Getting a lot of people asking if the princes responsible will ever be punished, unfortunately the answer is no. Second only to the hunt, mating is so instinctual that no punishment can be made when someone is in the midst of it if they feel threatened. I'm not justifying what they did, they were of their right mind when they did it, but those are the rules and they knew it.

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Chapter 5

I stayed with him all night, the morning bringing a woman who looked so much like Edward that she had to be the queen.

"I wondered if you were hungry."

"I am," I admitted.

"I will have someone bring your meal," she said.

"Wait, I would like to speak to someone and besides Jasper, you are the only one who has been in here."

"Let me get your breakfast and then we'll talk."

It wasn't long before she returned with a plate full of food. I moved from the bed to eat, and the queen joined me at the small table.

"First, let me introduce myself, I'm Esme Cullen, Edward's mother."

"I thought as much, he began to explain that the lore we believe isn't the truth, but he left most of that conversation for another day."

Esme smiled. "I remember those days. We Wanderers think we know everything, but we are so far from reality."

"You remember being human?" I asked.

"Of course, Bella. I had them prepare my favorite meal as a human for you. Quality meat was a rarity for us."

"I know, we got by with small animals, it was rare to kill a larger one," I commented.

"Now, would you like to hear the truth about vampires?" Esme asked.

"Yes."

"First falsehood is that we are immoral, unchanging. It is true we change and age very slowly, but it does happen."

Sitting forward, I questioned, "How long do you live?"

"Most vampires live around 500 years. Edward has just turned 101," Esme informed me.

"And how do you have children?"

"Edward discussed having children with you?" she seemed shocked.

"Just that Carlisle was his father, not his creator," I admitted.

"Vampire pregnancies are accelerated, as is the early stages of development. Once they reach what would be their teens, they begin to slow in growth, usually at seven years old."

"Do you miss being human?" I asked.

"No, but I didn't have a happy human life. Carlisle was everything I could hope for in a mate, and the moment I held Edward for the first time … I wouldn't go back."

"Edward is special. After our date, he held me while I slept. It was some of the best sleep of my life." Esme's gasp caught my attention. "What?"

"They tried to rip his arms from his body," she whispered. "Like they knew he held you."

"Will they heal?" I asked.

"Yes, the venom is doing its job. That is why he is colder than usual. He had venom applied to his wounds before his arms were wrapped. Once the healing is complete, he will wake up."

"The rules surrounding this situation prevent the punishment of his attackers, but I'm not bound by those rules. Tell Carlisle that I want to speak before the council of princes."

Esme nodded, returning a moment later with a petite young vampire with short black hair. "Alice will go with you two to testify to her vision of the attack, so no one can question your decision, whatever it is."

"Your decision will not be well received, but they cannot question you. You and Edward will be happy together," Alice affirmed.

"Alice, don't meddle," Esme admonished.

Carlisle entered the room and looked to us. "Are we ready to go?"

"Let's do this, I want to be back before he wakes."