Chapter Eight: The Royal Engagement Ball

Bella was in her room getting ready for the ball when Jane bounced into the room. Alec and Demetri followed her. Bella hadn't seen Nerissa yet but maybe she was getting ready or speaking with her father. She turned to Jane and took the sheer train that went to the dress as Jane held it so it could be attached. Alec snapped the buttons in place when they all looked up to see Nerissa enter the room.

"Nerissa, you look gorgeous."

"You are stunning Bella. We have to have the bride-to-be looking outstanding."

"Nerissa, you know I don't mind."

"Nerissa does though."

"Jane…"

"What? You never like the attention."

"It makes me nervous and causes my blood lust to rise.

Demetri placed a hand on Nerissa's shoulder and she smiled at him. Jane chuckled only to duck as Nerissa threw something at her. Bella shook her head and they walked towards the ballroom together.

Aro stood with his brothers as he saw Bella enter with her followers as they were now called since they were always around her. He saw Nerissa and Demetri excuse themselves and head to one side so they could talk and Aro knew his niece was in good hands. He saw his fiancé walk towards him and he noticed the gown she was wearing. She was wearing a dark blue velvet sweetheart bodice cut gown with a train that was sheer and light blue. She was wearing silver hearts in her ears and a silver amulet of the Voturi crest around her neck. Her wrists had two identical silver bangles with hearts on them.

"Good evening Aro."

"Bella. You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look dashing tonight."

"Thank you Love."

Bella took his arm and they mingled with friends and family. Aro had left Bella with Nerissa and Demetri, when Nerissa tensed a bit and slightly moved behind Demetri. Bella turned and saw a couple that she had never seen before. By the way all the women were acting she'd say that they were dangerous too. Demetri stopped Bella from moving and he pulled her back behind him with Nerissa. Bella looked at Nerissa and saw her pale skin turn white. She was scared and then she placed a hand on Demetri's back and gripped his suit. Demetri moved backwards and put them all three in the shadows. Bella stayed close to them and never made a sound, movement, or anything to draw attention her way.

"If I'd known you were holding a ball I would have crashed it more than I did, Aro."

"What are you doing here Alexander?"

"Why I wanted to see how low the Volturi had come."

Nerissa felt Bella and Demetri tense and growl low in their throats and she tugged on both of them. They stopped and Demetri placed a hand on her exposed leg through her gown slit. Bella stopped as she felt Nerissa shiver against her. She wrapped the girl in her arms and calmed her down slightly.

'This will turn out bad if Alexander becomes pissed.' Nerissa thought as she watched her father and uncles stand before this vampire.

Alexander Blood looked at The Three and he let his wife's hand go as he took a step forward. His wife was a sweet vampire and she questioned her husband's actions towards the Voturi. She stood there and waited when she saw Nerissa out of the corner of her eye. She knew that girl was scared, but if Alexander became pissed she would sacrifice her own life. She faced forward and then blocked her thoughts from everyone except Nerissa.

'Nerissa?'

'Saren? What is he doing here?'

'He is trying to overpower them again. Why else would he be here for dear?'

'He'll be killed or worse insulted.'

'Darling, I know he scares you, but I need you to be ready if he does get pissed. He won't hurt you. He loves you like his own daughter.'

'I can't go against him Saren. You know that! Much less go against Aro!'

'Please dear, do as I ask without questioning it.'

'I'll try, but that requires me to move.'

'Then you better be moving fast if he becomes insulted.'

'Yes Saren.'

Saren stopped talking to Nerissa and saw her still hide behind Demetri, but she knew she would listen.

Alexander sighed as The Three didn't move and then he looked at Aro.

"You have no right to be leader. You treat everyone like your slaves."

"You treat them as your food source. We try to keep peace without having a war on our hands."

"How dare you! I have never once treated animal, human, or anything as a food source!"

"Alex, honey, please calm down."

"You Aro! You are not fit to be leader!"

Everyone froze as Alexander went to ram Aro when another vampire took the blow. Alexander was thrown across the room by the attack and he looked up to see Nerissa laying on the ground and a new woman by her side. He felt horrible now. Saren looked at her husband and sighed as she looked at Aro. He nodded his head at her and she took her husband and they left. Bella saw Nerissa sit up and shake her head. She saw her hand bleeding a bit but she ignored it. Everyone surrounded Nerissa and they made sure she was all right. Demetri was beside her and he took her from the room before blood was shed. Bella took Aro's arm and he sighed.

Bella sat beside Aro watching the ball when he stood and gained everyone's attention. Nerissa had retired and Demetri stood at his guard by her door for he knew she didn't want to be alone. Jane looked at Aro and everyone calmed down.

"Despite the interruption this is a happy celebration! Bella has agreed to be my wife and queen of the Volturi."

Cheers and applause went up through out the ballroom and Bella felt the warmth of being home again in her heart. She took Aro's hand and they danced the rest of the night. Jane was swaying lightly to the music and saw Felix behind her and he danced with her, but they both knew that nothing would ever happen between them other than just friends. They were too different and they knew that. Aro smiled at Bella and then kissed her for everyone to see.

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