I do not own any of the characters or basic story material, all rights belong to Stephanie
Hello, hello. After a long (and much needed) break; I'm back! It took me longer than I'd originally thought to get my thoughts back in order, but they're here now and they're not leaving. I mean to finish this story in a few weeks time, it's been a long run, but we're getting down to the last few innings folks. I have a new, edgier story in mind for the future and I'm anxious to get to work. I also have college coming up in a few short weeks…and heaven knows how much time that'll eat up…..Oh! I almost forgot, Jury duty. Yes my dearest readers I have Jury Duty to attend to. 18 years old and I'm looking at a hot date with Uncle Sam.
On a far more serious note, I'd like to thank you all for your support in the last few weeks. It was a very dark, very miserable time in my life. Your continued prayers and encouragement meant a great deal to me, more then most of you will ever know. There are many of you I'd like to thank personally. You have proven to be the kindest souls I've encountered in a long while. I'm honored, truly. Here are just a small few that I'd like to extend my dearest thanks to: Felicia, your words and sympathy helped in so many ways, I am so very lucky to have a reader such as you. Shadowangel, you've been one of the most loyal from the start! You've no idea how I love reading your comments! Thank you again and again for your continued support. Evelyn-Raconte, you are a most wise person indeed, your words aided me a great deal. And it was so very nice to hear I have a reader in France! Please continue to lend me your ears(or rather eyes). Chele the original, your blessing helped in a spiritual way, I know religion is tricky nowadays, but it's still nice to have someone say the big guy upstairs is watching. And last but not least….Edward's Happy Ending, you've been around since the start! Thanks greatly for your sympathy and well-wishes. We have to start that fanfic sometime…..There are more of you readers that I had wanted to thank, but my gosh-darned account won't let me view my reviews anymore, so if you're out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here's chapter…..uh….28? 29? I've lost track, now that's embarrassing. Oh well, here's a chapter, enjoy.
The Taste of Ashes: Cloaks and Daggers
Morning. Or barely so, with the sky still gagged and mute it was at best an intelligent guess. When I was a girl in the Archanos Villa, I had so hated the sunrise. It meant another day of light and work, of fatigue and ache. Yes, as a girl I had always loved the night, it was the time best and brightest in my favor. For in the cloak of night I was free with Philo, free and safe. I loved it's warped shadows and it's taint of danger. Loved the way the air smelled when humanity had holed away, loved the feel of the moon on my skin, loved the stories it brought out. But now, after so many days of constant night and dusk, I missed the sun. The ash in the sky refused Rome the sun she needed. And she was dying for it…I could see now that the flowers were listless, and the trees looked malnourished. The people bit and hissed at one another in the street…I missed and ached for the sun's scorching kiss on my body, the way it ate at my hair and it blossom with it's own flame. But most of all, I missed the sunrises….the birth of each new day. While the Cullens seemed not to notice, and indeed thrive in its absence, I was feeling the loss. This was then, perhaps, the reason why the twisting, longing, wicked little flame in my heart had simply died out last night. I had wanted to make that leap with Edward, wanted it badly…but then my need had halted. I felt so old…and so cold….Edward had had to make due with talking. And I was a lucky woman indeed that he hadn't minded my withering one bit.
"So another hemorrhaging sunrise greets Rome." My voice was soft and sullen, I'd not slept well that night. A dull chill ran its way through my body, making Edward rise from the bed and fetch a fleece blanket to wrap about me.
"It will pass, love, it will pass. The ash shall dissipate once the weather systems have had their run. Winter is soon upon the country, and with the storms that accompany it, the remaining grit will be blown away." His words offered hope, hope that I clung to with a death-grip. I knew I'd be leaving the empire long before the set of winter, but I wanted my birth-land to recover, heal itself in some small way. Pompeii's death was having severe repercussions….
"I dearly wish it to be so. The olive crop already suffers, and if that suffers the rest of the Empire is sure to follow. All of our gilt and gold only buy so much, it is the land that sustains us. And with the sun gone, the soil has little to offer." I hung my head low and let my hair fall across my face. Edward was quick to brush it out of the way, placing his cool lips on my cheek. I smiled lightly, but he saw through my pathetic attempt.
"You know, it is ever so endearing that you care so vehemently for your country. Seeing as it did little for you…" Edward's lips pulled themselves into a small smile and he tussled my hair gently. I leaned further into him and took a deep breath. "If fate had not spun your future so cruelly, perhaps your being an Empress of the Roman empire would not be too far out of reach."
"Wishful thinking, Edward, wishful thinking indeed. My mother certainly gained nothing from her position, I am rather happy I did not have to share in that particular lot." I rose briskly from the bed and made my way behind a screen. Swiftly donning a soft green gown, I was ready to greet the rest of the household. Today was the day the Cullens left the Imperial household. Today was our last in Rome.
…...
"Merga, mother has asked that we accompany Volusus into town today." Merula's sharp face was pinched into a look of bliss. Her twin looked equally delighted at the prospect of showing her "assets" in public. From the gossip of the cook staff I was able to gather that Volusus was aiming his sights on a position in the senator's office. And of course, as was the roman way, Volusus knew the right company in public would land himself in a favorable position among his male peers. His very powerful, influential male peers.
Volusus himself was present with his family that morning. Green eyes slithering about, oh he was a sharp man, sharp and corrupt. I doubted much got past that ivy gaze of his. Which was disturbing enough. I often wondered if Philo's messages had ever met his eyes…did he know he had a sibling in his very midst's? Surely he could see some sort of resemblance….I may not have had her eyes, but I was often told by Philo I looked my mother's part alright. His sable mane was Lupus's, but those eyes and that chin marked him as Lady Viola's. Poor Corda, what a shame it must have been to raise her enemy's son….
"Mistress Isabella," the mention of my name from Lord Lupus's lips sent a shock through me, he'd caught me staring at Volusus. "While my daughters are certainly company enough for Volusus, I was wondering if you would accompany him as well. The Capitol so deserves to get a glance at the Cullen's newest bride before they shove off to the North." Lupus set his mouth into a thin smile, his eyes leveled with mine. Corda threw a sharp glance his way but Lupus remained as he was. This was not in the plan…or so I gathered.
"It would be an honor my Lord, but I am needed here at my husband's side. Deros has also promised me a tour of the vineyards, I'd hate to insult the man who once tutored the Emperor." I kept my eyes low and curled my hand tighter about Edward's. Philo cleared his throat from his spot at the great table.
"Forgive me my lord, it is true I offered the Lady a tour. Besides, Merga and Merula have shown themselves to be more than capable in public. Their brother needs not a hint more of attractive company." Philo's calm demeanor made it impossible to argue, at least not in the polite sense. Lupus would have to withdraw his mysterious request.
The twins and their mother looked just a bit smug, but Volusus gave his father the queerest look. He was searching for something in the Lord's face.
"Very well Deros, give the Lady your tour. Master Carlisle and Mistress Esme have a long journey after all. It wouldn't be fair to tire Isabella." Lupus turned to Edward, as a wolf does when scenting a kill. "Master Edward! Before you and your beloved family depart from us, my wife and cousin would so love to show you our library. As I understand, the northern colonies lack a great deal of literature, it would be prudent to take some of our collection with you. To better the Empire." The smile Lupus wore was enough to charm the honey from a bee. The man could certainly dazzle when he wanted to. A pawn for a king, then.
"To better the empire." Edward said softly, raising his wine glass to fake a small sip. His face was hard as ever, clearly there were games afoot.
…...
Hours later, and I found myself away from the caustic house. After the meal the atmosphere had gone dark, nobody wanted to be face to face with each other. I was glad and sure to be away from it all.
Philo greeted me beneath a tired-looking olive tree. The vineyard should have been bustling with sun and life, but it seemed now that it held little but dust and withering grapes. This year's vintage would be a sour one.
We walked along the rows of grapes, silent at first, taking in the gray sky and the sickly sweet smell of rot. The ground was hard and dry beneath us, while the wind no longer sang, but rather hissed. My last day in Rome and it was to be a dour one. I sighed, my birth country was slipping away and I had no fond emotions to dote on it. Instead, a vile pit of anxiety and fear was clumped at my stomach, clenching and rolling like a maggot in rotting flesh.
"You'll not come with us Father?" I whispered as gently as I could. We'd spoken of this some, and it seemed Philo wanted to die on the same soil he'd been born on. I swiped unsuccessfully at an errant tear, and the world blurred before me. Philo grasped my shoulders and brought me in for a tight hug, kissing my forehead.
"My little Silvia, the world is yours to till and sow. I have gotten my time to teach and love you. You're free now, as your parents and I always wanted. We can give you no more, you're off to new origins, live well my daughter." Philo sobbed in my embrace for a little while, and I sobbed in equal turn. Pain runs circular, and it kept its loop between us.
"What will you do now? Lupus is keen on your death, I could see that much…." my voice quavered at the thought of Lupus and his ungodly nature.
Philo sighed and turned from me, gesturing towards the grapes. " With the mess in Pompeii and the resulting climate change, Lupus is kept well busy. He'll have to delay his blood thirst for some time yet. Until that time comes, I am staying at the villa. Bella, I may be old and weak, but knowledge will still be spread from myself to others. I've got a live line to a number of government officials, and they're not pleased with my information on Lupus. Change is in the wind for Rome, change wrought on my lips." Philo stood before me proud and stronger than I'd seen him in a long while. Pride of my own settled in my veins. Here was a man I could call my father, call him, and know it to be true.
"I wish only the best for you Philo, and if ever you are able, send a message my way won't you?" Like an anxious bird I sat honed toward his eyes. Hope blazing in me. Philo smiled then and I knew he would send word my way. We rounded a corner and turned to enter the brewery, where the sour smell of yeast and grapes permeated the air. I screwed my nose at the smell but Philo only shrugged and walked on in.
"With time comes a welcome dulling of the senses. Follow child, you'll have a taste of the best vintages in Rome yet! I'll not have you leave me and your native soil without. Especially when you're marrying a foreigner." He spat that last word out like a foul curse. And oh how the laughter rippled off of me, it felt so wonderful it was almost a pain.
"You still don't think much of my betrothal to Edward do you?" I smirked in the half-light of the brewery , watching for Philo's sarcastic response.
I might have gotten one, if not for the sudden flash of a dagger at my throat.