cheek. I glued my shoulder cusp to his chest continuing to cleanse his angelic lineaments. I held his bangs while buffing his forehead and playfully grinned when I crunched it and steeped his profile in water.

Edward parted his lips and laughed silently, even more when I cramped his nose with the sponge and shook it.

"Little Devil," he said placidly.

I bit my lip for his amusement and equipped the sponge with fresh fluid from our broth. I glided down his inviting neck, and passed over the prospect of his shoulder and its protuberant tip. I held his upper arm, dredging my nails into his splendid triceps, and washed the entire length of his appendage. I made him flex so I could pay extra care to the bulbous muscle that was summoned once he submitted.

I tried to mirror my act with his other arm but Edward wouldn't let go of my under side. Instead, I could finally work on his chest. The humble thicket almost disappeared when I dampened it however as a consolation prize received Edward's plump, and erect nipples.

I charted around the depiction of his amazing breasts and bent my head to confine one of his standing knobs. Edward hissed and snatched a bundle of my hair but I was ignorant of it. Feebly I revolved my teeth around it and slammed it with my tongue. I dumped the sponge into the water and grasped the sides of his chest. I moved behind his back to grapple with the tendons on his back, and strained him to my mouth.

Edward caressed my head as I promoted more elation to his teat which incited a frenzy. My rage curled around his back and sloped down until I felt the tender peak of his divide. I molested his other breast with my hand, often spiraling downward to his elegant intestinal muscles, and back up.

"Luca," I heard him breathe. I tightened my embrace and looped my octopus like tentacles about his leg, careening its length, and penetrated his beefy calf with my toes. Edward's breathing broadened, maybe, I was far too preoccupied.

Abruptly he elevated my head and held it densely between his hands. Edward's vision was a medley of compounds like lust, turmoil, and greed. The vertex of his tongue poked out by the side of his mouth, it reminded me of a cobra being charmed. His hand plunged into the water and drove over my leg to the back of my knee. Edward untangled me from his leg and sat us up. His grasp slithered beneath my thighs, and he parted my legs.

I felt both his potent femurs stabbing me as he made me slide over them, and brought me close. I clutched his shoulders nervously impending what lay below the water. Edward cuddled my back and without qualm pressed me to him.

Inherently I clenched his neck in my arms convulsing all over, and customarily it was his chest that stirred such uproar. Yet, it wasn't. I felt it aligned next to mine, and was printed up against my stomach. I could infer his range and girth. My earlier assessment pertaining to his endowment had been right; more so because this time it was ready.

Edward wasn't the only one though. My own erection was jammed between us, and I heaved. Edward docked his hand in-between my shoulders and the other by tradition retired to its vise on my bum.

It was like at the pool. Only now we had narrowed the arena we'd kept amidst our groins, and wore only the cloth of our natural bodies. We had evolved, and Edward's defiance of my blood matured beyond any possible limit. Thinking back, Edward used to have an issue of carrying me on his back or me connecting my hand to his nude chest.

Edward moved, clawing through my hair and bombarded my neck with his lips. His pecks were swift and tough. My body tingled and I crossed my ankles behind him. I threw my head back and Edward attacked my collar bone lashing his tongue over it. Beneath the water I clamped down over one of his thighs, willingly cramping it as hard as I could.

"E-Edward," I murmured into his hair. He ever so lightly caromed me while abusing my leg and rear with his fumbling, and wrings.

This entire situation of our intimate status, his groping, his kisses, Edward's nude presence, and tension of his hefty shaft rushed up against me made my libido prickle with excitement. The gentle bounce he inaugurated made it only worse.

My nails dug into the muscle affixed on his leg but it was impenetrable. "Edward, please, Edward," I mouthed in his messy hair. "Edward, please, stop," I moaned when he neglected my first plea.

He rapidly broke of his kiss. His eyes were dark but still gold, he panted, and enveloped my bum wholly with both hands. Promptly he nudged his nose next to mine and resumed to glaze my face with his sticky fervency. I moved my lips to his, forcefully, and impacted them like an asteroid the earth.

I was fiery and violently urged myself on them. My tongue joined the fray and demanded entrance into his mouth. Edward allotted my wish and met it halfway. I reached beneath him armpits and tore his brace away from my bum and flung his arms around my neck.

I inched closer into his kiss and unlocked my legs from his waist. I stood on my knees and propelled my mouth even deeper into him, and compelled Edward to lie back. The portrayal of his position was like a crescent moon once his head touched the ledge of the tub. I came to rest on top of him, and split his legs.

Edward and I both shuddered when both of our shafts accosted each other. It had been undeniable from the beginning that Edward's breadth was more voluminous. I reached for his leg and whirled it around my midsection.

Our kiss was savage and we were out of breath. Neither of us gave the other the opportunity to replenish with oxygen though Edward didn't even need it. Purposely I skidded down Edward's shaft with the point of mine to examine it, and I sensed it pulsing as I moved.

Edward cut our kiss and crushed his eyes shut, and stopped breathing. I caressed his lower thigh that hung around me and resumed work on his neck. I brushed his hair and softly furrowed his skin with my eager pillows.

"I love you."

Summarily Edward's eyes shot open. His leg fell back in the tub when he moved. I sat on my knees, the balls of my feet on my bottom, and Edward's hand on my shoulder.

"What did you say?"

Calm and collected I repeated it for him, "I love you, Edward Cullen."

"Say it again," Edward's face was stern. I smiled, wide.

"I love you, Edward."

"Once more?"

"I love you."

Edward stood on his knees and pulled me up with him burrowing himself in the fork of my shoulder. I noticed his impressive manhood again after entwining me around the chest with his arms. Serenely I closed my eyes and sideswiped his head.

It had been a long time since this truth was sired within me. I slowly began to comprehend how heavily it sat on my mind especially after Alice said the words. Whenever I thought of Edward my heart would soar and wished to break free to play about on the horizon where all could see it. I loved Edward. I loved his gentle nature, his intelligence, his grin, his loyalty, and his soul despite his objections.

How ironic it had been when I described a perfect mate to my mother on the phone months ago. Then there he was, glaring at me, utilizing whatever energy he had not to kill me. His timely arrival to save me from the falling palette of bricks, our first kiss at his secret pool, and his howl over the searing flames when he rescued me again proofed his sheer piety.

Edward took a jade colored soap from the basket standing by the tub, marinated it in the hot water, and started to smear my chest. It smelled like cucumber and Edward coated my entire torso and back in it. The carnal gyrations of his fingers shoveling into my skin made my lips hungry again. Edward's thumbs were especially assiduous creating waves and surfing up my stomach measuring the trench of my chest.

Using the same sponge I had Edward laved the natural cream off of me. The steam oozing off me was a lit match compared to the inferno on my face. Ravenously I engaged our lips in a wrestling event and knotted them like a bully persecuting his victim. I felt Edward climbing and collected me in his embrace until we both stood tall in the tub. I didn't sever our kiss, I couldn't, and he enclosed my bum in his clutch again.

Edward lifted me off my feet and when he lowered me again I landed on the fluffy carpet. When he pulled back Edward grinned and already held a cotton towel. He dried me off, missing not a single spot on my skin except the private part of me. In a blur which had me blinking astounded Edward was depleted of foam.

"Hey, you," I yelped. Edward reached around my posterior section, thigh, and snatched me up. "What are you doing?"

"It's past your bedtime Little Devil," he said and kissed my nose.

"Since when do I have a bedtime," I griped.

"Today you lay yourself down to sleep for one final time and I want you to enjoy it."

I pouted but said nothing. Edward grounded me on the silky sheets of the bed and placed my head on the feathery pillow. I wouldn't let go of his shoulders and so he came to rest on top of me. The weight of his pelvis within the interior of my disjoined legs flared my lungs. I trailed down to the dimples on his back just above his smooth buttock and felt a little timid.

The readiness of my organ was alert next to his, also ready.

"Y-You know Luca, I could give it a go," he whispered.

"What?"

I watched a gulp sag down his throat, "If," he paused, "If you would like to climax I-," he stuttered.

"N-No," I mumbled. "I want you to enjoy it too. I'm not interested in a one sided exchange."

"Are you sure?" Edward rolled a gale of his chilly current over my throat and nipped my earlobes with his teeth. I let out an exasperated sigh. His tongue hiked over the thin bones of my ear and his pelvis dropped, gingerly, and quickly exploded my testosterone when Edward leniently humped me.

"No, not like this," I implored him. Edward conformed, freezing, and mingled our foreheads together.

"Don't misunderstand, please, but I want both of us to enjoy it and not just me."

"I'd expect no less of you, Luca, thank you."

"Let's sit," I suggested.

Edward covered us, speedily, with the covers around our midsections and neither of smuggled a peek. I curved my leg over and beneath his, and nudged him with my shoulder. Edward padlocked my head, and kissed my temple.

I took his hand, and placed it over my heart. There was something I needed to ask Edward - something very important. Edward fulfilled my wish and went further by fastening himself to me completely nude in bed. Now, only one trial remained for me.

"You know," I kissed his knuckles. "I never ever believed I would meet the very thing I always fantasized about."

"Which is?"

"Someone I could bind myself to, spiritually as well as physically. Someone I can dialogue with for hours without ever getting bored or sidetracked, and I can do that with you; amazingly enough. You invigorated me and imbued me with life, Edward. I deem what Uncle Lumen has said with a lot of credit, and I think you and I have truly linked. I missed you so much from the moment I left until we were reunited. I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Edward whirled his arms around my waist, "I was lost without you. You are the light in my purgatory and the essence of me was on the mend yet, after your departure darkness returned. I was afraid. I need you, Luca. You are the one candle in the church that burns for me – my chance for redemption."

I took hold of his cheek and smashed his hand to my chest, hoping he could feel the ferocity by which my heart worked.

"Edward..." He beckoned me with his perfect brows.

"Will you marry me?"

The voyage of light traversing billions of miles through the vastness of the cosmos was entirely immobilized. Every atom the Earth consisted of was chained up and there was only Edward and me. I watched in slow motion as his grin evaporated and Cupid's bow expanded but shot no arrows. His bewildered expression made me choke. The silence surrounding us was crammed with my jitters. The wings of the butterflies inside my stomach were knifelike and lacerating me.

Edward's body was statuesque as always however, petrified.

"Say something, please?" I wanted to caress his face but he gripped my wrist, inhumanly fast.

"You fiend," he barked.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

Suddenly I was on top of him, straddling his legs, and he squished me to him kissing every square of my face. Repeatedly the hurricane of his wrath raided my face. Edward groped me all over, and raised us up flinging my legs around him.

"Yes, yes, a thousand times over."

I laughed; the levee barricading the streams burst and tears of glee raced down my face all partaking in a marathon to the finish. When he pulled us apart Edward's face shone like the diamond I always believed him to be. The full row of his straight teeth was exposed, his dimples were deep, and the sunflowers were gleaming.

We kissed, tenderly. I was proud of myself. I overcame my anxiety and pushed through, and Edward gave me the last certitude I needed before I would go to see Lumen tomorrow.

"You really want me?"

I slapped his back, "Dummy," I clutched his neck. "There's only you, Edward. Who else would I ask? Zachary Wilson?" The image of the scenario alone was harrowing.

"He's not your type. As a matter-of-fact I am the sole contender for that platform."

"Because I made it for you." I massaged his cheek bones.

Edward leaned on his hands, tilting back. Merrily I knocked on his bare chest, scratching my cheek, and looked into the eyes of my new fiancé – my paramour. Edward slumped into the pillow and put his hands smugly behind his head. I loomed over him on all fours and rolfed his cherubic lines with the amour seeping off my lips. He held my hips, and groaned satisfied.

"The world will know you are mine," he said. "Esme will be crazed when she hears," Edward laughed.

I covered his chest in smooches, trembling with giggles, "I want a ceremony back home, Edward."

"You Devil, you intend on making me wait a whole year?"

"I got my chastity belt ready."

Edward growled, "I suppose we should be proper."

"Now that sounds like a refined Englishman to me."

The Tiger pounced, and I was thrown on my back as he towered over me. "A josh at my expense, Devil?" I welded my ankles over his back and brought him in for another kiss.

"I'm allowed," I pronounced. "I am your fiancé after all."

"Say it again," he commanded.

"Edward Cullen is my fiancé."

"Switch it," he shook me by my shoulders.

"Luca Swan is Edward Cullen's fiancé."

Edward snuggled his body to me. I felt tingled when I felt the southern spread of his happy trail tickling my shaft. Momentarily I was jolted when I felt his cold ripe organ stressed between my divide though reposed when he flipped us back over to the pillows. I scampered my fingers through his hair, petting him, and scratching his auburn meridian.

I flattened on my back but twisted my legs towards Edward. I took his leg and lodged it between mine all the way bringing him closer. I nuzzled into his chest and affixed our cheeks. I stroked his zenith, and grew comfortable. Edward hurled the blanket over us and stroked the leg that I roped around him. The biceps of his arm was my pillow, and I was soothed by the wonderful perfume of lavender.

"Feeling loose?" I chuckled.

"Edward, watch it," I threatened.

"I meant to ask if you are complacent. Your mind can be quite smutty."

"Again, you bring it out of me."

I nestled further into him, memorizing the low temperature of his anatomy. As I understood once I was immortal Edward and all other vampires would feel temperate. Edward warm? It was a delightful thought to be sure.

A half a day tomorrow spent at Gozo and then I would begin my transformation into something I knowingly set out to become. A legacy, thousands of years in the making would be effectuated. The mortal pedigree of Semper would thrive through Alexis' children Marco and Nicole. One day, perhaps within reach of the near future, I would become an 'Uncle Luca'. Funny, it's almost like a self fulfilling prophecy.

It was never his name, Luca, it was Lumen. I was the real Luca, and I was about to come full circle. But I wouldn't live on Malta. I wanted to go home to America. I already fell in love with benevolent Dexio, protective Avicus, loyal Makenna, and the omniscient Uncle Lumen. Through them I would experience Malta's true face, and what lay beneath its soil.

The 'Cosmic Ocean'? While I was at the palazzo and Uncle Lumen listed the roster of things I'd need to learn that queer phraseology was amongst them. What was it? Somehow, thinking about it made me feel home.

It was a dreamless night. I hadn't hoped for dreams although, well…

I huddled into Edward's arms, ecstatic that he was here with me. But happiness was cut short when a sting like the bullet of a shotgun ruptured my head. I sat up, groaning, clenching my teeth.

"Luca?" Edward held my shoulders, and I rocked back and forth on my bottom. The spasm was bad, much worse than they had been months ago. I stretched my nerves and imagined electrical impulses charging through my frame burning, gnawing, and chomping as they traveled.

"Please, Edward, my medicine. The pills…" I veered off. Oh no, did I leave the backpack in the car?

"Here," Edward handed me a white plastic bag. Not questioning the means of how they even got here I swallowed three and Edward passed me a glass of water he got from the bathroom.

"Dexio visited four hours ago, absolute that you would require them."

"Way to go Dexio," I croaked.

"You let this go on for far too long, Luca." Edward chided me though I was suddenly much more interested to know who told him of the extent of the brain cancer.

A sad grin hung from him lips as he read me, "I've known some time, Luca. Your overbearing consumption of Ibuprofen had me concerned. I analyzed your medicine and uncovered its genuine purpose. But then, in transit to Malta Makenna was kind enough to reveal the amplitude of your predicament."

"You analyzed my medicine?"

"Don't be cross, Little Devil, I was perturbed for your health."

I rose to sit with Edward's help. I squinched my eyes; the sun deflecting her morning rays off of me didn't help the headache. "You've known all this time?"

Guilty and fazed Edward sunk his head, nodding, and kissing the side of my neck.

"Thank you," I said earnestly. "I should be angry for your invasion of privacy but I'm not. I guess I wasn't alone in this after all aside from Alice. You chose to linger by my side, even though you knew what would have happened had I elected a different course?"

"Indubitably," Edward was fervid with determination. "My abode is with you, and that would have unfurled to your ultimate demise."

I was intrigued, "Edward, would you have forced immortality on me?"

"No way," he said provoked, "Never without your permission."

"What if I'd died?"

Edward shrugged his bearing, "I would have coalesced my kernel with yours and supplanted my sentient being with one identical to whatever other realm you had journeyed to. I would have become Lucifer's angel of death or God's eternal slave for my sin's as long as I would get to spent even the minutest of moment with you."

"As sweet and poetic as you are Edward trust me when I say that I would have begged you to go on living," I said sincere.

"Why, just to grow languish more and more with each day?"

"No," I swept my hand beneath the sheet and gripped his knee, brushing over the soft strands of hair there. "I couldn't have known anything about Soul-link had that actuality taken place. But, I would have solicited for you to live for the both of us. I don't need a Romeo, Edward. If anything I needed a Virgil. Thank you by the way, for taking on his role."

A partial smiled beautified his face, "I couldn't have dawdled on without you, Luca. You animated me, remember? You have freed me of the labyrinth and it's Minotaur that entombed and chased me. After my reemergence I saw a world I had previously merely used as leverage to decorate the halls of my life equitably.

But then there you were, Little Devil, with your insatiable penchant regarding said world. You assisted my reevaluation of the corporeal state of things. I had never savored your blood but admit to having fed upon your avidity."

"I did it," and ignoring the throbs poised my chin above him arrogantly.

"What exactly?"

I gripped his chin within the expanse of my thumb and index finger, pecked him, and beamed. "I tamed the Tiger."

Edward growled. "Oh stop all that growling, kitty, you just affirmed it."

"Firstly do not refer to me as kitty, and second I still just might hunt you."

"Oh," I challenged. I snatched him by his neck, and midriff pretending to be shrewd. "Go ahead then, hunt me, Tiger."

"There is no sport in it. I would prefer you running," Edward purred.

"There is no sport in that, either. I would only be running towards you."

Edward took me, amiably resting my bum in his palm and bending my legs around him. I'd almost forgotten about our naked disposition so naturally the torridity of my core was relit. We butted chests and I picked up on his feet annexing below my bottom making me delve deeper into him. There was no oxygen particle left between us – not the slightest rift.

My lips pounded, and even... limp, the boon Edward's father handed him was imposing as I felt it inspecting my inner thigh. I still didn't look. No, I had to be brave. I wanted to preserve that pleasure for an applicable moment.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"What is Volturi?"

I suspended Edward's stupor and noticed his eyes were pensile, and stumped.

"Lumen mentioned them," he said, and I nodded. Uncle had associated the famous noun 'idiocy' with them so I knew he was sour. I didn't want to wait to hear about it especially since Edward just said them.

"I'm tentative, Luca, and think Lumen should educate you."

"But you know them as well?" I persisted.

Edward sighed, empowering his hold on me. "Literatim? They are the royal family of the vampire domain. They administer ordinance and perpetuate our anonymity. The Volturi are responsible for poisoning the human conscience centuries ago with the fabled myths vampires are affiliated with."

I considered it for a minute. On one hand it seemed obvious but on the other dubious.

"Where do they live?"

"In Volterra, Italy – and they have dwelled there since before the approach of the Etruscans."

Now I understood. Makenna said that one of ours was taken to a great host in Italy. Undoubtedly it was in reference to the Volturi. Renata Semper... I wondered if I had seen her portrait in Uncle Lumen's palazzo. I would have to ask him about it.

"How many are there?"

"Their numbers undulate. The primary coven consists of five members, its leaders. Then, there is the elite guard and the commonplace guard. The elite guard was manufactured of vampires in possession of enormous gifts, some unprecedented. The commonplace guard is a parade of vampires with similar strength to Emmett's."

"Who are its leaders?"

"The Ancients, Aro and his brothers Marcus and Caius."

"So the Volturi are a good thing then, I suppose?"

"Opinions vary dependent on the individual questioned however it cannot be denied that their legislation and charters are fair. It is because of them that humanity hasn't begun an all out assault on immortals worldwide."

I see or so I thought. Lumen's dejection must stem from Renata's sacrifice and joining their coven.

"When was their coven founded, do you know?"

"Officially the coven came to power two thousand years ago although its proprietors are much older. Aro, Marcus, and Caius each date to at least 1000 B.C.E."

Lumen was older than them, much older. He was ancient when these Ancients were newborn.

"Are they those marquis you told me about once? The Ancients?"

Edward pursed his lips, "They are unequivocally antiques however the Ancient's I have acknowledged in my tirade then were rumored to be much, much older."

"You know about Lumen, don't you?"

Innocently Edward's head drifted to his side, "How do you mean?"

"Lumen said that Carlisle surely told you the little he knew about our family, and please, do not ask me how he could possibly know that."

"That's an accurate assessment but how would he know? Carlisle has never met Lumen."

It must be a relationship through unknown channels. But wait, Lumen keeps all outsiders away. No, he must have acquaintances out there somewhere and if not I would have to ante up to Edward's sentiment.

"Carlisle told me he has friends all around the world like Ireland, and Egypt. Maybe Lumen kno-," my mind veered of track. Edward patted my lower back.

"Luca, what is it?"

When Carlisle told me about the circumstances surrounding his transformation he mentioned that an unknown vampire kindly suggested he feed on animal blood. Unfortunately, Carlisle did not mention or probably even see if that immortal had golden eyes. Could it have been Lumen?

It still didn't explain how Lumen knew Carlisle told Edward about us.

"How does Carlisle even know about our family?"

"Carlisle had an abbreviated sojourn with the Volturi and Aro felt voluble one day."

How could Lumen know Carlisle stayed with them? Was the immortal rumor mill really that bad? Furthermore, why was the phrase 'Cosmic Ocean' popping up when I thought about it? Should I ask Edward about it?

"I surmise the Ancients have techniques we mere immortals know nothing of. I will not barrage you with questions, Luca. I already gleaned enough from my brief stay at Lumen's palazzo and Avicus' bias that interlopers aren't welcome."

"Yeah, well, TOUGH," I said loudly. I stuck both my hands in Edward's hazelnut bush and socked his lips, hard. "They are going to have to put up with you, whether it's Valletta or on Gozo. I refuse my fiancé to live thousands of miles away and leave me here all by myself. That is... I mean... Do you even want to stay?"

Without hesitating Edward nudged my nose back and forth with his, and kissed me again. "I would love to stay with you. I just don't see it happening."

"Oh it'll happen," I assured him. "I don't know how but it will."

Edward snickered and met my waiting lips. Captured back in my trance whenever our lips engaged in a duel I busied myself by running my tongue across his pillowy lip. The sugary liqueur and swollen quality was more cogent than alcohol. I was instantly drunk.

Edward succumbed, and fell on top of me. Again I marveled at his powerful shoulder blades as I grinded them. I strolled down his sides until I could go no further. I glutted his hips and felt the skin of my spread legs. Edward's demure trail tickled my stomach whenever he exhaled and exerted his abdomen into me.

"One, damn, year," he criticized while kissing my neck. I laughed.

"Be good, Edward, and no coaxing me neither."

"This, I cannot promise."

I rolled us over and felt bizarre sitting on Edward's... 'booted up hard drive'. "This attitude is surprising, Edward. I never knew you could be so concupiscent."

"I blame you, yet again." He scooped up my face and rubbed his thumbs over my cheeks.

"Why is everything in this relationship my fault?"

"Hmm... Well, you are the one to exert such devilry, and you could have refused my invitation to the pool."

"Let's just say I had said no back then. Would you have given up?"

"Your answer would never have been no, as simply as that."

"You just contradicted yourself, Edward."

"I did not. The choice always belonged to you."

"Like the choice I'm making today?"

The room became noiseless. I saw the strife in Edward's eyes at war with the tolerance for the decision I made. I hadn't thought of it until now but the headaches slowly culminated and ceased so I had room to think again. Next to the bed was an ivory nightstand with a Renaissance turret clock made of timber and embedded with a silver brass bell, and it read twenty minutes past seven. Avicus and Dexio would be here soon.

"First things first though, we're heading for Gozo today. I can't wait to explore Victoria. It's the biggest city on the island and filled with history."

Edward brought me to his lips, "I fervently hope that diligence is projected into your next life."

"Uncle Lumen promised, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this." Edward threw his head back, laughing.

"You are hell-bent on preserving your personality aren't you?"

I drenched his squared chin with my wet lips and fell on his breasts, curving my hands beneath and over his shoulders. "The personality that loves you."

I felt Edward's thighs bump my bottom as he arched and spread his legs. "A very selfish part of me cannot wait for you to be made immortal. I want to dash through the forests with you, climb mountains, and swim to the bottom of the sea."

"All in good time but today is all about cantering across the plains of Gozo."

"Then you should get dressed, your cousins will enter soon. Although I wouldn't mind Avicus walking in on us like this," Edward's grin was naughty

"Don't be an instigator Edward Cullen!"

"But why," he kissed the bridge of my nose and sat us up. "Forty minutes are more than enough time to ensure every inch of you has been camouflaged by my lips."

My face felt like a searing hot coal, "I should get some clothes."

Edward wouldn't let go, and I struggled. "Edward!" His ripped arms were wrapped around me and all the strength I had was vainly misused trying to liberate myself.

"I want to go back on the yacht, and I'm starving Edward." Edward jumped off the bed and carried me to the alabaster dresser.

"May I select your attire?"

"Alright, but no peeking!"

Edward caressed my countenance with his knuckles and opened the top drawer. Edward picked sable underpants that had Calvin Klein printed on them. I wondered who that was. He handed me a pair of dark skinny jeans and a teal v-neck. There was a wooden chest next to the urn of jasmine, and when Edward opened it we found an array of knickknacks. He chose a tawny armband similar to the one I gifted him for Christmas and strapped it around my wrist. Edward had never taken his off.

Edward measured me up, "Perfect."

"Did you bring a change of clothes?"

"No, me coming was..." I interrupted him.

"Perfect! Dark pants and a maroon shirt are my favorite."

"Alright," he agreed. My eyes flitted when Edward disappeared in a flash and closed the door to the bathroom. I unearthed my necklace and put it on display over my shirt. My stomach howled insisting on being fed. Edward reappeared buttoning up his shirt and caught me wailing when I seized up my reflection in the mirror.

"What is it?" Edward sounded clearly alarmed.

"Look at my hair! Geez, get me a comb, NOW!"

"Gah, Luca..."