I Fear No Pain
C2: Explanations
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters.
Bella's POV
Once we were alone the woman sitting on the left came up to us. "I hope you'll forgive me interrupting Cia, but her bonds speak to me."
Sulpicia smiled at her. "Of course love, perhaps you can clarify some things for us all."
The raven haired woman smiled and walked up to me. "Hello little one. My name is Didyme and I have a gift to see bonds in both humans and vampires, and yours sing to me like no other has done before."
I smiled at her as she focused on me before she gasped and pulled me into her arms, and despite knowing that this was dangerous, my heart and soul called out to her just like Alice had said they would and I just couldn't help but wrap my arms around her in return.
From the corner of my eye I saw Alice smile at us as Didyme moved to stand behind me and pull her against her body. "What is going on Didyme? I've never seen this from you." Sulpicia asked kindly.
"I have just found my bond daughter Cia, and I have a feeling that young Alice can tell us more." Didyme said with a soft smile.
Alice smiled and nodded. "Indeed I do. I saw that Bella would find her mother in Queen Didyme, and I also saw that she would find her mate in one of the Guard. The only reason I didn't say anything earlier was because I knew it would set Edward off and potentially put Bella in danger. He still believes Bella is his mate despite evidence to the contrary, and he will not hear a word against it."
"I see, do you also know who Bella's mate is, young Alice?" Sulpicia asked kindly.
Again Alice nodded. "I do, but in favor of not forcing that bond I can't tell you yet. I have also seen that everything will be revealed before the end of the day."
Sulpicia nodded at that. "That I can understand, and I think it is high time we hear either confirmation or contradiction of Edward's story. Why don't you two tell us what happened."
"It can wait Sulpicia, we have at the very least a couple of days until the Cullens will arrive. I would very much like to get to know my daughter in private." Didyme said as she pulled me closer to her body.
Sulpicia sighed but gave her a fond smile. "Of course love, but there is no reason why we couldn't combine those things, so while you get to know your daughter, Dora and I will be asking young Alice a few questions, since I fear my gift would would not be favorable here."
Didyme smiled at her as she led me out of the Throne Room and to an office, although it almost looked too comfortable to be called an office. "I know this might be a bit much to take in little one, but I will try to explain everything our bond entails."
I smiled at that as we took a seat. "Alice explained a little of what the bond means on the plane, but honestly I hadn't expected to feel it so instantly."
She smiled sweetly at me as she pulled me close. "That is because the maternal bond is a very primal bond, fueled by our most basic of instincts, the love and protection of a mother for her child, but it is also love and security for you, it goes both ways, but also means that I will always know what is bothering you, and you will feel that you can always tell me the truth about anything."
I smiled at her as I cuddled into her side. "That certainly explains why I feel the need to be so close to you."
Didyme smiled at me. "I feel exactly the same sweetling, and probably will feel that way for a while. Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself, I would very much like to get to know you better."
I nodded at her. "I would be happy to. Do you want to know everything from my childhood too?"
"Only if you want to sweetling." Didyme said sweetly.
I smiled at that. "Well, I won't bore you with my childhood too much, but my parents were both a bit absent while I was growing up. My mother is a flighty woman who cared more for traveling then caring for her daughter, usually to the point where I had to get creative to get food for myself. It was one of the reasons I chose to finish my last year of high school in Forks with my father, because while he wasn't much better, at least I knew I would get food regularly without having to resort to creative options.
It all started going south when I met Edward, because honestly most of his family welcomed me with open arms, most of them being everyone except for Carlisle. It also didn't take much for me to figure out that they were something supernatural because Edward was quite obvious about it.
The local natives have stories about the Cold Ones that I heard many times when I was younger and while it always sounded like something that was just a story, upon meeting Edward I started doing some more research, and when I confronted him about my findings, he confirmed them, forcing a relationship on me at the same time.
It all went wrong a couple of months ago, when Alice organized a party for my eighteenth birthday. I am a bit of a klutz sometimes and I managed to get a papercut in a room full of vampires. I worried most for Jasper because he was on a vegetarian diet the shortest and I knew he sometimes had issues with controlling his thirst around me, but of course I should have been worried more about Edward, who in reaction to me getting that papercut thought that Jasper was going to attack me and apparently thought it was a good idea to push me away straight through a glass table, which only escalated things of course.
After that he told me they were going to leave because I was a danger to them and he in turn told the family that I didn't want them around anymore, but in reality it was only Edward, Carlisle and Esme who left while the others stayed with me so that I would remain safe."
Didyme growled softly as I finished my story. "I see that his transgressions go further than we expected. I will have to inform Sulpicia and Athenodora of this as soon as possible, but perhaps I should tell you about us first." She said with a soft smile.
I smiled and nodded as I got comfortable against her, although she seemed to have other ideas as she pulled me into her lap.
Didyme's POV
I'll admit that I had not expected today to be one of so many surprises, but I can honestly say that I do not mind this turn of events. "I promise you that he will get his comeuppance, Bella. It is high time we teach him the things Carlisle failed to teach him, but before I can tell you exactly why this is such a grievous offense, I should tell you a bit of my own and your aunt's history.
For us it all started more than three thousand years ago in different parts of Greece. I won't bore you with all of the details just yet, but Sulpicia and I were turned around the same time by Athenodora, who is much, much older then us and we very quickly found each other as mates. Our world back then was ruled by very cruel men who wanted nothing more than to subjugate all women under their rule to use them for their pleasure, and we of course had some issues with that.
So we spent decades planning a coup and once we were ready we marched on Volterra, killing them and taking control ourselves. We implemented several laws that everyone would have to follow for our own safety, and all that refused to comply were executed. I know it might sound cruel, but we wanted to erase all remnants of their rule. We have carefully crafted an image over the centuries of being ruthless, and in a way we are but only to those that are deserving of it.
Within these walls however we try to promote the image of a family and we are supportive of everyone as long as they stay within the laws and rules of the Castle, but I'm getting a bit off track here. Throughout the ages we filled our ranks with gifted vampires that expressed an interest in wanting to aid us in building our world into something that would stand up to the test of time, and so far I would like to think we have succeeded."
"I never thought you were that old. You certainly don't look it." She said teasingly.
I smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Thank you sweetling, that's probably because physically we're only a couple years apart. I was changed when I was twenty."
Her eyes widened a bit at that. "Is it weird that I think it is a bit odd to be so close in age to my mother?"
"Not at all Bella, and it warms my heart that you see me as such already." I said with a soft smile.
"I've never been one to deny what my heart tells me, because I learned very early on in life that it was the only thing I could truly trust. It has also helped keep me alive because it warned me to stay away from Edward as much as possible, despite his attempts to try and bind me to him and the only reason that he didn't try harder was the fact that he didn't dare to read my mind after the first time he tried. He seemed genuinely scared of what he saw." Bella said softly.
I smiled at that. "Really now? We should have Sulpicia have a look. She has a similar gift to Edward, but instead of him being able to just read your mind, she is able to see every memory you've ever had with just one touch, and trust me that there is little that will scare her."
She nodded and smiled at me. "I would be open to that. I also would really like to get to know the others, because I really don't see myself going back to Forks again."
"You'll have plenty of opportunity to get to know everyone sweetie. I'm honestly looking forward to see who your mate is." I said with a sweet smile.
Bella smiled at that. "To be honest, so am I. I know nothing about her besides a name."
I smiled at her. "Then perhaps we should go and see if she is there already, or did you want a tour of the Castle? I'd be happy to do either."
I could see she was contemplating both options. "Could we do a tour of the Castle, mother?"
I smiled brightly at her as she got off me and I stood, hooking my arm with hers as we made our way out of my office, and I was contemplating on what to show her first.
Deciding to go out on a limb here, the first place I took her was the library, mostly because she looked like a girl who would appreciate a good book as much as her mother did.
"I can't even begin to start to imagine the history of these halls." She said softly as we walked.
I smiled at her. "I'll be honest and say that the Castle itself used to be a lot bigger and far more imposing, but in order to keep our existence a secret from the humans of Volterra we built the Cathedral on the ruins, while we expanded the Castle underground when we took over. Most parts of the Castle are as old as that, about fourty five hundred years. Most people don't get to see it and there are a lot of parts we rarely use. The parts we do use however have been upgraded for modern conveniences."
Bella smiled at that. "I'm glad for that, because I don't think I would stay sane with just torchlight."
"Trust me that we feel the same sweetling. Eternity is a long time to look at the same décor, which is why we try and change things around at least once a century. This is especially true for art. We are all very particular about that." I said with a soft smile.
Bella nodded in understanding as I opened the doors to the library and turned on the lights, and the look of awe on her face as she saw my personal sanctum was enough to put a permanent smile on my face.
Alice's POV
By the time Bella and Didyme came back, I couldn't help but smile at the difference in demeanor that I could see in her and I just couldn't help but give her a hug as she came to stand next to me.
"I trust your time with your daughter was enjoyable love?" Sulpicia asked with a soft smile.
Didyme nodded and smiled at her mate. "Indeed it was. I feel we really got to know each other already."
Sulpicia smiled at that. "That is good to hear, and I hope you won't think of me as being too forward, young Bella, but as your mother might have told you I have a gift similar to Edward's, and I was hoping you would be okay with letting me try if it works on you, some things young Alice has said have made me quite curious."
Bella smiled and nodded. "She told me of your gift, my Queen. I have no secrets from you."
Sulpicia smiled as she gently took Bella's hand between her own, a slight frown appearing on her lips before she released her hands. "Such anger and pain. You have gone through a lot in your young life, Bella. I can see why Edward feared to read your mind, and I promise that we will do everything in our power to help you get revenge on him."
Bella blushed a little at that. "He never really explained why, but I have some theories as to why he was so afraid. It was certainly one of the fears I had when you asked me to read my mind, because I don't want my family to be afraid of me."
Sulpicia smiled kindly at her. "We have all seen too much to be afraid of things we might see. Surprised, yes, but never afraid. I am also almost certain that you have a gift. It is something we can investigate further over the coming weeks. For now however, it is getting late and Alice informed me that you have not been sleeping well. Dinner has been prepared for you and afterwards Didyme will show you and Alice to your room."
Bella nodded and smiled at her as Didyme led us out of the Throne Room and to the kitchen. "So Bella, how was your first talk with your mother?" I asked with a soft smile.
"To be honest it felt completely natural, and we discovered that we share a lot of interests. The library alone would be somewhere I could hide away for days." Bella said excitedly.
I smiled at that. "I'm sure you will have that opportunity soon, Bella. Once the others are here and sides have been chosen, you'll have all the freedom in the world."
"Indeed you will sweetling, everything you've always wanted will be within your grasp soon, but may I ask what you mean with choosing sides, Alice?" Didyme asked softly.
"I have seen that once the others arrive in Volterra, the family will be split. My mate, our sister Rosalie and her mate Emmett will want to stay with Bella like we have done over the last two months while Edward and Carlisle will want to take her back so we all can be a family, which we haven't been for decades. Esme is the only one that will be split, because she does love Bella like a daughter, but unless something changes, she will side with Carlisle because they are mated, although I have to be honest and say that I sometimes doubt that they are." I said honestly.
Didyme nodded at that as we walked into the kitchen. "Fortunately I will be able to tell the moment they walk in, and we'll deal with it accordingly, and if it proves they are not, Esme will be free to stay."
Both Bella and I smiled at her. "We'll see what happens, honestly my visions have been a bit lackluster on that particular subject. I just hope whatever happens will be best for everyone, because I have a feeling that Edward will not be able to let go so easily."
"We'll see what happens, Alice. Because I would hate to see Esme hurt, I won't be put into a position where Edward will be able to hurt me again, and the same goes for Carlisle." Bella said softly.
Both Didyme and I smiled at her as I put her dinner on the table, which was a delicious looking pasta which would hopefully get her energy levels back up a bit while Didyme and I took a seat across from her.
She ate it all in record time, and while that worried me a little, it was also good to see her eat properly again because that had also been a while.
Afterwards Didyme led us to a spacious bedroom. "I figured you would appreciate something familiar in such an unfamiliar place, sweetling. We'll send someone to get you for breakfast tomorrow and then bring you to the Throne Room. There are still a lot of things we need to talk about after all."
Bella nodded and smiled at her as she gave her mother a hug. "I would say good night, but I know you don't sleep, mother. I'll see you in the morning."
Didyme smiled at her. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart, and don't hesitate to call if there is anything you need, anything at all."
Bella nodded and smiled at her. "I will mother, I promise."
Didyme smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head before taking her leave, leaving Bella and I alone in the room.
"So, now that we are alone I have a few questions for you, Pixie." She said once we had taken a seat in one of the comfortable couches.
"I figured you would, and I promise to answer everything as I always do, and I suspect you will have very similar questions as your newfound aunt did." I said with a smile as she cuddled into me.
She smiled at that. "I'm sure I will, and I'll start with the most obvious one. Was my mate there at any point today?"
"No she wasn't. I told Sulpicia and Athenodora who it is and they told me she is on a mission with her brother and are expected back late tonight, so chances are that she'll be the one collecting us tomorrow morning, and before you ask, Sulpicia understood why I didn't tell her immediately. She thanks to her mating bond to your mother knows that these things are to be handled with care, and she will. I have a feeling that she going to give fate a little nudge by having Jane collect us tomorrow morning." I said honestly.
Bella smiled at that. "I honestly can't wait, but if you don't mind, I am going to take a quick shower before going to bed. I'm dead of my feet after the rollercoaster that was today."
I only nodded and gave her a quick hug before she made her way into the bathroom with her pajamas, while I busied myself with unpacking a few of her clothes so we wouldn't have to scramble tomorrow morning.
Bella's POV
The following morning I was woken up by Alice, who for the first time since meeting her did so by gently shaking me, instead of her usual sugar fueled madness. "Good morning sleepyhead. Did you sleep okay?"
"I did, although I wouldn't have minded sleeping in a little bit." I said as I stretched.
She smiled at me as she took a seat on the edge of the bed. "While I would usually agree with you, we are expected in the Throne Room in about an hour, and our escort is already waiting for us."
I groaned softly at that. "Fine, but don't expect me to be fully functional until I've had my coffee."
She giggled at that. "Of course there will be coffee Bella, I would never let you face the day without coffee. What kind of sister would I be if I did?"
I smiled at that as I sat up. "You make an excellent point there, and since I know my sister a bit too well, I also know you already picked out my outfit for today, or at the very least know what I am going to wear. So I'm going to take care of some human business before doing anything else."
Alice merely nodded at me as I rolled out of bed, padding into the bathroom with my outfit for the day, which as I had predicted Alice had already selected for me.
Ten minutes later I was mostly ready to face the day, and I say mostly because I still didn't have my coffee yet. "I think I'm ready Ali. Let's go and get some coffee."
She smiled at me as I opened up the door, eager to get to the kitchen, and also to see who my mother had sent to collect us.
Who I saw almost made my heart stop, but in the best way possible. Standing in front of me was a petite blonde wearing the usual black Volturi robes, and apparently the feeling was mutual as she stared at me.
For what seemed like an eternity we stared at each other until she seemed to break out of whatever trance we had put each other in. "Good morning, am I right in assuming you are Bella?" She asked softly.
I nodded at her. "I indeed am. Are you our escort for today?" I asked with a kind smile.
She gave Alice a quick look. "Yes, I am Jane and your mother asked me to escort you and your companion to the kitchen and then to the Throne Room."
Alice and I both nodded as we followed her, although it wasn't exactly following as she stayed close to my side while Alice just smiled at me as if she knew something more about what had just happened.
For once I didn't mind though, because I had a pretty good idea of who this was, the only thing I didn't know was how to actually approach the subject.
Deciding that was an issue for future Bella to deal with, I just tried to focus on breakfast and more importantly, coffee.
After breakfast we made our way to the Throne Room, and again Jane did not stray far from my side and if I was not mistaken, she kept stealing side glances at me as we walked.
When we entered the Throne Room we were met by my mother and the two other Queens, who instead of sitting on their thrones like yesterday, were now standing in the center of the room, with no other Guard members present. "Ah young Bella. I trust you've had a good night's rest?" Sulpicia asked with a smile.
I nodded at her. "Indeed I did, my Queen. Probably the best night of sleep I've had in months."
Sulpicia smiled at that. "That is good to hear, but you are probably also wondering why we have called you here this morning, which is probably something your mother will be more adept at explaining."
I nodded at her as I went to hug Didyme. "Good morning mother."
"Good morning sweetling. As you might have guessed from your escort this morning, we hoped to give fate a little nudge. Have you two talked yet?" She asked kindly.
I blushed a little at that. "Not really mother. We haven't exactly had time to talk yet."
Didyme smiled at me. "You'll have plenty of time to talk sweetie, but your other aunt also wanted to properly meet you, and she was getting a bit impatient." She said with a soft smile as she led me to the other blonde who I hadn't talked to yet.
The woman gave me a tight smile. "Good morning Bella. My name is Athenodora, your mother's other mate. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, my Queen." I said with a slight blush, since I was a little intimidated by the woman.
Didyme smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, which got a soft hiss from Jane. "It's okay sweetling, Athenodora can come off as a bit intimidating at times, but I promise you she is actually a very kind and generous woman."
I nodded at her. "I understand. It is the burden of your positions, right?"
All three of them nodded at that. "It is true that we have to portray a certain image to the outside and often we forget that we don't need to portray ourselves like that all the time." Sulpicia said with a kind smile.
I merely smiled and nodded as Jane came to stand by my side, and I just couldn't help but smile at her. "I think we should let Jane and Bella talk for a bit. I have a feeling they have a lot to talk about, and it would also not set Jane's instincts on edge every time Bella is in her mother's arms." Athenodora said with a stoic smile.
Jane and I shared a look with each other, before I glanced at Alice, who merely smiled and nodded at me, after which Jane led me out of the Throne Room.