All characters and content of Twilight solely belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Hey! Remember me; the silly pants who got you all excited for a nice long chapter and then disappeared for like over a year? Sorry about that everyone, a lot of things have happened in my life.

My grandmother, who pretty much raised me the first few years of my life, fell and broke her hip and was hospitalized for a couple months, so I was pretty busy visiting her and with school and work also getting in the way I kind of let my writing go for a while. She came home and was fine for a bit, then suddenly spiraled and ended up passing away 3 days after my father's birthday. Between trying to keep him together and dealing with my own depression this story was completely out of my mind. After that it was more so that I couldn't get my ideas straight and didn't have any inspiration to finish this fic anymore.

However, enough of the pity party. I am back now, and hopefully will be able to keep on top of this, but I am not going to promise anything; too many things can happen unexpectedly.

Here's to all of you for waiting, and to those of you who continued to review, favorite, and follow even when the story was abandoned for so long.

I love you all, enjoy!

-Silver

Previously on A Tasteful Seduction:

"Well, Isabella, shall we?"

With a grin that I am unable to keep off my face, I walk forwards and wind my arm through his, my hand resting lightly on his upper arm.

"Yes, please."

With one last passing thought on the cell in my suitcase and the likely very angry vampire on the other end of it, Marcus leads me out the door and down the hall towards where, I assume, the gardens await.

Despite everything with Edward, I think today is going to be a good day.

~A~T~S~

A tense silence envelopes the two of us as we walk, though Marcus is at ease and seems to float along beside me. My eyes drift up to his face every few seconds, taking in his gentle, but masculine features.

On one of these moments Marcus tilts his head slightly and his gaze slides down to meet mine, sending my pulse rocketing and a blush spreading about my face and neck. I drop my eyes immediately to stare at the floor, cursing my traitorous heart as it continues to pound a rhythm against my ribcage.

Dammit Bella, what is wrong with you? He is not the first vampire you have met, why are you letting yourself get all dazzled by him? God, this was such a bad idea, maybe if I tell him I am sick he will let me go back to my room where I can cower for the rest of this miserable-

"Isabella? Did you hear me?"

My mind is ripped back to reality, and I stare up at Marcus for what must be a long couple seconds before I notice the corner of his mouth twitch upwards subtly. It is then that I notice we have stopped moving, and that his hand has come up to lightly grip my own upon his arm.

I blink up at him in confusion until he lets out a small, amused sigh.

"I asked if you were alright, my dear. You have been in a daze since we left your chambers, and you seemed quite upset when I let myself in earlier. Is there anything on your mind that I may be able to put at ease?"

"Oh, that." I give a small shrug and a flick of my hand as if to wave the subject away. "I was talking to Edward before you arrived; he has been a bit much to handle lately and he just hit a nerve I guess. I will probably have to call him back later and apologise or he will get in a mood."

I try to play it all off as a joke, but from the look in his eyes I can tell that Marcus is not fooled one bit. His eyes in question are flaring with something I cannot give a name to, and he turns to face me fully while continuing to hold my hand, though now his grip is a bit more firm.

"May I inquire as to what Edward said exactly?"

It was phrased as a question, but somehow I knew that it was definitely not to be taken like one. This was a demand from one of the Volturi leaders, and a powerful shiver runs down my spine as I move my weight from foot to foot in anxiousness.

"Uhm, well, he has just been so controlling lately…Since we returned home from here the last time, actually. He is always trying to tell me how to dress, and what to eat, and how to talk and-and I know he is just looking out for me but he still refuses to change me and I don't understand why and this would all be better if he just did it an-"

I am cut off from my rant as a cold fingertip rests lightly against my lips. As I inhale to catch my breath I become aware of a deep rumbling sound. Startled, I look around for the source only to figure out that it is coming from the vampire standing before me.

The vampire that currently looks like he is trying desperately to keep all his shit together; his eyes are a deep red and flashing in anger, and the hand not resting on my lips is clenched at his side.

Fuck. You did it now girl; you somehow pissed off one of the most powerful beings on the planet with your rambling and now you are going to die.

The hand at his side moves and I instinctually close my eyes and tense, waiting for whatever will happen next. Just as I start to wonder if I am already dead, I feel the hand on my lips move to cup one side of my face while another cradles the other side. The sensation of a thumb brushing over my cheekbone makes me open my eyes and I am immediately caught off guard by ruby eyes mere inches from my own.

"M-Marcus-?"

"Hush, Isabella. Listen to me closely now, amore mio." He pauses for me to give a slight nod, then continues in a low, rough timbre.

"The first thing you must understand dear one is that Edward is indeed a fool. He would likely not know how to care for a house plant, let alone another living being. He is young and immature, turned much too young by Carlisle though I understand he had no choice. He comes from a time where women listen to men without pause, and has not yet learned to adapt, though this is no excuse for his behaviour; just an observation."

Marcus takes a deep breath as if to calm down, then continues in a softer fashion. "Now, what did you mean by him telling you how to talk? Does he control the volume at which you speak?"

I hesitate for a moment, then let out a quick mumble under my breath, my eyes looking anywhere but his face. His thumb taps my cheek once, and when I look up at him he has an eyebrow raised and what looks to be the start of a smirk on his lips.

"Please repeat that, Isabella. Even my hearing could not pick up on that jumble of sounds."

A blush shoots up my neck and I glance away from him again. "He got mad, because I said 'fuck'." I glance up in surprise at his small chuckle, and he stares back down at me with an amused expression.

"And how, my dear, did you respond to that?"

Now a small smirk tugs at my own lips and my voice is a bit stronger as I reply, "I told him 'Fuck you'."

The laugh that follows my statement causes a small giggle to rise up in my throat, before suddenly I am laughing along as well. His laugh does not last long, but there is a lingering mirth in Marcus' eyes as he straightens and moves one hand to pat the top of my head lightly.

"My dear Isabella, you truly are an entertaining little thing." He returns my hand to its original place on his arm and after a moment to let me compose myself, he gives a small squeeze to get my attention. "Promise me something, cara."

"Anything, Marcus." What? Get it together girl, don't go promising thing before you know what they are!

"Promise me that you will never apologise for being yourself, not to Edward; not to anyone."

Oh… well, that's fine, I guess.

My mouth opens, and I feel his gaze like wildfire across my body when my tongue pokes out to wet my lips.

"Alright, Marcus…I promise." My voice is a bit softer than I would like, and I give a small cough to clear my throat. My answer seems to satisfy him though, because he just smiles and turns to lead me once again towards our destination.

We lapse into another silence, but this one is comfortable and warm. It stays that way until we come to a large set of carved, marble doors. Marcus gives me a small smile, before stepping forward and pushing open the door for me to proceed before him.

As I step through the doors I raise my hand to protect my eyes against the sudden sunlight. As my vision clears a small gasp makes its way out of my throat.

Before me is not just some garden, but a wonderland with flowers of every kind and every color all around me. A small, worn path winds through the garden and disappears around a wall of roses. I turn to Marcus excitedly, only to freeze with my breath caught in my lungs.

He is beautiful; his skin glittering subtly instead of the bright flash that happens when the sun hits Edward. I take a step towards him, my hand lifting without my permission to touch fingertips to his cheekbone. I don't know how long I stand there, how long he patiently lets me stare, before I realize what I am doing and snap my hand back…Or at least; I would have if he didn't grab and hold onto it before it could move an inch.

My heart thunders in my chest and he lifts my hand and presses a light kiss to my fingertips, inhaling softly much like he did when he first asked me to walk with him.

"Isabella, you need not fear to touch me, I will not bite." His lip quirks like he is trying to hide a smile. "Much."

At this, the tension in the air breaks and I let loose a surprised bark of laughter. As I giggle, he releases my hand and places his own on my lower back to guide me through the flowers, a small smirk on his lips the whole time.

We walk along the path for a while, every now and then stopping so that I can admire a flower, or so that Marcus can introduce a new one and softly explain more about it. I do not know how much times passes before we finally come to stand before a large fountain, made of the same marble as the doors.

The base is circular, with water glittering like glass filling it. In the center a pedestal stands, with a statue of a beautiful woman carved into it. She almost looks alive, every detail carved perfectly until I could swear she would start moving any second.

I glance at Marcus to find his eyes latched onto the statue as well.

"Marcus, who is she?" The words come out as almost a whisper, as if to not disturb the air around us. After a moment, his eyes slide to meet mine and a small smile rests on his lips.

"She was called Didyme…She was my wife, as well as Aro's sister. Sadly, we lost her when the Romanians attacked centuries ago."

My heart clenches in sympathy, and I squeeze his hand where it lays in mine. I refuse to think about how natural it feels to have it there.

"Marcus…I am so sorry. That is horrible, I cannot imagine the pain."

At my words, his eyes warm and his hand returns the gentle grip. "Thank you, Isabella. I indeed loved her, but it was like I said many centuries ago, and unlike Aro I was not linked to her in more than love. He was devastated when he learned of her demise."

Confusion causes my brow to crease, and I tilt my head slightly to the side. "But, what do you mean you weren't linked? Wasn't she your mate? Edward told me that a vampire cannot physically survive losing their mate…That it destroys them from the inside out."

Marcus releases a small sigh, and gestures for me to sit on the bench beside the fountain. After I have made myself comfortable, he sits alongside me with his body angled towards me.

"Isabella, while I loved Didyme dearly, she was merely my wife…not my mate. What Edward told you is true, when a vampire meets their mate and the bond is formed, they can no longer live without each other. One cannot even begin to think about leaving the other, about losing the other in any way."

I stare at him for a moment and let everything he has just explained set in. As I sit there, a thought spears through my mind and causes my heart to plummet. I reach forward and grasp his hand, staring into his eyes with my own undoubtedly wide ones.

"Marcus…If that is all true…then, when Edward left me after my birthday…?" I can already see the answer to my question in his eyes, but some part of me needs to hear it out loud.

"….He should not have been able to do that, huh?"

The vampire before me gives a small shake of his head, sympathy and something nameless shining in his eyes.

"No Isabella, he should not have been able to do that at all."

I nod my head in acceptance, feeling numb all over. A small thought crosses my mind that I should feel more surprised, but strangely I don't. Instead, a surge of rage rises up within me.

"That bastard…Is that why he won't change me? Because I would be able to tell that we aren't mates?"

Marcus merely watches me, and that gives me all the answer I need.

"I would like to go back to my room please, Marcus. I…have a lot to think about."

He immediately stands and reaches his hand to help me up. "Of course, cara. Would you prefer to walk, or for me to carry you there faster?"

Feeling a bit guilty about seeming to want to get away from him so soon, I decide on the second option, and suddenly I am up in his arms. In mere seconds we are suddenly standing before my room and Marcus is setting me down gently, making sure I have my balance before letting go.

I turn to thank him, and a lock of hair falls into my face. I huff at it and reach up, finding that my ponytail had come a bit loose during the run. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I start trying to fix it only to have my hands caught and lowered by two ice-cold ones.

Startled I look up at Marcus and he smiles warmly at me before letting go of my hands and reaching his own up. I feel him remove the elastic, and before I can question what he is doing, his hands are in my hair; untangling the small knots and running his fingers through the strands to tame them.

He takes a step closer and my heart nearly stops, I have nowhere to run with the door at my back, and honestly I am not sure if I would want to anyways.

But Marcus simply places a soft kiss against the top of my head, one hand still in my hair and the other resting on the back of my neck under the wavy strands. When he pulls back, he carefully pulls his hand from my hair and places an index finger under my chin to make me look up at him.

"Your hair looks best when it is like this…Natural, wild, free…Much like you yourself, Isabella." He rolls my name off his tongue with a heat that shoots to my core and sets my blood on fire. Before I can respond, he takes another step back to remove himself from my space and gives a small bow.

"Rest easy tonight, amore mio. If you should need anything you need only call and Jane will be at your side in seconds. Buona notte, good night, my dear."

I can only nod my head slowly, my heart nearly in my throat. He turns to walk down the hall, and I quickly enter my rooms; closing the door firmly behind me and sliding down to rest my back against it.

I sit in silence for a while, my brain refusing to process everything that just happened, before all my breath leaves me at once and a hysterical giggle leaves my lips.

"Holy hell…"

I force myself up and over to my bed before falling down onto it. I hear a loud, insistent beep, and glance down to see my phone blinking from its grave in my suitcase. I squint at the screen and scoff; 31 missed calls.

I ponder if I should call back before Edward rips up Washington trying to get a hold of me, before shrugging and deciding that he can wait until tomorrow.

With that thought, a smile settles on my face and I go through the events of the day once more.

This place just got a whole lot more interesting.

Well, there you go lovelies. If you notice any inconsistencies please let me know, and if you have any ideas on where to go with the store or things to happen please don't hesitate to suggest them.

Again, terribly sorry for the long, long wait. I am back for good now, hopefully.

-Silver xo