Chapter 15 – New
JPOV
Gregori was right. Following their scent, my brother and I found our women walking along the line of trees. Their smiles were bright in the dark and their laughter was a breath of fresh air. Bella flipped her hair over her shoulder as she laughed. The movement was hauntingly beautiful. "Does it seem strange that being inside feels wrong? That I feel so much better being outside?" her voice flowed through the air, reaching me instantly. Raven pulled at Bella's hand, "Oh, that's normal. As Carpathians, we are the people of the earth. It's natural to want to be outside. The wind does call to us and the trees invite us to walk among them." Mikhail and I hid our presence from them, watching the two ladies speak as they normally did. The two of them walked further into the trees.
Bella stood still for a moment, stopping in mid-stride, "They're coming, aren't they?" The both of them looked back, watching our approach. There was something appealing about watching the two of them together. My hand found the small of Bella's back, "Raven, would you mind if I showed Bella our world? I am her lifemate." Blue eyes widened as she stepped back, "I'm so sorry." Mikhail claimed her waist, pulling her into the safety of his side. Bella smiled at Raven, "We were excited again." Raven waved as Mikhail turned her back to the castle, I'm sorry, Jacques. I didn't mean to overstep my bounds. She is, after all, your lifemate. I'm so sorry.
Don't be, sister. You'll have her back soon.
Bella's arm curved around my waist, pressing her chest against my body, "Are you mad?" her voice softened to a sultry tone, "Raven and I were just in 'girl mode' again." My hands held her face, "I could never be mad at you." She turned her eyes back to the castle, biting on her fingertips, "Would Mikhail be upset with her? Let's go back." She tried to step away, but my hold tightened around her, "Bella," my hands was spread across her back, "no one is mad. We're just happy that you're all right. Everyone was worried about you." She tilted her head so that I could see her eyes as they caught the moonlight. The silver orbits sat in the dark pools, "Oh. How did they know?"
I laughed at her innocence. She had much to learn, "Our family felt it when you were changing." She breathed, "Did they feel my pain?" I pulled her head against my chest, "They did. They felt what you were enduring. Mikhail put Raven to sleep before she could feel your pain." Bella sighed, "I wish they hadn't." She began looking around herself, still marveling at the beauty of the night. The two of us walked together through the dark. My cloak drifted over her shoulders, keeping her warm. Branches stretched down from the canopy, almost greeting us. The world around us were welcoming Bella. She strode along with me, not letting her smile falter. She was taking in every detail of the trees we passed. She smelled the moss that clung to the tree trucks. Everything was new to her that was once old.
Bella's breathing picked up and her body stiffened as she looked off into the night. Her hand clutched at my wrist, seeing something in the dark. My senses flared, trying to detect what was scaring my woman. I saw what startled her; the large black wolf following us. Bella leaned closer to me, her arms tightening around my waist, "It's the same wolf." Her voice was quivering. My eyes met hers, "What are you talking about?" Bella stared back at the wolf, "My first day here, I went hiking to get some samples. While I was digging, I thought I heard someone, then that wolf came out of nowhere. I thought it was going to attack me." The wolf moved closer towards us and Bella's arms tightened around mine. Fear shook through her. There was an image of a larger wolf in her mind than the one standing in front of us. Its fur was black as night and a head taller than she was.
Her imagination was running wild. Gregori, stop this now. You're frightening her. Bella watched as the wolf's form changed into Gregori. He bowed his head apologetically, seeing Bella nervous from his animal form. Anger rocked through her as she saw Gregori standing before us. Bella bent down and her hand swept the ground, throwing some underbrush at him, "You complete jerk!" She collected more broken twigs and leaves in her hand, "You scared me half to death. Both times! How could you do that?!"
Gregori brushed his sleeve, "I thought you were friends with werewolves." The question was condescending. My lady huffed as she stared, "You're absolutely right. Sam and Jacob are three times the size of your little wolf-form. Compared to them, you're a puppy!" I laughed out loud, making Gregori glare. Bella looked at me and I held her shoulder, putting my cloak over her, "I'm sorry. But the thought of Gregori as a puppy is humorous." Bella folded her arms and leaned against me. She had a temper and it was very alluring.
What are you doing here in the first place?
Gregori watched Bella as she grazed her hand over some tree bark; I was ensuring that she's holding it together. We don't need her changing into a vampiress.
"Well, I'm not," Bella snapped harshly, "so you can go." She was still upset. Bella stepped away towards the tree, leaving the warmth of my cloak. She reached her hand out, feeling the bark, then she almost pressed her ear to it, "Is that the tree sap I'm hearing?" The low gurgle of the sap moved through the tree. Her eyes looked upward, still marveling at everything around her. "I'm going have to get used to this. It's almost too much." Her voice held a tone of wonder as Bella looked around herself. She was doing quite well.
I think you can handle it from here. She's doing very well. Gregori bowed once more and turned away. "Gregori?" He turned back, "Yes, Bella?" She leaned against the tree, "I was wondering about something." He looked at me for a moment. I was curious to what she wanted. She bit down on her lips for a moment, "I was curious if I can feed on animal's blood instead of human?" Her thoughts drifted to the Cullen family and their particular choice of diet. Bella was young and she would need more than the blood of animals.
She was wringing her fingers in her hand, "I'm asking because I don't think I can feed on people." It was a fair question and she wanted an answer. Gregori stepped closer to her, "That is possible to feed on animals, but it's not enough. Your body is new to this; a fledgling. Animal blood is only used in times of great need. Your body will need human blood to sustain and mature." She bit down on her lip, "Oh." Her sadness rocked through me. The thought of feeding on humans wasn't something she wanted to do. Her hands drifted along her arms, trying to fight off the cold. The night air chilled her skin. Closing the distance between us, I pulled my cloak off and placed it over her shoulders. Gregori stepped back as I held her against my side, "You can feed from me, my angel. That will be enough for you." The night couldn't hide her disappointment. Bella still saw things from a human's perspective. It would take her time to get used to our way of life.
"I will help you." My hand claimed hers, "Raven still has difficulty and Mikhail helps her as well." Her arm came around my waist, "All right. I guess I could try." I'll leave you to aid your woman, Gregori's form dissolved into fog, silently drifting away. Bella was still biting down on her lip, watching him fade away. Angel. Her eyes looked up at me, "Jacques, how can you help me?" My hand claimed her cheek, "Just let me bend your will." She made a face, "You would just love that."
I laughed, hugging her into my embrace; my stubborn angel. Her question drifted into my mind, When do I need to hunt? I looked down at her, wondering where she came up with that phrase. She smiled bashfully at my confused expression, batting her eyelashes. "Sweetheart, we feed, not 'hunt'. Just come with me and I'll show you." Those vampires she was associated with warped her mind.
Scanning out, there were some people in a cabin down the mountain. They were alone and in a secluded enough area. Bella let me take her up in my arms, as she felt my mood shift. She trusted me to show her the way of our people. She was now Carpathian, so she can now change her form. As a fledgling, it was a challenge, but I held the image in her mind. My form melted down into the shape of a very large owl, as it was two people. In her mind, Bella gasped wildly, How did you do that? My owl's wings spanned out, taking to the air. I could feel that she was nervous as I flew us over the mountains, Bella, remember, you are always safe with me. We're almost there. After she calmed down, Bella marveled at the forest and mountains as we flew. Memories drifted through her mind that she hid from me.
Bella was flying through trees. The sky was overcast as she moved through the forest; trees went by in a blur. It was impossible for her to move that fast as a human. In the corner of the memory, there was something there; bronze and wind-blown. I could feel her happiness in the memory. The memory continued; the trees opening to a field of wildflowers. Sunlight bathed down the flowers as Bella walked through them. Bella could tell me about it later.
Smoke came from the chimney of the cottage. The couple inside were enjoying their evening meal. The both of them stopped, feeling the power of my influence. My feet touched the ground, letting Bella down onto hers. She was smiling beautifully, "That was unlike anything I've ever done. Can we do that again?" I smiled at her, "After you feed first."
Sorrow changed her expression. Her excitement from the flight was immediately gone. Bella was nervous about feeding. From what she knew, to bite a human, meant that they would have to die. My love, this couple will live. We do not take their lives. It is forbidden to feed until death. We only take what we need and they return to their lives.
Well, that's comforting.
The lady of the house opened the door for us, "Jacques, Bella, welcome." The woman greeted us as old friends. Her husband came to the door, "Please come in and warm yourselves." I caught her hand, giving her a gentle tug, but Bella was unwilling to enter, You know them?
No, I'm in their minds. You feed on the woman.
She looked at me, her brown eyes wide, I don't know if I can. Reluctance was strong in her mind. It was disturbing to her to bite into the woman's skin. I pulled Bella inside the warmth of the cabin. She was trying to resist the cold, but it couldn't be hidden from me.
The cabin was quite large, with a second floor balcony overlooking the living room. A large fire burned in the corner of the room. The couple stood off to the side as I sat Bella on the couch. Her eyes closed, feeling the fire's heat. Goosebumps rose on her skin, feeling the heat of the flames. She stared into the fire, watching as the wood was slowly burned. Bella inhaled at the smell, They're burning wood from the trees outside. She was attempting to distract herself. Hunger was beating at her, but Bella couldn't do what was needed.
Her brown eyes looked at me, as I increased my hold on the couple. Do I have to do this? A single tear fell down her face as she looked at me. My heart weighed heavily, seeing the pain in the eyes of my woman. "Yes, my sweet, you need your strength." She looked back at the fire, enjoying the feel of the heat. As she was turned away, my mind covered Bella's, letting my will take over hers. The woman named Joanna sat on the couch. Her head was tilted to the side, waiting for Bella. Bella's will was my own, but her stubbornness was another thing. It was too strong, that it broke my hold over her. Bella cringed into the couch, seeing Joanna sit next to her.
My angel, simply begin by drinking from her wrist. Joanna extended her arm, "Please, Bella, take what you need." Bella moved away from the offer. I sat on her other side, holding her arms, "I am here. Let me help you." Her lips trembled, as Bella felt the conflictions within herself. Hunger and satisfaction were warring with her feelings hesitation and revulsion. Her head dipped once. She allowed me to bend her will once more, not letting her stubbornness get in the way. My power came over Bella, letting me think and breathe for her. Her lungs and mine moved in unison.
Bella's mouth drifted over the skin of the offered wrist. Her incisors grew in length, biting down, making Joanna groan. Fresh blood flowed into Bella's veins, strengthening her heart and body. Her cells were strengthened as the blood flowed into her veins. The bloodlust began to take over. She was just a fledgling and needed blood, but she couldn't go overboard. She pulled at what was offered to her. Angel, enough. She ignored me. "Bella, stop." She lifted her head, "Why?" She followed my gaze, seeing how pale her prey was, "We don't kill the ones we feed on."
Hank, Joanna's husband rose from his seat and stood next to Bella, offering his blood. Jealousy coursed through me, thinking of my lifemate's lips touch another man's skin. I held up my hand and fed from Hank myself. No other man would provide for her. I drank my fill from the human and took my seat next to Bella. My arm curved around her neck and she drank from me. Fire ignited in my body feel her lips on me. Only she can elicit this reaction from me. Bella drank from my wrist, taking in more blood. When she spoke before, her voice was monotone; not her at all. I allowed my influence to lighten against her, letting her feel comfortable do this on her own. Her mind was awakening from my hold, I can't do this. Please don't make me continue. Taking away my complete influence, she dropped my wrist from her lips. Bella leapt up and moved away from the couch.
Her trembling hand drifted over her lips, "I can't believe I did that. What did I just do?" Hank rested on the couch with his wife. My tongue drifted over their wounds to stop the bleeding. I gave them the command to sleep for the day, so that their bodies can heal on their own. Hank and Joanna leaned back against the couch and their eyes closed. I moved across the room. Bella stood by the window, breathing deeply. I can't believe I just drank blood. Her mind was fragile from the last few days. My fear was that it may shut down, in order to protect itself. No, she was stronger than that. I knew she was. I can't do this. There must be some way I can get around this. Her hand drifted over her mouth, feeling her fangs, Oh my gosh! What have I done?
"My love, this is our way of life." Her frame began to tremble, her body turning toward me with tears coming from her eyes, "Jacques, I don't know anymore." My hands held her shoulders, "Sweetheart, don't cry." Bella leaned into me, still crying. Each cry tore into me, as it did the last time. This wasn't going to be easy for her to adjust to. It would take a great deal of time and I was prepared for that, but never of her crying. Taking one of the seats, I held Bella in my lap. I drifted my fingers through her hair, "Please, this is your first time. It gets easier. Your thought patterns are still human, but your body is Carpathian." "I'm just scared," she admitted in a shaky voice. "Of what?" I asked. Any fear she had, I must see to them.
"Jacques," Bella's arms curved around my neck, holding herself closer to me. I patted her back, trying to calm her mind and body. She brushed her lips along my neck, sending a blaze through my skin. "What if I can't be a Carpathian woman? Was I too hasty in my decision? I mean, I had time to decide." Her nose skimmed across my throat, "What if I'm no good at this?" Her words were lost to me as I tried to contain my want for her. "*Sívamet – my love, you already are a Carpathian woman. It's only been a few hours. Ask me this again in fifty years. This is what you wanted and I can do no other than see that you go through this with as much ease as possible."
Bella pulled away from my hold to look into my eyes. Her eyelashes shimmered wetly from her tears, "Will you help me with this?" I nodded once, trying to keep myself under control. She had no idea what she was doing to me. Her eyes cast down, "I do feel better after… what I just did. What do we do now?" Her eyes looked up from underneath her dark lashes. She was tempting me again, "Whatever my angel wants."
She smiled sweetly and leaned closer to brush her lips against my chin. My control was gone in an instant. My hand swept across her body, tearing away at the hem of her dress. The tattered remains on her body revealed the line of her legs and waist. Bella moved, beginning to back away from me. I closed the distance between us, lowering her to the floor. Her hands freed me from my jeans, ready to give herself over to me.
Bella's soft lips were against mine, parting slowly. The curves of her chest heaved against me as she breathed. Her legs were curved around waist seductively. She molded into me as I buried myself within her body. She breathed against my skin, leaning into the indentation of my chest, her nails dug into my back. Bella threw her head back over my arm, her dark hair covering my skin. I pulled my fingers through her hair, seeing the color of red better, I love this change in your hair. It suits you. She brushed her lips against my skin, I'm glad you do. My response to her gentle touch was overwhelming, as I plunged myself deeper within my lifemate. I couldn't get enough of her whispering my name. During the intensity of the moment, Bella's fangs extended.
She gasped in shame, turning her face away from me, "I'm sorry." Her hand covered her mouth as tried to motion away from me, but I wasn't letting her move. My hips locked hers down, keeping her in place. My fingers locked around her wrist, moved her hand from her mouth, "Don't be." Her eyes were wide as she touched the tip of her tongue along her new incisors. She breathed, "I don't know if I can get used to them." My finger grazed along her teeth's edge, "I said I'll help you." Her teeth shrank back and Bella pressed her lips to mine. She moved her body against mine, I love you, Jacques. I groaned, pushing myself into her again, I love you, Bella.
My cloak was draped over our bodies as we lay on the floor. The both of us stared up to the ceiling. Through her eyes, Bella was taking in the detailed grains of wood in the high ceiling beams. To a degree, she thought things were overwhelming, but she tried her best to maintain a calm state of mind. Bella sat up, with her dark hair drifting down her back. The dark color was a perfect contrast to her cream skin.
She looked around the room, "Shouldn't we get out of here?" Don't worry. I've put them to sleep. We could stay here all night if that is your wish. Her smile was visible through her hair, "What if someone comes looking for them? Besides, I would like flying again. That was…." I sat up and saw the sparkle in her eyes, "If that's what you want."
Carpathian Language
* sívamet: my love or my heart
Shee-vaw-meht
