DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT
Chapter 3- Meeting Destiny
Bella POV
I had never worn something so unbelievably colorful in my entire life. It was blue, tranquil like and peaceful.
I hated it.
I was used to wearing blacks, and reds, and golds. Never such a color like a sky blue. And the things packed for me on this trip were equally as disgusting. Ugly faded violets, mint greens, and all shades of pink. Pink. The only thing I would even touch if I was back at my home was a stunning cherry red dress with a flowing train and a sinfully tight corset. Of course, this one wasn't much better in the sinful region. Although the color was beyond me, the dress was just as I desired. The bottom, just below the corset, was almost skin tight, leaving very little walking room. Trailing behind it was a train of golden lace, extending from just below my butt to the floor. A tight matching corset accented with golden lace sat above my hips, the sleeves nothing but golden lace, as well, showing my creamy skin through it's floral pattern. The lace came from right underneath the corset and didn't bother to form a collar, leaving my breasts pushed up and exposed. It even had matching boots with heels.
Ugh. Heels. What had gotten in to me? Or better question, what drove my mother to even allow me to wear such things? I would have never been able to pick this kind of thing out. I was never one to appreciate clothing. It was always such a waste getting dressed up for a murder. Some woman in the organization loved it. They would spend all of their money buying these ridicules items of clothing just to kill a man. I did not admire my outfit until it was stained in blood. What did it matter what I looked like before then?
Well…it usually didn't. But now, the game was different.
Everything was.
A shudder ripped down my spine, but I refused to doubt myself for a second.
I refused to fear.
This assignment was not going to break me. I was just growing up, that was all. Accepting and dealing with harder challenges. It's like life…but assassin style, I guess. I don't fucking know. I just know that I shouldn't freak out over this. Even though everybody was depending on me…for everything.
For the fucking future of the organization.
"The Prince," Charlie had said, his voice barley letting the words escape. At first, I didn't know what the big deal was. Sure, it was a step but I was pretty confident I could handle it. I've seen the way the English justice system worked. We've been involved in the cases they were investigating once, but we were never linked. Either they didn't want to consider us, afraid of what we may do. Or they honestly did not have a clue it was us. So I had faith, I had drive.
But Charlie didn't. Nobody did. Not even Aro.
Me and Aro never got along. You could say it was because of creative differences. You know, the way the blood spilled. But…he was always more than happy with my work though he never would admit it. I was a top assassin at twenty years old. Not many people could ever say that, but I could. And he hated me for it. Aro would kill me if he could. Caius and Marcus too.
Regardless of the reason, Aro was usually more than giddy when such a large assignment was given out. Always. But his face was ice. It reflected my father's.
Charlie didn't say anything for a while and neither did the other three. I could feel the silence creeping up on me. It began to drown my senses. I hated silence almost as much as I hated fear.
"What's going on?" I asked. I could tell they were all lost in thought. When they looked at me it was like they were surprised I was there.
"Charlie? What…Why is this such a big deal?"
Silence.
"CHARLIE!"
"You might as well just say it. She has to know. Unless your backing out…" Aro persuaded.
"I'm not backing out! We can't do that." Charlie rebutted.
"Then tell me what the fuck is going on because if you actually expect me to do this start acting like a leader and just get the truth out. You have no problem sentencing people to death. If that's what your trying to do, then do it! Go ahead!" I shouted, confused and torn at the thought of him keeping shit from me. This was a business. He couldn't care about me now.
I could see the fury growing in his eyes threatening to burn me. But he didn't lash out like he would have. Something under the surface was bothering him, harming him. Was that it? Was this the end for me? He wouldn't do that…would he?
This was a business.
I took a deep breath. But I didn't think much of it, yet. I waited for him to answer.
'I," he said, weakly.
"Go on…" Aro urged from behind him.
"Aro, I don't know." Aro rose from his chair, livid.
"What the fuck do you not know! If you won't tell her what she's going to be going through…what's at stake, then I will!"
Charlie was silent again, giving Aro his window of opportunity. He stomped down the black stone stepping stairs to the cracked slate floor. He stepped in front of Charlie and met my eyes with an odd desire. It wasn't passion or anything remotely close to that…it was lust. A lust for blood.
"Your father may be afraid of hurting your feelings but I, my dear, am not."
"Your not going to fucking hurt my feelings. What am I, five? Huh?" Hurt my feelings? I hadn't heard that in years.
"Isabella. Please."
I nodded, urging him to continue, and promising not to say another word during his attempt to get these thoughts through my head. I would do anything to clear some of the confusion rushing through it.
"You leave this Friday. In case your pretty little head has forgotten, today is Tuesday. You will be staying at the Palace for quite sometime, so say good bye to home. You will not see any of us for some time. Now, before you start irrational cheering to yourself, you should know this is different than anything you've ever done. I-"
"I realize, Aro. I'm fully-"
"I thought we agreed no interruptions?" He gave me his signature death-look, which caused me to smirk. He crinkled his face, aggravated. I cleared my throat, trying to hide the subtle laugh that escaped my lips.
"Yes. I'm sorry, sir. Go on." He held eye contact with me for a few more moments, testing my patience.
"Very well. Anyway, I know you are aware that this will be different but how aware are you exactly? Mmm? Do you really know?"
"Don't beat around the bush. Just fucking say it. And that doesn't count as an interruption. You were done with your sentence."
"Just fucking say it?"
"God dammit, YES!"
"I take it you've never had sex, Isabella."
What the fuck? Why the hell was he fucking inquiring on my… oh shit.
Now…I was no prude. I wasn't like some little catholic girl (obviously) who fainted at the thought of sex before marriage or sex period. No, this was very different. Not a fear or an insecurity just a…unwilling disposition, I guess. The last thing on my list was fucking somebody. Actually, that shit wasn't even on my list. I never had time to fantasize about that kind of stuff. I'd certainly almost done it many times, but I never once had the intention of actually performing the task they wanted me to perform.
I said this before and I will say it for the rest of my life.
I lusted for blood not body.
"Is there a way around it?" I looked down at the slate, the green weeds sprouting around the cracks under my feet. I could hear Aro begin to laugh.
"No." He said, snickering. I knew that asshole would laugh.
"Why?"
"Do you really need an explanation for everything?"
"Yes," I looked up to stare into his mocking eyes," I do."
"There are a few reasons. First of all, because the Prince will never marry you if-"
"Wait, what?"
My ears were bleeding. I wasn't hearing anything right. I could of…
"Yes, Isabella. I told you this is much different from anything you've ever done before."
"So what," I shouted, my anger flaring, "you want me to fuck him, marry him, and then kill him?! Am I understanding this correctly!"
"Oh that's just part one."
Well Fuck.
"Fine. Just explain everything. I won't interrupt. Just get it over with." Was I seriously fighting back tears? You're an assassin. Assassins cannot show emotion. Aro sighed before he cleared his throat. He glanced at Charlie once, his face looking away from both of us, before explaining my mission…the first mission I never exactly wanted to do.
"You are to leave Friday. Renee will pack your things. I don't give a damn if you don't like any of the shit she packs for you. Suck it up and play the part. You're a wonderful actress, I have faith in that. A coach will take you to the palace. We have arranged for you to stay at the palace for as much time as you would like. He is not under the impression that you are there for the Prince. He knows nothing. He is agreeing to have you because…well you don't want to even know the amount of money we handed over to that bastard. Regardless, he's friendly enough. You must try to be warm and friendly to him. I don't want any of your stunts. This is royalty you're dealing with, Bella. Not noblemen or peasants.
At this time, the Prince has to pick a bride or he cannot become King. Please do not think this is a coincidence. We've had spies in the palace for years. It took Carlisle long enough to tell his dear little boy to get his head out of his ass and find somebody suitable to run a country. It's fear for his people he has, not fear for his son.
This is where you come in. You're good at this, Bella. Don't pressure yourself too hard. And besides, if anybody will be easy to seduce, it's the Prince. Prince Edward Cullen III. He's a little prick, I hear. A womanizer. It will not be hard to get him to become attracted to you. The hard part is to get him to propose. Carlisle threatened to pick one for him if he could not decide, but all of my sources say he will end up picking some girl, eventually, even if it is only for sex. You have to be that girl. I don't care if he treats you like shit, because he probably will. You'll have to suck it up and be a good actress again.
And yes. During all this you need to have sex with him. I'm sorry. But he will not even consider you if you don't pleasure him someway. It least this is what I hear. He's just like that. There's nothing I or you can do about that. So just get over it. And just remember, you can kill him eventually. This will end positively for you. So if he's horrible to you, his time will surely come. But you must do anything in your power to lure him to you. Don't play games, Isabella. Just fucking do it. If he doesn't ask you to marry him, then this plan is shot to hell along with the rest of the fucking organization.
Yes. This isn't just about you. It's about all of us. Every single one. Why the hell do you think Charlie doesn't want this for you? Everything we've wanted for centuries lies in your hands.
Ironic, isn't it?
The one person who I hate. The only person who I would love to someday have their blood dripping from my fingers…I have to put all of my faith in them. I'm not any more happy about this than you are. But you're the key, if this works, to everything. To absolute power. To England. And that's only the beginning.
When you're queen, and once you have killed the new King, you will become the monarchy. I don't care how you get rid of him but just make sure to get the blood off of your hands. The spies inside the palace will help you with these matters. But if you ruin this…I don't know what we'll do. Any little thing you can do can screw this up. It can kill us all.
If you perform this mission successfully, you will have complete control of everything. The members of the organization in the palace will be able to move in as will the rest of us. It all sounds so easy. It all sounds so…beautiful. But it will take a lot of patience. Though this part is out of your hands. Once you let us inside the walls, once you have given us access to everything…your job is then complete. I know this is a lot to take in. But you must understand how important this is to all us. This is nothing…nothing…like you've ever done before. Do you understand this, Bella."
I had been listening silently to his instructions, resisting the urge to argue or butt in with some comment. And now that it was all over, now that I knew what I was doing… Now that I knew the pressure…and the reason why my father was looking like he was about to cry…I went numb. I couldn't afford to feel for the situation. I had to play it like an assassin. I had to be what I was born to be and this wasn't going to bring me down. This was their dream…our dream. I should be honored that they were putting this on me.
"Yes, sir." I responded blankly.
And just like that, I was ready to execute this impossible task. Aro made it sound so easy. But I knew the truth. This was going to be harder…much harder.
So here I was. Dressed all nice and fancy in clothes I wanted to throw out the window riding in this expensive looking coach to the god damn palace of England. God…I would rather show up naked. From the sound of this Edward guy, I don't think he would mind. Although I was not one to throw myself at men, much less care about them, I was still a woman. I knew when men were attractive and when they weren't. It was shallow of me, but this job would be a lot easier if this Edward guy was attractive. Maybe even just a little. I don' t know what I would do if he was utterly repulsive. Thank god he was it least close to my age. Just a year older. That wasn't bad…
"Miss?"
I looked beside me at the sound of a man's voice. The sun blinded me as I turned to face the noise. I realized the coach's door was open and the coachmen was standing beside it, a concerned look upon his face.
As soon as I realized that I was actually at this place…actually starting this monstrosity, my body went numb. It became frozen like water in a pond at winter. It crept up through my veins, resting in my heart, freezing everything over as it went. I grabbed the coachmen's hand and was lead out into the sun.
The palace was huge, of course. Obviously fit for royalty. It was the most magnificent thing I'd ever seen. Though I had never been one to appreciate much, especially architecture, the sight in front of me took my breath away a little bit. It was constructed from beautiful beige stone that stretched on for what seemed like miles. It expanded into columns and turrets wrapping endlessly around massive gardens and over-done fountains.
It was warm out today. It was unusual, to feel the warmth. I had lived almost my whole life underneath the city. It wasn't like a sewer or anything, but it wasn't much better. It sure as hell wasn't anything remotely close the site in front of me. Though, nothing in England could compare to this. I had only left the organization head quarters to find my targets, and that was usually at night. The sun was usually low behind the clouds. It was strange to see it again.
I could already tell that this was going to be completely different from my world, but this was expected. This was always meant to be expected.
"Isabella!" I heard a deep, cheerful voice call from behind me. I turned, having been looking at the courtyard extending out in front of me, to see a familiar face walking towards me with a giant smile upon his face. Why did he seem so familiar…
I suddenly saw, to my right, the coachmen drop to his knees in a bow. What the…
Oh.
Hate grew inside me at the man who was walking towards me with the giant smile. I knew exactly who he was. And oh how I've heard stories of this man. Of how he had torn apart the organization, forced us underground. Forced us to live like savages. Edward II left us alone. He tried to keep the situation safe, but buried. He let us wander around, afraid of what we would do. But then he died and the reign was passed on to his son…Carlisle. The man who was standing in front of me. A disgusting man he was. He loved the people and he adored England. His first order of business was taking care of us. He pushed away with threats of the army. And this is why Aro and Charlie wanted their revenge. This is why all of us wanted our revenge.
And it was my job to give it to them
I gave him a smile, hiding the sly expression I could feel slipping across my face. He couldn't be suspicious of me. It might blow my cover and blow this for everybody. I curtsied in front of him, trying not to trip forward over the tightness of the dress. But I had perfect balance. It is one of the many skills you learn when you are a trained killer. I just had to remember to be nice to him now because in a matter of months, his life would be torn to pieces. The justice would come when I was smothered in his son's blood.
I lifted my bowed head, looking up at the royal figure. I presented another dazzling smile, carefully concealing all of the trespasses I wanted to let him know I was going to make. He gave me a slight nod and a smile. There was a strange warmth in his eyes, obviously reflecting the true affection he felt towards his people. I hid the small laugh that wanted to escape my lips. If he knew who I was, he would have no affection towards me. He would want to destroy me, as I did him. Though I had the upper hand in what I wanted.
The thought made me smile brighter.
"Isabella, is it?" He asked, his tone lighter than anyone's I had ever met.
It made my core twist in disgust.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, your majesty." I held out my hand and his cold betraying skin touched mine. He lifted it up to his lips, where he placed a small chaste kiss. My skin should have fell off and decayed.
I wish it had.
I held my smile in place, despite the sickness I felt brewing inside me at the man.
"I am sorry I cannot stay and chat longer. I have other obligations to fill. But I do welcome you and please don't be afraid to ask for anything." I nodded in polite acknowledgment and muttered a warm thank you.
He signaled for one of the maids to attend to my things while I followed another member of the royal staff into the grand establishment.
It was even more beautiful inside, though I expected it to be. Everything was such a damn presentation with these people. Stairwells brimmed with gold and floors a thick red. Mosaics and large paintings were displayed all over the ceilings being held up by great columns and banisters.
I followed the maid up the main stairwell, smack in the middle of the foyer. She lead me through a long corridor, paintings and elaborately carved wooden doors lining the walls. She stopped after we had passed a few of the doors and gently pushed it open, though it looked like it weighed one hundred pounds.
The room was, obviously, like the rest of this damn place. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen. It was huge and lined with the same wood that made up the door. The bed itself was bigger than my own room at home. A large canopy loomed over the gold and red comforters that sat on top of the massive sleeping space.
"Miss?" The maid asked beside me, her meek eyes staring up at me with question. "If you need anything, please don't-"
"I don't need anything." I said kind of grimly, needing to get on with my business.
"Yes, but in the future, miss-"
"I know." I nearly shouted, agitated.
Just leave me the hell alone already. She seemed to take the hint and scurried out of the room. I had obviously upset her and frightened her, but what did I care about people's feelings.
I didn't.
I was still numb inside. I could have killed that innocent maid and not have felt an ounce of shame about it. All part of the job description, as it always would be.
I opened the huge trunk holding all of my things that my mother had packed. I had caught glimpses of the items-the ugly colors that consumed them, as well-but really did not look too closely. Now, as I did, I could see it was more than just gross colored dresses.
It was a shit full of French lingerie. It looked like it could have come straight from Marie Antoinette's closet. Laced corsets, skimpy panties, black and red garters, and matching bras. It was beautiful and it was my most valuable weapon this time. Regardless, when I undressed and slipped a set of the lingerie on underneath the ghastly dress, I slid my favorite weapon in the garter.
My blade.
My best fucking friend.
I shouldn't do it, but it was the first night. And no way in hell was I walking around this place without my dagger. I mean…we wouldn't get intimate on the first night, would we? I've heard stories but…it could not be that bad. And, I guess, if it was, I would simply remove it before he could figure out it was there when he surly undid the lingerie.
I had gotten more comfortable with that fact in the time since I had found out that this assignment would entail me loosing my virginity. I grew to accept it and just say fuck it. This is your job. You have to do this so just be strong.
I hated being weak and I made sure that I never was.
A loud bang on the door brought me from my pondering. I paused for a quick moment, unsure of what or who it was. They must have been impatient because they banged loudly on the door again. I sighed and lifted myself to my feet. I shuffled to the door, keeping my balance in the skin tight blue skirt.
When I yanked open the door with a bit of frustration I saw a man who I had never seen before. Attractive, I guess, young, I supposed. His eyes were expressionless and his face was clenched tight. As he saw my face, a wicked smirk formed from his mouth. We stood in silence, me baffled, and him looking at me like I was a victim.
"What?" I asked, irritated. It obviously was not the Prince. I had never seen him, but I knew that they would not be wearing this type of clothing. He looked like he belonged to the guard or some fancy kind of protection group. When he heard my voice, his smirk became a full bloom seriously creepy smile. I stared daggers at the strange, vile-looking, man.
He began to step inside, but I stopped him by pushing my hand against the opposite side of the door.
The smile disappeared from his face and in a moment as quick as lightening, his face became menacing as he ripped my arm away and twisted it roughly behind my back.
"Fuck!" I mumbled, afraid to cry out as I wanted to. I could feel the muscles stretching in ways they were not meant to contort and it was like I could sense the bone snapping. Going by what I had been taught my whole damn life, I reached my leg around to kick him behind the knee. But, as if he knew what I would do, he countered it, gripping my leg with his free hand before throwing me to the ground.
I glared up at him, pissed. My arm was hurting like hell and he was freaking lucky he didn't tear this dress or else he would have been a dead man. He walked around me like a vulture circles around his prey. I was on the verge of attacking the stranger back, when he spoke for the first time.
"Isabella…" He said calmly, trailing off. How the fuck did he know my name? Does everybody in this god damned place know everything?
"Females aren't supposed to be that aggressive."
"What are you-"
"Ssshh." What did he mean? Who was he? Who was he to tell me to be quite? Nobody brings me the hell down and gets away with it.
"I said, females aren't supposed to be that aggressive. They told me you would be thorough in your role. And I think that would included acting like you should. Acting like all of the other girls who come into the palace. Helpless and weak."
Those two words struck a cord. They were words I was raised never to repeat or to demonstrate. They didn't exist in my world. I couldn't back down and become some little girl now. That was something I was unwilling to give up. I would play the part around him, that asshole I was supposed to pretend to love, but I would not let this be a 24/7 thing.
As I was arguing with myself, I suddenly realized that this man in front of me knew everything about me. He knew the whole damn mission.
"How do you know about this?"
"Did Aro not tell you about the organization members in the palace?"
Of course. The members hidden in the guard. I had never met them, the man did not seem familiar. But this came to no surprise. I did not know nearly half of the organization since it was extremely large. I had no idea, though, that I would have to deal with them.
"Yes. He told me." I confirmed, pulling myself from the floor so I was standing on my feet.
"Then this should come as no surprise to you. I will be monitoring your status here and reporting it back to the organization. So, do not think that you would get away with anything."
"I would have nothing to get away with…"
"Alec."
"Alec. I'm here to do my job. Aro did not mention I would be given a babysitter. Neither did Charlie."
"With an operation this big, you need some guidance. If you pulled a stunt like that with anybody but me do you realize that your whole cover could have been blown? I don't care who touches you here, I don't care who tries to kill you. You can't use any of your training. People who come here don't know that kind of shit. You would look indifferent. We can't have you sticking out."
"So what if somebody is trying to kill me, mm? Do I let myself die?"
"Figure it out."
"Figure it out? What should I do? Scream for fucking help?!"
"Yes. That's what I am asking you to do."
Scream for help. Scream for fucking help? What the hell was that? I never agreed to this….
"Please. I'm not going to put up an argument about this. This is for the organization's future. This is everything. I don't think you exactly understand that."
"I understand." I responded, my voice strained. I pushed back my anger and my lust for blood. I guess I would just have to suck it up.
Like the sex thing.
Ugh.
The man nodded before seemly turning to walk away.
"That's it?" I asked.
"Yes. I will be watching, though. Never deny that. If not me than somebody else. I am the only member aloud to reveal them self to you, but we are everywhere."
"Trying to psych me out?" I added with a chuckle.
He didn't laugh. His face was still strained and blank as he departed my room.
I was, by far, exhausted. Though I had just arrived, it was growing late. This place was over-whelming and all the rules and regulations were weighing me down. I needed to sleep before I even attempted to wrap my mind around the aspects of my life I had to restrain. I just couldn't believe it all. Everything I had to give up everything I had to-
SLAM
The floor began to vibrate as did the walls. Somebody must have slammed a door or something. Something I wished I could do at this moment, but I knew that would not be appropriate.
SLAM
The room shook with the sound, again, a book from the large bookshelf across the room tumbling to the ground.
Curiosity got the best of me and I slipped out into the hallway to see if I could tell where the noise was coming from.
It was pitch black in the hallway, except for a small candle that must have been sitting on a table. But it was down the hall and its light barely reached me. The loss of light disturbed me and I stood perfectly still so I could hear noise.
I could only hear breathing.
And it took me a moment to realize that the breathing was not in syncopation to my own.
There was somebody else in this hallway with me.
I braced myself for anything. I could sense the presence, though I still could not see it. I could faintly hear the rustling of the floor underneath its feet.
And then I felt the pressure against me. They were hands of course, warm and rough. Definitely a man's. They were sliding across my waist from behind. His breathing increased, as did mine.
I shouldn't have reacted. I was told not too, but I could not help it. As soon as he touched me, my instincts kicked in. The trace of his fingers felt like they were on fire, like they were shocking me, almost. I grabbed his right wrist harshly, tearing it from my side and spinning around to face him. I still could not see him, but as I stalked towards him I knew he was moving backwards. Keeping a grip on his wrist, I attempted to push him to the ground, but he was fighting back. He caught hold of my other wrist and spun me so my back hit his chest. Fuck, his chest was strong. It blew the wind out of me and left me breathless. In my time of weakness, he shook out of my grip on his arm and drew that hand back behind him as well.
Still trying to catch my breath, I began kicking at him. It wasn't until I was aggressively pumping my knees that I realized that this dress was way to damn tight.
I began to violently struggle against his restraining arms, and fuck was he strong, but I was stronger. I broke loose of his grip and, trying to kick him to the floor, tore my skirt in two. It split from the side up, tearing away that hideous colored fabric. My foot collided with his chest, knocking him to the ground. I shimmed the shreds of fabric off of me so I was only wearing the corset and some pair of French underwear, but I didn't give two shits at that moment.
We had backed up closer to the candle. The little light that was flickering from it's wick let me distinguish his shadowy outline. He was lying on his back on the floor, gasping for air. I quickly crouched down beside him and hoisted my leg over his waist so that I was now straddling. I gripped both of his hands about his head with one of my own while I slipped my dagger from my exposed garter and held it in the air.
This had all happened in a matter of seconds. In a matter of seconds I had forgotten everything Alec had told me. I had put aside everything I was supposed to follow, every rule I was supposed to abide by. I was not breathing above the stranger, but he was. Heavily, in fact. Though I would too if a killer was perched on top of me.
I could feel my almost bare legs, tainted in beads of sweat, against his clothing. My sweaty palms gripped his hands tightly, though he was not struggling. The only thing that was moving on his body was his rib cage as it rapidly pumped up and down with his violent breathing.
I was ready to kill him. I had no other choice. He had seen me with a weapon and even if he did not see my face I wouldn't risk it. I drew the knife back so I could plunge it into his heart when ,suddenly, his hands moved from my own and gripped my wrist, stopping the dagger that was about to dig into his flesh. He pushed back, the strain weakening my arm. Damn, he was stronger than I thought. Using all of my strength, I forced him back towards the candle, sending him tumbling backwards face first.
I held the knife in front of me, instinct burning like a forest fire. Now that we were in the light, I could see him clearly. His face was turned away from me. I could only see the back of his head covered in a tangled mess of bronze hair. Sweat was rolling from his neck to below his long white shirt. His long legs were almost contorted around each other in the angle that he had fallen. Even through the black trousers that clutched tightly to his legs, I could see the blood from where I had kicked him.
And I was right. He was very strong. I could see it through his shirt and pants. It only made me feel that much more victorious. He wasn't particularly large or anything, but the lean muscle that layered his body was definitely more defiant than anybody I had ever seen.
It was more than anybody I had ever killed.
I waited for him to turn around, holding the dagger in offensive position. I wanted to watch him as I killed him. I wanted him to see my face before I killed him. I wanted myself to be the last thing he ever saw.
It took only a few seconds for him to turn around. His head whipped in my direction and he came face to face with me.
And I couldn't kill him.
It's funny how many times I'd dreamed of blood. How many times I wanted it or how many times I craved it. It was my perfect picture, my beautiful tragedy. And it was funny, partially ironic even, that for once the last thing I wanted was blood.
It took me a moment to figure out that the blade had left my hand and that it was lying somewhere on the floor. It took me a moment to realize that I wasn't breathing.
Silence is something I didn't respect or value. It was an awful thing, but right now I wanted it more than anything. It consumed me. I just wanted the silence. I wanted it to be me and the silence and nothing else.
But that was never to happen. That was never to be. Because it wasn't true. It wasn't me and blackness. It was me and him…and I couldn't describe it. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I couldn't see past the eyes, the emerald colored eyes, gazing at me intently. I couldn't get passed…anything. It was like I was lost. It was like…I don't even know. Everything I knew was…fuck. The definitions, the lines…there were almost…blurred.
I had heard the word beauty many times. I had experienced it, as well. But it wasn't like this. Beauty was blood. Beauty was a man cold, limp. And in just a moment, my perception had…changed.
Beauty was him.
Beauty was the man in front of me.
He reached up, taking my wrist still held up in defense. I shuddered at his light touch and closed my eyes in solace.
And then next thing I knew, I felt him. My lips were on his, the kiss primal. He had pulled me to his chest and melted like snow in the summer. Unexpectedly, he pushed his warm, soft lips to mine. He gripped on to my waist and I dug my hands in his hair, acting on instinct. This was brand new, this wasn't right…this was horribly wrong. But I couldn't pull away from the beautiful stranger if my life depended on it. The only rational thought left in my head was my prayer to god. I wished he didn't live here. I wished he didn't remember anything about me. I couldn't have this man distracting me from my job…
My lips were moving in strange, unfamiliar motions that I didn't even bother to understand. I couldn't hear anything, though I'm sure there was noise. A loud yell broke me from my feelings. It startled me, and caused me to pull away. We looked at each other, and his expression was something that I couldn't identify. He leaned in again to continue with the kiss, when the voice echoed through the hall again.
"EDWARD!" It boomed, piercing my ear drums. The stranger looked past me and, with one last look, got up from the floor and left me in the hall.
I blanked out in the hall for a few minutes…I couldn't wrap my head around anything. It was the first moment I was just seriously speechless. The sensations…the fucking feelings. It was the first time I was not able to kill a man. And, oddly, I knew I couldn't. I would never bring myself to do it. And this wasn't like me. This was never supposed to be me.
I didn't know him.
I hopefully never would.
And then it hit me.
The name.
The goddamn name…
Edward.
Prince Edward III
I prayed for coincidence.
A/N: I understand the last part probably makes no sense. It's a little jumbled and that's because Bella's perspective is literally changing too quickly for her to understand. It will all make sense next time we're in her POV.