Bella
Lunch was amazing and Felix even let me have a couple of glasses of wine pointing out that I was never getting any older, so why worry about my age. He didn't join me in a glass, but it was good. I felt much better. I had told the truth. I was walking arm in arm with Felix when he got a text message. He looked at his phone and seemed to tense momentarily. Then he was back to walking calmly.
"Was it important?" I asked.
"Demetri thinks that you might be in danger from young Edward's mumbling," Felix explained. "It will be a little while before we have to deal with that. No need to worry about it now."
I'm glad to see you so calm with everything that's happening around you. You're managing impressively well. Would you like to go to the recreation room and meet the girls if they're there?
"Yes, please, I'd really like that."
We walked back into the castle and went up the elevator to the fourth floor. I was eager to meet Jane. I hoped she was there. Felix smiled a sexy smile at me and opened a door almost halfway down the corridor. "Before we go to the recreation room would you mind if I take a quick shower and change clothes? You can explore your new domain. Snoop some, this is your new home.
I looked around. The rooms were done in blue with red accents. The artwork was beautiful. the floor was cherry and so were the tables and desks.
I sat down in an overstuffed chair it was comfortable. I heard the shower turn on in the bedroom and automatically my mind went to wondering about Felix, naked and soapy in the shower. I smiled. I closed my eyes and wickedly didn't try to redirect my thoughts. I relaxed deeper into my chair. I noticed a sound system on the opposite wall and went to turn it on. I wondered what he was listening to.
When the sound system turned on there was a relaxing jazz piece playing. I started swaying to the music while I looked around more. I wondered what was on his bookshelf.
I was reading the titles of his books swaying lightly when I was twirled and Felix put his hand on my waist, holding my arm up to dance. We moved together easily until the song ended.
"I'm amazed I didn't fall," I laughed.
"Not a fall or stumble in sight. Don't worry, I won't let you fall."
We danced all around the room as another jazz song came on. "You move beautifully," he told me as the song ended and he dropped his hands, kissing my forehead. "Did you find anything interesting?"
"I'm surprised you don't have more varied tastes in books. Way of the Warrior, War through the Ages, Battle Tactics, what do you read for fun?"
"I read a bit of everything. I just get most of my books from the library. We can go see it if we have time before you have to be at Aro's office."
"Let's go see if Jane is in the recreation room." I rushed to the door smiling widely. When I turned my head, Felix was right behind me.
Again Felix offered me his arm. I could get used to this. We walked down the hallway and stopped at a door on the end. Felix opened the door for me and Jane was sitting there watching a television show in a language I didn't know.
"Hi Jane," Felix interrupted, "Good show?"
"No, it's always boring when Alec isn't here and I figured you were busy with a new mate and all. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to meet you. Felix told me a little bit about you. I thought we might be friends."
"Good then," Jane said, "Come sit down with me and we can turn off this ridiculous television show.
Jane, Felix, and I chatted about our trip up here, my time in the audience fifteen till seven Felix interrupted us. I wasn't sure where all the time had gone.
"See you tomorrow?" I asked.
"You think this is going to take a while don't you."
"Yes, I do, there is a lot I have not shared."
"Good luck." Jane waved as we turned and went out of the recreation room.
I walked a little more sedately back to the elevator.
"I'm right here with you," Felix reassured me taking my hand tightly in his.
"That makes me feel so safe, having your hand in mine," I noted.
"I'm glad, it makes me very happy. Let's hurry and get this part over and done."
"Ah young ones," Aro was standing outside the door, "Not looking forward to our conversation?"
"It is a stressful conversation Master, I worry that the truth I tell you might add to the Cullen's punishment."
"I will reassure you then, nothing you tell me will change anything. Their punishments are already set. It was decided after our conversation earlier today." Aro said.
"That is a comfort Master. I don't want to cause them pain. They are like family to me."
"You should know, Isabella that they are not just being punished for your knowledge. They are being punished for revealing our secrets before you as well. Do not take responsibility for the breach. None should blame you. Now come on in. Marcus will join us any minute and then we can get the serious conversations out of the way."
"Thank you, Master," Felix and I said and went on into the office. It was a beautiful space, very organized.
"You have a beautiful office, I like the artwork," I commented.
"How are you finding life in the castle so far young Isabella?"
"Felix's apartment is beautiful, we even share the same taste in art, but not in books. Too many manuals on war and not enough romance. The recreation room is fantastic. I can't imagine ever getting bored and I haven't even seen most of the castle yet." I commented.
Felix smiled at me. "I get most of my books from the library too. You will see."
The knock at the door interrupted the laughter but Marcus slid his way in.
"Now, we had talked about the events until Edward asked you to go out on Saturday," Aro said. "What happened from there?"
"Next I went to meet the family. Carlisle was first, Esme was next. They were both very kind. Alice was next, she said we were going to be great friends, and she was right, we are. Jasper was next, he was distant, but I was led to believe that was because he was the most recent to convert to the vegetarian diet. I met Rosalie who hates me. She is so angry that the Cullens revealed themselves to me I think. Emmett is my big bear of a brother. He picked me up and twirled me around in a circle.
They had made me dinner, but I'd already eaten, Edward told on me. That made rose even angrier. We went up to Edward's bedroom where I learned that you don't sleep. Then Alice hopped in with Jasper to tell me the family was going to play baseball during the afternoon storm and I accepted.
The game was amazing to watch. I understood the need for the storm when Jasper hit the ball for the first time. They ran so quickly and it was like watching superheroes play until a small coven James, Victoria, and Laurent broke up the game with their arrival.
James called me a snack and decided to hunt me. He was a tracker. Victoria is gifted with evasion, she can evade people coming for her. Laurent decided he didn't want to go up against the Cullens. He went to go visit the Denalis.
After that it was kind of like these past couple of days, life changed. Alice and Jasper took me to Phoenix to hide me while the rest of the family tried unsuccessfully to track James. Edward is not skilled at tracking apparently.
While all of this was going on I was waiting, terrified, with my emotions being controlled by Jasper as much as I would let him.
"What did you do to stop him?" Marcus asked.
"Go back in the bedroom and get out of his sight. Slam a bedroom door."
"Alice started drawing a picture of my old ballet studio and another room. Eventually, we figured out that it was my mother's living room. I called and left a message for my mom and James listened to it and got my phone number. He used an old videotape to get my mother's voice and convinced me that he had her. He told me that if I came to him he would let my mother go. I know enough now to know he would have never released her whether I went to him or not, but then, I believed him.
I waited till Edward and Carlisle were flying in to get me and take me somewhere else to slip my guards and go to the ballet studio. He beat me up a lot, almost killed me, and bit me."
"How are you not a vampire," Aro asked me.
I showed them the scar and said, "Edward sucked the venom out. I almost died from lack of blood. I was so angry. I wanted to change."
"They prevented a change you wanted?" Marcus clarified.
"Yes, Carlisle and Edward both said Edward was my mate. I wanted to have forever with my mate and couldn't understand why they wouldn't change me. Edward eventually gave me some excuse about not being willing to take my soul. He doesn't think that vampires have souls. I do. He wants me to remain human and he says he will die after I die. I think that's a bad plan. Now I think maybe he loved my blood a lot and didn't want to lose it. I'm just not sure. I don't know why he would want to leave me human. Unless he knew that he wasn't my mate and if that's the case then why did Carlisle say he was. It's very frustrating."
I squeezed Felix's hand.
"I was in the hospital for weeks recovering from a vampire attack. They told my father I fell down two flights of stairs and through and window. I don't know how they convinced him to believe that."
"They likely used our lure. It is one of the skills we have that makes our prey believe us, leave with us, walk into a dark alley, etc." Marcus clarified.
"Now Edward and I always argue over him changing me versus keeping me human. I tried to convince Carlisle to do it, but he wouldn't do it against Edward's wishes. So that is why I'm still human."
"Is that all?" Marcus asked.
"Yes, that is my story, Master Marcus."
"I give you my word, Bella that I will get you the answer to the questions you have of why you weren't changed and why they told you that you were Edwards mate."
"And I can reassure you if you need it that it is your Felix that is your mate." Master Marcus said. "Right now you will only feel safe and sheltered when you touch skin on skin. When you are a vampire you will have all of the mating instincts that Felix is currently fighting to give you time to come to him at your own rate."
"Am I making things difficult for you Felix?" I asked.
"We will discuss that when we are alone little one. There is no need to worry. I mastered my instincts centuries ago. I will control these new ones without difficulty."
"Now that we have your story out of the way I do have some news for you, Isabella," Marcus said. "I wanted to be part of this meeting because of my bond to you. It is the bond of father and daughter. You can look at Aro as an Uncle. You are mine to watch over and guide. We would like to ask you if you would feel comfortable being our princess. You are daughter to a king after all."
I looked at Felix who smiled and nodded at me. "Yes, Father, I will be your princess if you are sure."
"Very well, then that has been decided. We will keep you human long enough for you to get this uncomfortable business of the Cullen's punishment out of the way. However, you will be crowned at court tomorrow afternoon." Aro said.
"Thank you, Uncle Aro, Thank you, Father. I am going to be so happy here. A mate and two families... I'm such a lucky girl."
"Who would you like as your guards starting off?"
"If it doesn't mess up your plans in the punishment I'd like Alice and Jasper. Jasper has fought his whole life by the way he acts and Alice can see trouble coming before it arrives."
"We will let Jasper tell you of his history himself. If Demetri agrees with their combat skills I will okay it. I'll contact him." Marcus said with a smile. "Since neither of them is here right now, who would you have guard you until they arrive."
"Would Jane be acceptable, we're already friends and I know she can cause pain with a glare."
"Wise choice," Aro says. "Felix inform Jane that she will be promoted. Have her ready to start as soon as possible. I want you guarded anytime Felix isn't with you by at least one person."
"Yes Master," Felix said in a relaxed tone.
"Very well, guard her well Felix, you hold one of our treasures. You two kids go play and we will talk more in the morning." Marcus said.
"Yes, Master," Felix answered.
"Yes, Father," I answered.
We stood and left the kings to talk. When the door closed behind us Felix picked me up and twirled me around.
I hate to say it, princess, we need to go shopping. You need a gown for tomorrow." Felix chuckled.
"Can I call Jane?"
Of course, you can. He got out his phone and opened the contacts for me. I tapped the button and put the phone to my ear.
Jane answered, "I'm so bored Felix, tell me you have someone for me to torture."
"In a matter of speaking Jane, Your princess is in desperate need of a gown and we need to go shopping?"
"Princess? Gowns? Where do I come and what in the world has happened." Jane asked.
"Meet us outside Aro's office as soon as possible. I'll explain everything." I replied.
Jane squealed like a little kid and hung up.
"Felix, I didn't think but have you fed recently? I can't tell very well with human hunters yet. The Cullen's seem to be either black or gold."
Thank you for thinking of me Bella but I last fed right before I left to go to Forks.
"Everything is moving so quickly. I feel like I'm flying." I admitted. Felix took my hand. That helped to ground me.
Jane came at a run and skidded around the corner faster than I could see.
"Jane," Felix said, "I am to inform you of your new position. You are to begin your new job tomorrow. You will be the guard to our new princess."
"Whose our princess, Felix?" Jane asked quietly.
"Me," I whispered. I continued in a stronger voice, "Master Marcus says I have a father-daughter bond with him and the bond of uncle-niece with Master Aro. To them that makes me a princess. Tell me, Jane, am I dreaming because my world is spinning right now."
Jane spun me around and set me back on the floor. "You're not dreaming, Bella, this is all real."
"You don't mind guarding me do you, Jane?"
"Of course not, this is going to be so much fun." Jane squealed. "Shopping time. Felix, do you have your credit card?"
He smiled and nodded.
"Then off we go." Jane decreed.