Jewel in the Crown
Disclaimer: All the characters in the story are the property of Stephanie Meyer. I have borrowed them for my entertainment and (hopefully) your reading pleasure. I make no profit from their use.
Chapter 43: The Darkest Cloak
Aro calls Esme and I into the presence chamber where all of the guards and the coven have been assembled. I look around and notice that Chelsea and Gunnar are missing. Demetri, who had been sent to summon us, brings us before Aro, Caius, and Marcus, and then takes his place beside Felix. The assemblage is impressive. Even Heidi is there, which is highly unusual.
"Carlisle," says Aro formally. "I would like to thank you for your help in bringing Edward around to the right way of thinking and for making sure that Bella's transformation went well. I would like to offer you this first edition of the Guttenburg Bible. There are not many left, and I know that you appreciate such antiquities."
"Thank you, Aro," I reply. "You are very kind."
"Esme," he continues. "I would like to offer my thanks to you as well for helping Bella to adjust and my wife to plan the wedding. You have pleased us both very much. This is a small token of our gratitude."
"Thank you, Aro, Sulpicia," she says. "You are most generous."
They have given her a rather stunning diamond necklace. It looks like something that some impoverished king or duke had to pawn in the eighteenth century. Like the Bible, it is highly valuable, but Aro has no use for human money or the "price" of things. Looking at the jewels I can only think that we would trade them in an instant for our son, who is now the brightest jewel in his collection.
Aro indicates that we should step back, and we fall into line beside Corin and the wives. I look directly across and see the twins, holding hands as usual. Alec's face is carefully neutral like the other guards. He is undoubtedly ready to react with whatever emotion Aro expects. Jane is trying for the facial expression, but only succeeds in looking sullen.
The doors open and Bella and Edward come in holding hands, flanked by Chelsea and Gunnar. Gunnar is watchful of his charge, while Chelsea is completely at ease.
Edward is dressed in black. His simple clothes are elegant and understated. He is looking relaxed, even as he holds his head high. He exudes confidence, but no arrogance. I have to swallow hard. He cuts a fine figure of a man. But in a very short time, I will no longer be able to see him.
Bella on the other hand appears nervous. She looks around and when she sees us, gives us a tentative smile. Then Sulpicia catches her eye and gives her an encouraging look.
Bella squares her shoulders and stands up a little straighter. She is dressed in blue: blue jeans and a lovely deep, blue silk shirt. Her long, dark hair is hanging loosely to her waist. I am sure that it is the envy of all the other women in the room. Despite the fact that she is wearing high heels, she is moving with all the grace of a ballet dancer. It is obvious that she has left her awkwardness behind in her human body.
Aro stands and holds out his hands.
"Bella, Edward," he says regally. "Come forward, my dear ones."
I flinch at the salutation. It means that they are his now. Only those in the coven and members of the guard are honored with the name "dear ones." Edward leads Bella forward with Gunnar closely shadowing her. Chelsea stays back. When they are standing in front of him, Edward bows and Bella, following his lead, bobs a little curtsy.
"Edward, I hope that you have enjoyed your honeymoon," he says jovially. "For a while there, the guards were taking bets on how long you would be in there. What do you think of that?"
"I think that Felix is annoyed because Renata beat him by three hours, Master," he says.
Despite his efforts to control his expression, Felix looks vexed. Renata looks smug.
"Well done, young Edward," says Aro in approval. "I hope that you are all paying attention. You must mask your thoughts carefully around our newest member or he may tell me your darkest secrets."
Even I can tell that they are focused on his words. That little exchange was intended to be a reminder of Edward's formidable gift. Edward's expression is appropriately humble as he stands before his Master.
It breaks my heart to see my beloved son bow down to any man as his master, but he has no choice. His life and Bella's are now in the hands of the man who is the most powerful vampire in our world.
"Ah, Bella," says Aro turning to her. "Immortality certainly becomes you."
"Thank you, sir," she says.
"I believe that a small wedding gift is in order," he says. "Sulpicia, you may bring us the necklace that you have chosen from the treasure room."
With a huge smile, Sulpicia approaches them and holds up a necklace that is a golf ball-sized diamond attached to a thick gold rope. It looks too heavy for Bella's delicate neck, but is an appropriate reminder of who she now obeys.
"Thank you, sir," she says in awe. "I . . . don't know what to say."
"She is overcome," says Aro to Sulpicia. "You should be gratified that your selection has overwhelmed her. Thank you, wife, for your excellent taste."
"Your welcome, husband," she says with a sly smile. "It was an easy task to choose something special for my best friend."
Her words, though sweet sounding, are a veiled warning to anyone who might think of using Bella to get at the new favorite. It is clear that she is taking Bella under her protection. She clips the necklace around her neck, and then Bella looks at her gratefully as she steps back to her place next to Corin.
"And you are so much in control of yourself, young Bella," he says looking at her carefully. "Are you not thirsty? We saved a couple of humans for you from the wedding feast."
"No thank you, sir," she replies. "I am not thirsty."
"Are you saying this for the sake of your husband standing beside you?" he asks. "Or perhaps you are embarrassed to express your craving for human blood in front of Carlisle and Esme."
"No, sir," she says. "I am truly not thirsty."
"Not thirsty," he says slowly. "Well, obviously I have no way of knowing for sure."
"I am not lying," she says quietly. "I would never tell a lie to you, sir."
"Well, you may indeed not be thirsty," he says. "But you are quite definitely not stupid either. Carlisle and Esme have schooled you well. I am pleased."
I cannot see her face because her dark hair has fallen over it. But Edward is looking at her very proudly. His eyes are filled with love and devotion. I recognize that look and I am pleased. If my son will stuck here for the rest of eternity, at least he will be able to share his existence with his true soul mate.
"Chelsea," Aro says suddenly. "Come forward and bring the cloak."
There is a stirring in the room. This is the moment that they have all been waiting for. What color cloak will Aro place on Edward's shoulders? Chelsea, no doubt as per Aro's instructions, holds the new cloak beneath her own. Aro is enjoying the drama of the moment and wants to be the one to bestow the honor on Edward.
Caius and Marcus rise and come forward. The three of them stand together as Chelsea comes towards them and hands Aro the cloak. She then whispers something to Edward, who walks forward and turns his back to Aro.
His head is held high and his eyes are shining. Because he has been separated from Bella, Chelsea stands beside her and puts her arm around her. This too is significant. It means that Bella is also under Chelsea's protection.
Aro unfurls the cloak with aplomb as the others in the room gasp. The cloak is as dark as Chelsea's, which is even darker than the twins' cloaks. Aro looks around, obviously pleased with the response that he received to his decision. Then he places the cloak across. Edward's shoulders and turns him so that he can fasten the gold chain, and then turns him back to face the room.
"May I introduce the newest member of the Volturi guard," he says. "Edward."
I notice immediately that he is omitting the surname, Cullen. It is a clear indication to me that Edward is no longer a member of my coven. I knew that this would happen, but it is still painful to hear it. Esme reaches for my hand and gives me a look filled with sadness. The loss of Edward as our son is equally painful to us both.
Aro casts a look in our direction and takes pity on us.
"Edward and Bella, you may go outside to the office to say goodbye to Carlisle and Esme in private," he says. "Chelsea and Gunnar please attend them."
"Wait a minute, brother," says Caius. "You have not told us of your plans for Edward's wife."
"Ah, yes," he says. "Sweet Isabella. My dear, you will remain in the wives' quarters until your year as a newborn is over. You will provide companionship to my wife and comfort to your husband. I promise to be most generous with time for the latter. One must take into account the desires of young love and we wouldn't want Edward to be unhappy would we?"
He looks around expectantly and the others laugh a little or smile in response. Predictably, Athenadora rolls her eyes. She is probably the only one in the room who can get away with that.
"And after the year?" asks Caius.
"Her gifts will be evaluated and she will receive her own cloak and join the guard," he replies.
Sulpicia pouts.
"I have not decided what her duties will be," he says cryptically. "She may become a member of the wives' guard."
Sulpicia looks mollified and Athenadora looks grateful. I am sure that she does not want Sulpicia to lose her "best friend." A few of the rest of the guards look relieved. They probably prefer not to have two Cullens to deal with in the main guard.
"Carry on," says Aro and waves us off.
He and the others return to their seats. Edward picks up Bella's hand to lead her towards us with Gunnar and Chelsea close behind. As we leave the hall, I notice the other guards and the wives going back to their usual business. When we get outside, I turn to my son.
"I'm sorry, Carlisle," he says. "For doing this to you and Esme. I will always regret your loss from my life."
"Stay safe, Edward," says Esme. "Be happy and take care of Bella."
Edward looks at Bella as if the sun rises and sets on her and says, "Always."
"Farewell, Bella," I say. "I am sorry that I did not have the opportunity to enjoy having you as a daughter-in-law."
"You have always been very kind to me," she says. "Both of you. I will never forget you."
"Nor we you," says Esme, taking her in her arms. "You stay well."
"I will," she says. "I now have Edward forever."
The look on her face as she gazes into his eyes is pure love. Regardless of what happens, I know that they will be happy as long as they are together.
"Goodbye, Carlisle, Esme," says Edward and taking Bella's hand, he returns to the tower.
The minute he turns, I sense that the bond between us has been broken. Chelsea looks at me regretfully and mouths the words, "I'm sorry."
I take Esme's arm and pick up the bags that someone thoughtfully left out for us. As we walk back towards the entrance, I sense Demetri skulking behind us. I can't resist one last comment.
"Demetri," I call back. "Would it make it easier for you if I gave you our flight number?"
I hear the hiss behind me, but don't respond. When we reach the door, I let us out and look up at the sky. It is night.
"Will we ever see them again?" asks Esme.
I can't lie to her.
"No," I reply. "I am afraid that is the last we will see of Edward and Bella Cullen. They now belong to the Volturi."
It is a long silent journey to the airport. As we board our flight home, I can only hope that I never see Italy again.
Author's note: Some of the details that I have included about the Volturi and other vampires mentioned come from The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide.
