Chapter 1 - Awake
If she could control the flame, she would have set the world on fire to satisfy the monstrous fury scorching in her soul. Her chest heaves with rugged breath as she tries to reel in the dangerous monster that demands to be unleashed into this God forsaken world. With everything that transpired today, she wants to set this world in an agonising and unforgiving blaze.
How long had she been asleep? No. Just how long had she been put to sleep?
Her hands clench into tight fists; the desire to cause destruction is imploding within her. The obliteration of this dungeon does little to tame the fire burning inside. Her fingers shake in thirst once again, but that small ounce of sanity chastises her.
This is the only sanctuary she has to quell her wrath within the Volturi ground. If the waves of her outrage splashes one inch further, she will be discovered and it will do nothing but spark dangerous attention, raise questions and potentially have Corin's power amplified upon her. It's the last thing she needs at the moment.
Unfortunately, like any ever flowing river, this inferno continues to spill, pounding incessantly against her walls of control. But how could she when all she can think about is the fact that she had been coasting along her immortal life like a fallen leaf being swept away by the strong sea.
It was as if she was coasting in an endless dream; a place where happiness, joy and desire did not exist. There only ever was a feeling of contentment. They imprisoned her emotions, restrained her movement, and robbed her of free will. There was no decision to make, no emotion to feel, and no life to lead.
She frustratingly runs her fingers through hair in an attempt to quell her ire. Again, the question haunts her - just how long had she been living like a puppet bound by unyielding strings, manned by a heartless Volturi King?
How many centuries had passed her by until she was finally awoken on this disastrous day?
She stares down at her open palms and religiously studies every line, admiring the sight of finally being able to feel her own skin, to wiggle her fingers and control every movement. A small relief washes over her. But it is momentary as she notices the ugliest ring she has ever seen etched on her left ring finger.
It feels heavy and constricting, the steel digs tightly into her steely skin, a painful reminder that even though she's finally awake, she is not yet free. She still has a master she needs to obey.
Caius.
Athenodora takes a deep breath and closes her velvety eyes to refocus her mind. She summons all her memories to mind, trying to remember how she ended up here. Hard as she fights, it feels like there still remains a part of her that is controlled by Caius. And she isn't able to access it. It feels like a hazy memory, buried deep underneath a bottomless pit. All she could feel now is a heavy load of disgust at the memory of being touched by him. She shudders and the hair at the back of her neck prickles in distaste. She makes a mental note to take a bath and scrub herself off his touches later. Even if one day soon she can be free of the nightmares, would she be able to accept her?
They didn't only rob her memory, choices and life, but now they've taken away the sole purpose of her living the undead life; Isabella Swan.
Something shiny catches her attention at the corner of her eyes. In her rage of fit, Athenodora unintentionally broke the glass window pane, allowing the late afternoon light to cascade against the cold stony floor.
Her desperate feet move to the now open window and she closes her eyes as she allows the sunlight to kiss her sparkly face. When she focuses, she can feel a hint of subtle warmth and it reminds her of the taste of freedom.
She saved me.
Athenodora flutters her eyelids, taking in the orange light, and her heart flashes the unforgettable image in her mind. Her soul, heart and eyes were blind, until she stepped into the room with her frantic heartbeat, furrowed eyebrows and flushed cheeks.
It was the most glorious sight she has ever seen. It was at that precise moment when their eyes landed on each other, that she gasped for air. Looking into those earthy-hazel eyes was the pivotal moment that broke the chain free. Her eyes, heart and soul were asleep no more. She awoke her!
Athenodora felt Marcus' narrowed eyes on her and true enough when she reluctantly pulled away from the human's gaze, his head was turned in her direction. Curiousity filled his eyes as he glanced between the two of them.
If she could break into sweats, she would have. She straightened her back, but she could feel the twitching of her tensed muscles. At this moment, her instincts kicked in and she slipped back her mask on, terrified of what it meant for her, and her mate.
Luckily, Aro and Caius were too disturbed by the foolish Edward Cullen to notice her predicament. But then again, the sight was painful for her to witness as well. The way her mate desperately clung to his back, as if he was her protector. Well, he wasn't!
If only Athenodora had more strength in her, if only the revelation hadn't immobilised her every moment, if only she had awakened sooner; she could have… she could have… claimed her?
She isn't sure. But her weary heart is crushed. The girl that was supposed to be hers belongs to someone else while Athenodora is stuck here in this grim castle, married to a man she never remembered loving and imprisoned in the vast land of Volterra.
Despite being crowned the Volturi Queen, she knows it's a facade. She has no claims to authority, not even a speck of voice. At the end of the day, like all those that have been enslaved, Athenodora is one too as she obliges with every Volturi Kings' whimsical orders. Her head throbs harder remembering those filthy hands roaming her porcelain skin, and all the ways he had violated her.
How more tragic could her life be?
Bloody tears swell in her eyes, unable to shed, as her mind replays the moment she watched her rightful mate's retreating figure walk out of Volterra, perhaps never to be seen again. The thought crushes her and her legs giveaway until she falls right on the floor, sobbing.
"Are you done moping?"
Her head whips to the direction of her voice. Anger fuels her once again as her solitude is breached by none other than Aro's wife.
The destruction of the room is obvious to signify her emotional distress and there isn't a sound justification she could make getting caught like this. She pulls her guard up, and rises to her feet, ready to be challenged.
Athenodora may just lose if Sulpicia decides to attack, knowing any of the Volturi guards would instantly be in her corner. As much as Caius loved to elude himself into thinking he shares equal power with Aro, it is clear that Aro is the leader out of the three. So, naturally, Sulpicia's authority trumps hers.
"You've made me wait for too long," the black haired Queen said in a cryptic manner.
It puzzles her that the usual guards are not nearby. Something feels off and a sense of dread fills her. How did she know how to shake Corin off her back?
"What do you mean?"
An annoyed look colours Sulpicia's face. Surely Athenodora must be kidding? She awaits a few more seconds for a smirk or a punchline but it never comes. Sulpicia sighs like a mortal and massages the incoming headache. Athenodora is supposed to get her memories back by now!
She approaches her dear friend, but it's clearly the wrong move because the blonde snarls in a threatening manner. She raises her hands in surrender, to show her friend that she means no harm.
"I thought seeing her would have revoked your memories," Sulpicia said as her ruby eyes carefully studied the angry look on her friend's face. It was clear Athenodora had awakened just hours earlier to the sight of her mate, but the mask she slipped on made Sulpicia unsure. It was a risk coming down here but she deemed it worth taking if it meant they could finally fight for their freedom and rights. But then again, her friend had been asleep for centuries and she's only been awakened for a few hours. Sulpicia recognises the storm behind those velvety eyes. It must all be so terrifying and confusing.
Athenodora's eyes widened and the beast in her interpreted Sulpicia's words as a threat against her mate. In a flash, she has Sulpicia's throat in her hand, and her back forcefully pressed against the wall.
Who else fucking knows?!
To her surprise, Sulpicia arrogantly smirks, "Now there's the Aurelia Athenodora I remember."
A/N: Been keeping this chapter in my Drive for months. Enjoy!