Author Note : I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! Let me know if there's anything I could be improving on.
This chapter has some smut! I'm putting the warning here and not in the chapter! Fanfiction has been giving me trouble whenever I try to add anything to the chapter, it will put everything in bold or underline it all.
Disclaimer : I don't own Twilight or its characters.
Chapter 15.
The Volturi jet was full of awkward tension. While Alec and Felix sat in the cockpit as their pilots for the night, Aro sat towards the back with Sulpicia, the black bag containing his sisters head held securely to his chest. Corin sat close to them, along with Santiago and Renata.
The other guards had accompanied Fred to South America, like Aro had requested. Rosalie and Emmett had taken a different flight, planning to meet the Denali's at the airport in Italy. Carlisle and Esme, who had been staying with the Alaskan coven, were accompanying them on their journey. They had not been informed about Bella, though. Both Rosalie and Emmett were given strict orders from Caius to keep their lips sealed on the matter.
Bella and Marcus sat towards the middle on one of the couches, pressed against each other closely, both still covered in hybrid blood. Dora and Cauis sat in seats next to their couch. Alice and Jasper sat across from them. The small pixie vampire also had hybrid blood on her. Bella was studying the pair closely, still curious about their red eyes. Gianna sat towards the front near the cockpit with Afton and Chelsea to keep her company while Felix steered the plane.
Bella's eyes darted to Jasper when he took Alice's hand. Her eyes scanned over the many cresent shaped scars that littered the skin she could see. Her chest rumbled as she stiffened, and Jasper's body froze up as he stared at her. Then Marcus was moving, dropping his arm off the back of the couch to run down her shoulder until he grabbed her hand, running his fingers over her knuckles.
Bella wrapped her fingers around his, flakes of dried blood falling from her skin as she did so. She glanced up into his ruby eyes, and her heart ached suddenly to be closer to him. She pressed into his side and buried her face in his neck, breathing in his scent, the cinnamon making her head swim. And she could smell strawberries in the spot where her nose touched, a fresh cresent scar marring his skin where she had bitten him. He smelled like her.
Bella couldn't resist poking her tongue out to lightly lick her mark, her teeth aching to sink them into him again. She didn't know why she felt that way. Marcus groaned and tangled his free hand in her hair, pulling her head back to slam his lips to hers. His teeth nipped her lip, and then her tongue was tasting his, the spicy cinnamon taste burning her but also making her want more. Bella whimpered against his lips.
"Really, you two!" A voice broke them apart, and Bella pulled back dazed to see Caius rolling his eyes at them while Dora giggled. "We only have an hour or so left on the flight. Can't you two control your selves till then?" The blonde-haired king said in an exasperated yet teasing tone.
Bella would blush if she could. She ducked her head down as she slid slightly away from Marcus. Marcus growled and pulled her back to him as he glared at Caius.
"I've listened to centuries of your escapades with your mate and heard too many tales of Aro seeing you naked. You have no business questioning my control or making Isabella feel uncomfortable." Marcus hissed, and Caius's eyes darted to Bella, his face softening as he saw her downturned face.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I only meant to tease." He said gently, and her red eyes glanced up to his as she bit her lip.
"It's ok." She murmured, but then she felt a poke in her brain and her eyebrows scrunched down as she sat up straight.
She felt the poke again and growled as her head snapped up to look at Jasper.
"No!" Alice gasped just as Jasper was shoved back in his seat by an invisible force.
The momentum of his body hitting the seat made the plane shake, and Bella vaguely heard Felix yell from the front of the plane. Then Marcus was there, pulling Bella's face up to stare at him, wrapping his arm around her hip to slide her up into his lap. He pressed his forehead to hers.
"It's ok, Isabella." He murmured as he gazed into her eyes, his fingers tracing a relaxing trail down her spine.
His other hand came up to cup her cheek, pressing his lips gently to hers. Bella felt her body relax, that rubber band snapping back in her brain, and she melted into Marcus's embrace.
Jasper was released, and he leaned forward in his seat as he stared at the small dent he'd made behind him. Alice grabbed his hand and gazed at him with reassuring eyes. Alice could see Jasper was worried and leaned up to pack his lips.
"Everything will be fine." She whispered in his ear before leaning into his side, letting feelings of happiness and peace overwhelm her and then pushing them to her mate, trying to calm him down.
Jasper still sat rigid but pressed up against Alice closer. He stared at the couple across from them, wrapped up in their own bubble of gentle caresses and kisses. He glanced to the back of the plane.
Aro still sat in his seat, his body stiff, his emotions were angry and mournful. Jasper didn't think Aro had even seen the scuffle a moment ago. The guards were all on the edge of their seat, feeling apprehensive. Caius and Dora also felt alarmed but hid it behind a calm facade, murmuring back and forth while pointing out their window.
Jasper glanced back to Bella. "I'm sorry, Bella. I was only trying to feel your emotions. You're closed off from me at times." He admitted.
Bella turned her head from Marcus, her cheek brushing against his lips where he was still leaning into her. "I don't want you messing with my emotions." She hissed at him.
Marcus tightened his grip on her, pressing his lips to her ear, ghosting gentle kisses across her face.
Jasper nodded at her. "I won't do it again." He promised.
Bella leaned back into Marcus, feeling her body relax some as her eyes darted between the pair across from them.
"You drink human blood now." She stated, and then her hand pressed to her neck as the burn flared up, but she quickly removed her hand as she gained control of herself.
Jasper looked at her with amazement in his eyes, still marveling at her oddness. Alice was the one who began to speak.
"A lot has changed, Bella." Alice was parroting her earlier words. "We're no longer with the Cullen's. We haven't been for quite some time. We now live with Peter and Char as the Whitlock coven. Rosalie and Emmett also separated from the Cullen name. They've been nomads recently." Alice explained.
"So you're saying stuff didn't exactly pan out well for you guys after you left me." Bella sneered, and her red eyes darkened.
Jasper stiffened, and Marcus pulled Bella's face back to his. When he had her attention, he ran his finger down her cheek to cup her chin.
"Perhaps you should save any more conversations about Cullen's new living arrangement until after we've landed, Mia Bella." He murmured as he pressed his forehead to hers.
Bella huffed and pulled back, opening her mouth to argue, but didn't get the chance.
"Oh, stop being stubborn, Bella! Before you give Marcus a complex. Can't you see he wants your attention solely on him." Caius smirked in amusement.
Marcus hissed at Caius but turned back to Bella when he felt her eyes on him. She had a tiny smile on her lips as she gazed at him. She leaned forward to peck his lips, and Marcus tightened his grip on her.
"Surely you couldn't have missed me too much! It's only been a few days." She teased him with a sparkle in her eyes, feeling more comfortable now that she was safe in the Volturi jet surrounded by her family.
Marcus pulled back, and the rope around his heart tightened as he saw her happiness and bright eyes. "Are you saying you didn't miss me, Isabella?" He placed a hand to his heart in mock shock, deciding to tease her back.
Bella tapped her chin in thought, and Marcus growled as he pulled her tight to him and buried his face in her neck, nipping her skin with his teeth. Trying to ignore his instincts to sink his teeth into her neck, to mix his scent in with hers, ensuring every vampire she came across knew that she belonged to him.
Bella squeaked at his action and giggled, feeling giddy and high from being in his arms again. She felt complete, like no one else existed. She leaned her head in to press against his ear, while his lips still ghosted across her neck.
"I did miss you." She admitted in a quiet whisper, just barely a breath across his ear, trying to keep any others from hearing their private moment.
Marcus squeezed her with his arms and pressed his lips to her ear. "Ti amo." He murmured just as quietly, and a shiver passed through Bella's body as she wrapped her arms around him, clenching her fingers into the back of his shirt.
The rest of the plane was silent as the king and queen held each other, murmuring sweet nothings in each others ears so quietly that no one could pick up exactly what was being said.
Alice and Jasper kept their gaze off the two, giving them privacy. Jasper watched Dora and Caius, picking up their emotions as they held hands and watched the reunited couple. They were full of love as they watched the scene, Caius having bouts of protective feelings and anger that he would quickly squash down. And Dora absolutely adored Bella. The human they met so long ago had found a new family and Jasper felt some fear for himself and his mate as Caius turned his gaze to them, a sneer on his face and hate rolling off him. Their only hope was that Bella could forgive them.
The rest of the flight went quickly, and before Bella knew it, she was being ushered off the flight into a large black SUV driven by Afton. Chelsea sat in the passenger seat and Marcus in the back with her.
Bella watched the others get into similar SUVs. Renata and Corin stayed with Aro and Sulpicia. While Felix drove Caius and Dora, Gianna was getting in the passenger side next to her mate. That left Alice and Jasper to ride with Alec and Santiago. Bella didn't think it was a coincidence that one of the best fighters and one with a strong gift were left to tend to the two past Cullens. She didn't think Jasper or Alice would try running, though, but then again, she didn't think they would abandon her either before.
An arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her to the middle of the backseat broke her from her thoughts. She glanced up into ruby eyes and raised her hand up to push Marcus's hair back from his face. She could feel the ash that had accumulated in it from the fire and battle.
"We're a mess." She murmured as she pulled her hand back and saw the black smudges from his hair and the dried blood from her feedings.
Marcus laughed. "You're a beautiful mess, though." His grin was bright as he rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip.
Bella tucked her lip into her mouth and bit it in response, glancing up at him from under her lashes. She could feel their bond pulsing, and her skin was tingling where he touched. Marcus's eyes darkened at her antics, and he popped her lip from her mouth, running his fingers over it to sooth it where her teeth had left small indents that were slowly healing.
Bella lightly kissed his fingertips as they ghosted over her lip, and Marcus growled lowly in his chest as he inhaled and smelled the scent of her heat. Bella gasped as Marcus pulled her head up to meet lips with a bruising kiss. Her fingers tangled in his hair and tugged, Marcus pulled her tighter against him in response.
"We're here!" Chelsea's voice exclaimed as the vehicle came to a sudden jarring stop.
Bella pulled back from Marcus to see Afton looking everywhere but at them as Chelsea giggled lightly. If Bella could still blush, she'd be beet red. She ducked her head in embarrassment, but Marcus squeezed her hand and opened the back door.
"Tell my brothers that Isabella and I are going to get cleaned up. We'll meet in the throne room afterward." Marcus told Afton as he left the car, pulling Bella out behind him, into the underground garage.
Bella hadn't even realized they'd entered the garage. She'd been too distracted.
"Of course, Master." Afton agreed, and then he pulled the car into a spot farther back on the garage.
"We need to wash this off." Marcus murmured as he rubbed her chin, and some dried hybrid blood fell off in flakes.
He began to walk through the castle, pulling her along. She still didn't know her way around too well.
"I'm still thirsty." Bella admitted as she rubbed her throat. "It's still bearable." She quickly said. "But doesn't everyone have like a feeding day? I dont think that's today, is it?" She asked.
"If it's bearable now, we can bathe first and then find you some blood. Or it you're too thirst, I can find some now." Marcus stopped and rubbed his fingers down her throat as if to soothe the burn. "Normally, we all feed maybe once a month, but you'll need to feed more often."
Bella bit her lip as she ran a hand through her own hair, feeling the dirt and grime. She grimaced as her eyes met Marcus's. He chuckled at her.
"Bath it is then." He murmured as he ushered her through a few more hallways until they were entering the door to their bedroom.
Bella froze as she stared at the bed. The same bed that she had been one with Marcus in. The one she thought he'd died in. A whimper rose in her throat, and then Marcua was wrapped around her, his arms encasing her tightly. Her face was buried under his chin, pressed against his chest.
"It's ok, Isabella." He whispered soothingly.
"I thought you were dead." She admitted, and her voice broke. "They told me you were dead." A dry sob fell from her lips, and Marcus pulled back to press his forehead to hers.
"But I'm not. I'm still here, I'm alive." He murmured as he gazed into her eyes. "I am so sorry, Isabella." His voice was tortured.
"But you didn't do anything wrong. Why are you apologizing?" Bella was confused.
Marcus pulled away from her and took a step back, pacing the floor as he ran a hand through his hair.
"I let them take you! I didn't protect you!" He exclaimed.
"It wasn't your fault." She stepped forward and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, trying to pull him forward.
The delicate fabric broke under her grasp instead, and Bella jerked back. "I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed.
Marcus stepped forward and pulled her back against him, now pressed to his bare chest where his shirt had tore. "You could've died!" He shook her lightly. "I should've protected you better."
"It's not your fault!" She shook her head, and when he tried to pull away again, she surged forward and pressed her lips to his. "I'm ok, I'm here." She murmured against his lips. "I don't blame you." She pulled back to look into his tortured eyes with her dark red ones.
She ran her hand up his face until it ran through his hair, dragging ashes through it to the ends. She pulled her hand back and stared at the black ashes.
"We need to wash these ashes out of our hair." Her face scrunched up, and Marcus gave her a sad smile before letting her pull him into the bathroom.
She paused at the shower door and glanced at his shirt. Her strength was something that would take a while to get used to. Marcus noticed her hesitation and squeezed her hand before reaching in to turn the chrome knob on, hot water began to spray out. He pulled the remaining tatters of his shirt off, leaving him standing in his pants as he kicked off his shoes.
Bella played with the button on the overcoat she wore, Stephen's overcoat. She was suddenly embarrassed and self-conscious. And she felt dirty. Because this wasn't her coat. She didn't have any clothes when she was taken. And Vladimir had stared at her naked body in a way that had made her skin crawl.
Marcus noticed Bella's stiffened posture and turned to see her lost in thought, fiddling with the coat buttons she wore. His eyes darkened as rage swept through him, and he stepped towards her.
"Who's coat is that, Isabella?" He asked her, and she looked up to see his face becoming all stormy.
Her eyes got wide, and her fidgeting stopped. "Stephen's." She murmured. "Rosalie put it on my after Emmett killed him." She looked down at her bare feet, the pale skin marred with dirt.
Marcus reached out and pulled her chin up with his fingers. "Did he touch you?" He asked gently.
Bella shook her head, but her lip began to wobble, and she looked down again.
"Isabella," Marcus stepped closer until he was nearly touching her. "Did someone touch you? Hurt you?" He managed to keep his tone soothing even though his heart ached and his emotions were rageful.
"I didn't have any clothes." Bella finally rasped out and glanced up at him. "And Vladimir saw all of me. He said he could comfort me through the loss of my mate." She sneered out. "But besides getting too close at times and lashing out at me in anger, he didn't touch me that way." Her body shuddered as she remembered being so exposed, dangling from those chains, and not being able to do anything about it.
A small sob broke from her lips, and then Marcus was right there, pressed against her completely, wrapped around her like a shield. He made soothing noises in her ears until she calmed down, and then he just held her, rubbing his hands over her back to relax her.
Finally, he pulled away and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I promise not to let anyone ever hurt you again. I won't even let you out of my sight again." He told her, and she huffed a laugh.
"Dora and Sulpicia won't agree to those terms. They like their girl time with me." She murmured with a half grin.
Marcus smiled back. "They'll get over it."
He pulled her over towards the shower, stopping to face her when they got to it. He tucked her long hair behind her ear and dragged his hands down her neck, stopping on the button of her coat. He glanced into her eyes, and at her nod, he began unbutton it but paused. With a swipe of his hands, he ripped it open. The buttons popping off.
"You won't ever be wearing it again." He stated as he dropped it off her shoulders.
Bella bit her lip at his antics and felt heat pool in her stomach as he dragged his pants down his hips and kicked them off his feet onto the floor. Her eyes dragged down his body and back up to meet his onyx ones.
"Let's get cleaned up." He murmured and held out his hand for her to take.
The water felt heavenly on Bella's skin as they stepped inside, and she dropped her head back as the heat warmed her body. She brought her hands up to her hair, but they were pushed away. She opened her eyes and saw Marcus gazing down at her. His hands replaced her as he massaged her head, letting the water wet each strand.
He grabbed some shampoo and put a generous amount into his hand to massage through her hair, and her eyes dropped closed as she relaxed against his body. She heard a new bottle snap open, and then his hands were massaging her body, scrubbing off the dirt, grime, and blood that marred her skin. She glanced down as Marcus kneeled to clean down her legs, placing her hand on his shoulder as he lifted her foot to let the soap clean the dirt from her toes.
Bella grabbed the shampoo, and the bottle burst in her hand, covering the walls and themselves in soap. Her eyes went wide, and Marcus stared up at her before throwing his head back to laugh.
"We'll work on your strength." He promised her as he picked her other foot up.
It reminded Bella of their time in the labyrinth when he healed her foot and put her shoe back on like Prince Charming. When they had their first kiss. Bella glanced back down to him.
"I wanted to wash your hair." She murmured, and Marcus looked up at her.
"I'm sure enough shampoo covered us both for you to do that." He said amused, and Bella giggled slightly before reaching her hands out for his hair.
Marcus was right. A large glob of shampoo was stuck to the side of his head. He stayed kneeled down as she massaged it through his hair, his hands coming to hold her hips as his eyes fell closed. Bella pulled him up when his hair was sudsy, and then she began to cleanse his body, like he had down for her.
Something about the task made Bella feel complete. It made their bond pulse. Taking care of him, cleansing the grime from battle off his skin, it felt right. After she was done and they'd throughly rinsed the suds away, Marcus massaged conditioner into Bella's hair. And as she leaned her back into his chest, she could feel his hardness pressed against her.
Bella felt heat flow through her body and arched her back against him, grinding into his hardness. Marcus released her hair and drug his hands down to her shoulders as he dropped his head to hers and groaned. As he took a deep breath and caught her scent, his eyes darkened, and he spun her around to press her against the shower wall.
Bella's dark eyes stared back at him as she looked up, and Marcus slammed his lips to hers, pressing his body against hers. Bella moaned into his mouth and automatically moved one of her legs over to let him get closer. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him as close as she could. She grinded into his hardness, and Marcus pulled her leg up over his hip. Bella gasped at he was pressed right against her center, and her hips rolled against him.
"Please, I need you." Bella groaned against his mouth as she rocked her hips and tugged his hair.
Marcus growled against her mouth and quickly pulled her other leg up around his hip so he could press firmly against her. Heat rushed through Bella, and then they were connected. Marcus groaned against her mouth, and Bella sucked on his bottom lip, tasting cinnamon and a tinge of sweet apples as she did. Marcus's thrusts were deep and slow, dragging whimpers and groans from Bella. She rolled her hips against him faster as she released his hair with one hand and clenched his shoulder instead.
Marcus moaned as he sped up, feeling her walls begin to flutter around him. "Tell me who you belong to." He growled as he raised one hand from her hip to grab the back of her neck, raising her face to his.
Her eyes were glassy as she stared at him and bit her plump lip. She groaned as he hit a new spot inside her, and heat rushed through her when he growled, pressing into her harder.
"You." She moaned as she brought her lips to his. "I'm yours."
Marcus's hand clenched her tightly, on her hip and neck as he growled at her words and sped up to an almost punishing rhythm. Bella groaned and flung her hand out, hitting the shower wall shelf and causing it to break. She gasped as her eyes shot to it, but then Marcus growled and thrust sharply into her. Pleasure exploded in her body, and with a short scream, her head fell back as her mouth dropped. Marcus kept his fast pace and, with a growl, darted his head forward to sink his teeth into her delicate neck.
Bella's body convulsed slightly as more pleasure rolled over her, and she shook. Marcus groaned against her neck, tasting strawberries as bliss overcame him, and his thrust became jerky as he came. His pace slowed down, back to being deep and slow. Bella panted for unneeded breath as she ran her hands through his hair, holding his head to her neck as she felt their connection strengthen.
Her neck tingled when he finally pulled his teeth out and brought his head back. He pulled her lips to hers, kissing her deeply as he began to let her down, her feet touching the shower floor one at a time as he softened and stepped back from her. Bella whimpered as she stepped with him, not wanting to be parted from him yet as she wrapped her arms around his neck again. Marcus groaned and shut the water off, pulling Bella out of the shower.
"We still have to meet my brothers in the throne room." Marcus stated as he pulled back from her lips. "And get you fed." He rubbed his fingers under her eyes, seing the beginnings of dark circles.
Bella whimpered as she stood on her tip toes and pressed against him. "But I want you again." She said she she pressed her lips to his and ran her tongue over his bottom one. "I'm not thirsty anymore." She murmured.
Marcus tangled his hand in her long hair as she devoured his mouth. He pulled back gently, intending to tell her there would be time for them later to be connected again. But a whimpered plea from her and her large eyes staring at him had him bringing his mouth back down to taste her lips.
They stumbled into the bedroom before Bella shoved him on the bed. Marcus heard a piece of wood snap but didn't get to investigate before she was straddling him and bringing her plump lips back to his. She grinded down against his hardening member and whimpered against his mouth before she sat up. Then they were connected again, and she was rocking her hips into his.
Marcus had never seen anything more beautiful than his mate riding him, figuring out what she liked and twisting her hips just right to make her face scrunch up in pleasure. Then she was speeding up, dropping her head back and arching her back as a long moan fell from her lips. Her hips began an uneven pace as Marcus felt her walls flutter around him. Then he was flipping them, thrusting slow to prolong her pleasure.
"I love you, I love you." Those words fell from her lips over and over as she came back down and opened her eyes to look into his.
Her hand came up to cup his neck, rubbing her fingers over her mark she left, making pleasure shoot through Marcus's body as he fell over the edge. The same love yours falling from his lips only to be swallowed by her mouth as she came up to kiss him.
They explored each others body and made love for hours until they finally felt sated enough to just lay together. Bella was draped across his chest, her tangled hair in all directions. His hand drug through it, trying to comb it. And her fingers ran down his chest and back up.
"Is it always like this?" She asked as she brought her head up to rest her chin on his chest. "Wanting you all the time? Not wanting to stop?"
Marcus smiled at her. "Your emotions are harder to control as a newborn, so are your instincts. Everything is amplified, your lust, anger, love..." Marcus trailed off. "Though you are a very controlled newborn. Like you were made to be one."
"I was made to be with you." She murmured and smiled up at him.
Marcus leaned his head off the pillow and pulled her up to capture her lips in a kiss, letting their tongues dance together, before he pulled back.
"And I was made to be yours, Isabella." Her name rolled off his lips sinfully, and heat was rolling through her again.
This time was soft and gentle as they moved against each other. She lazily rocked her hips against his, and he helped her movements as they gave each other gentle kisses. Bella pressed her forehead to his as she fell over the edge, moaning softly with him as he followed.
Marcus ran his fingers over her spine as she lay on top of him, still connected to him. He traced her back, up and down, until she was relaxed against him.
"I broke the shower wall." She murmured against him with her eyes closed.
Marcus chuckled. "I'm surprised we didn't break more stuff." He admitted.
"How were you so gentle with me before?" She asked. "When I was human."
"Many years of practicing my strength. And it helps that we're incapable of hurting our soulmates. Hurting you would hurt me, and my instincts directed me to be gentle." He ran his hand up her back until he could tuck her hair behind her ear.
He ran his fingers down her cheek and then back up, under her dark eyes. She looked exhausted.
"You need to feed, Mia Bella." He murmured, and this time, her hand shot to her throat as it flared in pain, and she swallowed the venom pooling in her mouth.
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door. Bella's instincts kicked in, and she was off the bed, crouching and growling towards the door. Marcus slowly left the bed with his hands raised.
"It's ok, Isabella. It's Corin's scent." He murmured as he placed a hand on her bare back.
Bella stood straight and pressed to his side as she inhaled. A floral scent invaded her nose, reminding Bella of a bouquet of wildflowers in the springtime. And then another scent caught her attention and a thumping sound. She'd been so wrapped up in Marcus that she hadn't heard anyone approach at all, but now, as she tuned into her senses, she realized there was a human standing outside the door. Bella growled and tried to dart forward, but Marcus wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Master Marcus. But the seer said you'd be requesting a human soon for Miss Bella to feed. He's quite content at the moment, I can leave, and you'll have a moment before my gift wears off." Corin's voice came through the door as clear as if she was standing right in front of them.
It wasn't even muffled. Bella couldn't hear much beyond Corin and the human, though, which was strange. She cocked her head.
"Why can't I hear anything else?" She questioned.
Marcus chucked. "Aro had the castle bedrooms soundproofed. It gives us a bit more privacy. Though if someone is really yelling, we'd be able to pick up on it." He told her. "Thank you, Corin!" He spoke louder, and Bella heard Corin's footsteps retreat.
Marcus left her side, and Bella whimpered as she tried to pull him back to touch her. He turned and pulled her chin up, giving her a kiss.
"I'm just opening the door." He ran a hand over her throat, and she swallowed as it flared with heat.
She nodded at him and shifted on her feet, suddenly feeling nervous. She grabbed the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around herself as she watched Marcus strut to the door naked, not an insecure bone in his body. He opened the door and pulled a man in. He was thin, and Bella saw scars on his arms from needles. The scent of alcohol invaded her senses and something else, something sweet, but the alcohol covered it up.
As Bella continued to breathe, though, the sweet smell became more pronounced. And when the man became aware of his surroundings and his heart rate sped up, Bella growled and pounced forward. Her teeth ached, and her throat burned. She pushed the man into Marcus, hearing a few snaps as she did, and sank her teeth into his neck.
That sweet smell became a taste as it flooded her mouth. It was different than hybrid blood. It tasted almost like some type of watered-down juice. Bella wondered if it was the drugs and alcohol that made the man taste that way.
A hand on her cheek broke her from her thoughts, and she glanced up to see Marcus staring at her with dark eyes. She whimpered as he wrapped his hand in her hair. As the man ran dry, and she couldn't get any more blood, she released him, letting him hit the floor with a thump.
Marcus immediately pulled her to his body, one hand in her hair and the other on her hip. His eyes traced a drop of blood running down Bella's chin. As it got to her neck, he swooped down and ran his tongue across her skin, all the way up until his lips met hers and he could taste strawberries and blood. He devoured her lips and pulled the sheet from her body. His hand went to the apex of her thighs, and Bella moaned as she felt his fingers touching her. She clenched his hair in her hands and arched against him.
Then his hand was gone, and she was being swooped up. They made it to the bathroom in less than a second. Bella found herself bent over the vanity, her hands clenching the edge of the sink as Marcus took her from behind. She moaned as he placed a hand on her neck to make her keep her head up to watch them in the mirror. His eyes were onyx as he took her roughly, and she gasped as he ducked his head down to run his tongue across the mark he'd left on her neck. Bella's back arched, and her head flew back as she fell apart around him. Marcus buried his face in her neck as pleasure soared through his body, and his thrust became lazy before stopping. He tilted her head his way and pressed his lips to hers.
His eyes met hers in the mirror. His hair was a mess from how her hands had been tugging on it throughout their lovemaking. And hers was a nest of tangles from their activities. Both their eyes were bright, and Bellas' smile was blinding as she began to giggle. Marcus began to laugh with her before hugging her from behind.
"I think we need another shower." She murmured as she felt him dripping from her thighs, clenching them together.
Marcus growled at the action and nipped her neck, making her squeal, before he ushered them back into the shower to wash their essences from each other.
They were both sated by the time they got to the throne room. Corin had returned to dispose of the body while they showered again. Then Marcus had helped Bella dress in a short sleeve pullover sundress that was ombre colored. It was turquoise on the top, going to light blue and then dark blue on the bottom that fell around her knees. Her black flats adorned her feet, and her hair fell in waves to her hips. Her bright red eyes shined as she bumped her hip into Marcus's as they strolled through the double doors. Marcus had on all black again, and his sleeves were rolled up his arms a bit. Bella ran her fingers over his bare skin, where her arm was looped with his.
"You look absolutely radiant, Bella!" A voice exclaimed, and Bella glanced up to see Dora, her ashy blonde hair swaying in a ponytail as she stood from Caius's lap and stepped down the few stairs.
Bella stiffened at first with a low growl escaping her lips, and Caius was suddenly at Dora's side, his hand on her arm causing the queen to stop. Bella quickly stopped though and ducked her head, embarrassed.
"Sorry." She apologized quietly as her eyes darted between the pair.
Dora pulled away from Caius and continued to Bella, wrapping her in a quick hug. The smell of pineapple invaded her senses, such a tropical smell. Somehow, it fit Dora. As Bella pulled back, Caius stepped forward to Dora's side.
"Immortality suits you, little sister." The blonde-haired king told her, and Bella beamed at him.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Caius paused but then returned the gesture, Marcus chuckled at Caius's slightly bewildered look. Bella was definitely an odd newborn.
Caius smelled like sweet coconut. It complimented Dora's tropical scent. Bella wondered if her scent and Marcus's were similar. She pulled back from the hug and glanced around.
Sulpicia rose from Aro's throne and stepped to the newborn, wrapping her in an embrace that somehow felt warmer, different from Dora's. The curly-haired queen pulled back and smiled gently at Bella.
"I'm so glad that you're ok, Bella." She kissed Bella's forehead, and when the newborns eyes glanced at Aro's empty throne, Sulpicia sighed sadly. "He's saying his goodbyes to Didyme. He does not wish to keep her trapped any longer. He wants her soul to be free." She glanced up at Marcus. "He's waiting for you, in our room." She murmured.
Marcus stiffened beside her, and Bella glanced up at him to see him looking down at her. He seemed to be waiting for a bad reaction, but Bella just turned to press her hand to his cheek with a gentle smile.
"You should go. I'll be here." She nudged him towards the door, but his eyebrows furrowed, and he stepped closer to her because any other newborn would be filled with jealousy, but not Bella.
He ran his hand over her neck, over his mark, and she shivered. He pressed his lips to hers, and with a promise to be back soon, he turned to leave.
"She doesn't leave your sight!" He ordered to Caius, and the blonde king gave a firm nod, then Marcus was gone.
"Bella!" A voice called, and then Sulpicia hissed.
Bella turned to see Alice, pixie hair going in all directions, striding towards her. She stopped when Sulpicia hissed.
"I hope you enjoyed your meal." Alice told her.
Bella nodded slowly as she looked over her previous best friend. The friend who'd told her about visions she'd had, one's of Bella as a vegetarian vampire. Living with them. Being mated to her brother, Edward. Bella remembered it all. She didn't even need her journal that Marcus had given her to refresh her memories.
This vampire fed her promises of a life, gave her hopes and dreams, and then crushed them when she and her family abandoned Bella.
On the battlefield, Bella was adjusting and overwhelmed. She hadn't gotten to really think about things. But now she had time. And as she thought, anger curled in her stomach, slowly spreading throughout her body. All the pain she'd suffered as a human, Alice had to have seen it. And she didn't help. Did Alice see Marcus being beheaded?
That thought made Bella snap. She growled, and that rubber band snapped in her head, pushing outward. She vaguely heard the queens and Caius being pushed back to crash against the wall. She watched Alice get flung across the throne room. But no, Bella wanted to get closer to Alice. And suddenly Alice fell forward instead of back, as Bella's shield let her in.
The newborn vampire snarled as she darted forward towards the seer.
Marcus entered Aro's office, seeing the raven-haired vampire kneeling by the fireplace. He held the black bag in his lap, and his head was dropped down. His shoulders slumped.
Marcus slowly kneeled next to him and glanced over at him but stayed silent, deciding to let Aro be the one to break the silence.
His heart ached. Didyme's death was all his fault. If he'd seen that their bond wasn't a soul one, maybe he wouldn't have held her back from leaving. The Romanians wouldn't have gotten to her. And they wouldn't be here now.
Guilt also churned in him. He was moving on, had already moved on. He was in love with his Isabella. He'd been so consumed by her recently. Kneeling in the floor now, he felt almost like he was betraying Didyme.
Aro finally moved, but instead of speaking, he brushed his hand over Marcus's forearm, gaining his memories. Marcus let him. He let him see all his thoughts and the bond he shared with Bella. The guilt that was catching up with him now. The guilt he'd always carried coming back full force.
Aro sighed and released his arm. "My sister wouldn't be angry you've moved on. She was, is," Aro corrected himself as he ran a hand over the bag. "a gentle and kind soul. She would be happy you weren't sad anymore. And she would've adored Isabella if she'd ever had the chance to meet her. This wasn't your fault, and I apologize for blaming you in a way all these years. Caius was right. It isn't any of our faults. We were in a war, and we knew what we were getting into. She did, too."
Marcus looked away for a moment as his heart clenched at being given forgiveness after all these years. He turned back as Aro removed Didyme's head from the bag. Her black hair was still long and pin straight, but her eyes were black and cold. Her skin was sunken in slightly and petrified. Marcus let his fingers run through some strands of her hair. It was no longer soft but dry and brittle, the silky strands losing their luster long ago.
"I'll always love her. I spent centuries mourning her, wishing for her back. I thought I would die without her. We may not have had a soulmate bond, but our love was that strong that it felt like one. I won't ever forget her. No one will." Marcus murmured as he brought his hand up to Aro's shoulder.
The raven-haired vampire clenched his teeth and nodded at Marcus's words. "I'll always love you, sister." Were the last words Aro said to Didyme before he placed her head into the flames of the fireplace, her pale skin and hair sizzling quickly until nothing was left but ash.
A quiet sob left Aro's lips, and Marcus quickly hugged him as he once again mourned for his sisters death. Marcus let Aro lean on him as the two of them let Didyme go, letting her be free.
After the two kings got themselves together, they headed to the throne room. As they drew near, they heard yelling and realized something was wrong. Marcus clutched his chest as he felt his mate's rage and sprinted towards the double doors, flinging them open. Aro was thrown back beside him, but Marcus continued on.
Bella was stood hissing at Alice, who was cowering in the floor behind Jasper. The latter was crouched down, growling at his mate. Marcus snarled and made contact with Jasper, flinging the scarred warrior into the side of Bella's shield where he hit hard and then dropped to the floor. The blonde put his hands up in a surrender motion as he dashed to his mate's side to help her up. Marcus stumbled slightly as Bella slammed into his back, whimpering into his shirt as her arms wrapped around his waist.
He felt pressure on his skin and realized her shield had downsized to just them. It wrapped around them so no one could touch them. Everyone else dropped to the floor as the shield released them, letting them off the wall they'd been pressed against. Marcus noticed Alec and Santiago were in the throne room now, too, glaring at Jasper.
"What is going on here?" Aro roared at the two Cullen's, or Whitlocks as they are going by now.
Bella stayed tucked against Marcus's back, and he kept himself between her and the Whitlocks. He rubbed her hands and arms, making soothing noises to calm her.
"I just wanted to talk to Bella!" Alice cried out. "I can't see her very well. I thought having her meal delivered to her earlier would extend an olive branch." She murmured sadly.
"You were supposed to be watching them." Marcus hissed at Santiago and Alec.
Alec stepped forward. "We were. But Jane called, and I stepped away to answer it. They've arrived in South America and caught a vampire scent. They're tracking it, hoping it will lead them to Bree."
Santiago took over. "Jasper Cullen used his gift to make me tired so his mate could slip away." The large vampire glared at the scarred blonde.
Jasper stepped forward. "My mate had informed me she'd had a vision on Bella speaking to her in the throne room. Speaking on good terms." He stressed as he glanced at Alice, who ducked her head. "I had no idea this would happen."
"I did see us talking, though!" Alice defended herself. "My visions of Bella can be spotty, but I saw a glimpse of us having a peaceful conversation. I don't know what happened." She murmured.
"You don't know what happened?" Caius hissed as he stepped forward. "What happened is you made a newborn vampire angry, and she reacted." He sneered at Alice.
"But Bella isn't like a normal newborn." Alice defended herself.
"She still has newborn tendencies, no matter how calm she can act." Marcus said darkly to the seer as Bella squeezed his waist and then stepped to his side instead.
Marcus kept her slightly turned, protecting her from the two they stood before.
"You left me, Alice. Your whole family did. I went through hell!" Bella hissed as her eyes darkened, and she stepped forward, but Marcus pulled her back, running his fingers over her mark and soothing her.
"I'm sorry, Bella! I didn't know any of this would happen." Alice whimpered, and Jasper wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You're a seer!" Bella glared at Alice as a growl rumbled in her chest, and Marcus pulled her back to his chest, keeping an arm around her waist and squeezing her hand with the other.
"My visions can change." Alice said sadly. "Bella, I couldn't see you for months. And before that, Edward asked that I didn't look for you. I was trying to respect his wishes so I didn'tcause a fight. I had no idea that Victoria had been hunting you. I'd had visions of her in the south, not Washington. And then, I started catching glimpses of you. It happened over the course of a day, all so quick. You were in the woods, walking. Picking berries of all things. You had all these scars." Alice's voice cracked.
Bella shrunk back into Marcus at the mention of her scars, her hand automatically going to her shoulder to cover them. But her skin wasn't marred now. It was smooth and pale. The only blemish was Marcus's mark, but she would never hate that. She loved it when he touched that mark.
Marcus hissed at the seer, seeing Bella's discomfort. Alice pressed tighter to Jasper.
"Then I had more visions involving you. I saw Victoria, finally. In Seattle with newborns. The scars you had and her being in Washington made sense. Jasper and I, we had planned on coming to find you. But then I saw the outcome, if we did, it wasn't good. You didn't want us there." Alice said as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Then I saw a vision, one from farther into the future. You were still human, sitting on a bench in the middle of a maze." Alice looked lost as she described what she'd seen. "And Marcus was there, kneeling before you. You two kissed." Alice glanced between them. "And I realized I was wrong all along. Your future was here. I called the Volturi, and left a message with their secretary at the time, Gianna. That there was a human in Forks with knowledge of our kind. That there was a vampire named Victoria with an army in Seattle. I specified that it had to be Marcus who led the guards on that mission. It had to be him. Because that vision wasn't wrong." Alice said as she stared at Bella.
"I made a mistake leaving you. I should have stayed. But, Bella," Alice began and then paused until Jasper nudged her. "Edward shoved you at the birthday party. He hurt you. Soulmates can't hurt each other. I began to realize then that I'd interpreted my vision wrong before of you and him. That's why when he made the decision to leave, I went along with it. I feared," she took a large breath. "I was scared that if we stayed, he'd lose control and kill you. So I followed along and left. Because if I had stayed, Edward would have returned. But I see now, he was the lesser of the two evils. I left you in the hands of Victoria, and I will never be able to apologize enough." Alice sobbed out, losing her composure.
Jasper spoke up. "We went to Forks after you had been brought here. We found out about your father's death. But we smelled wolves all around the ashy remains of your house. It was faint and old but there. We spied on the wolves, Bella." Jasper eyes became filled with pity. "We heard some things and saw a divided pack. They were fighting each other daily. We caught enough snippets of conversations while they were human to understand that Victoria wasn't the one who killed Charlie." He said quietly.
Bella stiffened completely as the throne room went silent. Her lip wobbled, and she bit it, trying to control her emotions. But she was a newborn, and her emotions were heightened. She felt erratic as her wobbly lip turned into a snarl as she leaned forward.
"No, those mangy mutts killed him." She hissed, and Marcus tightened his arm around her.
"Shhh, calm down, Isabella." He cooed in her ear as he brushed his lips over his mark, making her shudder.
The last thing he wanted was her shield to throw everyone, including his brothers and the queens, around again.
"We spoke to Sue Clearwater after that." Alice stepped forward as she spoke up. "She's moved to the Makah reservation. Two wolves went with her, her kids. They broke away from the pack." She wrung her hands with anxiety. "I told her about the vision I'd had, with Marcus and you in the maze."
Bella hissed at her, and Jasoer blocked Alice's body in case the newborn lunged.
"Bella! She wants to see you!" Alice exclaimed.
Bella jerked back, flabbergasted. "I'm a vampire, Alice. The Quileute people don't like vampires, remember?" Her voice was filled with anger.
"I told her that you'd be changed eventually. She still wanted to see you, Bella." Alice murmured. "Look, Charlie and her-" The seer was jerked back into Jasper's side as he hissed at her.
"No, Alice!" He barked.
"No, Charlie and Sue, what, Alice?" Bella stepped forward as her eyes lit with anger.
Alice bit her lip as her eyes moved, seeing something else other than the throne room. Her eyes came back into focus, and she eyes Bella sadly.
"I can't tell you, Bella. The outcome is bad if you find out from me." She murmured.
"I want to know what you're hiding about my father!" Bella's voice was loud and echoed around the room, almost a roar.
Marcus turned her away from the seer, bending down and holding both her arms. Alice was jerked forward by an invisible source, Bella's shield pulling her in closer. Jasper grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Get Corin! NOW!" Cauis yelled at Alec, who quickly took off.
"Calm down, Isabella." Marcus murmured in her ear. "Everything is going to be ok."
Bella's emotions flipped from anger to sadness. She felt helpless with the situation, and a stangled cry left her lip as she began sobbing. Alice fell forward as she was released from the shield. Then Corin as there. Her floral scent surrounded Bella as the woman placed her hands in Bella's cheeks.
"Shhhh, Miss Bella. It's ok. Let's breathe together and calm down." Corin took a deep breath, and Bella mimicked her, letting her scent wash over her. "That's good. Let's just calm down together. Everything is fine." Corin's voice was almost hypnotic.
When Marcus's brushed his lips over her neck, she relaxed further into him.
"You two, come with me, now." Aro's voice ordered the two Whitlocks, and Bella heard them retreating from the throne room.
Bella's calmness was broken by Renata, who entered the throne room.
"Masters, the Denali's have arrived. Along with Carlisle and Esme Cullen." Renata said before her eyes fully registered the scene and widened.
Bella's head snapped up at the news, and her eyes widened. She was not ready to see Carlisle or Esme. She didn't want to see them. Bella's shield pushed out, shoving everyone away, and she darted from the throne room. Everyone else left behind and stuck beating against the walls of her shield.
Translations
Mia Bella - My beauty
Ti amo - I love you