A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you all you have reviewed! You have no idea what a great motivator that is to read what you have to say! Thanks for reading! I apologize for being a little while for the update. Things have been busy, but things are back to a good pace.
This chapter is a not so nice Edward... He will eventually turn better with the help of Bella, but for now he's scary.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or The Bride of the Beast.
Chapter Five
- V -
Thunder roared outside the stone walls, creating a muffled rumble inside the halls.
Torches were ablaze on the walls, wedging the darkness into corners of the hallway. The hallways smelt of heavy smoke, raw resin, and a variety of herbs. It was an intoxicating scent that would make one light-headed if they stayed too long without having fresh air.
A door creaked open as a woman in her forties came out from a chamber. The door whined at its hinges. She was a portly woman that had a ruddy complexion on her face. She softly closed the door behind her, attempting not to make any noise. She was whispering silently under her heavy breaths. She then took out her set of keys from underneath the folds of her dress and locked the door. The lock made a loud click and she withdrew the key.
She sighed and shook her head and began to shuffle down the stone hallway. She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a distant noise. Her eyebrows furrowed tightly together as she attempted to listen.
The echo of footsteps pounded down the halls - the thudding of the hard leather boots was clear. The distinct clacking of a sword against its belt became prominent. It was near the corner of the hall.
The middle-aged woman held her breath as she waited what was to turn at the corner.
A tall figure clad in black leather armor turned the corner and paced down the hallway. He walked with such elegant ease that it was unnerving. It was unquestionably the Black Dragon.
The well-built woman swallowed hard seeing her master strut down the hallway towards her. She fumbled her hands in the folds of her dress, waiting what was to come to her. Her fear got the better half of her, and her legs quivered under her dress. She cursed silently to herself for being a coward.
The Black Dragon stopped a few paces from the woman and stood eerily still. The woman was too frightened to bring her gaze up to her master's face. She stared at the cracks on the stone floor, keeping distracted by counting the breaks in the stone.
"Bring me to the girl," the Black Dragon spoke curtly. He crossed his arms against his chest in impatience.
"She is still unwell, m'lord. She needs rest. She has yet to break the fever," the older woman spoke cautiously and slowly.
The Black Dragon barked, "It was not a suggestion, wench! I demand to see her, now if you will oblige me."
The older woman stuttered sheepishly, "Ay-aye, m-m-lo-lord."
In a chamber…
Bella was writhing on a bed of fine velvet, as she continued to be trapped in a nightmare that she could not wake from. The blanket was of a bloody scarlet colour and contrasted strongly against Bella's pale skin. Her skin seemed to blend with the thin pastel night dress she wore. Her chestnut hair flowed over the crimson velvet; she appeared as an angel that had fallen in a bed of dark pleasure.
Her wrists, chained to the bedpost, were strained back while she slept uneasily. The iron felt like ice against her feverish skin. The chain rattled each time Bella rolled side to side in her sleeping fit. The heavy iron chains weighed down on top of the covers.
Her nightmare wouldn't let go of its grip over Bella… It refused to let her go...
Bella was back at her home in Drayanr.
She is lost in a sea of fire with fragments of timber falling around her. She can hear the crackling of the flames licking the thatched house- begging it to fall down. She can hear the popping of the wood as it is degraded into blistered ash. There are cries and screams mingling in the air in chorus, creating a haunting melody. The suffocating smell of smoke and burnt flesh smoldered in her lungs. She runs to find her father, but to find his corpse mangled and torn... The rotting smell was enough to make bile rise in her throat and she staggered back with her hand covering her mouth. Her heart was lodged in her throat, as she viewed the horrid sight before her.
Bella fell to her knees by her father. She reaches a trembling hand towards her father, but his body becomes rapidly burnt, his skin flaking off, and crumbles to dust.
Her palm only held the dust of what remained of her father. Bella tried to scream, but couldn't find her voice.
Bella woke up abruptly, taking in deep lungfuls of air, as if she was still suffocating. Her mind was attempting to decipher if her father was alive or dead, and finally coming to the conclusion it was just a dream- an atrocious nightmare.
As Bella was calming herself down, a new feeling rose up in her. Fear.
'Where on God's Earth am I?'
Wherever she was, it was pitch black. She was unable to see anything, which made her quite uncomfortable and even terrified. She shivered, not knowing where she was or how she got to this location. All she could remember was being tethered to the pillar awaiting death from the Black Dragon.
But now… she didn't know what had happened to her. Everything blacked out on her.
Bella attempted sit up, but noticed something impeding her ability to do so. Her hands were chained. She just recognized the cold metal bruising her aching wrists. She didn't like this at all. This was not good. She wished that she could trick herself into believing that this was another nightmare, but knew that was unrealistic.
What Bella came to understand was that she was lying chained in a bed. Despite the chains, she felt quite restful in the soft material underneath her, which she could assume was a bed of some sort; after all she has been asleep for God knows how long.
She knew not to bother with struggling against the chains, for she would use all her energy just for nothing. Her strength was no match against metal and that was quite certain.
Bella knew that her only options were waiting or yelling. Bella voted to try to speak instead into the darkness.
"Hello?" a coarse voice escaped Bella's mouth. Her throat ached and felt horrid to use it to speak. She coughed a fit for some time, and was out of breath. She closed her eyes and attempted to save her voice.
Only silence greeted Bella for some time. She was afraid of the darkness; she was always afraid of it. That's when horrors and monstrosities can play about, being shrouded in a veil of shadows. Not being able to be seen as they play. Bella could only imagine what was before her or around her. She was making herself all the more frightened and she moaned trying to stop her mind from wandering.
"You are not alone," replied a deep baritone voice in the darkness.
Bella eyes shot open, glad, but frightened of the voice that was located somewhere in the darkness of where she lay. The voice thought was hauntingly familiar… She had heard it somewhere before. Bella was raking her mind to who the voice's owner was…Then it clicked. She knew who that voice belonged to. It belonged to the Black Dragon. But what puzzled Bella was where was she and why is the Black Dragon here? What did he do to her, because she certainly wasn't tied to a pillar in the cold rain. She didn't know why the Black Dragon took her away, but she knew that he was a murderer…and could easily murder her. The question is why he didn't murder her at the pillar? Or in her sleep? Did he plan to torture her? All these questions surfaced in Bella's mind, and she could find no answer for any of them.
Bella, regardless of her throat's pain, spoke in her sore voice, "Where am I?"
Silence passed again for a little while. Bella was trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness. Unexplainably, she felt like she was being watched. She could feel the eyes of her captor burning on her, watching her closely, like some sort of prey. The gaze sent chills down her spine.
"I can not inform you of that," retorted the unfathomable voice. Bella wished she knew where he was located, because she didn't like this feeling of being watched and not being able to see her captor.
"And why not?" responded Bella with anger tinged in her voice.
"Do not talk back in such a tongue to your captor… It would be unwise to upset the one who has you, hmm chained up?" answered the voice with an overpowering sense of dominance.
Bella swallowed in fear. She tugged her wrists, feeling the chain chaff them unsympathetically. The chains rattled, which proved the Black Dragon's point further. Bella was all too aware of her vulnerable situation. It frightened her to know that she was not only chained, but lying in a bed, unable to move.
New images flashed in her mind that she did not think of before...God, she was too naïve. What if he had taken the opportunity to rape her already? She was doubtless unconscious for some time, which left for many opportunities for him to…Bella trembled trying hard not to think of that.
It seemed like Bella's captor read her mind, "I haven't taken your virginity yet, if you're curious."
It was followed by a short rich laugh. He could obviously see the face Bella was making in her horror.
Bella blushed furiously, not only because he spoke so plainly and simply of her virginity, but he actually laughed at it. Did he not think her a woman? Could he read her so bluntly to know her virginity was not yet taken? But then again, she was after all a virgin sacrifice; perhaps the white dress she was forced to dawn expressed the idea clear enough. However what really stuck in Bella's mind was the 'yet', that was what truly frightened and disgusted her. Surely, he wouldn't contemplate such a thing to a woman he just laughed at because of lack of sexual experience?
"How can I trust you?" Bella spat, infuriated at him for thinking about such things. He was no noble man, but a lecherous killer. He was the lowest creature on the face of the earth. He deserved to die a slow painful death, which Bella would be all the happy to carry out.
"Well, you will just have to trust me. After all, you are in my caring," replied the Black Dragon, amused at Bella's infuriated state over this issue.
"Why did you take me? What are you going to do with me?" Bella snapped in anger. She loathed the Black Dragon with all of her will. She didn't think she could possess such hatred for one man.
"You were my sacrifice, my lady, and you are now my property according to that agreement. And what I intend to do with you is to make you completely and utterly mine," the Black Dragon spoke possessively, emphasizing the last word.
Bella was silent, trying to comprehend what was just spoken.
"I believe I have the right to myself, and in regards of property, I did not realize my level of humanity has stooped so low. I do not belong to you," Bella spoke firmly, also emphasizing the last word.
Bella could hear a hiss escape the Black Dragons mouth. She knew she had made him irritated, which made her quite content.
"Oh yes you do, Isabella, oh yes you do. You will see all so clearly in good time," The Black Dragon spoke impatiently, trying to reassure himself and Bella.
"I beg to differ," Bella spoke as a side note to his remark. But the next moment, Bella wished she hadn't have said that.
She heard footsteps storm across the stone floor and felt pressure on the bed. She panicked because she was completely blind by the darkness to the events taking place. The Black Dragon was on his knees over top of Bella's body. She felt one of his hands by her head, pressuring down on the bed. He was straddling her and was pinning her down.
Bella felt the Black Dragon's hand grasp her chin firmly, making she would face him. A furious voice spoke just inches from her face. She could feel the hot breath against her skin.
"You will be mine. No doubt of that," The Black Dragon whispered close to Bella's mouth. He was stroking the lower lip of Bella's mouth with his thumb absentmindedly.
The soft sensitive touch of his thumb on her lip was enough to make Bella shiver. Feeling his groin against her waist made Bella's heart quicken its pace. His strong legs were firmly straddled on each side of Bella's waist, making Bella steadfastly still. His breathing came in quick sharp pants, as if he was hungry. His warm breath seemed to burn Bella's face.
She had her eyes closed tight and had no idea what she could do; she was defenseless against him. Regardless of the chains binding her, she was unable to move with his strong body straddling hers. She couldn't even concentrate with him stroking her lips! God she was weak, even against the slightest touch! Bella cursed herself for being so susceptible. She had to be strong against him. She can never let him hold this type of power over her. She wouldn't let him have her, both body and mind.
"Please stop," Bella cried in fear of how much control he had over her that moment. She was afraid what would happen if she allowed things to continue. She wouldn't know if she would be able to hold reason.
To her surprise, the Black Dragon withdrew his hand from her chin. He clenched his fist from Bella's face, upset at the vacant warmth of her flesh. He exhaled nosily and moved himself angrily off of Bella. He stood on the stone floor by the bed for a moment, with his back towards Bella.
The Black Dragon growled and he stormed off in the corner of the completely dark chamber. Once he calmed down, which was a few moments, he spoke with calmness. His armed crossed determinedly across his chest.
"Let that be a warning, Isabella. If you tempt me or provoke me, I will not hold myself back. When I say you are mine, you belong to me, both your body and in time… your heart."
"Why my heart?" Bella snapped angrily, "As if you shall ever receive it!"
"I have every intention of you being my bride, regardless if your heart is mine or not. It would just make things easier for me, that's all," The Black Dragon spoke, with a tinge of hurt hidden in his tone.
Bella's heart stopped for a moment. Did she just hear what she thought he said. No…she must have misunderstood him. She had to have misheard him.
The Black Dragon smirked a smile in the darkness, watching Bella's confused expression etched on her face.
"Yes, we will be tied in matrimony," The Black Dragon spoke with his eyes appearing with some longing towards Bella.
"I refuse such a union with you!" Bella yelled in disbelief at this unbelievable twist as being a prisoner. Never could she imagine marrying such a fowl man; she would rather die.
"It will be of no use. You will have no choice. I'm hoping that during the time of our engagement you will come to feel affection for me,"
"Why reason should I feel affection for a cold-blooded killer, whose lust is for flesh and blood!"
The Black Dragon snapped in anger and his voice filled the dark chamber, "Do not speak out of turn! You do not know what motivates my actions! You will come to understand me better in time, but now, you must bestow me with utter devotion and not question me."
Bella was idly silent; not wanting to experience what she fear would happen if she infuriated him further.
"I do not even know the face of my husband to-be," Bella spoke plainly, wanting to know who the coward of the Black Dragon looked like.
"Get used to disappointment," The Black Dragon spoke sardonically. A wry smile crept on his mouth.
Bella groaned in anger at the Black Dragon's childish behavior. She could not fathom what was happening to her. First, she was brought as a sacrifice to a so-called Dragon, which was truthfully no such thing. Then to be taken as prisoner by him, tied up, and then to be expected to he his in holy matrimony!
"At most, unlock these chains from my wrists!" Bella demanded, trying to barter some freedom - to not be tied up like a creature.
"Perhaps…If you accept my conditions, which you will accept," The Black Dragon spoke seriously.
"And what conditions may those be?" Bella questioned.
"Firstly, you must not attempt to escape. Also, do not attempt to kill yourself, for if you do, there will be consequences on others… for example, your father will suffer for your actions. Anything that you dare to do that involves in escaping in any way possible will result in severe consequences. Regardless of these conditions, someone will suffer for your mistakes," The Black Dragon spoke quite seriously, and with a sinister undertone.
Bella froze hearing her father's name. He knew that her father was the only person that she loved and was her sole family. How could he have known? How did he find out? This placed her in an uncompromising position. She couldn't escape in fear that others would suffer… 'May the Black Dragon rot in Hell!'
"Unchain me and I promise not to escape, just please don't harm others for my mistakes, but only me," Bella spoke solemnly and honestly.
"I will unchain you, but any errors by you will still be punished on others. I think that shall make you more obedient to me and try not to harm any innocent souls. After all, me hurting others for your mistakes shall be entirely your fault," The Black Dragon responded determinedly, not allowing Bella to alter his conditions.
"Didn't you say you wished to gain my affection! You shall gain nothing if you harm others! I will grow in hatred more and more!" Bella yelled, "Please kill me to spare me living in this Hell!"
The Black Dragon growled in irritation at Bella's strong disobedience. She was truly a fiery young lady, which needed to be tamed.
"I think you need a little demonstration, Isabella," The Black Dragon snarled, storming towards Bella. He pulled out a black cloth from under his black leather vambrace and tied it firmly around Bella's head, covering her eyes. He took out a key from under his black leather arm brace. He unlocked the chains from Bella's wrist, and swiftly swept Bella up in his arms.
"It would be most unwise to struggle or to remove the cloth from your eyes," The Black Dragon snapped in his deep voice as he struck open the wooden chamber door with his foot, sending in a flood of light into the chamber. He then stepped into the torched lit corridor.
Bella did not knowing where he was taking her or what he was going to do. She was trapped in her captor's strong and dangerous arms. She was terrified at his crazed behavior- he was unpredictable and forceful.
She could hear his leather boots thudding the stone floor. He has been walking swiftly for some time. Just exactly how large was this place where he was keeping her captive?
'It must be some sort of castle or fortress at least.' Bella thought to herself, trying to calculate the steps the Black Dragon took.
Bella could feel the air growing colder as her captor was taking steps down. She could feel the sharp downward stride of her captor with each step.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Bella in a low and scared voice.
The Black Dragon didn't reply, but only continued his descent down the stair case. Bella's only company was the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the walls and his breathing.
Bella could tell they reached level flooring, and soon enough the Black Dragon stopped. The air was lacking wherever she was, and smelt putrid that words couldn't describe its horrid stench.
Her captor set her feet on the ground and set his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Now, don't dare move or turn around to look at me," The Black Dragon whispered dangerously close to Bella's ear.
Bella slowly nodded her head to show she understood. With that, the Black Dragon tugged Bella's blindfold in one swift tug.
What Bella saw before her horrified her. She stood in what she assumed was a dungeon of some sort. Iron bars were before her, as she was forced to see what was before the cell in front of her. There tied with his arms to the ceiling was the man who took Bella to the North Stone Gate and tied her up to the pillar… It was a gruesome sight to see. He was bruised horribly and his head hung low in exhaustion.
"Look here, that's the devil who took you out to die. I made it my objective to punish him for doing such a thing to you. Of course, he was the one who brought you to me, but that's inexcusable for his actions. He should be an excellent example of what would happen to anyone if you dare try to escape from me or wrong me. Obviously he would die by my hand regardless, but I think he would be a fine illustration for you to see…" The Black Dragon cooed in Bella's ear.
Bella shivered in fear of what her captor was telling her. She was truly sickened by him, and she couldn't believe what he was about to do.
"Please don't kill him! Please!" Bella cried, with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Beg for his life then. Beg!" The Black Dragon growled in Bella's ear.
"Pl-pleas-se! Don't k-kill h-him! I b-beg of you!" Bella sobbed, not wanting to see such murder, despite that man was the one who brought her out to die, and even in a sense fall into the hands of the Black Dragon.
"Not good enough," The Black Dragon snarled, and with that, he grabbed his archers bow from his back and slipped an arrow in between his fingers and pulled it back by the string. He then pointed his arrow towards the man's arm and let it go. The arrow flew past Bella, into the cell, and struck the man in his arm.
The man screamed painfully, unable to move from his agonizingly tied up position with the burrowed arrow in his arm.
"Stop it! You are hurting him!" Bella yelled not wanting to see this man in pain, regardless of who the person was and what he did to her.
"Exactly the point, Isabella," The Black Dragon spoke matter-of-factly.
Bella couldn't stand it any longer and turned around to tear out the bow from the Black Dragon's hand. She could make it half way around before the Black Dragon grabbed her forcefully.
"I told you not to turn around!" The Black Dragon snapped and he grasped Bella's arm and turned her tightly with her back against his chest. His right arm was strongly keeping Bella in place against his chest.
"Look at how much pain he is in!" Bella yelled, struggling against the Black Dragon's strong arm. She couldn't understand what horrid person could do such a thing to a human being.
"It is nowhere the pain that I feel," The Black Dragon spoke aggressively to Bella. With his left hand, he took a knife from a leather sheathe on his leg and held it in his hands. He then threw the knife into the cell and it struck directly the man's chest.
The man groaned in pain, and slowly, his body became limp. The expression became a blank and vacant. He was dead.
Bella stood still, and stared ahead of her at the lifeless body. She couldn't allow anyone to die because of her, yet she couldn't allow being captive at the mercy of the Black Dragon. She had to do something, but she didn't know what she could do without someone dying. She was trapped in a nightmare that she couldn't wake from.
"Why?...why me?" Bella whispered silently to herself. Tears continued to roll down her checks, and fall upon the Black Dragon's leather armored arm.
"You will know soon enough…" The Black Dragon murmured against Bella's hair and tightened his arm around her to keep her firm against him.
A/N: Goodness, Edward needs some anger management. Please continue to read and please please review! I always love reviews :D I'll try to update soon!