~ Chapter Twenty-Nine — More Than My Own Life ~

Jasper POV

As Isabella had requested, Felix met us at the airport, but Demetri was nowhere in sight; Santiago had come in his place. There was no explanation given for Demetri's absence, and Isabella didn't ask, though I could tell she was not pleased.

All through the flight to Italy and the drive to the castle, she remained tensed and ready for attack. I tried to soothe her as best as I could, but it was not enough. She was blocking my gift, and my touch did not seem to calm her as much as was usual.

Only when we drove through the walls of the town did she breathe a sigh of relief and relax against me. We were, or rather I was, now safe in her mind. My own anxiety about Maria and the threat she posed was increasing as time went on. Partly because I was reacting to Isabella's fear, and partly because of Alice.

Throughout the journey, she searched for a clear view of Maria's next step, but the images were constantly changing. Maria knew of Alice's gift and seemed to be doing her best to avoid her sight. The clearest vision Alice had was of Maria in the company of two people Isabella identified as Stefan and Vladimir. It was possible that she was going to head back to Romania rather than travelling north.

I was uncertain about how my family would react to seeing Isabella in her home environment. It was not just the red eyes and black cloak that concerned me, but Isabella herself. She was a different person within the castle walls to the person they had encountered so far. She was a leader. I hoped Rosalie would be suitably intimidated by the surroundings and the respect Isabella demanded when in the castle to hold her tongue.

When we arrived at the castle Isabella led us through the halls and to the reception desk where a human awaited us.

"Alessandra, please see the Cullens to the guest suites," Isabella said loftily.

The human bobbed a bow and gestured to a door that I knew led to a staircase to the tower rooms. Carlisle smiled at the human and followed obediently. I was glad of it. This was the first test of their reactions and I worried they may comment on Isabella's disregard for the human. Little did they know that, by tacking a please onto the order, Isabella was already altering for their benefit.

With my family and Alessandra gone, Isabella and I were left alone for the first time. We walked together to her chambers at a speedy pace. When we entered, Isabella shrugged off the jacket she had been wearing and pulled on her cloak. With a sigh she faced the mirror above her dresser and closed her eyes. When she opened them again they were vivid ruby.

"That is becoming harder for you to do, isn't it?" I said.

She nodded. "Not physically, but emotionally, yes. These last few weeks among your family have been pleasant and relaxed. Now, I must return to the grand charade of leadership."

I pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and she instantly deepened it.

"Your brothers are waiting?" I murmured against her lips.

"They can wait. You are safe now."

Needing no more than that I raised my hands to her silky hair and tangled my fingers in her long locks. Her tongue explored my mouth and I groaned against her. This was my heaven. Just her and me together.

"Jasper," she panted. "Make me forget."

She was finally telling me what she needed, and I was happy to provide.

xXx

After an hour of lying in each other's arms, merely taking comfort in the other, reality intervened in the form of a knock at the door. Isabella called out a greeting and Marcus answered.

"Isabella, we are most anxious to speak with you."

Isabella sighed heavily and dressed with speed. I copied her, letting out a sigh of my own. As she pulled on her cloak, I rearranged her hair for her and kissed her. She smiled against my lips.

Marcus was waiting outside the door. He glared at me as I stepped out. I smiled serenely back at him and followed Isabella down the spiral staircase.

We met with the rest of my family in the halls. They started at the sight of Isabella in her dark robes with her crimson eyes but managed to cover the shock on their features quickly. Carlisle, alone, seemed comfortable. I remembered that he had spent many years here in his youth. This must be something of a homecoming for him.

Isabella strode through the doors to the throne room that were being held open by two guards I was not familiar with. Carlisle and I followed her in without thought, but the others hesitated at the threshold. Isabella turned back to them and smiled. "Come in."

Aro stepped forward as we entered. "Carlisle!" he exclaimed. "It has been far too long, my old friend."

Carlisle bowed his head respectfully. "It has indeed, Aro. I should have made the journey sooner."

"You should," Aro agreed. "Perhaps you were hoping to keep your talented coven from me. I admit I am envious of the powerful group you have amassed."

Carlisle opened him mouth to speak but Isabella cut him off.

"Enough, Aro. We have more important things to discuss."

"Indeed we do," Caius said with obvious relish. "We understand you have been in contact with Maria."

Isabella nodded but then something behind Aro seemed to draw her attention. I followed her eye-line and saw what it was. There was now a fourth throne on the dais, set between Marcus and Aro's.

She scoffed. "I told you I didn't want that."

"And I did not listen," Aro said with a serene smile.

I could not take my eyes from the throne. I had seen Isabella command great numbers of vampires, I had seen her quell Aro with a look, but never before had I seen true proof of who she was. She was a leader, and this was her throne, where she should reside and rule over the vampire world. How could the quiet life of my family possibly compare to that?

"…not important." Marcus' voice drew me back to the conversation at hand. "We can discuss this later. Tell us of Maria."

"We have not had direct contact with her," I said. "We heard news from an old friend of mine that she was seeking me."

Caius nodded looking thoughtful. "That is of course worrying. Since the attack in Canada I am forced to accept that we have underestimated Maria."

"She is trying to draw us out," Isabella said confidently. "We are expected to send the guard to deal with this violation of the rules. While we are separated they will launch their attack."

"Alas, I think you are right," Aro said in a more serious tone than I had ever heard him use. "Demetri sensed that Stefan and Vladimir have moved. I suspect they have moved their army too. He has been sent to seek them."

"How long has he been gone?" Isabella asked, an unexpected edge to her voice.

"Merely twelve hours," Aro said. "I do not expect him to return for some days."

Isabella raked a hand through her hair. "Not quick enough," she muttered. "I want to be gone already."

"Gone where?" I asked, fear creeping into my heart.

She turned back to me and smiled sadly. "To fight, of course. I want this over."

I understood the sentiment, but the idea of her going off to fight scared me. I wanted to go with her, but I knew she would never allow it. When we fought together my presence had distracted her. But if I could persuade her to let me go in her place… Or not to go at all. There were dozens of vampires here now, more than enough to handle the army that was coming. She needn't fight at all.

As if she knew what I was thinking—if she was using Edward's gift she really could—Isabella took my hand into her own and squeezed it.

Aro seemed curious by what he was seeing between us. He stepped forward with his hand extended to me. I had no desire for him to see what had passed between Isabella and I a mere hour ago. Isabella caught his hand before it reached me and locked eyes with Aro. He bowed his head over their clasped hands and I knew she was showing him her thoughts. She had told me she could be selective about what she allowed him to see, which relieved me somewhat.

I knew she had shown him her interactions with Rosalie as he looked up and smiled at her. Perhaps wondering at her foolishness. He gasped suddenly and looked into Isabella's eyes.

"Is there nothing I can say to dissuade you?"

Isabella shook her head firmly. "I am decided."

"Very well." He looked displeased but accepting.

"What have you decided?" I was feeling distinctly nervous.

"That I am leading the army and that Caius will be staying here," said Isabella.

Caius frowned. "I will?"

"Yes, you will. I need you here for… What is that infernal racket?" The sound of a particularly upbeat ringtone was coming from Aro's pocket.

Isabella raised an eyebrow as Aro took the phone from his pocket and answered. "Demetri, dear one, what have you found."

Demetri's voice was clearly audible over the small speaker. "I have found them, Master. They are on the island of Elba."

Isabella clapped a hand to her forehead. "Elba, of course! They are attacking us here!"

Elba was a small island west of Italy. It was the perfect place to launch an attack on Volterra itself. They weren't just planning to attack the Volturi, they wanted the town itself. This was a huge risk of exposure. There were over ten thousand people living within the town limits. Thousands of video cameras and cell phones to record the slaughter. The secret would be lost forever; the world would see it all within hours.

"Master, what do you wish me to do." Demetri asked.

"We cannot allow them to come here," Aro said stonily.

"We won't." Isabella snatched the phone from Aro and spoke to Demetri. "Wait for us at Piombino. We shall be with you as soon as darkness falls."

She ended the call and tossed the phone back to Aro, then she turned her attention to the small group of guards at the door. "Prepare yourselves and your fellows. I want everyone to be ready to move at twilight." They nodded and darted out of the door. "Caius, you are staying here," she said firmly. "I will leave a small contingent of the guard here. I want you to be our second defense."

Caius looked unsure. "You are separating the guard. This is what they expect you to do."

"That is true, but I have no choice. If they make their way here I know you will defend our people."

I knew she wasn't thinking of the humans in the town; she was concerned for me. I wanted to be alone with her again. I want to beg her to stay here with me.

Aro and Caius rose from their thrones and began calling orders to the few guards that remained in the room. They were concerned with protecting their mates, just as Isabella was. Marcus alone was still seated. He stared at Isabella with an unnamable expression. It was close to scared.

Isabella turned her attention to Alice. "I need you to do something for me."

"Anything," Alice said immediately.

"Watch Maria and the castle. If anyone breaks through our line and heads for the castle, I want Aro to know immediately." She turned to Emmett. "If that happens, I want you to sling Jasper over your shoulder and get him out of here."

Emmett nodded solemnly. "Consider it done."

Isabella gifted him with one of her dazzling smiles. "Thank you."

She tugged on my arm and led me back through the halls to her chamber. Now I was finally alone with her I didn't know what to say that would not sound defensive. The idea of Emmett wrestling me to safety offended me.

"I know what you are thinking," she said, "and I understand it, but I make no apologies. If I am to concentrate on the fight, I need to know you are safe."

"I understand that, and I will do all I can to remain safe, but I want a promise from you in return. If the fight does not go in your favor, I want you to run too. If I am to keep myself safe for you, I want you to do the same."

She pressed herself against me and rested her head on my chest. "I promise."

We stood like that for an immeasurable time, gradually the sun outside of her window sank lower and the gloom of twilight took its place.

"It's time to go," she said quietly.

I pulled her a little closer to me and then released her. "I love you, Isabella. More than my own life."

She smiled. "I know."