Succubi Have Souls Too

C9: A Liar's Trial

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters

Kate's POV

The following day the entire family had gathered in the Throne Room, for now everyone in at least somewhat of a relaxed mood, since it was still an hour before Alice had seen Edward and Carlisle would arrive.

Bella was quietly talking to Jane, Alice and Rosalie, and I couldn't help but smile how amazing she looked in her black suit, which matched perfectly with her mother's similarly colored dress, and I heard how Alice was gushing over her shoes again, because my young mate had woken up to quite a surprise this morning, being at ten pairs of new shoes that Esme and Didyme had bought for her in varying styles and all of them being very well received by Bella. She had opted for a pair of her new heels, which made her almost as tall as Rosalie, much to the dismay of the Pixie, who was nearly swallowed by the three taller women surrounding her.

Her quick friendship with Jane had surprised me a little, and I am pretty sure I had never seen Jane genuinely smile without the use of her gift, but I could see that they had already struck up a great bond, and I could only imagine how that was going to work out once Bella was turned.

Irina redirected my attention to our conversation before I could start drool over how hot my mate looked. "If you're quite done trying to look through your mate's clothes, we were talking about something."

I smiled at her. "I'm sorry Irina. It usually happens when I don't have her in my arms, and I'm a bit on edge because of the trial today, so I want to keep an eye on her at every moment."

She smiled at that. "I understand sister, but she is the safest human in the world at this moment. The entire Guard is looking out for her, and with Jane literally standing next to her there is no way anyone would dare to even look at her wrong."

I smiled and nodded. "That's true, although I must say it surprises me how quick they bonded. It took us well over a century to get her to open up to us."

"Your mate is quite unique, Katerina, and I think that is her gift at work. She knows instinctively that Jane won't harm her and that Jane is someone she can trust, and if there is one thing Jane needs in her life, it is someone that she can talk to without being judged that isn't her brother. They'll form a very strong bond in the coming years." Tanya said with a soft smile.

I smiled at that. "I'm sure she will, and it will be good for her to have a friend that she can talk to that will be able to listen to her without bias or conviction. Not that we would judge her of course, but it'll be good for her none the less."

They nodded and smiled at that. "It'll be what you have with Heidi. Have you told her about that yet?" Irina asked kindly.

"Not yet, but I will after we're done here. We are going to talk about the future and I'm sure it's going to come up at some point, and if it doesn't, I'll tell her anyway. We agreed to no secrets." I said with a soft smile.

"And speak of the devil, I think your best friend wants a word." Tanya said with a soft smile as I saw Heidi walk up to me.

I smiled at my sisters as I hugged the brunette. "Hey Heidi. How have you been?" I asked with a smile.

"I've been doing well, thank you for asking Kate. Congratulations on finding your mate." She said as she wrapped her arms around me for a hug.

I smiled at her. "Thank you Heidi, and sorry that I haven't introduced her yet, but it's been a bit hectic with all the discoveries we made, and for the first time in a very long time my instincts flared up a little."

Heidi merely smiled at me. "I understand Kate, I could see there was something special about her, and I also know that we have plenty of time to get acquainted once Carlisle and Edward have been tried, if you're okay with that of course."

"Perhaps tomorrow. Bella and I have a lot to discuss after the trial and that will probably take most of the day, but if it's okay with my mother, we can go shopping tomorrow." I said with a soft smile.

Heidi smiled and nodded. "I would love that. It's between feedings so I have nothing to do anyway."

"I think you and Bella will get along great, she's been on a journey of self discovery lately and really has found her sense of self, which happens to be an extremely funny young woman." I said with a soft smile as I glanced over at my mate.

Heidi smiled at me. "I can't wait to meet her and make my introductions. I just hope she won't find me too forward."

I laughed lightly at that. "I doubt it. She's used to Alice on a daily basis, and she handles the Pixie just fine. There's no way you two won't be fast friends."

Heidi smiled at that. "I hope so, but I think it is time for me to go and pick up two traitors, and judging by the look your mother is giving me, you should take your place as well."

"Yeah, I suppose I should, I wouldn't want another scolding like the one I had last time." I said with a smile.

Heidi only smiled at me as she, Jane and Demetri made their way out of the Throne Room and I made my way to my spot behind my mother's throne, sharing a quick smile with Bella who was in the same place behind Didyme's throne, while the rest of the Cullens stood on the side near Didyme and Bella.

Bella's POV

I had lived to this moment for weeks already, and now that I was about to come face to face with that bastard for what I hoped would be the last time, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the new asshole my mother and the other Queens were going to rip them both, and of course the look of shock when they saw me standing behind Didyme as her daughter.

"Are you okay my sweetling? Not nervous or anything?" Didyme asked kindly.

I smiled at her. "No mother, I'm not nervous. I'm more excited than anything else. Today I will finally be rid of him and can finally focus on the things that are important to me, like my mate and my family, and of course my writing. That is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and now without distractions I will be able to start."

Didyme smiled and gave my hand a soft squeeze. "I already look forward to reading it, my sweet, and I doubt I am the only one. You've managed to endear yourself to most of the Volturi already."

I smiled at her. "Yes, I've noticed. I still don't understand why though."

"Sweetheart, you're a remarkable young woman that has a huge heart and a sparkling personality. That alone has endeared you to most of the Guard, who are most definitely not used to that, in humans or vampires." Didyme said with a smile.

I smiled at that. "I don't suppose the humans that come here take the time to talk, you know besides begging not to be killed."

Didyme giggled softly at that. "You would be quite right in that assessment. The humans Heidi brings in are usually not really talkative once the doors close."

I only smiled at her as the doors opened and Edward and Carlisle were led in, both of them still clearly under the impression that they would be walking out of here again, I could see that much on their faces.

Those expressions quickly fell the moment they saw the situation they had walked into, and their expressions turned into glares directed at the Queens.

Sulpicia merely smiled at them as she stepped down from her throne. "Carlisle, so good to see you again. It has been too long."

"What is this Sulpicia. I demand to speak to Aro." Carlisle said haughtily.

Sulpicia smirked at him. "It's sweet that you think you can make demands from your Queens. Maybe we have failed to inform you that Aro, Caius and Marcus have been dead for centuries, executed because they were power hungry, something I have heard you both are quite familiar with, if I am to believe my daughter and her mate, not to mention everything young Bella has told us about your first-changed son. Shall we see if she speaks the truth?" She said as she took his hand.

Even I could see Carlisle visibly swallow as Sulpicia read his thoughts, and while I couldn't see the look on her face, I knew by her posture that it couldn't be good. "You disgust me Carlisle. What have you got to say for yourself?"

He smirked at her. "There is nothing to say. I did what was right. Two women should not be together, and especially if they're damaged goods. Then they need a man to show them their place in life. If I die, I will die knowing that I've tried my best to make them see that."

Didyme growled as she stood and almost marched towards them. "Let me tell you something you worthless excuse for a vampire. You will not speak of my daughter that way, or even think such things about her or her mate, and here is why. She is a princess of the Volturi and that alone makes her free to choose anything she wants to do with her life, and in the two days I have known her she has already opened up to me more than to that idiotic son of yours who claimed to be her mate."

I couldn't help the bright smile that spread over my lips, but I knew I had to keep quite for at least a while longer. Didyme had promised me that I could speak my mind before they died.

Edward merely snorted at her though, and I just knew this was going to be good. "Anything to say boy?" Sulpicia asked with a snarl.

"I have plenty to say to that traitorous slut. I want her to know that she will always be mine, no matter what lies that blonde slut has told her." Edward said with a snarl.

Didyme smiled at that. "I think my daughter has plenty to say about that. Come on down sweetie."

I smiled at her and walked up to them. "Let me tell you how wrong you always have been about me Edward. I am not a doll, nor am I someone who you can impose your will upon. Kate is everything you are not, which is kind, caring and more fun than you could ever hope to be. You have only tried to isolate me from my family, a family who loved me even after everything you tried to do to prevent them from doing so, and what did you to try and keep me with you. You murdered the one man that had ever given a damn about me. You couldn't have driven me to Kate harder if you tried after everything you've done and before you die I want you to know that you have failed in breaking me and that I will be more happy with Kate than I would ever have been with you."

Didyme smiled as she pulled me into her arms, my back resting against her front. "Very well said sweetling. I think we are done here Cia. Deal with them how you wish."

Sulpicia smiled at her as we walked back to Didyme's throne. "Oh I will Di, don't you worry. Carlisle and Edward Cullen, for your crimes against a princess of the Volturi and exposing us to a human without the intention of turning said human, I sentence you both to death, to be carried out this instant. Felix, Demetri, if you would like to relieve them of their heads please."

"Aunt Didyme, Aunt Sulpicia if I may. Since Edward's transgressions were against my mate, I would like to be the one to punish him." Kate said softly.

Sulpicia smiled at her. "Of course Katerina. Do with him as you wish. Felix, Demetri, please only relieve Carlisle of his head and deal with his body."

The two men nodded as Didyme put her hands over my ears, which I appreciated. I knew that vampires being ripped apart was very loud, and I would like to keep my hearing as long as I possibly could. "Thank you mother."

"Don't mention it sweetie." She said with a sweet smile.

I smiled and relaxed against her, taking comfort in the sight Carlisle being decapitated and my mate stalked up to Edward.

Kate grinned menacingly at Edward. "I've been waiting a century to do this, asshole. You deserve every bit of pain you're going to get, and you're in luck too, because you are going to be the first to experience my power at full voltage."

She then grabbed his head between her hands and I could see the electricity running through him, and although I could see his mouth open in a scream, Didyme's hands made sure I didn't hear a thing.

The only proof I had of something actually happening to him was the fact that his skin was slowly turning black, and eventually he stopped flailing when Kate pulled her hands from his head, after which he slumped to the ground and she proceeded to crush his face under her heel.

Kate's POV

When we were back in our room after the trial, and a little party because of the fact that Carlisle and Edward had gone up in a cloud of rainbow dust, as Bella had called it, the first thing we did was cuddled up together in bed. "So love, was that everything you thought it would be?" I asked with a soft smile.

"Everything and more love. It was immensely satisfying to see him burn away into nothingness while Carlisle had to watch. There's nothing stopping us from moving on with our lives now, plus it was really hot seeing you shock him into a crisp." She said with a soft smile.

I smiled and kissed her softly. "Why thank you love, it was certainly my pleasure. We do have to talk about things first, now that we have the time to do that, and if you're okay with me going first. There is something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Is it about that busty brunette you were pretty cozy with?" She asked only a little bit annoyed.

I smiled and nodded at her. "It is, that was Heidi, my best friend. She is usually the one that would try and keep my mischievous side under control before I met you."

Bella smiled at that. "Thank God for that, I thought she was like an ex-girlfriend or something."

"Any and all exes are long dead, my love. You know that I used to drain my conquests. I only love you and I always will. I actually think you two would get along great." I said with a loving smile.

Bella smiled and nodded. "I know, but it's just one of those fears you know. She is very pretty and I always fear that one day you'll just find someone better and that I will be alone again."

I smiled and pulled her into my arms. "Bella, my love, there is no one better than you. I would never contemplate leaving you because that would hurt me as much as it would hurt you. I love you and I will spend the rest of my existence proving that I am worthy of being your mate."

Bella smiled and pressed her nose into my neck, inhaling deeply. "I'm sorry Kate, I know that you love me, but I just can't help it."

"You will never have to apologize for voicing your fears, my love. It's healthy to get it all out, otherwise your fears can consume you." I said with a loving smile.

"I know, and the last thing I want is to become all broody and sulky again, I just can't help that little niggle in the back of my head that tells me that I'm not good enough for you." She said softly.

I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to the side of her neck. "Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but please don't listen to it, my love. There will never come a time that I will not want to be with you, whether intimately or in any other form. I can't live without you baby."

She smiled and kissed me deeply. "How is it that you are always able to silence my ghosts and doubts? It's like you can just read my mind."

I smiled at her. "It's not that I can read your mind love, I do feel what lies in your heart, and it is there that those fears lie, and I promise you now, like I did when we met, I will do everything in my power to make sure that those fears are squashed."

Bella smiled and pressed against me, and I just let myself fall to the mattress, with her landing on top of me as she snuggled into me. "I hope you know that the same also goes for you, Kate. I can see that you have some doubts too."

I smiled at her. "I do have some doubts, but they are mostly related to you being turned. I'm scared to death that I won't be able to control myself and that I will accidentally take too much of your blood."

"I don't think there is any chance of you taking too much, no matter how long it has been since you tasted human blood. I trust you, implicitly. Mother said that our bond is so strong that there is no way you could hurt me. Please trust yourself like I trust you."

I smiled at that. "I promise that I will my love. I just couldn't live with myself if I hurt you, not to mention what your mothers would do to me, and while my inner vampire keeps kicking my ass over the fact that I even have these doubts, the small human part of me has these irrational fears, that I might add you are very good at squashing as well."

She smiled at that. "So we're both basically being irrational in our fears and everything will be fine in the end?"

"I suppose so, love. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens when we're both ready for you to be turned." I said honestly.

Bella smiled and kissed me. "I suppose we do? Is there anything else we need to talk about, or can we get some cuddle time in now?"

"I suppose there is one more thing that I want to ask you. What was that I saw with Jane today? You two seemed awfully friendly."

"Surprisingly, I found her not as creepy as I thought she was, and she's a very good listener too. Don't get me wrong I love being able to talk to Alice and Rose about almost everything, but they're a bit biased sometimes. Jane gives me her unbiased opinion, and that is just something I need at times, to prevent me getting stuck in my own head." Bella said with a soft smile.

I smiled at that. "Then I think you can count yourself among the very few of Jane's friends. It even took my sisters and I almost a century for her to warm up to us."

She smiled at that. "She told me why that was. She wasn't sure how much she was allowed to interact with you and your sisters because of the Kings. Once aunt Sulpicia told her everything, she decided it would be worth it to try and get to know you three, after she spent a few decades stewing in her anger."

"I should've known that this would lead back to the Kings in one way or another. Those three are a poison even centuries after their executions." I said softly.

"Mother told me the same, and I will say the same thing to you that I said to her. The Kings have not and will not define the Volturi's rule. Our mothers and aunt Sulpicia have proven to be fair rulers that will enforce the rules if necessary, and I also think they have proven that they will not be denied their justice if they feel they have been wronged." Bella said sweetly.

I just smiled and kissed her softly as we were content to spend the remainder of the day in each other's arms.

Bella's POV

The following day Kate had me up way too early for my liking, but promised that it would be very much worth it, although at this point I doubted that since my experience was that this could mean only one thing, shopping. "Ah Bella, come on, you promised yesterday that you wouldn't be difficult today." Kate said in her usual sweet voice.

"I cannot be held responsible for what I say in the throes of passion, and may I add that it was very unfair to keep edging me while you asked me that question. You know that I can't say no then." I said grumpily.

She grinned at me. "Sorry love, but I promise that you will love our little shopping trip today, just you, me, Heidi and Alice, because you know we can't have a proper shopping trip without including the Pixie, otherwise she'll be pouting all the way back to America, and no one wants to see that."

I smiled at that. "Fine, but I want a proper shower and breakfast before we go, because I am not going on a shopping trip with Hurricane Alice without having eaten something first."

"Of course love, I wouldn't be that cruel, and if I was a betting girl I am going to guess that Esme is probably busy with cooking your breakfast this lovely morning." She said with a soft smile.

I smiled at her as I sat up. "Then I should probably get up and take a shower, I don't want to keep Mom waiting and letting her hard work go to waste."

Kate smiled and kissed me. "Then in the interest of time I will go and get dressed and wait for you here, I might get carried away again."

"That's okay love, could you wait for me though? I still don't know my way around the Castle." I asked with a soft smile.

Kate nodded and stole another kiss before she flashed into the closet and I made my way into the bathroom.

I honestly didn't mind having a bit of alone time for once, because don't get me wrong, I love Kate with everything I am, but sometimes I just need time to think, and I knew she would understand if I asked for some privacy, but I also didn't want to spend too much time away from her this soon after Edward's death. She kept me focused on other things, because I knew I would start to overthink things again if I spared that too much thought.

As I stepped under the hot spray, I couldn't help but sigh contently. My nights with Kate were always amazing, but last night had truly been something special. She had kept me on edge for almost an hour before finally letting me find my release, which was completely out of left field for the perky blonde.

I also had been very glad that she had let me pleasure her beforehand, because I was probably as useful as a limp noodle by the time I had stopped shaking from pleasure, and the last thing I had registered before blacking out was Kate's smug look.

For once I decided to make it a quick shower, because I knew if I took too long, there would be a very impatient Pixie knocking at our door, since in her mind nothing would get in the way of a good day of shopping.

After drying myself and getting dressed, Kate and I made our way to the kitchen, and while I could not see her, I just knew instinctively that Alice couldn't be far off.

I was therefor not at all surprised to see the excited little Pixie in the kitchen with Esme, but before she could say anything I put up a hand. "Not a word before I've had my breakfast and more importantly, my coffee."

She pouted only a little but nodded before presenting me with a cup of deliciously fragrant coffee. "It's one of those days huh?" She asked softly.

I smiled and gave her a one armed hug. "Not really, I just got blackmailed into going shopping, so I'm a bit cranky. All will be good after coffee Ali."

She smiled at me as Esme put the last plate on the table. "I hope you enjoy it sweetie. It's a bit different from the things we have back in America." Esme said with a soft smile.

I smiled and hugged her after I had put my mug down. "I'm sure it will be as amazing as ever Mom. I'm more surprised that mother isn't here too."

"She had some last things to take care of sweetie, I'm sure she'll be readily available when you girls come back." Esme said with a sweet smile.

I smiled at her as I dug into my breakfast, for once taking my time since I knew Esme had put a lot of time into cooking this delicious meal, and I would hate to look ungrateful, and while I was eating, Alice and Kate kept me entertained with their banter over what stores we were going to, and I quote, raid.

That alone was enough to fill me with a whole new level of dread, even though they both kept insisting that it wouldn't be as bad as the made it sound, and I truly hoped that the added presence of Heidi would be enough to temper my mate a little, because while she didn't like to admit it, at times she was as bad, if not worse than the Pixie when it came to shopping, especially since her vice were purses, while Alice usually went for shoes.

After breakfast and another hug to Esme, the two women led me back to the reception area where Heidi would be waiting for us, and I was pleased to find out that when off duty the busty brunette had a similar outlook on life as I did, as well as a comparable sense of fashion, and when we stepped out of the Castle and into the shadowy part of Volterra, I couldn't wait to find out exactly what my mate and my sister had planned for me.