Prologue

I thought my transformation would change everything; that once we overcame that one obstacle all our problems would cease. But that wasn’t the case. The more embroiled I became with the vampires the more problems I had. I was not ordinary by any standards, and like a moth to a flame I drew them all to me.

On the bank of FirstBeach all those problems were hurtling toward me.

Marcus’s beatific form damn near materialized in front of me. He searched the surrounding area then turned his intense gaze back to me. “Come, my Bella.” He held out his pale hand and I found that mine was already reaching for him. The moment our hands touched I was instantly in his thrall again. The battle was irrelevant, Edward immaterial. “It is too dangerous for you here. We must leave now.” He pulled me into his arms and began to run from the macabre scene.

Heidi’s fist came out of no where and used our own momentum from running to drive her hand through his chest, fingers locked around his heart. His hand that was gripping mine convulsed and he released me. I stumbled away from the scene, my heart torn at the sight of his anguished face and the venom-like blood roiling out of his transparent chest. Bella, please.

Aro’s hard hand rested on my shoulder, restraining me from going to Marcus’s aid. I was torn, Heidi was family now, but the urge to attack her was like no other. Only Aro’s strong form kept me in place as the two graceful vampires fought.

Edward’s face snapped in my direction and horror colored his features as he realized that I was in the midst of the true force of the Volturi. He sprinted up the beach, Demetri close on his heels.

Chapter 1 Patience is a Virtue

I awoke to his hands dancing softly over my abdomen. “Good morning, my love,” he whispered against my ear, his breath tickling me and making my blood boil. His tongue licked the edge of my ear causing my breath to hitch in my chest. I clenched my fists trying desperately to ignore his morning greeting.

My resolve to abstain from pre-marital sex was wavering. I wanted to give him his one pure moment. Keep just one aspect of his life unblemished, but he was making it so damned hard. He’d started every morning for the last week this way. And every morning it became just a little harder to ignore.