Bella
The next weeks are filled helping the newborn girls after their feedings, sparring, going to court, and trying, when we can, to find a quiet moment with Demetri. Quiet moments are few and far between but we make time for each other, even if we have to shuffle our priorities somewhat.
Jane, Chelsea, and Reneta are helping the newborns too so I'm not stuck in the showers all the time.
It was a shock when Aro summoned the entire guard to the throne room late one evening and I knew it didn't bode well, but when we were all assembled Aro addressed us.
"We have received intelligence that the Romanians are coming against us again my dear ones. They have gathered an army and will be here within the week. They are coming against us with formative backup. I need you all training your hardest to meet this force head on. None that come against us may live."
Aro looked around at his assembled guard.
"Each one of you is expected to fight and fight well. I know that facing this army will be difficult because there will be familiar faces among the group." At that he eyed me and Jasper and surprisingly the newborns. "Know that we must not fail. The exposure of our kind depends on us staying in the shadows. The Romanians would expose us to the world."
"You will be split into teams. Felix, Demetri, Jane, and Alec will be your team leaders. Go to your chosen leader now."
I joined Demetri and I saw his small smile. I took his hand as the other guards split themselves evenly between the teams. After a pause, I saw Jasper and his newborns join Felix's group and guessed Felix had asked for his mate to be with him.
"We will not be having court over the next week, we will all be practicing our sparring together in the main training yard" Aro announced. "Go now. You need to make your preparations. Be ready to start promptly at six in the morning. "Jasper, Bella, and our newborns, please stay, the rest of you are dismissed."
The chamber emptied quickly. I watched as Demetri and Felix moved to the back of the chamber, while Aro motioned the rest of us closer.
Aro took a deep breath and spoke. "What remains of the Cullen family have joined the Romanians. You must not hesitate, young ones, to destroy these threats to our safety. They will be trying to kill you and you specifically. Do not waver. Do not hesitate. Train as hard as you can. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master Aro," we all intoned.
"Very well, you are dismissed." Aro acceded.
I threw myself into Demetri's arms he scooped me up in his arms and took me to our rooms.
Demetri held me on the couch as I grumbled about the Cullens. "It's just ridiculous that the Cullens are joining with the Romanians of all people. The Romanians don't care for human life at all. It isn't at all like them."
"I think they just want revenge against us my little love. That's what it comes down to."
"Now they're going to make me kill them. I don't want to kill them."
"I know Bella, believe me I know. If I can, I'll kill them so you don't have to."
"Demetri, you'd do anything for me wouldn't you?"
"I'd do anything in my power for you my love."
"So we likely have seven days until they come?"
"Yes, that's what Aro's intelligence tells him."
Demetri
I spent the night in Bella's arms. I relished each moment. My mate was amazing, caring, and kind. She left at four am to help the newborns in the bath. I smiled as she left the room. My little mate was so determined to do what she could for them.
We all met in the main training room at six am. We separated into our groups and sparred with each other. I watched Bella closely she was determination personified. She fought with strength, speed, and a curious mixture of Jasper's style and mine.
She took down every challenger until it came my turn. I took her down but it was definitely harder than it used to be to do so. I was infinitely proud of her. After that exercise I took to supervising each group in turn. Felix and Jasper made a frightening combination while the newborns fought their own instincts and each other.
It was a long day and I was glad when it came to end. Bella kissed me sweetly before she went down to help the newborns and promised to meet me in the recreation room when she was finished.
I settled into a movie with Jane, Alec, and Chelsea. I mixed a glass of wine and waited patiently. When Bella returned she mixed her own glass of wine and met me on the couch. Curling up on my lap and kissing my neck she sipped her wine and watched the end of the movie with us. After the movie was over we all got into a debate over the size of the force that was arrayed against us and whether they knew of Bella's shield.
We talked late into the night when Bella excused herself again. She really was working hard with the newborns.
"Meet me in our bed," I whispered to her and met the knowing smirk of Alec when I raised my eyes from hers.
"She makes you happy," Alec said, his face loosing the smirk and gaining a genuine smile.
"That she does," I replied easily.
"I admit I'm a little envious." Alec said.
"You're turn will come Alec," I reassured him.
"I only hope it doesn't come through one of the condemned people who come through here." Alec said.
"Have hope, Alec, Felix found his mate too. It's only a matter of time. We're proof that they are out there, it's just a matter of finding them."
When Alec was settled, I went to find my bed, intending to greet Bella properly.
Felix
I lay in my bed with Alexis. I had finally claimed her as my mate. I held her in my arms and kissed her softly. She wore my mark now and I wore hers. I never dreamed that I'd find my mate like this. I couldn't help but feel grateful to Edward Cullen for his skewed morals. My girl had been untouched and I knew that I was going to be the only man to know all of her. The vampire in me roared in satisfaction knowing that.
She snuggled tightly into my side and acted like she was sleeping. My newborn mate missed getting a full night's sleep. I held her gently and let her pretend. I knew she still needed the charade and I encouraged anything she needed.
I looked at the time and realized it was time for her to feed. "Are you ready to feed my young love?"
"It's time?" She asked popping up from her sleeping position.
"It is," I replied with a chuckle.
"Help me get dressed?" She asked me shyly.
"Of course," I reassured her.
When she was dressed and presentable, her hair freshly combed, we ghosted down to the catacombs. She laughed the entire way and the smile was big on my face. She showed me the wonder in everything. It was all new and exciting for her.
She still fed as if every meal was her last and ended up with more of it on her than in her. Blood was everywhere. I smiled at the site of my mate covered in her meal and imagined briefly licking all that blood from her.
"I will do better," Alexis said as she examined her blood covered hands.
I kissed her deeply and then licked the blood off her lips with a smile. She giggled.
"Shall we get you cleaned up?" I suggested.
Bella was waiting for us but I simply smiled at her and helped Alexis into the shower. She laughed and left us to it. Heading back to her rooms, she left us to her own devices. Alexis must have been the last one that needed help cleaning up. I knew Demetri would be waiting eagerly to see her and was happy for my friends.
Alexis cuddled into me, all clean and getting us both wet. I laughed as I washed and dried Alexis's hair, getting her into new clothing.
We walked out of the shower, me still dripping wet and up to my rooms. I had my mate and I was content.
The new day dawned and we were in the training room at six am. Today I let Jasper take command of training the newborns. That was his area of expertise. He was good with them. It was hard to let him close to Alexis but I held tight to my instincts. Alexis was learning quickly and had a talent for combat. He was proud of his mate.
His mate, he thought with a smile. He'd never get tired of thinking that.
