Yes, I know it has been months since I last posted a chapter. In my defense, for those of you who don't already know, I was working on my original book that was officially published in December 2017. It made the best sellers list, peaking at #61 within its first week of release which to me was insane yet incredible. I am also currently working on an in demand second part as well as another novel that my editor has also been on me about for months now. Updates to all of my stories are going to be sporadic, but I promise that they have not been abandoned. I have detailed plans for them and endings already in sight which I think you all are going to love. Without further ado, enjoy!

Everything spun. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the room spin around me and then I was no longer alone. I was in a cold embrace, and whether I consciously decided to or not, I fell into it, allowing whoever was holding me to hold me tighter to their chest.

"I'm here, mia amore," the velvety voice said. His voice. My heart was erratic. I knew he could hear it, feel it. I cried for the first time, and he frowned. "What is it?"

His icy fingers smoothed back my hair from my face and he turned me to look at me. I stared away, not immediately catching how his frown deepened. "Why did you have to kill him? He wouldn't have told your secrets. You took away any chance I had of getting to know him, Nonna as well. Were you really thinking of me? How can you expect me to stay here with those thoughts, that knowledge? What do you expect me to do?"

"I expect you to obey and give it a chance. You have not even tried."

"I don't want to try." I sat up then, and he allowed me out of his arms. I turned to look him straight in his eyes. "I want to go home."

He continued to watch me, the firmness underlying my tone had him thinking. "This is home now, with me."

"I don't want you!" I tried to stand and step away, but he quickly stood and pulled me to him, taking my chin and forcing me to look at him again. His grip was on the verge of being painful, and I held my breath.

"You were the one who called out for me, my dear, so I came."

After speaking, he released me and let his words sink in. Had I called out to him? I suppose I had, but I didn't mean it in that way. What in the world was happening to me? How could I feel such two strong emotions at once, complete opposites of each other. It was too much, and I couldn't stop the tears falling no matter how much I wanted them to stop.

"Liliana, I can understand how difficult this must be for you."

"What can you understand? Have you ever had your life taken from you?"

"I am giving life back to you, and yes, Liliana, I have. There is also much about me you do not know, so do not presume to think you do."

What he meant did not make sense to me, so I said nothing more. Giving me life? He wanted to turn me into some undead creature. How is that life? But he was right. There was a lot about him that I did not know, and I felt myself yearning and eager to know more as much as I tried to stop that feeling from coming.

"It makes it much more difficult when you fight it. You would do better to accept how you are feeling and ask questions when they arise. I can help you. That is why I am here."

I took another step away from him. "I need time. That's what I need. Time to figure this out."

"But you already have it figured out, my dear. That is part of your wonderful gift. You know why you are here and why you feel the way you do. Deep down, you have already seen it, have you not? You choose to fight the inevitable." Aro sighed. "Perhaps I should have allowed you to speak to your grandfather about all of this before."

"Before you still had him killed? I don't care about your laws. He never would have told anyone anything. He would have done anything to keep me safe and happy. Is that something you can also say to me, or does power mean more to you than anything else?"

I did not expect Aro to freeze anymore than what he already had, but there he was, still as a statue, his red eyes wide with what looked like hurt and pain. It was quiet for a moment, perhaps as he thought of what to say next. I wondered what it was that I said to make him go into this state.

Finally Aro spoke, his voice much softer than I had heard it before. "Maybe you are right, but one cannot afford to dwell on past choices or mistakes. If we were to do such a thing, we would be lost and never experience happiness again. It is important to move on from the choices we've made, learn from them, grow, and prevent that choice ever needing to be made again."

Whatever he was talking about now had nothing to do with me, that I was sure, but I did not question him further about it. I did wonder though if he was admitting at first that he had made a mistake when he took my grandparents from me. I decided not to push the matter. I wiped my eyes that were still slightly wet from the tears that had fallen minutes ago and took a deep breath while now I thought what to say.

Aro walked slowly over to me and took my hands gently in his. "You do not need to say anything, mia amore. We both have much to learn from and about each other, and we have all the time we need. I hope one day you will be able to forgive me for what was done. I truly do only wish for your happiness. In my position, this may be difficult to always see or understand. All I can do is try."

Aro released my hands then turned and walked towards the door. "I really must get back to what I was attending to. Liliana, please try to understand the things I do are all for you and also this coven, even if I later learn another option existed. I will never regret what I have done. I do not have that luxury. I am sorry for the pain and confusion you now feel for my choices, and I hope I can ease that over time. I will leave you now, my love."

And with that, he was gone.

A/N: Please leave a review so I know you all are still around! Thank you for your patience, support and love.