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Bella - BPOV

He turns to me as the Cullens leave to room with Jane and says: "The Major was right in his assessment back in Phoenix, my daughter. You will always be worth it. You bring us so much joy; an existence without you would be torture. Now, I realize that you and Demetri want to go home, but I want you to wait for Eleazar. You have a wonderful gift, Bella, and we need to find out how it works. It's very unpractical that I can't read the thoughts of the head of my guard anymore."

Bella – BPOV

I stare at Aro in shock and say: "But you touched his hand and let him handle Edward. How did you know that his plan was going to work?" Aro looks at Demetri with a smile on his face as he says: "Let's just say I have a lot of faith in my Captain. It is, however, very unpractical."

I sigh as I realize that we won't be returning to Villa Bella any time soon. There is no way that Aro is going to let us leave until he can read Demetri's thoughts again. I lean back against my husband's chest and close my eyes as I pout like a five-year-old. Demetri chuckles as he moves his hands up and down my arms and whispers: "Calm down, amore mio. Eleazar landed in Florence half an hour ago. He'll be here soon. Didn't you say that patience is a virtue?"

Demetri - DPOV

I laugh as Bella lets out a soft growl, and I lean down to kiss her mark, before whispering: "Forgive me, cara mia. I couldn't resist teasing you a little. Do you want to freshen up while we wait for Eleazar to arrive?"

Bella nods vigorously and says: "God, yes! I feel like I've been wearing these clothes for ages. Can we be excused for a little while, papà? Please?" Bella looks at Aro with genuine puppy dog eyes, and even Caius snickers as Aro gives in immediately. Bella squeals and gives Aro a loving hug before dragging me out of the throne room at vampire speed. Bella giggles as Aro tells me to behave. We make it to our quarters in record time.

Bella leads me straight into the bathroom and lets her hands roam my torso as she says: "Join me in the shower, Demi. I need you." Bella's eyes are pitch-black as I place her onto the counter and turn the shower on. I quickly move back to stand between her thighs and lift my hands to cup her face. God, she's the most beautiful creature on this planet, and I'm so lucky that she's mine. I groan as Bella's hands continue to roam my body and return the favor as I kiss her with all the love I feel inside.

Bella's voice is barely above a whisper as she pulls at the hem of my shirt and says: "Too many clothes." I smile as I take a step back and quickly shed my clothes, while Bella does the same. I take her hand to pull her into the shower and say: "Your father told us to behave. Can you be quiet, amore mio?"

Bella nods as she picks up the soap and starts washing her body and mine. I groan as she takes my rock-hard member in her hands, and I drop my head back against the wall as Bella continues to stroke my member with her hand. Fuck, I want to be inside her so much. I open my eyes and find my Bella staring at me with so much love in her eyes it almost renders me speechless.

I lift her into my arms and kiss her as she wraps her legs around my waist. I carry her out into the bedroom and lay her down in the middle of the bed. I continue to stare into her pitch-black eyes as I enter her with one swift thrust. Bella's eyes flutter shut as she arches her back, and I kiss her passionately to swallow the moan that escapes from her gorgeous lips. I break the kiss as I start moving in and out of her and whisper: "I love you so much, mia moglie."

Bella bites her lip to keep herself from moaning as I pick up the pace. Our bodies move in sync, and I groan in pleasure as Bella's walls start to tighten around my member. Being inside my Bella is pure heaven. There is no other word to describe it. I'll never get enough of her. Bella's orgasm washes over her like a tidal wave, and I groan as she bites my shoulder to keep herself from shouting my name. I come hard as her venom enters my body and clench my teeth to stop myself from screaming her name.

Bella – BPOV

I can't help but stare at my Demi as his orgasm crashes over him. God, I truly am the luckiest woman on this planet because this godlike man is my husband. I smile as Demetri moves to lie beside me, and I say: "I love you more than anything, Demi."

Demetri growls softly as his answer gets interrupted by a knock on the door. He dresses quickly, and I can't stop myself from giggling as he growls all the way to the door. I almost feel sorry for the person on the other side of it. The door crashes against the wall as Demetri pulls it open, and I can hear someone taking a step back as he growls: "What do you want?"

I sigh as I hear Jane telling Demetri that Eleazar has arrived, and I fight the urge to hide under the covers like a child. Demetri gives me an apologetic smile as he walks back into the bedroom and pulls me into his arms. I softly kiss his lips and say: "Let's get this over with, Demi. The sooner Aro knows what my gift is, the sooner we can go home."

Demetri nods as he places a kiss on my forehead and says: "You're right, cara mia. It will be good to be home and to have you all to myself for a while. Get dressed, tesoro."

I squeal as Demetri playfully swats my ass before moving to the living room. I roll my eyes as I hear him snicker, and walk to the closet to pick out fresh clothes. I quickly get dressed in one of my favorite black dresses and brush out my hair before making my way into our living room, where Demetri is waiting for me. A pleasant shiver runs down my spine as he groans softly at the sight of me and says: "So beautiful."

He walks toward me and offers me his arm. I smile as I lay my hand on his arm and say: "You look quite handsome yourself, Mr. Volturi. Your wife is a very lucky woman." Demetri snickers as he leans down to place a kiss on my forehead and says: "Not nearly as lucky as I am, Mrs. Volturi. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Are you ready to go downstairs?"

"Yes, Demi, let's get this over with. I want to go home."

Demetri - DPOV

I nod as I lead Bella out of our room and smile as we run to the throne room, hand in hand. We stop in front of the giant wooden door, and I raise my brow questioningly as I see the worry on Bella's face. I stop her from opening the door and say: "What's wrong, cara mia?"

Bella turns her gaze to the floor as she whispers: "What if my gift isn't that special, Demi? I don't want to disappoint you or the rest of our family."

"Oh my god, Bella, you could never disappoint me. Your gift isn't what defines you. I would love you just as much if you weren't gifted. You're the most loving and caring person I know, and that's what makes you truly special. I don't need Eleazar to tell me that because I already know that I'm the luckiest man alive because I get to love you for eternity. No gift could ever change how I feel about you, amore mio."

Bella sighs relieved as I pull her close and kiss her passionately. She bites her lip as I pull back, and I snicker as she whispers: "God, I'm being silly, aren't I?" I nod decisively as she looks at me, and I say: "Yes, amore mio, you are. Now, let's get this over with so that I can take your silly ass home and show you just how special you are to me."

The loving smile that lights my Bella's face would have made my heart skip a beat if I were still human. I sigh happily as Bella pulls me close and says: "I love you so much, Demi. You're all I need." I place a soft kiss on her forehead and turn to open the big wooden doors to the throne room as I say: "I didn't know what love was until I found you, amore mio. You're everything to me."

The talking stops as we enter the throne room, and everybody turns to look at my Bella. I focus my attention on Eleazar, whose eyes glaze over the moment he sees her, and I fight back the urge to pull Bella safely behind me. A few seconds pass before Eleazar snaps out of it by gasping for unneeded air. He turns to Aro with awe-filled eyes and says: "Dio mio*! Where on earth did you find her, Aro?"

Aro smiles at Bella lovingly and says: "I take no credit for finding her, my friend. The Gods send her to us as a human. She showed more tenacity and strength when standing in front of us than many vampires before her. She is the true mate of Demetri and my daughter. Now, tell me what you see. Your reaction tells me that she's even more special than we thought."

Eleazar's eyes widen when Aro calls Bella his daughter and swallows inaudibly before saying: "She's a total shield. She can block mental and physical attacks. If she trains enough, she will be able to turn herself and anyone close enough almost invisible. I've never seen anyone like her before."

Aro looks like a kid in a candy store as he holds out his hand and says: "Show me, dear friend." I growl softly as Eleazar continues to stare at my mate while he slowly raises his hand so that Aro can read him. Eleazar's eyes flick to mine when he hears my growl, and he bows his head in submission while saying: "Scusa, Capitano. ** I didn't mean to stare, and I most certainly mean her no harm. She is amazing. Your mate will be a true protector for those she cares for. You're a very lucky man, Demetri."

"I know, Eleazar. I thank the gods every day for bringing her to me."

Eleazar gives me a genuine smile before turning back to Aro, who is waiting to take his hand. The smile that forms on Aro's face as he sifts through Eleazar's thoughts is so bright it could light a room. Aro opens his eyes and gives Eleazar a thankful nod as he says: "It's incredible to see what you've seen. Her gift is truly spectacular when seen through your eyes, dear friend."

Bella – BPOV

Aro turns to smile at me and opens his arms for a hug. I rush into his arms and fight back a sob as he says: "A protector for those you love, I couldn't have imagined a better gift for you, mia figlia ***. It complements your loving and caring nature perfectly. We're so proud of you." He places a kiss on top of my head and leads me back to Demetri as he says: "Eleazar, who would you say that is capable of training my daughter and unlocking her full potential, knowing that there's no one like her?"

Eleazar looks pensive as his eyes flick toward me and says: "She needs to be trained by someone that's able to train both aspects of her gift. You need a vampire with an ability that has a mental and a physical aspect. That way, she can learn how to block and hide from both. I wonder if the Major would be interested in helping you. Emotions have a mental and a physical aspect. He would be perfect for the job. I can contact him if you want?"

Aro lifts his hand and shakes his head as he says: "That won't be necessary, dear friend. I'm one hundred percent certain that the Major would be thrilled to help our Bella." Eleazar raises his brow questioningly as Aro turns to Alec and says: "Go and ask Jasper to join us for the remaining of this meeting, please, Alec."

Alec bows and rushes out of the throne room, while Aro turns back to Eleazar and says: "Don't look so puzzled, my friend. Our dear Bella is an old acquaintance of the Olympic coven. It's quite an interesting story, to be honest. Remind me to tell you one day." Eleazar's answer gets lost as Alec returns with Jasper by his side.

Jasper gives me a quick smile as he stops in the middle of the throne room and bows his head slightly as he addresses Aro: "You called for me, Master Aro?"

Aro rolls his eyes as he sees Eleazar's surprised face and says: "Yes, Jasper, I did. Eleazar determined the nature of Bella's gift, and it seems that we need a vampire to help with her training. Her gift has both a mental and a physical aspect, so we need someone capable of challenging both traits. Would you be interested in helping her, Major? We would be honored to have you with us, and I know it will make Bella happy to have her brother here with her."

I nod vigorously at Aro's words, and Jasper looks at me with a loving smile as he says: "Bella is my little sister, and I would love to help her. It's the least I can do after all the grieve that my family and I caused her."

I growl at the last part and say: "I forgave you for that the second it happened, Jasper, and you know that. I knew, even as a human, that you would never hurt me. You have always been my brother, and you always will be."

Demetri - DPOV

I smile as Jasper walks toward my Bella and pulls her close for a hug as he says: "I love you, sis." Bella gives him one of her bright smiles as she pulls back and says: "I love you too, Jasper. Are you sure that you want to stay here and train me? What if it takes me a long time to master it?"

Jasper shrugs his shoulders and says: "If I didn't want to be here, I would have said no when Aro asked me, Bella, and I don't care how long it takes. You are worth it, remember?" Bella giggles as she returns to my side and says: "Let's hope that you still think that when I fail to master my gift within the next decade."

Aro rolls his eyes at my Bella and says: "You are a natural, my daughter. You were born to be a vampire. I wouldn't be surprised if you master your gift in record time. I suggest that you start with your training in a couple of weeks, figlia mia. I did promise you could go home for a while after Eleazar's visit."

Bella leans into me, and I kiss the top of her head as she sighs happily, before saying: "Thank you so much, papa. You're the best." Aro snickers as he shakes his head and says: "Flattery will get you everywhere, my daughter. Come and give your father a hug."

Aro smiles softly as Bella rushes into his arms and says: "I still want you and Demetri here when we trial the Cullens for exposing our existence to a human and leaving her behind, alive. I will send word a few hours beforehand." I nod as Bella walks back to me, and I say: "Of course, Master, we'll be here."

Aro nods in response and says: "Perfect." He turns to Eleazar and raises his brow questioningly as Eleazar's eyes continue to flick from Jasper to Bella and back. I growl as I move in front of Bella, and the sudden movement pulls Eleazar's gaze to me. He lifts his hands, apologetically, and takes a step back as Aro grabs his hand.

I turn to look at Bella as she places her hand on my shoulder in a calming gesture, and I kiss her forehead before whispering: "I can't wait to be home. You're mine." Bella giggles as she stands on her tiptoes and kisses me softly. I gasp as a wave of love and lust washes over me and turn to look at Jasper, who is looking at us with a mischievous smile on his face. Bella cups my cheek and redirects my gaze to her as she says: "And I always will be. Take me home, Demi."

Bella – BPOV

A chuckle from Aro pulls our attention back to the dais, and I raise my brow questioningly at my father as he turns to look my way. He smiles softly as he says: "Get out of here, you two." I smile brightly as Demi leads me out of the throne room. We run to the garage the second the doors of the throne room close behind us, and Demetri has us speeding toward Villa Bella a minute later. I sigh happily as I watch the Italian landscape flashing by, but I also can't help but wonder why Eleazar was staring at me and Jasper with that strange look on his face.

* Dio mio = my god

** Scusa, Capitano = I'm sorry, Captain

*** Mia figlia = my daughter

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