Hello everyone!! It's been a long time!! This chapter is going to help about what happened before and what is going to happen later..everything is happening for a reason in this story but maybe I did put it in a wrong way. Well, I hope that helps!!! Thank you so much for sticking with this story all this time!! Enjoy
When Bella woke up the next morning, she was still on the floor. She had cried so much her eyes were swollen, and voice was hoarse from screaming in her sleep. Every time she moved and woke up, she begged and screamed for help, but no one came.
No one.
Lying naked on the cold floor, she felt so dirty and disgusting. Everything hurt. Every single part of her body. Her skin was blotched in purple. Her mouth was so dry she could barely speak.
She considered crying for help and calling to one of her friends, but then it occurred to her that it wouldn't matter. No one came to her aid last night. They must have heard her. Vampires can hear everything. But they didn't budge. Why would today be any different? No one would stand up against Aro or disobey him. She had hoped that Gavin would appear to save her like he said he would. He had told her that he would always be near to help her and protect her from the shadows.
Bullshit.
He was probably off somewhere with Corin making love as they whispered words of love to each other.
She might as well face it. She was completely on her own. But in truth, hadn't that always been the case.
Slowly Bella sat up, moving slowly to keep the room from spinning. She then peeled herself off the floor and hobbled to the bathroom, holding onto the wall to keep from falling. With trembling hands, she turned on the faucet and let the bathtub fill will hot soapy water. She then lowered herself in, biting her lip to keep from crying out in pain. Methodically, she washed the dried blood from her thighs and legs with a damp cloth and cake of soap. She then washed herself again and again. However, no matter how many times she tried to wash off the stench of Aro, it stayed with her. Looking down her arms and legs, she could see purple bruises everywhere and tears filled her eyes.
I'll never be clean.
How could Aro have done this to her? Wasn't he supposed to be her mate, her protector? She felt so betrayed and used. It almost seemed like there two Aros. One who was a dream and made her feel like she could fly up to the heavens with one touch. The other a monster, who raped and battered her beyond belief simply for a dance. Jealousy can't be stronger than love, can it?
Then there were her friends who ignored her cries for help. Yes, it was possible they thought she and Aro were making love because she had screamed many times out of pleasure when she had been with him before. But this time it was totally different. There was a lot of pain and no consent! They had to have known. Vampires can hear everything.
There was only one person who could help her. The only person who tried to tell her the truth.
Athenodora
Drying herself off, Bella put on the old simple black dress that she originally wore when she was only supposed to be a guard, and then made her way back to her own room. Fortunately, no one saw her in the corridor. Right now, she couldn't bear to face any of them.
However, when she got back to her room, she didn't feel any better. The room was so dark and cold. Lying down on the bed, she wrapped herself up in the heavy blankets and stared at the ceiling. A ceiling she was beginning to know like the back of her hand. She had no idea what she was going to do. How was she going to escape?
Maybe a half hour later, Demetri knocked on her door. "Miss Swan there is a man asking for you. He said he will be waiting for you in the Gardens."
"Who is it?" Bella asked softly.
"Master Averster."
Richard?
This surprised her. As soon as she heard his name, she thought about last night and a glimmer of hope ignited her. Maybe he could help her? "I'll be right there," she told Demetri.
Quickly, she got up and brushed her hair, pulling it back with a clip and washed her face, applying power to hide the bruise on her cheek where Aro had slapped her. She then headed for the stairs and down to the gardens.
When she got to the landing, she saw a member of the Guard talking to a man near the main entrance. The man looked somewhat familiar, but then she realized it was indeed Richard Averster. Somehow he looked different today. The glamor that seemed to surround him was gone. But then the glamor from her was gone. Confused by his presence, she walked over to him with caution.
"Master Averster. What are you doing here?" she asked politely giving none of her pain away.
Richard looked at her and gave her a hesitant smile. "Miss Isabella! I am here for you actually. Can we go and speak somewhere more private?"
"Yes, we can go to the Gardens," she said, leading him inside, guiding him back to a small grotto where there were two stone benches.
Taking a seat, they faced each other.
God, he was graceful, she thought. But then all vampires were graceful.
"Isabella, when I saw you and Aro leave last night, I could tell that something was wrong. Knowing Aro well enough, I wanted to come and check on you."
Bella gazed at him, letting her hair cover her face and gave a painful smile. "I'm fine as you can see."
"You don't seem as fine. I mean I can tell something is wrong. Please, tell me how I can protect you."
Bella laughed and almost cried. "Why? Why you would even try? Why do you care?"
Richard shrugged. "What can I say? I like you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
"Too late for that," she said bitterly. "I don't know, maybe last night I did cross the line, flirting and dancing with you. It's not that I was attracted to you in a romantic way. I mean no offense. It's simply the truth."
Richard gave a solemn nod. "None taken. Of course, you weren't attracted to me. It was just that you felt a bond. It's not love, or romance, but…" He paused. "It's hard to explain, I suppose."
"What do you mean by bond?"
"Well, there are all kind of bonds, you have no idea, and unfortunately I don't know the name of every single one. You may have to ask Marcus about it. But I can assure you that fierce attachments arise, and they not just from the mating bond. Vampires form strong connections with others that come from trust, loyalty, friendship, love, hate and so many others."
"So you feel it too?"
"I definitely do and it's stronger than the bond I have created with Aro over the years."
"You don't fear him at all?"
"Well...that's also complicated...let's just say I care about your safety" he was looking deep into her eyes, and she still felt something weird inside her like the night before.
Should she trust him, she wondered? After all, she had put her trust in Edward and then with Aro. They both betrayed her. However, what did she have to lose? She wanted to get as far away as possible from the Volturi. Richard was the perfect man to help her. But first, she had to learn the truth about what was happening in this coven.
"Richard, I will ask you for a big favor and after that, I will give you something in return."
"What do you mean, my dear?"
"Very soon, I will come to you and ask for your help. I need your protection. You say you care for my safety. I want you to show it."
"Anything...will you be alone when this happens?"
"No! But that's not the point. All I need to know is that I can trust you. Can I count on you?"
Richard gave it some serious thought before answering. But then he smirked. "You can."
"That is all I need to hear. Thank you, Richard."
"Don't thank me yet," he said, standing up.
"Well, thank you for coming to check up on me. That was kind of you."
"Believe me, the pleasure is mine, my dear. I will be waiting to hear from you soon enough," he said, before kissing her hand. "Chao Bella." He then disappeared from her sight.
