Bellatrix sat trembling before him, her head bowed. "My Lord," she whispered, as if it were a prayer. How delicious the words tasted in her mouth! How perfect!
"You're a woman," he said softly, coldly, making her face flush with shame.
"So? You let Crabbe join. I'm a thousand times smarter than him. You let Regulus join. I'm a much better dueler than him. You let Snape join. I'm more loyal than--." The Dark Lord held up his hand, silencing her.
"Will you serve me no matter how far I ask you to delve into the Dark Arts? Will you sacrifice your very soul for me?" Something red flickered in his possessive stare.
"Of course. Anything," she whispered.
And Bellatrix, who always lied, had told the truth just this once. For him. It was all for him. No regret tinged her loyalty for even a moment. Her hand was steady for him. Her laugh rang loud and clear through murder for him. She gave up everything-- her whole being-- for him and him alone.
Rodolphus was a convenience. His name was respectable enough. He lusted after her enough. He was a loyal enough Death Eater. But he never sparked anything in her. As much as she nodded when The Dark Lord condemned love, she could not extinguish the feeling that burned her from the inside out when she was in his presence. That raw need that made her come crawling back to him no matter how much he abused her. She'd bruise her stubborn pride if it meant he'd look at her.
"Please," she whispered, her head buried in her hands which rested lightly on his knees. "I'd do anything for you. Only for you."
"Do you even have anything left to give me?" He was bored with her in a way that stung her heart. He looked away from her sorrowful eyes.
"Yes." But she couldn't say it. How can you tell someone with those horrid, probing eyes the only secret that you have left?
He looked at her. He did not need leglimency to know what she meant. "I have... So many secrets. So many things I keep to myself." Bellatrix nodded, her eyes wide. "I'm a halfblood." He expected her whole body to revolt. Her eyes to widen. Hatred to spark in her eyes. Something.
"I know, my Lord" she pressed her hand to his pale face. "I know." And it was enough for her, to know that secret. It was the one thing he'd ever given her. That was all he had left to give. It was hers alone.