Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight - I don't even want to! I do own some awesome ice cream to eat in the cold of winter. the irony kills you, right?

CHAPTER FIVE

"Stay where you are
Please don't break my heart
Love you in my daydream."

~Christina Perri

Like the dawn, morning brings to light realizations that night had made soft, and gentle; glaring truths that I had chosen to ignore in the heat of the moment.

Edward should not have been allowed to kiss my cheek.

He should not have been able to bring me back to my room or lay be down on my bed – not after Rosalie had disabled his authorization.

I worked to harden my heart towards him, resisting the urge to expose myself to him completely. What had changed? And why was he there in the clearing when the King's men had tried to kidnap me?

Suspicion, which had been rising steadily in my gut, lodges itself into my throat. I needed answers.

After my morning bath, I find Edward is patiently waiting outside of my door to escort me to the morning meal.

Without much preamble, and with a steady flickering in my brain, I stand close to Edward, my brows furrowed and my mouth hard. "How did you get into my room?" I demand, fisting my hands at my sides.

Edward looks away, down the halls to ensure we are alone, his face too nervous to be truthful. "I'm not in your room; I'm standing outside of it."

"Don't play stupid, Edward. Yesterday, you were in my room. You got me into my room."

Edward sighs, pushing his hands through his hair. "Fine! I know how to override the system, okay?"

"No, not okay. Don't do it again," I order, standing firm when his face flashes in outrage.

He struggles to control his facial expressions which are, admittedly, more bland that a humans as the Leumian lack all kinds of facial hair. I wondered if their entire bodies were as smooth and hairless.

"I said I would do anything-"

"You helped me, Edward. And I thank you for that. But I don't trust you." I ignore the instant deflation of his face, the earnest expression fading, simmering below his skin as he realizes that I am serious. I bite the insides of my cheeks, glancing around the empty hall. "Why were you in the clearing?"

Edward very obviously calculates what he should and shouldn't tell me, the gears turning in his head and coming to a halt when my steely glare breaks through his thoughts. He sighs. "I overheard my father," he begins, turning to face the wall. "He had been suspecting, forcing the Healer to test the samples he'd taken when you were…ill." Edward's eyes rise to mine, the vibrant depths clear and hypnotizing in their truth. "I was trying to warn you. I swear."

I cross my arms over my chest.

He could have been telling the truth; I do recall him trying to make the Leumian men put me down. I accept his perspective, nodding slowly.

"What changed, Edward?"

His eyes close and he leans his face against the rounded wall. Speaking lower than I'd ever heard him, he mumbles, "I was wrong and I realize that, isn't that enough?"

"No. What changed?"

"I can't…"

Fighting the urge to scream out in frustration, I breathe deeply through my nose and let my fingertips graze the smooth skin of his arm. "Please, just…tell me what changed? Why do you accept me now?"

Edward's eyes are locked on my fingers, heat rising quickly in the teal irises. "I was lying to myself, Bella, when you first arrived. I wanted to hate you so badly and it was not you that deserved me ire. My father did, for arranging this mating. But even now - after what he has done, I cannot be completely angry with him - because he brought you to me. You have no idea how empty I've been, searching for you and not understanding why none of the Leumian females appealed to me." He pauses, turning to face me fully, restraining his hands from touching me. "I knew from the moment I saw you that you were meant for me. And I stupidly remained stubborn, wanting to deny the truth that I have a chemical reaction to you. I pushed you away when I could not stay away. I was struggling with my preconceived notions and the undeniable attraction I have to you.

"And then you got so sick. I thought it would be better if you were dead because I selfishly did not want to admit I was wrong about it all. If you were not here, then I would not have to struggle with myself, fighting my own thoughts with every step I took towards or away from you. My refusal only served to push you away. And for that, I will never be sorry enough," Edward whispers, his deep voice breaking. "I will do whatever it takes to win the rights to mate with you, by your standards."

By the time he is done speaking, my throat is tight and my face is hot, my heart thumping painfully in my chest in response to his words. I clear my throat, holding my chin high to maintain my semblance of unaffected dignity. "I need time to think…But, you can start my always being truthful with me."

Edward nods solemnly. "I promise."

Silently, he holds his elbow out to me. I war with myself, not wanting to give in but also recalling the heat of his lips on my cheek. I can understand where he is coming from – fighting with himself over everything he did, not wanting to give into his attraction.

For me, I just didn't want to give in too soon.

The blatant truth in his rushed speech was so eye opening that I couldn't deny the urge to forgive him just a bit.

After all, I was confused too.

The whole situation would be confusing if he was an Earthling; there had to be some kind of learning curve between us.

I gingerly take hold of his elbow and allow him to escort me to the throne room. Upon arrival, Alice greets me with a particular enthusiasm, bouncing in her seat and stuffing her face with food

She is keeping a secret.

Her eyes glaze over for a moment before she turns to me, whispering in my ear. "You shall find out soon enough. Oh, it will be so fabulous."

Throughout the meal, I can feel the King's heavy gaze on each of my movements – he is studying me, making note of every breath I take, as if it will give away another hidden secret.

The Healer arrives after the meal is taken away. He seems flustered and tired, warily glancing at me as if I could set him on fire with a single glance.

Perhaps he thought I could.

He clears this throat, shuffling the small papers in his hands. "Sire, shall I give the results now or would you prefer a more private audience?"

The King opens his mouth to speak but the Queen calmly cuts in. "Here will be fine. There are no secrets in this family. Proceed."

And so, the Healer does, his voice quaking slightly. "Initial blood tests confirmed mixed DNA between a Leumian and a human. Upon further testing, it was confirmed that the subject's mother was Leumian." The Healer looks up from his papers, glancing nervously between the King and me. "The DNA testing revealed that the Leumian mother was Renee Skye-"

Immediately, all at the same time, the Leumian's at the table jump up and away, all baring fangs and hissing at me. All except for Alice – who is struggling against Jasper's tight hold – and Edward, who is crouched in front of me, his torso low between his long legs.

"She's not dangerous!" Alice screeches, clawing at Jasper's arm.

I sit completely still, my heart pounding in my chest, my mind totally frozen taking in the scene around me. Feral aliens eager to take my life – even Rosalie, who I am so tied to, though she seems to have reacted to the others, blindly following.

The King takes a measured step forward, pushing Esme behind him. I feel electricity rush down my arms, my body running on instinct, while Edward reacts instantly to the King's approach; claws flashing out, his body adjusting into a higher stance and a fearsome snarl ripping out of his chest.

"You will fall back," the King growls at him.

I swallow, intimidated by the beings surrounding me – aliens that could very easily kill me. And, it seemed, the majority wanted to.

But why? Who was my mother to cause such a reaction? In all of my memories, she seemed to be a gentle being – cherishing nature, teaching me to hide my second gift from my father.

She'd also lied to me, led me to believe she was human when she had known that she wasn't – known that she'd given birth to some Halfling that did not belong in either world.

Edward snarls again and I realize that he is larger than his father – taller, leaner, and younger. And more confident as he does not flinch away from his father's warning, his snarl simmering in his chest, a continual vibration.

Warmth fills me at his protection.

"Sire, if I may-"

The King growls again, the loud noise seemingly snapping Rosalie and the Queen out of their mindless stupor. "Speak, Healer," the Queen orders quietly, remaining behind her husband.

The Healer clears his throat again. "As I said, Renee Skye was the mother but the gene was not passed down to her offspring…just as the gene was not passed down to Renee. If I may, Sire, I theorize that the Emperor's curse was not genetic…"

The King lets the information sink in, slowly letting his steady growls die off in his chest. "I see," he says flatly, looking at me with cold eyes.

Appraising.

Judging for danger.

"I don't understand," I whisper, feeling my brows furrow as my body relaxes. Electricity migrates back up my arms.

Edward remains in his crouch, eyes hard, though his snarls have stopped completely. Jasper has released Alice, studying the room silently – observing, as he is prone to do.

"The Leumian history is a long one," Alice begins, cautiously walking forward, only to be thwarted by Edward as his snarls pick up again.

He was bent on protecting me, even though it seemed that he didn't need to anymore.

I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to stop him.

Alice rolls her eyes at Edward, raising her hands and stepping back; Edward relaxes, marginally, though he is still tense, his head roving with every breath he takes, searching for some threat. He didn't seem to be in control of his own mind.

Is this what the Leumian males did for their mates?

Did Edward truly see me like that? So soon?

He hadn't given me any new reason to doubt him.

"Leumian's have always been around," Alice continues, sitting on the floor across from me; Jasper stands to her side, ready to protect her if Edward starts freaking out again. "Since the planet was born, really. We were nomadic, of course, at the beginning of our time. Until Leumian's with special gifts emerged – like the psychics of the Earth. Some of these Leumian's could create fire and electricity while others, like me, could see the future or hypnotize other Leumian's. Within these ancient Leumian's, a clan arose. Your clan."

I find myself fascinated, completely absorbed in her tale – a story that sounds so familiar to me. Flashes of my mother putting me to sleep, telling me stories of a magical land, come to the forefront of my mind.

She told me this story at bedtime, though the details were now fuzzy.

"The clan was named after the sky after their abilities, which were far above the norm. As such, the clan was also looked to for leadership. Your clan ruled over Leumin for thousands of years, eventually becoming the Emperors and Empresses over the planet. Their word was law, enforced by the odd talents and abilities of their children. But, there came a time when a revolution was in order. You see, Bella, your mother's father ruled with a heavy hand, completely disregarding the limits of the technology and allowing pollutants into our atmosphere – toxic chemicals that reside in our clouds. The very clouds that poisoned you…

"The King's father challenged the Emperor's rule-"

"My father gave his life," the King interrupts. "Sacrificed his entire being to save what your grandfather had done."

I frown, glancing down at my hands, my fingers twisting together. "What was the curse?"

"The people call it a curse because it began to curse them. The Skye clan was dying out – their skin incredibly pale, their wombs barren. Children were rare. In fact, your mother was probably the last child born to the clan. Of course, the infertility was only half of the curse."

I raise my eyes to the Queen. "What was the other half?"

"The Emperor was bloodthirsty. Slowly, he was working through the Leumian population, draining the life force from bodies and leaving them to rot in his palace. And because the Emperor was the leader of Leumin, his clan began to feed on the Leumian's too. Until now, it was assumed the thirst was genetic…"

I close my eyes.

Thirsted for blood.

Drank the blood of his people.

No wonder they reacted to me in such a defensive way.

My presence here was nothing but a reminder of the suffering these aliens had gone through at the hands of my ancestors. I am the remains of a nightmare the Leumian's wished to forget.

"Excuse me," I choke out, standing and slipping past Edward who had remained crouched. As he had not been expecting my retreat, he stays frozen in his stance, realize too late that I am rushing down the halls as fast as my legs can carry me, searching for the nearest exit.

Too many thoughts are running through my mind – how did my mother get to Earth? And if she was supposedly barren, how am I here? Did her resistance of the thirst cause her disease on Earth?

I am able to focus on the burn of my legs and lungs as I race through the darkening forest, giant smoky black clouds quickly taking over the sky, hiding the stars from the midday sun.

The King is bitter, that much is clear – his father gave his life to stop my grandfather from inflicting too much more damage. I had a feeling I didn't want to know the details.

Did I have the potential hidden inside myself to become like the Emperor? Was there a thirst I hadn't noticed?

I collapse against the side of a large tree, massive, smooth leaves acting as a makeshift shelter as giant splashes signal the start of a rainstorm. The leaves sufficiently hide my body from the loud raindrops, thunder cracking in the sky and the clouds rapidly brewing above my head.

This is my first glimpse of the erratic Leumian weather pattern, the relatively gentle weather from before shrinking against what I am witnessing now.

The scant memories I have of my mother do not match the images induced by the recounted tale of the King's family – nor do they match the tale she had told me as a child.

In her version, the Emperor was very old, had always been sickly from childhood and the thirst was a desperate cure to prolong his life. The man from that tale depicted a pressured man that had been half-way out of his mind his whole life, abusive and compulsive not unlike Earthling alcoholics or drug addicts or children born with brain defects that could not be fixed by doctors.

And how did my mother arrive on Earth?

It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to assume she had escaped the turmoil her father had caused, easily passing for human with her colorless skin on Earth. Had she known what my father would become?

Could she have possibly planned my future?

I pull my knees up to my chest and lay my head on my arms, willing my mind to slow down as I take deeper breaths.

I had never been in such a constant state of confusion. From everything Edward represented – a hope against hope that I never thought I would find someone that would accept me – to the danger I found myself in because of my genes.

Nothing here was simple.

Why couldn't I just be human, fully?

Why couldn't Edward have accepted me from the beginning?

I sigh. Had it not been for the poison of the clouds – ironically caused by my grandfather through some careless act, I'm sure – I would never have needed blood, which would never had lead to Edward refusing to save me, which wouldn't have tied me to Rosalie, which wouldn't have kicked Edward's mind into gear.

Where would we be now if not for these events?

My birthday is tomorrow.

I would be, according to Leumian traditions, old enough to mate.

Are we ready?

The history between our families was over, in my mind at least. I couldn't change the past. All I could do was show the King that I wasn't like the Leumian's who shared DNA with me and hope that he would eventually calm towards me.

Alice seemed confident that I wasn't a danger to the Leumian's – that I didn't have the curse that scared and enraged the King. A curse that, to me, seemed more like a sick man terrorizing the people he was supposed to govern.

Thunder roars through the sky, leaving the forest quiet for a moment after its wake – quiet enough that I can hear his frantic voice calling for me.

If I had had any doubts that Edward was fully committed to earning his rights, any doubts that he cared for me, they were cleared in that moment.

He came out in this weather, probably at the ire of his father, to come searching for me, not long after confessing his attraction to me.

And it was so hard to fight against my feelings for him, in this moment especially. No one person – except for Yvette – had ever shown such concern and care for my wellbeing.

I couldn't even begin to explain my attraction to him; after what he's said and done and didn't do, it didn't make any sense for my heart to stutter at the sound of his name or for my body to heat under his gaze.

But it did. And I was growing tired of resisting what he was offering.

I didn't dare go near the thought that suggested Edward was in love with me. It was too soon even if I thought my own feelings were approaching that territory at a rapid pace.

Could Leumian's fall in love? Or did they only feel the draw to their mates? Perhaps it was the same thing.

"Bella!"

Thunder strikes again and I cringe, burying my head further into my arms. Why had I thought to run away outside? Of course, I wouldn't have been able to predict the weather – not even the Leumian's could – but surely this wasn't my brightest moment.

I hear my name again, closer; I can feel him coming closer though my eyes are clinched shut. I hadn't ever been afraid of thunderstorms on Earth, but there was such raw power in the flashes of lightening and ferocious bouts of thunder.

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against a large, hard chest. I shudder in his embrace, his head falling onto my shoulder, his fingers lightly gripping the tops of my arms. "It's dangerous out here."

I bite my lips. "Why?"

Edward sighs, settling himself against the trunk of the tree and pulling me onto his lap, careful to keep his arms tight around me. It's like he can't get close enough.

I wanted him further away and closer at the same time.

But hadn't he proven himself?

The sleek fabrics of his clothes are soaked, his hair hanging in his vibrant eyes as he studies my face carefully. "We can never know if the rain is toxic. The acid eats away at life when the water dries."

I frown. Another scar my grandfather has left on this beautiful planet. How many more would there be for me to discover?

Thunder cracks again; I jump and Strom secures me in his embrace. His body is cool, most likely from the drying water on his skin and clothes – and I wonder if Leumian bodies have a set temperature.

"There is a cave near by," Edward mumbles, looking away from me and out into the heavy rain before us. "We are too far away from the Palace to risk more exposure."

I have not time to agree or disagree as Edward stands with me in his arms, hunching his back to shield me from the rain. Warmth blooms in my chest at this gesture – he is making it so difficult to fight against. I could scarcely remember why I wanted to in the first place.

Edward knows the forest well, easily ducking under the low leaves of trees to shelter us from the rain until we reach a shallow cavern.

Though the rain is cool, the cave is warm – humid, even. The goose flesh on my arms and shoulders fade as Edward settles me in the back of the cave, farthest away from rain.

"You protected me," I tell him after we have been silent for a while, the moments passing into hours while the rain remains steady.

"Of course."

"You didn't have to."

Edward's eyes harden, his cat-like pupils narrowing into slits. "I want to. You're m-"

He cuts himself off, heat rising in his face.

"I'm what, Edward?" I can hardly keep the curiosity out of my voice.

"I was going to say that you're mine," he whispers, hazarding a glance at me. "But that's not true. Not yet."

I sit back, unaware that I had been unconsciously leaning towards him, drawn like a magnet though I was attempting to will him away.

He thought of me as his, I think to myself, observing the quiet rise and fall of his chest as he sits against the hard rock of the cave, his arms folding across his chest and his long legs stretching in front of me.

"I will be tomorrow," I say slowly, holding my eyes to his so he might see the truth that I am trying to show him.

Tomorrow, I would be his. In every sense of the word.

"But do you want to be?"

The insecurity in his voice is stunning and humbling. For all of his height and mass, his physical and mental age isn't over twenty – he is still finding his way through his life, forming opinions and making decisions.

Did I want to be his?

Yes. I do.

I stifle a gasp at my inner thoughts, unsure of how true they are as I had forced myself not to think them. I had wanted time – but did I really need it after the displays he had shown me? After his promises and his defending of my life to his feral family?

"Yes," I say, my voice quiet but ringing with truth in the middle of this torrential weather.

Edward stares blankly at me for a moment, his mouth softening into a twitching smile. "I'm glad," he says.

Lightening shoots across the sky, thunder cracks but we remain locked in our gaze. Drawn to each other.

Like magnets.

Slowly, we gravitate towards the other until my virtually curve-less front is pressed against the hard planes of his chest, his arms tight around my waist and our noses just inches from touching.

Edward moves his mouth to my cheekbone, pressing tender kisses down my cheek to the edge of my jaw to the corner of my mouth, careful to avoid the places I wanted to feel his steaming kisses – my neck, my lips, the place behind my ear that I had never paid much attention to.

My fingers move up to trace the bones of his face, strangely delicate under his smooth sun-kissed skin. High cheekbones, wide, slanted eyes, an angular nose, and a sharp jaw-line. His forehead was unmarred by hair, taking away from his expression but somehow adding to the purity of his emotions, which could be read in his teal eyes – eyes that are greener than blue in certain lights.

We explore each other's faces, never dipping below the jaw, as if through silent agreement.

There is static between us, but not tension.

No more tension.

Forgiveness is fresh around us – forgiveness from me as I had begun to understand where he was coming from, initially.

It was like a balm to my battered mind.

Several times, when Edward's kisses ventured to the corner of my jaw, right on the edge of my neck, I had felt the center of my brain zinging with electricity, gentle shocks running across the surface of my body. At those times, Edward's chest rumbles with a gentle laugh, evidently enjoying the slight sting.

"I'm sorry," I say, heat rising in my face.

"You smell different when that happens," he smiles, pressing his forehead against mine. "Sweeter. I like it."

My face burns, a smile spreading across my face.

Eventually, we are able to leave the cave, Edward insisting on carrying me as he didn't want me to step in the potentially dangerous puddles. I had protested but secretly sighed inwardly at the gesture – another sign that he had changed his thinking, enforcing my forgiveness.

I wasn't perfect, I knew. Everyone was entitled to make mistakes.

Even aliens.

"Oh, we were so worried!"

As the words leave Alice's mouth, Rosalie frowns apologetically at me. "I didn't mean to-"

"I know," I interrupt as Edward reluctantly let's me down.

"What did you do to that dress?" Alice cries in horror, circling me quickly and pushing Edward out of the way, forcing him to take a step back. He growls petulantly – if a growl could be petulant, that is. "It's like you've rolled around in the mud!"

"What time is it?" I ask, purposefully ignoring Alice's continued agonizing over the state of my dress. It hadn't even crossed my mind.

"Past the late meal," Rosalie answers, reaching for my hand to draw me away towards my room. "Alice predicted your arrival so food is waiting in your room. Brother, you'll have to visit the kitchens."

Edward raises his chin to his sister before shooting me a smile.

I know that I will not see him until sometime tomorrow – in fact, that is guaranteed – but my heart still stings in protest as I watch him walk away.

As soon as Alice, Rosalie and I enter my room, I am pushed towards the washroom where a steaming bath had been drawn. I hadn't even noticed the faint chill in my fingers and toes.

My time in the bubbling water is interrupted – Alice has lined up several dress choices for me, all in varying shades of blue, silver and white, all different lengths and styles and all made of different fabrics. I eat juicy fruits in the water as Rosalie asks me questions about my time with Edward between Alice's enthusiastic presentations of dresses.

"So, you have forgiven him?"

I nod, biting into a fruit that was shaped like a strawberry but tasted like a pomegranate and that was the color of green grapes. "I see him, now."

"See him?"

"Yes. His…goodness. His mind, almost. Mostly through his honesty. And what he did in the throne room."

Rosalie nods eagerly, grinning. "That was an impressive display. Some fully mated males don't even show that kind of mindless protection."

I take that in, letting it filter into the depths of my mind, as Alice brings in three more dresses, detailing her opinion of them.

"Which do you think I should wear? I've never been to a mating ceremony. I've never even been to a human wedding," I say, pursing my lips as I quickly dry off and don a black sleeping shift.

"I think you should wear this one."

I study the detailing on the dress; truly, it was very beautiful and I had a good feeling about it. I tended to rely on my gut feelings.

"What should I expect tomorrow?"

Rosalie and Alice exchange a loaded glance.

"There will be blood," Rosalie begins, twisting her wrists significantly.

"And an enchantment, much like the vows on your planet. But that is only the ceremony. The real mating is finished in the chambers," Alice pauses thoughtfully. "In fact, this will be your last night in this room."

I swallow the sudden nerves at the implications of her words.

By this time tomorrow, I would be completely altered.

I couldn't find it in myself to parish at the thought.

A/N: so it took a lot longer, right? well, dears, i don't have an update schedule! if you were with me when i was writing Gods, you can attest to that; i was all over the place. but i write when it comes to me - sometimes, i can write ten pages in a day, other times, i can write ten sentences. that said, updates might be twice in one day, twice in a week or twice a month. thats just how it is!

shout out to Midnight Angels Say GoodNight for the first review in the last chapter - sorry i couldn't get this to you before first period!

twivampchick, JLS0823, YesMyRealNameIsBella and berdb for your enthusiastic reviews. in my head, i was giving all of you massive high fives!

as always, be brutally honest. i can take it.

~cupcakeriot