Chapter 10
Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Author's note: hope this chapter is to your liking... any opinions you want to voice, you know what to do. Review/PM
Bella's POV
Athenodora and I walked around and she showed me the library and the art that decorated the walls. We ended up in the garden which Athenodora could see I enjoyed immensely. Athenodora was naturally a happy person, anyone could see that. Especially Caius. She told me how she first met Caius. They were both rogue vampires and then they ran into Aro and Marcus and that's how they formed the Volturi. I sat on a bench watching Athenodora looking at the flowers. This didn't last long as her head suddenly snapped up. I quickly followed her gaze and no more than a few seconds later, Aro had come sauntering into the garden. He came over to me and greeted Athena and I. I felt my good day darken dramatically.
"Isabella may I have a word?" he asked, I seriously considered turning him down but thought better of it.
"Do you mind, Athena?" I asked not wanting to be rude.
"Not at all... I will wait here for your return." She replied indifferently as she turned to give me a secretive smile. I smiled back. Aro tugged on my hand. I felt very smug because I knew he couldn't read my thoughts which must be frustrating for him. We ended back at his study. He sat me in a chair and leaned on the desk in front of me.
"Isabella." he said catching my attention as my eyes wondered around the room. I looked back to him curiously, having only a small idea what words where going to flow out of his mouth.
"I apologise for my earlier actions I realise that they were unfair and unjust..." he said sincerely.
"What? Killing Sulpicia or hurting me?" I asked sarcastically but somewhat upset. He signed.
"Probably the latter..." he said in the same breath.
"Don't you regret killing her?" I scoffed. Sure I didn't like her but that doesn't mean I wanted her dead.
"Hmm, no. I would have to say I don't... now before this conversation rears its ugly side, let me take you back to Athenodora." He said quickly. I signed in defeat and he guided me with his hand placed on my back. As we walked closer to the gardens you could smell the different types of flowers scents assaulting my senses. I felt lighter and happier.
The thought of him not being able to read my mind popped back into my head and I couldn't help the smile that so longed to break free.
"What is it that makes you smile?" Aro asked curiously. I looked down as my smile widened.
"Oh nothing... just, it must be frustrating that you can't read my mind..." I laughed.
"Such cheek!" he muttered as he chased me down the remaining corridor that opened up the garden.
We found Athenodora who was talking to Caius in one of the arch ways. Caius saw us first and immediately gestured to us. Athenodora turned around and smiled at me and completely ignored Aro. Athenodora and I decided to go to the library. Aro and Caius who were talking amongst themselves followed closely behind. They looked up as we reached the library as if they hadn't realised that they were here.
"Marcus should be in here." I heard Aro say to Caius. Athenodora and I were silent on our way here. She pushed open the heavy wooden door. An impossible task for a human. I walked further into the room and my eyes immediately found Marcus silently reading in an armchair.
"Hello Marcus." I said in greeting sitting near him. Athenodora lightly touched him almost affectionately on the shoulder. He looked up almost dazedly.
"Hello, dear ones." He said. He then caught sight of Aro and Caius. He gave Aro an unusually stern look for some odd reason. Athena and I chatted quietly but I was mostly listening to the men's conversation and I could tell Athenodora was too. She smirked at me and pretended to read a book I mimicked her.
"Did you heed what Marcus had said or did it simply go out the other ear?" Caius asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"No, I had done what he said." Aro said quietly. Careful not to mention anything in particular. Aro then came over and sat on my arm rest. I turned a page.
"You do realise you are reading that book upside down..." Aro murmured into my ear. Athenodora burst into fits of laughter and Caius cracked a smile, even Marcus looked up with amusement in his eyes. I smiled, embarrassed. When the humour died down, a grandfather clock sounded through the castle walls. Signifying that it was 6 o'clock in the evening. Caius and Athenodora excused themselves and left with the excuse that they had things to do. I didn't believe a word of it. I looked at them disbelieving and they quickly left before I could voice my thoughts.
I chucked the book carelessly on the side table and signed. Aro who was still on my armrest looked at me.
"Can I show you something Isabella?" Aro said suddenly very excited.
"Ok." I said warily. I didn't trust this happy Aro.
He pulled me up. I said goodbye to Marcus who nodded his head in response without looking up from his book. Aro pulled me along impatiently. We climbed lots of stair and then we found ourselves on a landing where Aro released my hand.
"Go up those stairs." He pointed to a set of stairs that descended upwards. I did so and he followed closely almost touching me. It was a tower with intricate carvings in the columns. It over looked the gardens and the beautiful Tuscan landscape.
"Wow." I breathed edging closer to the archway. There wasn't any railing it was just like a doorway. Aro gently touched the small of my back.
"Do you like it?" he breathed into my ear. My hair danced and swayed in the light breeze. I smiled up at him and nodded. I could feel him staring at me and I turned to look at him. He slowly leaned down and kissed me on the lips. The electricity that coursed through me at that moment sent shivers of delight down my spine. But like all things they have to come to an end...
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