Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [33]
Exhaustion didnt help much with my attempts at persuasion. But I didnt give up. I tried reasoning, pleading, and grouching, all to no avail. I was usually unconscious before I could really press my case far. And then my dreams felt so real-nightmares mostly, made more vivid, I guessed, by the too-bright colors of the island-that I woke up tired no matter how long I slept.
About a week or so after wed gotten to the island, I decided to try compromise. It had worked for us in the past.
I was sleeping in the blue room now. The cleaning crew wasnt due until the next day, and so the white room still had a snowy blanket of down. The blue room was smaller, the bed more reasonably proportioned. The walls were dark, paneled in teak, and the fittings were all luxurious blue silk.
Id taken to wearing some of Alices lingerie collection to sleep in at night-which werent so revealing compared to the scanty bikinis shed packed for me when it came right down to it. I wondered if shed seen a vision of why I would want such things, and then shuddered, embarrassed by that thought.
Id started out slow with innocent ivory satins, worried that revealing more of my skin would be the opposite of helpful, but ready to try anything. Edward seemed to notice nothing, as if I were wearing the same ratty old sweats I wore at home.
The bruises were much better now-yellowing in some places and disappearing altogether in others-so tonight I pulled out one of the scarier pieces as I got ready in the paneled bathroom. It was black, lacy, and embarrassing to look at even when it wasnt on. I was careful not to look in the mirror before I went back to the bedroom. I didnt want to lose my nerve.
I had the satisfaction of watching his eyes pop open wide for just a second before he controlled his expression.
What do you think? I asked, pirouetting so that he could see every angle.
He cleared his throat. You look beautiful. You always do.
Thanks, I said a bit sourly.
I was too tired to resist climbing quickly into the soft bed. He put his arms around me and pulled me against his chest, but this was routine-it was too hot to sleep without his cool body close.
Ill make you a deal, I said sleepily.
I will not make any deals with you, he answered.
You havent even heard what Im offering.
It doesnt matter.
I sighed. Dang it. And I really wanted Oh well.
He rolled his eyes.
I closed mine and let the bait sit there. I yawned.
It took only a minute-not long enough for me to zonk out.
All right. What is it you want?
I gritted my teeth for a second, fighting a smile. If there was one thing he couldnt resist, it was an opportunity to give me something.
Well, I was thinking I know that the whole Dartmouth thing was just supposed to be a cover story, but honestly, one semester of college probably wouldnt kill me, I said, echoing his words from long ago, when hed tried to persuade me to put off becoming a vampire. Charlie would get a thrill out of Dartmouth stories, I bet. Sure, it might be embarrassing if I cant keep up with all the brainiacs. Still eighteen, nineteen. Its really not such a big difference. Its not like Im going to get crows feet in the next year.
He was silent for a long moment. Then, in a low voice, he said, You would wait. You would stay human.
I held my tongue, letting the offer sink in.
Why are you doing this to me? he said through his teeth, his tone suddenly angry. Isnt it hard enough without all of this? He grabbed a handful of lace that was ruffled on my thigh. For a moment, I thought he was going to rip it from the seam. Then his hand relaxed. It doesnt matter. I wont make any deals with you.
I want to go to college.
No, you dont. And there is nothing that is worth risking your life again. Thats worth hurting you.
But I do want to go. Well, its not college as much as its that I want-I want to be