Felix
My phone started going mad while we were in Aro's office. I checked it and turned it off for a while. It was Alec and It wasn't more important than this. Aro was explaining to Bella exactly what was expected of her. What her response was to various prompts and how to carry herself. Jane was guarding the door from the outside. When we were finished we went back to our apartment. Bella decided that it was time to change into her gown.
Before she changed though she insisted on calling Demetri. She wanted to break up with Edward officially and for some reason, it was important to her to do it now.
"Felix?" Demetri asked.
"No, It's Bella, I need to speak with Edward please." I heard the phone change hands.
"Edward," I said.
"Yes," He said sounding stiff.
"I think it's time we break up Edward, I need to get to know my real mate and I can't do that if I'm in a relationship with you," Bella said calmly.
"Like you've waited till now to pursue him. I don't know what I ever saw in you." Edward grumbled.
"That's all that I had to say. See you soon." Bella said calmly. Disconnecting the phone.
She handed me the phone back and went into the bedroom and came out in an incredible red dress. It had a fitted bodice with straps that were spaghetti straps but they were braided together in the back of the dress. The bottom of the dress was a simple and A-line skirt that fell to her ankles. The red shoes were simple ballet flats.
It accentuated the red in her hair and the blush on her cheeks, she looked amazing. Stunning. She was more beautiful than any woman I'd ever seen. She was a goddess. Her curves were perfectly accentuated. And soon, very soon, she would be mine.
"What do you think?" Bella asked rubbing her hands down her legs.
"Perfect Bella," Jane said.
"Absolutely amazing. Every man in there will want you." I decided.
"Felix," Bella asked hesitantly. I reached out and took her hand.
"Yes, Bella,"
"Kiss me?" She asked.
It was all I could do to control myself. I leaned down and gently brushed my lips across hers. Her arms snaked up around my neck and pulled me down to her, kissing me with a passion and intensity that was more than I imagined she had. I stopped myself when she started to pull away. Was that why she had broken up with Edward before she'd gotten in the dress? Had she planned on asking for a kiss? I couldn't imagine what it would be like in bed with her if she had that much passion in a first kiss. I was a very lucky man.
"Alright you two stop the make-out session, Bella you need more lip gloss," Jane said.
Bella blushed brightly and giggled. "Sorry, Jane,"
"I'm not sorry Jane," I said smartly. She reached up and tapped me on the back of the head.
"Let me look in the mirror," Bella said.
"Gloss first," Jane insisted.
She got out her little container of lip gloss and smeared some on Bella's bottom lip. Bella went to the bathroom looked in the mirror and smiled.
When she came out she was smiling and took my hand in hers.
Jane led the way down to the elevator. We made our way to the audience chamber. Jane went in first and held the door open for us. I walked in and looked to either side of us. I kept Bella's hand firmly in mine. There were stares from all corners. Bella stood, fidgeting in place, while everyone stared at her. When the Masters came in Marcus immediately searched for Bella smiling widely at her. Aro bounced up and down comically while Caius seated himself rolling his eyes and smiling.
Jane went up and joined the Masters on the stage beside the four, yes four thrones. My throne was smaller, padded, and more feminine. We didn't practice with a throne. "Welcome, welcome, family and friends. I would like to announce the appointment of our new princess. We have a new member of the family. She has a father-daughter bond with Marcus and an uncle-niece bond with me and Caius. Please come forward Miss Isabella Swan.
Bella
When my name was announced the nerves fell away and I did just as we practiced. I raised my chin and lowered my shoulders standing tall and proud. I walked slowly but confidently to face Uncle Aro.
I met his gaze and smiled.
"Isabella, do you now and for all time join the Volturi family promising not to violate the law."
"Yes, Uncle Aro."
Aro produced my copy of the Volturi necklace. He placed it around my neck and clasped it. I pulled my hair out from underneath it.
"Do you promise to strive to uphold the law with temperance and when necessary without mercy?"
"I do."
"Will you strive to keep the world free of exposure to humans, keeping us hidden in the shadows?
"I will."
Can you judge each vampire with the same level of importance regardless of wealth, social status, and other signs?"
"I can."
"Have you learned our laws, tenants, and rules so that you can rule with the necessary wisdom?"
"I have."
Aro produced a small gold crown and as I bowed my head he placed the crown there."
"As a leader of this coven and the brothers, I proclaim you Princess Isabella Volturi. Turn Princess and greet your subjects."
I turned to thunderous applause as the Volturi formed a line to declare their loyalty. There were so many. There must be more people here than just guards. I would learn what each person did today.
They lined up so easily from Felix at the front followed by Jane and going down the line.
Felix approached first, kneeling. "Princess, I am Felix Volturi, Enforcer and Elite guard member. I swear to serve the Volturi with honor and promise to uphold the law."
"I think you can address your mate as Bella, Felix. I accept your promise and swear to serve and protect fairly for all my days." When Felix rose he offered me his arm. I took it eagerly.
Jane came and knelt in front of me. "Princess I am Jane Volturi, Elite guard of the princess. I swear to serve the Volturi with honor and promise to uphold the law."
"I accept your promise and swear to serve and protect fairly for all my days." Jane stood and came to my left shoulder.
I talked to each and every person in the room. Bar one. A statuesque brunette whose eyes were fixed on Felix.
Everyone else was talking. "Masters," the brunette said. "We violate our laws by harboring a human."
"Heidi," Felix growled.
"So you have a crazy ex too," I mumbled and he looked at me with such a mischievous smile I giggled.
There were a few polite laughs around the room.
I turned and Aro stood again. "Heidi, Princess Isabella is only remaining human until after the judgment of the Cullens. They are the coven who exposed her to our world. She will be changed directly after by my ruling."
"Yes, Master," She took a deep breath and approached as I turned.
"Princess, I am Heidi Volturi, Fisher and Guard member. I swear to serve the Volturi with honor and promise to uphold the law."
"I accept your promise and swear to serve and protect fairly for all my days." She rose glaring at me and turned to join the others.
"Princess, Take your throne beside me," Marcus said.
I turned again and said, "With pride, Father," Felix walked me up the single step and stood beside me as I sat on my throne."
My feet were aching. My back was aching. I was tired and didn't know what came next. I placed a smile that I found deep inside me and looked back and forth from one side of the room to the other.
"As a treat for all of us today there are no judgments. Go spread the word of our princess far and wide." Aro chimed.
All the vampires filed out in twos and threes, in small and larger groups. Soon the room was empty except for those on the stage. I stood and hugged Marcus, saying "Thank you, Father."
Then I hugged Aro and said "Thank you uncle," Finally I hugged Caius and said, "Thank you, Uncle."
We all chatted for a few minutes and then split up to go our different directions. Felix went to a space on the wall and took down a small video camera and turned it off.
He took it with us and we left to go to our apartment.
Demetri
Emmett, Alec, and I were finishing up a game. It was almost time for us to leave for the airstrip. All the men went toward the mountain of luggage, preparing to load it into the car. It was in two separate mountains. A small pile was Bella's and the guards. A larger pile was the families.
Emmett collected the video game and put it in the right suitcases.
Alec, stay with the family. The rest of the men, load the suitcases. Carlisle you're going to drive your car. The rest of the men will be riding with Alec. The women will be riding with me. Load as much of your luggage as possible into Carlisle's car.
My phone rang. I let it ring. This was a critical point.
I gathered up all the suitcases that were going to the fourth floor when we got home. I knew Jasper and Alice would probably eventually end up there but we weren't talking about that.
I stowed the suitcases in the most crowded SUV. I could smell Alice's scent on the luggage she got for Bella and wondered how a girl could have so many clothes without even knowing it.
Our luggage filled the space perfectly and we went back inside to fetch more bags.
Soon it was all packed as well as it was going to be. "Lock up the house," I instructed. Carlisle took care of it.
"Get in your SUVs," I ordered. Everyone filed to the appropriate car. Alec went with the men and I went with the women. I heard Alec offering Jasper the choice to drive. I got in the driver's seat and started the car. "Remember to go the speed limit everyone. We don't want to be conspicuous in our exit.:
I called Felix back and chatted about the coronation. Heidi had made a fool of herself and Bella handled it like a pro.
I announced to the car that Bella was now Princess Isabella Volturi and all but Rose seemed happy with the decision.
We headed toward Port Angeles at a slower pace than I was used to but followed all of the speed limit signs.
I hated transporting prisoners. At least this part of the mission was relatively low risk. It wouldn't become high risk until we were in front of the Masters...and Princess I reminded myself.
I got off the phone with Felix and Esme asked if she could see a video of the coronation. I told her that we had it recorded in Volterra. I figured Felix would find a way to publish it for vampire viewing.
Finally, we pulled up at the airstrip. The women went on to the airplane. I got in the back of the car and got all the guard suitcases I loaded them in first. Jasper came over with a bigger load and I helped him. I was glad that Alice was his not mine. She would drive me nuts with her fashion fixation.
I went and got another load of suitcases and stacked them up as well. Then I went on the plane and sat down. Before I sat I saw a page from a photo album. It must have been Bella's. I would keep track of it for her.
One by one the men loaded onto the plane. Alec wasn't in yet so there was still someone out there. I looked for Edward and sure enough, it was him. I went back down the stairs. Edward, get on the plane," I looked in his eyes and knew he was going to run. Alec started building up his gift. I was ready just to rip him apart if he tried to run. There would be none of this pacifist stuff for me.
He stared into my eyes and he must have seen the threat of violence he went up the stairs onto the plane.
I sat back down and got comfortable. I pulled out a book and closed up the plane. The pilot taxied out and when I looked up from my book again I noticed the ground falling away below. So many hours before we were in Volterra. Alec seemed nervous I raised an eyebrow. He shook his head and I went back to my book. So much time to fill.