Love Never Dies
Major sad stuff in this chapter, I'm afraid.
Act XIV: Till I Hear You Sing
Bella
I was consumed in a fire. It felt almost as painful as when I had had James's venom running through my veins, except somehow I guessed I was not being changed.
I was barely aware of the cold hand on my forehead, nor did I recognise the voice speaking to me in sensual Italian.
I was dreaming of another life, 125 years before.
Christabelle
I left the masquerade, Aro's words ringing in my ears. He had given me tonight to make my decision.
An eternity with him, or death come the sunrise.
He, however, did not know of my plan to escape.
I was dimly aware -warned perhaps by some sixth sense?- of someone following me, and I knew I risked a lot with my plan. But no matter how I longed to stay, I could not.
My son needed me.
As I returned to the house Aro had given me, I prayed to God for the strength to leave my love, to find my son.
As I hurried upstairs, I was aware of the eyes on me as the door shut.
Quickly, I extinguished some of the candles, leaving only a few. I forced my breathing to deepen, so it sounded less distressed. Slowly I began to get changed, when the door opened and my little maid, Esperanza walked in to help me.
"Esperanza, could you pour me some water? I wish to bathe before I sleep," I murmured, and she left with a slight curtsey. Quickly I crossed to my dresser, taking from it a small pouch. Knowing I had only minutes left, I unfolded a handkerchief, wet it, and poured a tiny amount of cyanide into it.
It would not be enough to kill her, but just to render her unconscious. I prayed for forgiveness as I did so, hoping she would not be punished for my trick.
I extinguished some more of the candles, and waited in the shadows by the door.
It opened and Esperanza entered, lugging a large pail of water.
"Signorina?" she called cautiously. "I have your water."
Inhaling shakily, I struck from behind, clamping my hand over her mouth and nostrils. Fortunately I was far stronger than the girl, and she did not struggle for long. She collapsed into my arms and I quickly removed the handkerchief, checking her pulse.
It was still strong and vital beneath my fingers.
Quickly I carried her dead weight to the bed, pulling the covers over her slender form.
Hurriedly, I now undressed and redressed in my travelling gown, of a sombre black.
I put a rough pelisse over the top, the better to merge in with the crowds. Next I concealed my long curls beneath a cloak, putting on Esperanza's maid cap for good measure.
We were of similar height and build, despite her age, and I hoped my disguise might fool anyone Aro had sent to watch me.
As a final measure, I spoke into the silent night.
"Good night Esperanza. I can manage from here," I murmured, as I picked up my purse, containing some of my jewellery and money when I realised I still wore Aro's gift. I paused, then removed it with a sigh.
I could not take it with me, could not have it with me for fear it would torture me.
Looking around the opulent room I stood in, I crossed to my bureau and quickly penned a note to my love, begging his forgiveness, restating my love and thanking him for his great kindness. I almost came close to revealing my son's existence, but did not.
It would only make it more dangerous, should he find me.
Suppressing a shudder, and glancing back at the unconscious form of Esperanza in my bed, I closed the door of my rooms and hurried out through the servants' quarters, mixing with the other servants who did not live in the house with me.
Trying not to hurry too much, I strode for the posthouse, where I might find a chaise willing to take me to Florence.
My heart broke, just as the sun began to rise, and I left Volterra for the last time.
Aro
2010
I sat beside Isabella Swan as she tossed and turned in her bed, my hand clasped around hers. She burnt with a high fever, and every now and again, she would call my name. My heart ached to look at her, at her fragile beauty, so like Christabelle.
And yet she was not so.
Looking at her dream in delirium, I reflected on the woman before me. She was my long lost love and then she was not. I could not read her mind, just like her doppelganger, and then there was a strength I could see in her.
A strength Christabelle had not possessed.
I had seen both in Edward Cullen and Alice Cullen's minds all the tale of their dealings with her, and even now, the thought of their abandonment of her almost sent me into a rage. I felt…protective of the young woman lying beside me, possessively so.
Thoughts I had not thought in a century began to return, as I gazed down at my Isabella.
She was mine.
I had waited all this time for my love to come back to me, as she had promised me all those years ago…
1885
I stood on the balcony overlooking the crowds of humans enjoying the St Marcus Day festivities, my form relaxed, while within I was anything but.
Christabelle had just left me, and my mind ran over the ultimatum I had given her. It pained me, this ruthlessness with her, but I would go to any lengths to make her mine.
But something, something in my mind was telling me I was missing something.
A whisper at the periphery telling me that I had overlooked something.
I shook it away, refusing to think about it when I felt a presence by my side.
"Ah Demetri, returned I see. I trust you dealt with the humans?" I murmured, turning to my servant as he bowed.
"There were…complications, Master," he replied hesitantly, and I frowned. I took his hand, and closed my eyes.
A moment later, they snapped open again. "The female had already left? And you could not find her in the city?"
"No, Master. She has left Volterra," Demetri confirmed, while I seethed. That impudent mortal was dead, but this Carmenita's disappearance worried me.
At that moment the sun began to rise over the city, and I turned to it.
The time for thinking was over. Now, Christabelle would have to make her choice.
"Very well. We shall hunt her at a later date, but for now I have business to attend to. Leave me," I waved him away, and he melted into the shadows. I was just about to shrug into my cloak, ready to leave for Christabelle when the vampire I had assigned to unobtrusively keep watch over my beloved rushed in, distress on her immortal face.
"Master! Master I know not how, but please, please-" she began, throwing herself at my feet. Frowning, my dead heart sinking, I froze.
Please no.
I forcibly took the vampire's hand, as she yelped in pain and I howled in anger.
Christabelle was gone. She had drugged her human maid, and left her in her place.
She was gone from the city.
"Demetri!" I called, and the vampire was back by my side in moments, bowing respectfully. "Our guest has left the city walls. Find her!"
"Yes, Master," he murmured, and then he was gone. Rage clouded my senses, eliciting a crimson haze around my vision even as my heart cried out in agony.
Why, why had my love run? Why, when I knew she loved me?
"Master?" a timid voice asked, and my attention was brought back to the vampire grovelling at my feet.
I was not feeling merciful.
"You have failed me and the Volturi do not suffer those who fail them to live," I snarled, already turning away. I snapped my fingers, as Jane and Felix appeared at my side. "Deal with this."
I did not look back as the sounds of shredded skin filled the air.
I quickly arrived at Christabelle's house, striding through the hall. The house was silent, deserted.
So when I felt Caius's presence by my side, I did not bother to look back.
"Ah, Caius. Here to lecture me once more about the unworthiness of humans to be entrusted with our secret?" I asked sarcastically, as we reached the head of the stairs. His hand spun me around, heavy on my shoulder, as I looked into his serious face.
"No, brother. I am here to offer solace, to help you if you will let me," he replied, and I hid my surprise with a brusque nod.
We entered Christabelle's bedchamber, to find the windows open, the scented breeze washing in. It held no charm for me today, as I immediately crossed to her bureau.
There, beneath the gift I'd had made for her, was a note addressed to me.
Caius investigated as I read the note, my heart breaking and my resolve hardening with each word.
My dearest Aro,
When you receive this note I shall either be long gone from Volterra, or dead. I know I risk death at trying to escape the world in which I have become immersed, but I must try.
I do not do it to spite you, my love. Here in this beautiful city, I have found more joy, contentment and love than I had ever expected to find again, and I love you all the more for it.
I love you, so much so, I feel as though my heart may burst and my mind explode with all I feel for you. You are my one love, the only man I shall ever love again, and I wish to God I could be with you forever, as you desire.
As I desire.
But I cannot. There is a chain which irrevocably links me to the mortal world, and I cannot abandon him.
I may not.
You should know me well enough by now, to know that your secret is safe with me. I shall never divulge it to another living person, alive or Undead as long as I shall live.
I beg of you, forgive me, if you can. I do not wish to leave you, and the agony I feel at parting from you in such a way as this shall forever tear my heart asunder. It shall always belong to you.
I love you, with all my heart, body and soul.
Nothing shall ever change that.
Your faithful, heartbroken,
Christabelle
I felt my hands clench upon the paper, as I inhaled her scent, and saw her elegant hand.
My mind whirled; why, why, why?
Why had she left me, if she loved me as she claimed? What was this chain which held her to the mortal world?
Another lover? Family?
I did not know, that hurt as much as losing her did.
"She has taken few of her belongings," Caius told me from across the room, standing in front of her wardrobe. "Just some money and jewellery by the look of it. But what…ah!"
"What is it?" I asked, my curiosity diverting my pain for a moment. As long as I kept moving, I could function, could continue to exist.
Until I got my Christabelle back.
I knew I would let nothing stand in my way. I would eliminate whatever it was that stood between us and eternity, with no mercy. Christabelle was mine and I would never give her up.
"Cyanide," Caius replied, holding up a small phial, and a damp handkerchief. "She probably used this to drug her maid, and take her place. Your guard would have had no chance picking her out of that crowd."
"Clever. Very clever," I breathed. It would not have worked with me or one of the older Volturi, but the one I had assigned had been young and inexperienced.
"Where will she go?" Caius asked, nodding towards the note still clenched in my hand.
"She's going to run," I exhaled heavily, forcing my mind to work rationally, setting aside my wild emotions. I felt like a newborn, for God's sake not a millenia-old vampire. "She'll know she stands no chance if she remains in Italy. She'll either make for the border into Switzerland or make for one of the ports."
"Florence is the closest," my brother nodded thoughtfully. "If I were her, I would not remain on the continent, I would run as far as I could. Perhaps America."
"Master!" Demetri's voice stopped my reply, as we stepped out into the street and he flitted to our side. I waited as patiently as I could for him to report. "I could not find her in the city, but I found out from one of the workers at the posthouse, that a woman fitting Signorina Renzi's description boarded a late-night carriage to Florence last night."
"You are certain?" I asked, trying to hide my hope. My servant nodded, as I glanced at my brother.
"Go, bring her back," he murmured, and I nodded, taking no-one with me.
I would do this alone.
Christabelle
I hurried through the early morning traffic thronging the busy docks of Florence, making my way to the ticket office. There was a liner leaving for America this afternoon and I prayed there would be room left. I would take anything, even steerage if it meant I would soon be in America.
I had hurried to Algaria's home in the countryside after I had arrived, early morning in Florence, to find it deserted and gone. I had changed, in a spare set of clothes I had found there, and now I waited in line with the other emigrants, dressed considerably better than most of them.
I was in luck, there had been a late cancellation in second class, and I took it gladly, leaving the queue with my ticket. The ship would depart at three o clock.
Until then I had several hours to waste, so I walked along the streets, buying some essentials I would need.
Inside my heart was broken asunder, as my mind waged war with my heart.
My heart bade me go back to Volterra, back to Aro at once while my mind told me to hold firm to my purpose and go to America, and to Giacomo.
I had changed my nondescript black gown for one of brown velvet, the pelisse's high collar shrouding the skin of my neck, my torso covered by a fluffy white blouse while the long skirt and bustle floated behind me. I had swept my hair up beneath a warm hat and veil, masking my face slightly.
The very picture of a respectable, middle-class woman travelling to join her husband in the New World.
As I glimpsed my reflection in a shop window, I wanted to scream and shatter that perfect reflection, wanted to throw myself on the ground and scream for the agony that even now coursed through my veins.
A clock suddenly struck behind me the chimes for the second hour of the afternoon, and I realised I needed to return to the docks soon.
At the thought, another wave of regret and pain swept over me. I wanted so much to remain, but I couldn't, I couldn't….
Another reason also prevented me from staying. I was afraid.
I was afraid of becoming like Aro, I was afraid of losing all that I was, all that I would be.
We were not meant to live beyond the time allotted to us, and why should I be any different?
My time would come, and I knew I could not stop it when it did.
Becoming a monster of the night was no solution, and I thought I would rather die human than live forever as a monster, even with the one I loved.
No one should live forever.
But for love, was it worth it? Or would I have lost Aro as surely as I would one day lose Algaria and Giacomo?
Enough, I told myself, it does not do to dwell on dreams and half-thought through visions of a future you shall never have.
Or so I told myself.
I felt a presence behind me, and I looked up at my reflection in the shop window, to meet the reflection of a pair of crimson eyes.
Horribly familiar crimson eyes.
Aro's eyes.
"Give me one good reason why I should not snap your neck here and now," he growled in my ear, and I inhaled sharply.
"You wouldn't dare," I breathed, glancing around us frantically, fear coursing through my veins. His eyes were alight with fury and hunger, and I doubted I could survive such an inferno.
"There is no-one to stop me. To any curious eyes, it would merely look as if you had fainted," he replied coldly, and I tried to move away. He caught my arms in a vicelike grip, hauling me away. I could barely see where we were going, but shade fell over me, and I realised we had entered one of the secluded alleyways close to the docks. I could even hear the hubbub of the crowds of people, nearby.
"Don't scream," Aro growled warningly, as he swung me around and against the wall. Hard.
I gasped at the pain, but it was nothing to the relief which poured through my veins at the feel of being in his arms again. My body sank against his, and my lips throbbed with want.
I cursed my weakness, as I looked into Aro's furious, hungry eyes.
"Why? Why did you run, when I offered you the world?" he snarled viciously, as I gasped at his hold.
"You are hurting me!" I hissed, but he ignored me, continuing with his tirade which sent shivers of pain hurtling into my heart and my resolve.
"I would have given you anything to make you happy, anything at all. I found your letter, very clever to drug the maid and disguise your escape. Do you realise how I felt when I sent for you at sunrise, only to find you gone? To find the woman I love running from me? Why?" he all but shouted at me, as I flinched.
"Aro, please I-" I began but his angry mouth cut me off mid-sentence. At his bruising kiss, all coherent thought was wiped away, bar the need to get closer. I slid my hands into his raven hair, pressing against his cold body, while his hands greedily searched beneath my cloak. I heard a tearing sound, felt a release of pressure around my neck and realised he had torn my blouse open, almost straight down the middle, exposing my chemise and corset. My flushed skin became his next victim, as he urgently kissed and sucked at the skin of my neck and collarbone, my shoulder reddening beneath his possessive tongue.
I leant my head back against the wall behind me, breathing heavily, my hair dishevelled and loose now, my hat long since lost. I clutched him to me, feeling his domineering strength and wondered if, in his destructive need, he would take me here, in the alley.
I knew I had to stop him, both for my sake and for his.
"Aro, stop this. Aro please," I breathed when I felt him ignore my pleas. I pushed against him, knowing it was futile, but he slowly stopped. He leaned on my shoulder, his faced buried in the crook of my neck, and my pulse jumped at the thought of him so close to my neck.
So close to where my lifeblood ran through my veins.
"I have the very evidence of your deceit and cool dispassion before me, and yet when I feel you like this, I can almost believe you do love me as you claimed," he breathed against my neck, and I shuddered.
My soul cried out in agony at his words, and I could not control the wish to drop balm where I had wounded.
"I do love you, now more than ever. But please, you must understand-"
"Then why did you leave me!" Aro's commanding voice exploded, as his head shot up, his hands once again imprisoning my arms against the wall. Terrified, my heart pounding I shouted out the truth at last.
"Because of my son!" I cried out, and I felt my lover freeze in shock.
"Y-your son?" he gasped, stepping away from me. I nodded, tears beginning to flow as I held my ruined shirt together with my hand, pulling my jacket closer around me.
"I have a son, in America, waiting for me. I cannot leave him," I shuddered in anguish, shivering the cool wind blowing through the alley.
"The chain you spoke of in your letter-is your son?" he breathed, and I nodded again. He flung away and returned, one hand running through his dishevelled hair.
Realisation struck.
"You thought I loved another," I murmured brokenly, as he stopped before me. I saw the truth in his pitch-black eyes as I pushed away from the wall and approached him. "Aro, I love only two men in this world. You and my son, and no other. Every word I wrote in my letter I meant, with all my heart and soul."
I heard a sudden blearing sound, and realised that my ship must be docking now. I had to go, soon.
"I have to leave, Aro. Don't you see that I cannot leave me son, no matter how my heart yearns to be with you? I am all he has," I breathed, trying to move away, but Aro once more imprisoned me between his arms and the wall.
"You are going nowhere, Christabelle. You are mine, and I will never let you go," he growled darkly, while I shivered at the bestial possession in his tone.
"Then you would condemn an innocent child to live without his mother? I did not ask to be brought into your world, Aro. You brought me there, you allowed me to learn the truth but now I must break free, for his sake," I replied angrily, unbelieving of his arrogance.
"Christabelle, do not test me. You know the penalty of possessing knowledge of my kind," he snarled, and I stiffened.
"Then kill me," I whispered, as the wind rushed through the alleyway, the din of thousands of ordinary people filling up the tiny space, unaware of the dark drama unfolding not a few feet away.
"I cannot," Aro sighed, his gaze gentling as he pulled me into his arms. I did not resist, but succumbed with a relieved breath, holding him to me desperately.
"I must leave you, my love. Please just let me go," I murmured, "Do not force me to become as you are, and give up my son."
I heard the blear of the ship's funnel, as I tried to move away. Aro snatched me back again.
"Wait, amore mio. I have another proposition, if you will hear it," he spoke desperately, holding my hands in his. "Recall your son from America. Bring him to Volterra."
"I will not condemn my son to a lifetime of darkness!" I cried out, trying to move away but Aro caught my arms.
"You do not have to. Return to Volterra, live there human, under my protection and supervision. There you may live a happy, secure life with no pressure upon you to become vampires, if you do not wish it. Your son need not even know, unless you decide to tell him or he learns of it himself," he explained, and I guessed this plan was only just concocted, in desperation.
"Aro…" I began uneasily, not sure if I could trust him. While this would mean I could live out my life with my son and my love, I knew the pain of watching me grow old would become too much for my immortal lover.
Eventually I would be forced to become a vampire. And what of my son then?
"Christabelle, please," he breathed, pulling me closer. "Don't make me lose you."
Those heartbreakingly piercing words sent my heart aflutter, as he gently inclined his head to mine, brushing my lips. I felt myself waver, almost give in.
Then I glimpsed the figure standing behind us, a gun in their hand.
"NO!" I screamed, spinning us around before Aro could even react.
I heard the gunshot, saw the smoke issue from the barrel, as I felt like something punched into my chest, and I looked up into Carmenita's smiling, triumphant eyes. She must have followed me from Volterra.
I collapsed to the ground, barely aware of Aro's rage-filled cry as he leapt over me. I heard and saw nothing as she was torn apart mercilessly.
All I could hear or see was the darkness creeping in on my vision, all I could feel was the pain and the spreading weakness as hot liquid poured over my body, from the bullet hole in my chest. My vision became hazy, my hearing dim as I felt Death draw near.
I felt Aro's strong arms lift me from the ground, cradling me as I lay dying. My heart grew weaker and weaker, as I coughed.
I looked up one last time into his beloved face.
"Christabelle, I can save you. Let me save you," he breathed, but with what strength I retained I shook my head.
"No…" I wheezed. "It is too late, my love, for me. I cannot live without you or my son…."
If I became a vampire now, I would lose him. I would lose my humanity, all that remained of Giacomo's mother.
"Christabelle, please…" Aro breathed in anguish, and I ached to comfort him. Suddenly with a passion blazing in my heart, I knew I would find some way back to him, in a time when no bonds lay on me to remain apart.
I would find a way back to him.
"Come closer, I beg you." I whispered, and he cradled me harder, bringing my face closer to his. I was weakening fast, and I fought to remain awake, knowing if I allowed the darkness to claim me, all would be lost.
"Closer still," I inhaled painfully, coughing up more blood. I held on with all my strength.
"My love, do not do this. Do not ask me to watch you die," Aro said forcefully, while I laughed brokenly.
"I am already dying, my dearest. There is nothing... you can do to stop that...now amore mio. Kiss me one last time," I commanded softly, and he did, agonisingly gentle. My numb limbs hung from my side, as he cradled me harshly, as if he knew when he let go, so I would leave this body.
I felt him sobbing into my mouth, but felt no tears.
Fighting deep, knowing I had only seconds left, I broke the kiss and placed a trembling hand on his cheek. It took all my strength to hold it there, and he held it against his skin with his own hand.
"Remember, love never dies. I will find a way back to you. I will find…a…w-way," I faltered, swooning as my strength failed that last test. Darkness obscured my vision, as I fell backwards.
"I love you!" I cried out, but I knew it came out as nothing but a whisper.
"NO!"
Aro's enraged, anguished shout followed me into Death as the faces of all I had loved and lost flashed before me.
Darkness crept over me, and I was lost.
Aro
I cradled my dying swan in my arms, her last words reverberating in my ears, the sight of the gunshot wound on her left breast ugly and bleeding. I easily ignored the scent of her blood. I had become too distracted, for I did not notice Carmenita's heartbeat until it was too late, and Christabelle had sacrificed herself for me. Now her murderess lay dead behind us, and Christabelle was dying in my arms, her last words shivering upon the air like a vow spoken before her God.
I will find a way back to you…
"NO!" I cried out, as I felt her heart stop but I was too late. I knew, even before I bit down into the skin of her neck that I was too late for my venom to heal her, and bring her back from death.
Too late.
My anguished cries filled the air as I cradled my love, her dead limbs still warm as they clung to me, even in death.
2010
The memories I had suppressed for 125 years came back to me, as I sat there, watching the very likeness of Christabelle tossing and turning in her bed.
Then I heard those achingly familiar, softly whispered words from Isabella Swan's lips.
"Remember, love never dies. I will find a way back to you…"
Had she kept her word to me, after 125 years? Had she come back to me?
I could barely wait for the young mortal to awaken, and for me to find out, as I shut out the pain of my loss for the first time, and held the young girl in my arms as she thrashed in her delirium.
More soon!
And that is the end of the Christabelle/Aro stuff. Please R&R!
And I do think it does make sense for Christabelle to die like that. As long as her heart stopped, the venom couldn't have worked, not that she would have wanted it to.
More Aro/Bella stuff soon!