Jane's answer to my questioning was simple to ask her twin so clearly I wasn't going to find out unless I decided to risk talking to Alec. Highly unlikely, I could barely stand to be in the same room as him with having to physically try not to hyperventilate.

Since I couldn't talk to him with this change in demeanor, I decided to observe him instead. There were a few times when he slipped back to being cold but that I found was always when I said something stupid or accidently mean. He would never insult me anymore and in fact he seemed to working to take all of those he had back - I didn't know it was really possible to withdraw insults but when he flashed a charming (and heart-stopping, I had to admit) smile at me, it proved remarkable easy. I also noticed that he watched me a great deal out the corner of his eye and every time it ignited something within me.

I was fighting it even though I knew what it was. I had felt it before though perhaps not in the same intensity. That trouble I perceived myself to be in danger off if Alec's new behaviour continued was now trouble I was in and always had been in, I was starting to believe. Mr Darcy said to Elizabeth 'I was in the middle before I knew that I had began'. I could relate to that, that was how I felt. I was falling in love with Alec or was already in love with him and it was all his damn fault - why couldn't he have stuck with avoiding and ignoring me? It was so much easier. Instead of turning into a nice and funny and too-charming-for-his-own-good guy! It frustrated me beyond belief.

Part of me was now so deluded that it was starting to believe that he felt it too, that pull, that half-in-love feeling. I thought those looks he shot me when he thought I wasn't looking reminded me of Alice and Jasper or Esme and Carlisle. Yes, I was going crazy. Maybe leaving Volterra wasn't a good idea, it seems to have drove all logic from my brain and replaced it with silly fantasies and unlikely circumstances.

I tried to hide in my room, reading, sorting out my centuries out of date wardrobe, working but nothing could keep my attention for long especially when my father kept sending people to call for my presence in the throne room.

I had been home only about 2 weeks when everything finally came to a headway when I was just sitting in the throne room alone contemplating the most recent going ons in the castle.

Picking at the wood, I didn't look up as the side door swung open until the scent of Alec finally reached me then I jumped up.

"Principessa," he bowed ever so slightly and I allowed myself a small growl to escape - he straightened up immediately. "I apologise, Isabella."

Biting my lip, I nodded and turned away from him.

"Wait!"

I looked back over my shoulder in surprise - something was different about him. His mask had dropped leaving behind clear red eyes shining with emotion and a softer face than I had ever seen Alec give to anyone before. With that look I couldn't stop myself turning back to face him.

"I want to apologise," he spoke as soon as I was fully facing him again.

"You already ha-" I began but he cut me off moving as he came closer to me.

"Not for that," his voice was lower, softer. "I meant for my … previous behaviour towards you-"

"Alec, you don't -"

"I need to," he interrupted me again and shifted his weight from side to side - a restless vampire, a restless Alec, was never a good thing.

"Al," I stole Jane's nickname for him just for the second, ignoring for that single second how good it felt to say a more informal version to him, "just spit it out."

He stared at me, "I'm sorry for how cruel I was to you all those years but I do have an excuse."

"Lets hear it," I muttered, sitting done on my throne and he moved closer to me, hovering by the arm.

"You," he began and inwardly I cringed - of course, it was my fault. "You fascinate me," (that was not what I had expected and my gaze jolted to meet his) "I've been drawn to you since the moment you were born and you make me feel things far stronger than I have ever felt before. I don't do emotions, Isabella, they're not my suit. Emotions, they... terrify me honestly and feeling as strong an emotion as I do for you -"

"What?" It was my turn to interrupt in barely more than a whisper, trying my best to swallow down the hope and desire that had just sprung into my throat. "What do you feel for me?"

He didn't respond but instead swooped down, a hand moving to press against my cheek turning my face more towards him. The touch of his lips were hesitant at first as though giving my a chance to push him away. I didn't, that was the last thing I wanted to do, and seemingly the last thing he wanted either as, after that slight hesitant touch, his lips pressed more forcefully on my own. I responded the only way I knew how: by throwing myself into the kiss with all I had, not even letting us break contact when I stood up. His arms wrapped around my body, tightly pulling me against him.

I had only ever kissed one person before - Edward Cullen - and it was nothing like this (and I thought that had been amazing). Kissing Alec was like something had just been lifted off my shoulders, like a breath of fresh air. It was safe encased in his arms, I thought with the little colerentness that I had left as I slowly lifted my hand up to his cheek and then around his neck, the other staying firmly clasped on his collar. It was safe and warm and … so natural. Sadly, eventually, after what felt like five hours of kissing, I had to pull away feeling the need to breath but I didn't move from where I was pressed - perfectly fitting - against him. Simply lowered my head to rest at the crook of his neck, my heaving breathing having trouble slowing with his hand drawing patterns on my back.

So, so, so?! Is it good? I didn't want this story to really be very long so I tried to finish it in this chapter - I hope it doesn't seem rushed and pressed in. Oh god, what am I going to call this now?! :o x