"...Maybe I was too harsh on her. She's right Edward–about what I did."

Bella's voice was dull, tired. Her limp brown hair curtained her dreary and sombre expression from him, her head pointed to look despairingly at the ground.

Edward, whose arms were wrapped around Bella's waist, leant his head on Bella's slim shoulder and watched Nora's car disappear from sight with no care or empathy in his golden eyes. "She isn't right, Bella. You told her the truth, you told her that Alice foresaw her fate and that she'd be safe. More than safe with the kings. She's the unreasonable one here, Bella. Clearly she has no respect for you if she won't even realize that you're right."

"But, I did just leave her in a foreign country in a castle full of blood drinking vampires. I don't even really know why I did it. I get that you and Alice said it was okay but...she's my sister and I can't deny that if the roles were reversed she wouldn't ever have left me, even if she knew I'd be perfectly safe. Maybe I should–"

"...Would she have stayed for you?" Edward spoke over her, his voice sickly sweet. He tightened his arms around Bella's waist when she fell silent and went rigid. "How do you know that, Bella?...Hm? How do you know she wouldn't have abandoned you? That she wouldn't have left you to die?"

Bella sighed as he whispered silkily in her ear, his hands rubbing circles against her clothed waist. "You did what you thought was best, there's no shame in that. If she were truly your sister she'd realize that you never abandoned her, you did her a favor. Look at her now–the Queen of the vampire race, doted on by the most dangerous men in our world. That's because of you, Bella. All because of you. She should be grateful."

He smiled, secretive and sly, when he felt her relax into him. It was good to know that even after all of their months apart, she still hung onto his every word. How much simpler his life was because of it was something he thought of fondly.

"I guess–I mean, of course you're right." He hummed, pressing a soft kiss to the delicate skin of her throat. His mouth filled with venom and his jaw clenched shut as he felt the blood rushing through her veins, pulsing against his lips.

She fully leaned against him and he closed his eyes, grinning a satisfied and smug little grin, thinking about how good it was to be with her after being separated for so long.

All that mattered to Edward was that he had Bella and she had him. Even if he knew, deep down, that...this was wrong–that their whole relationship was. Despite what he had told Bella, she wasn't his true mate. She was only his blood singer but it had taken so long to overcome the tormenting and almost unendurable thirst for her blood, to get over it so he could remain a 'good person' and so he wouldn't be a disappointment to his family, so he didn't prove to himself that he really was an unsalvageable monster.

He hadn't expected to fall in love with her so deeply like he had, to be so afraid of losing her now that he had her. Vampirism was off the table for her, but he would do whatever it took not to be separated from her...

He would let no one ruin this miracle that had found him.

When would the next time be that he ever felt love like this? That a despicable creature like him would find someone as perfect as her who overlooked his glaring issues? And who was to say he'd ever find his real mate, if they were even still out there? No.

He couldn't take the chance of someone coming between them. Which was why, as sad as it would make Bella, her sister needed to be out of the picture. In truth, he harbored nothing against Nora and he didn't want to hurt her but she was too opinionated and headstrong, too full of hatred for him that deep down he knew he fully deserved.

Her and Charlie, who despised him just as much, would only serve to try and turn Bella against him–no. No. He wouldn't let that happen. At last she was with him and, God...she was so fragile from him leaving that she was doing and saying anything he put into that pretty little head of hers, probably in fear that he would leave her again.

It was all so perfect now, he just needed to think of a way to get her to stay here with him and his family, away from Charlie and Nora. The latter hadn't been an issue considering she was now mostly in Italy full time, aside from this little blip.

Yes, it had all been so good, so...easy. Until this unplanned visit today that is that somehow, Alice had failed to forsee.

There was no telling despite how careful he was being, if things would go awry for him and Bella. He had tried not to think about what he had to do, it had been quite sad and he did feel slightly remorseful, how could he not when what he had to do would hurt his poor Bella.

She'd been so excited to see her sister again and he had at least let her experience that for a little while. But he couldn't have the two Swan sisters making amends when their dispute had worked perfectly in his favor and had pushed Bella further into his life than she had been before.

In the end he'd felt only slightly guilty when he had so easily crushed that joy his Bella had felt, reminding her like he had just done how in the wrong Nora was. For his perfect forever to work, Bella and Nora would need to hate each other, something that could be easily achieved if he played his cards right.

Admittedly, he hadn't planned for such a big blow out and he hadn't planned for Nora to be so fucking clever, to see through his plan as if it was an open book. But she had and that was...irritating. The concerning part was that if Nora had figured it out, the Kings were bound to as well. Another miracle bestowed upon him was the fact that Marcus somehow hadn't clocked that he and Bella weren't mates, he was unsure how but he wasn't naive as to think that would last very long.

He supposed he could try and be crafty or clever but–no. They'd see right through it. It was better to let nature take its course.

He just hoped by the end he could still be with Bella, that he could be evasive if it came to a confrontation. He had hope, however foolish it was, that they would see reason.

"This was such a bad fucking idea."

Nora groaned in pain, the muscles in her tired legs aching and twinging with each heavy step she took. Regardless, she couldn't really find any will within herself to care. She had zero clue how she had fucked up so badly to be stuck trudging and traipsing through the undergrowth of the forest of Forks, but here she was.

The only thing she could recollect was driving as far away as possible from the tumultuous situation her sister had gotten herself in, feeling so suffocated and trapped she was sure she would have a panic attack if she let it carry on. So, stupidly, she'd pulled over on a random stretch of road like a maniac and decided that stumbling her way just a few feet into the forest to get some fresh air would help her calm down. Except now she wasn't just a few feet in–she was lost.

Sighing at her idiocy, she shook her head and hissed through her teeth. "Such a stupid ide–ah, shit!" She gasped when she tripped over a protruding root from a large tree, collapsing on her knees and staining her jeans with dirt and moss, grazing the already irritated skin of her palms.

She laughed breathlessly at herself and how pathetic she was being, ignoring the stinging coming from her palms. "What am I doing? And why the hell am I talking to myself like a crazy person?" Of course, nobody fucking answered her. All that greeted her ears in response was the sound of the wind gently rustling small flowers and linear leaves, the quiet and sweet chirping of the birds scattered through the canopy calming her racing heart.

She stiffened when the peacefulness was harshly broken and becoming uneasy, she pushed some of her unruly hair behind her ear. Had a...twig just snapped in front of her?

"Oh hell no. Nope. This isn't some shitty B–horror movie, it's just my imagination, that's all. We're just gonna get up, stop acting like a wimpy idiot and find the car." She pushed herself awkwardly to her feet, trying to avoid looking at anything around her as she continued to mumble nonsensical crap to herself.

Another twig snapped behind her, louder and closer than it had been before and she felt even more pitiful when she whimpered in fear, her legs working faster as she hurried to get away.

"Stop being ridiculous, it's probably an animal. A cute little bunny or baby deer–like Bambi. Nobody is scared of Bambi."

"Unfortunately, I'm not Bambi."

Nora's heart lurched and she screamed in fright, the loud noise echoing through the deserted forest. The birds that had once been chirping now flew hurriedly away, abandoning her to face the monster behind her alone.

She turned quickly, so quickly that she was hit with a sudden spell of dizziness that made her fall embarrassingly onto her side, smacking harshly onto the forest floor.

She could have sworn she felt the force of it vibrate through her, it practically rattled her poor ribs. "Oh–fuck, that hurt so bad." She winced with a cough, somehow managing to push herself up using her elbows, her green raincoat that matched the leaves of the trees surrounding her now stained with mud too.

The stranger, who she was yet to look at, chuckled at her; from the depth of it she knew it was a man. Slightly delirious from her fear, her brain struggled for a moment before something seemed to click. A slight undertone of mockery, clearly at her expense...she knew that obnoxious laugh.

"Do you always talk to yourself like this, my lady? Little bit dramatic, aren't we?"

Still coughing up her fucking lungs, she lifted her head up slowly and hesitantly, like she was the final girl in that crappy horror movie about to come face to face with the chainsaw wielding psycho.

All of the tension locking her muscles in place completely vanished when she locked eyes with the grinning culprit and she rolled her eyes in exacerbated relief, a smile stretching across her face.

"...Demitri."

Elsewhere, the pristine and nauseatingly white living room of the Cullen home was filled with the sound of horrific screeching, every immortal forced to be there cringing in pain when the unpleasant sound rang in their ears.

"Oh, God! Just–let him go, please!"

Caius closed his crimson eyes in annoyance when his mate's sister continued to scream to her beating heart's content. It took all of his control to resist the urge to physically make her shut up.

'Happy thoughts, Caius. Happy thoughts. Lets not upset Nora.' Though, he supposed that Nora wouldn't be quite as angry if he simply stuck to verbal insults.

"Would you be quiet! Your relentless whining is getting on my last nerve, you wretched human! Do you honestly think your demands will have any effect on me? I am almost tempted to rip him limb from limb to teach you the beauty of silence!" Bella jumped, pulling her arms closer to her chest for protection before she stepped backwards to be next to Esme, who readily pulled her into her arms and stroked her hair to try and calm her down.

The rest of the Cullens were being kept back by Felix who was taking just as much glee in Caius's actions as the volatile king was himself.

Caius turned his head back to look at Edward who was squirming fruitlessly in his hold, Caius's hand locked around his throat in a grasp that would have killed any mortal man in a matter of seconds. "Someone had better tell me what has caused my mate to become so upset she felt she had to run. Now. I'd know for myself already if someone wasn't a complete paranoid control freak." His eyes looked to an anxiety ridden Carlisle who scurried back as Caius's attention fell on him. "I mean, really Carlisle? Who soundproof's an office? Very suspicious of you."

Carlisle swallowed his nerves and looked away, waving his hand at an enraged Emmett to signal he back down when his burly son charged forward, set off by Caius's smug and taunting smile.

It fell from the ill-tempered man's face as they all stayed annoyingly quiet. Bella was still crying and sobbing in Esme's arms and Edward, who was admirably fighting to break Caius's effortless hold on him, couldn't really say much at all thanks to the crushing squeezing on his windpipe. All he could force out were raspy, unintelligible whispers and groans that lit Caius's face up with wicked delight.

Despite his calm and malicious composure, Caius was internally worrying away, his thoughts running rampant on where his mate had run off to. He and Marcus had been resolutely stubborn that they leave straight away to find her, but Aro had denied them that and sent Demitri in their stead.

He had argued and reasoned with them both until he was metaphorically blue in the face, making a valid point in response to their anger at his unreasonable expectations of them. Of the three of them, Aro knew Nora the best and he knew, if they had followed her it would have only made her angrier. When she was upset she needed space, to heal and to calm down.

It didn't mean they weren't fighting the painful urge to abandon this ridiculous situation and track her down, to find her and comfort her.

Instead of focusing on the afflicting pain that was ripping away at his frozen heart and begging him to go and get his mate, Caius had decided to delegate all of his pent up frustration and rage to the situation at hand; the only way he knew to do that was through pain and destruction.

His choke hold on Edward was so strong that the mind reader's perfect marble flesh was beginning to crack, even so it was a miracle that Caius hadn't caused more damage to the boy...but given the Cullens ways, it wouldn't be long before he got what he wanted.

Caius tutted when they all continued to hold their tongues, though the disappointment in it was false. He had been waiting for an opportunity to act on his hellish vendetta against the Cullens, and now it had finally presented itself. He just had to remember to keep the damage minimal, no point needlessly spoiling the fun when there was so much more to be had.

"Do not mistake me for a patient man, or a merciful one at that, Cullens. For Edwards sake I would have hoped one of you would have been forthcoming with some sort of defense." He grinned when they all cowered, the darker part of himself preening as he basked in their fear. "No matter. For each question of mine or my brothers that goes unanswered, dear little Edward here will lose a body part. Let's see...shall I start with his eyes? From past excursions I know that to be the most agonizing."

At that, Edward shook in horror and flailed around like a fish out of water, trying even more vehemently to escape; Caius's sick words and genuine joy in what he was about to do spurred him into action. This had really not gone as he thought it would, he had sorely underestimated the King's care and love for Nora and their evil nature. Now, he was paying the price.

"No!" Carlisle rushed forward with panicked and wide eyes, getting as far as the imposing guard would permit him before he was pushed back so powerfully he nearly toppled over. Recovering from the assault with the help of Jasper; his anxious stare bounced from the deranged grin on Caius's face, to his son helplessly being held in the air like some ragdoll, to the two silent figures that were meandering to Caius's left by the wall, letting him do as he pleased with no complaint.

"My Kings, please. I do not know what has incurred Nora's anger but won't you see reason? I beg you, don't prosecute my son until all the witnesses and evidence are accounted for, until Nora decides she will come back to share her part of the story."

Marcus scoffed coldly, pushing away from the wall to step closer to the Cullens, fixing Carlise with an angry stare that looked wholly unusual on his normally inexpressive face.

Marcus had remained silent up until now, made so by the torment he was feeling at Nora's anguish. He could feel the gorgeous golden strings tying them all together thrumming in distress.

He knew her to be completely reasonable, perhaps in some cases she was too nice, too forgiving–a quality he utterly adored in her.

That is why he knew she would not have reacted like this unless something had truthfully caused her distress. He wanted her here with them more than anything, or at the very least he wanted to be out there with Demitri looking for her. But his brother was right. She would return when she felt like it and in any case, it calmed him to remember that she was a smart woman, she would not have done anything reckless...he hoped.

Shockingly to the onlookers, his lips pulled back into a sneer. "I have had enough of your futile begging! Are you all completely dimwitted? Surely, one amongst you must know what has happened! Do not rely on the absence of my mate to save your precious Edward!"

He sought out Alice, who appeared to be doing her best not to attract any attention as she tried to remain hidden in an angry Jasper's shadow. "Well, seer? Have your powers suddenly become defective? Tell us in full what you saw–and spare no detail. That mistake may cost you your life."

Felix easily swatted away Emmett and Jasper like they were annoying flies as they protested and attempted to stop him, gripping the petite womens upper arm and dragging her so she stood before the three kings. He remained a towering, imposing threat behind her and it went entirely unsaid that should she, or the furious Jasper who hissed and looked like he was seconds away from pouncing on him try anything, Felix would be there to stop them in a not so friendly way.

"I am afraid I will not be of much help to you, my Kings. All I saw was Edward and Nora on the stairwell, I'm certain in my vision it was only the last of their err...discussion. Like I told you in Carlisle's office, while Edward was involved it doesn't mean my brother has done anything wrong. Please I–"

"Well...that remains to be seen, doesn't it, dear one?" Alice, if it would have been possible, would have paled and been hit by a sudden bout of sickness when Aro finally decided to step in. "I'm sure if you permit it, that I can put this whole little squabble to rest when you kindly show me what happened." Despite the question in his words, his stern face and tensed muscles that strained against his suit jacket dared her to defy him.

She cast a quick glance at her brother who was still struggling in Caius's mighty hold, a glance that was full of apologies and remorse. There was no getting out of this for him now that Aro would see...this one action would set everything into motion. Shakily, she raised her small hand, flinching when Aro bared his perfect teeth in what was supposed to be a smile and snatched it between both of his.

It was almost indescribable, the atmosphere of the room as everyone awaited Aro's verdict; the Cullen family were left wondering what exactly Edward had done to make Aro frown in the way he was, his crimson eyes drastically darkening by the second until they were as black as the night that was quickly approaching.

"Ah, young Edward, this is...very concerning." Aro released Alice and waved his hand for Felix to put her back safely with her family. Rosalie, for the first time since this had all begun, moved–but it was only to pull Alice behind her protectively, her stance defensive. It didn't go unnoticed by Caius, who bristled at her as she scowled at the three of them spitefully.

"You may not have outwardly spoken out against my mate, Edward, but if the points she brought up are true then you have indeed managed to surprise me with the darkness lying dormant inside you, darkness you have used to pollute Isabella's fragile mind. The reason as to why you have done so, I regret to say, is unknown to me. For now."

Edward avoided the seeking eyes of his family as they looked between him and a frail, sobbing Bella for answers, answers he was not willing to give up and answers that would surely get him killed.

All he could do was stay quiet and pray futilely to whatever God had domain over this world that his true crime was not uncovered. He recalled fearfully that the kings and even his family, they didn't know his biggest secret...they didn't know that Bella wasn't his true mate. That would be his downfall, for it was against the law to take another's mate or lie that someone was yours if they were not. He didn't know if Bella might one day have a mate out there or if he himself would find his own, but what he did know was he loved her more than anything and he would not give her up, not even to who she was destined to be with.

The worst part...would be when the Kings found out that essentially, Bella had been told of their race for no reason. That he had broken their laws for no reason.

He schooled his expression, adamantly refusing to look at anyone should his eyes give away the fear that plagued him. Fear for the fact that soon, the death he had wished for the entirety of his immortal life would soon manifest itself before him, but unlike he had thought, there was no relief. No gratitude. No sweet pleasure that he might be saved from the curse of vampirism; because now, he found himself more than ever wanting to live.

Aro sighed tiredly and let his broad shoulders fall into a deceitfully relaxed position, his disappointment at Edwards lack of reaction clear for all to see. Loosely shoving his hands in his suit pockets, he turned a placid and bored stare onto the Cullens. "It seems you will get your wish of postponement, Carlisle."

Caius scowled and his hand squeezed Edward's neck even more brutally in his anger, deep cracks splintering towards the boy's jaw. Impressively and with amazing ease that made the the Cullen coven shiver in terror, he smoothly yanked Edward down and forced him to his knees so he was facing his family like a criminal put to trial. It was all he could do not to smile when the young vampire choked and whined like a pathetic dog, his hands flying to push at Caius's in vain.

"Speak plainly, brother. I have little time to listen to your vexing dramatics when the matter pertains to my carissima."

Aro's lips fell into a straight line as he withheld his own anger, staring out of the living room window at the large expanse of trees stretching on for miles. He began to grow concerned when he noticed the sky darkening and the sun disappearing from sight.

"Nora's point of view on all of this is paramount–crucial. While I would love nothing more than to be out there comforting my love, you have all forced my hand in this and induced me to take action immediately. I fear if we were to leave you for even a second you would convolute some little scheme to bury and stow away Edwards' sins. We will have to wait for our darling to return so that I may see more of what has been kept from me, limited as it is thanks to Alice's short vision. Perhaps Nora will have some insights of her own."

Edward gave up the fight and resigned himself to his fate, looking up into the confused and scared faces of his family, his own face plastered with regret. What use was there in fighting now? Eventually, Aro would touch his hand and know everything, and Marcus, well he would soon bring to light Edward's dark secret when he activated his bond sight. Besides that, he was no fool. Nora's insight could be his downfall before any of that should she be clever enough to put the pieces together.

And he knew she was certainly smart enough to see through his lie.

After all, she was destined to be a Queen for a reason.