A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 15-

Marcus's POV-

"Marcus," Aro firmly ordered. "I need to talk to you. Please come to my chambers. Urgently."

I let out a sigh, having heard his whisper resound through the corridors, yet bold enough to pretend like I hadn't heard it.

He knew I was busy; what could be this urgent to devise a command?

Bella and I had just returned back to the castle after a beautiful date, my hand in hers as she reminisced the good parts of the play, an unfamiliar sparkle in her eyes. Though, to be fair, the entire play was flawless and beyond perfect.

Anyhow, Bella and I were currently occupied in a lovely conversation, and everyone in this castle could hear that. Including Aro.

Hence proving my point.

There was nothing worthy of disturbing me.

"Marcus. It is urgent." Aro repeated, a finality in his tone.

I winced, shutting my eyes briefly. Seems like I had no choice in the matter. Aro was determined. And he would not give up until he got what he wanted; a typical for him!

"Bella," I smiled, my beautiful mate looking up at me with those doe-like eyes of hers, a question evident in them. "I have to go. Aro has requested for my presence."

"Oh." She murmured, giving it a thought. "Is it anything serious?"

I shrugged, shaking my head slightly. "Probably not. Aro is prone to dramatics!"

Ignoring the scowl that resounded from the direction of Aro's chambers, I concentrated on the laughing face of my mate. She was gorgeous, her skin sparkling as happiness radiated from every pore of hers, the fact that she was happy an ointment to my ailing wound- a wound that Didyme's demise had permanently cursed me with.

It had been uncovered and burning for all this while; now finally blessed with some relief!

"Okay then. I will let you be." Bella smiled. "I will be in my room. If you need me."

"Are you…are you sure?" I hesitated. "I can postpone my conversation with Aro. He would understand."

It would be tough to convince the man; similar to hitting your head in a brick wall. But nothing was more important than Bella. Aro would just have to learn to deal with it!

"Marcus, I am not five." Bella amusedly stated. "I can keep myself engaged for ten whole minutes, without irreparably damaging anything in the process. You go and do your masterly duties. Don't worry about me."

I offered her a tender smile, acknowledging her gesture. "If, you are sure."

"Of course, I am." She waved a hand in air. "I will now walk back to my room, thinking of something to do to pass the time. Just make sure no one decides to munch on me like that tempting afternoon snack between meals." She finished with a wink.

"No one would dare to." I promised her, and simultaneously commanded every member of the guard in hearing distance. They had no clue of why Bella was as important, but knew enough not to think of her as a quick meal, or someone to treat as a mere human.

She was much more important than that.

"Good to know." Bella nodded her head to herself, turning in the direction of her room, and beginning to walk.

I stared at her retreating form till she was out of sight; my dead heart heavy from the temporary separation forced upon us. Surely, I was aware that we weren't conjoined and would have to complete our individual chores, being physically separated for the meanwhile. But I need not like it!

With one last sigh, I turned in the direction of Aro's chambers, my feet heavy as I anticipated what this could be about.

"Yes, Aro." I expressionlessly stated, barging into his chambers, the man in question seated on his high desk chair, a bunch of papers lying in front of him. "You requested for my presence?"

He let out an out of place chuckle, shaking his head to himself. "You are mistaken, Marcus. I did not request for your presence; I commanded it."

The prideful grin on his face was rather offensive, yet I ignored it, well aware that my brother did not mean it.

Arrogance was his flaw, and being his older brother, I could ignore it at times.

He would learn with time…

"What is this about?" I came straight to the point. "I have places to be…"

"Oh, yes. I am aware." He dramatically pouted. "The man who had no work to do for more than a millennium is now too busy to even have a short conversation with his brother. How the times have changed!"

I let out a sigh, running a hand over my forehead.

So, this was how he was going to play!

I pulled the spare chair in the room towards me, seating myself on it. "Now, you are the one mistaken, brother." I smiled, "for I have all the time in this world to have a conversation with you."

He looked pleased by my answer, grinning to himself. "I wish for things to always remain so between us, no matter who enters our respective lives."

I was no fool; I was well aware of the implications of his words, or who in particular he saw as a threat, yet I ignored it. Aro was an attention seeker- not easily accepting the concept that not all eyes would be on him at all times; he would get used to Bella's presence in our lives.

"Of course, brother." I assured him, the pleasure in his eyes guaranteeing that I had done the right thing. "This could not be the only reason why you asked to see me?"

"Of course not." He was quick to deny. "I heard some scandalizing news, that while I don't believe in, would like you to clarify for me."

"Okay?" I frowned. "What news?"

He stared at the papers on his desk, uncomfortable silence spreading throughout the room. "You left the castle today."

"Yes, I did." I had no fear in admitting the truth. "I did leave the castle. But that is not the problem here, is it? Even you and Caius leave the castle doors at times."

"Yes, we do." Aro slowly admitted, as if swallowing a bitter pill. "But not with our mates in tow. You took a risk today, and you are well aware of that."

I scoffed in response, "What did you expect me to do, Aro? Lock her up in the tower like you and Caius did with your mates?"

"Exactly!" Aro glared at me. "We cannot take the risk of anything happening to our mates. The last time we let them free, my sister and your mate was killed. Have you forgotten that? It devastated you, and hampered us enough to pull us back by a few centuries. We have several enemies out there; enemies that would cross any line to get back to us."

"Yes, I am well aware of that." I reluctantly admitted.

The Romanians were our biggest enemy, the Egyptian coven a close second. Not to forget the several nomads out there training hard in the hope that they would one day come to defeat us. All of the above rather glad to discover a minor slip-up from our side.

"Then?" Aro demanded, having proven his point.

"I…I was safe." I protested. "Volterra is safe lands."

Aro scoffed at that, rolling his eyes in disbelief. "Didyme was attacked while in the castle."

"Yes…but that was different…"

"How?" Aro scowled. "How is that any different?"

"I…" I searched for a way out… finding none at the moment. "I am not locking my mate up, Aro." I hesitantly stated. "She is my mate…"

"Don't you want to keep her safe?" Aro played with my weak point. "If something were to happen to her…"

"Nothing will happen to her." I glared at him. "I will make sure of that."

"Like you made sure that nothing happened to Didyme?"

"Aro!" I spat the word out, enraged by his accusation. "I was not aware of the threat back then."

"But now you are."

"Yes." I admitted. "I am well aware that we have plenty enemies out there."

"And yet you agreed to your mate's childish demands to recover her luggage, exposing us and putting her own life at risk in the process?"

"I…she wanted it." I frowned. "I could not deny her."

Aro chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Brother, take my advice and keep her safe. Our mates are essential to our success. I would rather not be a lifeless statue, or see you again as one."

"I understand but…."

"I will ask Corin to prepare a third room in the tower." He gently patted my back, walking out of the room, a protest at the tip of my lips, refusing to come out.

I could not do this to her.

She was my mate. My equal.

It was just so wrong!

But I had to keep her safe.

If something were to happen to her…I would not survive a second time.