Chapter
~Cassia's point of view~
I couldn't help but smile as Edward pinned Emmett to the tree before shaking my head in amusement seeing Edward tossed across the yard. I was always a little amazed at seeing them interact in their natural element. Edward was strong and the fastest of the Cullens. In true fashion, he seemed to enjoy showing that off to gain my favor in the age-old dance of instincts. Having spent my entire life around the supernatural, I knew that he was flaunting at the moment.
I had to admit things were easier since I offered up the forgiveness he needed. I wasn't wrong and I was proud of him, for showing me the nicer and softer side that was free of the guilt. I wasn't naïve enough to believe that this would be the last problem to arise, but where his first wife was concerned, I accepted his past. Because I could see easily in his every action how much he had come to care for me despite the short time. If anything, the loses we had suffered allowed us to cherish each other more. I knew we still had an exceptionally long way to go but it was a huge improvement and gave me hope that I made the right choice.
This family was one of a kind and allowed her to feel things that she hadn't in such a long time. She was slowly accepting that maybe she couldn't have her family back, but she may be able to find love again, in the arms of someone who was so clearly putting her first for a change. She loved Elijah and her family more than anything in the world, had spent so much time angry at the gods for taking them away that she always overlooked the biggest thing. He had sacrificed himself so she may live, Elijah had given her strength to survive. She had loved Elijah, deeply, and that allowed her to understand how Edward was able to settle down with Bella.
"How are you today Jasper?" I questioned softly sensing him approaching me and he smiled watching the interaction as Edward growled loudly "Edward."
"Sorry" Edward said in a daze glaring at Emmett who laughed charging towards me.
I raised an eyebrow as Edward in rage tackled him away from me. I realized it that Emmett was taunting him regarding me. He must be thinking of harming me to get the protective instinct of Edward to come out. I smiled softly trusting him not to let Emmett near me despite the fact I didn't need protecting. It had been so long since anyone protected me out of instinct.
"Emmett is thinking of harming me?" I questioned in amusement as Edward growled in confirmation "Then by all means give him hell."
"Why aren't you worry?" Jasper whispered staring at me, and I shrugged smiling at Edward defending me.
"I know Edward's ability and I trust Emmett to never attempt to truly harm me. I also know that should it come to it, I can defend myself" I said in amusement smiling at Edward pinning Emmett who growled.
"You could defend yourself against Emmett?" Jasper questioned doubtfully causing me to giggle in amusement.
"You know I have chosen to stay" I said softly after a moment causing him to look at me confused "I did promise that if I choose to stay that you would be the first to ask me what you want to."
"Are you human?" He questioned in amusement meaning it as a joke.
"Nope" I said with a smirk causing his eyes to widen "Technically, I am not human."
"What?" Emmett said in shock as I chuckled seeing all the Cullens were listening "You clearly look human."
"Looks can be deceiving, especially for my kind. While I am currently mortal, I am more supernatural that anyone here. Because what I am created both Vampires and Shifters" I said in softly in almost a whisper
"What do you mean?" Jasper questioned with wide eyes.
"I am one of the three mother races of the supernatural" I said turning to him with a smile "We are the balance, will always be the balance to any other supernatural race. You could say that we are the police of the supernatural kingdom."
"What are you then?" Jasper questioned blinking looking me over.
"We have been called many things, most commonly we are known as Priestesses" I said glancing at Edward who frowned "But we are the Guardian race, we wield a power that is known to be the closest thing to heavenly power that you can find on this planet."
"And a mother race?" Carlisle questioned in confusion.
"Yeah, we are the ones that blessed shifters many centuries ago. We needed some assistance when other beings started being created. There are three mother races. The demons or the true immortals, the fae or the spirits of nature, and my kind or the spirit of the rulers. It was a punishment to a dark guardian that created the first vampire. Fate dictates that there cannot be just one of a species, with the lust for power came the lust for blood. Because of the fate of the first, anyone with any spiritual blood gained abilities when turned" I explained shrugging slightly "It honestly can take me years to explain everything to you about the true history of each of the beings in this world, because of who I am I have to learn it and I am still training"
"Who you are?" Edward questioned still frowning and I sighed nodding while biting my lip.
"Yeah, my position means a lot of different things. I am basically the guardian of guardians, one the rulers of the supernatural and the currently protector of the sacred shields. All guardians are different, with a wide range of abilities similar to what you find in vampires actually. I am sort of in change of them" I said wrinkling my nose "I work with the other leaders of all of realms in this world and the supernatural realm to ensure the protection, safety, and balance of any and all supernatural beings."
"Supernatural realm?" Carlisle questioned causing me to sigh.
"Avalon" I said seriously knowing there was no getting around it "Avalon is real, just a lot more than people realize. It is a supernatural kingdom that was secluded from the world centuries ago by hundreds of barriers and enchantments that are fed off the power of my line. It is a safe haven that had succeeded in protecting those that can't or won't attempt to blend into a modern world."
"Does that weaken you?" Jasper questions as I smiled sadly shaking my head.
"It is not currently ideal for me; the barriers are not meant to be sustained by one person. It makes things a little more difficult at times. I can't really go into an explanation; it points to my weakness, and I cannot just let that information get out" I said honestly as Jasper nodded in understanding.
"I want to spar with you" Emmett boomed out happily as I bit my lip as Edward growled out loudly at my side.
"Emmett" Edward warned his protective instincts surging.
"I actually agree with Edward here" I said taking a breath "While I can use my powers, it is unwise for me to do so unless necessary right now."
~ Normal Point of View~
"Why is that?" Jasper question picking up on her reluctance to use her abilities before she sighed closing her eyes suddenly being hit with sensing her completely 'I can feel her emotions, but yet it is different. It is like drowning in peace. It is her; the truest reflection of her soul and I can see it. Amazing'
Edward fought the urge to growl at the connection between the two. Jasper sensing his rage sent him a wave staring at her in awe. The others looked between the two in confusion and a little put out. It was clear that they all still had so long to go before she trusted them.
"What is this?" Jasper whispered in awe as she smiled with a slight giggle at his face.
"That is my soul" She said leaning forward as Jasper nodded a little relieved when she sealed it back up "That is what it means to wield the closest power to heaven found in this world, that feeling is much greater when I use my abilities."
"And that is dangerous?" Carlisle questioned fascinated by learning something new for a change.
"It is very dangerous" She said honestly as Edward frowned looking at her "My kind can be killed by using our own abilities."
"What?" Renesmee and Esme said in shock with the others' eyes widened.
"But you still use them?" Emmett questioned in confusion as she nodded understanding their misunderstanding.
"Yes, we form bonds with those we trust" She explained motioning to Jasper ignoring the flinch that Edward made at the action.
"How does a bond work? What happens without them?" Jasper questioned a little panicked over the thought of her becoming injured.
"That amount of peace and purity is really hard to ignore, it is easy to get lost in and without the proper bonds to anchor us to the earthly plain, we would purify ourselves. Our powers would destroy our own bodies." She said looking at her hands while the others stared at her in stunned silence, she could literally kill herself.
"And Jasper can prevent that?" Edward questioned seriously feeling extremely worried about that information.
"No, not unless it was an emergency. If I were to spar with Emmett, it would not be life or death meaning that my own ability to remain focused would possibly be compromise. I can call upon the bond I have with Jasper in the event of a battle, but not for fun. At least not at the moment" Cassia said taking a breath causing everyone to nodded in understanding.
"But how did you survive before?" Rosalie questioned before she could stop herself as Cassia flinched slightly.
"It is actually why I came here. I lived off of one bond for a long time. I have lost all those that kept me securely grounded. But the bonds are only part of the problem, the other is how imbalanced I have become due to all the pain I have absorbed in my life. Purity is a big thing for someone like me."
"Like a virgin?" Emmett questioned with wide eyes causing Cassia to laugh lightly.
"No, that is just one of those things the legends got wrong. The purity means remaining in control with pure emotion, if I lose control, I will run the risk of becoming dark. That would be dangerous, and I would become the thing I hunt" Cassia said shivering remembering how close she had come to that before some of her allies stepped in to send her away.
"How does one become an anchor?" Edward questioned seriously wondering why he wasn't considered one, when he was her soulmate.
"It is a bond of trust and is just something built overtime. Elijah was my anchor and protector for years. When he died, I almost died as well because my last connection to this plain of existence disappeared, I basically live between what you see and a spiritual existence" Cassia explained as Edward frowned as she just grabbed his hand "It just takes time, that's doesn't mean that I don't trust you. You are my soul mate, when we bond you will become my main anchor to this reality."
"Me?" Edward questioned with hope and confusion.
"Yeah, my kind is the origin of the term soul mate" Cassia said with a chuckle at the look on his face "We bond with our mates in a way that literally no other supernatural or mortal person can. It wouldn't do it justice to try to explain that it is unbreakable in every single way and changes the two mates completely and utterly thanks to my kinds of ability to adapt to anything and everything."
"What do you mean?" Carlisle questioned in wonder at the implications of such a bond.
"That I cannot explain, every bond is different and based off of the balance between the two souls. The changes will be seen in both, both what changes is unknown. It's not something I can explain, it points to a weakness that can seriously put me in danger" Cassia said seriously as Carlisle nodded in understanding.
"You mean Edward will see changes as well?" Carlisle questioned with interesting, he had never heard of anything so amazing.
"Yes, he will pull the ability to adapt from me through the bond and adapt as needed for us to balance each other" Cassia said with a chuckle "But don't ask me what to expect, because honestly I wouldn't know."
"How is a bond completed?" Jasper questioned causing her to blush deeply to the amusement of the others "I met with someone other than your soulmate."
"Just time" She said honestly "It just takes time and getting close to someone, when my soul had completed and total trust and openness with another being is when it is stable, but it will always grow."
"And Jasper is the only one with this bond?" Edward questioned with a frown causing her to chuckle.
"No, all of you have a bond with me. But Jasper has been meditating with me, so it quickened the grown of the bond" She said softly giving Jasper a smile "And I have been closest to him the longest. I trust him."
"But when Eddie does the deed with you then that means those are no longer needed" Emmett questioned bluntly smirking at his brother.
"No, the more bonds I have the more power I can maintain at once. Again, the closer to me the more another gains the ability to adapt. It wouldn't be as drastic as seen with Edward, but everything for my kind is about balancing out an exchange" Cassia said softly looking at the Cullens "But if you are uncomfortable with that, I can deny the bond before it begins. I would still care deeply for all you, just would not be able to use you to help maintain my balance when I use my power."
"There seems to be a lot of unknowns in your life" Carlisle said with a frown looking at his future daughter a little worried.
"That is mainly because I have not finished my training, I have thousands of journals to get through still. Despite my many allies in the supernatural world and this one, they can't teach me that. I have to learn it on my own with me being the last of my bloodline" Cassia said knowing what he was worried about.
"Fuck" Emmett said with wide eyes "Does that mean you also work with the Volturi?"
"Yeah, Aro has known me since I was three. He tends to be like an eccentric uncle in my life. Granted, I think he just finds it amusing that I almost killed Jane that day" Cassia said biting her lip at the stunned silence "It's not a big deal, every so often all the leaders get together for a council report, and I attend on behalf of my line since my mother died leaving me with the responsibility as the leader of the Guardians."
"I think I understand more what you meant about fate" Jasper said softly looking at the tiny girl that carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"Yeah, it was like slapping the gods in the face. Because of my importance to the balance, they had to step in to correct it. When Renesmee was born, she took on the fate that was meant for the next holder of my title." Cassia said sadly glancing at Edward who looked guilty "But I have already forgiven that and if there is still a price to pay, I will pay it."
"So besides going to this council once a year, what do you do?" Renesmee questioned looking at her dad's mate in awe, she couldn't imagine that.
"I haven't really stayed in one place for two long, I technically travel where I am need based on something I am investigating or someone contacting me in need of my skills. When not traveling, I am either at my father's family home in Texas or at my mother's home in Avalon" Cassia said softly while the Cullens wondering if that would continue "I will need to always keep an eye out and travel as needed, but it is not as often as you think."
"I would expect that being part of this family means that you would not be going alone" Carlisle said looking at his future daughter "Do you travel to often to attend school?"
"I understand bringing someone, we don't travel alone often as it is. I haven't been to school before, mainly because Elijah hated staying in one place for too long. So, most the cases and situations we handled, were because he wanted to be kept entertained" Cassia said with a sad smile "I wouldn't mind attempting school if that is something you expect of me."
"Who is Elijah?" Alice questioned with interesting as Edward fought the urge to growl.
"He was a guardian of sorts who become the most important person in my life. He saved me from the werewolf that killed my mother. My mother mated with a mortal man; my father was a navy seal, because they were both mortals, they didn't just the life bond so luckily, he survived for a few more years. He wasn't around a lot, and he trusted Elijah with my brother and me. He was there when I buried my brother and then my father, followed closely by his parents. Elijah was that one stable thing throughout my entire life until he was killed in a trap" Cassia said gently as Edward drew her slightly shaky figure into his arms.
"You seemed very close to him" Esme said softly seeing the adoration in her eyes.
"Elijah will always be someone special to me, he helped make me into the person that I am. It is understanding how I felt for him, and he felt for about me, that I am able to understand how things with Bella occurred. Elijah will always be a part of my soul and while he would have given me everything, including a bond that would have saved his life, I could not do it. I never considered more with him because of how sacred a mate bond is for my kind" Cassia explained gently as Edward felt guilty knowing that is exactly what he had done.
"But you could have had that?" Jasper questioned in confusion, and she nodded in confirmation.
"It would be an option if my true mate died before meeting me. I actually thought that he was dead because of how much fate was intervening in my life. It was something that we talked about repeatedly, ultimately if he hadn't died and been alive when I turned eighteen. I would have accepted the bond and life with him" she said as Edward tightened his arms around her in jealously despite knowing he didn't have a right.
"Why eighteen?" Esme questioned softly.
"That is a little more complicated to explain and I can't provide any details on how I know this, it is forbidden right now" Cassia said seriously as Esme just smiled in understanding "I know where and when I was supposed to meet Edward, my mother ensured that I knew that information. But he wasn't there, and I just believed that confirmed his death."
"How were we supposed to meet?" Edward questioned slightly surprised.
"At a charity event for a hospital for a foundation that is part my family's organizations. It was actually about a year ago, a few weeks after Elijah passed actually. It was one of those rare occasions that I dress up in a classy dress and everything. Come to think of it, I think I sensed Carlisle there" Cassia said thinking back to that day.
"You did" Carlisle said in amazement as Edward felt guilty again.
"You thought I was dead?" He whispered brokenly.
"Yeah, at the time though it was just another loss among the others. Then I went to the fate's temple, that was not an easy conversation, and I am fairly sure I never ever want to have to go there again" Cassia said shivering remembering the twisted fates "Though it did in a way lead me here."
"While I can't imagine the pain, I am glad you found your way here" Edward said kissing her forehead holding her close "I am sorry that I made you wait even longer."
"If you don't mind, I am tired and wish to go home. It's been a long day" Cassia said to the family who nodded knowing she wanted to talk with Edward alone.
"I will take you home" Edward said softly hugging her close "Cassia."
"Edward, I have already forgiven you for your past. I didn't bring it up to make you feel bad" Cassia whispered touching his face as he picked her up into his arms.
"I do not deserve you" He whispered softly as he sped off towards her home "You deserve more than I could ever offer you."
"I think that it is up to me to decide that" Cassia said softly as he set her down in her room "I think you are worthy and worth it."
"I don't know what you see in me, but I will be forever grateful" Edward whispered touching her face gently "You are amazing."
"So, instead of leaving and sneaking back in when I am asleep, you should just stay and hold me tonight" Cassia said laughing when his eyes widened.
"You knew?" Edward said in shock looking at his tiny angel who nodded with a laugh.
"Yeah, I could sense you there. It helped me sleep, so tonight I will use that heating blanket I bought and hopefully you will indulge me by holding me while I sleep" she said in amusement as he shook his head in amazement.
"I will be outside while you change" Edward said kissing her forehead leaving the room.
Cassia chuckled as she turned on the heating blanket being going to her closet to grab a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Edward leaned against the wall with his eyes closed struggling against his instincts hearing her undress. He couldn't help but be completely awed by her. She had invited him to hold her for the night, he knew that this was a big deal for her. It was a show of faith in him, trust in him.
He couldn't contain the growl of pleasure when she opened the door revealing the long legs barely covered by a t-shirt. Cassia smiled at him softly as he approached her pulling her into his arms breathing in her scent. Cassia just relaxed into his arms for a moment before he picked her up carrying her to her bed. He was in heaven laying down next to his angel as she snuggled closer to his chest.
Edward started humming the song of light coming into his world, her song. He smiled kissing the top of her head as she fell to sleep completely at ease. He couldn't help the contentment he felt feeling his mate so close knowing she had chosen this, even ensured that she was comfortable with him holding her by turning on a heating blanket. He loved her, this woman that was his entire world. He couldn't wait to see what other surprises she would reveal, because the greatest gift anyone could have given him was that he wouldn't have to turn her.
Yes, he loved her and would spend an eternity ensuring she always felt cherished. He couldn't wait for the day he could give her everything she deserved. He could picture it all with her and couldn't imagine one single moment spent with her being anything other that amazing.