Impressions of Three Men in Black - A Poly!Volturi Kings tale
Celeste goes to the opera with Aro. She talks with all three vampires about their situation, and what it means for her, the lone human.
Chapter Five
There is no joy in possession without sharing
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Celeste had the entire morning to herself. Aro was not taking her to supper until 5:00 pm, then they'd be attending the opera following. For now, she stretched in bed feeling utterly content. How long this contentment lasted would be determined by her vampire mates. For the moment, she enjoyed feeling secure and taken care of.
A knock on the door told her breakfast was here. She jumped out of bed, went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair into some semblance of neatness, then threw on her robe and ran to the door. She opened it to find Felix standing there with a tray of food.
"Enter, oh son of Ceres, goddess of the harvest, who bringeth sustenance to starving mortals." Celeste bowed as she held the door open.
Felix laughed. "I accept your gratitude, little mortal. I'm sure the chef will have fulfilled your wishes this fine morning." He removed the covering to show Celeste an order of Eggs Florentine with a side of five sausage links. The coffee was rich and aromatic, and the orange juice chilled just right.
"This looks marvelous, Felix. Thank him for me." She sat at the desk, then as Felix was about to leave, she asked him if he could stay and talk a bit. He seemed reluctant, but decided there would be no harm for a few minutes. He easily pulled the sofa closer to the desk and took a seat.
"I didn't hurt you, Celeste? When I brought you in from the garden?"
"Not at all. If anything was bruised, I don't even notice it. It was just a strange situation. I'm fine though." She smiled at the tall guard. "I have all morning. Aro is busy right now, and won't be picking me up for supper until 5:00 pm, then the opera after."
"The opera."
Celeste wondered if Felix would understand Aro's actions better than she did. "He insisted. Supper and the opera. And look at this." She stood and went to her dresser, opening the top drawer. She reached in for one of the velvet boxes and handed it to the tall vampire. "He gave me these, with a matching necklace."
Felix opened the smaller box to see the diamond earrings. "You don't like them?" he asked.
"They're beautiful, but he doesn't need to do this. I'd rather spend a day just talking with him about his life, his history." She took the box when Felix handed it back to her. She put it back into the drawer, shutting it. "Marcus gave me flowers from his own garden. Caius danced with me. Aro showers me with jewels. It just makes me feel funny."
"Master Aro always expresses things more grandly. You'll figure him out, Celeste."
"So you said you're from Rome. Do you like being in the guard?" Celeste asked while eating a large bite of sauced egg and English muffin.
"Being a gladiator had its rewards. But as a guard, I have more freedom, and serving the masters has its own rewards as well. I have no abilities, but I am stronger than most vampires."
"What do you mean by abilities," she asked while still eating.
"Some humans possess gifts, if you will. Powers that can be enhanced by the transformation from mortal to immortal. Master Aro is always keen on those humans possibly becoming vampires that can be brought into the coven. Have you any gifts, Celeste?"
She put down her fork and replied quietly, "None that I know of." Would Aro think less of her for the lacking? She picked up her coffee cup and blew on the hot liquid before drinking it. "Then you are very old. And the masters?"
"Over three thousand years old, Celeste."
"Wow, I had no idea. None of them looks a day over one thousand."
Felix smiled at her humour, then asked where she was from. "You are an American, yes?"
"Yep, Northern California. I lived there with my folks until they passed and traveled around some. At least until I ended up here in Italy...and in your garden."
The pair talked for a few more minutes, Felix enjoying getting to know the woman he assumed would soon become his queen.
By now, Celeste had finished her breakfast. Felix stood and picked up the tray. "Enjoy your day, Celeste, and your evening with Master Aro."
"Thanks, Felix." She leaned back on her chair, patting her full stomach, quite satisfied.
When the guard left her room, Celeste chose to take a bath. She had noticed bath accessories under the sink. Pinning her hair up, she brushed her teeth, then ran hot water into the large tub. She wondered if vampires showered or bathed. With curtailed bodily functions, surely they didn't smell, but they still might get dirty. As close as she had been to all three, she had only ever noticed each had a delicious natural scent, such that Celeste felt herself drawn to them against her will.
Sitting back in the tub, Celeste sighed, letting the hot water surround her body, the scent of peony filling the bathroom. She closed her eyes and ran her fingertips over the water.
Washing her hair with the scented shampoo, she then used a similarly scented bar of soap, lathering up a wash cloth and cleansing herself. It was such luxury, this life these vampires were offering her. Celeste just felt there were still unknowns to discuss with them. She reached up and rubbed her neck, which had tightened over the time she had been here in the castle.
"You should let me massage your shoulders, cara. I'm sure I can make you feel better."
Celeste opened her eyes to find Aro standing by the sink, his arms crossed. He appeared casual, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up over pale arms. "Aro, it seems you and Caius have similar views about a woman's privacy. May I finish my bath before we talk about helping me loosen up?" Celeste decided if they were were going to treat her as if she were their mate already, why fight it. She needed to relax, and maybe Aro could help with her tight muscles.
He smiled at her, desperate for her to see that the relationship he had planned for them would be an open one. He hoped there would be no secrets between them and nothing hidden. "I merely want you to feel close to me, as if our lives were created in a single breath of the gods themselves." His eyes roamed over Celeste in the tub, happy to see that she did not scramble to hide herself from his gaze. Her breasts were covered with soapy foam, her legs bent so her knees showed through the cover of bubbles. It was difficult for Aro to stop thinking of the first time he would see her laid out before him, naked and trusting in him, eager to have him bind himself to her. How much Aro wanted her to desire him, not just feeling it, but telling him.
"I'm glad it's the four of us, Aro, this very weird relationship we have. If I had to choose between the three of you, I wouldn't be able to. I couldn't make that choice." Celeste had realized earlier she liked Caius and Marcus as much as she liked Aro. But when love came into play, with whom would she find herself wanting to be with more.
Aro frowned briefly. She did not want to exclude any any of them, that he could understand. But when it came time for her to choose one of them for her first bedding, he wanted her to choose him first. Even the one who would transform her was not as important, although a part of him felt that was his right as well.
"Aro, would you please hand me a towel?" Celeste rested her arms on the side of the tub, waiting for him to hand the towel to her.
Picking up a clean fluffy one from the shelf, he held it up, opening it for her to step into. "Will this do, la mia bellezza?"
So Aro wanted to test her in some way. Celeste could see the major difference between Aro and his brothers. Aro knew what he wanted and would do anything to get it.
Standing up from the cooling water, she looked Aro in the eyes, refusing to look away. Surprisingly, she saw him concentrate on her face and not look up and down her body as she had expected. He merely encircled her within the oversized towel, then let her wrap it around herself as she wished. "You sure are an anomaly, Aro."
"Am I, my dear. Come, let's go into the bedroom and I will massage your neck and shoulders as I promised. Then I'll leave you so I can dress for our evening together."
Celeste was surprised to see the fireplace lit. Aro must have done that before he had entered the bathroom. She moved over to the sofa and sat on it.
Aro placed his hands close to the fire, warming them. Fire could destroy a vampire if ignited by the venom within them, but that was something his mate didn't know yet. "Please, cara, sit here." Aro sat on the sofa, and spread his legs so that Celeste could sit between them on the old Persian rug that covered her bedroom floor.
Once she had comfortably positioned herself, Aro placed his hands on her shoulders, gently rubbing over them, sliding up the sides of her neck, then bringing them back down to her back. He used his thumbs to rub over her shoulder blades in gentle circular motions. Aro knew it was working when he felt her relax beneath his hands. She sighed once or twice as he worked on her muscles. Finally, Aro moved her damp hair aside and brushed his lips over the side of her neck below her ear.
Celeste gave a slight gasp when she felt cold lips kiss her from behind.
"Do you feel better now, cara?" Aro let her hair fall back. His hands remained still on her shoulders.
Turning her head to look up at Aro, Celeste smiled at her supposed mate. "Yes, much better. You may do that anytime you want, Aro. Thank you." She rose, now very aware she was in only a towel. "I'd better get ready myself. Where should I meet you?"
Aro stood from the sofa. "I'm a gentleman, Celeste. I will call for you here at 4:30 pm. Until then, my dear." He lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles, then pressed his cheek against hers. Before she had the chance to say anything else, Aro had gone.
Celeste exhaled. While Aro was giving her the massage, she had also been very aware that she was sitting between his legs. Had she turned around only the slightest bit, she would have been able to...
STOP THAT!
This was proving very difficult for her. How do you fight off being seduced by men whose bodies were made for that?
She returned to the bathroom to don her underclothing, then ready her hair and make-up.
Celeste was trying to figure out what to do with her hair for the evening, when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find a woman standing there. "Hello. I'm Chelsea. Remember me? I thought I would check to see if you wanted some help. This evening is special to Master Aro."
"Oh my god, I'd love some help. I'm so nervous," she replied thankfully. "And thanks, Chelsea, for the make-up bag. Now I don't have to go out feeling so naked anymore."
The female vampire smiled. "Just remember, Master Aro finds you delightful without a lot of artifice. Perhaps a bit of blush on your cheeks and some lip colour. Just a bit. If I know Master Aro, he will kiss you at some time tonight." She waggled her brows at the human.
The two women laughed together, and Celeste felt like she had a female friend. Felix was proving to be her male friend, with his friend Demetri perhaps next. She just hadn't had much time to talk with the shorter guard. But apparently he and Felix were likethis.
"Chelsea, why did you say Aro likes to kiss? Is he around lots of women?" No, you are not jealous, Cel. Or are you?
"Not really, just we of the guard. I think if Master Aro is in love with someone, he will want to touch her as much as possible, and that includes kissing. He's a very tactile person."
"Chels, do you think Master Aro is in love with me? Are any of them?"
"The mating bond is very strong, Celeste. Few vampires can resist it. And humans cannot resist us." Chelsea arranged Celeste's long hair into lightweight curls while she talked. She pinned the hair up so ringlets draped around her face.
Celeste watched in the mirror, very happy with the results. "I don't think I've ever felt so beautiful. Chelsea, you're a jewel!" She gave the vampire a hug. "Now for the earrings." She went to the dresser and opened the small velvet box, removing the diamond earrings one by one to put them on.
Celeste waited while Chelsea helped her step into the long slip on, then she picked up the chosen gown in slate blue chiffon with a matching drape. She slipped it over Celeste's head very carefully. The v-neck would show off the other of Aro's gifts, the diamond necklace, to perfection.
Chelsea stepped back. "You look perfect. When was Master Aro to pick you up?"
Celeste checked the clock on the desk. "Soon. He said 4:30 pm."
As per Chelsea's suggestion, Celeste applied on a bit of blush to her cheeks, and some lip colour, then blotted it with a tissue. When she saw Chelsea smile at her and nod, Celeste decided she was ready.
"I'd better go before Master Aro arrives." Chelsea gave Celeste a hug. "Enjoy your evening, Celeste." She then flew from the room faster then Celeste could follow.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Waiting was the hard part of this night. Finally and on time, Aro knocked at the door. Celeste went to open the door, trying not to laugh that he would bother to knock when she was expecting him, and not knock when she wasn't.
Celeste could not help but inhale sharply. Aro was dressed in a black tuxedo, with white shirt, waistcoat and bowtie. His black dress shoes were smartly polished. He looked stunning. "Aro, come in. You are..." She could not articulate how beautiful he looked.
Aro was also stunned by Celeste. He was pleased to see her wearing his gifts. Taking her hands in his, his kissed each palm and smiled at her, his eyes darkening slightly. "You're not only our queen, you are a goddess."
He really knew how to give a compliment, she thought while blushing. "Thank you, Aro. Shall we go then? Apologies, but I am a bit hungry." She flashed him a smile, hoping to let him know how excited she was to be going out with him.
"Then off we go, my dear. The car is waiting out back. Felix will be driving us this evening." Aro lay the drape over her shoulders and held out his arm for Celeste to take. She smiled at the tall guard, when his eyes widened. He opened the door for each of them, then drove through the castle gates and out into the streets of Volterra.
Aro took Celeste to an elegant restaurant located in the area of the Volterra Opera House. "What would you like to have tonight, dear one? Anything your heart desires and it's yours."
It took her two minutes to decide. "The Veal Piccata looks wonderful. No wine though. I don't want to fall asleep tonight. Lemon water would be fine."
While she ate, Aro asked her about her family and her time in America. He was especially curious as to how she ended up in Italy.
"When your ties are limited, you find you can really go anywhere. A friend said she had come here, and had a great time. The countryside was gorgeous, the food delicious, and the people warm and friendly. So I came here and well, the rest is history. It's strange to think I was fated to be here."
"So staying will not be an objectionable situation for you, cara mia."
"No, Aro, I have no objections." She gazed at him looking so handsome and desirable. She was afraid Caius and Marcus might feel slighted by the attention she was giving Aro.
Once supper was done, she and Aro headed over to the opera house. The crowd was as well-dressed and elegant as she felt. Excitement hung in the air as everyone entered the brightly lit building, taking the programs as they were given out at the door.
Aro had bought the best seats available. A docent led them to their box which had an excellent view of the stage. Eventually, the house lights went down and the music began.
Celeste sat next to Aro, watching the progression of the operetta. The sets were amazing and the costumes regal. The music filled her with a longing she didn't understand. She nestled closer to Aro, her head resting on his shoulder. If he could hear her heart beating faster when she touched him, she didn't care. Let him know how he and the opera were affecting her, she thought. When she reached over to clasp his hand, she felt it tighten on hers. Celeste smiled, content.
Aro was happy with Celeste's reactions to him. He leaned over and kissed her temple. She still had not actually looked over at him, but was merely concentrating on the stage and what was happening there. As the story of the play unfolded, his eyes focused only on her.
"Aro, watch the opera, please." Her body felt warm and cold at the same time. Being this close to the vampire master was intoxicating in a way she had never felt with any man. The fact Aro was not a man per se only made things more confusing.
Amused, Aro obeyed Celeste and turned his attention to the stage. During intermission, they walked around the lobby, mingling with other audience members. When the lights began to flicker, Aro led Celeste back to their box. Before they sat down, he pulled his mate to him, and kissed her. "Are you enjoying yourself, il mio cuore?"
"I am, very much, Aro. And il mio cuore?"
"My heart." He embraced and led her to her seat.
While the opera continued, the theatre was quiet as a church, until the end, when everyone began to applaud. Aro recognized this woman had some breeding and education. He could not be happier with her, and he knew her feelings for him were growing. Her comfort level was something he had already discovered.
They exited the theatre with the crowd, and saw Felix waiting for them by the car not far down the street. Once she and Aro were inside the car, Felix asked if they had enjoyed the opera. Celeste spoke not without some excitement, telling him about the play. Aro listened as she spoke with the guard in a familiar manner.
Once they'd returned to the castle, Aro escorted Celeste back to her room. He gathered her into his arms and kissed her, running his tongue over her lips. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent that included peony from her recent shower. "Ti adoro, amore mio."
Celeste pulled back, breathless. "I'm going to have to learn some Italian."
"I adore you, my love," Aro clarified.
She smiled, her heart beating faster. "Aro, I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you. For everything." She kissed him one more time. "I know in time, I will love you."
"We have that time, Celeste, and more. For now, I'll let you get ready for bed. You were beautiful tonight. And thank you for wearing the jewels. As I said, you can do what you want with them now."
"I'll keep them, Aro, don't worry. You gave them to me after all."
Aro kissed her hand, then left the room.
Celeste walked around in a daze. Damn, what had she gotten herself into. She undressed and washed up, then put on her nightgown and slipped into bed. She stretched, happy. It had been a dream-like evening.
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The next morning, when Felix brought Celeste her breakfast, she asked him to pass on a request to the masters. She needed to speak with all of them together.
Having agreed to her request, they later met in the throne room.
"Gentlemen, I have asked to speak with all of you because I have a request." Celeste waited until she was sure she had all their attention. "We've spent time together, each of you with me, one-on-one. Now I want to spend time with all three of you, the four of us together."
"Why would you want us to share you, " Caius demanded, his eyes a shade darker. "I preferred having you alone with me."
"It's to see if we all get along, Caius. It's important to me, if I have to be shared between you. It's not about constant togetherness, it's about lack of jealousy. I refuse to come between you."
She looked over at Marcus, then Caius and Aro in turn. "I have no desire to try and replace your first mates. Please understand that. If we are to live together in a polyamory relationship, we have to love each other, learn from each other, and accept each other as we are. Now I'm going to assume you three are already there. I'm the odd person out who has to fit in, love all of you, and accept that we share everything. As I have told Aro, I can't choose between you. My affections are growing for all of you." Her cheeks grew warm as she felt herself blush.
Aro spoke first. "My dear, you sound almost like you doubt us."
"Doubt, no! But we have to lay down some ground rules."
A/N : Now that Celeste has been alone with Aro, she insists on some time with all three Volturi masters, just to see how well they blend together. Will this improve things or make it all worse.
The quote "There is no joy in possession without sharing" is by Desiderius Erasmus.