Some part of me wanted to say yes but another part, the larger part, was screaming at me to say no. He stood there patiently waiting for an answer that would change both our lives and possibly the future of his world and perhaps my own. It was not going to be an answer he wished to hear. It was not an answer I wanted to give.

Gently, I reached out and stroked his cheek and he smiled at me but I did not return it; an almost apologetic look appeared in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry but I can not marry you"

A part of me expected sadness or maybe disappointment but certainly not anger. He drew away from my touch every inch of his face etched with a terrible rage. For a split second I thought he was going to hit me but instead he spoke with a chill in his voice, "may I ask why I am rejected?"

"It's an impossible romance" I mumbled pathetically, "I'm not even human"

"So? It doesn't matter. I don't care!" he argued grabbing me by my arms and shaking me "nothing can stop us being together!"

"But what I say can!" I argued pulling free of his grasp as his face twisted so it looked as if he had swallowed a sour lolly.

"You don't want to marry me because of the murders I committed" he growled advancing on me.

Backing away in fear I defended myself "no, no, no, that's not it at all."

"THEN WHAT!?" he bellowed advancing still, "am I not worthy of you Bethany? Have I not treated you like a princess for as long as I have known you? Had I not loved you enough?"

"You are human!" I blurted and he stopped mid step, "you will die one day and I will not! That is my reason! I love you too much to want to watch you die!"

To my astonishment he laughed in a kind of relief, "is that all? Did you think I had forgotten about that little problem?"

Cautiously, I stepped forward a look of concern upon my face mixed in with fear, "you can not live forever Tom"

"I have found a way" he looked fevered and excited as if about to reveal a great surprise.

Still I felt concerned and slightly panicked "don't do this Tom, it's not worth it. Living forever is not what you think it is"

He came closer, pulling me toward him, a maddened gleam in his eye "but it's the answer to the problem. It means that we can live forever and ever. We could be the most powerful couple in the world!"

"No" I said firmly.

His grip tightened painfully "you don't believe I can do it? That I can live forever?"

"Whatever your means is for your 'eternal' life, it will not last. There must be a catch and either way I will have no part in it. No Tom, from now on you are on your own" I stated trying to pull away.

He looked crazy, almost wild; with anger "You will not leave me Bethany. You will not!"

"You can't stop me! I am my own person! Let me go!" I screamed, kicking and thrashing in his grip.

"NO!" he slapped me hard across the cheek and immediately I stopped my struggles.

"I am not a possession of yours" I whispered, "all good things come to an end"

He pulled me closer pushing my head into his chest "you are mine and if you will not have me then you will pay dearly"

Desperately, I tried to push away as hot tears ran down my cheeks. It was as if I knew what he was planning to do "please…Tom…don't-"

He spoke over me and his voice was void of any emotion "don't call me Tom. It is a useless common name"

A sob escaped me as I begged continually "don't do this, please, don't do this. Just let me go!"

"Begging does not suit you Bethany" he whispered running his hands through my hair "you have no one to blame but yourself for what I am about to do with you"

It was then I really knew; even if I had known for a long time. It just hit me then. This was where things stopped; Riddle was going to kill me.

This story is still not completed as some of you know. I am perfectly aware of the many irritating mistakes within this story. It will be edited again when the story is completed so that all these annoying mistakes can be fixed. Thankyou and thankyou all for your support.