Chapter 11 – Venice
The Cullens were walking back to their chambers when Felix and I caught up with them. "Excuse me, Edward?" Edward looked back, his eyes fell on me, then glanced to Felix, "Yes, Felix?" "May I speak with you for a moment?" Edward didn't move, hearing Felix's thoughts. He walked towards us, standing a few feet away. "What can I do for you?" His hand engulfed mine, "Bella told me what you said to her. I understand that's your opinion and the way you feel about her, but I wanted to say something. Something that you must understand."
Felix looked at me, "Bella is my wife. I asked her and she said 'yes.' She wasn't intimidated or forced, she married me willingly. And, despite what you may think or believe, I do love her. You don't have to like our marriage, but you will respect it." Felix just said he loves me. My heart felt like it was beating again. He loves me. Edward blinked once from what he just heard and silence filled the space. Charges of electricity flowed between Felix and Edward.
Edward smiled insincerely, "Of course. I do have my own feelings about Bella and I only want her to be happy. I apologize for what I said. It was out of line. I would never say anything intentionally to hurt Bella's feelings." His gold eyes were on me now, "And yes, I do have to respect your marriage." I looked away from his stare, "Esme and Carlisle have taught us that." Felix nodded once, "Very good." We turned away from Edward, leaving him in the hallway.
"Carnivale?" Felix took my hand as we walked through the city. We weren't on patrol, just wanting to get out of the tower. "A festival in Venice. Carnivale has been around since the 1100's. It was gone for a few decades, but the government brought it back. We go every year and I would like for you to go." His eyes were hopeful that I would say 'yes.' "I would love to go. It sounds like a lot of fun." Traveling seemed to be a frequent hobby among the Guard members. "Do we get to wear masks?" "Porcelain masks. Also, there's one more thing."
He stopped and took my shoulders into his hands. He bent his head closer to me, closing the space between us, "Felix, are you actually at a loss for words?" I teased. He smiled, "No. I spoke with Alice and she reminded me that you don't like to be surprised, but I do have a surprise for you." I made a face, but tried to be a bigger person. "Yes…?" He sighed deeply, "I had a dress made for you."
My eyes widened, "A dress?" and a quiet laugh escaped my lips, "You had a dress made for me? Wow. Can I…. see it?" His hands held my face as he pressed his lips to mine. This kiss shook me to my core. "I'm just glad you like the thought of it." Now I was anxious, ready to go back into the tower to see the dress, but Felix guided me through the city. "I can't see it?" He wrapped my hand around his arm, "No. Alice has it and she won't let you see it until we arrive in Venice." I groaned as he towed me behind him, "You don't play fair." "I know," he said undisturbed.
He chuckled at my disgruntled mood, "Now, you're going to have to wait." His fingers held my chin, "Be a good girl and be patient." I rolled my eyes, "Forget being patient. I want to see my dress. At least tell me what color it is?" He shook his head, "Alice made me promise." My foot stomped into the ground and his head shook. His arm swept under my legs, cradling me to his chest, "No fits now."
Felix brushed his chin through my hair, "Bella, it's one more week. And to remove temptation, Alice is taking the dress to Venice with her. She's leaving tomorrow." My eyes shot up to meet his, "The Cullens are coming with us?" Felix sighed and held me closer to him, "Aro invited them." I balked, "Aro's coming too?" Felix looked at me perplexed and laughed, "The most of the Guard is. It's tradition. Aro has gone for the past 1500 years." "Oh," my voice said with a measure of disappointment, "I thought it was just going to be you and me."
"Oh, I'm sorry I implied that it would have just been us, but we are having our own house by the canals, that look over the city. And we're staying longer than the others are." My lips pursed into a smile, "That sounds nice." Felix leaned closer to me, making his lips brush mine, "And Venetians have a robust flavor of blood." I looked up at him, "Now I can't wait to go," I whispered against his mouth, then pressed mine to his.
The burn in my throat increased at the thought of the warm blood flowing down my desiccated throat. My lip was pulled between my teeth, thinking about finding a Venetian man and feeling his blood in my mouth.
Felix wanted to go hunting, but I went inside after we spoke. Felix hated being away from me, just like Edward. It wasn't hard for me to compare the two of them, but I would never say out loud. Felix would hate it and I didn't want us to fight. Inside, the sounds of suitcases being moved came from above. "No, Jasper. That comes with us too." I dashed up to Alice's room, where there were half a dozen open trunks, half filled with clothes. One was completely full of shoes for men and women.
Alice came into the front room, folding a scarf, "Nice try, Bella. You're not seeing that dress." I closed the trunk with the shoes to sit on the lid, "Please, Alice? I really would love to see it." She folded a pair of jeans over her arm, "You know you have changed a lot. At prom, I practically had to hold you down to get you into your dress."
I smiled at the memory, as murky as it was. She looked behind herself and gritted her teeth. She gestured for me to follow her. On the back wall of the room hung a long black garment bag. She unzipped it showing midnight blue silk. I gasped as Alice moved the garment bag aside. The dress was a strapless ball gown, with gold beading and epaulets. It was a corset bodice and the skirt fanned out and it would circle around me. The corset had the bead decoratively designed and the design was also above the hem of the skirt. There were elbow length gloves and a wrap.
"Alice, can I?" She smirked, "Don't tell anyone." She took the dress off the hanger and helped me into it. The back of it had a ribbon crossing through the corset back, forming a tight bow. There were many layers of dark blue tulle beneath the skirt making it a perfect circle. I watched myself in Alice's mirror, taking in the dress.
My pale skin was in perfect contrast with the dark color. In the mirror's reflections, Edward was standing behind me. My body turned before my mind gave the command. He held both of my hands, appraising me silently. "You look…" he looked into my eyes, "breath-taking." His hands held my waist, "You are going to be the bell of the ball. The most beautiful woman in all of Venice." My face should be blood red right now, being back in his arms, against his chest and looking into his gold eyes.
He paused, "Promise me one dance?" I opened my mouth to answer and he put one finger to my lips, "Just say 'yes.'" I nodded silently. How does he do that? I always thought I would figure it out once I was like him, but it's still a mystery. Alice ran back into the room, "Felix is coming. Out of the dress!" I was out of the dress and back into the ensemble I had on before. I made my way back to our room and landed on the bed in time for him to open the door. He walked into the bedroom and smiled, "You were waiting for me?" I smiled at him, "You can say that." He chuckled as he laid next to me.
Venice was beyond beautiful. The city was unbelievable. We took several gondolas to get to the private houses. Felix showed me around the house, carrying me over the threshold. "I haven't done that since we were married." The house was absolutely beautiful. In the bedroom, there was a huge canopy bed. The window overlooked the canal, "Felix, this place is gorgeous." The sun was starting to rise, but I chanced it. The window opened to a balcony. The water was dark and several gondolas floated by. Felix pulled at my arm, "Come inside." He shut the doors and closed the curtains. I went through the townhouse. There was more than one bedroom. The second floor overlooked the living room, by a banister. Another door on the left side of the house led to the streets of the city.
Someone in a dark cloak came to the door, holding a garment bag, "Here you go." Alice came inside, "I promised Felix you wouldn't see the dress until we got here and here you go." Felix flew into the room and took the bag, "You're right, but she has to wait a little longer." Felix flung the bag over his arm, "Thank you, Alice." The front door opened again and Heidi came in, "Hello, Alice. Bella, there's a play about Casanova tonight. Would you like to see it?" Felix was back, "Not tonight. I wanted to take Bella to see the city." Heidi rolled her eyes, "Oh, come now." I hit him on his chest, "How about letting me decide?" Felix looked at her, then down at me, "It's up to you, piccola." Heidi and I smiled at each other, "We do have all night."
Our time in Venice was glorious. The city was so alive. Even late at night, peaking into the early hours of the morning, people were still having fun during the festival. My dress stood out in the crowds. The dark blue and gold was so beautiful. Felix twirled me when I walked down the stairs. He said something in Italian, that I didn't understand, but it made me smile.
In the courtyard, everyone was dancing in tradition Carnivale costumes. The dances were the old fashion kind too. "This reminds me of the masquerade scene in 'Phantom of the Opera.' It's beautiful." Felix and I whirled in the dances. It was funny, because we were hardly touching. We danced in sets of fours and I couldn't keep a straight face. "Ok, Bella, time to share your husband," Renata tugged at Felix's arm. He swiftly kissed my cheek and I watched as they danced. "May I have this dance?" Edward offered me his hand, "Remember, you promised." He didn't wait for an answer.
Edward took my hand and spun me onto the dance floor. His arm was strong around me and familiar. Dancing with Edward was like stolen moments that were forbidden. Even with his mask on, he was so handsome. With his costume, he wore a black cape with a crimson red interior. The red was in complete contrast with my blue dress. "You look so beautiful." I blinked, "Thank you." He smiled, "And your dancing has improved." I laughed, "Despite his physical stature, Felix is a very good dancer."
Edward whirled me in a quick circle and his hand reclaimed my hip. He twirled me again and placed my hand on his shoulder. We just stared at each other, as our danced slowed. The music changed, but he and I walked off the dance floor. Dancing with him brought back so many memories. Of the times he tried to teach me to dance, while I still wore my walking cast.
Fireworks shot in the sky and everyone looked up. Everyone in the courtyard applauded. They lit up the sky above the city as another hand held my waist. It was Felix reclaiming me. In my periphery, Edward's face hardened.
The smell of smoke began to fill the air as the fireworks continued to explode. The reds, blues, yellows, oranges, purples and greens colored the sky. The ancient city was alive during Carnivale. Edward's head snapped to the side, "Alice." That one word made me walk away from Felix to find Alice. She was staring blankly, while Jasper held her shoulders. She gasped and blinked, "Volterra is about to be attacked."