Chapter 16 – Carpathian Women

BPOV

Flying with Jacques was exhilarating. Running through the forest with Edward was nothing compared to actually flying above the trees. I wanted to focus on the happier part of the evening. I was ashamed to admit it, but the blood helped. Everything was clearer. Even in the night, the trees seemed brighter. They were lush and green. The canopy covered the land, with minimal breaks to see the ground. There was so much to take it and my heightened senses allowed me to see everything. My peripheral vision was sharper, that I could see to my sides much clearer. Below, I could see the wolves running along the land, following the large black wolf that had to be Gregori.

Getting closer, I could make out the breaks in the stones of the castle. Everything was so overwhelming. We were hundreds of yards from the castle, but I could hear Raven and Mikhail talking inside. Warm air ran across my skin as Jacques changed back, letting his feet touch the floor and carried me inside. I didn't want anyone to see me walking in my torn clothes. The material looked as if it was clawed at by a wild animal.

Allow me show you something else, Jacques held me in his embrace. My body felt like it was steeped into water. Nothing seemed solid as Jacques changed us into mist. My eyes were blind, but my senses told me we were drifting down the stairs to his bedchambers. The two of us materialized right inside the bedroom door. It felt a bit disorienting, but it was interesting. The dark did nothing to hide anything in the room; I could see everything. Walking across the room, I made my way to the closet, not tripping over anything. The remains of my dress fell to the floor and I looked for something else.

The feel of the plush carpet was soft, but it felt different. When I was outside, standing on the ground, the healing properties of the soil entered my pores, making me feel stronger. My breathing was slow, feeling the strength of the land course through my skin. There was a connection to the earth that I've never felt before. Now being a Carpathian, it felt better to be outside. The feel of the tree bark on my hand was so gentle. From the slightest touch, I could feel their strong roots burrowing through the ground.

An off-the-shoulder, blue dress caught my eye. My eyes narrowed, I don't remember buying this one. Jacques's low chuckle came from the room, I saw it and thought of you. Shaking my head, I pulled on the dress, "It's pretty, but I'm not much of a dress person." Jacques came into the closet and closed the zipper in the back. His hands drifted along my shoulders, "Well, I don't think jeans are appropriate for you. They're men's clothing." I turned around to see his smile, "Right, because form fitting, hip hugging jeans are all the fashion for men." My voice was dripping with disdain, "Especially the ones with jewels on them."

He laughed, "That's fine and well, but I don't like to see my woman in them." My eyes narrowed as Jacques leered at me for a moment. I quickly pressed a kiss to his full lips, "Ok, but when I lose my legs to frostbite, then what are you going to do with me?" His expression changed from playful to serious, making his eyes darker, "I won't let that happen to you." I brushed my fingers along his arm, "I was kidding." His fingers caught my hand, pulling it up to his lips. Goosebumps rose on my skin from his gentle touch. Jacuqes looked at me, watching me shiver.

He let a low moan escape, "I think the peppermint lotion is infused in your skin. It's delectable." I tried to pull my hand away, but Jacques wouldn't let me. Why are you always trying to escape me? It was sort of true. He didn't completely know what he did to me. I looked at him, "It keeps things interesting. I don't want to seem too easy." His head lifted after brushing his lips against the inside of my wrist.

His voice came out low, almost hypnotizing, "Oh, we've only known each other for a little more than a week and we've already made love quite a few times and were bound together by the traditions of our people." "It seems so much more than just over a week," I said. The days just merged together in a long sequence. My hand was pulled, taking me into his body. My arm was placed around his neck and Jacques brushed his lips down my temple, to my cheek, down to my neck.

My eyes closed from his sensual touch. My breath blew out slowly. He wanted me to give into him. The tip of his tongue drifted down the center of my neck. I didn't want to give in, but his will was bending mine. Don't resist me, my angel. My head fell back, I have to get to do some work. He moaned against my skin, Yes, you do. His fingers roamed up my leg, pushing at the hem of my dress. Gathering my strength, I moved away from him, "No, not this time." My body was already reacting to his, making it feel difficult to be away from him. My eyes fell on my hiking backpack. It was here for days, just waiting for me. Jacques watched me as I walked away from him.

Going through my pack, I found something I'd completely forgotten about; my cell phone. It was off since my camping trip to conserve the battery. Bella, I wasn't done with you yet, Jacques taunted. I could feel him trying to pull me back to his side. I'm busy, I ignored him and went to sit on the couch. The phone turned on. Since I was in the mountains, I purchased a stronger antenna so that I would have a single no matter where I was. My phone came to life and several voicemails came up. A shadow came from behind me as I listened to my parents' messages.

A strong hand took my chin, pulling it to the side and Jacques leaned down to kiss me, pressing me back against the cushions. My fingers still held onto the phone, not wanting to let go of the only stable thing around me. Jacques was pulling at the zipper of my dress when a loud ringing made me jump. He glanced away from my face, not letting his lips move from mine, "You can call them later." His lips were on mine again in the next breath. The phone display lit up, showing my mom's picture. My body stiffened and my hand pushed away at his shoulders, "No, I can't." "Mom, hi," I said, stepping over Jacques's legs. She breathed over the phone, "Where have you been? I've been calling you for days. Your last email was days ago."

The phone switched to my other ear, while pushing Jacques away with my hand, "Mom, it's been forty-eight hours. Relax already." "Bella," her voice was stern; a tone I haven't heard in years, "it's been three days. And how long do you think it takes for a single woman traveling by herself to disappear in Europe?" My eyes rolled, "You were watching 'Taken' again, weren't you?" There was a pause over the phone, "That nice lady at the inn told me you checked out. That you were coming home? Well?" I smiled to myself, figuring out the source of my mother's panic.

"Bella, I'm waiting? Why didn't you come home?" It was difficult to come up with an answer as Jacques leaned over me, kissing my hair. His chest was hard against my back as I stood in the middle of the room. It took a lot of concentration to not stammer through my explanation, "I was planning on going home, until I ran into a local botanist. His name is Gregori and he knows everything about the plant life out here. I've been working with him." Renee was silent for a moment and so was I.

Jacques's face was buried in my chest, leaving a trail of kisses along my skin. My fingers tugged at his hair, wanting to pull him away, but I couldn't find it within myself to do it. I wanted his lips on me, to feel his gentle embrace. His teeth drifted along my skin, making my body quiver. "Well, have you learned much from him?" The question was almost lost on me, feeling hands drifting down my legs. He was on his knees before me, kissing at the apex of my legs. My knees buckled as I felt his tongue on me.

"Umm, yes, I have. Gregori says his family…" I pushed away from Jacques again, "has been working with the plant life for years." I sat on the bed, which was the worst place to be. It was difficult to keep my breathing under control, while trying to escape his advances. Jacques was amused, thinking of this as a game. I was his prey trying to escape from him. He slowly was pulling me into his trap.

"Actually, he says his family rarely even went to hospitals because they knew so much." The lies came easily, as Jacques's voice ran through my mind. He drifted over the bed, smiling devilishly at me. "Well, that's good, baby. But call your father. He's worried about you." My eyes rolled in my head as Jacques drifted his palms over my chest, pressing kisses into my cheek and the corner of my mouth. "Oh and call Jacob too. He was asking Charlie about you." I burst into laughter, wriggling out of Jacques's hold. His hand was drifting up my thigh, attempting to move my leg around his waist, "No problem, Mom." I snickered as I got across the room. "Bella, what's going on?" Renee was getting suspicious.

I got away from Jacques again, locking myself in the bathroom. My body leaned against the door, attempting to keep it closed, "Nothing. Something on TV, that's all." My breathing was quicker now, half running across the large room. "TV? Where are you staying now, honey?" "With Gregori and his family. Luck would have it; his family runs a halfway house for backpackers. I mean, I get to work with him and drill him with endless questions and I'm still able to talk with him during dinner." I sat on the bathroom counter, letting my breathing slow. "Bella, don't bother the poor man too much." "Please, Mom, he finds it refreshing to find someone as interested in the healing properties of the land as he is."

My mom told me about the move to Georgia and making new friends. She joined a book club and a sewing circle. "But, Mom, you're terrible at sewing." She laughed over the phone, "That's why I joined. I wanted to learn." This was our longest conversation in a long time. I was glad to speak with my mother again. It seemed like there was no one else in the world but Jacques and his people. Suddenly, the water in the bathtub turned suddenly on by itself. I looked around the room. The door was still locked. Perhaps we could take a bath?

Jacques, can't you be patient? This is my mother. "Mom, I'm sorry, but I really do want to get to bed. I'm pretty tired." "What time is it over there?" Mist drifted across the floor towards me. My eyes were able to see it seep through the seams of the doorframe. The shapeless haze took the form of a hand, reaching for my ankle. My mouth fell open, Stop it! I pulled my foot up onto the counter, "Just after 9. I've been working hard, not factoring in staying up later to talk to you and Dad. I wanted to turn in early tonight."

Jacques appeared in front of me, shirtless, Now that's an idea. My eyes narrowed at him. "All right, honey. Just don't wait so long to call me again. I love you." "I love you too. Bye."

I leapt off the counter and pushed against his bare chest, smacking my hands hotly against this flesh, "I was on the phone with my mother, you big dummy!" He only laughed undisturbed, tugging at my dress, "Well, it's your fault." I groaned and walked around him, "Don't start that. I've gotta call my dad. Enjoy your bath." My voice was annoyed. I closed the bathroom door, looking back at him, then bump right into Jacques's embrace. He circled his arms around me, "Hello again." His mouth was on mine then. My annoyance instantly disappeared as Jacques's lips touched mine. Fingers trailed down my chest, threatening to tear open my dress, Don't, I like this one.

His arms tightened, lifting my feet off the floor, I can get you another. Problem solved.

Didn't you have enough of me?

Of my lifemate, his lips played with mine, never.

Jacques closed his lips, molding mine with his. I gritted my teeth as he kissed along my neck, "Let me just talk to my dad and Jake, then I'm all yours." I had to separate from Jacques; he was driving me wild. Jacques rolled his eyes, "I would have to be patient now. I did promise Raven I'd bring you back." His eyes drifted down my stance, envisioning my legs hitched around his waist.

I stepped away from him, into the closet and out of his sight. Putting distance between us was beneficial for both. The rows of clothes went from the floor to the ceiling. I pulled out selection for Jacques to wear, wanting to take my mind off his kiss. Eyes watched me as I walked toward him, "Focus, Jacques," I handed him the clothes. My heart was pounding loudly, trying to calm down. While Jacques changed, I took out my laptop from my backpack. Jacques pulled on a button down shirt, "Let's go."

In the study, Raven and Mikhail weren't there. It seemed like the room wasn't complete with them there. I didn't let my hearing go past the room, afraid of what I might hear. Sitting at Mikhail's desk, I started up my computer. Waiting the few minutes it took to start up, Jacques came into the room carrying several boxes. The logos read from the top electronics company in the world, "Our laptops are here. Mikhail and Raven just picked them up." I was a bit impressed; those were top of the line computers. They made mine seem outdated.

Raven came in and began to tear open one of the boxes, anxious to get to her new laptop. Thank you so much for putting the idea in his head. This is so much better. I smiled as I sat at my outdated, ancient machine. Don't worry, Bella, we got you a new one too. You think I was going to leave you out. Raven smiled brightly as she started her new toy up. New toy, that's one way of putting it. She smiled at me, sitting on the other side of the desk.

The small light above the screen came on and Jacob's face was smiling back at me. "Bella!" His dark eyes lit up and I smiled, "Hey Jake!" Jacob Black still kept his hair in a short crop. He still ran with Sam's pack, being the beta; as I called him. Jacob was learning to like being a wolf, but when he met Donna, he was ready to start giving it up. He wanted to start growing older, so that he could be with her. Jacob really wanted to give up his wolf side so that he wouldn't hurt Donna, like Sam hurt Emily. Leaning my elbows on the desktop, tucking my hands under my chin, I started talking with Jacob. "How was the wedding? I'm so sorry I missed it." According to Charlie, Jacob and Donna has a traditional Quileute wedding ceremony on the beach. Donna loved the beach and Jacob was happy to have the wedding there for her.

Jacob arched his eyebrow, "It would have been great if my best friend would have been there." My face crumpled for a moment, feeling bad that I missed the wedding. Jacques's touch was instantly in my mind, curious to why I was feeling this way. I shook my head, sending his reassurance that nothing was wrong. For me, that took a moment, but for Jacob, it was a few seconds. I changed my expression, making him chuckle. "You wanted me there so I could have been your best man?" Jacob laughed his barking laugh. "Donna and others missed you. How's Europe?" I smiled, feeling happy to be speaking with Jacob again. We were laughing and talking as we always did. The sound of Jacob's voice reminded me of our bench on First Beach. The bleach white wood sticking out of the sand and the countless hours we spent there.

I remembered leaning against Jacob's shoulder, sitting on the sand and watching the sun rise over the water. I didn't need a blanket, because his temperature was so warm. Jacob was my personal sun, he kept any pain away. I missed Jacob.

Anger rushed through Jacques, Bella, you will stop talking to him and come to me. I looked up from the screen. His black eyes stared at me, his hands flinching into fists. His jealousy made the fire rage to life in the fireplace. I bit down on my lip, He's halfway around the world. Control yourself. I won't tolerate your jealousy. I focused back on Jacob, "Europe's cool. Seen one mountain range, you've seen them all." Jacob brushed his fingers through his hair, "Well, that's comforting. I'm not missing much out there."

While we spoke, Jacob's expression changed; his dark eyes dropping. The keys clacked through the speakers as he typed in the message box, 'Is it safe to talk?' I nodded, "It's fine. What's going on?" Raven looked at me and I shook my head. Was there something to report back home? He made a face, "Nothing much. It's pretty boring around here. Since you left, the bloodsuckers are few and far between. Like they followed you or something." My eyes narrowed at him, "Shut up." He laughed for a moment. Jacob's smile fell a bit, "Sam stopped phasing, you know. And I can feel the differences. I haven't phased in weeks."

My lips pressed together, "It's what you wanted, right?" Jacob nodded once, but there was a sign of regret on his face. Jacob was starting to miss his other life as a werewolf. From across the room, Jacques was trying very hard to ignore my conversation as he programmed his new laptop. It was silly, because I was only talking to Jacob over the internet.

My head leaned to the side, watching Jacques worked on his computer. I was being cautious; not letting my hand be caught by the camera. I wasn't ready for Jacob to know that I was married. Was it safe for me to tell him about what was going on out here? Probably not.

"Bell, what happened to your neck?" I looked back at Jacob, whose eyes were shocked. The wound from Jacques's bite was on the monitor. Jacob snickered, "Your balance hasn't improved at all, has it?" I made a face, "A little, wise guy. Actually, I was pinning on a scarf. You know, trying to be European." We laughed at the expression and Raven smiled too. "Well, the pin got me pretty bad. I'll spare you the details." "Blood for miles?" he asked, laughing. "Like a river. It was bad." Jacob smiled brightly, "At least you got over your weakness for blood. You were so pale when you passed out." I scoffed, "Shut up. That was a long time ago." The urge to hit him in the shoulder crept up.

Jacob and I spoke for a while longer. Raven looked up from her new computer, then over to Jacques, who was staring into the fire. His fingers were pressed into the mantle, threatening to tear it off. My eyes locked with Raven's, Help him. She nodded and crossed the room. Jacques was very upset. His anger was slamming into me. From when I smiled at Jacob or laughed at his joke, Jacques grew more and more upset. I had no idea he was capable of being this jealous. "Jake, I gotta go. It's late and I still have to call Charlie. Tell Donna and everyone I said hi."

"Later, Bells." Closing the laptop, Jacques was seated on the edge of the desk. My eyes met his, seeing that his were hard and steely, "Did you have to speak to him? I'm sure an email would have sufficed." My eyebrow twitched for a moment. I was trying to remain calm, knowing he was upset, but my temper was getting the better of me. "Jacques, I understand why you were upset with Bryan, but this was different. Jacob wasn't in the room with me. He's on the other side of the world with his wife and I'm here with you." I placed my hand on his, "Besides, did you consider that I wanted to talk to him?"

Jacques's eyes softened, "Was that it?" I nodded, "Jake's a werewolf and I wanted to know if there were any vampires near him. My dad still lives out there and I was concerned about both of them. Charlie wouldn't know anything about this, so that's part of the reason why I spoke to Jacob." He leaned closer to me, but I backed away and held his shoulders, refusing to let him persuade me, "But you have to got to handle this jealousy. Is it that difficult for you?" His hands pulled me closer to lean his head against mine, You have no idea. I want to be everything that you need.

Our lips pressed against each other, ignoring Mikhail and Raven working on their computers. It was so easy to block out the presence of others when Jacques and I were together. I breathed as he held me, "Ok, I'm going to call my dad, then I'll give you your first computer lesson." Raven laughed, while Mikhail frowned, I do not require a lesson. I think I know what I'm doing. I laughed, "And, I'm here to make sure you know what you're doing." Jacques laughed, feeling much better now.

Charlie was just as relieved to hear from me as Mom and Jacob were. He was worried about me, but not as badly as Renee. Charlie was more concerned about the fact that I was staying with Gregori's family in some halfway house. I wanted Charlie to feel better about my doing this, so I introduced him to Raven. She was happy to speak with my dad. My plan worked; Charlie felt better that there was at least one other woman. She passed herself as Gregori's partner. There was no need to mention Jacques and Mikhail as of yet. "Don't worry Mr. Swan, Bella is in good hands. She's welcomed to stay with us for as long as she needs." Charlie blinked a few times and smiled sheepishly at Raven. Ok, stop dazzling my dad. I sat down in front of the camera again. "It's great you're making friends. Don't let your mom talk you into coming home before you want to. Enjoy your life." My eyebrows pulled together and I laughed, "Ok, who are you and what have you done with my dad?"

Charlie gave me his eye crinkling smile, "Look, you're 23 and this is the first time you've really been away from home. Live your life while you can." It was a shame my dad was only on the computer, because I never wanted to hug him more than I did now. "Thanks, Dad." I pretended to yawn, feigning the need for sleep. "Kid, what time is it?" "Almost 10 at night. I've been up for hours." Charlie laughed, "Good night, Bella." "Good morning, Dad."

"You have his eyes," Raven commented, "and the dark hair." "But I look like my mom. You'll meet her when I talk to her again." Sleep was the last thing on my mind. I felt like I was losing time. I hadn't done any research in, what seemed like, days. Knowing Jacques, he wouldn't leave me time to do it. I need fresher samples and considering I was further out in the mountains, I can only imagine what results I would find.

So, how was it? Raven and I looked at each other. She was very curious about my first feeding and how I was able to handle it. Well, I had a lot of questions for her. Despite what Jacques and Mikhail said about Carpathian males, I would want to talk to Raven about certain things. With my eyes, I gestured towards the door, Let's go outside. She turned off her computer and walked with me out of the room, feeling Mikhail and Jacques's eyes on us.

Let's go before they try to stop us, Raven handed me my sweater coat and she pulled on her matching one. The cold air was still as we walked outside. The branches rustled a bit, making needles drift to the forest floor. Raven and I locked our arms together, walking along the line of the trees. She and I became so close in such a short time. Raven reminded me of Alice. She loved her family, but she yearned for a friend. My eyes scanned, looking for Gregori in his wolf form. I didn't want to be surprised again. Raven nudged my mind, reminding me of why we came out here, I'm waiting. "Sorry. It was strange, but I let Jacques influence me and I just did it. And my teeth, they felt wrong, you know, off." Her blue eyes studied me. I half smiled in response, "They grew, coming to a sharp point, just like the legends." Raven huffed, looking straight ahead, "Some things are true, but many others aren't. Remember what we said about garlic," she waited for me to answer. "Yes, but what about silver?"

She shook her head, shaking out her ebony black hair, "Nope, which is a good thing. I love sterling silver. I have to show you the silver earrings Mikhail got me from Rome." I smiled, "But the sun? I mean, we sleep through the day." She grimaced a bit, "Well, in our other forms, we can stand in the sun. But when it's at its highest point, we can't. Our bodies are very weak. For you, the sunlight will burn your eyes. If you wear sweaters and have sunglasses, you should be fine, but that won't be for a few more years. You have to build up your strength."

I recalled all too well what the sunlight did to my eyes. None of them knew about me walking in the sun a few days ago. I shuddered a bit, remembering the pain. "Which brings us right back to human blood," I stated. Raven made a face, "I know. I don't think I can ever get used to it." My teeth nibbled on my lip, "While I was, umm, drinking, feeding or whatever, Jacques lifted his influence a bit and let me feel it for myself." Her eyes widened, stopping in her stride, "He did that?" I stopped with her, "Yes, I remember feeling it flow down my throat." I cringed a bit from the memory. "Next time and I know there will be a next time, I'll ask him not to do that. I think I'd rather not realize that I was doing it."

Raven and I started walking again, making our way around the castle. The land stretched out in front of us, spanning out the rugged mountain terrain. The rises and dips of the mountains, bathed in the moonlight was an eyeful. I would never get used to the beauty of this place. "Do you remember drinking from Jacques?" My head dipped once, "I asked him to do it because I wanted to be like him. And I fed from him tonight." My eyes looked down for a moment, "You know, I tried telling myself I didn't care about Jacques as much as I did."

Raven smiled sweetly, relating to what I was saying, "I know. When I was falling for Mikhail, I didn't want to. It was all too much, too fast. I wanted to walk away, but I knew I couldn't. We're tied together, just as you're tied to Jacques. Even if you attempted to leave, you wouldn't be happy." My body turned towards hers slowly, "What do you mean?" She mashed her lips together, "You would want to reach out and feel his mind with yours. The moment you do that, he would know where you are and come for you."

My eyes narrowed a bit, "What?" She folded her arms and was silent for a moment. "Raven?" A small smile curved her mouth, "Jacques claimed you as his lifemate. Your souls are bound together. One can't be without the other." My eyebrow arched, "So, if I said I didn't want to be with him anymore?" "I doubt you'll ever be able to say that." I sighed to myself, thinking of what I had gotten myself into. Jacques reached out to my mind, Sweetheart, come inside. It's getting colder. Raven's eyes were drifted out into the distance; Mikhail was speaking to her too.

The two of us looked at each other. A small smile was on Raven's face, "You want to see the herb garden?" She read my mind; I'd rather ignore Mikhail and Jacques's orders. "Sure. Do you know much about them?" She nodded proudly, "Gregori taught me everything. It's time your lessons start. We can't let Jacques teach you everything." Jacques's frustrated groaned sounded through my mind, "Why doesn't she listen?" Mikhail laughed from inside and it was a clear as if he were right next to me, "Raven can be a bad influence." The two of us looked at each other, laughing. They were coming to find us. Raven linked her arm with mine, still laughing, "I'll be your bad influence, if you'll be mine." Jacques and Mikhail were close, stepping outside of the front door, "Deal." Raven began to explain to me the properties of each herb she pointed out. Jacques and Mikhail found us leaning over the plant life.