Aloha! Chapter nine is up and ready for reading. Many thanks to my talented beta, Monkey-en-TuTu, who was having a few minor computer problems today. But like the professional she is, she worked it out! Love her!!! Please let me know what you think…I am debating on ending the story here or continuing further. Let me hear you!

Chapter Nine

Reckoning

The sun was rising on another beautiful morning in Volterra. I was hopeful that my Edward would return. There still has been no news from Alice and I am starting to get worried about both of them. I took a long bath, drenching my skin in the warmth of the water. It seemed to relieve a small portion of my anxiety. I took my time trying to drag out each hour without Edward. I didn't want him to see me this way, so needy. Being alone here in my room wasn't helping much, I need to get out and keep myself busy. So I decided to find someone who could keep me busy.

"Henry, where are you going?" I asked as he was racing through the main hall. If anyone could take my mind off Edward it would be Henry. He has been there for me my whole life.

"I am on my way out." He said flatly.

I was a bit surprised at his reply, "I can see that, but where to and why so quickly?" He looked annoyed at my questions.

"I am sorry Princess, I am not at liberty to say." He gave me an apologetic bow.

"What do you mean, you always tell me everything!" my tone was growing higher.

"Bella, please you know there are some things I cannot share with you and this happens to be one of them. I am sorry we couldn't talk more but I really must go." He kissed my hand and left too fast for me to follow.

I just sank down to the ground staring out the window into the gardens. There were breathtakingly rare green peacocks mingling with the beautiful India blue peacocks. From the looks of it they were showing off, with the display of their feathers.

"Aren't they beautiful?" a way too familiar voice said.

Was he my official stalker now? "Yes, they are." I said coldly.

"They remind me of you and how striking you were the night of the gala." He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. I moved away swiftly not wanting him that close.

"You have real nerve, you know that? What makes you think you have any right to speak to me?" I growled.

"Is that any way to speak to your fiancé?" He said with a light chuckle, "as I recall you did say yes…"

I cut him off before he could continue, "only because you tricked me into it, you knew your power would work on me. I can't believe you would stoop so low. Why can't you see I don't love you and I never will?"

He wasn't smiling anymore in fact he looked a little ticked. "When will you understand that we don't need to love each other? Since I was a child I was told you would be my queen and together we would rule the vampire world. And now you are trying to take my kingdom away from me. Just so you can have love with a commoner." I wanted to cut in but he kept going. "Is that what you want, Princess?" He yelled at me; all I could do was nod. "Well I am sorry to inform you but if you insist on being with him, it will be a short lived love story and then you will be mine."

I felt the heat filling in my cheeks. I could almost taste fire on my breath. "Drake you conceited prick, don't you ever threaten me again. I will marry Edward and if you interfere in anyway I will kill you myself!" I smacked him hard across the face, I could almost see a shade of red where my hand was.

He grabbed my wrist forcefully. "You have crossed the line Isabella. I was tolerant with you before, but now my patience is wearing thin. I will give you one last chance to change your mind. You will marry me and forget about this Edward!"I tried to get out of his grasp. I pulled my arm harder and stumbled backwards.

If he thought I was mad before he was sadly mistaken. I locked my eyes on his and threw him against the wall with all my will. "I WILL NEVER MARRY YOU! NEVER!" I was screaming at the top of my lungs. Things were flying everywhere, we were in total chaos. I had no control over my mind; I kept throwing objects at him and tossing him around the room. I started feeling weak, I was over doing it.

"You Bitch!" He growled as he rushed towards me. He was too fast, the next thing I knew I was against the staircase with his hands around my throat.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I needed to have complete control if I wanted to defeat him. He lifted one of his hands and curled it into a ball. It had to be now or never. I moved my head quickly so his fist wouldn't collide with my face. It worked he punched a hole into the stair. He let go of me completely to pry his other arm out of the staircase. I moved to the other end of the room, controlling objects with my mind, hitting him when I could. I was almost to the door when I heard several menacing growls from behind me. Oh no, I thought, I am too late

I turned around with a new found speed. One of Drakes guards was flying towards me; she slashed at my arm with her claws. I shoved her off me with just one thought. "Is that all you've got?" I hissed. "You have to call your guard to come save you from one small girl?" I was laughing now, something evil I didn't know existed in me.

"I don't need any help killing you. They are just here to make sure I don't. It wouldn't be beneficial to either of us if I killed you before we said our, I do's."

I wanted to smack the smirk off his glorious face.

"You know I am rather attracted to your aggressive side princess. It makes this so much more pleasurable."

"Well I hope you enjoy this tiny pleasure. Because it's the last you will taste of me!" I had to choke back the venom in my throat.

He was ready to pounce, I could tell by the look in his eye. He leapt at me from the stairs as another male tried to attack me from the side. I was in a panic. I couldn't think clearly enough to throw him. I waited for his weight to crash against me and then I heard another growl from the door.

Edward came in hurling himself at Drake. "Is this how you fight, ten to one?"

There are ten of them? I didn't count that many, I could have taken them all. Alice quickly ran to my side.

"Are you alright?" She said as she looked me over. "It looks like we made it just in time for the party."

I winked at her. "I had everything under control. I was about to inflict some major damage when you barged in." Alice gave me a oh really look, which I just waved off.

Alice and I were fighting back to back willing Drakes guard to give us more. I could see Henry through the window rushing towards us with rage in his eyes. Behind him were Emmett and Jasper, they broke through the glass and started to fight. They injured or killed most of the males immediately while Alice and I finished off two of the females. I was so busy fighting I didn't notice Edward and Drake had gone missing, until I heard more glass break.

I ran toward the sound as fast as I could. I had to make sure Edward was alright, if Drake hurt him I wouldn't be able to live with myself. They were combating under the moonlight. I could see blood falling from Edward's right eye and a few scratches on his back and chest. Drake looked pretty beat up but I wasn't concerned with him. They were both yelling something derogatory at each other.

"Give it up Edward, I don't want to have to kill you over a girl," Drake said like they had been friends for years.

"I would proudly die for Bella, she isn't just any girl." Edward's words pulled at my heart.

Drake laughed something wicked, "I am so happy you said that. I will take great satisfaction in knowing I killed you be cause of your pride for your princess."

I watched as they continually pummeled each other, neither of them taking a breath. They were both covered in one another's blood. There was now an audience around us, cheering on either side. I couldn't stand it any longer, this had to stop. I stood very still willing my mind to stop both of them before they collided again. It worked because I heard a hushed awe and a few profanities from Drake.

"This has to end now. You can't keep on fighting like this." My voice cracked when I spoke.

I let them both back down on the ground. All around me was silent; I didn't think my actions were very profound. And then I realized it wasn't me. I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I looked up into my fathers loving eyes. He and my uncles floated in through the crowd.

"Your Princess has spoken. You will end this imprudence at once." My Uncle Vlad's words were stern. "Drake, my son, what grief and shame you bring to our family. Bella is your cousin you should be happy for her. Instead, you insult her crown by trying to hurt her."

Drake tried to protest. "But, father…" his father just held up a hand to silence him.

"There will be no further discussion of this matter and no more blood will be shed. Any violation from either party will end in banishment or death." Vlad said with insistence.

Drake stomped off, with what was left of his guard following him. The crowd was thinning, all returning to their rooms. I gave my father a reassuring smile as I knelt down next to Edward. His wounds would heal, they weren't very deep, but he would have some nice sized bruises for a while. I was hesitant to touch him. Even though I knew he still loved me I didn't want to act hastily. He stared at me intensely, I couldn't look away. He wrapped his arms around me pulling me down. I melted under his touch instantly. "Edward, I am so sorry. I didn't mean…" his lips were on mine smothering me.

He shushed me. "Don't, you have nothing to be sorry for. I am here now and I love you. We have each other and that's all we will ever need."

I felt dry tears welling up in my eyes again. My chest was thirsty for air, I felt like a child in his arms. "I love you Edward Cullen," was all I could say.

He giggled softly, holding me tighter. "I know, and I love you too."

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