A/N: This has been the quickest I've updated for this story, but I couldn't stop writing. I love it :) I'm also half way done with the next chapter for 'The Princess and the Wolf' just FYI. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 3
Saying goodbye to my family wasn't as hard as I thought.
Amma and my parents hugged me goodbye with tears in their eyes. I would miss them terribly that's for sure.
As least I knew I would see them again.
Carlisle led me out the front door and down the steps. I stopped.
"Wait my things…" I said, turning.
"There's no need, it's all at the mansion." He replied, pulling me back.
I raised my eyebrows. "How?" I asked.
He looked down at me, a corner of his mouth quirked up. "Believe me it wasn't that hard."
I gave him a quizzical look. "I have a lot of things Mr. Cullen." I said.
He frowned slightly. "Please, call me Carlisle. And as for your things, trust me when I say there already there." He said reassuringly.
I pursed my lips and looked for his carriage but I didn't see one.
"Where is your carriage?" I asked.
"Oh, we won't be traveling that way." His voice held a tone I couldn't pin point.
My eyebrows crinkled in confusion. "What do you mean?"
He smiled and stepped forward, placing both arms around my waist. I gasped at how close we were. I could smell his sweet musky scent as it enveloped me.
"I suggest you close your eyes." He whispered.
My eyelids fluttered closed.
I had a sharp intake of breath as I felt us being pulled into something. For a second it felt as if we were falling then the next we were on solid ground again.
I opened my eyes.
We weren't in front of my house anymore.
Instead we were on the front steps of a huge white mansion.
I spun around in shock. No other houses were in sight, just trees and greenery.
I steeped back, feeling strangely wobbly and nauseous. One of Carlisle's gloved hands reached out and took hold of my arm, steadying me.
His blue eyes glistened. "I know it will take some time to get used to." He smiled softly.
I stared up at him with mixed emotions. "Wh- what just happened?"
"Teleportation. It's how I get around." He clarified.
"So it was… magic?" I ask breathlessly.
His perfect lips twitched, "In a way yes."
I opened my mouth to say something else but he cut me off.
"Why don't we go inside and get settled then we'll talk, okay?" he offered and held out his arm.
I took it hesitantly and gathered my skirts as we made our way up the steps.
The huge door clicked and opened for us.
I gasped when we stepped inside.
The floors were polished marble with a grand staircase and above were a spectacular chandelier. Everything was open and spacious. Not how I imagined it.
I stared around in wonder and turned to Carlisle who was watching me with curiosity.
"You have a very beautiful home." I commented.
"Thank you," he smiled and took off his gloves.
I walked around a little and stared down a hall that had some of the other rooms in the house.
Carlisle's voice stopped me. "Would you like to see your room?"
I turned around. "Yes, please."
He held out his arm and we made our way up the long staircase. The carpeting was red velvet and the walls held paintings of different things such as nature, battle scenes, and people. They were truly exquisite.
"Did you paint all these?" I asked curiously.
He glanced around. "Some. I collected most of them from over the years though."
When we made it to the top he led us down a hallway with multiple doors that I assumed were other rooms. We stopped in front of the one in the middle on the left that faced to the front of the house. He reached over and opened the door and gestured me inside.
The room was magnificent. There was a golden king sized bed with posts and a canopy, a closet, desk, dresser and my own personal bathroom. I walked over to the closet and opened it and sure enough all my clothes were there. I turn around and all my other stuff had been placed as well.
"My stuff is here." I smiled wryly.
Carlisle chuckled. "Just as I said. Does the room suit you Isabella?"
"Call me Bella. And yes the room is perfect." I said formally.
"Very well Bella. I shall meet you downstairs in ten minutes." He gave a low bow, smiled, then left without another word.
I walked over to the bed, sat down, and exhaled. I didn't notice that I had been holding my breath. His scent lingered in the air, mixing with the scent of my new home. I laid back and closed my eyes but then shot them back open when I realized where I was. I sat up sharply and looked around. I waited for the tears to come but… they never came.
Of course I was sad but oddly enough I was… content. I made peace with the fact that I would be staying with this man for a very long time. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn't such a bad thing. Could I learn from this? Yes. Would this be an adventure? Yes. Would I ever see my family again? Most likely yes. I am a grown woman now and can make my own decisions. I refuse to be intimidated.
With a huff I got off the bed and rummaged through my dresser, picking out a long white nightgown with a matching robe. I changed, but with difficulty.
Corsets will be the death of me.
I shook out my curls and pinned my hair halfway back. I slipped on the silk nightgown and robe then made my way down the hall. It was quiet throughout the house. I tiptoed down the stairs.
When I reached the bottom I looked down all the different hallways.
He didn't exactly tell me where we were meeting…
With a shrug I went down the hall that I had been looking at earlier. I walked slowly, looking at the artwork on the walls. I loved art and history. I thought it was fascinating.
I came to a stop in front of two glass doors that were open ajar. Candle light shone through the crack. Hesitantly I pushed it open to reveal a study.
A very messy study.
Hundreds of books were piled and strewn everywhere. Even the bookshelves were out of whack. There was a large mahogany desk with papers and ink on it. The fireplace in the corner was lit and cast an orange glow throughout the room. There was a globe on the desk and bunch of other knick knacks everywhere. There was even some sort of bird house on top of a stack of books. He sure was one unorganized warlock.
I walked over to the desk and fingered one of the papers that had a drawing of a rose on it.
"Girl, don't be touching stuff that isn't yours!" a voice said.
My eyes widened and I spun around expecting Carlisle but didn't see anyone. There was no one else in the room.
"Wh- who said that?" I stammered.
"You can't just waltz right in here! Who do you think you are?" the voice growled.
I turned around in a circle slowly. "Show yourself." I said.
There was a fluttering above my head and a small brown owl with big yellow eyes perched on one of the stacks of books.
I gave a relieved sigh. "Oh, it's just an owl. For a minute there I thought I heard someone talking." I chuckled.
The owl fluttered its wings. "And what makes you think I can't talk?" it spoke.
I screamed and jumped back in surprise.
That's when Carlisle bursted into the room with a worried expression. His hair was a shade darker from being wet. He wore a loose long sleeved white shirt with the first few buttons undone and a pair of black pants. I could see through his shirt that he had a well developed chest. His bright blue eyes met mine.
"Bella are you alright?" he asked.
I cleared my throat. "Yes, I was just scared of your, um, bird."
Carlisle looked up at the bird with annoyance. "Archimedes could you try to be nice to our guest?"
Archimedes puffed up. "NO!" he squawked.
Carlisle gave him a blank look then turned to me. "I apologize for his rudeness. He's like this all the time." He whispered. I giggled.
"HA!" the bird said. "The girl trespassed."
My face fell. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude."
"No it's quite alright; you may come in here anytime you want." He smiled.
"No she cant!" the bird huffed.
Carlisle crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. "If you're going to be difficult I'm going to turn you into a human." He said.
The bird harrumphed. "You wouldn't dare."
Carlisle took a step forward. "Wouldn't I?" he raised his hand slowly.
"Alright! Alright!" Archimedes squawked loudly, flying upwards. He flew into the bird house and slammed the little round door shut.
Carlisle's smile turned smug as he turned to me. "He really hates being human. I did it once and he had a total conniption." He snickered. I grinned.
"It's your own fault that you're a sore loser because I know everything!" Archimedes voice echoed in the bird house.
We both laughed then.
"So a talking owl. Any other animals I should be worried about?" I asked warily.
"Well… I did have a goldfish. But birdbrain over there ate it." He jerked his thumb over to the birdhouse. I laughed.
"Don't leave food out to where I can get it." The bird's grunt echoed.
Carlisle chuckled under his breath and ran a hand over the back of his neck. "He's the only companion I've had for a long time." He said sheepishly.
"I'm here now." I said quietly.
His face grew serious and his eyes met mine. "Yes you are." He said lowly.
I bit my lip and looked away as I felt my face heat up.
He walked over to me and reached up with one finger, tracing my cheek bone. I shivered under his touch.
"Isabella, your blush is so beautiful. Please don't hide it." He murmured.
His finger went under my chin and tilted it upward. His handsome face smiled down at me and once again I was lost in his eyes.
"Darling, come with me." he held out his hand.
I placed my hand in his and he led us out of the study and down the hall to what I assumed was the living room. He gestured for me to the plush couch while he sat in the leather chair across from me.
"Had to get away from the bird." He smiled wryly. I nodded.
"Carlisle why am I here?" I blurted.
He sighed and leaned back. "For many reasons. But first I must tell you… you know I'm a warlock right?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Do you know what happened when you were born?" he asked quietly.
"Yes. I was sick and my parents took me to you to cure me." I said.
He nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that is correct. I did… But not without consequence."
My eyebrows crinkled. "What kind of consequence?"
His eyes searched my face. "Warlocks can save people from death. What their not allowed to do is… bring them back to life." He said slowly.
I blinked. "Wait so you're saying I… was…"
His face grew sad. "You had died just before you were brought to me. I told your parents I couldn't but they begged me to bring you back. And I…" he closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. "Couldn't say no."
I sucked in a breath. "So why am I here?"
He kept his eyes closed, "Because you're bound to me."
"Bound to you?" I said incredulously.
He opened his eyes. "Yes. Your life, your essence, your very soul is bound to me, because I saved you."
He got up and walked over to me, knelt down and grasped my face in his hands. He stared into my tear-filled eyes.
"Your mine to cherish forever." He whispered.
And then his lips met mine.
A/N: Bonus points to anyone who can guess what movie I got the talking owl "Archimedes" from. He is my absolute favorite character in the whole wide world :) Anyway, I didn't mean to make this a long story, actually it was really meant to be a one-shot... hehehe... soooo it's only going to be a couple more chapters at the most. No biggy. Plus I just love Carlisle and Bella together. Then I'm focusing on my fantasy story.
Also on the side note I've been writing a one-shot for Vampire Academy called "Forever Yours" It's about Sonya and Mikhail. I SWEAR NOBODY WRITES ABOUT THEM! So I'm gonna show them some love :)
POSSIBLE ONE-SHOT: I'm semi writing one about when Emmett pisses off a witch and she turns him into a... (pause for dramatic effect) DUCK!... I know... I know...
Question for you: Would you read a horror one-shot if I write one? cause I've been wanting to for a long time. Just curious if that would be something you would like to read for a change.
SORRY FOR MY RAMBLING! Thanks for reading and pllleeeaaasssee with a cherry on top, REVIEW!
