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: I'm so glad to have some great feedback, I can't thank you enough! All I ask is you keep those reviews coming,
Shoutouts:
ButlerGirlAnime, I'm glad you're enjoying it! And of course, I'll put the translations at the bottom of each chapter from now on and I'll try and update the old ones when I can!
Guest, I'm glad you like my take on Bella, I always though she needed to have more self confidence and stand up for herself more. I'm really looking forward to developing her more throughout this story.
Guest #2, Yes, I have since realised my mistake with the notes in Chapter 1 and will change that soon. Also, I apologise for my mistake on Edwards age, I have since realised he is 104 at this point. However, I got 109 from his conversation with Bella on her birthday in the film where he said he was 109. I don't know if this was a mistake in the films or just a strange play of creative license.
Chapter 3
APOV
Bellissimo. *
After almost 4,000 years I found her, my sweet Isabella, my delectable mate. I held her to me, her delicate body fitting perfectly against mine. She was unlike anyone I had ever met. So kind and selfless, willing to give up her humanity just to keep the people she loved safe.
I pressed my lips back to hers, unable to deprive myself of the sensation, so warm and subtle against my own. Isabella pressed herself against me, her body flush with mine, making me ache to feel her against me skin to skin.
My, what feelings this mortal could rouse from me. I've never felt so protective over someone, never felt such a desire to make someone happy, never felt such a need to claim someone before. Even Sulpicia had never been able to cause such feelings.
"Aro," My sweet little mate gasped, breaking her lips from mine to breath, "I- I…"
"Sì*, my ravishing mate, what is it?" I couldn't keep my hands off her as I brought my hands to her back, caresses the bare skin her attire left bare, needing that skin to skin contact with this perfetta* young lady that I craved.
"I want you. Truly, I do, in every way. But I need this, whatever this is, to go slow. I…I'm…inexperience." Her voice a faint, a breathless whisper only audible to me due to my enhanced senses. She couldn't even look at me like. Did she feel embarrassed at such a statement? The fact she had never been intimate with another made the fire within me burn all the more brighter, a fire that would only burn for her and her alone.
I brought my hand to her face, caressing her cheek. I let my thumb brush her slightly bruised lips and I gently angled her chin so she would look at me.
"Mia cara*, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I want to be with you, to claim you so very much, but that would mean nothing to me if you were not happy. I pledge to you that I will go as slow as you need. Your inexperience as you put it is nothing to be embarrassed about or anything else you might be feeling on the matter as it just makes want you more. To know that such a thing, if given, will be blessed upon me. My only regret would be I cannot offer you the same, my sweet, beautiful Isabella."
I could see tears well up in her eyes. Had I said something to upset her? Did I only make it worse? I couldn't stand to see her so upset, my diamond, so sweet and caring brought to tears. I would rip the world apart just to make her happy.
"Aro," she sniffed as I wiped away her tears, "thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me." She smiled at me, a small, sweet lift of her lips. Even with tear tracks down her cheeks she looked stunning.
"Il mio amore*, I think Miss Cullen is wanting to see you. Are you agreeable to seeing her or shall I get one of the guards to bring her back later?" The thought of her leaving my arms for just a second filled my cold, unbeating heart with an indescribable sadness, but I know the seer and empath meant a great deal to my mate and could hardly deny her if she wished to see them.
She nodded her assent at me, wiping at her face to try and rid herself of the evidence her bitter-sweet tears. I kissed her once more, a swift peck on her lips, and gentle took her hand, leading her out of my study and towards the guest rooms Miss Cullen and Mr Whitlock were residing in.
We walked at a gentle human rate, savouring my short time with Isabella, letting her take in the majesty that was my home. What a Queen she will be.
I felt her hand grasp mine, a gasp escaping me before I could stop it. I come to a complete halt. She turned to look at me, her chocolate eyes filled with concern. How fascinating. She was concerned for me. She is unlike anyone I have ever met. Everyone fears me and my coven, the Volturi. Even new-borns cower at the sight of us, regardless of if their sire informed them of us and our rules. Yet this girl, this human woman, knew of me and my coven and was concerned about me. Wanted me even. What had I done to deserve such a wonderful mate?
"Aro?" She breathed, "Are you okay? Aro, please, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong?"
Oh, my sweet little human.
"Isabella…" I took her face in my hands, needed her close to me, "You took my hand…held it in yours…you have no idea how long it has been since someone did that. No one dares touch me given my gift, let alone willingly grasp my hand in theirs. My Isabella, my diamond…you are extraordinary." I took her lips with mine, uncaring if any guard members witness this display of affection. It wouldn't be long before they would respect my mate as deserved by her title. Amico mio, amore mio…mia moglie?
We continued our walk to the guest suite hand in hand, unwilling to let her go.
It wasn't long before we reached our destination, much to my dismay. I looked upon her face, stood outside our visitors' rooms. I didn't want to be away from her and by the look on her face I'd say she didn't want to be away from me either.
Unfortunately, I did have business to attend to and Isabella need to spend time with her friends and look after her human needed.
It was with great reluctance that I brought her hand to my lips and placed a kiss on her hand.
"My dear, I hope you enjoy your time with Miss Cullen and Mr Whitlock, I shall come by to see you later in the day- I'm afraid I have some business to attend too while we're apart." I took a moment to take in her figure once more, even the briefest time away from her filling me with sadness. I inwardly hoped it would not be long before I can claim her, and the pull would ease.
I left her in the hopefully good hands of her former family members and best friends, informing them that they should take good care of her unless they wanted to feel the full force of the Volturi. If any harm should come to her, I would hold them responsible.
As I walked to the communal study that Marcus, Caius and I would use together I decided it be best to have someone stand guard over Isabella and called for Felix, giving him orders to look after Isabella whenever she wasn't with me.
Safe in the knowledge that she would be safe, I ran to the study faster, needing the advice of my dear brothers.
"Aro! Where have you been?! There is much of importance to discuss!" Caius snapped at me as I enter the room, taking a seat in one of the overly plush seats.
"Brother mine, do calm yourself, I had matters to attend to. Indeed, it would seem something rather more significant wandered through our door today than an inconsequential teenage immortal." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, one of the few mortal habits that stuck with me over the past 3,000+ years of immortality.
"Ah, you have seen it, acknowledged it." Marcus stated, I could hear the smirk in his voice. Of course, he had seen it, it was his gift after all, but he didn't have to be so smarmy about it. "Our brother, it would seem, has found his mate."
"The human?" Caius sighed questioningly. I looked up in surprise at the calm, almost kind tone of his voice. I simply nodded in response.
"Shall I tell your wife, or did you want that pleasure?" My blond brother smirked, the turn of his lips mocking me.
"EX-wife, brother, ex-wife." I reminded him, of course he would bring her into his. "You know as well as I do that she wouldn't care. That harpy ran off with her lover centuries ago. We went to the wedding for goodness sake."
I could hear Marcus chuckle, a rare sound these days. It was good to hear him in better spirits.
"I suppose this puts a different outlook on the problem regarding young Mr Cullen. Perhaps we should invite Carlisle to the proceedings? Should the worst happen he will want to be here to defend his eldest child." Ah, Marcus was always the voice of compassion.
I nodded, making a mental note to call Carlisle before we began young Edwards trial.
"When do you intend to change the mortal?" Caius sneered, "She's a liability while to weak."
"Caius, beware your tone. She is my mate. She will be turned when Isabella and I decide." I practically growled. I needed to take my mind off of this subject, so I picked a book off some nearby shelves and attempted to read.
"She won't let you claim her, will she?" Caius said, again mocking me and my bond with Isabella. A deep growl rumbled from my chest. He was walking on thin ice.
His laugh bellowed through out the room and an anger I had never felt took me over. Before I realised it, I had Caius against the wall by his neck, thin cracks coming form my hold and up onto his face.
"Don't." I growled, throwing him from my hold and onto the floor. I didn't really want to hurt him, but one more mockery of my mating bond and I wouldn't be held responsible for my actions.
"Aro," Marcus sighed, "you know you need to claim her soon…the pull will only increase until you do so." There wasn't any indication of mocking, just a gentle tone of concern.
"I know. But…Isabella needs time. It drives me crazy, I NEED to have her, but forcing her into anything would be worse than not having her at all. I admit, I'm not entirely sure what to do, but I know pushing this onto her is not the way about it." I sighed, the pull almost hurting me now. It had been less than 24 hours and it already pained me to be away from her. I retook my previous seat, attempting to calm my anger.
"Brother…maybe just show her how much you care for her? Get to know her? Take some time from court, we'll put Mr Cullen's trial on hold. I'm sure she'll be able to tell how painful it for you to be away from her. She might even feel the pull herself." Caius suggested, sitting down in a chair across from me. I was truly shocked at his helpful attitude. "What? She is going to be my sister… She is staying, isn't she?"
"Yes, she offered to stay here, to give up her mortality and for us to utilize her gift. In exchange she wants us to let Edward live, among other things. It appears that we have another problem to attend too." I rubbed my hand across my face, placing my book down on the table seen as I wouldn't get the chance to read it before continuing.
"A woman by the name Victoria has been hunting my fragile mate since the Cullen's left her. She has become conspicuous with her killings. Local law enforcement are suspicious, calling in more and more humans to figure it out. I doubt it will take long before a large panic starts, a risk to our very existence. Isabella has only lived this long due to a pack of shapeshifters protecting her."
Everything was quiet for a moment as we all thought it over. How something like this has been missed by us, I was unsure. But if this were indeed true, we would have to act quickly.
I was brough out of my thoughts as Marcus chucked.
"She's not been here five minuets and she's got the guard going on missions." He explained, his mirth a comfort to my soul.
"Well, they do need to go. Demetri, Santiago and Jane perhaps?" I suggested. The sooner we could dispose of this danger to my young mate the better. As soon as my brothers agreed I called for them, giving them their orders and permission to use the jet.
"I shall write a letter to our good friend Carlisle, inviting him to join us for young Edwards trial. If it is to be pushed back, then he will have plenty of time to receive the letter and join us." I excused myself, heading to my personal office to write the note. I think they all knew it was because Isabella's scent lingered there and helped ease the pull.
I breathed deep as surrounded myself in her scent, gulping it into my lungs like I needed it to live.
After a few short moments of simply taking her in I sat at my desk and began to write.
My dear friend, Carlisle,
It is with regret that I write to inform you that your first-turned is to stand trial, here in Volterra.
It has come to our attention that he has broken our sacred laws that keep us safe. He is to face trial in a week or two, a date to be confirmed later. I tell you this out of kindness, old friend, should you wish to come and join us. So, you can talk to your eldest and observe the trial for yourself.
I warn you; I do have a witness. Miss Cullen and Mr Whitlock accompanied a young human to us in the hope it would save Mr Cullen's life.
Both your coven mates and the human are safe here and respected. They shall return to you immediately after the trial if they so wish to.
I hope that you can join us and that the next time we speak it will be under better circumstances.
Your dear friend and King,
Aro Volturi
I folded the letter and placed it in an envelope, closing it with my royal seal. I called for Demetri, my best tracker, and instructed him that once he landed in America that he should deliver this to Carlisle himself. I would have posted it, but alas, I was unsure of his current location. I could have asked our guests for the address, but I also felt given the circumstances it was best not to risk such a missive getting lost in the post.
Job done I decided it was best to attend to my duties while Isabella spent some time with her friends. I meandered down to the throne room, seating myself on my throne.
Item after item being delt with, person and person being seen and all it did was bore me. The usual excitement I felt at such dealings gone as I longed for Isabella. It was only now I understood Marcus' apathy to court events, my mind straying elsewhere as I gave minimal effort and attention to the happenings around me. Nothing really mattered to me without her at my side.
I could feel the amusement of my brothers as I struggled to keep my attention focused on the events before me.
I dismissed the nomad in front of me, his troubles nothing of consequence. She only wanted to question our way of life so I informed her that she could go to Alaska where a coven had taken to living amongst humanity. They can deal with her questionable ideals.
"That will be all for today. I've had enough." I declared, truly having enough of such trivial issues.
I ran faster than I probably should have to the guest suite I left Isabella at, pushing the door open in my haste.
She wasn't there.
I ordered for a search to be done of the castle, with so many of our kind it would only take seconds to find her.
"Master Aro" I turned to see Alec, head bent before me. "Miss Swan, Miss Cullen, Mr Whitlock and Felix are nowhere in the castle. I believe they left some hours ago to get Mistress Swan some food, but have not returned yet."
My vision went red.
"Isabella isn't in the castle?" I barely managed to keep it from an outright growl. "FIND HER"
I cannot believe that my guards would be so foolish as to let her leave so casually. I had no intention to trap her within these walls, but she was still delicate- still human. Anything could happen to her.
The only good news was that she was with three immortals, hopefully they should be able to keep her safe but that was no guarantee.
She could get hit by a car, break her spine, die of sudden onset food poisoning, crushed to death by a falling piano, sunstroke, drained by another of my kind, raped and murdered, stabbed during a robbing, accidently choking to death, she might burn to death, the Romanian coven might kill her in revenge or kidnap her…so many possibilities. None of them could happen.
True, she could come back perfectly unharmed, but the risks were there, and I wouldn't be happy until I could see she was here, in my arms, just as healthy as she was when she left.
With every minuet that passed by, I felt anger and sadness consume me more and more.
I paced my private office, deep in though. Had she run away? Was she just waiting for a good moment to escape?
I sat down in my desk chair; the room now draped in darkness as day turned into night. How long had it been now?
I felt my long dead heart die even more if that was possible as it became more and more likely that, in one way or another my Isabella was gone.
Suddenly my anger flared with a vengeance. She couldn't be gone, I refused to believe such things. She would return soon I was sure.
For the first time in my life, I wished I could cry. I breathed deeply, her scent helping to calm my probable hysterical thinking. I knew my thoughts were borderline insane, but one doesn't tend to think rationally when love is involved.
While I may not have known Isabella long, I knew she was perfect for me. We had the mating bond, but even without that I think I would still care for her deeply already. I was fairly certain I already loved the temptress that is Isabella. That woman, in just a few short hours had become my world. But without her? I don't know what would happen to me if I had lost her for eternity. I held a new respect for Marcus, he had lost his mate but still managed to go on. I'm not sure how he did it. If it came back that my Isabella was gone or dead, I don't think I could continue. If- When – she came back I would do everything in my power to show her how deeply I care, how much I need her. For a life without her, even a living dead one, was no life at all.
I was too deep in my self-inflicted depression to notice the doors swing open until a small gasp sounded, bringing me out of my musings.
*Bellissimo – Beautiful
*Sì – Yes
*perfetta – perfect
*Mia cara – My dear
Amico mio, amore mio…mia moglie? = My mate, my love…my wife?
Notes: Sorry if this chapter dragged a bit, I'll try and make the next one more interesting. I just felt we needed to see Aro's point of view and his feelings on the whole thing.
