“Apology accepted, my lord.”

“Lovely. Come. You and your coven… for we have much to discuss.”

I was so focused on the woman and the musical chime of her voice that I hadn’t noticed that Edward was kneeling before me.

“Did they hurt you?”

My head turned involuntarily, like a flower toward the sun, and I stared coldly back. “I can’t imagine why you’d care.”

He hissed, his hand reaching for me, but at the last minute it fell to his side. The pain etched into his perfect face tore at me, but I couldn’t afford to acknowledge it, otherwise I’d throw myself into his arms and beg him to take me back. Why did this man have such power over me? It wasn’t healthy. Fourteen months had passed since we’d said our goodbyes. More than enough time to move on with my life. Sure, some nostalgia should be expected, but this level of emotion?

 Dylan joined us, further mucking things up. “I believe we have a conversation to finish.”

A small smile filled my face as I sat stuck between the two men I loved and hated above all others. I had no desire to talk to either of them. Well, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Edward stood, not quite as tall as Dylan, but definitely more lethal. The rumbling growl reverberating from his chest was enough to make me want to shield Dylan from Edward’s wrath. “I only require a few minutes of Bella’s time, then you two can…do whatever you want.”

See? He didn’t care about me. Not now, maybe not ever.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you, or haven’t you noticed?” Dylan retorted.

“Maybe not, but I have a few things to say to her whether she wants to hear it or not.”

It was like a tennis match; my eyes bouncing back and forth between them as they spoke.

“Haven’t you done enough damage already? Look at her.” He pointed at me, and Edward followed the movement. “Open your eyes and see what’s left of her. See that look in her eyes? You put it there. You broke her into a million pieces. I put her back together and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna stand by and watch you hurt her all over again so you can make yourself feel better for walking out on her.”