As I wake up I hear the hum of two vampires talking rapidly, too rapidly for a human.

"Marcus?" I mumble, still keeping my eyes closed and he instantly caresses my cheek.

"I'm right here, my mate." He assures me. I sigh contently before I stretch and squint my eyes towards the light.

"What's happening?" I ask hoarsely as I see the door close. He smiles at me and points at a beautiful dress hanging on the wardrobe door.

"Jane came and left the dress for you tonight. I was just going to wake you up." He explains, pulling me into his arms as he gets seated on the edge of the bed. "Did you sleep well?" He asks and I nod tiredly.

"Mhm." I mumble and close my eyes against his shoulder again. He chuckles and shakes me gently.

"I'm afraid I let you sleep in a little bit too long for you to go back to sleep. We are supposed to be there in five minutes." He says and I groan.

"They can't start the party without one of the kings and queens." I mumble and he stills. I lift my head from his chest and then I realised what I said. "Marcus I- " I start apologetically but get interrupted by his lips. He kisses me passionately, but not desperately so I know he is still in control over his beast. I moan and kiss him back until he pulls away slightly.

"You are completely right. You are my queen." He nuzzles my neck for a few seconds as I catch my breath, then he sighs.

"We… should get… ready." I pant to him and he smiles sheepishly and pecks my lips quickly before he lets me get up from his lap. I keep my back to him as I undress, letting the bloody clothes fall off me as I walk into the bathroom.

"Darling, will you let me fix your hair for you?" Marcus asks right behind me suddenly as I start washing my face. I smile at him through the mirror and nod, even though he doesn't have a reflection. He gathers my hair in a gentle french braid and finishes it off with a dark red silk band, his color. "I'll leave you to get dressed, my love." He says and walks away from our comfortable silence. I undress completely and then I pull the dress on me gently, it's the exact same color as the silk band. I feel content since I know it's Marcus color, then I freeze. Where is my necklace?

"Marcus." I say alarmed and he's back by my side instantly, looking worriedly at me. "The necklace." I whisper and his eyes land between my breasts, where it should be, then he growls loudly. He pulls me into his embrace possessively as his eyes search the room for the necklace, only to come up empty.

"Aro and Caius!" Marcus roars and instantly they are standing in our doorway, searching for danger.

"What's the problem, brother?" Aro asks confused, but Caius checks me over and sees that I'm missing the necklace. He grabs Aro's hand and Aro's eyes turn to understanding and anger. "Someone stole the necklace." He breathes and Marcus nods as he holds me closer.

"Masters, Princess. The guests have arrived." Alec says suddenly in the door and the kings nod, dismissing him.

"Brother. We will find the necklace, I promise you that, but do you think you can endure her being around others if you have contact with her the whole time?" Caius asks, oddly sounding comforting and not just angry. Marcus hesitates, but then his eyes find me. I see his beast is very close to the surface so I throw myself around his neck and bite his neck as hard as I possibly can without hurting my own teeth. His whole being relaxes and just holds me close as I lick and kiss his throat. He nods to his brothers and pulls me back slightly, biting me gently on my mark, then sealing it with his venom.

"We'll be fine. I can keep the beast under control for now." He promises. The kings exhale relieved, then they gesture for us to follow them down to the throne room. Marcus lifts me up in a bridal carry and I rest my head against his chest.

"It will be okay, my mate." I calm him as I feel him tense the closer we come to everyone else. "Nobody could ever steal me from you." I add in a whisper. He nods surely and straightens his posture further as he puts me down gently beside him.

"Stay close to me, promise me." He says as he looks seriously into my eyes and I see the beast pacing underneath the surface.

"I promise, I won't even touch another male, okay?" I promise. He stills for a second before he exhales relieved, nodding.

"Good, thank you." He whispers, then Demeteri and Felix open the grand doors for us. The four of us walk in under everyone's gazes and then we get seated in the thrones, me on Marcus' lap.

"May the festivities begin, but I do need to warn you about antagonising King Marcus at the moment. He and his Isabella are still unmated and her necklace has been stolen-" A loud gasp goes through the vampire audience. "- therefore my brother and his mate will be in contact during the full evening. Isabella has also promised not to have physical contact with another male. Follow this and it should go well. Thank you and I wish you a wonderful evening." Aro continues and everyone nods, then the room is filled with pleasurable small talk. I study them with curious eyes but continue resting pleased in Marcus' embrace. The Cullens walk closer to the plateau and then they pause. I notice neither Alice or Jasper are with them.. hm strange.

"May we approach?" Carlisle asks politely and Marcus nods surely. They walk over to us but hold about a step distance to us.

"Hi." I say when they just continue studying me and Emmet laughs.

"Hi lil' sis'. I would give you a bear hug, but you know…." He gestures to Marcus, who doesn't manage to keep his amused smile in.

"Yeah, yeah, I know Emmet. I have a question for all of you though…" I begin and they nod. "You didn't know about what Edward did, did you?" I ask, afraid of their answer. They all look pittely at me and shake their heads.

"No, I promise we didn't, dear. We honestly thought you were mates-" Esme gets interrupted by Marcus' growl. I slap the back of his head so he quiets, then I nod for Esme to continue. "I'm sorry, dear." She apologizes with tears in her eyes. I open my arms for her. Carlisle pauses her movements towards me with a gentle hand on her arm. I recognize the look in Carlisle's eyes, protectiveness, possessiveness. I chuckle and he looks surprised but curiously at me.

"Oh Carlisle, I never thought I would see the day when you show some kind of temper." I say and he smiles gently to me but his eyes pass between Marcus and Esme again. "Don't worry Carlisle. Marcus wouldn't dare lay a hand on her." I say as I quirk an eyebrow at Marcus.

"Of course not. She doesn't pose a threat, besides, my mate has missed her." Marcus assures him and he nods for Esme to go ahead. Esme hugs me tightly, motherly, and kisses my cheek.

"I'm sorry that we left you, dear." She whispers before she backs off. I smile a little at her and shake my head.

"Don't be, it was painful but it was for the best and brought me back to my mate." I say and cuddle deeper into Marcus' arms. He purrs quietly for me and Esme smiles lovingly at the both of us.

"We have missed you." She says and I nod.

"I missed you too." I admit and she smiles kindly, then they walk away to speak with others.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, my mate?" Marcus whispers in my ear and I smile widely.

"I would love to." I nod and he pulls me to our feet and down to the dance floor. I rest my head on his chest as we dance smoothly around the room.

After a few hours of eating small delicatess food and dancing with Marcus, someone tapps him gently on the shoulder. Both of us look up surprised and I freeze.

"M-Mason?" I whisper and he grins at me.

"Yes Izzy." He nods and I shake my head slowly. Marcus takes it the wrong way and pushes me protectively behind him, growling.

"No, no, Marcus. It's okay. He was- is my best friend." I calm him with a hand between his shoulder blades. Mason's blood red eyes flick between me and my protective mate several times, before landing on me.

"Izzy?" He asks softly. I nod slightly, but wrap my arms tightly around Marcus' waist from behind.

"I have missed you, Mason. I really have, but my necklace with Marcus' crest is gone and we are not fully mated yet." I say apologetically and he nods understandingly, taking a small step backwards. Marcus relaxes slightly and lets me stand at his side. "How are things, Mason?" I ask and he sighs gently.

"Lonely." He says longingly as he watches us. "I'm wandering alone around the world. You see, my power is fire and it scares other vampires-" He's cut off by Marcus' growl and him making me step behind him again. "- point proven." Mason gestures with his eyes towards Marcus as he takes another step back.

"I'm sure Aro would love to have you on the guard." I smile gently at him as I rub my mate's arm soothingly. "I would love to continue talking with you, but I think my mate and I need to retire for the night." He nods understandingly and I take Marcus' hand. "Would you do me a favor?" I ask Mason as I squeeze Marcus' hand. He nods. "Could you help us look after my necklace? You know how it looks, right?" I ask, he nods again and bows slightly.

"Of course, Izzy. I hope I see you another time when you're… fully mated?" He questions and Marcus growls quietly. I chuckle lightly and pull Marcus with me towards the exit.

"See you another time, Mason!" I yell as Marcus scoopes me up in his arms, running to our room at a blinding speed.

"Your bond with him. I can see it, it's stronger than a friendship, different than a brother. What are you to each other?" Marcus growls at me as he almost throws me on the bed. I glare at him, refusing to answer if he growls at me and his eyes soften momentarily. "Please?" He begs. I sigh and pull gently on his hand until he sits down next to me.

"He's my best friend, my brother and he- he protected me when I was bullied at school. He makes me feel safe, loved." I explain and he relaxes slightly.

"Nothing romantic?" He clarifies and I sigh, shaking my head.

"How many times do I need to tell you I'm YOURS." I growl at him and push him down on the bed demandingly. "I'm yours and you are mine! Get it inside your stubborn head. Look at our mating bond, our marks, look in my eyes and see my love." I demand and he stares stunned at me as I crawl onto him, over his legs and groin until I'm face- to- face with him.

"I love you. I am going to marry you tomorrow no matter what happens. YOU are going to be my husband, my mate, my lover, my protector and we will complete our mating, is that clear?" I growl and he nods amazed. I smile pleased at him and kiss him. "Good, can you relax now? Your beast is pacing and it's waking mine." I say softly as I relax against his chest. He sighs pleasedly and hugs me closely.

"Thank you, my mate. I needed that and we will marry an hour after you wake tomorrow. Jane will be with you from the moment you wake and then she will lead you to the throne room for the wedding. You will decide who you want to walk you down the aisle and the second you are my wife I will take you here and claim you. After that we will celebrate with our family until midnight then we will go on our honeymoon." He demands and I nod.

"Yes. That is good." I agree and then we just lay there, hugging until I fall asleep.