Aro held his hands out to us, almost apologetic. Behind him, the larger part of the guard, along with Caius, Marcus, and the silent, mysterious wives, were already drifting quickly away, their formation precise once again. Only the three that seemed to be his personal guardians lingered with him.
Im so glad this could be resolved without violence, he said sweetly. My friend, Carlislehow pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders.
Leave in peace, Aro, Carlisle said stiffly. Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your guard from hunting in this region.
Of course, Carlisle, Aro assured him. I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me.
Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again.
Aro bowed his head, the picture of remorse, and drifted backward for a moment before he turned around. We watched in silence as the last four Volturi disappeared into the trees.
It was very quiet. I did not drop my shield.
Is it really over? I whispered to Edward.
His smile was huge. Yes. Theyve given up. Like all bullies, theyre cowards underneath the swagger. He chuckled.
Alice laughed with him. Seriously, people. Theyre not coming back. Everybody can relax now.
There was another beat of silence.
Of all the rotten luck, Stefan muttered.
And then it hit.
Cheers erupted. Deafening howls filled the clearing. Maggie pounded Siobhan on the back. Rosalie and Emmett kissed againlonger and more ardently than before. Benjamin and Tia were locked in each others arms, as were Carmen and Eleazar. Esme held Alice and Jasper in a tight embrace. Carlisle was warmly thanking the South American newcomers who had saved us all. Kachiri stood very close to Zafrina and Senna, their fingertips interlocked. Garrett picked Kate up off the ground and swung her around in a circle.
Stefan spit on the snow. Vladimir ground his teeth together with a sour expression.
And I half-climbed the giant russet wolf to rip my daughter off his back and then crushed her to my chest. Edwards arms were around us in the same second.
Nessie, Nessie, Nessie, I crooned.
Jacob laughed his big, barky laugh and poked the back of my head with his nose.
Shut up, I mumbled.
I get to stay with you? Nessie demanded.
Forever, I promised her.
We had forever. And Nessie was going to be fine and healthy and strong. Like the half-human Nahuel, in a hundred and fifty years she would still be young. And we would all be together.
Happiness expanded like an explosion inside meso extreme, so violent that I wasnt sure Id survive it.
Forever, Edward echoed in my ear.
I couldnt speak anymore. I lifted my head and kissed him with a passion that might possibly set the forest on fire.
I wouldnt have noticed.
39. THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER
So it was a combination of things there at the end, but what it really boiled down to was Bella, Edward was explaining. Our family and our two remaining guests sat in the Cullens great room while the forest turned black outside the tall windows.
Vladimir and Stefan had vanished before wed stopped celebrating. They were extremely disappointed in the way things had turned out, but Edward said that theyd enjoyed the Volturis cowardice almost enough to make up for their frustration.
Benjamin and Tia were quick to follow after Amun and Kebi, anxious to let them know the outcome of the conflict; I was sure we would see them againBenjamin and Tia, at least. None of the nomads lingered. Peter and Charlotte had a short conversation with Jasper, and then they were gone, too.
The reunited Amazons had been anxious to return home as wellthey had a difficult time being away from their beloved rain forestthough they were more reluctant to leave than some of the others.
You must bring the child to see me, Zafrina had insisted. Promise me, young one.
Nessie had pressed her hand to my neck, pleading as well.
Of course, Zafrina, Id agreed.
We shall be great friends, my Nessie, the wild woman had declared before leaving with her sisters.
The Irish coven continued the exodus.
Well done, Siobhan, Carlisle complimented her as they said goodbye.
Ah, the power of wishful thinking, she answered sarcastically, rolling her eyes. And then she was serious. Of course, this isnt over. The Volturi wont forgive what happened here.
Edward was the one to answer that. Theyve been seriously shaken; their confidence is shattered. But, yes, Im sure theyll recover from the blow someday. And then . . . His eyes tightened. I imagine theyll try to pick us off separately.
Alice will warn us when they intend to strike, Siobhan said in a sure voice. And well gather again. Perhaps the time will come when our world is ready to be free of the Volturi altogether.
That time may come, Carlisle replied. If it does, well stand together.
Yes, my friend, we will, Siobhan agreed. And how can we fail, when I will it otherwise? She let out a great peal of laughter.
Exactly, Carlisle said. He and Siobhan embraced, and then he shook Liams hand. Try to find Alistair and tell him what happened. Id hate to think of him hiding under a rock for the next decade.
Siobhan laughed again. Maggie hugged both Nessie and me, and then the Irish coven was gone.
The Denalis were the last to leave, Garrett with themas he would be from now on, I was fairly sure. The atmosphere of celebration was too much for Tanya and Kate. They needed time to grieve for their lost sister.
Huilen and Nahuel were the ones who stayed, though I had expected those last two to go back with the Amazons. Carlisle was deep in fascinated conversation with Huilen; Nahuel sat close beside her, listening while Edward told the rest of us the story of the conflict as only he knew it.
Alice gave Aro the excuse he needed to get out of the fight. If he hadnt been so terrified of Bella, he probably would have gone ahead with their original plan.
Terrified? I said skeptically. Of me?
He smiled at me with a look I didnt entirely recognizeit was tender, but also awed and even exasperated. When will you ever see yourself clearly? he said softly. Then he spoke louder, to the others as well as to me. The Volturi havent fought a fair fight in about twenty-five hundred years. And theyve never, never fought one where they were at a disadvantage. Especially since they gained Jane and Alec, theyve only been involved with unopposed slaughterings.
You should have seen how we looked to them! Usually, Alec cuts off all sense and feeling from their victims while they go through the charade of a counsel. That way, no one can run when the verdict is given. But there we stood, ready, waiting, outnumbering them, with gifts of our own while their gifts were rendered useless by Bella. Aro knew that with Zafrina on our side, they would be the blind ones when the battle commenced. Im sure our numbers would have been pretty severely decimated, but they were sure that theirs would be, too. There was even a good possibility that they would lose. Theyve never dealt with that possibility before. They didnt deal with it well today.
Hard to feel confident when youre surrounded by horse-sized wolves, Emmett laughed, poking Jacobs arm.
Jacob flashed a grin at him.
It was the wolves that stopped them in the first place, I said.
Sure was, Jacob agreed.
Absolutely, Edward agreed. That was another sight theyve never seen. The true Children of the Moon rarely move in packs, and they are never much in control of themselves. Sixteen enormous regimented wolves was a surprise they werent prepared for. Caius is actually terrified of werewolves. He almost lost a fight with one a few thousand years ago and never got over it.
So there are real werewolves? I asked. With the full moon and silver bullets and all that?
Jacob snorted. Real. Does that make me imaginary?
You know w
hat I mean.
Full moon, yes, Edward said. Silver bullets, nothat was just another one of those myths to make humans feel like they had a sporting chance. There arent very many of them left. Caius has had them hunted into near extinction.
And you never mentioned this because ?
It never came up.
I rolled my eyes, and Alice laughed, leaning forwardshe was tucked under Edwards other armto wink at me.
I glared back.
I loved her insanely, of course. But now that Id had a chance to realize that she was really home, that her defection was only a ruse because Edward had to believe that shed abandoned us, I was beginning to feel pretty irritated with her. Alice had some explaining to do.
Alice sighed. Just get it off your chest, Bella.
How could you do that to me, Alice?
It was necessary.
Necessary! I exploded. You had me totally convinced that we were all going to die! Ive been a wreck for weeks.
It might have gone that way, she said calmly. In which case you needed to be prepared to save Nessie.
Instinctively, I held Nessieasleep now on my laptighter in my arms.
But you knew there were other ways, too, I accused. You knew there was hope. Did it ever occur to you that you could have told me everything? I know Edward had to think we were at a dead end for Aros sake, but you could have told me.
She looked at me speculatively for a moment. I dont think so, she said. Youre just not that good an actress.
This was about my acting skills?
Oh, take it down an octave, Bella. Do you have any idea how complicated this was to set up? I couldnt even be sure that someone like Nahuel existedall I knew was that I would be looking for something I couldnt see! Try to imagine searching for a blind spotnot the easiest thing Ive ever done. Plus we had to send back the key witnesses, like we werent in enough of a hurry. And then keeping my eyes open all the time in case you decided to throw me any more instructions. At some point youre going to have to tell me what exactly is in Rio. Before any of that, I had to try to see every trick the Volturi might come in with and give you what few clues I could so you would be ready for their strategy, and I only had just a few hours to trace out all the possibilities. Most of all, I had to make sure youd all believe that I was ditching out on you, because Aro had to be positive that you had nothing left up your sleeves or he never would have committed to an out the way he did. And if you think I didnt feel like a schmuck
Okay, okay! I interrupted. Sorry! I know it was rough for you, too. Its just that well, I missed you like crazy, Alice. Dont do that to me again.
Alices trilling laugh rang through the room, and we all smiled to hear that music once more. I missed you, too, Bella. So forgive me, and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day.
Everyone else laughed now, and I ducked my face into Nessies hair, embarrassed.
Edward went back to analyzing every shift of intention and control that had happened in the meadow today, declaring that it was my shield that had made the Volturi run away with their tails between their legs. The way everyone looked at me made me uncomfortable. Even Edward. It was like I had grown a hundred feet during the course of the morning. I tried to ignore the impressed looks, mostly keeping my eyes on Nessies sleeping face and Jacobs unchanged expression. I would always be just Bella to him, and that was a relief.
The hardest stare to ignore was also the most confusing one.
It wasnt like this half-human, half-vampire Nahuel was used to thinking of me in a certain way. For all he knew, I went around routing attacking vampires every day and the scene in the meadow had been nothing unusual at all. But the boy never took his eyes off me. Or maybe he was looking at Nessie. That made me uncomfortable, too.
He couldnt be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his kind that wasnt his half-sister.
I didnt think this idea had occurred to Jacob yet. I kind of hoped it wouldnt soon. Id had enough fighting to last me for a while.
Eventually, the others ran out of questions for Edward, and the discussion dissolved into a bunch of smaller conversations.
I felt oddly tired. Not sleepy, of course, but just like the day had been long enough. I wanted some peace, some normality. I wanted Nessie in her own bed; I wanted the walls of my own little home around me.
I looked at Edward and felt for a moment like I could read his mind. I could see he felt exactly the same way. Ready for some peace.
Should we take Nessie . . .
Thats probably a good idea, he agreed quickly. Im sure she didnt sleep soundly last night, what with all the snoring.
He grinned at Jacob.
Jacob rolled his eyes and then yawned. Its been a while since I slept in a bed. I bet my dad would get a kick out of having me under his roof again.
I touched his cheek. Thank you, Jacob.
Anytime, Bella. But you already know that.
He got up, stretched, kissed the top of Nessies head, and then the top of mine. Finally, he punched Edwards shoulder. See you guys tomorrow. I guess things are going to be kind of boring now, arent they?
I fervently hope so, Edward said.
We got up when he was gone; I shifted my weight carefully so that Nessie was never jostled. I was deeply grateful to see her getting a sound sleep. So much weight had been on her tiny shoulders. It was time she got to be a child againprotected and secure. A few more years of childhood.
The idea of peace and security reminded me of someone who didnt have those feelings all the time.
Oh, Jasper? I asked as we turned for the door.
Jasper was sandwiched tight in between Alice and Esme, somehow seeming more central to the family picture than usual. Yes, Bella?
Im curiouswhy is J. Jenks scared stiff by just the sound of your name?
Jasper chuckled. Its just been my experience that some kinds of working relationships are better motivated by fear than by monetary gain.
I frowned, promising myself that I would take over that working relationship from now on and spare J the heart attack that was surely on the way.
We were kissed and hugged and wished a good night to our family. The only off note was Nahuel again, who looked intently after us, as if he wished he could follow.
Once we were across the river, we walked barely faster than human speed, in no hurry, holding hands. I was sick of being under a deadline, and I just wanted to take my time. Edward must have felt the same.
I have to say, Im thoroughly impressed with Jacob right now, Edward told me.
The wolves make quite an impact, dont they?
Thats not what I mean. Not once today did he think about the fact that, according to Nahuel, Nessie will be fully matured in just six and a half years.
I considered that for a minute. He doesnt see her that way. Hes not in a hurry for her to grow up. He just wants her to be happy.
I know. Like I said, impressive. It goes against the grain to say so, but she could do worse.
I frowned. Im not going to think about that for approximately six and a half more years.
Edward laughed and then sighed. Of course, it looks like hell have some competition to worry about when the time comes.
My frown deepened. I noticed. Im grateful to Nahuel for today, but all the staring was a little weird. I dont care if she is the only half-vampire hes not related to.
Oh, he wasnt staring at herhe was staring at you.
Thats what it had seemed like but that didnt make any sense. Why would he do that?
Because youre alive, he said quietly.
You lost me.
All his life, he explained, and hes fifty years older than I am
Decrepit, I interjected.
He ignored me. Hes always thought of himself as an evil creation, a murderer by nature. His sisters all killed their mothers as well, but they thought nothing of it. Joham raised them to think of the humans as animals, while they were gods. But Nahuel was taught by Huilen, and Huilen lov
ed her sister more than anyone else. It shaped his whole perspective. And, in some ways, he truly hated himself.
Thats so sad, I murmured.
And then he saw the three of usand realized for the first time that just because he is half immortal, it doesnt mean he is inherently evil. He looks at me and sees what his father should have been.
You are fairly ideal in every way, I agreed.
He snorted and then was serious again. He looks at you and sees the life his mother should have had.
Poor Nahuel, I murmured, and then sighed because I knew I would never be able to think badly of him after this, no matter how uncomfortable his stare made me.
Dont be sad for him. Hes happy now. Today, hes finally begun to forgive himself.