Amongst the residents of the castle, both mortal and immortal, there were few that could truly read behind the various masks that Felicity wore. Other human workers for the Volturi described her as harsh and intimidating in her personality, the sharpness of her mind and accuracy of her eye scaring them. To them, she was cold hearted and they avoided her as best as they could.
With the lower guard, there was always an air of mistrust towards the woman that the three kings protected so fiercely. The blank mask of indifference that she wore made it hard too register her opinions and therefore impossible too understand her motives. Like the mortals, they avoided her when possible.
"This will not do"
She turned her gaze back too the young girl that trembled behind her. Felicity hated having too train new members of staff, one of the only parts of her job that she held any distaste for. The applicants were always so young and naive, fawning over the beautiful residents of the castle. They genuinely believed that, if they proved themselves worthy, they would be turned and brought into the guard. They seemed incapable of grasping the fact that, too the Volturi vampires, they were little more than fresh entertainment and the next meal.
Felicity knew that she could be quite frightening at times, but this was always intentional on her part. If they were so easily scared by one human woman, then she knew that they would not last long amongst a coven of vampires. She lifted the orchids from the vase, thrusting them in the direction of the trainee without so much as a glance. The training session was taking place in Marcus' quarters, instructing the new girl on all the does and don'ts and what she was never permitted to touch. little things could prolong their lives even if only for a few extra days.
"you must never place orchids within Marcus' chamber. He hates them. If you are going too place flowers then use roses, preferably red ones"
She lifted a second vase, placing it gently on the table top before scanning a critical eye across the room, checking for any further mistakes. It all seemed too be in order as she continued too arrange the deep crimson roses more too her liking, not looking at the trainee as she spoke
"you may leave, training shall resume tomorrow"
She didn't miss the sound of the girls hurried foot steps or how the door slammed with urgency, overly eager too be away from the fair haired woman. Felicity sighed in relief as she finished adjusting the roses. She took no pleasure in having too be so harsh with the other mortals, but she had learned long ago that they would never be around long enough for her too form a lasting friendship. She kept herself at a distance from them, not wishing too get attached too anyone.
She took a final glance around the room, a gentle smile coming too her once stony face as she glided towards the door leading towards Marcus' private study, pushing the door open and placing her things down on her desk. There was something about Marcus' study that offered a small amount of tranquility too the hectic schedule that had become Felicity's life. But then, Marcus himself had always had a relaxing effect on her, something she was ever grateful for now that she had too deal with Aro and Caius' less than innocent behavior towards her.
Taking one of the many documents awaiting her attention, she settled herself into her work, fingers dancing across the keys of her computer and re-typing the documents that Gianna had handed too her that morning. They all contained some form of mistake.
It must have been an hour before she finally completed the task of correcting Gianna's work, closing her eyes and stretching her back too ease the tension that was building within her muscles. She nearly fell from her chair in shock as she opened her eyes too find Marcus smiling down at her, chuckling at her reaction.
"I did not mean too startle you, dearest"
There were few that ever saw the true personality behind Felicity's mask, but Marcus knew that he and his brothers were amongst those few. Her smile was breath-taking too his mind as she looked up at him, eyes glistening happily at the sight of him as she spoke
"Good afternoon Marcus. I was starting too think I would not see you today"
"Alas, my brothers were eager too prolong the meeting today. They can be rather jealous when they know it is not their day with you"
Her laughter was rich as Marcus extended his hand out too her and guided her towards the leather sofa in the center of the study. Too his ears, it was the most beautiful sound in the world. She took her seat beside him, leaning back slightly with one leg crossed over the other and her hands resting against her knee. She looked wonderful today as Marcus took in the sight of the simple black work slacks that defined the luscious curve of her hips and thighs, the dark blue blouse that hugged her slim waist and cradled her generous bosom. She rarely wore make-up, something that Marcus appreciated. Her hair was held up in a tight fountain with little golden stud ear rings too finish off her outfit. It was simple, but fitted her perfectly, bringing out her natural beauty.
"Why does that not surprise me"
The fond tone of her voice made him smile. But, as he looked into her eyes, he could not help but notice the dark rings that were beginning to form beneath those lovely orbs
"you seem tired today"
Felicity's cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment, she thought she had hidden it well but apparently not as he placed his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her face gently, appraising the weary look in her eyes. She had never been able to lie too Marcus, not once in the twenty years she had lived with the Volturi. He cared for her deeply and something about this made it impossible for her too hide anything from him, she believed it would be cruel of her too do so when he had shown her nothing but kindness and understanding. A soft sigh passed her lips.
"I simply had a late night, that is all. I could not settle knowing that I still had work left unfinished"
She hoped that he would leave it at that, she was not lying in her explanation, simply omitting the cause of her sudden onslaught of work the night before. His brow knitted together at her words, Felicity never left her own work unfinished before she retired too her room. But he knew of one that did.
"I think you mean Gianna's unfinished work, my dear"
The way she diverted her gaze, the way she bit her lower lip spoke volumes too Marcus, he was right. He caressed his fingers lightly against her cheek, enjoying the small amount of contact he could have with her. She may have been blunt in her honesty, often giving the impression that she cared little for the other mortals that worked for the coven, but that was not the case. She simply did not wear her heart on her sleeve. She may not have liked Gianna for her slack attitude towards work, but that didn't mean she wanted the woman too face the punishment of the three kings.
"I shall speak with my brothers. The matter shall be dealt with"
She returned her gaze back too his, surprised at the serious expression he wore. It was a look that she rarely saw on his face, it never led too a happy conclusion if he wore such an expression.
"please, Marcus"
"No, I will not have you making yourself sick with over-work simply because she holds the wrong attitude"
His tone was stern, leaving no room for debate as Felicity simply nodded her head in defeat.
"yes Marcus"
Marcus hadn't intended for his voice too sound so harsh, but his dear one had enough too deal with, from organizing the Volturi accounts and various business ventures too simply making sure that the gardens were well maintained. She did all of this without a single complaint, often stating that there was nothing about her job that she would change. He would not allow Gianna's behavior too effect her in such a way.
Her heart fluttered slightly as he brought her small hand up too his lips, placing a soft kiss against the knuckle, relishing the explosion of warmth that occurred in his chest from the simple touch, the strongest confirmation of what he had known for years. Too Marcus, Felicity was a dazzling ray of light in the darkness that had once been his existence.
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