Bella's POV
It had all been an grand show. Everything strategically planned out to instill terror into the hearts of those loyal to them. From the fire being lit before hand, to their state of dress and, to the blank, unfazed expressions on their faces. Of course, Bella did her part just as Aro instructed, using the anger she had for Demetri and Felix to fuel her own facade of indifference though, she was anything but. She was like a lake which appeared calm on the surface but was turbulent just beneath the surface.
Every tear of skin, every scream and every breath of ash threatened to make her break character so, she ceased breathing and shielded herself from what was happening, doing her best impression of a living statue while she looked on detachedly. In some corner of her mind she took in the horror of the situation. The same hands that held her so tenderly where the same hands shredding people alive. She had known that Aro was ruthless but to see it on full display was shocking.
The more primitive side of her mind practically purred at Aro's display of power and fierceness. Bella knew that if she were ever in danger she could count on her mate to protect her. He would never let her be harmed. Her attention snapped back to the current situation as Demetri stepped forward. Unlike the others who had spoken, he was the first and only member to address her directly and apologize. This was obviously working in his favor as Aro seemed less incensed. Bella heard what Demetri had to say and knew she had forgiven him but he still had to be punished. She could not let herself be seen as weak.
"Take his pieces and spread them around the castle." Bella spoke as she finished dismembering Demetri, reciting with perfect precision the words that Aro had murmured to her in the hall. She looked on as some carried away the pieces she had mindfully left large enough so that they could find each other more easily. "He'll have to reassemble himself alone."
She managed to glare at the amassed vampires to make it very clear that no one was to help him. She then sighed, feeling suddenly exhausted. She turned towards the throne once again with a bored expression that felt foreign on her face.
"I'm getting tired of this. Let's let Aro read them and be done." For once, her words were sincere and her own.
Aro smirked, an appraising look being sent her way. She must be making it convincing then. She wondered idly how she had gotten so good with lying as she sat down once again.
The rest of the proceedings went on quickly since the Elite had more important tasks thank to be gossiping with others and thus, had no idea of the nasty what had been circulating until her confrontation with , Aro addressed the Guard once again with a calmer disposition.
"As you have all been witness, today was a day of great loss." He started, expression solemn before shaking his head. "Many have perished for their foolishness. Shame." He said, with no remorse in his tone.
"A great shame it is, brother." Marcus intoned, looking as bored as he sounded. "Many forget the privilege they have in this life."
"It would do well for the Guard to remember this." Caius interjected, finally seeming annoyed of being there. "Chelsea."
A small, blonde vampire in a cloak almost as dark as hers stepped forward and looked over the crowd and then the Masters. She bowed and stepped back in line. Although it seemed that she had done nothing, the change was palpable. The guard seemed more united and although they remained a bit fearful, there was a look of adoration in their eyes towards them. Bella wasn't sure if she was comfortable with that but she kept her lips sealed on the matter.
"Excellent!" Aro smiled, clapping twice. "You are dismissed and may resume normal duties. Please be mindful of your new mistress."
The vampires didn't need to be told twice and they flashed out leaving the room desolated. Bella sagged in Aro's throne, pressing a hand to her head. It was finally over. Aro put out the fire as Athenodora practically ran towards her with Caius close behind.
"Isabella!" She gushed, pulling her into a a tight hug. Athenodora pulled back and saw Bella's stunned expression. "It's good to finally meet you! I'm Athenodora, though you may call me Dora if you wish. I am Caius's mate."
"Hi," She greeted a bit shyly being off put at her bubbly disposition after the disturbing events of the past hours. Athenodora smiled ear to ear before turning a pleading look to Caius.
"Isabella and I must get to know each other, love. She's much more controlled than you had told me. May we have some time?"
Caius gave Bella a nod with newfound respect and wrapped his arm around Athenodora's waist. "Whatever you desire, amore."
The blonde giggled as Caius kissed her neck affectionately and then turned pleading eyes at her. "Forgive me for not addressing you directly, darling. Would you like to spend some time with me?"
Bella looked upwards to catch Aro's soft, approving gaze. "My brothers and have much to discuss."
Marcus drifted towards the group and sighed. "Yes, our coven has been significantly reduced."
"Yes." Aro frowned before a hungry glint appearing in his ruby eyes along with a shark-like smile. "I believe some recruitment is in order?"
Bella frowned a bit. Aro had shown interest in both Alice and Edward. Too much interest. He had promised to leave them alone and he promised he would. Wouldn't he? She took in a breath to steady herself but almost ended sputtering out the the ash that still clung to her nostrils. She then noticed that the ash clung to her hair and skin as she looked at herself. She felt repulsed.
Don't think about it. Don't think about it.
"Okay." She nodded, shoving the thought of dead vampire on her being. She wanted to rid herself of it. "But I need to clean up first."
"Of course! I had just that in mind." Athenodora beamed.
Bella stood up and she felt hands roaming at her waist. She shivered as she felt lips at ear. "Have fun, Isabella. I'll be waiting in our rooms when you return."
Her stomach flipped at the promise as he kissed just under her earlobe and released her. She took another involuntary breath before looking into smoldering eyes. She felt her own eyes darken in response but she couldn't help but focus on the particles still floating in the air, settling in his hair. He didn't seem bothered by it at all. It unsettled her a bit. She gave him a jerky nod as Athenodora dragged her away excitedly, managing to catch the concerned look of her mate while they retreated away from the throne room and away from the stench of death.
Athenodora hummed happily, her footsteps decisive as they climbed up a set of winding stairs. Bella blinked for a moment and then realized they were climbing up a literal tower in the royal family's section of the castle. A small, willowy vampire with light blonde hair that she recognized from the throne room appeared to be guarding grand wood doors. She raised her eyes momentarily and bowed in greeting.
"Corin, please be a dear and fetch Isabella more appropriate castle wear from her rooms."
With a murmured assent, the guard disappeared, leaving them alone and gliding into the room. The basic set up was similar to Aro's but the color scheme was different. She thought black and gold fit Caius well but it also had feminine accents of turquoise and white here and there.
The blonde woman turned to her with a smile, arms spread out. "Welcome to my humble abode. Now," She took of her earrings and motioned for her to follow her. "Let me draw a bath so that we can rid ourselves of this dreadful filth."
Bella flinched a bit at the flippant statement but she was momentarily distracted when she entered the bathroom. It was extravagant. Her eyes roamed over the space. The walls were pure white with golden patterns painted in a geometrical shapes. One area was dedicated to showering, jets lining the wall and ceiling while a bigger portion of the room was dedicated to the marble tub that could easily fit 10 people. A porcelain sink was settled in a corner of the room and speakers mounted in the upper corner of the room. A popular pop song started playing softly which only served to future baffle Bella as she took everything in. Athenodora laughed at her bewildered face, setting the tub to fill while pouring in some bath salts. Hints of forest berries and honey filled her nostrils as steam started to fog the various mirrors on her left.
"I hope you don't mind these. I thought they went well with your floral scent." Athenodora said, undoing her hair and untying her dress. With a start, Bella realized what she was doing and averted her eyes.
"Um, it's fine.." She mumbled, looking anywhere but where the other vampire who was now in a state of undress. "I-I'll wait for you outside."
She had halfway turned, making up her mind to wait for her turn in the bath when she heard laughter.
"Isabella." The blonde admonished lightly. "There is no need to be shy. We are women. It's not like I haven't seen anything I don't have myself." Bella felt like her cheeks should be burning. Her silence must have stretch out too long since she heard the light foot falls as Athenodora approached carefully, almost regretfully. "Forgive me for my comment. I don't wish to make you uncomfortable. You see, I come from a time where public bathing was the norm. You don't have to join me if you don''t desire to do so."
Bella finally met Athenodora's gaze. The woman looked at her remorsefully and with a deep set loneliness in her eyes. Bella realized that Athenodora was only trying to make her comfortable and that this activity was normal to her. How long had it been since she had someone to do this with? She swallowed back the mortification.
"It's fine. I'm just a bit…" Bella searched for the word, while she fiddled with her crest. "Shy."
Understanding crossed the blonde's features. "Of course, darling. I won't stare." She winked before turning away, giving Bella a view of her curvaceous backside. Bella held a hand to her face as the blonde quickly turned on the shower to wash herself before soaking in the tub. Bella reluctantly took off her clothes and jewelry, placing them carefully on a counter to her left. She tried not to focus on her nakedness and to relax under the stream of water.
Surprisingly, the pleasant aromas of the bath combined with the warm water beating on her back helped a bit to soothe her frayed nerves. Bella stared at her feet watching the dark soot swirl away into the drain and with it, some of the dark feelings she had about the situation. When she finally felt clean, she joined Athenodora in the tub, submerging herself up to her neck. Though she doubted that hid anything from a vampire's sharp senses, it was a veil of modesty.
"May I brush your hair?" Athenodora asked softly. Bella nodded silently and then she felt a brush being passed through her locks. The motion furthered soothed her although she still had some inner turmoil. "It gets better." Athenodora murmured, while continuing the motion.
"Does it?" Bella asked after a moment, drawing her knees up. Of course if was a rhetorical question but she wondered it it ever did get better. She closed her eyes but couldn't bear the flashes of death and suffering behind her eyelids.
"Yes." She replied, continuing her soothing brushing. "I was like you in a sense. When I joined, I had lived a very sheltered immortal life, free of violence and killing. The first time I attended court, it was…. disturbing for lack of a better term. I haven't participated much because the killing unsettles me but, Caius is obligated to attend and I must maintain appearances from time to time."
Bella felt an eyebrow rise. "You don't participate much?"
"No. I am usually in the tower and I care little for the politics of my position. I am Caius's mate first and foremost, queen second." Bella felt her shrug. "Rumor has it that Caius has me imprisoned in this tower. Of course it's not true, I come and go when I desire, but it helps with the public image. No one will be inclined to target me if they are unaware that I do as I please."
Bella felt the corner of her lips tip into a frown. She understood. Really, she did. They had to do their duties and they had to look and play the part of enforcers of the law. Even one glimpse of mercy could spell disaster for them, making them look vulnerable and weak. She was just having trouble coming to terms with the ramifications of being Aro's mate. Why couldn't anything in her life be simple?
"You're conflicted." The blonde stated. For a moment, Bella was surprised by her perceptiveness.
"I guess." Bella sighed, marveling at the undissolved bath salt particles floating in the water. "I hadn't come to the realization of what it means to be a part of the Volturi. Everything is so complicated…" She thought of the social norms, of the representation to their fellow Guard and subjects. She had a small taste of how she was meant to act in the future but, would she have to play the part of cold ruler forever? "How am I supposed to act like someone I'm not? I don't know if I fit in here."
Bella covered her mouth with one hand. She hadn't meant the last sentence but it was true. The blonde stopped her movement and turned her around gently.
"Of course you fit in, Isabella." She spoke, saddened a bit by the admission of feeling out of place. "You are Aro's mate. He will guide you just as Cauis has done for me. I will help you as well with whatever you need. Whether it be with etiquette, clothing or even fighting."
"You know how to fight?" Bella couldn't keep the incredulity out of her voice.
"I'm not as defenseless as I look." She sniffed, teasing but the expression turned into one of sorrow. "I had to learn after…"
A moment of silence passed as Bella took the brush and ordered Athenodora to turn around. She raked the brush lightly, being mindful of her strength before she spoke up.
"Do you miss her?" Bella asked quietly.
"Immensely." Was the hushed reply. Both of them knew who they were talking about. "We were like sisters. Didyme and I did everything together. When she… perished I felt so lonely. That is why Corin stays with me when Caius is not around. I haven't had anything like her friendship since then."
Bella brushed in silence. Athenodora was alone, grieving the best friend that was ripped away from her and relying on Corin's addictive gift of false happiness to ease her isolation. She had no one to turn to like an equal except the her mate and the brothers. It reminded her of her own situation. The difference was that Bella had eventually found someone to confide in but she was never free of the claws of loss she had felt when they left her. When they disappeared without even saying goodbye.
"I'm sorry." Bella lamented, finishing with the blonde's hair and wondering what she could do to help her. "We could spend time together." She suggested timidly. "We could be friends."
A look of shock flickered on Athenodora's face but it was quickly replaced with cautious enthusiam.
"Friends." Athenodora murmured, sounding the word out before giving her a tentative smile. "I like the sound of that."
With that, their conversation melted into light hearted chatter as they dried off and changed into more comfortable clothes. They talked about anything and everything and for a moment, Bella saw Alice in her new friend. The way she seemed to animatedly talk about fashion or how her emotions were so light, changing rapidly between conversation or how happy she seemed to be talking to her. She was different and somewhat out of place in this world of vampires yet, she tried to take it all in stride.
Bella reminded herself that Athenodora wasn't the pixie she once called best friend but perhaps she would be more than that— like family and she couldn't help but smile as the blonde insisted on painting her nails. Family. It was a concept Bella thought she knew a year ago. Maybe she hadn't know at all until now. She thought of Aro, Marcus, Caius and now Athenodora. She was still feeling conflicted but, she somehow knew that she had found a family in the Volturi.
A family that would never abandon her in her time of need.
Author's notes: Hello! Sorry for the delay on this chapter, I was wrapping up my final semester as an undergraduate and obtained my bachelors degree! I hope you are all safe during quarantine and that this brought you joy! What do you guys think of Athenodora and Bella's interactions? I'm not entirely satisfied with this chapter but, I tried. I've also decided to move things along quicker now that we have established the base for future plot points so, expect conflict very, very soon *cackles*. Thank you for reading!