Athena gently lifted Adley's arms as they sat on the recliner in one of the family rooms. Her pale fingers tracing the hypertrophic scar tissue. Red outlined the shining skin. In sensitive patterns that had been straightened as best as possible. They had done what they could to make sure the scars were minimal. To no avail they remained slow healing and sensitive. It'd be years before she fully was healed. The Dark magic that'd been used upon her wasn't well known, and considering she wasn't exactly human, the effects would not be known. She'd already been told she'd avoided death many times over.

Adley tried her best not to cringe away from her Athena's touch. She wasn't here to inflict pain. She reminded herself Her cool fingers did not push on the scars merely hovered. The flashes of the blade in her skin and her screams echoing out. Her heart beat increasing slamming into her chest beating in her ears.

"Do they still hurt?" Sulpicia asked looking over her shoulder.

"They're more sensitive than painful. The physical wasn't the worse of it." Adley replied shaking the intrusive images away. "I add creams to keep the skin from becoming too tight. It's too early for laser removal or injections to try and flatten them. They barely closed until recently. The scars need to be set for at least six months, see if they will go down on their own. That's what Dr. Ramirez said anyways."

"I wish I were there to have torn those men to sheds. What they did…" Athena growled, cutting herself off.

The small coos and laughs from the floor stopped. Thea and August looked up from the play mat right at the women's feet. Adley did her best to send assuring waves to the twins. It wasn't long until they were babbling again back and forth. Jane was sat beside them entertaining them with a rattle or toy. Her red gaze would look to Adley now and then.

"Are you sure you've been alright?" Sully asked pushing back Adley's dark hair from her face pulling it back to braid it.

Adley sighed relaxing herself as much as she could. The tension in her shoulders hadn't gone away since leaving the cabin two weeks ago.

"There are times," Adley murmured, her attention turning to the twins. "I get nightmares now and then. It's the same day over and over… he's torturing me to the brink of death… only to return me… Cassie gave me a night draught to help with the memories. It won't work forever but, it'll numb it for now. It's just all too much to face right now. I can't turn into what I was six years ago."

She looked to the twins. Their laughter and smiles so pure. Their auras radiated a pure white glow, with excitement and joy through them. The way babies always looked to her. So carefree, without being touched by darkness. She wiped a tear from her eyes. The same darkness threatening to swallow her whole. She saw herself, how she'd been a few years back. Blocked off from the world. Her empathic gift had completely shut down concaving inwards.

"No one holds you accountable for your mental state back then." Athena assured. "You were nineteen who lost a best friend in a tragic event. You had come back from death, how was anyone to act different?"

Adley wiped the silent tears that continued down her cheeks. "Survivors guilt, is what my Aunt calls it. I went comatose for seven months. If it wasn't for my aunt, I was sure to be hospitalized. I don't want to become that version of me again." Adley's bottom lip quivered. "I can't be like that. Not with the twins, not with Marcus. What would it do to him?"

"He is stronger than you think," Sully commented while she tied off the braid. "Marcus knows what it is like to go into such a state. Have you brought this up to him?"

Adley blushed. "Not in so many words… I never thought to. I don't want to influence him in any capacity."

"The mating bond makes it so he is aware of your state in some extent. Why don't you go take some time with him Adley? Have you two really been alone without these two for some time?"

"My Aunt constantly takes the twins, and my parents too when we need them to…"

"When you weren't injured?" Athena edged.

"No…"

"Then, think of it as a gift from us. You and Marcus get the next two days to be together." Sully declared.

"Seriously? We're hear to see you all." Adley protested.

"We've got eternity, darling. Two days is nothing."

Adley stood in front of his office door, it was a few doors down from the bedroom she'd gotten to know as theirs. The wooden doors were closed, but Aro had assured her he'd gone to address some paperwork to settle a bit. A guard stood at the door looking ahead without moving. She flexed her fingers, taking a deep breath.

She could do this. She was an empath for heaven sakes, who knew emotions and trauma… when dealing with other people, and not herself. She reminded. This was Marcus, her partner. The man she'd spent the past year with, a man she'd done so much with. They were engaged, had two children. They'd fought newborn vampires together. She'd signed accords with his guidance.

Her heartrate had not decreased since she'd been with her sisters in law. She pressed her lips. Why was it suddenly so hard to push open these doors and go look at the man she'd eventually call her husband? She could tell him anything… right? That's what this was, a partnership. They could discuss everything under the sun. They hadn't exactly touched on the raw darkness haunting her mind.

They'd talked about her past the traumas she'd dealt with already. They hadn't talked about the wild unhinged side of it all. The parts that made her want to cower away, and never leave. She wiped at her face, taking a deep breath. This was Marcus, one of the kindest men she knew. The most loving who had infinite patience with her.

She knocked once.

"Come in," He called loud enough for her to hear.

She pushed open the door, it was pulled close right after. She took in the large space. It had a sitting area with a few dark Italian leather couches, in front of a fire place. The walls were lined with books, and a few office filing cabinets around. His executive sized dark wood desk held his computer, and two chairs across from him. He was leant back in a high back chair in a matching dark espresso leather. A light was on his desk, off currently. He had a few papers sprawled out in front of him. He put his pen down rounding the table in a flash.

He had her in his arms in seconds, a finger under her chin getting her to look up into his merlot gaze. "You have been crying."

She nodded. "I was talking with your sisters."

"What did they do?"

"Nothing!" She reached up touching his cheek. "They didn't do anything. They merely were talking with me about, what's gone on these last few months… the not so pleasant stuff."

"I see," he nodded once. "Come sit with me, Little One. You are practically shaking."

He took her hand guiding her around to one of the couches. He sat down pulling her into his lap. She sat across so her feet were on the other cushion beside him. He cradled her close to his chest. A soft purr rumbled within.

She took a few deep breaths, lowering her mental shield of emotions.

Marcus' aura shown with a bright yellow, of the joy he always had when near her. the concern dripping in swirling near her. She laid her head down over where his heart was in his chest.

"Do you wish to speak about it?" He asked pulling her braid free, running his fingers through her waves.

"How did you deal with it?" She questioned. "The sadness, the wound you carried with you for centuries. How did you not succumb to it?"

"I will be frank," he began fingers messaging her head. "I did not deal at all with it. That is how I made it so long. In the beginning, I was angry. I had lost who I considered the love of my life. My rage was uncontrollable. I tore through many guards and nomads. I became gluttonous in my thirst. I fed without cause. After I massacred a village in the northern part of modern-day Poland. Aro had me subdued. I turned my rage inwards and shut down. I lost myself to time. Many days I sat on that throne unmoved, not blinking. I relived the memories of time before. I spoke when urged but never registered the world around me. I wandered these halls as a ghost. It was not until you walked in with Ms. Swan. I felt relief for the first time. I had lived days in the darkness never seeing the sun until you."

"You knew that quickly?" She murmured looking up at him. "I nearly screamed when I felt your sorrow. It was pure agony. It was not as fresh as Bella's, but it consumed the room like a black hole, nonetheless. How did you not die?"

"It was not without effort, I begged Aro to end my life on numerous occasions. He refused. I thank the gods every day he did. I would not have you, or our children otherwise."

"It was so recent, this change. Do you ever get flash backs, or remaining pain from that old wound?"

"There are times, I miss her. I do not ache as I used to. This passed year, seeing you die and hurt has brought those memories and feelings back around. It is a struggle to control. I still feel the urge to lock you up in a room never allowing you out. You are still healing, and it hurts me to see you in pain. Aro had to reel me in a few times from my anger and fear."

"I –I haven't been doing so good either." She turned her head facing his chest. "I've been having nightmares that night is on replay in my head. It's too much at times. Marcus. I'm so afraid I'll revert into the zombie I'd been when Naomi died. I feel so ashamed to even be this weak. The urge to hide. I can't handle it at times. I fear I'll see him around every corner and end up going through that hell again."

Tears began streaming down her face the more she talked. She hiccupped as she went further into the details. She weaved her aura with his, sharing exactly what she was dealing with.

He held her tighter rocking her. "You are not weak, not in the slightest for experiencing fear and a want to hide. What he did was unimaginable. He is not alive any more, Little One. you will not see him ever again. I will do everything in my power to protect you. I will also help you get through these emotions."

"I love you so much," she cried. "I don't know why I was so scared to tell you."

"You fear judgement, for being seen as weak." He explained, pressing his lips to her forehead. "You are braver than you know. I revere the woman you are."

"Thank you, for listening to me."

"Always my love, sleep now, relax. I am here."

She let her eyes flutter shut sniffling as he held her close.

Adley yawned stretching herself taking in her surrounds. She was back in their bed, curtains drawn shut. Marcus was laid beside her with a book in one hand while his other held her close to him.

"Good morning love," He shut the book setting it aside.

"How long?"

"Merely an hour, it is only three in the afternoon." He replied rolling her over onto his chest.

Her hair splayed out around her. "Athena and Sully said we could have the next two days to be on our own. They would watch the twins for us."

"Is that so?" He mused. "What would you like to do with that time? I believe your birthday is tomorrow."

She pushed up off his chest. "Shit is it seriously the tenth already? I'm twenty-five… Damn. I know I'm not aging but still. I've been alive for a quarter of a century!"

"You are getting so old." He teased, quickly darting forward catching her lips with his.

She smiled before returning the kiss. "I'd like to go to a play or opera. It has been a while since I've been. If you are alright with that?"

"We happen to have a box at Teatro della Pergola, they have a show about Eurydice and Orpheus currently. Does that work with you?" He offered.

"A tragic love story. I like it. It sounds wonderful." She kissed him again quickly. "I should shower."

"A good idea. Then I shall take you to a few places we did not get to see when we were last in Italy tonight. Tomorrow we will go to the opera." He scooped her up making his way to the shower.

"Marcus, are you sure we should be out here?" Adley asked holding onto him.

She kept her eyes closed. She heard the world moving by at vampiric speed. They'd gone to a few ruins today through out Volterra. He gave her a tour of the under-ground tunnels. She got a few photos along the way of the tour. A few of the guards and candid shots of the town. The ancient town was very photogenic. She'd gotten Marcus in the shadows near the bell tower, looking as menacing as he could. The next one of him laughing.

"Worry not Little One, this place is part of the property we own." He assured her. "You can open your eyes."

She turned away from his chest peeking.

They were stopped in a wide field, on one of the rolling hills of the Tuscany country side. The dark night sky clear of a cool spring night. She exhaled, the country side was oddly warm for the time of day. He set her down on her feet.

The best of it all was above, millions and millions of stars shone bright in the dark purple sky. She smiled taking in the view. The fifty-fifty view of the ground and sky. She exhaled. It was quiet, no crickets sounding or wild life. The world was still.

Marcus offered her a hand. She took it sitting down, on a blanket she noted. Set up beside them a telescope.

"Would you like to do some star gazing?"

"Yes!" she leant back into him as he sat beside her.

"I brought a telescope in case you wished to see some of the planets as well."

"In a bit," she smiled. "When I used to go hiking, if I ended up camping, I'd look for as many constellations as possible. Orion being the easiest to find."

"A few are out tonight."

"Tell me what you were told, of the stories behind the stars." She asked.

"If you look just over here," he guided her direction. "You will see the distinctive 'W' of Cassiopeia."

She nodded.

"There had once been a very vain queen, named Cassiopeia. She was the wife of King Cepheus of Aethiopia. She boasted that she was more beautiful than all the sea nymphs called the Nereids. Her claims were so loud, the God Poseidon sent a sea monster called Cetus to destroy the kingdom. In the end Cassiopeia was elevated to the stars, to suffer from the humiliation of wheel around the North celestial pole on her throne spending half her time upside down. A warning of vanity on display for all."

"I'm glad such comments don't get sea demons sent after us anymore." She murmured.

"The gods were known for dramatics." He added. "There you will see Virgo, the personification of Persephone wife of Hades."

"The goddess who went from Kore, little girl. To Persephone death bringer."

She turned facing Marcus. "Thank you, for this. Ending the day stargazing."

"It is nearly Midnight, love." He whispered leaning down kissing her.

She returned the kiss turning to straddle his lap. She pressed close, his hands holding her hips in place. He licked her bottom lip seeking entrance. she allowed him in. she tangled her tongue with his, languidly enjoying his taste. The sweetness that was his venom. The slight sting it left. She pulled back gasping.

"Lay back," He instructed.

She did carefully on the blanket, which was big enough for this. He slipped a pillow under her head. She tried to keep a close eye on him but the night time had her relying on touch.

He kissed her once, twice, trailing the kisses from her swollen lips down her jaw to her neck. He skimmed his hands down her sides caressing the sides of her breasts. She shuddered.

"Lift." He murmured hands on the waist of her jeans.

She did.

He made swift work of her underwear and jeans sliding them off her. the cold barely had time to settle in before he knocked her legs apart gently. He settled between her legs. His hands tracing little designs into her hips.

She bit her bottom lip, heart rate picking up. She took shallow breaths watching as much as she could to his actions. She reached down towards him.

"Relax, Little One. Be a good girl keep your hands above your head love." He ordered.

She huffed bringing her hands up above her head looking up to the stars.

She heard him chuckle. She opened her mouth to snip.

He swiped his tongue over her clit quickly. The cool touch. She bucked a small gasp falling from her lips.

"Marcus."

"Patience,"

He spread her legs further over his shoulders. His lips trailed kisses from above her pubic mound, down her legs around her inner thighs.

She tried in vain to control her breaths.

He ran a finger through her folds. She bit back a cry.

Marcus gently ghosted his fingers to circle her clit along her outer labia.

A coil began to spin in frustration tighter in her lower abdomen. The burning grew the longer he slowly touched her.

"Good girl," he murmured.

"Ah."

He circled her clit with the tip of his tongue. He dipped one finger into her. he withdrew. Replacing it with two. He worked the digits in and out of her.

He continued his assault to her clit.

"Marcus… mmm." She gasped.

She took small breaths, trying to keep it together. The more he sucked on her clit, the higher she was tossed, and the coil of desire tightened. He drove her higher and higher. She could feel herself getting wetter and wetter. the burning grew hotter and hotter.

Marcus didn't give her anytime as he threw her over the edge.

She cried out, her hips bucking forward. He held her down though. She fisted the blanket below her hands.

He gave her no reprieve throwing her over the edge again, and again.

Her legs turned to jelly. She panted trying with her might to catch her breath.

"Happy birthday Little one," he whispered pulling her to him.

Her leg still spasmed, riding out the bliss that surrounded her brain.

She focused in on his dark gaze, few inches above her. A small smile on his face.

"I need you in me." She rasped. "Now."