Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
A/N: This is not Beta'd and I only use spell check on Microsoft, so there are errors… I'm just too lazy to go fix any of them. Sorry about any missing and/or for simply using the wrong word.
I was hoping that after dinner I would be able to just go back to my room and spend the rest of the evening there. I really don't want to spend any time with them and risk developing any feelings for them. I'm basically a prisoner here, I am here against my will after all since I didn't want to stay here, I don't want to develop Stockholm Syndrome.
I had helped Gianna cook and we both enjoyed a simple meal and we both cleaned up. As soon as the last plate was put away Athenodora showed up in the door way. I bet anything she was waiting for us to be done cleaning before she made her presence known. I could practically picture her waiting just outside the door, out of our view and not moving or making a sound as she waited. A little creepy if you ask me.
"If you don't mind, I would like to borrow you for the evening. I was hoping we could perhaps take a walk in the garden?" Athenodora asked in a gentle voice that seemed out of character for her.
The shocked look that briefly crossed Gianna proved that this is in fact not normal for the ancient vampire. I wonder if she's just trying to butter me up to get her way or if she really would treat me that way if I decided to stay. Not that I will, because I won't pick to stay here; but I'm still curious as how she would act.
The garden actually sounds like it would be nice to see. The weather seems, from what I've seen from looking out windows, like it would be nice right now. Even though I would prefer to just go and stay in my room and not see or talk with anyone, taking a walk in the garden sounds nice. Plus, this will also give me another place to go to besides the kitchen, library and my room.
"Sure." I said, trying not to sound hesitate about accepting to go anywhere alone with her. She claims that I'm her mate so by that alone, she shouldn't be able to hurt me. She just seems to be a really… abrupt person. I don't see how the two of us could get along, I really don't.
"Thank you, you'll love it." Athenodora said as she walked closer to me.
Without hesitating, when Athenodora got within distance, she wrapped her arm around me and started to lead me out of the kitchen and down the hall. I barely managed a quick goodbye to Gianna before we were leaving. I wanted to tell Athenodora to take her arm off of me since it's a bit too intimate but for some reason, I actually like having it there. Having her arm around me makes me feel… safe, I guess. I shoved my pockets into my jacket pocket and decided not to mention anything about it since it's not really hurting me that it's there.
"It's a fairly large garden but there's one spot in particular that I want to show you. It's towards the back and it is a bit of a walk since the paths aren't just a straight shot. I hope you don't mind the walk." Athenodora said as we turned down a hallway.
The tone she used would have made anyone think that she was simply telling you facts and that there was nothing you could do to change it; even with the last part of what she said. In fact, I actually wanted to take offense to her tone but before I could give her a sarcastic remark, I replayed what she said in my mind. I could just barely make out that she seemed to actually care what I thought. Even though at face value it didn't seem like it. Something told me that if I actually told her I didn't want to walk, she wouldn't make me. For someone like her, that seems like a big deal. She seems like the type of person to not really care what others think and does what she wants regardless.
"I don't mind, I think it would be nice." I admitted to her.
"Good. You can explore the whole area on your own, it's my own private garden, but this particular spot is someplace I like to go often to just clear my head." Athenodora admitted and I couldn't help but feel touched that she would share something that personal with me when she barely knows me.
I guess she did that because I'm her mate but at the same time I'm still technically a stranger. This is probably part of their plan to get closer to me; to try and get me to fall for them. I know it has to be. I don't want them to be working out and acting on a plan. I want to be mad at Athenodora, I say only her now because it's her that's here now, because I don't want them to do that. I want to be with Edward. I want to be mad. But I can't. I haven't been here for a week and they are trying everything they can to get close to and I hate to admit it, but I think it is working.
I just have to keep in mind that I'm with Edward and that I love him and he loves me. I just have to remember that.
"Why that one spot?" I blurted out. I felt my face redden slightly in embarrassment. I didn't mean to ask something that is that personal. I shouldn't have asked her that. That's really personal and she had just shared something personal with me. I don't think we've known each other long enough to get personal. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked that." I said, quickly retracting my question. Before talking, Athenodora gently squeezed my waist and pulled me slightly closer to her.
"You can ask me anything you want; never apologize for wanting to know more about us. I can assure you that for as many questions you want to ask us we want to ask you more." Athenodora said as she continued to walk us through the maze like castle. "To answer your question though, I'm not going to tell you. I want you to see it."
Not too much longer we made it outside. The door we went through went directly to the garden. When we walked out we walked onto a dirt path that was surrounded by tall trees that provided complete shade on the path. The path was wide enough to be able to fit at least three people across comfortably. The path was lined with lights that seemed to blend in with the different flowers that lined the path with it. Each kind of flower flowed into a different kind as we continued down the path.
I didn't realize that after the first turn in the path we were taking, Athenodora had released my waist and grabbed my hand instead. Each flower and tree we passed she gave me the name and a small description. Apparently most of the trees and flowers here were picked for one reason or another. Basically it reminded the ancient of something in her past. It was actually a little like following a time line. With each flower and tree we passed we went deeper into her past. She didn't go into details about it; just saying something like she remember hearing about World War I breaking out at this time and remembered hearing about the 'new world'. I couldn't pick up any correlation with the flower or tree with the memory, but Athenodora connected it somehow in her mind and I was finding myself wanting to know why.
"This spot is my favorite. We got it when we finally established our rule, when we joined together." Athenodora said after a few minutes of silence.
Before I could ask what she was talking about the path we were on made a sharp turn. I was able to see the other side before I could ask her about her statement. The path had turned into a large area that seemed capable of holding a large party. The trees around this circular area were so large that they covered the entire area, even though it was so big. The center of this area though was what caught my attention.
Dead center was a large fountain. The fountain was of three women that I instantly recognized. The Volturi leaders stood together with water flowing down the arms and hands. Sulpicia was in the middle with her hands on her hips and glaring. Didyme had one hand on Sulpicia's shoulder and the other on her hip. Instead of glaring in front of her, she was smiling like she had a secret. Athenodora had her hand on Sulpicia's other shoulder and her other hand on the hilt of a sword that hung on her hip. Clearly the sword was worn just for decoration since she could do more damage with her pinky than the sword could ever dream of doing.
All together the sculptor managed to capture the power and beauty behind the three women. I walked up to the fountain and was very tempted to walk into the water to get closer to the amazing statue of the ancient vampires.
"It's beautiful." I whispered, afraid to speak to loud and possibly ruin the serene atmosphere.
I don't remember letting go of Athenodora's hand but I did feel right away her arms wrapping around me. I felt her body press against mine and her chin rest on my shoulder. I tensed slightly at her unexpected presence but I couldn't help but relax into her embrace. Once again I felt an overwhelming of being protected and I didn't want to do anything to lose that feeling.
"I'm glad you like it. I had this made a month after we established our rule. It's my favorite piece in this whole place." Athenodora said into my ear. I felt a shiver go up my spine from feeling her breath on my ear.
"What do you do when you're here?" I asked as I placed my hands over hers. The position we're in is one that couple tend to do but it feels so right that at the moment I don't care. I'll worry about it all later.
I felt Athenodora nuzzle my neck. I could even hear her take a deep breath from her spot.
"You smell so good my dear." Athenodora said in a throaty voice and once again a shiver shot through my back. "I usually just come here and think. Nothing else. I just think about what's happening in my life. Now I'll come here to think about you and what we will have. I look forward to it."
I wasn't sure if Athenodora was talking about being able to think about what could be or to her believing our future means we will be together. To be honest I don't if I'm excited about it or if I still don't want it. Having Athenodora's arms around me, I'm starting to think I might actually like what they have planned. I hate to think this but, these girls are giving Edward a run for his money and I think I like that.
A/N: I know this is a short one, but the fun is going to begin after this chapter. I just wanted to give separate chapters to when Bella starts to actually fall for the woman and not putting up much of a fight and when the leaders start to go all out with wooing Bella.