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Demetri - DPOV

It's already past midnight as we walk to our room, and Bella hasn't stopped smiling since we left the throne room. It's amazing to see her this happy. She shines almost as radiant as the sun, and I find myself falling in love with her all over again. I will never get enough of this woman. Bella gives me a quick kiss as we enter our room, and I frown as she rushes into the bathroom and closes the door. What is my mate up to?

Demetri - DPOV

I shake my head as I hear Bella giggle on the other side of the bathroom door. Oh yes, she is up to something. And it isn't until I turn around and spot the calendar on the desk in the corner that I realize why that is. Today is our one-month wedding anniversary. Fuck, I can't believe I've been married to the most incredible woman on this planet for a month already. It's a good thing I get to love her for eternity because one lifetime would never be enough.

I quickly run through our living room to light every candle I can find, and I smile as the room fills with the soft glow of candlelight. I then move to sit on the couch that gives me a direct view of the bathroom door and lean back with a big smile on my face. Knowing my Bella, I'm going to like whatever she has planned for today. The only thing I need to do is wait patiently for my beautiful wife to make her appearance. Well, it's a good thing I'm a very patient guy.

Bella – BPOV

I smile brightly as I rush around the bathroom to find all the items I hid in here before we went to the throne room. I do not doubt that Demetri has figured out what day it is by now, and I just know that he'll love the small surprise I have planned for him. I giggle as I imagine the look on his face as he sees me exit the bathroom in the almost non-existing silk nightgown I bought especially for this day. Oh yes, he is going to like it. But then again, Demetri would even find me sexy while wearing my great-grandmother's nightgown.

I snicker at the thought as I take off my clothes and step into the shower. I sigh happily as the warm water runs down my back. I at once realize that what was going to be a quick shower might end up being a long one. It's a good thing Demetri is more patient than most men, so I don't have to worry about him tearing down the door before I'm done with my shower. I smile as I grab the shampoo Demetri likes too much and start washing my hair. It is then that I notice how quiet it is in the living room. No music is playing, and I can't even hear the sound of pages turning indicating that Demetri is reading a book while waiting for me to reappear. What is he doing out there? Hell, is he even there?

I shake my head at the thought. Demetri would never leave our quarters without telling me. He's probably sitting on the couch waiting for me to get my ass out of the bathroom. I decide not to keep him waiting for too long and chuckle as I wash the rest of my body before rinsing my hair. Who am I trying to fool? Demetri might be patient, but it's not one of my traits. I already miss my mate like crazy, and only ten minutes have passed since I rushed into the bathroom to change into something special.

I turn off the water and quickly dry off before drying my hair and fixing it in a messy bun on top of my head. Demetri's mating mark is visible this way, and I love how he reacts each time he sees it like this. I would have thought that a modern woman like me would find the whole possessive caveman thing a complete turn-off, but there's nothing sexier than my mate as he growls 'mine' while stalking my way. God, just thinking about it gets me all turned on. It's high time to slip into my new nightgown and show my mate just how much I love and want him.

Demetri - DPOV

Fifteen minutes pass until I see the knob of the bathroom door move, and I eagerly lean forward to find out what my mate is up to. The door opens agonizingly slowly, and I let out a low growl as the scent of my favorite shampoo reaches me before the door is even opened halfway. God, my mate sure knows how to get my attention. That shampoo compliments Bella's natural scent of oregano and basil perfectly. It always transports me back to when I roamed the spice markets in Greece, my home when I was still human because that's what Bella is for me, my home.

Suddenly the door swings open, and I let out another low growl as I take in the sight of my Bella dressed in red silk. I clench my fists as I force myself to stay seated. There's no need to rush this. Let's see how my gorgeous mate wants to play this game. Bella's eyes darken as she notices my clenched fists, and she smiles as she takes a step closer to me and says: "See something you like, Demi?"

I nod as I let my eyes roam across her delectable body and say: "You're wearing my new favorite nightgown, amore mio. What a shame I'll destroy it when I rip it from your body. Please tell me you bought several." Bella smiles seductively as she twirls around slowly before saying: "Would you be pleased if I said I bought a dozen?"

I know my eyes are pitch-black from desire as I slowly rise from the couch and say: "That would please me very much, tesoro. Did you?" Bella bites her lower lip as she nods, and I groan at the sight. She has absolutely no idea about how sexy she looks when she does that. By now, my member is straining painfully against my zipper, and I'm having a hard time staying away from her, quite literally. Bella moans as she notices the effect she's having on me, and that sinful sound is all it takes for my control to snap. I have Bella pinned against the living room wall not even a second later, and I smile widely as she whispers: "Happy anniversary, Demi".

Bella – BPOV

I let out another moan as Demetri grinds his rock-hard member into my aching center before saying: "Happy anniversary, amore mio. Ti amo tanto." I arch my back as he leans down to kiss his mark while his hands skillfully roam my body. God, I love how Demetri knows exactly how to play my body. It's hard to believe that we've already been married for a month. Thank God, I have an eternity to love him because one lifetime would never be enough.

I dig my nails into his shoulders as he suddenly rips the nightgown from my body. I purr loudly as he lets go of the last sliver of his control and enters me with one swift thrust. My eyes roll back as he moves in and out of my body at a high pace while saying: "Is this what you had in mind, amore mio?" I nod vigorously as he keeps pounding into me, and I can already feel my orgasm approaching as I yell: "God, yes! Don't you dare stop!"

Demetri's laugh is dark and sinful as he picks up the pace while saying: "Don't worry, tesoro. You're not leaving this room until I've made you come around my cock more than once. How does that sound, amore mio?" His words are enough to push me over the edge for the first time, and I can't stop myself from marking him as I shatter against him. Demetri roars as my venom enters his body, and I smile as he comes deep inside me a second later while marking me too. His eyes are still dark as night as he lifts my head to look at him, and I can almost feel his love as he whispers: "I love it when you claim me like that, amore mio. I will never get enough of you. I'm yours forever."

Every time I think I can't possibly love him more than I already do, Demetri comes out and says or does something that proves me wrong. I find myself loving him more each day, and that makes me the happiest I have ever been. I smile as he carries me to our bedroom and lays me on the bed before moving on top of me. He kisses me passionately as he slowly reenters my body, and the world slowly fades away as we make love for the rest of the night.

Demetri - DPOV

It's annoying that time always seems to pass much faster when Bella and I are together. I'm nowhere near finished showing her how much I love her when the first rays of sunlight enter our bedroom. I sigh as I glance at the clock and notice that it's eight o'clock already. It wouldn't surprise me if Aro was already in his study waiting for Bella to arrive. It's too bad Bella promised to spend time with him and that I have actual work to do because we wouldn't be leaving this room if that wasn't the case.

Bella groans as she notices the sunlight, and I chuckle as she pulls the covers over our heads while saying: "Please tell me I didn't agree to meet my father today. It feels like we never have enough time for ourselves. I'm not ready to let you go yet."

I smile softly as I kiss the top of her head and say: "I know exactly how you feel, cara mia. If I could stop time, I would. I'm this close to whisking you away to a deserted island where no one can find us." Bella purrs as she caresses my neck with the tip of her nose before saying: "I like that idea, Demi. What's stopping you?"

I smile as I place another kiss on her head and say: "My sense of honor… your father… your brother... even you are stopping me, tesoro. I have a duty to fulfill, cara mia, as your husband, as your mate, and as the Captain of the guard. There will come a time when we travel the world, just the two of us. But it is not that time yet." I chuckle as Bella starts to pout and says: "God, why does everything you say have to make so much sense?"

I laugh loudly as I slowly pull away the covers and say: "Because you know I'm right, even if you don't want to acknowledge it. Come on, amore mio. Let's get ready. The sooner I finish my work in Volterra, the sooner we can go home." My love for her grows once more as she places a soft kiss on my lips, before saying: "Home isn't a building, Demi. You are my home, but I do love our house so very much. You're right. Let's get moving." I nod as we both slip out of bed in search of something to wear. I quickly change into black jeans and a black shirt, and I can barely stifle a growl as Bella slips into a gorgeous black dress. Maybe kidnapping her isn't such a bad idea after all.

Bella – BPOV

The low growl that escapes from Demetri's lips as I slip into one of my favorite dresses tells me he's regretting his reasonable arguments as to why we must leave our quarters, and I can't help but snicker as I find my husband staring at me like I'm the most delicious treat in the whole world. I would love nothing more than to drag him back to our bedroom, but it really is time to visit my father, and I don't even want to think about the pile of work waiting for Demetri. We need to get moving.

Demetri takes a deep unneeded breath to calm himself, and I smile as he walks my way before saying: "How you tempt me, amore mio. You don't want to know how close I am to kidnapping you." I smile again as he offers me his arms and say: "And you don't know how much I like that idea. Now, let's go before Aro comes up here to remind me of my promise." Demetri chuckles as I take his arm, and says: "You know your father well, tesoro. I must say it surprises he hasn't made his way up already. Come, I'll escort you to his study before leaving for my office."

It doesn't take us long to reach Aro's study, and I chuckle as the door opens before I have time to knock. My father smiles brightly as he pulls me in for a hug and says: "I know I said to come by at any given time, Bella, but you should know better than to keep an old man like me waiting. I'm afraid patience is not my forte. I'm sure Demetri has told you as much." I smile as I nod in agreement and say: "He did, papa, but you must remember how difficult it is to part from your mate when the mating bond is still so young. I just can't be without him."

Aro's eyes soften as he nods and says: "Oh yes, I do recall those times, mia figlia, but I'm afraid Demetri has plenty of work waiting for him. I know he's your mate, but he is also the Captain of my Guard, and he has responsibilities. You will have to endure his absence for a few hours, dear one. But don't be afraid, I'll do my best to distract you. I'll give the two of you a minute or two to say your goodbyes. Caius is waiting for you downstairs, Demetri."

Demetri nods as he bows his head and says: "I won't keep him waiting much longer, Master Aro. Master Caius has even less patience than you, Master." Aro laughs loudly as he walks back into his study, and I smile as Demetri quickly pulls me close for a passionate kiss before saying: "Ti amo, cara mia. Have fun with your father. I'll pick you up when all my work is done." I smile as I nod and say: "I love you too, Demi. Now, go before Caius blows a fuse."

Demetri chuckles as he bends down to kiss my forehead. I close my eyes as I inhale his delicious scent and frown when I open my eyes and find the hallway in front of me empty. The sense of loss that threatens to take hold, however, fades fast when I hear Aro call from his study, "Come in, Bella. There's so much I want to tell you that you won't even have time to miss your mate." I smile as I walk over to my father. In this life, I'll never be alone again.

The day passes quickly, just as Aro predicted, as he tells me story after story about how he and his brothers founded the Volturi and how they became the rulers of the Vampire world while paying the ultimate price. The coven would never truly recover from the loss of Didyme. If all those vampires out there only knew the sacrifices the Volturi have made to keep the peace throughout history, they would think twice about spreading rumors like Aro killing his sister.

My face must be speaking volumes because I get pulled out of my musings by Aro's voice as he chuckles and says: "You learn to ignore the rumors when you've been around as long as I have, mia figlia. Rumors, like the one about me being responsible for my sister's death, are born out of ignorance and fear, but the people that matter to me know the truth. That's all that matters."

I huff as I cross my arms and say: "I still don't like it. Why not debunk it?"

Aro shrugs his shoulders as he moves to stand in front of the window overlooking the square and says: "We all needed time to accept my sister's death, and by the time most of us were ready to do so, many years had passed. Debunking a rumor that had been circling the globe for over two decades was never going to work. Most vampires had already found me guilty, and I found myself not caring what the vampire community thought of me. The only opinion that mattered was that of my brother, and Marcus knows better than anyone just how much I loved my sister. I would have gladly died in her place, but fate decided otherwise. She truly was the best sister I could have ever asked for. I still miss her every day. She would have loved you so much, I'm sure of it."

I swallow through the non-existing lump in my throat as I move to stand next to my father by the window before saying: "I would have loved to meet her. She must have been an incredible woman." Aro smiles softly as he pulls me close for a hug while whispering: "That she was. You remind me of her in so many ways. The Volturi coven lost its heart when Didyme died, but you, my beautiful daughter, have given it back to us. The castle and its inhabitants live once more."

I chuckle as I pull back and say: "You do realize that neither the castle nor we are technically alive, papa?" Aro smiles as he shakes his head and says: "That's exactly something Didyme would have said to make me smile. Come, I'll show you her favorite spot in the castle. I bet you will love it just as much as she did."

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