Chapter Three:
Bella effortlessly dodged the punch that Sulpicia aimed at her head, her movements fluid and graceful as she spun around. With lightning-fast reflexes, she swept Sulpicia's legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground.
Sulpicia quickly got back on her feet, a determined look on her face as she searched for an opening. Bella watched her intently, offering advice as she saw fit.
"Your still telegraphing your punches Pica," Bella remarked, her voice firm but encouraging. "Don't think too much, just feel what needs to be done and do it."
Bella continued to spar with Sulpicia, her movements fluid and graceful as she demonstrated various fighting techniques. Sulpicia struggled to keep up with Bella's lightning-fast reflexes and seemingly effortless maneuvers, but she refused to give up.
As Bella lunged forward with a massive show of force, Sulpicia gritted her teeth and tried to counterattack. But Bella was always one step ahead, dodging and weaving with ease while simultaneously delivering swift blows to Sulpicia's body.
Despite Bella's obvious superiority, she was patient and encouraging, offering tips and pointers on how to improve her techniques.
"Alright, let's give Dora a shot," Bella said, gesturing towards Athenodora. "Watch both of us carefully, Pica. It takes a lot of training to be a proficient fighter. Don't get discouraged."
"That's easy for you to say," Sulpicia said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You're pretty much unbeatable."
Bella shrugged, a hint of a smile on her lips. "I wasn't always. I got my butt kicked for years by Jasper before I was able to match him. Skill is important, but dedication and practice are just as crucial."
Bella and the two queens had been good friends for well over a decade. The Volturi queens had had a hard life these past millennia, after their sister, Didyme, had been murdered. Feeling that their mates' lives were in danger, Aro and Caius had made them virtual prisoners in their own castle. Life had been stagnant for them for so long, while the world passed them by. So when Bella came into their lives, it was like a breath of fresh air. Not only did they gain a friend who understood their unique circumstances, but they also had someone who could shield and protect them from the dangers of the outside world.
However, Bella's arrival brought another unexpected gift to the queens and to any vampire Bella chose to befriend. For the first time, they could venture out into the daylight among humans and experience the world in a way they never thought would be possible. Despite Bella's protection, Aro and Caius were reluctant to let their mates out without a full complement of guards. So the queens had to settle for the guard's presence as well when they went out with Bella. But that was a small price to pay for the freedoms they now had.
Last year, the queens had asked Bella for help with learning how to fight. They knew that none of the guard would ever dare teach them, as they were too afraid of the kings. But Bella, who always had a fierce determination to protect those she cared about, readily agreed to teach them. She knew that the queens needed to be able to defend themselves, especially since they were potential targets of angry vampires, as the Volturi had gained enemies while ruling over the vampire race for close to 3000 years.
And so, Bella had taken it upon herself to train the queens in the art of combat. It wasn't an easy task, as both queens had no experience with physical fighting. But Bella was patient, and she pushed them to their limits, teaching them everything from basic strikes to advanced evasion techniques.
As Sulpicia retreated to the side, Athenodora strode up to Bella, a fierce determination burning in her eyes. The taller of the two queens, Athenodora had always been the more confident and aggressive of the two, but when it came to fighting, she was a novice. Still, she was determined to learn, to prove to herself and to her mate that she could hold her own.
Bella studied Athenodora's stance, noting the slight tension in her muscles, the way her fists were clenched tightly at her sides. "Relax your shoulders," she instructed gently. "You're too tense. Remember, fluidity and flexibility are just as important as strength."
Athenodora nodded, taking a deep breath and trying to loosen up. "Okay, I'm ready," she said, her voice ringing with confidence that she did not feel.
Bella gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we'll take it slow. Remember, this is about technique, not power. If you can perfect the basics, you'll be able to take down even the strongest opponent."
With that, the two began to circle each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. With focused resolve, Athenodora decided to take the offensive and attacked Bella with lightning-quick moves. Bella was taken aback by the suddenness of Dora's attack but was able to dodge and weave her way around the punches and kicks. The two women moved around each other, each looking for an opening to strike.
Bella was on the defensive, but her movements were fluid and graceful. She was like a dancer, moving around the room with incredible speed and agility. However, Dora would not relent, and her attacks were becoming more and more accurate. Finally, with a swift kick from her left leg, Dora was able to catch Bella off guard and land a solid punch on her chest, sending her flying back several feet.
"Nicely done, Dora," Bella said, smiling despite the blow. "Now let's see you try to block my punches. And don't forget to try and get a hit in while you're at it."
With that, Bella went on the offensive, kicking and punching with precision and skill. However, she wasn't putting her full strength into her attacks, as she was determined to teach Dora and Pica rather than defeat them. Despite this, Bella's movements were relentless and fast, and Dora struggled to keep up with her. She did everything she could to block the onslaught, but Bella's movements were too quick and too precise.
"Enough!" Caius bellowed as he stormed into the training room, his face contorted with rage. Bella and Athenodora stopped their sparring and turned to face the furious Volturi leader.
"I thought I made it clear that I do not want you participating in these sparring sessions, Athenodora," Caius continued, his voice laced with anger and frustration. "You are a queen, not a member of the guard."
Bella saw the disappointment in Athenodora's face, and she knew she had to do something to boost her confidence. She stepped forward and placed a hand on Dora's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She could feel the tension in Dora's muscles, the hesitation in her movements, and Bella knew that Dora was starting to doubt herself.
As Caius scolded his wife, Bella felt a surge of anger. How could he deny his mate the right to defend herself? How could he expect her to sit idly by while also proclaiming she was in danger? Bella knew firsthand the importance of being able to protect oneself, especially in the vampire world where potential danger lurked around every corner.
"What good is being a queen, Caius, if they can't do what they want?" Bella spoke up, her voice firm and unwavering. "I would think you would want a mate who could defend herself if the need ever arose. What if you were in trouble? Would you want Dora to just stand there, not knowing what to do to help her mate?"
Bella could see the conflict in Caius' eyes, and she knew that she had struck a nerve. She continued, "You can't always rely on others for protection, Caius. Sometimes, you have to be able to protect yourself. And if you can't do that, then what good is all the power and influence that come with being a queen?"
Bella's words seemed to have an effect on Athenodora, who stood a little taller and seemed to regain some of her confidence. Bella continued, her eyes fixed on Caius as she spoke, "Dora is making good progress. I think you should spar with her. I think you would be surprised." She paused for a moment before continuing, "You know, sometimes it's the people we least expect who surprise us the most."
Caius's expression softened slightly at Bella's words, but he still held his ground. "I refuse to fight my mate, Bella," he said firmly, his voice carrying a note of finality.
Bella shrugged, "Good. An opponent who doesn't hit back makes it all the easier," she quipped, turning her attention to Athenodora. "kick his ass, Dora," she said with a smile, nodding encouragingly at her friend.
Athenodora couldn't help but smile at Bella's words, feeling a renewed sense of confidence coursing through her veins. To Caius's great surprise, Dora lunged at him with a forceful leap, catching him off guard. Dora's movements were far from graceful, but she made up for it with her relentlessness. She refused to give up and pushed her advantage, attacking Caius with everything she had.
Caius, caught off guard, was completely on the defensive. He refused to fight back, but Dora was not going to let up. She was relentless in her attacks, swinging wildly and catching Caius off balance.
Despite her lack of experience, Dora was making progress. Her hits were landing, and she was beginning to wear Caius down. He tried to block her punches and kicks, but he was struggling to keep up with her pace.
As the fight continued, Dora saw an opening. Caius had blocked one of her punches, leaving himself momentarily exposed. Without hesitation, Dora used Bella's earlier move to sweep Caius' legs out from under him.
Caius hit the ground hard, and before he could react, Dora had her teeth on his neck. Dora whispered, "I'm going to continue with my training." in Caius's ear. Her warm breath on his neck sent shivers down his spine, and he felt his body respond to her closeness. Caius said nothing, still stunned by the intensity of Dora's fighting style. He had never seen his mate so fierce, so determined, so incredibly sexy.
Dora could feel the heat radiating from Caius's body and the bulge growing in his pants. She leaned in closer, running her tongue up his neck, and nibbled on his earlobe. She could feel his breath quicken as her hand wandered down to tease his crotch.
Caius couldn't believe the desire he felt for his mate, burning hotter than any fire he had ever experienced. He knew he wanted her, and he could sense that Dora wanted him too. Without a word, they both stood up, their eyes locked in a passionate gaze. They quickly zoomed off to their room, eager to explore the depths of their desire for each other.
As they left, Bella heard Dora yell, "Thanks for the lesson!"
Bella and Pica burst into laughter. "Looks like someone will be in a good mood tomorrow," Bella remarked.
As they walked back to Aro's floor, Bella shared with Pica the test she and Aro would be conducting later. "Once I get the shield working the way I want, I should be able to protect you and Dora from harm. You'll both be virtually invulnerable. I believe it will ease the concerns of your mates significantly."
"Wow, that sounds incredible, Bella," Pica exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face.
"Please understand that the shield is not perfected yet. Aro will have several limitations with the shield on him right now. I'll need to become much more proficient at it before I try it on you," Bella quickly replied, so her friend would not get her hopes up and think it was happening soon. Then, a mischievous idea popped into her head, and a glint of mischief lit up her eyes.
Sulpicia smiled knowingly. "I've seen that look in your eyes, Bella. What's going on in that devious mind of yours?" she asked, fully aware of Bella's wicked sense of humor.
"If you're in the mood for fun and want to tease your mate, here's an idea," Bella said with a sly smile. "Imagine this scenario and tell me what you think: when you hear Aro coming back to your room later today, quickly get undressed and lay on the bed. And if you're really daring and want to get his juices flowing, you could be pleasuring yourself and moaning his name." Bella saw the delighted smile on Sulpicia's face and continued, "Really get him in the mood, and then watch the hilarity ensue when he tries to take off his clothes but realizes he can't." Bella was trying not to laugh as the scene played out in her mind.
Sulpicia's lips curved into a wicked smile as she contemplated the idea. "Oh, Bella, you're so evil," she chuckled, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I love it. I can't wait to see the look on his face. Good luck with the shielding." Pica waved goodbye to Bella as she headed to her room and Bella started to head for Aro's office.
