I'm sorry that I hadn't been updating this story as much as before, but I had work, family issues, my birthday along with holidays with school work that was flowing out of my ears. Each time I tried to sit down and add to this story, I couldn't think of the chapter I was supposed to be writing, but another chapter in the future. I also have unpublished stories that I've been working on so I can actually finish those to get them out so this won't happen.
It might take me a bit of time before I publish another story so I ask for my readers patience with me so no more angry, cursing reviews and also if you are going to write a review, please don't make it half a page with just two words repeating. Actually write a few sentences.
Thank you for your patience for this chapter and I ask you to bear with me because I have a lot more to come for this story!
Chapter 8: Meadow of Souls
I looked around, a bit confused on where everyone went before I shrugged, passing it off as a vampire thing. I got up and headed to the kitchen to wash my plate and silverware. I turned on the water, waiting a moment for it to heat before I started to wash the dishes. "You know you don't have to do that. You are a guest and we can do that later." Edward leaned against the counter besides me as I suds up the plate.
"I know, but this is the least I can do for accepting me so easily."
A deep chuckle reverberated from beside me. I glanced over at him with a smile.
I turned off the water and dried my hands before I leaned on the counter, copying his pose by crossing my arms over my chest.
"So, what are we going to do for the rest of the day?" I asked.
Edward had a thoughtful look on his face for a moment. His face suddenly broke out into a smile and before I could blink he had me over his shoulder on his back and he was racing out the door at vampire speed into the woods. I couldn't help but to let out a little screech in surprise.
I had closed my eyes from the speed I could feel we were going and I had to admit I was terrified at the fact that he could run into a tree and I would be the one to get hurt. I heard the air whistling by my ears as the cold air hit my exposed skin. I clung on tighter to Edward, afraid that I would fall off. Soon I felt the ground beneath my feet and cool hands covering my eyes.
"Move forward and I'll tell you when to stop." Icy breath whispered by my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I took hesitant steps forward, willing myself not to put my hands out to fee where I am going and doing my best to put my trust in Edward. A couple of steps in Edward told me to stop. I did as he asked and he slowly took his hands off of my eyes.
I couldn't believe the sight in front of me. My eyes widened as I took in the multitude of colored flowers blanketing the forest ground. I twisted my body, completely amazed as I watched the silent colorful souls bob a little above the flowers that hosted them. This meadow was absolutely beautiful with the flowers and their souls, adding more color and peace than it already has.
"Edward this…. this is…" I couldn't speak since my tongue was tied. There were no words for this meadow and I feared that sound would break this fragile tranquility.
"This is my meadow. I come here for when I want peace and quiet to get away from all the noise." He flashed me a crooked smile that I believe only he could pull off. I could understand why this meadow gave people peace and I was extremely grateful that Edward had shown me something so precious to him.
Edward and I finally sat down in the middle of the forest, me sitting crossed legged and him with his head in my lap lying down. I fell in love with his hair as I twisted the silky soft strands in between my fingers.
"Tell me more about your gift," Edward asked looking up at me with his golden eyes.
I quirked a brow.
"Well, what more do you want to know?" I question back.
He made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat and I chuckled silently.
"The red string, tell me more about that," he replied.
My breath hitched at the thought of me telling him more about that. I would have to basically tell him that we are soul mates. I took a steadying breath and thought a moment about how to approach this subject. A smile spread across my face as I finally thought of a good way to go about this.
"You know how there are many different legends about soul mates, like how the soul was spilt by God and put into two bodies? Well in East Asia, their belief is that the gods tie a red cord is tied around your ankles or little finger and it connects your destinies together. Originally the Chinese believe that the one you are tied to is supposed to help you out in certain situations or help in a certain way. In the Chinese legend the old lunar god, Yuè Xià Lǎo, who is in charge of marriage and love, ties the string around each person. The string never breaks no matter how tied or tangled it gets. That is the history of the red string that I can see." I looked down at him to see that his eyes were staring right at me with an emotion I couldn't tell. He reached a hand up and gently brushed my cheek, making my cheeks flare up in heat.
"What?" I asked, not really comfortable with all this staring.
"Nothing, it's just amazing how you know all this stuff about your power," he replied, complete awe in his voice. I couldn't help but laugh. "That is the power of Google."
Edward barked a laugh as we both broke down laughing at my lame joke. We laughed full out for a good five minutes before we were reduced to chuckles. By the time we stopped I had somehow managed to have my head on his chest while the rest of my body lay beside his. He was still on his back, but his arm was now wrapped strongly around my waist.
I propped myself up on his chest to look into his sparkling eyes. It was nice to see some joy in his eyes after all the harden looks and frustrated glances. I wanted to know more about him, about being a vampire.
"Tell me about vampires," I asked.
His face suddenly became hardened, a defensive look overcoming his joyful look in a second. I waited with baited breath as he sat up, slowly removing me from my position on his chest and he refused to look at me.
"Edward," I warned, "I told you about me, now I think it is time you start telling me about vampires so I don't do anything stupid while around them."
I heard a dry chuckle spill from him before he turned to give me a mocking look. I had half a mind to look up to his soul to see what was going through his head, but I restrained myself because I know he is going to tell me.
"What do you want to know?" he asked in a hollow voice. I sighed, wishing he didn't hate telling me so much.
"The basics for now," I whispered, staring off into the myriad of peaceful souls floating around us.
"We drink blood," he answered, an undertone of something that told me that was all he was going to tell me about the 'basics'
I snapped my head over to him and glared with all my might. "God dammit Edward! You want me to trust you and everything and don't get me wrong, I do, but I need to know a bit more than what you eat so I can figure things out!" I growled out at him, absolutely frustrated at the fact that he refuses to tell me anything.
He gave me a hard look before he growled low in his chest and with a frustrated breath of air he got up with blinding speed while yelling.
"You want to know, then fine, I'll tell you! We have speed that no human or creature can match!" He stated while running around, "Strength so great that I can squeeze you so lightly that you'll barely feel it until you are dead!" I sat calmly as he went through his temper tantrum and watched as he ripped a tree out of ground and threw it to god knows where. He shot to sit in front of me with his face only a hair's breathe away from mine.
"I can hear through sound proof walls what other people are saying and I can also read a person's mind from over a mile away," he growled lightly, his butterscotch eyes darkening to almost black as he stared at me with a tortured look. I didn't flinch nor did I shrink away from his almost animalistic look, but I put hands on his cheeks and pulled his head closer so our foreheads were touching. Edward had a cautious look in his eyes, almost fearful for what I was doing and what he thought I would do.
"That's not the Edward I know," I breathed, making sure I stared straight into his eyes so he would get my message. "The Edward I know is kind, over-bearing and cautious, way too secretive to be healthy, and he loves his family with all his heart. All those things that you just told me, the strength, the super speed, and mind reading, are just added bonuses to who you really are." Edward opened his mouth, but I moved my finger over his lips to stop him. "I'm not scared. I'm not going to run off screaming somewhere. I'm here, for however long you want me, but I'll warn you now, I won't let you go so easily and I'll fight with you every step of the way," I stated making sure he knew I was 100% in this relationship and he wasn't going to let me go as easily as he thought.
His eyes softened back to the butterscotch color as his smile turned defeated. He moved his head forward so his nose brushed against mine in a slow Eskimo kiss. I smiled back, relieved that one issue is now behind us.
Edward pulled back and plucked a violet blue flower from the ground. The tiny soul that was attached to the flower slowly floated out and silently made its journey to the sky. Edward delicately placed the flower behind my right ear, running his fingers through my hair before he pulled back.
I lifted my eyebrow in a silent 'how do I look?'
He chuckled, nodding his head before he lay back down in the field, pulling me with him so I was back in the position we started in before he threw his tantrum.
I stared down at my left pinkie, picturing the red string that wrapped around it and thinking about how it flutters on a silent breeze as it weaves around people and objects alike, looking for that one person it connects to. I looked up at Edward's soul, seeing how he was half faded from my eyes and how his almost nonexistent arms are reached out and embracing something I can't see. For once, his soul wasn't talking, wasn't in pain or dreary, and wasn't glaring at people for their thoughts. His soul was peaceful and I was glad that it was for this moment.
I completely relaxed against the cold body that was holding me, grateful for this moment of peace in a meadow full of silent, colorful souls.
I know, extremely short due to my other chapters and with how long I've been out, but I'm running on limited ideas with the next chapter or two so I'm squeezing these out as best as I can. Ideas and thoughts or hopes for the future of this story are gratefully appreciated!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!