Shadow Song
Coming Soon!!
Chapter 8: The Phantom's Opera (Part 1)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me."
― Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
There are moments in life that will simply stand the test of time. For Isabella Swan, standing in a room filled with vampires and surrounded on all sides by danger, this was one of the best. The moment their hands touched. Her warmth to his silken cool skin a spark was kindled; it raced along her veins and lodged deep within her heart, infusing her entire body with a warmth she had never known. She closed her eyes as if to savor the feeling when a soft voice wrapped around her eager ears and caressed it.
"Open your eyes Cara Mia see me for what I am"
Caius, how could she have been missing what had been right in front of her the entire time? Opening her eyes she blinked, he had moved closer, their noses touched as he pressed his forehead to hers with infinite tenderness. She was lost in that moment yet she was found. She was a thousand miles away from Charlie, any semblance of the familiar, and yet home all at once. It rang through every note of his voice welcomed her with the warmth of his crimson eyes.
The rest of the world had faded away and narrowed until she could only see him, never mind the others here the slight dripping out of the collecting rain water escaping the drainage pipe, the world outside, the Cullen’s standing three feet away. Edward growling in the corner......EDWARD! All of sudden reality struck her full in the face as the sound assaulted her ears.
"Ah now, here he comes the source of this grand adventure, dear Edward, I must say your timing is impeccable"
Aro's voice was all warmth and formality; yet her instincts, weak as they were, warned her of the brewing storm to come, but for now the world was best left alone. She simply couldn’t handle anymore. On instinct she stepped into the embrace already waiting for her. Moments later the world grew fuzzy and went black around her. A gift no doubt from a smiling Jasper, who nodded at her from just over Caius’s shoulder. When she awoke they were alone, the scent of apple cinnamon candle greeted her nose as her eyes fluttered open.
"Isabella, Mia are you alright?"
His voice struck her afresh. Its many layers teasing her ear with endless promise as she concentrated on simply breathing, that was easy, everything else beyond that was simply work. Caius seemed however to understand and quietly hummed a light melody which Bella noted almost automatically was called Song of the caged bird. Finally in the peace and quiet of the moment she was finally able to put words, flimsy as they were to her raging emotions.
“I'm not sure....beyond being just a bit...”
“Overwhelmed”
Gentle fingers traced soothing patterns on her shoulder arm and hands as he carefully settled himself in a chair next to the bed. Perhaps she dropped off again Bella couldn't have been sure, all she knew was the greatest sense of peace she had ever beheld coursing through her veins. At last, the nightmare was over and the dawn had broken for her. Edward's hold was forever broken. Whatever his fate now she had no fears of anything beyond the assurance, the love, and the vampire king. That was more than enough for her. When at last, she came to herself, she got up clear headed and lighthearted for time beyond her reckoning. The soft strains of a violin greeting her ear as she moved off the bed. Looking down she was shocked to see her attire, gone was the black dress and in its place was a ball gown!
Rushing to the mirror Bella looked and looked yet could see no trace of the woman she recognized. Gone were the dark shadows under her eyes and the haunted look in her brown depths. In their place was a woman who simply couldn't keep the smile off her face. What arrested her attention most however was the small golden crown resting atop her tresses. Woven in almost an elven pattern it shone as brightly as her new found love. As the music began to take a livelier turn she began to dance, for simply the sheer joy of doing so. Hair flying as she let her impulse of joy at life simply be her guide and simply followed the tempo. Mid turn she stopped, there stood Caius attired in a black shirt and pants the twilight rays of the setting sun playing over his golden hair and setting it a flame with color his fingers continued to play but his eyes. Oh those eyes promised her so many things within that moment.
“Isabella”
Would she ever tire of hearing the sound of her own name from those perfect lips? She doubted it. Finally the song wound down to its conclusion and the bow was placed gently on the floor as he crossed over to her. Reverently he ran a hand through her hair. Over her shoulder up the column of her neck and then finally rested ever so gently against the curve of her jaw.
“How long have I dreamed of you, It seems beyond even my reckoning I have finally found you at last”
Tears threatened to overflow, her heart, at these words. How could she or any other woman doubt such sincerity? He moved closer still drowning her in the scent of his cologne. Or perhaps that was simply just the signature Caius scent, a mix of fresh water, pine needles and cinnamon. His fingers brushed away an errant tear.
“Even though my heart wishes against it dear one, we have the night's activities to attend to, will you stand beside me Cara Mia? I will have no mouse by my side, but a queen in full rights. From the moment our hands were joined my power became yours, even in your mortal state. I have placed it; my crown and my heart as still as it is at your feet, treasure it as I do your own”
With that he was gone, no doubt to change, leaving Bella with a racing heart and the most unladylike thoughts running rampant through her mind. How on earth was she to dance in this condition?. Lust it seems came hand in hand with the mate connection. A soft knocking on the door prompted her to jolt from such interesting musings.
“Come in”
Alice followed by Esme filed into the room, her friend all but vibrating in place with her joy as she beheld Bella.
“Oh, Oh! Bella I'm so happy for you!! You look so beautiful!”
Dry sobs and a hugging session later Bella was able to turn her attention to the other female. Esme stood quietly her face slightly tilted to the side revealing her neck long tresses of hair pulled to the side. With a jolt Bella realized the significance of the gesture. Caius apparently had meant what he said moments before. She was a queen!
“My Lady, I have come to wish you well. “
The words spoken with such, stiff formality didn’t suit the warm hearted matron of the Cullen Clan, stepping close Bella gently raised her chin as soft golden eyes met her own Bella was amazed to see tears gathered there. Held for the entire world to see was a picture of a woman who had been betrayed by a son she has loved and cared for so long and she needed no further proof to know she was not the only one who suffered from Edwards’s game.
“Thank you Esme, but I don’t want them, I want my friends back, those people who not so long ago took a lonely girl and showed her the affection of a family. Can that be enough?”
Esme's smile could have lit up the grid for a week as she pulled Bella into a rib endangering hug sobbing into her shoulder.
“I've missed you so, the Volturi kings have told us everything, Bella...there are no words, human or vampire, that can express. I'm so sorry. For everything!”
Forgiveness granted is a powerful thing, Bella did it gladly and soon enough neither immortal could speak fast enough to catch her up on everything she had missed. The small comings and goings of the immortal family as they touched up her makeup and hair when suddenly Bella started coming dangerously close to knocking one of the scented candles from its perch on the vanity. Esme caught it without a thought and returned it carefully to a safer spot.
“Wait, the kings, told you, everything? How is that possible?”
“Carlisle, he's an honorary king here, should he ever desire it, but I’m afraid my beloved mate prefers bandaging the sick to governing a nation and I can't say that I blame him”
Bella couldn't either. She knew the bond of brotherhood ran deep between the good doctor and Aro but she never would have fathomed anything like that. However later as they walked toward the grand ballroom Isabella reflected that. Given their diet it was probably the only thing protecting the Cullen family from being challenged by another stronger coven. Family, after all, was worth protecting. The grand doors opened and a hundred crimson eyes fell on her and Bella gripped Alice's right arm on impulse. Fate had been kind to her restoring some of her family and bringing her a love worth waiting for.
Now all she had to do was survive the evening.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me."
― Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
There are moments in life that will simply stand the test of time. For Isabella Swan, standing in a room filled with vampires and surrounded on all sides by danger, this was one of the best. The moment their hands touched. Her warmth to his silken cool skin a spark was kindled; it raced along her veins and lodged deep within her heart, infusing her entire body with a warmth she had never known. She closed her eyes as if to savor the feeling when a soft voice wrapped around her eager ears and caressed it.
"Open your eyes Cara Mia see me for what I am"
Caius, how could she have been missing what had been right in front of her the entire time? Opening her eyes she blinked, he had moved closer, their noses touched as he pressed his forehead to hers with infinite tenderness. She was lost in that moment yet she was found. She was a thousand miles away from Charlie, any semblance of the familiar, and yet home all at once. It rang through every note of his voice welcomed her with the warmth of his crimson eyes.
The rest of the world had faded away and narrowed until she could only see him, never mind the others here the slight dripping out of the collecting rain water escaping the drainage pipe, the world outside, the Cullen’s standing three feet away. Edward growling in the corner......EDWARD! All of sudden reality struck her full in the face as the sound assaulted her ears.
"Ah now, here he comes the source of this grand adventure, dear Edward, I must say your timing is impeccable"
Aro's voice was all warmth and formality; yet her instincts, weak as they were, warned her of the brewing storm to come, but for now the world was best left alone. She simply couldn’t handle anymore. On instinct she stepped into the embrace already waiting for her. Moments later the world grew fuzzy and went black around her. A gift no doubt from a smiling Jasper, who nodded at her from just over Caius’s shoulder. When she awoke they were alone, the scent of apple cinnamon candle greeted her nose as her eyes fluttered open.
"Isabella, Mia are you alright?"
His voice struck her afresh. Its many layers teasing her ear with endless promise as she concentrated on simply breathing, that was easy, everything else beyond that was simply work. Caius seemed however to understand and quietly hummed a light melody which Bella noted almost automatically was called Song of the caged bird. Finally in the peace and quiet of the moment she was finally able to put words, flimsy as they were to her raging emotions.
“I'm not sure....beyond being just a bit...”
“Overwhelmed”
Gentle fingers traced soothing patterns on her shoulder arm and hands as he carefully settled himself in a chair next to the bed. Perhaps she dropped off again Bella couldn't have been sure, all she knew was the greatest sense of peace she had ever beheld coursing through her veins. At last, the nightmare was over and the dawn had broken for her. Edward's hold was forever broken. Whatever his fate now she had no fears of anything beyond the assurance, the love, and the vampire king. That was more than enough for her. When at last, she came to herself, she got up clear headed and lighthearted for time beyond her reckoning. The soft strains of a violin greeting her ear as she moved off the bed. Looking down she was shocked to see her attire, gone was the black dress and in its place was a ball gown!
Rushing to the mirror Bella looked and looked yet could see no trace of the woman she recognized. Gone were the dark shadows under her eyes and the haunted look in her brown depths. In their place was a woman who simply couldn't keep the smile off her face. What arrested her attention most however was the small golden crown resting atop her tresses. Woven in almost an elven pattern it shone as brightly as her new found love. As the music began to take a livelier turn she began to dance, for simply the sheer joy of doing so. Hair flying as she let her impulse of joy at life simply be her guide and simply followed the tempo. Mid turn she stopped, there stood Caius attired in a black shirt and pants the twilight rays of the setting sun playing over his golden hair and setting it a flame with color his fingers continued to play but his eyes. Oh those eyes promised her so many things within that moment.
“Isabella”
Would she ever tire of hearing the sound of her own name from those perfect lips? She doubted it. Finally the song wound down to its conclusion and the bow was placed gently on the floor as he crossed over to her. Reverently he ran a hand through her hair. Over her shoulder up the column of her neck and then finally rested ever so gently against the curve of her jaw.
“How long have I dreamed of you, It seems beyond even my reckoning I have finally found you at last”
Tears threatened to overflow, her heart, at these words. How could she or any other woman doubt such sincerity? He moved closer still drowning her in the scent of his cologne. Or perhaps that was simply just the signature Caius scent, a mix of fresh water, pine needles and cinnamon. His fingers brushed away an errant tear.
“Even though my heart wishes against it dear one, we have the night's activities to attend to, will you stand beside me Cara Mia? I will have no mouse by my side, but a queen in full rights. From the moment our hands were joined my power became yours, even in your mortal state. I have placed it; my crown and my heart as still as it is at your feet, treasure it as I do your own”
With that he was gone, no doubt to change, leaving Bella with a racing heart and the most unladylike thoughts running rampant through her mind. How on earth was she to dance in this condition?. Lust it seems came hand in hand with the mate connection. A soft knocking on the door prompted her to jolt from such interesting musings.
“Come in”
Alice followed by Esme filed into the room, her friend all but vibrating in place with her joy as she beheld Bella.
“Oh, Oh! Bella I'm so happy for you!! You look so beautiful!”
Dry sobs and a hugging session later Bella was able to turn her attention to the other female. Esme stood quietly her face slightly tilted to the side revealing her neck long tresses of hair pulled to the side. With a jolt Bella realized the significance of the gesture. Caius apparently had meant what he said moments before. She was a queen!
“My Lady, I have come to wish you well. “
The words spoken with such, stiff formality didn’t suit the warm hearted matron of the Cullen Clan, stepping close Bella gently raised her chin as soft golden eyes met her own Bella was amazed to see tears gathered there. Held for the entire world to see was a picture of a woman who had been betrayed by a son she has loved and cared for so long and she needed no further proof to know she was not the only one who suffered from Edwards’s game.
“Thank you Esme, but I don’t want them, I want my friends back, those people who not so long ago took a lonely girl and showed her the affection of a family. Can that be enough?”
Esme's smile could have lit up the grid for a week as she pulled Bella into a rib endangering hug sobbing into her shoulder.
“I've missed you so, the Volturi kings have told us everything, Bella...there are no words, human or vampire, that can express. I'm so sorry. For everything!”
Forgiveness granted is a powerful thing, Bella did it gladly and soon enough neither immortal could speak fast enough to catch her up on everything she had missed. The small comings and goings of the immortal family as they touched up her makeup and hair when suddenly Bella started coming dangerously close to knocking one of the scented candles from its perch on the vanity. Esme caught it without a thought and returned it carefully to a safer spot.
“Wait, the kings, told you, everything? How is that possible?”
“Carlisle, he's an honorary king here, should he ever desire it, but I’m afraid my beloved mate prefers bandaging the sick to governing a nation and I can't say that I blame him”
Bella couldn't either. She knew the bond of brotherhood ran deep between the good doctor and Aro but she never would have fathomed anything like that. However later as they walked toward the grand ballroom Isabella reflected that. Given their diet it was probably the only thing protecting the Cullen family from being challenged by another stronger coven. Family, after all, was worth protecting. The grand doors opened and a hundred crimson eyes fell on her and Bella gripped Alice's right arm on impulse. Fate had been kind to her restoring some of her family and bringing her a love worth waiting for.
Now all she had to do was survive the evening.