Survive For Me

Chapter 15: Epilogue

Three months ago I escaped from my abusive father and ran away.

~SFM~

"You can't run from me Leonora," I heard him come up behind me.

I whirled around almost loosing my footing at the edge of the cliff. I looked up at his scarred face and for the first time in my life... I felt courage.

"Wanna bet?" I sneered at him. I saw his bodyguards a few feet behind him.

"You think you run from me? I own you. I made you. You will break by my hands like your pathetic mother did," he spat.

I saw red.

Memories of him beating my mom flooded to the surface. He took immense joy in hearing her pain filled cries, begging him to stop. Did he ever listen? No. He broke my poor mother's spirit.

"You may have broke my mother, but you'll never break me!" With that, I turned and hurled myself off the cliff, diving into the waves.

The wind rushed past me as I plummeted towards the dangerous waves. My body went numb when I finally crashed down. The salty water was freezing cold against my overheated skin. It rushed through my ears blocking my sense of sound. I looked through the murky water to try and find the surface.

I gasped for air as my head broke through the ragged waves. I looked up on the cliff to see my father looking down at me. The look in his murderous gray eyes promised hell when he finds me again. He said something to his men that flanked him on either side and they began climbing their way down the crumbling cliff, towards me. The waves sucked me under again and by the time I fought my way back to the top the black haired monster was gone. But his men were still there, trying to find a way to get to me, inching closer by each second.

If I didn't do something now... I was going to die.

~SFM~

Three months I stumbled across a town in Italy called Volterra.

~SFM~

"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"

I looked up when I heard the sound of a bell going off.

It was the clock tower. It was beautiful. The chimes had brought me peace in my final moments. It stood tall and proud in the middle of the city. I wished my mother was here with me to see this sight. To see so many people, laughing and celebrating while they danced and cheered among themselves; their bloody cloaks swishing in time with the chimes.

The old clock chiming one last time when it struck twelve. The old bricks still standing, holding it up high for everyone to see.

"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"

I cried tearless weeps as I watched the glowing ball of light glow proudly over them. Its rays bounced off the stone walls of the old, but gorgeous, buildings cascading down on the people below, warming them. I had been locked up for so long I had forgotten what the sun felt like on my skin... to feel its warmth shine down on your face as you just lived. I'll never know now.

I'll never be normal. I'll never be one of those kids that plays in the middle of the street with the other children laughing and just... being myself. I'll never get married. I'll never love someone. I'll never get to see my father burn in hell for what he did to us... to her.

"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"

I kept my lips shut to stop the cries from escaping me. I ever so slowly limped out of the alley and onto a bright sunny street. There were a few people here but they were quickly making their way to the festival. I paused for a split second to feel the sun on my face. I sighed feeling its warmth surround me like a thick wool blanket. This is what I had been missing.

This is what I craved... light.

My legs almost gave out underneath me but I managed to hold on to the wall. I just wanted to see where this tugging would lead me and then... I'll go, to the fiery pits of hell. Or wherever someone ends up when they die.

Let my last image be the sun before the devil strikes.

~SFM~

Three months ago I had officially met Aro, Caius and Marcus, the vampire kings.

~SFM~

I cracked an eye open and saw Aro for the first time.

He was wearing a simple black button up dress shirt and black slacks. His skin was translucently white, like onion skin, and it looked just as delicate – it stood in shocking contrast to the long black hair that framed his face. His eyes were red, but the color was clouded, milky; I wondered if his vision was affected by the haze. But his eyes looked so gentle when looking at me, like I was a precious gem needing protection from the outside world.

The one on the left had skin very white just like Aro's. His eyes are dark red, though milky. His silky blonde hair is shoulder-length, and very close in color to his skin tone, while having an average build. His eyes were red and yet he looked at me like Aro was looking at me earlier today... with love.

The one on the right has black hair to shoulder length, standing 6'4" tall, with an average build but seemed to be the tallest one of them all. His white skin is translucent with a papery texture, and his red vampire eyes have an overlying milk film like Aro's. He eyes, despite their color, looked so gentle when he looked at me.

They were both wearing simple dress shirts and slacks, like Aro. But their was a crest hanging around their necks in the shape of a 'v'. I wondered what that meant.

I could feel something in my chest click into place almost, as I looked at them. I felt like I had been missing something my whole life and yet here it was standing in front of me. I had never felt this type of feeling since my father had murdered my mother in front of my eyes... happiness.

~SFM~

Two months ago I realized I was in love with three different men.

~SFM~

"To be in love is the most beautiful thing in the world Leona. Your whole world is centered around him. Every breath you take is for him. Every smile and laugh he sends you way, cherish them. Love is the best feeling. Knowing out there, somewhere, someone loves you and thinks about you. Some people run away. Some people cling onto their love with all they have. And some people don't find that special someone. Sometimes some people aren't meant to love. But you Leona, if you ever fall in love, you never let go. Let him love you and love him in return. That's why we live. To love."

I... I couldn't believe it. I had been here for officially two weeks now... and I had fallen in love with them. Aro, Caius, and Marcus. My loves.

I waited for my mind to start screaming at me to run, and my heat to scream at me to jump them. But there was nothing.

My mind was completely silent. Like it had given up. Like it had accepted the fact that I was staying here with them until my demise.

My heart wasn't yelling at me either... but it was whole. Mama broke my heart when she died. But they wrapped themselves around my broken self and healed the wound.

Was it completely gone? No. It would always be there... but so would they.

~SFM~

Two months ago my father tried to burn me at the stake, along with my mother's body.

~SFM~

"Last chance Leonora," he warned me, "Either you crawl back home on my bed and please me, or I'll burn you alive,"

"Fuck you! You miserable cunt! I hate you! I'd rather burn than have your hands anywhere near me!" I screamed at him, knowing full well I just signed my death certificate.

He smirked at me, "Have it your way," and dropped the match.

I could honestly say, never in my life, had I ever, experienced a pain like this. Everywhere all I could see was orange. All I could feel was fire. I reached pitches with my screaming that I didn't even know existed. The fire spread all over my mouth and slipped inside me, burning me alive. I could feel it making its way down towards my stomach. The same one that Aro had been rubbing mere hours ago.

I heard a very loud roar. I assumed it was the flames growing bigger. This is how my life ended. I just hoped the vampire kings forgave me for burning at the stake than being raped by my own father. But I would rather die than to let another man inside me that wasn't them.

The only good side to this was I would be seeing my mother very soon. I hoped it ended quickly. I hoped the fire would burn out and leave me to die in peace.

~SFM~

Two months ago my heart stopped beating and I was reborn as the undead.

~SFM~

I slowly opened my eyes and gazed at the air with wonder. I had been so blind before but now I could see every bit of dust that floated by, every color shining brightly from the light. It was too much too fast. My eyes darted around the ceiling as I tried to take everything in all at once. But my throat was still burning like it was still going through the change. I frowned, did something go wrong. No, I was thirsty, I realized with a jolt.

A slightly shuffle of fabric to my right startled me. I jumped off the bed and landed in the corner of the room and snarled at the three men that stood before me.

Wait. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. I knew them, didn't I? I wracked my brain searching for the answer, but it was difficult. My memories had been faded to such an extent. I couldn't even remember what my mother looked liked before she was turned to ash by the flames.

Unfortunately, I could still vividly remember the flames that licked my skin, the way I could feel every cell melting, my hair catching on fire and burning off.

I reached up and quickly felt my head, sighing relief when I felt the soft locks slip through my nimble fingers as I combed through it. The venom had repaired it. My god, I wasn't vain by any means, but I did not want to live for an eternity with no hair. I doubt I could look at myself if that happened.

Looking down at my new body, which was wrapped in a fucking dress, I wondered how I looked. I slowly approached the mirror on my side of the room, away from the three men and saw a goddess stare back at me.

My eyes were a horrifying red, but my brown locks were perfect as the billows of hair fell down my back, just stopping mid way. My face had not one blemish, pimple, mole or freckle. I reached up and with one graceful movement, I ripped my dress off of my body.

I searched through my pale, cool skin but found not a single mark from the fire, or from all the other markings my father gave to me. For the first time in my life I could say I was beautiful and mean it. I wonder if my lovers liked the way I looked.

My head snapped up at that thought. Aro... Caius... Marcus. I turned around and faced them. My god they were even more handsome than I remembered with my, stupid, blind human eyes. I slowly began walking towards them, watching them carefully, making sure they made no sudden movements. I was very jumpy and nervous right now.

I reached Aro first. I looked into his ruby eyes and smiled at him, with my sharp, pearly white teeth.

"Hello," I whispered to me, blinking in shock at the sound that erupted from my flaming throat.

"Hello darling, it's nice of you to finally join us." Aro cooed to me, his breath wafting over my face.

Reaching up, I grabbed the back of his neck and shoved his head towards mine, crushing his perfect lips towards mine.

Oh, how nice indeed.

~SFM~

One month ago I became the queen of the Volturi.

~SFM~

I stood before them, my head held high, my back straight as I looked at them. Their heads were bowed to me, showing me respect. I knew I still had a lot to learn about ruling before I could ever take charge of something but I knew, with time, I would get it.

My eyes drifted towards the left of the throne room, where Felix was standing his head bowed like all the rest. I was most displeased with my lovers when I found out that they had dismembered Felix. But I forgave them in the end.

I had missed Felix while I was in my father's clutches. He was a brother to me. He was a very loyal friend to me and I would hate to lose him. I was very glad when the kings assigned Felix as my servant and protector. I still cringed at the term servant. But I was glad I would still have his company for many years onwards.

~SFM~

One month ago I discovered my gift of seeing the past and future.

~SFM~

Aro had a suspicion for months, even when I was human. The dream I used to have, it was my gift peaking through. I didn't use it often, for I had no need of it.

I had managed to use it to my advantage and beat Felix in a playful fight between us. It was very satisfying leaving him there on the floor, with his mouth wide open as I strutted away.

Demetri still teased him about to this day.

I wasn't very good at narrowing down the decisions someone would make if they kept changing their mind rapidly just to spite me, but I was getting there.

I knew it would take practice for me to finally be able to use it to help my lovers with their duties, hopefully lifting some of the world's weight off of their shoulders.

Managing the vampire race sounded as difficult as it was.

~SFM~

One month ago I threw Sulpicia out of the castle.

~SFM~

She stood before me, slightly shaking in fear as she faced the wrath of all three of my mates. I was not impressed to learn that Sulpicia had witnessed my being kidnapped and did nothing to stop it. I could see the guilt and fear plastered on her face as clear as day, but it wasn't going to help her.

She betrayed my family. I wasn't going to let her get away with that. So, I ordered Felix to bring everything from her room down here. I set it on fire and watched, amused Sulpicia screamed as her stuff was burned to a crisp before being blown away in the wind.

I grabbed her by her throat while she was still screaming, shutting her up instantly.

"Please," she tried to beg, as she writhed beneath my from hold, "Don't kill me! Please! I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking straight!"

She looked me directly in the eye.

"Please have mercy on me,"

I blinked.

"Okay," I said simply as I released her, watching as she fell to the ground.

"W-what?" she stuttered in shock as she looked up at me with hope in her eyes. I could feel the displeasure of my mates behind me, but I knew they would go along with whatever I had planned for her, even if that meant showing her mercy.

"I will not kill you," I told her simply.

Her eyes lit up like a puppy that had just gotten adopted.

"Thank you!" she cried in joy.

"You are free to live your life. But you are banned from Volterra for a decade." I looked down at her.

That stopped her joyous look, "B-but your majesty," I frowned when she called me that, "I won't survive out there! I'll be ripped apart in seconds!" she wailed, her high pitched whining annoying me to no end.

"Either you take your chances out in the real world... or I'll let my darling, sadist, Caius, decide your punishment." I gave her an ultimatum.

Her big bloody eyes widened when she glanced behind me, probably seeing Caius grinning at her in his sadistic manner.

"Well?" I questioned her.

"I'll take my chances," she whimpered before Felix picked her up and carried her away from the Volturi and away from our protection.

A few weeks later we found her body ripped apart a few miles outside of the city. What a pity.

~SFM~

Today I was married to three different men.

~SFM~

I laid on the bed, moaning in delight as my three husbands brought me to the edge of ecstasy over and over again, our naked bodies in tune with our every need. I couldn't wrap my head around this, having them here with me, my heart no longer broken.

My father long since dead after Jane had gotten her hands on him. I let my mates torture him to their undead hearts content, but I refused to allow them to drink his blood. I didn't want that monster to be apart of them in anyway. He screamed for weeks. They broke every single bone in his body, set it right so it would heal and then they would start the process over and over again. I wasn't interested in torturing him. My husbands would do that for me. And Jane and Felix. And every other guard member. For the grand finale they burned him at the stake, but it was a slow fire. He burned for days before his black heart finally gave out. The irony. He burned momma and me, now my mates burned him.

Speaking of my mother, her ashes had been buried in the very same field I burned in. I had my happily ever after. I had spent nineteen years of my life hiding in fear of my father and running away like a coward.

Despite how hard and painful my life had been, I was glad fate decided, just this once, I would get my happy ending. My love for my husband's only grew with each passing second... and orgasm. I was an almost indestructible being with the power to topple any vampire or human culture I so wished. But I didn't need that power. I had it, but I doubted I would ever need it. At least, not any time soon.

"I love you,"

The words I had only ever said for my mother, was now theirs. My mended heart was in their hands and in return, they handed me theirs. I had spent a month surviving for my mother, to find a way to avenge her death. Now, I was living for my lovers, and with every breath I took, I made sure they knew it as well. I survived for you mother. Now I'll live for my lovers. Aro, Caius and Marcus.

I'll live for you.

But only if you promise to live for me as well.

The End.

A/N: Thank you so much. I will never forget your kind words of encouragement for this story. Without all of you, I would've given up on this a long time ago. I love every single one of you.

Goodbye and farewell to Leonora, a woman who never gave up and found her happy ending.