Hey my gentle folk! I am soooo sorry for the delay on this, I meant to post sooner, but I had to go to work. Sometimes I do not like to adult.

Anyway, I came home and finished this chapter as fast as I could, which was pretty damn fast! (Which is why it is a little shorter than I liked, I am quite exhausted). And yes, you guessed completely right, the reference was indeed the breakfast!

Thank you once more for your continued reviews and support! I appreciate it! Truly!

Aro was in his study, reading through a large stack of papers. He needed to be done with them before dawn, because they were to be delivered to another coven and it was already one in the morning. He had been postponing it for far too long. He had to read them because he was the only one who could fact check them quite so thoroughly. The coven expected his visit in a week's time to deliver the verdict. It was tedious and dull, and his mind kept wandering to another far more delightful corner of his brain.

The young Miss Swan. She had been with them for nearly six weeks by now, and though she was still quite cautious, he had managed to chip through her defiance. He had not taken any more liberties with her, as he sensed her trepidation still. He kept a careful distance, and relished every time she allowed any form of direct contact between them.

They had come to an arrangement of sorts. She would allow him to be in her rooms during the evenings, and he would keep his distance during the days. This allowed them both a modicum of normalcy while they grew to know each other. As the days went by, he felt it increasingly hard to keep his mind off the young lady. She was indeed everything to him now, which caused quite a distraction.

As he stayed with her, they would talk, read or even play chess. He did not approach her once. She was still on edge around him, and that one far too brief kiss they had shared seemed to have reminded her of what else had transpired. She made no mention of it, but he had learned to pay close attention to her body language by now, and he could immediately sense when he overstepped a boundary.

His presence allowed her to be able to sleep almost normally during the night, and when she was ready to retire he would leave her in peace. It had become quite his highlight during his days to see her.

This evening he had gone earlier than usual to be done with his duties. He had noted a certain amount of disappointment in her as he said goodnight earlier this evening. He kept pondering it, his mind flashing on the way her eyes lingered on his lips as he gave a brief bow. Half her time had nearly elapsed by now, and he wondered if he was merely experiencing a case of wishful thinking. Perhaps he should ask Marcus. His brother had been spending some time with her as well, showing her a few rare books in their collection. He ought to see how their bond was developing. Aro had abstained from checking it, because he felt afraid. If things were not as they appeared, he might not be able to bear it.

Aro's ears suddenly picked up on a pair of feet that made their slow way down the corridor just outside his study. He knew it was her long before she knocked on the door.

In fact she hesitated for an extraordinarily long moment before she finally gave a tap on the wooden door. Aro waited with baited breath as he listened to her building her own courage. She surely remembered the last time she had been in this room. He could not understand why she would come to see him here, of all places.

Her breathing was shaky, shuddering. He frowned as he got up and went to the door. A pair of wide brown eyes met him as the door swung aside. She was in what he presumed to be her nightclothes, flannel checkered pajama bottoms and a loose t-shirt.

"Miss Swan?" He said softly. "You should be asleep by now, my de-" he halted immediately, not finishing the endearment. It was not yet time for that kind of speech.

He stepped back allowing her to enter his domain.

"If you needed something from me, you needed only to call my name," he said pleasantly, closing the door slowly behind her.

"I know," she said, watching as it snapped shut.

"I couldn't sleep, and thought a walk might do me some good. Maybe a glass of warm milk would have been wiser," she said, trailing off thoughtfully.

He peered at her.

"Do you require my assistance?"

Her eyes fixed on his face, her brain apparently having a hard time connecting his words to meaning.

"What?" She seemed distracted.

Aro regarded her pensively. She seemed to become even more fidgety at his scrutiny.

"I, uh-" She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It immediately lost its place and fell in her face again. She didn't seem to notice.

"I thought it was a good idea to visit you, but um…"

He felt a stab at her words. He slowly stepped forward, instantly catching her attention.

"Isabella," he murmured.

"... I was wrong…" she managed weakly.

They stared silently at each other.

"Do you fear me still?" He asked in a low voice.

She didn't say anything at first. Then her eyes fell to his lips.

"No."

He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close. She was breathing heavily, looking up into his eyes almost defiantly. He put a hand in her soft hair, and fisting the silky strands, he slowly pulled her head back, tilting her face up towards his, simultaneously exposing her throat.

"How about now?" He whispered.

She swallowed thickly, and he saw the pulse in her throat quicken as she took a deep breath.

"No," she managed.

"Good," he countered. "For I will never hurt you again, amore."

She released another shaking breath, and Aro focused on her lips, then back on her eyes. She blinked once, then gazed intently on his mouth.

It was all he needed. Their lips crashed together in a bruising kiss that left them both breathless. He pulled her close, feeling her respond to his caresses fiercely, his own desire nearly drowning him. He tried to remind himself that he should not get carried away, but even so he could not help but grasp at her, his hands landing on her soft curves, his fingers skimming the waistband of her pajama bottoms.

Her petite fingers grabbed his waistcoat, pulling him closer still. He growled and pushed her backwards until they hit the wall right beside the door, his body pinning her in place. He could hear her heart rate spike quite suddenly and knew immediately that she had been transported back to her first time in his study. He released her lips reluctantly, and slowly stepped back to give her space. She was panting sharply, her eyes alight with a mix of desire and regret.

"I apologise, my dear," he said earnestly.

She was swallowing thickly, doing her best to recover herself.

"It's okay," she managed quietly. "I don't know why I can't…" She halted, and he saw a few sparkles in her eyes. She gave a defeated shrug and turned to open the door.

"Please do not leave," he said, lifting his hand to halt her. "You could keep me company if you would like."

She turned back towards him, hesitated, then nodded, and walked to the nearest chair. He watched her closely for a moment before settling himself in his own chair. Neither of them spoke much as he worked through his tasks. Eventually he looked up just as the rays of dawn alighted on his window sill. His gaze landed on her slumped figure, realising that she had fallen asleep at some point, her head rolled onto the back rest of her chair. He smiled softly at her before he got up and went to her.

He easily picked her up and walked her to his room, it being closer than hers. He placed her down on the bed, pulling the covers over her slumbering form before returning to his study to finish his work. He would be back with her before she would awaken.

He had been finishing up the last threads of his work at vampire speed and was finally ready to return to her. Even though he had worked fast, the amount of things he had needed to do had taken him more than an hour. He tidied up after himself and went to his rooms. As he entered silently, he heard that she was still asleep, her deep breathing rhythmic and slow.

He walked slowly to the bed, pondering her slumbering frame for a long moment, not in any particular hurry to stop looking at her.

The sun's rays crawled steadily across the floor, and eventually he got a chair and sat down beside the bed. He didn't want to wake her, but he also didn't want to leave her side. He felt comforted to watch her sleep. She looked quite tranquil.

It was almost noon before she stirred somewhat, her eyes blinking slowly as she woke, her gaze focusing on the ceiling above her. Suddenly she sat bolt upright with a gasp and looked around his chamber, apparently realising she was not in her own rooms.

"It is alright, my dear. You are safe." Her gaze fell upon him, her breathing harsh.

"Where am I?" She finally asked, casting another glance around his room.

"You are in my rooms. You fell asleep in my study, so I thought you might be more comfortable here."

"Your rooms?" She asked, fascinated.

"Indeed."

She had never been here before and she slowly threw the cover aside to get out of the bed. She stepped onto the thick carpet and sighed contentedly as her body relaxed instinctively.

"Are you hungry?" He asked softly, peering at her as she looked curiously at their surroundings.

"Starving, actually," she said, turning back to him.

He got up and walked towards her, noting the slight gulp as she swallowed swiftly. He slowly took her hand, and then turned to walk out the door, gently pulling her along.

"Follow me," he said.

It wasn't long before they were in the kitchen. She gasped softly as she gazed around the huge room. Magnificent windows covered one side of the entire wall, giving a splendid opportunity for daylight. Aro guided her to a high chair by the huge cooking island, then went to the well stocked fridge.

"What would you like to eat?"

She looked at him, caught off guard, not quite understanding his intentions.

"I don't know. Are you going to cook for me?"

"Would you prefer someone else to do it?" He asked, smirking slightly. She regarded him, feeling quite speechless.

"No?" She then said, hesitantly.

"Splendid! How about some eggs then?"

She couldn't help but smile a little at the novelty of the situation.

"Surprise me," she finally said.

Aro smirked briefly. Well that should be possible. He set to work, making quick work of getting a batter done before something was put in the oven. He flitted around the room so fast she couldn't follow him. Within 20 minutes he placed a heavy laden breakfast tray in front of her.

She peered down at it curiously.

"I could get used to this," she commented, as she investigated the food.

He smirked again.

"Me as well, mia cara," he confirmed softly.

She glanced up at him, her cheeks growing slightly blushed, her smile widening.

He leaned down ever so slowly, allowing a finger to travel down her heated cheek. She released an explosive breath at his touch, and bit her lip.

"I like when you speak Italian to me." Her voice was slightly more breathless all of a sudden.

"Hmm, yes, I know," he said, showing her his teeth in a brief open mouthed smirk.

"What did it mean?"

"It means…" he leaned in a little closer. "My dear." He placed a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth.

She swallowed thickly.

"Oh."

She looked down at her tray again, her face even more red.

"However I think the words il diletta is much more fitting."

"Oh?" She asked, her fingers trembling somewhat as she grabbed her fork.

"What does that mean?" She didn't look up this time.

He flashed her another radiant smile, before placing his index beneath her chin, slowly lifting her face so he could look directly into her eyes.

"My beloved," he whispered against her lips before kissing her gently. Another soft breath escaped her and she responded hesitantly to his kiss. He waited patiently for her to open her mouth to him, and when she did he entered her passionately with his tongue, tasting her intoxicating sweetness again. He could never get enough of that, and he groaned softly as he cupped her face, pulling her close, deepening the kiss. She released the softest of moans, and he nearly became undone then and there.

She was finally his.

He could feel it.

He could almost feel their souls entangle with each other as he captured her lips again and again, driven by more than desire. He felt a small hand on his chest and stopped immediately, looking down at her, slightly disconcerted. She was panting hard, and her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed and her lips swollen from his passion. He released a sharp puff of air to try and collect himself. She didn't say anything, but he understood her perfectly.

Too fast.

He took a few deep breaths, swallowing thickly and gave her a polite nod, before sitting down beside her, allowing her to eat. She picked up the juicy red apple and took a bite, sighing as the sweet taste filled her mouth.

She looked at him, smiling in satisfaction.

"How do you say…?"

"Mela," he responded softly.

Her smile grew wider as she realised he predicted her intentions.

"And..?" She lifted her fork.

"Forchetta."

"She took the slice of bread.

"Pane."

She tapped her plate, smiling.

"Piatto."

And so it continued while she ate. She tried to repeat his words, and he discovered she had a natural affinity for language. Interesting.

He took a piece of bread and placed it gingerly on her lips.

"Lei mangia il pane," he said, as she took it between her lips. He waited while she chewed thoughtfully.

"I eat bread?" She tried cautiously.

He smiled.

"It is a good try, but not quite right. Io mangio il pane," he said, pretending to take a bite.

She thought a moment longer.

"Io means I?" He nodded.

"Lei means…?"

He indicated her by placing a finger under her chin.

"Lei."

Then he placed a hand on his chest.

"Lui."

His hand was back on her.

"Tu."

"Io," he indicated himself again.

She pondered him for a long time.

"Lei means… she?" He smiled encouragingly.

"Lui is he?"

He nodded.

"So it meant, she eats bread?"

"The bread. Il pane is the definite noun."

She smiled delightedly at their impromptu lesson.

"She eats the bread." She leaned forward, intrigued. "Please tell me more, Aro."

Previously, he had despised when she called him by his name, but now he thought himself a fool. His name on her lips was by far the single best music he had ever heard.

They ended up spending the entire day together, as he told every word for the various items she could find. He patiently taught her, even though he was hardly pressed. She was a fast learner. She would do well within their coven, if she chose to stay that was. He felt a coldness chill his stomach at the thought of her leaving. Even though they had kissed a few times by now, he sensed she was not ready to give in. He knew she had feelings for him as well, though she was not keen on admitting it just yet.

She was his, and he was hers, such was their destiny. But was it enough to make her want to stay with him?

He had dedicated a lot of time to her, but sometimes he was unsure if it would hold her once he returned fully to his kingly duty. Would she still have him, when he once more stepped into that role as a ruthless leader? Of course she could not possibly understand what he must be capable of to keep a huge flock of unruly vampires in check. He hoped she would understand in time. He had not anticipated that she would have such a strong mind of her own. Challenging though it was, he found that that was the part he loved most about her. He would not have it any other way. And now he understood why she was meant for him. She would keep him on his toes, especially since he could not read her mind.

The real question was, why was he then meant for her?

Let me know what you think, I will be heading to bed now.

Early, and long, day tomorrow and the day after. Will not be able to post much, most likely. I apologise in advance.

-Pancakes