Thank you sherry and everyone that has reviewed. Not too long left with this, I hope you are enjoying it.
Edward.
.
Leaning against the tree I waited. These fools couldn't survive a few hours without me, and I was seething with anger at the interruption.
Belladonna almost caught him and I knew sooner or later I would have to tell her about the shadows.
The sound of a branch breaking gained my attention. Two ice cold blue eyes stared at me.
His thoughts were shocked. It was only then that I realized I hadn't changed my appearance, he was seeing Edward. It was strange that I now saw my true appearance as Edward.
I guess that had something to do with the little human girl, who seemed to have turned my world upside down from the very first time I laid eyes on her.
"What was so important that you couldn't wait for me to come down to Hell." My glare was fierce and the man before me flinched, "Your name." My teeth were clenched so hard I feared they would break. Releasing my wings I stood to my full height.
"Jasper Whitlock, sir." Ah, the soldier. He was one of my prized possessions. He sold his soul to ensure his family survived the war. He gained much wealth before his untimely death during battle.
"So…" I didn't have all day and I needed to prepare for tonight.
"The human you have been waiting for… we have acquired him." My smile grew, my plan was coming together.
Not long now.
"Excellent… Please make sure our guest is comfortable, Mr. Whitlock. He will be needed soon." The soldier nodded and slithered away into the forest.
Soon Belladonna would be ready. I knew she would accept me, my sins and all. Just like she did all those years ago.
.
I waited... I wasn't known for having patience, but for her, I would wait. I had already accepted that my black heart had surrendered itself to her.
Unknowingly, I had fallen in love, disgusting, messy emotion that it was, I had acted rather hastily and allowed myself to be followed.
I needed Belladonna to be seen with me.
What she didn't know was I had exposed myself to the poor unsuspecting villager hiding in the forest watching me.
I showed him the typical stereotype, two red horns appeared on my head, and disappeared right before Belladonna broke through the trees and into my waiting arms.
The villager had been quick to run back to the village, eager to report his findings.
Now, Belladonna would be forced to admit to her father that she had been meeting with a man.
Her father would then inform her about my origins, and knowing my brave petite fleur, she will come to confront me.
I guess I could have just informed her myself, but I needed her to become isolated. The rest of the villagers will surely exile her and then her only comfort will be me.
Her father will forbid her from seeing me; an action that will make her sneaky, make her lie, make her sin.
"Edward?" I looked up and there she was, tears in her eyes.
"Petite fleur. I have been waiting for you, my heart." I smiled and opened my arms for her. "Is everything okay? Are you well?"
She ran straight into my arms and squeezed me tight, "It was so awful. My father has forbidden me from seeing you." She looks up into my eyes, and I can see a handprint forming on her delicate skin. "He says you're the devil." She whispers, her heart pounds harder and her eyes are trying to see the truth.
Here goes.
"I'm sorry, my heart. What he speaks is the truth." Her gasp is loud, and she steps back, shaking her head in denial.
"That cannot be true! The devil doesn't love and you promised… You promised you loved me!" Her voice began to rise, and a sob tore through her, making her gasp for breath.
"It is true. Both of those statements are true. I do love you, you have bewitched me." I took a step closer to her. "But I am the devil. It's not something I can change, nor would I want to."
Placing my hands on her face, I spoke. "For millions of years I have existed, striking fear among the weak, changing people's paths in life, enticing them. Then, you came along, a frail little human girl and everything changed. You changed me and I. Do. Not. Like. It." I placed a hard kiss upon her lips before letting go of her face.
"If you cannot accept me, Belladonna. If you cannot be with me, then please, put me out of my misery." My anger was rising. This little girl would not destroy me. Letting my wings free, I glared at her, let her see me, the real me. "This is me, Belladonna. Are you scared?"
She fell back, landing on her bottom. Her eyes wide, "What… What... Edward? I don't understand." Of course, she didn't, maybe she needed to see more, the stereotype that the villager was so fond of.
I watched as her eyes grew wide in disbelief as horns sprung free from my head and a spiked tail grew from behind me. "Is this what you needed to see?" Turning my back on her, I glared into the forest.
The only sounds to be heard was Belladonna's breathing, and the cawing of the crows. Damn birds were going to give me a headache, if that were possible.
A hand running down my feathers made me flinch. Turning, I looked at Belladonna.
"They're so pretty." Her voice was soft, quiet. "Do they hurt? When they appear, do they hurt?" Her eyes were warm when she looked at me.
I shook my head, "No, they don't hurt."
"I can accept you Edward, but I'm afraid... I'm afraid my father will stop me from seeing you." Her hand cupped my cheek. "I love you. Do you love me?"
"I love you, but I cannot and will not change who I am Belladonna."
"I don't expect you to. I'm sorry, my love." She stretched up onto her toes and placed a kiss upon my lips. This kiss was different, passion filled, and for once Belladonna was leading.
Belladonna continued to disregard her father's wishes in the weeks that followed. She lied and deceived in order to be able to meet me in our woods. Her father was suspicious, and it was only a matter of time before he found out his precious daughter was still involved with me.
The fallout was sure to be explosive, ties would be severed, and Belladonna would be free to leave with me.
.
The cries of the Crow brought me back to the present.
"Damn birds."
Looking at the sky, I realized it was time for my date. I chuckled.
I guess there was a first time for everything.