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Courtesan	By : Shelindrea Category: Twilight Series > Het > Jacob/Renesmee Views: 4787 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Chapter 26
NPOV
"Then please walk with me, I have things to say to you that are for your ears alone," he said holding out a hand for me to take.
One last look to the ballroom and I took it and followed him down the stairs into the torch lit gardens. There were paths cut into the shrubbery providing private alcoves for couples to talk. He led the way into one and found a marble bench on which to sit. We sank to it together, and he took my hands in his own.
He looked deeply into my eyes, and I was lost to him. I wanted him to want me, to need me as I needed him. Suddenly, he was leaning into me and our lips touched. It was as if fuel had been poured onto a fire. I clung to him and drank him in. It had been ages since I had felt whole. My hands wound into his silky black mane, and I drew him closer allowing our tongues to duel, neither truly wanting supremacy. Then I felt his hand slide up my thigh and I realized that this was exactly what we would have done before.
Could he only want me to warm his bed? Was all the work I had done to make myself his equal for naught? Even as his slave he talked to me. He shared intimacies of not only the body, but the mind. Were the changes in me so vast that that we had lost all connection but the physical?
No, I could not accept that. I needed all of him, or none at all. I grasped his wrist and broke the kiss. Was this truly what I was to him, just a body he desired? Was I of no worth to him now? Had I lost the allure I once held for him? It broke my heart.
"What is it Ness?"
"I thought you wished to talk to me," I panted, scooting back a bit. I needed to know for certain what he wanted, I needed him to say it.
"I did…I do…I just…" he stammered.
"You just?"
"I…have not the words…" he said looking at the ground.
"There was a time when we could tell each other anything. Have I truly changed so much?" I watched his face, fear eating away at me. There was a time when this would have been enough, but he changed that, and he could not change it back. After a moment, when he did not answer me in words, I was certain I had heard his meaning. "I should return to Alice and Jasper."
I stood and turned to go. I paused for another moment and then took a few steps. I was dying inside as this would be our farewell, for I could not stop loving him, and it would kill me to see him and know he did not feel the same.
I felt the tears begin to, and it took everything within me to keep from sobbing as I went. Suddenly, he caught my wrist in his hand and said, "Wait, Ness, please do not go."
"Why not?" I said, the sob tearing from my throat.
"Because I love you."
I stared at him dumbstruck. Had he actually just said what I thought he said? The world seemed to stop for a moment. I could not believe it. "You do?"
"I always have," he said staring into my face with a passion I had seen only in him. "I have sought permission from the king to court you. I am sorry I let myself be carried away by your nearness; I promise it will not happen again. I will woo you and win you as a proper suitor should. That is if you want that? I mean…the choice is yours." He paused his eyes pleading, "Unless…Ness…say something please."
Tears were streaming down my cheeks, and I was shaking where I stood. It was everything I had hoped for, every dream had come true. "Say it again," I instructed.
"Which part?" he asked.
"That you love me."
"I love you, Renesmee," he said coming to stand before me. "May I court you?"
"Yes."
"Can you see yourself as my bride? Is that something you might want?"
I was so amazed, I was certain I was dreaming. "It is the only dream I have ever held," I confessed.
"So you think you might come to love me?"
"No," I blurted. I knew that he had misinterpreted my reaction, so I quickly went to him and explained with a kiss. "I cannot come to love you, because I already love you. I could not possibly love you more than I already do."
He swept me into his embrace and kissed me as if it were the last time we would ever do so. I could feel him pour his very soul into the emotions he was sending, and it was quite a while before we parted. When we did, we were both panting and smiling.
"We must return. It is not seemly for a gentleman to keep a young lady from the festivities so long."
"I do not care," I said trying to pull him back into the alcove.
"You must, my love. You have a reputation to guard now and reputation is a fragile thing. I will have you honored and admired, as you should be."
He laced my arm through his own and led me back to the ballroom. We garnered a few sidelong looks as we entered, but Jasper and Alice came to join us almost immediately. They were smiling and chatting and made it appear as if there was nothing amiss.
"Renesmee, my dear, I must have a dance. Come now, this fine gentleman has monopolized you long enough, for now," Jasper said with an elegant bow over my hand.
Jacob turned and asked Alice to partner him and we split apart to dance. I found my eyes searching for him with every turn. "Ness, am I such poor company?" Jasper teased.
"Oh, no, forgive me. I am all amazement. Did you know what he would say to me?"
"I suspected. I knew Aro had cleared his way to speak to you. Tell me, what did he say?"
"He says he loves me."
"He always has, Ness. Why do you think he freed you? Certainly not for himself, it has been very trying for him to have to risk losing the woman he loved so that she could have the life he wanted for her."
"I had not thought of that," I said feeling quite selfish. "Why did he not speak before now?"
"He was forbidden to do so by the king. He wanted you to know real freedom and to have a choice in whom you wed."
"I would have chosen Jacob no matter what."
"I suspected as much. That is why I brought him a copy of the portrait we had done in town."
"He has it?" I laughed. "He never said a word."
"Ness, I think I should prepare you…"
"Prepare me?"
"Aro has let it be known that you are free to be wooed as of this night."
"Yes, I know, Jacob told me."
"Yes, but Aro's announcement was not only given to Jacob. He has opened you to any man who would woo you. You must now handle all those who have shown interest in you."
I laughed at my sweet friend. "You speak as if there were many suitors just waiting for me."
"There are far more than you imagine," he said turning me in time to the music. "Here comes one now."
As if cued by Jasper's words, the Earl of Forks, Riley Biers, approached and tapped Jasper on the shoulder to cut into the dance. He stopped our progress and stepped aside for the handsome young man.
I had met the Earl at the dinner with Aro. He was a tall man in his twenties. As a distant cousin to the king, he had plenty of land and money, but no real power. He took my hand in his and placed his hand at my waist with a sly smile. "I have not had this pleasure since the night we met," he said softly.
I blushed at his compliment. "In truth, I have not had the opportunity to dance since that night myself. There is not much opportunity to dance at the scholar," I laughed.
"A tragedy if I ever heard one. A woman such as yourself should be wined, dined, and taken to the most fashionable events nightly," he said with utter sincerity.
I frowned at the mere thought. "Thank you, my lord, for the thought, but you may bestow my portion of such extravagance on some other female. A life, such as that, sounds exhausting." We made the final turn of the dance and I looked into his bewildered face. "Thank you for the dance, my lord."
"Thank you Miss Cullen," he said kissing the back of my hand.

JPOV
I relinquished my love to the custody of Jasper while I took his charming wife for a spin around the floor. Alice and I had only met briefly, but her husband had become a trusted friend. I felt a great affinity for the tiny woman as she was the guiding force for my angel.
"You look lovely this evening, Mrs. Whitlock," I began.
"Please call me Alice," she instructed.
"Only if you will call me Jacob."
"It would be my pleasure, although…" she paused and stifled a small chuckle.
"What is it?"
"Forgive me," she pleaded, "I was just hoping that I do not utilize the moniker your lady love invokes."
I raised my eyebrow at her, dying to know how Nessie referred to me.
"Oh, I should not have said anything. I am not certain she would want me to divulge her confidences," she teased with a lilting laugh.
"I would not tell her anything you confided in me, but now you have my curiosity peaked beyond forbearance."
"Very well, whenever she speaks of you she calls you 'her Jacob'"
My breath caught in my chest. She claimed me as her own even before my confession. I was flying somewhere above the crowd that surrounded me. Alice must have noticed because she giggled at my distraction.
"I am so glad that Aro has seen fit to allow you to woo her. I think she would have crumbled should your absence have been any longer."
Suddenly, I realized that were I to return home she would be away from me yet again. I could not bear to be separated from her; I needed a way to be closer. "Alice, I need to see her to woo her. Seattle is too far away."
Alice smiled her pixy smile at me and nodded. "I agree. I wonder if Bella would like Ness near her in her confinement."
"I am certain it would be a boon to her."
"It would mean more than Nessie as a houseguest. She still requires a chaperone, and as I have pledged to guide her, that would mean Jasper and I would be in attendance. Do you think that would be alright?"
"Can Jasper be spared from the scholar? I do not wish to put you out," I stated praying that it could be worked out.
"If the Cullens will house us, I am certain that someone would take his classes for him."
As the song concluded, we walked over to Bella and Edward to make arrangements. Jasper joined us, but I noticed he did not return Nessie to me. I searched the dance floor for her and saw her being swung around by the young prince. She was laughing and smiling, and I felt jealousy burning within me. Bella saw my distress and placed a hand on my arm. "She is simply enjoying her first ball, Jake. Would you begrudge her a good time?"
"No," I grunted sourly. Then, I saw her eyes searching until they locked with mine, and I saw the pink stain her cheeks. She glanced at me through her lush lashes, and I felt her love from across the room. Seeing it made me breathe easier and relax again into conversation with my friends.

NPOV
"I have never before beheld so beautiful a vision, Miss Renesmee," the prince told me in the most adoring voice.
"You flatter me, Your Highness. You shall cause my head to swell with your pretty words."
"I overheard my father saying that he has approved you for courting, and I was curious…"
"What are you asking me, Your Highness?"
"I know that I am still too young to pursue you for myself, but you cannot be that much older than I. I would be free to marry you in a mere four years. Do you think you could wait for me?"
His face was so earnest and his question so charming I felt obligated to ease any sting a refusal might bring him.
"Oh, Your Highness, I fear that I am not made to be a princess, let alone one day a queen. I believe you need someone who was born to such a life. I am a simple girl."
He considered for a moment. "I suppose you are right," he sighed. "As much as I would wish the life of royalty was simple, I know far too well that it is not. You show great wisdom in realizing it is not for you." He smiled sadly at me. "Such sense only recommends you more, in my eyes, but I do understand."
"You are as wise and kind as your father, Your Highness."
He puffed at the compliment. "Perhaps I can assist you in finding a suitable husband then. If you cannot be mine, I would see you well settled and happy."
I smiled and shook my head. "I believe I have chosen the man," I confessed.
"Let me guess," he said thoughtfully, "the tall dark haired man?"
"Am I that obvious?"
"You do look happy in his presence. Allow me to return you to him," he said offering his arm and leading me back to Jacob, Alice, Jasper, Edward, and Bella.
"I relinquish this beauty to your care, sir, see that she is kept happy, or you shall answer for it," the prince said.
Jacob smiled and nodded as he turned to face me with a look of utter devotion upon it. "I would rather cut off my own arm than harm a single hair upon her head, Your Highness."
Seemingly satisfied the prince smiled at us and took his leave. We were talking quietly among ourselves when I saw Jacob blanch. I turned to see the couple approaching and felt as if the world had tipped on its axis.

Caius POV
I had positioned myself high so as to take in the entirety of the room. It meant that I had a bird's eye view of every couple and every dance. I was completely aware of when Renesmee entered the ball. Of course so was every other male in the room. Almost immediately, Jacob Black took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The look in her eyes was unmistakable. She loved him. His affection for her was also evident.
When he led her from the hall to the gardens, I felt my hands fist at my side. I hated that she was somewhere with him. Still, I knew I needed to bide my time. My triumph would be all the sweeter when I swooped in and plucked her from his plate.
"Really, Your Grace," Leah said in her grating tone, "will you allow them to wander out of your sight? I thought you had a strategy. So far all we seem to be doing is standing about."
"All in good time," I said in a rather bored tone. Even dressed in the evening star costume of thin gauzy material, she held no appeal for me, but I needed her for my little drama.
I watched a parade of fools dance with my beauty until Felix returned her to her party. That was our cue. "Come, my dear, time for the show," I said leading her to meet her 'old friend,' Jacob Black.
"Remember, it is your connection to Jacob that we are acting upon. Say nothing that we did not discuss," I instructed her as we made our way to the party of friends surrounding Renesmee.
I saw Mr. Black recognize Leah as she approached. He looked almost ill at her appearance. There was nothing subtle about Leah; her dress was cut low and tight to accentuate her ample assets. Renesmee must have sensed his discomfort for she turned to face us. The color drained from her face. I was not certain if it was for recognition of Leah or myself.
"Jacob, darling, how good to see you again," Leah said kissing him upon both cheeks, just as I had instructed.
"Leah," he said stepping back from her, "what are you doing here?"
"I came with my friend, the Duke," she said indicating me. "Oh please say you will dance with me, and I will tell you all about your wonderful new nephew. Emily will be so thrilled that we have seen each other."
I watched the play of emotions on the lovely face before me; discomfort, anger, jealousy. It was enthralling. I heard Jacob attempt to bow out of the dance and made my move.
"Miss Cullen, may I be as bold as to beg a dance?"
I saw her internal debate play across her perfect features and knew the moment she crumbled to the pressure of my asking before such a large group. She bit her lip and nodded her assent.
I offered my hand and as she took it led her to the floor.
"You make a lovely Dawn, my dear."
She swallowed, obviously unnerved. "Thank you, Your Grace."
"Curious that we ended up dressed from the same fairy tale, don't you think?"
"So you are the Sun God?" she asked eyeing my golden robes.
"Of course."
"Curious that you would cast yourself as the villain," she observed.
"You see him as a villain? How strange. I have always thought him the hero."
Confusion marred her lovely features. "He separated the lovers for all eternity, just so he could have the Dawn all to himself. He even willed it that for an instant at daybreak they could see each other, but not touch. A fleeting glimpse each day, meant to inflict pain and deepen their wound eternally." Her anger was evident, and it excited me. It was that spirit that I longed to make bend to my will.
"You fail to see the Sun's perspective, my dear. He recognizes Dawn's beauty and spirit and longs for her to be his very own. It is she who refuses his suit, and thereby dooms herself to her imperfect and fleeting existence. Had she acquiesced to the Sun's superior offer, to live in light, adored and warm, she could have been his queen."
"She could have been his slave, you mean," she all but spat.
"The thought of her as his supplicant offends you?"
I saw her thoughts upon her face; Fear of being discovered, uncertainty of how to explain her vehemence, and suspicion as to my motive for asking.
"I believe that any soul would choose a life of freedom over one of servitude," she explained.
"Even if the service is pleasurable? Even if they would live in pampered luxury, for so small a sacrifice?"
"Even if they would be treated like royalty, sir. I know I would."
Her answer made me want her even more. I knew it meant that when she acquiesced to me it would be even sweeter. "I wonder if you would truly choose the lesser man, were it your decision."
"What makes you think that the god of night is the lesser man?" she asked referring to the fairytale again.
"The Sun god is royalty. His lineage is that of the god of creation. How could he not be the superior being?"
"It is not fame and fortune that determines a man's worth, Your Grace, but his soul."
The moment the final note sounded she stepped away from me and searched the floor for Mr. Black. She found them just as I did, and as instructed, Leah had ended the dance by throwing herself into his arms. She had done me one better and was kissing him, rather deeply.
Leah told me that Jacob would never think to make a scene at such an event, and true to form he did not throw her from him, but rather tried to gently remove her. She was clever though, and had linked her hand to his neck, pulling him closer. His moves to extricate himself from her embrace could easily be misinterpreted as passion.
I heard the sharp intake of breath from Renesmee and caught her as she stepped back. "Even the most haunting figure of night is filled with shadow and deception," I whispered into her ear.
She turned away from the sight right before Jacob finally freed himself from Leah's clutches. He did not see Renesmee watching him, he only saw me. I slipped my arm about the girl's waist and led her from the floor, out the French doors. "Perhaps a bit of air will help, my dear."
The moment we were on the veranda, she raced to the railing and leaned upon it. She was breathing raggedly, and I was almost certain she was crying. It was perfect. I took her small hand into my own.
"My dear Miss Cullen, are you alright?"
"If I asked you a question, would you tell me the truth?" she asked turning to me, her eyes shining with tears.
"Of course I would, my dear."
"Is it customary for men to take lovers when they marry? I know of two couples who seem perfectly happy with only their spouse, but I want to know if that is a rarity."
"It has been my experience that marriage is the most fatal blow to passion. Those that wish to remain truly happy in their lives seem to do better as lovers."
She searched my eyes, although I could not determine for what she looked. I raised my hand to wipe away a tear as it fell upon her cheek. Then I tipped her sweet face to mine and kissed her nose lightly. "If you require a friend who will never lie to you, please consider casting me in that role."
"You are not what I thought you were," she said blinking away the last of her tears.
"It has been my experience that few men are what they seem."
With that, I took her hand and placed it through my arm, leading her back into the ball room and back to her chaperones.
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Courtesan