(August 3, 2011) (Wednesday)

The castle had been a buzz with the gossip of their master and his mate locking themselves inside his quarters for three days. Everyone had thought it amusing to know that their king was still just like the rest of them when it came to matters involving their mates. Caius could not for the life of him stop snickering whenever he spoke of it. It was the height of hilarity to him. Marcus simply held a small upturn to his lips when he heard anyone speak of it. And the guard simply smirked whenever they passed by the wing of the castle or were ordered to take food there.

Inside the 'royal' chambers was a similar situation going on. Bella had been mortified when she had realized how long they had stayed sequestered in their chambers while Aro simply shrugged it all off. He had told her point blank that the only reason they were stopping was to give her mortal body a break from the constant sex. Bella had turned red at that. She had enjoyed their rigorous and amorous activities while they lasted but even she needed a break from it all no matter how much she had missed her mate from months apart. Besides, she needed to make some phone calls to her family and friends, having Aro in the background distracting her would be embarrassing since she knew the others would hear him.

Aro had stayed with her that morning while she had breakfast in the room that opened up to the outside to enjoy some fresh air for the first time in days. She told him she would be sending emails, answering messages and making calls until the afternoon. Aro took his leave knowing she wanted privacy to speak to her family. He also thought it would be a good idea to spend some time away from her lest he make a scene and proceed to seduce her while she is on the phone. While the thought did sound appealing on some level he knew she would be very upset with him should he do such a thing. With that in mind Aro went on his way to his brother's study to get some distance from his delicious mate. Marcus would be much better company than Caius right now.

Sadly for Aro Caius knew his brother well and had been spending his time with Marcus in order to tease his brother immediately after he deigned to show himself.

"Well well well, looks who finally decided to leave his little love nest." Caius asked with a lascivious smirk on his lips.

"Oh shut up brother. Do not act as if you and Athenadora did not spend weeks fornicating like hormonal teenagers after you changed her." Aro snapped back with no heat in his words. It was true though, they had acted like rabbits.

"Don't be mad at me because your mate can't handle you at your best. Can she even walk?" Caius asked with a wicked smirk on his lips.

Aro wanted to retort at the comment but the image of his mate needing his help to walk about the room was still fresh in his mind and it must have shown because Caius burst out in loud guffaws.
"Oh shut up." Aro grumbled as he took a chair.

Caius was still laughing while Marcus hid his mouth from view. The mirth dancing in his eyes was a welcome sight.

"Why did you leave your quarters brother? I had thought we would not see either of you for a while longer." Marcus asked as they both ignored a sniggering Caius in the background.

"She wanted to reply to everyone who has been messaging her. If it hadn't been for her familial obligations I assure you that no one would have heard of us for a little while longer." Aro said moodily which served to only amuse Caius more.

"Will you two be up and about now or will you go back into seclusion?" Caius asked with a wide smile that leaned more to the lewd side.

Aro shot him a dirty look telling him to calm down.
"I am not sure but Bella did express a desire to see the city once the sun goes down today."

"Is that something you wish to do?" Marcus asked before Caius could say something crude about exhibitionism.

"Yes, I have wanted to show her Volterra for a long time." Aro said sincerely. "I just wish it could have been in a few more days." He said with a put upon expression.

Caius laughed once more.
"Of course you do." He said. "One day wont kill you brother. Let her have her rest." He said smiling widely.
"You can resume exhausting her tonight."

Marcus turned his head away while Aro simply glared at his brother.

"You are a nuisance sometimes." Aro said with a deadpan expression.

Caius smiled unrepentantly.
"And yet you know what I speak of is true."

Aro merely rolled his eyes and the three rulers lapsed into a companionable silence and did his best to ignore the continuous comments made by Caius.

000

Unbeknownst to Aro, Bella was pretty much getting the same sort of treatment as he was. Rosalie delighted in teasing her over how long it had taken her to give them an update. She was sure she was only saying dirty things because Emmett was nearby and she was enjoying torturing her poor mate. Leah had been kinder in not teasing her but simply telling her blunty that she should try to continue to exhaust herself with Aro while she could before her schooling started. Overall, by the time she was done replying and calling she was done. It was awful to feel like her sex life was everyone's topic of interest and had quickly hung up the phone on an overly curious Brady who hijacked Seths cellphone and asked her what it was like to fuck a popsicle. Ugh! Seth had thrown a fit over that from what she had heard before hanging up. Ew.

Still, she was happy to have called everyone and check in on them to make sure everything was fine. Charlie and Renee had been both the easiest and the longest calls she had to make. All she had to do to appease her mother was to wax lyrically on the beauty of Italy and flood her email with pictures while Charlie simply took long by answering all of his questions which included some veiled ones regarding her safety near so many 'hungry' predators.

She would have laughed if it hadn't been endearing. It was nice to be able to talk to her dad openly about things like this. She had really hated keeping him in the dark about it. Now it felt like they had a solid hold on their relationship.

Shaking the thoughts away Bella decided to shower and prepare her outfit for their excursion after sundown. Aro thought they were going to explore Volterra but Bella wanted to see Cecina once more with him. More places would be open which was always good. She was hoping for an overcast day soon. She really wanted to spend more time with him out and about the city. She was hoping to surprise Aro with a trip back to where they had had their first official date. Thinking things over she decided to prepare things.

She took out her phone and scrolled until she found Felix. All of the covens' numbers had since been programmed into her phone by a very insistent Aro. A quick text to come to their quarters was sent and not two minutes later Felix was knocking at the main door with a curious guard not far away.

Bella smiled at Felix and asked him to come in. She did not want anyone to overhear them so she led him to the sitting room she knew was sound proof. At one point she would have felt off being alone with an unknown vampire but she felt safe enough to do so with this particular vampire whom she had been around for years and more than likely, the rest of her existence.

"How may I help you Miss Swan?" Felix asked after he sat down in the offered chair.

Bella smiled at the form of address, she had refused to be called mistress even though she had accepted Aro as her mate and lived with them in Volterra. She was just not at all comfortable with being called that so they settled for a simple Miss Swan.
"I need you to get a car ready for a trip to Cecina with a few guards to accompany us as well. I want to surprise Aro by going back to the Gelato shop I met him at when i was first here." Bella said with a smile.

A look of understanding flashed through Felix's eyes as he saw what Bella was angling for.
"I am guessing you wish to keep this a secret from Master Aro then." He said.

"Yes, I will keep him from trying to read anyone by telling him it's a surprise but I want to keep the surprise for as long as I can. After the shop we can head anywhere else in Cecina that I have not seen before. I just want to go to the Gelato place first." Bella said as she told Felix her wishes.

It had seemed perfect to her to do this once more. The day had gone beautifully and she really did miss the marvelous gelato.

"I will have it taken care of Miss Swan." Felix said as he rose from his seat. "Is there anything else?" He asked before he took his leave.

Bella took a moment to think about it and figured that Aro would not be happy without taking her somewhere special or exiting so she told Felix to look up places or events happening in Cecina tonight and have the information ready to show Aro who would more than likely want to do something more memorable than simply visiting the shore.

A relieved Felix bowed to her and made a hasty retreat to get everything ready and to keep out of sight of his master in order to avoid being touched and ruining his mistress' plans for the night.

Bella took the opportunity to call for more food to be delivered. She was famished. Three days of non stop sex and irregular eating had that affect on a person. Looking over her wardrobe as she waited for her meal to arrive.
Twenty minutes later she had her outfit separated in her closet waiting for her while she sat down on a small table in her sitting room to eat. She had asked for some chicken pasta cooked any way the chef preferred and some iced tea.

Aro had returned by the time she had finished her plate. It was fantastic, the best pasta she had ever had. She didn't know if it was because she was hungry or if it was because it was authentic Italian cooking but she had loved it either way

"Was it delicious?" Aro asked as he moved behind Bella to rub her shoulders.

(Moan)
Bella relaxed into her chair and melted in Aros capable hands.
"It was fantastic. I want more of it." She said honestly.

Aro chuckled at his mate's reactions to his hands. Just hearing her moan was driving him insane.

"I will be sure to have your compliments passed on to the chef my love." Aro said lovingly.

(humming in agreement)
Was all Bella could do at Aros ministrations.

Aro continued to lull his mate into a content state for a few good minutes before finally breaking the silence.
"Is there anything you wish to do while we wait for sundown?" He asked. He hoped she would ask for sex but he doubted it.

"Can we walk in the gardens of the castle? I do wish to see them." Bella asked as she opened her eyes.

Aro smiled at her.
"Excellent idea my dear. I do believe you will enjoy their beauty during the summer." Aro said enthusiastically. He wanted a diversion before he tried to seduce Bella once more and get them distracted for another three days.

Bella smiled as Aro helped her up and escorted her to his private gardens connected to his wing.

(Time Skip)

Bella and Aro spent the rest of the afternoon in the various gardens in the castle. They even stopped once to once again feed Bella who was feeling a little mortified of how hungry she was. Aro of course could not help but point out that it was really her fault for making her so famished in the first place. Something that caused Bella to blush brightly as she was sure others could hear them as well. Still she had a light shrimp salad and decided that they should get ready to go out and explore. Aro was of course excited to show off his city to her and to see her undress but Bella had to tell him to leave the room so he wouldn't distract her and killed all naughty thoughts he had.

Aro had changed quickly and took up residence in their sitting room to wait for her. It would not take her too long but wished he had been allowed in the room with her. Oh well, he would simply have to content himself with thoughts of what he will do to her once they return. He hopes to look them back in their room for another week before he lets her out.

Aro smirked at the salacious thoughts running through his head. He was so deep in his fantasy that he did not hear the door open until a throat cleared. As soon as he took in the divine goddess in front of him he let out a gasp of awe. Yes, he would be worshipping her tonight.


There you go everyone. The happy couple has finally come out of their little love nest.
I had so much fun hinting at their love life. I could not help the 'popsicle' joke either.