Good Morning, Loves!
Thank you ever so much to Mel and Pamela!
XXI
EDWARD
October 14, 1897
Darjeeling, India
The days are growing colder on the mountain, and with each dawn gone, so too is the warmth of my wife receding.
It is not that she is unkind. Bella remains as loving and devoted as she's ever been, but it is more often that I find her gazing up at the mountain, her mind contemplative and distant.
I am not certain I can truly believe that she is from another time. It makes no sense to me though I do not need to fully understand from whence she has come to see that she is not from the same small world I myself have grown in.
I try to picture a life in which I could never know the fate of my family, and my heart aches from my wife. Wherever … whenever she's from, I do believe that she is alone in this world.
Alone, save for me.
Her isolation puts a burden on my heart, and I privately vow to do what I can to break the curse over her.
I find her on the balcony when I come home from working with Carlisle. I am tired, and in need of a bath and supper, but I make straight for my wife.
She looks cold, standing on the balcony, so I fetch a shawl from a dressing chair in our room as I make my way over to her.
I gently lift the fabric onto her shoulders, and she turns to look at me, a soft smile on her face.
"You're home," she says.
"I am," I agree, bending to kiss her. She is warm to my touch, and I feel her smile against my lips despite the frown she wore when I first approached her. "How are you, my love?"
Bella's throat bobs as her hands come up over her stomach. "I am well," she muses, her hands brushing the small bump at her midsection. "Tired," she says with a light yawn.
I nod, understanding. "You looked deep in thought," I say, wrapping my arms around her. She leans into my touch, sagging against my chest slightly.
"I was," she agrees.
I hesitate before asking. "Were you thinking of our child?"
Bella's silence is answer enough. I know my question has struck true.
I place a kiss to her hair, my eyes squeezing shut. "I think we should perhaps consult with Carlisle or Esme, or even Mrs. Kaur."
"They can't do anything," Bella says tiredly, and I am grateful she's facing away from me so she cannot see my scowl. It's an argument we've had before, one that I'm not quite ready to give up on yet.
"Maybe," I say slowly, unwilling to outright believe they can't be of any help. "But maybe they will have ideas for us." My hand slides down to the small mound where our child is growing in her belly and my heart aches thinking of losing our daughter. "I don't think we should leave any stone unturned."
Bella's fingers move up over my own and I feel her gently squeeze me. After a moment, she sighs. "Maybe you're right," she murmurs.
I am shocked by her admission. I thought surely she would fight me harder as she has been for weeks now.
"We can't tell them about where I am from," Bella says, interrupting my thoughts. "And we can't tell them about how I got here."
I smirk and press a kiss to the junction where her neck meets her shoulder. "Anything else?"
Bella turns in my arms, taking me by surprise. "I mean it, Edward. It's dangerous for people to know this about me."
I'm not sure I understand why that is, but I can see on her face a desperation for me to understand, so I nod and lean down, pressing my lips to hers.
When we break apart, I answer her. "We will keep this information to ourselves," I agree. "And seek guidance on breaking curses only."
Bella lets out a breath and leans her head against my chest. I can feel from the tension in her body that she believes this to be a futile search. She does not think there is a solution out there for us. My heart fears her losing hope, for I know that if she does, it will be an even harder task before us.
I find a new level of responsibility growing within myself, a responsibility to care for my wife and child. Though I am not the man of this house, I am the head of my family, and I know they must rely on me for much.
It feels in equal measure a burden and a gift.
"Come," I say, gently rubbing an arm across her shoulders. "Let's get you out of the cold air."
Bella allows me to tug her away from the window and back inside our room. I fix the balcony doors shut before turning to Bella. "Let's go downstairs," I tell her.
Her eyes slowly lift to meet mine. "What for?"
I step toward her. "To begin our quest." When she gives me a blank stare, I take another step toward her. "Bella, I swear on all that I am, I'm going to find a way to save our child."
Her eyes fill with tears that she tries to rapidly blink away. She doesn't respond, and I press a kiss to her forehead, my eyes squeezing shut before I pull back and straighten my shoulders. Taking her hand in mine, I lead her downstairs toward Carlisle's study.
I knock once on the door and Carlisle's voice calls for us to enter. Bella is quiet as I guide her into the room.
"Edward, Bella," Carlisle says, looking up from his desk. "What can I do for you?"
I guide Bella into one of the wicker chairs situated across from his desk. There is a bright orange-yellow cushion on the seat that goes well with the bright rich hues of the rest of his office.
Once we're both settled, I look at my uncle. "Bella and I were wondering," I start, feeling foolish now that I am here and about to ask him. "What I mean to say is, should such a thing occur outside of a figment of fantasy—" I can feel my words getting away from me, and Bella reaches out, gently placing a hand on my lap.
"Carlisle, I heard a few women speaking in the market the other day. They were talking about curses," she says, cutting straight to it.
"Curses." Carlisle lets out a surprised laugh.
"Yes," Bella says, her face stoic. "And it got me thinking about my own family." She pauses, her eyes shifting toward me. "Before our child is born, I should wish to clear any curses from both of our bloodlines, just to give our child a fresh start in this life."
Carlisle doesn't laugh again, much to my surprise. Instead, he leans back in his chair, his face contemplative.
"That's quite wise," he says after a moment. "I have long suspected that curses left undealt with manifest within our blood." He frowns. "I have yet to have been able to prove such a hypothesis, but long has it been on my mind."
Bella nods. "I would concur with your hypothesis," she says slowly, making me turn to look at her. "Afterall, the blood is our legacy, is it not?"
Carlisle nods. "Indeed," he agrees dryly.
This conversation is taking me by surprise, and I'm not sure how I am meant to play a role in it. I thought Bella needed me. Why is she able to speak so candidly with my uncle now?
"There is a man," Carlisle says, leaning forward on his desk and picking up a fountain pen and a scrap of paper. "I've never met him, but I've heard talk in the village," he says, writing something down on the paper. "They say he is a miracle worker."
I glance at Bella in surprise. She looks hopeful as we both turn back to Carlisle.
"His name is Pardip Gupta," he says. "He is very difficult to get in to see, but I can try to pull a few connections of mine in the hopes that he will hear you out."
Carlisle holds the slip of paper out to me. I lean forward to take it, careful not to smudge the ink as I gaze down at the name.
"Thank you." Bella sighs. "It would mean a lot to us."
I look at Carlisle in time to see him nod. "It's the very least I can do."
…
October 30, 1897
Darjeeling, India
It has taken just over two weeks, but Mr. Gupta has finally agreed to see Bella and me. We have paid no small amount of money to him already, and according to my uncle, we should expect to pay more still.
I would pay any sum to save my family.
Bella and I take the carriage farther up the mountain to Mr. Gupta's house. He lives on the outskirts of town, off any main roads. The horses struggle to pull the carriage through the rocky ground and patches of mud that lead to Mr. Gupta's home. For a while, it feels as if we will have to get out and walk, until we finally turn the bend and see a small blue house appear ahead.
I take Bella's hand in my own, giving her a reassuring smile as our carriage slows. My wife looks nauseated, and I cannot tell if it is from the bumpy journey, or the prospect of finally meeting the mysterious miracle worker.
The carriage pulls to a stop, and I reach for the handle of the door, unfastening it before the driver can hop down and help us. I climb out, my limbs stiff from riding, before I turn back to my wife.
Tenderly, she follows me out, taking my outstretched palm and holding tight to the carriage door with her other hand to steady herself.
She is slightly out of breath when she finally manages to get her feet on the rocky ground.
"Mr. Cullen?"
I turn toward the house, where a woman in a dark blue saree is standing on the path leading through the garden. Her long dark hair is plaited and wrapped in coils on the top of her head, and it is impossible for me to guess her exact age, though I suspect she is possibly near that of my mother, based on the lines I can see around her smile and eyes.
"Yes," I say, gesturing to Bella. "This is my wife."
The woman bows her head toward Bella. "Mrs. Cullen," she acknowledges. "I am Chandra Chakraborty. Welcome." She waves a hand behind her in a sweeping gesture, and Bella and I begin up the path toward the little house.
"Thank you," I tell her. "We are grateful Mr. Gupta has agreed to meet with us."
Mrs. Chakraborty gives me a polite smile.
"Your uncle pled an intriguing case," she says by way of an answer. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but when I look at Bella, I can see she doesn't look worried, so I let it go.
Mrs. Chakraborty leads us inside the house, and immediately I'm assaulted by the strong smell of incense. My eyes water as I blink hard, trying to take in my surroundings.
"Please," Mrs. Chakraborty says, stopping us and motioning to a low stool by the door. "Your shoes."
I stare at her blankly, but immediately Bella seems to understand, for she bends down and begins unfastening her shoes.
"What are you doing?" I ask her, alarmed when she slips out of them.
"Honoring their home," she says, looking at me expectantly.
For a moment, I'm too stunned for words, but then I nod and begin working my way out of my shoes. My aunt and uncle have never asked such a strange thing of us. Is this just an Indian tradition?
Once our shoes are removed and placed out of the way, Mrs. Chakraborty leads us deeper into the house. We walk by a kitchen where three old women are smoking around a table, their ancient eyes fixed on us as we pass. I try to smile at them, but they are out of sight again before I can instruct my mouth to move.
Mrs. Chakraborty leads us into a small parlor, with a single loveseat and a table and chair facing it. "Please have a seat," she says, motioning toward the loveseat.
Bella and I nod and slip into the room, settling on the green silk furniture.
"Is this place … odd?" I ask, my voice low.
Bella smiles. "No," she whispers. "I think it's wonderful."
My eyes skitter over the gold-colored statues that adorn every surface in the room and the paintings on the walls depicting strange creatures: men with elephant heads and women with too many arms.
I see one woman is bare breasted and I turn away, embarrassed.
Before I can say anything else, we hear footsteps approaching the room.
The man who enters is older than I expected, possibly in his sixties, with white hair and dark leathered skin. It is clear he's lived a long life outside.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," he says, coming into the room. "I am Pardip Gupta." He presses his palms together over his chest and gives us a small bow.
"Mr. Gupta," Bella says, pressing her palms together and dipping her head in return. I quickly follow her lead, even though I feel foolish for it.
"How can I help you two?" he asks, taking a seat on the chair facing the sofa. "Usually it is only the women who come for the love potions, eh." He winks at Bella, who in turn looks surprised and slightly uncomfortable.
"No," she protests. "I would never—"
"Ah, then perhaps fertility is your problem." He lifts his hands before himself. "There are many poses described in the Kama Sutra to help you conceive, Mrs. Cullen."
Bella scowls and brings a hand over her stomach.
"Please, my wife is already with child," I tell him, feeling frustrated that he won't stop talking long enough to hear us out.
"Eh? Then it is fortune you seek." He nods sagely. "Yes, I see. Fortune is a fickle friend, but of course, I can help you attract it."
This man is a charlatan. Nothing more than a con artist trying to dupe us into buying potions that are likely no more than piss and ink.
I feel my hopes crumbling to the floor. He can't help us. We have to keep looking.
"Actually," I say, getting to my feet. "I don't think that you have what we need."
I offer my hand to Bella, who takes it and stands as well. "Thank you for seeing us, Mr. Gupta."
Mr. Gupta smiles a broad grin. "Sit back down, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," he says, gesturing with his hands. "I can see that you two are among the few who come to see me for a real reason."
I frown. "You mean to tell me you were egging us on?"
Mr. Gupta smiles. "Many fools have come to me for nothing more than common sense," he says with a shrug. "To those fools, I give a performance. It helps sell the illusion."
I'm angry at his dishonesty, but Bella seems more forgiving. She sits back down and gently tugs me beside her.
"Please, tell me the real reason you are here," he says, motioning toward us.
"I'm cursed," Bella says when she sees that I'm still too angry to speak. "My bloodline is cursed," she clarifies and lifts a hand to her stomach. "We want to do what we can to save our family before our daughter comes."
Mr. Gupta lets out a long breath and hums. "Yes, I see," he says after a long moment. "Hold on."
He stands and leaves the room, prompting me to look at my wife in quiet bafflement.
She brushes her fingers over mine, silently urging me to be patient.
A moment later, Mr. Gupta returns with a young woman who cannot be much older than twenty.
"This is my daughter, Aditi," he says by way of introduction.
Aditi gives me a small smile before her eyes slide to Bella. The moment she sets her sights upon my wife, I can see the young woman's expression change.
She moves forward, as if being drawn by a signal no one else can hear. She brings her small hands up, pressing them to Bella's cheeks, and both of their eyes widen in surprise.
"Mr̥tyu," Aditi whispers.
"What did she say?" I ask, looking at her father. He opens his mouth, but then his daughter is speaking again. Her words do not sound like the Bengali I've come to recognize, and I look to her father for answers. "What is she saying?" I demand.
Her father looks mesmerized, lost in his daughter's demonstration. I look at Bella, whose face is still trapped between the girl's palms, and I wonder if she somehow knows what's going on.
It's beginning to frighten me, and I reach out to the girl, trying to get her to release my wife.
They both gasp when my hand lands on her arm, and then Aditi is letting Bella go and stumbling away from her, her breathing labored.
Beside me, my wife is trembling, her eyes as large as saucers. "Bella," I say, turning to take her into my arms. "Are you well? What happened?"
Bella blinks a few times before her eyes can finally focus on me. She blinks a few more times before she lets out a breath. "I'm fine," she croaks. "Really, Edward. I'm okay."
I don't believe her. She's pale as moonlight and looks somehow smaller than she did before.
"We're leaving," I say, standing and looking at Bella expectantly.
She doesn't fight me as she gets to her feet.
I reach into my pocket, pulling out the purse of coins we'd brought to pay Mr. Gupta. I toss him the whole bag. It hits his chest once before he catches it in his palms.
"Thank you, Mr. Gupta." I glance at his daughter, who is still staring at my wife with wide eyes.
Letting out a huff, I wrap my arm around Bella's shoulders and get her out of there as quickly as I can.
Our shoes aren't even on properly by the time we are loaded back into the carriage.
Once we are on the road and heading down the mountain, I let myself take a breath. "What was that?" I ask, looking Bella over.
Bella shakes her head. "It was so strange," she muses. "It was like she was possessed."
I scowl. "Did she hurt you?"
Bella focuses on me, looking surprised. "No, of course not."
I deflate a little, grateful to hear at least she wasn't injured while I stood by uselessly.
"I wonder what it was she was saying," I muse after a moment.
Bella blinks. "She told me to look for the ruby," she says, her brows furrowing. "She said look to the tiger who sheds a ruby tear."
"How did you understand her?" I ask, surprised. Bella has struggled just as much as I have to pick up Bengali.
Bella lifts her hand to the back of her neck, hesitating. "I have this…" Her eyes find mine. "It's a device from the future. It translates language directly into my mind."
It is one of the strangest things she's ever said to me. "What?"
Bella shakes her head. "It's like magic," she says, waving a hand in front of her face.
"I don't know that that's any better," I mutter, wondering if I now have to worry about the voices in her head.
"She told me one other thing." Bella pauses, her teeth biting at her lip.
"What?" I ask, unsure I actually want to know.
Bella's eyes focus on my own and she lets out a deep breath. "She said death is coming for me."
