Title: A thousand Frozen Years

Author: Ada McRose

Summary: New Moon AU. When Bella, Edward and Alice are taken to meet the Volturi after Bella kept Edward from exposing his true nature to the humans of Volterra, they are separated before entering the throne room. This is when we learn that the Cullen had only been a tool of Fate when Bella had crossed path with them. She had always meant to end up in Italy on St Marcus day of 2006 and they had been the key to place her there that day. What happened next would keep the vampire world on edge for a long time to come...

MPOV

"I believe your human might faint," Caius said in a derisive tone, which riled me up slightly. The fact that he had noticed though, showed he did care and I abstained to comment.

I forced myself to pay attention to all of Isabella rather than remaining lost in her gaze, enveloped in the lulling song of her heart. She did look pale, paler than a human of her complexion should be and a flicker of anguish briefly passed through me as I thought she looked like she had been drained. I chased the feeling away, knowing she was indeed probably feeling faint.

"Let's adjourn to the East Gardens," I decided and cradling Isabella in my arms, I disappeared, knowing my brothers would follow.

We entered the East Gardens, which were bathed in a cool shadow as the sun had started to descend on the west side of the castle. I helped Isabella to a marble bench in one of the alcoves and kneeled in front of her.

If anything, she looked even paler in the light of day.

"Isabella, precious, are you well?"

I worried as she didn't seem to register my question for a few seconds. Humans could be slow, I reminded myself, wondering, not for the first time in the last few minutes, what Fate was playing at.

Finally, she said; "Bella, please call me Bella, I… I prefer it, if you don't mind" she she shrugged, looking embarrassed.

I smiled and repeated my question.

"I am fine," she laughed nervously. "Just a bit shocked with what just happened and… well, I am not a fan of speed." She grinned and I chuckled.

"Apologies, I thought some fresh air may help you regain some colours."

"The wind definitely woke me up," she said with teasing sarcasm and I wondered at how natural it felt to be thus, in her company. "What happened?" She asked, showing her uncertainty.

My unbeaten heart clenched. Didn't she feel the shift? Didn't her whole self feel the connection binding us irreversibly?

"Do you know of my power, precious?" I asked, giving myself time to think about the best way to approach the matter without overwhelming her.

"You are Marcus, aren't you?"

I nodded, apologetic to not have thought to tell her my name.

"Carlisle explained that… you see relationships between people?" She sounded uncertain, probably trying to recall the specifics of that conversation.

I smiled. "That is correct. For the people I am close to, I can also see an aura around them, not dissimilar to a halo surrounding them." She looked at me intensely, a slight frown on her young face. "Yours is the most beautiful shade of light green with strikes of white," I continued as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, exposing her delicious neck. "It took me centuries to learn the variation in their meaning, and I have never been more certain of their meaning than in this instant, Bella."

"What does it mean?"

"Can't you guess, precious one?"

She reddened slightly, avoiding my gaze for an instant and I felt relief at seeing her look more animated.

"Aro said that I am… that I am your mate?" Her voice was but a whisper on this last word and the bemusement in her voice warmed me somehow.

"Oh beloved, you are this and so much more," I promised, taking both her hands in mine, keeping her from fidgeting. "As soon as I looked into your eyes, a part of me I believed had died millennia ago came back to life with such intensity that I cannot describe it in words. Precious one, look at me" I waited for her to comply before I continued. "You are my mate, Isabella, Bella. Of this there is not an ounce of doubt. And from what I can read of your aura, I have been blessed with the most generous and giving soul one could wish in a mate." I wiped at a tear that tried to escape her eyes.

"I…" she stopped and was clearly struggling for words. "I felt it too." She sounded unsure, hesitant and I helped her to her feet.

"It is a lot to take in, do not worry, we have eternity to make sense of it." I tried to appear nonchalant as I placed her hand into my arm, guiding her through the Gardens.

BPOV

Eternity. My heart picked up pace at this word, warmth feeling me at the rightness of it. "Will you change me?" I asked before thinking there were another hundred things I could have asked first. Somehow, though, this seemed to be the most important right now.

"I will," he affirmed fervently. I looked up towards him, missing a step as I stopped watching where I was going. "I am too selfish not to, and you seem too fragile to remain human for long" he added, clearly teasing.

"That's… hmm yeah, I am definitely that." We walked quietly for a while, admiring the peaceful beauty of the gardens, filled with so many different species of roses and wildflowers that I just enjoyed the quiet for now, reflecting on the day.

I had been racing against time, rushing in a desperate attempt to save Edward from his own foolishness. And I did save him. The relief that had filled me at seeing him, crashing into his hard chest to keep him from stepping into the light… dramatic vampire, I chuckled inwardly. The emotions that I had felt in that instant had seemed so intense. Now however, they paled in comparison to what Marcus ignited in me and I understood the innocent fascination that Edward had awoken in me was nothing compared to feeling the pull of a true mate.

I felt like I could understand the wolves' devotion to their imprint now. It made perfect sense. There was nothing forced, it was more like putting glasses on and seeing perfectly for the first time. I would know, as I had needed glasses to correct my vision as a child. The feeling of seeing all the details surrounding me, so clear and defined, was one of the strongest memories I kept from childhood. I had not been able to see clearly before, even if I had never felt like something was off. Now, I could see and the bond between Marcus and me just made sense. He was made for me and me for him. Edward had been… well maybe a strong teenage crush, I did love him for a time. Marcus… Marcus was everything, Marcus was love.

"What happened to Alice and Edward?" I asked, suddenly remembering that they had been taken away and could very well be in danger… if not worse. I felt horribly guilty for not thinking about their well-being earlier.

The panicked edge to my voice must have shown as Marcus assured me of their safety with a squeeze to my hand, that was still resting in the crook of his elbow. "They are merely kept in a room, awaiting their audience."

"Audience?"

"Edward, whatever his motivations, had planned to expose our race to the humans. This is punishable and shall be discussed during an audience with my brothers, the senior Guard and myself," he explained.

"Will… will you kill him?" Despite what he had put me through, and understanding that he was never meant for me, I would never wish him harm. "Please don't hurt him, or Alice" I begged, not unlike I had done moments before with Jane.

"Do you still hold feelings for him, precious?" Marcus asked and I could feel the hesitation in his tone.

"I…" I thought carefully, not wanting to speak before weighing my words for once. "Not as I thought I did," I smiled shyly. "Can you see my connection with them? Edward and Alice?" He nodded. "What does it tell you?"

He looked pensive. "It tells me that you care deeply for them, that they are… family. The connection seems weaker with the boy. You still consider him family but not as a lover." I snorted minutely at Marcus' choice of words and he raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Do I amuse you, beloved?"

"That was a very good description of how I feel, m… Marcus" I stumbled on his name, almost saying my love and suddenly very aware of the strength of our connection, that had flourished into something so natural so unnaturally fast. Could I say it aloud? Somehow the word seemed too small for my emotions. "And what do you see between us?"

The smile he gave me was so tender that I felt my heart rate increase again, though it was not in fear anymore. I wanted to kiss this gorgeous smile. And before I could think or talk myself out of it, I did. Slightly raising myself up on my toes, I brushed my lips to his and before I could retreat, he had caught me in a full embrace, prolonging the kiss. Our lips played with each other, and I wanted more, so much more. I teased his lips with my tongue and he opened minutely to give me way. I was lost to his touch, my body somehow burning under his cold touch, igniting sensations that explained our bond in a much clearer way than words could ever do. After what felt an eternity and not enough at the same time, we parted, our eyes locking into a promise of more to come.

"I believe this answers your question, beloved." He smirked and I laughed.

"It does…" I was breathless. "It does."

"My brothers are coming," he announced as Caius and Aro were appearing in the corridor leading to the gardens. I admired the ancient beauty of the arches surrounding the garden, almost like what could be found in old abbeys back home. Roses climbed along them, giving an eerie edge to the place. It was gorgeous, just like its inhabitants.

Marcus placed my arm back into his elbow as he smiled at his approaching brothers. And just like this, we were back to reality.

AN: So it didn't take me long to want to write more did it? I have a plot and about 2 or 3 more chapters outlined and the main parts are written, so I would expect another update around Monday and then either Thursday or Saturday!

What did you think of Bella and Marcus' interraction?

Thank you so much for reading, you make me smile :)

Until next time,

Ada.

Xx