An Unresolved Past
This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.
Chapter 50- "There is nothing more painful in this world than to be in love with something that never can be." *
Jane was kept in the prison and would stay there until Aro had been tried; in that period of time both Alec and Messalina often visited.
Considering the reason for her stay was of preventative nature Alec was able to arrange for the comforts she may want although it was difficult to anticipate what that might be considering her depressive state of mind.
Alec seeing the desperation in her eyes walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her in an effort to comfort her inner conflict. He said "We have no choice; this was a fight between kings"
"But he is so alone and he has always been good to us" Jane replied her voice filled with sadness.
"Do you think I do not remember when he found us half dead after the villagers had tied us to the stake and set us on fire? I will never forget that day; it was my first day of freedom" he sighed.
Jane was inconsolable and slumped into the nearby couch whispering "can we no longer stop it?"
Alec sat next to her as Jane, the terror of the Volturi, curled up and leaned against him like the small helpless child of centuries ago. Alec feeling the same grief and helplessness wrapped his arm around her in an effort to comfort them both.
Later that day Alec was collected by Caius, Marcus and Edward on their way to the left wing dungeons to interrogate Dragus and Aro.
Their first subject was Dragus; the reason for both Alec's and Jasper's company. When they faced his cell he automatically turned his vicious glare toward Caius saying "I should have known; you can't kill cockroaches!"
Caius was about to retaliate but was stopped by Marcus who held up his hand saying "Enough of this. We have come here for knowledge; not to bicker!"
They attempted to discuss the fateful night of Caius's fall but Dragus was in no mood to share anything as he shouted "I wished to revenge my beloved and yet I have failed it is only for that reason that I am sorry".
Their precautionary action of taking Alec with them was soon rewarded when Dragus began to use his powers on Caius. Under Alec's threat and Jasper's influence Dragus soon calmed down allowing Marcus to ask questions as Edward probed his mind for the necessary information.
Edward soon felt and saw the torment this adversary had lived in for years and realized the extent of his revenge; if he would have had the chance he would have destroyed all in the room.
When they came to his time with Isabella he pleaded his innocence saying he was ordered to indoctrinate Isabella. But Edward quickly saw that it was all done voluntarily and for a pretty profit. He also added that Dragus had thoroughly enjoyed every minute of breaking both Isabella and Messalina's spirits with his painful gift.
Leaving their adversary, Marcus, Caius and Edward went to Aro's cell telling Jasper and Alec that their company would do more harm than good. Alec bent his head and was very grateful when he silently left the group.
When they arrived Aro was taking some down time and had his back to the bars but once Marcus addressed him he turned to receive them.
Marcus was the first to speak asking "Is it true that you were involved in Didyme demise?"
Aro sighed as he explained "I did not kill her, although I have been burdened by the guilt of her death for centuries. You see, in my shame I asked an old member for his help to kill her; for my anger was immense. I was not myself that night but quickly after I had given the order I went in search of Nikolaiin an attempt to withdraw the orders. I couldn't find him that night so when we found Didyme I was sure it was Nikolai's work. Later he came to collect the sum I had promised him so I assumed he was the killer.
"How could you do that?" Marcus sneered
"As I said I was not myself; I felt betrayed by my own sister" Aro muttered.
"So you killed your own sister; is that not the highest betrayal?" Marcus hissed.
"As I said, I was convinced that I had something to do with the death of my sister and the only way to live with it was to blame her and to my shame I did... that is until I met Dragus" Aro said as he looked up at Marcus.
Reading his mind Edward exclaimed "It was his mate?"
Aro turned his head to give Edward sarcastic smile. Clasping his hands in front of him as in merriment of a question well asked he said "very good Edward"
Marcus shook his head confused by this new revelation. Then looking at Edward he asked "You mean he didn't kill her; but you said…."
Edward gave Marcus a remorseful glance and told him "I read the memories of Sulpicia who was convinced he had done it. The fact that he was convinced he was at fault when I read his mind only added to my conviction. My beliefs however, began to falter when we came here and confronted him with her murder in the throne room. It was then that I began to doubt and knew that we would have to delve into Dragus's memory to find the whole truth".
Now looking at Aro he added "Dragus's mate Ilona had been captured and taken as slave by Caius after the Volturi won their battle with the Romainian coven. When he finally let her go Dragus found her but her mind had been broken. He tried to comfort her but she didn't even recognize him; she was beyond anyone's help; her mind slipping in and out of reality. One day Ilona escaped Dragus's care and in a frantic attempt to take revenge on Caius she came back to capture Athenodora; unhappily Ilona meet Didyme instead. Didyme had always empathized with Ilona and upon seeing her, she did her best to calm her down but they were interrupted by Aro's frantic voice; he was calling for Nikolai.
Having fought with Caius many times Ilona had become very strong and in her fright to hide herself and Didyme from Aro's attention she pulled Didyme into the shadows. When Didyme tried to reason with her she covered Didyme's mouth and in their struggle she unintentionally broke her neck. When she saw the result of what she had done she panicked".
"But if we had captured her Aro could have seen the truth" Marcus moaned.
Aro explained further "As Edward said; she was mad and capture was something she would do anything and everything to avoid. If it were anyone other than Didyme, Ilona would have no remorse in silencing that person forever. But Didyme was different; as she saw it, Didyme was the only one she ever trusted. She feared that having hurt a much loved member of the royal family would once again expose her to the wrath of the coven".
As if being transported back to the events Edward continued in a trance like voice "Didyme began to regain consciousness but at the same time Aro's voice was coming closer so Ilona pulled her further in the passageway inadvertently bumping up against one of the many fire grates that lit the passageways in those times. At that moment her dress caught fire and Ilona ran in blind panic inadvertently brushing Didyme clothes as she fled. Being unconscious and immobile Didyme was unable to douse the fire that swiftly worked it's way over her body".
Edward than turned towards Marcus, his eyes unable to covey the enormous empathy he felt for the elder as he said "I am so sorry Marcus. All in all it was an unhappy accident; Didyme was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Aro then looked up again, his mind back in the present as he finished "So you see, my dear Marcus. Although I am ashamed to have considered killing her; I had nothing to do with Didyme demise".
The silence was deafening; time and momentum lost as they processed the information. Aro then came up to Marcus and wrapped his hands around those of Marcus and sighed saying "This news has only opened your wounds; I am sorry my old friend"
After a moment he sadly said "In that time cruelty was often used; our society still lives with that norm! Once we had conquered our enemies we would take everything of value including the available women. Ilona was a rare beauty".
Caius's looked over to Marcus saying "I am so sad that I have inadvertently opened old wounds. I only wished to enlighten you; however it seems we have all been tricked by the past. Now I must live with the fact that it was I that inadvertently caused Didyme's death.
Marcus looked up and said "The Caius that stands before me had nothing to do with her death and the Caius that did, no longer exists. When Ilona was yours you were incapable of mercy however, we all knew it was happening and did nothing to stop it".
Yes; I have found peace through my mate whom you helped me to find yet I have taken yours; for that I will always be indebted to you".
He then turned to Aro saying "You however attempted to destroy me so that you could take Isabella".
Aro shrugged and maliciously said "Why was she ever yours in the first place? What did you do to deserve her? You have no special powers except brute force. I was the one who saw what a treasure she was the moment she entered the throne room. If not for Marcus's foolish prophecy I would have claimed her".
Caius quickly retorted "Even you cannot deny the prophecy; for that is Marcus's power"
Then as if not hearing a word Aro moved away from him as he continued to remember Bella's arrival "If she were vampire, you would have treated her just as you had Ilone".
"Ilona was the mate of an enemy"
"And Isabella was a human! When she first came, you almost killed her in your ignorance and disgust; it was I who stayed your hand. I would have changed her if not for the interference of Marcus".
Turning to face him Aro put a deadly emphasis in his words as he relentlessly spoke his mind "She deserved more than a brute without special powers. Her mind is voracious for knowledge; her powers are just starting to develop and she has enormous potential. She will never achieve half of that potential at your side and yet I could not break this foolish magical bond". Then he hissed "You declare your love; but love is not only possession as I myself found out. It is also allowing her the means to develop herself. She is a glorious eternal; had I received but a fraction of the love she gave you I would have allowed her to bloomed and become a beacon for our coven".
"What do you know of love?" Caius sneered in an effort to impale Aro with his own words.
Aro merely raised an eyebrow as he retorted "You cannot see or feel my love for her".
Edward listened into Aro's mind and had to admit that the love Aro felt for Isabella was no short lived fantasy; it could surprisingly measure with that of Caius.
Cauis looked at Edward and seeing his expression he dare not ask about Aro's honesty.
Another thing that Edward quickly realized was that in all his testimony, Aro had in no way spoken of Alec's participation in the kidnapping; which was a testimonial to his loyalty towards his apprentice.
In the silence that followed Edward let his mind wander. This would be a difficult choice; there were complicating factors that no one could ignore.
Marcus began to falter; now that he realized Aro actually had nothing to do with the murder of his beloved. He shook his head thinking of how senseless her death had been; a stupid and unusual accident caused by her one flaw: kindness.
Caius was furious and wanted heads to roll; after all both he and his mate had been through hell. Yet he could not deny that he had also been the co-instigator of his fate. By his inhuman treatment of Dragus's former mate he had inadvertently caused the death of Didyme and the revenge of Dragus.
And yet Caius felt he had only taken the spoils of war, he had done nothing extraordinary for it was customary of the times.
Edward now listened into the thoughts of the kings around him and realized that their actions, although unorthodox to him or his family, were actually quite logical. This coven was build before the BC era began and fashioned by the moral foundations of that time.
The only truly innocent victim of all Aro's manipulation was Isabella. She had been kidnapped in the first year and then with Caius's disappearance, forced to live as Aro's mate for years. When she still refused to accept Caius's loss she had been cruelly brainwashed.
* Laura Chouette