Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns it all.

Rated M for several reasons.

Chpt 3 Power Games

BPOV

Our protracted wedding' night is finally brought to a close by Demetri returning from Volterra.

"Clothes on Mr an' Mrs W." Pete shouts, banging on our bedroom door. "My wife's fancy man is home."

Sprawled out, butt naked, on Jasper's glorious chest I groan. "Can't move, bones jelly, muscles for aesthetic purposes only."

"I've only been doin' a husband's duty darlin'." He drawls into my hair an' then more loudly to Pete. "We'll be down in a minute, goin' in the shower first."

"Yeah, whatever, I'll ask him to wait shall I?" Pete drawls.

Reaching over Jasper picks up one of the bedside lamps an' hurls it at the door.

"Okay." Pete laughs, retreating down the hallway. "We'll see you when you're ready."

Laughing Jasper gathers me to him easily an' carries me into the shower. With loving attention he washes my body, my hair an' then his own before wrapping me in a fluffy towel an' depositing me back on the bed.

"No shower sex?" I ask in surprise as I watch him towel himself off.

"I don't want you to think I only want you for one thing Mrs Whitlock." He chuckles, pulling on his jeans.

"That's very considerate of you." I huff.

Turning to face me his expression goes straight to my lady parts, along with the massive burst of lust he sends me.

"It ain't considerate darlin', it's selfish." He drawls in a low sexy voice. "The next time I get you alone you'll be beggin' me to take you any way I choose."

I swallow, hard. How does he do that? I'll start begging now if that's what he wants. Mentally I grit my teeth.

"That's an awfully big ego you've got there darlin'." I manage to sound icy.

"Oh, it ain't ego Mrs Whitlock an' you know it."

"Is that a challenge Major Whitlock?"

"Not for me darlin'."

"Alright, we both know I always win, bring it." Smirking I get to my feet an' slowly unwind my towel.

"You're gonna play dirty?" He asks, cocking his eyebrow at me.

"Oh yes, darlin', very dirty."

We stare at each other.

Jasper's cell rings. He snatches it up in silence.

"I don't know what you're doin' up there but it's like a fuckin' tented city down here, pack it in."

Laughing Jasper ends the call an' breaks the spell.

"Get dressed woman." He says gruffly. "I ain't lettin' you win that easy."

Smirking I stroll past him an' pull out one of the skimpy light cotton sundresses Elise got for me. Holding his eyes I slide it straight over my naked body an' slip my feet into a simple pair of sandals.

"I'm ready." I smile sweetly. "Shouldn't you put a shirt on Jasper?"

As I pass him on the way to the door I use my index finger to push his jaw shut.

I find Char hovering in the stairwell looking unhappy.

"Are you mad at me?" She asks.

"No. Of course not. You were right as usual. I'm sorry I've been such a bitch about everythin'."

"You aren't a bitch Bella." She says happily as we hug each other. "I understand why you felt that way, I just didn't know how else to snap you out of it. Which stage are you at now?"

"I think I'm out of denial an' into grudgin' acceptance."

"Excellent, now the gorgeous Demetri is back perhaps we can get ya to happy acceptance." She laughs.

"I don't think so Char." Jasper growls, looming over us.

"Ah, large coven life." She sighs happily. "All that gossip an' sexual intrigue."

"Char." Jasper says warningly.

"Oh lighten up J, it's not like you've got anythin' to worry about."

Growling playfully Jasper wraps us up in a tight embrace, lifting our feet off the stairs.

"I remember what you were like, Charlotte Whitlock, don't forget that." He chuckles. "Don't make me have to discipline your tiny blonde ass again."

"Char?" I ask, curiosity tweaked.

"I'll tell you later sug." She giggles. "Put me down J or I'll tell my mate on you."

"Tell away, little sister." He laughs, carrying us kicking an' struggling down the stairs. "I've kicked his ass once this week already."

Toting us through the hallway he shouts. "Peter, come get your troublesome wife!"

Grinning Pete emerges from the dining room an' throws a shrieking Char over his shoulder. Jasper switches me over his shoulder an' giggling like school children we turn to the lounge to meet our new coven members.

"Master." Demetri bows deeply.

"Enough with the bowing Demetri." Jasper tells him lightly. "It gives my wife a headache."

"Very well Master." Demetri grins at me an' I throw him a cheery wave, straining my neck to keep my head away from Jasper's jean clad butt.

Behind Demetri five vampires are regarding us with open mouths.

Jasper an' I remember my lack of underwear at the same time an' hastily he sets me on my feet before anyone can get a free show.

Still grinning Demetri introduces the newcomers an' then dismisses them, still open mouthed, to join the rest of the Guard.

"Things will be very different here to Volterra." He observes wryly as we settle ourselves around the room.

Deliberately I take a seat across from Jasper, while everyone else is busy getting comfortable I take the opportunity to make a great show of crossing my legs.

"I would imagine so." Jasper agrees, ignoring me. "I don't want discipline to go completely but as you can see we are considerably less formal as a coven. It would be wise to set some ground rules soon but other than that I expect things will settle on their own over time."

Demetri nods in agreement. I reach up an' run my fingers through my hair.

"Why don't you go ahead an' update us on what happened in Volterra?" Jasper continues, casting his eyes coolly over me an' then back to Demetri.

"Master. Five Guard have returned with me, two more have also pledged to us and are currently touring the Recognised Covens informing them of the change in leadership."

"Demetri." Jasper interrupts. "My wife is new to this life, please indulge her by explainin' some of the terms you use."

"Master." Demetri turns his red eyes an' winning smile on me. "Mistress. As a general rule The Volturi did not tolerate larger covens, especially those with gifts that could be considered a threat to their sovereignty. These were usually destroyed by either fair means or foul. However, in some cases they were permitted. There were five Recognised Covens. Asturias has one in South America. There is one in Tibet, one in Russia and another in Africa. You destroyed the Romanian coven."

"Will they be visiting Rutilio?" Pete interrupts.

"Yes My Lord. The Master and I have already discussed it. Asturias should be made aware that we are assuming control. We believe it will stay his hand temporarily and make him more cautious."

"Is that a good idea J?" Pete asks. "We know he's a devious fucker."

"It's a risk." Jasper shrugs. "If we hadn't informed him it would have been the same thing as declarin' war. Somethin' we're not ready for, even he doesn't realise that yet, I didn't want to risk him bein' able to drum up support from others while it appeared no one was in charge."

Pete nods.

"Shouldn't we just take him out immediately?" I ask. More than anythin' I want him gone.

"That would start a war Mistress." Demetri says calmly. "Matters are extremely delicate at the moment. Once everyone realises that we effectively possess the might of The Volturi everything should settle down relatively quickly. However, a direct and apparently unprovoked attack on a Recognised Coven would undoubtedly cause the others to object to our position, they would consider themselves as having little choice in the matter. It is all about survival."

When Demetri looks back at Jasper I uncross my legs an' lick my lips.

"In the position we are in now things are different, we have to consider very carefully before we act, how those actions will be perceived by others." He says evenly, sparing me a brief glance. "Please continue your report Demetri."

"As expected Master, Marcus has accepted your proposal and your offer that he can remain in Volterra in exchange for providing for Aro's mate Sulpicia and her retinue. Two Guard will remain with them, their loyalty has always been with him. Both Marcus and Sulpicia will support your claim.

It appears that Chelsea's bonds were released with Aro's death. Four of the Guard, mated pairs, requested permission to leave and as per your instructions their request was granted.

We have packed and shipped all personal possessions and the tithe agreed with Marcus. It should be here in two more days."

Before anyone else can speak I ask the question that's been pinging around the part of my mind which isn't busy attempting to seduce Jasper.

"Five Recognised Covens? Two of which were actively plotting against The Volturi anyway, what about the remaining three?"

"A very astute question Mistress." Demetri gives me a sexy smile. "The Tibetans are not and never have been interested in world domination. They will only act to protect themselves and may possibly even come to our in aid if they believe it the correct thing to do. The leader of the African coven is a vain and arrogant vampire, but not, as far as I am aware a stupid one. In all likelihood if we do not interfere with him he will not interfere with us. The Russians may be a problem, before The Volturi came to power they were allied with The Romanians. In fact Vladimir was their leader's sire."

"Ole Vlad was a busy boy." Char chuckles.

"Yes My Lady." Demetri nods seriously. "There are many ancient vampires who carry his venom, which is something we should be aware of."

Great, more enemies.

"Is there a database or somethin' like that?" My geeky big sister asks. "It would be extremely useful to have details on every vampire an' their associations."

"No My Lady. Daniel suggested it many times but Aro was not a fan of technology, he preferred paper records and like most vampires he did not hold with us being catalogued and tracked like humans."

Geekster lapses into thoughtful silence.

"Do we have spies in any of these covens?" Pete asks.

"No My Lord." Demetri grimaces. "Caius and I requested it often but Aro was adamant that with our obvious power it was not necessary."

"Gus always said Aro wasn't military minded." Jasper observes dryly. "It may be too late but see to it please Demetri, Pete will assist you, it is one of his areas of expertise."

"Yes Master."

"Do they have any talented coven members?" Pete asks before I can.

"Yes My Lord, I believe they do. However they have obviously taken great pains to hide this from Aro."

"You can quit it with the My Lording Demetri." Pete chuckles.

"As you wish. My Lady?" He asks, addressing Char.

"Char will do fine Demetri."

"Don't I get asked?" I huff when it becomes obvious he isn't going to bother finding out what I want.

"No Mistress." He says huskily. "You do not."

Jasper snickers.

"Did you put him up to this?" I growl.

"No darlin'." He holds up his hands. "But if I'm gonna be Mastered to death you can suck it up with me."

With a coy smile I get to my feet, in a most unladylike open kneed fashion, an' then slowly pace the back of the room where only Jasper can see me without turning his head. I stretch my arms above my head an' in a leisurely way start sensuously stretching out my limbs. A small muscle in his cheek starts twitching so I guess it's a good job he's sitting down.

I continue my impromptu stroll while they discuss the details of the settlement with Marcus Volturi. Upping the stakes by dropping my mental shield an' re-living the consummation of our marriage in my mind.

"Master, we still need to discuss living arrangements and how our coven will be known." Demetri suggests.

Immediately Char starts setting out her ideas.

An' that's enough for me. Picking up a coaster from one of the tables I lock eyes with Jasper, placing a finger to my lips an' arranging my features in a look of comical surprise.

He raises an eyebrow at me.

I drop the coaster onto the thick carpet.

Smirking I turn my back on him an' slowly bend down to retrieve it.

"You can fill me in on the details later." I hear Jasper say rapidly. "Just make sure there's somewhere for the horses an' the cars."

Just as my fingertips make contact with the coaster Jasper's muscular arm clamps around my waist an' he bears me rapidly through the open French windows.

"Are they always like this?" Demetri asks.

"Oh my new, but less good looking brother." Pete's voice fades as Jasper speeds us across the manicured lawn. "You have no idea."