Here's the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoy!

WARNING: Slight M-rated sexual content ahead.

Demetri returned empty handed, the vampire responsible was found left nothing more than ash on the ground. Whoever it had been was considered dispensable, tossed away to keep the Volturi off their tracks. They knew how to keep out of Demetri's range, knew the Volturi well enough to counteract their moves.

The entire castle was on red alert, Wendy was not to go anywhere without her three guards. Alec had been tasked for the time as extra security, not that he seemed to mind. As the days passed the three grew more and more comfortable speaking in the queen's presence. Many times Alec and Jane would bicker softly, in the way they did to show or ever quiet Demetri would make a comment of two.

She took to them easily, their presence a warm blanket of security, no matter where she went in the castle. Though for the time being she was not permitted outside of it's cool walls, not even the gardens were allowed. For now Wendy was content with this, given the sheer size of Voltura Castle. Yet underneath the surface her skin itched, some part of her always on edge. She knew what it was, the absence of her mates was keenly felt.

She'd not seen them since the throne room, off holding business and far too busy for her. Not once had they paid a visit to her new office, now filled with supplies. She had no idea when they would find her important enough to visit again. So instead of being responsible, Wendy fed, sat and waited, many times watching the sun filter through the sky in her room.

In the beginning the three were vigilant, Jane and Alec outside the door and Demetri on the balcony giving her privacy. It only took a day for her to insist they just stay in the room with her. Her morose mood meant Wendy spent almost a week staring at the sun and moon. During that time she barely moved, ignoring the concerned looks that passed through the three protecting her.

More than anything, she struggled with endless anger. There was so much of it inside her, fear of not being able to protect what was important to her. Anger at Caius for acting the way he had toward members of his own coven. Anger at Aro for doing nothing, too curious to step into the frame. Angry that the one responsible had escaped. From what she'd been told this energy came from being a newborn, it would fade as time passed.

She worried though, because anger had always been such a huge part of her life. As a child, after the death of her parents, the foster homes hadn't understood. She was either angry or clever, never anything in between. The good ones didn't want her, the bad ones fought back. Her life was a multitude of anger, sadness, and a desperation to succeed. Wendy understood her mates, understood Caius and all of his rage and Aro in his need to collect and hold things close.

It was easy to relate to their intelligence and wisdom, to be drawn into a line of power. Same as it was easy to protect Demetri when the time came to it, easy to bring Jane into the fold and earn her loyalty. Wendy knew well enough she shared traits with Aro, the kind of traits Jane adored. It had been an easy shift, when Wendy was so open to the idea of caring for her.

Another week passed before she saw one of her mates again, after light persuasion from the guard Wendy found herself in her office. Jane stationed in the room and the other two guarding the door. Wendy was sitting when Aro slipped into the room, instantly turning to Jane, "Wait outside, my dear." For the first time Wendy's power came into play, Jane was halfway to the door before she seemed to remember freezing in place.

"Mistress, do I have permission to leave?" Jane's voice was careful, not wanting to make the tension growing in the room worse.

Wendy looked at her closely, surveying her options before responding. "Jane, please wait directly outside the door. No one else is to enter, including Caius." She was finding it easier to speak now, when orders were to be given. When it came to how she was feeling or making small talk Wendy always seemed to fall silent again.

Straightening the paper on her desk, now covered in writing she looked at Aro who was watching her closely. That same anger clung to her like a cancer, mixing well with the fear. When he reached for her hand, she pulled it away and set it in her lap. This time the hurt did not phase her, she had a right to be angry with him.

Though Wendy had thought carefully on how to speak with him on this issue, and due to her own difficulty using words, had written it in the form of a note. She pulled it out of the stack of papers and carefully handed it to him without touching. This time as he took the paper he seemed more resigned to it, holding the sheet up to read.

Aro and Caius,

You have lived a very long time, I know that. It has no doubt been a struggle to make it this far, and I know that finding me has been one of the most joyous things to greet your long lives, as it is the most precious thing to my short one. The mating bond goes both ways, and I know how you feel to some extent.

However, the Volturi Coven is now my coven, and as you said on the day we met, I am to become its queen. At first the idea of taking any kind of power from you seemed intimidating at best, but I've taken the last two weeks to think on it in great detail. Feeding three times a day to ensure my mind stays clear and my newborn emotions do not overtake me.

The way you treat those in your coven, as I feel a coven is a family, is inexcusable. You cannot treat the guard like disposable soldiers, they cannot be tortured on a whim. Although Demetri and Jane are now under my direct surveillance this does not mean I will not protect the others. You weaken our coven by your actions.

Your age has blinded your decisions. Your arrogance weakens us. If this continues, there will be no respect left for you. To rule by fear alone, is not to rule. If we want to last forever, we need the respect of everyone. Aro, there's a reason your invitations are being politely declined.

I've been having Jane tell me everything she can about her time living here. She's been very insightful, I want us to succeed. I want you both to have what you want, and being kings suits the both of you. However I fear for our permanence if things continue this way, and hope you will listen to my council on how to treat the guard.

I do not want to fight with you, but I also want you to become better than you are. We can accomplish anything as long as we work together.

Signed with care,

Blodwen Greene

Aro read it several times, allowing the words to wash over him. It had been centuries since anyone had dared direct them, even among the three there were no critiques to be given. They'd simply been existing for so long, it seemed strange to think that that fact itself was working against them.

"These are wise words, Wendy. Well written, and very heard." He carefully folded the paper before placing it in the internal pocket of his suit jacket. Aro seemed to stay in place, not ready to leave, but unable to approach. "May I ask what else you have been writing?" He gestured toward the inch thick pile of paper.

Wendy looked down at them, "Plans."

Aro shifted to lean against the wall, arms going in his pockets. The pose made him look less like a millennium old vampire and just a normal man. "May I ask what the plans are for?" She couldn't help the soft smile that came to her face, he was being so careful, walking on eggshells.

Reaching out she took his hand before he had an option to react. Aro's eyes instantly closed, the way they always seemed to when she specifically touched him, like her memories were more important than the current reality. His face fell when he opened his eyes again, stepping forward to be closer to her. "Amore mio, the loneliness. You feel it so deeply. It hurt me as well to be so far and yet so close to you. We thought it best to give you some space after recent events. To know you suffered as well, makes me regret that decision greatly."

Wendy softened at his words, she knew they hadn't meant to hurt her. The anger had mostly been due to fear on Caius's end. It wouldn't have been fair to hold it against them for long. She licked her lips, forcing the words to garble from her mouth. "It's forgiven, but not so easily if you do it again."

Aro smiled wide, sinking to his knees before her. "Thank you, dolcezza. Your forgiveness is so very important to me." He paused before adding, "I have letters to write, would you like to spend some time in my office with me?"

She had yet to visit Aro in the space he frequented daily, nor had she entered Caius's either. Wendy agreed following him out the door, immediately followed by the four outside. Renata didn't speak, just kept her eyes on Aro. It wasn't like they had to walk far, coming to the next door over.

Wendy gave her guard a quick nod and entered the room. The space lit up when he hit a switch, illuminated with low voltage light bulbs. She'd been expecting gas lighting or something else old fashioned, before remembering what fire could do to them. Modern man had made that a little harder.

The room was larger than her own, but held the same ceiling, though it was all paneled cherry colored wood. The desk was large and commanding in the center of the room with a thick leather chair, the papers present were all sorted and organized on his desk. Everything was perfectly cleaned, each book on the shelves across two of the walls were organized by both size and color.

It was very clear how methodical Aro actually was seeing this space. She walked to the middle looking around before leaning against the desk as she did so. When Wendy looked back at Aro she hadn't been expecting the blackness of his eyes. He was still grinning, as per usual, but there was something more predatory about it than normal. She caught his gaze, tracing each movement as he stalked closer.

He came up to stand before her, hands coming to rest on the desk on either side of her frame. Fingers spread out to hold himself there, as she bent back to accommodate him. "Aro?"

The vampire didn't respond to his name, instead growling back her own. "Blodwen." The sound sent a roll of heat from her throat to belly, where the only fire she could tolerate swirled. She watched him until he burying his face suddenly in the crook of her neck. Aro reached out and touched her hand gently with his fingertips, reaffirming the consent of her desire. "I have missed you."

She let out a shaky breath, his hair tickling her face as he began to kiss the skin at the base of her throat. When he pulled back it was Wendy who kissed him, newborn enhanced emotions making the desire overwhelm her all at once. Aro molded against her as if he were designed to fit there, pushing until her back hit the desk. Perfect piles of papers scattering in his wake.

Aro never acted with such abandon, organization was an important part of his personality. Yet in that moment he could have flooded the whole room, and continued just as he was as the papers eroded away. He kissed like he'd never done it before, with the eagerness of a fifteen year old virgin, leaning over her on the desk one leg on the surface to hold himself up.

She'd expected this kind of behavior from Caius, Wendy knew there would be broken furniture left and right. Aro she'd pictured to be gentle, but with the way he was kissing her, he was the one more likely to break his desk right down the middle. Wendy wasn't a saint, she'd had a boyfriend in college and in the first few months of her transformation she'd been with multiple of the male newborns housed with her.

This was different though, her skin tingled in trepidation as Aro went back to kissing her neck, tongue occasionally darting out to taste the skin. He seemed uncertain to focus more on the expanse of her neck or the softness of her lips. She was wearing a loose silk blouse and trousers, far less than Aro's layers. Reaching out she pulled the jacket from his shoulders proud of her control as to not rip it.

Her lover did not seem to have the same control as both blouse and bra were shredded underneath his fingers, falling to either side of her torso before being pulled into strips from her arms. This left her chest bare to him, he took a moment to greedily drink her in before beginning to kiss across her chest in slow open kisses that had Wendy's mind going fuzzy. So fuzzy she didn't even feel the pants get the same treatment.

The only thing that keyed her off was Aro's movement away and the sound of ripping flooding the room. She let out a gasp in surprise when she realized she was stark naked on his desk, heels having fallen from her feet to the floorboards. Aro stood there looking at her reclined form, memorizing the sight for the rest of his life to revisit in hours of boredom. She was perfect, the right amount of alabaster skin and silk. He wanted to lick her from one pair of lips to the other.

So he did, tongue dragging its way up her skin as Wendy let out a breathy moan into the space. "Aro." His name was drawn out, raspy from desire as she lifted her head to look at his fully clothed visage. "Not here."

If there was anything the old vampire had decided it was that his mate's word was law. So he instantly stopped, leaning over her to kiss long and hard. "As you wish, tesoro. Shall we save this for a later time or?" He didn't need to add how fast he'd carry her back to his room if need be.

Wendy sat up still sitting on the desk and looked around. One hand came to rest over her mouth when she looked at the scattering of papers and torn clothing. He pressed a finger to her lips before the apology could fall. "Never have I felt so free, Wendy, it is a gift among gifts."

Becoming more aware of her now nudity she frowned. As if instantly noticing her unease Aro spoke. "Jane, fetch new clothes for Wendy from her rooms."

Jane's voice echoed back instantly, "Mistress?"

Wendy grinned, liking this new system that now had to be upheld. "Go ahead." With that Jane's shoes were heard running off into the distance. The two waiting in relative silence as Aro began to collect his documents, still holding that bright smile on his face. She'd offered to help, but he'd shook it off before continuing.

Feeling strange at the idea of walking around his office in the nude, Wendy just crossed her legs like a polite lady and waited, much to Aro's growing glee. Jane didn't take long to return, knocking lightly on the wood of the door. Wendy instantly shifted out of sight, as Aro opened it accepting the carefully folded clothes, before closing it again.

Wendy took them gratefully, pulling on the undergarments right away. Aro was chivalrous enough to look away, though she could tell it was a challenge for him. From outside of the door she heard Jane say, not without amusement, "Hopefully this one is a little easier to get out of."

Looking down at the white dress Wendy giggled. Better to be pushed up than torn off she supposed, it wasn't like they could go out shopping right now. Slipping into the thick wool material, another joke from Jane no doubt, Wendy put her back to Aro. "Zip me up."

She heard him turn instantly, before feeling his fingertips on the small of her back, dragging the zipper upward. The outfit was simple, a pristine white thick strapped dress that hugged her frame to her knees. It was elegant and professional, one of the reasons she'd chosen it. Aro smiled wider when she turned around. "I certainly wouldn't want to tear this one." He dragged his fingertips across her forearm. "So perfect."

He moved back after that sitting at his desk. "Help yourself to whatever you would like, I'm sure any of your guards could fetch anything else you may need." At his words Wendy began to look through the extensive library among his walls. There were books so old she didn't recognize the language, and books that came out in the last couple of years. It was mostly non-fiction, but there were scatterings of fiction as well.

One entire shelf was completely coated in travel guides, she stood at this one longer than the rest, curious why he had so many. As if sensing the question, Aro didn't even look up. "I like to watch history change. I've been collecting them since they started printing books." She smiled at his explanation thumbing through a seventeenth century handwritten guide to a town in Scotland.

Her voice was contemplative, "I wonder what my collection will be." It seemed everyone had one: Jane had mentioned a collection of hair pins, Demetri old hunting equipment, Felix strong arm memorabilia, Alec airplane models. Clearing her throat she kept talking, "I used to press flowers, but those won't last."

Aro finished the letter he was writing, setting down the feather back into the inkwell. "It's not exactly old fashioned, but you could encase them in resin. Plastic might outlive us all."

Wendy perked up at that, she'd always loved her flowers, and enjoyed stealing buds from the gardens she visited to press later when she returned to her apartment. With daily feeding she was able to remember more about her past, things coming back each day. It felt good to know where she came from again. "Aro?"

He perked up, his head lifting slightly from his work to show attentiveness. "Yes, amore?"

"After the threat has passed, do you think it would be possible to return to America to get my things. I owned a home, left to me by my parents. I don't believe I've been gone long enough that everything is gone. I have no family, and I think you have to be missing for several years, before it can be claimed by the bank. Regardless, no one knew me well enough to inform the police I was missing at all." She tried not to hold out hope, knowing that it would be unlikely that they would let her leave.

Aro however didn't respond immediately, seeming to think out his words before answering, "I think that would be lovely. We could set up the jet to take you any time, though I'd prefer if you at least took Caius with you. I can run things here while he's gone. Your entire guard would be necessary as well. It's been long enough that we don't need to stay in the castle, exercise caution of course, but no one is going to cow us into hiding."

This hadn't been what she'd expected, an open invitation to go home and collect her things. "How soon can I leave?" The anxiousness rolled down her spine, suddenly desperate to be on the move, to leave the tall stones behind and breath the air from home.

Her mate seemed to be expecting this answer, because he just chuckled, "Demetri, send word to have the jet fueled."

Wendy immediately followed, "Please." Demetri took that as permission enough and was gone in an instant.

Aro folded the paper after making sure the ink was dried. "Caius is in his studio, Jane and Alec can show you the way." He pushed the chair fluidly back coming to stand before her. Long arms wrapped tightly around her, the side of his face pressed close to her ear. "I expect you to come back to me."

Wendy tilted to look at him, his hands holding her at the small of the back. "Always. No one else is going to put up with you." She touched his face, watching as he absorbed her thoughts a sigh on contentment leaving his pink lips.

At her teasing however he smiled, pulling away to give a low one armed bow, the other stretched out beside him. "Indeed, carina. I have made myself just so for you."

She laughed double checking her dress was straight before leaving the room. Renata gave a respectful nod of her head as Jane and Alec began to lead her down the hall. Jane seemed particularly amused as they walked, a tiny grin on her face as they went.

Wendy playfully glared at the girl before pushing her shoulder. Newborn strength the only reason Jane had to readjust her step with a laugh. Alec turned to look at his sister the moment the sound left her, his own happiness raising with his twins. It was the first time Wendy had ever heard the strict woman laugh, really laugh out loud. Given her brother's reaction it wasn't something Jane often allowed to happen.

Wendy was glad so much good was coming from choosing Jane and Demetri as her personal guard. Jane smirked before leaning in to say, "I wish I had a man who would rip off my clothes."

Alec made a disgusted face, "Please never say anything so vulgar again. I'll have to live with that image for the rest of eternity." That elicited another round of laughter through the group.

Though Wendy knew there was a touch of loneliness under the surface regarding that statement. "Eternity is a long time." She smiled at both of them. "For now you have each other. Most vampires have to say goodbye to their families."

Jane softened at Wendy's wording, giving her a smile. "That would be a fair point, mistress, if Alec weren't so insufferable." The heavy eye roll that followed from her brother said 'I love you' in ways words never would. They came upon a door that she'd not been by before, this wasn't an area of the castle she'd gone down, as most of it was storage.

Alec and Jane didn't say anything just moved to each side of the door. She wasn't surprised Felix and Santiago were absent, Caius would no doubt get annoyed with constant protection. He was the warrior of the three after all. Wendy took a long breath and knocked on the door, so softly it was barely heard.

Several seconds passed before Caius opened it standing in the entryway to block the view inside. "What do you-" He paused seeing who it was before him, tone instantly changing, "Wendy, please come in." Shuffling back to give her room to enter, though she felt a spike of nerves from him as soon as she did.

It didn't take long for her to realize why he was nervous, carefully closing the door behind him. Unlike Aro who flaunted his interests Caius was quiet and reserved about his own hobbies. Looking at the hundreds of paintings that filled the space she understood why, an artist hadn't been what she was expecting. There were endless topics of his interest: landscapes, still life, erotic scenes, portraits, religious adaptions, the list went on.

She could have spent days looking at each one, it was clear some of them were old kept in glass temperature controlled boxes. Wendy let out a long impressed breath, before turning to see him standing there in the center of the space. There were specs of paint on his fingers. So much fear of judgement in his eyes, a man raised in a man's world.

Wendy just smiled, walked the three feet to his side and kissed him, standing up on tiptoes to do so. His lips were rougher than Aro's, yet he kissed her like she was made out of glass. The gentlest tough as his hands came to rest on either cheek, kissing back with the passion of an artist. She should have known never to judge them on how they were perceived here.

Aro, with rough hands and emotions like a whirlwind. Caius with his gentility, to soften his harsh appearance, treating her like tearable silk. Kissing him was like standing in warm rain, reborn with every droplet to greet her skin. He was the first to pull away, hands still remaining on her face. "Kochanie, what was that for?"

Looking around the room with content eyes, she just smiled again. "Someday soon, I want to look at each and every one." Caius smiled at the statement, so wide it creased the skin by his eyes. "I've come to invite you with me to retrieve my possessions in America."

Caius took a moment to soak in that request, seeming surprised by it. "Of course, I can have the jet-"

"Aro already sent Demetri." She smiled, touching his hand. "I made sure it was possible, before coming here."

"In that case, how long do you expect us to be gone?" He left it up to her, it was an important trip. This was letting go of her human past, being able to say goodbye to everything she'd ever known. It wasn't something he'd gotten. Caius was going to make sure that Wendy got the chance to make her peace with the past, lest it haunt her forever.

"A few days, not sure." She smoothed her hands reflexively on her dress.

Not wanting to fluster her further as she was speaking less words by the second, Caius just nodded, holding out his hand for hers to take. "Best we get packed then, shall we?"

Amore mio - My Love (Italian)

Dolcezza - Sweetness (Italian)

Tesoro - Darling (Italian)

Carina - Cute (Italian)

Kochanie - Honey (Polish)

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