We must have spent hours there in the garden, Aro taking me around and describing the different plants. He even showed me a plot which had been left untouched. "When the garden becomes yours, this place is for you to plant whatever you desire," was what he said to me.

By the time we returned to the palazzo, it was late afternoon, and I had easily missed lunch, which Aro was apologetic about. He took me to the kitchen so I could eat, and I began to work on making myself something. I found the dry pasta and started boiling some salted water. Aro watched as I got everything together, which again, I was used to, but it was strange this time. He had this soft smile on his lips.

I ignored it, but raised my brow at him, somewhat amused. He was a completely different person in the garden, and he continued to be so here, at least compared to the last few days. He still wasn't budging on the whole me leaving the building thing outside of our earlier trip. We still hadn't talked about my parents yet either. I wasn't ready to argue with him right now, so I kept my focus on what I was doing.

The best part about Volterra, all of the fresh ingredients and cultured butter. I gathered the basil and parsley, placed them on a cutting board, and began to chop. "Is there anything I can do?"

I glanced over at Aro and shrugged. "Not really."

"Are you sure? I could help cut something up or stir."

"Nothing needs to be stirred yet," I replied, trying not to laugh. "Why don't you check the water and see if it's ready for the pasta?"

Aro stood and walked to the stove, looking at the water. "How do I know when it's ready?"

"Is it boiling?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Then, it's ready." I went over to where I had sat the dry pasta and handed Aro the bag telling him to put in about half. I watched as he did so. "Now we wait until it starts to float. It usually takes around six minutes."

"I do believe my way of feeding is more efficient," Aro commented as he studied the pasta cooking in the water. "There's no wait time."

"Only because Heidi brings them to you," I replied, not wanting to think about that right now. "Besides, I like cooking."

When the pasta was finally done, and I sat down to eat, Aro went back to his usual staring at the food in disgust. "What does it taste like?"

I glanced up. "It tastes like pasta. I don't know how to describe it in a way you would understand. I don't exactly know what blood tastes like to you, and I don't think I could understand if you tried explaining that either."

"It's different for every human, but generally, it tends to be very sweet or very rich like wine," he replied. "At least from what I can recall, but the taste is compelling and delectable."

"That's what I would use to describe this then. Anyone who says they don't like pasta is probably lying to you." Aro chuckled, and I offered a smile back at him.

When I was through eating, Aro took my plate and set it in the sink, stating that he would have Caterina take care of it later before we walked back down to his quarters. When we reached his study, I went and sat down on the sofa, and Aro sat down next to me. We were both quiet, not having too much to say on my end. The most pressing point of conversation was still my parents and, of course, Emilio, but I still wasn't ready to have the parent conversation again. It wouldn't really be a conversation anyway, more of an argument about why, once more, I could not see them.

So, I decided to ask about Emilio instead. "How is he?"

Aro sighed. I knew he probably wanted to talk about Emilio even less than my parents, mainly because he knew my past with Emilio, how I felt about him, and the fact that we had almost nearly crossed a line we wouldn't be able to return from. The worst part, Aro also knew how badly I actually wanted it.

"Your friend will be fine. One of the guard is with him at any given time." I nodded as I began to chew on the nail of my thumb. "Is that something you do often when you're nervous?"

"You've seen my thoughts and memories. You tell me."

"Lia, my gift doesn't work exactly the way I believe you might think," Aro started. "While it is true that I can see every memory or thought a person has had by the touch of hands, a person's past doesn't instantly flash before me. On the contrary, I'm able to search for the information I'm inquiring about, and the memories and thoughts come. However, through touch, everything a person has seen or thought does enter into my subconscious, and I can index through it as necessary without the need to touch said person again unless they have acquired new information. Needless to say, while I could find the memories I wish for by diving into the memories I've received from you, it is simpler for you to merely answer a question."

"Sometimes, not always," I replied, answering the question he had initially asked.

Aro grabbed me gently and took me into his arms, my back against his chest, nuzzling his face into my neck. "I know you still need time," he whispered to me, his breath cool underneath my ear. "I still plan to give you that, now that you've exhausted your options." He chuckled playfully. "Yet, it is so difficult for me to not take what I want."

So I asked, "Are you upset because of Emilio and what happened. I know you saw it."

"It hurt more than anything, that you would be willing to bed with him but not with your mate. It did make me angry that he could be such a source of comfort to you, that you desire him. But you didn't go through with it. Had you, it is unclear to me how I would've reacted once finding out. The part that understands you as mine might have won out. Even now, I fight myself from turning you so you can be rightfully claimed."

"Rightfully claimed?" I scoffed.

Aro brushed his thumb over my bottom lip as he responded. "When you're turned, I would expect you to claim me as well."

I sat up and moved, so I was facing him. "You scare me. There's a part of you that does. There's a part of you that I hate, that I despise. But then there's sometimes, like now, when it begins to feel right, and I don't want it to."

"Tell me what I can do."

"You could let me see my parents." Aro looked away, sighing, but I continued. "If you want to do this courting thing right, you're supposed to get permission from the parents before you do anything. Even if Nonno was okay with all of this, I want my parents to know that I'm okay. I at least want them to think that I'm happy."

"Then, you are not?"

"No. I can't be while I know my parents are terrified that I haven't called them. They deserve some explanation, Aro, and not a lie."

"Lia, you know the law."

I shook my head. "I don't have to tell them anything about vampires, but it's not fair that I lie to them either."

Aro narrowed his gaze in thought. "Then what would you suggest? You know I can't allow you to travel back to see them."

"You let Isabella," I reminded him.

"Yes, but as you noted, Carlisle was watching over her. His coven took responsibility for her."

"Then come with me." I was surprised myself when the words blurted out of my mouth. Aro didn't look quite normal at all, not with his skin so deathly white and his red eyes. There was no way he could remotely pass for human. What was I even thinking?

He reached up and brushed my hair behind my shoulders, all the while gazing intently into my eyes, making me feel the need to drop mine. "Kiss me."

Immediately, my focus was back on him. "What?" I choked out.

Aro draped his arm around me as he leaned in, his scent beginning to overwhelm my senses all of a sudden. "Not like before, when you lied about what you were thinking. I want to kiss you, and I desire for you to return it and enjoy it." The tip of his fingers lifted my chin. "May I?"

Was he seriously asking for permission? My heart pounded. "What happens if I say no?"

He frowned and released me. "Then I will leave you for the evening so you can rest."

As he began to stand, I subconsciously bit my lip. "Aro." I reached over, taking his hand in mine, and pulled him back down, or at least he let me do so. I saw a glimpse of a smile, knowing he had read my thoughts, and also a glimmer of satisfaction knowing that he had just won.

He pushed me down onto the sofa, his lips locking onto mine. Like before, it was consuming, but this time, he didn't just stop with a kiss. His hands roamed my body, up and down my sides, over my chest, then my hips. I could tell he was trying to be careful, not only with his strength but testing the waters to see just how far he could go before I decided to stop him.

Eventually, his forehead came to rest on top of mine, his eyes closed, unnecessary breath escaping his lips. He stayed like that for a minute or two before sitting up, bringing me with him. I allowed him to hold me close to his chest, his frozen heart silent.

.

My eyes opened to the ceiling of the bedroom, wondering how I got in there. Had I fallen asleep against Aro? I must have. Seeing as I was wearing the exact same thing as the day previous, I went through my wardrobe to find something to change into before heading into the bathroom, using it, then preparing a shower.

As much as I was hoping everything the previous night had been a dream, I knew it wasn't. I was grateful he hadn't tried to push to go further. Maybe he knew that would've been too much. Plus, he had mentioned that it would be too dangerous to do so while I was still human. I really hoped that wasn't the only thing keeping him from it.

I stepped into the shower, allowing the warm water to slide over my skin. It wasn't until after I had washed my hair that I heard the bathroom door open. I tensed. "Aro?" Suddenly, he was behind me, in the shower, his arms wrapped around my body. I was too shocked to even yell at him to get out.

My breathing picked up. I was literally standing under the water completely naked, and here he was, intruding into my private and personal space, knowing very well that I wouldn't be okay with it. I could feel him taking in the scent of my hair. The only upside to this was that he hadn't removed his usual suit, and stupidly, the only thing I could get out was, "You're going to get your clothes wet."

"I have others," he whispered.

"Why are you in here, Aro?"

"Does it bother you because you're unclothed?" He asked as my body noticeably tensed even more if that were possible. "I find you to be almost too perfect."

The fact that he seemed to be abstaining from any sort of sexual touch helped me relax slightly. I was comfortable with my body, but at the same time, my body belonged to me. It was my right to say who got to see it and who didn't, my mate or not. He began to trail chaste kisses down the side of my neck, slowly and deliberately. I squirmed to hopefully break his hold on me, and he loosened his grip. "Can I finish showering already? Without you in here?"

Aro hummed against my skin. "I'll be in the study."

After he spoke, I was alone again, just like that. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself back down, not realizing how much of what he did had seriously affected me, both in fear and disgustingly enough, in slight arousal. What the hell was he doing to me?

I finished up quickly and got dressed. I caught myself staring at my reflection in the mirror. The bruise around my throat was still there, nice and purple, so dark it was almost black. I wondered how long it would be until it went away. I might have to ask Chelsea to buy me a shirt with a high neck for now just to cover it up.

I put my hair up into a makeshift bun before leaving the bathroom, the steam from the shower flooding out into the cold room. After placing my old clothes in the basket, I sighed and stepped into the study, making my way over to the armchair rather than the sofa. Aro grinned as he saw me. I noticed that he had changed clothes, and despite his hair being a little wet, the rest of him was completely dry.

He was going through some papers on his desk, and I watched as he leaned over the side of the desk and jotted a few things down. When he was finished, he found his way over to the sofa and sat, his ankle crossing his knee. "I do hope you slept well."

I nodded. "Slept well. Woke up to you being… well, you."

"Lia, it's impossible to hide much from me. Even I know there was a part of you that didn't mind it."

"Just shut up." I didn't say it angrily, more out of a sense of embarrassment because I knew he was right, but for him to state it so plainly…

"When are you going to stop fighting it?" Aro said, leaning forward as his eyes met mine. "You've already tried your escape. It didn't work. Think now about what you have left to lose, or does Emilio no longer matter to you?"

I might not have been a vampire, but I certainly growled at Aro right then for dangling Emilio's life over my head. "So now what is it, 'if you don't allow me easy access to your body, I'll go ahead and kill your friend?'" I stood because I needed to put some distance between us. "Dammit, Aro! This is why it's not working!"

I was by his desk, and my hand reached up, knocking a couple of books off out of frustration as they slammed onto the floor. Aro had my wrist in his hand within a flash. "Try not to destroy those things that can't be replaced, my dear." He kissed the side of my head, as much as I was fuming, I didn't try to move away. "That wasn't at all what I meant."

"It sure sounded like it was."

"Emilio will soon finish the change, and he will be a vampire like the rest of us here. The longer you decide to remain human, the longer it will be before you can see him again. I told you that I would give you time to adjust to the idea. While I have forever, you don't. Eventually, I will change you whether you're ready or not, but I don't wish that occurring under circumstances in which you are consistently continuing to fight me.

"Our emotions as vampires are intense. If I were to change you while you still held hatred and detest for me and my actions, it could very well damage our bond. While that might not sound like an awful idea to you now, a damaged bond, as strong as the one held by mates, could very well destroy both of us."

Aro let go of my wrist and carefully picked up the books I had pushed angrily off of the desk. He set them back where they had been before putting his attention back on me. "I apologize if you took what happened earlier in the wrong way. I continue to forget the differences between your world and mine."

All of a sudden, I felt myself get dizzy, and I swayed, a small cough erupting from my throat, which turned into a fit of them. I made my way back over to the chair, and Aro followed me, asking if I was all right. I nodded. "I'm fine. I probably just need some water. I haven't been drinking enough lately."

A knock was heard at the door, and Aro appeared next to it. Chelsea stood on the other side, and she quickly spoke to Aro in Greek. I caught a brief, friendly smile in my direction before she left. "Apparently," Aro began, coming back into the room, "Carlisle has already landed in Florence. He'll be around in a couple of hours."

"Great," I replied, not really having much else to say at the moment.

"You slept later than usual. Why don't you get something to eat and some water before he arrives? I would also like Carlisle to take a look at you to make sure you're not getting sick."

Reluctantly, I nodded. "Can I go to the kitchen by myself?" I noticed he was about to protest, so I held out my hand. "Here. I'm not going to do anything."

"Very well," he replied and then went back to his desk without even taking my hand.

.

Carlisle arrived right around two hours later, precisely as Aro had predicted. I had gone to the more massive library where I met Aro that first day over a month ago. I had found some rather comfortable seating in there, plus, I was a sucker for the smell of old books. This room certainly had it. It was also usually unoccupied as the only ones who ever did use it were the three Volturi leaders.

Renata had informed me that the room was empty when she came to check on me in the kitchen, much like I knew she probably would on Aro's orders. She escorted me there, and then I asked if she could let Aro know where I would be. She said she would, then left me to my own devices, curled up in a lounger, and looking through a small map book, which showed the location of different vampire covens around the world.

When the door to the library opened, I lowered the book and looked up to see Aro come in. I set it aside and stood, making my way over to the entrance. That was when I noticed the man and woman come in behind him. I knew what they were, but what astonished me was the lack of red in their eyes. They appeared a soothing shade of gold.

The man's eyes instantly widened when he saw me while the woman's appeared to be more concerned than surprised, and I knew she was noticing the bruising around my neck. The man, who I assumed at this point to be Carlisle, said, "Aro, you didn't mention your mate was still human."

Aro's grin widened. "Yes, I may have left out that small detail." He then turned to me. "Liliana, this is Carlisle and his lovely mate, Esme."

I took a moment to glare at Aro for using my full name before looking back at Carlisle and Esme and smiling. "Ignore him. It's just Lia. It's nice to meet you both."

Aro only laughed while Esme and Carlisle returned my smile. This time I noticed Carlisle's eyes lingering on my neck before he methodically turned his attention back to Aro as the latter spoke. "It's such a pretty name. It confounds me that she dislikes it so."

I wanted to argue, but I stayed quiet, knowing how Aro felt about being challenged. Instead, Carlisle replied, "I believe most use shortened versions of their names nowadays. You remember Bella, of course. She is much the same"

"Ah, yes! I was delighted to see that your family was doing so well. On that note, Carlisle, Lia began coughing earlier, and I realized that humans were still susceptible to illness. I was hoping you would look in on her."

"Of course, if that's all right with Lia," Carlisle said, looking at me when he said my name.

I shrugged. "I'm not sick, but if it makes him feel better, then I don't mind."

Aro beamed when I spoke, and before he could say anything else, Esme stepped in, and I heard her voice for the first time, it was soft and warm, and I instantly knew that I liked her. "Aro, Carlisle has told me all about your collections."

"Yes," Carlisle added. "Esme loves historical pieces. Perhaps you could show her the Elizabethan collection in the gallery while I give Lia a check-up."

"A marvelous idea. Come, dearest Esme. I do think you will enjoy the pieces I have found. It's one of Carlisle's favorite collections. He even helped me track down a couple of the treasures in it." I watched as Esme fearlessly took Aro's hand, and they left the room, the library doors closing behind them.

"She does know what he can do, right?" I asked Carlisle, referring to Aro's gift.

"Yes." He gestured over to the lounger I had been resting on earlier, and we walked over to it. I sat, and he pulled a chair over from a nearby table. "How are you?"

"I'm stuck here. How do you think I am?" I winced. "Sorry, that came out rude."

"It's all right. May I ask what happened?"

Knowing what he was referring to, I answered, "Aro was apparently wanting to give me a good reason to try running away. His words, not mine."

"How long ago was this?"

"A few days ago, I guess. As you can see, it didn't work. Demetri."

He nodded in understanding. So this vampire had lived here some centuries ago. How in the world did he manage to survive? His whole demeanor was the complete opposite of Aro's. His eyes were…

"By the way, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Carlisle replied.

"What's up with your eyes? I've never met a vampire with gold-colored eyes before, always red."

His light chuckle was comforting, and just like Esme, I knew Carlisle was okay. "We have a different diet than most of our kind. We don't feed off of the blood of humans. My family, we consider ourselves vegetarians and feed on the blood of animals instead."

"Wait, you can do that?" I was surprised. Was that how he managed to be around human blood as a doctor and not be affected by it?

"It's not easy, and it doesn't have the same effect on us as human blood would. We need to drink more often to stay in control of the thirst, but we've made it work. Without it, I doubt we would be able to live together so well. Vampires tend to be aggressive, and fighting breaks out easily. Covens usually don't grow so large. The Volturi, mine, and one other which we're aware of are the exceptions."

"Carlisle, did Aro tell you why he actually asked you to come?"

"Most of what I heard was that he had found his mate, and he desired me to meet her," he responded.

I nodded. "Well, when I tried running off, I needed money, so I contacted a friend. I'm originally from Volterra. My grandfather apparently knew all about Aro and talked to Chelsea a lot. My parents moved us to New York back in 2006, after I saw something with your adopted son, according to Aro." Carlisle seemed to know what I was referring to just by the way his expression changed.

"Anyway, Emilio was my best friend when I lived here before. He still is, and I called him, so he was with me when Demetri showed up. Demetri was supposed to be in Bulgaria, but Aro lied about all of it. I didn't know what he could do yet. Aro made sure that Emilio knew what they were, and once we got back here, he decided to change him.

"The thing is, Emilio was in medical school in Siena. He's wanted to be a surgeon for as long as I can remember, and now that's not going to happen because of me. Aro had mentioned you. I was hoping maybe you could do something that would help him. You're a doctor, and you co-exist with humans. Aro told me. I just… do you think you'll be able to help him?"

Carlisle sighed after I finished talking, and I could tell he was thinking it through. "It's challenging to control one's thirst, especially after the change. It took me two centuries before I had mine entirely under control, but I began with drinking animal blood. Before I changed my son, I had never had a drop of human blood, and just one taste of it made it difficult to pull back. I had to use every bit of my will to stop.

"Aro doesn't approve of animal blood. He says it goes against our very nature as vampires, so I doubt he would allow your friend to partake of it. The most I will be able to do as of now is ease his transition and walk him through ways to control his thirst. Not feeding upon humans is the one reason we can live amongst them without discovery."

"But what if Aro says yes and says that Emilio can try this animal blood thing? Do you think then that he might one day be like you where he could still help people?" I asked, my hope already starting to fade bit by bit.

"It depends on his will and if it can win out over the craving he'll have for blood." It was quiet again, nothing left for me to say. "Why don't we get started on that check-up?" Silently, I agreed.

A/N: This one gave me a struggle to write, mostly because this whole social distancing thing has me lacking motivation to do much, but at least it got done. I hope you enjoyed this one! Please drop a review below!