Sweet Dreams and Sorrows

I push through Aro's study door, determined to see him and desperate for some time in his company. It's been a couple of weeks since the ball and my subsequent illness and I find myself craving his attention more and more these days.

"Master Aro."

He laughs, the sound high and short. Delectable.

"Master now, is it?" Aro doesn't look up from his work, his hand moving swiftly as he writes a missive with an inked quill. I peak over his desk, trying to be discreet but too curious not to pry.

The elegant script is familiar, the same handwriting I've spent hours admiring as I read about his life. Just when I try to get a closer look at what he's writing, Aro signs the letter and folds it in thirds. He carefully tucks the letter into an envelope and sets it flat on the table.

Wax, red as blood, is poured onto the unsealed edges. Aro waits a second before stamping the wax with a seal; it's a "V" crested with vines.

"Something amusing to you, Aro?"

I maneuver around his desk to join him on the other side. He watches me, cautious.

"What is it you need, Isabella?"

I sit down on the edge of his desk.

"What makes you think I need anything?"

Aro places a hand on my skirt.

"Come now, tesero, why else would you be here?"

I keep my hands behind me, flat against the desk. Aro withdraws his hand and stands to his feet.

"Maybe I just wanted to check on you, spend some time in your company."

"Did you?" He looks genuinely surprised, his eyebrows arched and arms crossed.

"Yes," I harumph, crossing my arms. "Do you have an issue with that?"

Aro's gaze noticeably softens. Then he realizes himself, clears his throat, and turns his eyes to the bookshelf-lined wall. "None of any kind. Please, make yourself comfortable."

I give him my thanks as I stand to my feet and meander over to the wingback chair next to his books. I sit down and lean back into its comfortable embrace, nearly emitting an inappropriate moan as my body sinks into the cushions.

"I believe I have something that might be yours." I brush a fallen strand of my hair back behind my ear and turn my neck in Aro's direction. He is still standing behind his desk, staring at the bookshelf, lost in thought. The way he stands reeks of regality but it's the look in his eyes that concerns me. "Aro?"

He snaps back to reality, turning his attention back to me.

"Yes, cara mia?"

"I believe I may have something of yours."

Interested now, Aro comes to me. "Do you?"

I smirk, pulling the journal out of my bag. "An old woman in the market gave this to me. She said she found it on her travels."

I extend the journal out to him and he takes it; his eyes are wide with recognition.

"I thought I lost this," he whispers, brushing the cover with his long fingers. He flips through the pages as if to make sure every entry is still there. I wonder if he can remember everything he wrote.

"How did you know?"

I snort and cover my mouth in embarrassment at the sound. "Sorry," I mumble, looking down as I feel the telltale burning in my cheeks.

"Um… It was quite obvious. Caius is not a common name." Neither is Didyme.

I want to ask him about her, but I'm wary of his reaction. She was his sister after all.

"Well, thank you for returning it to me. I was quite fond of this particular journal."

"You're welcome."

We are silent for a moment, Aro inspecting the journal, me watching him. As the silence continues, my curiosity burns until I cannot hold my question in.

"What was she like?"

Aro looks up at that, his eyes soft. "Hmm?"

"Your sister. Didyme. What was she like?"

The corners of his mouth twitch into a frown. He sets the journal down on his desk and sits down in the chair next to mine.

"This is my chair now, by the way."

"Whatever you want is yours, Isabella." He sighs, leaning back. His arms rest comfortably on the blue armrests.

It takes him a moment to start, but when he does, his eyes are on the fire.

"Didyme was joy incarnate. She could light up a room with one glance… She was my sister by blood, the only family I brought into this life."

"How did that happen?

Aro smiles, a far-off look settling into his crimson eyes. "I wanted to check on her. She was a young girl when I left. When I finally had my bloodlust under control, I brought Marcus with me to see if she was well. We only meant to watch her from afar, but when Marcus saw her, he swept her up into his arms and ran her to our home. He changed her that day."

"Because of the bond?"

"Because of the bond." I don't miss the small twitch at the corner of his lips.

"How did you lose her?"

"A rival coven attacked one night. They fed her to the children of the moon. Werewolves."

My stomach churns. A dark shadow crosses his face, something I don't like.

"I'm so sorry for your loss."

"It's been a long time," he says this with a heavy sigh and turns his eyes back to me. A sad smile graces his features.

"Loss leaves a mark on the heart and soul. Regardless of time. The pain lessens, but the scar remains."

Aro nods.

"Have you lost many people, cara mia?"

I swallow, wringing my hands.

"My mama. She passed a couple of winters ago."

Just saying the words makes my heart clench. The pain never leaves, only hides.

Aro reaches for my hand, engulfing it in his icy tough. He brushes his thumb along the back of it; the gesture sends my stomach into a fluttering mess.

"I'm so sorry, Isa."

I can only bob my head, my focus fixed on our joined hands.

"Do you miss your father?"

The question catches me off guard and the pain of our separation hits me square in the chest.

"Immensely. He's all I have."

Aro frowns, looking solemn.

"Forgive me, I did not know."

"It's alright," I say the words almost to comfort him. Because it's not alright, but I know that I won't be able to see him again no matter how much Aro apologizes.

"I get a distinct feeling that it is not." A stern look crosses his face as he calls me on my lie.

I let out a breath. "I cannot be upset with you for something so out of your control. After all, it's not as if you cared about the servants before me - unless I'm mistaken."

"One could argue that I hardly cared for anyone before you, Isa." My stomach flips and I can't help but blush. I duck my head down, shy and unable to properly handle his affections. It is quite the rush to be on the receiving end of his attention, especially when his words are sweet like honey.

"Aro." His name tastes like sugar on my tongue.

His long fingers brush the skin under my chin, gently nudging me, asking me to look at him. "I'm quite serious, cara mia. Nobody means as much to me as you."

~AB~

A week later, Aro finds me in my room while I'm propped up against my pillows, reading.

"Come with me," he whispers, lips pressed against the shell of my ear. The iciness of his breath trailing down my neck sends shivers down my spine, sparking a fire in my core.

The wonder of his touch leaves me breathless and I struggle to maintain my grasp on reality.

"I have a surprise for you." Softer now, his voice drizzles over me like melted chocolate. I feel the burning in my cheeks, so deep under my skin. He dazzles me. He fills me with so much warmth. All it takes is one glance, one dimple, one hand tugging at my hair, and I surrender. There is no one but him. Forever.

At the start of it all, he drew me in, regardless of his domineering attitude. The pull was and still is, undeniable. But now, I know that his very existence determines my survival. I would die for him, for I cannot live without him.

His fingers stroke my neck affectionately, giving me the strength to nod at his request. The physical contact is so new, but not unwelcome.

We rise together, Aro helping me off the bed and pulling me into his side. Right hand wrapped around my waist, he leads me out of the bedroom and down to the door of his garden.

Unease washes over me in an instant. The thought of his idea of a surprise pecks at my nerves. Sensing my discomfort, Aro rubs his thumb reassuringly against the small of my back.

"Calm, little mate," he croons, trying his best to soothe me. I'm sure he can hear my racing heartbeat with his sensitive hearing.

Aro opens the door for me and I step out into the warm air, blissfully delighted at the feel of the sun on my skin. Down the garden path, in a spot under a willow tree, there is a blanket laid down on the grass. Atop the checkered pattern sits an array of foods, from fruits to nuts and cheeses - even a few cuts of meat.

I turn back to Aro and he smiles indulgently before waving me toward the food.

"Thank you," I giggle, unable to stop myself from throwing my arms around him in a tight embrace. For a second, he is unmoving; but then he shifts, pulling me against his chest.

"It is my pleasure," he whispers in my ear. Then he releases me and I make my way over to the picnic he set up.

As soon as we are both sitting on the blanket, legs touching as I snack, Aro begins stroking my back, rubbing small circles against my spine. For the most part, we remain silent as I eat, just enjoying the spread and the time in one another's company. Aro feeds me a few grapes and I giggle at the way his skin sparkles under the sun.

And once I am full, he pulls me to his side and I rest my head on his shoulder.

"How did you enjoy your meal?"

"It was splendid. Thank you, again."

"You're very welcome, cara mia."

There are a few more minutes of silence before Aro clears his throat. I lift my head off of his shoulder to look into his eyes. He seems conflicted.

"Have you thought on the change much?"

I frown. Mostly, my thoughts have been surrounding him and not the upcoming loss of my humanity. Ultimately, I know that Aro is what I want for the rest of time, but everything is still so new. I know nothing about what the change would bring other than a thirst for human blood and immortality. But what other consequences await me on the other side?

"I haven't." I look down at my hands. "What would the change entail?"

Aro sighs, pulling me tighter against his side. "It is not a pleasant experience. I would bite you." he strokes my neck with his fingers. "Here." He taps on my neck with one finger and I can't help the chill that shoots down my spine in response. "And inject you with my venom. Then the process would begin."

He sighs, closing his eyes. I wonder if he is remembering his own experience. "You would burn for three days. The pain is unbearable. But in the end, you would awake in your transformed body, never to see illness or that pain again."

I nod, resting my head back on his shoulder. "Would I still be me?"

Aro scoffs, the hand on my neck moving down to rub my upper arm. "Of course. You will always be Isabella. Only stronger, faster, and more lethal than you are now."

"And you would be the one to do it?"

"If that is what you wish, Isa."

"Will you still want to keep me when I become like you?"

"I never want to let you out of my sight. My feelings will not change just because you decided to become one of us… I think the real question here is, would you still want to keep me?" He places a kiss on my forehead and I swoon inside.

"There could never be another," I whisper.

"Do you promise?"

"On my life."

Then, without much warning, Aro drops his head down to meet me and presses his lips against my own. It's sweet and tender and nothing like the kisses we shared the night of the ball. His kiss now is much gentler and loving in nature than the possessiveness of that night. My heart flutters and my stomach flips. And when he pulls away, his smile is contagious.

"Well then, please do let me know when you make your decision, tesero mio. I cannot wait for you to join me in this life."