Last Kiss (Queen of Death)
Summary: What if Bella got over her heart ache when Edward left sooner than indicated? What if she spent that time getting closer to her friends and family? How will that alter her trip to Volterra?
Rating: M
Paring: Aro/Bella
Disclaimer: All rights belong to Stephanie Meyer
Notes: Hi guys, I'm hoping you all enjoyed the last chapter? As I said last time, I've been struggling to get this chapter to a place I'm happy with it. But I think I've finally done it. I hope you all enjoy!
Shoutout to LaNeko06 for reviewing my first chapter, thank you!
Chapter 2
We drove through the narrow streets of Volterra, people dressed in red capes at every turn, I vaguely recalled a dream I had that reminded me of this place. Shoving that to the back of my mind, we drove as fast as we could without running people over until we were stopped by the local police- vehicles weren't allowed beyond this point.
I got out of the car, yet again regretting my choice of attire and looked back to see Alice still in the car.
"You have to go without me. He'll hear me coming, hear my thoughts and he'll only speed up his plans. You're the only one who can go. But I promise, as soon as he is out of sight, I'll be there." I stared at her, it made sense I suppose. She reached across and squeezed my hand, "He'll be at the clock tower so head for the centre, you should be able to see tower from most places in the town. He'll do it at midday, when the sun is at its brightest."
I looked at my watch- I had 10 minutes.
"But, Alice, I don't- I can't-" I flustered, indicating to my now slightly rumpled dress. My rumpled, stupidly expensive dress. Edward owed me a new one.
"It's fine, it's not far from here, you have time. Go as fast as you are able without tripping. I know you'll get there in time." She had so much faith in me, her brother's life depended on me running through an unfamiliar town. In a dress.
Without wasting any time, I nodded at her, determined to get this new dress before he died, I picked up the skirt of my dress so I wouldn't trip over it and started jogging to the clock tower. I was suddenly glad I wore flats with this dress and didn't get forced into the black and red heels Jessica wanted me to wear. I wouldn't have even made it this far in those.
I pushed passed through the throng of red clad pedestrians, making a mental note to ask why they were crowding the streets like this later. If I lived long enough to ask.
I barrelled my way through to the water fountain in the middle of the square and looked around frantically, trying to find where exactly he'll appear from.
Out of the corner of my eye I see something pale, easily noticeable within this sea of red. His eyes closed as he began to undo his shirt.
Of course, I see him topless for the first time here, while he tries to commit suicide.
I inwardly roll my eyes before hitching up my dress skirt and run towards him, everything seeming to go in slow motion like the films. As I come closer, I drop my dress skirt and start taking off my jacket, knowing I need to cover him with something. But of course, my amazing agility skills come into play again as I topple town, scraping my arm as I fall to the floor.
I don't have time to properly recover, I get up and throw myself at Edward, flinging my jacket over his bare abdomen.
"Heaven" He practically moans, his nose pressed into my hair.
"Edward, you idiot, I'm alive. You need to get out of the sun" I all whispered harshly, not wanting to gain more attention by actually shouting at him.
He opened his eyes leisurely as if he had all the time in the world, but once they were open I could feel the sense of urgency ripple over him like a crashing wave. He grabbed my waist, tight enough to leave bruises, and hurried backward into the shade of the building behind us, kicking the door closed. He held me to him tightly like he was scared I would simply disappear if he let me go.
I could already feel the bruises forming on my skin. "Edward, you're hurting me."
He let go of me as if my words burnt him, like I was a live fire waiting to engulf him. I was happy for some distance.
"You're bleeding."
It was barely a whisper and it sounded strange as it reached my ears, almost pained. I looked at my arm where I grazed it during my elegant run in with gravity and cursed myself for being so clumsy. Just what I needed.
There was drying blood crusting on a small part of my skin. It wasn't much but it was more than I wanted when walking into a vampire lair.
"It's fine" I mumbled, it didn't matter much to me if they killed me, I just needed time to talk to them first. I hoped I would last that long at least.
Another pair of vampires emerged from the darkened halls behind us, their eyes red and gleaming. The bigger one must have been almost 7ft tall with short black hair. His skin almost an olive complexion but with a chalky tone. The other looked just over 6ft but looked small in comparison with the other vampire. He too had a strange chalky olive complexion but somehow paler than the taller immortal.
"Your services are no longer required" I herd Edward mutter arrogantly. Could he say anything without a tone of arrogance?
"Master Aro would like to see you" the taller of the two red eyed vampires said, practically ignoring Edward.
"No laws were broken" My angsty 109-year-old ex replied, acting like a stubborn child.
"You mistake us. Master Aro would like to talk with Miss Swan. You, Mr Cullen, are coming with us to answer for your crimes." The shorter one said, smirking in satisfaction as Edward struggled for something to say.
"Let us take this matter to a more…private location. For your human's sake." The other one said. Some names would be appreciated soon, but I was more than aware of where I was and that I had blood on me.
A loud clunk sounded, and I turned to see Alice walk through the door that Edward had closed, snapping the lock off.
"Come on boys, we wouldn't want to cause a scene now, would we?" She drawled as she took her sunglasses off, Jasper falling in behind her, keeping her in his arms as he glared at the two Volturi members.
"Enough." A small woman called, she was small and blonde. She looked no more than 15 but everyone seemed to either respect or fear her as Edward simply looked down in submission and placed the red robe that was thrown at him around his shoulders.
We were led down several dark hallways and then into a light and modern lift. 6 vampires and 1 human in a tiny little metal box. I should be scared but I couldn't help but let out a little giggle. Edward turned to look at me like I was clinically insane or like I had a death with. And maybe I did.
The small blond glanced at me and I could have sworn I saw a small shadow of a smile on her face.
We exited the lift into a modern looking reception, a smartly dress woman stood up to greet us, her light brown eyes telling me she was most definitely human. Maybe it was to keep up appearances?
We were escorted towards two large wooden doors that opened as we approached. As we walked through, my eyes were drawn to the three black thrones gilded with intricate designs, and the men sat among them.
I felt my jaw drop slightly as I took them in. I recognised them all from the painting in Carlisle's office, but it didn't do them justice.
The one on the left, Marcus. He was pale in an almost translucent way, his dark wavy hair coming to just above his shoulders. An apathetic look upon his face like he really couldn't care what was going on around him.
On the right was Caius. Again, with long, shoulder length hair, but blonde this time. His skin looking pale and thin, almost like the skin of an onion. He had a bored, uncaring look on his face like this entire encounter was beneath him.
And Finally, in the middle, was Aro. His dark locks half pulled back out of his face, the rest of his hair falling across his shoulders, coming to fall just under his clavicle. His skin just as pale as the others, but somehow warmer. His eyes bright red, yet somehow milky. He wore a black shirt, a gold pendant with a ruby encrusted V hanging around his neck, sitting in the middle of his chest. His black suit jacket an unneeded addition but completed the look along with his black suit trousers. He looked impeccable.
"What a happy surprise!" He called, a smile gracing his surprisingly full lips as he stood and walked to us at a leisurely human pace. "Bella is alive after all. Isn't this wonderful? I love a happy ended…they are so rare" His excitement tangible in the air.
He pulled Edward's hand from mine, a welcome reprieve from the iron grasp he had around it. I inhaled sharply though, as his hand ghosted mine to take Edward's hand. I was sure I could feel his eyes on me, but when I looked up, his eyes were on Edward as he held his hand in his. I felt a spark of jealousy burn through my core and I saw Jasper smirk slightly.
"Darlin', Aro can see every thought you've ever had just by touchin' ya" He clarified for me, a wave of relaxation falling over. I smiled a small, grateful smile at him, glad for his support.
"La tua cantante." The king muttered, the words sending shivers down my spine. I could listen to his voice all day. "Her blood appeals to you so much…it makes me thirsty. How can you stand to be so close to her?"
"It's not without difficulty." Edward ground out, spitting the words through clenched teeth.
"Yes, I can see that." Aro muttered gently, his eyes falling to me. His red, milky eyes piercing my brown ones. I felt like he could see into my very soul.
"And now you know everything. So get on with it." Edward growled, roughly pulling his hand from Aro's. I couldn't help but compare him to a small child who had just been berated for something he hoped his mum wouldn't find out about.
"You're quite the soul reader yourself. Though you can't read Bella's thoughts…Fascinating!" He turned to me; his hand outstretched. "I would love to see…if you are an exception to my gifts as well. Would you do me the honour?" It almost felt like he was inviting me to dance, his head bowed slightly, his eyes roaming my form. I stepped forward eagerly and timidly placed my hand on his.
He pulled me closer, engulfing my hand with both of his, leaning over it as if concentrating. His touch set my skin alight, blood rushing to my face in what I knew would be a deep blush.
"Interesting. I see nothing" he said, releasing my hand. I unwillingly took it back, rubbing my arm with it. The coldness of his skin somehow transferring to "Interesting. I see nothing." He breathed, releasing my hand. It felt like the coldness of his hand had briefly transferred to mine. I took back my hand reluctantly, bringing it up to hold my other arm, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. I briefly closed my eyes, wishing it was his hand.
I opened my eyes again, they were only closed for a second, to watch a thoughtful look come across Aro's face. I stood there, absently stroking my arm with my chilled appendage. I realised it might look weird, me caressing my own upper arm, so I considered running my hand all the way down my arm to hold my hands together in front of me. Hopefully, they would think I was just nervous. I decided thinking I was nervous was better than thinking I was weird. As I ran my hand down, I felt my nail drag across my scrape.
All the colour drained from my face as I felt the smallest drop of blood sink into the skin of my fingers.
All eyes turned to me, red and gold alike. All darkening the longer I stood there. A look of hunger in almost all of them.
"Isabella, mia cara, why don't you follow me to my study. I'm afraid you joined us shortly before lunch and everyone is rather…thirsty. I swear you will come to no harm there." Aro breathed, his hand once again outstretched to me. Even if my life wasn't in danger, I would gladly take it.
I swiftly put my hand in his.
"La mia stella speldente, apologies, but this exit needs to be swift" his breath ghosted across my face, his scent so prominent. He swept me up in his arms, bridal style, and I buried by head in his chest, breathing in his scent.
The trip was, to my annoyance, short lived as before I knew it, I was sat on a soft, plush sofa – out of his arms.
I took in the room I was now in, the light walls a stark contrast to the dark, solid wood furniture. It worked somehow, the light and the dark. Equalling each other.
"Thank you" I breathed, barely above a whisper, still surprised that this man, this immortal king, would help prolong my life.
"My dear, it's not a problem. You're much too…precious to be eaten for lunch. Now why don't you let me tend to your injuries. A repeat of this experience would be far from ideal." He spoke so softly, so gently. I would probably do anything this man asked of me. I froze for a moment. I shouldn't feel this way for a man I just met, especially one that's part of the vampire monarchy. I had to calm down. I looked around, trying to find something to take my mind off the situation. I realised Aro was still waiting for a response.
I nodded absent mindedly, knowing it was for the best if I were to be surrounded by vampire. He was gone from my side, and I frowned wondering why. I took the opportunity to look around at the office I found myself in. I stood up, drawn to the artwork hung along the walls. One in particular grabbed my attention.
"Ah, mia cara, you are a fan of fine art?" I jumped, Aro's sweet breath caressed my neck. A low rumble vibrating through me as my back pressed into his chest.
"Oh, well I don't know a lot about art, but this is a painting of Alexander the Great isn't it? Painted by Apelles?" I wondered aloud. "I watched a documentary series not that long ago with one of my best friends, Angela." I blushed realising I was the sole focus of Aro's intense gaze.
"Really? What else did they say about this painting and Apelles? We could discuss it on the sofa while I tend to your wounds?" His breath once again blowing across my hot flesh, his hand trailing down between my shoulder blades down to the small of back, a shiver forcing it's way through my body as he gently guided me back to the sofa, his cold hand against my bare back. Damn backless dress.
"Well, I don't really know much" I sighed, not wanting to embarrass myself with my lack of knowledge. We sat down and he gently grabbed my arm, placing it in his lap and opening a mini med kit, getting antiseptic wipes, dissolvable sticky stitches and a few plasters out of the box. "Um, I think that Apelles' name in those times was Apelles of Kos, because surnames weren't a thing back then. Right?" when he nodded, a small smile on his lips I felt okay to continue, trying to ignore the stinging of the antiseptic wipe. "I think he was born in Turkey but lived in Ancient Greece, around 4th Century BC, probably. He has plenty of famous paintings, but this one, Alexander the Great as Zeus was thought lost or destroyed. I'm afraid I don't know anything else." I blushed, realising I knew a lot less than I thought I did. I felt the last plaster go on over my scraped forearm and relaxed- hopefully, the smell of my blood won't permeate the air as much.
"Mia cara, your knowledge far succeeds that of any one your age. I'm quite impressed." He reached up to caress my face as he spoke, like I was something he coveted.
"What happened to the others?" I blurted; at this rate I'll be tomato red for the rest of my life. "Alice, Jasper and Edward I mean."
"Ah, well young Edward has been taken to the dungeon, awaiting a trial. Our dear Alice and Jasper have been escorted to a guest suite, they refuse to leave without you, my dear. But we have more important things to discuss" He spoke in such a way that it demanded my attention, and I was reminded that this impeccable immortal was a king. A king I was obsessed with, couldn't take my eyes or mind off. I had to have decorum.
"Young Edward broke our laws, informed you, a human of our kind. The sentence for this is death. As for you… our laws dictate you must be changed or die. I had hoped to test your gift out on Jane to see if you were immune to us all, but alas, you decided to test the control of the entire coven." A glint shined in his eyes as he spoke, a spark I interpreted as amusement.
He wanted to test my gifts…he wanted my power, if I had one.
"I have a proposition for you!" I exclaimed, probably too loudly in my excitement. "A deal." I rephrased, hearing the possible miss understanding in my words. Aro waved his hand at me in a motion to continue. "Well, you've been in Edwards head, so you know about James and my almost turning?" He nodded, a strange look marring his beautiful face. "Well, James had a mate, Victoria. She wants revenge. Edward killed her mate, so she wants to kill me, his mate, despite the fact I'm not his mate. Laurent came back and tried to kill me but that isn't why I'm here. Victoria has been terrorising the town, killing innocent humans conspicuously. Charlie, my father, is the Chief of Police in Forks and he's had to call in cops from other states to help deal with the investigation surrounding Victoria. The shifters have been helpful in protecting the town, but they can't seem to get their claws into her. She a danger to both of our kinds. So, I suggest this; I will be more than happy for you to test as many gifts on me as you want and change me. I'll even stay here in Volterra if you want and you can add my gift to your arsenal."
"An interesting suggestion, mio caro, and what exactly do you ask in order for you to stay here, be changed and train your potential gift? What exactly could be worth you staying here and having all our available gifts being thrown at you?" He stroked my face, pushing hair out of my face, his face so close to mine.
"I want you to help get rid of Victoria…and…and I want you to let Edward go." I practically breathed it out, barely having the confidence to say it at all.
Suddenly he was on the other side of the room, a blank look upon his face.
"You would willingly give up your life for someone like me? A soulless monster? Your love for young Edward is that strong?" He looked away. I was unsure if why, but it was like he couldn't look at me. It might have been in anger, but I couldn't be sure.
I sucked in a breath. This was either going to end my life or start it. I walked over to him, his breath-taking form leaning so casually against the wall, so effortlessly beautiful.
"Aro," I cooed, this time I stroked his face, caressing his cold marble-like skin, "I do not Love Edward. I did at one time, but when he left me, well it was then I realised that he wasn't my mate like he claimed. I was heart-broken, devastated. And after a couple of months, I came to realise that what we had was fleeting, a high school romance. My real pain came from the family I came to love abandoning me without a goodbye. And I recovered. I'm not trying to save Edward because I love him, but because I love Alice and Jasper. I could understand them leaving after my birthday party, and although it took a while, they did come back to me. I can't comment on his soul specifically, but I believe that you're only soulless if you let yourself be. I've met soulless humans and soulless vampires alike. A soul isn't a matter of what you are, but who you are. But yes, I would sacrifice my humanity for someone of your kind. I'm willing to offer myself and potential gift for the freedom of an immature, angsty vampire, but also my friends. For my mortal, human friends, my shapeshifter pack friends and my immortal vampire friends. I don't treat any of them differently, we're more or less the same when it comes down to it."
I smiled warmly at him, hoping he would understand. Needing him to know.
"Oh, il mio amore più caro, you have your deal" His words were whispered against my skin as his face inched closer to mine. Wonder and desire spiked through me like an electrical current as he pressed his demanding lips to mine, my body building with the subsequent energy. I only wished that this single kiss could carry on for eternity, but unfortunately my current need to breath made this impossible. The kiss came to an end, my chest heaving as I took in some much-needed air, my face flushed more than it had been in my entire life, I'm sure.
"Aro, I know I have just met you, but I don't think I could leave here, leave you, even if I wanted to. There is something about you. I just want to be here, with you. I-I can't describe it."
He bent his head, pulling me close to nuzzle into my neck. "My sweet Isabella, I know what you mean, I feel it too. Il mio unmano, I believe that we are mates."
Notes: Well I hoped you all like this chapter, I think I got it down as best as I can. I kept rewriting it and rewriting it to get it how I want and this was the closest I could get. The Italian in my writing IS from Google Translate unfortunately, so I apologise if any of it is wrong. It's almost 4.30am for me now I'm going to get some much needed sleep.
Please review!
Lord President of Gallifrey
