Love Never Dies
Act V: Stranger Than You Dream It
Forks, Washington 2010
Bella
I woke with a gasp, my mind fighting free of the tendrils of my dreams, as I sat bolt upright in bed.
"Bella?" Edward sat up with me, his arms instantly cradling me. "What is it?"
"Just…a dream," I breathed, as I remembered that incredible rush of warmth from music, and the song I could not get out of my head.
The dreams of another life, and a raven-haired man with red eyes.
"Another nightmare?" Edward breathed, but I shook my head.
"No, it was a…good dream," I replied quietly, remembering with a shudder my usual dreams.
It had been almost two months since James had tried to kill me at that ballet studio in Phoenix, and the nightmares still plagued me. But not lately, instead I dreamt of another time, of that man.
Edward's musical laugh brought me back to Earth. "Only you Bella would be disturbed because you had a good dream instead of a nightmare."
"Shut up," I growled, before I rearranged myself on the bed. "I'm going to sleep now."
With eagerness, I quickly fell back into that dream world, and into the arms of the raven-haired man, even as Edward's arms came around me to cradle me as I slept.
Florence, Italy 1885
Christabelle
I peeked out from behind the curtain, as the orchestra tuned up, and the hum from the audience grew.
It had been almost a month since that night of triumph, almost a month since I had seen him.
That night, when I stepped out onstage as Amina, in La sonnambula, I would sing only for him.
But to my disappointment, Aro was not sitting in Carlo's box, nor were his brothers.
Stifling a sigh, I turned my mind to the opera, as the orchestra begun to play the first chords of the entr'acte.
Suddenly filled with nervousness, I glanced towards the wings, and met the eyes of Signora Alvaretti, who sent me an encouraging smile, before I turned to the audience.
Even more than Norma, this was my big chance. Tonight, I was not only supporting but I was the lead!
Finally, a chance to show the world I was good enough. That I deserved to standing on this stage.
This is for you, Giacomo…Aro…
As the orchestra struck my cue, I stepped forward and opened my mouth.
Aro
I watched from the wings as Christabelle stepped forward, and sweet music poured from her lips.
It had been almost a month since I had seen her, rescued her from that insolent dandy in the loggia, and her beauty seemed to have only increased in the time of our separation.
Her long auburn hair was loose down her back, restrained by a single white rose, denoting Amina's youth and innocence, her soft form accentuated by the peasant garb she wore, in shades of white and pastel blue. She was breathtaking.
And when she began to sing, I felt something in my broken soul, starving and urgent soothed by her perfect voice. Such passion and purity of her own!
I almost purred with pride as I watched my Christabelle triumph once more.
The last quivering note fell, and the applause rang out, loud and sharp as I witnessed Christabelle almost glow with pride and happiness, her face flushed and her eyes lit up.
The curtain fell, and I watched the slight tinge of disappointment on her youthful features. She had noticed I was not sitting in my usual box.
With a sad sigh, she turned towards her dressing room when that harpy, Carmenita, accosted her.
"So where's your rich friend now? Tired of his cheap little whore did he?" she spat at my Christabelle, before flouncing away. Christabelle stared after her, before she straightened her spine and swept away. I followed in the shadows.
Christabelle
I rushed into my dressing room, fighting back tears, when I noticed my dressing room was filled with red roses. Dozens of them.
I stopped, arrested, when a familiar voice spoke behind me.
"You were magnificent tonight, il mio piccolo cigno," he breathed behind me, and I spun to find Aro, in all his dark glory, waiting for me. "The swan has flown."
"Aro," I whispered, tears of joy blurring my vision as I smiled. "I thought you did not come."
"I would never miss a performance of yours," he replied earnestly, and I smiled even more. He snagged my hand, and raised it to his cold lips, the candlelight gleaming off his raven hair and golden suit.
I felt my pulse race as his lips lingered on my skin.
"I look forward to your performance in Volterra," Aro murmured, when he released my hand. I smiled.
"I'm looking forward to seeing it. I have never been to Volterra," I replied courteously, turning to my mirror to take out the rose in my hair.
"You shall have every opportunity to explore my city. San Marcus Day is still a month away," Aro continued, and I inhaled. And winced.
These damn corsets!
"Something the matter?" he asked, moving closer as I sat down heavily. My costume tonight had called for a blue satin corset on the outside of my peasant dress and shirt, so it was squeezing me in, with added pressure of yards of fabric. I had no idea how I even managed to sing.
"No, not at all," I replied, when I felt Aro's hand on my chin, tilting it up to meet his red eyes. I frowned for a moment.
I would have to ask him about those, one day.
"Il mio piccolo cigno, I can tell something is amiss. What is it?" he asked doggedly, and I sighed.
"I'm just somewhat uncomfortable. These corsets are not conducive to singing opera," I murmured, my face slowly turning red.
"Well, do not continue discomfiting yourself on my account, dearest Christabelle. May I help?" he asked, and I stared at him, nonplussed.
Finally I snapped out of it. "If you could. I hate corsets."
"So I gathered," Aro replied wryly as I stood and presented my back to him, slinging my hair over one shoulder so he could reach the stays.
As soon as he tugged at the first lace, the most curious feeling welled within me.
I was suddenly achingly aware I was standing in a room, alone with a gentleman, and he was unlacing my corset. It was intimate and sensual as I closed my eyes, my breath coming short.
I felt Aro's cold breath on the nape of my neck, against the skin, and I shivered in the suddenly too cool air. I felt the strength in his fingers, in those cool, nimble fingers as they traversed my spine, and I was held, enraptured.
He finished unlacing my corset, and he stripped it away, my nerves feeling as if they would burst.
"You are beautiful, il mio piccolo cigno," he breathed, and I realised he hadn't released his hold on my waist. In that moment of madness, I wanted nothing more than for him to slide his hands beneath my blouse and touch my skin.
He did.
His cool hands sent my skin into gooseflesh, as I relaxed against him, and he explored the imprint of the whalebone that were left on my ribs and abdomen. His touch was pure ecstasy.
"Christabelle," he breathed, and I could hear the lust in his dark voice, felt my own rise in anticipation. No man had made me feel like this, not in years. It both frightened and allured me.
My heart raced then stopped, suspended, as I felt his head bent to my neck. He placed a gentle kiss over my pulse, before he straightened, and I spun to face him, my face flushed and my body yearning.
Aro took my hand again, and raised it to his lips. "You must be tired. I shall see you tomorrow evening, at five o clock."
"I'll be ready," I replied, slightly shocked that he hadn't tried to do more, before he kissed my hand and bowed his way out the room.
I collapsed on my bed, my heart pounding.
What was happening to me? Why was I feeling like this?
Soon I would be gone from Florence, but as I sat up and walked to my armoire, I had something I had to do.
I had questions only one person could answer, and one more person I had to see before I left Florence.
One of the two most important men in my life had become Aro, but there was another I had to say goodbye to, and tell him how much I loved him.
I changed into a simple blue walking dress, and slung a cloak over my shoulders. It was deep night outside, but I knew where to find a hansom to take me to the outskirts of the city.
I was going to see my Giacomo.
I did not know how long I would be gone, and so I could not leave without seeing him and kissing him farewell. I did not know long it would be before I held him in my arms again.
With a sigh, my heart still throbbing and my skin flushed with fever, I extinguished my candle and slipped from my dressing room.
More soon!
After the next chapter, I'll be taking some time to update Siren of the Twilight, so don't worry. I'm not abandoning this story any time soon, any more than I am that one.
See, I'm alternating between them like a good girl! Please R&R!
