Chapter 7 – Learning
BPOV
My dreams were oddly bright; nothing but swirling colors. Each color came with a different emotion. It felt like I was set in a spectrum, watching the colors flow past me. There was only one thing real; a strong circle around me. I woke up with two muscular arms holding me. Blinking sleep out of my eyes, I saw Jacques didn't hold up his end of the deal by sleeping on the other side of the bed. Why doesn't this surprise me? I should be appalled and slap him out of sleep, but I wasn't.
The room was dark from the dying fire. My body moved into a sitting position, making the mattress squeak lightly. My teeth gritted from the noise, Jacques was still fast asleep next to me. His features were peaceful for the first time since I met him. What time was it? It could be the middle of the day. My sleeping schedule was off. I wanted to write my mom an email to keep her from hopping on a plane. My eyes scanned the dark room, until they closed slowly, remembering that my laptop was in Mikhail's study. Sliding out of Jacques's arms, I reached for the robe on the footboard.
A strong hand caught my wrist, "Where do you think you're going?" Jacques's voice was angry without a hint of sleep. I froze hearing the voice in the dark, "You scared me. I thought you were still asleep." Even in the dark, I could make out his eyes staring at me, "I was going to write my mom an email." His hand tightened as he pulled me back into the circle of his arms. My head fell on the pillow and the weight of his arm held me close to his body, "You can do that when we wake up."
His hands held me against his chest and he threw his leg over both of me, completely trapping me in his embrace. The sound of his heartbeat pulsed in my ear; a soothing beat. "But I am awake." "No," he breathed, "we're still asleep. Your mother will understand." He lightly kissed me, Just stay, angel. His mind caressed my own, making my eyes close, You still need rest. He brushed my hair back, Sleep, Bella. Giving in, I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep in Jacques's embrace.
My body felt stiff from sleeping so long. I rolled my neck, trying to stretch out the stiffness. Testing my bravery, I looked into Jacques's eyes. They were gentle, with a rim of anger, "Don't ever try to leave me when we're sleeping again." A disgusted noise came from my throat and I threw the quilt off me, moving out of the bed. Jacques's hand caught my wrist again, but this time I fought against his hold, "Let go of me."
Jacques moved quickly, pinning me on the bed. His fingers wrapped around my wrists like manacles and my body was trapped underneath his. I laid there, breathless, seeing him above me. Struggling against his hold, I used my legs to push Jacques off, but he kept his balance with his knees, "You don't want to do that." His voice was patronizing, sure of his hold on me. My eyes glared at him, "Jacques, you better let me go." "Or what, angel?"
My eyes rolled annoyingly, "And stop calling me 'angel,' ok? Now, will you let me up?" He leaned closer, pressing his lips to my neck. My body froze, almost afraid of what he was going to do to me. I was locked in his bedroom, being held down in his bed. Jacques's face was hidden, "I told you yesterday that I wasn't letting you go." His lips were hot, his teeth grazing against my skin. He pressed a kiss against my pulse, "And why shouldn't I call you 'angel,' when you are one." Each kiss melted into my skin. My mind focused on his gentle touch, as his kisses trailed down to my chest.
Jacques believed I was giving up to his advances. Taking the advantage, I pushed my weight against him, hoping to get him off me. The movement only made him laugh darkly, "I thought you wanted to take things slowly." Anger rolled through me, "Jacques, get off me! I want to email my mother and finish my work," I said each word slowly. Jacques pursed his lips, seeing that I was getting upset, "Very well." His weight shifted off me, letting me slide off the bed. Thoroughly anger, I walked to the closet doors. Their glass panels shuttered as I slammed the door. My body slid down to the floor, crossing my fingers behind my head. Thankfully, there were thick black curtains on the inside of the door, blocking Jacques's view of me. Angry or not, that was intense. To be beneath Jacques's strong body, feeling him press his lips to my skin; I could have given into him easily.
My fingers pulled through my hair. Should I feel foolish that I don't have any clean clothes here? I had to get back to the inn and the real world. The door opened and I fell back onto the floor, hitting my head. Jacques was above me, his hand pulling me up by my waist, "Are you all right?" His large hand brushed the back of my head, "I'm fine. Did you want something?" I snapped the words, wanting him to take his hand off me. Jacques helped me stand, then pulled me further into the closet, "Some clothes are over here." Jacques pointed out a shelf with feminine clothes. My head shook, "How did..? When did….? Where did these come from?!" He didn't look at me, "Don't ask."
Next to the shelf, there was also a short row of dresses. On the floor, there were several pairs of heeled shoes. Jacques had to be the most assured man I've ever met. I won't ask where he got the clothes, but it was brave of him to make space for them in his closet, confident in the fact that I wouldn't leave. Doesn't he get it? Apparently I don't. Why don't you enlighten me? My lips pursed together, Why don't you stay out of my head? He kissed my hair and it felt almost condescending, "I'll see you in Mikhail's study," he stepped out of the closet, "angel." He left the word lingering behind him.
I groaned out loud and folded my arms, Ugh, he is so annoying. Shaking off my frustration, I went through the small selections of clothes. I glanced at some of the tags. How did he know my size? His quiet laugh echoed in my mind, A little bird told me. Completely annoyed with his antics, I pulled out a white sweater with light colored jeans and stomped off to the bathroom. Before doing anything else, my mental blocks were up, ensuring that Jacques couldn't hear me.
Sitting in a bath of hot water, I wanted to ignore it, but I still thought about Jacques's smugness. He was arrogant and pushy. I must be cursed to attract guys like that. Just like Edward. At least, Jacob was a bit more subtle, but we never had a real relationship. Well, Raven told me I shouldn't let Jacques push me around. What was I doing here? I should be getting back to the inn, completing my work and going home. That's what I came here to do, not to get swept up in some supernatural romance, again. Ok, Jacques is not going to distract me anymore. I'm going to the inn and finish what I came here to do. Then I was going home. He could call and email me when I got back.
With my new found determination, I was quickly dressed. The white sweater was very nice. The sleeves stopped at the base of my fingers and the jeans were a perfect fit. Seeing myself in the clothes he mysteriously acquired was irritating, no matter how much I liked them. After pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I steadied myself to tell Jacques I was leaving. He was nice enough, but I had somewhere to stay down the mountain. I wasn't going to be living in his family's home. This was a nice distraction, but it was time for me to go.
As I got closer to the study, guilt began to run through me. Raven was so happy that I was here. Mikhail was glad to see his brother with someone. My determination was beginning to falter. Well, Raven and I could talk online, while I was back at the inn and when I went home. According to them, the women were very important in their culture. Their so-called 'lifemates.' A lifemate had to be a wife or husband. What else could that term mean? My heart stuttered making that connection. Did Jacques think I was his wife? No way, he couldn't believe that.
There was no one in the study. My laptop sat on the desk, right where I left it. A gentle fire burned as it did the night before, but there was no one to enjoy it. Then why do I have the feeling that someone was there? I shook off the feeling, grabbed my laptop and went back to Jacques's room. There was no sound anywhere in the castle. I could hear the light wind outside and the quiet crackling of wood. How can I hear all this? Inside the house, no one tried to reach me, even after I took down my blocks.
Jacques didn't so much as touch my mind. Maybe he finally got a clue. Things were getting strange. Back in the large bedroom, my backpack was resting against one of the couches. Packing away the computer, I straightened up quickly, wanting to get my watch.
Hands were my shoulders, "Let's go." My body stiffened, before Jacques could pull me to the door. I stopped, by planting my feet, "Where?" I was still pretty upset with him from ordering me around when we woke up. Time was really evading me. I had no idea what time of day it was. He looked at me, remorse changing his expression.
Fingers brushed across my lips, "I told you I was going to take you to the inn to get your things." I'm just living up to my promise. I bit down on my lip; he was an expert in guilt. I did say I would stay, but I can't do this. It was all too much. Jacques released his hold on my arm, "Wait one moment." He went in the closet and was back with a pair of shoes, "Put these on and we'll go." Part of me wanted to walk past him and just leave.
Bella, it would be easier to not argue with him, Raven tried to calm me down.
He's not the boss of me. I want to leave and clear my head.
Honey, pick your battles. Save this for later. Get your things and come back.
Come back? I don't know if I want to.
Please, for me, she pleaded. Come back. I really, really do like having you here.
Only for Raven, I went with Jacques. He held my waist, keeping me at his side and we walked out of his bedroom. Outside, the sky was becoming a dark blue. The sun wasn't completely set. There was a bite of cold air setting into with the night. I shivered and Jacques pulled me towards a parked truck, "Come." The vehicle was for off road driving. Four lights sat on the roof of the vehicle and the back was clearly a camper. Working at Newton's, I was able to identify these vehicles much easier now. The tires were higher than my waist.
Jacques held the door open and helped me in. He pushed me to slide across the seat to the passenger side. He sat in right next to me. Reaching behind the seat, Jacques produced a blanket and spread it over me, "The cab will be warm enough soon." Moving his hands underneath the blanket, I flinched as Jacques hooked me into the off-roading seatbelt. "We should be reaching town within the hour. We're pretty far into the mountains. I know it sounds ridiculous, but we'll have to switch cars."
I looked at him, my eyebrows pulling together. Jacques didn't realize that I understood more than he thought. "Why would it? Your family needs its privacy. Especially, after finding you nearly dead by the hand of those murderers, it would only make sense you live away from people." Jacques half-smiled and started the engine, "Exactly." The lights on top of the car lit up the forest like it was daylight.
"I must say, Bella, you take such things fairly easy." I laughed once, "I'm good at suppressing bad things. Also, this isn't the weirdest thing I've ever done." He interlaced his fingers with mine, "Will you tell me about it?" Jacques's voice poured over the words like honey, making it almost irresistible to say 'no.' "Not today." Jacques's hand squeezed mine as he pulled away from the castle. Uncomfortably, I pulled my hand away and instantly regretted it. It was like my hand wanted to be with his. Not letting this discourage him, Jacques brushed my cheek with his fingers.
For the first time, I saw the whole castle. The moon was beginning to rise behind the turrets, making the castle look ominous, yet inviting. How old was this place? The main structure was a tall turret, receded behind two side buildings. The turret looked like a chess piece. A stone wall stood in front of the entrance of the turret, with a raised gate. The wall reached to the two side buildings. The ancient stones were held together by fresh cement. High pine trees stood around the whole place.
I understood, but still wondered why was their home built all the way out here? Why was I here? Hell, how did we even get here? The tower was far in the mountains, but how far was this place? Driving away, the feeling of normality was setting in. I was heading back to the world where normal ruled and the supernatural was nothing but a story. Or maybe, normality was the fairy tale story. Vampires and werewolves ran wild in my home town. Vampires, invisibly, ruled over a city in Italy and now, there was a species of people who were mistaken for vampires.
Jacques lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on the back of my hand, bringing me out of my train of thought, "The castle was built over 2000 years ago. My brother and I were born here, along with our older brother and baby sister, Draven and Noelle." I watched him as he explained. He never mentioned having other siblings before. I'm an only child. He stroked my face, from my cheekbone to my chin, I know. "Draven was killed centuries ago and Noelle was murdered ten years ago, the same night my brother met Raven. She was killed by those fanatics." His mind formed the image of a beheaded body. I gasped, seeing what was done to her. Jacques shook his head, "I'm sorry, it's still difficult to deal with. You would have liked her. Noelle was as strong-willed as you are." The sight of his sister's dismembered body was a horrid sight, making my stomach twist. Jacques was the one to discover her body. No one deserved to see that, or to even die like that. She was a young woman, who was also a new mother. My heart wrenched at that thought.
The drive was surprisingly smooth to be going down a mountain. The beams of light brightened the way. A deer ran across our path and disappeared into the night. The truck barely jostled as Jacques drove. The night was so quiet, it was almost eerie. There was a thin layer of fog on the ground. A perfect path seemed to be carved through the trees. The car drove down an incline, giving the sensation of my heart rising into my head. Jacques drove at a fast speed, making it worse.
The ground evened out, letting my heart go back into my chest. While looking out through the windows, I pushed the quilt off me as the car was warmer. Everything instantly went black as the beams of light were suddenly gone. I gasped, jumping in the sudden darkness. My hands moved to the seatbelt to get out of its restraints. "Calm down, sweetheart, I can see perfectly without the lights." With sheer dumb luck, I got the seatbelt off and moved closer into Jacques's side. His arm went around my shoulder. His hand rubbed against my arm and a kiss was placed on my forehead, The dark scares you? My lips pursed together, It would have been nice if you warned me.
A hand tilted my chin up and warm lips were against mine, "I'm sorry, angel. I owe you several apologies. The first from earlier." His breath was so sweet, it was making my head spin, "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It's just when you were moving away from me, I didn't like it. It felt wonderful to hold you in my arms. And, for holding you down; that was me being thoughtless. It's just that…." he hesitated. Feeling my way, my fingers brushed the skin of his neck, "What?" The truck slowed to a crawl. A slow moan escaped from him, "Just that I've waited so long and now I have you. Let's leave that at my desire for you. You have no idea what it feels like to have your body against mine."
"I guess I can understand that." My hand drifted over his chest, feeling his sweater against my palm. Jacques's moan came again, "Bella, please?" his voice was strained. Testing how desirable I really was, my hand drifted down to the hem of his sweater. I knew this wasn't helping with me leaving, but I just was curious on if I can be desirable. My fingers moved behind the cotton top, feeling the skin of his lean stomach.
Jacques almost double over from my touch. The truck suddenly jerked to a stop. In the dark, Jacques slowly turned his head towards me, "Woman, why are you tempting me so? I'm trying to respect our agreement." He took in my smirk, "No, you're not. If you did, I wouldn't have been in your arms when I woke up." His black eyes, turned silver, illuminating in the dark. Their gaze went down my body, "You expect me to ensure your warmth to a meager quilt? You were shivering and body heat was best for you."
I leaned closer against him, brushing my chest on his arm, "Well, then thank you. But, from holding me, it was difficult for your body to be apart from mine. Is that why you did it?" His eyes closed, swallowing slowly, "You can say that." Getting even closer, I kissed his cheek, "Well, you're a man and I'm a woman. It's natural they are yearnings between us. And that thin nightgown didn't help anything." His other hand brushed my hair, "No, it didn't. It was difficult to try to be a gentleman seeing you like that." Jacques pulled me into him and his mouth dominated mine. Bella, you are a temptress.
Jacques held a fistful of my hair, holding me close. Waves of need and want came from him. His thoughts cursed the clothes I was wearing. Large hands were underneath my sweater, moving the material from my stomach and lifting it off my head. He laid me down on the seat, kissing down my stomach, Please don't think wrong of me for going against my words, Jacques apologized, But you started it. You knew what you were doing to me.
The leather was warm against my back. Jacques kissed me as his fingers deftly opened my bra. My hands caught his wrists, Wait! What the hell am I doing? I was not doing this, in a truck, with a perfect stranger. A perfect strange with a finely chiseled body that I couldn't resist. An angular jaw with a perfectly shaped mouth. Jacques pulled me into his lap, Why should we? He kissed my cheek, moving to my ear, "I need you." The delicate lace was pulled away. His lips claimed the sensitive part of my chest, pulling it into the warmth of his mouth.
I moaned, feeling the rush of hunger from his words. Teeth grazed and lightly nipped at my chest, making them form into hard peaks. Each kiss and every touch was melting away my resistance. His lips were on mine, Jacques, I don't want to do this here. He pulled away from me, "Bella?" Sitting in his lap, chest against chest, I could feel his body ready to take me. This was difficult enough, "Ok, I do want this, believe me." He ran his fingers through my hair. "But, I want you in your bed. Lying together, that's how I want our first time to be." Dammit, I was never going back to the inn.
Jacques's lips pursed for a moment, "If that is what my angel wants." Jacques let me slide away to sit next to him. I drifted away, I'm sorry. Jacques's mind touched me, You have nothing to apologize for. Waiting is my specialty. My sweater and bra sat next to me on the seat. I turned away from him, putting my clothes back on. We should get going, I said. My body trembled, but not from the cold, but rather my own heat. The truck began to move again. Jacques understood, but it was difficult for him to let me get away. Right now, I feel so conflicted. I wanted to get back to my life, but I wanted to stay with Jacques.
In the night, a huge structure was appearing. We were close to town. It was the mansion I saw on my first day. The construction was complete. Jacques pushed a button and the gate slid open. The house stood, quiet and still, blending into the night. I watched Jacques as he took off his seatbelt, "What is it?" I glanced back at the house, "You know the owner?" Jacques chuckled at my innocent question, "And so do you. This is Mikhail and Raven's house." My body froze, remembering what I learned, "This is their house? If you have a house here, why do you live so far in the mountains?" Jacques pulled me out of the truck, holding the top of my shoulders, "This house was currently being rebuilt." I was locked in Jacques's eyes as he spoke, "Ten years ago…" "A man named Romanov burned the house down, thinking Mikhail was a vampire and responsible for the death of his father."
Jacques inhaled, "Someone told you? Well, yes. Most of the townspeople believe that my family and I moved away." I looked up at him, "So, that's why we drove in the dark. You didn't want to draw attention to us. And that's why we have to switch cars, so we won't be followed." Jacques's quiet laughed rumbled through his chest, "My smart, beautiful angel. Yes, we'll come back in a few years, posing as our own descendants." My teeth caught my bottom lip again, "Then maybe I should go by myself." His dark eyes glinted, "Of course not. I won't leave you alone."
My hands moved to hold his rippling forearms, "One hour. Not even that. I'll be in and out." Jacques leaned closer to me, brushing his hair against my face. The movement made me smile. "But you need more clothes. All right then, you have 90 minutes to get your things, put them in the car, get to the next town and buy yourself what you need." The wind blew, making me lean into his embrace, "Like a coat. It's cold out there."
Jacques leaned me backwards against the seat. His arm reached over the back of my seat. In his hand was a light colored mass of material. Letting it unfurl and with what limited light there was from the moon, I could make out the sweater coat in his hands. Jacques held it open for me, helping me into it. "Jacques, where did this come from?" He buttoned the coat slowly, keeping me close, "I remembered this from Raven's collection." I waited for a real explanation, "So?" dragging out the word. He laughed, "Carpathians can make things appear. Since the coat was natural cotton, I created it with my mind."
My eyes blinked once, "Excuse me? You made the clothes for me in the closet with your mind?" Jacques smiled, undisturbed, "If you need something, I can get it for you. We're doing this because I want to show you that I am not the bully you think I am. I have a great deal of respect of your thoughts and wants. Please, do not think I am only using you. You are my lifemate, the most important one to me." Speechless from what I just learned, all I could do was shift away from him in the limited space of the cab.
Jacques moved toward me, but I held up one hand, "One minute." Jacques waited as I put my thoughts together. He could make clothes appear, drank my blood, had me drink his, he's over thousand years old, I am most important to him, even though we've known each other for less than 72 hours; I can handle this. My throat was closing in on itself as I tried to breathe. If this is too much for you…. My body turned back toward him, "Like I've said, I've been through stranger."
His arms folded, "Like?" One step at a time. Let me just get my things, so we can get back. I promised Raven.
Is that the only reason you are returning with me?
Yes and don't you think otherwise.
He held up his hands, Never. Jacques helped me out of the truck and guided me towards the house. Hidden in the shadows was a sleek black car. Jacques placed keys in my hand, "I'll be with you the entire time, angel." Before I could protest, Jacques kissed me, "You won't see me, but you'll feel me. Now go, the clock is ticking." Jacques held open the car door for me.
Inside the vehicle, there was the scent of fresh leather. The engine started quietly and lights went on. Making out the symbol in the center of the steering wheel, this was an Aston Martin. The car rolled out of the gate and headed towards town. The inn came into sight as I reached the bottom of the hill. Oh no, I forgot my room key. Jacques's laugh echoed in my head, Check your pocket. My hand reached into of my pocket and there was the bronze key. Thanks. He chuckled again, I put it there when I hugged you. By the way, 80 minutes left.
I didn't let the thought continue, but I recalled Bryan telling me it took an hour to get to the next town. Well, Aston Martin's were fast, but I didn't know if I could handle it. Inside the inn, I was almost blinded by the bright lights. They stung my eyes, making me wish I had my sunglasses. Before anyone saw me, I half ran up the stairs and into my room. The room was tiny compared to Jacques's grand bedroom. The bed was made, with a small arrangement of lavender on the pillow. A folded piece of paper rested on my nightstand. I took it up and put it in my back pocket to read later. In the lamp light, I saw the sweater coat was crotched in cream colored cotton; it was beautiful. 73 minutes, my sweet.
Knock it off. Opening the drawers and pulling out my clothes, my belongings were put into my rolling suitcase. My bag of toiletries was still on the bathroom sill, where I left it. Everything was packed and ready to go. At the front desk, Mrs. Galvenstein was closing up for the night. She looked up and smiled brightly, "Bella, I didn't even see you come in. How was your camping trip?"
I laughed breathless, "I just got in and it was great. But now, I need to check out." Her eyes saddened, "Already?" My head dropped for a moment, "I'm heading home. I found all the research I needed." She nodded as she wrote in the ledger, "How was your trip?" "Everything was so beautiful out there. I just couldn't tear myself away." Mrs. Galvenstein smiled as she wrote, "It can be bewitching out there. By the way," she looked up, "Bryan asked me to leave you a message in your room." The piece of paper in my back pocket suddenly felt heavier, "Oh, yes."
I took it out and read it;
Dear Bella,
I wasn't upset. I saw you were so interested in the owl and I didn't want to bother you. You city folk don't see wildlife like that and you should admire it. Hope to see you when you get back. We can talk about your trip over dinner.
Bryan
Jealous and rage rushed through my mind, Bella, destroy that note. Jacques's voice was dark and low, almost a growl. It sent goosebumps down my arms, I will, when I get outside. I don't want Mrs. Galvenstein to see me. She'll think it's rude. The angry emotions were still there, while I signed the ledger. "I hope we see you again."
Once outside, the paper was in my hand already in a crumpled ball. It dropped into the trash can and the emotions were gone. Pressing a button on the remote, the trunk of the car sprang open. I lifted my suitcase in and closed it. How much time do I have left? Maybe Jacques's mood improved. "Bella?" I turned to the sound of my name, "Bryan." Chagrin ran through me, I really wanted to avoid him.
He walked over to me. You must not let him touch you and get in the car. This was an order and I was afraid to ignore it. I had to get rid of Bryan. He smiled at me as he walked closer, "Hey, how was your trip?" "Great, I just got back actually." He glanced at the mountains, "How was it out there? The storm was pretty bad." I laughed half-heartedly, "That's why I have the best camping equipment. It wasn't bad for me." Bryan stepped closer to me and Jacques's rage almost choked me, Bella, do as I say.
Bryan's eyes were almost dancing as he looked at me, "Do you want to get some dinner? You can tell me about how it was out there. The storm made people nervous down here." My eyes closed, "Bryan, I'm leaving." His expression changed, "You are?" disappointment strong in his voice. He huffed and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. Behind him, there was a swirling of mist. I inhaled sharply, recognizing the scent; Jacques. This was crazy, but I knew it was him. No, don't, please. I'm leaving. I nodded to Bryan, "Yea, I'm so sorry. I know it seems like I keep avoiding you, but I'm really not. My dad's getting married and I'm in the wedding."
Bryan's shoulders slumped, Just my luck. "Oh, well, do you have an email address? I'd love to talk to you when you get home." Bella, leave now! Fear ran through me with Jacques's voice was yelling in my head. "Your aunt has it. I'm really sorry, Bryan, but I don't want to miss my train." I jumped into the car and drove away.
