Disclaimer: These are not Stephanie's vampires.
Chapter Ten
Isabella Swan
I must have moped around in my room for hours. It took a long time for me to move away from the window, though some part of me did find comfort in hearing Edward just right there. Sometimes, I could almost feel his intent gaze through the glass though I refused to look down at him.
The most intense feeling was permeating the air around me – I felt like I had found the most precious thing in the world, only to lose it in the next second. Maybe that's what actually happened.
Maybe I had lost the most precious thing in my life – willingly.
I was the one who sent him away.
I decided that I was being too melodramatic and it was probably because I hadn't gotten good and high in at least a day.
Somehow, it seemed that Edward knew exactly what I was going up here.
The thunderous growl I heard as I lit up Daisy Duck was sure to scare the people in my dorm.
I ignored it as well.
Of course, I knew I couldn't hide forever in my room. It was Sunday and I was due to dinner in an hour and I still had to pick up a few items from the corner store before then, as well as shower the stench of my high off my body. Dad was Navy, after all. I'm certain he would approve of my extracurricular activity even less than Edward apparently did.
I took a quick shower, still toweling off my hair as I entered my dorm room. The room itself still stunk of Daisy Duck but I didn't open the window in fear of Edward taking that as an invitation. I wasn't sure how that vampire voodoo worked, but right now, he wasn't invited and until I could figure out what was going on, he wouldn't be.
I throw on a dark pair of jeans, a box-cut owl sweatshirt and my comfortable boots, ruffling my wet hair and grabbing a few reusable canvas bags from underneath my desk, along with a couple of twenties to stuff in my pocket.
The entire way to the corner store, between Dad's house and the diner, I feel eyes on me – someone following me. It makes my whole body tense as I have no way of knowing if it's Edward or not – and if it is Edward, why is he trying to freak me out? I had the notion that vampires could be stealthy if they wanted to be.
Maybe Edward wanted me to know he was following me.
My time in the store is short as I hurriedly purchase a few essentials like milk, bread and eggs as well as the ingredients that I need to prepare a couple of dinners. My arms are heavy as I exit the store, but I trudge on.
I should have known Edward would never allow it.
As I round the next corner, he appears beside me, along with the compact blond male vampire from earlier. His expression is a mixture of bleak and pained as he hisses out a low order to the other vampire – and I realize that this is what he had done before. His lips barely move and I can hardly hear the sound, but the blond vampire's hands dart out and snag the heavy bags from me.
I make an indignant sound, to which Edward only raises a brow.
"I could have carried those myself," I tell him, raising a brow right back at him. "In fact, I was carrying them myself."
"You do not have to anymore."
I scoff at him, reaching for the bags. The blond vampire steps back, a blur. "I'm not made of China, Edward!"
He blinks at me. "Of course not," he agrees. "You're American, not Chinese."
I stop for a second, gauging the serious expression on his face, not daring to look at his mint green eyes as I wonder if he really meant what he just said. Edward shows no signs of joking.
I laugh.
He smiles in response, eagerly stepping towards me. "I am forgiven?"
Everything about his body language and expression and voice points to one singular idea – he just wants to please me. He's desperate for it.
I stop laughing, slowly frowning at him. "Are you still keeping secrets?"
Edward says nothing, though I can't be sure if it's because he doesn't know how to answer me or if he doesn't have an answer.
I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest, glad that the street around us is relatively empty and a little perturbed that the blond vampire seems to have become a statue, giving us privacy while still easily clutching my bags.
"Edward, I don't do secrets," I tell him.
He nods once, his face carefully blank.
I think he understands what I'm trying to say – that I won't be talking to him or inviting him inside until he's willing to part with information.
I reach for my bags again and instantly, the blond vampire is awake and stepping backwards. My hands go to my hair and I groan in frustration. "I don't have time for this right now. I need to be somewhere, Edward."
"Where are you going?" he whispers, sounding so forlorn it almost breaks my resolve.
"To my Dad's for dinner."
Edward's face instantly brightens and I realize, belatedly, that he thought I might be visiting another man. I shake my head slightly at him, knowing that he had a lot to learn about me.
"We will walk to you then," Edward says, stepping up to my side.
I pause, not sure if this is a good idea or not – showing them where my Dad lives. But they probably can't get inside without an invitation, anyway.
The rest of the walk is at my human pace with the blond vampire shadowing our steps. I glance back at him more than one time. "Who are you?" I ask directly.
His eyes dart to mine then back to Edward, as if looking for permission.
I see Edward nod.
The blond vampire smiles widely, calm seeping out of him. "I am Jasper, my Lady."
Ignoring the way he addresses me, I ask, "And what do you do, Jasper?"
"I am a guard," he says smoothly.
I notice that he does not say whom he is guarding.
I don't bother asking either as I stop at the gate of Dad's property. I hold my hands out for the bags, tapping my foot impatiently. As Jasper carefully hands them to me, a shoot a look at Edward. "You can't just stand here all night, you know. Someone will notice."
He smiles very slightly at me. "I will see you later."
"But will I see you?" I shoot back, alluding to his antics with my window.
"Perhaps," he answers, stepping backwards.
Before I have a chance to respond, both Edward and Jasper are gone, disappearing in thin air.
Vampire speed.
I sigh and pivot, pushing the gate open with my hip and letting myself into Dad's house. His television is loud, broadcasting CNN, as I drop off the canvas bags of groceries in the kitchen. I peek into the living room, spying Dad in his recliner. "Hey."
He mutes the channel, smiling at me. "Hey, kid. I thought you would be late."
"Long line," I lie.
Dad nods. "What's on the menu tonight?"
"I was thinking Chicken Pita sandwiches," I tell him, preparing myself for the way his face scrunches up when he learns I'll be feeding him something healthy.
On cue, his eyes squint at me. "That's not fried, is it?"
"In your dreams, Dad," I laugh, feeling lighter and still relishing in my high. I make my way back to the kitchen, automatically cleaning out the fridge for any week-old food, checking that the freezer is stocked with lasagna and premade burgers and loading it up with the new purchases, leaving out what I'll need to cook with. I turn on the oven, spreading out diced chicken and frozen fries on a cookie sheet, putting a generous amount of black pepper on each.
My hands move on autopilot as I chop up fresh celery and carrots, while my mind is roving over details about Edward that I was putting together.
Jasper responded to Edward much like Alice had – instantly, without question. Not that Edward left any room for questioning; it was clear to me that he operated on giving orders and expecting them to be fulfilled. I probably drive him nuts since I didn't exactly do orders.
I knew there were several positions in the world in which people gave orders and coupled with Alice's reverence for Edward, that only left a few options available.
And I'm pretty sure she didn't try to say, Oh great dictator.
As I mix the fresh vegetables in with mayonnaise and a bit of sour cream and prepare the pita bread, spreading the inside with spicy Greek hummus, I start remembering all my interactions with Edward.
Yes, he did seem to have that sort of spoiled, I'll-get-exactly-what-I-want mentality.
And then he'd said something about duties.
My hands stop.
I stop – breathing, thinking, and moving.
Edward is a prince.
It makes perfect sense.
And I'd thought that vampires being royalty was absurd – but it was clear I was wrong, wasn't it?
Edward was a prince and Jasper was his guard and Alice was some sort of hand-maiden or something.
And he thought I was his mate.
No, he knows I am his mate, of that I am sure. He has complete conviction in that. And so do I, because there's no way I can even consider denying the way he and I respond to each other, even if I'm kind of being a bitch to him right now.
I shake myself out of those thoughts, knowing that I could be getting confirmation whether Edward liked it or not tonight. Instead, I force myself to focus on the cooked diced chicken being mixed in with the vegetables and putting that concoction inside the pita bread. I fix up two plates, grab a bottle of water and head into the living room, where Dad has put on a recording of Jeopardy.
We answer the backwards questions as we eat, Dad playfully giving me the stink eye every time I get an answer correct. "You're cheating," he accuses.
"Hush, old man," I tell him with a smile, turning back to the show. "Oh! What is Pride and Prejudice?" I feel Dad's eyes on me and I look up. "What?"
"You met someone," he states.
I feel my eyes go wide. "Dad-"
"Who is he?"
I study Dad's face, the sly smile and bright, happy eyes. "His name is Edward."
Dad nods. "And?"
I feel my face flush hot. "Dad, I'm not going to gossip with you about some boy."
Dad laughs. "Of course not," he agrees. "But you did meet someone. I'm happy to hear it."
"You are?"
Dad's eyes are tinged with sadness as he nods at me. "Yeah, Bella, I am. I don't want you to be alone. You've always been so involved with your academics and I've been so proud of that, proud that you could excel in that way and still work full time jobs," he says, reaching out to pat my hand. "But I always thought something was missing from your life and I think you knew it, too."
My heart flutters and a twinge pushes through my stomach. I hadn't realized Dad noticed or that he was concerned about my lack of romantic life. I hadn't even been concerned about it, not really. Victoria always made sure I had some fun and I felt like I had a purpose with my education. Until now – until Edward – I honestly wasn't interested in a relationship.
And that's what it was with Edward, right? I may be his mate by vampire standards, but I'm human and I was just starting a relationship with him. Maybe that was partly the cause of my own annoyance with his secrets – because that's not how I wanted to start a relationship with anyone. I could also silently acknowledge that keeping secrets put me on edge because of Mom; she hadn't told anyone about her illness until it was too late and as a result, I was very wary of people who kept secrets.
I refocus on Dad's waiting face. "He's wonderful," I tell him honestly. "I think you'd like him."
Dad nods. "I do expect to meet this boy," he says gruffly.
"You will," I promise, silently add that the meeting would only take place after Edward confirmed my concrete suspicions about his place in the world.
The rest of my visit is spent with Dad as we watch another game of Jeopardy with Dad's good-natured teasing at my constant correct answers, though he does accuse me of cheating a few times, to which I stick my tongue out at him.
It's late when I head back to my dorm, having made a trip upstairs to grab my heavy winter pea coat before cleaning up the kitchen and giving Dad a kiss good-bye. Again, I feel eyes on me but these are different – I suspect Jasper is carefully following me.
I wonder, very briefly, where Edward is – but that's unfair.
I sent him away.
Still, I missed him and knew that being away from him could not be a common occurrence.
And then, reluctantly, I accept that I'd been terrible to him, heartlessly sending him out of my room and closing the windows.
I'd been mean to him and I felt horrible for it.
And that feeling of being wrong, of knowing that each of us had made mistakes?
It was freeing.
I hurry my gait, eager to get to my dorm and wait for Edward to appear, even if it took all night.
I had to apologize.
And then, I had to get answers from a likely prince.
A/N: Woot woot. Update! Ah, a change of heart. Our Bella is nothing if not logical. Sure, she might be a bit quick to react with her emotions, but it's understandable. Just because you are a genius with your mind, doesn't meant you're a genius with your heart!
Reviews:
james3142 – Even a Prince has a weakness lol His just happens to be a little human ;)
Kimmie41 – Pshhhh, Bella's gonna get her answers!
Princessnerra – The first real guess! Lol Yes, yes he is…
Sadie1787 – lol Right? He can't get out of this just because she's his mate!
Valentine Rain – Edwaaaard! You got some 'splain'in to do!
CdrIvanova – Yes! Pink tears! I like them too lol
celia azul – Correct! Edward's overbearingness can totally be attributed to his birth and vampireness!
sujari6 – Yep! This Bella is no nonsense!
Nessiehugs – Yes! Princely Edward and his Bella, who can bring him to his knees…
LunaDiSangue85 – Hmm, a spanking? Lol
Krystalwinds1990 – I believe the "invited/uninvited vampire rule" comes from Anne Rice…
twilight-saga-lover95 – Mmm, I'll explain that in the next chapter. But there are different ways to be invited in…
KayKrisU – Going from kicking yourself to spaz dancing? Tres bon!
FLOW LIZ – Ironic how you're a sucker for Edward and that he's…well, a sucker lol
Flavia Ribeiro – I agree, she was a bit harsh…
Maggiejoma – LOL Yes! Bella will teach him everything he needs to know!
Dinotopian – Ah, thanks for the info about the blog – I think the links need to be fixed! Anyway, the original stories are the same ones on fanfiction, just with my original characters' names. Sooo…you are reading them, I guess? Lol
Michangelina – Glad you're still friggin' lovin' it! Where'd you go!?
DoubleFate – Gotta love fails, period! Lol
Lilypad10 – I think it's only fair that humans have a little bit of power, too. Vampires are all strength and speed and they have no protection in SM-World. But being able to uninvited one? Instant protection!
Love M Go Blue – Yep! I borrowed a little vampire lore from everyone, mashed it all together annnd…tada!
Headinthecloudsss – Ah, don't worry! Lol I should be back to the mid-week, weekend update thing now that midterms are over…You're review was awesome! Yes, there are definitely somethings to explain about being a mate or royalty in the vampire world. Slowly…more to come soon…
YesMyRealNameIsBella – Didn't get Frankenstorm at all, but my heart goes out to New Jersey, New York and Maryland and especially Staten Island. You're right, Alice didn't mean it like it sounded, but she should have thought first!
scareDcat – Stay intrigued!
Twilight Rocker 12 – Oh darn, you got me with your predictions!
Kaygou – Perceptive. Yes, Alice and Jasper are mates but even that wouldn't be able to save Alice from a punishment…
Pumpkinmykitty – OMG, someone going 50 Shades on Edward?! Lol
angelari7, Nightlydusk, Edward's spouse, cbmorefie, lacysangels, Mireads, tiffyboocullenjonas and debslmac - :D I'm so happy you are all loving this story! I'm honored that each of you review each chapter! I have the best readers in the world
And a special shout out to the first review of the last chapter, vampyregirl86 – Ah, I think the winds in Alaska had something to do with the earthquake that hit B.C Canada?
And now, for an issue regarding a "guest" review. I'd just like to say that I could, of course, block anonymous reviews but I don't think that's fair. Anyway, this was upsetting, not because it was brutally honest but because it was just plain mean. There is a difference between the two.
Guest: YOU are beat'ing a story? You.
You - whose stories illustrate without a doubt that you couldn't possibly even
be proofreading your won work, let alone then finding and correcting any
errors?
You - who constantly switches verb tense, often within the same paragraph?
You - whose stories constantly have storyline errors and things that
absolutely make no sense whatsoever?
You - who would apparently not know a grammatically correct sentence if it
came up and bit ya in the arse?
Someone should go warn that poor author - you're likely to correct things that
aren't even wrong because you wouldn't know the difference!
Dear Guest,
I'm calling you out on your rudeness. Each person I beta for understands that I am in no way an expert but I do have a great grasp on editing a story. Your review was a sad, cowardly attempt at bullying and I'm not going to put up with it. If you have a problem with the way I write, then I have a solution for you – don't read it. I can happily live my life without having you as a reader.
Rae
A thank you to the wonderful Claire Bear on Facebook who was totally on my side and hates reviewers like this! In light of this, I've decided to open up another strain of communication between myself and you guys; Skype. If you would like to IM me on Skype, you can find me under:
rae . kingsley
(It'll help if you look for Tacoma, Washington and take out the spaces!)
As always, be brutally honest (not barbarically rude!). I can take it (and I can give it back just as good).
~cupcakeriot