LOOSE ENDS

"Dad!" Aro exclaimed as he came back into his living room.

Oh fuck, he thought upon seeing his father sitting with his wife. "We need to talk ... " he said, not really sure if he was asking or stating a fact.

"We have much to talk about," Basileus agreed darkly. "Come with me, please."

Aro went to follow his father out of his chambers, but with his head hung low he didn't realise Basileus was heading towards him!

"This way, son." Basileus said, turning his boy around to go back down the hallway.

"Huh?" Aro questioned dumbly as Basileus led the pair of them to Felix and Demetri's room.

The boys had clearly heard their father and grandfather coming as both were watching the door when Basileus entered. Aro wasn't too sure what was going on, and said as much to his father in his thoughts.

"I just need a quick word with them first, that's all," he replied easily. "Close the door."

Aro obliged, keeping the confusion from his face as his sons looked to him questioningly.

"So, a lot has happened whilst I was away?" Basileus asked calmly, ensuring he caught both Felix's and Demetri's eye. "I know it was a while ago, but I am sure your memories are as good as mine, lads ... what did I tell you before I left for England?"

Felix released a guttural sigh as Demetri whimpered.

"You do remember then." Basileus pushed, hearing their initial reactions. He walked the short distance, back and forth between Felix's and Demetri's beds - scaring the crap out of them. "I told you both to be on your best behaviour whilst I was away, did I not? Do you think you were?"

Felix gulped audibly, amusing Aro to no end. It wasn't that he wanted his son to suffer unnecessarily, but having someone else be the bad guy for a while certainly lessened Aro's metaphorical load.

"We were good ... for us!" Felix offered in reply.

Basileus growled and flashed to his grandson, throwing Felix down onto his bed. As he loomed over the frightened young vampire, Basileus took hold of Felix's jaw in one hand with a crushing grip. Through his contact, Basileus spoke to Felix privately putting his words into the boy's mind.

"You BIT my son and you think you were good!"

Felix sunk into his bed beneath his grandfather.

"How you survived after doing such a treacherous thing is anyone's guess."

Aro and Demetri exchanged worried looks as all they could hear was the increasing growl, rumbling in Basileus' chest.

"If I hear of you doing such a thing again, I will remove you from Aro's care and you will live with me."

Felix tried to look to Aro in hope he would save him, but Basileus blocked his view.

"If I am forced to take you into my chambers, you can be sure any lenience Aro has shown you will not be repeated by me. Am I understood?"

Felix felt like his jaw was about to crumble as he tried to desperately show he understood. He couldn't move enough to nod his head or even talk - his eyes spoke to Basileus loudly enough.

"I have half a mind to rip out your damn fangs!" Basileus said out loud.

Aha! Aro understood what that little chat was about now. Watching as his eldest son rubbed out his aching face with frightened, tearful eyes, Aro wondered just how threatening his father had been with the boy.

"And you!" Basileus bellowed as he turned on Demetri.

"I haven't done anything! Well, nothing you don't already know about!" Quite vocal for Demetri, but he was sure he had a relatively clean slate.

"You shacked up with your little whores in my bed and you think you did nothing?" Basileus asked as he approached.

"You smacked me in the library!" Demetri complained, backing up on his bed.

"And I told you we would continue later ... you appeared to want a little more privacy at the time," Basileus told him as he reached for Demetri's arm.

Demetri flashed from his bed, deftly escaping his grandfather's grasp, and made for the door.

Aro, naturally, blocked his path.

"Oh dear, Demetri." Basileus crooned as the boy realised he'd just made the situation a million times worse for himself.

Aro shook his head sadly when Demetri looked to him for help. "You know better than to run," he told him, plainly, as he delivered his son to his impending doom.

"Give us the room." Basileus ordered as he took a seat on Demetri's bed.

Felix didn't need asking twice. He was at the door within a fraction of a second, leaving a bewildered Aro to follow him.

"You know, I owe him one for mouthing off to Magnus last week ... " Aro called out over his shoulder as he left Demetri trying to squirm out of Basileus' grip.

"Consider it done, son." Basileus smiled, swinging Demetri over his knee.

"No!"

CRACK!

"Yes," Basileus replied as he set to taking the boy to task.

"What happened to your face?" Sulpicia asked as soon as Felix came into view.

"Basileus said I have to live with him," Felix replied with his voice hitching over the words.

"What? Over my dead body!" Sulpicia rushed to her son's side and wrapped her arms around her eldest boy.

"But you don't want me here anymore ... after what I did! Please don't let him take me, mom!" Felix whispered as Sulpicia held him tightly.

"I do want you here, Felix. I was angry - I am angry! But I love you and I want you here." Taking her baby's bruised face in her hands, she told him softly, "This is your home."

Aro was a little perturbed that Basileus would have said such a thing without even consulting him. He placed a hand on his son's head and read Felix's memories for what Basileus had actually told him.

Pulling Sulpicia aside and pushing Felix away slightly, Aro shared the information with his wife.

"He isn't going anywhere ... so long as he doesn't bite me again. I think his fear has confused him."

Sulpicia clutched her hands to her stomach. She knew how hard it would have been to go against Basileus ... but she would have, and the thought made her feel ill. An hour or so before she couldn't even stand to look at her boy and now she just wanted to wrap him up and defend him with every ounce of her strength.

"He needs his mother, my queen." Aro prompted, seeing he had a chance to reconcile his wife and son.

"Felix, come with me," she called out.

He followed her, still sobbing softly, to her bed chamber and closed the door.

Aro poured himself a drink and sat at his table, leafing through maps and outpost correspondence. He felt his dead heart beat when Basileus joined him there.

"Is it my turn?" Aro asked bitterly.

"Your turn for what?" Basileus returned as he poured himself a goblet of wine.

Are you going to make me say it? Aro questioned in his mind.

Basileus smiled evilly as he swigged from his cup.

"Fine! I assume you now want to settle the score with me," Aro replied without looking up from his maps.

"For what?" Basileus pushed. He knew it hurt Aro to confront his actions but he deserved to be hurt - in Basileus' mind.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Aro huffed. "For hurting Sully, we both know what for."

Basileus calmly took a seat next to his son. "I suggest you stop spitting your words to me and drop the attitude - I wasn't the one beating my mate!"

Aro huffed. I didn't beat my mate, either!

"Sulpicia is as much my daughter as you are my son. If I caught you fighting with Eleazar or Carlisle I would belt you ... it is no different to me when you fight with Sully. Do you understand my position?"

Aro nodded. He did. Although part of him wanted to object. Sulpicia is my wife, not my brother, it's different, he thought.

Basileus shook his head upon hearing Aro's thoughts. "Not to me it isn't, son."

Aro closed his eyes, waiting for his father to instruct him one way or the other.

Basileus looked his boy up and down. I could happily string you out to dry for hurting her, you little shit ... but I promised Sully ... "Luckily for you, Sulpicia has convinced me to let it go."

Aro's head shot up with his mouth hanging open. He had been so sure she was sealing his fate when he saw Sulpicia talking with Basileus.

"I won't be so easily convinced again, son."

Aro blew out his held breath as he offered his promise to do better in the future.

Basileus soon put an end to his rambles. "I don't want to hear it, Aro. I have just listened to similarly disingenuous promises from your son - you know I am not sure whether Demetri gets it from you or you get it from him!"

Aro bit his lip. Any comparison of his sons being like him always melted his resolve.

"Is Demetri still alive?" Aro finally asked, wanting to deflect the attention from his own misdeeds.

"He will survive. That boy!" Basileus exclaimed.

"Dramatic?" Aro questioned with a smirk - he knew only too well how theatrical Demetri could be while he was being punished.

Basileus laughed. "He's a bloody nightmare! I only spanked him! You would think I was using a rod of iron or something!"

Aro glanced to his father's hand as he took a slug of wine. "You may as well have," he replied quietly.

"Very funny." Basileus finished up his drink and left his goblet on the table. "Come. We need to meet with Caius and Magnus to plan the guard envoys."

…

"I can stay here with the children, my love."

Aro shook his head. "No, I want you with me. I have arranged a babysitter!"

Sulpicia smiled. "And, who exactly would be willing to miss the celebrations to guard our children?"

Aro handed his mate her jewels and fixed his own shirt. "Carlisle," he said quietly, unsure how Sulpicia would take it.

"CARLISLE?!" she repeated, loudly.

"Now, hear me out. I personally think my brother's behaviour is a blip, so I want to give him the chance to prove he still has some sort of brain activity before Basileus rips him to shreds. Carlisle has assured me he will be a model babysitter."

Sulpicia looked less than convinced. "He is also the only one not attending party in the great hall."

Aro moved behind his mate and bit gently into her neck. "I want you with me tonight."

Sulpicia melted into Aro's embrace. "If you are sure ... it's on your head though, my love."

Aro laughed. "It's on Atia's head - she convinced Basileus!"

When Sulpicia went into the walk-in robe to change, Aro left to talk with ... or rather to threaten his sons.

"A babysitter!" Felix spat as soon as Aro left his bedchamber.

"You really need to stop listening in on my private conversations." Aro warned, putting both his boys on the back foot.

"We don't need a babysitter!"

"Felix, just shut up." Demetri whispered to his brother. He didn't want to enrage Aro again, and he thought Carlisle being their babysitter was a great idea. I can go and see Lucy, Carlisle won't mind.

"You do need a babysitter; how else can I ensure the two of you stay in these quarters?" Aro said simply as he poured two goblets of wine.

Picking up the table barrel he tested the weight. Feeling he had a good measure of the amount in there, he turned to his sons. "I know exactly how much is in this barrel, if there is a drop less when I return there will be hell to pay."

Felix huffed as he dramatically flopped into the sofa.

"Are we expected to just sit in here all evening whilst you and Sully go to the party?"

Demetri rolled his eyes to his brother's attitude as he took the seat next to him.

"Nope." Aro answered with a smile.

Why is he smiling? That's not a good sign, Demetri thought.

"Firstly, the twins are coming to the celebrations. Secondly, you won't be sitting in here ... "

Felix stood up. "The twins can go and we can't! That isn't fair - they are younger than us!"

Aro squared up to his angry young vampire. "They know how to behave and they are welcome to attend for as long as I say they are."

Felix landed back in his seat when Aro gave him a push.

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted ... you won't be sitting in here because you will be in bed before I leave and you will still be in bed when I return."

Felix went to stand again but Demetri dug his elbow sharply into his ribs. "Leave it!" he hissed.

"I would take his advice, son." Aro sternly told his eldest.

Felix turned away, muttering mutiny under his breath but at least he stopped arguing with his father.

"My queen, are you ready?" Aro sang out as Carlisle came through the door.

"Hey kids!" he called out to his nephews, both of whom returned a withering glare in response.

"Say good night to your Uncle Carlisle, boys."

Carlisle laughed, expecting Aro was joking.

Felix could feel his face burning. He knew it was a phantom blush but it made him agitated nonetheless.

"I am deadly serious - say good night, now."

Carlisle looked to his brother quizzically. "Aro, the sun is only just setting ... surely they ... "

Aro held up his hand to silence his brother. "They are to be in bed all evening. I am expecting you to keep them there. If they are stupid enough to try and leave their room, you are to fetch me immediately."

Carlisle was a little taken aback. He had been overjoyed to spend the evening with his nephews rather than solitary confinement in his own room, but this sounded boring as hell! Still, he wasn't going to object to Aro - he had big plans for this evening and he needed his brother out of the way to put them into action.

"Understood, brother," Carlisle replied. "Good night, guys."

Felix scowled and stormed to his bedroom without a second glance to anyone, barging into Alec and Jane as he passed them in the hall. Demetri followed quietly behind.

"Are you sure you can handle them, Carlisle?" Sulpicia asked as she joined them in the living room.

"Certainly," Carlisle replied confidently.

Pulling him in close, Aro whispered to Carlisle. "Do not make me regret this, brother."

Carlisle offered a taught smile in return before watching his brother and family leave for the night.

…

"The guards certainly seem happy," Caius commented when he took a break from dancing with his mate.

Aro looked around the large hall to his guards, all enjoying the night's festivities to the maximum. "Of course they are happy - we have just told them their missions; it is what they live for!"

Aro had decided to announce the envoy plans at the beginning of the evening whilst the guards were still sober enough to take in his orders. He had spent the late afternoon organising which guards would go where with his father and two fellow masters, Caius and Magnus.

Along with checking on Volturi outposts, seven covens had been identified for special attention. These covens hadn't been involved in any illegal activity, and Aro didn't expect they would be part of the Romanians master plan, but he hoped that if they could be brought to Italy he could convince them it was in their best interests to pay tribute to the Volturi and receive protection and special allowances in return. It would strengthen his hold on vampire society if the world's major and oldest covens were Volturi sanctioned, and in turn, weaken the Romanian's chances of enacting an uprising. It would also provide Aro with a new revenue stream so he could put his payroll idea ... or rather Felix's payroll idea ... into effect without using any of his personal wealth.

"Do you think the covens will really come, Aro? We haven't had the most successful working relationships with these vampires in the past."

Aro finished his goblet and called the closest guard to collect his cup for a refill. "We can only extend the invite, Caius. The guards have been well instructed on how to convince them that their attendance to our open ball would be in their best interests."

Caius appeared pensive. "I'm still not convinced that filling our halls with possibly disloyal vampires is the best idea you have had."

Aro sighed. I know Caius, you have told me repeatedly!

"Stories change their truth as they travel, brother. If we are to get the covens on our side, we will need to talk with them directly and as a whole. I want to promote unity against the usurping Romanians. I am asking you to trust my judgment."

Taking two full goblets from the returning guard, Caius gave one to Aro. "I do trust you, brother," he said genuinely.

"Are you disappointed to not be joining the guard?" Aro asked Caius.

He knew Caius' thirst for blood and knew he lived for missions - much like the guards.

"After a year on a mission, I am more than ready for coven life, Aro. I have new interests now ... "

Aro followed his brother-in-arms' eyeline straight to Lucy. Poor thing looks miserable, Aro thought upon seeing her talking with friends.

"I assume you are keeping Lucy here?"

Caius nodded.

"Demetri will be relieved." Aro commented pointedly.

Caius became serious hearing Aro mention his son. "I hope you have explained about Lucy moving into my quarters."

"Oh, I have. I have made it clear that his relationship with her can continue but that he is not to enter your chambers without your permission. Frankly brother, I can't see it lasting long anyway. You know Demetri! But, if you could be sensitive to young love, I would appreciate it."

Caius sighed. "Young love! They are fucking, Aro! But yes, I will be 'sensitive' to their relationship. But if I catch him in my quarters I swear to god I will ... "

Aro held up his hand. "If you catch him in your quarters feel free to be as severe as you need to be. And then return him to me to receive the same."

Caius smiled and chinked his glass with Aro's. "When, Aro. Not if," he said as he walked away.

I wish I could disagree! Aro thought after him.

Seeing Aro was free, both Magnus and Basileus moved in to speak to the coven king.

"Magnus, have you had much experience with the newborns when we create new vampires?" Aro asked, seeing him approach.

"I have trained them enough times to know how to deal with them, my lord." Magnus replied. "Will I be Master of the Newborns, instead, going forward?"

Basileus laughed lightly. "You aren't being demoted; your guard will return soon enough, my friend. We may need to take on some new members to keep the numbers up whilst they are away, that is all."

Magnus' relief was palpable as his emotions emitted through his gift.

Basileus placed his hand on the master's shoulder. "Your promotion has been the best thing to happen to this coven in centuries, Magnus. You have no need to fear for your position."

Magnus returned a grateful smile.

"We had talked of replacing the whole guard with newborns, but with the strength of Atia's gift she could defend this whole castle single-handedly. The twins will remain here and they can wipe out an entire army, if required ... I think we will be fine for a couple of years while waiting for the guards to return," Aro offered, hoping his father would agree.

He would rather not have the hassle of raising a large group of newborns if he didn't have to, and a couple of years off sharing the castle with so many other people would be as good as a holiday - or at least as close to a holiday - as Aro could get.

Basileus looked less certain than Aro, but he seemed to be considering his son's suggestion at least.

Atia called out for Basileus to join her on the dance floor. The old creator couldn't resist the chance to show the young guards how a real man danced with his lady.

"I assume Felix and Demetri will be staying, also. You wouldn't send them on mission, surely?" Magnus asked when Basileus left, pulling Aro from his thoughts.

"Your assumptions are correct, my friend. I dread to think the damage they could inflict on the world if I sent them out without chaperones. I've had to call Carlisle in to babysit them tonight and that's inside the castle!"

Magnus' eyes widened. "Was it really such a good idea to leave them with Carlisle?" Magnus asked, genuinely worried about the young Volturi princes under their uncle's influence.

"I'm trying to give my brother a reprieve from my father - 'thou shalt not judge' and all that."

Magnus laughed. "Because 'thou' has fucked shit up before, too?"

Aro nodded. "Exactly, my friend."

A cheer erupted from the guards as Basileus spun his new mate around on the dance floor.

"Are you happy, my dear?" Basileus asked as he set Atia back on her feet.

"I am sure you know the answer to that, Basileus," she replied as he nuzzled into her neck.

Pulling her over to the side of the hall, Basileus wormed his way past her mental block and inside her thoughts.

Atia felt the break in her guard. "Surely you, of all people, can sidestep my mental block. We know my physical defence has no effect on you."

Basileus pulled out before he'd had a chance to access his wife's true opinions. "No, my dear, you are a mystery to me," he lied whilst pulling her into his lap.

"Oh Basileus, you should remember how powerful my gifts are ... all of them."

Running his fingers through her hair, he took a light fistful in each and brought her in close, noses touching he replied breathlessly, "I know, my dear."

Atia took over, kissing her way down his face and ending on his neck, sucking along his collar bone. "Especially being able to use other vampires' gifts, all be it, temporarily, " she added between kisses.

"Yep, that one too," Basileus sighed, not paying attention.

Atia waited until Basileus was totally lost in the moment before showing her husband what she was alluding to. 'A door once opened may be stepped through in either direction.'

Basileus heard her. Well, he didn't 'hear' her out loud, but he heard her transfer those words to inside his head. Dropping his hands from caressing her body, he looked to her in shock.

"How did you do that?" he questioned in surprise.

Atia quit her fondling of his body and moved to sit next to him. "I know you can read my mind, my dear. And now that you have broken through my mental guard, I have access to your gifts, too."

Basileus was glad the great hall was so noisy to muffle the sounds of this conversation. "I, I," he stuttered - Basileus wasn't used to being caught in a trap!

Atia stroked a delicate hand down his face. "I know you are used to having the upper hand in your relationships, my dear, but I have lived independently for too long to accept any relationship that is not equal. Your concern that family strife will see me run away is unfounded and unwarranted - deceiving me will be the only thing that causes me to turn my back on you after so long."

Basileus couldn't formulate an answer. "I, I," he tried, stuttering again.

"You are sorry you lied to me and it won't be happening again ... because I can, and I will, check," she told her mate confidently.

Basileus exhaled slowly. "Exactly that, my dear."

"Sulpicia!" Atia called out, leaving her stunned mate to his thoughts as she caught up with her daughter-in-law and Athenodora.

"Atia, my lady," Sulpicia replied.

Athenodora bowed politely.

"Basileus tells me you have settled things with Felix?" Atia asked.

Athenodora had already heard of the young prince's most recent adventures along with his uncle, so there was no reason to hide anything from her.

"We have, my lady - I cannot stay angry with that boy for long," she admitted.

"You should have given him a piece of your mind, Sulpicia!" Athenodora commented, hoping the sort of trouble Felix and Demetri brought to Aro and Sulpicia's door was down to them being boys and that she wouldn't have the same troubles with the vampires she intended to recruit as her ladies in waiting.

"I intended to at first, but I was rather more inclined to give him a piece of my heart instead." Sulpicia responded emotionally.

"I have to say I think I agree with Athenodora on this, Sulpicia. You had the opportunity to really impress upon that boy how dastardly his actions have been and you have given him a free pass instead!"

Sully took a deep, long drawn gulp of her bloodwine before answering. "You are right of course, but I believe Aro got through to Felix well enough for us both. What have you said to Carlisle on the subject?"

Atia stood back and looked down her nose to her daughter-in-law. Very well played, my dear, she thought.

"I haven't had the opportunity to say much at all to Carlisle yet ... "

Sulpicia smiled sweetly as she interrupted her mother-in-law, "Please let me know how it goes when you do have the opportunity," and then she floated away, back to the safety of her husband's side.

"My queen, are you well?" Aro asked as Sulpicia shrank into his arms.

"That woman!" she commented in a shrill whisper.

"What woman? Please don't tell me you and Athenodora are finding fault with each other already?"

Sulpicia shook her head and placed her hand on Aro's cheek. He understood she wanted to show him something, although he was surprised to see it was a complaint with Atia that had brought her running to him. "I think you handled that perfectly well, my queen," he told her, though his thoughts soon turned to questioning Atia's influence on his coven as he saw her laughing heartily with Athenodora at the side of the hall.

When he saw Atia beckon the twins from his side, he held out his hand to stop them. "Where are you two going?" he asked, not taking his eyes off his new mother.

"Only to Atia ... " Alec replied whilst Jane watched her father's reaction.

"No. Its late. You need to go home," Aro told them dismissively.

Jane reared up. "What?!"

She was used to leaving the celebrations before they ended and she understood why they had to and never complained, but the celebrations had only just begun!

"Jane, I said it was time for you to go home. Go. Now," Aro returned.

He knew he wasn't being fair on the two of them but Atia trying to pull rank on his wife had unnerved him and he didn't want her having unfettered access to his children, too.

Sulpicia stroked her daughter's hair, "I will be along soon, my little one."

Jane stood firm until Alec whispered into her ear. Whatever he said softened her stature and they left together through the front of the hall.

Sulpicia watched her baby vampires leave and she felt her heart swell when the pair ignored Atia's attempts to get their attention. However, as they left through the great hall doors, her heart stopped swelling and started sinking.

'I will kill him!' Sulpicia's threatening thoughts startled Aro from his musing over his new mother's intentions.

"Who?" he asked, searching the dance floor for the aim of her threat.

And then he saw him. "I will kill him!" Aro roared as he threw his cup to the floor.

Even with the general merriment of the guards creating a comfortable din, everyone heard the roar erupt from the coven king as he staked through the dance floor.

So to, did Demetri, who was hiding at the edge of the great doors to the throne room. He froze.

"Demetri go, go!" Lucy whispered to him, hurriedly.

"Stay there!" Aro bellowed, assuming his son was about to flee.

Aro was wrong.

Demetri wanted to, sure, but he couldn't move. Oh fuck! He's going to kill me, and then he's going to kill Carlisle and Felix. Fuck!

"Lucy." Aro nodded curtly to the young guard as she scurried away from her doomed lover.

When she caught Caius' eye, she wondered how her new direct master would react. Seeing the sly smile tugging on his lips didn't really answer her question but as he allowed her to continue her evening, she decided to seek comfort from Freyr instead.

"I assume the tower is on fire and you have sought me out to tell me?" Aro growled out.

Demetri shook his head.

"We must be under attack and you are the only one left alive?" he mocked his son.

Demetri shook his head again, not daring to speak.

"I cannot think of another reason why you would be standing in front of me now and NOT in your room!"

Demetri whimpered as Aro curled his hand around his throat.

As Aro flipped through his thoughts, his grip increased until Demetri was all but strangled in front of him.

"ARO!" Basileus roared into his son's ear.

He released Demetri but continued his glare. "We are going home." Aro said simply as Demetri shook before him.

"My lord, you may wish to leave soon, too." Aro told Basileus cryptically before disappearing with his son.

Basileus caught on to the thoughts Aro had accessed. Carlisle, I will kill you!