Chapter 13: Answers

Bella's POV

She sighed, following the brothers out. She was left more questions than answers but she was glad they were finally going to talk to Aro. She absentmindedly laid a hand against her chest, feeling a tugging feeling at her heart as they walked the short distance to his study when the sound of arguments and hisses reached their ears. An overwhelming feeling to protect came over her and she felt herself growl lowly. The kings looked at her warily, giving her a margin of space before they heard a loud thud.

"You have to intervene!" A stranger's voice boomed from behind the closed doors.

She gasped, imagining Aro getting into a fight and before anyone could stop her, she flashed to the doors and threw them open. She took in the scene for a second. A tall, well dressed man with short brownish red curls was leaning with two hands on Aro's desk, his snarling face inches from Aro's. They both broke their glaring contest to look at her in shock but it was short lived. Her body moved on it's own and she sent the unknown vampire flying and crashing into a wall. She pulled Aro away at the same time and pushed him behind her, pressing her back into his chest and spreading her arms defensively. She snarled at the man who was standing up and brushing the rubble from his fancy suit in disdain.

"Argh, look at what you've done." He spat, his words thick with an Irish accent. "That's not very nice, you-"

He stopped short when he lifted his gaze and saw who had pushed him. His demeanor seemed to shift almost immediately, hostility evaporating and being replaced an unnervingly polite smile.

"Ah," He started, tone sultry and smooth. "Just who is this newborn, Aro?"

His hungry eyes gave her body a look once over and she felt Aro stiffen in response. Although she didn't hear it, she felt the vibrations of his growl course through her followed by his breath on her ear as he snaked his arm possessively around her waist.

"Lei e mia, Riagán." Aro hissed, making a thrill go down her spine. She knew enough Italian to know what that meant.

Riagán lips turned down into an ugly scowl and his fingers twitched minutely. Alarms sounded in the back of her head and she zoomed in on the motion, trepidation coursing through her. She growled in warning as he cocked his head to the side.

"Oh?" He took a step forward, in challenge. "Then why does she not bear your mark? Hm? What if I want her for myself? Why not take her like the other covens have taken from me?!"

He ran his tongue over his exposed teeth, smirking devilishly as he went and making Aro finally outwardly react. He ground his teeth in rage, grasp tightening around her tight enough that her whole body was flush against his.

"You seem to have a death wish." Aro stated in a dangerously calm voice. "One that I will happily fulfill."

"That is enough." Caius hissed, eyes narrowed into slits and body taut as a bow, ready to intervene. Both he and Marcus had been at the entrance, watching the unfolding events with disbelief. "How dare you come to our home and show such grievous disrespect."

"It'd be best for you to make your leave while you are still able." Marcus advised, his soft tone jarringly different from his tense and imposing figure.

Seeing that he was outmatched by four livid vampires, Riagan snarled in frustration, clenching his fists.

"You are the ones that have disrespected me." Riagan hissed, glaring daggers at Aro. "The other covens take what is mine and you permit it because you are cowards."

She bristled at the insult, fury clouding her vision. She had had enough.

"Leave." Bella said in a low, deadly voice as the room went completely silent every pair of eyes flickering to her. Riagan scoffed, infuriating her more. She felt herself snap, something invisible bubbling around her body. Expanding, expanding and expanding until—

"I said… LEAVE!"

Her voice boomed with authority across the room and the unruly vampire was set flying backwards once more by an unseen force. The kings who had been defensively crouching looked to her in surprise. Even Aro who had been growling, was silent behind her. The man stood up once more, disgruntled by the force.

Fury overcame his features for a split succeed before a carefully blank mask fell into place. He minutely inclined his head, his unnerving eyes boring into hers.

"As you wish, my Lady." He said in a deceptively calm voice. "Forgive me for making you feel that your mate was in danger. I truly meant no harm."

The way he he put an emphasis on the word truly didn't sit well with Bella and she felt lip curl back even further as Riagán stepped carefully away from them. He passed the other kings, never turning his back to them before stopping at the doorway, a dangerous expression flickering on his face.

"We have unfinished business, Aro Volturi."

Then, he disappeared. She was tense as she heard his footsteps recede and her mind was spinning through everything that had just happened. She was still crouched defensively when the arm wrapped around her waist loosened slightly.

"Everything is alright, tesoro mio." Aro whispered, soothing her with his tone. She felt him slowly trail his hands up her arms and finally, she let her posture relax. As she did the invisible barrier that had exploded out of her, snapped back into place. She let out an unnecessary breath as Aro helped straighten her out.

He gently led her to the love seat, pulling her down beside him. His brothers, who had been poised at the doors glaring after the other vampire, cautiously made their way inside the office and sat straight across from them. Caius was glaring daggers at Aro and looked like he wanted to say something since his eyes kept flickering towards Aro's hands but he wouldn't come any closer. Wise choice. Marcus just gave his brother a disappointed look and sighed deeply.

As they sat, she couldn't help but twist towards the raven haired king and pull him closer, inspecting him for any visible damage. Aro didn't offer any resistance at the scrutiny and merely gazed at her with hint of awe in his ruby eyes of his. As her eyes trailed over him, she let out a low keened whimper when she realized not a hair was out of place.

"You're ok." She breathed in relief, the emotion washing over her.

"Yes, Isabella. All is well." Aro whispered as he ran a hand down her back. "Riagan just lost his temper. He wouldn't dare lay a hand on me."

She doubted his words but stayed silent, melting into him despite their audience. She laid her head in the crook of his neck and inhaled his scent which helped her finally regain her control. She thought she felt the softest of purrs as he pulled her close to his body but their moment was cut abruptly short. A growl coming from the blonde king made her eyes snap towards him.

"How could you have been so reckless?" Caius demanded, hands digging into the armchair where he sat with so much force that they snapped. He spared it no glance, crushing the piece of wood it into pieces.

She felt herself stiffen minutely at the vicious glare that Caius was giving Aro but the raven haired vampire seemed unfazed.

"I had the situation under control, brother." He spoke cooly, a hand stroking her hair soothingly.

"This has nothing to do with that fool." The blond vampire bit back, clearly incensed. The vampire seemed to throw caution to the wind as he stood and flashed to Aro's side despite his previous wariness. He grabbed Aro's hand with a little to much force which elicited an annoyed hiss from the other but she bit back a growl, knowing Caius would never hurt Aro.

Aro's arm tightened around her, his jaw clenching and his eyes darkened to pitch black as his brother grimaced and ripped his hand away, stalking back to his seat and waiting for Aro to speak. The tension was palpable as it took the Aro various seconds to conjure up an answer.

"I see."

She flinched at the icy tone devoid of emotion but the vampire holding continued to stroke her hair gently. The dangerous aura emanating from his being wasn't directed at her.

"You should be grateful that you still have vampires loyal to us." Caius sneered. "If not for Alec, Isabella might've been-"

"That is enough." Aro interrupted with steel. "You've already made yourself quite clear."

Bella wondered for a second what Aro saw in Caius's mind as the blonde king reluctantly pursed his lips. Marcus sighed, cutting through the tension between his brothers.

"There is no use in this senseless conflict with each other." Marcus said dismissively, eyeing both of his brothers in turn. "What is done is done. Now, we must focus at the problem at hand. Aro?"

She heard him breath in slowly through his nose as he straightened them both out. He cupped her face and she gazed at him owlishly. Still not being used to being a vampire, she expected her heart to spontaneously start beating rapidly at the his tender expression. His eyes, although still black, were soft.

"How long have the guard mistreated you, cara mia?"

Though gentle in his question, there was an edge of menace his tone and the promise of retribution against anyone who had so much as looked at her the wrong way. She blinked in confusion at his care as he sighed in lamentation, brushing the locks of hair from her face.

"You shall have to forgive me, Isabella." Aro lamented, his eyes far away and holding a strange unhinged look. "It is my inaction which has caused you to suffer."

"Master..?" She ventured, confused by this twist of events. From fury and shame to complete and utter bafflement. She gazed at Aro with questions in her eyes.

"No, cara mia." Aro shook his head, gently cupping her face and ignoring yet another scoff from Caius. "Not master. I would not wish for my mate to address me as such."

It was then that Riagan's word echoed through her mind. Mate. She was Aro's mate. The word resonated within her. They felt right, like she was finally was complete. Then, suddenly, everything made sense. Her encounters with Aro, the inexplicable affection she had for the king, the uncontrollable and sinful desire for him she had experienced since she accepted that she was a vampire.

But, just as quickly as this came, other thoughts came crashing. The constant teasing of others, the ever lasting feeling isolated, the strained silence of fighting herself for feeling the way she did. Why hadn't he spoken to her before? Was it... that she wasn't good enough? That he didn't want her...? She felt an uncomfortable pressure building in her eyes.

"Why?" She started feeling hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yes, brother." Caius cut in with a seething tone before Aro could reply. "I've been asking myself that same question since my time with my mate was rudely interrupted due to a situation that could have been easily avoided!"

Marcus sighed at Caius letting anger get the best of him once again and it seemed Aro was annoyed as well.

"I believe we have established that you are displeased with my actions." Aro snapped back, ripping his gaze from her towards Caius. "If it bothers you so, we may settle this later. At the moment, Isabella is still waiting for an answer."

Caius seethed in place before finally conceding after looking at Bella's lost and pained face. "...Very well. However, we shall discuss the details of this settlement afterwards."

Bella briefly wondered what kind of settlement they would reach but was quickly distracted by a finger under her chin. Aro seemed almost sorrowful as he saw the film of tears on her eyes.

"Isabella, I had meant to inform you sooner but I wished to give you time to grieve." He started, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Bella's hurt washed away slightly at those words and she relaxed a bit. This also seemed to appease the brothers as they listened. "You were meant to be presented to the Guard 3 days ago but I have been meeting with the irish covens, specifically Riagán," Bella scowled at the name. "For the past week. The complaints have been constant and unending..."

Aro paused rubbing his temple as if he had a headache and Caius sighed, all traces of his anger vanishing. "This means that things are getting out of hand, are they not?."

Bella remained silent as the raven haired king composed himself before nodding at Caius. "Yes, we may have another war at hand."

The three of them looked at him completely startled. "War?" Bella whispered, horrified.

"You should have informed us, Aro." Marcus spoke, looking and sounding weary. Despite this he stood from his place and gestured to Caius. "We will speak of this at a later time. For now, I believe it is time we take our leave. Isabella and Aro have much to discuss."

The blonde king nodded, suddenly looking like he was in a hurry to leave before both of them excused themselves leaving her and Aro alone.


Author's note: First of all, to all those who have patiently waited this past year for an update, I profusely and wholeheartedly apologize. Things became much more complicated in my life when I published the last chapter. I started doing undergraduate research at my university and that consumed so much of my time, that I didn't have space to actually write anything. That and the major writer's block I hit drastically affected my motivation to complete this story.

Updates will continue to be slow but I will be doing my best since this quarantine crisis has given me the opportunity to start working on my stories once more. I will also be trying to complete this and The Language of Flowers before the end of July since I will start graduate studies in August. However, I make no promises. Once again, please forgive the previous silence on my part and thank you for still being committed to my story.

That being said, FINALLY. I hope this confrontation is satisfying? Things will be explained more in depth during the subsequent chaptes. Also, the next chapter might include some adult content. I am still weighing my ideas but I think it's necessary at this point before we continue. Thank you once again for staying tuned. I hope to update soon!

PS Caius does not let go that easily and we will definitely see how both he and Aro settled their differences ;)