Thanks as always for all the love on this story! We've got some things moving along and a good back and forth with the POVS (:
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Chapter 8
B POV
I hummed, curling in against Demetri like a damn cat before thinking better of it. As if his obvious ire towards the Cullens was curling around me like a rage-filled blanket.
His arms tightened a little, and I swore I heard him take an inhale of his own before he breathed out, "Take a pull of my scent, princess, it will help stave off the effects of his singer pheromones longer."
Not one to pass up taking a healthy intake of his amazing scent, I leaned into his neck more, sucking in a lungful of smoky manliness. Yum.
I could feel a slight rumble vibrating from his chest before he slowed even more to a normal walk, giving me time to find my bearings as we approached the part of the castle I assumed the Cullens were being kept.
A few more turns and then suddenly I heard a squeal in the distance, "BELLA" I couldn't even see the pixie-shaped blur as she charged towards me, only halting at Demetri's growl.
I patted his chest, wriggling a little until he let me down, "It's okay Alice is cool, you even said she was helpful yourself, remember?" I asked him, both of us knowing he'd said something to that effect but nowhere near as kind.
Alice just rolled her eyes, "Of course I'm helpful, Char wanted me to tell you she was sorry she couldn't get you out of there and to us sooner, honestly, Bella, I was impressed with your endurance while you were running. Who knew someone so clutzy could also make a solid break for it on the run?" She smiled until my expression fell.
"What?" Demetri nearly barked, a large hand coming up from behind me, wrapping around my waist to make sure I didn't teeter over.
I bit my lip, "There was an older man, he had a wife, and he helped me, drove me to the city. Maria killed him." I sighed, remembering Daryl.
Suddenly red eyes peered into mine, "And she suffered horribly, died slowly, as vengeance for you, Daryl, and everyone else she crossed paths with."
I took a breath, nodding. Mariah was gone, and Victoria was gone. No more lives had to be lost.
He jerked his chin towards where I'm sure the rest of them impatiently waited…well probably not Rosalie. Gingerly, I took a step forward, thankful for the slippers I'd stuffed my feet into before we left my guest room. There was a slight sting, the stitches not pulling but feeling stiff, making me hiss a little at the uncomfortable feeling.
Gold eyes, not like the calm red ones from moments ago, appeared frantically searching my brown ones. "Bella, my love, are you alright? Here, let me carry you the rest of the way." Edward urged, making me grunt when he hastily swung me up in his arms, jostling my arms which were also still a little sore despite the pain medication I'd taken.
"Edward, careful, you idiot" Alice hissed, noticing my discomfort, her eyes also cautiously locked onto something behind Edward.
I turned my head, seeing blazing red eyes focused in on his hands where they grasped onto my body to hold me up. Edward pursed his lips, meeting Demetri's glare, "I am not. You're the only monster here, who knows how many lives you've taken." He sneered the last bit, taking off without notice, making my head spin from the rush of vertigo that came with my surroundings blurring into a swirling tunnel.
With my eyes screwed shut, breathing through my nose to stave off the nausea rolling around in my stomach, I barely noticed we'd arrive. I did, however, notice Emmett's booming voice.
"BELLA" he hollered, slowing down as he approached until he got close enough to gently muss my hair. Getting down on his knees bringing him nearly eyes level his sad dark gold eyes locked onto mine, "I'm so, so, so sorry I left my favourite sister behind. Forgive me?"
Alice coughed at the favourite sister comment, making a tiny grin works its way across my face, bringing out a dazzling smile on the big fool in front of me who whooped when I nodded my acceptance. I sighed, looking around at everyone.
"I just need to get this out before we start. I'm obviously here to hear everyone out properly, and knowing me, give forgiveness. But it's going to take a while for me to trust this family again, especially you—"
My eyes landed on Edward at the end and he immediately jumped in, "Bella, your safety has always been and always will be my top priority," he paused to cast a glare off behind me where I could hear a certain tall, dark, and dangerous man snort.
Edward took one of my hands in his, "You are my mate, Bella, my love. I want nothing more than to be with you and keep you safe, things just got so complicated in Forks…." He trailed off, as if that alone were good enough.
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, genuinely confused by his words. Edward's brow merely furrowed in confusion as well.
"Did you not just say my safety and being with me were your top priority? Edward, you left me alone to be hunted by a blood thirsty killer hell bent on getting to me because of your actions. Was that enough emphasis for you? Did that makes sense?"
I squared my shoulders, looking Edward dead in the eye as I continued, "Nothing and nowhere was safe after you left me. The wolves were volatile and stressed out by Victoria, my classmates wouldn't stop asking about you, Charlie was threatening to send me back to Florida, I was alive but I wasn't living. Terrified someone would get hurt because I was around, and also devastated at losing the family I'd come to love –" I stopped myself, emotions boiling up too high.
"Bella, please. I'm so sorry, love. You have to understand, I couldn't lose you and with you being my singer that makes me your biggest threat."
His eyes were trying to plead with me, but their now noticeable hypnotic-like allure was, making me constantly break eye contact to remain focused, "How are you so sure we're mates? How can you be sure it's not just the fact that I'm your singer and you naturally draw me in?" I asked, biting my lip when I noticed some of the uneasy expressions the other Cullens were sporting, as if the idea had been in the back of their minds but not a big enough issue to press.
"Bella, you know that's not the only thing drawing us together. Your silent mind, our shared interests, your warmth, and so many other things that are uniquely you are the reasons I know you're my mate."
I frowned, none of that had anything to do with actual attraction or romance, "My mind is impenetrable to everyone, we only both like classical music, we hardly ever joke around about anything, and of course I'm warm, I'm human! Were you ever going to tell me about the draw of a singer? Or was that not important enough? Were you ever going to start treating me like an equal and not a child" I scoffed, "How would that have even worked once I was old enough to walk into a bar and you were still seventeen? You were dead set against changing me and I know you weren't budging."
Demetri snorted at that, Emmett and Rose both looked bemused while Alice looked a little worried.
Edward was contrite as he responded, "I would've caved, I knew then and know for certain now, I can't live without you, Bella. Changing you was inevitable, the only thing I regret about it is that now it must be done on someone's orders and not by our own free will."
I didn't know whether I believed that, I also didn't know whether or not he was in denial of his own feelings after being alone for so long in a family of mated pairs.
What I do know is that when Demetri stepped up closer behind me and my body came alive, practically humming at his closeness, I feel more alive - more seen - than I ever did with the boy in front of me.
There was only one way to know for sure, "Let's go see Marcus."
I noticed him stiffen, which was weird considering he's made of stone, until his expression softened more and he bent his head lower, holding eye contact. His hand ghosted up along my face to cup my jaw, "is that really what you want?"
Gold eyes that I dreamed about for months, fawned over for ages, were gazing at me so reverently I could almost feel the urge to toss everything aside and beg him to sweep me away, anywhere.
A throat cleared, making me shake my head a little, trying to clear the haze, then I tilted my head towards Edward, waiting for an answer that actually addressed my wish.
He frowned a little in confusion before his expression smoothed out once more into a soft, almost indulgent, smile, "Of course, love, we'll go see him and then we can go to Aro and ask for more time so that you can stay human a while longer and—"
"The order has been given, I will be determining when Miss Swan is changed, boy." Demetri growled out, stepping in a little closer behind me, his scent flooding through my body, flushing out the rising turmoil I was getting from the pheromone fog.
It almost felt like going from one fog to another as I tried to discretely lean back in to the Volturi guard to get another strong hit of his scent. I wished his arm was still wound around me like earlier, its loss feeling cold despite the fact that his body is freezing.
It was different fog though; with Edward it felt almost hypnotic, like a blur of just wanting to do what he wants and be near him, breathing him in.
With Demetri…I tried not think about it too hard because the last thing I needed was for a room full of vampires to scent the reactions I'd been having to him. Not just that, I felt more protected than coddled through the way he doesn't stop me from pushing myself too hard or from speaking my mind.
But as Edward crouched down this time, hands brushing lightly over the healing injuries on my arms, I felt almost a tugging from inside my chest, pulling me towards him, wanting to agree with and believe in everything he was saying.
Brows pulling together in confusion I blurted out, "E-Edward are you really going to stay with me? Did you mean it, all of it? What about the family, do they really care, do they—" I lifted one hand as if to caress his porcelain face, so angelic, so...
"This meeting is over. You can see Marcus tomorrow" snarled a voice, but I was too far away, too lost to the fog in my head. That smell I wanted to drown in it and never come up again, I could feel my body swaying forward slightly as the tugging sensation grew stronger.
"You can't do that she's my mate, Aro won't stand for something like th—" Edward's frustrated voice was raising in his anger.
"He will, and I can." The finality ringing out in his low baritone was enough to bring me back long enough to recognize I was being moved again, carried. We flew through the castle and my head lolled over onto his stone shoulder, making his arms band tighter around me.
I felt the change in motion when he slowed indicating we were back or almost at my room again, and sagged a little in relief. I can't believe how caught up I got, but that fog…I cringed thinking about the desperation that easily seeped back into me to have Edward and his family in my life again. In reality, I was still raging inside, my own accusations rocketing my ire and need to escape.
The door click shut and the next thing I knew my legs were being carefully hiked around Demetris waist, marble arms cradling me against his wide frame as red eyes bored into mine. Caged in against the closed door with a human-drinking vampire who only seemed to strike fear into others had me feeling anything but fear.
He shifted, one arm coming around to support me, his now-free hand brushing my hair behind my ear. It was a tender move that made my breath catch, noticing the softness in his searching gaze.
"Tell me, Princess, what do you need?" At my frown he closed his eyes as if resigning to something before opening them again and resting his forehead against mine, "Anything, say you need anything, and it's yours." He murmured.
I scrunched my nose, his scent filling up my senses was both calming and jumbling my thoughts. Anything? "I want closure, I want to see Marcus and know once and for all—" I paused, thinking of something else but holding back.
His lips quirked, "and?"
I let out a breath through my lips, "I'd really like to just, I don't know, get away. For a little bit. I know I need to be changed, it's just I spent most of my childhood and teenage years taking care of my flighty mother, then spent the last ones being haunted, hunted, or both. I'd really like just a little bit of human time to myself."
His eyes narrowed, "Where, exactly, are you planning on running off to princess?"
An idea came to mind. Would he agree though? Only one way to find out.
"Take me to your homeland." I mumbled, losing some of my nerve under his scrutiny.
His eyes that had hardened slightly, lost their edge again. Cool fingers stroked along my heating cheek, "Now that, I can do." He murmured.
Had i been more awake, my eyes would've flown open in shock. But in my exhausted state, I just managed to nod around a yawn, making him chuckle, "I think it's bed time for the human." Carrying me over to the bed, he put me down on the edge so I could undress, turning to leave until he paused.
"Heidi will have your bags backed in the morning. We'll visit Marcus then leave." I bit my lip, trying to hide my excitement. Of course, he saw through it and tossed a quick smirk before disappearing.
I sighed, flopping onto my back. I wasn't sure how or when, but at some point, the head of the Volturi guard had snuck under my skin and I was starting to realise I didn't mind…
D POV
The instant I stepped into the throne room it started, "Well, what a wonderful surprise seeing our newly mated Prince here in our chambers." Aro teased, eyes glimmering.
I scowled, raising a hand to silence my father when he opened his mouth to add his two cents, "She's my mate but we're not mated, so keep this and anything royal about me to yourself for the time being."
Aro scoffed, Caius snorted before replying, "Surely you'd be mated by now had you told her the truth – her mate is son of the great Julius Caesar and just as ferocious as his predecessor. Okay almost...some of the time." He amended at the end.
Marcus scoffed, making me grin a little. Of the three of them, I was closest with the quietest king. After losing his mate, for centuries, Marcus was a shell, and now having met my mate I wasn't sure I'd be able to stick around and exist to the same extent as he does.
Seeing the way Cullen's pheromones infected her mind and clouded her judgement made me see red. It took everything in me not to rip him apart, but I wouldn't start any kind of avoidable attack with my human mate so close by. But seeing how obsessive those strong ass signals made her also made me want to drop to my goddamn knees and promise her the world. Which is why I promised her as such.
Turning to Marcus I said, "I'm taking her to see you tomorrow, she wants closure on her ties to the boy. Don't tell her of our connection, I'd like for that to come from me."
Addressing all three I continued, "After our meeting I'll be taking my mate away, somewhere secluded where she will have more time enjoying her mortality before I change her myself." Caius went to speak but I cut the old bastard off again, making him growl, "She's far too drained mentally and emotionally to have a smooth transition. She's my mate, I'll fucking bend the rules if I want to keep her safe."
Silence followed by Aro clapping made me roll my eyes, "A boy in love, who would have thought, Caius!? You must tell Athenodora, she will be thrilled."
My father scoffed and I growled at that, "No need, she can find out along with the rest of the castle. Or never," I muttered. That woman was a slithery old poison who'd somehow sunk her claws into Caius not long after his change, right when they'd started building up the Volturi. Athenodora was not my mother, nor was she his mate. I strongly believe had she turned, my mother would've been his true mate, but she died giving birth to me – one of many reasons why we've never gotten along.
Mention of Athenodora soured my good mood, "Great talk. I'm leaving now, I have plans to make." Aro huffed in annoyance but I took off anyways, not caring about giving him any glorious details.
I approached the main area of the castle where the elite guard usually spent their down time, "Heidi?" I called out.
The blond was before me immediately, "Is it clothes? Puhleese tell me it's clothes, Fifi needs some new outfits anyways so I was already looking for an excuse to shop." She grinned and I heard my brother's groan from somewhere in the castle.
I clucked my tongue, "You're right, Felix is in desperate need for an update. I'd like you to get things for Bella as well, we're going away."
"What? Where, when, and when were you planning on telling us?" Came Alec's aggravated tone. I looked over and spotted the dynamic duo along with Jane. By her barely concealed grin I could tell she knew where this was going.
I raised a brow, "These plans do not concern you." Turning to Heidi I added, "I'm texting you the location, we leave in the morning." She nodded eagerly, already the wheels turning in her head.
Felix let out a low whistle, "Ah a little retreat then, Master Demetri?"
I glared back making Heidi swat her mate in his broad chest, he doubled over a little as she hissed, "Don't piss him off or I'm getting you the most colourful wardrobe this drabby castle's seen since the 80's."
At his appalled look, Jane lost her battle and peels laughter sounded through the walls. I grunted, turning away to hide my own amusement. As I left Heidi called out after me, "Don't bother packing your bags either, Demetri, I know how to dress a man on a mission."
B POV
I sighed as I came to, trying to pinpoint when the real world stopped, and dreamland started. I could've sworn Demetri Volturi pinned me up against the door and offered me anything I wanted.
A knock on my door drew my attention, "Come in" I sighed, rubbing sleep from my eyes and tucking my hair back behind my ears.
A blond head appeared, followed by another, "Can we come in?"
I couldn't help it, I giggled seeing two sets of apprehensive ruby eyes peering at me, "Of course you can."
The smaller one flitted to the foot of my bed, perching on the end, "I'm Jane, we haven't officially met but I'm Alec's twin." She smiled nervously, making me respond with what I hoped was a warm look.
The other girl had come in toting the tell-tale food tray, "I'm Heidi and I've got breakfast!"
My stomach growled, making both girls laugh, I sighed, "Thank god, I've had an awful habit of passing out before dinner lately so these ridiculously huge breakfasts have been a life saver!"
I started eating and Heidi prompted, "So how was being hunted by the guys? Felix told me all about how you gave them all the slip and were able to evade the world's most notorious tracker and fighter."
I hummed, "Guess my brain just runs on a different station, my guess was they were way overconfident in their abilities and the possibility of a silly little human actually having the balls to make a break for it."
Jane snickered, "You rock, I can't believe you even called Demetri Old Tick! But don't tell him Alec shared that or he'll probably lose a limb or two."
My eyes widened, "For real?"
Heidi nodded, "Wouldn't be the first time, don't worry. Demetri only permanently dismembers his enemies…and he's only ever done it to Alec and Santiago in the past for…oversharing."
Jane cast a warning look at Heidi that had my brows pulling together, but I figured if it was something personal about the head of the guard I'd rather hear about it from him.
I nodded, chewing thoughtfully, "I haven't fully retired the nickname but there's been less assholery since we got to Volterra so we'll see."
Heidi snorted, "Trust me, I'm sure there'll be more of that eventually, the guys are all very calculated and protective here. I mean, do you know how many vampires –enemies or not – would love to have the badge of saying they took out a Volturi member? Keeps them a little on edge."
I raised my brows, that wasn't something I'd thought of, but it made sense.
Jane changed the subject, "So are you excited for your trip?"
I smiled, okay it wasn't a dream, "Yeah I am actually. It'll be weird going with someone I barely know to wherever he'd taking me, but I just need a little space to feel free and human before I'm, well, not."
Jane bit her lip before speaking her mind, "We heard you're going to see Marcus today too."
I nodded, actually kind of excited to have people to talk to about what was going on in my head. "Yeah, I need closure. I just don't understand how no one told me about the pull a vampire has on their singer…it's made a lot of things pretty clear about my feelings for Edward. He's just so convinced that for my own sanity I need to hear it form Marcus that we're not mates so I can move on without the guilt."
Heidi looked at me slyly, "And is there anything for you to feel guilty about? Or anyone?" she hedged.
I groaned, "I seem to have a thing for danger and deadly immortals but for now I just really want to close this chapter of my love life before I can fully commit to a new one."
Jane smiled, "I totally agree with you, Bella. Here, give me your phone, I'll put our numbers in it. That way when you're on your trip you can have girl talk anytime you want!" She offered, and I didn't even hesitate to hand over the device, excited to have new friends to confide in.
Heidi nodded, "I've got everything you guys need all packed up in bags on the jet already so don't you dare bring any of those monstrosities you showed up in—"
"Heidi. She'll wear whatever she wants." I nearly shivered at his voice, turning to see Demetri leaning casually in the doorway. My eyes took him in greedily, licking my lips before I could stop myself. Of course he caught the action, eyes tracking the movement. His posture remained relaxed, but his eyes gleamed with promises I wasn't too sure I could handle.
As if suddenly remembering my guests, he turned to them and jerked his head towards the door. I scowled at his dismissal but both girls just laughed, and Jane turned as she left, "Have a good time, Bella! Don't let him boss you around too much" she winked, ignoring Demetri's growl, slipping out the door.
I took a moment to linger once more on his outfit, which was much more casual than his usual black robe, black turtleneck and yes, you guessed it, black shoes.
Today he was in distressed black jeans with a white button up shirt and a dark brown leather jacket. The top few buttons of his shirt were left undone, leaving a maddening amount of chiselled, smooth chest for me to see. He was also sporting a pair of black gloves, which for some reason made him even more…deadly. To my sanity.
When Jane left, he turned to shut the door and I shamelessly looked at his ass damn, now I get why girls check out guy's butts all the time.
"Done ogling my ass, princess?" He hadn't even turned around yet, smug vampire.
"I wasn't ogling your anything. Just finishing my breakfast now that girl time is apparently over."
He tutted, facing me as he closed the door, "Lying isn't very becoming."
I snorted, "Neither is lurking" I raised a brow in challenge.
He smirked, not at all ashamed of being call out.
"I'll be back to take you to the throne room, let me know if you need anything."
I scarfed down the last of my pancakes and fruit, then carefully shuffled out of bed and over to the bathroom. Thankfully, the numbing cream they'd given me yesterday was doing wonders on my healing skin making the simpler things possible to do on my own.
Exactly ten minutes later there was another knock on my door. He entered at my invitation, striding into the room in that damn distracting get up, eyes roving over me as if my flowing wide legged pants and scooped neck dark green blouse Heidi left out were a skimpy bikini.
"Ready?" I nodded at him, and he grinned wolfishly, approaching like the predator he is.
"Scared to be all alone with the big bad vampire after this meeting?" he taunted, scooping me up bridal style and striding towards the door.
I shook my head, rolling my eyes, "shaking in my boots, old man." I giggled at his scowl then gasped when he took off without warning jerk. Slamming my eyes closed, I groaned but held on for the ride.
When he set me down, I turned, smacking his arm without thinking and immediately hissing at the pain that shot up my hand and still-healing arm.
"Stubborn" he muttered, bringing my hands to his mouth and running his cool lips over the sore spot, easing the burn.
A throat clearing had both our attention, Aro was grinning, hands clasped in his lap, making him look nothing like a feared leader and more like a child on Christmas morning.
"Welcome back Bella. It's nice to see you're healing well, and already sticking up for yourself amongst our…family."
Demetri snorted, and Marcus smiled slightly at me before speaking up, "I heard you'd like for your ties to Edward Cullen to be read."
I nodded, "Yes, is he—"
"Bella! Oh, thank god, I was so worried when that monster dragged you off. Are you alright, my darling?" He asked, frantically scanning my body as if assuming it would be worse off than yesterday.
I shook my head, "I'm fine, Edward. Demetri hasn't harmed me, they've taken very good care of me since my arrival, and even before then. You don't need to worry about me." I was going to tack on anymore but that felt a little premature.
I turned to Marcus before he could reply again, "Please, Master Marcus, can you let me know what you see? Or don't see?" I pled, wanting this over with.
Marcus nodded, "Very well, Bella. I do see a tie between you and Edward Cullen," he began, making my brows pinch in confusion. Demetri tensed by my side, and Edward looked hopeful and a little smug, turning towards me. "However," Marcus continued, "it is only that of a singer. There is no mating bond between the two of you." His voice, though softer than the other kings, held an air of finality you couldn't argue with.
I let myself sag in relief, leaning into the man at my side. His arm banded around my waist, securing me to his side, he leaned down murmuring, "let's get out of here, yeah?"
I nodded, casting Edward an apologetic glance as I saw his expression morph from disbelief and anguish to anger, "You did this! I know it was you, somehow you put them up to this! She's MINE! My mate!" he seethed, coming towards us only to drop down and writhe on the ground in pain for a few seconds.
I spun around, noticing Jane near the entrance to the throne room, smirking beside her brother.
Demetri left my side and bent down to whisper something that my ears couldn't pick up. Whatever it was, Edward's eyes grew dark and he snarled, but the Volturi guard was faster, boot coming down square in the middle of the younger vampire's back, pinning him down as he clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"I really wouldn't want to ruin my mood if I were you, boy. Try not to do anything childish while we're away…or do. All I need is a suitable reason for you to go up in smoke." Kicking him away, sounding like two boulders colliding. Demetri turned and stalked back over to me, picked me back up, nodded to the kings, and left everyone behind as he took off for the jet.
He let me down once we got inside, but this time he didn't step away. Stone hands came around my body, pulling me flush against his chest. Cold lips ghosted along my jawline and up to my ear, taking a deep inhale and exhaling on a groan, his deep voice making me shiver involuntarily, "you're mine now."
Where do we think they're going? There may or may not be joiners on their little excursion later on but we'll see...
Woopsie on the Heidi/Chelsea slip, let's just say in my version she does it all and puts up with Felix, I mean she had to catch him somehow...right? (;
For any fans of the So Right but too Wrong story I do have upcoming additions for that one as well so hang in there! Let me know what you guys thought of this one.. xx