Amelia had ignored the sound of whom she assumed was Peter entering her room. She pressed closer to the wall, hoping he'd leave. Instead he settled on the bed, his hip pushing into her lower back lightly. She froze, his hand on her shoulder as she suddenly felt calm. Though the longer she felt it, the more she realized it wasn't her own. No, it was synthetic. She'd felt this before, in the wars.
Her hand came up from under the blanket quickly as her body turned, her hand pressing to the side of his ribcage and shoving Jasper away from herself. The amount of force she used had her body feeling tired, and clumsy. Amelia's body hit the floor with a thud, her legs tangled in the blanket.
XxX
Jasper had caught himself easily, skidding to a stop against the far wall. His mate fell out of bed which would have been almost funny if she didn't look so damn sick. Her hair seemed thick and thin at the same time, her eyes dark and sunken slightly. Her face even seemed thin and after a moment, he knew who she was.
"Amelia, darlin', it's okay." His hands were up, recognizing the panic and fear that clouded her emotions. Yet under all that, was her excitement, her desire, her want of him.
"Stay away from me." His heart broke a little, knowing those words had hurt her more than they'd hurt him. His eyes roamed over her torso, seeing her in just her swim top. Jasper moved slowly, bending down onto his haunches to be eye level with her.
"Honey, please. Let me hold you and everything will be alright." He had extended his hands to her, watching her onyx eyes move between them and his face. Venom tears bubbled up and glazed her eyes.
XxX
Amelia could feel her body dying, she knew she had a choice. She could deny her mate, which now that he was here it would surely kill him, too. Or she could be his. Did he really want her or would he be stuck with her?
"No, no darlin', stop that. Of course I want you. You are my mate and my only regret was that I didn't see it sooner." She knew he could feel her rejection and doubt, yet even as he spoke she wasn't sure. Her eyes had never left his being, she'd watched him move towards her. He was crawling to her, slowly, as if any second she'd run and she very well might.
She couldn't form words, her mind racing and her soul begging, screaming for the one thing she wanted more than blood. She wanted Jasper, so badly her heart felt almost like it would beat again, any second.
He was only a foot from her when she growled at him. He paused, watching her eyes look feral. She was afraid, yes, so afraid. He couldn't possibly want her. Not really.
XxX
Jasper kept his body open to her, showing he wouldn't hurt her. He could feel his yearning for her grow, he wanted his mate. He'd wanted her for so long, how could he not have seen what was right in front of him all those years ago? He could feel his eyes growing dark, sad even. Why was this so hard?
"Darlin', let me just show you." Before she could object, he projected his love, admiration, desire, his need of her, for her. He didn't just want her because she was his mate, no, he wanted to know her, to love her as the person she was.
"Honey, this is killin' me. Just let me in… please, baby." Amelia sobbed, it was the type of sob that held all her fears, her pain, every bit of insecurity she'd held over the years. She looked away from him and with her emotions over run, he closed the final gap and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
She growled and sobbed simultaneously, her small hands squeezing his forearms to let her go. He 'shushed' and 'shh'd' her softly, quickly putting her struggle to a stop as his large right hand wrapped around both her petite wrists and pressed her hands and arms to his chest. The top of her head was tucked against his neck, her body going limp as his left arm snaked around her waist.
Jasper settled himself against the floor, leaning against the bed frame as his legs stretched out. He could hear Amelia sniffing at his shirt, her fingers curling tight into the fabric as his scent calmed her.
XxX
Amelia felt as if his scent had wrapped around every bit of her; her nose inhaling as much as it could. She hadn't felt this calm… ever. Jasper smelt like the forest, woods, trees, he smelt like the earth after a fresh rain; he smelt like Jasper, the Major, her mate.
The elemental found her soul so calm, so quiet, there was no more pain. It was just him, and her and everything in the world was so right and beautiful. Without any thought, Amelia tore open his shirt, the top buttons of Jasper's blue plaid shirt scattering around them; her fingers searching out bare skin.
She could feel Jasper purring softly as the tips of her fingers rubbed over his chest, her face nuzzling into his neck. He released her wrists, his hands resting around her waist.
XxX
She felt soft where he felt hard, her body thin where his was thick, she was beauty and he was scarred. Jasper knew she was his better half, yet he was also her better half. He felt like he'd been with her an entire lifetime yet it had barely been a breathe for them. The empath moved his hands slowly along her back, feeling her bare skin shiver under his hands.
And as her emotions dissipated fully, so did the weather outside. The rain was gone, the dark thunder clouds now fluffy and white. He knew then that Amelia was as wild and free as her gift. Strong, fierce, so beautiful and all his.
His hand released her wrists, his fingers tracing lightly over her bare shoulder. She trembled in his hold, pulling away slowly to look up into his topaz gaze. Amelia looked different now, her eyes a gorgeous ruby, vibrant and full of life. Her hair think and blacker than the night time sky.
XxX
The elemental could barely take her eyes off his. His golden mane was tousled and wild, eyes filled with want and need. His vision moved to her lips, begging for permission. How could she deny him?
Amelia found herself leaning forward, her gaze falling to his lips as her own closed. Her fingers became tangled in his hair as they kissed. Her body flush against his as he pulled her free from the tangled comforter. The elemental straddled her mate, her knees digging in hard to his hips.
His tongue dragged along her lower lip before hers parted. She moaned as he pulled on her thick curls, making her move off his lips by less than an inch. His mouth traveled down along her jaw, to her throat. Every sense in her body buzzed, begging for him to claim her.
Jasper licked slowly along her jugular, his fangs nipping at the vein as her moans grew louder and more desperate. "Major, please." Her voice whiney and full of need.
The empath wanted to bite, to mark and claim his sweet little mate, but as he heard someone racing up the steps he knew there time was cut short. Jasper kissed her throat a few times, hearing her gasp as she tugged on his hair. "Not yet, my love, but soon, I promise." She groaned, her hips bucking against him as the bedroom door flung open.
Charlotte stood slightly to the side, not looking into the room as she spoke quickly. "The Volturi are going to be here soon. I can feel them." The empath felt his mate stiffen in his hold; watching her stand quickly and go to Char.
"Did Peter see them? How much time do we have?" Charlotte nodded quickly as she glanced at the clock on the wall. "Maybe five minutes? If that." Amelia nodded, her mind going straight into combat mode. Her face was serious as she turned to her mate.
"I'll explain later." She went straight for the dresser Charlotte had just finished and filled for her the day before, pulling on a pair of dark wash jeans and a black tank top. "Major, I need you to let me handle this. Aro is here for me." She was about to walk past her mate when he grabbed her hand and yanked her back.
"Darlin', you must of lost your mind if you think I'll let you fight the Volturi." Amelia paused, her eyes going dark, yet not quite black. "Now, honey, you don't know me very well yet, but I've been a Guard for quite some time. I can handle my own with them." Jasper's vision narrowed, watching his mate make her way down the stairs.
The empath followed her, Charlotte ahead of him. The front door was open, Peter standing to the right of the house, on the edge of the tree line. Jasper watched Char pause at the door as Amelia made her way to Peter. "Ain't you comin'?"
Her head shook, hand holding the doorknob. "No, Peter asked me to stay uninvolved. I can only assume he 'knows' something." Jasper was about to comment when he heard Amelia calling for him. "C'mon, honey, we got some Volturi ass to kick." The Major's eyes exploded into onyx orbs, his tongue tracing over his teeth.
"Damn, that's sexy." Charlotte rolled her eyes as she watched him leave, moving to the window that gave her the best few.
XxX
Peter stood beside Jasper, Amelia beside him. Amelia held her mates hand, almost afraid that she might lose him after just accepting him as her mate. "Jasper, don't die."
Both men turned their eyes to her for a moment, her hand releasing the Major's as she stepped in front of them both. Before the empath could speak, the Volturi were present, perhaps a hundred yards away.
Aro stood at the center with Caius and Marcus to his left and right. Behind Caius stood Jane, Alec, and Chelsea and around the main six were twenty of Aro's finest, Amelia was sure.
"Ahh, Amelia, my sweet." Aro smiled slowly, his gloved hands clasped in front of him. He stepped forward with small human steps, watching Amelia closely. She didn't speak, her face unmoving as his ruby eyes moved over Jasper and Peter.
"Now, now, Aro. You know this is between you and I. A gentleman such as yourself shouldn't involve so many in our personal affair." Jasper growled lowly, his body tensing at the thought of any type of 'affair' between his mate and Aro. The scum.
"Perhaps you should calm your guard dog, Amelia." His smile never wavered, seeing a slight raise of Amelia's brow. Jasper barely took a half step before Amelia put her hand up, palm against his belly. "It isn't nice to call each other names." She chided him like a child. How dare she?!
Aro's glare hardened, his head tilting towards Marcus. The vampire didn't need him to speak to know his question. "They are mates. Newly formed, but that is the only weakness with their bond."
The leader barked a laugh, Chelsea's sign to begin forming a bond between Amelia and Aro. Before Chelsea's bond could take hold of Amelia, lightning struck a tree less than three yards away from the female vampire. She jumped, her powers wavering as the bark caught fire.
"Aro, I am not interested in returning to be a Guard. That is my final answer." Caius made an agitated sound, a foul look taking over his features. Aro didn't respond right away, his eyes narrowed to tiny pins.
"Jasper, trust me." Her words were so soft, the empath barely heard them, all her love and hope hit him at once, watching and feeling as Chelsea's power over took her mind and body. The pain struck Jasper as he feebly reached out for her. His knees buckled, making him fall forward. His chest felt alight with fire, watching her make her way across the dirt and grass to Aro.
The leader barked out a laugh, his smile so huge he looked like a child in a candy store. It honestly didn't matter if she was his 'true' mate, what mattered was that he wanted her. Period. Aro could see the fight in her body, her movements stiff and jerky as she was within his grasp.
Aro's bare hand took hold of her arm roughly, pulling her to his side as he began to read her thoughts. He laughed again, seeing her plan so clear in his mind. Amelia didn't smile, she was barely in control of her own movements as Aro's nose sniffed along the side of her throat.
"Take care of them, Caius." The blonde scoffed, mildly offended as he moved forward with five guards. At the very least, he'd get to kill someone. His eyes watched Jasper stand tall, Peter beside him. They were ready.
Meanwhile, Amelia watched on, with Aro holding her snuggly against him. "Watch, now my love, as we just wipe away that pesky little 'mate' of yours." The word held so much venom, Amelia could practically taste it. Amelia's mind screamed no, feeling trapped within her own body. The bond was so artificial, she could see it wasn't real but was struggling to fight against it.
Her eyes grew huge in her face, watching Caius go straight at Jasper. The two blondes became a ball of feral growls and hard swipes. Two more guards joined the fight against the Major as Peter delt with his three. Amelia could feel the venom tears glaze her vision. What had she done? She'd given up her only advantage because she thought she could overpower Chelsea.
Jasper had managed to kill both guards and one of Peters as he tried to help Caius. The act causing Aro to hiss and his nails dug into her sides as he signaled for the remaining guard, excluding his best to join the fight.
It wasn't long before the sheer numbers had Jasper overpowered, Amelia gasped in pure sorrow as she watched Peter become decapitated. Aro laughed maniacally, Peter's death had distracted him for a moment as he almost had the upper hand. The remaining nine guards and Caius held Jasper down as Caius held Jasper in a headlock.
Their eyes met, Jasper sent her all his love, everything he had felt for her in one gush. Despite the pain, he smiled. He loved her. Her mate loved her! He was going to die...
Something broke inside Amelia, like a dam, liquid fire coursed through her entire being. Love and hatred over took everything within her body. She roared, causing Aro and the vampires around them to jump back. And then the forest froze, the earth seeming to stand still as the fire that had been steadily burning on the tree jumped clean off the bark and overtook Chelsea, rendering her ash.
The guard all froze, there minds foggy as the false bonds faded away. The only one that seemed to still be holding Jasper was Caius. The empath took the moment of fear and amplified it. The ruby eyed vampire suddenly backed away, fear filling every part of his senses, Jasper twisting onto his front and launching himself at Caius.
Aro watched, unable to move as Caius had his head removed. Amelia's fire extended, wrapping around the remains of Caius and dissolving him. The guard around Jasper stood frozen, watching as the empath's mate lite up, red flames encompassing her entire body, lightening striking her and absorbing into her flesh.
Amelia's eyes had closed, power pumping through her soul and body in a way she'd never experienced. Her gaze opened, her eyes lost in the white light within her soul. Her hand moved out, flames wrapping around every member of the guard surrounding her mate and disposing of them.
Aro turned to Jane and Alec, their ruby eyes returning to Amelia. The being of white light and orange flames turned to the remaining Volturi. Her hair moved up towards the shadowed sun, looking like the liquid flames were pouring directly into her from the giant fireball.
The moment the witch twins' abilities touched Amelia, they screamed in pain, falling over with a lightning bolt having shot straight through both of their skulls. Within seconds the wound spread, flames overtaking what were once great warriors. "I am power, I am fire! You dare raise a hand to me?" Her voice was hers and not hers all at once, her small body appearing larger as the fire and white bolts of light formed a lions mane around her entire being. Aro couldn't break his eyes away from her, standing alone with no one but Marcus left. He watched the mane around her move and writhe as if it truly was alive all around her.
"They are mine, HE is Mine! And you will never harm another, ever again." Aro watched as her flames wrapped around Jasper, along with Peter and Charlotte as the blonde female was helping to reattach her mate's head.
The last thing Aro saw was the white and orange engulfing him.
XxX
Amelia in all her power and beauty stood before Marcus, his semi-dark eyes in awe of her. Her white flamed eyes turned to him, he, without hesitation moved to stand before her. Her hand touched his shoulder, the form of her handprint alighting him in flame without burning him.
"Do not, ever, betray me." Towards the end of her statement, her voice was more her own, the flames simmering out slowly around her and her companions. Her legs wobbled as she felt her body falling back. Her torso hit Jasper's chest, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. He settled them onto the burnt ground, holding her to his chest as a little wary moan escaped her lips.
Her hand moved slowly to his cheek, pulling him down for a hard kiss. Relief flooded her soul, knowing she'd saved her mate. "You scared me so damn bad, darlin'." His voice was shaky and uncertain as his fingers came up to touch her jaw and move into her hair, cradling her head to his chest.
"I scared myself, too. I didn't know I could do that." Marcus cleared his throat, bending down to gently take Amelia's hand and rest his other on Jasper's arm. "Amelia, you have done myself, and the entire vampire world, a great service." She smiled tiredly, her fingers squeezing his.
"Please, pick someone well. I don't want to have to do it again. And, when you're ready, you know where to find me." The older vampire chuckled, sharing her smile as he nodded and made his leave for Volterra.
"You gonna explain all this shit to us?" Peter stood with Charlotte wrapped tightly against his chest, watching the two from a slight distance. He was grinning, just grateful to be alive.
"I probably should." Her eyes rolled, but Jasper could see and feel her exhaustion. "I think you should rest first. Whatever, all that was, it took a lot out of you." Amelia just nodded, seeing Peter and Char share a brief look.
"That'll be fine. We're gonna go for a hunt and be back in a couple hours." The newly mated pair watched them go, Jasper scooping up his beautiful girl and carrying her into the house.
XxX