Impressions of Three Men in Black - A Poly!Volturi Kings tale
Chapter Twenty
Free me or kill me for love
Celeste is having second thoughts about her place in the Volturi. The days pass with little support from her mates, the three vampire leaders now busy with issues in the vampire world. Celeste is finding she missed the human world, and the castle's inhabitants provide no solace while she drowns in her doubts.
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Lately, Celeste was feeling like a newly built building, abandoned after the money runs out. Her mates had started out fawning over her, giving her clothes, jewelry, and gifts, and doing their best to please and entertain her. Lately, their attentions had been drawn elsewhere. She hadn't even been able to speak with anyone about her upcoming change. There were things she wanted, needed to know, and now it seemed it was going to be delayed. Celeste preferred that, for reasons she wasn't yet able to convey to her mates, none of them. She was beyond frustrated at the moment.
Her days lagged on for hour after boring hour. She would sit in the garden, enjoying its beauty and the fresh air, but feeling quite alone. She was not allowed to go into town without an escort, but no one had the time to take her. Not even the guards were free at the moment. Celeste's frustration only built up the longer she was ignored. She had actually been tempted to run away, not permanently, but just for the day. Get out, see the nearby market, and perhaps have a meal. Her enforced seclusion was damaging her mood. If the Volturi knew what was good for them and truly wanted her to stay with them, they'd give her a bit more freedom.
It was a warm day when Celeste was outside, smelling the roses as she passed up and down each row. Marcus had not asked her to help with his portion of the garden, he was so busy, yet he had not explained why the coven leaders were unavailable to her these recent days. He must have been taking care of them in the dark, since the bushes were not lacking in water or care. "You can't even ask me to help, Marcus. Just sneak out here while I sleep. Must be your only free time." Her voice sounded raspy with anger as she mumbled to herself.
The sun became too warm, so Celeste went to the gazebo to sit in the shade. She had no desire to go back inside the castle. Why? She could go to the kitchen for lunch. She could visit the library. She could go to her room to nap or watch Italian TV. Or she could go up on the roof and scream herself hoarse. Would they even bother to come up to see what the ruckus was about? This was not the life she wanted. Her freedom was important, but even if she were to accept the change and become a vampire, what would she do? Living forever in boredom was a real fear for her. She'd thought long and hard about that, thus her growing doubts.
Sitting in the gazebo among the scent of the hanging Wisteria, Celeste's attention was drawn to a flock of birds circling in the sky above the town. She watched as they dipped and flew as one, a phenomenon she had seen on a nature documentary.
Aro stood off to the side of the building, observing his mate. He worried about her mental state, even if he'd said nothing to her the last few days. He could not yet tell Celeste why they had been ignoring her. That would come soon. But he decided to take a few minutes away from the others to check on her.
"Do you like birds, my dear?" Aro asked, stepping out from the shadow of the castle, and entering the gazebo.
Celeste stood at Aro's voice and held out her hands to him. When he took them in his, kissing one, she sat back down, waiting to see if he sat beside her. "Yes, in fact, I do."
Aro did just that, sitting on her right, their bodies pressed against each other. He had briefly read her when he had taken her hand, now knowing how sad and neglected she was feeling. This was his fault, but it could not be helped. There was trouble in the vampire world that had to be resolved before he and his brothers would be free to continue the indoctrination of their mate into their world. He promised himself they would make it up to her, he and his brothers.
"I am sorry, my love. Our absence has been necessary."
"Then tell me, what is it? Maybe I can help, " Celeste asked, not sure if she should expect an answer. She didn't get one.
"My dear, this concerns the Volturi. Only we can take care of certain things, I'm afraid, and please do not be offended, you would merely be in the way."
Celeste's face fell. Of course she would be in the way. She was only a human. "Where's Felix, Aro? I could always talk to him."
Aro felt a twinge of jealousy. Again, she was turning away from him, feeling unable to confide in him. He had to step back from that particular emotion since he trusted Celeste. If the guard was able to provide consolation to his mate, so be it. He knew he could trust Felix with this most precious human.
"I'll tell you what. Perhaps I'll ask Felix to take you into town for a morning. Will that please you, cara mia?"
It wasn't her preference, but Felix was her friend. If Aro and the others were too busy to be with her, better Felix than being stuck indoors. "I accept, Aro."
"Good. I will arrange it for you. Buy anything that pleases you. I'll make sure Felix knows what your heart desires, you will have."
Celeste leaned into Aro's body when his arm encircled her. "Thank you, Aro, but please know, this is no substitute for you, Caius or Marcus."
Aro smiled at her words. "I know that, of course, Celeste." He turned to look at her. "I will tell you everything soon. I promise. Have I ever broken my word to you?"
"No, you never have. I just need to learn to be patient, my love. And that is why I think I love you a bit more than I love Caius and Marcus." She kissed him deeply, desperately wanting more. "Thank you for coming to me. I was beginning to feel alone, but it's better knowing you haven't forgotten me." She gazed into his crimson eyes, wanting to convey her desire for him without words.
Aro already knew of her needs, and cupped her right cheek. He leaned in to kiss her in return. Her mouth responded, lips parting, a low moan escaping them. This drove Aro mad, the way he could so easily light the flames within her body. But now was not the time. He sighed and moved back, stroking her hair. "You will never be alone, not with us here at your side. Look, my dear, I will speak with Felix soon. I'm sure he would also enjoy the time spent with you. He doesn't like many humans, but more than tolerates you."
Celeste gave her vampire mate a look of surprise, then smiled, wanting to reassure him how happy he'd made her with his promise. "Yes, please! And thank you, Aro."
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Three days later, around 10am in the morning, there was an expected knock on Celeste's door. She opened it to see Felix standing before her. He was attired in his usual black suit, only instead of his dark turtle neck, he was wearing a black shirt and vivid blue tie.
"Hello, Felix! You look so handsome today. Hey, I love the tie," she said, reaching out to pull it up off his chest, then letting it fall back, then patting his chest. "Very nice."
He gave her a smile. "Since I am taking you out, I thought I'd dress differently."
"Good. I'm glad to see something other than the executioner look."
Giving the human female a cocked brow, Felix held out his large hand to Celeste, and led her out the back door to a waiting car. He held her door for her, then flashed to the driver's side, getting in and starting the vehicle.
He perused her as she sat to his right, attired in a sundress of blue. "May I say you look pretty yourself."
Celeste smiled, truly happy right now. "Thank you, kind sir. I needed that."
Driving through town and to the far end of the village, Felix parked the car in a small parking lot off the main road. "Is there any place in particular you wish to see," he asked as he helped her out.
"Felix, I just want to walk and breathe in the fresh air. Not that the castle is a dungeon by any means, but I need to be out of it for awhile."
Felix understood. The vampires had no need to breathe, and sunlight meant little to them. Shopping, of course, was done out of need."Lead the way, my lady, and I will follow," he said with a slight bow.
Celeste laughed, happy to be free for a bit. She was going to make the most of it too.
The pair walked among the stalls, and into the various shops, Celeste choosing items and Felix paying for them as per Aro's instructions. Evetually, the human's stomach began to grumble, wanting to be fed. She chose an outdoor cafe, with Felix finding a table for them to sit at.
Celeste ordered a meal and glass of red wine, while Felix sat, waiting. "Don't you ever miss food, Felix. It is one of life's biggest pleasures, you know."
"I hardly go without a proper meal," he replied, looking down.
In response, his human companion made a face. "Blood," she whispered. "Doesn't sound appetizing at all."
"You won't feel that way later on, Celeste," he said, smiling while examining her expression.
At that moment, a waiter put a filled pasta bowl in front of her, then set a glass of wine just above it.
Once he had left, Celeste stirred her food, admonishing Felix, "Ok, stop that, my friend. Don't spoil my desire to inhale this pasta." She began to eat, glancing up at the vampire, who was now making a face himself.
The pair sat quietly discussing anything but what Celeste wanted to talk about. She didn't need to get Felix in trouble anyway. For this brief time, she was free. She wondered if it would be enough.
During a lull in the conversation, Celeste set down her fork and became serious. "Felix, may I prevail upon you to...to ask Caius if I may speak with him tomorrow? Away from the castle? If not tomorrow, as soon as possible."
"Do you mean away from Master Aro?"
Celeste glanced up sharply at the tall guard, then smiled in silent assent and nodded. He understood without her saying a word.
"Felix, I need to speak with Caius...without Aro around."
"Why, may I ask? You can trust me," he added.
Celeste said nothing for a minute. Then, "I'm...having doubts," she answered slowly.
Felix was not surprised to hear her say this. "And why not speak with Master Aro."
Finishing off the wine in one gulp, she said, "I'm afraid Aro won't take me seriously. My doubts, that is. He'll talk with me, pretend to listen, and then tell me I'm overthinking everything. He can be very reassuring, but that is not understanding how I feel. Caius may be easier to speak with."
Felix thought about it, then nodded. Perhaps Master Caius could do better in allaying the human's fears. He would also understood her concerns about Master Aro.
Celeste reached out and grabbed the guard's hand. She pleaded with her eyes, something the former gladiator could not refuse. "Please."
Felix promised he would get a message to Master Caius, somehow. "It may not be easy, but I will try." He knew if Aro found out Celeste wanted to speak with the blonde warrior vampire, he'd want to be part of that conversation.
Smiling with relief, Celeste finished her meal, and with Felix grabbing most of her packages, the pair returned to the car. The morning had gone by so fast to Celeste, but she had enjoyed herself immensely.
On their return to the castle, she thanked her friend after he dropped her purchases off in her room. She gave him a knowing smile, and after she kicked off her shoes, she began to put her items away.
A mere hour later, Felix came to her room and handed her a note, then quickly left. He had succeeded in contacting Caius. She read the note by the light coming through one of the windows.
-Celeste, Felix asked me to let you know if I had time to talk with you, out of the range of a certain set of ears. I completely understand, love. Be ready any time today. I will come get you and there may be no warning. Just wait for me.-
Holding the note close to her chest, Celeste closed her eyes. Well, that was done in any case. She stuffed it under her bed mattress, and went to wash up in the bathroom. She slipped her shoes back on and sat in the bed, waiting.
It was more than two hours later wben she heard a knock on the door. Trying to look casual, just in case, she opened it to see Caius. "Oh, thank god. It's you."
"Celeste, come with me." He grabbed her hand and pulled her after him down the corridor and out the back door to his waiting sports car. Celeste hadn't even noticed it sitting there, the look of surprise apparent on her face. He opened the passenger car door for her, then flashed to the other side and got in behind the wheel. Taking off through the now open gate, Cauis drove through the city streets as fast as was possible without hitting anyone. Once on the highway, he stepped on the accelerator. "I think we're clear now," he said, turning to Celeste.
"Thank you in advance, Caius. I hope Aro wasn't upset with you."
"We had finished for the day, no worries, dear one. So Felix said you really needed to talk with me. Can you say what about?"
"Caius, can we stop somewhere? Somewhere private?"
"Sure, my love. I know just the place." With that, he went a bit faster until they came to a winery, where he pulled into the near empty parking lot. "They're not so busy on weekdays. There's a park where tourists can relax before or after having a taste of the product."
Caius helped Celeste out of the car, and taking her hand, led her to a grove of trees where a small lake sat, the water rippling in the slight breeze.
"It's beautiful, Caius." She walked up to the shoreline, watching a flock of ducks swimming and slipping below the water's surface to eat whatever lived in the lake. "I need to talk with you, and I didn't want Aro to hear us."
Caius felt something was wrong, so he hugged her, enjoying the warmth of her body close to his. Then he leaned in and kissed her. " Don't worry, he can't hear us this far out. Tell me then. What's troubling you?" They sat on a bench facing the lake.
"You can tell I'm troubled." She wrung her hands, trying to make it seem she was merely warming them.
Her mate reached up with his free hand and caressed her cheek, truly concerned. "I know you."
Celeste hated saying what needed to be said. "Caius, I don't know if I can do this."
His hand slowly fell to his side. "The polyamorous relationship you have with us?"
Celeste slipped her hand out of Caius', and looked down, trying to gather her thoughts. She looked down at her tightly clenched hands. "That, and ..." She felt him suddenly standing behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. She abruptly turned, looking up and and facing him. "All of this. The three of you. The life you're offering me." She gave a huff. "Life."
Caius knew what she meant. "I thought you believed us alive. Have your views changed, love?" He removed his hands from her shoulders, no longer touching her. He only let her talk.
"No, it hasn't. But I'm not sure I want it anymore. It's too hard. Having to handle all of you. And the existence...being a...a vampire. It's not me."
Caius could not suppress his smile. "Celeste, it's not any of us. It just happened. Well, actually, only Aro really wanted it. In any case, we're not forcing you, if you want to delay the change." He dreaded his next suggestion, because he had come to care about this human more than he had anticipated. "Do you need a break from us? Some time to yourself perhaps?"
"What if I want to leave the coven. Would you allow me to go? Of all of you, you didn't even want me there in the first place, Caius." She stood and walked around the bench to face him. Her heart was beating so fast, she knew he must hear it.
It was all he could do not to pull her to him and hug her just tightly enough. "I have since changed my mind, haven't I? Celeste. I do want you here, with me, with us. If it has to be that way," he added. He reached down to take her hand, lifting it to his face, and kissing her wrist.
Feeling sorry for any hurt she imagined he was feeling, Celeste slipped her arms around him, her chin on his shoulder. She wasn't rejecting him, she only wanted something different, but she wasn't even sure what that was.
"Perhaps I should speak with Marcus. He tends to be less emotional than either you or Aro."
"Marcus. Why bother him?" Caius felt a twinge of jealousy, that Celeste should not fully trust him with her feelings. He had sworn to himself he would always protect her, would always be there for her. What more could he offer. "What's to keep Aro from reading him. No, keep this to one of us, and you've already told me."
"Marcus seems so level-headed. I just want to know what he thinks, his opinion, you know?" Celeste peered over at Caius, and saw the look in his eyes. She held him tightly, her head lying on his shoulder. The chill coming off his body didn't even bother her. "Caius, I don't know what to do."
The ancient vampire understood his mate's sudden trepidation. He still felt it was unwarranted. Besides, she would not be allowed to leave Volterra. "If you wish, I'll bring it up to Marcus."
Moving out of Caius' arms, she peered into his red eyes. "Remember, no Aro. Please be sure he doesn't hear your conversation with Marcus."
Caius brushed his fingertips over her cheek. "I'll be discreet. I promise."
Celeste walked hand-in-hand with Caius while they circled the lake. It was a pleasant moment she was enjoying sharing with him. The shade of the trees and lack of people made it easy for them to walk around the winery's park. But Caius noticed whenever Celeste glanced back at the parking lot nervously.
"Why are you so distracted, cara mia?" Caius asked, his eyes following the direction of hers.
She hated to tell him she was watching for Aro. Perhaps he'd gotten suspicious, and had Demetri hunt them down, with Aro accompanying him, and both would be flash running here any moment. "I'm just looking for..."
"Aro." Caius filled in the final word.
Celeste sighed. "Yes." She turned to her mate. "Can you tell me why I've seen so little of you all?" Her eyes pleaded with him, but she was disappointed in his reply.
"I'm sorry, no. Aro would be furious with me if I said anything. Be patient, love." He brushed back a loose tendril of hair off her face. "We will reveal all to you soon enough."
Leading Celeste back to the car, they began a slow drive back to Volterra and the Volturi's home. Caius worried at Celeste's silence she saying nothing the entire way back. This might be serious, forcing Caius to the conclusion that Marcus should be told as soon as possible.
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A/N : So sorry this chapter has taken so long to appear and isn't very long. I had not forgotten the story, but have been busy with some one-shots in another fandom and my usual Christmas story (Volturi, last year). I'm also having issues with wanting to write at all. Inspiration is at a low. I get an idea and then think "meh".
Update : My Net connection may be cut off due to lack of payment, me being poor now, and $133 a month is a crime. I don't like typing on my phone, the buttons are too small. So all my open stories may not be updated any time soon. I was hoping to finish them but a rushed story may not be a good story. Thanks to my readers for their support over the years. Hopefully, see you soon, unless I can't get Comcast to lower my bill.