The Inauspicious Beginnings Of A Prince
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 32
Bella lay within the arms of her love, head resting on his now silent chest. Her eyes may have been closed but she was far from sleep, too many thoughts whirling through her mind to allow such a luxury. Jasper's voice broke through the peace of the silence that had surrounded them. "What is it Bella? What's wrong?"
She looked at him and placed a kiss on his chest. "I never could get anything past you."
He looked down at her and ran his fingers through her hair as she closed her eyes, soaking up his quiet affection.
As far as she was concerned, he was still the same, still her Jasper, the sweet and fierce protector and stellar lover he'd always been. She'd yet to see a spark of the mischief and rebellion that she knew was there in spades, but she was sure those facets of his personality were still there too, just waiting for the right opportunity.
"Bella?"
She sighed. Seems he was impatient for an answer.
"We have to go back Jasper. We can't stay here, as lovely as this cottage is. You are a Prince my love and you were soon to become a King. Your mother, father and uncle are probably very anxious to see that you're all right."
He chuckled. "I suspect that they already know, if the presence of that guard was their doing as I suspect."
She raised up to see his face. "A guard was here?"
He smiled, nodding. "Yes, just after we arrived. I could feel his presence through his emotions. He was concerned and I could feel a familial love from him, otherwise I would have torn him apart. Once he'd observed us for a bit, he felt mollified and left, probably to report back to my father."
She nodded and kissed him softly. "He loves you very much Jasper. I know they're anxious for your return."
He turned his head, gazing out the window at the waning light. "All right, let's go back." He looked back at her.
"Please stay close to me though. I've a need to protect you and our son. Just the thought of a bunch of strange vampires around you…" He growled lowly and she cupped his cheek, kissing him softly, murmuring out against his lips. "Shh, my love. Don't get upset. Everything will be fine. I'll stay close, even when you go feed. I won't leave your side, not for a moment if you don't wish it."
He nodded, his eyes slowly fading from black to red with the calming of his emotions. She smiled. "I guess we should get dressed." She rose grabbing her clothes and looking back at him with a brow raised. He rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, I'm getting up."
He carried her back to the castle, not really running but still moving much faster than any human could travel so they made it back in mere minutes. Bella thought it was a good thing too, since she had felt him tense each time they'd come close to any humans. He was thirsty and needed to feed, she knew, and she was pretty hungry herself.
Jasper noted each guard along his journey back to the castle with interest. It seemed that his father was giving him his space while still keeping a careful eye on him. It gave him a warm feeling inside and he found himself looking forward to speaking to the vampire who'd raised him, after getting his fill of blood, of course.
After passing by so many human dwellings while carrying his mate back, his throat was burning terribly. The only thing that had prevented him from attacking had been his mate in his arms, her well-being being the most important thing to him, even above his need for blood.
He arrived at the underground entrance at the back of the castle and the guard bowed deeply. "My Prince." He held the door open and backed away. "Welcome home." Jasper swept past with a nod, his manner cautious.
"Thank you."
Bella could feel the tension rise within him and kissed his neck, whispering reassurances as they made the trek through the long stone corridors to his room.
He wasn't quite sure how he knew just where to go, but he did; the information just there without thought. It seemed as long as he didn't try to focus on things, they just came to him, as if the information was shrouded from him when he tried to look for it, but available when he didn't. It was a bizarre feeling and he did his best to ignore it. Getting upset wouldn't help, and he had his mate to think about. All the rest would still be there after he'd seen to her.
He rounded a corner and knew that he was drawing close to his rooms. He slowed, an involuntary growl coming from him as he sensed many vampires within. He felt a gentle hand on his face as he stared at his doors, and looked down at Bella. "Jasper, sweetheart, it's okay. They all love you and pose no threat to either of us, I promise you. Will you trust me?"
Shit. She had to ask that question. The one that made him go against every primal instinct he had with one exception; to please his mate. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, his inner conflict raging before snapping them open at the sound of her worried voice. "Jasper?"
He shook his head. He just couldn't do it! He could not walk into that room full of vampires that he didn't know, or at least didn't remember. His instincts railed against such a prospect.
Bella turned herself in his arms, taking his face in her hands. She could feel his welling upset and she needed to calm him. "Jas, baby listen to me. Let's go get you fed. I really think you'll be better able to handle all of this when you've been fed properly. You haven't had blood since before your collapse."
He nodded, his eyes now pitch black with the thirst as he turned and made his way to the feeding chamber. This room was different from the throne room where they brought the large groups in periodically. This was for any who missed out on the group feeds due to being on duty or otherwise occupied.
Bella rubbed his chest through his shirt, trying to lessen his mounting tension. She could see a guard posted at their destination and felt Jasper's muscles coil with his mistrust. "It's okay baby."
Jasper stopped several feet from the guard and Bella spoke at once. "Your Prince requires a meal. Please see to it and stand away from the door."
Jasper now had a low, constant growl sounding deep in his chest as he eyed the guard who bowed. "Right away my Lady." He turned and left and Bella breathed out in relief, nuzzling Jasper's neck as his growl abated. "See sweetheart? It's fine. We're fine." She smiled and Jasper nodded, all his senses still on high alert. He didn't dare drop his guard. His mate and child were too precious.
Bella felt him tense again and saw the guard round the corner a moment later. "His meal awaits my Lady."
She smiled "Thank you. Please stay clear of this door until we're through."
Jasper began to walk toward the door and the guard objected. "My Lady! You can't go in there with him!"
She flinched as Jasper growled loudly, his blackened gaze freezing any further protests the guard might have made. "You overstep. Have you forgotten your place?" Jasper's lip curled as he sneered at the frightened guard.
"My P...Prince, I meant no offense. I was only thinking of your human mate's safety!"
"That's right!" Jasper hissed, his anger rising to a dangerous level. "She's MY mate and therefore mine to protect. Do not forget your place again, guard, or you will not have a place to forget."
The shaking guard bowed deeply. "Yes, my Prince. Forgive me."
He made his way through the door, closing it quickly behind him before turning to the two terrified humans huddled across the room.
Bella tried not to look at them as she rubbed his cheek with gentle fingers. "Put me down and feed my love. I'll wait right here for you."
He nuzzled her neck, placing light kisses there as he moved to the corner placing her down on her feet, well away from either of the two doors in the room. "I won't be long."
She smiled softly despite the situation. "Take your time Jas. There's no rush. Just relax. We're fine. We're safe."
He turned from her and the humans across from them began to mutter prayers and pleas in rapid, whispery Italian. He grabbed the man first and the woman screamed and sobbed backing away into the corner as she watched with horror filled eyes as Jasper drained her companion of his precious blood. He dropped the slack body when the heart beat its last, the man's blood causing a slight flush of color in Jasper's face and a crimson stain on his lips.
He turned his attention to the woman, ignoring her now hysterical mutterings as he drew her up from the floor, the smell of fresh urine causing his lip to curl as he tilted her head, sinking his fangs into her neck as she shrieked and wailed, her cries becoming weaker and weaker as her blood filled Jasper's body, causing a feeling of heat to suffuse him. He dropped her when all had stilled, the flames in his throat extinguished, his body relaxed and sated. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of euphoria that filled him for moments. It was blissful and fulfilling and he reveled in it.
"Jasper? Are you all right?"
He turned his head quickly, peering over his shoulder at his mate, his eyes bright red and piercing and her breath caught at the sight of him. With the slight flush in his cheeks and lips and those red, red eyes framed by his blond waves… She thought he was even more breathtaking than before, if that was possible. He was deadly gorgeous and she found herself becoming aroused, as appalling as that was to her human self considering what she had just witnessed.
He stared at her, taking in a great huff of air, his nostrils flaring a bit at the scent of her arousal and he growled lowly in approval as he spun toward her pinning her to the wall.
She gasped and braced her hands on his shoulders as he pushed her dress up and ripped of her panties, freeing his cock and burying himself into her in the next seconds with a groan of satisfaction that matched her breathy moan.
God, she couldn't believe this was happening. She should be protesting. Here they were, in a feeding room, two dead bodies across from them and they were having sex - fucking hot sex if she were being honest - against the wall.
"Jasper", she moaned as he stroked into her solidly, his hands on her bare ass kneading, supporting, as he fucked her deeply. She looked down and watched his glistening cock thrust into her, the sight and the feel causing her orgasm to build rapidly. She cried out and pulsed around him as he gave her four more powerful, deep thrusts, seating himself fully as he came with a roar of satisfaction.
She panted, resting her forehead on his shoulder as she slowed her breathing, trying desperately to regain control.
He withdrew from her, gently setting her on her feet as he backed away, tucking himself back in and zipping up as she watched.
Something wasn't right, she could just tell. He was just standing there with his head down, not looking or speaking. Such was not the normal behavior of Jasper, especially with her after sex. He was always loving and attentive. She moved toward him. "Jas? What is it baby? What's wrong?"
He shook his head, not lifting it to look at her. As a matter of fact, now that she was close, she could see that his eyes were clenched shut, his breathing heavy, as if he were in pain. "Jasper, come on. Talk to me baby. You're scaring me."
He shook his head again and clutched it with both hands, falling to his knees with a yell that sounded pained to her. She panicked when he wouldn't acknowledge her. She needed help as he was now rocking to and fro, pained cries and whimpers leaving him as he clenched his fists in his hair.
She ran to the door wrenching it open to shout at the guard. "Go and fetch his father! Quickly!"
She went back to Jasper, kneeling down next to him and placing a hand on his back. It was all she could do and she felt hopeless at his sounds of pain.
The door burst open within moments and Caius raced in, hitting his knees in front of his son who's cries were quieting as his rocking ceased.
Caius cautiously placed a hand on his son's head keeping his voice calm and quiet.
"Jasper, son?"
Slowly, Jasper raised his head, looking into Caius' face.
"Papa?"
Caius, at that moment, could have cried with relief, for he knew, with that one word, that his precious son had been restored to him.
Bella lay within the arms of her love, head resting on his now silent chest. Her eyes may have been closed but she was far from sleep, too many thoughts whirling through her mind to allow such a luxury. Jasper's voice broke through the peace of the silence that had surrounded them. "What is it Bella? What's wrong?"
She looked at him and placed a kiss on his chest. "I never could get anything past you."
He looked down at her and ran his fingers through her hair as she closed her eyes, soaking up his quiet affection.
As far as she was concerned, he was still the same, still her Jasper, the sweet and fierce protector and stellar lover he'd always been. She'd yet to see a spark of the mischief and rebellion that she knew was there in spades, but she was sure those facets of his personality were still there too, just waiting for the right opportunity.
"Bella?"
She sighed. Seems he was impatient for an answer.
"We have to go back Jasper. We can't stay here, as lovely as this cottage is. You are a Prince my love and you were soon to become a King. Your mother, father and uncle are probably very anxious to see that you're all right."
He chuckled. "I suspect that they already know, if the presence of that guard was their doing as I suspect."
She raised up to see his face. "A guard was here?"
He smiled, nodding. "Yes, just after we arrived. I could feel his presence through his emotions. He was concerned and I could feel a familial love from him, otherwise I would have torn him apart. Once he'd observed us for a bit, he felt mollified and left, probably to report back to my father."
She nodded and kissed him softly. "He loves you very much Jasper. I know they're anxious for your return."
He turned his head, gazing out the window at the waning light. "All right, let's go back." He looked back at her.
"Please stay close to me though. I've a need to protect you and our son. Just the thought of a bunch of strange vampires around you…" He growled lowly and she cupped his cheek, kissing him softly, murmuring out against his lips. "Shh, my love. Don't get upset. Everything will be fine. I'll stay close, even when you go feed. I won't leave your side, not for a moment if you don't wish it."
He nodded, his eyes slowly fading from black to red with the calming of his emotions. She smiled. "I guess we should get dressed." She rose grabbing her clothes and looking back at him with a brow raised. He rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, I'm getting up."
He carried her back to the castle, not really running but still moving much faster than any human could travel so they made it back in mere minutes. Bella thought it was a good thing too, since she had felt him tense each time they'd come close to any humans. He was thirsty and needed to feed, she knew, and she was pretty hungry herself.
Jasper noted each guard along his journey back to the castle with interest. It seemed that his father was giving him his space while still keeping a careful eye on him. It gave him a warm feeling inside and he found himself looking forward to speaking to the vampire who'd raised him, after getting his fill of blood, of course.
After passing by so many human dwellings while carrying his mate back, his throat was burning terribly. The only thing that had prevented him from attacking had been his mate in his arms, her well-being being the most important thing to him, even above his need for blood.
He arrived at the underground entrance at the back of the castle and the guard bowed deeply. "My Prince." He held the door open and backed away. "Welcome home." Jasper swept past with a nod, his manner cautious.
"Thank you."
Bella could feel the tension rise within him and kissed his neck, whispering reassurances as they made the trek through the long stone corridors to his room.
He wasn't quite sure how he knew just where to go, but he did; the information just there without thought. It seemed as long as he didn't try to focus on things, they just came to him, as if the information was shrouded from him when he tried to look for it, but available when he didn't. It was a bizarre feeling and he did his best to ignore it. Getting upset wouldn't help, and he had his mate to think about. All the rest would still be there after he'd seen to her.
He rounded a corner and knew that he was drawing close to his rooms. He slowed, an involuntary growl coming from him as he sensed many vampires within. He felt a gentle hand on his face as he stared at his doors, and looked down at Bella. "Jasper, sweetheart, it's okay. They all love you and pose no threat to either of us, I promise you. Will you trust me?"
Shit. She had to ask that question. The one that made him go against every primal instinct he had with one exception; to please his mate. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, his inner conflict raging before snapping them open at the sound of her worried voice. "Jasper?"
He shook his head. He just couldn't do it! He could not walk into that room full of vampires that he didn't know, or at least didn't remember. His instincts railed against such a prospect.
Bella turned herself in his arms, taking his face in her hands. She could feel his welling upset and she needed to calm him. "Jas, baby listen to me. Let's go get you fed. I really think you'll be better able to handle all of this when you've been fed properly. You haven't had blood since before your collapse."
He nodded, his eyes now pitch black with the thirst as he turned and made his way to the feeding chamber. This room was different from the throne room where they brought the large groups in periodically. This was for any who missed out on the group feeds due to being on duty or otherwise occupied.
Bella rubbed his chest through his shirt, trying to lessen his mounting tension. She could see a guard posted at their destination and felt Jasper's muscles coil with his mistrust. "It's okay baby."
Jasper stopped several feet from the guard and Bella spoke at once. "Your Prince requires a meal. Please see to it and stand away from the door."
Jasper now had a low, constant growl sounding deep in his chest as he eyed the guard who bowed. "Right away my Lady." He turned and left and Bella breathed out in relief, nuzzling Jasper's neck as his growl abated. "See sweetheart? It's fine. We're fine." She smiled and Jasper nodded, all his senses still on high alert. He didn't dare drop his guard. His mate and child were too precious.
Bella felt him tense again and saw the guard round the corner a moment later. "His meal awaits my Lady."
She smiled "Thank you. Please stay clear of this door until we're through."
Jasper began to walk toward the door and the guard objected. "My Lady! You can't go in there with him!"
She flinched as Jasper growled loudly, his blackened gaze freezing any further protests the guard might have made. "You overstep. Have you forgotten your place?" Jasper's lip curled as he sneered at the frightened guard.
"My P...Prince, I meant no offense. I was only thinking of your human mate's safety!"
"That's right!" Jasper hissed, his anger rising to a dangerous level. "She's MY mate and therefore mine to protect. Do not forget your place again, guard, or you will not have a place to forget."
The shaking guard bowed deeply. "Yes, my Prince. Forgive me."
He made his way through the door, closing it quickly behind him before turning to the two terrified humans huddled across the room.
Bella tried not to look at them as she rubbed his cheek with gentle fingers. "Put me down and feed my love. I'll wait right here for you."
He nuzzled her neck, placing light kisses there as he moved to the corner placing her down on her feet, well away from either of the two doors in the room. "I won't be long."
She smiled softly despite the situation. "Take your time Jas. There's no rush. Just relax. We're fine. We're safe."
He turned from her and the humans across from them began to mutter prayers and pleas in rapid, whispery Italian. He grabbed the man first and the woman screamed and sobbed backing away into the corner as she watched with horror filled eyes as Jasper drained her companion of his precious blood. He dropped the slack body when the heart beat its last, the man's blood causing a slight flush of color in Jasper's face and a crimson stain on his lips.
He turned his attention to the woman, ignoring her now hysterical mutterings as he drew her up from the floor, the smell of fresh urine causing his lip to curl as he tilted her head, sinking his fangs into her neck as she shrieked and wailed, her cries becoming weaker and weaker as her blood filled Jasper's body, causing a feeling of heat to suffuse him. He dropped her when all had stilled, the flames in his throat extinguished, his body relaxed and sated. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of euphoria that filled him for moments. It was blissful and fulfilling and he reveled in it.
"Jasper? Are you all right?"
He turned his head quickly, peering over his shoulder at his mate, his eyes bright red and piercing and her breath caught at the sight of him. With the slight flush in his cheeks and lips and those red, red eyes framed by his blond waves… She thought he was even more breathtaking than before, if that was possible. He was deadly gorgeous and she found herself becoming aroused, as appalling as that was to her human self considering what she had just witnessed.
He stared at her, taking in a great huff of air, his nostrils flaring a bit at the scent of her arousal and he growled lowly in approval as he spun toward her pinning her to the wall.
She gasped and braced her hands on his shoulders as he pushed her dress up and ripped of her panties, freeing his cock and burying himself into her in the next seconds with a groan of satisfaction that matched her breathy moan.
God, she couldn't believe this was happening. She should be protesting. Here they were, in a feeding room, two dead bodies across from them and they were having sex - fucking hot sex if she were being honest - against the wall.
"Jasper", she moaned as he stroked into her solidly, his hands on her bare ass kneading, supporting, as he fucked her deeply. She looked down and watched his glistening cock thrust into her, the sight and the feel causing her orgasm to build rapidly. She cried out and pulsed around him as he gave her four more powerful, deep thrusts, seating himself fully as he came with a roar of satisfaction.
She panted, resting her forehead on his shoulder as she slowed her breathing, trying desperately to regain control.
He withdrew from her, gently setting her on her feet as he backed away, tucking himself back in and zipping up as she watched.
Something wasn't right, she could just tell. He was just standing there with his head down, not looking or speaking. Such was not the normal behavior of Jasper, especially with her after sex. He was always loving and attentive. She moved toward him. "Jas? What is it baby? What's wrong?"
He shook his head, not lifting it to look at her. As a matter of fact, now that she was close, she could see that his eyes were clenched shut, his breathing heavy, as if he were in pain. "Jasper, come on. Talk to me baby. You're scaring me."
He shook his head again and clutched it with both hands, falling to his knees with a yell that sounded pained to her. She panicked when he wouldn't acknowledge her. She needed help as he was now rocking to and fro, pained cries and whimpers leaving him as he clenched his fists in his hair.
She ran to the door wrenching it open to shout at the guard. "Go and fetch his father! Quickly!"
She went back to Jasper, kneeling down next to him and placing a hand on his back. It was all she could do and she felt hopeless at his sounds of pain.
The door burst open within moments and Caius raced in, hitting his knees in front of his son who's cries were quieting as his rocking ceased.
Caius cautiously placed a hand on his son's head keeping his voice calm and quiet.
"Jasper, son?"
Slowly, Jasper raised his head, looking into Caius' face.
"Papa?"
Caius, at that moment, could have cried with relief, for he knew, with that one word, that his precious son had been restored to him.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.