Bella's Point of View

Another two days have passed now, things around the tower are getting interesting. Emmett and Edward would come to the tower each day. Staying for longer and longer points of time. Now that Rosalie was awake, she entered the third stage of her transition. Her body was getting reacquainted with normal human functions. Breathing, eating human foods, using the restroom, things that she hasn't had to worry about in a while. It was all a timely process. Rosalie suffered from a lot of nausea at first. Her stomach has gone so long without eating actual food that she had to maintain a liquid diet for a while. Introducing solid foods would come a little later.

But unfortunately, she seemed happy. Her memories were gone. She was just a normal human woman at this point. The only thing left of her old life was the hardness of her skin and pretty gold eyes she had. But those things would be gone within the next two days. At the very end of the transition.

Emmett visited her, at the same time every day. From noon to nearly midnight. I could hear the two of them talking. It was heartbreaking to hear their conversations. He desperately tried to remind her of their past, but she didn't have a clue. Eventually Emmett had given up on that, and just spent time getting to know her, as a human. They talked and joked around with each other. Everything seemed to be going well. But I knew Caius wouldn't have this much longer. Although Rosalie wasn't aware of vampires just yet, he didn't want Emmett sticking around much longer. I didn't know what his plans were, but it was Caius. He was always up to no good.

On a positive note, I've been able to spend some time with Edward. We were able to sneak away from the others. Today, we met secretly in my chambers. He's never been in my room before. It made me a little nervous.

"I didn't realize you played," Edward nodded to my room of instruments.

"When you're stuck in a tower for most of your existence, you find creative ways to pass the time. I don't think there is an instrument in the world that I can't play." I sighed as we walked into the room.

Edward moved to the piano, nodding for me to take a seat next to him. His fingers glided across the keys, weaving a sweet melody. I sat down next to him, amazed by the music. It brought on a warm sensation through the air. I let my eyes close, getting lost. My hands came out, melting into the keys. I complimented his melody with a supporting piece. Two separate songs merged into one. It was beautiful. A true masterpiece.

I opened my eyes as our fingers paused. Edward was watching me with an intense emotion. I couldn't look away. His hand went out to lightly brush my hair behind my ear. We sat in silence for a moment. If my heart could beat, it would be racing. It was always thrilling to be close with Edward. It was easy, like breathing. It felt so natural. For a moment I felt human.

"I was meaning to ask you," I muttered after a while.

Edward smiled in response. "What?"

"Why are your eyes gold, what makes you different then me?"

He made a slight face. "I don't drink the blood of humans. I only drink the blood of animals. It's not as satisfying. And it brings its own set of challenges. But it's better than living with all the guilt."

"I didn't even know such a thing was possible." I stared at him in surprise. He was an amazing person. Not to drink the blood of humans. I couldn't even imagine. I wonder what it tastes like. Would my father permit me to try something like that? I didn't even know it was an option. Why has no one told me?

"Aro doesn't exactly approve of it," Edward shrugged his shoulders. "He says, it's unnatural. Something that isn't in our nature, as vampires. He is strongly opposed. So, it doesn't surprise me that he has never mentioned it to you."

Well, if my father is so dead set against drinking animal blood, I will definitely give it a try. I wish I would have known sooner. "Do you think you could sneak me in some?" I whispered quietly to him.

His smile widened. "I'll see what I can do."

"Excellent, I'll be looking forward to it." I reached over to my wine glass, taking a small sip. I savored the taste. It might be one of the last tastes of human blood I consume, so I would enjoy it while I can.

Edward watched with a look of discomfort but didn't comment.

I lightly rested my hand on his thigh. His eyes slid down to my hand, a shiver rolling over his shoulders. His golden eyes pierced into mine. I couldn't read his expression. I didn't know how he was feeling. But he didn't move my hand away.

"Can I ask you the questions?" I muttered.

He nodded, letting his fingers dance against the top of my hand. "If that's what you'd like."

"Would you ever like to become human?" I started.

"I've thought about it. It may have been something I've wanted in the past. But I'm beginning to see there really isn't a point in it anymore." He gave me a timid smile. "I've found a reason to exist."

I swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat. "How many people have you killed?"

"Three hundred and sixty-seven people." He replied automatically.

That was a surprisingly low number. I'd venture to say my father kills that many people in a matter of a few days. But I believed Edward. Even more so, knowing that feeds off of the blood of animals. It made sense why his body count was so low.

"How many of them deserved it and how many was it an accident?"

"None of them deserved it. I had fooled myself into thinking I was doing a service to my community. Three hundred and one humans, I hunted down myself. They were rapists, murderers. They were criminals. But I had no right to decide their punishment. I thought their lives didn't matter because of what they did. But I actually stole their possibility for redemption. I cut their lives short. They could have found their way back to the right path." He hung his head, appearing tormented. "Sixty-six humans were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. I was rebelling against Carlisle. I was foolish. Careless. There isn't a day that goes by, that I don't regret my actions. That's why I've adopted this animal blood diet. I swear to never have another drop of human blood. I won't continue being a monster."

His words were full of sorrow. It completely melted my heart. I slid closer to him on the piano bench and embraced him. I couldn't contain myself. It was so hard to see him hurting this way. I've never come across a man with such purity and kindness. He truly understood his flaws. He didn't hide from them. And he never forgot about them. He has been carrying this burden for a long time. I could see it on his face.

Edward wrapped his arm around me with a sigh, resting his chin at the top of my head. I leaned in to rest my head on his chest. We sat there for a while. Electricity buzzed between us. Sitting here with Edward, it was like everything was right in the world. It was so natural. I never wanted this moment to end. I didn't want to let go of him.

After a while, a smile came back to his face. "There are more questions, aren't there?"

"Oh yes, just one more. If I use my abilities on you, hypothetically, your memories would be erased. Is that acceptable?"

Edward shook his head, leaning down a little more. "No, nothing would be worth losing the memory of you, Bella." His voice was like velvet.

I breathed out shakily as his hand came out to rest on my cheek. With a slight shift, he tilted my head back. I closed my eyes tightly with anticipation. There was another pause, but suddenly I felt his lips brush lightly against mine.

It felt like I would pass out. I forced myself to remain still but relaxed completely into his side as our lips danced against each other. Kissing Edward was the highlight of my existence. It was nothing like when Felix would kiss me. This kiss was full of passion, devotion and an overwhelming sense of unconditional affection. And best of all, it was real. Corin has created any connections between us. This was all genuine. It happened faster than I had thought. It just swept over me, without me even realizing. I cared for Edward. I wanted to be with him.

Slowly we pulled apart, a bit breathless.

"I didn't see that coming," I chuckled quietly.

"To be honest, I didn't either, it just felt right." He admitted with a shy grin. "As much as I'd like to continue, it sounds like I've overstayed my welcome."

Just like that, there was a hard pounding knock at my door. I could hear Felix fuming on the other side. "Time to go Cullen, take your sad-sack brother and get lost." His voice was full of malice.

Edward stood with a heavy sigh, glaring in the direction of the door. I stood up with him, keeping a grip on him. "He'll be just a second." I called out towards Felix.

Felix grumbled under his breath, not pleased at all with me.

I turned to face Edward once more, wrapping my arms around his neck. His topaz eyes roamed my face as his arms went around my waist. "I'll return tomorrow, if that's alright."

I nodded, leaning up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his one more time. "I'll be waiting," I spoke against his lips.

Edward deepened the kiss, holding me a little tighter.

Again, Felix began beating on my door, nearing breaking it off the hinges. "Let's go Cullen, now. Before I rip your fucking head off."

I've never heard Felix this mad. He never swore like that in front of me. I instantly released Edward. Afraid of what might happen if I didn't. Edward didn't appear worried, he only stroked my face once more, before walking to the door and opening it up. Felix stood there, glaring murderously at us.

I swallowed back my guilt. The pain on Felix's face hit me hard. My heart ached. I turned swiftly away from them both. Not able to look at them. My feelings were all over the place. I was so confused and conflicted.

Felix practically drug Edward out of my room and closed the door behind him. For the first time today, I was on my own. There were a few things that I had to figure out. I needed to speak with Sulpicia. She wasn't my real mother. But she was another woman I could talk to. Maybe she would understand this situation. There were two men in my life right now. I knew Felix well. I knew that our relationship could be solid and dependable. Because Corin has created this iron tight relationship between the two of us. For him, it's real. But for me, it's just all an act. I cared for him, sure, but did I love him? No. I don't think so. But Felix was safe.

Edward was completely different. He was mysterious, I didn't know him that well. Although I felt like I've known him my whole life. When I'm with him, nothing in the world matters more. My feelings for him are real. And apparently, he may feel the same. Choosing to be with him would be a risk. Not only would my father not approve. But there would be a chance that I do something to mess this up.

Felix would love me no matter what I say or do. But I'm not so sure that would be the same for Edward. There is a good possibility that once he learns more about me, he may not be interested anymore.

I had a lot to think about. But for now, I was off to speak with Sulpicia.

A/N: Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying this new idea for a story, let me know in a review. Thanks again!