I am writing chapter 7 currently-I have redone the last 3 chapters-and I have settled on one chapter a week. This is the first of 25 chapters-so be warned- this is a very long and detailed book! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The Man He Had Become

It was late winter in venice, the snow thick and blinding, hiding the water's dark secret. Mandoline , Edward's runaway bride, lay alone in her chamber, listening to the wind howling outside like a cursed soul.
The windows were open, The curtains billowing in the cold night wind. Mandoline lay in bed, watching the fire light dancing on the chandelier.It was nearly midnight, and the snow was thicker than ever. She was not tired- but the thought of staying alone downstairs terrified her.
In the shadows, she heard a laugh. She span around, and climbed out of bed. By the window, she saw a tall, dark familiar figure.
He staggered closer, and the fire illuminated his cruel face. "Good evening, my love."He whispered, coming closer. She backed away, but he grabbed her throat.He leaned forward, watching her struggle in his arms.
He forced her to look at him. " Still so defiant, my sweet?" He mocked. "I thought I had broken you years ago." She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip. "Still,I won't make that mistake again." He laughed, and grabbed her wrist. "I will enjoy every second of pain I inflict you with." He leaned closer.
"You are my betrothed, my love. Tell me, do you still despise me?"He held fast, only inches away from her.
"I despise you!"Mandoline hissed. "I am joyous in your absence!" She pushed herself away, but he laughed. He through her against the wall.
"I love you too, my sweet."He looked down, and pulled a necklace from her neck in horror. "Who gave you this?"He snarled. He was furious with his own stupidity. why, he had taken all her inheritence, so she was penniless with out him. Of course, it was obvious now. She had loved another man, who had aided her escape and returned her love. He shook with anger and desire.

"A far better man then you!"Mandoline gasped, as he tightened his grip around her neck.He roared in rage, and threw the chain onto the fire.He punched her and she fell to the floor.

"YOU BELONG TO ME!"He roared in torment, shaking her furiously. "So this is what you do to me!"He cried. "Run away to the arms of another the very night you agreed to marry me!"
"I never loved you!"She wept, as he grabbed a poker from the flames."It was the only way I could escape!"
"Say you love me, Mandoline!" He cried, half in pain, half in anger. "Say it!" He raised the poker higher.Mandoline struggled in his arms, sobbing in fear.
"I can't Edward!I can't! Its not true!"Mandoline wept, her eyes wide with fear."I could never love you!Please! Let me go! What have I done to you?"She sank down, Edward staring at her in despiration.
She was still so beautiful, even now. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight, her dark hair tumbling down her back. In a plain white nightdress she looked just like she had on her wedding night.
He hated her when she looked at him like that. They reflected to monster he had become, his love becoming a twisted obsession, his strength so easily broken.
And she didnt love him.He would have died for her, he would have done anything for her - and yet she refused him.
He punched her again, watching the blood run down her lips and down her neck. Her eyes fluttered to a close, her body limp in his arms. Had he killed her?He could not live with out her- she was his reason the breathe, the wind in his face, the passion in his heart.





To be continued...THIS isnt the end of the chapter-but i will write more later!