I have not seen Aro since the incident in the throne room. After the events in the throne room, I woke up in Aro's bed, his warm quilt tucked around me and a hot meal sitting on the wooden table across the room. Nobody was around, and after scarfing down the meal, I made my way to the washroom to freshen up.

Imagine my surprise when I noticed the steaming tub, permeating the room with steamy clouds of that same familiar scent. Warm patchouli, spearmint, sage. One whiff and a slow burn began beneath my skin. After double checking that the room was indeed empty of another being, I quickly stripped, and climbed into the hot water. My body cried out against the temperature of the water, turning scarlet underneath the surface. It was heavenly.

I must have stayed in the tub for hours, waiting for the water to run cold. Because when I finally pull myself out of the lukewarm depths, my stomach begins it's midday protests. Determined to get some lunch, I quickly step into my servant's robes, and make my way to the door.

I hesitate there for a moment, my hand grasping the handle. What is waiting for me on the other side of this door? Would it be an easy task to leave these quarters? Or is someone guarding the room?

I turn the knob slowly, careful not to make too much undue noise. It is unlikely that the room is unguarded, but at the same time, why would it be? My status does not dictate that kind of care. I am just a servant, even with the favor of one of these "kings."

But Aro's display in the throne room last night confuses me, and I find myself wondering if he cares enough to assign me protection. His actions could very well spell my death, after all.

But there is only one way to find out whether or not I am restricted to these rooms, and that is to walk out of it.

So I push.

Relief floods through me when I meet the sight of an empty corridor.

"Praise the Lord," I whisper, now relaxed. With one last glance around to be sure the coast is clear, I step out of the room and begin a brisk walk down to the kitchens.

I don't see a single soul on my trek, and I find it odd that there isn't anyone around. Even the maids are absent from the halls.

Where is everyone?

When I make it down to the kitchens, my question is answered. The servants are gathered together around a long, wooden table, immersed in a riveting discussion. But when they notice my entrance, silence falls and all eyes turn to stare at me. Shock, embarrassment, and curiosity fill their gazes - evidence that their conversations may have been centered around me.

Someone coughs, and attention snaps away from me, the group awkwardly redirecting their focuses back onto the food and people around them. The chef, Angela, stands from the table and makes his way over to me.

"Isabella," he begins, forcing a smile. It almost seems sad. Did the discussions around the table prompt this? What is going on here?

"What brings you to the kitchens?"

"I came to grab a bit of lunch before starting on my chores for the day." Please just let me grab my food and go. As if this whole situation isn't already embarrassing enough.

Angelo's brows furrow, confusion leaking from his demeanor. "But I thought…" he trails off, the creases between his eyebrows only growing, before he brushes the thought off with a wave of his hand.

"No matter. I just finished making lunch. Just a moment. I will dish up a plate for you."

"Thank you, Angelo," I reply, trying to maintain my composure even though I am not keen on staying in this room for much longer.

As if aware of my current state of mind, Angelo appears before me holding a rucksack out. Such a wonderful man, this chef. I shoot him a grateful look and leave the kitchens without saying another word.

I decide to take my lunch in the library.

The hallways are still empty of life, and I figure the library is the best place to hide out for the rest of the day. After all, if anyone stumbles upon me, it would be so easy to just pretend I am there to clean.

It doesn't take me long to reach the room, and I quickly situate myself into a cozy chair in the far corner. Far enough away to not be seen immediately, but close enough to notice the entrance of another.

I eat my lunch in silence, a book about Roman Mythology in one hand, and an apple in the other. I have just started reading about Romulus and Remus, when my eyes begin to flutter, fighting the bone deep exhaustion brought on by the events of the past few days.

I do not recall falling asleep, but I awake sometime later with the book in one hand and my apple on the floor.

But the most interesting sight of all is not my half eaten lunch or the imprints of the book spine on my arm, but the relaxed man reading a book in the chair before me. Aro.

My heart sputters at the very sight of him. I cannot look away, focused on the rolled up sleeves of his undershirt, and the way his hands cradle the book.

"Ah, I see you are awake, dear one," his lilting voice announces. "I must say, you are an easy human to find."

I shift my gaze from his long fingers to his ruby eyes. He seems amused, relaxed even. So different from the man I've seen over the past few days. He closes the book, sets it aside, and leans back into the chair. Long arms settle onto the armrests, and his head tilts to the side.

I am speechless. He is breathtaking in his regality.

And it all comes flooding back. He hurt me last night. Not physically, but he hurt me nonetheless. I was embarrassed - am embarrassed - by the way he treated me in front of the guard. The words that he spoke. And worst of all, the deadline he gave me. Leaving me, once again, without much of a choice. Join or die. Those are my options. But that really isn't much of a choice. If I want to live, if I ever want to see my papa again, then what choice is there? I'm dead either way. Might as well choose the route that allows me to protect him from these people. My freedom for his, after all.

Anger floods through me. My throat burns with the need to scream. More than anything in this world, I want to tear into this man until he begs me to stop my beratements. But I cannot do that to him. He will surely fight back, and I am far too weak compared to him to take on such a challenge. I need to get out of here before I do something I regret. I get as far as untucking my legs and placing them on the ground before he speaks again.

"Please, Isabella, will you allow me just a moment of your time?"

Please, Isabella… Like a charm, those words glue me to my seat. The plea rolls off his tongue like an incantation. Heat stirs, churning in my lower belly, and I watch his tongue dart out across his lips. Those lips that I cannot take my eyes away from. As if the very kiss of my name on his lips enchants me. Binds me to him. Because for just a second he is the only thing I can see. There is nothing else but him.

He smiles then, a gentle, honest gesture. A foreign look on his sculpted face. "Thank you, little one."

I don't say a word. There is little point considering that my thoughts are all jumbled up. Anything that comes out of my mouth at this moment is bound to do more harm then good. So for now, I will wait until an answer is required of me.

I fold my hands in my lap, and nod to the king to begin. He is lucky that I am giving him any of my time after last night.

"I believe I need to apologize for my actions yesterday. There are circumstances at work far beyond my control and it left me quick to react and slow to consider the repercussions."

I snap my head up at his words, and I wonder if my gaze looks as murderous as I think it is. But still, I don't say a word. I wait for him to continue, my glare never letting off. Because what kind of an excuse was that? Circumstances at work beyond his control? Quick to snap? The way he treated me, embarrassed me, in front of so many, was because he was irritable? Because he was having a volatile afternoon? I cannot believe this.

Aro lets out a sigh, and turns away, focusing on a bookshelf across the room.

"I am well aware of the fact that yesterday was our first meeting, and that I acted like a true beast toward you. I am terribly sorry for that." He is looking at me again, and the sincerity in his eyes is impossible to miss. "There are bigger things at work here, bigger than you or I, and I cannot guarantee that, while you are in my presence, I will be able to behave in a manner befitting a human."

I narrow my eyes, annoyance bursting at his continuing effort to brush off what he's done, even amidst an apology. "That doesn't sound like much of an apology to me." The words simply slip out, and realizing that I may be in danger of his ire, I freeze.

We stare at each other for a few seconds, before I realize that he is letting me speak. He appears almost patient, ready to hear me out. Can this be the same man who growled at me, yesterday? Because the difference in character is so blatant. So jarring. It almost scares me.

"I apologize if I seem insincere in my words, Isabella. I am truly sorry for my actions yesterday. There is no excuse for me to treat you in such a way while you are still human."

Still human… As the words leave his delicious lips, outrage sparks within me. Would he dare to treat me in such a way if he makes me one of his kind?

"I would like to start on a clean slate, if you will allow such a thing, Isabella. There is much we need to discuss, and I believe the deal I have come up with will be beneficial to you."

Sitting there so perfectly, a grin so wide that dimples appear on each of his cheeks, Aro awaits my response. And again, I am enchanted - completely dazzled - by him. That grin begs me to say yes, here and now, to lay my human life down at the feet of this king even before he brings his offer to the table.

I divert my attention to the book on my lap, running my finger along the length of the spine and around the perimeter of the front cover. But as the enchantment ends, my anger remains at bay and I let out a soft, tired sigh. I do not have the capability to hold a grudge against this man. Not in my current position; not with the way he leaves me breathless in his presence.

I look back at him, hoping that I am not about to ruin my life by allowing this man a second chance. I place my book down on the side table to my right, and stand to my feet. Aro is standing a second later, resigned,

But something greater than myself is at play here, and I take a step forward and then another. I keep the pace until I am a foot in front of him. Close enough to smell him. And with a small smile, I dip down into a slight curtsy. "Hello, Master Aro, my name is Isabella Swan."

Aro reaches his porcelain hand out to me, his lithe fingers turned upward. I place my own, smaller hand in his. With a soft sigh, Aro bends into a bow and brings the back of my hand up to his lips, gifting my skin with a lingering kiss.

"It is an honor to meet you Miss Swan," his breath ghosts across my skin before he releases his hold.

"Now, please take a seat, we have much to discuss."

I do as I am told, all the while holding my hand to my chest with a reverence I was unaware I am capable of.

Aro sits down after I am situated. He rests his ankle on his knee, and leans back with his hands folded in front of him. "The first order of business is your work here in the palace. I have removed you from the servant roster. You are no longer expected to perform the duties you had during your servitude here."

My eyes go wide at that. This must have been the reason for the odd behavior in the kitchen this morning. I am no longer a servant to the Volturi. But then, what was I? What is my purpose here?

"Why would you do that?" His actions are suspicious. There has to be a catch. After all, when the devil does you a favor, he always comes to collect.

A smirk turns into a smile. "You are quite the enigma... I don't know if you know this, Isabella. But I can read minds. With one touch of skin, I can see every treacherous thought, every wasted dream, every romantic notion trapped in the depths of a person's mind. I can see into their very souls, my dear."

I feel every muscle in my body tense. Did he read my mind? Did he look into my soul? I feel sick. Our skin has touched, he must have seen the feelings he elicits inside of me - the way I am disgusted with myself for the way I am burning for him.

"In all my years as a vampire, I have never come across a mind I could not read… That is until I met yours."

He lets the words hang in the air. They dance around my head in circles, pirouetting until the shock fades. My shoulders sag, relief washes over me in calming waves. My thoughts are safe.

"If you so choose, you will make a marvelously gifted vampire. I believe the fact that I cannot read your mind attests to that." His smile fades. There is more he wishes to say, I can see it in the creasing of his brow. "I want to show you that life here can be… fulfilling. I will have trouble doing that if you are cleaning all day."

"What do you want in return for this?"

Amusement sparks in his ruby eyes, and his grin returns, more devious than the last. "Clever girl," he drawls, pinning me with his gaze.

"I will grant you permission to roam the corridors and explore this marvelous place… You may go where you wish, venture to the shops, enjoy your life here. The debt your father owes will be forgiven, and we will provide for him well. He will want for nothing, Isabella. But in return, I expect you to follow my rules."

The offer interests me, but I will not go into this blindly. "What are your stipulations?"

Aro flashes me an arrogant smirk and the very sight of it sends warmth to my core. This man is so infuriatingly sinful.

"Number one: you are not to venture outside of your rooms again without a proper escort. I do not wish to spy on you my dear, but there are creatures roaming this palace that lust after blood like yours. Without a proper guard at your side, there is no telling who might choose to defy me and make a meal of you."

Why does he care so much whether I meet an untimely demise by the hands of one of his kind? Regardless, the request is reasonable. I nod, silently asking him to continue.

"Number Two: You are only to enter the throne room when summoned. Do not even consider stepping foot in there otherwise."

"Why?"

"There are things that go on in there which you should not be witness to. For your safety and my sanity."

A particularly unlady-like snort escapes from me at that. Aro's eyes widen at the sound. "What does your sanity have to do with any of this?"

"Isabella, my sanity dictates whether or not we have a repeat of yesterday's events."

I don't understand, and perhaps I don't wish to, because I say nothing more on the matter.

"Number three: When you are summoned to the throne room, unless you are told otherwise, you are expected to sit silently at my feet."

Like a dog. My stomach churns at the idea of such a display. "That is inappropriate."

"It will show visiting covens that you are not to be touched. That you are protected by the Volturi."

"I am not a pet."

Aro cocks his head at that. "Aren't you? You are in a den of predators, Isabella, and you are the prey. How different is that from having a pet chicken or a pet cow, hm?"

I want to retch all over his shoes.

"Number four," he starts, not waiting for me to respond to his analogy. "You are to do as I say, when I say it. And finally, number five: you are expected to keep yourself out of danger by whatever means possible. Are these terms reasonable to you?"

My hands shake and saliva pools in my mouth. It is not a difficult decision to make. For Papa's wellbeing and protection, I would lay down my life. But still, it is hard to form the words of acceptance.

"Is there anything else expected of me?"

"Your decision on the subject of your mortality before the end of the next six months. Now that you know what we are, there are only two choices for you, after all. Become one of us… or die." He doesn't sound sinister. Rather, his voice has a soft nonchalance to it. As if he's said it a million times before, and I am just another human he is tasked with explaining it to.

But I don't have to choose yet. I have months ahead of me. Still, if I am to agree to his conditions, I need to know if he will protect my father even if I choose death. "How does my decision on mortality impact the terms of this deal?"

"It will not. Should you choose to deny the offering of immortality, your father will remain unharmed and provided for. Until his dying day."

"Do you swear by it?"

"I swear."

I nod. Not unfazed by the sincerity in his gaze. "Then I accept. I will follow your rules."

And just like that, I resign myself to whatever fate has in store for me here in Volterra. I probably just signed my life over to the devil, but I am starting to realize that I really don't care.

A/N: What do you guys think about Aro's sudden change in behavior? What do you think brought that on? Stay turned to find out. Also thank you for all the likes, follows, and favorites lately. You guys are really inspiring me to get this story finished. I've decided to get the story done and from there I will go back and rewrite it if I decide that's what I want to do. I realized that it's not really fair to keep you waiting for more story while I fix up previous chapters. Anyway, please let me know what you think. I will be back with more later!