Chp 7

There was a whirlwind of power surging through Bella. The tumultuous energy seemed insatiable. Bella feared she would need to release it somehow, focusing through her fingers that were still clutching the boy absently pressed to her bosom; she sent some of the power crackling through the skies. She concentrated on drawing the rest back inside herself, she was vaguely aware of the platoon of soldiers escorting her through the western gate and to an open chamber housed in the arena. She looked at the boy she was holding; somehow he had fallen asleep in her arms.

Bella was amazed at the way in which her power had responded to the injustice before her. Never before had she wielded such a force. It alarmed here how quickly it happened—she seemed to be getting stronger, and she hoped she would be able to control it.

It seemed to consume her when it became aroused, and she was helpless not to act. Her rational mind was telling her she would lose too much—her carefully orchestrated plans with the Blue Phoenix, her livelihood if she defied the emperor, her ability to aid the Resistance in any way, she would be of use to no one. There is only so much help animals and the winds can do for me now, she thought wryly.

Yet, looking at the boy cuddled safely, for now, against her, she could not bring herself to regret her rash actions. She knew she had done the right thing even if it meant her imminent demise and her ability to stop the loss of many lives in the future. Her temper was ebbing, and for the first time, a slight amount of fear seeped through her.

The troop stopped abruptly reaching the middle of the chamber, where the gladiators wait to fight, she thought distractedly. She could feel eyes boring into her, and turned slowly to face her would be tormenters. Her eyes locked on a pair of stormy green ones, staring intensely at her. Bella swallowed audibly.

Edward's face looked carved of stone. He continued his silent evaluation of her. As if he could sense her fear, he smirked evilly. Bella tensed when he finally spoke, "Emmett, take the child, then leave us."

"I won't let you," she cried stubbornly, wrenching the boy to her side, "I am not handing him over to that great big oaf."

"Bella, really—you have nothing to worry about. The boy will be safe. Surely no one would disagree you have earned their freedom," Edward said silkily.

Bella did not feel she could trust him, "Where will you take the children?"

"Temporary housing until the orphanages can be built," he stated calmly.

Bella looked at him wearily, distrust evident in her gaze, but what choice did she have? Reluctantly, she handed the sleeping child over to Emmett. Emmett grabbed for the child awkwardly.

"Fine, now leave us," Edward commanded.

Edward continued to look at Bella, his gaze penetrating, "Bravo, bravo," he said clapping loudly, "That was quite a spectacle you put on."

Bella regarded him defiantly, "You provoked me to action," she accused.

"You openly defied me," he proclaimed raising his voice noticeably.

Bella tensed before speaking, "I cannot say I am sorry. You are the emperor, you're in control, but the atrocious actions you condoned in the arena today were not right, and somebody had to stop it from happening."

"And who will protect you?" He asked quietly.

"What," she questioned dumbly.

"When you see fit to run head first into danger, who is there to protect you now?"

Bella paled as his words rang true.

"You have no one Bella, and you cannot even protect yourself. So intent are you on the thoughtless protection of others, you have no regard for yourself, and now you are in a precarious position."

She knew he was right, but still she declared boldly, "I have no regrets."

"Perhaps," he conceded, "But, you have no idea the consequences that will come from your rash actions."

Bella felt a quiver of fear shoot through her.

"The people will likely think you are a witch, and call for your head," he continued.

This shocked Bella, he thought she was worried about the people's reaction, was he not far more to be feared?

"Tell me Bella," he demanded huskily, "Where do you draw your power from."

"I-I can't tell you," she stated.

"You can't or you won't?" He asked dangerously.

"Both."

"Very well," he said as he drew uncomfortably near her so that she could feel his breath on her face, "But when I wed you to Laurent, no amount of beasts or rain will be able to save you now."

Bella gasped at the threat, "But you said you would consider Eric's offer!"

"I have considered it and I find you are far too disobedient to get off that easy. Perhaps you should have given me what I wanted."

Bella was desperate now, "But I will give you what you want," she said falling to her knees before him, "Whatever it is you want." She looked at him pleadingly even as she lightly stroked his wrist.

Edward looked back at her hard, a dark gaze marking his features, before adapting a face cold and uncaring. He wrenched his arm away.

"Do not beg," he chided her looking away, "It does not become you."

Bella rose trembling to her feet her face flushed with shame.

Edward grabbed her chin roughly forcing her to look at him, "I will make the announcement on a week hence, after the Empress naming ceremony. My choice will be clear for the world to see, there will be no getting out of my final decision."

Bella could not keep the tears at bay any longer, as she wrenched out of his grasp and ran for the exit.

She did not turn back once to see Edward's dark gaze that followed her retreating form.

000

The Cullen house on the Palatine was wrought with discord. Bella, in a complete state of disarray very uncharacteristic of her, was balling in Alice's lap. Alice attempted to sooth her, running her fingers through her hair.

"I messed up royally," she wailed, "There is nothing to be done now. He means to wed me to that atrocious man; he will make the announcement after Rosalie's ceremony. How ironic, I have dedicated my life to fighting slavery, and now I become the slave."

"Bella, you will not be in that man's clutches for long," Jacob vowed, "I will kill him before he gets the chance to enjoy his wedding night."

"That won't work," Angela pointed out reasonably, "Bella would most assuredly be suspected in his murder."

"Way to stay under the radar, Bells," said Jacob flippantly.

"We should have taken care of the refugees when we had a chance, Jacob!" She snapped at him as he grimaced at her reproach, "Then I could have sat back and dealt with whatever the emperor threw at me, and kept my composure. He is doing this to punish me my defiance. I am sure he would have conceded to Eric had I not challenged him so!"

"There is nothing you could have done differently," Jacob attempted to assuage her, "It was bound to happen, the emperor meant to get a rise out of you either way."

Bella swallowed forcibly attempting to regain her wits. It seemed to dawn on her that she was taking her perilous disposition out on her friends.

"Bella, you needn't fret," Jasper mollified her, "There is no need to even attend the festivities next week."

"Yes," Alice pounced on the idea, "There is no reason for us to stay. We must gather up everyone and leave!"

"That's a great idea," said Jacob, "We will escape this wretched place before Laurent has the chance to even claim you."

"But, but," Bella said worrying her lip, "It will be impossible to help everyone in Capua escape with us, what will happen to them? And what of me? My face is noticeable; I will likely get everyone caught."

"Faces can be concealed," Jasper reasoned, "Besides, would our family be better off as Laurent's slaves, where we would have no chance of freeing them?"

Bella thought about everything her friends were saying, "You are all right," she said nodding, "We must leave."

"Then it's settled," Alice cried happily, "We will leave Rome tonight!"

"I will round up Sam and the others," Jacob volunteered, "We will depart in the dead of night. There is a trade ship that we can take south to Capua, taking as many as we dare."

Bella smiled excitedly. "It is a good plan," she consented, "Only, it is a shame I can no longer be in a position of power to help the Blue Phoenix."

"The Blue Phoenix goes underground," Jasper declared.

"Yes," Angela agreed, "We will operate covertly. We can still create a big dent in the cause to abolish slavery."

"Besides," continued Jake, "We know the tides will always be in our favor."

They all laughed jovially at this. Jacob hurried into the night to gather up his troops. Leaving the rest of the house to pack urgently.

000

Jasper patrolled outside, waiting for Jacob and his friends to arrive. It was nearing midnight and it was high time they left. The girls had packed furiously; emptying their stores of food and gathering warm clothes and blankets for the journey.

That's when Jasper spotted them. A legion of about 20 soldiers crawled up the Palatine, the emperor's litter among them.

Jasper ran to the house shouting, "Girls! Hide the bags, the emperor approaches. Make like you are asleep."

In a frenzy the startled woman ran about hiding their recently packed bags before slipping in dressing robes and climbing into bed.

Jasper turned to the gates to meet the approaching envoy. Bella's guards opened the gates and the royal delegation progressed up to the entryway. The litter lowered, and the haughty emperor himself stepped out.

"Ah, Jasper," He exclaimed merrily, "What a fine night to keep watch." He said with a dangerous glint in his eye.

"Excellency," Jasper said gritting his teeth as he bowed deeply.

"Just the person I wanted to talk to. Guards! Surround the perimeter," The emperor said with a swish of his hand.

"I humbly wish to serve you, your highness," Jasper answered.

"Yes, and what a humble slave you are," He said sneering at Jasper, "But enough about you, how is my dear niece."

"She is in a fine mood this evening," Jasper said snarkily.

"Hold your tongue slave," Edward commanded harshly, "I put up with you for the sake of my niece, but make no mistake my patience only goes so far."

"What would you have of me, Excellency," Jasper asked with begrudging respect.

"My niece," Edward went on flicking his fingers distastefully on the outdoor fountain, "She seems to have some sort of power," he said with a flourish. "I want to know what it is and how she came by it," he snapped.

"You want to know about her powers?" He asked dumbly.

"I want to know how she can command the wild animals, the skies, how does her power work, how far does it go, and how did she come by it?"

"Sh-she's just been that way, always since I've known her," he answered.

"Where did she get it from?"

"I know not Excellency; her mother was Roman as you know, her father General Swan. I have never seen her wield so much power as she did earlier today, truthfully."

"Is it just power over animals and the elements?" The emperor shot back.

"She, she can heal them as well my lord."

"Just the animals?"

"As far as I know yes your highness."

"Be gone with you, and bring out my niece."

Jasper hurried to acquiesce the emperor's request. "Bella the emperor calls for you." She rushed to grasp Jasper's elbow so he could lead her to the emperor.

"Excellency," she said bowing demurely.

"So no more uncle then?" The emperor said softly.

Bella merely leveled her gaze at him.

"I have deemed it necessary to leave you with a delegation of my guard's tonight. Your safety is crucial, and I will spare no expense in seeing that—I know where you are every minute of the day."

Bella gave a modest nod not meeting the emperor's eyes as he delivered his threat. He walked up to her swiftly, grabbing her jaw forcing her eyes to meet his as he said, "They will escort you to the ceremony in a week's time, in addition I will make your announcement before my feast. The building of the orphanages will be my marriage gift to you and Laurent."

He stared into her puffy eyes evaluating her body's apparent resignation to the inevitable.

"Don't give up hope yet, pet," he said patting her shoulder, "I am sure you can allure any man with your charm. Your life isn't over."

Once more Bella dare not speak to him. The emperor seemed to be getting irritated as he clutched her jaw tighter to the point Bella winced in pain, "One last request pet, do wear a nice shade of blue for the day's events, the darker the better. We want to remind everyone of your royal blood," she made no move to respond to him.

"That's an order," he said shaking her. With that the emperor made to depart leaving a devastated Bella and Jasper in his wake.

There would be no escape now.

When the emperor returned to his litter and left, Bella collapsed to the ground into sobs on the front steps of her villa. Jasper did his best to comfort his friend as Alice and Angela entered the hallway. The guards that were left at the villa just looked on at the scene, pitying the brave young woman they admired.