Aro

"I'm sorry," I heard her say. "Please forgive me."

Her voice was filled with pain and regret. I flung open the door, staring at the two of them. What had he said to her?

Then Heidi appeared from the other doorway. I was about to call her angrily, but she was reaching for Edward, not Bella. She pulled him back with her, ignoring his angry protests. The door slammed behind them, but Bella was already in my arms. I held her tightly, blissful in the fact I could do so; that I wouldn't bruise or hurt her. She covered her eyes, pressing her face to my chest.

"What is the matter?" I whispered.

"It's my fault," she said softly. "Poor Edward."

I was sick of the name at this point. "He made his choices, just as you made yours," I replied. "He's miserable because he can't accept those choices, like the rest of us."

She looked up at me. "I still can't forgive myself."

I cupped her face in my hands. "But I forgive you, Isabella. So does Carlisle and Edward. They are remorseful, yes, but they don't resent you. You're too sweet, my love."

"Say it again," she whispered.

"What?"

"Say you forgive me."

I smiled. "I forgive you, Isabella, for however little you've done."

She let me kiss her then, and I caressed her until her lips were pink and blooming. She smiled back at me, but I noticed her touching her throat.

"Thirsty, darling?" I whispered, making my voice seductive.

"Yes." She was breathing raggedly, overwhelmed now that I'd brought it to her attention. Her fingernails dug into her flesh. "Where do I find it, Aro?" she pleaded.

I hushed her. "You will be satiated. I promise." If Heidi was comforting that coward, I swore I'd rip her head off. Isabella needed nourishment. Immediately.

My brothers glided into the room, followed by the rest of the coven. There was more than one smirk as they registered the look on Isabella's face. Sulpicia smiled indulgently, coming to enfold her in her cold arms. "Having a hard time of it, dearie?" she asked. "It will get better, trust me. You're only a newborn."

"Try breathing deeply," said Marcus.

I looked at Caius, who mirrored the twins in his disgust. It would take longer for them, I knew. The same went for Felix and Demetri. Vampires did not willingly accept a new member into their coven, whether they were the leader or not. I determined to make Isabella feel as welcome as possible.

I laughed suddenly, startling her. She will be able to defend herself now, at the very least.

The twins were sucking their teeth hungrily. I turned towards the door, feeling my senses rise. Blood swirled behind the wood. Blood in great quantity, pulsing and vibrating. I saw Isabella's eyes widen, the brilliant crimson signaling a frantic thirst.

Take care, my brothers, I thought, smirking. You're going to have to fight for it.

Then the doors opened, and Heidi entered, five minutes late. I looked behind her briefly, but the hallway was empty. No great surprise. Edward and his father must have gone to the other end of the city, or wherever there was hunting to be found.

"Welcome, my guests!" I called out loudly. My voice was strained. I was so thirsty. Watching Isabella's reaction to it was powerfully arousing. She was taut in my arms, but I only held her for a moment. "I hope you enjoy the sights," I finished, and then she was gone. She tore from my grip like a bullet, taking down the first three mortals in the group.

I heard Thena giggling in the corner. "Bravo, Isabella!" she laughed.

Caius was livid. "D— it all, Aro! Why didn't you hold her?!" He shoved past me, snatching a frantic woman and burying his teeth deep in her neck. The rest of the coven was even faster, taking what they could before Isabella did. She was marvelous. Absolutely marvelous.

I rushed up to her, grabbing her before she consumed her sixth human. "Easy does it, love," I laughed. "Won't you save a little for me?"

Her eyes were still wild, and she nodded, hardly comprehending. I kept a grip on her arm, and seized the struggling mortal in my grasp. My teeth sliced into the skin easily. I heard her moan as the blood dribbled freely over my lips.

"Aro…" she gasped. "Aro."

"No more, sweetheart," I soothed. "You'll make yourself sick." I tossed the human aside, and finished off another before signaling the guards to clean up. The wildness was dying from her eyes, and she shook uncontrollably. "Aro... " she sobbed. "Oh, God… Aro…"

"Shh," I whispered. "It's only your new body. You're not used to it yet."

"Hold me," she begged. I did. I carried her from the room, her body weightless. A titter of laughter echoed behind us. Caius was still angry. Thena was trying to soothe him, trying to hold back her amusement. "Five…" I heard her say, giggling with Sulpicia. "Five, and you barely got there in time."

I missed his reply, but I was smiling, too. There would be bets placed for certain next time. I would ask Heidi to bring in more from the travel exchange…

I broke into Isabella's room, hearing the wood groan in protest. I laid her gently on the bed and proceeded to brush her rowdy curls away from her face. She was still moaning a little, still in shock, but that was only natural. Some immortals took it harder than others, and she had been so fragile in life… I told her this, stroking her forehead tenderly. "It's alright, cara mia."

She closed her eyes, trying to control herself. "I'm sorry, Aro. It's just—"

"I know, piccola. I know."

I sang to her softly, letting the blood settle in her body. Her skin was like cream under my fingertips. After a long time, she opened her eyes. They were brighter than mine—clouded from many centuries—and the irises looked like pricks of onyx. For a moment I missed the warm brown, but then I stopped myself. That was Edward thinking. Not me. I wanted her in this state. She was my angel in darkness, revitalizing an eternity of loneliness.

"What are you thinking of?" she whispered to me.

"I could ask you the same question, love. Your mind is still lost to me."

She looked sad. "Well, at least in that I haven't changed."

"No, Isabella," I said, kissing her. "Your soul has not changed. Not for me."

"I thought we didn't have souls."

I grinned. "I don't. You may be sure of that. But you sold yours for love, Isabella. No one could ask for a greater sacrifice."

Her face relaxed a little, losing its anxiety. She touched my cheek. "I went crazy, didn't I?" she admitted. "Out there, I mean. I was terrified for a while, and I wanted to cry. But… there were the good things,too. I felt… pleasure." Her hand crept along my throat. "Not just from drinking blood, which was hard, at first. It was when I saw you; blood on your lips, like mine…"

I groaned as her fingers trailed across my mouth. Her eyes were hungry again. "Just like mine," she repeated, her voice very low. My arms slipped under her slowly, tearing her dress. I felt her shimmering hair brush my skin, and her gentle insistence as she tore the clasp from my hair.

"Aro," she began.

"Don't say anything," I whispered. What good were words, when I could read her eyes so well? They were shining like candles, and her lips were hot and sweet. I caught her about the waist, pressing her against me roughly. My mouth opened on her neck, and I bit down hard.

She gasped. I remember what she'd said, about the blood, and a wicked chuckle slipped from my throat. I let the liquid flow a little, then pulled my head back. Her eyes widened at the sight of my face. I leaned towards her, letting her taste my lips, my tongue. I heard myself hissing with pleasure, and the eager way she held me to her. I fell against the sheets, sighing, and her beautiful face poised over me, a goddess of perfection.

"Isabella."

She pressed her marble arms against me. "Shush. You're not the master anymore."

"Ah, Isabella." I snarled at her, delighted. "You play with Fate, mio amore."

She laughed, a giggling angel. "Am I really stronger than you, Aro?"

I gripped her hair, forcing her mouth down on my throat. "Not forever, precious one." I felt her teeth bite me in return, and the gentle sucking at my throat nearly drove me mad. I flung her beneath me, then, and we fought for dominance in a raucous, exhilarating play. It was ironic, wasn't it? Two immortals, caught in paradise. And yet, they called us damned. Cursed for eternity. Never hopeful of love or happiness…

"You're damned!" legend screamed.

Go to hell, I thought, cradling my angel once more.