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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
- 25
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Chapter 27

NPOV

When Caius returned me to Jasper and Alice, I was searching for Jacob everywhere. When I caught sight of him, he was escorting Leah to the far side of the room, by the elbow, and she looked singularly put out. I saw her head toward the lady’s resting room, and I decided that I could use a bit of water to cool my face. I excused myself and headed to the resting room.
When I entered the suite, I found a basin and the slave poured me some cool water and offered me a towel. I thanked her and took a seat. The room was outfitted as most rooms I had seen in the palace. Lush carpeting covered the floor. Fine handcrafted furnishings in satin sat before a bank of gazing glasses. It took her a few moments to realize I had entered the room, but when she did she made a bee line to the seat at my side.
She looked furious, and I had to smile. Despite what Caius had said, I was certain that I knew exactly what was going on between Jacob and Leah. I found it odd that he would imply that I did not know Jacob. I probably knew him better than I knew anyone. I knew, for instance, that he was too fine a man to ever declare his love for me and then turn around and kiss another woman. It reminded me of when he and I had been at his sister’s. He and Leah had kissed that evening, and yet it was me he sought the moment he was free of her company.
“So,” she said in her haughty tone, “it would seem you have made quite the climb in circumstance, Miss Cullen.” The way she said my name left no doubt that she thought the title above me.
“I have been blessed indeed,” I responded politely.
“I hope you do not think you can secure Jacob as your own, now. Simply because you managed to convince him to release you from your servitude does not mean he will wed you, you know. He has far better taste than you give himcredit for.”
I could not help but smile at that, but I swallowed it and raised a single eyebrow at her, hoping she would go on.
“He would never lower himself to that, and even if he would, is that what you want for him?” she asked. “Imagine what marrying you would do to his reputation.”
“You are implying that my former life would cause him to be viewed poorly. Interesting thought, but I am nothing more than a free woman, now. How would that be a detriment?”
“We both know what you were,” she hissed.
“We do, but the world at large does not.”
Then a sinister smile graced her pretty mouth. “Ah, but they could. A few quiet conversations in rooms such as this and everyone in society will know it.”
“You mean not to shame him, but me. How interesting. Allow me to inform you that I hold no shame in what I was, and as those whose opinions matter to me are already fully aware of my past, I would guess your threat has no real bite.”
“Really? Then I should simply go about disseminating the information I know?” she asked standing from her chair.
“Miss Clearwater,” I said, and she turned to me as I had hoped. “I feel it is only fair to warn you that it was the king himself who elevated me. It is he who has attempted to ease my transition, and it is he who has insisted that I be treated and live as any free woman would. So, you might consider that before you make your disclosure. It could cause some personal discomfort for you; whereas, it has no hope of doing so for me.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “No discomfort for you? Really? I somehow doubt that.”
“Why? I have no regrets from my servitude. I served my master with grace and honor.”
“Honor?! As if a slave possesses honor,” she spat.
“I think they have more honor than many free citizens. As a slave, I was privy to any myriad of secrets, often spoken to others who were sworn to secrecy, yet no one thinks of those ears that also hear, and have made no vow. Still, I have heard and seen free citizens violate that trust at every turn. You are not as likely to find that among the slaves. As a community, we are amazingly tight lipped and loyal. So, yes, I would call that honorable. For example, I shall do you the courtesy of keeping this conversation to myself, and not tell Jacob or his majesty of your threats. I shall leave that decision to you. Do enjoy the rest of your evening.” And with that, I stood and exited the suite.
Jacob found me almost at once. His eyes searched my face, concern evident in every line of his own. He led me away from the resting room and straight to a small settee. “Is everything alright?” he asked anxiously. He must have realized I was alone with Leah in that room.
“Well, that depends,” I paused leaning into him. “Do you still love me?”
“More than life,” he said taking my hands in his own.
“Then yes, everything is perfect.”
“I need to tell you something,” he began, swallowing thickly.
“Leah kissed you.”
“No, Leah kissed…wait, how did you know?”
“His Grace pointed it out while we were dancing. All the while implying that I could not possibly think to know exactly what I was seeing.”
His face darkened, “I swear, Ness…”
“Do not swear, Love, there is no need. I know she kissed you, not the other way round.”
I watched the clouds clear from his visage as he cocked his head at me and smiled. “How did you know?”
“It has happened before. That last evening at your sister’s, before we entered your room, I thought you had kissed each other, but then I remembered how you clung to me afterward. I should have realized then, but the view from the floor can be a bit obscured.” I smiled at him in true happiness.
“There has never been a woman alive to compare to you, Renesmee. I cannot see them. I see only you. I desire only you. You consume my every thought.”
“How will I survive being parted from you again,” I asked leaning my forehead against his.
“Fear not, I have requested an audience with the king on the morrow to beg permission for you to visit Cullen Estates with Jasper and Alice.”
I felt my brow furrow. I could not imagine why the king would need to be consulted. “Does that mean if he does not approve I may not go?”
“Your wellbeing is paramount to him, Sweeting. Besides, I want him to feel that I am following his instructions to the letter. When I win you, I want him to know I did it with honor and respect.”
How could I argue with that? I smiled at him and sighed. Then I realized what he had said. “You meet with him tomorrow, then you are remaining here in the castle this evening? Where are you staying?”
“Edward, Bella, and I have been invited to remain in Carlisle’s wing. Why?”
“Then I guess we shall be housemates sooner than you thought,” I laughed.

Caius POV
I saw Leah storm out into the garden and followed at a leisurely pace. It was clear that something had occurred between her and Renesmee. I decided to tread lightly and let her divulge things to me at her own pace.
“That little slut better watch her step. She thinks she can intimidate me with threats about the king, but I am no fool,” she seethed.
That got my attention. “What threat?”
“I told her that I could ruin her by exposing her as the low class strumpet she is. Jacob would never consider being with her in any meaningful way knowing that the world new from whence she had come.”
In a moment, her lovely neck was in my iron grasp. Her breath was halted as I squeezed. Without releasing her, I leaned into her and whispered my warning. “You will not even think of exposing her. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever! I will not have it known that she is anything other than the woman I desire. Are we clear?”
She attempted to answer, but it came out as a squeak. I stared deeply into her eyes and saw the panic. “Nod if you understand.”
She did so, though she had little movement available to her due to my hand upon her throat. “Good girl,” I said as I eased the vice of my fingers.
Her hand came up to stroke her windpipe as she coughed. It was clear that my warning would be taken seriously.
“Not to worry, I have other means of convincing Miss Cullen that my company would be preferable to that of Mr. Black. You need only be available to soothe his wounded soul when she rejects him. Just remember, you are to do nothing without my express approval. Now, I believe I will turn in for the evening. I need to rest and make arrangements for my next assault.”

JPOV
The evening had gone far better than I had even hoped. Nessie loved me, and although His Majesty still had obstacles he would require me overcome, I was certain I would sail over them on the wings that her love provided my heart. When I retired for the evening, I could not stop myself from smiling.
By the time we arrived at Carlisle’s quarters we were all exhausted. I was granted the pleasure of escorting Nessie to her bed chamber. We spent a lovely few moments kissing and cuddling before I forced myself to leave her side so she could get some rest. “I wish you the sweetest of dreams, my love.”
She leaned against my chest sighing. “They will be the sweetest ever, for now I know they have all come true.”
“I shall see you on the morrow,” I said easing her away from me.
A confused look crossed her face, but then she yawned, and I turned her into her room. It was difficult not to follow her, but I needed to behave in a manner that let her know I did not take her for granted.
My night was blessedly quick, and existed in a series of dreams in which Ness repeated the phrase “I love you, Jacob” in any number of ideations. I awoke with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.
A castle slave arrived as we broke our fast inviting us all to luncheon with the king. There was much discussion about the logistics of the trip from Edward and Jasper, and the ladies discussed the impending birth of Bella’s child. The morning flew by and soon it was time to meet with the king.

NPOV
King Aro welcomed us all into his personal dining hall and the gentlemen became embroiled in the discussion of our visit to Cullen Estates. It fascinated me that although each of the married men took their wife’s comfort and opinion into account, when it came to actually planning the journey the women seemed to be superfluous.
To be truthful, I did not mind being omitted from the talk of travel and lodgings. It allowed me time to watch Jacob. I used to watch him through my lashes when I had served him, but now I was free to openly admire him in all his masculine beauty. Occasionally, he would catch my eye and smile, and I would blush and smile back. It seemed a secret language between us, these glances.
“Nessie,” Alice’s voice interrupted my reverie.
I turned to see that Bella, Esme, and Sulpicia were all turned toward me as Alice was, each wearing an indulgent look upon their faces. That caused my blush to deepen even further.
“It would seem that young Renesmee has been infected with that malady affecting so many of our youth these days,” the queen said laughingly.
“It certainly does, but the affliction becomes her so,” Esme teased.
“It certainly lends color to her cheeks and brightness to her eyes,” Bella agreed.
“I assure you all; I have never felt better in my life. I suffer no malady.”
“We speak of the wounding of your heart, dearest,” Alice explained. “The malady of which we speak is love. It is one each of us know intimately, and one we all suffer gladly.”
Again, I blushed and the ladies continued to chatter on about the effects of this condition. The conversation finally came round to Bella’s situation, and how that was the joy and pain of the affliction of love running its proper course. I thought about that. One day it could be me, round with Jacob’s child. That made my smile even wider, and my thoughts even farther from where I was.
It was the reason I missed the King’s request, and did not even know he wished for my company until he stood beside my chair and offered his arm. I blinked at him in confusion. “Please, my dear, I wish a private word with you.”
I rose and accepted his arm, following him out into the solarium. It was an entire room made of glass and housing any number of fragrant blooms. A winding lane allowed one to walk among the flowering plants with stone benches situated every so often to allow the walker to rest and take in the beauty which surrounded them.
His Majesty led me to one such bench and took the seat beside me. His countenance was serious, and I felt a wave of nerves settle in my stomach. I tried to calm myself and waited for him to speak.
“Renesmee, my dear, I have brought you here to ask you how you feel about visiting Cullen Estates.”
I was certain my confusion showed upon my face. “I am thrilled at the prospect of returning home, Sire. I have missed it and those that reside there terribly.”
“I am certain that you have, but have you considered what your returning will mean for you?” At meeting my blank stare, he went on. “You were once a member of that household, not in the position you now hold, but as a slave. There is likely to be some resentment among your former equals. There also exists the possibility that young Mr. Black will fail to see you in your new role. Now, I am willing to approve this journey, if, and only if you are certain it is what you want.”
I found myself growing incredibly fond of this gentle and thoughtful monarch. I smiled at him, “You are an incredibly kind man, Your Majesty, to concern yourself with the comfort of a poor girl. Allow me to assure you that I have never wanted anything more than I want to be near to Jacob once again. I understand why you separated us, and I am grateful for the time and perspective you allowed me in doing so. You have taken great care to ensure that I fully understood all that freedom entails, and I swear to you I shall do everything within my power to ensure that you never regret your decision to release me. I will attempt to live an exemplary life, I swear it.”
“All I ask is that you live, my dear. I must confess I have grown quite fond of you. I believe I will have to issue an edict that you and your beloved visit me at least once a season.”
“You need never think that an edict is why I would return to see you, Sire. I will return simply because I have a deep and abiding affection for you,” I confessed. Then without thought to his station, I leaned across the bench and kissed him on the cheek. The moment I realized my impertinence I pulled back, fearful of his reaction.
As always, the king surprised me with his wide smile and hearty laugh. “I shall hold you to that, Renesmee, and shall expect you to kiss my cheek in greeting and in parting from this day forward. I do have one more question I require an answer to, my dear. I know that young Jacob has stated his desire to court you, and that you know of his desire for you, what I want to know is how you feel about him.”
“You fear that he will treat me as a slave,” I stated plainly and he nodded. “What you must understand, Your Majesty, is that he has never treated me so, not even when it was his right to do so. From the moment I was sent to his feet, he has always treated me as an equal.”
“Can you explain that?”
“I was sent to him a white silk, Sire. Yet from that first evening he gave me a choice. He insisted that I shared his desire, or he swore he would not take me. From that moment on, he taught me in every interaction what it truly means to be free. He sought my considered opinion and pushed me to truly give thought to myself and the world around me. I learned true freedom under his tender care. I wish I could explain this…”
“I think you have.”
“Your Majesty, may I play something for you? I wrote a song for him that I have played for no one. I think it might make my meaning clear. If you will allow…”
“It would be my pleasure to hear you.”

JPOV
It took everything within me not to pace as the king led my love into the solarium. He had explained that he would allow Jasper and Alice to bring Renesmee to Cullen Estates only if he was satisfied that it was what she truly wished. He had pointed out some of the possible pitfalls of her returning to a place where she was well known as a slave. I was determined to ease her way, and had already taken some steps to ensure that if she agreed to wed me she had a comfortable and secure environment. Now, all I had to do was wait and pray that when presented with the potential pitfalls of this path that Nessie found me worthy of the risk.
Everyone was conversing and socializing with each other, even her majesty, Queen Sulpicia was calm and gracious. I hadn’t the strength to feign interest in anything but what was happening in the solarium.
“Jacob,” Bella pleaded, “please be at ease. Trust that all will be well.”
I grunted in response and noticed Edward place a hand upon her shoulder to still her words. In another moment, the king and Nessie returned to the room, and I was able to breathe again.
“Renesmee has something to play for us,” he announced, leading her to the piano.
I watched her swallow deeply and then turn to her audience. “The last time I played for you all was upon the occasion of our parting. I had been working on a song, a gift for my…” she faltered on the title, “master. I promised him I would play it for him when it was complete. The song has been my comfort during our extended absence from one another. I want you to know that the words were not written until after we were parted. I truly hope you find it pleasing.” The final statement seemed to be for me alone, and I was honored.
The instrument began to weave a lush melody in and around the room. Ness closed her eyes, as if afraid to look at us as we heard her air. Then she opened her mouth and I was transported by the ethereal beauty of both her voice and the song. As the words permeated my brain, I was moved beyond comprehension that I had inspired so lovely a tribute.
Had I dreamed a thousand years
I could never have dreamed you
Had I wished a million wishes not a single one would do
To create the truth and goodness that you showed to little me
Or to make my foolish heart so sure of where it longed to be
You changed me into who I truly longed to be
You helped me find the truth that I simply could not see
You told me I need never play a part
And became for me the Master of my heart
Were there any such as you, I have never heard their name
In a fairytale legend or a song of any name
Had I studied all my life I would only fail to find
That a man like you existed except for in my mind
You changed me into who I truly longed to be
You helped me find the truth that I simply could not see
You told me I need never play a part
And became for me the Master of my heart

The moment the song concluded, I was at her side. I forgot that there was anyone present aside from the two of us, and I fell to my knees beside her, taking her hand into my own. I looked into her fathomless eyes and was lost in their splendor.
“I love you,” I whispered, pulling her lips to mine and found heaven on Earth in the wonder that was Nessie.
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Courtesan