Title: Sleeping With the Enemy.

Summary: Bella is the princess of a war torn country, and has lost nearly everything she holds dear to the Voltouri. Can she learn to accept the man responsible for the death of her father and all the blood spilt fighting in the name of her kingdom. Or will her heart keep her from marrying into an alliance that could end the power struggle once and for all.

A/N: So this is my first Fanfic in a really long time. I did a few in middle school and high school and honestly, they were so clunky and badly written (mainly because my 13 year old self had no idea how to write). Anyways, I've wanted to get back into it for a long time and while I've been kicking ideas around for a long time, this one came to me and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. I'm looking forward to growing as I write this story. I hope you have as much fun with this as I do. - Sam

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight - it all belongs to Stephanie Meyer

Chapter 1:

"The night seems darker, does it not?" A voice said into the blackness.

"Yes," another whispered. "The moon seems hazy. Probably the fires…"

"That's why the air is heavy… They are burning the dead." Another prisoner replied, almost to himself. "I wish those fires could take me from this place, life means nothing within these walls."

Ringing steps interrupted his sentiment, echoing out through the damp halls. No soul would be interrupted by the lateness of this visitation, as the only life left in this part of Volterra was that of the rats who waited in vain to feed upon the dead. Corpses were always burned promptly after death, to avoid reanimation.

Each patron's black eyes looked about in the darkness, straining to hear any clues about the new addition. For days, a rumor hung in the air, whispers of Aro's new toy had spread quickly among the remaining prisoners.

"I hear this one is important," a nameless voice chanced a whisper.

"I think he is special. The guards couldn't wait to get their hands on this one." Another voice replied with a little less caution.

"Quiet!" another prisoner chastised. "Don't get us killed early, they are nearly here." And he couldn't be more correct, as his warning was punctuated by the rough entrance of guards bursting through the door. The sounds of struggle were apparent. The new ones always did try to put up a fight.

"Now, now, won't you just join our friends here without a fuss?" Aro joked. He always did enjoy this part. It wasn't as fun throwing a prisoner into his cell once he had given up all reason to live. "How lovely indeed. My collection grows with every passing day! Soon I will need to make room for our new friends." He added happily.

The only thing Aro enjoyed more than adding to his collection, was disposing of them once he needed more room in the dungeons. With that he left the guards to finish up, the sounds of his amusement growing quieter as he retreated back into the hall.

Felix tossed the captive man into a cell and tried to reason with the new addition, "Now stop struggling… you know there is no use."

"How could you do this with no urging of your conscience?" The new prisoner spat, his voice almost familiar to the other silent inhabitants.

"Oh Carlisle, my conscience died with my humanity long ago." Felix laughed. "And you will wish you didn't cling to yours when Aro gets his hands on you." he continued on while closing cell door. He proceeded to make his exit after adding, "If not Aro, then Jane will definitely enjoy watching the pain spread across your face as she makes an example of you."

And with his absence came the usual silence.

Soundless fear had crept through each prisoner at the utterance of their king's name. One thing was for sure, if Carlisle was truly in their midst, away from the throne, Volterra would soon have irrefutable control of every mortal and immortal being, with no one to challenge her rule…


Anne threw open the curtains, spilling the sunlight onto Bella's iridescent face, instantly bathing the room with a glow that reflected off her skin. Her eyes struggled to remain closed but Anne made sure that wasn't a possibility when she shook her form, still heavy with sleep.

"Bella you know what today is, up!" Her voice was as sweet as a chime but still firm with urgency.

She walked across the marbled floor, her stiff skirts swishing their rebuke at the starch that held them firmly in place. She went to start a fire in the great mantle adjacent from the ornately decorated bed that still held a half sleeping Bella. Next is the Tea, always the Tea. Anne thought as she grabbed the Rosebud Tea set, and set off for the still defiant Bella with a bit of annoyance in her step. Anne was as graceful as any, but the princess was trying her patience. "I mean it. You don't want to have to deal with your mother." And with that she plopped the tray in Bella's lap.

Slowly Bella sat up with one hand to steady the tray holding a spread fit for her royal highness. It was all a show of elaborate wealth really. With the entire court being vampires, food - nor sleep for that matter, was really a necessity, it was merely continued out of habit. "I know, thank you..." Bella replied, the heaviness of sleep still hanging in her voice.

"I know how you feel about this whole meeting," she continued to say. "But you know what this could mean. An end the war, and peace to your country." Anne soothed, while reaching for the pot. She poured Bella a cup of the warm viscous liquid, quietly waiting for her own words to sink in. When Bella did not respond, she handed over the cup, urging her to take a sip in anticipation of the long day ahead of her. "Come on dear, your eyes are fading from their lovely hue. You don't want to meet Aro with those black as night."

She hadn't been eating much since she heard of Aro's arrival, and the darkness under her eyes was becoming more apparent. Bella took a sip with a nod of agreement before saying, "So exactly how much time do we have before that horrible man's arrival?"

Anne opened her mouth to answer but was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the bedroom door crashing against the wall. Good thing it was made to keep up with the vampire strength of the royal family, or the wall would be a disaster after taking the blow.

"Bella! Seriously? We don't have time for a leisurely session of tea and petit fours!" Alice rang as she busted in through the door. "How did I know you would be sleeping a day like this away?" Bella watched as her sister quickly darted into the adjacent dressing room in her quarters. Alice returned with a gown, beautiful in its own way. If …Bella had a taste garishly, fur trimmed, plunging neck lines, that would really leave nothing to the imagination once her corsets had their way with her bust. "Oh god it's even more awful up-close. What are you going to do Bella? You can't publicly meet Aro wearing this animal of a dress" Alice added. Bella laughed at her sister's seriously horrified expression.

"Girls, you know Bella has no choice. Aro gifted it in preparation from this meeting. Choosing not to wear it would be a very public snub of the gift and his affections all together." Alice dropped the garment on the powder blue chaise lounge and collapsed into the seat, feeling defeated.

"Anne this is all wrong for Bella. When in god's name has she needed a dress like this. It's so wrong for the occasion." She said, throwing her hands up in obvious exasperation. Bella took this as her cue and finally rose from the bed, her lips slightly stained from the blood within the tea.

"She's right, I can't wear that Anne. If Aro wants to marry me then he is going to have to learn that I will not dress like one of his little whores." Bella spat, with her eyes trained on Alice. Her sister had crossed the room to help herself to Bella's mostly untouched tray.

"Whoa there Bella, where is this coming from?" Alice laughed as she took a bite into one of the decadent pastries. She eagerly looked between Anne's horrified expression and Bella's smirk. "So what will you wear instead then?" She asked between bites. "A white dress and a blue veil? How very Virgin Mary of you." Alice giggled.

"I didn't intend on taking it that far Alice." Bella countered, rolling her eyes at her sister's reflection in the mirror. She began to untie the blue ribbon that held her perfect curls, brushing it in vain, since Alice would insist on continuing the task herself. Alice hopped off the bed and walked over to grab a different dress.

"How about this one?" She asked, holding up a white silk and chiffon dress with gold threads dancing along the bodice in an intricate pattern. The hem just barely touched the floor and would flow beautifully as Bella walked. A soft panel of fabric extended over one shoulder and hung down to the floor, creating elegant movement behind her. It was perfect. Regal in its simplicity and fitting for the event they were having. Bella smiled and nodded, allowing Alice to begin making her ready for the event.


A soft knock came at the door just as Alice added the final touches to Bella's hair. "Come in!" The three women said together. The door opened and Rose's handmaiden Marie came through.

"Rosalie would like me to check on you Bella." Marie said with a quick dip to serve as her curtsey.

"Tell her we will be right there." Bella said, her red lips smiling at Alice's work. Now that she was properly fed, and Alice had her way with Bella's appearance, she was looking more herself. The discoloration gone from her lids highlighted by her eyes restored to their golden hue, "It's perfect Alice thank you." Alice kissed her cheek in response, looking into the reflection of Bella's golden eyes.

"Listen," She whispered seriously, "We all know how much you hate this idea, sleeping with the enemy and all that, but this is your responsibility as was mine and Rose before the both of us. Maybe you will find something in him that you can learn to like. You never know, but we do all thank you for going through the motions of this marriage to keep us all safe." Bella nodded in response, stilling herself and willing the nerve to meet the one person responsible for the death of her father, their King, and all of the nation's people that fought to protect them.

"Easy for you to say Alice, Jasper and Emmett are hardly anything like the pile of filth Aro is."

Bella rose and Anne squeezed her hand in silent encouragement. Bella turned to Anne and smiled sadly at the woman who had been with her along the whole emotional acceptance of this union. Anne had comforted her during the nights Aro's blood red eyes burned in her dreams, his hands wiping away her father's blood from his lips. Her vision blurred at this thought, but she was ready this time, to look into the eyes of the man responsible for all that her family had lost up until this point, and accept him as her husband for the rest of her eternal life.


The sun rose lazily over the forest canopy in the distance, before slowly casting its golden glow along the palace grounds. Esme had commissioned the palace to be built along the edge of the wilderness, in an effort to fuel the court's constant need for animal blood. Framing the palace was an intricately designed garden that put those of the palace Versailles to shame. Everything was built under Esme's tasteful eye, and with her affinity for landscaping and architecture, she quickly transformed the grounds into the most beautiful chateau the world has seen. All around were hedges that traced playful mazes in the earth, punctuated by the beautifully designed fountains. Each of course, with their crest heavily featured in its pools, to honor the Cullen family name. There were little clearings where silk tents could be raised for entertaining their guests, along with the tiny cottages the girls used to play in when they were younger. These grounds were not as excessive as the Victorian gardens that had lent their touch of inspiration, in that, it seemed like every part of the garden had been there for centuries.

Whereisthatgirl?Rose thought to herself as she overlooked the gardens that stretched out behind the palace. Her eyes scanned the forest just beyond the clearing as she listened to Emmett and Jasper returning from their morning hunt.

"Rose you look lovely," she heard her mother say as the queen joined her on the terrace that overlooked their untouched paradise. Rose turned to her mother and smiled in thanks.

"I wish there was another way. The thought of Aro, here,in our midst to marry our youngest sister? I can't believe he can look us all in the eye knowing that he is to blame for the empty throne next to yours." Esme looked over the garden bustling with activity to prepare for Aro's arrival. Their colors flew in defiance of the defeat that loomed over their heads. It was a royal affair after all, and when welcoming the enemy one could not show weakness.

"I know Rose. We all don't want this to happen, but loosing your father was a fatal blow to us. If only we were able to make Volterra surrender with brute force, Bella could stay here with us."

"You know… I could help you with that." Emmett joked as he walked in from the garden.

"Yes, then get yourself killed." Jasper laughed, as they made their way to join the women at the top of the steps.

Emmett playfully punched brother and bounded up the steps to Rose's waiting arms. "Are you sure you won't hunt this morning Rose? It's probably better for us to be at our strongest once his court gets here."

Rose broke away from watching the preparations before her to look at her husband. "No I'm fine," She smiled at him. "I had a drink from the cook's catch this morning."

Emmett smiled and buried his nose into the crown of her head, and slowly rocked Rose back and fourth, taking in this moment with his family. There was an edge of worry that hung over them whenever they were together. Almost as if each one was painfully aware, that at any moment, one of them could be lost - just as abruptly as Carlisle.

It was a sight to be had, the four of them gleaming in the still rising sunlight. Esme greeted both of her son-in-laws with a real love she felt grow for them over the years of her daughter's unions. She knew this would never be the case with Aro. Their family could never fully accept him, never mind the task of learning to love him as their own.

Losing Carlisle had been hard on Esme. She thought back to the day she received the news of his death. The bone crushing loss that had racked though her frame paralyzed her for months, causing many to question what the royal family would do to counter the heavy blow. No one had expected a union would be the next move. It wasn't popular at first, but as the losses began to rise, the people grew tired of the war and accepted a peaceful union as their best option for survival.

"Guess who's ready!" Alice announced excitedly, bringing Esme's thoughts back to the present. Bella and Alice walked out to join their family on the terrace, their dainty steps sounding along the marbled surface.

"Try to contain your excitement for my engagement…" Bella joked sarcastically as she looked between her family's grim expressions. It was typical of her to try to put her family's happiness before her own. Love made her sacrificial of herself at times, even if it meant putting her happiness last.

"Bella we're all here for you," Rose assured her, the pain of the situation still apparent on her flawless features.

"I know Rose and when I see you all here, it reminds me what I'm sacrificing to protect." Bella said softly. Her oldest sister had always looked after her as they were growing up. Rose herself had made sure that any boys that teased her little sister had hell to pay, causing many to be intimidated by her. It was probably the mix of blinding beauty, and equally blinding hot temper, that reminded everyone to watch themselves around Rosalie.

"Well," Esme started to say. "I hate to break this up but I'm sure we don't have much time before Aro's arrival and we all want to be ready for it. Alice can you make sure Jasper and Emmett don't look as if they just wrestled a bear once our guest arrives?" Alice laughed and took her husband inside to make sure he was presentable.

"Very funny Esme, I'll make sure to skip the face paint then while I'm getting ready." Emmett joked at his mother-in-law's teasing remark. "I'll be back Rose." And with that he retreated to their quarters.

"I'll go check on the rest of the preparations, and Rose?" Esme stopped as she added, "If you and Bella could check on the entertainment that would be lovely."

"Sure mother," They both replied as Esme parted to complete her day's task.

"What entertainment Rose?" Bella asked a little confused once her mother was gone.

"I thought you knew, Bella. Aro loves music." Rose said already starting to walk back into the palace.

"No I know that," Bella replied as she hastily turned to follow her sister. "But I thought that since he was bringing his court he would be showing us the music and entertainment favored in Volterra?"

"Yes well I'm sure we will have to sit through every torturous minute of that, but mother thought it would be good if we employed a pianist for today." Rose continued on.

"But where will we find someone in such short notice?" Bella noted her mind still busily trying to think of who they could call on.

"I believe someone important said this man was notable." Rose called over her shoulder. "A rising star." Rose added sarcastically imitating the person who suggested the musician. "Very handsome too." She continued waving her arms in exaggerated animation.

Bella sighed when Rose mentioned the last part. It wasn't like she could enjoy it, no matter how handsome he was. She was about to sign her life away to an old king.

A/N: Thanks to anyone still reading! I apologize if there are any mistakes, I really wanted to post it now so I just read over it a few times in hopes of combing out the boo boos. I hope you leave me a note with any thoughts, or questions – I would be so grateful if you took the time.

A few notes for the story: This is definitely an alternate universe because the vampires eat, sleep, cry, have children. I picture them to be like Renesmee – aging to a certain point and then remaining at that point eternally.

I hope to see you guys soon!