Disclaimer: I really don't own much in this world… and I certainly don't own Twilight, The Little Mermaid, or The Sound of the Sea. Those belong to Stephenie Meyer, Disney/Hans Christian Anderson, and Longfellow, respectively.
Author's Note: A few of you mentioned being confused by what happened in chapter one. If you are, don't worry— that's the intent. It'll all be made clear in chapter three. (Which will hopefully be posted soon. Bare in mind, though, that I leave for my first week of college on August 29th, so… well, don't hold your breath, I suppose.)
On other, somewhat-related notes, I have to admit that I'm worried that this chapter may seem a hint rushed. But really, there were only two important scenes in this chapter, whereas in chapter one… well, all of the scenes in chapter one were important. Oh well. The word count is almost the same.
The Song: I've posted my recording of "The Sound of the Sea" on my bio page. I warn you—it was a copy that wasn't-supposed-to-be-the-final-copy-but-there-were-things-in-it-I-liked-so-much-that-I-was-afraid-of-screwing-things-up-if-I-tried-again. So yeah. Bear that in mind when you listen to it. Eh heh.
Warnings: Still no tentacle rape, sorry. (…why is this under 'warnings?') But there are a few moments in which Edward isn't very gentlemanly. (Oh, you know you like it.)
XXX
ELEGIAC
Day Two: Present
XXX
Someone is touching me.
Half-asleep, vision black, and breath caught in her throat, Bella arched an inch from the confines of the feather mattress, offering herself to the hands that ghosted over her breast, stomach, thighs… The sensation was weirdly familiar, as was the touch that caused it. Like a dream from another life, or a memory she'd forgotten. Where did she…? Oh— but such thoughts were irrelevant, now— so long as the hands continued to caress her.
With a thrash of her head, a soft moan fell from her lips; it was answered by a soundless groan. And in her ear—the wet heat of the words making her quake with need—she heard someone whisper:
Mine.
Her eyes snapped open.
She was alone.
Blinking rapidly as her chest rose and fell, Bella lifted her torso from her bed with an elbow, chancing a glance around the sunny bedroom. It was just as it'd been the night before: tastefully decorated, clean and cozy, with a trunk at the base of her mahogany-framed canopy and a wide window that gazed over the coast.
What… was that? Bella gulped, raking a hand through her disheveled curls. Her forehead felt sticky with sweat, and the space between her thighs burned. There wasn't anybody here, but…
"Good morning, Bella, my dear!"
With a bang, the wooden door flew open and Alice danced inside, dressed today in a frilly gown of mint-green. She'd tied a ruffled cream apron around her tiny waist, and in her arms she held an elaborate silver tray that was heavy with fruit and bread. Behind her, Jasper—in a matching tunic, sans the frills and ruffles— carried a slender box and a glass of water. "Hungry for breakfast, child?" Alice offered sweetly, oblivious to Bella's frazzled nerves.
But then, conversely, Bella wasn't feeling so very frazzled anymore. How odd, she mused as she munched on a muffin, watching Alice and Jasper bustle around the room: pulling a petticoat from the trunk, a pair of slippers from under the bed, a corset from the amour… Perhaps it is their presence. I always do feel calmer when Alice and Jasper are around.
As though confirming this idea as truth, Bella nodded to herself, swallowing the last bite of her meal.
"Now then," Alice chirped as Jasper took Bella's dish, putting it aside. "You're conscious this time, so it might be a little more difficult, but we've got to get you dressed. Prince Jacob and his would-be brides will be off soon, and we must make you presentable so that you may join them."
Where are we going? Bella mouthed as Jasper helped her to her feet, keeping her body steady and her arms straight as Alice deftly unbuttoned the front of her nightdress; in less than a minute, the dark haired woman was already strapping her charge into a set of cotton undergarments and a corset. She moved so fast… inhumanly fast. Privately, Bella worried that if she blinked, she'd miss this entire mortal experience.
"I hear you'll all be taking a trip to the city nearest to the sea," Jasper answered, physically turning Bella around as Alice started to work on the corset's laces. Bella was glad she needed no air to speak; it would have been impossible to carry on a conversation with the way she was being squished into the form-fitting contraption.
A city? As in people and buildings and more carriages? Bella asked, lifting her arms as Alice pulled a wad of cloth from Jasper's box and—in a single fluid motion— yanked it over the girl's head, smoothing down the lace and silk now draping the princess's slender body. She was very good at what she did; despite the speed at which she worked, Alice was both careful and gentle, hurting neither Bella nor the delicate outfit.
"Yes, yes," Alice sang in reply, tugging Bella's hem straight. "A city just like that. You'll sight-see, listen to good music, dance… it'll be fun. Alright, time for final touches."
Cued by this, Jasper spun Bella so quickly that she felt somewhat nauseous; while distracted, a velvet band snap around her neck and there was another dull pull at her hips. By the time her head had cleared, Alice was done. Done and apparently proud of her work, as she flashed Bella a wide grin while pointing at the full-length, gilded mirror hanging on the wall beside the door. "There we are," she cooed, leading Bella forward with one arm around her waist and the other clasping her right hand. "You look exquisite," she said decisively.
And—to Bella's surprise—she found that she had to agree. With its tight, long-sleeved top and bell-shaped skirt, the sunlight-yellow gown Alice had clad her in brought out the rich darkness of Bella's hair and eyes, as well as the pink in her cheeks and lips. The golden bow that synched her middle and the matching ribbon laced through her tumbling locks made her look like a beautiful doll, and the brilliant topaz choker around her throat completed the ensemble marvelously. Bella barely recognized the winsome young woman in the mirror.
Wow…she gaped, stunned as she assessed her reflection. This is…
"I liked yesterday's dress better," Jasper muttered under his breath, though he silenced himself when Alice playfully kicked his shin.
Bella smiled. …thank you both.
"Don't bother thanking us," Alice snorted, dismissive as she shooed Bella—helped by Jasper—towards the door. "Thanks will get us nowhere. Instead, go out and dazzle people… make all the other girls green with jealousy!"
That doesn't seem very… nice, Bella hesitated, looking from one pair of black eyes to the other.
Jasper shrugged. "Alls fair in love and war," he quoted blandly.
"Speaking of," Alice tacked on, slipping blithely between Bella and the exit. "Jasper and I won't be able to be your feet today."
In the very back of her mind, Bella noted that as transitions went, Alice's made little sense. However, this observation paled in comparison to the instant panic the jovial declaration had evoked. What?! Bella gawked, tightening her hands around Jasper's protective hold—as if refusing to let him go. But how will I—?
"Relax," the young man interrupted with a sigh; despite herself, Bella did as she was told. How did he do that? "We're not abandoning you, or anything. We haven't left you on your own to flop around like a beached whale. It just so happens that someone else has decided they'd like to accompany you to town."
The brunette shot her companions dubious glances. But… but who…?
Alice beamed, impish amusement bright in her eyes. With a giggle and an adroit flick of her wrist, she pulled the door open; leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely over his open white shirt, was none other than—
"Sea witch," Bella breathed, face flushing as she drank in the sight of the tall, sensuous young man: his copper hair tousled and his tight pants as black and glossy as his tentacles had been. He was even more striking in the light than he had been in the darkness; it made her entire body go numb. And yet, she felt perplexingly reassured by his presence… She fought that feeling, frightened by it. I shouldn't feel comfortable around this man! He's dangerous! "What are you…?"
"My lady," the sea witch whispered, his voice as smooth as velvet as he swept into a bow, placing an airy kiss upon the back of her hand. "Please, call me Edward. I do so look forward to our day together."
"But… wait…" Confused, Bella turned back to Alice and Jasper, her expression heavy with uncertainty. "How am I supposed to win Prince Jacob's affections if I spend the entire trip in the company of another man?"
"You would have anyway," Jasper pointed out dryly, jabbing a thumb at himself. "What difference does it make?"
"Well, I—" Visibly fluttered, Bella's eyes darted back and forth: first landing on her hand in Edward's, then upon Jasper's impassive visage, then back again. "That is… you're different!"
"Regardless," Alice interrupted, stepping between Bella and the noticeably insulted Jasper, "Edward will be your escort today. I'm sure it won't be a problem."
"Of course not," Edward murmured, and instantly Bella's eyes were drawn to him and him alone: captivated by every curve and angle of his ethereal face. "Besides, what would you do with the affections of a man you hardly know? Surely you're not interested in a stranger, are you?"
What an excellent point, Bella mused, vague perplexity etched onto the contours of her pretty face. I only just met this man yesterday. What use do I have for him today? "I… uh… no, not really," she then heard herself confess, though the words made something in her chest constrict uncomfortably. "No. No, you're right, Sea Wi— um, Edward. Thank you for coming to help me."
"It's not a problem, my pet," the sea witch purred, using the girl's thin hand as leverage to pull her closer. Their hips met and molded; with a smile, he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, eyes brightening as he noted the faint glisten of the stone upon her throat. "Not a problem at all."
X
"There she is… Her Highness Isabella. The freak mute."
The whisper was soft, subtle, and for anyone not in the immediate vicinity, perfectly inaudible. Unfortunately, there were a number of people in the immediate vicinity, including—but not limited to—Bella herself. Her teeth ground in the back of her mouth; beside her, Edward was unable to silence an amused chortle at his companion's palpable irritation.
"She must think she's too good for us." A different girl spoke this time, but she seemed to be friends with the first gossiper. Both were beautiful young woman around Bella's age, both were bedecked in pastel finery, and both wore the same expression: as if something nearby was rotting. They cast Bella simultaneous glares from over their shoulders; the second adjusted her curly hair and hissed: "And did you see that manservant she brought with her? Does she think she's too good for Prince Jacob, too?"
"I don't understand why she's even here if she going to act like this," the first said with a 'humph,' flipping her blonde locks with a toss of her head.
Understandably irritated by the slander being spewed to her left and right—and these weren't even the comments being said behind her back!— Bella opened her mouth to correct her fellow princesses on their assumptions…
But found, much to her irritation, that her voice refused to work.
Edward. Livid, the girl's narrowed gaze snapped to the man beside her; though he carried himself with an air that was both calm and collected, his eyes were alive with laughter.
"I apologize, my dear," the sea witch murmured, his lips scarcely moving as he spoke between his teeth. "But I can't have you blowing your own cover. You're supposed to be mute and sickly, remember? Besides," he added as if in afterthought, a smug smile curling up the corners of his mouth, "I see no reason for anyone besides myself to hear your lovely voice."
Bella wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. Certainly not flattered… but mysteriously, that was the overwhelming sensation; it made her heart feel tight and fluttery.
And so, to distract herself, she chose to focus on the scenery that she—and the mass of monarchs around her— were wandering past. Despite his lengthy stride, Edward was being quite amiable about allowing her to stroll at her own pace; they meandered leisurely down the red cobbled road, towards the end of the princess parade, savoring the sights.
There was, after all, so much to see. The trees and flowers and general greenery she'd noticed from the carriage window had only been a taste of what Jacob's kingdom had to offer; she hadn't even bothered to absorb the manmade wonders. As they neared the town square—visible beyond a canopy of foliage that ringed the city like a protective wall— hundreds of buildings popped into view, towering over the streets and people at heights as impressive as three and four stories. Maroon church steeples gleamed against the early afternoon sky; houses and signs with all sorts of pictures and colors painted upon them shone brightly in the light. Carts, horses, carriages, and chitchat echoed up from the spider-webbed avenues, resonating and repeating until the strange symphony became pleasant white noise.
It's glorious… Bella mouthed breathlessly, her fingers squeezing Edward's in both excitement and fear as the ground beneath them tilted dangerously forward, down the final stretch of the steep hill.
"Mmm," Edward hummed noncommittally, tensing his arm around the young girl's waist. "I suppose. If you enjoy pollution and filth and too-close quarters."
Startled, Bella twisted her face towards her companions, attention diverted as they made their way down the knoll. Consequently, she still almost tripped. That's awfully bitter, she soundlessly pointed out once he'd helped her regain her composure. Why don't you like humans?
"I never said I don't like humans," Edward retorted easily, though he quite pointedly kept his gaze focused straight ahead. "On an individual basis their friendships can be surprisingly rewarding and lucrative. I've just found that, as a whole, they leave an unpleasant taste in my mouth. They're a species who turns a blind eye on violence, only ever looks out for him or herself, and would gladly trade one life for another if they deemed that the first life was somehow 'more worthy' than the second. No, I don't dislike humans. I simply feel they're primeval."
As if to encourage this characterization, the two princesses from earlier suddenly reappeared before Bella and Edward—keeping far enough away to remain unassociated with the pair, but close enough for them to hear their scandalous conversation.
"Look at the way he holds her," the first hissed conspiratorially, a spiteful smirk upon her otherwise-attractive face. "That's the hold of a man who knows what's where. I doubt the Prince would marry a scarlet lady…"
"She obviously doesn't belong here," the second agreed with a tittering laugh. "We have nothing to worry about, my friend."
Casting Bella brief, superior glares, they giggled, clasped hands, and flounced away—closer to the other princesses and the coveted Prince Jacob. She and the sea witch were the farthest behind now, and Bella couldn't help but think it was because they were so perceptibly 'different.'
"Humans are vindictive creatures," Edward whispered in her ear, his words a tender breath that seemed to warm her soul. His left hand tightened imperceptibly around her own. "And I would hate to see you get harmed by their cruelty."
…perhaps he's right, Bella thought, dejected, gaze fluttering over the nearing city a bit guiltily now. And since the humans obviously don't care about me, why should I care about them?
Around her neck, her topaz charm shone a tad brighter… but it was impossible to tell in the brilliant sunlight.
X
To be perfectly frank, Bella wasn't sure what the tour of the town was supposed to accomplish. Perhaps the prince wanted a bride as proud of his city as he was; perhaps he wanted to show off the achievements of his people. Perhaps he wanted to weed the whiners from the group.
Any of the three sounded like perfectly legitimate reasons to Bella, and she got the feeling that even if the original intent had been one of the former two options, as the sun made its lazy way across the sky the latter of the choices was clearly looking good to poor Jacob.
"Good grief, can they do anything but complain?" Edward muttered under his breath, carefully leading Bella around the pack of crabby young women who had flocked to the prince, concurrently trapping him and causing a rather unusual congestion in traffic. "As if anyone would be attracted to that."
But there were a few affable princesses hidden in the crowd; a girl with dark hair smiled pleasantly at Bella, and gaggle of the younger royals even tried to include her in a conversation about the town's clock tower… at least, until they realized she had no voice. And none of them had the courage to ask Edward what she was trying to say.
Regardless, Bella was amazed by how much she enjoyed herself. Though the walking was strenuous and baffling, the near-synesthesiac qualities of the city more than made up for any discomfort felt by her feet. Bella delighted in the quaint, yeasty bakery with its many flour spills… the seamstress with her spools of a hundred hues, each shining vibrantly in the golden light of late afternoon… the linen dresses in the window of a well-to-do shop… the sea-shell chimes that tinkled merrily in the doorway of the local grocers. And the people! Bella had never seen so many types of people: tall, short, bent, lean, light, dark, smooth, wrinkled, round, thin… all dressed in the dizzying rainbow of colors she now knew you could find anywhere her on land.
It's all so incredible, she said—though silently—to Edward after they'd followed their travel group across a particularly busy street, only barely avoiding being hit by a gang of rambunctious 5-year-olds with a toy wheel. I can hardly believe my eyes. Do humans really make all of this with their bare hands?
"They have little else to do with their time," the sea witch sighed, apathetic. "Though I suppose their tenacity is rather astonishing, if you think about it. Always busy, never tiring… like ants, almost. Though ants do have a tendency to work better in groups."
As he spoke, Edward lowered Bella into a chair of wrought black iron, crafted from thin bars that rose and wove together like metallic ivy. This chair—and one of its many identical brethren—had been paired and placed at a cozy round table, festooned with fine china and a bouquet of white roses. It was not alone; dozens of identical pieces of furniture had been positioned around the edges of the city center: another cul-de-sac, much like the one before the palace, at the heart of which was a splendid water fountain filled with koi. Glowing paper lanterns had been strung from roof-top to roof-top, and as a lavender twilight gradually fell over the city, the candles inside fizzled to life.
It's night already? Bella gaped, visibly stunned as she lifted her eyes to the cloudless mauve sky. Framed by the growing gloom, the pink lanterns shimmered like fairy-lights; around her, the princesses chatted happily over their elaborate dishes of soup and shrimp. But… where did the day go?
"It must have run away from you, my dear," Edward lightly teased, one leg crossed over the other as he unfolded a napkin in his lap. He did not, however, proceed to eat. Rather, he toyed with the cloth's lace edging, as if entertained by the sheer redundancy of it all. "But I assure you, it did stick around for its required term of service. I was here— I watched you enjoy it to the fullest."
Nonsense! We only just got to town— She began ticking hours off on her fingers, her irritated features smoothing with surprise as she realized how much time had passed.— Oh. Oh my. I… I guess I was just having so much fun…
"Excuse me."
Startled by the sound of the new voice, Bella twisted her head upwards—past the milky flowers and her Champaign flute and the sea witch's sudden glower— to find the Prince standing above her, bent forward in a slight bow. For a beat she merely gawked at him… then, as if waking from a trance, ducked her head as a fierce blush overcame her.
Jacob chuckled genially. "Yes, I'm talking to you, princess. I did not see much of you today… I was wondering if you've had a good time."
Out of habit, Bella opened her mouth—
"Yes, she did," Edward interrupted coolly, turning so as to flash the prince a swift, cold smile. "We apologize that we did not spend as much time with your grace as politeness dictates; I found it difficult to lead her safely through the masses."
"Understandable," Jacob returned, though his answering grin seemed the slightest bit forced. "There are many people in this city."
"Actually, I was referring to the mass of young woman perpetually surrounding you," the sea witch retorted evenly, tapping his foot to a steady, bored rhythm. His green eyes were abnormally frosty, even by Edward's standards. "Perhaps the people of your kingdom have a different understanding of the word 'marriage'… silly me, I presumed it entailed monogamy. Of course, I am not judging you—what man hasn't occasionally wished for a harem?"
Jacob's body stiffened, as if preparing for a fight. But to his credit, he merely forced his smile back a few more teeth—as if baring his canines.
"I admit, this festival of fair maidens is a tad unusual, but my advisor thought knowing all of the eligible princesses personally would make it easier for me to choose a bride. Speaking of," he added easily, twisting his back to Edward and offering Bella his hand and a jovial beam, "there is one princess at this table whom I'd very much like to know more personally. Isabella, would you honor me with a dance?"
Bella, who'd been busily trying to understand the bitter subtext the men were so carelessly tossing back and forth, was justifiably startled by the attention suddenly thrust upon her. Jacob, his fingers splayed and ready to twine with her own, was looking hopeful; Edward behind him, however, was looking as if he wished to strangle the prince with a tentacle.
And for some strange reason, the sea witch's evident fury made Bella angry too. So furious, in fact, that her throat began to sear—as if it were ablaze—!
But before she could respond, Edward's face calmed; he looked as composed as a man who'd never once been irritated in his life. With a polite smile that seemed a hint twisted at the corners, he nodded, glanced away, and gestured for Bella to accept Jacob's proposal.
Uh... Faintly bewildered—though at least the fire of her anger was ebbing away— Bella offered a tiny grin and slid her hand into the prince's, allowing him to help her to her feet. As soon as she was standing, his arm curled around her middle; he glanced away and nodded to someone unseen.
In the shadows of the ally, a trio of violins began to play a haunting waltz.
…I think the other girls may kill me after this, Bella mouthed discreetly, casting furtive looks towards the other tables. As Jacob spun her in easy circles, as lightly as if she were a rag doll, a number of other princesses glared and glowered, hissing to one another behind raised hands. Just one princess, whose name—Bella had overheard—was Angela, seemed unconscious of and unaffected by the others' jealousy and rage; as Bella was twirled past by the prince, she beamed and waved rapidly. It was enough to make Bella's already pink face maroon.
The only other person in the vicinity as unaware as Princess Angela was the prince himself: he was too busy watching Bella with his warm russet eyes, an endearing quirk upon his lips.
"So did you really have a good time today?" he asked quietly—though the eagerness in his voice was apparent. Bella quickly nodded, though she had to admit her mind was elsewhere: it was hard to keep her weak feet moving, much less moving gracefully in a box-step pattern. If Jacob noticed her discomfort, though, he didn't bother showing it; in fact, at this point his smile was so radiant that it even stunned Bella into a temporary stupor: for a moment, she forgot what had been distracting her.
She remembered a minute later when she almost tripped on a pebble.
"I'm glad to hear it. Or, rather, see it," the still-oblivious Jacob whispered, reverent and low, as he pulled her ever closer—her nose brushing his when she chanced a peek upward, engulfing herself fully in his admiring stare.
Bella had to admit, it made her feel highly uncomfortable.
"I know I hardly know you," Jacob breathed, as if reading her mind, "but… there's something so familiar about your hands… your eyes… your face. And not just in the rather macabre way I referenced to last night." He averted his eyes for a moment, blushing faintly in embarrassment. "It's just… there's something so different about you. Something odd, but wonderfully so."
Bella wondered briefly if he'd enjoy hearing a list of her oddities… somehow she doubted it. Even still—despite any potential sarcastic remarks or her own scathing wit—she had to admit… she was being charmed. Bizarre as it seemed, she felt the same way about the young prince in her embrace: there was something weirdly familiar about him, even though they'd only met yesterday.
"…I, um, meant that as a compliment, you know," he muttered, clearly flustered, when Bella turned her face away, gingerly biting her bottom lip. "I know it didn't sound that way—er, sorry, I really don't have a way with words."
He offered her a roguish smile and shrugged, trying to make light of it. "What I meant to say was that I'm rather fascinated by you. You're absolutely beautiful—oh, don't blush! Really, Isabella, you are!— but you don't flaunt it as the others do. You don't ever speak, but it's like you don't need to. You haven't once tried to fling yourself at me… and believe me, after so many days of this I find that quite attractive in a woman. And while I don't know you that well, I feel as if I'm growing fond of you."
Here Jacob paused, as if only just realizing all he'd confessed, and turned pink as Bella arched an eyebrow, grinning.
"Of course," the prince hurriedly continued, clearing his throat in a self-conscious sort of way, "I don't think your servant approves of that…"
Servant? Briefly puzzled, Bella cast a quick glance in the direction Jacob had indicated with a small chin-thrust. Within seconds his meaning had become apparent: Edward, sitting statue-still in his black iron chair, seemed to have been watching their slow waltz the entire time— eyes as cold as the emeralds they imitated.
She quickly shrunk away, feeling unusually warm all over her body. But why? Because of his stare? What does that man do to me?
Bemused as Bella instinctively buried her red face in the front of his shirt, Jacob's expression slowly morphed into a sardonic leer. "Ah," he hummed, spinning them around the erupting fountain and dancing with her beneath the resultant, glittering mist. "I see."
The young woman's face immediately snapped up, drained of all color and life. He saw? What did he see? How much did he know? And why had his words terrified her so? You do? she instinctively mouthed, grip tightening around his shirt and hand. And to her surprise—as well as, it appeared, Jacob's own—he understood her.
His smile became gentle; he tucked a lock of waving chestnut hair behind her ear. "Well, of course. It's clear by his personality: he just doesn't like anybody, does he?"
"Well, that's not exactly true."
Both prince and princess froze at the soft, lilting voice directly behind Jacob; the speaker's smile was evident, even if they couldn't see it. "Certainly there are people I like—such as my Bella, who's lower anatomy your right hand is much too close to. However, I do admit to being fairly picky about the company I keep."
Jacob, looking slightly whiter than he had moments ago, twisted his head enough to meet Edward's chilled gaze… and his fingers flew back up the girl's waist, as if doing so was necessary for survival. Looking at Edward, it seemed as if that might be the case.
Fully aware of his potentially-traitorous, nuanced threat, the green-eyed man grinned, offering Jacob a polite nod of the head. "If I may be so bold, your majesty," he murmured, the words husky and full of cold suggestion. "You've been dancing with my princess for quite some time now. May I cut in and, perhaps, allow you to offer companionship to others of your… coven?"
For a moment—once the initial shock of his appearance had worn off—Jacob looked ready to inform Edward that no, he was quite content with his current partner.
But then Edward's eyes flashed crimson, and Jacob's already-loosened hands flew from Bella as if she'd burned him.
"Yes, thank you," the prince muttered, almost mechanically, as the sea witch wrapped Bella securely in his arms. Jacob graced Bella with a half-bow in gratitude for her companionship, then walked briskly towards the next-nearest table, his hand already outstretched in invitation.
"…that was sudden," Bella whispered, so startled by the prince's abrupt decision to run off that it took her a minute to realize she had spoken. And by the time she had, Edward had already swept her far from the others, twirling her beneath the paper lanterns; at that point, she had other things to think about, rather than the sudden return of her voice. Things such as her continued presence on the dance floor, which did not make her happy.
"Why are we still dancing?" she groaned, dropping her head dramatically against the sea witch's shoulder as she sighed. "I didn't want to dance with the prince, and I certainly don't want to dance with you. I'm sure you've realized by now that I cannot even walk, much less dance. Please, just put me out of my misery."
In response to this, however, Edward merely raised a brow, tickled by her irritation rather than threatened. "Come now, Bella," he chuckled, rolling his jade-green eyes, "this isn't all that bad. Don't ruin an otherwise perfect evening for me…"
"Perfect?" Intrigued, Bella glanced upward to shoot the man an inquisitive stare. "You like to dance that much?"
The sea witch snorted, and seemed very close to rolling his eyes a second time. "No, silly girl," he breathed, leaning forward to rest his forehead upon her own. "I like being with you that much."
As Bella was busy blushing, Edward swiftly readjusted her feet: placing them atop his own so that when he moved, she did. This positioning brought them even closer than before, the few layers of cloth between their swaying hips rubbing and resisting and creating friction. Edward seemed to enjoy the teasing sensation; once Bella caught the gleam in his eye, she realized so did she. Or perhaps it was just the tingly feeling of his fingers on her lower back that made her feel that way.
"…you know," she whispered after a long pause, gingerly whetting her lips with the tip of her tongue, "I was thinking… how you said I enjoyed today to the fullest. And how we like being together."
"I believe I said I like to be with you," Edward interrupted mellifluously, but silenced himself at her glare, choosing to celebrate any further amusement in silence.
"Yes, well…" Bella continued, trying to swallow away the color in her cheeks. "I did all of those things. I did all of those things and more—all the things that Alice had said I would."
"Hmm. She does have a knack for such predictions," the sea witch commented dispassionately, though his eyes said something all together different. But what that something different was, Bella couldn't tell.
Encouraged by this, she pressed bravely onward, trying to quell the faint feeling of nervous nausea churning in her stomach.
"I agree. But regardless, it got me wondering…"
"…about?" he quietly prompted after a pause, taking them to the left with a dip and a spin.
"About Alice," Bella finally murmured, eyes downcast. "And Jasper. And you."
Faintly puzzled, Edward arched an eyebrow—detached indifference in his stare. "Indeed," he deadpanned, though he didn't seem angry… which Bella had been worried that he might be; he did tend to get worked up over the strangest things. "Is their anything specific you've been pondering?"
"Well… where did they come from, for one," she said in a rush, as if afraid she might forget something if she didn't spit it out now. "And where you come from, for that matter. Who else do you help with your magic—for I know you have a reputation, and yet I've never seen anyone like myself in all the seas. Why are you here with me right now, and how are you able to appear as a mortal? Why are you so…" Despite herself, Bella hesitated—looking demurely towards the ground before glancing up beneath her lashes, anxious. "Why are so kind to me now? Why… do you seem afraid to let me go?"
Silence. During which time Edward gaped candidly at her, wide-eyed and thin-lipped and stunned.
But soon his astonishment had melted into chortles, and Bella felt herself relax as a crooked smile formed on his face.
"My my, aren't you the curious one, dear heart," he murmured, still chuckling to himself as their twirling gradually slowed, leaving them rocking in place as the sea witch organized his thoughts. "Though I'm afraid the answers to your questions involve a few stories… some of which I don't believe a young lady would like to hear before bedtime."
Even as he spoke the words, Edward knew it was pointless—she would not be deterred. And her obstinacy was a great source of entertainment for him… His grin widened, knowing he'd never be able to resist her pouting glare.
"…even I do not know where I come from," he began after a silence, head tilted towards the night sky. The violet hues had turned navy-blue and ebony while they weren't paying attention; pinpricks of light were slowly growing brighter and larger and spreading rapidly across the heavens. "Perhaps I did at one point, but I've forgotten as the millennia have gone by. There may have even been a time when I was not alone… but if that is true, I do not remember it. All I've ever known is the ocean, its darkness, the magic of my spells... and solitude."
Edward sighed, though it wasn't a sigh of misery—it seemed more akin to exasperation. "Century after century I wandered, lamenting in my loneliness. It was all quite boring, I must admit. I never saw any creatures like myself—certainly not anyone with whom to carry on meaningful conversations. And so I began to associate myself with the beings of land. Yes," he nodded, seeing the recognition in Bella's fascinated eyes. "Humans."
"I thought you hated humans," she said dimly, enraptured by his tale.
"I'd like to point out—for the second time—that I never said that. True, I'm not fond of them, but…" He shrugged, unabashed. "But back then I did not mind at all. And even now I must admit that their company is better than no company at all. Not to mention they kept me busy: it did not take them long to realize the full extent of my power, and I was often employed to create spells and potions to help ease the troubles of their pathetic little lives. What's more, I found that I enjoyed doing it. I was an… appallingly happy, compassionate man—if I may use the term lightly—, back in those days. Thinking of it now makes me feel a bit sick."
It was true, he did look a trifle green. Strange, Bella mused, how the memory of empathy for mortals could make him feel ill. She tilted her chin to stare up at him, about to offer words of support of comfort… but once her eyes had found his, his nausea appeared to vanish. More than that, it made his hard, gemstone gaze soften for a moment…
Though Bella thought she felt a strange pinching in her heart.
"It was during one of those ancient days that I first met Alice and Jasper," Edward persisted, not acknowledging the strange electric jolt that had just run through them. "They were secret lovers from a city in Greece, a country that I frequented often. Unlike the other humans who would beg for my help, they were ready to do whatever it took to win my favor… from groveling to murder."
As he spoke, the sea witch's gaze grew distant, as if seeing something beyond reality—as if remember a good dream. "It was their desperation that caught my attention. I asked what they could possibly need so badly that they'd be willing to go to all that. 'An escape,' they told me. 'We're willing to do anything to escape.'"
"Escape what?" Bella asked weakly, hanging on his every word.
Edward's mouth twisted into a satirical smile. "The world," he replied, tone flat though his emerald orbs sparkled with private amusement. "The world and everyone in it. Neither had very happy lives on Earth… back then, Alice was known by the name Cassandra, and was close to madness. She suffered terribly from vision after vision of the future—not that anyone believed her ravings. Jasper was a young sailor called Jason, who—while a decorated hero— had a number of familial problems. He had also been cursed by black magic, making it… difficult… to control his emotions. It seemed an ex-wife had decided he was too impassive and tried to correct that."
"So what did you do?"
"Nothing tremendously tricky," the sea witch said flippantly, though he seemed blatantly proud of himself. "They willingly surrendered their lives and their powers to me. In exchange, I granted them eternal existence as my minions, away from the worries and concerns of their mortal lives. They take whatever form I deem appropriate and scour the seas for those in need of my… services: sailors, wreck survivors, villagers. They're quite loyal to me… and to each other."
The princess felt her cheeks turn hot at the subtle suggestion, but was not surprised by it. Alice and Jasper did seem rather affectionate towards one another… They didn't often show it physically, but there was an unspoken pull between them— like a pair of magnets, always gravitating towards the other.
"…well, that explains half of it," Bella muttered after a minute, absorbing as much of this story as she was able. It was, however, hard to concentrate with Edward's arms wrapped so firmly around her, his hips so adeptly cradling her own, his breath gently tickling her neck… all of which, thankfully, reminded her of one of her original questions. "But now, tell me—what are you doing here? You almost seemed to hate me when I first approached you. Yet, here you are now… helping me, holding me. Why? How do you have this body? What is our connection?"
Beneath her breasts, Edward's chest rumbled—full of bottled laughter as her questions floated on air.
"What an amusing turn of phrase," he whispered, as if to himself, as they swayed delicately back and forth, keeping time to the unhurried melody. "Hmm. To put it simply, you complete me… and bring out the goodness that I thought I'd lost forever. Oh, and as for my body—" Here Edward winked, and it nearly made Bella's mind go blank.— "Well, whatever it takes to make you happy. And you seem, for the moment, to be interested in human anatomy…"
Flustered and feeling peculiarly feverish, Bella hurriedly looked away, her mortification at the double entandre completely obliterating her desire for a less cryptic answer.
It was a fact that Edward found endlessly amusing. "Oh, don't stress yourself so, my love," he soothed, his honey-sweet words both lulling and persuasive. "Be calm. Enjoy this moment. Savor the present with me…"
Wedged between her throat and his chest, the unseen topaz necklace flashed.
Her eyes glazed and mind mushy, Bella did as she was told without complaint: cuddling into Edward with a muffled sigh, a hazy smile forming upon her lips. "…hey," she breathed after a moment, fuzzily aware of that fact that her consciousness seemed to be fading—as if she were falling asleep. From somewhere that sounded far, far away, the clock tower began to chime. "Would you sing that song, please? The song you sang when we met…"
She paused, about to add 'last night' to the query, but was surprised by how complete the request sounded without it. Dimly, Bella wondered why that was.
One way or the other, Edward didn't comment. Rather, he turned his attention to separate matters, related though they were; she could hear his grin as he pressed his lips to the rim of her ear, delighting in her shiver as he whispered: "As you wish."
A deep breath.
"The sea awoke at midnight from its sleep
And round the pebbly beaches far and wide
I heard the first wave of the rising tide
Rush onward with uninterrupted sweep…"
"Mmmm," Bella hummed, lashes fluttering feebly as the poignant tenor of his voice drifted around them, as calming and rhythmic as the lapping of the ocean's waves against the shore. "It's odd, you know… I feel as if… I know that song from somewhere…"
Edward did not reply to this, either. Instead, he allowed the melody to grow fainter and fainter, fading along with her awareness. Around her neck, the topaz shone like a luminous star; unheard, the clock-bell chimed midnight.
"…of things beyond our reason or control."
For the first time in more than an hour, the sea witch paused—both in his dancing and his speaking. She was unconscious.
He smirked.
Lifting his patron effortlessly into his arms, Edward spun once clockwise; around him, the scenery melted and blurred like a dripping painting. Colors changed and faded, shapes formed and morphed and swirled. Once the picture dried, the portrait of the town square had been changed into one of the castle's gardens, complete with a full moon glowing overhead.
"Here we are, then," Edward murmured to no one in particular, carefully lowering the slumbering girl onto the wide stone lip of the fountain, allowing himself a moment to simply drink in her splendor. The delicate feet; the long legs; the flared hips and tiny waist; supple bosom; petite hands; a face more beautiful than words could describe…
In a flash, his slender legs had straddled her middle, his body arched above her own and his temple pressed to hers.
"You're just as lovely as you were that day," the sea witch purred into her ear, tracing a hand down her cool, porcelain face. Her rose-petal lips parted slightly; she breathed an engaging little sigh. "I am sorry, my dear, but I simply cannot allow this filth the chance to hurt you again. Hate me if you will; I know you'll understand someday."
"Master."
Torn from his thoughts by the shadowed appearance of his familiars, Edward straightened—though he kept astride her quite pointedly. "Ah," he drawled, running a hand through his windswept tresses. "It's that time, is it?"
Alice and Jasper, unseen in the darkness, did not speak. There was no need.
"Very well."
Reaching forward with the keenness of a child who wanted candy, Edward allowed his spindle-thin fingers to creep up the sleeping Bella's bodice: over the planes of her stomach, across her taut ribcage, between her rounded breasts… and wrapped his hands around the golden topaz, its center now burning in the faint, cindery way of yesterday's aquamarine.
He ripped it off in one quick yank.
"There we are," he cooed amiably, marveling at the magic stone he now held between two fingers. "Don't you feel better, pet? That's two dimensions I've now garnered control of… soon, you won't have to worry about anything at all."
Beneath him, the dreaming Bella moaned in her sleep.
The sound made Edward quiver with sweet longing.
"Alice, dear," he murmured, saccharine voice dark with desire as he leaned forward once more, lacing his fingers between the unresponsive Bella's. "I simply must know… Does the Future smile upon me on this night?"
Hidden in the gloom, a silhouette seemed to smile.
"It is everything you wished and more, my master."
The sea witch leered, jade eyes crackling with glee. "Most excellent," he breathed, the words thick with pleasure and sensual yearning. Before he could stop himself, he pressed his cold lips to the girl's pulsing jugular, thrilling in the warmth he felt just beneath her skin.
"Sleep well, my dear Bella," Edward murmured, pulling back enough to dust a butterfly kiss upon her cheek. "For when you wake… you are mine."
XXX
Snaps to anyone who figured out who the two princesses were supposed to be, or knows the myths connected to Alice and Jasper's 'pasts.' X3