Chapter 1

I tapped my chin thoughtfully, the gears in my mind whirling as I formulated a move against my opponent. We were neck and neck, head to head, and I was one move away from beating my most worthy foe…

"Checkmate," I said triumphantly.

Marcus's face was pleasantly surprised and he smiled, "Congratulations on your first victorious chess game." All around us, people were sitting in pairs, playing chess, checkers and cards. It was something Aro organized to keep the guard and leaders from petrifying in boredom.

I smiled back at Marcus and looked to my right. Aro was sitting with his wife, Sulpicia, and was grinning. Aro had found her days after she'd been torn apart and put her together again, much to everyone's chagrin. Sulpicia had a very sour look on her face, as though she'd chew off her own arm before playing another game of Poker with her husband. Though, it was easy enough to win. Aro was always holding his cards backwards.

I turned to my left and saw Athenadora and her husband, Caius, playing a game of War. I'm sure if blood were still flowing through his veins, the one on his temple would be bulging in anger. Athenadora was the most overly sweet and kind woman in Volterra. Not exactly a perfect match for the blood thirsty leader of the Volturi, Caius. But despite their differences, Caius loved her and Athenadora loved Caius.

She smiled sweetly at him, "I win again!" She squealed and threw her cards in the air, not noticing her husband covering his face in embarrassment or the joy on Aro's face as a few of the cards landed on him. Aro was fascinated by everything, I learned, even to a point where he'd become intrigued by my clothing and Marcus had nearly slapped him when he tried to look down my shirt. Aro wasn't a pervert. He was just curious. I had to explain that to Marcus thoroughly before he stopped trying to strangle Aro.

Aro laughed in that maniacal way of his and picked up a card, turning it over in his fingers fluidly, "Fascinating… It is amazing how a thin piece of plastic such as this has the aerodynamics to move from above Athenadora's head to my lap in one flittering movement!" He laughed again and I giggled a little. Aro may have been insane but he was the kind of insane that I liked.

"Love," Marcus gained my attention, "Perhaps you would like to go for a stroll through the gardens with me? I have something I need to ask you."

Aro's eyes lit up but he said nothing, instead turning his attention to the cards scattered in his lap. Marcus held out his hand and led me outside to the garden. The garden was huge, as big as a football field and full of beautiful flowers that Jane, Athenadora and I had planted. It was large enough that it bridged the gap between two huge castles, one being the residence of the Romanian coven and the other being the residence of the Volturi.

Marcus led me to a stone bench and we sat down, basking in the early morning sun. The garden was the only place we could be outside in the sun without risk of exposure. He ran his thumb over the top of my gloved hand thoughtfully and said, "My dearest Styx... we've been together a long time..."

"Not too long," I pointed out quietly. We'd only been together, as a couple, for about ten years human time. That was relatively, well, puny compared to the three thousand years he'd lived.

Marcus smiled at me patiently, "Long enough for me to know I hold certain feelings for you and that they deserve more than just the title of mate."

I knew what was coming and I squirmed internally. Oh God, oh God, oh God, he's gonna propose. Oh mah gawd, oh mah gawd, oh mah gawd, I flipped out on the inside but on the outside, my expression was calm and curious. Butterflies danced in my frozen stomach and I gulped back some of my nervousness and fear as he reached for his pocket.

A sudden screech and a bang had both of us turning to the Volturi castle in shock. I could hear Caius, Sulpicia and Aro in the distance, screaming and yelling. My eyes flew back to Marcus to see that he'd stood from his seat and was now offering me his hand, "May we continue this conversation later, piccolo?"

I nodded sadly and he lifted my chin, pressing a light kiss to my lips before grasping my hand and running at vampire speed to find the others. We found them in the throne room and I gawked at the sight. Sulpicia was squared off with Caius and Aro while Athenadora cowered behind her, staring at her mate like he was some murderer she'd just seen on TV. I stepped forward, "What's going on here?"

Sulpicia, who normally dispised me, grabbed my hand and tugged me to her side, away from Marcus, "We are rebelling!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Aro, "He has repressed us long enough and we seek justice! We seek freedom!" My eyes darted from Aro's surprised face to Caius's enraged face to Marcus's concerned face. What was going on?!

"Please Sulpicia, allow me to explain to Styx was has been happening," Aro insisted but Sulpicia's grip on my arm only tightened. She dragged me back with her, snagging Athenadora's hand as she moved toward the exit. I didn't know what to do so I walked with her, watching behind us for the boys. Caius made to run for us but Aro stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder with a grim expression.

As we moved down the hall at very high speeds, I asked, "What's going on?"

Athenadora grasped my hand and held it as we walked, her eyes wide with fear. We reached the massive front doors and Sulpicia finally stopped, smiling at the door, "Well, this is it, girls. Salvation. Freedom." She pushed open the doors and strode out, Athenadora dragging me alone with them.

My eyes darted around in panic, "B-But, aren't the guard supposed to be with us? The wives aren't allowed to be alone... right?"

"Well, technically, you are not a wife yet but yes, the rule stands," Sulpicia said haughtily. "As for what is going on... we are leaving."

Aw, snap. They done did it now! Glad to see that you've stuck around to see the sequel. Thanks for being good little followers. ^_^

~Penny