Chapter 9

All characters belong to Stephanie Meyers! Only the plot is my own.

Huge thank you to my beta, Rosario17, for helping me with this chapter.

As always, translations are at the end of the chapter.

APOV

He couldn't help but smile at the sputtering emitted from the young girl encased in between his hands in response to his thinly veiled innuendo. It was remarkably easy to

incite a rise out of her and Aro found himself enjoying the rotating showcase of emotions rapidly filtering across her stunned visage.

So receptive.

She was vastly different from the usual individuals that he typically encountered in his dole daily dealings and travels. Her fresh scent tingled his heightened senses, causing the persistent pressure in his chest to throb. Allowing the girl to tug herself and turn away from him in her embarrassment, his lips immediately flattened in contemplation of his newly found bond. The alien temperament and thoughts tentatively brushing against the surface of his mind were proving to be cumbersome. He was finding himself nearly driven to distractibility with the unrestrained longing to see her face during his day, clouding his already crowded mind with fanciful thoughts and desires that he didn't have time to entertain.

Turning his eyes away from the flustered Isabella, he allowed them to trace the brick ruins surrounding them. Memories long ago of smiling feminine eyes and a husky laugh pushed to the forefront of his mind. His Didyme had frequently accompanied him to the numerous plays held in this very location. In fact, if he looked to the left onto the decimated limestone benches, he could still see her seated there, eagerly talking with her slender hands and her expressive face alight with joy at some witty retort from the actors. Aro firmly pushed away the pain he still experienced at her loss as he bent to pick up his discarded phone.

Turning off the music, he flipped the phone closed and tucked it back into his inner pocket. Such attachments were liabilities…weaknesses…opportunities for his enemies.

Everything that he ever cared for ultimately ended up tainted. His beloved little sister even tried to escape him and, in his haste to keep her beside him, caused her

destruction with his ill-planned strategies in his desperation. In the time that followed, he watched Marcus wither away into a mere shell of the formidable man he once was because of his damnable bonds. That man who had been a force of nature to reckon with on the battlefield had become a passively, nearly mute marionette. Those relationships weakened him and opened him up to creating mistakes. And Aro didn't fancy making mistakes. He swore to himself at the time that he would never allow himself to experience that soul-bearing weakness ever again. After Didyme's demise, Aro dived

into the Volturi's expansion with renewed vigor and the decades following proved to be some of the most productive in their entire history.

Shifting dark eyes back towards Isabella who now stared at him in innocent confusion, he forcefully shoved the childish impulse to take her back into his arms away. How she had managed to maintain such innocence after being introduced to their cruel world was beyond him and he coveted to tarnish its brilliance. So great was his desire to strip away that remaining purity, to make her so unmistakably his that no one would be able to tell where he ended and she began, that it made his mouth water. How easy would it be to snuff out that little light and then hide her away in the tower for safekeeping? Caius, alarmed with Marcus' descent into apathy, had quickly arranged for the construction of the tower and safeguarded Athenodora in its depths with a ferocious tenacity to spare himself a similar fate. Then now, at fate's great irony, Aro was bestowed his own mate. A fragile human mate that caused the unwelcome return of hopes and desires that he long since thought he put to rest. He couldn't allow his authority and dominance to be upheaved once more…he wouldn't.

"Come, mio caro. It is late and we must return."

Shy, chocolate eyes peeked up at him underneath equally dark lashes as she nodded distractedly in agreement. His shift in behavior had likely put her on edge but he couldn't find it within him to appease her with falsities at the moment. Bending slightly at the waist, he carefully hoisted the petite woman into his arms and pressed her once more against his chest. Despite telling himself not

to, he couldn't stop himself from burying his nose in the crown of her brown tresses and inhaling deeply. Her scent set his senses aflame and had reduced him to such uncouth behavior. Disgust at his inability to control such baseless instincts flooded his mouth and made it taste like ash. It was those same irrepressible urges that had

caused him to sneak into her room late at night to lay beside her while she slept. If she only knew how many times he had traced the soft column of her pale throat with his fingertips before wrapping his large hand around the width of her neck while she lay beside him blissfully unaware of the monster sharing her bed. It was ridiculous how easily it would be to crush her before their bond solidified but each time his fingers flexed against her neck he would always withdraw away.

Growling softly in the back of his throat, he took off towards the castle walls. He had unwisely allowed the bond to fester past the point where he would be affected by her, though he knew that she was also being influenced by him as well. The wicked yearnings conjured in his twisted mind had to be dealt with accordingly until his Isabella was in a form more withstanding to his strength. He couldn't possibly risk harming her, and himself, unintentionally if he allowed himself to act on the variety of tantalizing scenarios that took up residence in his subconscious from his harvested memories. No, he would have to play his cards right and carefully cultivate Isabella's bond.

It wasn't long before Aro discreetly made his way back into the rear grounds of the castle. Leaning forward once more, Aro tenderly set Isabella back down on her feet and placed a courteous hand on her slim shoulder to steady her as she swayed. She gifted him a timid smile in thanks before she shook out the wrinkles from her blouse. Allowing her a brief moment to collect herself, Aro extended a genteel arm for her to take as they made their way back into the fortress. Their conversation from earlier had lulled and silence hung heavily between them until he stopped in front of her suite.

"I have enjoyed myself tonight, Isabella. I hope you did as well?"

"Oh…yes! It was wonderful. Thank you Aro for bringing me."

Smiling faintly, Aro permitted himself to incline forward to brush his cold lips against the smooth skin of her forehead lightly in farewell. He could already feel the temperature shift underneath his lips from her blush as he pulled away and, sure enough, her face had flushed a most welcoming pink.

"Sweetest dreams, Piccolo Uccello."

"Goodnight."

Her response was breathy and soft as she opened her door to slip inside.

Aro stared at the closed door a moment longer before he pivoted on his heel in the direction of his chambers. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he pressed the autodial

which rang once before Gianna's cheery voice picked up on the other side.

"Yes, Master Aro?"

"I have returned. Is my meal prepared?"

"Yes, Master Aro. Your meal was delivered not long ago to your chambers."

Not bothering to respond, Aro flipped the phone closed as he reached his door and opened the heavy entryway. The fireplace had been lit and the crackling of the wood

was pleasant to Aro's fraying control. Movement from his chair situated in front of the hearth and the excitable heartbeat drew his attention from the orange flames to the now standing beauty. The woman was young with tan skin, mousey brown hair with generic dark eyes that traced his frame in eager anticipation. He trailed guarded eyes down the length of the scantily clad woman who shifted restlessly in front of him and thickened the room with the pungent aroma of her arousal. Forcing an elated smile to stretch his lips, he clasped his hands together in front of him as he slowly made his way over to the

waiting girl.

"Ah, dolcezza mia! Thank you for coming."

He could see her throat bob slightly as she swallowed with the dusting of a flush across the expanse of her bosom and face darkening. A small pink tongue flicked out to wet her lips as she dipped into a practiced curtsey once he reached her.

"Grazie, Master Aro. Signorina Gianna stated that you could use my services."

Lifting his hand, he trailed long fingers lovingly down her face which was so similar to his Isabella. The girl pressed her face into his palm briefly before pressing a kiss against his inner wrist, leaving the sticky residue of cheap lipstick behind. Maintaining his benevolent composure, he guided the woman further into the circle of his arms. Sliding one arm around her petite waist, he pulled her hips flush against his own while he tangled his other hand deep into her hair. She released a low guttural groan as she tilted her face upwards to meet his lips. He brushed over her lips softly once, twice, before pressing down firmly with his own with a bruising force.

The girl gasped loudly into the recess of his mouth when he pried her lips apart with his tongue to swipe roughly against her own. Tiny fingers dug into his shoulders as the girl enthusiastically responded with a flick of her tongue against his. The scents surrounding him were all wrong and he nearly recoiled at the taste of cigarettes blended together with inexpensive wine. He could feel the smear of her lipstick against his cheek as he pulled his mouth from her own to trail steadily down the burning column of her throat.

Closing his eyes from his surroundings, he forcibly envisioned the girl in his arms to shift into the object of his frustrations. Tanned skin faded to cream with the most delicate splattering of freckles across a tiny nose, mousey hair darkened into glossy chocolate waves, and a scent of fresh flowers tickled the recesses of his imagination to overpower the offending odor flooding his nose. The woman's throaty moan resonated in his ear

and he could trick himself momentarily into thinking of another set of lips releasing such a sweet sound. The pulse beneath his lips beat wildly as he anchored his prize firmly against him and the softest of whispers breathed against the side of his face.

"Aro…"

As if her voice was a switch, a growl tore from Aro's throat as he opened his mouth to tear into the smooth throat so ardently offered to him. He could feel the moment the

pain override his captive's lust and the girl frantically tried to shove him away with a distressed shriek. However, there would be no escape for the unfortunate girl as he

seated his fangs firmly into her artery, and her hot blood coated the cavern of his mouth to trickle down his chin. Instead of easily influencing the frantic girl back into quiet acceptance, he allowed her to hysterically struggle against his ungiving body. Let her see the animal he could become. He wanted her to see. Let Isabella see the creature that she reduced him to. The small fists slamming into his shoulders and back gradually subsided until her arms slid to hang limply at her sides. Taking several more long draws from her throat, he finally pulled away to peer down at the stranger cradled in his arms.

Before his eyes, her beautiful face morphed from his delectable fantasy back into the mediocre form of the woman that had awaited him in his chambers. Stepping back, he let the woman's body crumple to the stone floor with a quiet rustle of limbs and fabric.

Licking his lips clean of the remaining blood, he could taste the bitterness that he instinctively knew his mate's blood wouldn't carry. Extending his foot forward, he turned the deceased girl's face upward with the point of his polished shoe to look at her more closely.

On closer inspection, the girl's facial structure was all incorrect. His Isabella's profile was exponentially more elegant than hers, far superior in every way. He could have debated their differences for hours if he allowed himself the time, however, tonight's meal was one of many since his little mate's arrival. Each was similar, sharing various characteristics with his innocently naïve Isabella, but none could sate his hunger that burned for her.

Stepping gracefully over the remains of his meal, he made his way casually over to the chair bathed in the light of the fireplace and lowered himself into its depths. He felt like a starved dog with a bone just out of its reach and he loathed the cracks Isabella created in the sanctuary of his self-control. Lifting weary eyes to the hung portrait above the mantle, he traced the curves of his beloved mother and sister's faces. Their smiling faces appeared condemnatory in the fire's flickering shadows, and he couldn't refrain from dropping his discontented gaze away from them.

"Don't look at me like that, Madre. You should have known this day would come. Didyme knew."

Alice POV

In the days following their return from Volterra, Alice's visions had become progressively obscure. Similar scenarios would repeat with variations in dialog, characters, and outcomes before switching completely to a wholly different situation altogether. Their coven's fate at the hands of the Volturi was a swinging pendulum in the hands of the brothers, namely Aro, whose decisions ceaselessly changed with each hour that passed.

However, the most concerning apparitions included vampires that she was unfamiliar with and even these images were fragmented. A ballroom dripping in elegance with graceful dancing figures, a figure draped in red whose face was cast into the shadows watching Bella twirling stiffly across a polished dance floor, three figures speaking softly between themselves at a table pouring over a manilla folder with the name I. Swan, the hazy face of a shockingly white short-haired man with a chilling laugh bending towards a massive barred cage, and briefest flash of large, dark luminescent yellow eyes within its depths.

She found herself eternally grateful that Edward had decided to make himself scarce and took off into the wilderness to hunt the last several days otherwise she knew he would be insufferable. The entirety of their flight home was spent with Edward quietly voicing his perception of her alleged betrayal and vehemently swore he would never forgive her if anything untoward happened to Bella in his forced absence. Alice had done her best to keep her mind occupied on the drive home from the airport with irrelevant thoughts until he swung open the door of the car and took off into the trees before she even had the chance to put the vehicle in park. The family had been tense during Alice's subdued relay of events in Italy which eventually boiled over at the Volturi's order to present themselves for judgment. Rosalie was livid, screaming that she knew that they should have done away with Bella before leaving Forks and Emmett had attempted his best to calm her. Jasper remained silent while staring at the floor, likely processing the turbulent emotions of his family before he pushed himself off the couch to go to their room. Carlisle had looked resigned at the news of their upcoming trial and quietly excused himself to his office.

That is where Alice found him currently. Her coven leader's eternally youthful face was pinched in worry as he leaned back in the black leather chair behind his desk with eyes closed, talking softly to someone on the phone.

"I would greatly appreciate your assistance, Eleazar. I thank you and have safe travels."

Ending the call and placing his phone on the desk, Carlisle turned wary golden eyes and a gentle smile to his adoptive daughter.

"Alice, how are you doing?"

Alice returned his smile before advancing further into the office to fold herself up in the spare armchair, crossing her arms on top of her knees, and resting her chin.

"As well as to be expected, the visions keep changing. Aro's course is erratic but the brothers follow his decision regardless. There are too many moving pieces and unknowns to pin anything down. I'm sorry, Carlisle."

Carlisle leaned forward to rise from his chair and placed a kindly hand on her shoulder, "You have nothing to apologize for Alice. Your visions are not omniscient, and we know that. Do not blame yourself for something out of your control."

Leaning her head to the side, she peered up at Carlisle for a long moment before she asked the question that had been on her mind since stepping into the Volturi throne room.

"Did you ever suspect that she didn't belong with Edward? My visions before Volterra were so clear of her becoming one of us and remaining with Edward, but I cannot see that future anymore no matter how often I look. In no possible scenario does she return to us."

Sighing deeply, Carlisle pulled his chair from the desk near her before sitting once more. He propped his elbows on his bent knees and interlaced his fingers together between them while looking at the floor contemplatively. He released another sigh after a moment before meeting her eyes once more.

"I had a suspicion. Her scent had always carried a trace of familiarity to me that I was unable to place, but looking back now it should have been obvious. I hadn't been to Volterra in decades by that time and it wasn't until your return that I made the connection to Aro. Vampires enter non-bonded relationships all the time and despite their lack of obvious bond, I had hoped that Edward and Bella could have been happy together. Though our Heavenly Father seems to have had different plans."

"Have you been able to reach Aro?"

Carlisle smiled wistfully before shaking his head in resignation, "He isn't taking my calls. It would appear my friend is quite upset with me this time, though it is unsurprising given the circumstances. We can only hope that when the time comes he is merciful. I have been in contact with Eleazar however and he will be arriving in Italy shortly to attend the Renaissance Gala that is being hosted by the Volturi. I have asked him to check on Bella's well-being while he is there, and he has agreed."

Alice nodded her head slowly, unsure if she should vocalize her concerns about some of the unnamed individuals presenting in the more worrisome visions. However, she couldn't justify burdening Carlisle further with fragmented future possibilities without a clearer link to the situation at hand. She could only hope that the puzzle pieces would begin to fall.

"That is good. She is stronger than she thinks. Although everything has been appearing in snippets, I have seen her possible future in some."

Carlisle hummed his agreement with her statement. Bella was much stronger than others gave her credit for, especially their Edward. The boy was a product of his time and had the tendency to be overbearing at moments, especially with the impressionable young Bella.

"I hope in the visions that you can see that she is happy."

Alice's smile turned beatific as she regarded Carlisle with bright eyes.

"She looks like a queen."

BPOV

The insistently loud rapping on her door pulling Bella back into wakefulness from her tantalizing dreams of stars and crimson eyes caused her to groan loudly into the comfort of her pillow. So exhausted on her return the prior night, the girl had merely kicked off her shoes haphazardly across the room before climbing atop the duvet fully clothed and succumbing to much-needed slumber. Propping herself up onto her elbows, she glanced blearily around her room in disorientation before calling out to whoever had awoken her.

"Come in."

In a flurry of movement, Heidi swung the door wide open with enough force that it bounced against the wall to usher in Alec who looked decidedly uncomfortable juggling an armful of bottles, beauty products, and a covered meal tray. Alec continued past Heidi to deposit the meal tray onto the table then strolled across the room to lay the remaining items onto the open vanity top. Glancing around the room, Heidi raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow in question at the disheveled human still sprawled across the bed.

"Time to wake up sleepy head! It's time to start getting ready for this evening."

Pushing herself up into a seated position, Bella rubbed the heel of her hands against her blurry eyes before she stared at the two vampires in front of her befuddled. She was sure she looked a right mess and a quick look in the vanity mirror confirmed it with an impressively tangled nest of hair and wrinkled blouse. She lifted a hand in an attempt to pat down the monstrosity that was her hair while she scooted towards the bed's edge.

"What time is it?"

"It's 11:32 in the morning. You have already slept through breakfast again. Is this a habit of yours?"

Bella threw a mock glare towards the grinning Alec who turned to busy himself with uncovering the dishes. A quick stretch helped return some clarity to her sluggish faculties and she trudged forward to plop herself down into the open seat at the table. A simple dish of noodles with pancetta and pesto greeted her causing her stomach to announce itself with a loud grumble. Bella childishly stuck her tongue out at Alec who had quietly snickered before tucking into her meal.

"Unfortunately, as a human, I still require sleep."

The youthful vampire lifted his hands wordlessly in surrender before being shooed impatiently from the room by Heidi, "See you tonight, Bella!". The aforementioned vampire turned back towards the table with a click of her designer stiletto heels, hands atop shapely hips, and blew a wayward curl out of her face. Bella couldn't help shifting awkwardly in her seat under the undisguised appraisement of her body from the woman who just as quickly breezed past her into the bathroom, grabbing several bottles from the vanity top, and turned on the taps. Bella was left blinking at the now empty room bewildered and leaned over slightly to watch Heidi pour the varied unnamed concoctions into the steaming water which quickly filled the room with heavy floral notes.

Twisting the cooling noodles onto her fork, she popped the utensil into her mouth just as two new unnamed women opened her room door, and bowed deeply to her before fluttering around the room in a rush of activity. Cheeks reminiscent of a squirrel, Bella turned her alarmed gaze to the reemerged Heidi who barked out orders to the servants in heavy Italian. One briefly stepped back outside before dragging a hulking machine into the room that Bella recognized as a steamer while the other arranged her gown once more onto a mannequin. Bella's eyes watered as she choked down the food still in her mouth, coughing slightly, "What is the rush? Isn't the party tonight?".

Heidi's reddened eyes fixated back on Bella in amusement who was distractedly picking at her meal while watching the maids continue to exit and return with various armfuls of bags and products. With each passing trip, the human girl's movement became slower with her meal until she sat unmoving to observe the other occupants incredulously with her empty fork half raised to her lips.

"It is not just a "party", Bella. It is your debut! Everything must be perfect and perfection takes time. Now hurry up, out of those wrinkled clothes, and into the bath."

Deciding it was easier to comply with the vampire versus arguing the point that it wouldn't take her long to get ready, Bella quickly finished with her remaining meal before being drawn into the steam-filled bathroom with orders to brush her teeth and strip. After thoroughly cleaning her teeth, and nearly breaking her neck from slipping on the tub's slick surface courtesy of the bath oils, Bella found herself submersed in the large pool surrounded by a plethora of fragrant oils and flower petals. Heidi, unfazed by Bella's nudity, returned from the bedroom with a couple additional glass containers which she placed beside her while she perched herself on the tub's side. Bella stared at the water's reflective surface and couldn't help feeling that such extravagance felt wasted on someone such as herself. She knew that the Cullens bathed and used expensive bath products, but this level of lavishness was beyond even their norm.

"Heidi, this is really all unnecessary. I don't need all of this."

"Hush, mio amico. I want to."

Pouring one of the bottle's contents into her open palm, Heidi rubbed her hands together before working the aromatic mixture through Bella's dark tresses. Bella's opposition quickly faded as Heidi worked her nails rhythmically against her scalp, careful to avoid her new sutures, and she closed her eyes heavily with a barely audible sigh of contentment. Heidi repeated this process several times with a combination of bottles, before meticulously rinsing the strands with clean water. Lathering up a washcloth, the Volturi guard delicately washed her arms and back before passing over the cloth to her to clean her more private areas. Flexing her wrist carefully, Bella busied herself with her task while Heidi stood to fetch some towels. Thankfully her injured wrist was no longer tender, and other than some fading bruising, was as good as new. After another quick rinse, Heidi kept steadying hands on Bella's arms to prevent further unintentional self-harm as she lifted herself out of the tub. Once securely on the ground, Heidi twisted her hair up into a towel and slipped her into a plush robe before guiding her back out into her bedroom where the two servants from earlier stood waiting.

The gentle pressure of Heidi's hand eased Bella into the chair in front of the vanity so she could start to towel dry her hair. A surprisingly warm hand delicately grasping her own caught her off guard and she turned shocked chocolate eyes to stare at the kneeling servant who was smiling at her kindly and motioned towards a manicure set that had been placed on the floor at her feet. Reflexively, Bella squeezed the warm appendage with her fingers while the girl immediately started to file at the jagged edges of her nails.

She is alive.

Turning her head to look at the other girl who had started a similar treatment on her feet, she could feel the warmth of her hands as well. They were both humans like her. She knew that the Volturi had some humans that worked for them, namely Gianna, but she never considered it to be at this scale. Were they aware of the vampires? Surely they must be as Bella glanced at Heidi's red eyes in the mirror, but they seemed wholly unbothered by their proximity. Finding herself curious about its implications, she made the mental note to question Heidi once they were alone.

It seemed like no time had passed at all before Heidi was twisting Bella's hair up into curlers to set and started to line up various cosmetics across the length of the vanity. Careful of the human attendants now painting her nails a blush pink, she couldn't shake the nagging sensation of being watched. A quick look at the maids showed them completely absorbed in their current task and Heidi was distracted in her deliberation of the eye shadow palettes. While staring at her reflection, despite trying to brush the uncomfortable perception aside, she couldn't withhold the impulse to squirm under the invisible scrutiny.

"Look at me now Bella and close your eyes."

Heidi pulled Bella's attention from the unpleasant feeling, and she closed her eyes obediently. Cool hands tilted her chin upwards before the tickle of a brush could be felt against her skin. Dutifully, Bella followed Heidi's murmured directions while skilled hands turned and tilted her face at various angles while she worked. The two girls had finished her nail treatment at some point and had excused themselves from the room. Once Heidi finished brushing a coating of rosy gloss to her lips, Bella heard her lay it aside before an enthusiastic clap startled her out of her induced haze.

"Gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful. What do you think, Bella?"

Unfamiliar sultry eyes met her own in the mirror and she lifted a disbelieving hand to press against a newly sculpted cheek. Her breath caught in her throat at the transformation. Gone was the clumsy little human girl and in her place sat a stunningly elegant woman. Bella wasn't sure how Heidi accomplished it, but she had somehow created high delicate cheekbones, carefully hued eyeshadow with impossibly long eyelashes that drew the eye, and softly pouting lips. For the first time in her life, Bella honestly felt beautiful. Unable to find the appropriate words to express her surprise, she fumbled for a moment before she coherently put together a recognizable sentence.

"How…? How did you do this?"

Heidi's smile was soft when she met her gaze in the mirror, "I only emphasized what was already there. You were already beautiful."

Bella released a soft laugh as tears clouded her vision.

"No! None of that! No tears! We have no time for tears, let's go ahead and put on your dress."

Herded toward the armoire, Heidi held out a thin piece of lacy fabric for Bella to take while she readied the gown. Turning the lace around in her hands, she blushed scarlet at the realization that it was apparently underwear. Throwing a horrified glance over her shoulder at the vampire, she hurried to put the garment on underneath her robe though modesty was tossed aside as Heidi untied the robe's belt and allowed the garment to slip to the floor. Instinctively Bella attempted to cover her chest though Heidi appeared more interested in getting her to step into the opening of the draped gown. After some awkward shuffling forward, Heidi wrangled the stiff younger woman into the champagne gown and tugged it upward to secure it. Several minutes of tucking and adjusting the gown's low corset bodice, flowing sleeves, and train passed quietly other than the rustling of the fabric. The gown hugged her snugly around the hips, emphasizing her narrowed waist and the gentle slope of her back while the bust's shadows casting in the valley of her bosom gave just a hint of the feminine curves beneath. At Heidi's instruction, Bella lifted the skirt of the gown to step into, thankfully short, kitten-heeled champagne shoes then allowed the skirt to flutter back into place.

Her hands shook as she allowed her fingertips to skim the delicately stitched flowers on the bodice and down to the skirt. The gown had turned out beautifully and Bella, surprisingly, felt comfortable moving around in it despite its size. She made her way back to the vacated vanity to perch cautiously atop its cushion in fear of wrinkling the dazzling work of art while Heidi carefully removed the rollers from her hair and started to masterfully pin the curls in a tastefully, loosely curled updo. Several stray dark curls were left to frame her pale face with others tactfully arranged to drip down from the coil of skillfully twisted hair.

At the end of the transformation, Bella could barely discern herself in the sophisticated lady who had taken her place. Heidi squeezed her shoulders tenderly as she stood back to admire the fruit of her labors, "Simply stunning, Bella. You look exactly like I envisioned: elegant and beautiful but with your innocence shining through. You look like a garden muse who has just stepped out of a painting. The only thing left to do is to select some accessories".

Heidi had just pulled forward several jewel-laden boxes from the armoire as two firm knocks echoed from the direction of the suite door. Both ladies turned to peer at the unexpected interruption with nearly identical expressions of confusion, though Bella heard Heidi's soft inhale of surprised recognition as she excused herself from Bella's side to approach the door. The female vampire was already dipping herself downward into a deep bow when she opened the heavy door wide to reveal the tall, distinguished frame of Marcus.

"Good afternoon, Master Marcus."

Scrambling to twist herself around in the yards of cloth, Bella rose to her feet to greet the reserved Volturi king as well, though paused to look him over more critically. His previous disheveled countenance had been replaced with a fitted baroque overcoat of forest green with exquisite golden embroidered vines parted slightly to show a delicately laced ruffled collar and his Volturi crest laid heavily underneath. A similarly designed thick cape was draped over a single broad shoulder and Bella's eyes skimmed further down over the dark green knee-length britches and stockings to end at the polished short-heeled shoes. His earlier dulled hair had been brushed, conditioned, and its now glossy length was gathered at the nape of his neck with a gold-colored cord. In the short amount of time, Bella had become acquainted with the man, it was at this moment that Bella caught a glimpse of the king Marcus once was. Though still appearing detached, Bella couldn't deny that the vampire exuded power. Mentally shaking herself out of her stupor, she finally addressed the vampire lord who appeared to be assessing her own new appearance as well.

"Hello, Marcus. Please, come in."

Flicking his red eyes back upward from his study of the stitched flowers decorating her hem, he extended his hands instead to present a wide carved wooden box. The box looked lovingly cared for though she noticed the softening of the etched roses in areas most often handled. Cautiously she accepted the offered box which on closer inspection also had a curving capital D across the lid, mixing in with the carvings.

"What is this?"

Allowing himself to step further into the room, he flicked his wrist to open the small lock and opened the lid. Several slim gold hair combs, a pair of earrings, and a cascading necklace of woven gold strands accented with hammered gold leaves, small diamonds, pearls, and painstakingly carved ivory flower petals grouped to create small blossoms twinkled in the light of the room from the bed of dark velvet. Marcus ran his hand over the edge of the box tenderly, appearing lost in his memories for a moment before he pressed the box more firmly into her palms.

"This jewelry set was a favorite of my Didyme. As a human, I had been trained in the ways of jewelry making though I had no natural talent for it. My mate insisted however that I make something for her, so I set myself to the task. I lost count of the amount of gold and ivory I broke forging it but her smile when I gave it to her overshadowed any frustration I may have felt. I had many marvelous pieces commissioned for her over the years with rarer jewels and metals, yet she consistently came back to these crudely made baubles. I was unsure if you would have anything for tonight's gala," Marcus turned amused eyes to the pile of jewelry boxes that could be seen within the armoire. "However, it would appear I was foolish to worry. That said, I know my wife would be overjoyed to see you wearing them if you so desire. I do believe they would complement your gown nicely."

Pursing her lips softly, she turned her misting eyes from the dazzling jewels within her hands to the silently observing vampire, "Marcus, I can't accept these. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to something so meaningful to you".

The man's smile was warm while his eyes stared unseeingly at the box's contents, his thumb distractedly stroking the worn wooden side. Shifting his weight slightly from one foot to the other, he lifted his long fingers to carefully tug at one of the many wayward curls framing her face. Tilting her head back, she stared at Marcus's angular profile for a long moment before he blinked suspiciously glossy eyes and met her eyes once more.

"Their bearer is long gone from this world. If she was here today, I know that she would have been here to attend to you personally in your preparations. Do not prematurely concern yourself over fictional forgiveness when I know my wife would certainly never forgive me for not stepping into this role in her place. It would please both her and myself greatly to see these worn once more."

Bella couldn't find it in her to refuse the man further and she turned to carefully hand the jewelry box to a speechless Heidi whose gaze flicked between the box's contents to Bella and back to her Master. However before the box could fully be passed into the waiting woman's hands, Marcus lifted a hand to halt the exchange.

"There is no need. You may be excused to prepare, Heidi. I will assist Bella in her final arrangements."

He is going to apply the jewelry himself?

Bella supposed it wasn't too odd a request given how invaluable the jewelry was though she had a difficult time imagining the man arranging hair combs. Though given his extensive knowledge of gardening, flower arrangements, and now jewelry making and wood carving, she shouldn't have been surprised if he knew how to arrange jewelry as well. Heidi offered no rebuttal and bowed her head deeply at his order.

"Yes, Master Marcus. Bella, I will come to fetch you shortly before the start of the gala."

Marcus waved a nonchalant hand in Heidi's direction as he turned further into the room balancing the decorative box carefully, "That will not be necessary. I plan to personally escort Isabella tonight".

There was an audible crack as Heidi twisted her neck to look at Marcus's retreating form who now stood before the vanity mirror with a slight grimace, his reflected red eyes silently tracing the glided frame. The implications of Bella arriving on Master Marcus' arm would be monumental within not only their coven but to the gathered visiting coven members as well. Having her arrive also outfitted in his deceased wife's widely known cherished jewels would also be the same as loudly declaring to the room that he had taken the mortal under his personal protection.

It would be a daunting threat to anyone who would wish the young girl harm and one that couldn't be ignored, including his own brothers. Not only would it wordlessly express his steadfast defense, but he was also likely the only vampire other than Master Aro or Caius that could have offered her the same degree of security. Heidi couldn't help but smile that his guardianship would also serve as a statement to the brothers, and the coven themselves, about his stance regarding Sulpicia's continued presence. Whereas the withdrawn vampire lord had never openly lashed out at his brother-in-law's condescending spouse, it had been known within their coven that Master Marcus held little regard for Sulpicia, though for what reasons were unclear.

Heidi bobbed her chin quickly to show that she understood his request before sharing a heavy look with the flabbergasted Bella before excusing herself from the room. Unsure what to say at the sudden turn of events, Bella glanced over her bare shoulder to curiously observe Marcus tugging the thin woven throw blanket from the chaise and tossing it over the vanity mirror. Once satisfied, he quickly appeared next to the full-length mirror near her armoire and turned it to face the wall. Bella looked between the now bizarrely hidden mirrors and looked to Marcus for an explanation of his strange behavior.

He tilted his head slightly and extended his hand out in an invitation for her to take her previous seat in the vanity chair. She awkwardly reclaimed her seat as she continued to stare at Marcus in his resolute silence. Carefully lifting the jewels from the velvet cushion, his lithe fingers skillfully slid the gilded combs into her thick curls, twisting its dark tresses artfully around the golden leaves and ivory. The gentle tugs against her scalp unwittingly lulled her apprehension and she closed her eyes to let him work undisturbed. His quietly whispered words brushing against the shell of her ear, however, startled her back into awareness.

"Sometimes we do not see in the mirror what everyone else sees, so it's essential not to always trust everything your mind tells you. One cannot guarantee the intention of the eyes staring back into your own."

Staring at the cloth-covered vanity mirror in front of her, she mused over his cryptic words before looking up at him through the darkness of her lashes, "Is there something dangerous about the mirrors?".

Marcus lowered the heavy necklace to rest against her collarbone and plucked up the matching earrings. He hummed softly as he assisted her in securing the delicate trinkets before taking a step back, "You cannot be sure of whose eyes are watching". It appeared that the discussion was deemed over as Marcus enveloped her slim hand into his own and cautiously pulled her into a standing position. She allowed her fingertips to trace the masterfully crafted leaves and petal combs a final time while Marcus observed with an unreadable expression. His lips twitched a couple of times before he bowed deeply at his waist in front of her, his right hand still grasping her own.

"It would be my honor to escort such a fair maid tonight, la mia sorellina. Sei Bellissima."

Chuckling softly, she attempted her best to dip herself into a mockery of a curtsey which nearly caused her to stumble to the side if not for Marcus's hand, "I have told Aro that I do not know anything about the Italian language. I'm sorry to say that I don't know what you said but it sounded nice".

Letting out his own rumbling chortle, he guided her hand to rest in the bend of his arm and covered it with his own, "It means that you look beautiful, Isabella". At his gentle guidance, Bella turned with him to leave her room unknowing of the night's events that fate had planned.

Piccolo Uccello-Little Bird

Dolcezza Mia-My Sweet

Grazie-Thank you

Madre-Mother

Mio Amico-My Friend

La Mia Sorellina-My Little Sister

Sei Bellissima-You look beautiful