A/N: Happy 2016 everyone! I'm so thankful for all of you and your reading/reviews, and hope the following year is fantastic for you. Shoutout to SunflowerFranfor her marvelous work on this chapter. Also, based off your reviews, I have to warn you that this next chapter isn't going quite where you thought it would go, but stick with me! I'm trying my best to make this an interesting (and not rushed) ride.
Read on, my lovelies.
PART II: Pigeon
Chapter 10
The moment Bella wakes, she knows that something is wrong; she doesn't need a mirror to know that she is in her natural state. She moans as she sits up on a thin pallet and lifts a hand to her silver locks. The tresses are a knotted, tangled mess, but she feels somewhat delighted to see them –it had been much too long. It occurs to her that if she is in her natural state, she can finally spread her wings. This time, she releases a groan of relief as she stretches them, their full span being approximately ten feet from tip to tip. The joints pop slightly as she flexes in and out.
"That must feel good," James' voice startles her.
Immediately, Bella begins to change forms in a poor attempt to uphold her guise.
"No!" James stops her, "You mustn't do that as yet, and you needn't hide around me anymore, Essa."
Bella freezes, unsure of what to do. He has just called her 'Princess,' in the Cullenian language, meaning that he knows of her origin. Can she continue to lie? She can't think of a plausible way to explain her deception, especially if James knows that she is a Volturi Princess. But I can't let him get in the way of my mission; she thinks and begins the dark considerations of terminating him. It would be easy enough to do if she could get her hands on him, but difficult to cover up; especially since Bella doesn't know if he's the only one aware of her identity. Everything has become so dreadfully complicated that she feels in over her head. She should never have come to Cullen Isle in the first place. How on earth did Alice think that she could do this herself? Bringing Alice to mind causes Bella to remember a key detail of her mission that she'd overlooked until now:
"There are 'stars' Isa –those who bear a sign on their insignia that shows they believe in the guardians. The ones who bear that sign will help you."
"You are a lunella, aren't you?" Bella asks, clarifying that he is a 'star.'
James nods, giving her a timid smile. He sinks to his knee in a bow as he says, "I'm at your service."
"Please do not bother using formalities with me," Bella motions for him to stand; "I haven't truly been a Princess in a long time."
"On the contrary," James says, "You are not only a Princess but a Guardian. However, if you prefer to forgo formalities, I will abide by your wishes. Now, if you feel all right with walking, I'd like you to follow me."
Wary, but not knowing what other choice she has, Bella follows him. It's only then that she takes note of her surroundings. She cannot discern whether she is in a cave of some sort or underground. The ceiling is no more than three feet above her head with jagged rocks embedded in its surface, and the walls are of a similar texture. The room is quite bare, save for a few chests and the pallet on which she had been lying.
James leads her through a low-ceilinged tunnel mostly comprised of hardened mud and white stones, which continues for about a minute until it opens up to a small room. At the center sits a long, mahogany table, its finish so dark that the wood almost appears black. Thirteen people surround this table, their heads all turned to catch the entrance of Bella and James. The former startles at the sight of them.
Immediately, the persons in the room stand and lower their heads in a show of respect. Bella is overcome by their actions, her cheeks flooding with heat at the sight of them; the last time she'd had so many people bow before her was over a decade ago. All except for one person have lowered themselves.
"This is she?" A man with snow white, slicked back hair speaks with incredulity, "This measly girl is our savior?"
"Hold your tongue, Tyler," comments a short, plump young woman beside him. Bella recognizes her as Angela, one of the kitchen maids of the castle. As she studies him, Bella realizes that she has seen Tyler as part of the castle's guard detail.
"She looks positively clueless," Tyler scoffs.
"That's enough," James silences him, "At the very least, Bella is still a princess, and deserves your respect. Now, I believe some introductions are due."
James navigates Bella to the head of the table and allows her to take her seat. He sits to her right while Bree sits to her left. Claire and Quil are also present at the table, their expressions slightly uneasy. The remaining persons identify themselves: Lucy, Huilen, Nahuel, Vera, Tia, Makenna, Eleazar, and Amber. Most of them appear to be around Bella's age, or up to eight years her senior. However, there are three, Eleazar, Nahuel, and Vera, who appear to be entering their midlife years.
"Bella, we have a lot of questions for you, but it might be better for you to question us first," Eleazar, the man with pale yellow hair speaks.
Bella nods, her throat suddenly dry now that she is meant to speak, "Firstly, how did you all come to meet in this way?"
"As you may or may not know," Eleazar begins, "Lunellas are sun and moonchildren who have pledged themselves asfollowers of the Guardians. The sign they bare on their insignia, a testament to their allegiance, can identify them. Twenty years ago, I began working at Cullen Castle and originated a formal lunella coalition at this location. As I continued my time here, I recruited Nahuel and Vera to help me serve the Cullens and the citizens of Cullenia. We've slowly grown in numbers, and have functioned as a vigilante group, but have never had a specific, joint purpose, until now."
"King Aro has gotten out of control, covertly supporting and encouraging sunchildren extremists to claim territories spanning from Volturia, through Forxx, and into Cullenia." Vera continues, "King Felix has increased the guard patrol in order to combat this surge in violence, but cannot cross into Forxx or Volturia jurisdiction unless he means to commit a political faux pas, as no attacks have been directly tied to Aro. This is why we have been organizing different groups of lunellas across the lands so that they can serve as a line of defense."
"But what we've been waiting for … is you," Nahuel finally speaks, "You're the sign that all of this, our efforts, have not been in vain. By you being awakened as the guardian, we know that a war is actually coming. Best of all, you will restore order. You will lead us to victory."
Uneasiness fills Bella at these words because she knows that, while Tyler's words were hurtful, they are undeniably true. She hates to crush their hope, but despite how determined she feels to help save the Cullens, she doesn't feel like the all-powerful savior they are making her out to be. She had already resolved to try to protect the Cullens, even at the expense of her own life. But could she really do it?
"H-how do you know that the guardian has been awakened in me?" she asks unsurely, "I mean, how can you be positive?"
"The prophecies of the elders are falling into place," Vera speaks, "But … in truth, we were a bit unsure. However, your level of power is undeniable and perhaps even unmatchable. You've been in a transformed state for two weeks, using your power continuously for that entire period. That's unheard of for our species. We're a powerful kind, but not limitless. It should have killed you."
"It almost did kill her," Bree mumbles.
Bella shudders at the thought of the pain she'd experienced before collapsing, but her lapse in memory afterward piques her curiosity. "What happened after I passed out at lunch?"
"I could tell from your eyes and facial features that you were beginning to transform. Into what, I wasn't sure, but I knew we had to get you out of the courtyard. Thankfully, Quil had the mind to drape his cloak over you and carry you out of the area," James answers, "We took you here so you could finish transforming, and it's safe to say that your natural state is an uncanny product of King Aro. We kept you here to finish healing, and you've been unconscious for nearly three days."
Bella's eyebrows shoot up, "Three days?"
"We were worried about you," Claire says, "You looked ghastly. You mustn't do that again."
"Power is useless if you don't know what to do with it," Tyler chimes in.
"Will someone let me strike him?" Bree asks, "I am itching to."
"Enough," Eleazar commands, "Bella, I can understand how this could be overwhelming to you, so we will continue this conversation when you're more rested. But you must remember –there is a reason for us being here. You are not alone in this fight. We will train and take care of you, and you will save our lands."
Despite the reassurance, these words weigh on Bella's mind as she spends the rest of her day in the lunella's cove. For the most part, she relaxes with Bree and Claire, learning about their time with the group. She realizes, with great relief, that this is the place they would escape to in the night, and that when they were whispering and conspiring it was normally about subjects from the meetings. Furthermore, while the girls liked Bella, they hadn't been sure whether they could trust her with the truth about being lunellas. Her confidence in the two women is restored, and the feelings of loneliness, which had begun during her suspicions of them, disappear.
The hours pass with Bella resting on the pallet, only rising to relieve herself and partake in a few meals. By the time the clock tower strikes after nine in the night, she is able to shift back to her alternate state. A tingling feeling spreads across her skin as she reinstates the disguise, covering her in a refreshed form. Once that is complete, she peeks at herself in a mirror to ensure that every part of her has been changed.
"While this state is quite beautiful, I must say that your natural self is stunning," Bree tells her.
"Really?" Bella quirks a brow in surprise, "Aren't my black eyes unsettling?"
"Aren't my red eyes disturbing?" Claire counters, "Many have run away at the sight of them."
"You're both ridiculous," Bree stops them from continuing, "Let us return to the castle before the guards do their patrol."
On their way back, Bella is shown the path from the lunella cave to the outside world. Much like the tunnel leading them to the meeting room, the girls follow a tunnel to a space large enough to squeeze four people. The wall opposite to the tunnel has about fifteen iron rungs that lead to small hatch above them. Carefully, Isa grips the hem of her plain white gown in her hand and ascends the ladder. Upon exiting, she takes in her environment. Trees stretch in every direction, making it difficult to find any noticeable landmark in the dark night. Bree shuts the hatch and waves her hand over the entrance before it disappears.
"How-," Bella starts.
"It's an enchanted entrance," Claire answers, "The lunella insignia mark is the key to opening and closing the hatch."
"How do you remember where it is in this forest?" Bella asks.
Claire points out a boulder sitting a few feet from the cave entry that reads,
LONG LIVE CULLENIA
Well, it says this for the most part. The words have been scratched so intensely, that it is almost to the point of being unreadable. However, Bella doesn't understand how one could distinguish this particular piece of graffiti from the many that probably litter the grounds. People love to carve patriotic or lewd (and sometimes a combination of the two) sayings into nature.
"Luoga Cullenia Vinara," Claire reads in Cullenian, but gives her explanation in Volturian for Bella's benefit. "If you ignore the letters that have been scratched out, it just says 'uo ara,' which in slang means 'I enter.'"
"Or, I'm coming," Bree snickers mischievously.
Bella's cheeks redden; of course, this would be an instance of lewd letter play, "I understand. Is this the only entrance?"
"For this headquarter it is," Bree answers, "We have a few other lunella stations around the city for convenience."
"We need to return to the castle. Bella should have been out of the infirmary by now," Claire reminds them.
The path to the castle is a complicated one. There are several turns to take through the forest that, had Bree not pointed out landmarks to Bella, she never would have been able to memorize the way. They enter the main grounds behind the horse stalls, and into one of the Queen's mazes, only passing by one guard on their way back. With a breath of relief, Bella realizes that the passing guard is Tyler and that venturing through the garden at night is most likely left for when he is on duty.
Back inside, Bella begins to calm. She is more than grateful for her time at the headquarters where she was allowed to recuperate, but she admits that being surrounded by unknown territory and unknown people puts her on edge. Even though she's only been at the castle for a couple of weeks, she's gotten used to its feel. The three women are nearly to their chamber when none other than the Crown Prince intercepts them in the hallway.
"Your Highness" the three women chorus, dipping into curtsies.
"You may all rise," he tells them, "Goodnight to the three of you. I wish to speak to Sola Bella."
Bree gives a cheeky smile, "By all means, go ahead, Prince Edward."
Edward gives her a look that is playful, but pointed, "Sola Bree."
"Very well. Come along, Luna Claire," Bree tugs a wide-eyed Claire behind her, and the two disappear around the corner.
"Prince Edward," Bella smiles, testing out the name he'd previously given her permission to use.
"Sola Bella, it's a pleasure to see you well," Edward says, "You gave us a fright from your display in the courtyard."
"My sincerest apologies for the disturbance," she apologizes.
"That was not my intent for speaking," Edward grunts, seemingly uncomfortable with having to explain himself, "What I meant was that I was, I mean, we were worried about you."
His words spark an unexpected feeling of joy within Bella. She imagines it's because, while the Prince hasn't been nasty towards her, she's still felt unsure about how to act in his presence. However, the sincerity with which he expressed his care helps her to lower her guard a bit.
"I appreciate your caring, Prince Edward," she answers with equal genuineness, "I believe I am back to perfect health. The infirmary took great care of me."
"Yes, well, I'd stopped there a few minutes ago, and they'd said you weren't in," Edward points out.
The lie comes almost too easily off Bella's tongue, "Sola Bree and Luna Claire took me for some fresh air. Three days is a long time to spend on bed rest."
Thankfully, Edward hadn't visited the infirmary earlier, or her explanation would be less believable. As well as this, James had snagged one of the white infirmary dresses for Bella to wear upon her return to help with her cover. There is no reason for Edward to second-guess her whereabouts.
"Very well," Edward nods, "See to it that you take better care of yourself."
A giggle escapes from Bella as his request registers to her. She quickly brings a hand to her mouth to stifle the sound, but it's too late -Edward's interest has been piqued.
"What is it that amuses you?" he asks.
"It is nothing, Your Highness," she murmurs, hoping he'll drop it.
He raises a brow, "It seems that you need many reminders of my position, Sola Bella. I would hate to have to command you to share a joke with me."
Bella bites her lip at her mistake, "It's only that, well, it sounded as if you were ordering me not to get sick. Which, and this is intended without insult to your person, is not actually in your power."
Edward presses his lips into a thin line, and Bella worries that she has offended him. She would not have said anything had he not pressed her for the answer. Why had she not lied as she had seconds prior?
"You'll find that there are very few things outside of my power," Edward says with an unexpected smirk, "See to it that you follow my orders. You wouldn't like to know what happens when my orders are disobeyed."
Bella remains with her mouth open in surprise as Edward leaves her in the hallway. She doesn't know whether to laugh or be slightly frightened.
Had His Highness just made a joke with her?
~pigeon~
Fully restored to health, Bella almost feels invincible. It's as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders now that she can rely on Bree and Claire. Certain freedoms have been given since she no longer needs to keep up her constant disguise. For instance, now she can transform at night in the privacy of her room before she goes to sleep. Additionally, Lua is allowed to roam freely in her cat form.
Speaking of the shape-shifting sidekick, when Bella had finally returned to her room after her aurimento incident, the animal had ambushed her with affection. Lua had been distraught at not being able to find her owner and relayed the three days she'd sat unwaveringly by the door, waiting for Bella to return. After apologizing profusely to her companion, Bella snuck a serving of fish from the kitchen as a treat for Lua and then spent the night stroking the cat's fur.
She returns to her daily job, scrubbing the floors of the castle and any other places that Mistress Pope orders her to clean. Her skin is littered with bruises from punishments that have increased since her return this past week, but she knows that Mistress Pope is overdoing the beatings because of her absence. The old hag can't stand the fact that Bella was excused from days of work. Bella huffs in annoyance as she fixes her skirt over her ankles so that the black and blues don't show. She's busy pulling weeds along a pathway when Charlotte and Carmen pass.
"I refuse to walk faster when you are the reason for our lateness," Charlotte says plainly to Carmen.
"My apologies, Princess," Carmen mutters.
"I'm not looking for apologies. If you wish to speak to Sir Demetri, then speak to him, but do not chastise me for lateness," she answers simply.
Bella listens to the exchange with apt interest, noticing a pattern in regards to Charlotte and Carmen. Rarely does she hear the two speak amicably with one another. Either Carmen is chastising Charlotte, or Charlotte is giving some annoyed reply. Charlotte certainly doesn't hesitate to put Carmen in her place, if not somewhat rudely, but Bella can't help but think that maybe the handmaiden deserves it.
When they approach, Bella stops to stand and curtsey. Charlotte simply nods in greeting, always one for giving the barest of efforts for acknowledgments. As soon as Bella thinks the Princess has passed, she relaxes her stance and returns to her work. The sound of Charlotte's voice surprises her,
"Sola Bella," she calls.
Bella clumsily stands again, and falls into an awkward curtsey, "Your Highness?"
"Will you be practicing tonight?" Charlotte asks, not wasting time on pleasantries.
"Yes, Ma'am, I will," Bella answers.
"Very well. I will be joining you," Charlotte tells her.
"I would be honored, Your Highness," Bella says.
"I will be leaving you now," Charlotte bids Bella adieu before finally taking leave.
Bella releases a sigh of relief once the Princess is finally gone. She tries to tell herself that her practice will be like any other, but she knows it won't. She'll have to interact with Princess Charlotte, who doesn't seem to have the most pleasant of attitudes. Even though Bella is five years the royal child's senior, she is sure the young girl could reduce anyone to tears with a pointed comment. But instead of riling herself up beforehand, Bella tells herself that she'll give the sharp-tongued girl a chance.
…
Bella sits in the center of the ballroom dressed in a pair of black tights, and an orange tunic. The black and white marble flooring is cool beneath her bare feet as she drags her toes back and forth over the polished stone. A cough sounds from the side of the room, reminding Bella that the minstrel is awkwardly awaiting some sort of further instruction. They've been told to wait for the Princess in the ballroom, and not to begin lessons without her.
Approximately twenty minutes later, the Princess enters looking thoroughly displeased. As opposed to her normal blank expression, her lips are pursed in irritation, brows furrowed, and arms crossed over her chest. Once she comes to a halt before Bella, Charlotte gives Carmen a glare so intense that Bella can feel the hairs on her arms rise.
"Your Highness," Bella greets as she dips into a curtsey.
Charlotte hardly acknowledges this as she commands to Carmen, "Tell her."
"Sola Bella," Carmen murmurs, her tone disinterested, "My sincerest apologies for the tardiness of the Princess. It was my insolence that led to this, and I ask you to extend your practice to accommodate her."
"It is of no issue to me," Bella says, "Although the minstrel is to leave at the normal time to play for Her Majesty the Queen and her party. If the Princess acquiesces to silent practice for the remaining twenty minutes, then all is well."
"That is acceptable," Charlotte answers. "Let us begin."
"Ma'am, permission to speak," Bella asks.
Charlotte waves her hand in response, encouraging Bella to talk.
"The dances we will learn requires great movement. Might I suggest you change into a tunic and tights?" Bella points out.
"The Princess does not own tunics and tights," Carmen spits her response with disdain, "That would not be possible-,"
"Unless you're wearing a crown, then the question was directed to me," Charlotte cuts off Carmen, "And I would like a tunic and pair of tights. Fetch them for me, Carmen."
"I repeat, it's not possible," Carmen sneers. Bella cannot believe the impudence with which the handmaiden addresses the Princess. "They need to be handmade. Perhaps if Sola Bella had the foresight to suggest this, we would have been prepared. It appears we will not be having lessons today."
Charlotte fixes Carmen with another glare, but the handmaiden is unaffected. Bella is not as callous, realizing that there is something different in this stare that Charlotte delivers to Carmen, compared to the one she'd given upon entering the room. This one is filled with anger, and most startlingly, disappointment. It's almost unnoticeable, but a thin film of tears fills the Princess' eyes.
"If it doesn't offend Your Highness, I can lend her a pair of my own for this lesson," Bella offers.
Charlotte's expression immediately brightens, but she tempers it quickly, "That will do. Carmen, stay here with the minstrel while Sola Bella and I gather the clothing from her chambers."
"I cannot leave you unattended-," Carmen begins.
"Lo ordo!" Charlotte cuts her off with a shout.
I command it, Charlotte had said, and Bella notes the importance of the phrase. It leaves no room for rebuttal from Carmen and reasserts Charlotte's place of power over her. Bella also realizes that Charlotte is most likely at her breaking point with her handmaiden, and hopes to diffuse the situation. Timidly, and hoping not to overstep her place, she offers her arm to the upset Princess. Charlotte glances at Bella's offering, hesitant for a moment as to whether she wants to accept the contact. A kind smile from Bella convinces her to link arms.
The two make their way down the hall in a surprisingly comfortable silence, arms intertwined. Thankfully, neither Bree nor Claire are present in the servant's chambers when Bella brings her inside. She motions for the Princess to sit on the edge of her sleeping pallet while she rummages through her closet. In seconds, she produces an identical orange tunic and a pair of white tights. Bella holds out the clothing to Charlotte, who takes the items quickly with a sense of … excitement. Such expressions are irregular for the Princess, and Bella quickly realizes that she doesn't know anything about the young girl.
"You'll need to help me out of my corset," Charlotte says as she moves to stand in front of Bella, "Quickly. I do not wish to miss more of our time."
"Ma'am, permission to speak?" Bella asks.
"You needn't ask me for permission," Charlotte tells her before muttering, "Besides; I hear you don't practice the same formality with my elder brother."
Bella's face immediately floods with blood and embarrassment. She knows that she's often disrespectful with the Crown Prince, but she truly does it out of nervousness, never out of malice. Nevertheless, it's a wonder the Prince hasn't fired her for her insolence.
"Well, then, Your Highness," Bella coughs with discomfort, and begins to untie the corset; "I will do the hour of our lesson regardless of our starting time. It would be my pleasure."
"I highly doubt that," Charlotte scoffs.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am?" Bella freezes at the blunt comment. It takes a few moments for her to resume her unstringing, and finish loosening the corset.
"You needn't pretend as if my company is pleasurable," Charlotte continues. "Tell me, Sola Bella, do I frighten you?"
Feeling that she should not lie to the girl, she answers, "Truthfully, ma'am? You did at first."
Charlotte turns to Bella with a raised brow, "But not anymore?"
Bella shakes her head, "I believe that you are merely lonely, ma'am, and it is expressed in a hostile way."
The words escape Bella's lips before she can fully comprehend what she's said. She'd never actually given the statement much thought, but many a times she'd seen the Princess wandering through the castle with Carmen trailing behind her, lips pressed together in silence. She couldn't recall a time she'd seen the Princess interact gleefully with anyone other than her brothers. Bella imagines this must be a lonely existence. Perhaps Charlotte isn't naturally bitter, but is unused to interaction with others.
"You'll say nothing of that kind again," Charlotte says harshly, snatching the clothing from Bella, and leaving to change behind the screen.
Bella sits, worried that she's destroyed any type of camaraderie that might have been forming between her and Charlotte. She'd thought that honesty would be the best in regard to the thorny girl, but perhaps she'd been mistaken. From then on, she'd try her best to tread carefully.
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully. Carmen is decidedly put out when the two girls return, but only huffs in displeasure throughout the practice. The minstrel leaves shortly after, so Bella is tasked with singing and dancing so that the practice isn't without music. Though the encounter between Bella and Charlotte had left the air slightly strained, Charlotte was an exemplary student. It only took a handful of tries of each dance move for her to perfect it. By the time an hour passed, Charlotte had learned three dances in their entirety.
That night, Bella is incredibly sore as she trudges through the forest to reach the lunella cave. She loses her way once or twice, but thankfully finds the 'uo ara' stone. Bree is waiting for Bella outside once she reaches.
"Thank the heavens you're being marked tonight," Bree sighs, "I've been out here for the past fifteen minutes."
"I told you I'd get lost," Bella mutters.
Bree huffs without answering, dragging Bella behind her impatiently. I can't believe she's five years my senior, Bella thinks as Bree stomps in front of her. Somehow, Bree manages to continue dragging Bella even as the two go down the hatch and crawl through the tunnel to the main room. She tumbles into the meeting area, right into the arms of Eleazar.
"Steady, Essa," Eleazar chuckles warmly. He and the rest of the lunellas had fallen into the habit of referring to her as Princess while in private, despite her protests. She takes it more as a term of endearment, rather than a title. Oddly, she also takes joy in the fact that it is similar to her nickname, Isa. "You mustn't let Bree handle you this way."
"She roughhouses me from a place of love, I suppose," Bella laughs.
"She's nothing but trouble," Vera shakes her finger, "I gave her a few spankings when she was a babe, and she's itching for some now."
"Are we going to mark her or speak of how soft skinned the lot of you are?" Bree simpers.
"Hush, Ora," James laughs, tucking an arm around Bree and referring to her affectionately as 'dear,' "We'll begin now."
"Essa, are you ready to have your insignia upgraded?" Eleazar asks.
Bella nods, even though she is quite nervous. Every time Jane would add to Bella's insignia on her birthday, she'd spend the day before worrying about the inevitable pain and riskiness. Since the insignia served as the core of her species' being, having something as sharp as a needle near it is an uncomfortable experience to say the least. Bella's skin loses a bit of its color as she lays, face down and topless, on the stone table. She would blush from the mortification of being half-naked in front of Eleazar, but she's more nervous than anything.
"The addition will be made by your birth-given insignia," Eleazar says with warning, "Because it is on your spine, this will hurt more than usual.
Bella goes rigid, "M-my … can't you use the sun on my shoulder?"
"The lunella enchantment is linked to your true insignia –your power reserve. It won't work otherwise," Vera informs her.
Bella gulps, a new flood of nervousness entering her. She doesn't know how she'll remain still for the process when she feels to be vibrating inside. The following words spill from her lips without her consent,
"Let's drink," she gushes.
Bree's shrill laugh fills the small meeting room, and soon the other three occupants join in. She flitters from the room excitedly and returns with a jug filled with ominous looking black liquid, and a few mugs.
"Let it be known that this is the Princess's first drink," Bree snickers, pouring Bella a full serving, "Cheers!"
"I believe I'll refrain from the festivities given I'm the one wielding the needle," Eleazar chuckles.
"Etro a ligua!" Bree calls before chugging.
"What does that mean?" Bella whispers to James.
James rolls his eyes, "It's a drinking saying literally translated as 'behind the tongue.' You had better get used to Cullenian because Bree speaks in no other language when inebriated."
"Perfect," Bella giggles, and finally takes a long gulp of her drink.
The liquid is impossibly sweet, like molten sugar, but incredibly light as it travels down her throat. It's notably addictive, encouraging Bella to take several deep pulls. She can't imagine anyone disliking it, and wonders why she doesn't drink it more often. Furthermore, she still feels fully in control of her faculties, and wonders if Bree should pour her another round.
Then it hits her.
A burning sensation blooms in her chest and spans outwards. It travels to the tips of her fingers and toes and engulfs the skin of her face. Any color she'd lost before, returns in excess, as her skin is an embarrassing shade of pink. She pokes a finger against her forearm and watches in fascination as her skin pales then returns to the angry color.
"I look like I've been boiled," Bella says, her voice coming out louder than expected.
"Ecaré," James swears, "Essa drank the whole cup!"
Bella gasps, pointing an accusing finger at James, "You swore!"
"It's a blessing we don't have work tomorrow," Bree chimes in.
"Bella, I need you to lie down now so I can begin," Eleazar prompts with a chuckle.
The movement is more like an unceremonious drop, but Bella lowers herself to the table once again. The room shifts around her slightly, painted in a fuzzy haze. She hisses when the needle makes contact with her skin, but it isn't completely unbearable. It certainly isn't pleasant though, and she makes sure to tell Eleazar this many times throughout the process. Bree frequently comments on Bella's annoying chattering, but only in Cullenian, so the Princess remains blissfully unaware.
It's only when it's time for the two women to return to their room that their drunkenness becomes a real issue. It takes all of James' efforts to keep them quiet on the walk back into the Queen's garden, but once they enter the main hallway, they can't seem to hold their laughter. The fresh air and time has helped to sober them up considerably, but their tipsiness remains.
"Ni ronero, Lo isse ono, lo isse ono," Bree whisper-sings, "Ni ronero, isse lo ino, isse lo ino. Co ino, lo cabo, lo muo, ni ronero, Cullenia, lo ronero!"
"I cannot understand you," Bella whines in Volturian, "You mustn't blather on in a language I cannot comprehend in my presence."
"The two of you will silence yourselves until we reach your quarters," James chastises, "It is the night, and if we disturb any of the Cullens, they'll surely dispose of us."
"It is Bree who is creating the most disturbance with her nonsensical noise!" Bella accuses loudly.
"I'm afraid I'll have to object," a voice comes from her right, "I have a particular liking for the national anthem of Cullenia. I would not deem it nonsensical noise."
Whereas a sober Bella would most likely have lost the blood in her limbs for the second time of the night, a tipsy Bella is unaffected by the presence of the Crown Prince. Well, if she's honest with her tipsy self, she is not wholly unaffected. She's giddy at the thought of seeing him, and annoyed that he has once again found her in an indecent moment.
"I am convinced that you wait in the shadows for me to make a fool of myself, and then make yourself known to have a laugh at my expense," Bella squints her eyes at Edward in suspicion before tacking on at the end, "Your Highness."
"Your Highness, I beg you for your forgiveness," James dips his head before the Prince, "They had too much to drink. I should have returned them to their rooms earlier."
"Nonsense. The time needn't matter," Edward says breezily, "According to Sola Bella, I would have snuck out of the shadows at any point this evening."
"Don't sound offended, Sir," Bella comments, "I don't completely mind your laughs. I am an entertainer after all."
This actually draws a genuine laugh from the Crown Prince, which catches all of the present company off-guard. Bella can't let the moment pass, not when she has liquid courage to back her.
"Your laugh is lovely, Your Highness," she stage whispers, "You should do it more often."
Edward clears his throat as the tips of his ears turn to a gentle pink, "Thank you, Sola Bella. I will take your words into account. Now, Sir Ateara, you'll ensure these women will return to their rooms safely?"
"Of course, Your Highness," James bows again.
"Sir Ateara, Sola Bree," Edward nods in farewell, "Sola Bella."
James nearly drags the two women to their chambers in an effort to avoid any more interactions, and once he reaches their room, he quickly ushers them inside. Bree is an unbalanced mess as she drops to her sleeping pallet, and Bella isn't much better as she collapses onto hers. She falls asleep with the feeling of laughter in her chest and the knowledge that, in the course of a week, she'd gotten two jokes out of Edward.
Two.
Terminology
Essa –Princess [Cullenian]
Lunellas –"Stars" [Cullenian, but universally understood]. Sun and moonchildren who have pledged themselves as followers of the Guardians.
Luoga Cullenia Vinara –Long Live Cullenia [Cullenian]
As shown on the stone in the forest:
L UO GA CULLENIA VIN ARA
Uo ara –I'm coming [vulgar Cullenian slang]
Lo ordo -I command it/you [Cullenian
Ora –Dear/darling [Cullenian], can also mean "gold."
Etro a ligua –Behind the tongue [literal Cullenian translation, but has the same sentiment as "bottoms up!"]
Ecaré –Damn/Shit [Cullenian]
Ni ronero, Lo isse ono, lo isse ono,
"Ni ronero, isse lo ino, isse lo ino
Co ino, lo cabo, lo muo,
ni ronero, Cullenia, lo ronero!"
"On my honor, they are me, they are me;
On my honor, I am them, I am them
For them, I fight, I die
On my honor, Cullenia, thee I honor."
-National Anthem of Cullenia
"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." -Lyndon B. Johnson
~CH
