Here's some information on where Edward went last time. Hope you enjoy. And remember, join AgoodWITCH Writes on FB for story pics, sneak peeks, and more.

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Chapter 7

Isabella went out into the woods, but didn't see any real indication of which direction he might have gone. Not wanting to wander around while he might be doing the same just to miss each other at home, she went inside to get the tools she would need for her garden.

Isabella worked through the afternoon and then made dinner, hoping Edward would be home soon. When night fell and he still wasn't home, she was confused. He'd wanted to kiss her, and then shortly after he ran off. Was she that bad a kisser? She'd never kissed someone before, but to her, it had been amazing.

When it was too late to try and wait up, she left the door unlocked and lit one of the lanterns in her window to guide him home. Not being able to sleep comfortably with him out there, Isabella chose to curl up on the couch where he'd kissed her and drifted into a fitful sleep.

"Bre, please wake up," Edward's urgent voice felt too real and Isabella fought against the dream that threatened to crush her. "Isabella, I found something that I need to show you."

The warmth she'd only ever felt from him caressed her face, making her open her eyes. "You're back."

He pulled back at her whispered statement. "Of course I came back. Did you … did you think I left you?"

"You were gone without a word and didn't come back all night."

Edward silenced her with a kiss. "I remembered something, Bre. And when your father arrived, I went to see if I could find it. I didn't know how long I was gone until I was out of the forest. Come with me, and I'll show you."

"Okay," Isabella agreed. "But first, let me make us something for breakfast. You missed dinner last night so I'm sure you're starving."

"I could eat," he smirked.

Isabella made a quick but hearty breakfast, Edward helped by finding the jelly. Isabella couldn't help but laugh as his eyes drifted to her lips. "No getting distracted, I want to see this big discovery."

The meal was eaten quickly and after changing for the day, they departed. Isabella struggled to keep up with Edward's long strides, until he bent down and told her to climb onto his back. "Hold on tight."

Edward was swift and agile as he moved through the trees until he stopped at the base of a large gnarled oak tree. He squeezed Isabella's knee before crouching so she could climb down. As soon as her feet were on the ground, his hand was threaded through hers.

"Where are we?"

"My home, let me show you."

Edward led her to the base of the tree and placed his hand on one of the knots, Isabella watched in astonishment as some rocks at the base of the tree shifted and then created a set of stairs that led under the tree.

When they walked through the doorway, Isabella was shocked to see a quaint set of rooms. There weren't many of the modern conveniences she was used to, but they were under a tree after all.

"You remember living here?" Isabella asked.

"As a child, but I don't remember much beyond that."

"Things are coming back, though. You're getting stronger every day. It will come back," Isabella comforted him.

"I don't think so. It was part of the curse." Edward sat down heavily.

"Curse?"

"This is going to sound insane, but I've got something that will prove it to you. There was a time when this island was the epicenter of the magical world, and I believe I was a part of it."

"What makes you say that?"

"I need you to trust me and stay still," Edward implored.

Isabella nodded and Edward closed his eyes. It took him a moment, but Isabella gasped when Edward vanished. The buzzing sound immediately followed his disappearance and Isabella saw the small bug flying far less erratically than a bug normally would. It flew for a moment, then landed on Isabella's hand. She took a deep breath and watched as the wings stopped moving and then it lit up.

Isabella had heard about lightning bugs as a child, but they were believed to have died off. And here she was looking at the man she cared for as he flickered on her finger. He took off again and once he was in the middle of the room, he changed back into his human form.

"Edward, how did you do that?" Isabella asked.

"I don't know. When I came in here yesterday, it just happened. I had to concentrate to change back, and after that I realized I could change back and forth easily if I focused. It was as a firefly that I remembered my parents. They died when I was little, I think that was part of the reason why I couldn't change back, they weren't here to teach me. There's something else."

"There's more?"

"Yes, the year I was born. It was 1501," Edward confided in her.

"So you're 520 years old?" Isabella gasped.

"It would seem so. Does that bother you?"

"No," Isabella answered honestly. "How old are you, physically?"

"Twenty. My kind age to adulthood after we change into a firefly the first time. But normally the change doesn't happen until we're already a teen. Something happened to change me, and I can't remember it yet."

"What sparked this memory?" Isabella asked.

"Kissing you. Every time something comes back to me it is tied to you."

"I'm glad that I'm actually helping. Not having an ailment that I can actually treat is frustrating."

"You help me every day, Bre. You swatted me that night in the woods and that's how I changed in the first place. Whatever purpose there is for my kind to exist, it is tied to you. I don't know much about being a faerie, but what I do know is you're the most important thing in my world."

"The feeling is mutual. When I didn't know where you were yesterday it was so hard to cope."

Edward pulled Isabella into his arms and held her close. "I will never willingly leave you. Besides the draw I feel to protect you, I feel alive with you. 500 years was well worth the wait."

Isabella leaned up and Edward bridged the gap, pressing his lips to hers. When they broke apart, Isabella asked, "Did you want to bring some of your things to my home, or now that you've found it, will you be staying here?"

His arms tightened around her. "I'll pack some things and bring them along. But I found something that seems to be for you. I don't know if it was left by someone from my childhood, or if someone with powers found this place."

"Could someone find this place if they aren't tied to it?"

"They shouldn't have been able to, but if they were trying to hide it until the magic reawakened, this would be a good place for it."

"Well, let's pack up what you want to bring with us and we can go back to our home."

"That sounds good to me."

It didn't take long, but Edward filled a few crates with his and his parents' things and placed a leather bound book on the top of one of them.

Isabella watched in awe as the tree opened to let them leave and then closed again to hide his childhood home. The walk home was much longer than the run they took to get there, but she was happy for time in his presence and to be able to see the forest around her to give her a hope of finding it again alone if she needed to.

When they got home, Edward took the crates to his room, leaving the book on the table.

Isabella lifted the book, unwrapping the leather cord from around it and opened to the first page, never expecting the words that were before her.

My Dearest Isabella,

I worry that when you're old enough to learn all the things you'll need, I won't be around to show you. You're already so powerful, even if you don't know it. I can feel my powers waning and I fear that it means my time grows short. I've written all that I know, everything that was passed down to me within this journal. Use it to learn our ways.

I'm sorry that you'll have to bear the burden for our kind, but there is no one I would trust with our survival more. You are strong enough to do this. Just listen to your heart, trust your mind, and don't be afraid to rely on your faerie. I've seen you two together, even if neither of you knows it.

I believe that together you can break the curse, but only as a team.

Your father will not understand this, so I can't trust him to give you this book. He is a good man, but he fears losing me, so I know he won't want you to join our world, even if it is your destiny.

I love you with everything in me, and I'll always be with you, even when you feel most alone.

Your Mother,

Renee