Chapter fourteen: No more games.

"Promise I'll be back soon," Renesmee smiled; her lips brushing against mine for the servalth time. Her friends were standing by waiting, impatiently might I add. Among them were the wolfs, towering over the human's by feet upon feet. The only one who wasn't there, who I could only presume was waiting by the reception - merely not to see this sort of exchange between Renesmee and myself - was Jacob.

I could hardly blame him, however. If I had been in his situation - being head over heals for this hybrid, which I technically was - and not having her return the feelings, I too wouldn't wish to see her with another man. Though, I honored her self restraint. I doubt I would be able to stand back and let this go on. If Renesmee had chosen him over me, I highly presume I would have lashed out and ended his life; for having what I wanted. However, the fact still stood - in my eyes - that he wasn't good enough for her. She deserved more than a lowlife dog. She deserved more than a feeble Volturi guard, if I was quite honest. But she seemed content with me, and for that... Well, it amazed me more and more as the days passed.

"You're in no rush, my beloved." I chuckled against her lips as she pulled away to look at me. "I will be here when you return."

She gave a small groan of annoyance, and brought her lips to my own again. The kiss holding promise, passion and desire. And here I thought we had taken care of everything last night. Evidently, I was wrong.

She pulled away, her head resting against mine.

"Maybe... Rush a little bit." I whispered, somewhat breathless. She mimicked my own breathing pattern, and reluctantly pulled her head away from mine to allow her eyes to meet my own.

"Are you sure you can't come with us?" She blinked.

How I wish I was. I wanted to spend every moment I had with this hybrid; but today was the day I had to deal with things. I had to put everything straight, and somehow fix this matter before it got out of hand. Renesmee had to wait, and unfortunately, so did I. I may love this woman, but the vow I had once made to the Volturi still stood strong. My duties as a guard member were more important than a day shopping with my beloved and her friends... Despite how much I wanted to go with her, just to be near her.

"I had obligations, my love." I raised my hand to cup her chin between my thumb and forefinger. "You go and have fun... Perhaps play fetch."

I received a low growl from what I presumed to be one of the pack members. My eyes flicked, only to notice that a few of the humans had turnt up an eyebrow and were looking at... Paul, was it?

I was sure that was who Renesmee named him as. What did I care for their names, anyhow? None of them mattered to me.

"Go, before I drag you back into the room and never let you out. And remember to ask Natalia for a umbrella for each of you. It's presumed to rain at noon." I smiled, withdrawing my hand. She reluctantly began to walk backwards, her own hand moving into a small wave. The charm bracelet I had given to her for her sixteenth birthday rattled and chimed against her wrist. She had kept her promise. She hadn't taken that off either, along with my Volturi necklace which still was wrapped around her neck. Nodding my head, I stood and watched as she met with her friends and took off down the stairway towards the reception.

Taking a deep inhalation of breath, I flattened down my waistcoat and slid my hand into the little pocket; pulling out the hand sized circular clock that's chain was attached to the button of the waistcoat.

11:13.

Demetri, Felix and Jane would be waiting by the throne room, or merely wandering. This was our free time, as Aro didn't arrive at the throne room until twelve. Surprisingly, rumor had it that he had retired that night with Sulpicia. A rare, rare thing indeed.

I turned on my heel and began to walk down the opposite side of the corridor, that came to another staircase that would lead to the reception and throne room. It was a longer route with a lot more corridors to maneuver around, but I decided to take it. It would give Renesmee a head start on leaving.

God knows her friends wouldn't be able to stand another round of battle of the kisses.

Making my way through the corridors was easy, I had walked these floors for centuries; but I did it at a much slower pace than what I usually would have. As I wandered down the steps, listening intently to the small chatter going on a mere few feet ahead of me; I picked up on one thing.

Jane was questioning Demetri on what was wrong.

There was no reply, and merely footsteps.

"Demetri," Jane hissed, her head turned towards where he was now rushing down. Felix was quick to flank him, following his seemingly lunatic friend. I stopped just five steps from the floor, eyebrows creased together in confusion. Jane turned, her eyes finding mine.

In a silent conversation with her eyes, I was told just by them she was going too. In that instant, she turned and began after the two runaway vampires, following that of where the human and wolf's must have walked down. Jane never liked being left in the dark, and thus could only explain why she had taken off after them. She never got left out in anything. Hell, she was a ring leader, and should be told everything. Which brought guilt down onto me, for keeping one of the biggest things to occur to our lives, which probably involved us both, from her.

The scent. That must have been it. Demetri must have picked up on it, and was now pursuing it. Following... No. She was following Renesmee. No, no, no. I wouldn't allow it. Past or no past, if she so much laid a hand on her; I would personally kill her. And be sure the job was done this time!

I would make sure she was a pile of ash, and then I would put those ashes in an hourglass and give it to Jane for her collection!

In a haste, my feet moved in a quick hurry; in a haste to catch them. As I swiftly passed the reception, I noticed Natalia wasn't there. Odd. She always started her shift at nine. I couldn't ponder on the whereabouts of a mere receptionist. I had better things to concern myself with. Such as my past friend stalking the love of my eternal life!

"Aleczander,"

I skidded to a stop, my limbs becoming frozen. The voice I had dreaded wasn't in front of me. But behind. Ever So slowly, I turned. There, standing in the same dress she had been at the ball - the sublime white gown - on the stairs was Lilianna. I parted my lips to speak, but she took off straight ahead of her; down a narrow corridor.

I frowned, and began to walk after her.

Whatever she was up too, I wasn't letting her get away with it.

The dim lit corridor went on for what seemed like forever. Until I reached the very end and was braced with a two way option. To the left, or right. I glared, looking down each corridor.

"This way..."

My headshot to the left, and instantly began walking after it. Gentle giggles were produced. They seemed to be echoing from all around me, bouncing off the stone walls and reflecting from all angles. I hurried my pace, coming to yet another fork. The laughter sounded to the left once again. This corridor was the furthest one from the main castle. Not only was it a corridor, but up ahead was a lone staircase leading downwards. She was taking me underground? Making me follow her into the depth's of the castle's under corridor system?

What the hell was she up too? I knew this castle like the back of my hand. I had ventured these hallways and corridors so many times, it would probably tire a human to the point of exhaustion. In my first year as a vampire I had scoured these hallways, these corridors in the mere curiosity as to where everything was. I had even played with Jane down here, for Christ sake.

Hastily making my way down the steps and along the even narrower stone corridor, the light slowly descending from behind me, I plummeted into darkness. The only source of light came from the very end where a lone door was; leading into a hidden garden of the castle.

This garden... Why this one? We had four garden's within the castle. The main one being the courtyard which had a lone fountain sitting in the middle of it. Peaked in the middle of the castle, where all windows could look down upon it's beauty. If she wanted this outside, why on earth this garden? No one could see it, it was practically underground for heaven's sake. No windows looked down upon this garden. It was isolated, and bleak.

I would know, for I often read there. I would lounge out in the sun, despising the way my skin came to life. This was the only hidden sanctuary I could come too when I didn't wish to be around my sister - which was very, very rare. There was only a select few guards who even considered coming down here. The rest didn't care enough to explore, nor wish to have the knowledge as to what this long corridor had at the end of it. As far as I knew, I had been the only one to willingly venture down there more than once, and stay there for a while.

Even to this day, no one went down there. Why come to this outdoor garden when there was a courtyard that held all the beauty this one had and more? But with that, I was somewhat thankful. With her choosing this one, no one would see; nor even hear us. We were a good distance away from any prying ears that might wish to hear. The winding corridors were a maze, and finding this place alone - if you hadn't already known how to get there - would be a challenge.

I slowed my pace down as I came to the door. The thick, dark red drape that was tied together in the middle obscured seeing outside the glass fully. Once my hand found the doorknob, I gave a gentle push as well as twisting the thing. The door gave an audible moan in distress as I pushed it open, showing that the last time anyone had been down here was a long, long time ago. This door hadn't been open in a while.

Small rays of light shone down onto the greenery, a pathway leading in a circle around the patch of grass in the middle. Large walls surrounded this area, making it seem somewhat prison like. Isolated from everything else, but trapping none the less. There, in the middle, was a stone statue of who I found out to be a long time ago, to be Didyme. That alone was a good enough reason as to why no one came down here. No one wished to remember the ray of happiness that once walked these castle halls. Though I had never met her, I knew of her. Her beauty was sealed within this stone bust. Standing like an angel, her hands clasped out in front of her. This wasn't so much as a prison, with the walls. It was more or less a shrine to Marcus's lost lover and Aro's beloved sister.

I stepped out fully, the door instantly creaking to a close behind me. Once it was closed, silence engulfed me. Not a sound was produced, not even the sound of birds. I began to pace the pathway, keeping my eyes peeled as I made my way around the statue.

"Can you find me, Aleczander? Or do you give up?" A whisper sounded into my ear, causing my head to snap back and my eyes to narrow at the empty space behind me. All was still again, and I continued to walk, turning around slowly with my strides.

"If you find me, you can have your reward..." A giggle sounded once again.

"I'm growing tiresome of these games, Lilianna. Show yourself."

I turned once again, now behind the statue completely.

"You're still complaining?" The voice laughed, "Even after our last game?"

"That was a long time ago... I don't have the memory, nor the patience, I once did." I snapped back, eyes wide and in search for this nuisance.

"Would you like me to help with the memory?" Once again, a giggle.

"There's a reason I shut it out, Lilianna."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"I didn't care enough in wanting to remember."

Silence. I looked around the seemingly empty area. Not a single sound, nor even a single movement. Then, everything seemed to spin. Everything seemed to twist and shape and mold into something it wasn't.

"Lilianna, come on! I don't want to play anymore!"

Gentle laughter pulled me onward, trudging over logs and leaves. I truly hated the forest. What I hated more was being in the forest with this girl, for she always ran off and left me. Chanting for me to chase her, and then ultimately find her.

I hated these games, I hated the forest, and I might've even hated her too at times. I often found myself asking why the hell I was her friend in the first place, but something always pulled me back. There was just something about her I doubt I would have willingly been able to be without. Her laugh, her smile, and ability to always be there for me to talk too. Even despite how much I protested on her trying to rid her way into my business and figure out my problems, she still tried. She still cared, and for someone who grew up with no one besides your mother or sister giving a shit whether you lived or died... It was pretty something. Something that no sane man would give up easily.

Looking around the wood landed area, I came up short and huffed. "Fine, I'll just go home without you! I'll leave you here an-unf," the wind was knocked right out of my chest as a barricading weight fell down onto my back, legs securing themselves around my waist and arms around my shoulders. I stumbled forward, but managed to keep my balance... Somewhat.

"You wouldn't leave me, Aleczander," she whispered into my ear, sending shivers straight down my spine. "You love me too much to leave me."

"Sure I do," I rolled my eyes, slowly recovering from the electrical shocks her whisper in my ear had caused. I shrugged her off my back, causing her to fall back onto the floor. She yelped, her elbows holding her body up while she sat - almost lounging - where she had landed.

Turning to face her, I crossed my arms and glared down to her. She was meant to be acting more mature than this. She was fourteen, for heaven's sake. It wouldn't be long until her father decided she was suitable for marriage and chose a husband for her. Did she honestly believe a man wanted to play these games? Her duties were to produce children, and look after the children. Not indulge in childish games.

"You need to grow up," I stated blandly.

"And you need to stop growing up. You're fifteen, not fifty, Alec." She laughed, not moving from her seat.

I rolled my blue eyes, and held out my hand towards her. She blinked at it, yet another playful smile growing on her lips. Slowly, she took it and I pulled her to her feet. She brushed the blonde hair from her face, smearing a bit of dirt over her cheek from her hands.

"You've gotten mud on you." I pointed.

She arched her eyebrow, and touched her cheek; only making it worse. "Where?"

"Here," Raising my own hand; I pushed hers out of the way and wiped my thumb across, removing most of the mark. Repeating the action, three more times, the stain vanished. "There... Good as new. You're almost as bad as Jane in getting dirty."

She blinked a couple of times, staring up at me. My eyes caught on, and found hers. A small fluttering within my stomach began, and I quickly withdrew my hand from her chee. Clearing my throat, I began to walk. She was quick to follow, skipping alongside me in some attempt to keep up.

"Jane hasn't been dirty in a while, I've noticed." She spoke, her head turnt up to look at me. I kept my eyes ahead of me, however. If I looked at her, I feared that blasted fluttering that made me want to throw up would return.

"That's because she has your sister keeping her clean, and making her into a woman she is supposed to be."

"And what am I in the making of, being around you, Alec?"

"You're acting more and more like a man than a woman." I snorted. "Imagine what your parents would think if they saw how filthy you've been getting lately."

She shrugged her shoulders, her skips now turned into normal strides. Her hand held at the thick material of her blue dress, holding it up somewhat to give her more ability to move and step over logs and such. Why had she come with me for this? I would have been back by now, if it wasn't for her blasted games and staggering. All I was to do was walk to the lake and check if there were fish. Of course, there were, but mother always liked to be sure before she told the fishermen that a new school had taken refuge there. She liked to make sure there was enough, and they had produced enough so that we wouldn't kill out the entire population occupying the lake.

"They've got better things than to bother with me," Lilianna ushered back in a reply. A tree that had fallen, creating an obstacle, came into view and I swiftly pulled myself up onto it. Leg either side, I turned a hand out for her. She took it, and hoisted herself up with the help of me. "Grace's almost at eligible age. Father's already begun looking at suitors."

Her father had already begun? Which meant it wouldn't be long until she was fully spoken for. I mentally cringed at the idea of her with anyone. Especially one from the main group of bullies who stood in Jane's and my way often. Marek, especially. My stomach churned in disgust. No doubt it would be one of them, seeing as their families were either high up in the village council, or some successful business man. I knew for a fact one of Marek's friends father, Edgar was boy's name, was the village's blacksmith. That trade was always handy to have in the family. "He has? Has he said anyone he's considering?"

Pulling my leg from the other side, I slid down and landed onto the floor. Once the ache in my feet due to the sudden impact of the floor had subsided, I turned and held out my arms for her. She brought her legs around; so that she was sitting on the log facing me. Holding her breath, she leapt from the tree and landed with her feet securely on the floor, her hands on my shoulders.

"I heard a few names," she spoke, removing her hands from my shoulders.

"Like?" I pressed for more information.

"Edgar," I knew it. I freaking knew it. "Marek," That was a given. His father was in the council, so naturally he would be a contender. "And that was all I heard."

I nodded my head slowly, turning my eyes to my feet and turning, beginning to walk back to the village once again. "Grace doesn't like either of them. She told me she doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't love."

"Oh really." I mused, already bored of this conversation. Although I was practically in awe of Lilianna's older sister, I knew better than to indulge myself in such conversations. It was hard enough knowing I would never end up with her in the first place.

"Yes, really." She added, the skip in her step returning to catch up. "I don't see why she can't just marry one of them. All she has to do is take their name,"

"It's a little more complex than that, Lily."

"Oh, I know about all the baby making stuff. But surely she'd grow to have feelings for them once they have children."

Not necessarily. It was rare for married couples to actually be in this 'love' crap. You hear that when you're in love, you can't stand to be apart. That all you want to do is be with them, and around them. Honestly, I hadn't laid eyes on any married couple who were together other than when needed to be. Even at weddings, the 'kiss the bride' shit... It was a mere kiss to the cheek. And we had been taught you kissed their mouth. My father and mother was one of these couples who weren't in love. Mother had told me so once. That she had married him because of her own father, seeing him as a suitable match. But she had added that if it hadn't have been for marrying our father, she wouldn't have been blessed in having myself and Jane. And that had been the happiest day of her life. The only two people she truly loved in the world were Jane and I, and no one else.

So that made me think... Was there such a thing called love? Was there even a possibility you could love someone other than your family? Judging from the way things were when it came to marriage, it didn't seem like it. However, what I felt for Grace was... Something. Something I would call love. That I knew was real, and yet I knew it would never happen. Why? Because I was Aleczander Cecil. A abnormal twin, something so uncommon some believed it to be related to witchcraft.

"Ask your mother." I mused.

"She won't tell me anything. She just tells me the time will come when I find out."

"Well there you go then."

"But I don't want to marry someone if my sister is right, and I should marry for love."

I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders. "Well, do that then."

"But I don't even know what love it."

"No one does."

"Do too. People say it's when you kiss a boy or a girl, and you feel something funny right here;"

She rested a hand onto her stomach, her eyes never leaving my face.

"Have you ever felt that thing, Alec?"

"I've never kissed a girl." I stated blandly and full of acid. This walk was seriously taking forever. I wanted to go home, and to never think of this blasted conversation ever, ever again.

"You haven't?"

"No."

"Do you want too?"

"What?" I turned my head to frown at her. She had gotten awfully irritating lately. What the hell was wrong with her? Did I want to kiss a girl? A few years ago, I'd have said no. I'd have probably heaved at the mere idea. But now, growing up, you couldn't help but be curious as to what if this... Funny feeling was real. What if love really did exist, and everyone was missing out? "What sort of a question is that?"

"Simple one. Do you want to kiss a girl?"

I blinked at her a few times, our walk now having come to a complete stop. She didn't falter in staring right back up at me, through deep eyes and a stubborn look on her face.

"Well?"

"Of course I do," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Every boy my age does."

"Oh," she looked down to her feet. Taking a deep inhale of breath, her eyes returned up to meet mine. "Kiss me then."

I was stunned.

I was speechless.

I was tingling all over.

Lilianna, my little Lily, my pain in the freaking ass, had just suggested I kiss her. What the hell was wrong with her today? Was she ill? We were friends. We were nothing but friends, and she would often turn her nose up when Marek or one of his irritating friends would make a comment on us being a married couple. Why on earth would she want to kiss me?

"... I-Why-What?" I stammered, finding it hard to find my voice.

"Well, you want to kiss a girl... And I'm a girl-"

"Even though sometimes you don't act like it," I quickly slid in. She glared at me but continued despite my interruption.

"and well... I haven't kissed a boy either, and who better to do it with than my bestest friend in the whole wide world?"

God, I hated it when she called me that. I was not her best friend. I was just her friend. But, now to come to think of it, she was right. It made sense for us too, right? I mean... We were friends, and we were both curious as to what this 'funny' feeling was, and if it actually existed. We could just get it out of the way, and if nothing happened then we would know it wasn't real. If something did then... Well, I wasn't quite sure what would happen.

"Okay." I reluctantly nodded.

"Really?" She grinned, her eyes growing wide. "Oh, yay! Okay, okay... Wait, uhm.." She looked down at her feet and shuffled closer. Raising her eyes to look at mine once more, I was frozen on the spot. Whether it was due to her outburst, or her actions, I wasn't sure. But I was frozen stiff, and my heart was beating like crazy.

"Okay, go."

"Go?" I choked, blinking a few times in surprise.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Go."

Taking a deep inhale of breath, I nodded my head. Slowly, but surely, I lowered my own head to hers...

My eyes flickered back and forth, my mind slowly beginning to stop spinning. I staggered on the spot, ending up leaning my back against the stone wall. Lilianna. She'd gotten into my head, again! Just like in Verona. But, how the hell was that possible? She had been hiding her trail from Demetri ... I presumed that had been her gift. But invading my head, making me see things. Making me relive things?

It wasn't possible for an immortal to have two gifts. It just wasn't! So how the hell was she doing this? I felt like a pawn. One piece to this bigger game she was playing. Well, Lilianna knew I didn't like games. I never had, and I had grown ever more hateful towards them.

"That's enough!" I hissed, pushing myself up off the wall and spinning around. Looking endlessly for the vixen who was now proving to be a lot like a plague. "I'm sick of these games, Lily. Show yourself."

"As you wish, Aleczander." She giggled, while I frowned. My eyes flicked to the right of me, where I presumed to have heard rustling. But she was nowhere. Which could only mean one thing. In the woods, when hiding from me, she always did this one simple trick. And each and every time I wouldn't see it coming...

As if on cue, I could feel the proximity of her coming close to my back from above. In that instant, using the advantage of immortal speed, I turned, grabbed her by the throat and slammed her to the floor. Pinning her into place. My knee rested between her parted legs, while my hand held down onto her throat; keeping her still.

I was finally able to get a good look at her.

And by god, was she more beautiful than ever.

Golden sun kissed hair, more radiant than what I could remember. Full red lips. Fuller than what Renesmee's were. High cheekbones, but Renesmee's were higher. Her pale, almost translucent white skin shimmered in places while it adjusted to the light above, the sun slowly being blackened out by rain clouds.

Jesus, was I really comparing her to Renesmee?

She had nothing on Renesmee. Renesmee was my perfection. She was everything I wanted and needed. This girl... Despite how beautiful she had gotten, which could only be due to the fact her she had been beautiful in her human life - which she had been - and the immortality enhanced that. Her hand clung to mine, trying to get some release of my death grip around her throat.

But she wasn't trying hard enough to remove it completely. She was holding back...

"You... Didn't fall for it this time," She breathed. "You've gotten better."

"What are you doing here?" I sniped through clenched teeth.

"I came here... For you."

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She scoffed, though it was more of a scoff of pain; rather than humor or sarcasm. I frowned somewhat more, and hesitantly released my grip around her throat. Pushing myself up off the floor from her. I stared down at her body, as she pushed herself up to lean against her elbows. Mimicking the way she had laid on the forest floor so many years ago.

Only this time, I didn't put out my hand for her.

"Why now? Why not when you turned?"

"I was scared. I'd watched everyone die, my family... Your family. These... Demon's take you away. The only salvation I had was in the person who saved me."

"Who saved you?"

"Does it matter? She's long gone now."

I clenched my jaw tighter. "I thought you were dead."

"I am dead." She sniped back, her hands falling flat against the floor as she pushed herself up completely. Raising to her feet and brushing herself down.

"Was it you?" I finally asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Was it me, what?"

"All these crimes? The bodies?"

"Yes." She nodded her head.

"Verona?"

"Yes."

"The reason why Demetri can't follow trails?"

"Yes."

"Everything?"

"Yes."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, inhaling yet another deep breath. I didn't know what to come to terms with first. The fact she was actually here, right in front of me, hands in front of her - somewhat mimicking the statue of Didyme - and her head bowed. From what I could see, her eyes were closed.

There she was, and I was to simply be alright with that?

And then there was the fact she had... Done all these crimes. She had broken almost every single law Aro had put into place. She had killed recklessly. She had let a few mortal's see her, she had abused and tormented the Volturi guard. She had foolishly come to our home, and continued her escapade. Whatever she had up her sleeve, did she have any idea how the consequences were? Her action's weren't ones we too lightly. Not even I could get away with the things she had done.

Her death would be certain if she was ever found.

"I should report you to Aro," I finally broke the silence. Her head lifted, and she looked to me through her thick lashes. Crimson meeting crimson. And as expected, just like the many times her eyes once met mine in the past, there was that feeble fluttering in the pit of my stomach.

"But you won't," Lilianna whispered.

What? She didn't believe I would? Had she been blinded all these years she so happened to be a vampire? Had she been deaf on hearing my reputation? I wasn't the Alec she once knew. He was dead, and good riddance to him. I was no longer that weak, stupid little boy who couldn't fend for his sister when it counted most. I was now feared by all. No one questioned me, nor my sister. People cowered at the mere mention of my name, and I liked it that way. Did she honestly believe a history with her would stop me from doing my duty?

"I won't? Please, humor me on why I won't." I spat, eyes narrowing.

"You used to tell Jane everything," she spoke in an almost innocent tone. I didn't like it. It stirred things within me I preferred being dead inside. "But you didn't tell her it was me when you found out... You didn't tell her anything."

Well, shit. That much was true. I hadn't told Jane. But not because I didn't want too. But because I saw this as my problem. Something I had to deal with alone. It didn't concern Jane, nor did it concern anyone else. Lilianna was here due to my foolish mistake. My foolish promise and it was up to me to deal with that. She must be insane to think she could waltz up here and think it would go without punishment. I had gotten a confession. She would end up dead, no matter what. Be it now, tomorrow or even next Tuesday. It was out of my hands now. She had signed her own death certificate; so whatever excuse she came up with would without a doubt be... Amusing, and interesting, to say the least as to why I wouldn't do my duty.

She continued, taking the smallest step she could without making me step back.

"You knew she wouldn't react well to that. You knew she would no doubt end my life... Just like Aro will if he were to find out."

My jaw clenched with every word she spoke. A lump forming in my throat.

"You wouldn't hand me over to him... Would you, Alec?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, giving the sight that I was gulping. She was now close. So close that her shoes were toe to toe with mine, and her eyes were staring right into the depth of my own. I would myself breathless, wordless, and torn. She was right. She had always been right. Even in her human years, this girl always knew everything. She saw things I didn't. She was able to look into things better than what I could - which I believed why now I was able to do the very same. I saw past everything, mulled it over and came to a rational decision. All because of her...

"We can run away now, Alec.." She whispered, her raising and cupping my cheek. "You and I. Just like we had always planned. Jane could come too. We can be a family... We can depend on each other."

What was happening to me? Why was I listening to this? Why was I... Feeling the urge to accept. We all had those doubting thoughts on the Volturi. There would be days you wanted to leave, just to see and experience something new. But no matter what, those thoughts always vanished; and the loyalty would shine through. It didn't matter if I had once doubted my loyalty. It was there now, and I knew I couldn't. Despite the inner, deep down, urge of wanting too.

I found myself with my eyes closed. When they had closed, I didn't know. Perhaps it was when her hand first touched my face? I presumed so. For that was the moment everything had gone blank, and all I could feel was her hand on my face. All I could hear was her. Not only that, but my head was leaning into her cold touch. I brought my own hand up to rest on top of hers. My fingers pushed through to intertwined with hers. Slowly, I reopened my eyes and let them find hers once again. She was beaming at me, her face in a saddened happy look. Her eyes projected that of love, the look I often found myself looking into these days.

"Lily," I whispered, sad and breathy. "I can't."

The look left her face, replacing it with confusion.

I pulled her hand away from my face, and placed it back at her side.

"I am a Volturi guard. My loyalty lies here, and it will for all eternity. Even if I wanted too... I wouldn't. You're too late. I'm sorry."

"What... No," she blinked, shaking her head.

"I won't inform Aro. Just do not do this thing again. This is your only chance. Leave, Lily. Leave and live your life."

I felt as though that was the only thing I could offer her in some sort of repayment for all the hurt I must be causing. To pay back all the lost time she must've gone through in order for this. To build up the guts and actually do this thing, to come out of the shadows and reveal herself to me. I was thankful for it, and I was glad she had in some sense. But I couldn't go with her. I wouldn't go with her.

"But... But you promised."

"That was over a millennium ago, Lily. It's time to let it go... It's time to let me go."

She stared up at me. Shimmering in some sense. I thanked the heaven's our kind couldn't cry, for her tears would no doubt cripple me. Despite all her wrong doing, all the torment she had caused, she was still Lilianna. The pain in my ass that haunted me. That, in my human years, always known she had been the one for me. Yet I had been blinded by her sister, and thus ignored those evident feelings. But it was true. I couldn't go with her. I had to stay here, with Jane, with my coven... My family. I owed Aro my life, and thus forth would be in debt to him for the rest of eternity. I had moved on. I had gotten over her death - or presumed death - just as I had with everyone elses. I wasn't the same. I had said goodbye to Aleczander Cecil a long time ago, and welcomed Alec of the Volturi. He was who I was now.

"But you would leave for the half-breed, right?"

Her tone had changed. It was clipped, and harsh. Her eyes changed from that of sadness to complete and utter rage. Her jaw was clenched, and her hands were now a ball of fists.

"What?" I frowned.

"You heard. If she were to ask, you would leave everything. Wouldn't you?"

Sorrow and pity for this girl totally vanished in that instant. It was replaced by irritation and anger. How dare she even accuse such a thing. Of course, I had thought about it a number of times. Renesmee and I running off and creating our own coven of two. That was all we needed, wasn't it? No one else to step in the way, or bother us. Just the two of us until the end of time. But that didn't mean I would. Did she not understand what I had said? I was loyal to my coven. I was loyal to Aro. I would never, ever, willingly leave him nor this coven. For the first time I was somewhere I belonged. This was where I was meant to be, and no one would ever stop me from being here. I wasn't here because I had to be! I could leave if I damn right wanted too. But that was the thing. I wanted to be here, more than what I wanted to leave and be with her, or even Renesmee for that matter which was so much more than what I wanted with Lilianna.

"I've had enough of this. Take the offer and get out of here." I snapped, turning and walking back towards the door.

"No, I'm not leaving without you."

"I am not going with you!" I hissed through clenched teeth, keeping my eyes firmly planted on the door and the door alone. "Be thankful I am even letting you live."

"Then kill me!" She screeched. In that instant, her hand collided with my shoulder and pinned me to the wall. I was quick to react and switched the positions, having her now pinned. My hands holding hers above her head. "I cannot live without you, Aleczander."

"You must learn." I stated harshly through clenched teeth.

"Kill me. I order you to kill me. I beg of you."

Was she serious? By the look in her eyes, she was. She was resulting in the last option so it seemed. Total helplessness. She was using every action of some hope to get what she wanted. Could she truly not survive without me, in some way? She had done so for the past thousand years. And then it struck me. She had held onto that promise, that one day we would run off. That was what kept her going, and now I had taken it from her. I had told it her wasn't possible, because it wasn't. It would be so simple to do it just here, right now. To remove her head from her body, and give her the death she seemed to crave if it meant a life without me.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't do it. It was Lilianna. It was my little Lily.

"Please... Don't leave me alone again."

My chest was heaving with every rapid breath I took. I'd have put it down to anger, if it wasn't for the irritable feeling within my eyes. No. I was not trying to cry. No. My body was not trying to produce tears. Never. Not again. My head fell forward, and pressed against her own forehead, while I tried to control whatever it was going on inside of me.

Somehow, my grip on her hands had failed and she had managed to wriggle her hands out from under mine. My hands were flat against the wall, using it as some sort of support. Her hands had moved to my face, cupping either side and forcing me to look at her. Our foreheads still against one another.

"I love you, Alec..." She whispered in a somewhat sob. "I've always loved you."

My eyes fell to a close just as her lips found mine.