Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 24: Edward
Fate Aro’s Joy
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Black eyes, wild with their fierce craving for my death, watched for the moment when my protector’s attention would be diverted. The moment when I would surely die.
Bella Swan, Eclipse, Preface, p.1
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Waking suddenly from her sleep Bella sat up blinking in utter confusion, for a moment she could not recall where she was, why or how she had come to be there, a moments reflection brought it all back, the plane ride, the movie, the Cullen's, the ever present rain. Jacob.
"Jake!"
It was as if someone had lit a fire in her brain, she bolted out of bed forgetting her less than stellar appearance and was almost to the door when a pair of cool arms wrapped around her pulling her to a sudden stop; fixed as she was on the single idea of seeing if poor Jacob was ok following the events of the day before it took a long moment for a familiar scent to penetrate her senses. When recognition dawned she was slow to grasp, it was, after all 4 in the morning and she had yet to imbibe her first cup of coffee for the day. Yet the sheer improbability of the idea could not be ignored.
"Aro? Is that, you?!"
At once the grip relaxed giving her enough space to turn; her nose had not lead her astray, there in all his crimson eyed glory was her vampire. Gaping at him for a moment she quickly recovered throwing her arms around his neck burying her nose in the silken folds of his cravat.
"Oh god, it is you, I can't seem to be away from your side for 5 seconds without something happening, I'm so glad to see you!"
Deep purring drown her senses the vibration running the length of her entire body as he gathered her closer still cradling her as if she was a frightened child just awakened from a nightmare.
"Mia Isabella, Luce Mia"
The words were familiar now to her ears, his tone however was not, rough and angry it caused her to flinch on instinct. Almost at once it softened becoming that velvet she so longed to hear. Cool hands framed her face causing her to shiver which only now did she realize was sweaty. Baffled she attempted to pull away which he for once did not allow, moving with her keeping his hand firmly in place as he spoke again.
"Forgive me Mia Bella, I am not angry with you dear one, but with one who resided within these walls, you have slept feverish and ill for the last 4 risings, Never once have I left your side, Felix had no sooner left the lawn when I received his call, at once not only I but the entirety of the family departed, we landed here less than."
For the first time in their acquaintance she cut him off, panic rising to the surface once again and boiling over. Almost at once the sound of quiet footsteps on the carpet met her ears, it seemed with a silent plea from the other immortal Aro had reluctantly released her into Jaspers comforting embrace as she let out something like a modified yelp of panic.
"Wait freeze in fact back up and freeze, who's here? What did I miss? What’s going on?"
“Easy Little Sister, take a deep breath Darlin, let me explain before you make yourself ill again.”
Obeying she closed her eyes, almost wishing she could have crawled back into bed, Jasper was gentle with her, for which she was most grateful, slowly ebbing her panic and in its place sending gentle waves of reassurance as he spoke.
“First off, let’s get some soup into you, afraid high stress and international travel don't mix with you, second, everyone is fine, Carlisle is downstairs taking a last look at the wolf before his papa comes to get him, Emmett is having the time of his life playing X-box with Felix, and Jane and Esme are downstairs cooking something for you, that about clear everything up darlin?”
Finally, everything made sense, exhaling deeply Bella relaxed. Aro, meanwhile, was watching with an interested eye, as if taking mental notes on how to calm her when that level of outright panic reigned her reason.
“Yes I think so, how long was I sick?”
He mused for a moment as if recounting the days in his head and a lazy half smile curved his lips as his golden eyes warmed to amber.
“Well let’s see, Emmett broke the first x box controller 6 days ago, Felix called Aro 5 so, 4 in total, he arrived just as you took a turn, happily we have good ole Dr Dad, else Aro here would have thrown the fit of the century without his medical training to sooth the wrath, a few doses of meds and some rest and look at you now ready to tear downstairs to make sure we're still in one piece.”
Fondly he ruffled her hair and withdrew with a half bow in Aro's direction his nose wrinkling good naturedly. Making affectionate shooing motions with his hands, in the fashion of siblings the world over.
“Now, enough panic from the mortal, shower, food, and pampering from your mate, in that order, go!”
Amused she half saluted him before gathering a set of new clothes obviously set out by Alice and vanished into the bathroom. There was never any need to tell him where she was going, the hot water worked miracles and as she dried her hair she felt like her old self. Pulling on her favorite jeans and a comfortable old black sweater she was ready to face the world once more, as she opened the door the delectable smells drifting up from the kitchen made her mouth water.
“Aro?”
Hardly had the question left her lips and he was there, cool, comforting, and wearing no shirt! Surprised and if she was honest with herself quite pleased she had just time to ponder why when his lips covered her own in a, unasked for and yet oh so welcome fashion. Jasper had dulled the panic, this wiped it out as if it had never been in the first place, in a few moments his lips lost the chill as he deepen the lip lock trapping her gently against the frame of the bathroom door before at last drawing back slowly leaving her slightly stunned and starry eyed.
“What was that for?”
Hands traced gentle furrows in her drying hair lavishing her with affection that even the short time they'd been parted she lapped up, tension fleeing from places she never knew of and by the time he had finished she happily would have listened to him read the phone book.
“Dear One, though you were gone only a day or two the space between us gnawed at me, ripping away my peace and any sense of home with each passing hour. Then to hear of this, affair and then upon arriving to see you so ill had seriously shaken my world. That was as you put it, was for no other reason than the fact you are well again”
Still dazed she blushed prettily as he led her downstairs with a gentle hand, passing the others who greeted her warmly, and ending up at last in the kitchen, everyone else seeming completely unfazed by his lack of formal attire, Bella made a mental note to ask Alice about it later. Happily she was distracted by the truly handsome feast the two women had prepared, Even Jake had finally admitted defeat lying rather like a limp rag on the couch watching the TV mutely, a dreamy look on his features.
“Esme, Jane, I think you truly have outdone yourselves!”
Joyfully, the two women loaded her plate with beef stew, a crock of French onion soup and even a small dish of chicken noodle before she waved them away laughing as they began plotting the menu for the next day. Retiring to a quiet corner she did justice to the meal savoring every spoonful. Finally, when all that could be had been fed, the pack behaving with grace and pitching in to see there were no leftovers before collecting a very happy Jake and departed after a quick meeting with Carlisle in the library, all left in good spirits. Well all, but the head of the Cullen clan, who wore a pained expression as if he had been informed of a death. Though he tried to join in the festivities for the rest of the day, Bella saw clearly something was hanging over him.
As the hour struck 6pm a chime sounded and all family activity ended with a jolt. Everyone moved as one, to the sweeping lawns outside, and in silence to a large clearing she knew only too well. There watched over carefully by two burly vampires, was Edward. Bella gasped in horror as she laid eyes on him. Gone were the pristine features and golden eyes she had once adored and in its place now stood a monster. Fangs gleaming and dark eyes burning like coals as he strained against silver chains that held him bound.
Aro had protectively tucked Bella into his chest to spare her the rather disturbing sight, yet she did not draw away or flee, as she slipped into one of the beautiful chairs lined up against one side of the clearing. It was only when Aro and his two brothers slipped away to occupy the regal high back chairs on the other that she understood.
This was not just a gathering of power, but a trial!
Marcus normally so docile and detached, was sharp eyed glaring down at the young immortal like an old Scottish elder of the church rebuking sin.
“Edward Mason Cullen, we are assembled here on your account, have you anything to say in your defense?”
All movement in the glen had stilled only the slight rustling of the wind playing among the tall grass filled the heavy silence. Bella flinched, as his dark eyes landed on her for only a moment before he faced the Vampire Kings with such cold indifference it made her skin crawl.
“No, the panel is clearly baying for my blood, so what would you have me say?, I prefer action myself.”
What happened next Bella never saw the results of, his chains fell to the grass and in the moment when all eyes rested on the judges he had sprang forward using every iota of his speed and outdistancing his guards by a foot, but it was all he needed, All she remembered, was the lethal gleam in his eyes and a sharp pricking on her wrist as he struck her.
Frozen by disbelief she landed on the grass, Edward standing over her with a smirk playing on his lips that once was so attractive, now only sent cold dread into her heart. Heedless of Esme's screams of horror, Carlisle’s roar, and Alice sobbing in the corner wrapped in the arms of Jasper. Then suddenly; Aro was there, skin gleaming in the twilight light as he single handedly tore the younger immortal apart.
Just before darkness claimed her and the chaos faded into silence, she became aware of a sudden burning in her right wrist. Cold realization dawned, yet she was unable to call for help as she slipped into shadows.
Edward had bitten her...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Black eyes, wild with their fierce craving for my death, watched for the moment when my protector’s attention would be diverted. The moment when I would surely die.
Bella Swan, Eclipse, Preface, p.1
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Waking suddenly from her sleep Bella sat up blinking in utter confusion, for a moment she could not recall where she was, why or how she had come to be there, a moments reflection brought it all back, the plane ride, the movie, the Cullen's, the ever present rain. Jacob.
"Jake!"
It was as if someone had lit a fire in her brain, she bolted out of bed forgetting her less than stellar appearance and was almost to the door when a pair of cool arms wrapped around her pulling her to a sudden stop; fixed as she was on the single idea of seeing if poor Jacob was ok following the events of the day before it took a long moment for a familiar scent to penetrate her senses. When recognition dawned she was slow to grasp, it was, after all 4 in the morning and she had yet to imbibe her first cup of coffee for the day. Yet the sheer improbability of the idea could not be ignored.
"Aro? Is that, you?!"
At once the grip relaxed giving her enough space to turn; her nose had not lead her astray, there in all his crimson eyed glory was her vampire. Gaping at him for a moment she quickly recovered throwing her arms around his neck burying her nose in the silken folds of his cravat.
"Oh god, it is you, I can't seem to be away from your side for 5 seconds without something happening, I'm so glad to see you!"
Deep purring drown her senses the vibration running the length of her entire body as he gathered her closer still cradling her as if she was a frightened child just awakened from a nightmare.
"Mia Isabella, Luce Mia"
The words were familiar now to her ears, his tone however was not, rough and angry it caused her to flinch on instinct. Almost at once it softened becoming that velvet she so longed to hear. Cool hands framed her face causing her to shiver which only now did she realize was sweaty. Baffled she attempted to pull away which he for once did not allow, moving with her keeping his hand firmly in place as he spoke again.
"Forgive me Mia Bella, I am not angry with you dear one, but with one who resided within these walls, you have slept feverish and ill for the last 4 risings, Never once have I left your side, Felix had no sooner left the lawn when I received his call, at once not only I but the entirety of the family departed, we landed here less than."
For the first time in their acquaintance she cut him off, panic rising to the surface once again and boiling over. Almost at once the sound of quiet footsteps on the carpet met her ears, it seemed with a silent plea from the other immortal Aro had reluctantly released her into Jaspers comforting embrace as she let out something like a modified yelp of panic.
"Wait freeze in fact back up and freeze, who's here? What did I miss? What’s going on?"
“Easy Little Sister, take a deep breath Darlin, let me explain before you make yourself ill again.”
Obeying she closed her eyes, almost wishing she could have crawled back into bed, Jasper was gentle with her, for which she was most grateful, slowly ebbing her panic and in its place sending gentle waves of reassurance as he spoke.
“First off, let’s get some soup into you, afraid high stress and international travel don't mix with you, second, everyone is fine, Carlisle is downstairs taking a last look at the wolf before his papa comes to get him, Emmett is having the time of his life playing X-box with Felix, and Jane and Esme are downstairs cooking something for you, that about clear everything up darlin?”
Finally, everything made sense, exhaling deeply Bella relaxed. Aro, meanwhile, was watching with an interested eye, as if taking mental notes on how to calm her when that level of outright panic reigned her reason.
“Yes I think so, how long was I sick?”
He mused for a moment as if recounting the days in his head and a lazy half smile curved his lips as his golden eyes warmed to amber.
“Well let’s see, Emmett broke the first x box controller 6 days ago, Felix called Aro 5 so, 4 in total, he arrived just as you took a turn, happily we have good ole Dr Dad, else Aro here would have thrown the fit of the century without his medical training to sooth the wrath, a few doses of meds and some rest and look at you now ready to tear downstairs to make sure we're still in one piece.”
Fondly he ruffled her hair and withdrew with a half bow in Aro's direction his nose wrinkling good naturedly. Making affectionate shooing motions with his hands, in the fashion of siblings the world over.
“Now, enough panic from the mortal, shower, food, and pampering from your mate, in that order, go!”
Amused she half saluted him before gathering a set of new clothes obviously set out by Alice and vanished into the bathroom. There was never any need to tell him where she was going, the hot water worked miracles and as she dried her hair she felt like her old self. Pulling on her favorite jeans and a comfortable old black sweater she was ready to face the world once more, as she opened the door the delectable smells drifting up from the kitchen made her mouth water.
“Aro?”
Hardly had the question left her lips and he was there, cool, comforting, and wearing no shirt! Surprised and if she was honest with herself quite pleased she had just time to ponder why when his lips covered her own in a, unasked for and yet oh so welcome fashion. Jasper had dulled the panic, this wiped it out as if it had never been in the first place, in a few moments his lips lost the chill as he deepen the lip lock trapping her gently against the frame of the bathroom door before at last drawing back slowly leaving her slightly stunned and starry eyed.
“What was that for?”
Hands traced gentle furrows in her drying hair lavishing her with affection that even the short time they'd been parted she lapped up, tension fleeing from places she never knew of and by the time he had finished she happily would have listened to him read the phone book.
“Dear One, though you were gone only a day or two the space between us gnawed at me, ripping away my peace and any sense of home with each passing hour. Then to hear of this, affair and then upon arriving to see you so ill had seriously shaken my world. That was as you put it, was for no other reason than the fact you are well again”
Still dazed she blushed prettily as he led her downstairs with a gentle hand, passing the others who greeted her warmly, and ending up at last in the kitchen, everyone else seeming completely unfazed by his lack of formal attire, Bella made a mental note to ask Alice about it later. Happily she was distracted by the truly handsome feast the two women had prepared, Even Jake had finally admitted defeat lying rather like a limp rag on the couch watching the TV mutely, a dreamy look on his features.
“Esme, Jane, I think you truly have outdone yourselves!”
Joyfully, the two women loaded her plate with beef stew, a crock of French onion soup and even a small dish of chicken noodle before she waved them away laughing as they began plotting the menu for the next day. Retiring to a quiet corner she did justice to the meal savoring every spoonful. Finally, when all that could be had been fed, the pack behaving with grace and pitching in to see there were no leftovers before collecting a very happy Jake and departed after a quick meeting with Carlisle in the library, all left in good spirits. Well all, but the head of the Cullen clan, who wore a pained expression as if he had been informed of a death. Though he tried to join in the festivities for the rest of the day, Bella saw clearly something was hanging over him.
As the hour struck 6pm a chime sounded and all family activity ended with a jolt. Everyone moved as one, to the sweeping lawns outside, and in silence to a large clearing she knew only too well. There watched over carefully by two burly vampires, was Edward. Bella gasped in horror as she laid eyes on him. Gone were the pristine features and golden eyes she had once adored and in its place now stood a monster. Fangs gleaming and dark eyes burning like coals as he strained against silver chains that held him bound.
Aro had protectively tucked Bella into his chest to spare her the rather disturbing sight, yet she did not draw away or flee, as she slipped into one of the beautiful chairs lined up against one side of the clearing. It was only when Aro and his two brothers slipped away to occupy the regal high back chairs on the other that she understood.
This was not just a gathering of power, but a trial!
Marcus normally so docile and detached, was sharp eyed glaring down at the young immortal like an old Scottish elder of the church rebuking sin.
“Edward Mason Cullen, we are assembled here on your account, have you anything to say in your defense?”
All movement in the glen had stilled only the slight rustling of the wind playing among the tall grass filled the heavy silence. Bella flinched, as his dark eyes landed on her for only a moment before he faced the Vampire Kings with such cold indifference it made her skin crawl.
“No, the panel is clearly baying for my blood, so what would you have me say?, I prefer action myself.”
What happened next Bella never saw the results of, his chains fell to the grass and in the moment when all eyes rested on the judges he had sprang forward using every iota of his speed and outdistancing his guards by a foot, but it was all he needed, All she remembered, was the lethal gleam in his eyes and a sharp pricking on her wrist as he struck her.
Frozen by disbelief she landed on the grass, Edward standing over her with a smirk playing on his lips that once was so attractive, now only sent cold dread into her heart. Heedless of Esme's screams of horror, Carlisle’s roar, and Alice sobbing in the corner wrapped in the arms of Jasper. Then suddenly; Aro was there, skin gleaming in the twilight light as he single handedly tore the younger immortal apart.
Just before darkness claimed her and the chaos faded into silence, she became aware of a sudden burning in her right wrist. Cold realization dawned, yet she was unable to call for help as she slipped into shadows.
Edward had bitten her...