GET THE PARTY STARTED!

The throne room was buzzing with life as every single member of the Volturi coven was in attendance for the celebrations. Having led the mission to find and destroy the rogue threat that caused the loss of ten guards and dear Didyme, Caius, of course, was the guest of honour. He was sitting tall in his throne, his wife in his lap, preening like lord of the manor.

Aro watched his coven mate from his own throne and smiled contentedly. He was happy for Caius, and they all needed the relief from the tensions in this coven that this night would surely bring.

Aro turned to the right to see how Marcus was holding up. He was still in the depths of despair, but, tonight at least, he appeared at ease. Aro knew he was taking opium in his quarters regularly now, Carlisle had told them earlier in the week. I bet you regretted telling me and El that with Basileus in the room, little brother! He thought back on that night.

"Whoa! Carlisle!" Eleazar called out in surprise as he rushed to his brother's side. Having crashed through Aro's door, Carlisle was now slumped on the floor.

Aro started laughing.

"What are you finding so funny!" Eleazar shot out in irritation.

"Look at him!" Aro gestured to Carlisle's spaced out eyes and goofy grin. "He's just drunk or something ... stop being an old woman, El!"

Eleazar dragged Carlisle to his feet - he was certainly unstable on his legs.

"I'm not drunk." Carlisle slurred. "I've been with Marcus."

Directing his brother into his chair, Eleazar stood back and looked the younger vampire up and down. He's fucked, he assized.

"So what have you been doing with Marcus?" Eleazar pushed as Carlisle appeared to be floating away with a peculiar distance in his eyes.

"Opium!" the blond announced, allowing his head to fall backwards as he enjoyed the last of his drug induced high.

"Oh fuck!" Eleazar exclaimed whilst Aro laughed even harder.

"It isn't funny, Aro!" his big brother hissed. "We need to hide him from Basileus! He will kill him! Help me, Aro! And stop fucking laughing - this isn't fucking funny!"

Aro couldn't contain his laughter, in fact he could barely stand through his doubled up guffawing!

"You're damn right it isn't funny!" Basileus boomed as he stormed into the living room.

Eleazar scrubbed a hand down his face. "I didn't know you were here, my lord," he offered respectfully.

"Evidently, El!" Basileus replied gruffly, as, without warning, he whipped the back of his hand, hard, across Eleazar's face.

Eleazar hissed and cupped his bruised cheek in one hand whilst holding the other up in self-defence. "What did I do?" He called out through his aching jaw.

"You planned to hide this from me, you deceitful shit!" Basileus growled as he pulled Eleazar's face free of his hand and slapped him again.

Aro grimaced and looked away. He always found it oddly awkward when their father punished Eleazar in any way - he looked up to his big brother and seeing him being brought to task unnerved him.

"Sit down unless you want some more?" Basileus warned his eldest boy.

Eleazar backed up until he was a safe enough distance away to turn and sit. He knew he should apologise, but instead Eleazar chose to sit and silently fume over being punished. Bastard, he thought.

Basileus heard, of course. Turning his steely glare on his eldest boy, he considered taking his belt to his disrespectful hide, but hearing Carlisle moan contentedly brought him back to the task at hand.

Aro went to sit with his big brother. It would make a nice change to see the saintly Carlisle brought to task instead for a change.

"What have you taken?" Basileus kindly asked Carlisle as he loomed over him.

Carlisle, completely out of all good sense, didn't realise why he shouldn't have answered that question or fallen for the kind tone his father used. "Tincture of opium! Drops in wine! With Marcus ... " Carlisle would have continued, but the rumbling growl Basileus was producing could be felt as a vibration through the floor - enough to draw Carlisle's attention to the potential danger. Through his hazy eyes he could see Basileus' rage. All too soon the opium high was fading to extinction and the reality of the situation slowly dawned on Carlisle.

Basileus didn't speak, he simply removed the heavy belt he wore from around his dress coat and doubled it over in his hand.

"Why are you doing that?" Carlisle asked, warily.

"Are you confused?" Basileus asked dangerously. "What made you think I would be accepting of you getting off your face on FUCKING OPIUM!"

Carlisle gulped as he squashed himself back into this seat. The drugs he'd taken, now completely dissipated, offered no protection from his impending doom.

Taking a fistful of his son's hair, Basileus dragged Carlisle to his feet and then quickly turned him around and flipped him over the sofa.

"No! Please! Don't!" Carlisle grunted out as he was roughly manipulated into position.

Basileus laughed, a completely humourless laugh that had all three of his sons grimace.

Felix and Demetri appeared in the archway, alerted by all the shouting. Aro flashed to their side as Basileus delivered the first stoke of his belt to Carlisle's backside. The howl that ensued told all in attendance that Basileus, in a rare event, had used his full vampiric force on his son. "Go to your room and stay there." Aro told his sons quietly, though it took a good shove to get them moving.

The second strike was delivered with as much force as the first. Carlisle's breath caught in his throat as he felt his skin crack from the blow. His knees buckled and he splayed out over the back of the sofa. Before he could audibly react, his father issued another razor sharp strike. As his eyes bulged, Carlisle realised Basileus had never before used his full strength when punishing him. "AHHHH!" he began to wail - when Basileus delivered the fourth strike, Carlisle's howl turned to a blood curdling scream.

Aro retook his seat next to Eleazar. Both had been on the end of Basileus' full force enough times to know the pain their brother would be in. They also knew it was pretty much over. Basileus only ever gave a handful of strikes with such valour, though that was more than enough to make a very clear point. Only Aro had ever suffered more than that and he had been rendered unable to walk for a week from the experience.

CRACK! One fifth and final blow and Basileus brought his son's punishment to an end. Refastening his belt around his waist, he asked Carlisle if he was going to take drugs again.

"N, n, no, I ... " Carlisle attempted to reply. He didn't get very far. As he went to move, an unimaginable shoot of pain traversed his body that rendered him a sobbing heap slumped over Aro's sofa.

"He will be feeling that for a few days!" Aro whispered gleefully to his big brother.

"You don't have to enjoy it so much." Eleazar hissed back, still cradling his face.

Aro chuckled to himself at the memory. His thoughts were confirmed upon seeing Carlisle walking a little stiffly over to Eleazar's seat at the head of the long table to the left.

Carlisle was supposed to be sitting at the head of the long table to the right but he seemed to be struggling with sitting at all right now. Aro laughed again at his brother's predicament.

"What has amused you so, my love?" Sulpicia asked him from his side. She stroked a hand through her husband's long black hair, smoothing out any imperfections.

Aro took her hand and held it to his chest. "Oh, nothing, just my little brother's suffering," he replied with an impish grin.

"Oh Aro, you are cruel!" Sulpicia looked over to Carlisle and Eleazar and seeing the younger shifting from foot to foot as he conversed with his brother, she couldn't contain her giggle either.

"Where's that old man of yours, Aro?!" Caius called over. He actually had to raise his voice, which was unusual for vampires with their impeccable hearing. But with nearly 50 people in the throne room, the noise had risen to a low din already.

Aro hardly had time to shrug in answer to Caius' question before the heavy double doors facing the thrones burst open revealing a beaming Basileus with a large beer barrel under each arm.

"And just who are you calling old, Caius?" he shouted. It was in good humour, but the entire room still became motionless and silent at hearing their creator's voice. "Will no one defend me?!" Basileus looked around to the young, grinning guard, "And, to think I have brought gifts for you all!"

Carrying the barrels to the first two guards at the closest bench, he gave instructions for them to place the barrels in the centre of the table. Each table stretched half the length of the room. They were huge banqueting benches that were rarely used day to day, but for celebrations they were great to have somewhere that all the guards could sit together.

"Felix, where are you my boy?"

Felix stood up a little sheepishly, trying to think if he'd done anything wrong in the few hours since he last saw Basileus.

"Aha, there you are. And Antonio?"

Antonio rose from the opposite side of the room, he was nearly as tall as Felix, and nearly as strong. He joined Felix at Basileus' side.

"Right lads, you will find near the entrance to the castle steps a good many more of these barrels. Take a few guards each and start bringing them in. The ones with black bands are to go on the banqueting tables, as many as you can fit on, and the gold bands, I want those by the thrones."

Both Antonio and Felix looked a little confused, they had plenty of wine ready at the back of the room ...

"Go, go, and hurry!"

They may have been confused, but they weren't so stupid that they wanted to look like they were disobeying orders. They took the four guards closest to them, older newborns, and started to bring in the barrels.

"Do we have goblets?"

Many guards threw their hands up, clutching goblets, "Wonderful!" Basileus replied to their gesture.

Spotting his two sons, Basileus crossed the room and walked the length of the first banqueting table, acknowledging guards as he went until he reached Carlisle.

"Why aren't you sitting at your table, son?" he asked Carlisle with a cocky smile, knowing full well that the hiding he'd given his youngest son two days ago was still stinging him a little.

Carlisle looked nervously to his big brother, who helpfully laughed at him. Thanks, El. Jerk!

"I was just seeing how things were over here, father."

Basileus slapped his boy hard on his shoulder, "good to hear it!" then leaning in close, he whispered, "it's a party son, try to enjoy it, eh."

Carlisle smiled with relief and nodded to his father as he walked over to Aro.

Taking the five shallow steps easily in one stride Basileus approached Marcus first.

"How are you, my friend?"

"I am good, Basileus. Looking forward to what the night has planned. I believe Aro has arranged entertainment for us all." His words were happy and hopeful, but his voice was maudlin and dejected.

The opium must be wearing off again, Basileus thought. "I have arranged something a little special myself, my friend and I think you, in particular, will enjoy it."

Shaking the man's hand, Basileus moved behind Aro's chair to reach Caius on the other side. Taking Athenodora's hand in his own, he planted a light kiss to her delicate skin, "My lady," he said courteously, with a soft smile.

Althenodora giggled in return and offered a smile with her 'my lord.'

Caius rolled his eyes at his easily swayed wife - she was always so star struck around Basileus, still!

"Caius, my good man, our guest of honour!" As Basileus theatrically bowed his head to the coven master, Caius' ego swelled a little more.

Aro, watching from the side, wondered if Caius would snap his own neck with the weight of his big head after tonight!

"Father you said you were bringing the feast ... we already have wine, I will be facing off a rebellion if there's no blood!" Aro called over to Basileus, a little annoyed that he'd made his way around half the room without acknowledging him yet.

Basileus' booming laugh filled the room again, "Oh Aro, you should have a little more faith in your 'old man'." He threw a wink to Caius, who slunk slightly into his seat, unsure how to take it.

Basileus approached Aro and took his son's goblet from his hand, "Do not worry so, my son. You will be more than pleased with what I have to offer!"

"That's the last of them, my lord," Antonio shouted up to the head of the room.

"Wonderful boys, wonderful." Basileus replied as Felix brought over the golden rimmed barrel and set it at his grandfather's feet.

"So what's in the gold ones then?" he asked, wondering why they were lugging these great barrels about. It would have taken 4 humans at least to carry one of these oversized barrels, they looked more like whisky barrels than beer or wine.

"Don't you worry about the gold one, son." Basileus replied to Felix, "Come with me." Placing one arm across Felix's broad shoulders and carrying Aro's goblet in the other, Basileus walked his grandson back to his seat in the middle of Eleazar's bench. He pulled the barrel to the edge of the table and with goblet in place, he twisted the tap to release the contents. Crimson red liquid spilled into the cup, Basileus allowed the enchanting fluid to flow until the goblet was almost filled to the brim.

"Felix, tell us all, what can you smell?" Basileus held the cup to his grandson's nose.

Breathing in heavily, Felix couldn't quite believe what it could be ...

"It's blood! But it smells like really strong wine! What is it?"

Basileus laughed again with the whole room looking on eagerlyly.

"Well, it IS blood, and it IS 'really strong wine'! I have infused these barrels of blood with ethanol."

Aro's grin spread wide across his face, as did the grin on many other faces around the room.

"But wont the blood be bad if it's from barrels?" he asked his father.

"No son, the ethanol preserves the blood. It'll doesn't need to be kept cool, or heated afterwards, it can be drank straight from the barrel. I have been testing it myself for a few weeks now, if anything, it gets better with age! We may have to clear some of your dungeons out for a new 'wine' store, Caius!"

Caius laughed politely, but no, no way was that happening!

Felix and Demetri shared a small smile, hoping it might.

"Felix, would you like to have the first glass?" Basileus offered Felix the goblet.

Aro was on the edge of his seat, Sulpicia willing her husband to just allow him to drink the blood.

Felix wanted to take it. He knew Aro would not go against Basileus' wishes. But in the same way, Felix would not go against Aro's. Instead of taking the goblet, he turned and sought the permission of his own father, stretching out his hands questioningly, hoping Aro wouldn't make him verbally ask to be allowed to drink in front of all these guards! Aro felt his heart burst with pride, Felix wanted his approval, even above Basileus.

"NO!" Aro called out.

Felix threw his eyes to the floor, not daring to look at the guards. He could already hear whispering about him not being allowed to drink - again.

Aro left his seat and his wife's pawing and approached Basileus.

Basileus was raising a questioning eyebrow to his son. You had better remember our conversation, Aro. Don't force me to take you down in this room!

Standing in front of his father, Aro asked, "May I?" He took the goblet from his hands.

"Demetri." Demetri stood and bowed his head. "I think you should take the first drink," Demetri looked over in disbelief! "It was your tracking skills that lead to us finding the covens after all. What do you say, Caius?"

"I would have to agree, Aro, we would never have found their lair without the boy. Give him the goblet." Caius smiled, sincerely - it was a little unnerving for some of the guards, having only seen his evil happiness; contented happiness looked odd on him.

Felix smiled, too. He knew what Aro was doing, he was giving the two of them approval to drink tonight. No doubt he would be keeping a close eye, but they now had permission. This is going to be epic!

Basileus smiled too, happy Aro had made the right choice, a better choice than himself, in fact.

Demetri clutched the goblet that looked too large for his boyish hands and took a decent swig of the infused blood. He could taste the alcohol immediately, it was really strong, much stronger than any wine he'd tasted before. But it hit the burn for blood in his throat and the need for a feed was perfectly sated.

"Well, what do you think lad?" Basileus asked him, watching the boy's reactions intently. The whole room was waiting for him to reply.

"It's amazing!" A roaring cheer filling the air!

"Fill your glasses", Basileus shouted over the noise, "and call in the musicians!"

The roaring didn't end, instead the music joined in with the cheers. While their voices were muffled in the loud din Basileus offered a 'well done' to Aro, who smiled in return and pulled his two sons close to him.

Placing his head between theirs, and pulling Felix down a little to reach Demetri's ear he told them, "Do not make me regret this, or I will pass on that regret to you ... do you understand me?"

"Really? We can just, y'know, drink, like, with everyone else?" Felix thought this sounded too good to be true.

"Yes, but I can smell how strong it is from here, so go steady, yes?" Aro tapped at his son's cheeks in unison to that final part, a small slap punctuating each word. They both looked like goofy teens and Aro wondered if he was taking leave of his senses to allow this. But resigned to it now, he stood back tall and retook his throne, bringing Sulpicia into his lap.

Basileus followed him up the steps, having collected enough goblets for the royalty of Volterra. From the gold rimmed barrel he began pouring full cups and setting them aside.

Carlisle and Eleazar joined the thrones and Eleazar passed out the cups to Caius and Athenodora while Carlisle collected his own and one for Sulpicia.

"Carlisle!" Basileus raised his eyebrows to his son, giving the sort of look that dared you to put a foot out of line and you would be facing the consequences.

Carlisle recognised the threat and he grudgingly gave a goblet to Aro, too. He was still pissed at Aro's ribbing for the beating he'd taken a few days ago over the whole opium affair with Marcus ... I wasn't to know Basileus would be against me taking opium for pleasure. Well, I probably could have guessed really, but I certainly didn't know our father was sitting in the next room! Aro bloody well did, and he could have warned me!

Standing with his own cup in hand, Basileus asked the group, "Do we all have a glass?" and seeing everyone did, he continued while holding out his goblet, "To Caius, for his spectacular job, and for Didyme, whose loss is felt by us. May we always remember the happiness you brought to our world"

Everyone raised their glass and took down a good gulp. They all seemed impressed ... Basileus was pleased!

"Wow! Amazing! What is that?" Questions flew through the group and Basileus only laughed in reply.

"What's in it? It doesn't smell like the one you opened down there." Aro asked his father, curiously.

"Well it is similar. its blood and ethanol ... and maybe just a little seed of the poppy ... "

Carlisle's full mouth of blood burst from his mouth and sprayed the marble floor.

Basileus came up next to his youngest, who looked whiter than snow! Booming with laughter he said, "I'm sure you can handle a few cups, son, before I have to send you to the children's table!" Basileus motioned to the guards at the banqueting tables and all in their group but Carlisle laughed heartily. "Come on son, relax a little!" Basileus smacked the seat of his pants, it wasn't hard, but with the burning still eminent from the punishment he'd taken over opium already, Carlisle hitched up onto his tip toes with a grimace.

Eleazar decided to save his poor little brother by diverting attention away from him, "You haven't put poppy in the guard's blood, have you father?"

Aro tried not to show his concern, but his head snapped around to hear the answer.

"Of course not! I wouldn't waste it on that bunch of fools. Besides, they seem happy enough with what they have." He looked over to the guards who had jesters moving between them offering entertainment and musicians playing the tunes they knew and loved. They were all happy, celebrations were in full swing.

"What blood is this? You must have killed 500 men to fill all these barrels!" Caius asked Basileus, impressed with the very idea.

"Not a single one, dear Caius. I came upon a deer park a few miles north of here and I drained every one of them.

"DEER?" Caius asked, incredulously.

"YES! DEER!" Basileus shouted back, daring him to complain.

Caius immediately backed down and taking another swig of his cup he replied, "A genius idea, my lord. What did you do with the carcasses?"

Basileus walked to Marcus' side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I gave them to the town elders of Volterra to be shared amongst those in need, as a gift from their saint Marcus, here."

No one could argue with that.

The twins sat at Aro and Sulpicia's feet. Basileus had clearly forgotten about them, or so they thought. They could feel the burning in their small throats. Jane looked up at Sulpicia and tugged gently on her silvery silk dress.

Sulpicia broke away from her conversation with Athenodora to see the two tiny vampires looking up with pleading eyes. She gasped at her own forgetfulness, "Aro, the twins, they have to feed!"

Basileus overheard Sulpicia and flashed in front of her. Crouching down to Jane and Alec, he revealed two large glass bottles from the inside pocket of his thick black cloak. "As if I would neglect my young ones!" he said, kindly. Giving each a bottle, he told them, "No alcohol for you I'm afraid, I caught this fresh on my way over here."

The twins happily indulged their thirst, they didn't care for drinking alcohol anyway, and neither Aro nor Sulpicia would allow it.

The celebrations had been in full swing for hours, everyone had drank enough to relax and join in with the festivities. Aro looked over a little hazily to his youngest brother. He was laying on the throne steps with Ashanti. Her usual gift of infatuation was in full force this evening by the look of Carlisle's starry eyed appearance. He was happily sharing his opium infused bloodwine with her and the two seemed very 'close'.

Aro found it hilarious and walked, well, slightly staggered over to his big brother to share his amusement.

"El, El, look at him!" He pointed out their youngest brother, who was now feeling up Ashanti. The two doubled up in laughter.

Ashanti was welcoming the attention from her master's brother, she'd had her eye on Carlisle since he'd first entered their coven and the quick fumble they had managed before Basileus had thrown her to the dungeons was not nearly enough. Since then, Caius had kept Ashanti down in the newborn hall in the dungeons, much to his pleasure, at Basileus' request. Basileus was intent on casting her from the coven but Aro and Caius had argued passionately for a reprieve. She may be throwing that reprieve down the drain shacking up with Carlisle again! Aro thought as he watch the two pawing at each other on the throne steps.

All the females, and one or two of the males who were so inclined, were attracted to Carlisle and Eleazar; they were handsome, powerful, and rich vampires - who wouldn't want a piece of that? Ashanti saw bagging either one as a way to secure her safety in the coven and raise her from guard status. Her desire for rising through the ranks was no secret and she'd even had hopes that Felix could pull her up from the guard hall. Sadly for Ashanti he wanted nothing more than sex. Basileus had made his displeasure known at the harpy fucking her way through his family and, frankly, she was lucky to still be in the coven at all.

Caius saw Eleazar and Aro laughing like hyenas and followed their eye line to the source of their amusement. He wasn't so keen on Ashanti and Carlisle as his brother in arms was. He had quite enjoyed having Ashanti all to himself and he knew Carlisle was the competition to that continuing. Everyone knew Ashanti really wanted Eleazar, but now that he had Carmen that ship had sailed for the woman. Deciding to put an end to Carlisle's enjoyment, Caius got Basileus' attention. He was talking with Marcus who had yet to leave his throne. Caius gestured to the man's youngest son, Basileus looked over just in time to see Ashanti moving in for the kill - kissing Carlisle deeply with her hand fondling his cock.

Basileus moved closer to the two, they were too busy with each other to notice Basileus had crouched down with his head almost touching theirs. "OI!" he shouted as Carlisle's hand slipped up Ashanti's top! The pair fell apart, startled, and bumped down the steps. "Go and play elsewhere."

Ashanti scrambled to her feet backing away quickly. She sent a quick wink to Carlisle before she turned to hide in the mass of dancing guards.

Basileus pulled his son to his feet, "Carlisle, I'm afraid you were born far too late to enjoy public orgies. A little more decorum, if you please!" he said sternly, and to Carlisle's shame, rather loudly.

Basileus enjoyed his son's mild humiliation. If Carlisle had the ability, he would have blushed. He felt his face burn with embarrassment at being caught in such an uncompromising position, and by his father, no less! That's when he caught sight of his brothers, now crumpled on the floor together and laughing so hard they had actually stopped making any sound.

Carlisle walked over to them, "You bastards! Why didn't you stop her?"

Eleazar got himself together enough to reply, "HER! It was you feeling up one of our guards, little brother!" Eleazar promptly returned to his fit of giggles.

"Bastards, you're both bastards!" Carlisle's resolve weakened and eventually he joined in with their laughter. None of them caught Caius' sly, contented smile.

Sulpicia was busy talking with Athenodora. Aro had warned her not to reveal their new family status to her, the spiteful woman couldn't be trusted. Sulpicia didn't really want to talk to Athenodora anyway, she was only doing so as it would cause issues for Aro if she didn't.

Athenodora told her how much pressure Caius had been under and that was the only reason things between their husbands had gotten out of control. Sulpicia agreed that their men worked too hard, she even managed to remain impassive when Athenodora suggested their husbands were 'equal' again. They are not equal, you foolish woman. Aro is in charge around here! She thought, as she shared her agreement.

Athenodora was desperate to discuss the high guard.

"So, my dear Sulpicia, do you know why I am no longer guarded by the high guard, as you are?" She gestured to the twins who were sitting at their mother's feet. They had joined in with their brothers for a while, but disliked being away from her for too long so had returned just moments ago.

"I believe Basileus ordered it, my dear," she replied smoothly.

Athenodora looked put out to hear that, she continued to push though, she was pissed off having lower guards attend her. It offended her status (or at least the status she believed herself to have.)

"Well I wouldn't want Demetri again, he failed me last time and put my life at risk, deserting me so, but Felix maybe? Or the twins ... you don't really need both. We should take one each! That would be a fabulous idea, lets us do that!"

Sulpucia stiffened, as did Jane and Alec. "No Athenodora, you cannot separate twins, it is unnatural! Besides, I like having them with me ... and Aro supports that. I'm sure you could ask Caius to raise a high guard of his own, if that is what you wished. Otherwise you have your choice of the main guard body to pick from."

Athenodora was caught off-guard, she wasn't used to Sulpicia speaking so openly, she was usually as quiet and passive as a church mouse.

"I have suggested Caius create a high guard before, but he sees the trouble they have caused your marriage and wouldn't wish for anything to come between the two of us in the same way."

Athenodora was so false, Sulpicia knew the conniving vampire was trying to get a rise out of her and she shouldn't reply, but she'd touched a nerve.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh you know, how you have had to take them into your quarters and have them around ALL the time, it must be such a bore!"

Sulpicia felt her hackles rising, "They are a joy to be around, they keep us young!" Sulpicia casually stroked the heads of her perfect vampire children.

"Oh I am sure, I think I am just too selfish to share my dear Caius. I have to say, I would be offended if Caius spent as much time with his pets as Aro does! We must be closer than you and Aro, that's all. And how on earth do you all fit into those tiny rooms! Honestly Sulpicia, why do you put up with it?" Athenodora broke into patronising giggles as she finished her passive-aggressive tirade.

Dumb passive aggressive bitch! Two can play this game, sweetheart!

"Well, we instruct our guard together, so I am not away from Aro actually, and of course you would find it a squeeze in your quarters, but don't forget, as the King and Queen of Volterra our private suites are far larger than yours, my dear. You have no reason to worry about my marriage, though I know how easily confused you get, so think nothing of it. I would be far more concerned if Aro spent as much time in the guard quarters as Caius. I have honestly never understood how you turn a blind eye to his infidelity! You are right, you must be much stronger than Aro and me!" Sulpicia gestured to the main floor where Caius was fawning over Ashanti, who twirled in his arms to the sound of the music.

Sulpicia didn't wait for Athenodora's reaction, instead she rose from Aro's throne and walked to her husband. Taking his hand, they joined the dancers in the middle of the large hall and impressed all with their moves, gliding perfectly in sync, as immortal lovers should.