Chapter 2: The New Volturi Princess

Dora and Didi were pacing in Sulpicia's sitting room. Jane and Heidi had alerted them to their sister's disappearance hours ago and they had heard nothing else since. They had been having their private time together as mates while Sulpicia wandered her gardens. According to Heidi she alerted Jane when Sulpicia had not returned at her usual time. Both had gone in search of the wayward queen only to find the gardens empty. Her scent was the only one present, thank Zeus. However, it disappeared over the wall and out of the city.

If Sulpicia had truly left of her own free will as it appeared, then not even Dimitri would be able to find her. Sulpicia had been an Amazon warrior in her time and could disappear better than anyone they knew.

Anthedora finally dropped onto the couch in front of the fire. Even though vampires did not get tired physically, mentally she felt completely drained. Didi came and sat herself in her mate's lap, resting her head in the crook of Dora's neck as she felt arms come up and gently circle her waist and pull her closer. The soft and caring side of Dora was one that few had ever been privileged to see or experience. In fact she was pretty sure that somehow it would cause most of the guard to have a heart attack if they saw the head of their army showing such tenderness. She let out a small giggle at the images running through her head.

Dora leaned down and asked, "What, pray tell, is going through that pretty little head of yours?" as she nuzzled Didi's hair taking in her calming scent of parchment and ink. Didi was a lover of the written word and as such was their resident historian.

"Just thinking of how the guard would react to seeing their big bad Warrior Queen cuddling her mate like this in front of an open fire." she replied.

Before Anthedora had a chance to respond they heard the sound of footsteps heading quickly in their direction. They looked to the door with relief at seeing Sulpicia standing in the doorway. Didi had to blink a couple times to try and clear her vision. If she didn't know any better she would swear that Cia had a … her thoughts were interrupted when Dora screamed out. "IS THAT A FUCKING BABY?"

Before anyone had a chance to speak, the little bundle in Cia's arms started to wail. Even Dora withered slightly under the glare they received from Cia as she gently brought the babe to her shoulder and began to gently pat her back as she swayed. "Shh. It's alright cari. The mean old lady won't hurt you." ("Hey!" Dora huffed indignantly, causing Didi to giggle once more.) "Mamma's here. I'll protect you Amore."

Gradually the baby started to calm down as she clutched to Cia's robes. Cia placed a gentle kiss on the girl's forehead before turning to address her sisters, glaring at Dora. "Now, before anything else is said. Didi, what do you see?" Confused and still trying to figure out why her sister had a baby clutched to her breast, it took a moment to understand that Cia was asking her to use her gift and read the bonds in the room.

She gasped as she gazed at the bond between her sister and the baby, as well as herself and her mate though theirs was a different color. Flowing, steady and strong, between Cia and the girl was the brightest pink chord she had ever seen. Signifying that this girl truly was Cia's bond daughter. Between herself and the girl, as well as Dora, was a bright purple signifying them in the role of the girl's aunt. Oh she could not wait to spoil this girl rotten. She clapped her hands excitedly as she appeared in front of Cia and gazed into the girl's honey colored eyes. "Oh Cia, congratulations. She's so beautiful."

Dora rushed to her side, confusion evident in her features as she questioned them. "What the hell do you mean 'congratulations' what the hell is going on here?" Didi was too enamored with the sweet girl in front of her and ignored Anthedora's questions. "Look at those expressive eyes. Such a beautiful, rich emerald color. It will be sad to see them turn blood red once she's old enough to join us." She was cut off from her musings as Dora grabbed her shoulders and tuned her so they were face to face.

"Didi what the hell are you talking about? What exactly do you see?" Dora demanded of her wife. Didi blinked as if she had forgotten about Dora's presence and then had the decency to look abashed. "Sorry Amore mio. Our sister here has found her true bond daughter in this sweet little girl. I've never seen a maternal bond, well really any bond, that glows as bright and strong as the bond between these two. We also have lesser, yet still strong, maternal bonds of being the girls aunts." She replied with pride in her voice.

"I….I'm an aunt?" Dora questioned with no small amount of awe in her voice.

"Yes you are sister. You both are. I was able to observe a little of her life to this point through the last interaction and the memories of her pathetic excuse of disgusting human parents. The father was already dead and drained by a nomad. The mother was telling the nomad to "drain the brat" so they could leave and be together. The father, while not abusive towards the woman, told her she would be free to divorce him once the baby was old enough to take her place. I disposed of all three of them. Then it almost felt like my heart was beating once more as I locked eyes with this piccola." Sulpica said, her voice filled with love and adoration for the babe she held.

"Well don't keep us in suspense here. Does she have a name or not Cia?" Dora asked. Didi smacks her forehead in exasperation at Dora's demanded question. She was not one known for her patience or tact when it came to social interactions.

"Isabella. Isabella Dorthea Volturi. Our new princess and eventual heir." Cia said as she gently bounced the babe in her arms.

Didi slowly approached Cia once more, reaching out towards the babe. "That's perfect Cia. 'Beautiful gift from god'. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. May I hold her sister?"

Cia seemed hesitant to let go of her precious girl so soon after finding her. Logically she knew that Didi was not a threat and would never harm her girl or attempt to take her away. Still, she wanted nothing more than to hold her piccola for the rest of eternity. Slowly she handed Isabella to Didi, who looked ecstatic. For all of 2 seconds anyway. For Isabella took one look at Didi and then looked back at her Mamma, realizing that she was no longer in her mothers arms she immediately started to scream and flail as if she were dying.

Sulpicia instantly took her daughter back into her arms and held her against her undead heart. She rocked back and forth as she sang an Italian lullaby. "Stella stellina. La notte s'avvicina. La fiamma traballa. La mucca è nella stalla. La mucca e il vitello. La pecora e l'agnello. La chioccia e il pulcino. Ognuno ha il suo bambino. Ognuno ha la sua mamma. E tutti fan la nanna." Isabella was finally calm and content back in her mamma's arms. Her little breath was still coming out as wobbling gasps, but she was finally calm once again.

Didi looked startled and on the verge of tears when they were all startled by Anthedora breaking out in hysterical laughter. Cia and Didi shared a look before gazing back at Anthedora and waiting for her to regain control of herself. Dora gradually straightened up and looked at her wife.

"Don't feel too bad Didi. She's just a mamma's girl and from the sounds of it she's been through a lot already in her short life. I have a feeling we're gonna be in for a world of trouble though. I mean look at us. Known her for less than an hour and she's already got us all wrapped around her little finger. Can you imagine how hard it's going to be once she starts to talk and starts asking for things or arguing? We're going to have to rely on every once of our ancient will to be able to say no to those big green eyes of hers." she could see her wife start to relax as the truth of her words started to sink in. "Actually Cia there's something that I'm curious about. You mentioned the parents' memories and thoughts but you haven't mentioned Isabella's. I mean I know that babies aren't exactly theological geniuses, but she's gotta have some thoughts and memories or feelings at least."

Sulpicia knew this question was coming. "That would be because I cannot read her." Didi and Dora were staring at her like she had grown an extra head. Sighing she sat down on the chair in front of the fire knowing that her skin was cold and the baby needed the warmth. Though she didn't seem to mind the coldness of her skin, in fact she seemed to snuggle in closer. "Even now as a human infant I cannot get a read on her. She already has at least one very powerful gift."

Didyme and Anthedora came and sat on either side of Sulpicia as they all looked at the little girl who had already changed their existence so completely. Isabella was slowly falling asleep, no matter how hard she fought against it. "The Volturi Principessa. We will need to send Heidi out for supplies. As the new princess, she will have the finest we can offer and she will want for nothing."

Didyme quickly sped out to find Heidi and Jane, knowing they would be together still, in an attempt to discover what had happened to Sulpicia. Within minutes all three were back in Mistress Sulpicia's chambers. Didi retook her seat next to Sulpicia, while Jane and Heidi both stood looking at the sleeping baby in their mistress' arms with shock clearly written across their face.

Finally, Anthedora chuckled which seemed to bring them back to their senses. "Mistress um, what um why is there a baby here?" Heidi finally asked as she slowly stepped forward. Normally one did not question the Queen's if they hoped to live. However, a baby in the castle was not a normal everyday occurrence.

Sulpicia slowly adjusted her bimba so she could sleep more comfortably before responding. "This is Isabella Dorthea Volturi. My Bond daughter, and your new princess." Jane stepped beside Heidi to get a better look at the signorina. As she gazed at the sleeping baby she knew there was something there, not that of a mate, but she knew she would do anything to protect the little girl in front of her.

"Jane from this point forward you will be assigned as the personal bodyguard for the principessa. She will need a friend and confidant as she grows. (Jane nods with a quick "Yes Mistress.") Heidi, it has been quite some time since any of us have been around a baby full time. I will need you to go out and purchase everything we will need for her as well as some modern literature so we know what to expect as she grows. As I recall, given her age, she should still be on milk only. See if there is a way to get breast milk for her as that will be the healthier option for her moving forward. We will also need to contact a vampire that is a trained physician. Someone we can trust, not that disgusting sycophant Carlisle. He admired Aro far too much and I don't trust him and his ideologies. They will need to be willing to move to the castle until such time as the princess is turned and joins us in immortality." She paused, gazing down at her preziosa figlia.

She would be sad for the pain Isabella would have to endure to join them, but at the same time he was overjoyed at the thought of having Isabella by her side for eternity.

She gazed back at Heidi, "If they are a part of a coven then please extend the invitation to the entire coven. I would not wish to force someone away from their family." Isabella squirmed in Sulpicia's arms as she finished her instructions, as if seeking her mamma out, feeling too far away from her. She gently raised Isabella back to what has become her favorite spot on her bosom, resting where her heart lies.

Heidi seems to hesitate for a moment before speaking. "Mistress, there has been talk of a new device recently when I am out in the community. It would hold the reheated breastmilk at your shoulder and run a tube down next to your nipple. This way you would be able to experience what it would be like to feed your daughter as if she were truly of your body."

Sulpicia was stunned. If such a device truly existed she would get to experience almost every aspect of motherhood with her tessoro. Once more her eyes filled with venom tears that would never fall. 'Ugh, motherhood is already making me go soft. I'm turning into an emotional wreck'. She thought to herself.

"Please Heidi, if such a device exists, ensure that you include it in your purchases." Heidi bows her head in acknowledgment of the statement.

Jane takes this opportunity to step forward and address the Queens. "Mistress, there is one vampire I know that is a trained and certified physician that would fit your criteria. They had tried the animal diet for a time, mainly to get Carlisle to leave them alone. However, they cut ties with him over 50 years ago and returned to the human diet. I believe you have been wanting to find a way to extend an invitation to them for a while now." Jane pauses here, as if to ensure she has not overstepped.

For her part Sulpicia is holding her unnecessary breath, certain she knows at least the coven of which Jane is speaking but not daring to get her hopes too high, lest she be incorrect. She nods her head, indicating for Jane to continue. "Irena. Irena of the Denali coven."

Translations:

*Cari = dear

*Amore = love

*Amore mio = my love

*Piccola = small/little one

*"Stella stellina. La notte s'avvicina. La fiamma traballa. La mucca è nella stalla. La mucca e il vitello. La pecora e l'agnello. La chioccia e il pulcino. Ognuno ha il suo bambino. Ognuno ha la sua mamma. E tutti fan la nanna. = Star, star. The night is coming. The flame is flickering. The cow is in the stable. The cow and the calf. The ewe and the lamb. The hen and the chick. Everyone has their baby. Everyone has their mother. And everyone is going to sleep.

*Principessa = princess

*Signorina = miss/young girl

*Preziosa figlia = precious daughter

*Tessoro = darling