Chapters 5: A Cruel Dream

When I want you in my arms

When I want you and all your charms

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is

Dream, dream, dream, dream

It feels… surreal. Bella reaches out her hand and tries to grasp at the emptiness of the wind. She feels the breeze but it's neither warm nor cold. It's a soft touch to her dainty fingertips. Even as she trails her fingers across her palm, it feels lucid, almost unreal.

Suddenly the ground below her starts to shake gently, green grasses appear on the barren land and funny, she hears the birds singing. Looking up, the grey sky turns blue, just like it does in Arizona during the summer.

She sees the sun and she extends her arms out wide, her body turns to the source of heat, allowing the sunbeam to embrace her. There's a hint of warmth flooding her skin, a comfort.

At the corner of her right eye, a figure makes its appearance from the thick line of trees.

Bella gasps as the image becomes clearer with every footstep directed towards her. This woman is stunning, her beauty both ethereal and intimidating. Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, shimmering like liquid sunlight. Every strand is perfectly in place, framing her heart-shaped face with an almost unnatural perfection. Her skin is pale, alerting Bella to the true nature of this stranger.

Her eyes, a haunting shade of crimson, are sharp and intense, with a gaze that could freeze anyone in place. They hold an ancient wisdom, a depth that hints at centuries of knowledge and experiences. Her high cheekbones are sculpted, giving her face an aristocratic elegance, and her full lips were a soft, pinkish hue, contrasting beautifully with her pale complexion.

The stranger's body is slender and willowy, with an effortless grace in every movement she makes. She carries herself with the poise of royalty, her posture straight and commanding. Even in stillness, she exudes a quiet power, like a coiled spring ready to strike. Her long, delicate fingers rest at her sides, but there is a tension in them, as if she could unleash devastating force in the blink of an eye.

This woman is devastatingly gorgeous and something tells Bella that this vampire is dangerous but yet she does not seem to care. It's reckless, she knows. But isn't this a dream? She may get killed but in the real world she's still alive and breathing.

It's almost terrifying to know she's in the presence of one of the most powerful vampires in the world and yet, she feels addicted being in her presence. And she craves for more, not that she would admit it out loud. Her self-preservation is trying to kick some sense into her but a larger part of her is louder.

"Isabella Swan," the vampire spoke, her voice thick with seduction and unmistaken joy.

Her heart thumps in excitement. Her name never sounded so beautiful spoken in such a manner. The way her body is responding ecstatically to this vampire may be caused by its allure but it's a reaction she's never felt before with any of the Cullens. If she could, Bella would want to drown herself to death in the intoxicating smell of this vampire and surrender herself to be bitten. It would be a painful death for sure, but she'd die a happy human.

Striking a blinding smile, the vampire reaches out for Bella's hand, asking for permission, "May I?"

Not trusting her speaking ability, Bella gives an enthusiastic nod before placing her hand on top of cold palm. The vampire leans down and places a gentle and long kiss on her knuckles. Her cheeks flare and she thinks her heart stopped at one point, before picking up its pace again.

Pleased to have received such a wonderful reaction, the vampire presses her nose against Bella's knuckles, greedily inhaling the sweet scent once again.

"Your scent - it washes over any grief, sorrow and turmoil. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, my love. I am Aurelia Athenodora."

The term of endearment only fuels Bella's blush. It has now shamelessly spread to her neck and chest, and she knows the vampire is aware of it if the smugness in her smile were to be of any indication.

"I have seen you before."

It is not a question, Athenodora knows this. And she is overjoyed by Bella's recognition. Bella's hand is warm in hers, her thumb continuously strokes against Bella's skin. If her unbeating heart had been in control, she would love nothing more than to burrow her nose deep in Bella's neck and have that soft body pressed against her.

But it is much too early, even if it's just a dream. And yet, she couldn't allow herself to end their skin contact. And at most, Bella's seems more shy than uncomfortable by the display of affection, Athenodora decides to continue caressing her mate's soft skin.

"Take a walk with me?"

She holds out her elbow, intending to take the lead. The spell seems broken the moment Athenodora lets go of her hand. Bella shakes it off and proceeds to loop her arm against Athenodora's elbow. The vampire purrs and presses herself closer to her mate.

"Where are we?" Bella's head turned to scan their surroundings.

"I'm guessing your favourite place, somewhere out there. After all, this is your dream."

That makes sense, Bella thinks. It's so serene and mesmerising. If she could retire here, she'll gladly forever be lost in this wonderland. If this is where she goes when she dies, so be it.

"It could very well be a figment of your imagination or a distant memory."

With that explanation, Bella turns to look at the gorgeous vampire. She clears her throat, still struggling to find her voice in the presence of this ethereal being. "Could it be that I summoned you too?"

Velvet eyes bore into hazel ones intensely. Athenodora produces a wink and Bella is quick to snap her head forward. Her knees feel like jelly and she has to rely on the strength of this strange vampire to keep herself upright.

"Possibly."

But then, she is too sly and quick to change the subject, "This must be your favourite season then."

Not trusting herself, Bella averts her eyes forward. A resigned look colours her face as she inhales the fresh breath of air, "I love the warmth. Most of my happy memories take place in summer."

Athenodora's eyes twinkle in amusement, if Bella had looked to her left. For the first time, she's happy to have learnt an interesting fact about her mate straight from the source, instead of Heidi. She smiles in delight at this discovery.

In the real world, Athenodora isn't able to freely express her emotions, especially not when it concerns her mate. It would have proven to be a risk to the plans they have set in motion. But she couldn't not see her mate and this is the only way she knew how.

"Tell me more."

Despite the choice of words, it feels more like a request than a demand. In her heart, Bella can sense Athenodora's genuine curiosity about the matter. It's rare to receive such a sincere request from anyone. People in Forks were intrigued because she was fresh blood and dated one of the Cullens. Almost everyone wanted something from her and yet at this precise moment, it seems Athenodora is earnest in her request.

Before she obliges, Bella's in the mood of teasing. Her courage emboldened with every second spent with this vampire. "I believe you're supposed to trade information, just to be fair."

Athenodora stops in her tracks and her head whips in Bella's direction. It is as if warmth spreads from her heart, flooding her entire being, making her feel alive in a way she never had before. Her undead heart tugs at that coy smile of Bella's. The entirety of her being demands her to press her lips against Bella's to swallow it whole. Instead of potentially scaring her mate, Athenodora settles by brushing a strand of Bella's hair behind her ear.

"You can ask me anything, my dear. What do you want to know?"

Receiving such an unexpected response, Bella freezes. Suddenly, her head is unable to think. The intensity in Athenodora's eyes has her heart fluttering. She opens her mouth but her mind remains incoherent.

As if it's to say it's okay, Athendora gently taps Bella's hand and nudges them to proceed with their walk.

"Spring is my favourite. Where the winter may be cold and harsh, spring brings a burst of life. The air is crisp and refreshing. I especially love the sounds of nature coming back to life."

Bella is truly mesmerised.

The way those crimson eyes light up as she utters every word was entrancing and Bella is trapped in this time loop where she worships the ground Athenodora walks on. Noticing the lack of Bella's response, Athenodora halts their movement.

"Are you afraid of me?" She asked as she tried to peer into Bella's brown eyes.

"Logic commands me to tremble in fear being graced by your presence but…"

"But?"

"Something tells me you're not one to fear. At least not for my safety."

While Athenodora is relieved by her lack of fear, she's worried Bella's this reckless with other vampires. Golden eyes or not, to Athenodora, every vampire could easily end her mate's life. That's the harsh reality of being mated to a human.

"Why is that?"

"Because if this is my dream, and this is my favourite place, then I must have summoned you too. So far this has proven to be a favourable dream rather than a nightmare. And your company has been a pleasant one."

The urge to kiss her only grows thicker. But sadly, time is not on their side. Her power is waning and they both must return to reality. She can already hear Sulpicia's voice calling out to her.

"I must take my leave now."

Bella's mouth curves into an adorable pout as she whines, "What? No way! That's too short!"

"In here, time is limitless, but the same can't be said about the real world," she smiled bitterly.

"Will I see you again?"

Athenodora leans in and presses her firm lips against Bella's warm forehead as an answer, though Bella isn't sure what it all means. Her strong hand caresses Bella's right cheek and she leans into it, finding comfort in her touch.

"Until fate brings us together again, you can always find me here in your dreams."

And when Bella opens her eyes, Athenodora is nowhere to be found and the hand that clasped her face is gone. Her heart feels like it's shattered into a million pieces with Athenodora's sudden absence. The dark breeze of loneliness creeps in and a tear cascades down her cheek. She crumbles to her feet and drowns herself in heart-wrenching sobs.

What a cruel dream.

A/N: I had a different chapter in my draft but it didn't feel right. I went with this one instead. I'll be slower in updating this book so please be patient with me.