Warning: NSFW, Unhealthy Coping
Song to Listen to: The Man Who Swallowed My Soul by Persephone
It had been a few days on the island when Amara stood at the edge of a pool of clear water atop of a rock. She had debated on jumping in fully clothed because of how inviting the water looked. Turning to look at Marcus, "Wanna swim?"
He walked up behind her, "We aren't dressed for it and you're to take it easy on your wrist."
"I'll be fine," she reassured him, "Besides we don't have to have the right attire to go swimming. Plus exercise is good for cramps."
Proving her point she began to undress right in front of him down to her underwear before jumping right into the cool water, her laughter following her. She peaked her head above the water to see Marcus still standing on the edge of the rock she jumped off of with a smirk on his face, shaking his head. "Come on in, the water's perfect," she called to him from below.
She watched with hungry eyes as he unclasped his cloak and began to shed his layers of clothing. He was obviously teasing her by how slowly he striped in front of her. When he got to his pants he stopped. "There is only one problem, cara mia," he called out to her.
"What's that, Marcus," she asked.
"I'm not wearing anything underneath," he stated causing her to blush.
Biting her lip she thought of something daring. Reaching behind her she unclasped her bra and slid the wet clothing from her form. Next to come off was her underwear. Amara tossed the articles of clothing up at him. She stared at him directly into his eyes even at a distance he held her captive.
If Marcus needed to breathe, his breath would have caught in his throat. His red eyes could not help but roam her body. If he wasn't careful something would stir within his pants. Feeling that since she so readily got naked in front of him, he shouldn't feel any shame doing the same for her. He undid his belt and let his slacks fall to the ground. He stood on the rock in all of his unabashed glory.
Amara only had a second to take in his sculpted body before he jumped in next to her. The splash he made caused her to giggle right beside him. She expected him to come up immediately, but he didn't.
"Marcus," she called his name while looking around for him. She could see clearly in the water, but did not see him anywhere. She swam further out, calling, "Marcus!"
She didn't notice him sneaking up on her from behind until he grabbed her, causing her to scream. She turned to see him with a wide smile on his face, "You jerk," she slapped at his chest, her own smile wide on her face, "Don't ever do that again. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
He laughed, "You are completely safe here, mia dolcezza, if you were to have a heart attack I'd just change you."
She swam silently in his arms a moment before turning around in them, "Change me now."
He blinked a few times before shaking his head, "You don't know how badly I've wanted to hear those words from you, but I can't unless something happened."
She cocked her head, eyebrows furrowed, "And why not? Why does it have to wait till I'm near death or mentally stable?"
"We, as in my brothers and I, will be the ones to change you. It will not be one of us, but all three of us. With how things have gone I don't see you being changed for a while now," he answered her honestly.
She pulled away from him, "Because of Aro, I won't be changed?"
"Because you nearly killed yourself afterwards is why we won't do it. Amarantha this isn't a punishment or permanent. This is just until you are better and can mentally withstand the change," he swam toward her.
"I am against that by the way. At this rate I'll never be better. Plus you said all three of you will be apart of it. What if I don't want that," she asked, continuing to swim away, keeping distance between them. "What if I just want it to be you or Caius?"
"Then we will discuss that when the time comes, but right now isn't it," he said, reaching out for her. She tried moving away, but he grabbed a hold of her waist and brought her to him. His legs keeping their heads above the water, he brought his mouth to her neck and kissed it. "Mia amore, you will be one of us, sooner rather than later, I promise don't rush it. Enjoy your humanity while you still have it."
She looked into his eyes, seeing that all he spoke was the truth to her. She nodded before dipping her head to his and capturing his lips in a searing kiss. He groaned in her mouth, his hands wrapped around her form squishing her to his chest. Her breasts felt so soft against the hard plains of his chest it made him want for more.
He deepened the kiss by snaking his tongue around hers. She echoed his actions by moving her tongue in time with his. When she did have to pull back to breathe he continued to kiss down her neck to her chest. He did not touch her breasts so he kissed above them. She moaned out her frustration and grabbed one of his hands that had been roaring her body and placed it on her breast giving him permission to touch all of her.
He, careful of his strength, gave her big breast a squeeze in his hand before going to play with her pierced nipple. She took in a shaky breath before releasing a loud moaning whimper as she felt herself becoming wet even though she had a tampon within her. His mouth went down to her other breast and encircled the nipple with his mouth. He suckled and nibbled lightly on her nipple.
"Oh fuck, Marcus," she cried out unable to stay quite. She rocked her hips against his hard abdomen, wishing she was just a little lower.
He released her flesh with a pop and moved his blackened eyes from her chest to her face. He was in awe at how flustered she looked within the sunlight. He swallowed the pooling venom within his mouth. He wanted her now and would let her have her way with him, but he knew now that this was all that he would allow to happen. He nuzzled her neck and kissed it once more before gently biting her flesh and sucking on it. One thing he would do was mark her. This caused Amara to lean her head so he'd have better access.
"Marcus," she started.
"Hmm," he said while still suckling her neck.
"I want to go further," she stated with half lidded eyes.
He released her neck and looked at the bruise he left, giving it a kiss before answering. "Not yet, mia amore," Marcus replied sternly.
She looked at him confused. 'Did he not want me,' she doubted herself even though they had just had a heated exchange. 'Am I not attractive to him,' she could not stop self-conscious self from peaking out.
"Amarantha, what's wrong," he asked, not liking the sullen expression on her face.
She remained silent. Maybe she was overthinking it, but she wasn't used to being rejected for sex. She was used to rejection, yes, but generally when sex was involved there was no rejection. She looked anywhere, but at him, feeling the familiar prickling tears forming in her eyes. She needed to get a grip over her emotions.
"Amarantha, speak to me," he brought a hand to her face and turned her head to look at him, "How can I fix the problem if I don't know what it is?"
She looked into his black eyes and asked in a small voice, "Do you not want me?"
He huffed a small chortle before he brought her body lower and pressed the apex of her sex to his hardened member. This caused her to gasp at the feeling of him pressed so close to her own sex. He studied her, "You drive me to near insanity. I need you, Amarantha, but I won't have you till I am sure I won't be something you'll regret."
It was her turn to look at him. She shook her head at him, "Can't you see that I could never regret you, Marcus."
He sighed, "Its still not the end of the trip yet, Amarantha. You could still change your mind."
She shook her head more, "Then you don't know me at all. Once an Aries makes up their mind about something they tend to stick with it. We're stubborn like that."
He looked at her, "Aries? When was your birthday?"
She shrugged, "A few days ago."
"Why didn't you tell me," he asked, surprised. He figured all humans celebrated the year they were born.
"I don't really celebrate it and a lot happened that day," she looked to the side. Amara hated her birthdays. They tended to be days of bad luck for her and this year didn't prove her wrong.
"Oh," he said, understanding that everything happened on her birthday. That made him feel sad for her. He leaned forward and gave her forehead a kiss, "Happy belated birthday, cara mia. How old are you now?"
"I turned twenty-four," she replied.
He made a mental note to make her birthdays a better experience for her from now on. He looked far off as trying to think of something, "You know, I can't remember what it was like being twenty-four. It's been so long ago."
"Yeah? That's odd to think because you look so young," she admitted to him.
"It's because I was turned at nineteen," he began swimming them toward the shore, "I only remember very little of my human life, not much at all. It is hard to think so far back."
"Then let's just focus on the present and forget our pasts for today," she suggested for them both.
When they were able to stand, Marcus carried her over to where their clothing was, only setting her down when they were on top of the rock again. They didn't depart from the other's arms immediately, both enjoying having someone they cared deeply about so close. They both eventually started dressing themselves, Amara having far less to put on compared to Marcus. When she was clothed she helped him dress the rest of the way which caused him to smile at the domestic situation.
She stepped back once his cloak was clasped only for him to draw her near once more. He kissed her once more before hauling her into his arms and racing them back to the villa. They spent the rest of the day cooking her dinner, cleaning up, relaxing on the third story tower on the pillows in each others arms.
Amara really felt like they had grown closer over the last few days to the point she felt like she was falling in love. Would she admit it? Doubtful. She didn't want to be the first one to say it especially if she wasn't a hundred percent sure she was feeling love. It could be lust that she was feeling which is why she pushed to have sex. She wanted to see which one she actually felt. She was just happy that she didn't feel scared while around him. Not once had he done something she did not ask for. He waited for her permission for almost everything to the point she had told him he was allowed to touch her, kiss her and pick her up without asking. That he had her permission for all three and more.
The first few days they had been there were the worst for her cramps. He had brought her chocolate, a heating pad and pain medication during those days. He also cuddled her and rubbed circles over her cramping abdomen, trying to sooth the aching. She was grateful for his actions. No guy had ever done that for her and he definitely made her feel better.
Now she was barely bleeding at all to the point she was not wearing anything to stop it. Which in the long run meant she was off her period. That also meant their stay here was going to end soon. Amara couldn't believe she was wishing for a longer period at this moment, but she was wishing just for that. She didn't want to return to Volterra. She wanted to stay here with Marcus forever, away from the problems. Sadly that wouldn't be happening.
Marcus could tell she was no longer bleeding which meant they should head back soon. He looked at Amara who was lounging in the courtyard in the moonlight. This would be their last night there and he had promised her if she still felt the need to have her way with him, he would allow her. He thought back to the day in the water and resisted the urge to go to her. If she wanted more she must approach him on her terms.
Amara felt his eyes on her. She quite enjoyed his stare. She basked in the moon a moment longer till she thought back to the first day here. How she was so afraid of not having her control. This week with Marcus has shown her she had it still, but she still wanted to be in control of her sex life. She turned her head to look at Marcus and salivated at the sight of him in only his dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and slacks. She knew he wore nothing underneath which cause her to heat up in the face. She remembered how he looked naked in the sunlight and how it felt to have him pressed against her. She wanted more from him. The only thing holding her back was what he said that day. He did not want to be something she'd regret.
Was she willing to progress the bond with him so soon. After everything she's been through with Aro and even Caius, who the bond pulls her toward the most. She wondered then if any of her feelings were really her own or just the bond. She recalled Aro having said it only amplified the emotions, not created them. Could she really trust his word?
She got up from her chair and made her way over to where he stood. She wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him to her. "Is tonight our last night," Amara asked.
He slid his arms around her before nodding and placing a kiss to the crown of her head, "Yes, mia dolcezza, tonight will be our last night here."
"Why does it have to end so soon," she mumbled in his chest.
"Next trip will be longer, I promise," he smiled in her hair.
She looked up at his face and met his eyes, "We need to talk."
"Okay, what about," he inquired.
"You remember what you said the first day we were here?"
He nodded, "I do."
"I have questions about it and the bond itself," she stated. He nodded once again this time for her to continue. She, stepping back a little and looking at her feet, began her onslaught of questions, "I asked Aro before, but I want your opinion. Does the bond force feelings or emotions on you? Like take love for example. Does it force you to fall in love? Does it have the same effect on both parties? Could it just be lust?"
He watched her, intentionally not saying anything while doing so. Marcus loved her and to even think she might feel the same way sent his unbeating heart into a frenzy. He had two ways he could approach this. One being nonchalant about it, the other would be direct with her. He decided to go with the ladder, "Are you saying you're in love with me?"
She blushed hard in the moonlight. How does she answer this? Does she be honest with herself and him? Or will she lie? Amara panicked and answered, "I don't know. I'm so confused right now. I feel so many things and I just want to find out if what I feel is real or not."
"Amarantha, my sweet, dear, Amarantha, what you feel are your feelings. The bond might amplify them, but it does not force them upon you," he wanted to step toward her and kiss the breath out of her. He could easily look at their bond through his gift to see how she felt about him, but he wanted her to figure it out and tell him on her own. She was the one in charge of their relationship. "What does your heart say?"
'That I love you,' she said inside her mind. Biting her bottom lip she stood on her tiptoes and placed her lips against his. She continued kissing him till she pulled away, "If I ask you to take me to bed, how will the bond affect you?"
"I don't know," he began. "I might go into a frenzy like Caius especially if you disappear before me. I know I will become more possessive of you without a doubt in my mind. I might become insatiable and never want to stop. There could be a chance that I bite you and I would have to stop the venom from spreading. There is a number of variables that could happen," he admitted to her. Not in hopes of deterring her away. He just wanted he to know what could happen.
Would dying by sex be a horrible way to go? Not in her opinion, especially with him. She couldn't wrap her mind around the possessiveness considering she just couldn't picture it, at least not from him of all people. Could he resist the urge to bite her? Would she want him to stop? He has already stated that all three of them would change her, but with how things are going she really couldn't see that. They stood in silence while she thought everything over.
"I just don't want to lose you," she admitted, finally.
His hands went to her head and pulled her to his lips. He initiated the kiss this time causing a whimper to escape her. She loved the feeling of his lips against hers. She whined when he pulled back. His face containing a smile, he leaned his forehead against hers, "You will never lose me, Amarantha."
"Then take me to bed," she whispered, her demand.
He didn't hesitate to pick her up bridal style and began, at a human pace, to walk up the stairs to the master bedroom. She hadn't noticed the lit candles all around the room earlier, but now she did when they entered. "When did you do this," she asked, looking at the room.
"Earlier when you were cooking," Marcus shrugged.
"How romantic," she said, bringing her lips to his cheek. She kissed him till she got to his ear, whispering, "Were you planning for this?"
Marcus purred for her from the feeling of her kisses. She continued to kiss along his jaw. He bent his head to allow her to continue her caresses down his neck. Swallowing thickly, Marcus replied, "I wanted to make our last night special whether it ended up being sleep or more."
She kissed his neck and sucked where his pulse point would have been. She didn't bite him like she wanted to for fear of breaking her teeth against his marble skin. Either way it caused him to groan from the pleasing sensation. He walked her to the bed and set her down on her feet. He sat on the edge waiting for what she was going to do next.
Amara happily began to slowly undress in front of the man she was about to have intercourse with. She started off by untying the black maxi wrap dress she wore and letting it slide to the floor. She had forgone a bra that day and only wore a pair of lacy red panties which left her almost completely exposed to him. She felt his eyes roam her body from top to bottom and back again till landing on her eyes. She slowly headed toward his fully clothed form.
She straddled his legs and felt his arms wrap around her immediately. Her lips sought his out as her hands went to the buttons on his shirt. She fumbled with a few before he took over and quickly got rid of his shirt by tearing the material from his body. His hands went back to holding her to him. She still couldn't get past how good it felt to have him pressed against her.
As they kissed their hands roamed over each other in exploration. At one point Marcus leaned back so she was fully on top of him to do whatever she wanted. She leaned up feeling his hard member against her bottom. She moved her hips back and forth causing friction between their touching sexes through the materials of their clothing. Both couldn't help the moans that rolled from their throats.
"Amarantha," Marcus hissed as she rocked a little faster.
"Yes," she asked innocently.
"If you don't stop I will spend in my pants and I don't want that," he answered her.
She giggled before moving to the side onto the bed. She demanded, "Remove your pants."
He stood from the bed and did as he was told. His cock sprung from the confines of his garment causing Amara to lick her lips. She stood from the bed and knelt on her knees. Her hands moved up his well defined thighs to his eager appendage.
"Mia amore, you don't have to," he said before hissing once more from her tongue licking him from base to tip.
She didn't stop herself from finally having her own taste of him. Her tongue swirled over his tip causing him to hunch forward and lean against the bed. When she encircled her lips around the head of his throbbing member he released a growl. As she started slowly bobbing her head up and down, he moaned her name. His grip on the bed tightened when her hand went to fondle his sac. It was long till he, a vampire over three-thousand years old, begged for her to stop for he was about to end while inside her mouth. That only told Amara she was on the right track to getting what she wanted and doubled down. The man above her panted unnecessarily and had his eyes roll to the back of his head. That was when she first began to taste the liquid he secreted. Instead of the normal twang of semen, it tasted very sweet. It was a taste she could get used to.
When she pulled back she noticed the tearing of the bed covers and the slightly destroyed mattress. She looked from his hands where the damage was to his arms then to his face. His eyes were closed and jaw was clenched tightly shut. He almost looked pained. "Was that okay," she found herself becoming worried, "I didn't hurt you did I?"
When his eyes opened long gone were the red iris' that she had come accustomed to, in their place were deep black pupils. That wasn't the only thing that seemed gone. Marcus himself seemed to be gone and in his place was a beast trying not to attack her. He took long breaths through his nose as if he was scenting her. She knelt there a tremble beginning to quake her body.
He let go of the bed and backed away with difficulty. Marcus was struggling to keep a hold of himself. He needed to submit to her, not dominate her right now. He pleaded within himself to find the strength to not take advantage of her fragile state.
"Marcus," she tested his name on her lips, "Did I do something wrong?" She started to stand up from her position when she asked, "Are you okay?"
Her arousal permeated the space along with her fear. Her fear wasn't of being afraid of him, it was for him. She was afraid he was hurt when it's the opposite of what she should be afraid of. She took a few steps toward him. He stood as still as possible even when she reached out to him and touched his cheek with one hand and chest with the other.
"We can stop if you want to," she offered even though she didn't want to. She wouldn't pressure him into doing something he didn't want to do.
It was his turn to kneel in front of her. He grabbed a leg and kissed from the top of her foot all the way up her leg then her thighs past her weeping sex to her stomach. He looked up at her again, "Where would you like me?"
She gave him a questioning look before it dawned on her. He was being very submissive for her sake. She smiled if he wanted her to dominate than she would be. She bent down to his ear. "Marcus, what I want is for you to pick me up, take me to that bed right there, slide your cock as deep as it can go inside me, and make me scream your name. Can you do that," she asked him while touching his cheek with hers, her lips grazing the shell of his ear.
He purred while he slowly picked her up by her thighs and wrapped them around his waist. Her arms went around his neck to keep from falling though she doubted he'd let her fall. He walked to the mostly intact bed and set her down on it. His lips found hers again kissing her leisurely. He would not rush through their first time together. He was going to savor every gasp, moan and touch that came from her.
He broke the kiss to look into her hazy eyes as his hands went to her waist were her panties laid. He asked permission with his eyes which she nodded. He carefully removed the last article of clothing down her legs, tossing them on the ground with the rest of their clothing. He made his way back up her body, his lips leaving a trail of kisses along the way. When he reached her neck he kissed the bruise that was still there from a few days ago. He kissed her jaw line before making his way to her lips. All the while her hips rocked back and forth against his member in an attempt to gain some type of friction.
Marcus moved so the head of his penis was near the edge of her clit. She gasped when he rubbed it against her. He swallowed her noise as he continued to move. A few times he got close to her entrance, but he would purposely move away from it driving her insane. She became so desperate she began to order, "If you don't shov-"
He slid into her causing her to inhale sharply at the full feeling. He stretched her in a way that made her want more. He stayed still allowing her to accommodate to his size. He hadn't fully sheathed himself within her yet wanting to slowly inched his way in. It was only when she moved her hips in an attempt to get him to move is when he did so. He pulled out till only his tip remained before thrusting back in, going deeper this time with his length.
Amara's hands went to grip his arms that were holding him up from being completely on top of her. She tried to move her hips in time with his, but when he began to pick up momentum she faltered. All the while small pleasurable sounds escaped them both, Marcus' grunting and her moaning, added with the sound of slapping skin would make anyone blush.
Her legs wrapped around him locking him into place with her. She never thought sex could feel this good especially with someone she cared for. She didn't even need him to touch her nub between her thighs to get her close to her own release. Him being inside her and moving was enough to bring her to her first climax. When her inner walls began to flutter around him, Marcus growled from above her and picked up his pace. He wanted to draw out more than one orgasm from her before he even got close to his own end.
He wanted to hold her, but he was trying to focus so hard on not hurting her that his hands moved to the head board as he drove into her. Every time she came around him she would moan his name, but that's not what she ordered for him to do. She ordered him to make her scream. So without warning he pulled out of her and told her to get on her hands and knees. She eagerly turned around ready to feel him go deeper in this position. He tested out gripping her hips as gently as he could, bringing her back to spear her on his pulsating cock.
"Oh, God," she shouted.
He growled, "That's not my name."
He continued thrusting in and out of her hitting her cervix causing her walls to fluctuate around him. She was a panting, moaning mess as he continued bring her closer and closer to what might be the biggest orgasm of her life. His grip tightened on her hips giving her a little pain which caused the orgasm to trigger.
"Marcus," she screamed into the night's air.
Finally accomplishing his goal he found himself spilling over the edge as her cunt milked him dry. Amara's arms had given out and she just laid there with her ass up in the air as his thrusts began to slow until he finally came to a stop. He wanted to sink his teeth into her neck so badly that he bent down, and lifted her up to bite her to the point it almost drew blood.
She whimpered in his arms with him still deep inside her. She held his head to her neck. She moaned, "Do it."
With that command he bit into her flesh, and quickly began to suck her blood. He didn't give his venom enough time to circulate throughout her body before he sucked it all out. He released her when he felt her heart begin to slow. Pulling back he kissed and licked the aggressive wound before stating in a growling voice, "You are mine as I am yours."
She weakly turned her head to the side and noticed she had a little blood leaking down her shoulder from where he bit her. She wiped it up with her finger and brought it to his lips which he eagerly licked off of her. She felt her worn sex pulsate as if the sex they just had wasn't enough.
Panting after his ministration, Amara kissed his blood stained lips tasting the metallic iron taste of her own blood. His hands held her and rubbed circles into her belly before slipping up to her breasts. She moaned once more into the kiss. When they broke apart, Amara's body gave out from exhaustion and slumped against his. He slowly pulled out of her which made her whine at the empty feeling.
"I want more," she said sleepily.
He laid her down on the bed that was barely holding up. Shaking his head, "No, mia amore, I've done too much already."
He got up and grabbed a damp wash cloth from the bathroom. He returned and began to clean between her legs. She hissed when he brushed against her clit from being overly sensitive. When he was done he cleaned himself off before heading back to the bathroom to deposit the rag in a hamper.
Amara lazily got up and made her way to the bathroom, "I'm sorry I need to use the restroom."
"Don't apologize, mia dolcezza, it's a part of your human anatomy. I'll be waiting in the room for you," he said, closing the door to give her a sense of privacy.
When she was finished she lethargically made her way back into the room and looked at the nearly destroyed bed. It looked as if a bear had been there and tore up the bedding and pillows. Why hadn't she noticed that before? Maybe it was because she focused more on the pleasure she was receiving than anything else.
He stood naked by the bed looking out the window till he heard the bathroom door open. He turned and took in how she looked. He saw the angry bite mark on her neck and felt upset with his lack of control. She wasn't turning right now or laying dead on the bed so he must have at least done something right. He still kicked himself for biting her in the first place, all because she commanded him to. He walked to her and lifted her head slightly. Bending down he captured her lips in a slow kiss.
She broke the kiss first and whispered, "Thank you."
"No, thank you, Amarantha," he kissed the mark he left her, "You let me heart mark you which pleases me deeply."
She touched the tender skin where he bit her and asked, "Think it will scar?"
He nodded to her, "I'm sorry."
She shrugged, "Just another one to go along with the rest."
Amara turned back to the bed before turning back, smiling up at him, "So how exactly am I going to sleep there?"
He returned her smile, "You won't be. We will go to one of the other rooms."
"Want to break any more furniture," she joked.
"Not tonight, cara mia," he answered, placing a kiss on her forehead. He noticed her swaying a little bit, so he picked her up and headed to another room for her to rest.
When he set her down on the other bed she smiled up at him and said more than asked, "Tomorrow then."
He chortled at her eagerness to be with him, "We'll see."
He laid down on the other side of the bed and brought her to him to lay within his arms. She snuggled up close, and was quickly asleep.
By the time they were leaving the bruises on her skin peaked through. Her hips had hand prints the exact size of Marcus' hands. The bite mark looked horrible, but she shrugged it off. It's what she asked for anyways. She wasn't looking forward to leaving the peaceful island. She will remember what occurred there for the rest of her life.
As the plane flew them back to Italy she thought about how she felt toward Marcus. It wasn't just luat she felt for him. By the time of the second round they had earlier that day she knew she loved him. She just couldn't bring herself to say it just yet. She would have to find the perfect time to do so. Maybe they could have a date night and she could spring her feelings on him there. Hopefully he will say it first to save her the trouble of feeling so awkward. She, of course, didn't want him to reject her. She sighed allowed which drew his attention to her.
"What is, mia amore," Marcus asked, his hands laced with hers.
"Nothing, I just didn't want to leave," she said, not telling him the real reason for her sigh.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, "I know. Next time we'll stay longer."
She smiled at him and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. 'Good God, do I love him,' she thought when she felt his lips.
It wasn't long till they landed and were exiting the aircraft. Amara noticed the limousine, but also the blonde headed vampire she had grown close to. She gave him a smile as she walked down the steps to the ground. He returned her smile until she got closer and saw the wound on her neck. He shifted his gaze to Marcus, displeasure clearly on his face.
"Hello Caius," she said as she reached him.
He reached out and touched her chin turning her head to look at the bruised area. "What happened," he ground out, looking at Marcus.
She batted his hand away, "It's nothing I didn't ask for."
Marcus growled at him for touching her so soon after they've bonded. Caius looked back to her surprised completely ignoring Marcus, "You asked for this?"
She nodded, "I wanted everything I asked for."
Caius swallowed and sniffed the air around them smelling Marcus' scent all around her. He was surprised that they've obviously mated on this trip. He would have thought she would have been to afraid of anything sexual after everything that has happened. Instead of harping on what has happened he just opened the door to the limousine and helped her to get in.
When Marcus was about to get in, Caius stopped him, "This discussion is not over, brother."
"Wouldn't expect anything else," Marcus replied smoothly.
Amara sat comfortably in the spacious vehicle with Marcus right beside her. Her head was leaning against his shoulder as the car drove them to Volterra. Nothing was said which left the space in an awkward silence. Amara could tell something was up between Caius and Marcus, but she couldn't place her finger on it.
When they pulled into the castles large garage Amara was ready to spring from the car. The deafening silence was taking its toll on her. As she was exiting both Marcus and Caius offered their hands to her to help her to get out. She immediately grabbed Marcus' hand and then shyly grabbed Caius'. She needed to remember that Caius has worked on himself for her and opened himself to her. She shouldn't treat him poorly just because she preferred her new lover right now.
When they were out Amara began to walk inside the building only to have Caius stop her, "Amara, wait."
She turned to him questioning him with her eyes. He walked up to her, "Before you're taken to your new rooms there is something that needs to be done."
Her brows furrowed, shaking her head as she asked, "And what's that?"
"A vampire has asked to have judgment be passed on them and we need you there," Caius stated.
Marcus looked at him a moment questioning Caius below his breath, "Aro?"
Caius looked toward Marcus and gave him a nod. Amara looked confused, "Why do you need me there?"
Marcus turned to her, "Because it has to do with you."
That confused her even more. She didn't know any other vampires besides the ones they have introduced her to. She went from looking at Marcus then to Caius and back. Marcus gave her a look of comfort and reassurance before grabbing her hand. He rubbed the back of it with his other hand and said, "I know you're tired from the trip, mia dolcezza. This shouldn't take long."
Amara still didn't understand where this was going, but shrugged while giving a small shake of her head, "Okay."
Marcus picked her up and they were off to wherever they passed judgment. Amara was definitely not happy to be back and didn't want to see Aro immediately after arriving. When they stopped there were tall wooden doors that looked vaguely familiar to her.
They were opened on the other side revealing the room that she very first met Caius in. The stone walls looked the same and so did the chairs that sat up on a dais. The only difference was Aro standing in the middle of the room. From what she could see his hair was out of place and so were his clothes. All together he looked a mess. That was shocking to see, considering he always had to be prim and proper.
Amara was taken past Aro, whose head was bowed, up to where the throne-like chairs were. She was set down by the center chair and Marcus went to sit to her right while Caius sat on her left. She just stood there in the middle awkwardly feeling out of place. What really threw her through a loop was that she saw no other vampires in the room except them four. So who were they to judge?
"Aro of the Volturi, you've come forward under your own free will for a crime you feel you committed," Caius spoke, causing Amara's head to turn to him slightly before going to stare at Aro.
Aro nodded, "I've committed a crime against my mate and wish for her to pass judgment on to me."
Aro lifted his head to look upon Amara briefly. His eyes roamed her before landing on the fresh bite mark on her neck. His eyes rolled to Marcus and narrowed a second before they cast downward. Aro continued after getting on his knees, arms open, "I forced myself upon my mate when I should never have done so. I plead for forgiveness even though I deserve none. If there is no possible way of forgiveness then I ask for death from her."
Amara stood wide eyed on the center of the dais. 'Had he really just asked me to kill him,' she questioned herself. She was angry at him that's for sure, but not angry enough to take his life. Now if he were Manny it would be different. She would easily flip a switch or pull the trigger then. With Aro though she didn't feel that way. She felt as if he needed to work on himself in many different areas.
Don't get her wrong she hasn't even completely forgiven Caius for what he did to her, but he at least has worked on opening up to her. He hasn't tried manipulating her either. Amara wanted to pull out her own hair. She was not ready to make decisions like this. Growing enough courage to look up at Aro's bowed form again, she took steps down the three stairs to get to the main floor. Her heartbeat raced as she approached the kneeling vampire.
Swallowing the pool of saliva that had grown in her mouth she spoke clearly, a sneer clear on her face, "You ask for things you have not earned. How dare you even ask for death? If I can't die, you can't die. You must live with this guilt you have for what you've done. Just as I have to live with its memory.
"If you want my forgiveness you will have to work on yourself. Prove to me you've changed by not only your words but your actions as well. Try and manipulate me, I will know. Do I make myself clear," her rage simmering underneath the surface of her skin. Her breaths came out in short huffs, heart pounding against her rib cage.
Aro looked up at her, finding her to be even more beautiful when she was obviously very much the queen she was meant to be. He found her commanding tone to have a huge effect over him. If he had a heartbeat or even the need to breathe he would have shuddered underneath her scrutiny. Her eyes held the very emotion she tried not slipping out. Her rage made her even more attractive to him. Submitting to her with his eyes never leaving hers, "I will do as you ask, Amarantha." Her name on his lips sounded like a promise.
Amara took a shaky deep breath before sternly demanding, "Now get up from that floor before anyone sees you."
With that she walked past him to the double doors again making her exit as dramatic as he would. Caius followed her quickly leaving Aro and Marcus alone. Aro stood unmoving looking back at where Amara just left. He still had a sliver of hope that he could rectify his mistakes.
"Marcus," Aro spoke his name with venom, "What happened while you two were away?"
"A lot," came his short reply.
"Will you let me see," he asked, but it sounded more like a demand.
Marcus sat leisurely in his throne, "No."
Aro's mask of indifference was beginning to crack. Lifting a brow at his brother, Aro then asked, "Will you at least tell me how the bonds look?"
"Again no," Marcus said, completely calm.
"And why not," Aro's voice seeped with boiling anger.
"I have my own reasons as to why I will not be looking at our mate's bonds with us," he replied smoothly.
Aro swallowed deeply before speaking again, "You don't own her, Marcus. She is ours."
That is when Marcus stood and openly laughed at Aro which only heightened Aro's anger. Marcus took his time walking to him before stopping short of Aro. He tilted his head to the side before speaking with a smirk on his face, "Until she says that Aro, you and Caius are nothing to her."
With that Marcus left the room leaving a seething Aro behind. Aro growled loudly and through clenched teeth shouted, "Marcus!" Knowing full well the vampire was long gone from his presence. He needed something to take out his anger on. He decide what he'd do to help him in this moment, "Heidi!"
In an instant she appeared before him, "Yes, Master."
"I'm in need of your services," he commanded.
She nodded before asking, "How many?"
He went and touched her chin, "As many as you can gather my dear," he released her chin cruelly and she was off.
Aro turned around and went to sit in his throne to await his coming meal.
