A/n: Hey guys! Thank you for the all the reviews, I was hoping to post this one last week, but had some major issues with my computer, but better late than never. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 21
Bella had to sprint to catch up to Peter. Peter's normal laid back demeanor was nowhere in sight, his hands clenched tightly to his sides, his jaw set and brow furrowed. In that moment, Peter appeared almost as dangerous as Jasper did when he got upset. The few vampires that they passed in the hall gave them a wide berth, well aware that this was not a man to be trifled with.
He strode down the hall, making several turns deeper into the depth of the castle, when he finally turned and acknowledged the other vampire in the hallway that had been walking near him the entire time.
The look in his eye confirmed that Peter was severely on edge. He punched a stone wall, leaving a crumbling hole in its wake.
"Better?" Bella asked cautiously.
Peter rubbed at his temples furiously, giving no more than a passing glance at the damage he caused as he moved on. "Fuck, fuck, FUCK!"
Peter made another swipe at the wall, but Bella's hand stopped his fist. "Peter, we are already in enough trouble. I don't think the Volturi will take kindly to you destroying their home."
It was enough for her friend to nod in agreement. He leaned against the wall, sliding down to the ground. "It's just…Ugh! Fucker. I have never been this mad at her. Never. In all my years of loving Charlotte, she has never done something so stupid and so damn foolish."
Bella could understand why he was so angry. "It's not just that she took a risk, is it?"
Peter lips were a very thin line. "She lied to me Bella. Char flat out lied. She could have told me what she was doing, what she was up to. I should have been here with her. Damn it. She knows I would have given in eventually."
Bella placed her hand on Peter's shoulder. She cared for Peter, but they never really talked, just the both of them."You know how Charlotte is. She is a firecracker. And when she gets some idea in her head, there is really no stopping her."
"She should have trusted me, depended on me. That is what a mate does."
"She does trust you. You are her everything, Peter."
His hands folded behind his head as an exaggerated sigh passed his lips. "I know. And she is my everything. Still, it doesn't mean I shouldn't be pissed off as all hell."
"I know. You have every right to be angry."
"She is lucky she wasn't killed. The Volturi is not exactly known for their understanding. It's why Jasper and I have always stayed far away from their prying eyes. This could have waited, we could have made a plan."
Bella reached her hand out, grabbing Peter's, lifting him up. "We could have, but we didn't. Jasper and I agreed to come here and what's done is done. It's going to do no good holding on to anger at Charlotte, Peter."
"You are right."
Bella smiled. "Good. I'm glad you realize that. Now where are we?"
Peter and Bella passed through the maze of hallways, making a map in their heads of where they were. The facility was huge; on the outside, to the human tourist, it had several floors with turrets on each corner. It was the quintessential medieval castle. But was not viewable to the human eyes was the fact that the building had several floors underground as well, each spanning well over a half a mile in length from their estimate.
It was not lost on Bella that there were many entryways to halls that were heavily guarded; she made a mental note of the area, the amount of guards, and walked by without trying to attract too much attention.
Bella and Peter were positive that Aro, Marcus, and Caius' quarters were in those guarded halls. She was sure that others that enjoyed the perks of being higher up in the ranks enjoyed the same privilege, such as Jane and her brother, Alec.
As several hours passed, Peter visibly relaxed. They were making their way back to Bella's suite, when Peter stopped them. Peter stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looked down in another very un-Peterlike move. "Bella, I wanted to tell you something. But it might not be my place to say this."
A knot began to form in her stomach but she smiled encouragingly at him anyways. "What is it Peter? I like to think we are close enough that we can say anything to each other."
"Thanks. Charlotte hasn't said anything to me yet, but I can tell that you and Jasper have … connected." He glanced down to her neck.
She did not respond, instead momentarily getting lost in the thought of Jasper biting her neck, marking her. Peter continued. "He looks at you differently then I have ever seen him with anyone. Including Alice."
"There is a but in there, isn't there?"
"But... Just don't hurt him, Bella. I can tell when my brother has fallen head over heels, and I have seen the looks he saves for you and the innocent touches that you gave each other. He went through so much to get where he is now. With Maria, who had had this sick and twisted hold on him as a newborn, to Alice, whom he loved, but the relationship was never really a partnership. But with you, he is happy, his opinion counts, and you see him for who he really is and accept him, faults and all. If you choose Edward, when this is said and done, he is never going to come back from this, even if Alice and he resume their relationship. I just want you to think upon that."
Before Bella could react, she felt Peter's arms around her. "I also want you to know that I am really happy for the both of you."
She returned his hug. "Peter, I love Jasper. And him and I, well, we have talked about this. I choose him. No matter what happens."
"I know it's what both of you think now. But it's going to be a bumpy road, Bella. For both of you. There are going to be feelings that crop up, that you thought had disappeared, longings that you thought didn't mean as much. You were both ripped away from your lives; finding solace in the only other person who understands."
"Do you not think that we are meant for each other? That it was only a result of circumstance?"
Peter shook his head. "No, in fact, quite the opposite. I know a mate connection when I see one, Bella. But it doesn't mean that the path will always be lined with roses. You will have fights; you will both do stupid things; and hopefully, in the end, you will forgive each other for them and become stronger as a result."
Bella held on to Peter, thinking over what he said. None of this was easy on Bella and Jasper; each had been through more than their fair share of heartache in the past six months. "Thank you. I love him Peter. I have already done some stupid and rash things, and I am sure it won't be the last. But I won't break his heart; I can't. His heart is my heart. That is all there is to it."
Peter pulled away, giving his trademark smirk. She was relieved to see angry Peter and sentimental Peter leave and have old snarky Peter return. "Well, that's a fucking relief. Now, are we ready to go back so I can make up to my wife properly?"
"I think so."
They made their way back to Bella's 'suite', opening the door to find Jasper and Charlotte poured over a set of books. Charlotte glanced up to see Peter smiling at her and she immediately flew over to him, jumping in his arms.
"Whoa!" Peter chuckled.
"I'm so sorry. I am, I really am, for everything. Forgive me?"
Peter set her down, and placed his lips feverishly on Charlotte's in such a manner that had Bella been human, she surely would have been blushing. When they pulled away. "It's alright. I won't pretend that I am one hundred percent happy with you right now, but I will forgive you. Just don't do something like that again. Mate or no mate, I need to trust you and you need to trust me. Is that agreed?"
Charlotte happily nodded. "Agreed."
Peter looked at Jasper sheepishly. "Major, I know we have not gotten a lot of time to get reacquainted since we have both arrived, but I have some other matters that I need to attend to."
Jasper rolled his eyes lovingly and nodded to the door. "Of course."
Peter and Charlotte left the room quickly. Bella strode over to where Jasper sat and knelt down next to him, peering over his shoulder. "What are you looking at?"
Jasper turned around, grabbing Bella and placing her in his lap. He pointed to the book directly in front of him. "Some of these books deal with the history of the Volturi. While I can read Italian, it is fragmented at best, but Charlotte speaks and reads it fluently. I never really had the inclination to learn it, but I am seeing that was short-sighted of me. The Volturi have always been one of our greatest threats."
Jasper wrapped his arms around Bella tighter, his lips next to her ear. "What did you and Peter find?"
Attempting to ignore his lips, she responded, "Not much. We can give you a layout of the floors above ground, but below, there are several guarded sections. One I know to be where Aro and them hold court. The others I am guessing are the living quarters, but are heavily guarded, so Peter and I could not sneak past."
"Thank you." He whispered in her ear.
"For what? It's not as if we discovered a lot."
"For calming Peter down. In all my years, I don't think I had ever felt him be as angry or worried for Charlotte as I did earlier. It scared Charlotte, which is a good thing; Char tends to be a little too high strung for her own good sometimes. She needs to not leap into things without thinking of the implications of them first."
Bella couldn't help but smile a little. "Not like another vampire you know at all."
Jasper pressed his lips to her neck and Bella shivered. He laughed lightly. "I have no idea who you would be talking about. It's not like you would ever do something without thinking of the implications first."
"Hmmm..." she responded, as Jasper began placing strategic kisses up and down her throat, making it very difficult to think. "I suppose you are right."
Jasper began to rub her arms soothingly. Bella closed her eyes, rolling her head back just slightly. Jasper tilted her head more to kiss her, his lips gliding over hers. She turned around, her body reacting to his touch.
It was probably not the most appropriate time to be intimate. There was a lot that was going on at the moment, a lot that Jasper and herself both needed to process. But Bella, in light of the conversation that Peter and Bella shared, was desperate to show Jasper how much she cared for him, how much he meant to her. She would be there in every aspect for her mate, not only emotionally, but physically as well.
He needed this. Hell, she needed this. They needed the physical release, the pleasure that the other could bring them, the knowledge that they had ultimately chosen each other for all of eternity from this point going forward.
Bella wrapped her arms tightly around Jasper, deepening the kiss, before turning completely around, straddling him. He looked at her curiously.
Bella knew she had tears in her eyes. "I love you. So much."
"I love you too, Darlin. Are you okay?"
She nodded, pressing her lips to his once more. She was nervous, scared, and unsure about what was going to happen in the upcoming days. But she wanted this, their relationship, to have no lingering doubts between them any longer. "I need my mate. I need you."
Without another word, Jasper lifted her up and brought her to the adjoining bedroom.
The next morning, Jasper and Bella were rejoined by Charlotte and Peter. Jasper and Bella sat on the floor, examining a map of Voltura, with Peter lazily drawing his own map of the inside of the castle, and Charlotte was yet again reading over a book in Italian.
Bella was having a hard time concentrating whenever Jasper leaned over, his body brushing up against hers gently, to examine part of the map in more detail. Her mind kept wandering to the night before. They had made love all night, Jasper being a very attentive lover. She felt a pair of knowing eyes on her, and her and Jasper both glanced up, to see a smiling Peter staring at them.
"What?" Bella asked innocently.
His grin widened furthered. "It's finally nice to see after months of lingering stares and innocent touches, that you are both finally where you belong. I must say, it's about time Major. If I wasn't with Charlotte, with how long it took the both of you, I would have… what's that term they use now?" he grinned knowingly. "Oh yeah. Tapped that while you were waiting to make your move."
Jasper laughed as Charlotte threw her book at her mate and Bella replied. "What makes you think I have wanted to… tap that?" Motioning to Peter's body.
Peter winked at her. "Oh trust me, everyone wants this body."
Jasper rolled his eyes. "Charlotte, keep your man in line."
Charlotte looked at him. "Jasper, you know damn well that this is Peter 'in line'."
For a moment, Bella felt like they were back in the house in Wyoming. Then a knock came at the door. The light mood immediately vanished and Jasper walked to the door, opening it.
Felix and Demetri greeted them once more. Felix smiled at Bella, but kept his eyes from wandering. "We are here to advise you that Aro and the others will see you now."
Jasper nodded and the four of them stood, moving towards the door. Felix looked past at Charlotte and Peter. "Aro does not wish to see the two of you at this time. Just Jasper and Isabella."
Peter growled, but stopped with Jasper giving him a warning glance. Peter backed down, glaring at the two guardsmen. Bella and Jasper walked out without another word spoken, walking side by side.
Bella did recall correctly the guarded corridor in the west wing was where they held court, but it did not give her any satisfaction at the present moment. Bella was nervous and put up her shield, unsure of what was to happen next.
Felix and Demetri opened the heavy wooden doors into the chamber and beckoned for Bella and Jasper to follow. An old memory tugged at her then; her standing just as she was now, a mere human among immortals.
But that was some time ago. Now, if not an equal to the three brothers, a peer, one of their own. She stiffened, her instincts going into overdrive; she knew that she was not in friendly territory; and she was not happy that her mate was possibly in harm's way.
She quickly assessed the room in front of her. Truly, not much had changed in this chamber since she was here last. Caius looked just as annoyed as the last time she saw him; Marcus just as bored. Aro stood up straight upon their arrival, his hands clasped, eyes full of mischief. A small smile played on his lips, and he stood up to greet them, his "brothers" deferring to him yet again.
"What a pleasure it is to see the both of you here. Bella, I must say, if the rumors are true about you, you have surpassed my every expectation with your turning. I do think it was the right decision in letting her be turned. Don't you agree, Caius?" he replied, turning to his brother.
Caius rolled his eyes lightly. It was well known that he had wanted her killed as a human. "I haven't seen anything yet Aro, to support your quick estimation."
"Well... then you are not looking deep enough, my friend." Aro stepped in front of Bella, his head cocked slightly. She felt like a dog that was being displayed on show. "She is simply amazing. I am sure we will have ample time to discover what talents she possesses directly ourselves."
Bella did not like that last statement, but before she had time to respond, Aro's head turned to Bella's partner. He stepped sideways to Jasper, his grin barely contained. "And you must be Jasper. What a pleasure! I have heard all about you. Alice shared so much when she was here with Bella last. I must say, your history and your military background is almost as intriguing as your talent."
"Why are we here?" Bella interrupted.
Aro glanced at Bella, irritation passing over his face briefly at being interrupted. "Certainly my dear, you know all too well why you are here. You were the ones who came to Voltura looking for answers. We simply wanted to be hospitable."
Bella did not believe that for a moment. "Thank you. So you know why we are here then?"
Aro laughed. "Of course we do. There will be plenty of time to get down to business, I assure you." Aro looked at Jasper. "May I?"
Bella knew that Jasper was well aware of Aros gift and they both knew that they were in no position to refuse. Jasper placed his hand lightly in Aro's palm. Aro pulled away after a minute, his eyes filled with delight. He clapped briefly before looking between the both of them.
Aro moved over to Marcus, putting out his hand. Marcus obliged, and Aro smiled further as he turned back to them. "This is perfect! Simply wonderful!"
Aro's eyes fell on the mark on Bella's neck. He turned to a darkened corner and laughed. "My dear, I think that this might very well be your best work to date. You must simply come out here and introduce yourself."