ELIZABETH DID HER MAKEUP QUICKLY, but meticulously, the look she went for graceful and elegant, a stark contrast to what Alice would have no doubt done. The first thing she did was apply elderflower water to her skin, hydrating it even more, then applied the same products she had for graduation, making various changes to the look, making it more ethereal. As for her hair, Edward's maternal grandmother, Charlotte, put it up into a low bun at the nape of her neck, braiding part of it to create an intricate, elegant, beautiful design, used beautiful, delicate pins to hold it in place. Her nails, both her fingers and toes, were done in the French style by Edwards paternal grandmother, Mary.

When they were done, Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, brought a full length mirror to the bath house so Bella could look at herself, and when she did, she gasped, for she looked beautiful beyond words. Bella was thankful Elizabeth had somehow made the mascara and eyeliner waterproof, her whole makeup, in fact, because she turned to the rest of the women in the room, tears in her eyes. "I thank you, you have made me very beautiful." Her voice was soft, that of a bride on her wedding day.

They all shook their heads, gentle, loving smiles on their faces, and though it was Elizabeth who spoke, pressing a warm, loving kiss to her forehead as a mother did her child, Bella knew all of these women shared the same sentiment. "You already are beautiful, Bella, all we did is enhance your natural beauty. There are still some things to do before you walk down the aisle, but my beautiful boy will do those with you."

Just then there was a knock at the door, Elizabeth likely having called Edward over with her thoughts, and when he came in and she saw him, her breath caught. He looked handsome as ever in his suit, his eyes dancing and glowing with love and joy, but there was something off, his bow tie not quite right, slightly crooked, which, Bella knew, from his thoughts, was on Purpose. Unshed tears in her eyes, Elizabeth walked over to him, fixed it for him. "This is the last time I help you fix up as an unmarried man, I am So proud of you."

Edward took his mother into his arms, pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Mama." His voice was thick with emotion.

Just then, Bella realized the flashes she'd been seeing, they weren't a figment of her imagination, for her eyes were blurry with tears, but real, those of a camera, multiple cameras.

The photographers were here.

Drawing back, Elizabeth disappeared without a word, along with his grandmothers, then it was just her and Edward, everything else, even the cameras, fading away. He blinked, taken aback, as if this was the first time he was seeing her since entering the room, and, because she knew what he wanted, could hear it in his thoughts, she twirled around for him.

He was behind her in less than a second, his fingers gently running over her back, her spine, where there would have been a zipper had Alice and Esme designed her wedding frock. The scent of him, honey lilac with a hint of lavender and freesia, came into her mind. There is no zipper.

Bella kept their conversation on the mental level, well aware that if Edward was speaking thus, it was for a reason. Your beloved mother, Elizabeth, thought it best to have it close at the centere back with either lacing or hooks and eyes, as you are not very fond of zippers, and, quite frankly, neither am I, they always get stuck one way or another. As my corset already laces up at the back, I thought I would have my wedding frock close with hooks and eyes so you can take off garments with both formats.

A mental groan, then a wet, open-mouthed kiss pressed to her bare shoulder, his venom making her ache, burn for him. You, ma belle sirène, are really, truly trying to kill me. I will undress you slowly tonight, kiss every mealimeter of your soft, warm, beautiful skin as it is exposed to me.

He turned her to face him, took her hands, fingers tracing the bracelet that had been his gift to her, before he took it off, placed it in the pocket of his suit jacket. She was puzzled as to why he had done so, for his thoughts were not so clear, her shield keeping them partially hidden from her, meaning he had a surprise for her. He must have moved, gone to their bedroom, the hidden vault, for the next thing she knew, he put on a sapphire jewel tied with ribbon upon each of her wrists. His forefingers delicately traced the precious jewels, blue sapphires, a slight, loving curve to his lips. "There is, ma belle mariée, a royal tradition within this monarchy for the bride to be adorned with jewels and diamonds upon her wedding day, the prince or king placing them atop her head, about her wrists, and over her heart specifically. It just so happens to be that I chose white diamonds and blue sapphires for you, as I love the way the color blue looks against your skin, always will, even when you are a vampire, like me."

The necklace he clasped about her neck, it was a pendant, a thin white gold chain from which hung a large, sparkling blue sapphire surrounded by thousands of tiny white diamonds, the sapphire ending up resting right over her heart. Though he hadn't mentioned it, she imagined it being part of the tradition as well, he placed a pair of chandelier sapphire blue earrings in her ears, before finally putting on her tiara and wedding veil, which ended up being made of a mixture of sheer white lace and tulle, the length of it that of a cathedral wedding veil—arranging it so it fell in line with the train of her frock, directly atop it, not drawing the blusher over her face for now. He cupped her cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing over her cheekbone, and she closed her eyes, leaned into his touch. "There, ma belle mariée, you are almost ready to walk down the aisle to me, become my wife and queen, will do so in just a couple of minutes, half an hour at most, but let us go take some photos with my family first."

He picked her up, like how a groom carried his new bride, and that was exactly what she was today, what they both were, carried her to the small venue they had made specifically so they could be alone with his side of the family. Everyone was already there, of course, the women dressed in soft, pastel colours, mostly pink and peach, the designs of the frocks echoing what was traditional in the kingdom, the men dressed in suits. Edward set her down, then they took so many pictures, Bella again felt as if she was in a photo shoot, but this time she didn't mind, was actually quite enjoying herself. At one point Elizabeth pushed her and Edward to take photos alone, so they could create three separate wedding albums, one with all of their wedding guestss, one with Edward's family, and one containing just the two of them.

Eventually, though, they had to get to where the actual wedding ceremony would take place, Edward picking her up, taking her there, setting her down only a short distance away. Just as Bella went to pull away, reluctantly detach herself from him to go find Charlie so he could walk her down the aisle, Edward winced, tightened his arm about her. "Charlie is slightly tipsy, as he is having a hard time accepting that his one and only daughter is getting married so young. I do not trust him to walk you down the aisle on his own, not with the fact that you both have poor balance, him being slightly tipsy, and you wearing heels."

His mother and father exchanged a look, then smiles, and it was his father whose spoke. "Fret not, beloved son, I can help her walk down the aisle even as her father walks her down the aisle, too." He turned his attention completely towards Bella for a moment. "Of course, you will not be able to see me, as that would make everyone panic and quite confused, but you will be able to feel me on your left side. As you tuck your arm through mine, I will make certain you do not fall."

"Yes, please." The answer, almost immediate, came from both her and Edward.

Smiles all around, then his beloved mother, Elizabeth, clapped her hands together, went to fetch Bella's bouquet, a bouquet she had created using the flowers she'd asked Edward's paternal grandmother, Mary, to fetch, handed it to Bella. "All right then, my beautiful boy, my precious, beloved son, draw the veil over Bella's face so your papa and I can walk you down the aisle as is customary, where you will await Bella on the other side, then your papa will come fetch Bella and they will look for Charlie together while I await with you on the other side of the aisle, slightly to the side, as is customary."

Turning, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, leaving his lips against her skin for several seconds, then drew her veil over her face, cameras flashing multiple times as photos were taken. He tucked his arms through his parents', began walking away, towards the aisle and the guests, Bella being left alone with his grandparents.

They stayed only long enough for Edward's father to return, then disappeared, but Bella knew they would be at the wedding, though she might not be able to see them. He offered her his arm, Edward's father. "Right, Bella, let us go find your father, shall we? I know Edward is anxious to see you again, have you in his arms, make you his bride, wife, and queen."

Tucking her arm through his, they walked across a field of flowers and trees, the foliage thick, blocking out the direct sunlight, Edwards beloved mother, Elizabeth, having done something after they returned from their shopping trip to make the vegetation bloom more than usual, thicker. Quite what that was, Bella didn't know, but it was a very, very good thing, because there were no clouds today, the sun shining, high in the sky, the day beautiful, perfect as could be for a late spring wedding, and while Edward cared naught for the Volturi's rules, vampires and humans free to intermingle here in their kingdom, be who they were without the need to pretend, the Cullens and the Denalis would probably throw a fit if they had to be in direct sunlight in front of humans, Bella being the only exception, believing it would put them all in danger. Additionally, if Charlie, Renee, and Phil saw the way vampires sparkled in the sun, they'd freak out, ask too many questions, particularly Charlie, and they had no time for that.

They came to a stop in front of the small, charming, white building where Charlie was supposed to be waiting for her and from where she'd begin making her procession down the aisle, but before Bella could open the black, slick, clearly very old though they looked new, arched, Gothic double doors to access the inside of the building from the back, Edward's father gently squeezed her arm. "Perhaps it is best, Bella, if I walk behind you and your father to guide you rather than on your left side, this way, your father will not look at you weirdly, as he no doubt would if you had your left arm tuck through mine."

A nod, then a pause, Bella biting down slightly on her lower lip. "Are there any more royal traditions or protocols that I need to follow?"

A nod, Edward's father's eyes glinting. "Fret not, though, as Edward and my dear wife will guide you." With that, he disappeared, but Bella could still feel him, felt him shift to stand behind her.

She took three deep breaths, momentarily shifted her bouquet to one hand only, pushed the doors open . . . found Charlie quietly talking to Carlisle. They both turned when they heard the doors open, meaning Carlisle'd been distracted, hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings, the sounds around him, Bella and Edward's father having kept their conversation low. Their mouths dropped open when they saw her, for no one, save for Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, and later his grandmothers, had seen her wedding outfit, no matter Alice's insistence that she had to see it, had to make certain it was just right, for she had multiple fashion degrees. The fact that Bella was glittering with jewels and diamonds, looked exactly like what she was, a queen-to-be, couldn't be helping their shock much. not that they knew that, of course, not even Carlisle, for no one had explained things to Alice and Esme.

A slow blush spreading across his cheeks, Charlie walked over to her, stumbling and tripping over his own two feet, his balance as poor as hers, the fact that he was slightly tipsy not helping matters. "Wow, Bella, you look beautiful, like a queen from a fairy tale."

Now it was Bella's turn to blush, for a queen-to-be was exactly what she was, not in a fairy tale but in real life, though, again, neither Charlie nor Carlisle knew that. "Thanks, Dad."

A nod, Charlie tucking her arm through his. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

"I know, Dad." Truth was she was secure in the knowledge that Edward's father, not Charlie, wouldn't let her fall, if he wasn't behind her right then she'd be panicking.

A smile from Carlisle. "Good luck, and Bella, you do look very beautiful, you and Elizabeth did a great job designing your wedding outfit."

"Thank you. " Then Carlisle was gone, had gone to take his seat.

There were several minutes of silence, then the song to which she would walk down the aisle began to play, a melody as intricate and complex as it was beautiful, one Edward had composed especially for this occasion. Charlie turned to her, his face slightly flushed and teary. "You ready?"

A deep breath, then an incandescent, brilliant smile, she couldn't help it, she was so happy. "Yeah, Dad."

Charlie opened the secondary set of doors, identical to the first, and the whole world, even the beautiful backdrop against which she was to be wed, faded away. All she saw was Edward under a canopy of flowers, tulle, and lace as he waited to wed her. Only he wasn't as she'd expected, standing with his arms behind his back or by his sides. Instead, they were stretched out towards her, palms held out. She wondered why, found out less than a second later, when he spoke to her mind-to-mind, the scent of him, honey lilac with a hint of lavender and freesia, making her ache. This is a royal wedding, and I am the king. As we are not commoners, I stretch out my arms and hands to you, a sign that I give myself to you, body and soul. When Charlie goes to place your hand in mine, you yourself place your other hand in mine, a sign that you give yourself to me, body and soul.

Oh, but she wanted to run to him, forget about the rest of the world.

Laughter in her head, rich and male, silk stroking over her skin. Resist the urge to run to me, ma belle reine, while my father can keep you from falling, get you to me fast, we do not want Charlie to trip, or the guests to ask any questions.

It felt like torture, having to walk slow, in time with the music, but, eventually, thankfully, after what felt like forever, she finally reached Edward, Charlie placing her hand in his with a kiss on the cheek, Elizabeth taking her bouquet, setting it aside, so Bella could place her other hand in Edwards free one. Soon as Charlie stepped to the side, his seat, electricity crackled through her body, the point where their hands were joined the most potent. A thin web of white energy began to form where their hands were joined, reached all the way to their forearms.

Gideon, who saw this, quickly moved to cover the view of the humans, began speaking without preamble, officiating the wedding. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, on this beautiful late spring day, to witness a union which seems to be a little over a century in the making." Laughter from Edward's family, his parents and grandparents, and Bella knew she and Edward were the only ones who heard it, because Gideon didn't even pause, continued, "I do believe the groom and bride have their own custom wedding vows."

They exchanged the words they had agreed upon, then the wedding rings, simple, yellow gold wedding bands, the gold itself probably coming from this land, their kingdom, happy tears, tears of love, streaming gently down her face.

She could feel everyone, the wedding guests, save for Edward's friends, his courtiers, moving, getting ready to stand up and clap, believing it was only a matter of time, seconds, before Gideon pronounced her and Edward husband and wife, but the ceremony wasn't over yet. To everyone's confusion, save for Bella, for she knew this wasn't a regular wedding ceremony, Edward, his parents, grandparents, and courtiers, Gideon turned to Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, who was wiping away tears. "Now for the wine."

Smiling and with tears in her eyes, pride and love for Bella and Edward on her face, Elizabeth reached for a chalice filled with red wine, probably sweet bordeau, Bella hadn't noticed before, handed it to Edward. Edward looked deep into Bella's eyes, and it was as if the entire world disappeared, only the two of them remained. When he spoke, his voice was soft, gentle, filled with love, but also filled with authority, that of her lover, husband, and a king. "By drinking of this wine, then helping you drink from the same chalice, I once again reaffirm my commitment to you, that I will forever be faithful to you, forsaking all others but you. I declare that once we have both drunken of this wine, you will be queen, of royal blood, my army yours to command, my riches and assets yours as well, for we will be equals."

He drank half of the wine in the chalice, then slid it beneath her wedding veil, helped her drink the rest. A strong current of energy passed through her body as she did, and she felt closer to him than she ever had before, felt her shield becoming stronger, a new layer being added to it. He handed the chalice to his beloved mother, Elizabeth, who said it aside, then Gideon spoke again. "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride and queen."

Everyone, save for Edward's family, his parents, grandparents, friends, and courtiers, laughed, believing that last part a joke on Gideon's part. Slowly, he reached out, drew herveil back, cupped her face between his hands, gently. I love you, wife and queen of mine. The words were inside her mind, private.

She echoed his sentiment, then his lips, gently, softly, came down over her own, and she just completely and utterly lost it, throwing her arms about his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling at it in just the way she knew he liked, forgetting that they were not alone, had company. Edward didn't fare much better, either, lost control, too, for he stroked his tongue, cold as ice, soaked with venom, into her mouth, thoroughly tasting her, his hands, strong, gentle hands, stroking over her back. She let out a low moan on the back of her throat, wrapped herself even more around him, but he didn't mind, tell her to stop, in fact, he did the total opposite, wrapped both of her legs about his hips, hoisting her higher.

She didn't know how much time passed in this way, with them kissing with wild abandon, lost track of time, but she reluctantly pulled away when she felt something warm and wet hit her cheeks . . . saw something she never expected to see, thought it was impossible. "Are you crying, Husband, my love?"

A nod, Edward burying his face against her neck, pressing honey‐sweet, cold kisses to her throat and artery. "I am so happy, ecstatic, love you so much."

Her own eyes stung, because this, Edward being able to cry from happiness and love after they were officially wed, it made sense. Sure, usually vampires couldn't cry, their bodies incapable of producing tears, as nothing and no one could hurt their eyes, but tears, they weren't only meant to protect the eyes, but also a way to express emotion. His love for her, it overrode everything that was conventionally known about vampires. Because of his love for her, he could eat human food without it tasting like dirt to him when he wasn't supposed to and she would be able to do so as well even after he changed her, because of his love for her, his body produced blood, blood that was tailor-made for her, and she would never have to drink animal or human blood, just as he no longer had to drink animal blood.

It made her want to reach up, kiss him again, but just then she realized it was quiet, too quiet. Surely the wedding guests would be clapping by now, Emmett probably laughing, making rude, dirty, sexual jokes and innuendos. She turned, face burning up, expecting to face everyone, the public, except no one was there, she and Edward were completely alone. She turned back to Edward, confused, Edward himself distracted, busy placing kisses on her neck and throat, as she was yet wrapped around him, in his arms, her feet not touching the floor. It took all of her concentration and efforts to ask him what she wanted, the way he was kissing her making it impossible to think. "Um, Edward, my love, Husband, where is everyone?"

He reluctantly pulled away from her neck and throat, unable to get enough of her, for both of them had well and truly lost control. "My beloved mother, Elizabeth, Gideon, and Liam escorted everyone away, to where the wedding reception and banquet will take place, as I reached out to draw back your wedding veil, why I did so slowly, even slower than a human—so we could have some privacy. In most kingdoms, there is, or, I should say, was, at some point in history, a royal tradition, though, of course, some regular people practiced it as well, a bedding ceremony, where the wedding guests would follow the newly wedded couple to the bed chamber, help them undress, though more oft than not, they just ended up tearing their clothes off, believing it would bring them good luck, watch as the couple make love for the very first time to make certain the marriage was consummated."

Trusting her to keep herself wrapped round him, Edward shifted his hold, cupped her face, thumbs stroking over her cheekbones. "In this kingdom, though, this was never the case, my ancestor, William, hating the idea of a bunch of strangers watching any of his descendants making love to their husbands or wives at all, for he understood it to be an intimate act, one filled with love and spirituality, so he outlawed it, instead he decreed that the royal couple were to be left alone soon as they were declared husband and wife."

This made her smile, happy tears falling down her face anew. "How long do we have, Husband?"

A shudder of pleasure, for now he was officially that, her husband, she his wife, then a shrug. "As long as we want, ma belle reine, for we are the king and queen, though we probably should get to the reception sooner rather than later, we do not wish for Charlie, Renee, and Phil to begin asking questions, become suspicious. Is there a reason why you are asking, mon coeur et âme?"

She bit her lip, then looked at him through her lashes, Edward having clearly not heard her intention in her thoughts, meaning her shield was keeping her thoughts partially hidden from him. "Oh, I only wish to show you something, but you are going to have to unfortunately put me down, lift my wedding frock and chemise to just above the knee."

Not questioning her further, for he guessed she had a surprise for him, he walked a short distance away from the aisle and the sitting area for the wedding guests, laid her down on the grass, lifted her frock and chemise to just above the knee as she had told him.

A gasp, Edward tracing her wedding stockings made of fine silk stockinette, their color the exact shade of her skin, with his forefingers, then the garters, made of silk, too, the same shade as her frock. The anticipation was killing her, for Edward was quiet, so quiet. "Do you like it, Husband? Alice, who rang me several times, was not so keen on my wedding outfit being so old-fashioned, not that she knew what it looked like at all, for your beloved mother and I, we kept it well hidden from her, from all the Cullens—but your beloved mother and I, we knew you would like my wedding outfit best this way. And, fondly enough, I love dressing this way, too, it makes me feel regal, powerful."

He lifted her frock and chemise higher, pressed a sweet kiss to her bare skin. "Oh, Bella, no, I do not just like it, I love it, ma belle séductrice. I will undress you slowly tonight, kiss every millimeter of your soft, warm skin as I expose it." He fixed up her outfit, took her into his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride, let out a sigh. "Much as I would like to remain here with you, cooped up in privacy and intimacy, it is best that we get going, go to the wedding reception, before anyone starts asking any questions."

He ran with her, fast like only he could, set her down when they were only a couple of footsteps away from the reception, put an arm about her waist, and they walked in together. To her surprise, delight, and relief, although everyone clapped when seeing her and Edward enter, there was no overly loud cheering, rude jokes or innuendos, probably because this was a royal wedding and they had to behave a certain way. Her parents, Phil, the Cullens, and several other vampires, probably the Denalis, judging from the woman with strawberry blonde hair whose golden eyes went directly to Edward, made a v line for her and Edward.

Surprisingly, or, perhaps, unsurprisingly, Alice was the first one to reach them, though Jasper wasn't far behind. She pulled them both into a hug, for they refused to let go of one another, congratulating them, then drew back, glared at Edward. "What's this about you being king and queen? Esme and I, we thought we were misunderstanding, that it was some sort of family code for something, but we were clearly wrong, so wrong. I wanted to congratulate you right away, right after you kissed Bella, but before you even did that, your mother and friends pulled all of us, the wedding guests, to the side, told us that we had to wait in the wedding reception for you, that it was tradition. Oh, and Edward, since you are a king, can I see your Royal Treasury, all of your treasures, gold, and jewels?"

He took a deep breath, counted to ten inside his head, Bella able to hear him, connected to his mind as she was, Edward to hers. "Absolutely not, Alice, being king is not a game, bears a lot of responsibility, I must take care of my people, make certain the kingdom prospers. Only five people, myself, Bella Gideon, Liam, and Henry, one of my most trusted courtiers and subjects, who also happens to be one of my best friends, have complete and total access to the Royal Treasury." Alice look stunned, like she'd swallowed a lemon, not at all used to not getting her own way, for Edward to speak to her with such authority, make decrees.

A clap on Edward's shoulder, Henry, not a coincidence, pulling both him and Bella into a hug. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, I cannot believe we have a queen at last, after decades and decades of waiting, but it was all worth it, just to see the look on your face, how much the two of you love each other."

Henry released the two of them from the hug, handed Edward a key, which must have taken a blacksmith or locksmith days to forge and perfect . . . or it would have if the person doing it was human. As Bella was beginning to realize, each of Edward's friends, who were also his courtiers, had a very specific role within his court, that role probably passed on from generation to generation. It was beautiful, the key, made of solid yellow gold set with two emeralds. "I thank you, Henry."

A nod, Henry giving him a slight smile. "I told James to give it to you himself, as he is the royal blacksmith, but he insisted that as I was the one in charge of your treasury I should give it to you, for this key has to do with gold, diamonds, and jewels."

This made Bella think, wonder. Do I need to employ a mistress of the robes, Husband? She asked the question on the mental level, for she didn't want to risk her parents, Phil, or any of the guests overhearing her, especially not Alice, who was off to the side of Henry and Charlotte.

Cold, gentle fingers sliding to stroke over her back, her spine, the scent of him, honey lilac with a hint of lavender and freesia, coming into her mind as he answered her. Only if you want, ma reine. In some ways this monarchy, it is like so many others, but in others it is so very different. Perhaps, if you wish, my beloved mother, Elizabeth, can help you with your wardrobe. There was a slight pause, and when he spoke again, his mental voice was smoldering, warm, sticky honey pouring over her, silk stroking over her skin. Or, perhaps, now that I am your husband, you my wife, I could be the one to help you with all items of the wardrobe.

She shivered, and it was a shiver of pure, potent pleasure and satisfaction, pressed herself closer to him, Edward sliding his arm back about her waist, for he knew she wanted to press close to him, could hear it in her thoughts. I would like that very much, my love, for you to be the one to help me with my wardrobe, in all things.

His mental tone was a possessive kiss in and out of itself. So be it, then it is how it will be. This key, because I know you, mon coeur et âme, my wife, know how curious you are, can hear it in your thoughts, is to access the room where I keep most of the jewelry I had made for you, for what you have seen thus far, in the jewelry box, it is naught but a mere fraction, and fret not, as all of it has sentimental value, is not just gold, silver, diamonds, and jewels. I will explain the meaning of each piece later, perhaps upon our return of our honeymoon.

Charlotte, Henry's wife, pulled both of them into a hug. "Congratulations." She turned to Bella. "I have no doubt that you will be a wonderful queen, and fret not, Edward will teach you everything you need to know."

She blushed slightly, pressed herself closer to Edward, who, in turn, pressed a kiss to her temple, the top of her head. "I thank you."

Next came Bella's parents and Phil, who each hugged them both together, as they were still refusing to let go of one another even for a second, congratulating them, Charlie asking, "So who will sign the marriage license and certificate?"

Bella's heartbeat and breathing picked up slightly. Oh, heavens, leave it to Charlie to ask the most innocent, yet complicated questions. Quite honestly, she didn't know how it would work, after all, she and Edward, they were the absolute authority here in their kingdom, didn't need permission from anyone to be wed. Luckily, Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, who pulled both her and Edward into a warm, loving hug as a mother did her children—came to the rescue. "Don't worry, Charlie, everything will be taken care of when the wedding reception is over, before they leave for their honeymoon."

Bella's mother's lips twitched, and she got that look in her eye, the one that said she had a crazy idea or thought, was planning or going to say something Bella wouldn't like. She buried her face against Edwards chest in preparation, Elizabeth yet keeping them in her arms. "Where's Edward taking you for your honeymoon?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw Alice stamp her foot, her actions akin to that of a child. "No one knows anything about it, Renee, not even how they'll get there, Edward's keeping tight-lipped about it. We won't even get to help Bella change, nor is she throwing her bouquet and garter into the crowd. I don't even know if she is wearing one at all, and if she is, Edward's not even going to take it off in public."

Bella knew her mother was about to speak, attempt to convince her to do all the things she and Edward weren't planning to do—could feel it in Her bones, but Elizabeth—thank heavens, spoke before she could. "Bella and my beautiful boy, my beloved son, are going to follow family traditions that go back centuries."

There was a long moment of silence, then Bella's mother spoke again. "And you are okay with that, following Edward's family's traditions?"

This made her smile. "Of course, Mom, I'm more than okay with it, I love how traditional Edwards family is, their rich history."

As her parents walked away, Bella's smile was wiped away, replaced by tension, for the Cullens and the Denalis stepped forward to congratulate them next, Alice stepping back into the centere, Jasper by her side. She couldn't help but worry over their reaction when they realized neither Irina, nor Laurent were here, what they would do. When she first met them, the Cullens, she'd never, not in a million years, imagined being nervous and tense around them. Then again, Edward had never been himself around them, so perhaps the tension and nervousness she felt now were inevitable, unless, of course, Edward kept putting on an act, kept pretending to be someone he was not—their morals and values very different from his.

To Bella's surprise, Carlisle didn't pull them into a hug as her parents, Phil, Henry, Charlotte, Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, had done, and the rest of Edward's family and friends were bound to do, probably sensing the tension, that things would never again be as they had been. Instead, he shook Edward's hand, then Bella's. "Congratulations, Edward, Bella." Before either of them could respond, thank him, Carlisle glanced around, a small vee marring his forehead. "Where are Irina and Laurent?"

Bella tensed, then became confused. It seemed Alice and Esme hadn't had time to fil them in, tell them what had happened, what Edward had done. Carlisle and Jasper, though, how could they not have put two and two together, after all, Edward had mentioned that he wouldn't tolerate Peter and Charlotte within their kingdom, the fact that he was going to send two of his most trusted courtiers, while he was on the phone with them. Perhaps, like Esme and Alice, they, too, had thought it some sort of family code, not literal, after all, it was said that the groom and bride were akin to a king and queen or angels on their wedding day.

Edward was a stark contrast to her, completely and utterly relaxed, his demeanor that of a man who knew he could have anyone removed with the snap of a finger should they prove too much trouble. He slid his fingers up her back, to her nape, began massaging her pulse gently, rhythmically, making her sigh, relax a little. "Laurent is with the creator of the world now, in the washing machine that is hell, where he will stay for a long time, though I doubt his soul will ever be cleansed enough to reincarnate, he killed so many people, too many, will probably remain there for eternity. As for Irina, I have banished her from my kingdom for eternity, if she ever returns it will be on pain of death."

Gasps all around, accusatory gazes from a woman, who, Bella guessed, was Tanya, judging from the way she looked desiringly at Edward, and another woman, most of her features the same as Tanya's, with a slight difference to the shade of her hair, for it was more golden, pale blonde than strawberry blonde, and height, who must be Kate.

Before they could say anything, however, a tall, strong man with dark brown hair that reached all the way to the collar of his shirt, golden eyes, and pale skin that had a slight olive undertone, stepped forward, a woman, with most of the same features, only the feminine version, her hair longer, lighter by several shades, though it was still quite dark, soft and wavy, coiled into a graceful knot atop her head, by his side. To Bella's surprise, he pulled Edward, and subsequently Bella, for they still refused to let go of one another even for a second, into what could be considered a "warm", for vampires, they had no body warmth, hug. Just then, Bella felt something pushing against her shield, though it wasn't anything like when Jane and Alec had tried to harm Edward, instead it was gently probing, curious, had no ill intent or will. Still, she focused, for she would take no chances, somehow managed to wrap it tighter about herself, Edward, and Elizabeth, add a new layer to it, though she wasn't a vampire yet, wasn't even on the mental plane, either.

Before Bella could say anything, either mentally or out loud, ask Edward what she wanted, Edward drew away from the hug, taking her with him, looked like he wanted to go back into his mother's embrace, but the man kept a hand on his shoulder. "Ah, it is good to see you again, old friend, Carmen and I, we are very happy that you at last found your bride, queen, and mate, you deserve it."

A pause, and Bella was surprised, shocked, really, to see him glance back at who Bella assumed were Tanya and Kate, anger in his eyes. "I apologize that Lauren came here at all, stepped foot in your kingdom, Carmen and I, we tried to stop it, for we knew you would not like it at all, but they all insisted, insisted that he was 'part of the family, trying to change'. We were not even here when he killed, arrived just before your beautiful wedding ceremony, else, we would have stopped him." He had a light Spanish accent, meaning he must hail from Spain.

Edward actually smiled, something Bella thought was impossible with all the tension. "It is all right, Eliezer, I know." His next words, they must have been in response to a mental question Eliezer'd had asked Edward, for they made no sense, seemed totally random. "Yes, you and Carmen are welcome to stay in my kingdom as long as you wish, and I will find a role for the two of you within the court."

There was another round of gasps, though this time they only came from Tanya and Kate. "The two of you can't be serious, Carmen, Eliezer?"

Carmen and Eliezer turned to face Tanya and Kate, but Bella didn't hear their response, for Edward stole her attention, spoke to her mind-to-mind. Again, I must apologize for what seems like the umpteenth time, ma belle épouse et reine. When I first told you of Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen, and Eliezer, I misled you slightly, though it was not out of malice, because I, heaven forbid, wish to keep any secrets from you or lie to you. It is true, the Cullens consider them their cousins, but my connection to Eliezer is different than that of the Cullens, for I met him and Carmen even before Carlisle did. You see, Eliezer worked for the Volturi for centuries, but he was different than they, even before he met Carmen, enjoyed not their lifestyle, torturing, killing, and pillaging, feeding on humans to survive, wished to leave the lifestyle, create a new one. His resolve only strengthened when he met Carmen, for she shared the same sentiment as he, though she did not form part of the Volturi.

He turned her to face him, pulled her close, arms coming about her waist, caressed her cheek. Only problem was, once a vampire forms part of the Volturi, it is nearly impossible to leave alive, for Aro kills the vampire before that can happen, as he is obsessed with collecting and retaining vampires with special abilities, making his coven strong, invincible. Still, Eliezer was, still is, very good at doing research and being covert about it, too. One day he heard word of our kingdom, decided to take a chance, write to me to help him and Carmen get out alive. I, of course, did, and perhaps I will recount how I did it later, another time, as it is far two interesting a story to shorten—granted them safe passage to our kingdom, mind you, by the time they wrote to me, they were already surviving solely on animal blood, else, I would have never allowed them in.

A soft, cold, honey-sweet, open-mouthed kiss pressed to her shoulder, his venom making her ache, crave him, all the more so because they were officially wed now and all that was standing between them making love were a whole bunch of people, their wedding guests. They only stayed for a short period, wanting to get out of Europe, put as much distance between them and the Volturi as they could, moved to America soon as they could, were on their feet, though they still kept in touch with me, mainly through letters. This happened between 1922 and 1923, and when I saw them next, in 1939, which is, incidentally, when the Cullens and I met Tanya, Kate, and Irina, they were already with them, formed part of their coven, having met them somewhere in the interim.

Another kiss pressed to her shoulder, this one just as potent as the first, though it was pressed to the opposite one. I can see they regret moving with them now, for while Tanya, Kate, and Irina are vegetarians, too, the environment they live in is not the most nurturing for monogamous, committed relationships. I assume you have heard of the legend of the succubus, beautiful women who sleep with men, then kill them?

He didn't wait for her to respond, for he already knew the answer, that she had, indeed, heard of the succubus, could hear it in her thoughts. I know not if demons exist, though it is most likely that they do, but the figures behind the legend are much more simple, for you are standing right in front of them, Tanya, Kate, and Irina. It is true, they no longer kill men while sleeping with them, for they are vegetarians now, but they are still mostly uncommitted to a relationship, bring multiple men to their house, and even when they do commit, it only lasts a couple of years, a decade at most, for as the men become older, they begin searching for new, younger men to replace them, and even with vampire men, their relationships never last more than a decade, for they get bored easily, are always seeking a new thrill rather than focusing on building upon what they already have.

A mental wince. Our people, Husband . . .

Edward shivered with pure pleasure, touched his fingers to her cheek, the power of him—warm, so warm and familiar—sinking into her skin, his pride and love unmistakable, potent. Fret not, ma reine, I spoke to all of our court, told them of this, and they disseminated the word, our people know not to except an invitation to neither Tanya's, nor Kate's bed, no matter how alluring they are, Irina not counting, as she is not here anymore, can never return, and if she does, it will be on pain of death.

Something tried to get past her shield again, pushed against it. It wasn't painful by any means, but Bella was starting to second guess whether it was meant to do harm or not, staggered back with a wince, even as she again tightened her shield about herself, Edward, and Elizabeth.

He caught hold of her shoulders, her beautiful, loving, new husband, his look one of concern, for he must have seen something in her face he did not like at all, that made him fret. When he spoke, his voice gentle and soothing, it was yet on the mental level, for he would keep this private, between them. What is the matter, Bella, Amour?

She pressed a kiss to his neck, where he'd have a pulse if he'd been human. Something is attempting to get past my shield.

To her surprise, he laughed in her head, not because he was making fun of her, heaven forbid, dismissing her concerns, but because he found her innocently adorable and she was worried over naught. His laughter, it was a beautiful thing, made her melt against him, wish he would take her to the sheets already. Fret not, ma belle, féroce lionne, as it is naught dangerous or malicious, only Eliezer's special ability reaching out to yours. You see, Eliezer's special ability is that he can sense whether a human, if he or she is turned, is going to have a special ability of his or her own, what that ability will be. It is why Aro made him part of the Volturi, as Eliezer's ability made it easier for him to accomplish his dream to build the most powerful, feared vampire coven in the world, as he would know which humans would have a special, useful ability when turned and which ones would not, did not have to play a guessing game, turn a whole bunch of humans, wait to see whether or not they manifested a special ability.

Just then, the woman who she assumed to be Kate stepped forward, went as if to hug her and Edward, but before she could even touch them, she was brought to her knees, her head being quickly wrenched back, the quiet place where she, Edward, the Cullens, the Denalis, Carmen, Eliezer, and Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, stood congregating beginning to be filled with the loud, high-pitched sounds of a vampire being torn apart as tiny pieces of Kate's flesh were torn from her body by invisible hands. it was then Bella realized as Kate had stepped closer she'd started feeling electricity, and not the good, exhilarating kind, but the kind that could electrocute and kill a person, was excruciatingly painful, pushing at her shield. That electricity, though, it didn't hurt Bella, of course not, was only irritating, a nuisance, as if she was looking through a mirror or watching a movie where the character went through something extremely physically painful and she felt pain in sympathy for him, but nothing more.

Edward must not have been paying attention to Kate's thoughts, but now he definitely was, for he turned partially to face her and their guests even as he remained facing Bella, too, the look of pride and love on his face unmistakable, both of them directed towards Bella. When he spoke, his voice was soft as velvet, all the more menacing for it. "I know you are upset, Kate, grieve, for you wish Irina was here with you and Tanya, but you really should not even be thinking about doing me harm, electrocuting me, so to speak, with your ability."

A gasp from Eliezer as he looked between him and Bella, realized something, even as Elizabeth came to stand closer to them, huddled them protectively to her as a mother did her children. "Edward, your wife is a shield? Why did you not write to me, tell me about it?"

Edward's smile was open and beautiful. "I did not realize it until quite recently." He turned his full attention back to Bella, took her hands in his, and when he spoke, it was inside her mind. Release Kate, ma belle lionne, much as I enjoy the sight, that it makes me desire and burn for you, to see how much you love me, that you will protect me at all costs, just as I will protect you and our future children, you must stop for two reasons. One, your parents and Phil can return any moment, in addition of the fact Angela and Ben have not come to greet and congratulate us yet. They are the only humans in this wedding, know naught of the supernatural world, we do not want to shock them. Two, while I do not particularly care for Tanya and Kate, I do not wish for any part of our wedding to be tainted by drama.

A slight pause, then, I do not know how to do it, my love, can you teach me, tell me what to do?

Of course. His mental voice was thick with emotion. Focus on your shield, the feeling of it, take hold of it, akin to how you would a sword, command it to release Kate.

She did, but it was hard, her shield yet wanting to reach out, bring Kate to the ground once more, Bella realizing it was a reflection of her own instincts, for she did not trust Kate one bit.

A heaping breath from Kate, Tanya kneeling by her side, gathering the pieces of Kate's flesh, so small, Kate ended up looking like she had thousands of chickenpox or acne scars, Bella had torn off without even lifting a finger. As she watched, Tanya flicked out her tongue, which was glistening with venom, licked over a specific piece of Kate's flesh, then placed it over the place where it had been torn off.

To her surprise and shock, it we attached itself quickly, not only that, but it also regenerated until it Formed part of her body once more and no scar remained. So this was why vampires not only needed to be torn apart, but also burnt until they were naught but ash to make sure they never again rose, else, if the vampiric flesh was left intact, the vampire could quite literally be put back together piece by piece, rise again. In a way, it made sense, vampires were Immortal beings, after all, and it should take a lot for an immortal to truly die, and even when they were on death's door, they should have a way to be resuscitated if done properly. Still, one thing that confused Bella was why Tanya had licked over the piece of flesh first, before reattaching it, it seemed quite unnecessary.

The scent of honey lilac with a hint of lavender and freesia, coming into her mind. Our venom acts as a sort of glue to reattach vampire flesh if it is ever torn off.

"Incredible." It was both Carlisle and Eliezer, Carlisle stepping forward, close to Edward and Bella, continuing, "Edward, how was Bella able to do that? I mean, she is not a vampire yet so she shouldn't be able to use her ability in such a way."

Edward gave Carlisle a polite, easy smile. "That, Carlisle, is quite a long story, I do not want to spend time on the logistics right now, as it is our wedding, answering your a million questions, and most of it is a private matter, anyway. If you will excuse us, we must greet everyone else before finally sitting down to have our wedding feast, cut and feed each other the wedding cake."

He quickly whisked her away, his beloved mother, Elizabeth, going with them, introduced her to so many people, by the time they were walking to their table, which was set higher than everyone else's, Edward telling her it was a royal tradition when she asked him about it, she had a head full of information and faces that she had no doubt would become familiar over the years.