A/N: I decided to post this one a little early because my week is starting to get complicated and next week looks brutal for me so I may be a little late for next chapter. Hope you enjoy this one! :)

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all Twilight Saga and characters.

Sarah

We finished training and Duilio was a no show all day. I was worried about Duilio and, as annoying as it was to admit this, I was worried about Marcus too. I was still a little appalled at myself for what I did. I have no idea what came over me. It was insane for me to go to Marcus and speak to him like that. Grandpa was livid with me, after he heard about it in my head. The Cullens and my parents had a family discussion after my talk with Marcus. I got scolded as if I were still a damn child and they told me I was not allowed to be alone with Marcus. I got so mad that I threatened to command them to go back to Washington if they ever spoke to me like that again so instead they decided to keep a closer eye on me. Even though I knew they were just afraid for my safely, I was very angry and disappointed at their lack of faith in me. However, they did have one point. What I did was a little out of line. All I could say is that love made me do crazy things especially since I was stuck in some weird love limbo that I was desperate to get out of.

My relationship with Duilio was just starting to flourish but then it ended the day that we got here to Volterra. I had to figure out how to get us back on track. That's the reason I went to Marcus in the first place. Now, I had to be bold and daring with Duilio but I wasn't sure if I could. It was easier with Marcus because I didn't care what he thought of me or whether or not I angered or offended him. That was definitely not the case with Duilio. With Duilio, I cared too much about not upsetting him to the point that I was almost scared to be myself or ask anything of him. I knew this had to stop. I had to get strong with him, not forceful, but I had to stand up to him. I was ready for my life with Duilio to begin and I was done feeling insecure about our relationship. But more importantly, I was done taking his crap.

I was sooo over being pushed around by a man who is supposed to love me. Duilio had this way of making me feel powerful. I liked that he treated me as his equal in front of the council. No one else had ever done that except for uncle Kal. But when it came to Marcus, Duilio suddenly turned into a bad combination of my father and Sammy. He was too protective and distrusting to the point of being rude. I was angry at myself because for the past few weeks, all I have done is take it. I took his rudeness and respected his ridiculous boundaries thinking that he needed space but the reality as that my imprint was screwed up. Marcus had royally messed him up and hurt him to a level that I could not get him out of and this scared me. I was only 18 and I grew up in a great family. What did I know about being tortured by the one man who is supposed to love and protect you unconditionally?

It was all starting to become too much. Not only did I have to figure out a way to help Duilio but I had a pack and a guard that all looked to me to lead them. I had to be strong for them, just like I had to be strong for my imprint. I had to take matters into my own hands and, more importantly, I had to fight for our relationship.

I think that I was gaining some ground with Duilio. He got aroused in my presence this morning for the first time since Forks. I could also sense that he missed our flirting just as much as I did. These signs were encouraging. After a long talk with Lina, my mother, grandmother and aunt Alice, I decided that I was going to try harder to get him to relax around me. We even devised a plan to diffuse his stubbornness.

When I walked into his wing of the castle and caught his scent and I nearly ran into his bedroom. He was in the sitting room outside the bedroom. I was excited about trying some of the things the women in my family suggested, but as soon as I opened the doors, I knew that something was wrong.

"Duilio?" He looked over at me. His eyes looked so lost. I could smell the alcohol in the room. I wondered how long he had been drinking. Did he even have dinner?

"Hi." He said and he smiled at me. It was a loving smile that I hadn't seen since in a while but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He set the bottle of wine on the coffee table in front of him.

"Come here." He said lazily and opened his arms. I didn't need a second invitation. I went over to him and sat on his lap. He put his arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. Then he rested his head on the base of my neck. I felt something wet against my skin and I realized he was crying. I quickly put my arms around his neck and held onto him tightly.

"Duilio? I don't mean to pry but you're scaring me." I told him softly.

"I've hated my father for so long to that point that..." He shook my head. "How do I even explain this? I mean, if you had killed my father, I would have been angry but I would have no problem forgiving you but if the reverse were to happen. Well, let's just say that death would have been a kindness. I love my father but I also hated him. It was a very complex relationship and today... How can all that hate just disappear in one moment? As if all this time I was looking for some excuse to forgive him. But I haven't been. I don't want to forgive him. I was fine with hating him, but I… I can't anymore. It's like I know how to anymore." He told me. His voice was as lost as his eyes.

"What happened today, Duilio?" I asked him and lifted his head slightly so that I could look at him. But he couldn't even look into my eyes. He stared at the coffee table instead.

"He let me go Sarah. He's letting us all go, if I want." He shook his head and another tear rolled down his cheek. I kissed it away and, finally, he looked at me. "A part of me wants to just take you and run before he changes his mind but another part... I can't leave him. Not now that he… God Sarah! I don't know what to do! I have been sitting here for hours trying to think of what I should do, debating but..."

"You love him." I said absentmindedly. My heart hurt so much for him but it also hurt because as much as I wanted him to leave, I knew I couldn't let him.

"I love you more but I can't seem to make this decision. I need you to make it for me. Tell me you want to leave this place. I'll do it. I can do anything you ask me to." He said. There was a tone of desperation in his voice. I knew he would do it for me if I asked. I wanted to ask him to leave but it would be the most selfish I ever did.

"I'm not going to come between you and your father." I whispered after a moment. His face tensed as if my answer made him angry. I took his face in my hands and made him look at me. "Duilio, you don't hate your father. You never did. You were disappointed, angry, hurt, betrayed but you never hated him. Even when I lost my memories, I could sense that Marcus what important to you. I knew you loved him. That's why I tried so damn hard to make this work. He loves you Duilio and I would never ask you to leave behind someone you loved." I told him. He shook his head as if he were trying to get my words out of his head.

"He's dangerous Sarah. Volterra is a dangerous place." He told me. I could feel his anger and insecurity clearly through our imprint link. It was getting so easy to feel the difference between his feelings and mine, which was good because I couldn't keep letting his anger influence mine. Normally his anger would just make me angry in return but this time I just smiled at my angry drunk imprint and I kissed his nose, then his cheek, then his other cheek, and his chin until I finally reached his lips. I kissed his lips softly because I was expecting him to push me away as he had before but he didn't. His arms went around me tightly and he kissed me back fiercely and sloppily. I could feel that his anger soften and slowly his kissing softened too. I broke our kiss and he looked at me confused.

"Volterra is whatever we make of it. I know that it is dangerous now, but it won't always be that way. Marcus will make sure of it because he loves you. And now you know you can trust that love." I told him. Stubborn as ever, he scoffed at me and looked at me as if I was a fool but I just rolled my eyes at him and continued.

"He loves you Duilio. He wants things to change, for you. I know that you are scared about my safety and that you are pissed that I offered him our kids but I know that his love for you alone will keep us all safe.

"Please Sarah. You don't understand. My father…" I cut him off before he could come up with some other excuse.

"Stop it! There is something you need to understand. Marcus can't do anything to me because he loves you too much to hurt me just like I love you too much to hurt him. Its like an unwritten understanding between us that we can't kill each other and that instead we have to protect each other and help each other become the people we need to be in order to be with you. I needed to be stronger and he needed to be softer. Marcus and I are both moving heaven and earth to become better for you. To make you happy, and the least you could do is give us a chance. And, for God's sake, start trusting us."

"I do trust you. Its him…" I put my hand over his lip to stop him from talking and I cut him off again.

"No Duilio. If you trust me, you also need to trust my decisions and opinions about your father but you don't. I have done everything I can to make this relationship work and I am tired of being the only one putting effort into our future together. Its time you do your part too. You and I are never going to be happy until you fix your relationship with Marcus. My parents, my grandparents, we all love you but you can't keep using us as surrogates because you are never going to be happy and I can't be your scapegoat for when you are angry about your father anymore. I want you to be happy Duilio. I want to make you happy but I can't make the pain you feel go away because it has nothing to do with me. You said you can anything if I asked, do this. Do this for me, for us. Fix this with your father so that we can be happy here."

"Happy here? Volterra and happiness cannot even be in the same sentence." He said annoyed.

"Our life is what we make of it Duilio. Volterra or no Volterra. I don't mind staying here. I don't even mind raising kids here. Well..." I said rethinking that statement because he could tell it wasn't true. "Maybe we can raise the kids in the summer house or something but I don't mind the rest. I am willing to make things work and I need you to be in board with this too." I kissed his forehead and I could feel the tension there against my lips. "Give him a chance Duilio. I promise you that it will be ok."

"How can you possibly know that?" His voice was tense, heartbroken and full of doubt. I knew he was scared that I was taking his father's side. Also, he was irritated because wanted an easy way out. He wanted an excuse to leave Volterra and I wasn't going to give it to him.

"I have faith." I told him simply.

"In Marcus?!" He asked incredulously.

"No, silly man. In love. Love is worth going through all the hard stuff and it's definitely worth taking a risk. I think Marcus is finally starting to get that and I think its about time you do too." I grazed my lips against his cheek until I reached his ear lobe and then I bit it gently. "Got it?" I whispered into his ear before I kissed the spot I bit into.

"How do you manage to be so sweet and endearing yet also so absolutely infuriating?" He grumbled.

"It's a gift." I told him sarcastically and kissed the corner of his mouth which was currently set on a pout. He looked at me with his sexy pout when I kissed him and I couldn't help but giggle.

"What?"

"You look adorable when you pout like that." I told him. He growled at me but then he surprised me by tackling me and pinning me to the couch.

"You're a very demanding woman." He told me. He was being playful but I could tell he was still grumpy and slightly drunk so I decided to quit while I was ahead. I kissed his chin, which was the only place I could reach and I wiggled out from under him. He let me go. His brows were furrowed and slightly confused by me departure. I took a few steps towards the door before I turned to him.

"Do you want to sleep in the bed tonight or are you still scared that I'll have my way with you in your sleep?" I teased.

He narrowed his eyes at me in annoyance but I could also sense amusement from him. I gave him a smile and I went into the room. I honestly didn't know what had gotten over me just then but I suddenly had a feeling that everything would be ok. I had gone through hell to get this man. I had lost myself, and then I found myself again. I was done letting his anger and fear affect our relationship. I had to be brave and strong for the both of us and for the first time, I felt like I could. I felt like I could take anything life could throw at me and my efforts were finally rewarded. After a few minutes the door opened and my angry drunk came into the bedroom. He looked slightly disoriented but then he climbed up into bed and wrapped his arms around me. My heart was beating so fast that I thought it might come out of my chest.

"Just go to sleep Sarah. I'm not as drunk as you think. There will be no funny business tonight." He assured me. Then he kissed my head as I laid my head on his chest.

"I know... I love you." I told him.

"I love you too." He told me and we both fell asleep.

Things between Duilio and I changed drastically after our drunken sleepover. He was definitely nicer to me and he was becoming more and more affectionate. He held my hand when we were at the table and cuddled with me when we watched movies on Friday nights, which we made into a tradition. We were like an old married couple. Tons of kissing and cuddling but no sex. I tried not to let it get to me. Duilio was going through a lot and I wanted to be supportive. It was frustrating to say the least but I was trying to have a sense of humor about it.

My family helped me see the humor in it. Lina, Liam, Will and my guard had a bet going to see when he would cave. They thought I didn't know but Will told me. He was my confidant because he was the only one around that I could talk to. I talked to Liam and Lina but they were usually so tired from training that they went straight to bed after diner. Will was the one who came up with Friday night movies and helped my devise a schemes to spend time alone with Duilio.

Will and I stayed up for a couple of hours after diner playing cards. We asked Duilio to join us and of course he could not say no. He was very sweet with Will and he was very competitive with me. The first few times, Will stayed as our buffer but then he started making excuses to leave. The competitiveness of our games really built up sexual tension between us so every time Will came up with some excuse to leave, Duilio would end the game. Duilio was nice about it every time he ended the game early. He even made jokes at times which made me feel relieved. It was like all the playfulness we had before was starting to return.

The problem was the sexual tension. It got to the point that uncle Jasper couldn't be around us anymore and Duilio refused to be alone with me in bed because of it. He would sleep in the sofas outside of his room or in the bedroom he meant for me while I laid alone on his bed, frustrated. I started to control my frustration by channeling that energy into constructive uses. Every other night, I would sneak out with to meet my guard in the castle's practice grounds since I was unable to sleep anyhow. We performed combat training during the day, so we used the nights to exercise our gifts. Eventually, Duilio's personal guard joined us so that they could witness my guard's gifts as well as my own. They had never experienced anything like my gift of control. Training to harness my gift was even more exhausting than combat training. After a few hours of training with my guard at night, I would sneak back into my room and was finally able to sleep because I was so tired. It made my days longer but it shortened my lonely nights which was what I needed.

Almost a week before we were supposed to officially present the Volturi wolf pack to the vampire world, the castle received a visitor from the south. This visitor was one that uncle Jasper knew well and she had travel long and far to see him. Aunt Alice was the first to see her arrival but she could not tell what she wanted because Maria disappeared from her sight the moment she arrived at the castle grounds because of all the wolves. Duilio thought it was strange that Maria would visit and he the vampires at the control center search the net for any disturbances in the south but we couldn't find anything extraordinary. We were all confused about her arrival; nevertheless, we were ready for her. We decided to keep the wolf pack away since they weren't needed for vampire matters. My grandparents stayed with them for protection while uncle Jasper, aunt Alice and my guard stayed with me to receive her.

I was at the castle standing between Marcus and Duilio when she arrived. Aunt Alice and uncle Jasper went to greet her with Santos at the entrance of the castle. Santos announced her to the court and she was granted an audience before the masters.

"Maria. To what do we owe this unannounced visit?" Caius asked her.

"Please forgive me for the intrusion but there is trouble down south that you should be aware of." She told him.

"Speak child. Of what trouble are you referring?" Marcus commanded.

"I heard word that Richard was planning to invade my territory. I was mounting an attack on Richard so I sent my best to survey the situation and my informant came back with disturbing news. Richard has over 30 newborns which he plans to send into my territory." She told us. Some of the guard hissed at this. I myself swallowed down a growl. That was 30 humans that had been murdered which is against both the old and new Volturi laws.

"The Volturi do not get involved in territorial battles. If he has managed to turn over 30 humans without the media noticing and if he has managed to keep them in check, then no law has been broken. He has kept our secret." Caius told her.

"Don't be so callous uncle. There is a reason why we set limits on newborns. If these 30 plus newborns are released from his trance at once, they will be impossible to control. Once released they will run rampant and may attack humans in masses. Our secrecy is at risk." Duilio told him.

"How did he even acquire such a number to begin with?" I asked her. Aunt Alice looked at me worried that I had crossed a line but I was a Volturi princess. I had every right to question any witnesses. Maria looked at me for a moment, probably wondering why I had spoken to her directly, but she answered me regardless.

"Richard has the ability to project his thoughts into the minds of others. His victims fall into in a trance state. He has been collecting humans for months from all over the surrounding state and he has kept them alive in a factory using his gift of projection to keep them in a trance until he collected enough to turn. He has far too many and he has turned them all at once. It will be impossible for him to control them once they are released." She told us. That explained why we couldn't find any disturbances in the south. Our command center was able to locate mass killings or overt exposures not covert operations across multiple states.

"I agree. His numbers are far too great to control even with Richard's gift of projection." Duilio said before he turned to aunt Alice.

"Do you know when he is planning to release them?" Duilio asked her.

"He will do so by tomorrow. They will mobilize to a nearby town but the vision disappears after that." She told him.

"Why?" Marcus asked her. She looked a bit surprised that he had addressed her but she answered him.

"I think there might be a wolf or hybrid interfering." She told him but her gaze was directed at me because it was my decision that was interfering with her vision. Duilio and Marcus both turned to me.

"Is there something you'd like to share?" Duilio asked me. I has standing between both men so I walked forward and turned so that I was facing all three Masters.

"I was just thinking how this would be an excellent opportunity for my guard and my pack to show our ability to work together. If it pleases my new family, I would love to intervene in this matter and personally see that these lawbreakers are brought to justice." I told them.

"You wish to mount an attack on an entire army? Your guard is still inexperienced and untested. I will not have your mutts tarnish the reputation of this family." Caius said quickly.

"What better way to gain experience than by dismembering an entire newborn army. This would be a much better test our skills than a power demonstration during a coming out ceremony. And you forget that one of my wolves already has experience in taking out newborns." I told him. There was a short silence. Marcus looked directly at my eyes and nodded giving me his consent. Duilio looked at him for a moment and grunted.

"Fine, but you will take Jane and Alec with you." Duilio said.

"What?!" Jasper said quickly but he was silenced by Duilio's stare.

"Why do you want me to take the twins?" I asked him.

"You will be fighting an army and they are our strongest offensive weapons." Duilio told me. I swallowed hard trying to hide my annoyance with my imprint's comment. Marcus looked at him and then at me. Then he smirked as if he already new that Duilio's comment had grated my nerves.

"Forgive me Master, but you are mistaken. Jane and Alec are quite talented but your greatest weapon is now me. I can do this." I told him, while trying very hard not to growl at him. We both stared at each other for a long moment.

"I have no objections." He said finally. I saw aunt Alice grab uncle Jasper's arm with the corner of my eyes.

"Agreed." Marcus said.

"Agreed, but if you fail, there will be consequences." Caius threatened.

"I won't fail." I told him confidently and then I turned to our guests. "As always, Maria and any of our other guests are welcome to witness the event. Please inform Roberta if you wish to accompany us so that she can make the arrangements. We leave tonight." I told them before left the throne room. Yasmin, Roberta, and Mason who were the two guard at the castle with me followed after me. Uncle Jasper and aunt Alice also followed me to the hall behind my guard. Once outside the great hall, I addressed them.

"Yaz, get the pack, Gabriel and Mason here. I want to make sure we leave before they unleash an army to an unsuspecting public. Roberta, start making all the nessesary arrangements." I told them. Both women nodded once and left to do as I asked.

"Are you out of your mind?! Sarah please rethink this. Last time the pack went against an army there were 15 of us and it was still a brutal battle. Your dad was almost crushed to death!" Uncle Jasper warned me. He held on to my hand, his eyes pleading me not to do this. I put my free hand over his to reassure him.

"Last time you encountered newborns you did not have me. I can defeat them. I promise that I would not have asked for this if I didn't already know I could do this."

"Then I'm coming with you. We'll get your grandparents and Emmett. We'll all go." He told me. I instantly shook my head no.

"You are my uncle and I love you but you are not a part of my guard. You will remain here with my grandparents." I told him. Uncle jasper looked angry.

"Go help get things ready Mase." He left just as Duilio came over to us. Uncle Jasper turned to him with a pissed off expression.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" He yelled at his face.

"Jazz. This is Volterra and I am a Master. You have no right to question me." Duilio told him calmly.

"That is my niece, your mate. How can you put her in danger like this?" Aunt Alice asked him.

"She's more than capable of handling herself and keeping herself alive in battle. I trust her." He told her.

"You trust her?" Aunt Alice asked him skeptically. I was surprised by this too.

"I know that I have been a little resistant but that has everything to do with Marcus and nothing to do with her ability to lead or fight. She thinks she can do this, I believe her. She can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Its one of her those things I love about her." He said confidently and then he added. "Besides, I am starting to learn that when she sets her mind on something, there is little I can do to stop her." I smiled at him and aunt Alice's eyes glazed over for a moment. When she came to she was pissed.

"Great! Edward is going to blame me for this." Aunt Alice complained. I smiled at her apologetically.

"Sorry auntie. I'm going to get everything ready." I told them to excuse myself from aunt Alice's angry pout. Just as I made my way to the private wings of the castle, Duilio grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. He kissed me suddenly and fiercely. I was so surprised by his kiss that I barely had time to kiss him back before he let me go.

"Be safe." He told me and then he went back to the throne room just as abruptly. Aunt Alice and uncle Jazz stared at me, still angry.

"Come on you two. Uncle Jazz, I will need you to help me calm daddy once they get here." I told them.

"I thought you didn't want my help." Uncle Jazz said annoyed.

"Come on uncle Jazzy. Don't be like that." I teased. He growled.

"Don't uncle Jazzy me! You want my help with your dad, then I am going with you." He said in an angry low voice that made even my wolf pay attention. I just sighed.

"You may come as a witness, but you will not attack or use your gifts, do you understand me?" I asked him. His brows furrowed.

"Why? Why are you putting yourself and your pack at risk?" He asked me, a bit calmer.

"Because I need everyone in this family to know that I can do this. That I can lead them." I told him honestly. He nodded as if he understood what I was referring to.

"Honey, I know you are still angry that we ganged up on you but, just because we want you safe, doesn't mean we don't trust your abilities. We know you can be a leader." He told me.

"No you don't. But you will." I told them and then I left to get my things. I knew that they loved me but they didn't trust my judgment. I still had their little family meeting in mind and I was still offended that they didn't trust me, especially, after seeing how much Marcus and Duilio had changed since I intervened. This battle was my chance to prove to them and to everyone that I was born for this. I was ready.

A/N: I am so happy you guys liked the chapter with Marcus and Duilio. I hope that know that you know a little more about Marcus, that you can understand why he acted the way he did and why I cannot let Duilio abandon him. I know some of you want Sarah and Duilio to go back to Forks but this was never their destiny. They were both meant to lead and rule over the supernatural world... Please review!