And Yet They Shine

Chapter 6: Earnest

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"We are headed that way," he said, gesturing toward the tunnel. The…something inside had stopped growling yet Isabella was still reluctant.

"Don't be frightened," he said. "Jake is a very large, three-headed dog. He guards the entrance to my kingdom, and obeys only me. He'll not hurt you."

Isabella stepped forward and listened to the low growl of the animal. Edward whistled once and then there was a single sharp bark. He led her forward, fingers laced with hers, until the light went from warm glow to bright and dazzling.

Isabella caught her breath. Before them was the most frightening creature that she had ever seen. Ten or twelve feet tall, he rose from the ground in a mass of black fur that gleamed in the dim light. His paws were larger than dinner plates and as he lifted one into the air, Isabella gasped and shifted back.

Edward tightened his grip on her with one hand while he snapped the fingers of his other hand. All three (three!) of the creature's heads snapped forward, and then he slowly lowered himself to the ground.

"He'll not hurt you," Edward repeated, his voice low and soothing as though she were a wary animal. Edward approached the dog and held his hand aloft. It let out a soft whine, and then laid the middle of its heads on his paws. Bella followed after him, keeping a bit behind him, as though she hoped she wouldn't be noticed.

"Good boy, Jake." Edward then said something soft and low to the animal, but Bella couldn't quite hear what. The dog let out a soft whine and Edward pulled Isabella forward, bringing their joined hands toward the animal. Bella made to skit, but Edward put his hand at the small of her back, and leaned forward and brushed her ear with his mouth, his voice a melodic whisper against her skin.

"I'm almost offended, Isabella. Do you think that for one moment that I would put you in harm's way? Your safety is of great importance to me." He drew back and as her face became soft, then flushed with heat. He felt the ripple of warmth as it travelled up her body, and he liked the way she couldn't meet his eyes just then, though he did allow her to keep her privacy in the moment.

As she looked away, he laid his hand across her heart, against her skin. Inside she felt like a whirlwind, a dervish had taken hold. Her heart pounded and blood raced, while her lungs ground to a halt, trapping her breath within her.

She opened her mouth to speak, but instead looked down at his hand on her. It wasn't hot, but it warmed her, the heat spreading slow, radiating out, until her arms began to feel loose and easy at her sides. She felt safe and enveloped, and not a little sleepy.

"Come," he said, his hand running down her arm, circling his fingers at her wrist.

The dog, Jake, lay with his heads on the ground, making small chuffing noises, as though he wanted to greet her as he would his master: boundless, eager energy.

Bella reached her hand forward, curling it as she'd been taught when approaching strange dogs. The animals sniffed at it once, and then turned all three heads to gaze upon her. The middle head, the largest, gave a soft whine before pressing its nose to her hand. The head to the right of her lay back down against the sand, and the one to the left began sniffing at her, shoving it's nose into her side, angling into her armpit.

Bella giggled and reached to pet it, and in a single, terrifying movement, the beast rolled onto his back and squirmed, much to Bella's delight.

"See? He likes you."

Edward watched as she approached the dog, her hand outstretched, untrembling. It felt good, light, to see her spread her wings and fly, but at the same time, he wanted her – he needed her – to need him.

Before she was close enough to touch Jake, Isabella turned, and held her hand to Edward. There was a smile on her face, glowing with fun, with happiness, and as Edward touched her, he felt his own heart lighten.

He stayed and held her hand, watching her pet the furry beast. He did not read her mind – did not try to do so, but he felt her happiness, and he drank it down as if it were his own. At last she dropped his hand, and began to scratch Jake's belly in earnest. Edward watched with jealous wonder. She gave herself over to the creature without fear – why couldn't she do that with him? And yet, watching her, the joy on her face…he wanted to be the one to light the shine in her eyes.

"Isabella? We need to keep going. There is still much to see."

Bella stood, and turned to him, and his chest felt heavier as the smile fell from her face. She nodded her understanding and took her place, back by his side.

"You…you may visit him often, if you like." The words pained him, because already she liked the beast more than she liked him, yet her resulting smile was like springtime, like peonies in bloom.

"Flower-faced girl," he sighed, just loud enough for her to hear. "Come on."