Ebb and Flow (Twilight x Reader)

Chapter 33

"I'll just be around the corner in the next hall."

Then she was gone.

I stood there for a few moments, watching the space where she'd disappeared, before leaning against the wall across from Edward and my sister.

Bella's slow breathing was the only sound that filled the silence.

"You have questions," Edward finally said.

"Obviously," I replied, crossing my arms and meeting his gaze. "There's a lot to unpack from what just happened."

Edward sighed, as if the idea of talking about it all tired him. "Well, pick something to start with."

I blinked. "Seriously?"

"What?"

"You're not going to avoid this? You're not going to argue discussing it?"

"That will only complicate things further," he replied. Then he just stared. Waiting.

I thought long and hard. Where to even start?

"What was all that talk about singers?" I finally asked. "La tua cantante. What did that mean?"

"Of course you pick that," Edward muttered. Then he shrugged. "They have a name for someone who smells the way Bella does to me. They call her my singer—because her blood sings for me."

"But they didn't call her that," I said. "They called me that."

Edward hesitated. "Yes. They did. But let me clarify something—I still love your sister, and that love has not faded whatsoever." His tone turned disgusted. "I have no desire to move on to you."

My eyebrows raised in shock and a sharp, uncomfortable laugh escaped me. "Is that seriously what you think I was worried about?" I was shaking my head. My face twisted into a grimace. "Oh my god, no. Noooooo, no no no. Trust me, I have no interest in that."

Edward's eyes sharpened. "Well, the feeling is mutual."

"Good."

"Good."

"Great."

Another brief silence.

"But it was true?" I asked. "What Aro said about, erm. . . how my blood smells to you?" Even just saying it felt weird. Creepy, even.

"Yes," he said reluctantly. "If it wasn't for Bella's desperation in the studio last spring, I would have drank you dry."

"Comforting," I grit out.

Outside we could hear the scuffle of the crowd in the square—vendors closing up shop for the night while others were just opening. Kids laughing. A mother's scolding. Some applause every now and then.

"What are we going to do?" I asked quietly.

"About?"

I stared at him. "About the fact that either Bella or I have to get bit?"

Edward looked down. His face was hard. "I don't know."

"Bella didn't seem too appalled by the idea."

"She wasn't."

Understanding shot through me. "You guys have talked about it before."

"Yes."

I drummed my fingers on my arm as I worked my jaw.

"I'm not a fan of the idea, in case you were wondering," Edward added. "A life like mine. . . it's torturous."

"Well. . ." I hesitated. "It doesn't have to be Bella who gets bitten."