The Southern Thing

18

My darling Adeline,
I suppose you already know what happened. I became the monster you tried so hard to stop me from being. Blood. That's all I remember. The smell and need for blood. I can not help but wonder if it would have gone differently if you were there. Perhaps you would have stopped me, unlike Alice's attempts. She, of course, doesn't know I'm writing to you. Your name has been forbidden from my mouth. Alice is out, whispering secrets with Rosalie somewhere. I wish you were here. I wish I could just march into Volterra and be with you. Though I can't. I could never disrupt a queen.
And so, I will write. Every day and every night, until you are in my arms again.
I'm sorry I messed up so badly. I hope someday you will forgive me.
I love you,
Major Jasper Whitlock-Hale.
***
"Adeline!"
With a jolt, I was pulled out of my daydreaming, "Yes Alec? How can I be of service?"
"It's your first day to be in full charge. You're running a tad late."
I stood, pulling my heavy cloak around myself before admiring the work of art I was in the mirror. "Oh Alec, a queen is never late. I decide when I am on time, and currently I'm running early."
I walked the halls of the castle as if I was the sole ruler. Perhaps, I had the power of a sole ruler. I by far had the most powerful gift, and the most trust out of the guard.
"Good morning gentlemen," I voiced as I walked into the thrown room.
"Good morning Adeline," Marcus voiced quietly, "I see becoming queen has not effected your habit of being late."
"Oh perhaps not. For now I have more of a reason to be late; there is no punishment."
"Now, now," Aro said cautiously, "Remember your position is a gift. We can always take it back."
"Oh leave the girl alone." C said protecting me, as always. "Let her have her fun. She's been trapped in common life for years. She deserves to indulge herself."
"Speaking of indulging," Marcus spoke, "Where is our next tour group?"
I felt my metaphorical heart race, this had been a dread of mine for some time; returning to the diet of human blood. Though it was inevitable, after Marcus spoke the tour group could be heard down the long hallway. I took deep unneeded breaths, attempting to avoid the eyes of the kings around me. They were testing me, observing my every movement to see if I pass.
"I suppose any moment," I spoke softly.
I took a deep sigh and I heard the chatter of the group become near. This was it, the last moment of pure freedom; once they entered that door I am no longer in control. The status of queen means nothing to human blood filled Adeline. I watched the door slowly open, and felt a tear roll down my cold dead heart.
***
After the remains of the tour group were disposed of, I was allowed to wander on my own accords. I soon found myself far away from the castle itself, wandering out in the streets of Volterra. The city had not changed since my last life here. Of course there were slight differences as in a new fountain in the center of the courtyard, yet the city still mirrored the one I had pushed back into my darkest thought.
As I neared the fountain, I felt a certain connection to it; as if the fountain would be important to me for ways unknown. I decided to take a seat on the edge of it, I had no where else to be so why not enjoy this slow moment of calm. It was then that I pulled out my pen and paper and started writing.
Major Jasper Whitlock Hale,
How do I begin to write to you? You're not acting very smart lately. First, you attack my heart. Then, you attack the human girl. I am trying my best to keep you and your family safe here in Volterra, without me your heads would have been torn off and thrown into a fire by now. Though you throw the notion away. You must know that the kong's are aware of Edward's little pet. There is no way that you don't. Is it her? Is she way you fail to control yourself? Is she not everything you ever dreamed she would be? Is she, perhaps, not me?
I stopped writing and proceeded to cross out my last sentence.
I apologize, that was uncalled for. I may feel strong disgust for your relationship, but I refuse to level myself to be equal with the two of you. I will not talk badly about her as, though I know I am wrong, I hope she does not do me.
Honestly, I wish you were here. I wish I could actually write to you and tell you the truth. To write words that are filled with love and not anger.
I wish you were mine.
Perhaps this is enough writing for today. Maybe next time I will take another step further from you, until I finally reach the point in which I can write "I do not miss you being mine", and truly mean it.
Your southern belle,
Adeline.
***
I sat by the fountain for many hours after I finished my letter, simply just observing the water and the human around me. Eventually I felt a presence nearing me, and I knew it was time for me to return.
"Have they finally learned that you are the only one I will truly listen to?" I asked with a laugh.
"I would assume so," Alec responded with a tight smile, "They sent me to bring you back. They did not disapprove of your outing, only the amount of time you spent away."
"You mean, they are worried if everyone gets used to me taking longer outings, I could run and no one would notice?"
"Perhaps that is what they meant," he said with a small sigh. "I wish I was like you and Jane, understanding of the words they do not speak."
I quickly stood up and wrapped my arms Alec, my broken baby. "I will teach you. I will teach you everything I know, I promise. That's what I will do with this title."
"Adeline," he spoke softly, "They won't like that. You know they do not enjoy you knowing they're workings. Let alone me knowing."
"I don't care what they think. I hold a position on a throne, I get to make decisions too. This is my decision. Now let's go home."
"Race you?"
I smiled at the boy, "Only it you want to lose."
***
Hi friends!! So I took a long break from this book. I guess I'll give a little life update. Well I graduated high school, so now it's a summer of nothing but hopefully writing.
Thank you all for your constant support and want for this book. It was a lovely kind comment that made me remember why I ever started this book to begin with. I will try to be better about writing.
Until next chapter,
your lovely author. xoxo