(A/N) Yay! I finished all of my other papers and stuff. I still have like 3 more...but they aren't due in a while...but I'll try to make sure I won't procrastinate on them too much again.

I updated some chapter titles. They're pretty bad...but I think they do well in summarizing so I can remember what had happened in which chapter. Besides, I was kinda bored of the "Chapter 1" and "Chapter 2" thingy...so...yeah...

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 21

A bucket of ice cold water drenched me…again. I had to bite my tongue and grind my teeth together to keep from screaming and giving him the pleasure. I had lost count of the days that I had stayed in this prison of light. There was no difference between night and day. Seconds became eternity while minutes lasted less than a second. Sleep was caught whenever the pain dulled a little, and food was barely enough to keep me alive.

I had no idea how long James had kept me here. I had no idea why he had not just killed me all those eternities ago when I stepped in here. I had been tricked – Sophie was never here and James had never even seen her. There were so many things I did not know…but there was one thing I had figured out. James was waiting for something…or someone…to appear. And, until that person or thing comes, I would stay just barely alive, and tortured at every single possible moment.

"One has some nerve to take all that without a sound, Princess," the devil's voice sneered. "Perhaps, that's just me trying to give you some mercy."

I bit my lip hard when he pinched one of my bruised arms. I could feel his nails pierce through the skin. It had been too long. Any extra meat I had sported had gone with the starvation he was putting me through. The nail hit my bone as I tried to conjure up an image that could take me away from this excruciating pain – anything.

Relaxation washed over me as my malfunctioning and malnourished mind thought of the meadow Edward had shown me. Its sparkling, crystalline waterfall should be in the prime of its life – the icicles turning clear and beautiful in the coldness. I remembered Edward, sparking in the sunlight, his own sparkle rivaling that of the waterfall and the snow. I heard the clear gentle stream as it continued to flow under the thick ice.

Gradually, the pain receded, leaving me only to my memories. With luck, the Cullens would not find me and they will be safe. Dimly, I was aware that it was easier and easier to resort to my memories. I hoped that meant my time was almost here, and that I need not endure this vast emptiness that was my heart and this physical pain that was killing me so slowly. The thought was fleeting, however, as my mind drifted way back.

Another bucket of water was dumped on me. I gasped in the shock it created. There were small chunks of ice this time, and I was unable to control the shaking. Tremors ran throughout my thin body as I winced. My wrists were still bound with rough iron shackles that tore at my skin.

"My young Princess," I faintly heard James speak. "It seems as if your friends are not coming for you. My patience with you has run out…even if I would like to keep you a little longer for revenge on defying me. I think you shall rest knowing that your friends had forgotten you and that you shall die unceremoniously."

A single tear strayed from my eyes. With what strength I have left, I lifted my head defiantly. "I will rest peacefully, knowing that I had spared many lives and that you will not have any satisfaction in draining whatever blood I have left. I live with whatever memories I had – and they are all pleasant – and I shall die with them in mind while you shall never have your memories to accompany you when your time is up." I smiled to myself. It was all true.

Suddenly, my shackles are gone, and my bruised arms fell without a support. I gasped at the pain of my joints from not moving for who-knows-how-long. I collapsed, being too weak to stand on my own. I closed my eyes.

On the ground, I heard the footsteps of James as he stalked nearer and nearer. He nudged me in the ribs where a bruise rested. Immediately after, he kicked me. I half flew half tumbled into the nearest mirror, shattering it completely. I finally screamed when many glass shards pierced my skin at so many different places. I opened my eyes. James's eyes were pure black. Now I understood why he only badly bruised me. It helped him control his thirst, but there was no holding back now.

"I like that scream, little princess. Would you do that for me again?" He nudged hard on my leg. A deafening snap reached my ears, followed by another wave of pain. I screamed again. It could not be suppressed, no matter how hard I try to. Slowly, I felt my mind detach itself. James was shaking now, as he kicked my ribs. I heard another shrill scream, but it was cut short by a quick spasm. Blood was slowly leaking away from my body.

As I blacked out from the smell of blood and the pain, I saw a most wonderful sight. Edward tackled James, immediately knocking him to the ground. Emmett and Jasper appeared right after. The last thing I felt were gentle cold hands pressing to my forehead. The last thing I heard was my angle's faint voice whispering, "Don't die, Bella…please don't die."

-----

I felt like I was drowning. Muffled sounds and voices were drifting to me, as if calling me, but I had no wish to answer them. I was tired, and this sensation was so much better than the pain I had experienced in that dungeon they call the hall of mirrors.

But then, it felt as if a piercing shaft of light broke through the thick water. It was warm and calming, and it brought with it a voice of an angel calling out my name. That was much better than this dark pool in which I felt I was slowly suffocating. The light swirled around me as I embraced it, pulling me away from the mess, away from pain and throbbing memories. The further I was lifted, the brighter it was, until I could briefly make out shapes and more voices.

That was when the first wave of pain hit. I gasped in shock, but that only made the pain feel clearer and more acute. Yet, I held on to the bright light, using it to help me block out everything. I felt very close to the surface, and when I broke it, I was almost driven over the edge by the sensations. Someone was poking at my leg; someone else was holding my hand tightly and stroking my forehead; my angel was beside me, holding me tightly and calling out to me.

I tried to speak, but my voice was too weak. I tried again. "Edward," I croaked, my throat raspy from thirst and disuse.

Edward gasped in surprise. "Shh, Bella," he managed. "Hang on, dear, just hang on. Please don't die. I love you…I love you," his voice broke. "I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry…please forgive me…" he murmured over and over again, holding me tighter to his chest.

I smiled, though it was fleeting. I had no energy to hold it. "I love you, too. Be safe, for me," I felt the blackness creeping in again. I fought against it, my breaths coming out faster and faster. "There is nothing to forgive, Edward, because it wasn't your fault." I gasped some breaths, trying to hold onto consciousness a little longer. With the last of my strength, I whispered, "I'm sorry. I love you…" and I blacked out again without finishing my thoughts.

-----

Two weeks had passed since the incident. I had a thin cast over my right leg that James had broken. I was still recovering from the starvation, but a majority of my bruises had disappeared. The royal physician said that it was lucky that they were only bruises. Cuts and scrapes that deep could have killed me just by draining my blood; or left terrible scars if I had somehow lived through it. He also claimed that I was lucky to even be alive. I had a nagging suspicion that my curse had a hand in saving me.

I was very thin and frail, although the Cullens were practically stuffing food in me as if I were a small calf being pumped more milk than it could take. I had trouble walking down and up the stairs in one breath, and Edward carried me around more often than not.

This morning, Sophie came in to dress me again, picking out thick, but light materials so I would not collapse under the sheer weight alone. I remembered just a week ago when Mike and Jessica had visited. Sophie had dressed me in one of the thick woolen skirts that weighed a ton. I barely made it down the stairs before I collapsed. Edward saved me by catching me at the last minute. I was carried around by him the entire time that Mike was here. It was embarrassing for me, but I think Edward had fun showing Mike that I was untouchable.

Speaking of him, in walked my beautiful angel. I smiled at him.

"Good morning," I whispered, smiling.

"Good morning, Princess," he answered as he swept a mocking bow. "To whom do I owe this wonderful liveliness from Thy Highness today?"

"Just someone who decided to charge in here with a big smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye," I replied, giggling. He tried to fake a frown, but failed miserably when laughter bubbled from his lips. I giggled harder.

He came closer, pressing his lips to mine, successfully ending my giggling fit. My mind scattered, and my heart picked up an irregular rhythm. When he pulled away, I swayed a little where I sat on the bed. "Will I ever get used to that?" I mumbled.

He smiled a crooked smile. "I hope not." He paused. "Come, I want to show you something."

When I made no movement, he sighed, and picked me up, cradling me to his chest. "You know I can walk perfectly fine on my own, right?"

"I know, but it'll take you to the next year to move an inch," he teased as he quickly walked through the hallways.

"Hey! Slow and steady wins the race," I retorted.

"Fast and steady will win the race faster, you know," he replied.

I harrumphed, knowing I lost. He finally stopped at the end of a hallway, setting me down on my feet. In front of me was a pair of heavy oak doors that seemed to gleam and glow in the dim light. I looked at Edward, confused. He just smiled, and pushed the doors open in front of me. Bright light streamed through the opened doors. As my eyes adjusted, I realized that the doors hid the biggest library I had ever seen. Rows upon rows of books stretching up several stories lined the entire room. Balconies were constructed to reach the higher books while ladders were placed at strategic places so that all books were available.

Giant windows let in sunlight wherever a shelf stopped. Windows were everywhere. Near one wall was a fireplace that still glowed brightly. In front of it were several over-stuffed chairs and seats and a big pile of plush pillows. I gasped in delight. I looked to Edward, who was smiling widely.

"Thank you," I whispered, hugging him tightly. I kissed him on one cheek. When I made to kiss his other one, he turned his face slightly so that I hit his mouth instead. I broke away, giggling. "And you say I have no control," I giggled.

He just shrugged and kissed me again, wrapping his arms around me. I smiled into our kiss, wishing it could be like this forever.

Well, so ends 'part I' of my 'finale'...I guess. I think I did better in not hurrying through the end than I did in previous chapters...but that may just be a little bit of...um...I don't know...selfishness? self-centered-ness?...on my part. Oh, well. Please be kind and drop a review!

--Cathy