Love Never Dies
We're going to have some more Aro perspective in here as well. Enjoy!
Act VII: Look With Your Heart
Christabelle
"So what do you think I should do, Algaria?" I asked, once I had finished my story. Algaria stirred her coffee, musing.
"Love is a curious thing. One never knows if it is real or faked, and when it comes disguised, well that is just annoying…" she muttered, and I stared at her.
"Wait a moment! I never said I was in love with him! I'm not that stupid to risk my
heart again," I exploded, but Algaria shushed me.
"Hush, child. Take note of someone with more years in their cup than yourself, because I tell you, you are in love with him," she said, jabbing one brown finger at me. I stared at her.
"I am not in love with Aro Volturi!" I crossed my arms stubbornly. Algaria eyed me with little patience.
"Now I know where Giacomo got his stubbornness from," she murmured, and I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe I should not go to Volterra," I sighed, placing my head in my hands. "I cannot trust myself with him, I know it. It'll be just like Edward."
Algaria sighed, then got up from her seat and took my hands away from my face.
"What do you feel, when you're with this Aro?" she asked me, and I looked up at her.
Memories poured over me, ones of desire and warmth, of laughter and safety…
"I feel…valued, safe, warm…needed even. I never felt that with Edward," I breathed, as my old mentor nodded sagely.
"Then, there's no question. You'll go to Volterra, and you'll see where this goes," she said firmly, and I had no choice but to agree. She gathered up our coffee cups and began washing up.
"I should get back to the city. I have to pack for tomorrow," I murmured, taking from my pocket a small purse. "Carlo paid me extra for La sonnambula this month, so take it, please,"
I pushed the purse across the scrubbed wooden table to her, as she turned back to me, smiling.
"You have a heart of gold, mia cara," she sighed, and took it in her gnarled hands. She placed it in her dress pocket, and then sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"He is not Edward, dearest. Remember that. Look with your heart, not your eyes or your brain. It is your heart that will show what is right."
Aro
The next evening
I eagerly waited in the carriage that was to take Christabelle and I far from Florence, and back to Volterra.
Inwardly, I reflected on the frankly surprising events of the past few months, as I prepared to take the woman I loved to her new home. I, and my brothers, were amazed by her and her gifts, not just her pure voice but her ability to block my gift. When I touched her, I could see nothing.
She was intriguing.
She was feisty and strong, independent as she had made clear to me when she asked to housed outside of the Volturi's castle. I would have acquiesced anyway, since it would be too dangerous for her to reside with me, and I could easily get to her anyway.
Marcus and Caius had been strangely supportive of my 'condition', as they liked to put it. Or rather Caius did, Marcus just sat there looking faintly amused. It was the most reaction I had seen out of him in centuries.
Love. I had never really credited its existence, never experienced it myself only through the eyes and the minds of others. When I saw Marcus and Didyme's love, I saw the strength and power it held to destroy everything. I saw what it did to Marcus when she died, and I vowed never to allow that vulnerability.
But I was soon learning that love was not something one could choose.
When it came to Christabelle, my mind was unable to function without wanting her near me, without wanting to touch, love her, hold her. I could not exist without her anymore.
Last night, when I held her in my arms, and felt the human warmth of her skin, I knew I could never let this woman go. She was mine, deep down, I realised she fit me.
My soul mate.
I could only pray I would frighten her when I eventually revealed myself to her. Or she guessed; my Christabelle was intelligent and perceptive. I knew she was already suspicious of my red eyes, and I did not wish to hide the truth from her.
But if I did show her what I truly was, I could frighten her away. And that was something I could not face, losing the one thing I had ever truly loved.
No, I would have to ensure my love was returned, before unmasking myself.
I smiled in anticipation.
She was already drawn to me, I felt it in her physical reaction whenever we touched or our eyes met. But that was not love.
At least, not yet.
I shook my thoughts from my head as the carriage door opened, and Christabelle climbed in.
Today she wore a long carriage dress of spring green, with sprigged vine leaves decorating the high collar and hem of her skirts, the patterned bustle floating behind her. I caught my breath.
Christabelle was full of an innate grace and poise unusual in a human, and her very unawareness of it made it all the more powerful.
Her long auburn hair was coiled into a bun at the base of her neck, and tiny pearl earrings hung from her ears.
She was perfect.
"Good evening, Aro," she murmured with a smile as she sat back against the seat, and I grinned back.
"Good evening, il mio piccolo cigno," I breathed, reaching for her hand and kissing it. Her pulse leapt under my lips, and I smiled in satisfaction.
Outside the sun had begun to set, and evening set in.
The perfect time to get away.
I had already said my goodbyes to Carlo, as had Christabelle, and we had left without any fuss or goodbye committee.
"Shall we, my dear?" I gestured with my hand, and her smile grew with exhilaration.
"I'm ready if you are," she replied archly, and I laughed at her words. Inwardly, I shuddered, tempted to take her at her words, at the invitation in those glistening eyes.
I rapped on the roof of the carriage, and with a slight jolt, we set off.
Soon, we left the streets of Florence far behind.
I could barely wait to get to Volterra, and set about claiming the woman I wanted as my mate for the rest of eternity.
Ok, just a short one. I'm taking a few days off on this one, just to work on Siren so expect an update on that one soon. See you later!
