You might not like me after this chapter, but this goes to show, no one is perfect. Please enjoy!
Warning: Non-consensual, Thoughts of Suicide, Unhealthy Coping
Songs Mentioned: In Joy and Sorrow by H.I.M., When You Don't See Me by Sisters of Mercy, The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel, Asleep by The Smiths
There was a knock at the door signaling it was time to eat. "Go away please," Amara called out, "I'm not hungry"
In fact Amara felt like shit. It had been a few days since she'd begun to share her time with Caius along with Marcus. Today she didn't think she'd be getting out of bed except to use the restroom. Her lower abdomen was cramping to the point of wanting to cry, her lower back was hurting and her breasts were swollen and sensitive. She had awoken to feeling very much like a female.
'Just great,' she thought to herself. She had at least had a few pads and tampons she brought with her, but she would need to get more. 'How does one ask your vampire boyfriends? Were they boyfriends? Anyways, how does one ask them for feminine products?' Amara was having a conversation with herself as she went and bathed. She soaked in the hot water until it became cold to her and stood from the bath. She wished she had a heating pad to snuggle up with right now. Instead she got redressed in her sleep clothes and laid underneath the duvet.
Aro stood in his study aggravated. Not only had Amarantha been spending time with Marcus, but now she was sharing her time with Caius and not him. He had spent a few days just watching from the side lines as his brothers seemed to become their mate's world. All the while Aro desperately wanted the same attention. Which is why he left his study and now stood outside her room before she left it for the day. He wanted time with her.
He looked at Felix who stood outside the door unmoving. "How is she doing?"
Felix shrugged, "She refused breakfast and won't allow anyone inside."
Aro nodded before knocking on the door expecting her to say to come in only to be also told, "Don't come in here."
She couldn't possibly know it was him at the door, could she? Would she have turned Caius and Marcus away so easily. He knocked again and heard shuffling on the other side. Aro got a whiff of the air from outside the door and smelt the metallic scent of blood. Without thinking twice he opened the door and stormed in thinking the worst of her. He found her laying in her bed in the fetal position facing away from him.
Amara obviously heard the down slam open and gripped a nearby pillow before throwing it at whomever just stormed in. "I said stay out," she commanded.
Aro dodged the feathery object with ease before making his way to her. He threw back the covers and began to inspect her body. His eyes and gloved hands roamed her legs before making their way up to her wrists.
"What in the hell are you doing," she glared at him, feeling completely exposed.
"I smell blood, Amarantha," his eyes staring into hers intensely, "Where is it coming from?"
'What was he implying,' she questioned herself before her eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting I cut myself?"
He continued to stare at her unmoving from his position above her. His hands gripped her wrist above her head. They tightened when she began to laugh in his face. "This isn't a funny matter, Amarantha. Where are you bleeding," he demanded.
She sobered a little only to reply, "From my vagina, you dunce. I'm on my period."
Her released her hands as if her skin burned. He quickly closed the room and didn't look like he was breathing anymore. She lifted herself in the bed. She didn't understand him, "Now what's wrong with you?"
Aro didn't know if he should voice how much he wanted to tear off her clothing and to dive head first between her legs. Her blood was intoxicating especially during the beginnings of her menstruation. He watched as she began to get up. He tensed up more when she took steps toward him. "Don't," he grunted out.
"Why? I demand an explanation as to why you'd barge into my room and then became so repulsed by me," she stomped forward in a rage. She had told him to go away for a reason. She was in no mood for anyone right now. She was having mood swings along with terrible cramps, its why she refused to open the door for breakfast.
Aro became as still and sturdy as a brick wall as she approached. He looked to the door and almost bolted for it. The closer she came the closer his beast came to the surface. It screamed at him to claim her. Show her who was in control right now. When she was right in front of him he lost it. He grabbed her by her hips and lifted her up to him. His mouth came crashing down on hers. Their lips melded with each others.
His moved freely against hers while she remained stunned. Amara couldn't believe she was being kissed like this by Aro of all people. He had never been one to force her to do things without permission. What, now, causes him to react to her in such away? When her mind caught up to what he was doing she tried squirming out of his tight grasp. It didn't work. It only enforced him to hold her a little more tightly to him. She bit his lip which only caused him to groan in her mouth as he snaked his tongue into her mouth.
Aro rushed them to the bed, no longer his controlled self. He kept taking advantage of her mouth with his before tossing her gently to the bed. She laid there wide eyed at him with her lips slightly apart breathing deeply. She went to ask him what his deal was only for him to tear her lower clothing from her body. She gasped when she watched his head delve down and felt his icy tongue on the outside of her heated core.
He lapped at the fresh blood dripping from her center before focusing on her clit. She moaned out, "Aro, stop," as she tried to wiggle away from him. He held her down and growled at her for trying to get away.
The sound and the force of his grip caused her to remain stark still. He continued his assault on her clit which led to Amara to become a mess on top of her bed. She was overly sensitive from being on her period that each swipe of his tongue sent an electrical current straight up her spine allowing the tingling sensation to spread throughout her body. She, instead of gripping the sheets with her hands, gripped the back of his head and tried pulling him once more away from her center. This caused him to bite lightly on her clit in warning to not try that again. One of his hands went to her lips to spread her open before him which allowed his tongue to delve deeply inside her. His inhuman speed caused her spread legs to shake.
"Aro, please," she moaned out, not quite sure of what she begged for now.
She raised her head to see black eyes staring back at her as he lapped at her center. She was getting close and he knew it. His mouth raised from her dripping core to attach back to her clit. His tongue flicked across it at a rapid speed causing her to scream out a release.
That didn't stop him though. Aro continued his assault upon her till she began to plead for him to stop. He only stopped when he felt like he was stated on his fill of her blood. He pulled back, licking his lips for every last drop all the while staring deeply into her broken hazel eyes. He needed more of her. He ached to sink not only his teeth into her, but another asset of his too.
Her breathing was deep as she watched the crazed vampire in front of her. He wasn't the Aro she knew. This was a wild beast. She watched as he began to shred his clothing. Amara felt fear pulse throughout her veins. She wasn't at all prepared for this. She definitely wasn't ready for him to be naked in front of her, but what she saw made her tense up. His normally pale lips were stained pink from her blood. The next thing she noticed was he had to be slightly thicker than any man she had ever been with. His body was chiseled like that of a Greek statue and against her will her body prepared for the intrusion of his hard member.
Giving her voice one last chance at stopping this, Amara pleaded, "Aro please stop now before you do something you'll regret."
Aro zeroed in on her face. Inside him he tried clawing his way back to the forefront of his mind, but the beast's will was too strong right now. He was going to claim her now and no one would stop him till he has had his mate seated on his cock. As he lined up with her entrance tears began to leak from Amara's eyes. She had thought she was safe from things like this with them and hadn't thought they'd ever be the ones to try to rape her.
Aro heard her thoughts and watched the tears slide down her plump cheeks. He continued to battle himself, and needed to stop this. He needed to get away from her. He began to pull away from Amara by releasing her hands that he had grabbed. He was moving back just in time for the door to slam wide open.
Within a second Aro was torn from being near her. She quickly scampered across the bed and wrapped the sheets around her lower half. She looked to see Marcus and Caius cornering Aro across the room. Each vampire seemed to be in their own rage. They were hissing at each other silently having a conversation amongst themselves leaving Amara to be scared on the opposite side of the room.
"What on Earth were you thinking, Aro," Marcus hissed angrily.
"Mate," was all Aro said still slightly frenzied.
Caius looked from Amarantha and saw the tears sliding down her face. Once his hands were on Aro, he gripped Aro even more tightly. He growled, "You were about to take advantage of our mate's weakened state."
"I needed to claim. I didn't mean for this to happen," was all he could manage out. He got out of Caius' grip and tried to dodge the two vampires to get back to her only to have Marcus crash him against a nearby wall.
"She's not ready for that, Aro! Now calm down before we have to remove your head," Marcus growled at the out of control vampire.
Aro thrashed in Marcus' hold trying to get out of his grip to get to her. Marcus slammed his head into the wall again in an attempt to bring him back. Aro looked at Marcus, "Smell the air and tell me you would have stop yourself from claiming her."
Marcus could already smell her intoxicating scent mixed with the metallic scent of her blood. He was having a hard time staying in control, but he would never do something to hurt her like force himself upon her. So he voiced that to his brother, "You've hurt her, Aro, by forcing yourself on her. She is not ready to be claimed by any of us! Control yourself!"
Aro was finally able to make his way fully back into his mind, but the damage was already done. He turned to look at Amara to see what mess he caused and slumped against Marcus' hold after seeing the despair in their mate's eyes. He fully submitted to his brothers.
Marcus turned his head to Caius, "Caius, will you take him to his office and keep him there till the next meal comes?"
Caius stood still as his own beast clawed to get out. Her blood was calling him to take her again. He stood his ground against it though and grabbed the very naked Aro by the scruff of his neck and left in a blur.
Amara felt her legs shake from the onslaught of emotions rushing through her like waves as two of them left. She felt the rest of her to begin to shake as Marcus very slowly made his way to her. She didn't know if she wanted to be around any of them with how easily they could over power her.
"Amarantha, are you alright," he asked as he drew near.
She felt like collapsing in a puddle on the floor. A sob made its way through her throat. He was beside her reaching out for her when she flinched away from his grip. "Amarantha, please," he started with a plea before reassuring her, "I will never harm you."
That caused her weeping to echo around the room. She couldn't contain the hurt she felt inside. When she felt Marcus pull her into his chest she remained tense as she cried into it. He soothed her by rubbing circles into her back and whispering words of endearment to her in hopes of calming her down.
"Everything's going to be alright, mia dolcezza, let it out."
"I-I thought y'all'd never hurt me," she managed to say between sobs.
"Amarantha, I'm so sorry. I should have been here sooner," Marcus continued holding her.
"He-he," she took a shaky breath, "he forced himself-"
"I know, cara mia, I know," he smoothed out her hair with his free hand. "I won't make excuses for him, but he was not in his right mind. The other side of us had taken him over."
She pulled back a little to look him in the face, confusion etched on her features, "I don't understand."
Marcus released a soft sigh, "Let's get you freshened up and clothed before I explain."
She trembled in his grasp. Nodding, she took his lead to the connected bathroom. He released his hold on her for a moment. She heard him start the shower for her before turning back to her. He gave her a sad smile, "Take a shower, I'll bring you fresh clothes and when you're done we will talk."
Not trusting her voice she just nodded again. When he left the bathroom she felt safe enough to strip and step under the spraying water. There more tears made their way to the surface. She hadn't felt so hopeless in such a long time. She felt betrayed by her body for reacting the way it did to his touches when clearly her mind didn't want anything to do with it. She scrubbed hard at her skin just to try to feel clean again. It wasn't till her skin was raw from the scrubbing that she stopped. As she washed her hair the tears began to dry up, but the thoughts didn't go away.
She was almost taken against her will and now she was feeling numb to the world. She should have just stayed in Forks. At least then she would be safer than she was here. No one ever attacked her for being on her period there. She didn't understand how things led up to this.
When she was done she left the shower feeling cleaner than before, but the feeling of Aro on top of her was still there. The feeling of his mouth hadn't disappeared just because he did. She wanted to forget this, but knew she wouldn't be able to. Just another trauma to stack upon the many she had been dealt in life. She noticed on the counter were more comfy clothing for her to change into. She got dressed and cleaned her glasses before placing them on her face. Looking in the slightly fogged mirror she could make out her reddened, puffy eyes. She didn't feel okay.
Walking out of the bathroom she noticed Marcus standing near the fireplace looking deep in its flames. 'He must have started a fire for me,' she thought as she timidly approached.
"Have a seat, Amarantha," he directed her to the one in front of the fireplace.
Once seated he brought her a blanket and covered her up. She would have smiled at him if she felt like she could, but right now no joy sat on her features. He went back to the fireplace, "There is no excuse for what Aro has done. He forced himself on you when you clearly didn't want his advances. The reason is because you're in heat to us vampires. We have two sides to us as you know and with your scent right now it is very hard to keep control of ourselves. I will admit it is even hard for me to be standing here right now. I have this need to claim you and to sink my teeth into you to the point that I ache."
Amara nodded in understanding. She didn't like that even he was struggling to be around her right now. "Is this like this with the other female human employees you have?"
He shook his head no, "They aren't our mate. Their bodies aren't crying out to us like yours is."
She bit her bottom lip. She just didn't understand one thing. "But how did you know I was needing help and what took so long," she asked emotionlessly.
"The fact that we came just in time to stop him from starting the bond was because of Felix. He heard your cry from outside your door and came to us immediately. He would have stopped it himself, but Aro is Felix's master, just like we are to him. We were the only ones that could stop Aro. So I am sorry for us not being here sooner."
She stared off into the distance. Her lower jaw shook slightly trying to keep in the budding sob. She tucked her legs into her chest and wrapped her arms as best she could around them. She wanted to leave this place and never come back. There was one thing though, she knew that she'd never be able to go. Deep down she cared for Marcus a lot and she had begun to care about Caius. Could she hurt them in the process? The answer was no. She couldn't do what was done to her to anyone. It was just not who she was.
Marcus felt a shared sorrow for his mate. He didn't know what he could do to make it better. He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her sitting form. He felt helpless. What he offered next almost tore his heart out, "Amarantha, I wish I could take all this away from you. Make you forget that it ever happened, but I cannot. You didn't deserve any of this and I would understand if you'd wished to return to Forks."
Her head turned to Marcus her eyes focusing on something other than the nothing she stared at before. She saw the pain on his face. Amara couldn't do that to him. So she simply sated, "Come with me."
"To Forks? I can't, cara mia, I am not accepted there," his hands came up to her face to wipe away the shed tears.
"Then anywhere," she became desperate. Her hands went to hold his to her face, "Anywhere but here, please."
Marcus took a moment to think it over. He found no harm in taking her out for a day or two just to get away. He just couldn't be away for too long. "Okay, we'll go somewhere and I know just the place to take you. We can't be gone long. I still have to rule alongside my brothers." Marcus looked into her eyes. He would make her happy again, he promised himself.
She closed her eyes, unable to keep eye contact too long and nodded her understanding. Any time away would do her some good. Marcus placed an Innocent kiss to her temple before standing up and releasing his hands from her face.
"Be ready to depart by tonight," he said before leaving.
Marcus made his way through the castle to Aro's office. He wanted to tear him limb from limb, but he would hold back for the sake of Amarantha and let her dole out the punishment to Aro. Its the least he and Caius could do for their mate.
He arrived outside Aro's office in no time. Marcus was many things right now and livid was only one of the many emotions he felt. He braced himself for not acting out his want to pummel Aro's face in. His grip on the door's handle was a little to tight to the point it broke under the pressure. When he walked in he saw that Caius beat him to it.
Aro sat slumped in his chair with only a cloak on and cracks on his skin slowly healing. Caius was about to hit him again, but Marcus intervened. "Caius, I think you've done enough," he reasoned.
Caius turned to Marcus seething, "He hurt her. Our mate! This is only the beginning of what needs to be done."
Marcus nodded, "I agree, but I feel as if it should be Amarantha's decision as to what happens to him."
"How is she," Aro managed to ask, sounding defeated. He knew he messed up big time. He felt like dying for hurting her so deeply.
"You don't get to ask about her after what you did," roared Caius as his hand connected with Aro's head.
Marcus felt satisfaction at the cracking sound of the punch to Aro, but he still got on to his brother, "Caius, no more."
Marcus walked slowly over to Aro and lifted his head, "For your information, Aro, she is terrified and I don't blame her."
Aro looked pained, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just smelt her, she came over to me and all hell broke loose."
"What exactly did you do," Marcus asked, needing to know how far he went. They all needed to know.
"I," Aro paused, a look of displeasure seeped over his features, "It started off with me kissing her and then taking her to the bed."
"And how did you become without clothes," Caius ground out, trying not to hit him again.
"I ripped off her lower clothing and," he stopped. If a vampire could cry Aro would have tears slowly leaking from his eyes, "I took advantage of her. At some point I tore through my own clothing, but I did not sleep with her."
"It looked like you were damn close to taking her against her will," Caius exclaimed.
Aro looked at both of his brothers, "I stopped myself before it happened. That is when you both came in, I swear I did not do more."
"But would you have really stopped if we didn't bust through the door," Marcus questioned.
"I was in the process of doing so," Aro pleaded, "Once I saw the broken look within her eyes it caused a surge of guilt to rush inside me. I was stopping.. I shouldn't have done what I did."
Caius still wanted to rip his head off from his worthless body. Let him feel what its like to be taken advantage of. Caius wanted to a great many things along the lines of torture to him. He snarled at him.
"How is the bond," Aro asked, needing to know he didn't completely ruin his chance with their mate.
"Is that all you care about? Is the bond," Caius growing angrier. Marcus stopped his fist from connecting to Aro's head again.
Marcus looked at the bonds then. He saw his connection to Amarantha had suffered a little bit from this and so did Caius', but Aro's suffered the most. What once was a small light line was now dark and almost nonexistent. He grabbed Aro's hand so he could see what he was seeing.
If Aro could have crumpled into a million pieces at that point he would. He never lost control like this and had always kept a pristine reputation when it came to being in control. If he allowed himself to think about it he could recall her thoughts during his attack. How she pleaded for him to stop multiple times. Her being broken made him feel just the same.
"What do I do now," he asked his brothers.
"Nothing as of now," Marcus looked at him sternly, "I am taking her away from here for a few days. She needs a break and it will help her a little to have some human moments."
Aro raised his head at that, "You are taking her away? What about her safety?"
"She'll be safer away from you," Caius said coolly to him, "I trust Marcus to not take advantage of her and so should you. He is the only one of us that hasn't lost his control with Amarantha."
Aro didn't like the thought of them leaving without any guards so he suggested, "At least take the twins when you leave. I know I messed up, but it would make me feel better knowing you both were taken care of."
Marcus shook his head, "No, I don't think we will take your weapons, Aro. We'll take my guards if we must. It will be easier to travel with fewer people in our group for where we're going."
"And where do you plan to take her?"
Meanwhile Amarantha was packing as best she could for not knowing where they were going. She just shoved outfit after outfit within her medium duffle bag with wheels. She made sure she had enough to wear for at least four days and packed extra underwear just in case because if she knew anything, accidents happened. She had a couple of hours to spare when she was done so she decided to also look through her CDs to find anything she wanted to listen to to keep her mind preoccupied.
She placed in a disc, not remembering which one it was. She sat back waiting to get lost in the music as she continued to think of what, if anything else, she needed to pack. As soon as the song started Amara knew exactly what CD this was.
"Oh girl we are the same
We are young and lost and so afraid
There's no cure for the pain
No shelter from the rain
All our prayers seem to fail
In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms
In world so hollow
It is breaking my heart
In joy and sorrow my home's in your arms
In world so hollow
It is breaking my heart"
She became still before walking over to the player and pressing skip. She didn't want to think about what just happened and the song did not help keep her mind from thinking of all three vampires right now. The next song wasn't any better.
"When you don't see me...
It's not a matter of going to grow
It's not a matter of time or how I fell
I'm throwing off the shadow of a better man now
What you see is what you never had
Get real
Get another
I don't exist when you don't see me
I don't exist when your not here
What the eye don't see won't break the heart
You can make believe when we're apart
But when you leave I disappear
When you don't see me...
Oh, its kind of different when you're not there
You can lease the peace of mind
You bought a mask, I put it on
You never thought to ask me
If I wear it when you're gone
Get real
Get another"
She huffed and skipped this one as well. Was this her, 'I'm depressed CD?'
"Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again"
"That's it, fuck trying to listen to music," she said out loud to herself and shut the machine off. She needed out of here already. She walked out, over to her balcony and stood by the railing a moment before grabbing a cigarette from her pack on the nearby table.
As she exhaled her first puff the feeling of Aro's body on top of her returned. The panic had never fully gone away, she just kicked her brain into thinking and doing other things. It was how she handled a lot of her trauma by bottling it up till the bottle became too full causing it to burst. Her bottle was beyond full.
She inhaled more smoke feeling the burn in her lungs. She wanted to be smoking weed right now to numb herself, to help her forget, but sadly she hadn't had that vice since moving here. She hoped he planned to take her to Amsterdam at this point. At least there she'd be able to get stoned legally.
Her mind kept trying to wander back to the events earlier with each puff of her cigarette. 'I didn't want it, right? My head was against it, but why did my body say otherwise,' she questioned herself. This situation has definitely fucked her up more than she'd realize.
She looked over the balcony once her cigarette was finished and debated with herself. If she jumped she wouldn't have to deal with any of this anymore. None of the thoughts or flashbacks would plague her because she would be dead. Who would miss her if she were gone?
'No one,' her diseased mind echoed.
She grabbed a chair that was close to her and put it up to the railing so she could lift herself up on to it. Each step she took her heart beat grew faster. Was she really about to do this? Tears started forming within the corners of her eyes before slowly sliding down. She stood on the chair and with her new found height she went to sit herself on the the railing with her feet dangling over. It was after she had sat down and was thinking of sliding off when two arms encircled around her waist and pulled her back over.
"What are you doing, Amara," came from behind her.
She turned her head and through watery eyes saw Caius holding her, "Nothing."
Continuing to hold her, "That didn't look like nothing. It looked like you were about to jump."
"So what if I did? It's not like I'd be missed," her depressed mind in control of her actions and words right now. She just wanted the feeling of Aro out of her mind.
"Is that what you really think," he asked, "What about Marcus? What about me? Have you even thought of your shifter?"
She bowed her head as more tears escaped her. She hadn't thought about them, having tunnel vision on the one statement that rang in her mind. He continued, "There are many people who care about you, Amarantha."
He spun her around and lifted her head with one finger underneath her chin. Once he saw her face he felt his anger towards Aro spike. She was clearly not within her right mind right now. "Look at me," he demanded, to which her eyes gave him a quick glance.
Seeing the anger on his face she for a moment thought it was directed at her. "Give me the order and I will rip his head off," he seethed.
Amara felt a small grin etch its way on her face. He was willing to hurt his brother for her. She shook her head no. If anything was to happen to Aro it would be by her own actions, not theirs. She hadn't even thought she'd be dealing any punishment out. She felt like a worthless damsel in distress. She was powerless to a vampire right now. That much was proven obvious today.
Risking more than a glance at Caius, she sniffled before speaking, "How would I be able to do it myself in this state?"
Caius thought for a moment, "Use your words. They have more power here than you think."
"Didn't feel like it earlier," she muttered.
"Earlier Aro wasn't in his mind which is dangerous while you're still human. He should have had more control, but, in the same breath, I am guilty of doing exactly what he did. So it would be hypocritical of me to say anything about what he did. I will say that even I am having difficulty staying near you.
"It's the bond that's making us want to possess you, completely. It's not an excuse for what he did, but it is the reason," he explained.
She looked cross at Caius. Amara hated that she could find it within herself to sympathize with Caius and in turn Aro. She wasn't sure why, but if she was going to blame it on something it would be the damned bond itself. 'Curse whoever gave her this fate of being mated period,' she screamed within her mind.
"Fuck this! All of this! I just wanted a normal life and it hasn't been anywhere near normal since I moved out of Texas. I never should have left! Maybe then none of this would have happened," she panted after her rant. Amara was fuming with fire in her eyes.
"Change me," she demanded right then pounding her hands into his chest, "So I can rip all of your heads off!"
Caius chuckled then causing her anger to spike, "We will change when you're ready and right now is not the time. Personally, I wish to keep my head, it really hurts when its not connected to your body."
She released an irate huff. She didn't feel like she was being taken seriously. Amara looked into his eyes, "Let me go. It's not like I can leap to my death now. I have you to stop me."
He reluctantly let his arms drop from around her and took a step back. He shook his head, "When you come back you will not be in this room any longer. You'll be located either in Marcus' wing or in mine."
"Why," she asked as if she had not just tried jumping.
He gave her a look which made her back down in trying to argue about it. "You'll be better looked after closer to us than far away."
She sighed and gave a short, "Fine."
Just then Marcus came stepping out onto the balcony, "What's going on here?"
Caius said under his breath so Amara would be unable to hear him, "She tried jumping. If I hadn't come to check on her, who knows what would have happened."
Marcus visibly tensed. His head went from staring at Caius, down to look at her. She stood looking testy as if she was ready to fight at any moment. He couldn't blame her for being angry, but he could not stand for her killing herself. "Move her belongings to the room next to mine while we're gone," he ordered his brother, loud and stern enough for Amara to shrink a little by his tone, "She will be staying with me."
Caius looked at Marcus and knew in an instant he was troubled by Amarantha's actions. He nodded to Marcus before turning to Amara. "Please don't do anything reckless while gone. Know that I will miss you," his hand went to her cheek wiping away the last tear she shed. He gave Marcus a message before leaving, "If you hurt her I'll kill both you and Aro."
"Same applies to you, dear Caius," Marcus replied before Caius was out of ear shot.
Amara stood there watching the odd exchange. She hated it when they spoke to where she couldn't hear them. It made her feel uncomfortable. They were obviously talking about her. When she was alone with Marcus his stare made her shuffle on her feet. He did not look pleased with her.
"Are you ready to depart," Marcus asked with no emotion.
She nodded, "My bag is on the table."
They walked into the room to find a lone vampire there waiting. Amara had never met them before and wondered quickly who they were. They had darker skin that still seemed sickly pale. Their hair had short dreads and saw currently pulled back. They dressed impeccably like the others in this coven with a dark colored cloak over them.
"This is Santiago, Amarantha. He will be accompanying us on our trip," Marcus introduced them.
Santiago gave them a bow of respect before looking at Marcus for instruction. Marcus commanded, "Take her bags to the car. We will be there shortly."
Santiago gave a nod of his head before doing as told, leaving the two by themselves. Amara fiddled with the edge of her shirt, "I can tell you're mad at me."
He turned to look at her his jaw locked. He was mad at the situation, not her persay. He sighed, "I am more upset with you than mad."
"Upset," she questioned.
"I am disappointed that you would so easily choose to die than to heal from what happened and become stronger. I'm upset that you wouldn't think that the people around you would be affected by the loss of you. And I'm displeased with the fact that we, no, I am not enough to keep you here," he sounded dejected as he spoke to her.
"I wasn't thinking clearly, Marcus. I am sorry for not thinking," she sounded kind of miffed. What would they expect from an already mentally unstable person? To be all rainbows and sunshine after almost being raped by her own mate. Sure she was able to moved past it with Caius, but Aro was different. He knew everything she's been through. Knew exactly the past she had lived and still lost his control. If he was so perfect he should have thought of her being here and being a female human would do to them.
"Let's go, Amarantha," he offered his arms to her, "It will be best if I take you down to the car."
She walked into his arms willingly after placing her backpack with her essentials inside on her back and let him pick her up with ease. He waited till her arms were around his neck to take off. As they sped through the halls of the castle, Amara could have sworn she saw a despondent Aro watching them leave. If she had the seconds she would have flipped him the bird. She didn't care if he was sad.
'Let him be,' she thought bitterly.
They arrived in the garage and were inside a black limousine in no time. Ready to set off in any direction. Amara was happy at the thought of finally being able to get out. She looked out the window as they pulled out of the garage into the dimming sky. Amara didn't know if she should talk with the other vampire in the front until Marcus closed the window for a false sense of privacy.
"We're going to be traveling to an island off of Greece that I own. There will sadly be few humans there to interact with, but it's supposed to be a place of relaxation and tranquility. I hope you'll enjoy it," he stated.
"You own an island?" Amara's eyes got big. How much wealth did they accumulated over the years?
Marcus nodded, "The coven owns many things, but this is my personal place. Its where I go to escape reality for a while."
"Do you go there often," she asked.
"Not as much as I used to. Let's just say I hope over the years the people I've entrusted my island to have taken care of it," Marcus put simply.
She nodded, and turned around to the window to look out at the night time sky. She enjoyed the view of the stars and crescent moon. It was just over an hour before they arrived at the nearest airport. They pulled directly on to the tarmac and got close to the private plan they'd be taking. Amara stepped out of the vehicle after Marcus and looked nervous at the plane. She tried not reminding him that she hated flying, but her apprehension gave her away.
"Come, mia dolcezza, you will be fine, I promise," he offered his hand which she grabbed.
As he led her to the stairs she couldn't wrap her mind around them going to a private island. She wondered what it looked like, having never been to anything, but Galveston or South Padre down in Texas. She wondered if it would be the same.
When on the plane she grew even more curious, "So how long will it take to get there?"
"About two hours," Marcus answered while fastening her belt for take off.
"You know, I could do that myself," she told him, but still allowed him to continue what he was doing.
"I know," Marcus made sure she was secured before going to buckling up himself. It was not long after that, that they took off high into the night sky.
Amara felt completely safe with Marcus even though he could easily take advantage of her. He of all people she trusted would never do that to her. His self restraint had been impeccable even now as she bled next to him.
Remembering she was on her period, she looked to Marcus and whispered, "I will need to make a pit stop before the island. I need to buy feminine products."
"Don't worry, mia dolcezza, I made a call ahead of time to make sure certain things would be in the house for our arrival," he placed his hand on her casted one, "We might stop at a doctor while there and see where you are in healing."
"That would be nice," she scrunched her face as a pulsing cramp hit her.
"Are you okay," he looked over to her.
She nodded, "It's just a cramp, nothing big."
He wrapped his arm around her and she allowed herself to relax in his hold. Once they were able to take off there belts they repositioned for her to practically lay on top of him. He did not mind in the slightest. The closer she was the more content he became. He noticed when she fell asleep by listening to her evened out breaths and slowed heart rate. He sat there and meditated with her in his arms.
It was not long for them to fly over to his home land. He ope ed his eyes when he heard the captain announce their arrival and to buckle up. "Amarantha, mia amore, time to wake up," he said, gently nudging her till she awoke with a groan.
"But I'm so comfortable," she whined.
Smiling, he leaned down and gave her head a kiss, "You can sleep when we get to the island till then I need you awake."
"Can we get coffee," she asked, groggy.
"I will get you coffee," he motioned for the flight attendant they've had for years.
"Yes, Mr. Volturi," she asked.
"After we've landed can we please have some coffee," Marcus asked, being polite as always.
"Of course, sir." She walked away to buckle herself up.
"There, we will have coffee in no time," he said, smiling at his beloved.
Amara thanked him before rubbing her eyes with the back of her right hand. She didn't understand why she always got tired when traveling, but it happened to her ever since she was a child. She yawned, set herself upright in her seat and stretched. She noticed the other vampire, Santiago, staring at her, so she stared back.
Their eyes locked and he gave her a nod of his head before turning to look out the window which allowed her to take in more of his physical appearance. He was brawny like Felix, but no where near as bulky. His pierced ears along with his Brazilian features caused him to look like a teenage heart throb. She could easily picture him in a boy band with Felix which caused her to almost giggle out loud.
Turning from him, she looked out the window herself at the lights of the city they were landing in. "Where are we," she expressed her wonder.
"Athens, cara mia," he looked out the window with her, "Welcome to Greece."
There was so much history here. She couldn't help herself, "Are we going to do sightseeing?"
He turned to look at his mate, "We will one day, I guarantee it, but for now we are going to the island."
Once they landed completely, Amara was handed a cup of coffee in a to-go cup. She sipped on the bitter black substance and immediately felt wide awake. She prepared to leave by getting up and gathering her backpack. She exited the aircraft with Santiago in front of her and Marcus directly behind her.
There waiting for them was another limousine with tinted windows that made it impossible for her to see within. Santiago opened the door for them which she thanked him for before heading inside. She would never get used to the luxury they lived in. Marcus was behind her and as she got situated he closed the door.
"We have only a short drive till we reach the boat ride that we'll take to get to the island," he informed her as she sipped her coffee.
They left the airport to their destination. Marcus was right in saying it wasn't a long car ride considering it only took less than an hour to arrive at a port. By that time Amara was wired on caffeine from the strong coffee. She was helped out of the car by Marcus. She smelt the sea air and wished it was day time so she could see it better. Right now it just looked like a big black mass with a little of the moon's reflection over top.
They walked down to where the boat bobbed in the water. It was one that was big enough to go underneath to a lower deck. Which is where Amara found herself now. She would be on the top if there was anything for her to see, but with it being the middle of the night there was no use for her human eyes up top. Marcus joined her of course. He would rather be near her than away from her especially now.
The motion of the waves as they cut through them inside the fairly large vessel had Amara starting to become motion sick. She wasn't used to the feeling of being on a boat. Marcus looked her over, "You're looking a little green dear, do we need to go up top in case you feel like vomiting?"
"No, I think if I lay down with my eyes closed I might be fine," she managed out.
"Let me take you to the bed then," he stood up, but not fully for he was taller than the space beneath the top deck.
She grabbed his offered hand and stood up on shaky legs. As they headed further into the boat, Amara quickly became more wobbly on her non-sea legs. Marcus stopped and lifted her up in his arms for the rest of the way to the small bedroom. "Here we are," he set her on top of a feathery pillow topped bed, "I'll be in the other room if you need me, mia amore."
She nodded while laying down on top of the bed. She splayed out over top enjoying the comfort it brought as they headed off into a direction unknown to her. She didn't know how long she laid there before she felt well enough to pull put her MP3 player and put the earbuds in her ears. She turned it on shuffle and let the first song begin.
"Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I'm tired and I
I want to go to bed"
She loved this song and put it on repeat. Softly she sang along.
"Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
And then leave me alone
Don't try to wake me in the morning
'Cause I will be gone
Don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
Deep in the cell of my heart
I will feel so glad to go"
She melted further into the bed and let a few tears slide down her face. She sniffled, but continued to sing.
"Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I don't want to wake up on my own anymore
Sing to me
Sing to me
I don't want to wake up on my own anymore
Don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
Deep in the cell of my heart
I really want to go"
She felt the familiar tug of sleep beginning to take it toll on her. Slowly she crashed from the caffeine high and drifted away.
"There is another world
There is a better world
Well, there must be
Well, there must be"
She didn't know how long she was out, but she felt the small shake to her prone form.
"Mia dolcezza, we're here," Marcus said to her.
She opened one eye reluctantly before the other followed. Her vision focused on the an angelic form of her mate. She gave him a small smile before taking her earbuds out and turning off her MP3 player. "I didn't mean to go to sleep this time, I swear," she said, innocently.
"It's alright, cara mia, you'll get more rest while here," he helped her up off the bed and had her follow him up to the main deck. She could see the sun starting to rise and wondered exactly how long she slept and how far away from the mainland they were.
She turned to Marcus who had his head turned to the island. He looked at it as if the land itself held painful memories. Why would he take her here if he couldn't stand to be here himself? She found his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze in reassurance. His eyes drifted from the island to Amara.
"Welcome to Nísos Dídyma, Amarantha," his voice not as happy as before.
"Nísos Dídyma," she repeated near breathless when she began to fully see the beauty of the island thanks to the natural light. "Sounds perfect," she said, smiling up at him.
He nodded once before helping her off the boat and onto a stone path. Stepping off the boat Amara felt like she was transported back in time. Instead of lights lining the path, it was small fire columns that lined it. She grew excited at the white sand of the beach and the soft sound of the rolling waves. 'I could get used to beach life,' she thought immediately.
She was taken by surprise when she was picked up by Marcus and released a soft squeal. He spun her around joyously causing laughter to fall from her lips. All thoughts of the previous day at the back of her mind. For now she was living in the moment with Marcus. She secured her hold around him before he took off in the direction of where, she guessed, was the place they'd be staying.
Reaching the abode Amara gasped when they stood outside it. She was amazed that something that looked so ancient still stood pristine in this time. There were massive white walls with a gate that allowed them into what looked like a courtyard. Amara had to craned her head back to intake the large structure. The building had two floors and looked like a third to a tower up top. There weren't doors like you'd expect nowadays. Instead there were tall archways leading to the rooms. She was in awe. She really did step back in time once she set foot on this island.
Marcus set her down in the center of the courtyard and allowed her to spin around to take in the whole structure. He couldn't help the smile that graced his features at the excitement evident on his mate's face. His eyes followed her as she went into the main room right in front of them.
"This is amazing, Marcus," she said as she found modern essentials within the ancient house. She continued going from room to room, absorbing the new place. She found a bathroom, a kitchen, and sitting rooms. Upstairs she found bedrooms and another larger bathroom. On the third floor she found plush pillows meant for sitting, but what really grabbed her attention was the view of the whole island up there. There were trees, but none of them were as high as the tower which allowed her to see the blue water of the sea.
Marcus walked behind her everywhere she went enjoying the fact that she liked his home. She was standing in the middle of the tower when he came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He bent his head and kissed the top of hers, "How are you doing?"
She beamed up at him, her eyes glowing with mirth, "Fantastic. Thank you for bringing me here."
"Anything for you," he whispered to her and only her.
She basked in the view a while longer still within his arms before it hit her. "I have to use the bathroom," she stated quickly making her way down the stairs.
She took care of herself while inside the bathroom. She found all the products she generally used already stocked inside it, making her wonder how closely he paid attention to her. After washing her hands, she walked out to find Marcus looking outside a window in the main bedroom. He looked sullen in the light of the sun. She snuck up to him and wrapped her arms around his middle, "Why the long face?"
His head shifted to the side to look at her before turning slightly to bring her to his arms. He held her a few moments before speaking, "It's just been a very long time since I've been here. I am happy to be back, but also sad. So much has changed since the last time I was here."
"What all has changed? When was the last time you were here," she asked out of curiosity.
"The last time I was here Didyme was with me," he answered her truthfully.
Amara loosened her hold slightly. She looked up at him with mirrored sadness. She wondered why he would bring her here to a place that held memories of his past love. She looked down, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."
He lifted her head, "Don't apologize, Amarantha. You have a right to know."
"Then why bring me here if it pains you so," she stared deep into his red eyes.
"Because this island deserves new memories. Happy ones with you," he stated.
She gave him a soft grin, "You can be really sweet, you know that?"
"Only for you," he replied.
They stayed together a few moments longer before parting. Amara no longer felt tired. Instead she felt adventurous and wanted to explore the new found territory. Anything to keep her busy. "What should we do," she asked him.
"Well we have a few hours before the doctor arrives. We could relax before then."
"Doctor?" Amara looked at him with her brows furrowed.
"I might have requested one to come to the island to look at your wrist," he sated simply.
"They do that," she questioned.
"With enough money they do," he looked at her seriously.
She shook her head, "Marcus, I'm not comfortable with you spending so much on me."
He touched her cheek and caressed it with his thumb. He bent to her and gave the other cheek a kiss. Pulling back slightly his eyes met hers, "I would spend every last cent on you. Let me take care of you."
She shook her head again, but sighed reluctantly giving into his will. "Fine, but it doesn't mean I have to like it."
They moved to the bed and lounged on it. She was happily in his safe arms. He drew circles on her arms with his free hand while the other held her hand to his non-beating heart. Every now and then he would lift it up to his lips and kiss the palm of her hand. Each time his lips touched her she felt heat in her cheeks rise to the surface.
Amara sighed in contentment. She knew she was safe here far from Aro, far from Volterra. So why did she get this nagging feeling that something was wrong? She needed the feeling to go away. She leaned up on her bad arm and looked at Marcus. He had been looking out at the window till she shifted in his arms. She reached her hand that had been held by his to his cheek. She studied his perfect features before leaning up and kissing him.
That surprised him. He leaned back from her lips after a moment, "Don't you think it's to soon for you, mia amore?"
"Just shut up and kiss me," she replied before taking his lips with hers again.
He gripped her waist as she climbed on top of him. This was her way of taking control back. She was in charge at this moment which he willingly let her be. Amara pulled back after they made out on the bed for a while. She went to grip the end of her shirt to bring it over her head, but Marcus stopped her.
"Amarantha, you don't have to rush yourself especially after today. Let us take things slow," he urged her to wait.
She just wanted to feel something and Marcus was the closest person who could make her feel happy. She wanted that right now, but understood what he meant. She never said she was healthy or had a healthy way of dealing with her emotions. She bit her lip and looked away bashfully.
"Hey," he raised his hand to her face and cupped it, "I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy being with you right now, cara mia. I just think you need time and I don't want to cause anymore harm."
"You wouldn't be," she pressed. "I just.. I just want to have my control back," the last part she whispered unable to look at him.
He calculated the situation. Marcus did not want to be a regret for her, though he did want her to be happy. His intention of bringing her here was not to have his way with her. He wanted her to be secure far away from other vampires and even humans. He wanted the weight of what happened to be free from her mind, but it seemed that no matter what the distance between them and the threat was, she was still plagued by the effects of the day.
"Amarantha, look at me please," he desperately wanted to see into her eyes. Her eyes spoke of many emotions that rushed throughout her. She was anything, but ready to move forward in their relationship. He would relent, "If by the end of our stay here your feelings on the matter have not changed I will let you have me how ever you want."
"So it's not a no," she asked.
"It's a maybe," he replied.
Amara nodded before going to move off of him. He held her there before bringing her to lay completely on top of him. He enjoyed the feeling of her around his form and he told her so, causing her to blush. Her head nudged into his chest and her arms went under his to hold him to her. They stayed like this until they were interrupted by Santiago.
"Master, the doctor has arrived."
"Thank you, Santiago. We'll be down momentarily," Marcus replied, his head buried in Amara's hair. "Come, cara mia, we have to go," he mumbled.
She nodded and began to move till he stop her once to place a kiss on her lips. She moaned into the kiss from the warm feeling that spread throughout her body. Once up he guided her down to were a squaty, older gentleman stood. Marcus greeted in what she assumed was Greek. The doctor did not look disturbed by his red eyes which piqued Amara's interest, 'Just how many humans did the Volturi have under their umbrella?'
They continued to converse with each other as if she wasn't there. It was minutes till the older man turned his attention to her and in broken English, "Hello, how does arm feel?"
She smiled, "Hi, umm, it hasn't hurt in a while and it mostly just itches."
He nodded. Turning to Marcus he spoke with him more in his natural language, before turning to her, "Let's remove cast and see."
Marcus led them to the room where Santiago had set down a machine Amara was all too familiar with. The doctor directed her to sit in a chair inside the room. As she sat he went about removing some tools from his doctor's bag she hadn't noticed he carried. He took the device from the machine that had the end of what looked like a saw blade and turned the machine on. He went to cut into the cast down both sides of it. Switching the machine off when he was done, he took a tool from the nearby table and began to gently pry open her cast so that he may cut through the cloth to completely remove it.
When the cast was removed, Amara's wrist looked slightly smaller from the lack of use and was covered in dead skin. The doctor spoke with Marcus again. When he stopped speaking Marcus looked at Amara, "He said for you to go wash your arm and to be gentle with it."
She nodded and got up. It took her no time to relocate the downstairs bathroom to wash off her newly freed appendage. Returning to Marcus and the doctor, they had her sit once more before the doctor began to look at her wrist and slightly pressing on it.
"This hurt," he asked to which she shook her head no. He nodded and went to his bag to pull out an arm brace. He turned to Marcus to explain his intentions which Marcus relayed them to Amara. She was to wear this arm brace and when she got back to where they lived needed to get an x-ray just to be sure she was fully healed. Amara thanked the doctor for his time. He gave her a smile and said, "Anything for Saint Marcus."
That caused her to look up at Marcus, questioning him with her eyes. He ignored her stare and walked the doctor to the outer gate not caring that his skin was being shown in the sun to him. Santiago grabbed the machine and was out of the room before her eyes could process it. She was left alone for only a few moments till Marcus returned. Amara asked then, "Saint Marcus?"
"It's nothing, cara mia," he shrugged it off.
"It's got to be something with the way he looked at you," Amara pushed.
"I might have kept other vampires from coming here and in Volterra. It's a name they've called me for centuries. I am anything but a Saint, Amarantha," he explained hoping she would see that he was very much a monster as his brothers were. He was no less dangerous just because he had controlled himself thus far.
She giggled, "I can imagine you're anything, but a Saint. You drink human blood for a living."
"Do you hold that against me," he asked.
"Why would I? It's how you stay alive," she stated as if he had nothing to worry about.
"I could drink animal blood," he offered.
"Why? That would be like telling me I can no longer eat meat. Its not going to happen. Meat's to good to stop eating it, so why would I be a vegetarian when I'm not meant to be one," she questioned him.
He looked at her astonished. What kind of human had he come across to be so accepting of his diet? He picked her up then causing her to wrap her legs around his waist. "How did I get so lucky to have found you," he whispered in her ear.
She shrugged, "Fate, I guess."
He smiled before taking her up to the room they'd be sharing and laying down with her. She mentioned her medication which he grabbed along the way for her to take. They decided she would sleep a few hours before they'd do anything.
Aro stood in his rooms, back in Volterra staring into nothing, thinking about what he did. He hated himself for what his actions caused. He wasn't exactly the easiest person to be around because of his power, but now he's gone and thoroughly ruined his chance with his mate. How could she ever forgive him after what he's done? Would she ever let him within her presence again? He was plagued by so many questions it sent him into a rage.
He went around the room destroying everything in his path. Letting out the anger he had for himself. When the very last thing he would break was broken he was unnecessarily panting, standing still in the center of the chaos. If he could not make this right with Amarantha he would ask her for the ultimate punishment for he could not and would not live with himself.