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Chapter 8

Isabella stared at the page for so long, the letters blurred together. Edward didn't know what he was walking into when he came downstairs, but at the sight of Isabella's frozen form, he rushed to her side.

"Bre, what's the matter?"

"This book is my mother's. She found your home and left it there because she knew who and what you are to me."

"What do you mean?"

"She knew about faeries, Edward. My mother knew it, she said she saw us together. You must have been in your firefly form and she recognized you as one. My father never said anything about this."

"Perhaps he didn't know?" Edward offered.

"I think he does. He's tried to shelter me my entire life and I think this is the reason. My mom believed something bad would be coming. That means I need to be ready. Alice has hinted at it too. She's the queen, and a seer, so she understands having gifts. If that's what this is."

"Can I read that when you're done? I might learn something important too."

"Absolutely. But for right now, I want to make us dinner and spend the night making up for your absence last night."

"I like the sound of that."

The next few days, Isabella slowly began to read through her mother's journal. She learned more about the supernatural from those pages than any other source. So many things made sense to her now, from the way her thoughts had a way of coming to be, to the warmth she felt around Edward. That was a result of him being the great love of her life, not him being a faerie.

Reading those pages had been exhilarating for Isabella. To know that there was a reason and a precedent for how she felt about him. They were bound together in a way that was more permanent than ordinary love. And she couldn't wait to tell him.

Edward spent his time looking through his parents' belongings. It was within those boxes that he discovered a great deal, including that his full name was Edward Anthony Masen. His memories of his time with them weren't strong, but there were flashes that brought little pieces of information to the surface.

Like how his mother's wings felt when she would play peek-a-boo with him. Or the couple he assumed to be the witch or witches that his parents were sworn to protect. The warmth of their touch had been comforting, but their words had been filled with worry. He didn't know what caused it, but that was the nature of memories that old and from being that young. They were hard to understand completely.

The pair was so immersed in their pursuits that both were shocked to hear the sound of a large carriage approach. Isabella opened the door and quickly moved out of the way so Alice could come in.

"I'm glad to see you've taken my words to heart," Alice said as she flitted into the shop.

Edward instinctually knelt and it caused Alice to laugh.

"He's even more dreamy than my visions showed," Alice said to Isabella before turning to Edward. "Stand, young man. While I appreciate the honor, we are an informal pair when together. But there's no time for that as there is a great deal to discuss today."

"What has happened in the last few days, Alice?"

"Few days? Dear, is that all you think it has been? It has been over a week since your father stopped by. And exactly three weeks since you discovered your young gentleman in the woods."

"How can that be?" Isabella asked, shocked.

"With a man like him, to whisper sweet nothings in your ear like he has a habit to, I wouldn't be shocked that you've lost days. Hell, I would lose months with someone like him."

"He is right here, Alice," Edward said.

"Yes, I apologize, I'm not used to sharing Isabella with anyone, except perhaps her brother when we're together like this. I wanted to tell you, your time of mourning is coming to an end in a week, and I'd like to invite you to my birthday celebration at the castle, along with Edward."

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Isabella was concerned.

"I think it is the best way to introduce him to everyone at once, and it will also give us the opportunity Edward will need."

"What opportunity is that?" Edward questioned her.

"You'll know when it happens. Just know that if your father isn't supportive, I will make it official. Things have been set in motion. But I'm not going to tell you too much. You need to discover it on your own. Use this week to go to the market and visit the shops. Let people see Edward before you show up to the castle next Saturday."

"We have eight more days to ourselves?" Isabella asked.

"You do," Alice said. "I'm going to call for Emmett, he needs to meet Edward."

Alice went to the door and called for Emmett to join them. He filled the doorway as he entered, stopping when he saw Edward. "Is this your patient?"

"Yes, Emmett, this is Edward. Edward, this is my little brother, Emmett."

"Nice to meet you," Edward said, as he extended his hand to Emmett.

"How's my sister been treating you? You've caused quite a stir with your arrival here."

"Your sister is the best thing to ever happen to me. I'm very grateful that she was the one who found me."

"What do you mean, he's caused a stir?" Isabella interrupted their discussion of her.

"The female population was very willing to take him in after he was recovered. But I can tell by your narrowed eyes and tense posture that Edward won't be moving anywhere but into the bedroom at the end of the hall," Emmett remarked.

"But Isabella's bedroom is at the end of the hall," Edward said, confused.

Isabella placed a hand on Edward's arm and turned to face him. "My brother is being crass, ignore him."

Understanding dawned in Edward's eye as they grew wide. "I would never disrespect your sister that way. I'll be doing things the right way."

Isabella shivered at his words. As much as she wanted him to disrespect her, she understood his desire for her to be his in every way. She wanted the same thing. "I told you not to listen to him."

Edward cupped her face in both his hands and kissed her forehead. "I have no problem telling your family that you're what I want. I have every intention of making it official."

Alice cleared her throat. "Emmett, I think we should return to the castle. These two have a lot to discuss."

Emmett smirked, "You're going to approve this match when my father doesn't."

"We can speak about that later." Alice turned to the couple and smiled. "Have a wonderful day, my dearies. See you next Saturday."

Emmett opened the door for Alice and then exited behind her with little more than a wave to his sister.

Edward barely restrained himself when they were gone. "Why do they believe your father won't approve of me?"

"It isn't you, per se, but what it represents. He was against me becoming a healer because it meant I was old enough to have a career. He was against my moving into the village because it was acting like an adult and being independent. Having someone to share my life with means he isn't the most important man in my world anymore. He lost my mother young, so he's afraid for me. He'll learn to love you in time, I promise."

"I hope so, because I already love his daughter," Edward whispered.

"I love you too, Edward. So much it scares me at times."

Edward's fingers traced over her cheeks, his lips a breath away from hers. "Don't be afraid of it. Your love has given me strength, and I will do anything to protect that love."

His lips crashed into hers and any thoughts of who may not approve of them fell away, leaving nothing but the two of them in that moment.