Impressions of Three Men in Black : A Poly!Volturi Kings Tale
Celeste gets used to being in her new home. Her hosts begin indoctrinating her into life with the Volturi, and what it means to be a mate to not just one but all three Masters.
Chapter Two
Dividing oneself three ways isn't easy
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Celeste lay on her bed, wrapped in the soft blankets she'd found there. She had fallen right to sleep last night, that's how tired she was. Having nothing to do, she assumed she could sleep in as long into the morning as she wanted.
In the middle of a pleasant dream, Celeste saw a pair of ruby red eyes looking at her in the darkness. She watched as the undefined figure moved closer to her. She suddenly felt cool lips on hers, gently kissing her. When she kissed the dream figure back, the kisses became more intense. When her eyes opened, she realized it was no dream. She pulled back sharply and tried to sound angrier than she felt. "Aro! What are you doing? Am I allowed no privacy in my own bedroom?"
When Aro had entered her room, he chided himself for invading Celeste's seclusion. This was her room, after all, and for her own use. But once he had spied her sleeping, her hair tousled around her face and her body curled on its side, he moved closer to her bed. He heard murmuring and was immediately drawn to her side. He leaned over Celeste, inhaling her natural scent not yet contaminated by deodorants and perfumes. Unable to control himself, he kissed her, a mere brushing over her lips, then smiling as he gazed on her natural beauty, he leaned in and kissed her again. He reveled in the fact she was returning his kisses, that is, until she had awakened.
"Aro, that was uncalled for." She looked around the room to see only Aro. No Caius. No Marcus. "Hmm, were you attempting to swoop in while your brothers were occupied elsewhere?" She laughed, ticking off one piece of information about the leader of the three men in black. He was competitive and not averse to cheating. She noticed his eyes were a darker crimson. Why, she wondered.
He sat on the edge of the bed, smiling down at her. Celeste raised herself up on one elbow, brushing the hair from her face with the other hand. "This is not acceptable bedroom decorum, Aro. I mean sneaking in here when Marcus and Caius are not around. I'm supposed to be shared, isn't that the rule?" She sighed heavily. "Look, we need to discuss what is expected of me, and very soon. I am observant and hardly stupid, so I need to know everything."
"I only came in to check on you, little one. You were murmuring in your sleep, and I couldn't help myself. Forgive me?" His red eyes never blinked while he gazed at her.
Celeste laughed low, wondering about the draw of these men to her. "I forgive you, but I must look a mess. How can you be attracted to that? At least let me have breakfast, take a quick shower and get dressed. I'll feel more presentable. Then we talk, ok?"
"Yes, we will talk, my dear." Aro reached out with a cold hand, brushing his knuckles lightly over her cheek. "I will have the chef fix you up a tray and send Felix with it. Until later." He took her free hand and kissed the palm. Then he was gone.
Celeste sat up, rubbing her arms of the goosebumps Aro had created with his touch. She had found she could not be upset at him for his invasion of her privacy. This was all too bizarre for her. Maybe it was just a dream, and she would awaken from it, probably feeling bereft if she did. She often had dreams of winning lots of money, only to find the minute a check arrived in her mail, she would wake up, feeling disappointed it was only a dream. Or she would dream of meeting a favourite celebrity and spending time with them, then awaken mid-fun, again feeling disappointed.
For all intents and purposes, she was enjoying this dream and wanted to see where it took her before she inevitably woke up.
It wasn't long before there was a knock on her door. She threw on a robe and ran to open it to see the tall young man from yesterday carrying a tray. "Good morning, Felix. Mmm...smells good." She recognized the sweet odour of pancakes and maple syrup with a side of bacon strips.
Felix set the tray on the desk, and waited a moment.
Celeste poured herself a cup of coffee from a white ceramic pitcher. She drank some of the hot liquid while perusing the food on the tray, then turned to the human-shaped tree. "Thank the chef for me please. It's wonderful. And thank you for the speedy delivery."
"Of course, Miss Celeste. Chelsea will be by in two hours to bring you to the Masters. Please be ready." He left the room, walking slowly to the door. The minute he shut the door behind him, he sped down the corridor to the throne room.
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As Felix had said, Chelsea came by her room to pick up Celeste, who had eaten and showered, choosing a simple pair of black slacks and a cobalt blue pull-over sweater. She slipped on some black flat sandals, then tried to do something with her hair. She finally pulled it up into a loose bun. Wishing she had some makeup-up, she decided to ask this Chelsea about maybe getting some. Her hosts would want her looking pretty, she assumed. When she heard the knock on her door, she answered it to see a pretty young woman with very red eyes standing before her.
"Are you ready to meet with the Masters, Miss Celeste?"
"Please, just Celeste, and not really. All I have for make-up is this nub of an eye pencil. I feel naked without lipstick."
Chelsea smiled. "I'll see what I can do. But believe me, the Masters think you're beautiful as you are. But if you bite your lips and pinch your cheeks, you can give yourself some colour."
Celeste blushed and nodded to the young woman, following her suggestions. "Well then, let's not keep these masters waiting." She followed Chelsea out the door of her bedroom. "Masters, seriously, Chelsea?" The red-eyed woman only gave her an enigmatic smile as a response.
Chelsea led the human female to the throne room. A lone chair sat in the middle of the floor. Leaving quietly out a side door, Celeste now found herself alone, save for three pairs of red eyes looking down at her from their chairs on the dais.
Aro indicated to her to take the seat. "Please, my dear. I trust it will be more comfortable for you than standing. You look very pretty this morning. Was your breakfast adequate?" She wondered about the small talk and wished she could just demand answers to her questions. Play their game their way, and you won't be hurt, she told herself.
"Yes, Aro, thank you." She looked at the other two men sitting silently on their chairs. "It was more than adequate. Very good, in fact. You do have an excellent chef."
Celeste looked at the other two men. Caius was scowling at her, his chin resting on his fisted hand, while Marcus barely gave her any attention at all. They had seemed more welcoming last night than today. Only Aro had given her any special regard.
"So, Aro, will you please elaborate on why I'm here, how long I'm expected to stay, and what exactly you want from me?"
"As we told you yesterday, Marcus has determined you are our mate. It's rare but not unknown to our kind," Aro began his explanation.
" 'Our kind' ? And what is our kind? Caius called me a 'mere human' yesterday. If I'm a mere human, what does that make you?"
Aro smiled, clasping his hands together. "We are creatures known to humans, yet not believed in by most. We're vampires, my dear. But not vampires like you're used to."
Of course, she thought. The red eyes, their preternatural beauty, and heaven knows what else?
"So what does that mean for me? Are you planning on draining me...?" she asked, fear suddenly taking her breath.
Aro waved his hand. "No, of course not. We would never harm our mate. In time, you will feel the mating pull as well. None of us will be able to leave you once that happens. And we will be compelled to protect you, with our very existence if necessary. Our eventual ties will bind us to you for an eternity, and you to us."
"Like when you kissed me this morning, while I was sleeping." She tilted her head at him, giving him a smile. "I felt something, here inside, after you had left my room." She lay her hand on her chest while speaking.
Caius looked over at Aro, his expression one of chagrin. "We agreed no one would touch her, Aro, not until we got to know her better!"
"Now Caius, wait, please. Since I can't physically be divided up, I think we should be logical about this." Celeste wanted no arguments over her.
Aro watched her, his brows slightly raised. "And what do you have in mind, my dear?"
"I'd love to spend some time getting to know each of you, alone and individually. I don't intend on coming between you." She gave each man a look. "All for one, and one for all?" She raised her brows, waiting for an answer.
Caius spoke first, his eyes narrowed. "Agreed, but since you have tasted her already, Aro, I want to be with her first."
Marcus looked at Celeste and gave her a curt nod.
Aro smiled broadly and also nodded. "It is agreed then. We will enjoy our time with you, Celeste, getting to know you and share ourselves with you. Ask for anything and it shall be yours."
She gave all three men a smile, whether they cared or not.
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Celeste had been allowed to tour the castle later in the afternoon, with Felix as her guide. He seemed helpful and responsive to most of her questions. The idea of him throwing her over his shoulder while she screamed seemed laughable now. She was mortified in her behavior.
"Felix, how long have you been a vampire?" she dared ask, wanting to know more about one of the only two vampires she had talked with, besides her so-called mates.
"I was changed by Master Aro when I was a Roman gladiator. I was nearly 28 years old at the time." He smiled while calling up the memories. "I was the best fighter, and had nearly earned my freedom. Aro offered to give me my freedom early by changing me, and I accepted. I have been with the Volturi since as one of the guard."
"Volturi?" Celeste asked, unable to remember if that name had been brought up already. Usually she recalled things easily.
"It's the name of our coven," Felix responded. "You will learn more about this as well, Miss Celeste."
"Please, just call me Celeste."
Felix demurred. "That would not be proper, especially in front of the Masters. You are their mate."
Celeste smiled up at the tall guard. "Well, just when we're alone then."
Felix showed Celeste the guards' training room, their relaxation room, and their general quarters. He also introduced her to the chef, whom she thanked for the wonderful food he had prepared for her. When they left the kitchen, she asked Felix if he was human, to which Felix replied he was. "There are a few humans who work for us. They're well paid and are warned if they betray us, it will mean instant death, not just for them but their families as well. None have betrayed us so far."
Celeste thought on that a moment. So life here could be dangerous. "And that lovely lady you introduced me to?"
"The secretary? They come and go. They are promised immortality if they do well, but most don't last very long. Master Aro has very exacting requirements."
Celeste's smile fell when she heard that. Aro had seemed kind and generous, and very welcoming of her. Would she be dispensable too? "Felix, thanks for the tour, but I would like to go back to my bedroom if that's alright."
Felix asked with concern, "Are you well, Celeste?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I just want to rest up for tomorrow. I'm spending time with...um, Master Caius. And I can only hope I can get a smile from him. He scares me."
Felix grinned. "Talk to him about warfare, weaponry, and so on. He used to be a general. He has no power, as I do not, but he is a great strategist."
Celeste interrupted Felix. "Power?"
"Let the Masters tell you about that. Masters Aro and Marcus both have powers I'm sure they will explain to you. Here we are at your room."
Celeste turned to Felix and thanked him. "I hope to see you later. And thank you for everything." She watched Felix speed off down the corridor, a light breeze from his departure ruffling her hair. So another ability vampires have, running very fast. She hoped Caius would be forthcoming when she asked questions tomorrow.
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Sunlight poured through the window, waking Celeste up. She rose up on both elbows, looking around the room. So she was still here at the castle. Maybe this dream of hers was no dream. Was it possible it was all real?
She got out of bed and looked out the door into the corridor. No Felix and no tray of breakfast lying at the door. Had he forgotten her? She decided to take a long hot shower, so picked out an outfit and headed for the bathroom.
Celeste set the faucets as hot as she could tolerate. She undressed and stepped into the shower, and closed her eyes while feeling the water wash over her. Steam filled the bathroom while she turned beneath the spray, rubbing the soapy washcloth all over her body. Enjoying the scents of the lush toiletries, Celeste poured shampoo into her palm and washed her hair. She sang while creating thick suds, actually feeling more relaxed now than she had all day.
Celeste thought it odd that the old song she found herself humming was called Vampire's Kiss, about a woman who was in love with a vampire and wanted him to turn her. She laughed at the coincidence, then continued singing, rinsing the soap from her long wet locks. When she turned to put the wash cloth back on the wall bar, she noticed a shadow through the stained-glass shower doors. She slid the door open slightly, to see Caius standing in the bathroom, still as a statue.
"What the hell are you doing in here, Caius! I swear, you people do not understand privacy."
"I was looking to see if you were ready for our day together."
"You hear the shower running, so assume I'm done?" She turned off the shower faucet, and desperately reached for the large bath towel hanging on the rack by the door. Caius saw her unable to reach it without exposing herself, so he grabbed the towel and tossed it to her.
"Thank you. Such a gentleman. Now do you mind?" If only she could show anger, but it must have been that damned mate bond that kept her from being furious with the blonde vampire.
"You're my mate, Celeste. Eventually we will be seeing each other quite naked."
"That time is not now. At least turn around please." When she saw him comply, she wrapped the towel tightly around her body, then stepped out through the sliding glass doors and grabbed another towel to wrap around her head. She looked at Caius, whose eyes were obviously darker. "What does it mean when your eyes turn crimson?"
He stared at her. "It means I want you, Celeste. Our eyes will change colour if we're thirsty or angry...or in the throes of desire."
Celeste placed her hand on Caius' chest and pushed him through the bathroom door. "Out out out! Why not order breakfast for me. Felix seems to have forgotten."
Caius grabbed her hand in his. "That is because I have a surprise for you. Finish dressing and we'll leave." He lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles. "I'll wait for you in the bedroom. You look beautiful, by the way. And your voice is very nice. What song was that you were singing?"
"It's called Vampire's Kiss," she replied, embarrassed he would catch her singing that of all the songs she knew.
He smirked at the words he'd heard. He would ask her more about that later. He left the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Celeste should have felt indignant, but instead, she felt slightly aroused. So, Caius, the scowling vampire who had initially frightened her, wanted her physically. She ticked off the information list for Caius. He didn't bother to hide his sexual desire for her. Perhaps having him as a mate wouldn't be so bad.
She quickly dressed and pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She applied what little eye liner she had left. Hopefully Chelsea would bring her some make up soon. Celeste bit her lips and pinched her cheeks for some colour, then left the bathroom. She saw Caius sitting on her sofa, his right leg crossed over his left. "I'm ready," she said.
Caius rose and turned to gaze at his mate. She was naturally pretty, but he had to control his need to bed her. "I thought we might leave the castle so that I can take you out for breakfast. There is a café known for its view of the valley. I'll think you'll enjoy it."
"You would take me out even though you can't eat? Or can you eat?" She noticed his eyes were no longer red, but a dark blue. She stared into his face and saw he was wearing contacts.
Caius took her hands in his, pulling her close. "No, we don't eat human food, Celeste. We drink what you imagine we drink. But I wanted to take you out. My car is waiting out back, so if you're ready."
He held onto one hand and led her to the back door that led to the garden of the castle. A gravel pathway led from the other side of the castle to a gate that was now open. A sports car sat near the back door. Caius opened the passenger door and waited for Celeste to climb into the car. He found himself wanting to make her happy.
"It's gorgeous, Caius. So where are we going?" The car drove off through the gate and outside the walls of the city.
Up on a higher floor, Aro was looking out the window of his private office. He watched as the car sped off with his brother and their mate. So he had decided to impress her with his wealth.
Aro's eyes were dark crimson and not due to thirst or desire. He just had to impress her more, but how.
A/N : So will the three Volturi leaders be able to share a mate, or will there be fireworks. Marcus hasn't even had much contact with her yet. Who said sharing one human between three vampires would be easy?