The only reason I left was to protect you.

Forever," Edward echoed in my ear. I couldn't speak anymore. I lifted my head and kissed him with a passion that might possibly set the forest on fire. I wouldn't have noticed.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Jared glared balefully at the old man, his eyes full of the shock and pain of the betrayed. I had only human comparisons for such a look. Caesar and Brutus, Jesus and Judas.

My first language, the true language of the soul spoken only on our planet of origin, had no word for betrayal or traitor. Or even loyalty- because without the opposite, the concept had no meaning.

But it's possible to love more than one person at a time, Bella. I've seen it in action.

When you can’t be with the one you love, will you stay with the one who loves you?