Chapter 7

"Am I interrupting?" The tone was pleasant and soft but there was something dark and disturbing in it. I froze and turned my head towards the door to see the owner of that familiar voice. Aro stood there in his fine black suit with a vibrant orange tie and his expression was closed off; his hands, I noticed immediately, were clenched into fists.

It was impossible not to feel his silent fury. Just the memory of his anger was enough to make me feel small and insignificant but to have that wrath directed at me? I was absolutely shocked and just gaped at him. However, Marcus didn't react at first – he didn't register another presence at all. Another second passed and I started to pull away from Marcus's comforting embrace and at that moment, he stilled and stopped the rocking motion.

"Brother." Aro had waited for his attention because he suddenly burst into action and stepped into the room. The first word came out as a growl and he cleared his throat before he continued. "What a surprise to find you in Isabella's room, on her bed, in her arms."

I shivered at those words and the black, death look in his eyes. He was immaculate as always, not a hair out of place, but there was something in those eyes which was making me utterly terrified – but not of him, never of him. Aro was my savior, my haven… just not right now. He was radiating with a strange sort of energy even though he was standing utterly still and was not even breathing. He looked dangerous, lethal… Aro looked deranged and I wanted to know what had happened, what had done it to him.

Marcus turned to watch him and slowly and carefully rose with his hands placidly turned palms up to signalize that he did not mean any harm. His calmness was in stark contrast with Aro's agitation. Marcus was not a threat to my safety! This overreaction didn't make any sense.

"Aro," he responded peacefully and stepped away from the bed. "You know I have no intentions to harm her."

"Do I, now?" In a blink, Aro was next to us with his palm outstretched. "Forgive me if I do not believe you, Marcus. Would you mind reassuring me of your… intentions?"

Marcus was considerably taller than his brother and gazed down at him with a puzzled expression on his face. Then he looked at Aro's hand and sidestepped him, his own hands joined behind his back – a clear sign that he didn't want his brother to read his thoughts.

"I remember a time when we trusted each other with our lives, Aro."

"Our lives perhaps," Aro's fingers twitched as he waited. "Our lives, however, are not at risk here."

"Have you lost your faith in me? Or perhaps yourself?" Marcus's eyes flickered to me for a fraction of a second. It was obviously a mistake because Aro must have perceived it as a threat. His arm fell to his side and he dropped into a crouch. I couldn't be certain, but I thought I saw him snap at Marcus before he retreated to stand protectively in front of the bed and growled darkly.

I stopped breathing. Marcus blinked.

"Get out!" Aro snarled, the sound was deep and throaty. It sent shivers down my spine and my heart sped up. I had almost forgotten that the gentle and caring man had another face, a much darker side. It was good to remember that Aro was a vampire, not a man.

"Peace, brother, I am going to dinner and leave you two alone," Marcus responded laconically and floated out of the room while his brother watched him fixedly, keeping him in his line of sight. When the door closed behind him, I heard how Aro swallowed his venom and breathed in and out harshly.

For a long time, those painful breaths were the only sound I could hear and I knew that I would never forget them. It reminded me of a drowning man who had been just pulled out of the water and with every breath he struggled to live.

What had just happened? I didn't know what to say to the enraged vampire. I could just stare at Aro as he tried to regain his composure. Was he truly this worried for my safety? Had Marcus's presence triggered such a violent response? It was… it was mind-boggling. It hadn't been simply a reaction of a worried… friend. It was much more and it went much deeper. These explosions of aggression were definitely not a usual occurrence. The Aro I knew and the vampire who had been ready to attack his brother just mere minutes ago were like two different persons. The incident in the throne room with my husband and this with Marcus… and before Felix's suspicious absence were somehow connected to me. I was the source of it.

As I stared at him, the startling realization hit me. Aro's interest in me went beyond his fascination with my talent, beyond his delight at my baby, beyond protecting his investment. It was illogical, instinctual. We were a strange sort of friends, it was true, but… he behaved as if… as… I didn't dare to think it. Was I delusional? Had I hit my head? Was this a dream and I'd wake up any minute?

Slowly, his breathing calmed and he relaxed and straightened his posture. He remained facing away from me, though.

"You were distressed – before," he said flatly. "Are you feeling better, Isabella?"

"I… Yes." I had forgotten about that. I had been crying and there were tracks of salty water on my face so I quickly wiped them away. "Are you? I mean, are you ok?"

"Of course, my dear." This time, Aro turned to me with a tight smile. He wasn't alright; I could see that in the stiff expression on his face and his black, suddenly haunted eyes. He hadn't been alright for a time – the same shadow of something tearing him apart had been present in his dark eyes ever since I had met him.

"I was just… Marcus was… Yes…" he swallowed and nodded, falling silent. He had been just what? Marcus what? Was Aro just unable to form full sentences?

As if he was unable to look at me any longer, he took a small step closer and then dropped to kneel next to the bed unexpectedly. I flinched at the abrupt movement and when his hands automatically grasped mine, he squeezed them gently, closing his eyes.

"It is like a melody," he whispered hoarsely. "The sound of your heartbeats is the most beautiful melody I have ever heard. You are safe in my presence, my dear. Forgive my earlier reaction, I was not angry with you and I did not mean to frighten you."

There was something heartbreaking in his face and I couldn't stand it, the strange mixture of trepidation and pain. He appeared vulnerable and I never ever wanted to see him like that again, never because of me – a foolish young woman. He was Aro Volturi, the leader of the vampire world and I – just like everyone else – was heavily dependent on his strength and protection. Seeing him this upset was upsetting me and I needed him to know that I trusted him with my life.

"You didn't," I said forcefully and squeezed his hand back.

"Oh, Isabella!" Aro chuckled as he kissed my palm. His usual cheerfulness was absent, however; the chuckle sounded forced and unhappy. Whatever dark place he had been, he hadn't returned fully. He sprang up and sat next to me, careful not to jostle me too much, and pointed at my chest. "The heart always betrays you."

The melancholic tone and the longing in his eyes when they flickered to me told me much more than Aro wanted me to know. How was it possible that I hadn't registered it before? It had been his heart that had betrayed him.

All this time, all those endearments and constant touches… He was always holding my hand, caressing my cheek, in some way keeping gentle contact with me. When the members of the Guard brought me blood and other supplies, he was usually present and watched them like a hawk, and I had noticed how he disliked touching everyone else – he snatched up their hands every time but only to read their minds, and the contact was reserved, swift. Otherwise, they all kept their distance.

But I couldn't remember a time when he wasn't acting like this in my presence. Aro disrespected my personal space like touching me was completely natural and was always so gentle towards me. I had been frightened of all the red-eyed vampires when I had first met him but even then, he had been mild-mannered – and yes, a little too curious about my talent. But he had known or had thought, about my immunity to Jane's powers. It was insane but even when Aro had been about to end me, I had known deep down with frightening certainty that he hadn't been able to kill me. It had been that knowledge that had prompted me to offer my life in exchange for Edward's.

I had had faith in him, I had trusted him back then and ever since and I knew as I knew that the skies were blue that I would feel this same unexplainable trust always and… forever.

Had he felt the same connection from the very first time, from the first sight? Had he seen me with both the good and the bad? I had seen under the vampire king persona and found a curious man who loved to rediscover the world again and again. His delight and pure joy at the simplest things were so endearing; it made his eyes sparkle and I loved how expressive his face became when he shared with me his memories of the past ages…

"Silly heart," I answered softly and I wasn't sure to whose heart I was referring. My mind was reeling, I was unable to fully grasp the shift in my perception of him – it felt like the whole reality had changed in one single second. One thing was certain – there was something between us. What had Marcus seen? But could I go and ask him what kind of bond he saw between his brother and me? Would he tell me the truth? I didn't really know him and Aro's behavior suggested that he didn't trust him with me.

Could I even trust Aro with myself like that? With my heart? Aro had coveted me from the first touch – but was it only for my abilities? Or was there more?

"As I said, I am quite fond of it." He smiled at me, his eyes a shade lighter. Looking into them, it was hard to believe it. Aro was sincere in his fear for my safety, in his desire to protect me, and his gentleness spoke volumes. There had been something deep and personal developing between us which I was afraid to name. He might just stole my heart, that wonderful thief.

Almost shyly, he then moved his right hand to my enormous stomach and placed it there reverently. Then the last of his distress disappeared and his mouth opened, eyes widened as he stared at my belly.

He breathed a word in a language I didn't know and probably had never heard before, the expression on his face one of dazed wonder. Then he raised his eyes and looked at me fervently. His eyes were shining with venom.

"Oh, Isabella! Such a miracle!" He kissed my forehead, his lips cool against my feverish skin, and then he leaned down and pressed his ear to my stomach. "I can …! My dear, I hear…! It is… isn't that… Isabella! I hear the baby! Hahaha!"

He did what? Yes, it would seem that today was the day when Aro, the spokesman of the Volturi, was unable to form full sentences. I had never seen a vampire looking so human and the sight of the expression on his face took my breath away… Aro took my breath away.

Hesitantly, I reached with my hand placed it on his bent head, my fingers threading through his soft hair. It was even softer than I would have guessed. Aro stilled completely for a second before he heaved a deep sigh and rested his elbows on either side of me, gently resting his forehead against me.

It felt liberating as if something had just clicked into the right place.

I released my breath and closed my eyes, Aro's own words coming back to me: 'Lust and love and attraction and affection – it's very easy to confuse them, especially if more than one emotion is present.' It was pointless to deny my attraction to him. He was handsome in that mysterious, charismatic way only bad boys were. It was pointless to deny that I felt a strong affection for him – maybe because he had been my only company for the past weeks, but during that time I had found that we were undoubtedly strangely compatible.

The path we had started to walk, led into the unknown… but who was a better companion for it than a man as curious and daring to step into the dark as me?

"What does he say?" My voice shook with emotions as I stroke his hair. The idea of Aro and me being this close and getting even closer was dangerous but not bad, not bad at all. However, I couldn't help but think that Edward should have been in Aro's place, delighted at hearing our child's thoughts.

Yet Edward wasn't here and as I watched the vampire who was as he softly kissed my pregnant belly, I knew I did not want my husband to be the one to do that. Aro and only Aro had secured the right to spoil the baby, to love the baby, and to cherish him or her as he was just doing with the simple fact that he had wanted my baby to live.

"She loves your voice. Oh, and mine! Haha! She would… she wants me to read her a story while you eat her dinner." Momentarily, he hugged me closer, and then he stood up. "I do believe that it can be arranged!"

He caught my gaze and we shared a long look. I didn't know what he saw in my eyes but when I looked at him, I saw my future. With crystal clear clarity, I saw what future in Volterra held and Aro's role in it. I knew that he would be for my baby the perfect loving – and overprotective – father. It was inevitable; there wasn't a force on Earth strong enough to stop him.

"Is it a dinnertime again?" I asked to mask my thoughts and glanced at the window. The sun was much lower; it was around six p.m.

"It is," Aro said and leaned down to brush his lips against my cheek. His smell enveloped me and I had an insane urge to turn my face and catch his lips with mine. But there was time for these kinds of things and I wasn't about to rush impulsively into that now – I wouldn't endanger what was slowly growing between us with impatience. I wasn't ready and I knew that hormones were wreaking havoc in my thinking. And, there was this tiny little doubt about him which I couldn't really stop, which I couldn't help. Aro's manipulative and secretive nature and Edward's lie had made me wary of blindly trusting dazzling mind-readers. I trusted him but I needed to be more cautious in that.

"I am retrieving my copy of Grimm fairytales. I knew them personally, would you guess? Interesting brothers… Their stories are much more appropriate for our little princes than those modern fabrications." He scoffed and winked at me. "I will be back before you can breathe my name, my heart."

I closed my eyes and nodded. Wavering between wariness and giddiness, I chose to let go of my doubts for the moment and the sudden burst of happiness inside of me was almost painful to bear. After so long, despite my bed confinement, I felt free and whole and healing with the knowledge that there could be something more than the cold eternity without my husband. At the end of the path before me, I hoped to find another chance at love. Not now, but one day… Perhaps. I would have lots and lots of time to figure out what I wanted from my sweet, overprotective, deliciously smelling, and dangerously attractive employer – and to test the genuineness of his intentions and the true nature of our relationship.

For now, we were having a baby girl apparently together, and Aro was going to read her a story. We'd go from there one step at a time.

AN: Aaand that's it. We're leaving Aro and Bella on this somewhat positive note. Thank you for your patience and I'm sorry for leaving the story like this but I can't continue any longer. I hope you still enjoyed reading it – and if so, maybe leave a comment so I know that this last chapter isn't completely terrible.