Chapter 20 – Home Again
BPOV
The man named Aidan lifted me off the table that I thought was to be my resting place. A white sheet was drifted over my body, tucked tightly around my body. My eyes could barely remain open as Alice drifted her hand over my forehead, "Bella, can you hear me?" I blinked once, seeing the perfect white face of my once best friend. Her eyes were as black a night; not a hint of gold. She looked as if she was about to cry. Alice was really here. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I could feel the deep cut on my throat from the incisions the butchers made. Behind Alice, someone stepped closer. My eyes began to tear, Emmett?
Alice and Emmett Cullen were here. Where did they come from? How did they find me? Aidan heard my thoughts and conveyed them for me, "She wants to know how you found her." He must be Carpathian; I tasted it in his blood. He must have heard my cries. "How do you know?" Alice asked. She didn't move her hand from my battered body. The coolness of her touch was comforting. It was strange how history repeated itself. A golden haired man doing all he could to keep my heart beating and Alice staying beside my.
Aidan looked down at me, taking in my injuries, "All will be explained later. We must get her home, back to Jacques." Emmett moved closer to me and Aidan tightened his hold. My ey6es pinched closed from the pain. Gentle waves went through me, taking the pain away. Thank you. "Chill out," Emmett scoffed, "I just want to see how badly hurt she is." Aidan loosened his hold, but only a bit. Emmett smirked at me, "Can't you stay out of trouble?" I only managed a weak smile, I missed you too.
Aidan kept reading my mind, "She trusts you two. Please accompany us to ensure Bella's safety." Emmett nodded once, "We would have come with you regardless. Let's go." The command of sleep came over me and I couldn't resist. My eyes closed willingly, knowing that I was safe again.
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JPOV
Aidan found her! Aidan found my woman! She was alive. The despair of not touching her mind, of not knowing where she was: it too much to bare. Mikhail and Gregori worried that I would change into the true vampire. They watched as I refused to feed or take rest; my only comfort was finding Bella. My skin became grey as I refused to care for my own needs. The few fanaticals we found had no information to offer in finding my woman. Each of them was nothing but a dead end and each of them were done in by my hands. Mikhail tried to stop me, but it to no avail. One of these murderers must have known where Bella was.
Mikhail arrived too late as I took the last bit of blood from the fanatical. My form changed as I went out into the night. Jacques, you take too much pleasure in the death of these people. You must calm yourself. The eyes of my wolf form glared at my brother, Don't you dare tell me to be calm! My teeth bore at him, I recall how you felt as you killed the one that tried to slaughter Raven. The images of the drug-induced boy that leaned over Raven, brandishing a knife came to mind. Mikhail shook his head, Jacques, this is not necessary. Like you, I worried about my woman's safety.
At least you knew where she was!
It didn't matter that I was hurting my brother by reminding him of that, but Bella was gone for days now. She was all that mattered to me. Mikhail remained silent as I searched the forest for the home of more butchers.
The sun was setting behind the dark clouds of the storm I never let up. The wind howled like wounded animals and rain slammed down over the mountain range. The weather was under my control, keeping the villagers in their homes. My wolves ran through the mountains searching for Bella. We searched for days, but none of us could find her. Vlad aided in the search, as did Eleanor. She left her sons with Vlad's sister and her mate, Tienn and Diedre. But now, she was coming home.
Raven wept, worrying for her sister. She blamed herself for letting Bella sacrifice herself. "No, Raven, it wasn't your fault." She tried to speak through her gasping from breath, "I should have known what she was doing, but I was too preoccupied with helping Byron. I'm older; I should have taken better care of her." Mikhail held Raven against his chest. No one could comfort her. All she thought about was her last sight of Bella closing the door over them. The sounds of Bella's screams tormented Raven as she slept. In the last few days, Mikhail halted her dreams so that she could rest peacefully. My hand took hers, "Raven, you did all you could. But, we know that Bella would have done anything to keep you from getting hurt. She would have done it for any of us."
Raven looked up at me, Jacques, what are we going to do if we don't find her? Aidan was close. I still couldn't feel Bella, but he assured us that he found her. I smiled at my sister, "You do not have to worry about that anymore." Raven's eyes looked around, then they slowly widened as she felt Aidan's presence. It was amusing seeing Raven push aside Mikhail's hands, "What? It is true?" I nodded, "Aidan has found Bella and is returning with her as we speak." Raven's hands clasped together, "Oh, thank God." Raven couldn't stop smiling at the thought of Bella coming home to us.
Feeling his presence growing stronger, Aidan was getting closer, but there were others following him; a man and a woman. Aidan was now over the mountain range with Bella in his arms. As they grew closer, I finally felt her and my lady was dangerously weak. The man and woman following them ran across the land, keeping easy pace with Aidan's flight. Who were they and why were they following them?
Do not worry, Jacques. They know Bella and helped save her. The man named Emmett killed her captors. He said that Bella was his sister. The woman, Alice fretted over her. They're the other vampires, but your woman trusts them.
Gregori and I stood on the steps, watching the sky. My body did not move an inch as I waited for Aidan to return with my woman. The safeguard shifted around our land allowing the two cold vampires to pass through. Aidan passed through it easily, as he was always welcomed in our home. Mikhail came outside with Raven holding tightly onto his arm. She refused to remain inside, away from the cold. She frantically looked up at the sky, "Are they close?" Raven bounced in place, trying to ignore the cold. Mikhail placed his cloak over her shoulders.
My arms shook, not from the cold, but from unrest. After days and nights of searching for her and those who took Bella from me, she was almost within my grasp. My eyes caught the large bird in the distance. The golden bird drifted closer to the ground, then it changed forms to stand in front of us. Aidan stood before us, holding Bella in his arms. My eyes widened as I saw my angel; battered, injured and bruised. There were cuts, wounded and scorched flesh all over her body. What did those animals do to her?
My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the faces of the ones following them. Alice and Emmett Cullen stood silently behind Aidan. Alice watched Bella, her eyebrows pulled together, How could they such a thing? From Alice's mind, she saw Bella scream and crying out in pain. She was chained to a table, trying futility to escape. This was the same Alice Bella told us about; the psychic vampire who was her best friend.
Aidan extended his arms and Bella was back in my arms. My arms curved around her body, holding her once again. Her form fell limply against me. Even in sleep, she was very weak. Her heart was slow as was her breathing. "Aidan, wake her." Aidan lifted his will over Bella's mind. She exhaled slowly and turned her head. Brown eyes fluttered as she looked into mine, Jacques? I gasped as I saw the red staining the whites of her eye. She didn't know if I was real, Angel. Bella blinked slowly, pushing away the blurring images. Her lips trembled as she realized that I was holding her again, Jacques. No one else was here; only the angel in my arms. Happy for our reunion, Bella tried to lift her arm, then she winced in pain. There were scold marks along her arm. Gregori turned towards her, beginning his assessment of the burns on her skin, "Get her inside. I have to see how badly she's hurt."
Mikhail turned to thank the vampires for their help in bringing Bella home. An image of Mikhail turning towards her played through Alice's mind. She tilted her head to the side, "No offense meant, Mikhail," she said boldly, "But that's my best friend and I am not leaving until I know Bella's all right." Bella managed a weak smile for her friend, Please, let them stay. They saved my life, again. Mikhail hid his disgust in being close to these vampires, but they did aid in saving my lifemate and Bella knew them well.
Gregori extended his arms towards me with the intention of taking Bella. He wanted to begin the process of healing her. She lost a great deal of blood and was very weak. My arms curved tightly around her and I took one step back, Keep away from her. Gregori stepped closer, "I must take her. We will lose her if you don't trust me." Gregori attempted to take Bella, but after hearing my thoughts, he stepped away. The others tried to convince me, but my mind wasn't sane. I was so close to losing Bella and now that she has been returned to me, no one was going to take her.
Bella rubbed her head against my chest, Let him. You know Gregori won't take me away from you. You've trusted him for so long; trust him now. It was only Bella's mind that could reach me and make sense. Only her voice brought order to chaos.
Aidan moved to stand next to me, "Listen to your woman. You know she is right." Thoughts raided my mind; all of them telling me to trust Gregori. I only listened to one, the lady of my heart. Her eyes waited for mine to meet hers, You don't have to leave me. I don't want you to. Gregori nodded his head, hearing her encouragement; I will require your help. Gregori moved then and took Bella from my arms. The weight of her body was away from me again; leaving me hollow and empty. Another man dared to touch my woman and take her from me. My teeth exploded as I wanted to attack Gregori.
Aidan held my shoulder as my body began to tremble, "She will be healed." Red was all that I saw. How dare they come between me and my woman? Bella was mine and her healing was my responsibility. Soft fingers held my wrist and two large blue eyes looked up at me, "She's home, Jacques. Go to her and help Gregori. She wants you there." Raven's smile was encouraging. The one named Alice stood silently with her brother, her foot tapping as she became anxious. She smiled sweetly when I looked at her, "Just go already, before I do. Bella is not patient and you've been apart too long. I know how mush you love her." Another vision came to Alice's mind; she was kneeling next to Bella, holding her hand. Making up my mind, the vision changed to me holding Bella's hand. Alice smiled brightly, "I know the way to Mikhail's study. My brother and I will wait for you there until Bella's better." Raven was motionless, How did she know?
Jacques? Where are you? In the lower chambers of my wing, Gregori's still form was next to Bella. She laid on a bed, just above the in-ground chamber. She rested atop of crushed herbs and their scent permeated the air, along with the scent of burning herbs. The herbs were helping to heal the scars and burns on her skin. I crossed the room and my hand took hers. Her eyes looked at me, conveying a smile. Her skin was frail and brittle; she was greatly deprived of rest and feeding. The rich smell of the earth brought comfort to me once again. Mikhail, Raven and Aidan began to the great healing chant to aid with Bella's healing. Gregori's energy was all over her, healing ever injury those monsters inflicted on her. Bella's injuries were so severe, she couldn't even speak. Be still, mon petit chère. You're still weak. Her eyes watched me; love within the deep chocolate pools. She feared that she wouldn't live her ordeal.
Drops of blood appeared on Gregori's brow. He was expending a great deal of energy to heal her battered body. What had those butchers do to her? She blinked twice, How long have I been gone? Merging our minds, Bella saw the days I spent searching the forest, towns and around the mountain range. The time I spent flying in the sun, ignoring the growing burn in my desperate attempt to find her. Her eyes softened, You shouldn't have done all that. Not in the sun. They wanted one of you to find me.
My body bent over hers to kiss her. She sacrificed herself to protect us. My hand brushed her cheek, I would have scoured the earth looking for you. I knew you were alive. Even when I didn't feel our mind, I knew in my soul that you were somewhere.
I pressed kisses to the back of her hand and held it against my chest. Gregori exhaled deeply, ending his work on healing her. He pulled together the wounds in her skins and closed the gaping wounds in her wrists. It was her torso that required a great deal of work. They stabbed her with a stake. Gregori stood, clearly worn, "She requires healing sleep." Gregori's skin turned gray from his strenuous work. Bella looked at him, Thank you so much, Gregori. Gregori reciprocated with a faint smile, "You need blood first." Brown eyes found mine, Jacques, you've expended too much energy these last days. Allow me to help her further. Mikhail waited for me to answer; not wanting to push me. Bella waited as well, It'll be fine.
Mikhail listened to Bella, rather than waiting for me to answer. He offered her blood and she took it willingly. She wasn't disturbed with the idea of feeding on blood. Her teeth grew in length as she bit down on my brother's wrist. I fed on some of them when I was in that place, so it doesn't bother much anymore. She pulled at Mikhail's blood, her body needing much more than I thought. Mikhail pulled his wrist away slowly, "That's enough for now." He looked up at me, concern etched on his face, She was practically half-starved.
In Gregori's thoughts, I saw all the damage done to her. Deep cuts down her torso, roots of her hair torn from her head, scratches in her arms and legs, skin removed, cold biting away at her, a new drug in her veins and burns covering her back. I believe they experimented on her, but we won't know until she's able to talk about it. They had a drug that knocked her out. I have the chemical compound, so Aidan and I will work on it to develop a cure.
Gregori opened the earth for us. Bella inhaled deeply, happy to smell the soil of our homeland. "Bella?" Raven crossed the room, with tears streaming down her face. Bella smiled feebly, Raven! Raven embraced her gently, "What did they do to you?"
You don't want to know. An image escaped Bella's barriers; a pool of dark water beneath her, then feeling the cold rising slowly over her. Her form was shaking wildly from the frigid water. The one named Bryan tried to help her, but stopped when Bella bit his uncle. Bryan was going to die. My anger was getting the best of me as I saw his face in her mind. Jacques? I looked back at her, "What else did they do to you, angel?" She shook her head, Not now, I'm so tired. With that, my hands curved underneath her body to lift and hold her against my chest. We'll go to ground together. Bella quickly looked down at the open earth. Her mind shied away from it, You're going to bury us? Her inner voice was frantic. Like Raven, the thought of being buried alive terrified my angel.
My love, I'll be with you. She wanted to tighten her arms around me, but she was too weak, Jacques, no! Please don't put me down there. Please, there has to be another way. Her mind was confused; it was all too much and she was going over to insanity. Raven moved to stand beside us. She pulled her fingers through Bella's hair, "I know it's scary, but trust me it will help." Bella eyed Raven, Can't I rest in bed? Please, don't let them put me in the ground.
Raven met my gaze, remembering her fear of her first time being put in the earth. "Ok, let Jacques put you to sleep. That's what helps me. Just sleep and you'll wake up in your bed." A single tear escape her eye, Raven, I can't. Fear began to tremble through her. Jacques, her tear filled eyes turned on me, Please, don't make me do this.
*Sívamet, this will help you. I won't leave you for a moment. If you don't, you may not survive.
Then let me go.
My head shook; I am far too selfish to let you go. For you to venture into the next life without me, I will not allow it. If you go, I go with you. She closed her eyes in defeat; Your family can't lose you.
And I cannot lose you. She exhaled, Then put me to sleep. I won't let you leave your family.
Raven remained as I carried Bella into the earth. I'll have everything ready in your chambers for when you're both healed.
Thank you, Raven.
Before the earth closed around us, I lay with Bella. She let me work my will over hers, putting her to sleep. This wasn't easy for her, but she was too tired to fight. The earth closed around us, welcoming its children into its arms.
I awoke in the earth with Bella in my arms. Her wounds were getting better, but she still needed to sleep longer. My own body was worn from the days I spent looking for her. Nine days of searching the land for any clue on where she was. Not hearing her mind was a fate worse than death. My mind reached out for hers, but there was nothing. The thought of her dead was unbearable. I was ready to end my own life, so that I could find her. My life was over when I was in that tower being tortured. A new one began when I looked into two brown eyes. My arms held her closely against my chest and I breathed in at the scent of her hair. What did they want with her? Why did they believe she was Raven? These hunters are getting on my nerves. They've hunted my family for centuries.
They killed my sister and many others of our people and innocent friends. From all they knew about us, they didn't know our greatest weakness. Our women were the hope for our future. Like the human race, they bore us children. They brought us from the darkness that consumed every Carpathian man. Bella was the light to combat the dark that would have consumed my soul. If Bella died at their hands, I would have welcomed the endless night, only to be with her in another world. Mikhail reached for me then, Jacques, sleep. You both are still in need of rest. All is well here. You're only to focus on your woman. The earth still covered us, letting its healing soothe our worn bodies. In her deep sleep, Bella's mind touched mine, sending emotions of concern.
We almost lose you and you're worried about me? Her thoughts smiled with the lightest of touches, You were all I thought about. I was so afraid I wouldn't see you again. My thoughts hugged her securely, ensuring that we would never be parted again. I should have never left you. To entrust your safety to another.
How is Byron? Her compassion for others knew no bounds. He is healed and helped with our search for you. Byron felt most displeased that he couldn't protect you.
How could he? He was hurt badly. She thought about him laying injured, clutching at his side.
Nonetheless, it is a Carpathian man's responsibility to protect our women, even if she didn't belong to him. He should have done all he could. She touched my thoughts again, Don't be mad with him. I knew you would find me.
But I didn't. Another did. It should have been me. It shamed me to admit it, but I began to believe she was lost. Bella wasn't mad that I thought she was gone. Don't hate me for saying this, but Edward believed the same thing when he was coming to rescue me from James.
My thoughts wrapped her in love and affection, I could never hate you.
I mean to say is, don't be upset that I compared you to him. Even in its smallest measure, we all lose hope. It makes us human.
I laughed at the use of the term 'human.' *Sívamet, what happened? I felt her mortification in telling me, but her mind played over her time being a captive. There were needles, scalpels, knives and other implements of torture in her thoughts. Her horrid screams of being burn shook me to my core. Bella was held down to a chair similar to the one she found me in. Aidan knew the facility's location; I may have to take a trip there. No! Please don't go to that place. Jacques, it's dangerous. I was nothing but a science experiment.
Rest your mind, mon chère. We'll wake soon.
My body was completely healed. The days in the earth were good. While Bella slept, her wounds were healed as well. There were only faint lines along her wrists and down her torso. My mind called for the earth to disappear from above us. The door opened and I lifted Bella from the soil. A silk sheet was folded on the floor, courtesy of Raven. The sheet draped over Bella as I carried her to our bedchamber. As Raven promised, Bella would wake up in bed. Laying her in our bed, I pulled the quilt over her body. Now she was home again. Thank the heavens above that the fanaticals never found our home. The room was warm from the fire and the scent of her favorite herbs filled the room; a perfect place for her to awaken.
My will lifted from hers, allowing Bella to wake. Her eyelashes fluttered and a long exhale escaped. Her head turned slowly, away from me. My fingers took her chin, pulling her face back towards me; I had to be the first thing she saw. The light in her eyes grew as she lifted her head from the pillow. Dark hair fell back over the pillow as she looked at me. Bella blinked once, twice and a third time as she looked at me, realizing that I was truly there. Arms threw themselves around my neck, "I thought I was dreaming."
My hand held the back of her hair, "No, my angel, I'm right here. I'm so sorry I let those men take you." Her arms tightened and leaned her face into my neck, "Don't talk about that. At least I'm home and we're together." Lips parted against my skin, letting a warm breath blow against me. Her lips pressed a kiss, then parted again, letting her tongue drift down. Bella's fingers drifted down my back. She kissed down the indentation of my chest to my stomach. My eyes closed from the sheer pleasure she was sending through me. I pulled her back up, pulling her mouth to mine. She caught handfuls of my hair, not letting me out of the kiss. Her body pressed into mine, molding herself to me. I missed you so much. My hands claimed her hips, pushing her down onto the bed, I will never lose you again. She gasped feeling me drift over her, ready to claim her body. She curved her leg around my waist, inviting me to have her. Our bodies were one, feeling complete once again. To have my lifemate's body merged with mine was a feeling unlike any other; utter completion.
I was with my lady again and I would never let her go. She was far too important to me. The heat of her body surged through me, possessing me in every way possible. It was fascinating to see how our mood immediately changed from relief to desire and instant hips moved in synchronization in mine. Her teeth grazed over my skin. The force of the emotions hitting me; the feel of my angel in my arms again, the knowing that she was safe and my want to always protect her; passion was the only emotion that took in all those things in. Incisors grew out of my mouth. Bella was still as I held her shoulder, moving her to lie on her stomach. Jacques? Her head fell backwards into my shoulder as I pushed myself into her treasure. She moaned, Oh my God! Her back arched, making my access into her deeper. Bella's head fell onto the pillows, her body not able to handle much more.
My arm curved under her body, pulling her into my embrace, Isabella Dubrinsky, you must never allow yourself to be placed in danger. I need you. I've waited more than millennium for you and I will not lose you. Stay with me forever, my angel, my lifemate. I love you so much. Her body pressed against mine, I love you too. Don't ever leave me.
I am always with you, in mind and soul. In body, we will be together every day.
Her body collapsed onto the bed, breathing wildly. Dark strands of hair cascaded around her slender shoulders. Bella turned over to lie on my chest, I don't know about every day. I chuckled at her breathless voice, Sweetheart, I wasn't done with you yet. She lifted her head slowly to look into my eyes. It was alluring to see a bit of nervousness in her eyes. "I think I should take a shower first." My smile grew, "Perfect." Bella leapt across the room, landing flawlessly near the fireplace, Alone. She closed the bathroom door and locked it in a futile attempt to keep me away. It was wonderful to play our little games again.
The shower turned on, then there was the sound of water hitting her skin; too tempting to miss. My form dissolved to mist and drifted underneath the door. Steam filled the room as Bella stood underneath the cascading stream. She tilted her head back, making her hair fell back away from her body. She drifted a bar of soap over her arms, washing away dried blood and other substances from her skin. Her brown eyes were closed as she reveled in the feel cleanliness.
The water turned off and she stepped out of the tub. Beads of water glided down her creamy skin. There were no marks on her body. She was perfect. She looked for her towel; I thought I put it over here? She was looking at the standing rack where she hung the towel. "Looking for this?" I asked, hanging the towel from my index finger. Bella turned, facing her naked body towards me. Water drifted down her skin to the vee of her legs. Her head fell to the side, Are you going to stand there and look at me or hand me the towel?
I think I'll stand here and look at you. Her hands rested on her hips, lifting her full chest, Well, you did say you weren't finished with me. What are you waiting for? The space between us was close and our two bodies fell to the floor.
Carpathian Language
* sívamet: my love or my heart
Shee-vaw-meht
