Prince of Blood

Chapter 5

A/N: Kinda of a filler chapter but I thought it was important.

Hope you enjoy and REVIEW.

~Huda 

I was running through a long elaborate and rich corridor as though my life depended on it. I had a feeling that something or someone was chasing me; a shadow of darkness intent on destroying me- but for the sake of my life I didn't know who it was. It was just a haunting feeling, a feeling of being chased and decreased to being a prey. As I kept running down the infinite corridor decked out in Persian carpet, lit by elegant chandeliers and torches, the walls on either side of me covered in paintings which I couldn't distinguish; a sense of utter doom crept up my spine making me shudder. I knew that whatever was after me was getting closer.

I couldn't outrun it!

There were no doors for me to duck into and the hallway didn't seem to have an end; I was helpless and done for. The corridor stretched out in front of me like an endless tunnel.

I felt rather than heard my hunter catch up to me as there was no other noise except my erratic heartbeat, my blood ringing in my ears and the uneven thump of my feet as I struggled to breathe and keep running against the restraining hold around my shoulders.

Cold and darkness engulfed me as I drowned.

I woke up choking back a scream. Cold hand were pushing back my sweaty hair and a sweet gentle voice was murmuring reassurances in my ear that it was only a dream- more like the worst nightmare of my life.

It took me a few minutes before I could shake off the feeling of definite death from my nightmare and get my breathing under control. It was then that I realised that Esme was the one comforting me. It was the middle of the night so what was she doing in my room?

I looked over at her with confusion plainly written across my face.

"Here have some water. I was passing by on my way outside when I heard you thrashing around in here so I came to see what was wrong." She gently murmured, handing me a glass of water from my bedside.

"What isn't wrong?" I grumbled under my breath, my voice lased with sarcasm covering helplessness.

"Sweetie...I know you have every reason to hate all of us. None of us could imagine how you are feeling; what you are going through. But just know that we will always stand by you. I speak on behalf of all my family when I say that none of us condone Edward's behaviour and I would have never thought that my son could do something like this. Be so cruel." Said the Queen regretfully and in a voice full of remorse.

She called Edward her son yet again so doesn't it give her and Carlisle some power over him? Why couldn't they put a stop to his behaviour? Why put up with his demands if they were so against them? Voicing some of these thoughts to Esme wouldn't hurt, I decided.

"Why can't you stop him, if you consider him your son?" I asked hesitantly, something telling me that I didn't want the answer.

"Because as selfish as it may sound, if we were to oppose Edward we will lose our oldest child-not that I can be certain that he isn't already lost. But as a father I have to hold onto the hope that my son, friend and oldest companion is still in there somewhere, that it is just a matter of time before he recovers; for the lack of a better word." Spoke Carlisle from the foot of my bed, startling me as I hadn't heard him approach or enter my chambers.

"I don't believe this will do you any good Isabella but cause you even more grief and worry. But the reason none of us are doing anything is because Edward is holding innocent lives hostage. He claims that he will drain the lands of blood if were to get in his way," continued the king, in a gentle yet hopeless voice. He came forward to rest a hand on his wife's shoulder in an attempt to soothe her misery which was evident on her lovely face.

"One thing that remains the same about him is that he is a man of his word. If he says he'll do something, then he will move heaven and raise hell to accomplish it." Murmured Esme.

"I know you must believe that vampires cannot form bonds but we can, and it is this bond that doesn't allow us to force Edward into submission and abandoning his plans. He may have forgotten what us Cullens live by but we haven't." Carlisle came and sat adjacent to his wife on my bed as he held her hand and my gaze with his own compassionate ones.

"Darling, I know you must be feeling like a lamb to the slaughter and know that it pains us to see you like this. But please understand; by sacrificing yourself you will be saving countless lives, I am pretty sure Edward won't take your life. If he wanted that he wouldn't have held back." The Queen said her golden eyes shining with remorse and unshed blood tears.

"I appreciate your honesty, your majesties. But willing or unwilling my fate has been sealed since you son laid eyes on me. I love the people of my country and as their princess it is my duty to ensure their safety, even if it comes at the price of mine." I murmured, picking at embroidery on my sheets, "I have accepted it all and I think it will be for the best if we all just take everything in stride. But please don't tell what you told me about Edward's threat to my parents, they are already heartbroken and I don't want to cause them more pain. And no matter what happens to me, what condition I am in, please promise to never tell them but instead soothe them with the reassurance that I am fine." I couldn't stand the thought of mum or dad getting plagued by worries about me. I wouldn't be able to survive if I was constantly thinking about them. I had to believe that the Cullens would take care of them.

"I have seen the spirit and fire in your eyes as you stood up in front of Edward to defend innocent lives. Most royals would save their own life and not care about those of their nation but even at your young age, you show great courage and kindness and let's hope in time it will thaw my son's heart." The king ran a gentle fatherly hand on my head, giving me a small smile.

"Goodnight, dearie," murmured Esme kissing my forehead and getting up.

"We'll see you in the morning."

I granted them a hesitant smile and hand in hand they exited my room closing the heavy oak doors behind them.

Later that night as I lay in bed fruitlessly looking for slumber, I thought. This conversation with his parents had helped a lot. It made me realise how I was behaving like the weak victim in this situation, and I wasn't weak. I knew now that I have to stop dwelling over my fate and move on. I felt better knowing that the Cullens would stand by me; though I couldn't guarantee how much they might be able to help or protect me.

I came to a few conclusions.

First, I wouldn't let Edward's threats get to me; I would not be frightened by him into unreserved compliance.

Secondly, I would stay strong no matter what.

Thirdly, I would find out everything there is to know about a certain vampire Prince.

Please review they make me update faster.

Xx

~Huda