"Great. So what do you want from me?"
"I want you to behave. I want to show them that we are as powerful and as organized as our reputation mandates. I need you by my side on this. You will help, and you will be good." He was standing right in front of me once again, his grey eyes blazing and commanding. But I did detect a hint of fear behind the mad expression. I couldn't stand him at that moment.
"We are together on this. Of course, I will stand by you. How many visitors are we expecting?" I suppressed my anger, making weak attempts to calm him down.
"Twelve I believe."
"Is that all? Then what are you worried about?" And I'm childish? I thought to myself, moving away from him, repelled by his very presence.
"They are quite powerful, and they're like us." I suddenly froze. The "us" meant "vegetarians," and there were very few who were like us.
"Don't worry, this is why I married you isn't it? We'll pretend we're lovey-dovey. Put on the whole show, organize some party and they'll be gone in a few days. Relax I won't run off."
"Is that why you married me? I thought it was because you loved me." He mused. I looked to see his expression. No longer angry, his face mocked me, words full of cynicism. I hated him.
"I never loved you, nor did I ever pretend to. You knew that when I married you." I answered coldly. He knew this was a sensitive subject for me. It always amused him to push my buttons.
"Ah…of course. But come on Isabella, you must have liked me somewhat." He paused for a moment. "At least you never complained about the sex." He was thoroughly enjoying himself, while making me miserable.
"What does sex have to do with love?" The two never related in my mind. No, after being married to Drake for nearly 40 years, sex was purely physical. In fact, rather than bringing us closer together, it drew me away. The physical pleasure helped drown out the mental pain if only for those brief moments. I resented him for it. He made physical love something detestable.
"Isabella Swan marrying for power and fornication. Who would have known!" he roared in laughter. I wanted to push him out the window, fling him across the room. I hated him, hated him with a passion. He was never this cruel to me. I couldn't figure out what had come over him. Instead, I held my tongue, and my mind with which I could move objects including my miserable husband. I rushed out of the room through the window and into the darkness.