The mirror was rusting, I could see that easily, but I knew sulpicia would shriek if I dared replace it. I ran my hand through my hair and frowned at the gilt frame; I really did wish she'd let me buy another or at least have it repaired but once she'd made up her mind that something was beautiful it had to stay without being tampered with. I remembered when I first met her, she had seemed so beautiful and delicate. I used to call her il mio fiore, my flower. But the years have changed her, beauty once adorned not only her face, but her personality also.

"Aro, dearest, Renata says that you are to meet with Marcus at five." Sulpicia spoke, making me spin round in surprise.

I could hear the faked sadness in her voice and I sighed, this was one of her most frequently used tricks. Rather than complain to my face she would act discontent and expect me to request clarification so that she would be the victim if I told her to be quiet.

"Very well." Today I would not stoop to her level.

She sniffed and walked around to my side.

"Aro, I fear that you are being all too flippant about our relationship." The anger in her voice was just barely under control.

"Well, Sulpicia, I fear that I have a meeting soon and I have no time for your petty games."

I didn't have to see her mind to realise this was a poor choice of words. As I turned from the mirror and walked away I could feel her eyes burn into the back of my neck.

"ARO! Don't you DARE walk away from me! I am sick of your attitude to me; I am not some obedient dog that you can call to you only when it suits your schedule!"

I didn't turn around; "I'm sorry Sul but I don't' feel like talking to you now, later we will discus these matters."

"NO! Aro do not speak to me like that! I will NOT wait to talk to you about OUR MARRIAGE!" She shrieked the words as if it hurt her just to say them.

"Calm down sulpicia, I don't have time to talk right now but I will try my best to resolve these issues with you."

"I cannot continue with this lie!" I could hear the false tears coming, "Aro, I am always second best for you, there is always some more important matter, well just once in my life I would like to be the most important thing to you, you are a poor husband if you cannot give me that!"

I spun round, "Am I a poor husband?! I have given you EVERYTHING you have ever wanted, including immortality! I would say that no other husband could have given you that!"

She sniffed again and turned her back to me.

"This is ridiculous, sul," I said, deciding to give up, "What is the matter?"

"Renata is, she won't stop looking at you."

"Sul, I would say that's part of her job."

"Do you think she's prettier than me!?" Sulpicia screamed, twirling round to pierce me with her red eyes.

"No! Of course not darling, you're beautiful." I tried to convince myself this was true, she was very attractive, just not when you knew her.

"I want you to make sure Renata knows you're mine."

I cringed at the term, it was almost painful to think of myself as the possession of that woman.

"Yes, dear."