Chapter 115

Bella

I woke up to find myself in a strange bedroom alone and began to panic until the door opened and Esme came in smiling and holding a mug of steaming coffee, the very smell revived me and I sat up rubbing my eyes.

"I must have fallen asleep."

"Yes you did but you'd been awake a long time looking after Sadie."

"Oh, how is she?"

"Going home with her parents in a couple of days and glad to be alive. Carlisle explained everything to her father. She was walking along a street and was snatched by two men who tried to drive off with her, but she managed to struggle free after being stabbed. You and Jasper found her on the side of the road close to the mountain and brought her into the clinic. She's going to be fine and she doesn't remember very much anyway, she was too sick to notice. Besides which she's happy to be going home."

I sat up and looked around,

"Where's Jasper? He is still here?"

"Of course, he wouldn't leave you, Bella. He loves you and I know you'll be good for him but please promise me you will be careful and make allowances for him. After all he was a hired killer for years and it will take time for him to change."

"You're wrong, he was only what Aro turned him into, the real Jasper was there all along, he just needed someone to believe in him."

"Well with you as his advocate I can see him doing really well. Now drink up and get dressed, we're having a meeting about this trip to Volterra in an hour. Most of us have gone hunting, I volunteered to stay with you along with Alice and Graeson. Were you introduced last night?"

I shook my head although I vaguely remembered Alice bringing a stranger over to introduce him, but I was so tired I had forgotten his name before she dragged him off to meet Carlisle.

Once Esme left I finished my coffee and went through to the bathroom, the most enormous tub sat on clawed feet in the center with a huge wrought iron towel rail standing next to it fluffy cream towels hanging there invitingly. Deciding to spoil myself after the deprivations of the cabin I filled it with warm bubbly water and slid in luxuriating in the feel of the water lapping around my body.

I had loved our time in the cabin, but there was nothing quite like a bath. I closed my eyes and drifted my head half under the water which accounted for the fact I didn't hear Jasper creep up on me until he slid a cold hand in the water and brushed my cheek. Shrieking I almost leaped out of the bath, suds and water slopping over the sides of the tub to soak the tiled floor.

When I realized it was Jasper I cursed almost slipping over in the soapy water and he was forced to grab me or I might well, have gone head first in the tub. He was trying hard not to laugh and after a few seconds I too saw the funny side of things and stepped out to be wrapped in one of the huge bath sheets feeling like an Egyptian queen being waited on by her slave. Now that was an interesting thought and I couldn't help blushing as I thought of Jasper as my slave, naked and submissive at my feet!

I suddenly noticed that he was looking at me as if he knew exactly what I had been thinking and my blushes sent me pink from head to toes.

"Now I would love to see the picture you conjured up in your mind. If the emotions I am feeling came from that it must be priceless."

"Don't, don't even think about trying to get that out of me. I'd rather be boiled in oil."

"Well, you almost look like you've been warmed over by something. I'm sorry I had to leave after putting you to bed, but I needed to hunt and Emmett and Charlie offered to go with me. It was a test I think, but I passed with flying colors although small deer are nothing like bear or mountain lion, I'm not sure I could live on the former full-time."

"Then we'll find somewhere to live where you can pick from bears, wolves, and mountain lions. You can help me when I learn to hunt."

Again that flashed an image in my mind of the two of us standing over a kill, desire washing over me as he grabbed me and held me close. Blinking to send it away I could see he was even more amused.

"Promise me that one day you will explain these strange emotions of yours."

"Maybe, one day. So what about this trip to Volterra? It's my dad's idea isn't it? He won't let it drop, Charlie never gives up when he gets something fixed in his mind."

"I think he's right Bella, we will never be safe unless Aro Volturi dies."

I was scandalized,

"And he wants you to kill him? Does he think its that easy for you? Just ask The Major, he enjoys killing, he won't think twice. You wait till I get dressed and speak to Charlie."

Jasper hushed me with a kiss that went on so long I was out of breath when he finally released me.

"Now listen. Your father hasn't asked me to kill anyone. All he asked was for me to get him inside the citadel."

"Oh! Did you agree?"

"I said I would go with him, standing at his side."

"You did? But can't he get someone else to help him? Why you Jasper? He knows you are trying to put your past behind you."

"Exactly, the best way I can do that would be to face Aro myself along with Charlie. It doesn't really matter who kills him, just that he dies. I'm doing this for us Bella. So we stand a chance of this life you are so sure you have with me."

I hated the idea, but I could see what he meant, Aro had already broken his promise once and he would do so again, not so much because he wanted The Major back as he didn't want anyone else to have him and if I were dead then Jasper as my mate would be of no use to anyone. He would either die with me or become The Major once more and this time for eternity, the only way to live with the pain.

"What about me? I'm going with you."

"No, you are not. No argument, no discussion, it's too dangerous. You'll stay here with Peter and Charlotte until we get back. I will not put your life in jeopardy. Once this is over I will change you and never leave your side again but for now, while you are vulnerable you will do as I say. And don't think of speaking to Charlie or Carlisle, I've already made my feelings on the subject known."

I wanted to sulk, to stamp my feet and tear my hair, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. Jasper had made his mind up and nothing would change it. He pulled me close again,

"I won't lose you, Bella, you are all that stands between me and death and I will protect you whatever it takes. I hope you understand that Bella, it's the way things have to be."

"I understand, I don't like the thought of being separated from you, but I do understand. Will you promise me to keep in touch."

"Of course, do you think I could bear to be away from you and not keep in touch? Besides we won't be gone long, your father has it all under control and I fancy there will be new rulers on the Volturi council in a few days."

"Not you, though?"

"No not me, I'm through with it all darlin' I intend to devote the rest of my life to making you happy."