My Queens: Chapter 9
Summary: Bella takes a trip of a lifetime, but all is not as it seems.
Bella/Athenodora, Didyme, Sulpicia
Edward growled and stormed toward the object of his ire. Laurent, the vampire who was once a member of a coven whose leader was hellbent on making Bella his next hunt, was at her party. "What the hell are you doing here?" He groused, barely keeping his anger in check.
"I was invited, not that I can say the same for you." The barb hurt, but Edward kept his features impassive. He would not allow such ilk to see his words had affected him.
"You, invited…" Edward chuckled disdainfully.
"He was." Jasper deadpanned. "Laurent's invaluable information allowed us to end Victoria." Edward stared at his brother incredulously. "After Carlisle sent him to Denali, Laurent found his mate in Irina. Then Victoria contacted him and ask him to check on the situation with Bella. Instead, he came to us and warned us. While you saw James as the real threat, Lauren had long seen Victoria as an equal, if not a greater threat. When people started going missing in Seattle, he came to tell us he was sure it was her. He was right. Above all else, he was the one to lure Victoria into the trap that had allowed us to end her. Laurent has proved himself a real friend to Bella and us. So yes, he was invited." Jasper finished.
Edward had been cowed by the news; he trudged to a corner of the tent where he stayed all night. In truth, he'd been lucky Irina had not been in the tent when he went after Laurent.
It was six in the morning, and the party showed no signs of abating. Edward understood why Alice bought so much alcohol and food. The shifters had pretty much demolished every morsel of food in sight, and the vampires were steadily going through the alcohol. In fact, most people had split off into groups occupying the couches Alice had purchased. Bella was sat with her mates and the twins. He'd heard her answer to Jane's question. Was he hoping she would have at least had some small regret about her decision? Yes. He also knew it was also doubtful as she'd already made that clear.
If he had any doubts, a large tent full of vampires and shifters was proof enough of just how comfortable Bella was in the supernatural world. No one as far as he knew had single-handedly brought so many willing vampires together. Amun, known for his hatred of the Volturi, sat with the three kings laughing uproariously over a joke Caius made at Aro's expense. Bella was apparently instrumental in healing the relationship between Amun and Demetri, which led to Amun's hatred cooling significantly. His eyes drifted back to Laurent; the vampire was now obviously a part of Bella's inner circle. He noted Laurent, Bella, Kate, and Garret in conversation at one point. It was evident she knew them well. When had Bella become so closely acquainted with the Denali coven?
She watched as Leah's imprint high fived his sons when they returned to the tent, looking somewhat disheveled. He learned they had just spent several hours with Heidi in the guest house. He could not fathom any shifter allowing their children to go off with a vampire, especially one with Heidi's gifts. The entire night had left him feeling lost and unsure of himself. He struggled to understand how all this could be happening because of one vampire, his human. If he was honest with himself, what hurt the most was the fact that he was not a part of it. He couldn't even call himself a friend of hers, and that rankled.
"You look miserable," Tanya said softly. "Come, let's go for a walk." She offered. His eager nod did not surprise her in the least. It was clear he had wanted out of the tent for some time now.
"I suppose congratulations are in order." He muttered fifteen minutes later. "Although the last time I saw you, you were mated, and you said nothing." Edward's tone was accusing.
"It didn't come up." He'd been so caught up in his own melancholy he saw nothing else. In the twenty years, Tanya has been mated to Seth; she'd seen Edward twice, both times had been all about how much he hated being a vampire. He never stopped long enough to ask about Tanya or anybody else. It was all about Edward Cullen.
"But Bella did." Again with the accusing tone.
"You never once came up. Bella spent a year with us before she went to college, and not once did she mention you. When she found out I had met the queens, she was interested in talking about nothing else. Her obsession with them was clear even then." Tanya sighed, coming to a halt. "What would you have had me say?" Tanya asked.
"You could have told me of their plans." Edward retorted angrily.
"I had no idea you had no knowledge of them. I was told you walked away from the human you thought was your mate. That said it all. I cannot see myself walking away from Seth. There is not a reason in the world that would allow that." Tanya argued.
"I was trying to save her." He sounded defeated, and there was no hiding it.
"And yet you left while Victoria was after her for James' death." Tanya countered. "Worse, you were of licking your wounds while the rest of us dealt with the mess you'd left behind." Tanya's tone was surprisingly soft. She'd had long ago gotten used to his selfishness.
"I made a monumental mess where Victoria was concerned." He admitted. He was entirely conflicted by his family's actions. Had they listened to him and left, Bella would be dead. At the same time, he was enraged they lied to him, saving Bella's life. After their conversation in the throne room, he found he struggled to get his arguments to make sense even to himself. "I was so sure I would be right that she would regret her decision. In my mind, she was the same eighteen-year-old girl I left. I would not allow myself to see the women my family told me she had become. I have a century on her, but she is right, I might just as well be a newborn. She is comfortable with who she is, enough to travel the world befriending vampires. Every one of them in that tent enjoying themselves. There were covens in there he'd never met or knew of. Despite his extensive travels, he kept to the same places, never truly venturing out of his comfort zone.
"Despite everything, I would be hers in a heartbeat if she would have me." He confessed. Rosalie was right, he was such a hypocrite. Even if Bella had turned out to be a soulless monster, he'd still have her. He had consoled himself with the fact she would be dead soon if she was still alive. He had convinced himself he could finally move on then. He'd long ago known he'd made a mistake walking away from her. What he'd never told any of his family was that, six years later, he went back to Forks ready to beg for forgiveness. He'd been willing to grant her anything she wanted as long as it was in his power to do so. He'd been willing to turn her into a soulless monster if need be. He had not found anyone in Forks whose mind could give him any useful information. He'd spent three weeks in Forks and gotten nowhere. He had attempted to break into Charlie's house and found his security vastly improved. He'd left even more dejected than before. He'd gone to London to visit Carlisle and Esme. He now wondered if they would have told him the truth had he brought Bella up. Had he told them that he'd made a mistake, that he loved her still. He had made it easy for them by never talking about her.
Now Bella was not dead, nor would she be dying soon. No, she was an immortal, a mental and physical shield who no one could touch unless she permitted.
"You need to move on. You need to accept she was never your mate. Allow yourself to find the one meant for you." There had been a time she had been willing to build a mate bond with Edward, but he made it clear he was not interested. It had taken her time, but she had moved on and found the one meant for her. Looking back, she would have regretted a formed bond with Edward. Seth was everything she could have wished for and more. The one meant for her, just as she was meant for him.
"I don't think I can." He whispered and took off further into the woods.
Tanya watched him go feeling quite sorry for him. Even if Bella hadn't found her mates, she doubted she would have taken him back. Edward's loathing of what he was, was so opposed to Bella's love for her vampiric existence it was a recipe for disaster for two people who weren't fated mates. Tanya believed if Edward was honest with himself, he would admit he was hoping for a formed mate bond with Bella. Tanya just did not see the possibility; she knew the two well enough to make that observation. Either Edward made an active effort to move on or his hurt would lead to dire consequences.
Three days later, he was back on Bella's property. The party had clearly ended, but it ended mere hours earlier from the scents still lingering around. He could only pick up a few minds. Emmett and Rosalie's minds were the only ones in the guest house. In the main villa, well, he got nothing. It had taken him a while to notice, but the queens and the twins' minds were silent to him. Bella's shield expanded to them; he felt betrayed even though he knew he had no right to feel that way.
He had no idea what to do with himself. He had every intention of talking to Bella, but Alice had seen the outcome the minute he made the decision. He would be ripped apart if he tried anything of the sort. He had no idea what he hoped to achieve; this Bella was not the one he knew so many years ago. Emmett and Rosalie had attended Dartmouth with Bella and had witnessed firsthand experiences he made a valiant effort not to think of. Despite all that, he wanted her back, and there wasn't much he wasn't willing to do to achieve it.
"I truly would have preferred if you two had not left your tombs at all." The ancient growled at the sight of the Romanians. He had expected them; this was not their first visit, so to speak. They had been sending vampires for the last few months, all turned away.
"Will you at least hear us out," Stefan asked.
"Say what you have to say and leave." He blustered.
"The Volturi…" Vladimir started.
He threw his head back in laughter. "Of course, what else would have you two slither out of your hole in the depts of the Hoia Baciu." He stood. As far he was concerned, this conversation was over. "Unless you have a way to beat those twins, this is not a conversation we are having." The look on the face of the Romanians said it all. "You have, don't you?" He sat back down slowly.
"We do." The arrogance that bled out of Stefan with that answer had the ancient chuckling.
"You should have led with that." He laughed, his entire demeanor changing. He was more welcoming and certainly open to talking.
"We have a newborn that renders their gits useless against, but not against our opponent," Vladimir added.
The ancient eyes widened gleefully. "I believe this is a conversation Li Wei will find interesting." The Romanians stared at each other in shock and back at the ancient.
"You are acquainted with the head of the Chinese coven? Rumor is her coven supersedes that of the Volturi." They had hoped to have her join their ranks but had no hope of reaching her.
"Indeed, I am, and indeed, her coven is large… very large." He laughed.
"So." The ancient turned to the large screen after his guests had left.
"Concealing one's true allegiance is often wise." Li Wei mumbled.
"Was that everything?" He asked.
"Yes, involving me truly loosened their tongues. They told us everything, we have all the information we would need and more. Of course, they know enough about me to know I would not consider their proposal otherwise." LI Wei chuckled.
"So…" The ancient sat down with a smile, one mirrored by the vampire on the screen.
"Just the opportunity we needed." The Chinese vampire's smile grew.
"This is not my idea of a change of scenery," Bella mumbled as the elevator climbed. Living in the center of London is not her idea of relaxation.
"This is a change of scenery. From an isolated villa to a city center. You couldn't get more of a change than that." Jane cheered. It was clear she loved the idea of living in London for a while. However, Bella wasn't keen on the idea of going from her home with her large pool and grounds to an apartment. Even if it was a twenty-one thousand square foot penthouse apartment located in central London. This was Jane's idea of getting on the property ladder. It was an outrageous over-the-top purchase as far as Bella was concerned. On the other hand, her mates would not stop gushing over the penthouse. At least, she had Alec for company.
"It's everything I expected and more," Jane mumbled excitedly as she dashed from room to room. It was a five-bedroom, six and a half baths penthouse suite. It also had a media and games room, three private offices, two reception rooms, and a huge kitchen that was an utter waste of space. At least they took showers, so the bathrooms with their swimming pool size baths and showers were welcome.
"It is brilliantly designed." Bella begrudgingly admitted. Jane had purchased the penthouse before construction on the project began a decade ago. It was far removed from the villa that Bella had painstakingly kept free of modern tech, except for the few she could do without. This was a technological haven where everything was done for you by computers and robots. The AI that ran the penthouse alone cost somewhere north of one hundred million pounds, before the cost of the penthouse itself. Of course, you could get as little tech installed as you wanted or, like Jane, get every single one. Even ones she had absolutely no use for, like the kitchen aid. "You don't eat, so why did you get the kitchen aid?" Alec asked the very thought going through Bella's head.
"We have friends and family that do." Jane retorted, and Bella would admit she had not thought of the ever-growing shifter part of her family.
"How long can we stay here for before the questions begin," Sulpicia asked.
"They are no human workers; the building is fully automated. We have a private elevator, a private car garage for ten cars, and our own entrance and exit. We can say here for as long as we please, no one needs to know who lives in the penthouse." Jane answered smugly.
"You have thought of everything," Bella mumbled.
"The master bedroom is large enough for you four to share." Jane rubbed her hands together gleefully.
"It's a five-bedroom apartment; there is no need to share." Bella retorted.
"Isabella, one would think you did not love us." Athenodora purred.
"I might not like you sometimes, but I will always love you." Bella smirked as she made her way down the hall to the master bedroom. "It really is large enough to share," Bella admitted as she stared at the large room. The bed was clearly custom-made as it was bigger than anything in the market.
"Your little girl clearly designed this bedroom with you in mind," Didyme said as she settled on the couch on the other side of the room. It had two bathrooms and two closets. Bella nodded, depositing the bags in one of the closets.
"Yes, but after eighty-seven years in the villa, I am allowed to be a little grumpy about an unfamiliar place," Bella murmured. She would miss her villa and pool, but she would give the penthouse a good try.
"So?" Jane appeared in the doorway, looking smug as fuck.
"Yes, sweetheart, not going to bail… just yet," Bella answered with an eye roll.
"Great, Alec and I going hunting." Bella thought as much. Their style of hunting left Bella feeling conflicted because she feared for them. The twins constantly told her it was a needless worry, but she just could not help herself.
"Met someone online?" Jane nodded.
"Yeah, he's graciously allowing me to accompany Jane. He has got some friends who would love me." Alec muttered airly. Bella's teeth clenched.
"Very well. Just be careful." She added needlessly.
"We always are," Jane answered before the two darted off.
"Yes, I've got nothing to worry about, but it doesn't stop me from worrying," Bella mumbled before one of her mates could say anything.
"We could always go out too," Sulpicia suggested. "We are in London after all." She added.
"No, I don't feel like getting into it with some foul-smelling human because Dora doesn't know when to stop flirting," Bella complained, collapsing on the couch next to Didyme.
"Oh sure, blame me." The vampire grumbled.
"I do," Bella replied.
"I still remember the days you got wet with arousal at the sight of me." She mumbled sadly as though anyone bought her attempt at crocodile tears.
"Really, I'm struggling to remember those days." Bella retorted.
"I'm struggling to remember those days too." Didyme giggled.
"I have always wondered if vampires could become senile. I've finally have my answer." Sulpicia retorted.
"And you wonder why I flirt with humans; at least they appreciate my beauty." Athenodora huffed.
"No, you flirt with humans because you are unapologetically vain. You love having the very humans you despise practically worship at your feet. Truth be told, I would have you no other way." The pouting vampire batted her eyelashes at Bella. "I just you rather didn't go so far that they feel comfortable enough to think they can touch you." Bella ended up draining the last human dry. Then again, he had drugged Athenodora's drink with obvious intentions. Bella had a particular hatred for rapist, and this one thought to even attempt it with her mate. It was never going to end well for him.
"Maybe, if you touched…"
"Woman, if you value your clothes and shoes, you will not finish that sentence." Bella threatened.
"You wouldn't dare," Athenodora replied so dramatically Didyme couldn't help giggling. Bella ignored the attention-seeking vampire and turned to Didyme, who was leaned against Bella's side.
"Baby, I owe my continued sanity to you." Bella ran her lips over Didyme's jawline.
"Then she says she hasn't got favorites." Sulpicia laughed as she joined Athenodora on the ridiculously large bed. They watched as Bella murmured softly to Didyme, as the petite vampire giggled coquettishly. Didyme was never one to initiate sex, but you could not miss it when she clearly wanted to get fucked. Bella had learned very quickly to pick up on the little hints Didyme gave.
Athenodora would admit she loved watching Bella fuck Didyme so thoroughly. Didyme very much enjoyed Bella's attention. She very much allowed Bella free rein of her body and loved the results. It was quite a turn-on to see Didyme fall apart so spectacular under Bella's ministration. She and Sulpicia were very much the opposite, something Bella loved, especially when she was feeling down. When Charlie passed, Bella practically gave herself over to them. "Make me forget, if only for a little while." Their mate, who had been so strong even as a human, looked so downhearted and lost. Isabella Swan was inconsolable for those few months, except when her mates took over, giving her a few hours of blissful ignorance. Didyme's moan brought Athenodora out of her musings.
"Fuck, Bells… please, please, don't stop." Didyme pleaded as Bella's thumb made firm but slow circles on her clit as Didyme straddled her lap.
"As if I would." Bella chuckled, knowing full well she would stop just as Didyme was about to hit her peak.
"She would," Sulpicia murmured. "She loves to tease."
"Bells, please… you promised," Didyme whispered when Bella's fingers stopped moving, though she maintained the pressure on Didyme's clit.
"I don't recall doing any such thing." Bella quipped with a smug smile. "I always get you there, don't I?" her lips run over Didyme's collarbone.
"You called it," Athenodora mumbled.
Bella chuckled at the running commentary but found herself doing precisely as Athenodora and Sulpicia said. Didyme bore down on Bella's fingers as she came loudly.
Usually, this would only be the start of a long night of sex, but Bella had other ideas. "Want to help with a little payback." Didyme's eyes lit up. Before Athenodora or Sulpicia could move, Bella's shield had their hands and feet pinned to the bed.
"Can't believe this never occurred to you before now." Didyme cheered when she realized what was happening.
"Oh, it did. I was waiting for the right time to execute it." Bella's smile did not herald anything good.
"Isabella, release me right this second," Athenodora growled.
"Yeah, no." Bella shrugged. "You two don't just love having control over others during sex; you crave it. I have always wondered how you would fare when that control is taken away." Sulpicia whimpered much to Bella and Didyme's surprise and Athenodora's disbelief.
"It looks as though Picia is all for it." Didyme teased, running a finger up Sulpicia's leg.
"So is Dora, but you know her; she has to be difficult about everything," Bella added. "So, Didi… what shall we do? We have them at our mercy." Bella said with a barely restrained smile.
"Oh, I hate you so much right now." Athenodora groused.
"No, you don't." Didyme giggled.
Bella watched Athenodora struggle in her restraints. "Darling, that is an exercise in futility, and you know it, so why persists." Bella's thumb drew a circle on her inner thigh. "Look at Sulpicia." The vampire moaned then, enjoying Didyme's fingers in her. "You should learn to accept what this is because there is not a thing you can do about it," Bella said.
"You will release me eventually." Athenodora threatened. Though Bella laughed in response, she found herself looking forward to Athenodora's idea of revenge.
"You are right, but right now, I have you at my mercy," Bella mumbled menacingly. To her utter dismay, the doorbell rang. The building had no human workers, and since the twins had access, it would appear they had a guest. "Someone better be dying, or else I'm killing them," Bella growled, leaving the bedroom. Her ire was significantly cooled at the figures on the security monitor. "Oh, this cannot be good," Didyme whispered, having seen their guests as well.