AN: Little change in POV because well…not a lot of conscious thought here and someone had to tell the story. But it does change back to Jasper's POV midwayish. Some soft core porn ahead…it's not about the porn people!
The roar came as he freed his inner self. He sniffed his mate next to him. No thoughts, just feelings. He identified his mate and began sniffing and licking her. His emotions poured through the empty home, his need and pain for her growing to a frenzy, emanating from his very pores. He rubbed his body against hers, hovering above her, moving her arms to wrap around his neck.
She was sick, injured, something twisted was wrong with her and he knew she needed him as much as he needed her. He continued kissing her neck, the sweet nectar of her life just below the skin, so ready and willing for him but he wanted more, he wanted her soul. Her breathing increased slightly, and he purred at her acceptance of him.
Emotions swirled saturating the air, his desire, love, longing, her fury. He pulled it from her, absorbing everything he could while sending out what she needed to be his. Never had Jasper Whitlock been so free with emotions, not even when he had awoken to his new life. They controlled him and in turn he controlled them, he never just let them be a part of him, be him.
He didn't need conscious thought as he sent his soul in search of hers. Her fury was beautiful, she was beautiful. She moved slowly, her arms holding just a little firmer around him.
He continued licking and kissing her, settling his body against her, parting her legs with his to allow him the closeness he desired.
The silent home was a cacophony of emotions, colliding within him but he took everything from her to make his mate safe and happy. He was whatever she needed and right now her soul was raw with unchecked emotion.
As he rested atop her, his purr rumbled through her chest, almost as if she herself was purring. Her face once darkened by anger and hate was overcome by his love, adoration, and devotion to her.
She recognized the other half of her soul and was responding gradually, the shadows fading from her face, from her soul. His emotions began seeping into her slowly, her shield no longer needing to protect her and her soulmate. She had kept all manner of creatures away from them, while she was lost within, now she was safe. They were safe.
His soul identified itself to her. He was hers and she was his. Simple.
Gently her arms became soft restraints around his neck as he ground his body against hers, just feeling, loving, adoring. Urged on by her newfound hold, he moved instinctually to her mouth, kissing her with bruising force, his cool tongue pushing its way past her soft pink lips into her warm mouth. A groan escaped his own lips as he tasted her sweetness, relishing in the heat that made him feel almost human.
She responded further, moaning into the kiss and then moving her stiff unused legs, around his hips, encasing him, caging him to her soft warm body.
His emotions seemed to seep into her every pore. She felt safe, loved, cherished. Her own shield pulsed and cocooned them in a brilliant violet bubble. The emotions that had bombarded the house increased tenfold in the smaller space as they now bounced off the new and unintentional shield. The shield made of the love they shared.
Unaware just as he was, they were little more than animals, completing a mating dance, a dance that their souls knew well and intended on combining.
She had never felt emotions from him like this, pure and raw. She was alive with electricity that pulsed between them, her heart beginning to race, her breaths coming in gasps. All conscious thought gone as she gave in to the sensations he was creating, one hand lifting his weight while the other moved to caress her body over the blue t-shirt and black yoga pants he had put her in earlier today.
She moaned again at the contact and continued kissing him, feeling him, weaving her fingers through his silky blonde hair. Her desire for him growing to painful levels. As he moved his kisses from her mouth back to her neck where her scent and her blood called to him, she gasped and opened her eyes for the first time. Seeing, only the darkness of night in the room, she closed them again and let herself be taken over by the being, above her, on her, all over her. Her vision had not found the violet bubble that encircled them.
His hands were gentle, but his intentions were clear, he was going to claim her, and she was going to let him. He was aware of the shield encasing them, that kept the emotions running through them like a sonic wave, but he didn't care. The only thing he cared for was his other half.
His hands moved slowly from her breasts to the center of her shirt where he leaned up and using both hands tore it from her body. She opened her eyes to look into his, staring into molten blackness, feral eyes, that did nothing to detract from his deadly handsome looks. She was pleased to see her soulmate, and he was delighted to stare into her liquid onyx eyes that churned with desire. His soulmate.
Their eyes stayed locked while the emotions changed- morphed, changing and filling them both, lust, desire, need, longing, love, and peace. They were overwhelmed, primal in their desires, their souls twining and mixing, they could find peace with each other. But their souls didn't want the peace, they wanted the desire, to consummate their love and then have peace, they would have it all.
She felt the swift pressure of her pants being removed and kept eye contact as he did the same to his own clothes, tearing them from his sleek, muscular form. Her hands roaming his snowy chest and abs, down to his straining member, gripping it and running her hand up and down its silky length, he batted her hand away and growled.
He needed her, and he would have her. He lowered his body to hers, the blackest of blacks gazing at each other. Their souls- his the darkest of monsters and hers an inky cloak to shield the nightmares he carries with him, to hide him in plain sight.
She nodded, knowing what he wanted and wound her legs back around his waist, pulling him to her. He slid inside her moist heat with practiced ease. Pulling back out and pushing back in slowly, putting his body weight heavier on her, moving to grind his pelvis against her sensitive and throbbing clit. Resting on his elbows on either side of her head, never looking away, never breaking their connection.
His purr continued as they slowly became one, making love, gently, he would not hurt her, she was soft as cotton but as delicate as spun glass, his soul knew this. His emotions continued to envelope her until he finally felt hers open completely, her fierce longing and devotion to him surrounded them and connected them in peace and love. She was peace for his tortured soul. He moved gently in and out of her, pumping his pelvis and still never leaving her eyes. The darkness that covered her was gone and in its place was a goddess, only for him.
As he felt her walls tightening around him, he picked up the pace and leaned into her neck, breaking the trance they were in, she was his and only his. He came, shooting his cool seed inside her scorching core and bit gently into her neck. She came feeling his release and his teeth piercing her skin, sharing all of herself with him. A scream of ecstasy tore through the stillness of the house.
He took two long pulls and sealed the wound carefully. He sat up and sliced his own neck open jaggedly with his finger pulling her mouth to the wound. Still inside of her, he began to harden as she sucked. She didn't shy away, she moaned at the tingling spicy taste of his blood. She continued to drink while he moved his cock within her, finding no pain as his mate drank from him. He became frenzied, thrusting quickly as the wound began to seal itself and she let out a little growl in disappointment which quickly turned to a moan of pleasure.
Her dark eyes turned to his lightening ones and they stared into each other's souls as they met their release again, the violet bubble around them faded and the swirl of emotions receded. They were complete.
I looked into her eyes and saw all the love I felt reflected in her chocolate orbs as she stared right back at me, and a lazy smile covered my face. I again bit my wrist and saw a look of confusion before placing it to her mouth.
"Drink," I ordered softly.
She balked and looked at my wrist, venom running down my arm as I held it up.
"Trust me, drink. You need it." I placed my arm to her lips and she tentatively peeked her tongue out to taste it. I groaned at the innocent sight.
"Bella, drink." She finally put her mouth to the open wound and took a deep pull before it sealed itself. She pulled back and then began licking my arm from elbow to wrist, catching what she had missed at first.
"Oh my God! I can't believe I just did that! Why did I do that?" she asked looking almost horrified as her tongue traced her lips, seeking out the last of my venom…err blood.
I just hugged her to me, nearly sobbing with joy that she was back and okay. "I thought I had lost you," I mumbled into her hair.
"Lost me? What are you talking about?" She looked at me like I was crazy, but I couldn't help it. I laughed and hugged her tighter. She gasped and I released her, knowing it may have been a bit too tight.
I moved off her and threw a new pair of jeans on, "stay here," I ordered.
I ran downstairs to check on the block of Aro.
"Jasper, what is going on?!" she called loudly from upstairs as if I couldn't hear her at a normal tone.
I stood looking at the mass at in the living room with no change. She was back, I guess now he is the new crisis but I couldn't find it in myself to care right now.
Bella was upstairs fumbling about trying to get dressed. When I heard her moan, "oh God, my hair is disgusting! Jasper!?"
I smirked as I rushed back to my love. "Ya darlin'?"
"Why does my hair feel like I haven't washed it in a week? Why did you run off? What happened to my favorite yoga pants?" she pointed to them in scraps on the floor. "What happened to my wrist? Why did I drink your venom? Why am I not changing? And what is going on? I'm missing something aren't I?" she huffed a little at the end, holding her wrist up where her scar stood out whiter than before and she was so adorable I couldn't help but move in for a deep kiss.
She continued when I moved from her plump swollen lips, "Jasper Whitlock, that is not an answer. What do you mean you thought you lost me? And What is this?" she waved her arm in front of me again.
I grabbed it and kissed the scar. I had some explaining to do. She hasn't even looked in the mirror yet to see the new scar on her neck. Last time I bit her neck on accident I at least did it at the back so she could cover it easily with her hair, this time, not so much. So was going to be pissed.
"Why don't you shower, take care of the gross hair, and the sex smell…" I smirked, "… and when you're done I'll answer all your questions."
She nodded and grabbed some clothes, heading off to the shower, I couldn't help but smack her ass gently as she walked by. She yelped but continued on. I began picking up the scraps of clothes on the floor when the phone rang.
"Major! Run!" was all Peter got out before…
"Jasper Whitlock! What happened to my neck?!" she screeched as she sprinted back into the bedroom and I turned away from her, not sure where to go, only be caught in a small silver shimmering bubble.
"Oh no you don't!" she continued to screech with a hand held out towards me, halting me. I turned to face her, a pile of clothes in one arm and the phone still to my ear in the other.
"Hang up the phone," she ordered murderously. I didn't hang it up, I just dropped it and the clothes around my feet. Holding my hands up in surrender in front of me.
"Darlin', I can esplain," I said giving her my best accent and panty dropping smile.
"Oh, sure you can. You can esplain all you want, but I can't hide this! Scars don't show on your skin because they're the same color but on my skin, they stand out just a bit more, don't you think!? You drank from me twice? TWICE?!" she yelled, again holding up her arm showing me the new and obviously luminescent white scar on her wrist.
"I had to." I stated, just fact.
"Major, just tell her the truth," Peter's words came from the phone.
"Darlin'. Ya been comatose for 4 days. I had ta bite you, ta share blood with you, ta get you ta come back." I gave her a pleading look, willing her to understand.
She blinked, then she blinked again, lowing her arm and studying the scar.
She flicked her hand up and the silver shimmer disappeared.
"Okay, I'm listening," she moved to sit on the bed. "Hand me your phone."
I picked it up and handed it to her. "Peter keep your nose out of it." She hit the off button and threw it behind her on the bed.
"How did you know Peter was on the phone?" I asked taking a seat next her, one leg curled under me so I could face her with a foot still on the floor.
She mirrored my position as she answered, "I could hear him."
I gave the phone a questioning look before gazing into her angry eyes. She wasn't really angry, she just wanted answers, she was actually confused and a little scared.
While we sat there I took her hand and began tracing the scar to comfort us both.
I told her about Aro, the Volturi, her protective bubble, about her dad calling and Char imitating her. I told her about needing to eat, giving her a cold bath, giving her milk and blood- on that one her eyes got incredibly bigger but she remained silent. I told her about the phone call to Marcus and how I finally got her back. I explained that Aro was still encased in whatever she put him in downstairs and Peter apparently got his gift working again.
I raised her hand to my lips and kissed the scar. "If nothing else, it is now my mark, and not his," I sneered the last part before giving her a loving gaze.
She took a deep breath and gave me a peck on the lips pulling her hand from mine. "Okay," she said, and got up to walk away.
I stopped her, grabbing her arm and turning her back to me. "Okay? That's it?" I was confused, she wasn't mad, wasn't asking more questions. Bella never has the reactions I expect.
"I'm going to shower. I need time to process all of this." I nodded and let her go. I saw her hand go to the scar on her neck as she walked back into the bathroom, cutting her emotions off from me as she shut the door.
I moved back to pick up the scraps of clothes and rushed them to the trash can outside. I hate when she cut herself off from me, it was natural for me to feel her. I understand, I'm sure it's a lot to process. I stood in front of Aro, or what was left of him, studying the black mass. I gently touched it, it was solid. I pushed on it, nothing. I scratched it, nothing. I sighed and sat on the sofa across from him.
I can only imagine the anger we'll endure for this. I can protect us, but could I protect us all? Will the Cullen's incur his wrath due to association? I could only hope not. Emmett and Rose left for a reason.
I mulled over my thoughts. What about the Volturi guards that were here? I could kill them all easily but there's more. They weren't even that upset with the situation, they were surprisingly accepting of it actually. Marcus didn't seem to care, of course he was so depressed I don't think he cares about much.
I heard the shower turn off and waited. 15 minutes later Bella came down the stairs in a red long sleeve silky blouse and dark jeans, she looked lovely with her wet hair darkening the red on her shoulders and her bare feet.
"You're gorgeous," I said standing to greet her, hugging her quickly and giving her a generous kiss.
"I'm starving," was her response and I chuckled.
She moved to the kitchen and got some eggs and bacon out and began cooking. She nibbled on a piece tomato she cut up as she moved about the kitchen.
"Eww!" she said, her face scrunched up in disgust. "What is this?" she asked as she hopped over on one foot to the opposite counter getting a piece of paper towel and I appeared in front of her to see her removing a dark orange squished and slightly dried up piece of cheese from the bottom of her foot.
I laughed…hard. At that moment all my stress and worry dissipated.
"I love you," I stated reverently as I took the napkin with the cheese and threw it in the trash under the sink.
"Was that cheese? Why was there cheese on the floor?" I explained the cheese, to which she just shook her head and continued making her breakfast.
"Thank you," she mumbled as she plated her food and went to the table.
"For?" I asked sitting diagonally from her at the head of the table.
"Taking care of me, bringing me back, not pushing me to do something about that," she pointed in Aro's direction. I knew she couldn't have missed it but she never actually acknowledged it until now.
I wanted to take her hand but the closest hand was being used to feed herself, so I opted for placing a hand on her leg.
"As I said, I love you." It was that simple. "As for him, I nodded in Aro's direction, we'll deal with him when you're ready."
"What's going to happen?" she asked around a mouthful of eggs.
"I don't know. Honestly, his guards have not been bad. They have taken every order I have given them, and after the initial shock wore off they aren't angry. Marcus knows, and he didn't seem to care, of course if you could have heard him, he doesn't seem to care about anything other than the loss of his mate. And honestly, I don't know how he does it. I couldn't go on without you. I wouldn't want to."
She finished her breakfast and I took her plate, washing all the dishes while she sat gazing outside. Spirit made his presence known scratching at the back door when he noticed her. The doggy door had been sealed to keep him out for his own safety a couple days ago. Plenty of food and water still sat on the covered patio for him where Char had left it.
I moved to let him in and he immediately ran for Bella. She smiled and hugged him, scratching behind his ears and telling him he was a "good boy."
"I don't think he's eaten since you have," I mentioned as I moved to stroke the soft golden fur.
"Poor baby…" she began, feeding him a piece of bacon.
"Poor baby indeed… We thought we going to have to change you! We thought you were lost forever! We've been worried sick!" Peter grumbled as he came walking in the front door followed by everyone else.
Spirit ran to greet them all, his tail wagging as he got attention from each person that walked through the door.
"Sorry," she mumbled looking down fiddling with the hem of her blouse.
I hooked a finger under her chin, raising her eyes to mine. "Don't."
"And don't you either," I glared at Peter who had taken up his station at the island in the kitchen, Char perched next to him with a somber look and the Volturi stood back silently watching from the edge of the living room blocking our view of Aro's mass.
"Yes, well can we talk about what to do about this?" Jane asked, pointing towards Aro behind her. Her short form surrounded by the much larger male members of the Volturi who nodded in agreement with her question.
"What's going to happen to us?" Bella asked, looking up angrily, a dark flash crossed her features.
Everyone looked scared, she was fine, so I thought, but that was not normal, course nothing about Bella is ever normal.
"That's up to the Masters," Demetri's deep melodic voice answered, his eyes were no longer the friendly man who had been in our home the last few days, they were the eyes of the Volturi, deadly and serious.
"I won't be going to Volterra and neither will my family," Bella glared back.
It seemed like this could turn nasty really quick.
"You don't have a choice, human," Jane interjected.
"Stop!" Char yelled in a panicky voice. "She just came back! Don't anger her more! And she not just any human, she is one of us, we will protect her, just as she protects us!" she growled.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here, Charlotte," Bella growled back.
"Bella," I moved my chair closer. "Char is defending you. Don't get mad at her."
"And don't talk to me like I'm a child." She set her sights on me. Okay, she's just going to be angry.
I sighed, "What will Aro do, if she…" I gave her a pointed look to acknowledge her, "is able to let him out?" I asked.
"As Demetri said, it's up to the Masters," Felix responded calmly.
"What about the other Masters?" Peter sneered.
"We don't know, this is a unique situation." Felix shrugged with his response.
I sighed and looked around the room for a second before looking at my slightly calmer mate. I sent her my curiosity, even if I couldn't feel her, maybe she could feel me. She could, it didn't bounce back. She looked at me and then I felt her emotions seep in. She made sure not to overwhelm me and I smiled being connected to her again. She returned the small smile and we stared at each other as her anger and fear were released, but there was a new undercurrent of peace that lied within her and I was delighted to feel it. My smile turned warm and I played with her fingers sending her my love and happiness, letting my own fear trickle over as I communicated my continued curiosity.
"What are they doing?" Demetri asked the room.
"Communicating, I told you days ago, they do it a lot," Peter answered quietly. I was aware of them, of course, but I only had eyes for my Bella.
Bella's head nodded slightly as she accepted the situation, she could handle it. I sent her my concern and she responded with her determination and surety. I nodded and moved to stand up, pulling her with me.
Looking away from Bella, I saw Char gently petting Spirit, still sitting next to Peter, and the Volturi hadn't moved.
"She's got this," I said as I moved towards the Volturi, indicating they should move out of the way.
"You can release him?" Demetri asked.
"Yes," Bella answered simply and they moved aside.
"They talked about that staring at each other?" he mumbled to Felix, who shrugged in response as we all turned to face Aro.
She stared at the black mass for a moment seeing it truly for the first time. A little hmm escaped her lips as her eyes squinted and she waved her hand in the air, the mass made a crackling sound, much like a loud piece of paper crumpling but didn't change.
The room was silent with only Bella's heartbeat as Spirit headed outside to eat. Everyone watched silently.
Her eyes darkened and narrowed, her fists clenched, and rage again poured from her, she flicked her hand out and the bubble disappeared with a whoosh, Aro falling to the floor among the crushed remnants of the sofa.
She seemed okay, maybe a bit tired but okay. We turned to face Aro who stood gracefully from the rubble that was our couch.
"Very good, my dear, and still human I see," he stated gently as he brushed himself off.
"Master, are you well?" Jane asked going to him.
"Yes, caro. I am perfectly fine, luckily oxygen deprivation does nothing to me," he answered.
"You couldn't breathe in there?" Char asked worried.
"No, Charlotte, but all is well. It's not as if I require breath. That is quiet a shield you have my dear," he turned towards Bella. "I am very impressed, you'll make a fine vampire."
"What are you going to do to her?" I asked, pulling her to my side protectively.
"Ah fear not Major Whitlock, I could no sooner destroy her, than I could destroy myself."
"Huh?" Bella looked at him, confused as we all were.
"You are a magnificent specimen, mia caro. And the love that you share…" he trailed off looking between us, his eyes a dark ruby, gleamed.
"What do you know of the love we share?" I asked him.
"I felt it, of course," he answered as if that made sense. It didn't.
"How did you feel it?" Peter was the one to ask, because Bella and I were too confused.
"Ah, well, I believe even as impenetrable as my confinement was, it did not keep out the very strong emotions that Major Whitlock was sending out several hours ago." He gave us a knowing smile.
"You felt that?" I asked, almost self-conscious but I couldn't be embarrassed about my love for my mate.
"Oh my, yes. I must say you also have quiet the talent, Major Whitlock. I think I may have felt my own heart beat again. I have seen a love like yours only once, but to feel it. Outstanding!"
"Wait, so you aren't mad?" Bella asked looking Aro over to make sure she was understanding that he wasn't pulling some trick.
I too reached out to feel his emotions, sensing only genuine happiness, not the false happiness before, and an under current of longing. I sent them along to Bella, who looked at me because of the change and I nodded towards him.
"What's that?" Aro asked.
"They're communicating," Felix answered with a smirk.
"I know that, about what?" Aro nearly rolled his eyes at his largest guard member before gazing back at us.
"Are you taking us to Italy?" Bella asked.
"No."
Gasps were from both sides, Charlotte and Jane the loudest.
"Master?" Jane asked looking between me and Bella who were both smiling happily.
"There is no crime here. A vampire found his true mate, he cannot leave her. She will not disclose our secret and she will be one of us…some day?" He turned to us with the question of when that would be.
"Next year," I answered, nodding and hugging Bella tighter to my side, she responded by putting an arm around my waist.
"She has been marked as his," Aro nodded towards the scar peeking out of Bella's damp shirt collar, "You are both welcome to join us, of course." His eyes sparkled with unrestrained glee at the idea.
"No, thank you," Bella answered, and I nodded in agreement.
"Very well. Jane?" he held his hand out to her and she grasped his with familiarity. His eyes flashed watching, what had taken place while he was trapped.
"Yes, poor Marcus. I dare say we are going to need a new leader Major Whitlock, are you sure you are not interested?" he again looked to me, sadness and longing seeping from him, his false demeanor lost.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, "Are you asking him to be a king?" his eyes were impossibly big as he looked between Aro and myself.
"I am." Aro nodded and though the guards' eyes grew bigger they did not utter a word. My own eyes matched theirs and I looked down at Bella who was smirking.
"Bella?" I asked.
"You are a great man, Jasper Whitlock. I will follow you where ever you desire to go. Are we still set on my timeline? I wanted to be 21 at least. But if you want to be a king. There is no greater compliment and no greater responsibility. The choice is yours." She took my free hand, not the one around her as she gazed into my eyes, sending me her sincerity.
"What about Marcus?" I asked breaking eye contact to look at Aro.
"I fear, I have been remiss about him. Knowing the love that he has lost and that I am keeping him bound to me. He has been miserable for centuries. I cannot allow it to go on any longer."
I took a deep breath for what I was about to say, "But you killed her, you killed Didyme, your own sister." I began sending him feelings of trust and honesty, just as I had done to Jane a few days ago.
His eyes flashed with anger as did his emotions before settling on sadness. "I did. A decision I deeply regret, more now than ever. I didn't want Marcus to leave us. We were new to power, only a few decades in. I couldn't let him leave, we needed his strength. But after her death, he lost his strength. I didn't know. I did it for selfish reasons and I have never admitted it to anyone. I don't know why I'm telling you now." He looked around quizzically before settling back on me.
"You? Did you do this to me?" He asked raising his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Do what?" I asked innocently, gently pulling the feelings back, to avoid detection.
"Did you manipulate me into telling the truth?" He glared at me, but his emotions were more of fascination than anger.
"Can he do that?" Felix asked, looking worried.
"Yes, he can," Jane growled. "That's how you got me to tell you about Master Marcus in the first place, isn't it?" She glared at me and knew if it wasn't for Bella, I'd be writhing in pain on the floor.
"Jane," Aro admonished, giving her a glance and she looked away, chastised with that single word.
"My my, the talent you possess. I can see how effective you are at being in control and being a leader. You would be a great asset to the Volturi, Major Whitlock."
"Give us a year to think about your proposition," Bella suddenly said.
"Bella?" I asked.
"What? It's a big decision, not one to be taken lightly. I get one more human year, you get a year to think about it and for us to discuss it as a family," she nodded to Peter and Charlotte who stood there mouths agape.
"Give us a year?" she repeated, looking directly at Aro.
"Very well. I will speak with Marcus." Aro nodded.
"And what of his fate?" I asked. I knew but I had to ask.
"It is his choice of course. He has asked many times over the centuries to be put to rest. If he still desires it, I will grant him his wish. But we must have 3 to rule. We need the third person to settle disputes where two cannot."
"A tie breaker," Peter spoke.
"Yes, a tie breaker," Aro agreed.
"I can't help but feel that you have changed an awful lot since you arrived at our home last week," Bella said, inquisitively.
"Yes, mia caro, I have. Not only did I have hours upon hours with nothing to do but think, which I have not had silence or peace like that in ages, it was possibly the closest I may ever get to slumber in such a meditative state. I learned a great deal about the feelings of true mates but I've only had a few hours to reflect on how I have treated others. I believe, I still have more reflecting to do, but your Major here has possibly reawakened some humanity in me that I was unaware had become dormant… That I had believed dead. Believed to be dead in all vampires."
Bella leaned heavily on me becoming tired of standing and while Aro continued I moved to the sofa with her to sit. No one else needed to sit, but she did.
"I was angry at first and excited to have such power join me, mia caro." He looked towards Bella as he continued. "I spent most of my time plotting the demise of Major Whitlock to take you into my home…"
I growled as did Peter and Char. He held his hand up. "Now now, I would not tell you of this unless I had changed my mind. I felt the love you share, the need you have for each other, the anger, the hurt, the pain, everything that you went through yesterday into last night, everything you projected, Major Whitlock, I felt. I have had considerably less time to contemplate those feelings, but I did realize how single minded and power hungry I've become.
"My life has been the same for so long, never changing in what we do, the kinds of vampires that come to me. I read all their thoughts but thoughts aren't emotions. I never realized that, in thousands of years. I have seen millions of lifetimes and dismissed them with the wave of my hand. Now, I am not a changed man overnight as it may seem, Bella. I still desire power and specifically the power of you and your mate. But I will not kill one of you to get the other, nor will I attempt to force you into submission. Which I am certain I could do.
"Chelsea keeps Marcus tied to us, keeps him alive, and the man he used to be, the man he was with Didyme, well that man is already dead. He's a shell of a vampire."
He looked over at his own people, "We have all felt her loss, the castle has changed and not for the better. I took a beautiful spirit and crushed it. I vow to not do that again. To explain my change, takes more words that I am sure of at this time. However, I will not force you or your family to Italy. I will not hold a trial for you as I once planned. I understand when you say you will change her, that you love her, and that nothing can break that bond. I do need a third ruler and can think of no one better especially given your talent for gaining the truth, Major Whitlock." He smiled a genuine smile at me.
"There are some changes coming to the Volturi, oh the laws will of course be the same, but maybe just maybe the atmosphere will be different. We have ruled with an iron fist and I have made it sport to collect people and tie them to me. I need to reflect on these actions and those people. We will take our leave. Demetri, please leave our telephone numbers for the Whitlocks and we'll be off." He turned and headed for the door, leaving everyone staring awestruck by his words.
"Aro?" Bella called, pulling an invisible string to turn him around before he maneuvered though the door.
"Yes mia caro?" he looked at her with a gentle smile. One that I didn't mind, even appreciated.
"Thank you." She stood up and moved over to him, my skin crawled to see her approach him but I didn't stop her.
"My dear?" he inquired looking down at her as a father may look upon a child.
"You came here to kill me or to bring us back to Italy, either way, you came here with one plan and now you are leaving with a much better one. Thank you for letting me have my year of humanity, for leaving my family intact, for not being angry with me for your accidental imprisonment…" she blushed but maintained eye contact. "And for the generous offer you have given us." She looked over at me and reached a hand out, which I used my speed to get to her and take. She was beautiful and honest and loving and all mine.
He placed a gentle hand on her cheek. He muttered, "Hmmm, I still see nothing. But I trust in your sincerity and your love for each other, cara. I will be in contact."
Aro looked at his guards. "Come," he ordered.
"Here." Demetri handed me is phone as he passed. I guess that's one way to leave phone numbers, just leave the whole phone.
There were no goodbyes or fond farewells. There was a lot to be thought about and even more confusing was how things had been left. I was offered a position as a king, of a race, of vampires. My beautiful mate has literally been to hell and back, while her dad is on vacation, and in a year my whole world is changing one way or another as my mate takes her place by my side. Maybe as my Queen. I looked at Bella who appeared very tired. She exuded contentment, peace, and happiness but she was tired.
I picked her up and began carrying her upstairs.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a raised brow.
"Well you technically haven't slept in days. You got a good meal in ya and I can feel your tired. But frankly, my dear…" I teased with a smirk, "I just need time alone with you."
AN: Look Ma, no cliffie! Review please!