Chapter 14
Disclaimer- Stephenie Meyer is imaginative enough to dream up Twilight. I however am not. My subconsious mind is pretty blank..heehee.
A/N- Hey all you beautiful people who reviewed! Thanks to Sillia who helped me with my translation you're great! And one earth shattering applause for fickshonal! She is the best beta ever! You'll probably notice my story is no longer riddled with grammar mistakes! Here's chapter 14!
Bella PoV
"Wow," I breathed, absolutely shocked at what I was seeing. I just couldn't believe this was real.
Edward chuckled at my awestruck face. "You like it, Bella?" he asked his voice more alluring than usual.
I just nodded, not meeting his gaze still staring out into the sea of silk and beauty. He wrapped his arm around my waist and walked over to the parking attendant and gave him the keys to the Porsche. He then began to lead me farther down the lane and past the tents towards the castle.
By that time everyone else had arrived and they were beginning to catch up to us. "Hey Bella, do you want to go for a hunt later?" Emmett asked me. Emmett and I were now hunting buddies as he put it, because we both tended to get a little over aggressive when we hunt.
"They don't hunt at the Boule Cramoisie Emmett," Carlisle told him before I could answer.
"What do you mean?" Emmett asked horror playing across his face, at the thought of being deprived of his favorite hobby and food source.
"They have bottled blood already ready to be drunk," Edward explained.
"Human or animal?" Jasper asked worriedly.
"Both, it's really your choice. Some vampires here hunt animals and some well...don't," Carlisle said a look of disgust beginning to show on his face.
We were now standing in front of a pair of at least 15 feet high dark mahogany doors. Carlisle stepped forward and tugged down on a large rope hanging in front of the door, creating a large gonging sound. Instantly the door swung open to reveal a beautiful girl in a French maid's uniform with a friendly fake smile plastered to her face.
"Invitation?" she asked, her accent suggesting she was North American. .
Allie took out some papers from her handbag and gave them to the girl. She scanned them briefly before putting them in her apron.
"Right this way," she turned and walked effortlessly back into the dark castle. Carlisle and Esme went first followed by Edward and I and then the rest of them.
We entered into a gigantic marbled floored foyer with a breathtaking fountain in the middle, shooting up crimson colored water. This place was unbelievable.
Cecile PoV
"We will be landing in Marseilles in less than five minutes. We would ask you now to put your trays in the upright position and lock them and make sure all carry-on items are stored safely under the seat or in an overhead storage compartment. Thank you for flying American Airlines, enjoy France," some helmet-haired flight attendant droned through the speaker.
I sighed; I was not looking forward to The Ball this year. What would she do when she saw me? Probably attack me with a pencil no doubt. I would give anything if this plane would just turn around, but it seemed to me like this was what Audrey truly wanted. And I was in no place whatsoever to deny her anything.
My body shifted in my seat and I realized that we were landing. I was now just one step closer to meeting my fate.
Edward PoV
I loved watching Bella's face light up with joy every time she saw something that astounded her. She was just as wondrous to me as this castle was to her.
The maid led us up a grand staircase and down a hall and then up 4 flights of stairs that went up into one of the turrets. When she reached the top she stopped at a door and unlocked it. She motioned for Bella and me to enter. "Cocktails and dancing will be beginning shortly, I suggest that you prepare," she said promptly in an uptight way.
I gripped Bella's waist and entered the room nodding to the maid before closing the door.
The bedroom was beautifully decorated. It was completely circular shaped. It looked like a bedchamber one would find in the Tudor era. The walls had stone with hand woven tapestries draped over them. The bed was made of the finest mahogany, with beautiful intricate carving up and down the bedposts. And it had a giant luxurious lace canopy hanging above it.
I heard Bella let out a gasp and I smiled at her. I set down our bags and pulled her into my arms and began to trail kisses along her neck. I felt her shiver, so I took that as encouragement and continued. I starting pushing her towards the bed, she giggled and pulled back to my great irritation.
"Ed, we have to go downstairs for the party. It is beginning shortly and you know that we really must prepare," she said in a perfect imitation of the maid. I burst out laughing and reluctantly let her out of my embrace.
Bella PoV
I didn't know if I was ready for that yet. It had been a week since I'd been changed, but we still hadn't. It was just never the right time what with Allie and Erik arriving and having to make an immediate departure to France. But now it was the right time and place and yet I just couldn't. To be quite honest with myself I was thankful we had the party to go to. It wasn't as though I didn't want to, I was afraid. Of what, I had no clue.
I went over to where Edward had put our suitcases and began to search through mine looking for one of the many cocktail dresses Allie had chosen for me. Edward put on black pants and a black button up. Needless to say he looked devastatingly handsome; if vampires could swoon I would've been on the floor out like a light.
For myself, I chose a flirty pink flapper dress that fit me like a dream and a cute pair of pink Manolo Blahnik kitten heeled shoes. "You look gorgeous," Edward whispered in my ear coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Are you ready to head downstairs?"
I nodded and we left the room hand in hand. Instead of going down the grand staircase that we went up earlier, Edward led me through a series of doors until reaching a long hallway.
At the end of the hallway there was another set of large French doors. This time two male servants stood on either side in uniform. When we reached them they nodded their heads respectfully and opened both doors.
I felt my eyes bulge and my jaw drop. One hundred dazzling couples at least were twirling gracefully in front of us to a beautiful melody. I spotted Jasper and Alice among them and I saw Rosalie and Emmett mingling with another couple across the marbled floor. The room's ceiling seemed to be a mile high, with a giant candlelit chandelier hanging beautifully down, its crystals shining glamorously in the flame's light.
"So do you want to dance?" Edward hummed into my ear.
I nodded happily, I was no longer afraid of making an embarrassing spectacle of myself on the dance floor.
Cecile PoV
"Why are we always late for this every year?" Audrey groaned, as I tried to maneuver myself into my pale yellow cocktail dress in the backseat of our rental Audi.
"Probably because you never let me show you how to work Expedia," I said as I zipped up my dress. Audrey was simply awful at booking flights, but she always insists that she do it anyway. Pretty much guaranteeing us an arrival time 20 minutes before the first cocktail party.
Audrey swerved off the road onto Cramoisie Lane. Within seconds, the grand castle came into view. Somehow, every year it managed to awe me. We came to a stop right in front of the main doors. Instantly, two members of the staff opened our doors.
"Invitation?" a tall handsome man in a uniform asked Audrey in a silky voice.
She opened her black satin clutch that matched her dress and gave him some papers. He looked at them for a short moment before handing them to his partner. "Would you like your bags in your rooms, Miss Kendall?" he asked politely.
Audrey nodded and handed the Audi's keys over to his partner before entering the ancient castle. I followed quickly after her. We walked in silence, our four inch heels clicking against the marble floors, both of us not knowing what would happen when we entered that ballroom.
Edward PoV
Bella nodded and I led her to the dance floor. She had absolutely no idea how radiant she looked tonight. To my great distaste I wasn't the only one who thought so, Bella seemed to have many admirers this evening. Though, who could blame them? She was the most exquisite thing in the room. I just wanted it to be clear she was mine and definitely not theirs.
Once we reached the middle of the dance floor, a slow waltz began filter through the air. I made the first step and Bella smiled at me. We began to twirl gracefully to the other side of the room. I knew Bella wasn't quite sure of the steps but she followed my leading wonderfully. On a turn I saw some old acquaintances wave at me. I gave a slight nod of acknowledgment before turning my full attention back to my Bella. Hopefully they wouldn't try to anew our friendship. I would hate to think of the chaos that could ensue if something were to go wrong. And something probably would.
Cecile PoV
We reached the tall regal wooden doors that opened to the grand ballroom. Outside them was another pair of men dressed in uniform. They both bowed their heads respectfully before opening the doors.
I was greeted by the sweet notes of a slow waltz and the images of silk dresses spinning around the floor. I smiled despite myself, I loved to dance and I was fairly good at it too. All I needed to find was a decent partner and I could dance the night away.
Suddenly a pink silk clothed brunette spun by us in the arms of a bronze haired man that looked eerily like Edward Cullen. Could that be Bella in his arms? What would she be doing here? I was so excited, that I almost forgot about the reason I was here myself. I dearly hoped that there was a chance Bella would forgive me and we could be friends.
Audrey nudged me gently me in the ribs and pointed to the other side of the room where I saw my sister in a turquoise halter dress and her good for nothing musician husband mingling with another couple.
"What?" I asked rather harshly. There was no way I was going over there, I wasn't the one to come here and make up and I certainly wanted no part of it. The only way I could see Allie and I reconciling is if she swallowed her pride and apologized to me. But knowing her, that was highly unlikely.
"Aren't you coming?" she questioned as she began to cross the floor. Her eyes were pleading and filled with sad hope. There was no other option. I squared my shoulders and tossed back my mane of corn silk hair, and took one huge unnecessary breath before following.
Allie PoV
I laughed at something the other couple was saying before I flipped my hair and scanned the room. My eyes focused in on the redhead and blonde that had just entered. They were here. They began to weave their way through the dancing couples toward us. I poked Erik in warning. He looked over my shoulder, his eyes darkened visibly when he saw them. I held on to his arm to hold him back. He could be extremely protective sometimes. He settled for placing me behind his broad shoulders and holding tightly on to my hand.
Audrey, my mother, reached us first, her eyes were sad but somehow hopeful looking. "Hello Allie," she said cautiously, peering as close as she dared over Erik's shoulders.
I stepped out of Erik's protective shadow, still holding his hand. "Hi Audrey," I said confidently. I knew it hurt her when I called her by her name. But she had to know that I had no intention of backing down from my position.
I saw a pang of hurt flash through her eyes but it quickly went away. Cecile came to stand beside her, her eyes were hard and cold they reminded me of the stone of this great castle.
"Allie, Erik," she nodded curtly, her expression still impassive.
Emmett PoV
"Why don't we go upstairs" Rose whispered seductively into my ear, her sweet breath tickling my neck.
I was just about to reply 'hell yes', before I saw her. She was wearing my favorite color yellow. I always said she looked stunning in it. She was talking to Allie, but it was starting to look more like arguing. Erik was getting closer and closer to her, his fists clenched. It looked like Allie said something pretty nasty to Cecile because she flung herself at her. But before she landed on her, Erik threw her against the wall making a loud crash. Everyone had stopped dancing now and was beginning to stare.
After that, instincts took over. I hurled myself across the room, struck Erik down with one swing of my fist and then I proceeded to pick him up again and continually strike. It was like I just couldn't stop, I was in blind rage.
Bella PoV
It all happened so fast. One moment I was swirling in Edward's arms blissfully happy, the next I see Emmett practically fly across the room and begin to beat the crap out of Erik for reasons that were beyond me.
The realization hit when I saw Cecile slumped against the far wall of the room wearing a pained expression. I quickly disentangled myself from Edward's grasp and ran to her.
"Cecile?" I asked worriedly helping her sit up. Erik must have hit her pretty hard to inflict this much pain.
"Hi Bella," she said weakly.
I gently lifted her to her feet and steadied her. I looked over my shoulder at the brawl; Edward and Jasper were now unsuccessfully trying to hold Emmett back from a very awful looking Erik who was still bold enough to be shouting threats.
Edward looked at me and signaled for me to leave with Cecile. I nodded, and threw Cecile's arm over my shoulder and headed for the exit.
I brought her to mine and Edward's room and set her down on the bed. I sat myself down on a comfy antique armchair in the corner.
"So..." I started unsure of what to say.
"You look lovely, Bella," Cecile said sincerely, looking at me. I realized that she hadn't seen me since that night.
"Thanks" I said brushing it off; slightly embarrassed I didn't like people commenting on my appearance, it made me uncomfortable.
"No you really are beautiful, there's no need to be embarrassed. I bet people tell you that all the time," She spoke clearly, her strength returning quickly.
Now I was extremely uncomfortable, I squirmed in my chair fighting my emotions that were yelling at me to disappear. But as usual they won, and I heard Cecile gasp.
"Bella y-you're…." she stuttered looking around as if I wasn't really there but I knew she smelled me.
"Invisible?" I supplied.
A/N- I know that whole chapter was a tad cryptic but don't worry all will be explained. NOW GO REVIEW! Yeah go right now, click the button and review! Don't leave my page without reviewing! Don't you dare!