A filler chapter, because I feel as though we need some more insight into what happened while Luce was with the Volturi ^-^ Only a short chapter, known as 8.5. There will probably be more in the future. Might even create a whole other book full of them because I have so many ideas that'll probably never make it into the main story. Oh, and I've also added that reaction to Lucian saying 'love you' to the Kings during that call ;)

Sometime in Lucian's stay in Volterra

" Caius?"

His voice echoed through the vast corridors eerily as he tiptoed across its marble floors. It was the afternoon, yet the castle felt chilly, void of life. He'd been promised a day with his blond mate, but he'd mysteriously vanished without a word after having watched him eat lunch. It worried him, how he left so suddenly, how quiet the halls were and how he couldn't see a guard in sight. He didn't feel safe, no matter if he could feel his magic thrum beneath his skin pleasantly, a constant reassurance that he was no longer that defenceless human against something so much stronger than himself-

" Caius? Caius, come here!" Lucian called out for the man once more, his voice a little more higher-pitched, more hysterical than usual, but yet again, he didn't receive a reply. He was beginning to panic, breaths becoming laboured as he sped up, practically running through the corridor as if something was chasing him. Lucian knew he was being paranoid, but he could just feel eyes upon him, stalking his movements and closing in. " Caius, I swear to-"

" Master."

He jumped in fright, adrenaline flooding into his system, spinning round to face the one who had snuck upon him. It was Jane, one of his King's most loyal guards, as well as one of the most feared vampires in the series. And also, the guard who confused him the most.

She had moments around him where her aura was undeniably soft, while other times, it would be stone cold and her face would mirror that frosty feeling.

" Jane, don't do that, I almost had a heart attack!" He exclaimed exaggeratingly, or not quite so but unwilling to tell the girl that moments before he'd been on the verge of a panic attack, met with the blankest stare he had ever received.

" I apologise, Master." Her voice was monotone, respectful, but it held none of the warmth that he could hear in the majority of the guard's tone.

" What have I said about calling me master? It makes me sound old, and aren't you like, a thousand years old or something?" Lucian smiled at her with a teasing smile, trying to endear himself to what he thought- knew- was one of the most powerful vampires in the world.

Jane was silent for a few seconds before a slight grin grew on her face, that softness sparking to life, clawing its way out from beneath the cold. " My prince, what is it that you wanted?" She was almost simpering and Lucian gaped at her in utter disbelief. " If it was Master Caius that you wanted, he told me to tell you that he'd be here in a few moments, he just had some pests to deal with in the throne room. And, he sends you his apologies for leaving you so unexpectedly, it was an urgent matter."

"...Thank you for the message." She nodded, bowing slightly, before disappearing back to where she'd come from, leaving him standing alone once more in the corridor. This time, it wasn't fear that he felt, but shock and growing incredulity.

" Lucian?" He was tapped softly on the shoulder, turned around by strong hands when he didn't respond immediately. He was met by the sight of his blond mate, who looked as ravishing as ever, but his mind was too occupied to appreciate the way his robes looked on him.

" Prince." Lucian murmured, eyes losing their previous spaced-out sheen.

" Hm?"

" She called me Prince!" He suddenly burst, startling the man. "Why am I 'Prince' and not 'King' like you!"

Caius' eyes widened slightly at his outburst, before softening into something he couldn't quite discern. " I think Prince is a lovely title, it suits you. I mean unless you'd rather be called our Consort?"

He spluttered, face turning red. " Shut up!"

Their joint laughter echoed through the once silent halls, and all those who overheard allowed a smile to grow on their faces. It was nice, to hear laughter once more ring throughout the castle that had become so dreary and stagnant over the years, filled only with angry shouts, cries of horror and their own laughs of savage delight.

To have something so pure in their covens grasp was something none of them had thought possible. It was a blessing, but it could also be a curse, for there was no doubt that that innocence would be tainted in the years to come until none of it remained.

It was in their nature, after all, to destroy the things they loved. Such was the burden of immortal life that they shared.

Another random time in Volterra

Lucian's day so far had been relaxing. He'd woken up late in the morning, had a delicious breakfast in bed, and then lounged for the next few hours with various books filled with magic that Marcus had fetched for him.

He shared this quiet time with his mate, who had settled next to him with his own stack of books, although they were filled with poems in languages that looked so old, he doubted that he'd even be able to decipher them.

He looked over frequently at the absolute god that he called a mate and sighed each time, admiring his perfect features, before going back to his book.

A few minutes later, he snuck a glance at Marcus, only to flush as he saw him staring back with heated eyes, a slight smirk curling his gorgeous lips-

" You're drooling, my darling." His mate teased, causing his blush to deepen. He averted his eyes, seeming to mull over his next words in his mind before voicing them, unfortunately not as confidently as he'd have liked.

" Hmm, don't care." Lucian abandoned his book, taking a deep breath before scooching closer to the other man. " You're worth drooling over."

" Oh, I am?" Marcus searched his face obsessively, leaning in closer when he seemed to have found what he'd been looking for.

" Yeah." It sounded much too breathless for his liking, but he couldn't seem to find it in himself to react outwardly in that moment, too focused on the feeling of Marcus' breath brushing his lips teasingly. He leaned in further, almost climbing into the man's lap before he suddenly found himself alone on the vast bed. He blinked rapidly, looking up to stare at the vampire in confusion.

" I am sorry, my sweet. I don't feel as though I could control myself if we had kissed."

" What if I hadn't wanted you to hold back?"

Marcus made a choked-off noise in his throat, a mix between a growl and what he thought might've been a moan, before levelling him with a stern stare. " No, not- not while you are human. I do not trust myself, and I could never forgive myself if I was to hurt you. I am sorry, Lucian. I wish I could, but-"

" Marcus, It's fine. If you aren't ready, then I will respect that. I would never want to force you into something you wouldn't want to do."

" Oh but I do, I really would love to, but-"

" But just not while I'm still human." Lucian grinned softly, getting back a thankful one in return. " Come on, sit down, you're quite the comfortable pillow." The man laughed at that, settling back against the pillows so that he could rest against him once more.

And they stayed like that for the next few hours, cuddled up against one another and commenting on the books they were reading until Lucian drifted off to sleep. Marcus stayed where he was, stroking his soft hair, watching obsessively as his chest rose and fell. He could still feel the ache in his gums from where they had threatened to elongate earlier, the temptation to turn his vulnerable, human mate almost overwhelming.

He was glad that he hadn't, because he was sure that if he did, the sweet boy in his arms would have despised him for eternity.

EXTRA:

May 14th-2006- The King's after Lucian's confession.

" Love you all." Lucian cut off the call quickly after, not allowing them the time to answer, leaving the three King's to stand in silence.

" Oh. Well, I was not expecting him to confess so soon." Marcus seemed amused from where he was stood, grinning broadly down at the phone as if it actually contained their darling.

" Our mate is perfect, is he not." Aro was simpering, adoringly gazing at the painting of said mate that they had hung proudly on the wall.

Caius was the only one that remained silent, still processing the words in his head. It had been a long time since he'd last heard those words directed to him, and it caused his heart to swell, bursting with the need to be with his mate who loved him. A strangled noise escaped his throat, and before his fellow kings could comment on it, he'd already escaped to his quarters.

Lucian: *Sends love*

Caius: Haha, lOvE, what's that?

I have an unfortunate bias for Caius because his backstory in this is extra angsty :) When I reveal it you can all suffer with me ^-^