Vanhi Volturi paused in front of the full length mirror. Her cobalt blue sari was new, and it complemented the sapphires and diamonds that shimmered on her throat and earlobes. She smiled, confident that Marcus would be happy to see her wearing the jewels. He had surprised her with them for no particular reason, other than the fact that he loved buying her expensive jewelry. He liked to show her off, but she preferred their private moments in the spacious apartment within the castle walls.
As she walked toward the throne room, she reflected on the fifty years since she had first stepped into this sumptuous palace, terrified and alone. If she had been breathing, Marcus would have taken her breath away. He still did. She knew all about his first wife, and how devastated he was when he lost her. It was an uphill battle, teaching him to trust and to love again, but now they were inseparable. Their strong personalities often clashed, but their love was fierce and true.
Marcus looked up as Vanhi swept into the room. Their eyes met across the cavernous space, and she shivered at the intensity of his gaze. A tall, muscular guard stepped aside as she took her place beside her mate and placed her hand lightly on his arm. Her throne was an exact duplicate of the original three. Marcus had purchased one for each of the Volturi wives. Athenodora and Sulpicia seldom made use of them, but Vanhi often attended the hearings at her husband's side.
At a nod from Aro, the first supplicant was escorted in to stand before the Volturi royalty. The man was enormous, and he dwarfed the three six-foot guards stationed around him. Chains and shackles would be a waste of time and effort in this particular courtroom, so the Volturi relied on their bodyguards to be alert and vigilant.
The charges were read as the brothers listened carefully. All eyes were on the clerk, who stated calmly that the accused had attacked and killed a man on a city street, draining him in full view of passers-by. While everyone was intently listening, the prisoner lunged at Vanhi. The attack was so quick, so unexpected, that all eyes turned to Vanhi as she suddenly crumpled to the floor. Her blue sari was soaked with blood, and one arm had been severed at the elbow. It was nowhere in sight, and it seemed to have disappeared along with the hapless vampire.
Marcus's voice thundered through the vast room, echoing from the high stone ceiling. "Do not touch her!" He knelt at his wife's side, leaving the others to find and deal with the miscreant. Marcus knew there was no place to hide in this wing. The prisoner's fate was now sealed, regardless of what the tribunal would have decided sixty seconds before. Sounds of a scuffle drifted from a blind hallway behind the thrones, and a guard appeared carrying Vanhi's left arm, her rings glinting garishly in the artificial light. A faint cry of anger was suddenly extinguished, but Marcus was oblivious to the big man's' plight. He pulled Vanhi onto his lap, murmuring sounds of reassurance as he carefully and methodically replaced the limb and sealed the wound with his venom. He scooped her up in his arms, tucking her head under his chin and moving at vampire speed toward their apartment.
Aro stood, glaring at the guards with his ruby eyes. His jaw was tight, and when he finally spoke his voice came out in a whisper. "Thirty. Lashes." He returned to his throne and seated himself, his jaw twitching. He watched indifferently as the three guards shed their shirts and knelt on the stone floor. His lieutenant looked surprised when Aro held out his hand for the cruel scourge, a rawhide whip with metal beads along its length. His brother would want him to administer the punishment himself, and Marcus would have done the same for him.
Vanhi moaned softly as Marcus laid her gently on the bed. He deftly unwound the ruined sari and carefully cut away the short sleeved shirt and her lacy bra before covering her lightly with a sheet. "My blood will help you heal, my love," he whispered as he lay down beside her. He ripped open a vein in his wrist, and she sucked it greedily.
"Better. I'm better now," she repeated after a minute, gently pushing his arm away with her right hand. "Really, Marcus. Thank you. I'm okay." He gathered her into his arms, kissing her face gently.
"When you feel up to it, I'll run a bath for us and we'll get you cleaned up. But for now, just rest a bit." She closed her eyes, her body automatically curling into his as his rage slowly subsided.
After a few minutes, she looked up at him. "Marcus? I'm all sticky. Would you mind…"
"Of course, love. Just stay right here while I get the water ready. I'll come back and get you." He disappeared into their bathroom and opened the taps in the large jacuzzi. When it was full, he started the jets and, stepping out of his clothes, returned to the bedroom. He picked her up in his arms and walked into the water, settling himself with her on his lap. He reached for a sponge and gingerly washed off the blood that was caked on her arm and torso.
Vanhi closed her eyes once again, relaxing against his chest and sighing softly as he cleaned her. She winced as she flexed her arm, but it seemed to be working normally. "Do you want me to wash your hair, Vanhi? Or can it wait till tomorrow?" Without waiting for an answer, he started removing the pins until the chestnut waves shook free and flowed to her shoulders.
She shook her head. "I washed it this morning. It's fine," she murmured. "Just hold me, okay?"
His arms tightened around her. "As long as you wish, my darling. I never want to let you go."