Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all.
Bella POV
As soon as my sobs calmed, Felix excused himself from my room. I was naïve but not stupid. He'd left because, at some point, the atmosphere between us had changed. My respect for him increased dramatically. I would have been an easy target. Why hadn't Alice warned me about this? Maybe because she'd assumed Edward would be there to meet my needs, or more likely she'd known I'd never face it…if it'd been left to them.
My mind considered the females of my new family, trying to decide if there was anyone I felt comfortable talking to about it. Sulpicia was really the only one I'd interacted with…and the sense of her as a mother made it embarrassing to consider.
I heard the stirring of the Volturi in their chambers. I'd been placed on the top floor with Aro, Sulpicia, Caius, Athenodora, and Marcus. I wondered why Marcus didn't have a mate. Everyone seemed to ignore him, or more accurately that they tiptoed around him. Almost as if they were afraid he'd snap if disturbed. It was curious.
I was torn about what to do. I remembered having things to occupy my time as a human…homework, housework, cooking, and cleaning. The room was immaculate, and I thought with disgust – my food was all but custom ordered and there was no clean up afterward. What did they do with the bodies? I involuntarily shuddered, imagining a mass grave close by.
Certainly, I would have some duty to occupy my time. I would die from boredom if not. No wonder high school didn't bother…STOP! NOW! I turned to the wardrobe and snatched a set of charcoal pants and a ruby red top from it in agitation. I could smell Felix on the clothes I was wearing, and I needed to clear my head to get a fresh perspective. After showering, I turned toward the dressing table. I'd avoided this, after the first shocking glance, but I couldn't go forever without looking at myself.
My perfected face came into view as soon as I sat down. I was still myself, just incredibly refined…my cheekbones a little sharper, the nose straighter, the lips a little fuller. My skin glowed subtly, highlighting the darkness of my hair. My lips were blood red, as were my eyes. I tried to imagine them golden, but it was too painful. I resigned myself to the freakish color. My body …well, I'd gotten a glimpse of that the day Sulpicia and Heidi had showered me. It was long, lean, and strong in a way I would never have accomplished in a gym. And I had breasts; I mean, I really had breasts. I laughed to think of the hell I'd had to go through for a body to kill for. It was a shame no one would be able to appreciate it.
Heidi had made a comment about how beautiful I'd turned out, and I'd wanted to snarl at her. But after the shock, I could agree. I remember Ed…him, saying that even his face was meant to lure the victim. I understood now. Wait…Heidi…maybe I could talk with her about this. She'd been kind to me, especially considering my dazed condition. Suddenly full of the hope that thought gave me, I grabbed the brush, raking it through my wet hair and then picked up a book. If I couldn't find her, I'd at least go to the library to read. The plans for something to occupy my time gave me enthusiasm.
Fate changed my path, though, before I was too far down the hallway. I passed several closed doors, but my steps faltered when I heard soft violin music coming from Marcus' suite. The music was haunting, and I was immediately afraid the hole in my chest would flare. Surprisingly, it throbbed only lightly. It wasn't the piano, so perhaps that was my salvation. I edged a little closer to the door and leaned slightly against the wall, closing my eyes to appreciate the melody. Flutes joined the two violins and wove a complicated melody that rose and fell in hope and desolation. I barely heard his footsteps before he stepped lightly through the opened door.
"Can I help you with something, Isabella?" he asked softly.
"I…I'm…I'm sorry," I stumbled through an explanation, embarrassed to be caught and to have interrupted him.
I turned quickly to run down the hall, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me. "You didn't disturb me; I just thought perhaps you needed something."
I finally took a good look at the reserved vampire. He had his long black hair pulled back, and tied with a ribbon. Instead of the courtly robes I was used to seeing him in; he was dressed simply in a black silk shirt and tailored pants. Ironically, I noticed he was barefoot. This was not what I expected, and it made me smile slightly. He noticed where I was focusing.
"I put up with shoes when necessary. In the comfort of my suite, I see no reason to torture myself."
Somehow, I heard more than he was saying. It would have been more correct for him to say, 'why should I torture myself anymore'. His face was a study in torment.
"I apologize for bothering you. I heard the music, and I stopped to listen …"
He interrupted me, "Please, come in …"
I heard eagerness in his voice, as he glanced down at my hands and saw the book. "I was reading as well. Perhaps, you would like to join me."
I was torn by the invitation and my previous desire to find Heidi. I glanced at his face and saw a curiously hopeful expression. My decision was made at that point, and I stepped into his domain.
Aro and Sulpicia's suite was done in shades of gold. Marcus' was decorated in shades of grey and pewter. I saw his bedroom through the open archway, but I'd stepped into a room complete with a fireplace and sitting area similar to my own. He reached for a control on the end table and turned down the music. I saw a Bose system stationed in one of the bookcases.
A sense of awkwardness quickly appeared, so I grasped for anything to talk about. "The music was beautiful."
Geez, couldn't I have come up with something different?
"Giovanni Battista Somis' Opus 7 - "Ideali trattimenti da camera," he said, with what I would assume was perfect Italian inflection.
I nodded, acknowledging the information, although I had no idea who Somis was. We both stood staring at each other until he finally seemed to remember why he'd invited me in and motioned to an overstuffed leather chair and ottoman. I saw that he had been sitting in the twin; several opened books sat on the end table. I sat and opened my book as he did the same. I worried a little that the music might begin to bother me, but it didn't. Sitting with Marcus reminded me of my evenings with Charlie…of silent companionship. I glanced up several times to see him absorbed in his reading and wondered about the sadness there.
Curious despite myself, I began to glance around the room, and a gasp escaped my lips when I took note of the painting over the fireplace. It was of a beautiful woman. What disturbed me was that she seemed somewhat familiar. I continued to stare, attempting to solve the riddle in my head.
"It is a painting of my wife." He answered my unspoken question, but his voice was strained.
Well, that answered the question of whom but not how I would recognize her. I realized I was being rude by staring.
"I didn't realize you were married, Master Marcus. When do you expect your wife to return?"
Grief weighed his face down, and I could have kicked myself. I didn't need to be told the rest, and I wished that someone would have warned me. No wonder he seemed sad and reserved all the time.
"I am sorry. My comment was insensitive. I didn't realize that she..."
"Didyme has been dead for over a thousand years," he responded.
"Yet, it seems like yesterday," I added, feeling the pain of my own loss together with his, amazed that his grief would last so long.
His opaque red eyes took my measure before he nodded solemnly. "Yes, Isabella it does."
"She was beautiful," I said, not knowing what else to say. "She seems so familiar."
I stood, almost as if drawn to the portrait and walked over to look at it closer. Upon seeing the signature in the corner, I realized why. I spun to look at him. "She is the Mona Lisa. Or should I say, the Mona Lisa is her as a human. "
His lip lifted slightly. "Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was a struggling novice when he painted the portrait of my Didyme. He utilized old drawings from when she still lived among us to create the composition you see before you. I made sure that her eyes remained brown, so he never knew that he was commissioned to paint an immortal."
He joined me in front of the fire. "The reckless abandon you see here is in direct contrast to the sedate nature of his Mona Lisa, but he couldn't help but paint the slight smile, on his famous portrait, to indicate she had a secret. Little did he know the nature of that 'secret'."
"I commissioned many artists over the millennia since her death, attempting to find someone that would capture her essence in a painting. I'd thrown every one of them into fires until Da Vinci rendered this one. When I was informed later of the Mona Lisa, everyone assumed I would be furious. It would seem that even in death, Didyme made an impression on him. It brings me a measure of comfort to know that she continues to bring happiness to legions of others, even in a diluted human form."
The woman above the mantel laughed in abandon. I could only imagine the happiness she must have brought others, as her vivacious nature came through with startling clarity. Deep rich brown hair flowed across a red silk gown. It looked as if a lover's hand had scattered it in abandon, in direct contrast to the smooth orderliness of the image I remembered of the Mona Lisa. The face that had remained unadorned and plain for the famous painting, held the unnatural beauty of an immortal, if you knew what to look for, in this more vivid painting. Didyme's likeness had been created in a garden. She was sitting on a bench surrounded by deep red roses that were rivaled only in color by her gown and lips. Stray sunlight hit patches of flowers around her, but she sat untouched. Her rich brown eyes sparkled in humor at the situation. Unlike the Mona Lisa, who looked slightly to the side, Didyme seemed to be staring directly at the artist in passion.
"You created the drawings he utilized, did you not?" I asked.
"How did you know?" he responded, slightly surprised.
"She is making love to you with her eyes." I would have blushed profusely if I'd been human.
He remained quiet.
"Does it ever get any better, Master Marcus?"
He took my hand gently and squeezed it as we stood before the fireplace, looking at his lost love.
"I'm afraid not."
I took an unnecessary breath, feeling tightness in my chest. I swallowed hard.
It was several hours later before the cry of alarm was sounded. Multiple sets of feet ran past Marcus' room, and I looked to him in fear, not understanding. He rose quietly and stepped out into the hallway.
"Aro, Isabella is with me," he said softly.
I realized then that they had determined that I wasn't in the castle and had begun to search, assuming I'd run away.
In just a fraction of a second, Aro joined Marcus in the doorway, and his eyes quickly locked on my startled ones. I'd frozen at the sounds, with the book still in my hands. He looked astonished at finding me there, lounging in the incredibly comfortable reading chair. His gaze was wild. Sulpicia and Felix were but a second behind him. Marcus must have sensed my agitation at being on display.
"Isabella and I are reading. Is there something you need of her?"
Aro seemed at loss for words, but Sulpicia took in the look on Marcus' face and smiled. "Aro went to find Isabella so that she and Jane could get acquainted. When he didn't find her in her room, he assumed one of the libraries. He panicked upon not finding her in any of them."
Aro looked back at his wife and narrowed his gaze. She grinned in response, clearly enjoying that he'd panicked. Knowing that Aro had already mentioned my meeting Jane, I knew there was no better time than the present. I didn't want to wear out my welcome with Marcus. When I stood, his solemn gaze caught mine. I felt like I was being measured in some way. In a split second decision, I looked around on the table and found a writing tablet. I tore a piece of paper off, fashioning a book mark and set my book back down on the table beside the chair before I began to walk out. Aro and Felix's faces displayed their shock, Sulpicia's face transformed in approval, but the only indication that Marcus even acknowledged the declaration was a subtle twist of his lips. I felt like I was deserting him when the door shut behind me. He was perhaps the only one who didn't want something from me, and that made him my safe harbor.
Sulpicia linked our arms, escorting me down the hallway with Aro and Felix following behind us.
"Aro worried about you, dear, but we'll know where to look now."
"I didn't think to let you know; I apologize."
"An apology isn't necessary, Isabella. You are free to explore anywhere you desire. I just succumbed to my worry when we couldn't locate you anywhere," Aro said from behind us.
It was left unspoken that they never considered looking for me with Marcus. It made me more determined to find time with him. It would also offer protection from time alone with Felix...a good idea, all things considered. Sulpicia led me to the solarium where Jane awaited.
"Master Aro..." she addressed him, rising from the bench she'd occupied. "Mistress Sulpicia..." she continued.
She ignored Felix, causing me to wonder about the reason. Her strange eyes settled upon me.
"Jane, I have brought Isabella to spend some time with you. I'm relying on you to work with her, fleshing out the limits and parameters of her talent."
"Yes, Master Aro. Leave Felix. He'll be useful as a guinea pig," she said, in a voice curiously devoid of feeling.
I caught the look between Aro and Sulpicia, as Felix's eyes narrowed slightly at Jane. I watched the monarchial couple disappear out the door, which Felix had taken up residence beside. Awkward silence reigned as Jane and I took each other's measure. But within a few moments, a twisted smile appeared on her lips. It was if the muscles on her face had long since forgotten how to form this particular look.
"I may just come to like you, Isabella. Very few vampires will look me in the face, and those that do are usually attempting to garner a favor from me. You cannot trust most of our kind. You'll be wise to remember that."
Felix's snarl was cut off by the sound of his large body hitting the floor. He twisted in silent agony.
"STOP!" I shouted, confused by why she would choose to do this.
She continued to stare at him as he writhed. Within just a blink of an eye, I threw my body over his, taking his broad face in my hands. He relaxed immediately, and as his eyes widened, I realized the intimate position I'd placed us in. I scrambled off him, falling to my knees beside him, my hand on his cheek. I glared at the blond witch in front of me.
"Why was that necessary?" I shouted at her, angry at what seemed to be random cruelty.
"It wasn't," she said, shrugging her shoulders elegantly. "Take your hand off him, Isabella. Let us see if you can do it without the direct contact again. You did so in the throne room, and we need to figure out how you expanded your shield."
"Absolutely not, if it means you hurt him!"
Felix pulled me to my feet.
"We'll allow him to make the decision. Felix, you may leave and allow Bella and me to spend this time alone, or you can stay. Your choice," she murmured in a bored voice.
"BITCH!" he swore at her.
She smiled bitterly, and I was perplexed about the interplay between them. More important, I saw something behind her harsh smile, and it stunned me. She was lonely. What that had to do with Felix I didn't know, but I was certain I recognized the emotion clearly. My own heart ached, seeing this emotion in another being, so I hazarded a few steps toward her. I held my hand out to her imploringly. Felix hit the floor again, when I was halfway between them. I couldn't stand seeing his pain, and everything within me focused on that desire as I began to go back to him. His body slumped back to the ground in relief before I reached him.
"Now, what did you just do, Isabella?" Jane snarled, from behind me.
I spun to face her again. "Stop what you are doing right now!"
She arched her eyebrow but turned to make her way to the bench. Not knowing if she would abide by my request, I remained frozen. I didn't know how I was protecting him, so I was hesitant to even move. Perhaps it was my proximity that allowed me to protect him from her. I'd been close to the leaders and guard in the throne room that day. Jane patted the bench beside her. I pulled my lips back to snarl at her and her manipulation. Great peals of laughter echoed through the solarium, coming from the tiny body of the blond vampire before me. Felix flew in front of me, placing his body between us, as if he'd just seen a crazy lunatic about to attack me. One thing was obvious. I was a newborn and stronger than anyone here...for now, and he'd just placed himself between us. I grabbed his arm and literally pulled him behind me.
"I think I can take care of myself, thank you," I said petulantly.
He'd reminded me too much of Edward and his overprotective ways. Damn male vampires.
But in the midst of my rage at being treated like a weakling human, I found a kernel of forgiveness for Edward, because in reality I had been just that during my short sojourn in paradise. I saw many of his actions with clarity now. He hadn't been an overprotective, over reactive male. He'd been an overprotective vampire. I'd been so fragile then, so human. Looking back, I couldn't fathom the control it'd taken for him to not crush me during the few kisses he'd seemed to enjoy. I would bet money that, although he would always have a protective streak toward those around him, he'd allow his mate to stand up for herself. He'd done that the few times I'd stood up for myself around humans...my equals at that time. The realization brought me a measure of peace...but only a measure. I hoped I would never see him with his true love, when he found her. I couldn't imagine the pain it would cause, for it seemed that my love for Edward had followed me into this life, and Marcus had given me no hope that it would change.
"You may leave now Felix," I said, backing up and forcing him to do the same. I turned to him and forcefully said the word "Now" when we reached the glass door leading out.
He paused in indecision. "Isabella, please. I apologize for being presumptuous and jumping before you, but Jane enjoys hurting others. Allow me to stay."
In that moment, I made a decision. My love for Edward would not change; it was inevitable. Just as inevitable was the realization of the fact that he could care less about me and my fate. I would either live my life alone in agony, or I could grab at least a small portion of, perhaps…happiness. It would be like trading a soft summer day for ecstasy, but if Felix was willing to attempt what I thought he was hinting at with a broken vessel…so be it. I'd have the same conversation with him that I'd had with Jake. Pain throbbed within me, thinking of both of their beloved faces. I also realized in that moment that I'd been stupid to not grab the opportunity I'd had with my best friend. Well...before he realized too that I was unsuitable for him. Would he have cast me aside, if I'd allowed the intimacy he'd clearly wanted?
Felix stood unmoving before me. With the decision made, I allowed some hope to show on my face.
"Felix, please leave Jane and I alone. I'm stronger than her, and she can't use her gift against me. I think we're going to be fine."
He continued to glare over my shoulder at her until I reached up to touch the tip of my finger to his lips. His gaze flew to mine at the unexpected intimacy and widened perceptibly when I shyly grinned up at him. "I promise I will come find you just as soon as we are finished here."
I was horrible at flirting, but my attempt seemed to work. He nodded, never releasing my gaze as he backed away. The sound of the door closing broke the spell.
"He is bad news, Isabella. Be wary of anything he promises," Jane's strangely sorrowful voice broke through the feeling of panic that I was experiencing about the step I'd just made.
"What did he do to you?" I asked.
"Nothing other than break promises he made."
"That I'm used to. At least this time, if I decide to go that direction, I'll go in knowing that it's the likely outcome," I said, turning back to her. "Do I need to stop the path before it goes forward any further?"
"Not on my behalf," she stated in an acidic tone.
I pondered her response for a moment, utilizing my new vampire brain to search for any hidden meaning. "If there is anything I've learned, it is that relationships can't be assumed when there is no basis for them. It seems that perhaps you and I have more in common than I would have originally thought. You seem to be alone except for your brother. Is there a chance of friendship between us?"
"Friendship?" she gasped. "You have seriously misinterpreted your situation, Isabella. The Volturi do not operate in the same manner as the Cullens. We are not one big happy family. You'll need to watch your back every step of the way and Aro will not hesitate to destroy or sacrifice you if you step out of bounds." She paused, as if realizing that she had gone too far.
"I understand that, Jane. However, my destruction is not something I fear."
Her eyes captured mine, and a subtle shift in the atmosphere occurred between us. "Yes, I see that now," she acknowledged.
She and I remained quiet. We would have seemed as garden statues amidst the lush greenery and foliage for the stillness of our bodies as our two minds raced. Slowly, she unthawed and softly patted the bench beside her.
"A trial of friendship? Nothing ventured...nothing gained." I may have been imagining it, but I thought I saw a hint of hope in her eyes as she said it. I bit back my smile.
We spent that afternoon dissecting the dynamics of what had occurred when I protected the group within the throne room. In the end, it would seem that my desire to defend those around me enveloped them in a protective force. It wasn't perfect, as I still faltered. Several guards I was introduced to became unwilling victims to our tests, and word made it around the castle quickly. Soon, others quickly retreated when they saw my and Jane's figures approaching. It bothered me, but she seemed accustomed to the reaction. Within just hours, I had a reasonable understanding of my gift. It was if a great bubble surrounded those I wanted to keep safe. I could feel their energy while they were under my protection, like a warm flame that shimmered under the protection of a glass globe.
My next step was to determine whether or not I could do it from afar. Evening, however, was approaching quickly, and Jane indicated her need to feed. The word itself caused tremors to race through my body, and I quickly excused myself from her to flee to my room. I actually wasn't hungry for once and didn't look forward to being anywhere close to where the others would eat. Remembering the promise I'd made, I wrote a short note to Felix and asked the guard member in the hallway to deliver it.
As I waited for him to answer my missive, I realized I'd never made it to Heidi. Was the fledgling relationship between Jane and me secure enough to ask such questions? I longed for Esme in that moment so deeply that it seemed to sear my soul. I pondered why I kept coming back to them. Perhaps because I had been so naive, and they'd seemed to meet my every need...sisters, brothers, mother, father, soul mate. I would have to make do with what I had. The soft rap interrupted my thoughts, and I took an unnecessary breath to steady myself before walking over to admit him.
"Felix, I apologize for not coming for you sooner," I said hastily, attempting to ignore the smell of fresh blood he brought with him. His eyes shone brightly, confirming that he had joined the group below.
"Rumors of your and Jane's walks reached me, along with the scurrying movement of the masses. I knew you were fine then. I didn't expect you to actually follow through on what you'd said. I assumed it was just a ploy to get me to leave."
"I don't play games," I said, shocked at my brave words. It would seem that becoming a vampire had given me courage. Or as Emmett would have said, "I'd grown balls."
"Please come in and sit," I asked, realizing that I'd not sat on my couch or chairs since being led to the room.
He looked uncomfortable until I sat beside him.
"Isabella, I don't understand," he said in response to my sudden willingness to be near him.
"I am probably about to embarrass myself, but I need to know if I understood your words. Are you interested in more than just friendship with me?"
His eyes flared in response. "I have all but staked my claim with everyone in this castle, Isabella."
Annoyance at the thought he felt he had the right, flared through me, but I realized that I'd been the unknowing recipient of protection that 'claim' had provided. He needed to know, however, the full truth.
"I'm broken, Felix. It's like I don't work right..."
He started to interrupt, but I held my hand out to stop him.
"I love Edward Cullen, Carlisle's son. It fills my every pore, my whole being. I don't want to love him. In fact, I've been trying as much as possible to forget him, but I doubt it is going to happen. I will probably be stuck loving him for eternity. I thought at one point he felt the same, but he left me after realizing I was nothing but a distraction to him. He broke every promise he ever made to me. I was left devastated...broken."
"I would never give up on you Isabella," he growled under his breath.
Pain lanced through my chest, remembering Jacob saying almost the same words. I held my hand out to stop him again.
"Please...no promises. I can handle anything but that. Your words do however bring me to the second part of my story." I proceeded to tell him about Jacob. "I realize now that I love him as well. Not as much as Edward but deeply none the less. He promised almost the same words you just spoke. I do not believe in promises anymore, Felix. They are words without meaning, something murmured to gain the goal at hand."
I tore my gaze from my lap and looked up at him. "I have nothing left to give you. I don't believe in love anymore...or at least in its possibilities for me. I am telling you this because you need to see the hopelessness of beginning a relationship with me. There is nothing you could say that hasn't already been said. I'm just not worth the effort."
I saw him struggle with finding words. It was clear that he wanted to reassure me, to tell me I was wrong and all that nonsense. It was clear on his face when he finally decided exactly what to say.
"Seeing it from your perspective, I understand why you would feel that way."
Short, simple, and precise. So why did I feel like crying? Because he'd honored me with respect and understanding... a voice in my head whispered.
"I will not make promises I cannot keep, Isabella."
He stood and walked toward the door, and I followed to see him out of the room. It was with relief that I realized he'd heard my warning and taken heed. He turned just before opening the door.
"I may have to battle against the scars left by others, but that doesn't scare me. Because there is one thing I can promise you..."
I gasped at his audacity to use that word after what I'd said to him.
"...you will never regret being with me."
The next thing I knew, I was in his arms, with his lips against mine. Fire flickered along my skin. More subtle than what I'd felt with Edward but nevertheless powerful. His large hand twisted into my hair, firmly anchoring our lips together.
NO! My mind screamed. ONLY EDWARD ...
I growled to cover up the thought, angry all of a sudden. I gasped at the pain induced by my traitorous thoughts. Instead of taking advantage of my open mouth, he backed away slightly.
"I will wait for permission to take that farther, but you need to know, that is what I can give you. I will erase them from your mind, if you will give me the opportunity. I await your permission."
My body screamed for him. But I was frozen with indecision. Sensing my struggle and inability to decide, he slowly allowed me to slide down the length of his body. The friction hit all the right places. He left as I stood panting by the doorway.
A cold shower didn't help, the water feeling warm to my body. The cotton robe only agitated my situation further. I needed to feel cool, and maybe the fire streaking through me would stop. I threw myself on the bed, thinking the smooth fabric would help and froze immediately. The silk was exquisite torture. I placed my hands over my nipples, attempting to block the feel of the material against them, like a lover's hungry tongue lapping at them. I started to sob in frustration, but the movement only added to the torment as silk slid along my skin like hands.
It was then that a vague memory of silly human teenage girls gossiping in a locker room ran through my mind. Things they'd discussed about their boyfriends…things done to them in the back seat of a car. My hand shot between my legs in reaction, and I groaned into the bed. It didn't take long even with my inexperience. I attempted to freeze Felix's face in my mind as I felt myself coming closer to the release I'd felt just several nights previous, but Edward's face as he kissed me in what I thought was passion kept breaking through. I even attempted to work with Jacob, but it was almost as if a kaleidoscope of the three faces whirled through my brain. As my body arched off the bed in release, I bit down on my free hand to keep from crying out and giving away my activities to the others. I wanted to die when I realized the face that had taken me over the precipice. Why had Aro saved me? It would have been less cruel to die that day.
The next few weeks flew by as I learned to continue manipulating my shield with Jane. Our friendship blossomed slowly, and she was invaluable in helping me strengthen my gift. Alec joined her on occasion, giving me the ability to work with him as well. He was irrationally protective of his 'little' sister.
I finally felt useful, as if I was earning my keep. From a different area of the castle, I protected the elders and guard when visitors came. It helped to listen to music, so that I wasn't distracted by the voices of the visitors. Allowing the music to wash over my soul, I focused on the sparks under my protection. Each one had a slightly different shimmering color, making it easy to identify them anywhere within my vicinity. Aro had given me an iPod, and I returned Demetri's one day while he was gone. I'd forgotten that he would be able to discern my scent, so my plan, to act as if it must have been in his room all the time, failed miserably. He'd tugged my hair in camaraderie. "You're driving my friend crazy, Isabella."
"I don't mean to," I answered honestly.
"I know, my sweet. This makes it more poetic. I don't believe Felix has ever been held to no sex at any point in his life, whether mortal or not."
He'd found great humor in the situation. What he didn't know was that Felix had set that parameter himself. He'd felt remorseful for forcing the issue and defined the boundaries himself. He'd left it up to me to decide when and if we would go any farther. I was not going to enlighten Demetri. He'd tease Felix mercilessly.
In the moments it became unbearable, I fell back on the methods I'd discovered to release my sexual tension.
I spent most of my nights in Marcus' room, reading with the quiet leader. He waited for me each evening now, knowing I would come. Sulpicia and I developed a closer relationship than I would have imagined, as she forced me to consider something other than unadorned hair and pants. She reminded me of Alice in her tenacity. Caius and Athenodora made efforts to visit, and I grew to appreciate his caustic attitude. You always knew where you stood with him, even if it wasn't a place you wanted to be. I was still somewhat of an outsider, being the 'newbie' as Alec called me. I couldn't expect much more considering these individuals had spent millennia together. My life was but a blip on their radar.
My relationship with Aro, however, was the most intriguing. Sometimes, he stole into Marcus' room and grabbed my hand, pulling me outside the castle gates. We would run barefoot and wild through the countryside to the rage of his guard. "Isabella protects us, and between her newborn strength and my skill, we could take out a small army," he chuckled, in response to the admonishment.
It was after these runs began that I noticed the opaque look to his eyes disappearing. "It would seem that I have lounged in the castle too long, Isabella," he mused. "Even when I leave with the guards, they surround me in an impenetrable wall, making even the freedom to simply run quite rare."
He was also the one to hold me each time I sobbed after feeding.
My freedom was unparalleled, and I was finally feeling like I might fit into the mix of the group. As such, I had to admit to confusion when Aro blurred into my room, and I saw several guards being positioned outside.
"Did I do something wrong?" I stammered, feeling afraid.
"No, Isabella. We are expecting company soon. I would ask that you stay in your rooms, but your services would be greatly appreciated."
I nodded my head quickly in agreement. I generally stayed in my room during the other times I'd supplied my shield, but I was slightly confused by the necessity of the guards. I didn't ask questions as Aro turned to me and smiled with a bittersweet look just before exiting. Sulpicia, however, joined me, making my fears seem silly. She read while I monitored our group below. The time passed slowly as I listened to a new English punk rock band that Demetri had jokingly loaded to my iPod. I was lost in my mind and music, so I startled slightly when I felt her hand against my arm.
"Isabella, Aro has requested our presence below."
"Sure," I smiled, pulling the ear buds out and leaving it behind on the couch.
She led the way and we soon entered into the throne room. I was immediately distracted by various delicious smells (and one that wasn't so pleasant), but my eyes were glued to Aro, and the vampire that knelt behind him. I'd known Victoria was still here, awaiting Aro's decision as to how to deal with her, but it was the first time I'd seen her since the day of my death.
"My dears, we have company," he murmured, coming toward us.
My eyes were drawn by movement across the room, and I gasped as my world stood still. Six sets of golden eyes stared at me in astonishment. Beside them, stood Jacob. But he wasn't my Jacob. He'd grown what looked to be a foot in the time since I'd last seen him. His hair was cropped short, and the boyish look was all gone. He was a man.
"Bella," he whispered his voice deep and clear.
Incredibly, I heard another voice saying my name as well, and I felt as if my world tilted. No... It couldn't be. My eyes jerked to meet Edward's as he rose from where he was restrained between Demetri and Afton. I couldn't believe that I wasn't dreaming. My eyes went back to Jacob to confirm that it was him and then as if they had a will of their own, back to my love.
Edward's face was a beautiful as I remembered. Pain lanced through me, tearing at my insides. I turned and fell into Sulpicia's waiting arms.
I would like to thank Jennixst for the idea of Marcus owning a Da Vinci - hopefully I won't be sued for using the Mona Lisa! :)
I would love to know what you think! Unlike my other story where I couldn't ask for reviews, I'm soliciting your thoughts here. Please!
As always, I want to thank my Betas – please check out their stories here on FF – they are incredible:
hopeforastalemate – A better name for this woman would be Volturi Girl. I'd started this story months ago, during short breaks from Harvest Moon. So… in response to her love of the 'Italian scum' and her personal invitation for me to write something a little darker, my planned sweet, angsty story between Bella, Edward, and Jacob took a dramatic turn. See the link to her profile below:
http: / www. /u /2173996/
Crmcneill – For his patience with me (contrary to how he presents himself on his FF profile) and his incomparable editing skills. Male twilight fans are not a myth – they do exist, and I am so glad I was able to connect with him. I've called many men friends, but I've never called one master until now. "Strong is the power of the comma. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can." See the link to his profile below.
http: / www . /u /1933926/