Again, I was left alone to eat, Didyme having left due to the fact she could not stand the smell of the food. I was assured that no vampire would be around this area except for Jane, who, for as long as I stay here, would be my personal guard. My lunch had already been made, and had been left on the table for me, ready to eat. The only upside to being left alone, was that at least I could take this time to think and reflect over my conversation with the queens. Especially with the whole changing to vampire thing. It's something that I've wanted ever since that incident with James, well because of that incident with James.
Me being changed into a vampire, has been a topic of debate in the Cullen family for a while now. Always the dates for me turning kept changing, mostly due to Edward. He would always talk about how he refuses to turn me into a monster like them. Always he asked the same questions…
"Can't you see!?" He shouted."Can't you see how hard it is for us? The struggle we go through to control our thirst, just take a look at Jasper!"
"And Edward, I'm willing to do that! If it means that I get to be together with you, then I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Why can't you understand that I just want to love you for as long as I can?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head."Bella, you just don't understand."
That was just one of many arguments that Edward and I had on the topic of me being turned, unfortunately someone always ended up frustrated and upset. Sometimes though, I think we both knew that at some point I would become like him, despite what he says. I just never thought that today would be the day this would happen.
I cleaned up my plate and put it in the drying rack, Didyme had gone back to Sulpicia and Athenodora, Jane was to take me back to them right after I was done. As usual, it was uncomfortable silence, only the sound of our feet hitting the stone floor of the Volturi palace could be heard. To be quiet honest with you though, I don't really know what we would say to each other if we were to make small talk. So I guess silence was the best solution.
We stopped at our destination, she opened the door for me, closing it when I got inside. Even the sound of the door closing was quiet.
"I hope your meal was enjoyable?" Athenodora looked up from Sulpicias side."I hope you don't mind, I took your spot."
"Uh, it was fine, thank you. And that's okay, I'll just sit by Didyme." I went to the other couch.
"Well that's good, shall we finish were we left off?" Sulpicia stroked Athenodoras arm.
"Of course, but before we start,but I do have one small favor to ask of you." I bit my lip.
"And just what would that be?" Athenodora raised an eyebrow.
"I want to see Edward and Alice, I want to say goodbye to them before they leave." I fumbled with my fingers.
They looked at each other, then Didyme shrugged"I guess that can be done."
"Oh thank you!" In a fluke of happiness, I hugged her.
I felt her freeze for a moment, but then she returned the hug. We pulled away at the same time, smiling at each other.
"Anytime, mi amore." She cupped my cheek.
During our little moment, I had failed to realize the other queens in the room. Weirdly though,they too were smiling, like Didyme and I hugging was the greatest thing they've ever seen. Instinctively, my body responded to this by blushing, profusely, I could've sworn I heard them chuckle.
"Well going back on topic." Athenodora sat up, still smiling."When would you like to be changed?"
I froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. When I was with the Cullens we spent more time arguing about it actually happening, then setting a time and date for when it would happen. Although, I did know that I wanted it to be by the time I was in my early or mid twenties, no later then that. So I just popped out the first number in my head that was in the time frame I wanted.
"How about when I'm 24?" I suggested.
Sulpicia shrugged."It's not in the time frame we want, but that'll work."
I grinned, happy at how smoothly this conversation was going. To be honest though this was the shortest negotiation I've ever done.
"Great, I guess that's taken care of." Didyme rubbed my arm.
"I'm guessing you still have more questions, I can see the burning curiosity in your eye." Athenodora moved back to cuddling into Sulpicias side.
I stared at her in shock, how could she have known that."W-well, I did want to know something."
"Well then ask away." Sulpicia, began stroking Athenodora's head.
"Well it's about you three." I hesitated a little bit.
"What about us?" Didyme asked.
"Well when I was first told of the Volturi, I shown a picture of three male rulers." I hesitated when I heard a small growl."I-I-I'm not trying to offend you, I swear. It's just what I had been told."
"And who told you that?" Sulpicia asked.
"T-t-the Cullens." I practically whispered.
Didyme scoffed." I'm not surprised."
I looked back and forth between the queens, they all seemed unbothered by this. If I dare say, they didn't look in the least bit shock.
"If you really want to know, those were the past Volturi rulers." Athenodora emphasized the word past.
"What happened to them?" I asked.
"What happens to all abusive tyrants of course." Sulpicia smirked.
"Oh." I pursed my lip in a tight line.
I heard Didume sigh."In time we will tell you what happened, but for now let's just not."
Any further attempt of conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Athenodora moved to open the door, letting in a familiar guard. One that I had seen when entering the castle.
"Felix,What brings you here?" She motioned for him to come in.
"Well, I was under the impression that one of you wanted to see the Cullens before they leave?" He fiddled with his hands.
"Yes, that would be correct." Didyme said.
"Well, I just wanted to tell you they would be leaving in 15 minutes, if that is still the case."
"Well thank you for telling us this, we'll be there in just a minute." Didyme said.
"Alright." He nodded and left.
"The queens turned to me." Still up for paying them a visit?" Sulpicia asked.
"Um, yeah."
"Alright then, shall we?" She offered me her hand.
"Yeah sure." I accepted the offer.
As we walked, I kinda had this nagging feeling that I had to apologize for earlier. Even thought I had been assured no offense was made.
"I truly am sorry about earlier." I said quietly.
"It's quiet alright, you didn't know." She gently squeezed our entertained hands.
I mustn't have noticed it earlier, but her hands felt…warm. Not as warm as a humans, but it definently wasn't as cold as a regular vampires hand. It was strange to me, this warmth, It was very comforting. Usually when I held hands with Edward, the coldness would get uncomfortable, and I would make up some stupid excuse just to be able to let go. That was unusually weird.
I hadn't noticed it until now, but it was getting progressively darker where we were going. I was actually beginning to question whether it was starting to get dark. It got to a point where I couldn't even see, so much so that I started tripping over my own feet.
"Here, let me help you."
"No, that's-"
She picked up me up bridal style, and for some reason it felt…right. I ended up with my arms wrapped around her neck, with my face hidden in the space between her shoulder and her neck. I don't how long we had walk for, for me to be in that position, but you know what they say. Time flies when you're having fun.
"We're here." She whispered in my ear.
I still was not able to anything, other then the light being let out through the cracks of the door. I blushed as she put me down, not realizing till now how intimate our position had been.
"Now please know, the room is not sound proof so any and all sounds will be heard. And if so much as feel that you are I danger, I will intervene." She warned.
"Okay." I nodded.
"Good." I heard what sounded like a set of keys, and then a click."You have five minutes." Then she opened the door for me.
Alice was sitting near the window looking out, and Edward was on the bed sulking. The second I stepped inside their heads snapped up, and two pairs of topaz eyes looked at me. Immediately I was engulfed by a pair of arms, Edward pulled away and kissed me. I will admit, I was surprised when I didn't return the kiss. Usually I would try to prolong it, and he would pull away afraid of his will power. The both of us pulled away with confused looks on our faces.
"Tell me! What did those monsters do to you!?" He cupped my cheeks."Oh never mind you must be traumatized enough by what they've done to you."
"Edward-"
"Shh." He put a finger over my mouth."Look I figured out a way to help you, we can get out of here. We can escape together, you don't have to do this."
"Edward, It's not like that." I said softly.
"Then what is it, Bella? Tell me and I'll help you, look before this they let us have ons phone call. I talked to Carlisle and he can help us, he says maybe he can talk to them and get them to let us go."
"Edward, I want to stay." I said." I want to stay in Volterra and I want to get to know the queens."
He sat there stunned." Bella, I don't think you're quite sure of what you're asking for."
"I am Edward, I am." I bit my lip unsure of what to say next.
"Honey, if you're trying to get back at me for leaving you, trust me it's working. And you can trust that I've learnt my lesson." He chuckled.
"This is not some type of revenge plan, Edward. Trust me you'd know if it was." I pleaded with him."I truly want to see if there's some truth to this, if maybe-"
"So you're breaking up with me." He scoffed.
"I am not breaking up with you." I looked at him sternly. "Never did want to break up with you, because remember Edward, you're the one who wanted to end our relationship."
That made him shut up.
"In all the time that we were together, not once did I ever think of doing what you did to me. I have done nothing, but loved you Edward. For eight months I sat up in my room, struggling to find the will to continue on. To find a reason why I should continue on with my miserable existence. All while you spent your time traveling the world and hunting down a vampire—that news flash!—was actually here in Forks the whole time. So don't even think of going there, Edward."
I was so angry I was almost shaking, Alice came to stand behind me. Leading me to sit down in one of the chairs in the room.
"And Edward?" I glared at him.
He turned to look at me, I could feel the guilt rolling off him in waves.
"You should thank me, because if it wasn't for me, your whole family would be put on trial right now."
And then I got up and left, slamming the door behind me. Sulpicia didn't say anything, just put her hand on the small of my back and led me back to the room we were previously in.
—•Edward•—
We watched the two dark figures hiding away in the airport, waiting for our plane to take off. My sister had been quiet, ever since her outburst at me, which on the contrary I did not deserve. I mean is it wrong for a man to be worried about the love of his life. She had asked if she could be moved to a different seat earlier, now she sat a row over, five seats ahead.
I dont really care, that she moved away from me, I cared more about my Bella. I had read Sulpicias mind earlier, and I knew their plans for her. If there's one thing I would not let those sick monsters do would be to change her, or have their way with her. I've been alive for about 90 years now, and in my time of being a vampire I've never heard of four women being mated, it was unnatural, sinful, and most definitely not right. Oh my sweet, sweet Bella, I won't let them defile you in such a way. I refuse to leave you in the hands of such monsters.
I will get you back, and anyone who has a problem with that will feel my wrath.