*scoots in* H-Hello! Sorry it's taken so long, but life kinda gets in the way sometimes. I wrote, this chapter about three times, trying to get it right. I hope I did this time ^_^. Anyway, thanks to:

AnastasiaNikolaevna

xXxVampChicaxXx

partyninja91124

You are amazing! Thanks tons!

I own nothing *sigh*.

A few hours later, I was standing outside the Throne room, Aro beside me. I was about to meet the entire Volturi guard, and to be honest, I was a little nervous. The only thing that eased my nerves was thinking of what Felix's reaction would be to me joining the Volturi. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when we shook hands.

"Violet?" Aro's voice snapped me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I turned to him, raising my eyebrows. He watched me curiously, his cloudy eyes roaming my face.

"Are you alright?" he asked. I nodded. "Very well then. Shall we?"

He gestured to the doors. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Yes." I sighed, taking his offered arm. It was rock solid, even under all of that fabric. I quickly pushed the thought away, knowing he would find out about it sometime. I could just imagine him laughing at my chaotic thoughts. The very idea annoyed me.

The slight breeze caused by the opening doors brought me back to the present. I walked with Aro (though not nearly as gracefully) into the enormous room, analyzing the line of people before us. I immediately recognized Jane, who was suppressing a small smile. Demetri stood next to her, grinning at me openly. However, it was the person at the very end of the line who held my attention.

Felix.

The hulking giant looked as though he wanted to hit something. Hard. I could see his jaw clenching as I smiled at him innocently. I immediately decided that I wanted to be here for a long time.

"Everyone," Aro breathed, arresting everyone's interest. "I am pleased to announce that we will be welcoming another individual into our ranks. This is Violet."

He gestured to me with his free hand. I nodded to the group before me, not speaking. Some of them regarded me with kindness, others with curiosity. I could practically feel the waves of hate radiating from Felix, warm and menacing. A tug on my arm alerted me to the fact that Aro wanted me to follow him. I quickly obliged, walking to the front of the line. A tall woman stood in front of me, honey locks framing her face delicately. She looked upon me with inquisitiveness.

"Violet, this is Heidi." Aro introduced us. Heidi extended her hand, smiling.

"It's nice to meet you, Violet."

I returned her expression, taking her hand. "You too, Heidi."

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad, after all.

I met the rest of the guard, finding that most of them were quite nice. I could already tell that Jane and I were on our way to becoming friends, which was good. Athenadora seemed to like me enough, as well. When we reached Felix, my excitement grew.

"Hello, Felix." I said, offering my hand. He uncurled one of his fists, grasping it as lightly as possible. I disguised my giggle by clearing my throat, feeling the vibrations of Demetri's silent laughter as they reverberated around the room.

"Violet." Felix murmured, squeezing my hand painfully. I fought back the urge to blow his head off, knowing that I would only get into trouble. Pulling back my hand, I shot him a look.

"I believe that is everyone." Aro interrupted our silent conversation, releasing my arm and dismissing the guard. Felix flitted from the room quickly, behaving very much as if he wanted to kill someone. Athenadora approached me as I stayed in place.

"Violet?" she asked softly, her voice musical.

"Hmm?" I murmured. She smiled.

"I was wondering…maybe you'd like to take a walk in the garden with me?"

"I would love to." I agreed. Athenadora made a noise of delight, hooking her arm through mine and guiding me from the Throne room. I giggled.

The nagging sensation of someone watching me wouldn't go away until we were out of the room and down the hall.

Athenadora and I sat in a patch of grass, admiring the flowers surrounding us. We'd been out here for around an hour, just talking and taking in the outdoors. The scent of rain was soothing, reminding me of my childhood. Paris had always been rainy like this. Of course, that was before...

Before my memories could turn sour, I forced myself to think of something else. Of course, that was also a mistake. My thoughts were filled with images of Aro.

No, Violet. You don't think of him in that way, I tried to tell myself. True, he was beautiful, but everyone here was. Yes, that was it. The other men were handsome, too. I was just overwhelmed by the breathtaking vampires. Well, that's what I made myself believe.

"My, you're awfully quiet." Athenadora chuckled, picking a daisy and smelling it. The golden petals caressed her face with a feather light touch, standing out against her powdery skin. I was so busy marveling in her beauty that I had forgotten to speak.

"Oh, sorry." I muttered, shaking my head.

"Nonsense," she waved her hand. "There's nothing to apologize for."

I chuckled. "Okay then."

Athenadora tilted her head to the side. "I am curious, though. What is it that had you looking so upset?"

It was my turn to be confused. "I was upset?"

She nodded. "You were frowning for at least five minutes straight."

"Oh," I mumbled.

"So, what were you thinking about?" she pressed. I rolled my eyes playfully.

"Well, if you must know, I was thinking about…someone."

"And who might this someone be?" she waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"I'm not sure I like your tone." I teased. She giggled.

"Fine, if you're going to be secretive. Do I know him?"

I hesitated. "Yes."

"Oh? Hmm…" she hummed, thinking. "Well, it is obviously not Felix."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Most definitely not."

"Alright, I'm still guessing. Not Caius, I hope?" she smiled when I made a face.

"No worries there. No offence, of course."

"None taken. I don't suppose it would be…Aro?" she said, a bit loudly. I was about to shake my head when I noticed that she wasn't looking at me anymore. I followed her gaze, spotting the eccentric leader walking towards us. We both stood, neither speaking. Aro was in front of us now, eyeing us with amusement.

"I thought I heard my name," he smiled. Athenadora and I relaxed from our stiff poses.

"I was just having a little chat with Violet, brother." Athenadora laid a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her, looking back to Aro.

"So I heard." he gazed at me knowingly. "Dora, would you mind if I borrowed her for a moment? We need to discuss a few things."

"Of course," Athenadora replied, giving me a quick hug. "It was fun talking with you. We should do this more often." With that, she was gone, having flitted from the garden.

"She's really taken a liking to you." Aro commented.

"I'm glad." I nodded.

"Would you care to sit?" he offered, gesturing to a nearby bench.

"Sure." I answered, walking with him. Trying not to sit so close to him was impossible, for the bench was rather small.

"Now, I understand that you have some reservations about our diet. Yes?" Aro began.

"Um," I wasn't sure if I should answer. Well, it was his fault for asking. "Just one."

He held out his hand. I wordlessly placed mine on his. Darn it! He would hear my thoughts about him from a few minutes ago- how did I not realize this? His milky eyes unfocused for a moment.

"Ah," he came back from my thoughts. "I see. You wish to continue with your previous lifestyle."

I removed my hand, placing it back in my lap. Maybe he didn't pay attention to those...odd thoughts.

"If you don't mind." I murmured. His features expressed thoughtfulness.

"I understand. However, I fear for your safety. What if you were caught?"

"Well, if that's what you're worried about, you can send someone with me. If I get into trouble, I'll have help." I suggested. Aro remained silent, thinking.

"I suppose." he sighed. I had to keep myself from hugging him. That would only make him think one thing.

"Thank you." I smiled instead.

"It is no problem at all." he assured me, getting up from the bench. He extended his hand, helping me up. I thanked him mentally, knowing he could hear it. He chuckled.

"Don't they look happy?" I sighed dreamily, watching the pair smiling at each other through the window. Caius shook his head from behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my hair. I turned my attention from Aro and Violet to him, kissing him softly on the lips.

"I'm beginning to regret telling you about the bond Marcus saw between them." he sighed once we broke apart. I swatted at him playfully.

"I am simply giving them a little nudge."

"A nudge?" he chuckled. "It seems more like a shove, if you ask me."

"Nudge, shove. It is the same thing." I shot back, returning my attention to my brother and friend. Caius joined me, watching as Aro helped Violet up from the bench they'd been sitting on. I couldn't help but notice how their hands stayed together for a moment after they'd gotten up. I smiled.

"See? Their love is already starting to show."

O.o

Interesting...

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