Chapter 10: coming of age.

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hannukah! And anything else you may celebrate!Thank you for your likes and reviews! I pray you all are having an awesome holiday! You are not alone! Even when you feel like it!

5 years later- Isabella

age 17

Isabella stared into the mirror. At age 17 she had blossomed into what her family called la nostra bellissima farfalle, our beautiful butterfly.

Her lips were painted the brightest of reds, and her hair had been curled so that it fell in beautiful waves.

The dress she wore was blood red and embroidered with the most beautiful diamonds.

A small knock on her door let her know it was time.

With a deep breath, she was quick to give herself a pep talk.

" ok Isabella, you can do this. You've been trained for this. Just.. don't trip…"

With that said she opened the door

…

Marcus sighed in frustration as he brushed his hair back but it refused to lay down.

With a growl, he broke the brush.

A knock on his bathroom door made him turn around.

" Come in."

The door opened to reveal a very frustrated Caius.

He was having trouble with his cuff links.

" blast it all. I can't get this!"

Marcus went to help him and asked "Where is Dora?"

"she's having trouble of her own," Caius answered.

Just then Aro appeared looking haggard and his hair undone.

" I can't get my cape to clip!"

Marcus sighed.

"We are eons old. Why are we struggling with things we do all the time?"

Caius sighed as he turned to help Marcus with his hair and in turn, Marcus helped Aro with his cape.

" I don't want to lose her…" Caius admitted.

" I am afraid you will have to explain brother." Aro said

" isabella! She's getting older ! And today doesn't make it any better! And her scent is getting stronger every day. I want someone by her side at all times!"

" Brother… you speaking in riddles…" Aro sighed in annoyance.

"The longer she stays human the higher chance our daughter will die!" Caius finally exploded.

The brothers stood in silence as the revelation shook them. It was an unspoken fear among the Volturi. The death of their only daughter. Their princess.

"Death will not take her. She will reign with us, as soon as she is ready. For now, we will celebrate her coming of age and the season we are in. Let us rejoice on this." Aro said with a tone of finality.

With that said, the brothers shook off their heavy emotions and made their way to find their wives.

….

Felix scanned the crowd as energy and excitement filled the ballroom.

Vampires from nomads to covens were Invited.

The Volturi only held gatherings once every few thousand years and most of the time only their allies were invited.

However, the kings and queens had sent the guard far and wide to send out invitations to all vampires.

Today was the day the Volturi revealed thier chosen heir for the throne.

It was a big deal because the kings had been ruling by themselves for centuries, so adding another person was exciting and it had everyone curious.

Why would the kings need an heir in the first place?

They were vampires, they didn't die often.

However, that was a lie. Wars, lack of food, petty jealousies, and just changes over time could take the kings out, if they were not careful. Therefore they needed a hierarchy.

If anything were to happen to any of them their fourth member could take up and rule.

The wives would be too upset to think clearly if one of their mates were killed hence they were not chosen to rule.

Felix smiled at the thought of Princess Isabella.

She was beautiful drop dead gorgeous as a now curvaceous young adult but she would be unstoppable once she was changed.

The sound of snickering from the Australian coven interrupted Felix from his admiration.

He watched closely as they sneered and laughed lowly at the arrival of another coven.

Felix followed their eyes and internally groaned.

It was the rabbit gang, he liked to joke.

They were a group of golden-eyed vampires.

Peculiar to the world but close to the Volturi mainly aro. They were the Cullen's and the Denali's.

Both covens only fed on animals and emersed themselves in human life. that caught Aro's attention.

Carlisle the leader of the cullens had caught Aro's attention and the two of them had become best friends. Conversing for weeks at a time about why their diet was best plus the pros and cons of their diet.

Aro would try to convince Carlisle to change but the vampire doctor refused.

Carlisle stayed with them for a few centuries before he decided to move on a find his own coven. One of their former guards Eleazar went with him. Together the two men found covens that they could live their lives without hassle. Of course, a thousand years later the Volturi adopted the princess and the animal drinkers were no longer a concern.

And yet here they were walking in as if they were better than everyone else, Felix wanted to take them down a peg.

He was ready for any reason to fight the big one in the Cullen coven.

A heavy hand Clapping down hard on his shoulder shook him out of his frustration.

" peace felix." Was Afton's strong baritone voice. " remember what today is about.."

Taking an unnecessary breath Felix stepped back to gather his thoughts.

"Your right. I can't let them get to me. But look at them, Afton. Especially the mind reader ." Felix pointed out

The Cullen coven had seven members total.

Rosalie, Alice, Esme, Emmett, Jasper, Edward and Carlisle.

Three out of the seven were gifted but what was bothering Felix was how Edward thought he was just so special because the kings asked him to play the piano alongside some other vampire musicians for the event tonight.

He was Carlisle's first and youngest son. He was the spoiled one out of their group and couldn't take no for an answer.

But Felix couldn't focus on petty thoughts.

He needed to keep his head in the game and make sure Princess Isabella had the best coming-of-age party ever.

….

Peter Whitlock was known as a standoffish grumpy man.

He truly hadn't cared about the Volturi's party but his wife dragged him along.

So here he stood in a grey suit holding a glass of wine while his wife chatted away.

His bad mood however improved as soon as he saw a familiar face.

"Jasper!" he called out.

His best friend and sire turned at the sound of his name. his blond curls bounced when he walked towards Peter.

" Peter!" Jasper called out.

The two men chest-bumped as soon as they got close.

"What a surprise to see y'all here." Peter greeted sarcastically.

Jasper laughed.

" you know we can never turn down an invitation from the Volturi. Aro and Carlisle are close. It's a shame they haven't spoken in some time. He's missed their talks. I don't understand why they drifted apart, anyway."Aro is Carlisle's oldest friend.

Peter rolled his eyes.

"eating rabbits is causing you to soften up brother."

Jasper playfully punched him in the arm.

"Hey, ain't nothin' soft about me. I can still clear a room. did you hear about Maria?"

"yeah, I heard the Volturi had a run-in with her years ago in Texas. It's rumored she was working with the Romanians." Jasper informed him.

"Really? What happened after that"

"no one knows. The Volturi won't say anything."

Before the two men could finish a pixie-like woman danced over to them, she wore an emerald green dress that looked expensive.

"jazzy! Did you put your gift on the table?"

"yes, Alice darlin'. I sure did. You remember Peter right? I think his mate is wandering around here somewhere."

Peter held back an annoyed grin. He couldn't stand Alice and Alice couldn't stand him.

But for Jasper's sake, they were cordial.

"Jasper come on you can talk to Peter later, the kings and queens are about to appear!"

" I'll catch up with you later Peter!" Jasper waved as Alice pulled him through the crowd.

" Peter?"

He turned to see his mate smiling as she looped her arm into his.

" you ready to find out who our next leader will be?" Charlotte asked him.

" you know I am kind of excited. I'm having one of my feelings. And I don't know why but think this new leader is going to make some big changes. "

….

Esme Cullen clung to her husband's arm as she and her family stood in the front row.

In front of them was a dias where four thrones stood.

Above the dais was a balcony with two curved stairs that split apart as it went down.

She smiled as Edward sat at the grand baby piano and began to play.

Next to him was Maggie from the Irish coven. She played the fiddle that layered over the piano and finally, there was Benjamin from the Egyptian Coven. He played the cello.

The three instruments combined made a beautiful melody as they awaited with anticipation.

" they sound so beautiful." She told her husband.

Carlisle smiled with pride as he looked at Edward.

" they do. I am really glad Edward took Aro's invitation to play. His music deserves to be heard."

"Im just glad Aro reached out. I've missed the company of so many old friends. I just want to know what moved him to cut off our conversations. His calls became less frequent but-"

Her husband was interrupted when the music heightened, causing everyone to look at the double doors.

They opened to reveal the kings and queens of the vampire world. All of them dressed in bright shades of red and black.

A thunderous applause was given as they descended the stairs and sat on the thrones leaving the fourth one empty.

Aro always the extravagant brother stood and smiled waiting for the applause to die down.

" Friends! Allies! How pleased we are with your presence! And how pleased we are that you could join us for this wonderful celebration. 11 years ago we made a decision that would change our people for the greater good. While we may be immortal in a physical sense, our lives can be ended at any time. Therefore, our people, our kind, and your best interests are always at the forefront of our minds. 11 years ago we found the next in line to lead our people to greatness and change. We the Volturi present to you our heir, your future Queen, Princess Isabella!"

Carlisle stood in shock as thunderous applause erupted in the room. walking gracefully down the stairs was a human girl.

Immediately murmurs and questions began to arise amongst them.

"she's human! She's a simple human girl."

"she's beautiful!"

"The kings chose her for a reason, have you smelled her? it's the most divine scent I ever smelled in my life."

Carlisle allowed confusion and anger to fill him. Sensing his emotions, Jasper appeared at his side. Carlisle turned to Jasper with dark eyes full of fury.

"Everything alright Pa?"

"she's human jasper. A simple human girl. What could the kings possibly be thinking? This can't be a good idea." He told his son lowly.

Before Jasper could interject, Rosalie came storming up to him.

" Dad! They can't be serious! She's a human." She screeched with dark eyes.

The Cullen patriarch was quick to take a deep breath, one he did not need. he felt Jasper pull a blanket of calm over them both.

He had never displayed such a display of anger before.

"thank you, son. Rosalie, this bothers me just as much as it does you but we will have to wait and see."

"and see you shall." A voice said from behind him.

The group turned around to see King Aro and Queen Sculpia smiling broadly.

"well, Carlise old friend! Won't you greet me!" Aro greeted with enthusiasm.

Not being able to be mad at his long-time friend for long, he brought Aro in for a tight hug.

If they were still human, they would have surely broken a few bones.

But not these men. Not even the test of time could break their friendship.

"old friend.." Aro said his voice full of emotion.

"It's been too long," Carlisle admitted.

There was an unspoken emotion that passed between the two friends. They had been through many trials together in their lifetime. And it was never promised that would see each other again. not with the complications of their lives.

It was Aro who pulled back as he clapped Carlisle on the back.

"eyes still golden! My friend."

"and yours are just as red!" Carlisle laughed. " come old friend let me introduce you to my family. Kids."

It was then the whole Cullen coven gathered around the king and Queen.

When Carlisle first formed his family, he simply wrote Aro introducing him to Edward and Esme. And then over the years, he gained more adoptive children they had never met the Volturi before. At least not the leaders.

The Cullens would run into the guard on occasions but they had never met the kings.

"old friend this is my family. My youngest and yet my oldest son Edward. My daughter Rosalie, her mate, and my son Emmett, my daughter Alice, my son and Alice's mate Jasper. And of course my wonderful wife Esme."

Aro smiled and greeted one of them. He kissed the hands of the women and shook the hands of the men.

"so wonderful to meet you all. I am going to assume you all will stay with us in the castle as soon as our party is over. I'm sure this old man has told you." Aro said as he playfully slapped Carlisle on the chest.

The impact, actually made Carlisle double over.

"me old? your one to talk.."

"ha! Well, since we are making introductions, allow me to introduce you to your princess. Isabella Preziosa!" he called.

Carlisle looked over to where Aro had gestured.

Princess Isabella had been talking to the German coven, making them laugh in their native tongue.

Aro laughed.

"how often I forget the human hearing is not the same as ours. Afton, please bring your princess to me." Aro said lowly.

With speed like no other, Afton was next to the princess whispering in her ear.

A blush accompanied her as she apologized to the German coven in their language and excused herself to make her way over to them.

In all his years of being near humans, Carsile had never bitten a human. He had never tasted human blood. But right now at this moment, his throat was on fire. And strangely instead of wanting to drain this young woman, he wanted to hug her.

"whoa!" Jasper gasped behind him. "what the heck is this feelin'?"

"ah, that would be the princess's scent. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn't it?" Aro questioned.

Before anyone else could question Aro, the princess was next to looking very unhappy.

"Papa, please tell me you aren't making up stories about my blood again. if you are I am going to tell Papa Cacius." She threatened.

"oh, my darling figlia. I would never do that!" Aro gasped at her accusation.

The princess rolled her eyes as she turned her attention to his family.

"Ciao a tutti my name is Princess Isabella, of the volturi. It is such a pleasure to meet you all. Padre has talked about your family over the years." She greeted them with a curtsey.

Carlisle signaled his family to bow, as he took her hand.

" Princess, it is a pleasure meeting you. I am sure we will get to talk soon. would you allow me to introduce my family?" he asked as he kissed her hand.

"it would be a pleasure." She told him.

Carlisle introduced his family, saving Edward for last.

"and this is my son Edward."

However, Edward did something usual. He stepped forward and kissed Princess Isabella's hand.

The next words immediately from his lips made everyone freeze.

" il mio cantante, I have waited for you for years."