Twilight : Fondness for an Ancient Warrior
This is a fictional story based on the Twilight Series, of which I own neither part nor parcel. Just borrowing the Volturi temporarily. (I'm late to this fandom. I do research online since I haven't committed the films to memory, and hardly recall the books. So I'm sorry if canon is upended a little.)
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Chapter Ten
"Demetri, join us in our hotel room." Caius gave the guard what sounded like an order, his tone different than when he spoke with her. It fascinated Illyana, who had never seen him in his Volturi master role until now.
"Yes, Master Caius," Demetri replied.
Caius put on the long bath robe he was using to cover up his sun-lit skin, while Illyana donned her shorter beach cover-up, because as a human, she had no vampire skin to worry about exposing. She grabbed up the blanket and beach umbrella, and was about to move to Caius' side, when the Volturi guard took the items from her hands, carrying them himself.
"I could have managed, Demetri," she chided him.
He only gave her a small smile, and walked ahead to the waiting taxi the guard had used to come to the beach.
"Thank you," she called out from behind him. She shook her head as she watched him outwalk her. He was not moving as fast as he could have, but was still faster than she was. "Vampires," she grumbled.
Strolling beside Caius, Illyana was unsure as to the conversation he'd had with Aro. To be honest, she hadn't even bothered to eavesdrop. She knew Caius agreed more with her than his own Volturi family members. Then, when she remembered that those family members would be her family members, she let out a groan.
"Is something wrong, tesoro?" Caius asked, turning to give his mate a worried look.
Illyana laughed. "No, I was just suddenly aware who my in-laws will be."
Caius placed his hand on the small of her back. "Does that frighten you?"
"I don't think so. I can hold my own with Aro, as long as you keep him from killing me. The others...I don't know them. Is Demetri a friendly sort?"
"That depends on if you're running from him," Caius joked. When he saw her not responding to his jest, he rubbed her back comfortingly. Was she more worried than she was admitting.
Caius and Illyana sat in the back of the taxi, while Demetri rode with up front with the driver. They both spoke easily in Japanese, until the driver admitted he wanted to practice his English, so Demetri switched to oblige the man. Illyana wondered how many languages Caius and Demetri knew.
Once they reached the hotel and had arrived at their room, Illyana excused herself to shower the beach off her body and from her hair, toweling off the water in a leisurely manner. The day had been relaxing, for the most part, even if Aro managed to interrupt their peace.
Slipping on panties and a light weight nightgown and robe, Illyana joined Caius and Demetri while they talked in the living room.
Caius rose, greeting Illyana when she approached the sofa. He stroked her cheek, then let his fingers caress her chin while his thumb lightly rubbed her lower lip. She let her eyes close briefly, before she felt her mate kiss her. He sat back down on the sofa, while Illyana sat beside him. She nestled up against his cool body, noticing Demetri smirking at her.
The trio talked for almost an hour, Caius and Demetri discussing home in Volterra, vampire history, and stories from their own lives when they were human. The one topic they avoided was the transformation process. Caius wanted to save that until they returned home. He had planned to explain it to his mate in more detail in private, so that she wouldn't be afraid when it was time.
Just before midnight, Illyana told Caius, "Love, I'm very tired. That always happens when I'm out in the sun all day. You can stay and talk with Demetri if you wish. I think I'll be out like a light anyway."
The blonde vampire led his mate to the bedroom and kissed her, rubbing his nose against hers. "You sleep, amore mio." He nuzzled her cheek and the side of her neck, giving her goosebumps as usual, then he kissed her deeply. Once he saw her comfortable and already nearly asleep, he went back into the living room.
While Illyana slept, Caius asked Demetri about Aro and Marcus, and affairs at the castle.
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The next morning, Illyana woke to find breakfast waiting for her. She gave Caius a kiss and sat at the dining table. "Room service?"
Caius nodded and sat with her. He watched her drink down a cup of coffee, refilling it immediately from a carafe.
"Where is Demetri?" she asked, looking into the sitting area.
"He went out for a walk. He hasn't been to Japan in a very long time."
Illyana glanced at Caius, grabbing a fresh croissant from a ceramic tray. "He hasn't gone out to feed, has he?"
Caius squeezed her free hand. "No, he took care of that before coming after us."
"And you, are you all right?" Illyana had decided a while back to help Caius if he ever needed blood. Not enough to kill her, of course, but in an emergency.
"I'm fine, my heart. Now finish up so you can dress. I have a surprise if you're interested. I thought you might want to visit the Ueno Zoo."
"That would be wonderful. But let me ask you, do vampires like animals?" She finished off her second cup of coffee, and ate two of the large buttery croissants before feeling full.
"Love, although I admit to hunting when I was human, our kind do not hunt animals. Well, Volturi do not hunt animals, if you recall. We're not vegetarians like some vampires. But we can enjoy seeing them in zoos or their natural environments." He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the palm. "Now go shower and we'll be off. Perhaps Demetri will join us, or not. He never said."
Illyana showered and dressed, returning to the living room to find the room service trays gone, but no Demetri.
"I'm ready, Caius," Illyana said, hugging her mate and giving him a deep appreciative kiss. "Thank you, for everything, il mio uomo perfetto."
The couple went downstairs into the busy hotel lobby. Caius was gratified to see through the large windows the sun was hidden behind heavy grey clouds, so he wouldn't need to wear a hat. He still wore sunglasses that hid the red eyes behind the dark lenses, but Illyana wore a pair as well, to make it seem more normal despite the cloudiness. Hopping into a taxi, they headed for the zoo, which was already crowded with people.
"Caius, how do you manage to be among so many humans and not want to feed off them?" she asked, whispering.
"Oh, believe me, it took hundreds of years of practice. Even now, if someone with incredibly sweet smelling blood walks by..." He nuzzled her neck, licking her skin, now scented like bath soap.
She hit his arm playfully. "Oh you..."
Caius paid their entry fees, and they followed the crowd into the zoo. They had turned the corner of a gift shop, when both observed Demetri, leaning against the building waiting for them. Even though Illyana gasped in surprise, Caius acted as if he were expecting the vampire to be there.
Caius nodded at the the tracker, who followed them quietly, glancing at the exhibits even as he kept an eye on the couple in front of him.
While they walked hand in hand, Illyana was unable to control her curiosity. "So, Caius, what did Aro have to tell you? Anything I should be aware of?"
"He wants us home as soon as possible was the gist of the conversation. I told him we'd be back in about five days. He wasn't happy, but he can't do anything to me, since I'm equal in authority." Caius stopped and turned to Demetri, giving him an order. "Return to Volterra and inform Master Aro we will be staying here for the time being. We'll go back to Italy and check in on Miss Illyana's farm, then return to Volterra ourselves."
"Master Caius, Master Aro told me to stay with you and Miss Illyana, until you are ready to return."
Illyana saw Caius' eyes flash dark with anger. She squeezed his hand and shook her head. "It's not his fault, Caius. Maybe we should go back now."
"I won't have Aro dictating our schedule for us. I already told him I would be available any time he needed me for trials. This is our time, my love."
"Are you sure? I don't mind going home early." There was something she wanted to tell him, but she feared it would only make him angrier, if he felt it was not supportive of his wishes.
Caius pulled Illyana down beside him on a nearby bench. He knew she had something to say, so he gave her the time to say it. "What is it, Illyana?"
"I haven't been fair to you, Caius. You're living in my world because I asked it of you. I've barely experienced your world. Frankly, I was afraid, but I know you won't let anything happen to me. We can speak with Aro and see if he'd be willing to extend the deadline. I can live at the castle with you for a week or so to see how the Volturi live. I can attend you at the trials, speak with the guards, and maybe even watch a feeding."
Caius' eyes went wide at the last part of her statement. "No, that would not be safe for you. I won't allow it," he said, shaking his head.
"I can hide behind one of the thrones."
Demetri snickered before his face reverted to its usual emotionless mask.
"That would not protect you," Caius warned.
She knew what could endanger her. "Your superior sense of smell?"
Caius nodded. "I don't want you to end up an accidental casualty. When we're in the midst of the bloodlust, it can at times be difficult to stop ourselves, especially among the younger ones. The older we are, the better control we have." He gathered her in his arms, smiling. "Still, I might even see you as a tasty dish."
Illyana rolled her eyes. "Oh, really." She leaned in and kissed him, then ran her tongue over his lower lip. "You're a rather tasty dish yourself," she said, smiling. "But I can understand your fear."
Caius admitted, "I hated humans. I found them weak and self-important. But since I've met you, maybe I don't hate them all so much. I want you safe with me, forever. And I won't risk your life."
"I still want to learn about you and your kind. I need to know everything. Call Aro. Tell him we'll go back in Italy in a day. We'll check in on Pietro and the horses, then drive to Volterra, where we'll have a nice long talk. How can he object to that?"
Caius laughed. "You don't know Aro very well, love. He can and will object when it pleases him to do so."
"You seem reticent," she observed, wondering how much control Aro had over Caius.
"To argue with Aro? No, it's not that. These are my people, but he has to realize, and more than that, he has to accept that we have our own lives to live."
"What do we do then?" Illyana asked, hoping he would agree with her.
And fortunately, he did. "We go home, check the farm and the horses, and make sure Pietro is all right. Then we'll return to Volterra."
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Once Caius and Illyana were back in Italy, they went to the farm to check on everything. Demetri speed ran to Volterra to let Aro know the couple would be arriving at the castle soon.
While in the barn, checking on Mystique and Monarch, Caius asked Illyana if she was sure about staying at the castle. That is, if Aro approved her request.
"Yes, I want to stay and experience your world, il mio cuore. It's important to me."
Caius felt proud of his mate, admiring her courage and willingness to stand up to Aro. Most humans would fold under Aro's gaze. He held her close and kissed her, murmuring endearments in her ear.
"Mi scusi," said Pietro, trying not to watch his employer and her husband making out.
"Ah, Pietro, partiremo presto per Volterra. Puoi badare alla fattoria?" Caius asked, hoping Pietro had not made plans and could watch the farm.
"Si, Mister Caius. I can watch the farm for as long as you need."
"Illyana smiled. "Your English is getting better, Pietro."
"Oh, grazie, Miss Illyana. I try very hard."
She turned to Caius smiling. "On to Volterra then."
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Illyana sat opposite Aro, the ornate carved-wood desk separating them. Neither said anything for several minutes. Aro seemed perfectly comfortable with the silence, but Illyana felt the awkwardness intensely. Perhaps that was Aro's game, to make her feel extremely uncomfortable, and overwhelm her into making decisions not of her own choosing.
Deciding Aro might have been testing her, Illyana finally spoke. "Aro, before we begin the interrogation, I have a gift for you." She rose, handing him a beautifully wrapped box, then sat back down on her chair.
"A gift, for me? This is so unexpected, my dear." He carefully unwrapped the box and opened the lid to find a small porcelain flask with 4 shallow cups, which Aro knew were called tokkuri and sakazuki, respectively. "A sake set," he said, smiling. He picked up one of the cups, examining the hand-painted flowers not only in the interior of the cup, but encircling the exterior as well. "It is exquisite."
"I know compared to you, it's not that old, but it is classified as an antique set, several hundreds of years old. Caius said you happen to collect works of art."
Aro set the small cup down on his desk next to the box, thinking he would find a place to display the set later.
"I am aware you don't drink sake, but maybe you can use it for warmed blood."
Aro laughed. "You must not be medically trained, Illyana. Blood not freshly drained from a human body tends to clot, leaving it very unappetizing. We'll stay with tradition, and feed the way we have for centuries."
Illyana noticed that the man, or vampire that is, had not blinked once since they began talking. It was very strange and a bit unsettling. She would ask Caius about it later. She grinned and whispered, "It was a joke, Aro."
He gazed at her, and said, "Of course. I thank you for your thoughtfulness." He settled back into his chair, his hands steepled, fingertips touching. "So, my dear, did you and my brother have a nice vacation?"
An innocent enough question. "It might have been better, had you not sent Demetri to find us. Otherwise, it was very pleasant. I had never been to Japan. I was very impressed to hear Caius speak Japanese to our taxi driver."
Aro's eyes narrowed a smidge, sensing defiance in her response. "Well, I had to be sure you were not intentionally trying to hide from me. Demetri was just insurance, if you will. I've never seen Caius so eager to leave us before, especially for a human."
"Maybe Caius is bored and wants something other than a Volturi life style. He still believes in his responsibilities to you though, Aro."
Still confused, the Volturi leader protested, "But he rarely cares about humans..."
"Caius happens to love this human." She raised her left hand, displaying the ring he had purchased for her. "We're bonded, Aro, he and I together. The only thing left is for me to become like him, and I'm not rushing to that end just yet. Caius seems fine with that for now. Why can't you be happy for us and stop trying to force the issue. You know it will happen some day."
Aro had noticed the ring, but didn't know Caius had given it to Illyana, not having read her prior to the meeting, nor his brother the last time he had visited. Perhaps he should have. "I was lenient with you, my dear, in giving you two weeks to be human before making the change."
"Lenient? I suppose you wanted to lose your humanity as soon as you found out it was a thing, but maybe others over the centuries were not so eager. Perhaps the choice was taken from them in some circumstance or other. As for me, I love my life. It was difficult losing my parents. It was difficult working in the military, but even that I don't regret. I learned a lot during my tours of duty. Now I have peace and security. Can you even understand what it is to know peace?" Before he could answer, she replied to her own question, "I doubt it."
Aro sat and listened with interest as she spoke. Perhaps his brother knew better than he, the type of woman this was. Aro felt she would make a wonderful vampire, for inclusion in the coven, even if lacking in any gifts. Sometimes strength and cunning were adequate, as Caius himself proved.
"Aro, I was finished with men. And then I met Caius. He was...different. He's intelligent, educated, and I can tell he's a born leader. He wants to do what's right for your coven, but he wants his own life too. Is that so hard to understand? We're a matched set, if I dare say that. I love him and trust him with my life, and he knows I would never betray him. I know he loves me because he's willing to defy you for me. So why can't you trust us to do what we have to do, but in our own time."
The Volturi leader's response was only to raise his brows at the human before him.
"I know I will eventually have to say yes, Aro, and I don't mind. To be with Caius for an eternity won't exactly be Hell, unless you choose to make it one."
Aro's eyes widened. No one, let alone a human, had ever spoken to him in this fashion. He didn't know whether to be furious at her or to laugh with her. He could understand how his most dangerous brother was attracted to her, but there had to be some decorum in their relationship if she were to fit in with the others in the coven. "I would ask you, Illyana, why the sudden delay? You were amenable to the change when I gave you two weeks. Did you think to influence my brother in some way?"
"Aro, Caius and I have talked, and I got his approval to speak frankly with you. I feel I know so little about you, your kind and the Volturi as a whole. I don't want to blindly walk into this new life without some preparation. Surely you can understand that."
He could. She was former military. He understood her wanting to do what any good soldier or military leader would want to do to prepare for the unknown. Caius had been much that way when he took charge of routing the Romanian coven, hunting down the immortal children, or dispatching the werewolves that had almost destroyed him. Aro smiled, seeing how these two gravitated to one another.
"Very well, my dear, I will grant you more time, but only until the day I order Caius to change you. It won't be an imperative, just a necessity." He stood and focused his gaze on her, giving her a gentle warning. "It will happen."
Illyana gave Aro a big grin. "Thank you, sir. I promise, you have no reason not to trust me."
Caius patiently waited for Aro to finish with Illyana. It was taking...so long. What all did Aro have to say to his mate? He eavesdropped, as he expected Aro would know. So far, he had heard no yelling, screaming, or accusations of any kind being leveled from one person to the other. Maybe this meeting would go better than either Caius or Illyana had hoped. Still, Aro was an upholder of vampire law, when it suited him, which was 98% of the time. Caius was also responsible for upholding the law, but he was too invested in this particular issue.
"Brother, you may come in now. I believe your mate is ready to go rest awhile, and perhaps you will oblige her, and tell her about us." Aro spoke, aware that Caius was listening in on their conversation in case he needed to rush in to defend Illyana. When Caius entered his office, Aro smiled. "See? She is none the worse for wear. And I do appreciate the gift." His hand gestured gracefully to the sake set."
"It was Illyana's idea," Caius pointed out.
"I know," Aro replied.
Illyana stood, and moving to the other side of the desk, she faced Aro, whose expression was one of wide-eyed puzzlement. He was even more baffled when she embraced the ancient vampire. "Thank you, Aro. You won't be sorry. My loyalty, once earned, is hard to break."
He watched his brother and his now official mate leave the office. He sat down and shook his head, wondering if he was making a mistake, letting Caius push him into a corner. Perhaps he would speak with Marcus about all this.
A/N : So maybe a tug of war need not ensue between Aro and Illyana, giving Caius the freedom to be with his mate as a human. For a while longer, anyway.