Here's the second to last regular chapter. After this there will be one more and then an epilogue. Hope this chapter finds you well and safe. I find a great deal of time to write on my hands and I'm using it. Once I've finished the epilogue I'll post the last chapter but my hope is to hit complete by the end of this coming week. Until my next post.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 25
I ran through the city, our people shocked to see my daughter in my arms, but I couldn't spare any time for them. I entered the residence and ran up to Renata's room, lying her on the bed. I climbed in next to her and pressed my forehead to hers, like that would make any thoughts flow from her. I just needed confirmation that she was still alive in there.
Bella walked in with Marcus, who dropped to the floor and ran to the other side of the bed. Once he was settled in, he took his sister's hand and closed his eyes.
"Her color is still good, she hasn't gone grey." Bella said.
"Did my mom say that was a way to tell?"
"Yes, she's been teaching me how to treat our kind in preparation for the battle."
"I can feel her, but it is faint." Marcus said.
"Marcus, how did she wind up back on the field?"
"A few of Aro's men found a way into the tunnels. We lit the tunnel in fire, but Renata said that they would keep coming. So she went up to make them think she was the only one who escaped. Ren wanted to help and she knew she had to keep me safe."
I nodded, glad that they'd managed to come out of it okay. At least until that witch got a hold of her. "How is Rosalie?"
"She's with Emmett. She's upset that her charge was hurt in all of this."
"It isn't her fault."
A noise at the doorway alerted us to my mother's entrance. "I'm sorry, but I wanted to check on Ren."
My mother examined her and agreed with Bella's assessment. "Her color is good, but until she is healed, she will remain asleep. I hate to ask this, but I need help with our other wounded. Carmen would be the one to help me, but-"
Bella reached out to take my mom's hand. "I'll be down in a minute, Esme."
Bella leaned in to kiss Renata's forehead. "Rest easy, my brave girl."
I watched as she left and Marcus shifted uncomfortably on the other side of the bed. "What's wrong, Marcus?"
"It hurts to be in here. I feel flashes of things and I don't know if it is the twin thing or my gift, but it's too much."
"That's fine, Buddy. Your sister knows you love her. I'll keep her company."
Once I was alone with Renata, I pulled her into my chest. "I'm so sorry, Sweetheart. I should have protected you better. I should have made sure you valued yourself more so you didn't feel the need to sacrifice yourself for your brother. This is all my fault."
I hummed the lullaby that she'd asked me to sing weeks ago, hoping it would reach her.
My father stepped in, telling the other princes that any decisions would need to wait until Renata was well, leaving me to watch over my daughter. Bella and Marcus would spend large portions of the day with us, but they would leave to take breaks. I couldn't. I refused to leave until she was awake.
Funeral pyres were lit for our allies to honor their losses. I wished I had been able to support my family and friends, but I couldn't face them yet. My mind was on my child; my little girl.
I couldn't tell you how long I'd been in this room, but when I heard the door click closed, my attention turned from Renata to Alice.
"Hi, big brother. How's she doing?"
"Little change. If it wasn't for mom's assurance that she was healing slowly and Marcus saying he could hear little flashes from her, I'd think she was already gone."
"You have to stay strong for her. When was the last time you fed?"
"Dad brought me up the container we used when they were babies yesterday or the day before. I can't remember."
"Our people need you too, Edward. I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty. But you need to consider them too." Alice's hand rested on my shoulder. "Jasper is organizing the members of the guard he's going to bring with us to his new territory. I'd like you to be there when we are seen off."
Thinking of Jasper broke my heart. He had lost not only his mother, but his sister. His family was reeling from the pain and I couldn't think about how they were going to move forward. Because if it had been me, I don't know if I could.
"I'll be there, Ali, I just need a little more time."
Alice left me alone and I turned back to Renata.
"Please, Ren. Come back to us."
I focused my mind on listening to hers, hoping that her mind would be open to me since she wasn't conscious. Silence stretched out for a long time before I heard a hum. I didn't think anything of it until I heard a single whispered word, "Pain."
The one thing we'd learned after the battle that I'd absorbed was Jane, Alec's mate, had the power to cause unimaginable pain. It was a mental attack, but because your mind was the source of the nerves that delivered sensations throughout the body, you felt it everywhere.
Though I couldn't feel the pain she had, I heard the memory of the pain replay in her mind. I also knew the moment she felt Kate's power as it flowed into her as well. The combination had been too much for Renata so her mind and body shut down.
This was the most animation we'd seen from her, even if it was within her mind. But as I locked in on those thoughts, the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard was whispered against my chest.
"Daddy?"
