1600s
It had been over half a year since Bella and Carlisle first encountered each other. Carlisle was completely in control of his bloodlust and Bella was almost out of things she could teach him.
It was nice having him around though. It was even better when he was touching her, but Bella preferred to be alone, and she didn't love him. Her role as his teacher was quickly coming to an end. Once that barrier was down that would leave them as just two vampires having sex, mates.
As much as Bella enjoyed him she could never consider him mate material. He was too weak, soft hearted, and caring. He didn't love to fight like she did, both physically and verbally. He also didn't understand her deep rooted need for solitude and silence.
"So I was thinking," Carlisle began and Bella internally sighed. He was interrupting her reading time.
"Yes?" She prompted.
"I'd like to try and meet your neighbor, to try and convince him to change diets."
"That's a folly." Bella said simply before going back to her book, assuming the matter was closed.
"What if he doesn't know there is another way he could be living? He could be wishing to stop the needless slaughters, and just doesn't know the solution."
"I believe I told you that vampires that staked claims on land tended not to like being disturbed, especially not to hear someone spew their own brand of gospel." Carlisle flinched and Bella realized she had been needlessly harsh. "I just think it's a very big risk that is unlikely to yield anything besides your death. With more training than I can teach you could be saving lives easily. Don't risk all that because of him. Leave that hermit alone." Bella tried reading his expression and was disappointed with what she saw. "Fine, if you insist on pointlessly putting yourself in danger you should be dowsed in my scent. I'm sure he's used to it by now and if he smells it on you he might actually hesitate to kill you. Just don't go into his territory without his explicit permission." Bella said before beckoning Carlisle over to her for some very enjoyable sex.
Next chapter is Carlisle's and Alistair's first meeting!