52 Weeks
by Wizardtho
Chapter 5:
As I speak, Caius becomes more and more upset. Finally, as soon as the last word comes from my mouth, Caius lifts me as he growls loudly, “Enough. I can not… bear… to hear more. Please, Isabella, I must…”
He looks broken as his onyx eyes dart all over me. I can’t understand what he’s trying to tell me, but without a word he lifts me, carrying me into the bedroom. After gently placing me on the bed, Caius sits on the side, torturing his hands in his lap. “Isabella, I… tell me to stop now, to leave this room. I will go. I should not have asked you to tell me so soon after you agreed to stay. I feel… I need to…”
He stands unexpectedly, turning with a roar coming from deep in his chest, his hands grabbing fistfuls of his long blonde hair.
Instead of feeling frightened, my need to comfort him causes me to move. I am off the bed, in front of him, and seeking his eyes as my hands caress his chest, “Caius, whatever this is, tell me. Explain it to me. I don’t understand what has you so upset.”
His eyes are dark and stormy as he sighs helplessly, “When a vampire takes a lover or mate, they are very protective. Part of that protective instinct includes seeking out and tending to any injuries when we know that our lover or mate has been injured. I have taken you as mine, My Sweet. Accepted you as such during our first kiss, both emotionally and physically. Because of this, my instincts are now screaming at me.”
Understanding quickly dawns on me. Oddly, I am neither afraid of his current state, nor am I fearful of what will happen as I take his hands in mine. I lead him back to the bed, offering, “Then soothe your instincts, Caius. As long as we take things slowly, one step at a time, we can venture through this together.”
Caius shakes his head, “No, Darling, I…”
I know he probably thinks I misunderstood his statement, but the meaning was quite clear to me. To show him, my fingers press to his lips to stop him from saying more, while my other hand undoes the tie of my sash. “I know, Caius. I understand.”
As my sash falls to the floor, Caius’ eyes follow it until it pools on the dark wood. His eyes seek mine as he cradles me in his arms, whispering, “Together, one step at a time.”
Cupping my neck, he leans in to kiss me, his mouth teasing and comforting at the same time. My body responds to him instantly, causing my arousal to rise as my knees weaken. Caius brings our bodies flush, taking my weight so I don’t fall, all while deepening the kiss.
As one of his arms cradles me, the other hand slowly travels from my neck, down my collarbone, then around the curve of my breast before settling just under it. My arousal spikes even more, causing me to whimper in response. Caius breaks the kiss to seek my gaze, then offers softly, “Beautiful… I love the sound of your pleasure, Isabella. Promise never to hide it from me. I can not tell you how much it pleases me, just to hear you whimper from a touch or moan from a kiss.”
When Caius slowly slides his hand down, then underneath my top to rest it on my bare stomach, tingles shoot straight from his hand to my core. My arousal spikes to a level so far above anything else I’d ever experienced, that I can only gasp out a plea of his name.
He must understand, though, because he hums while slowly lifting my top from my body. It drops to the floor, then Caius ghosts his long fingers across my skin as he moves to stand behind me. With a flick of his fingers, the tension of my bra releases, and he moves my hair aside to kiss along my shoulder while sliding the material down my arms.
A shiver of pleasure snakes its way up my spine, causing me to moan, “More, please, Caius.”
He groans in response, “Soon, Sweetling. Unfortunately, you are not truly ready for me to explore your lush curves yet. Though your body is craving me, your mind has not had time to settle into us being truly intimate. As such, I can not touch you more than necessary right now. Until then, we will both have to be satisfied with me guiding your hands if you seek relief.”
Entwining his fingers with mine, his hands resting over my own, he guides them up to teasingly circle my nipples. They immediately respond by tightening, causing me to gasp as Caius hums, “Perfect.”
After guiding me to cup and massage my own breasts, he teasingly nips my neck, then comes back around me, whispering as he kneels at my feet, “Keep going. Touch your beautiful breasts for me. Tease them. Find the combination of sensations that bring you the most pleasure. Let us learn your body together.”
His eyes stay focused on my hands as he divests me of the rest of my clothing. Each time I let out a moan or whimper, I can see those dark orbs sparkle with desire.
Once I stand bare before him, Caius takes a few moments to gaze at my form, his face filled with longing. “You are exquisite, Darling… truly, a captivating sight to behold.”
His words are whispered as his hands slowly slide up my legs, then he lifts me bridal style to lay me in the center of the bed. He looks at me curiously for a moment, then places his fingers at the first closed button of his shirt. I am eager to see him remove it, but he only stands there waiting… for permission from me, I realize.
I can’t stand the anticipation, so I move up onto my knees in front of him. My hands cover his, squeeze gently, then move to undo the button just below. “I’ve wanted to do this since the moment you took your robe off in the gardens, Caius… wanted to explore you with my eyes and hands... feel you under my fingertips… see how your body reacts to my touch.”
He instantly relaxes, then releases the button under his fingers with a quick flick. Allowing me to continue, he ghosts his fingers from the sides of my breasts to the bottom of my hips, then up and back again, in a teasing rhythm.
I let out a shaky breath as I release the last button, “Caius, that feels… I can’t even describe how addictive it feels to have you touching me.”
He quickly removes his shirt, letting it join my clothing on the dark wood, then guides me to lay back as he captures me in an intense kiss.
My moan is met with his slight growl as he breaks the kiss, “I must begin if I am to keep my beast from taking over, Isabella. He is… unyielding… in his desire to claim you. Tending to you is the only way I can make him wait.”
I lift my fingers to his lips, “Shh… I know. I don’t know how, but I can feel it, Caius. I’m ready. One step at a time.”
With one more passionate kiss, Caius slowly starts to examine my face and neck. Each time he finds a scar, no matter how small, he gently kisses then licks it. Moving to my neck and shoulders, he continues, then down each arm.
My arousal is a slow and steady burn, but when he lifts my bitten wrist, he teasingly sucks at the mark while twirling his tongue. At my gasp of, “Oh, God… Caius…” he guides my free hand back to my breast. We pinch my nipple together before he moves to ghost his fingers along the sensitive curve. Arousal is now singing through my veins, causing my back to arch as I let out a soft cry.
Caius gives my bitten wrist a soft lick and kiss before releasing it, then hums into my ribs, “That’s it, my little beauty, no need to be shy. Let me hear you.”
It feels like every nerve in my body is alive, causing me to cry out again as he nuzzles my unoccupied nipple, “Please, Caius!”
As soon as his mouth closes around the tight pink bud, swirling his tongue and sucking at the same time, my whole body arches and trembles in unexpected pleasure. Wave upon wave of it courses through my body, yet I can do nothing but cry out his name while trying to hold tightly to him.
When the waves finally slow, he lifts his head enough to whisper into the valley between my breasts while catching my gaze, “Do you realize just how sexy you are when you cum for me, Isabella? Never, in my entire life, have I seen anything more entrancing… and Christ, do you smell divine.”
With that, Caius resumes kissing and licking each scar he finds on his journey down my body. When he nears my core, I’m already feeling another livewire sensation in my nerves. He must be able to tell because he guides one of my hands from his hair to my soaked slit.
He glides our fingers along the length of my folds twice, then presses our fingers slightly against my clit before circling them. My gasp is loud in the otherwise quiet room, but Caius hums in response, “Just like earlier, Sweetling. Find what touch gives you the most pleasure.”
He circles our fingers once more on the little bundle, then brings them down to my entrance. He presses our fingers lightly, then dips one of each of our fingers just inside… just enough to tease. I cry out and press my finger a little deeper, to which Caius groans while joining me, “Fucking beautiful. Deeper, Isabella… together.”
Our fingers press just a tab bit deeper, then he curls them slightly upward, causing me to scream as ecstasy rips through me.
When my trembling ceases and my mind starts to clear, I find Caius sucking on the scar where my leg was broken, while his finger is still slowly guiding mine. My orgasm has barely passed, yet he is already building the pleasure inside me again. I can barely grasp the intensity of sensations this incredible man is creating in me now, so the thought of actual sex with him is almost scary.
As if he senses the turn of my thoughts, Caius repeats my earlier mantra back to me, “Slowly, Isabella… one step at a time. Just feel, Darling, and I promise to be with you every step of the way.”
I nod, unable to do anything else with my labored breathing. I let out an embarrassingly loud whine when he slowly removes his finger from inside me, but he presses mine back into me before lifting his mouth away from a new scar on my leg, “I just need to taste you, Sweetling. Your aroused scent is too tempting to ignore any longer.”
Without another word, Caius brings his wet fingers to his mouth, his eyes fluttering as his tongue wraps around the digits. The sight is so sexy, that with a loud moan, my hand travels from my entrance back to my clit, while the other takes turns pinching my nipples. Onyx orbs find mine in response, and Caius groans, “You like that… seeing my reaction to your exquisite taste?”
I whimper as I nod, and Caius hums while eying my core, “I want so much more. Isabella, I have never tasted anything more delectable than you.”
When he takes my hand in his, instead of moving his head closer, I’m confused when his tongue makes contact with my palm.
If he wants to taste me so much, why doesn’t he?
He must see my question in my eyes, because he pauses from licking my palm to say seriously, “You are not ready, Sweetling. Though your body says yes right now, in the morning, your mind would regret allowing me this treasure so soon. I promised I would not rush you, Isabella. I can not allow my desires to overrule my head, only for my actions to push you away in the end.”
I want to deny what he’s said, but I can’t. My body is ruling me right now, with all of the sensations he creates in me, the passion we bring out in each other. My head, on the other hand, would probably do just as he said. I can only whisper in response, “Oh, Caius…”
He gives me a sexy grin as he teasingly licks my fingers, which lets me know he’s content to do just what he’s doing, allowing me to relax back into our intimate moment.
When Caius finally releases my fingers, guiding them back to my entrance, he gives the scar along my inner thigh a long lick while pressing our fingers inside me deeply. I never knew my inner thigh was so sensitive, but as he licks and sucks tenderly at it, I experience another 2 mind-melting orgasms. I am breathless and exhausted by the time our fingers slow to a stop, but he takes care to be gentle as he licks clean both of our hands, placing several kisses just above my mound when he finishes.
After moving to lay next to me, he captures me in a kiss that seems grateful more than passionate, then pulls the plush covers up to my hips. “Stay, Darling. Rest. I will retrieve a cloth, so you are not sticky in the morning.”
I nod as my eyes try to focus on his face, but they are too heavy. They close on their own, only to reopen enough for me to see him with a soft smile as he carefully wipes me down with a warm cloth moments later. I barely hear his whispered, “Sweet dreams, Isabella. Thank you for a beautiful first night,” before I am lulled to sleep by his gentle motions.
I wake feeling too warm, and notice soft light filtering into the room from between the heavy drapes. Caius is not next to me, but in his place is a single large rose and a folded piece of thick parchment. I roll onto my side, hum as I smell the rose, then pull the paper to me.
My name is scrolled on the closed sheet, which smells of Caius. I open it to read the meaningful writing inside:
My Beautiful Isabella,
I disliked having to leave your side this morning, but alas, duty calls. Thank you for sharing such a perfect evening with me. It was the first of hopefully many to come, but will forever remain dear to my heart.
I have instructed your guard for the morning, Jane, that you not be disturbed before you wake. Your breakfast should be in the sitting room when you arise, but if not, please inform Jane to have it delivered. Clothing for today has been placed in our closet, but Jane will accompany you to the Volterra shops, should you wish to add to the limited supply I was able to acquire on short notice. You need not worry about funds, as everything has been taken care of. Just supply them your name, Sweetling.
Should you wish to see me at any point today, you need only have Jane escort you to my location. I miss your presence already, yet I have not even left our suite. Have a good day, My Darling.
Forever,
Caius
It seems my king is a charmer, even in written word. I can’t help but smile as I hold the note to my chest. Thinking quickly, I look to my bedside stand. Smiling when I see a vase already there with only water in it, I quickly put the rose in, then place the note in the table drawer. After a few minutes of remembering last night, I can’t wait to get up and start my day, so I can see Caius soon.
There is a luxuriously silky robe in a rich purple hanging next to my side of the bed, so I slip it on before heading out to the sitting room. There, on the pub table, is a breakfast tray. I smile at Caius’s thoughtfulness, then sit to start enjoying my meal. No sooner do I get to the fourth bite of my decadent cinnamon roll, which is the size of a softball, than there is a knock on the door to the suite. I wipe my mouth before calling, “Enter.”
Jane pokes her head in, “Good morning, Lady Isabella. Mistress Sulpicia is here to see you.”
I smile as I reply, “Good morning to you as well. Don’t make her wait. Please escort her in, then stay. I wish to speak to both of you.”
She nods, then waits for a beautiful and tall blonde to walk in before she follows and closes the door. I stand, but Sulpicia waves, “No need, Isabella. I’ll come to you. Did you enjoy your first evening in the castle?”
I grin even as a blush makes its way across my face. “It’s lovely to meet you, and yes… I did quite enjoy my evening. Thank you for the strawberries and wine. They were delicious.”
She kisses both of my cheeks as she holds my hands, then takes the seat across from me as Jane stands off to the side a little. I can hear them both inhale softly as I settle back into my seat, and instantly know what they can smell.
My blush deepens, but I look at both in turn before saying, “Ah, yes. I told Caius about Phoenix, which I’m sure Aro filled you in on.”
Jane bites her lip slightly, but Sulpicia’s eyes widen as she states, “Oh, Dear… No wonder he growled at Aro this morning when he entered the study. He must have abhorred the thought of leaving you so soon afterward.”
I nod as I finish the bite in my mouth, then wipe it before offering, “His words were that he disliked it, but I can easily picture him becoming more agitated as he left the suite. I’ll need the two of you to fill me in on all these lover instincts he’ll be having. I didn’t understand, at first, when he became so upset during my story. Sulpicia, he was so distraught, yet I could see the worry in his eyes when he thought his beast would frighten me away. I’m the type of person that can handle just about anything, as long as I’m informed, so I need your help. Please, I don’t want to ever see that look in his eyes again.”
In response, she pats my hand on the table, “Of course. We’ll go over everything today if you wish. I have nothing planned.”
I let out a breath in relief, “Thank you. I do need to head to the shops, as I didn’t bring any clothing with me. Caius only managed to gather a few things, from what he said. Would you both like to get out of the castle for a bit?”
Jane grins at that, “Master did tell me you might like to go shopping today. If we leave within the next hour or two, we should be back before the Masters are done with business in the throne room.”
I nod at that, then ask, “Jane, have the rest of the Cullens arrived?”
She shakes her head, “Not yet, Milady, but I will inform you as soon as they do.”
I nod in appreciation, “Thank you. I’d rather not be taken by surprise when they arrive. I’m expecting at least three of the coven to try to dissuade me from staying, just so that you know. It won’t happen, especially with Caius’ treatment of me thus far, but I’m letting you know so that you are prepared for that eventuality.”
They both give me a knowing look, then we talk casually during the rest of my breakfast. They excuse themselves from the suite when I finish, with Jane telling me she will send the tray away while I ready for the morning out.
As I speak, Caius becomes more and more upset. Finally, as soon as the last word comes from my mouth, Caius lifts me as he growls loudly, “Enough. I can not… bear… to hear more. Please, Isabella, I must…”
He looks broken as his onyx eyes dart all over me. I can’t understand what he’s trying to tell me, but without a word he lifts me, carrying me into the bedroom. After gently placing me on the bed, Caius sits on the side, torturing his hands in his lap. “Isabella, I… tell me to stop now, to leave this room. I will go. I should not have asked you to tell me so soon after you agreed to stay. I feel… I need to…”
He stands unexpectedly, turning with a roar coming from deep in his chest, his hands grabbing fistfuls of his long blonde hair.
Instead of feeling frightened, my need to comfort him causes me to move. I am off the bed, in front of him, and seeking his eyes as my hands caress his chest, “Caius, whatever this is, tell me. Explain it to me. I don’t understand what has you so upset.”
His eyes are dark and stormy as he sighs helplessly, “When a vampire takes a lover or mate, they are very protective. Part of that protective instinct includes seeking out and tending to any injuries when we know that our lover or mate has been injured. I have taken you as mine, My Sweet. Accepted you as such during our first kiss, both emotionally and physically. Because of this, my instincts are now screaming at me.”
Understanding quickly dawns on me. Oddly, I am neither afraid of his current state, nor am I fearful of what will happen as I take his hands in mine. I lead him back to the bed, offering, “Then soothe your instincts, Caius. As long as we take things slowly, one step at a time, we can venture through this together.”
Caius shakes his head, “No, Darling, I…”
I know he probably thinks I misunderstood his statement, but the meaning was quite clear to me. To show him, my fingers press to his lips to stop him from saying more, while my other hand undoes the tie of my sash. “I know, Caius. I understand.”
As my sash falls to the floor, Caius’ eyes follow it until it pools on the dark wood. His eyes seek mine as he cradles me in his arms, whispering, “Together, one step at a time.”
Cupping my neck, he leans in to kiss me, his mouth teasing and comforting at the same time. My body responds to him instantly, causing my arousal to rise as my knees weaken. Caius brings our bodies flush, taking my weight so I don’t fall, all while deepening the kiss.
As one of his arms cradles me, the other hand slowly travels from my neck, down my collarbone, then around the curve of my breast before settling just under it. My arousal spikes even more, causing me to whimper in response. Caius breaks the kiss to seek my gaze, then offers softly, “Beautiful… I love the sound of your pleasure, Isabella. Promise never to hide it from me. I can not tell you how much it pleases me, just to hear you whimper from a touch or moan from a kiss.”
When Caius slowly slides his hand down, then underneath my top to rest it on my bare stomach, tingles shoot straight from his hand to my core. My arousal spikes to a level so far above anything else I’d ever experienced, that I can only gasp out a plea of his name.
He must understand, though, because he hums while slowly lifting my top from my body. It drops to the floor, then Caius ghosts his long fingers across my skin as he moves to stand behind me. With a flick of his fingers, the tension of my bra releases, and he moves my hair aside to kiss along my shoulder while sliding the material down my arms.
A shiver of pleasure snakes its way up my spine, causing me to moan, “More, please, Caius.”
He groans in response, “Soon, Sweetling. Unfortunately, you are not truly ready for me to explore your lush curves yet. Though your body is craving me, your mind has not had time to settle into us being truly intimate. As such, I can not touch you more than necessary right now. Until then, we will both have to be satisfied with me guiding your hands if you seek relief.”
Entwining his fingers with mine, his hands resting over my own, he guides them up to teasingly circle my nipples. They immediately respond by tightening, causing me to gasp as Caius hums, “Perfect.”
After guiding me to cup and massage my own breasts, he teasingly nips my neck, then comes back around me, whispering as he kneels at my feet, “Keep going. Touch your beautiful breasts for me. Tease them. Find the combination of sensations that bring you the most pleasure. Let us learn your body together.”
His eyes stay focused on my hands as he divests me of the rest of my clothing. Each time I let out a moan or whimper, I can see those dark orbs sparkle with desire.
Once I stand bare before him, Caius takes a few moments to gaze at my form, his face filled with longing. “You are exquisite, Darling… truly, a captivating sight to behold.”
His words are whispered as his hands slowly slide up my legs, then he lifts me bridal style to lay me in the center of the bed. He looks at me curiously for a moment, then places his fingers at the first closed button of his shirt. I am eager to see him remove it, but he only stands there waiting… for permission from me, I realize.
I can’t stand the anticipation, so I move up onto my knees in front of him. My hands cover his, squeeze gently, then move to undo the button just below. “I’ve wanted to do this since the moment you took your robe off in the gardens, Caius… wanted to explore you with my eyes and hands... feel you under my fingertips… see how your body reacts to my touch.”
He instantly relaxes, then releases the button under his fingers with a quick flick. Allowing me to continue, he ghosts his fingers from the sides of my breasts to the bottom of my hips, then up and back again, in a teasing rhythm.
I let out a shaky breath as I release the last button, “Caius, that feels… I can’t even describe how addictive it feels to have you touching me.”
He quickly removes his shirt, letting it join my clothing on the dark wood, then guides me to lay back as he captures me in an intense kiss.
My moan is met with his slight growl as he breaks the kiss, “I must begin if I am to keep my beast from taking over, Isabella. He is… unyielding… in his desire to claim you. Tending to you is the only way I can make him wait.”
I lift my fingers to his lips, “Shh… I know. I don’t know how, but I can feel it, Caius. I’m ready. One step at a time.”
With one more passionate kiss, Caius slowly starts to examine my face and neck. Each time he finds a scar, no matter how small, he gently kisses then licks it. Moving to my neck and shoulders, he continues, then down each arm.
My arousal is a slow and steady burn, but when he lifts my bitten wrist, he teasingly sucks at the mark while twirling his tongue. At my gasp of, “Oh, God… Caius…” he guides my free hand back to my breast. We pinch my nipple together before he moves to ghost his fingers along the sensitive curve. Arousal is now singing through my veins, causing my back to arch as I let out a soft cry.
Caius gives my bitten wrist a soft lick and kiss before releasing it, then hums into my ribs, “That’s it, my little beauty, no need to be shy. Let me hear you.”
It feels like every nerve in my body is alive, causing me to cry out again as he nuzzles my unoccupied nipple, “Please, Caius!”
As soon as his mouth closes around the tight pink bud, swirling his tongue and sucking at the same time, my whole body arches and trembles in unexpected pleasure. Wave upon wave of it courses through my body, yet I can do nothing but cry out his name while trying to hold tightly to him.
When the waves finally slow, he lifts his head enough to whisper into the valley between my breasts while catching my gaze, “Do you realize just how sexy you are when you cum for me, Isabella? Never, in my entire life, have I seen anything more entrancing… and Christ, do you smell divine.”
With that, Caius resumes kissing and licking each scar he finds on his journey down my body. When he nears my core, I’m already feeling another livewire sensation in my nerves. He must be able to tell because he guides one of my hands from his hair to my soaked slit.
He glides our fingers along the length of my folds twice, then presses our fingers slightly against my clit before circling them. My gasp is loud in the otherwise quiet room, but Caius hums in response, “Just like earlier, Sweetling. Find what touch gives you the most pleasure.”
He circles our fingers once more on the little bundle, then brings them down to my entrance. He presses our fingers lightly, then dips one of each of our fingers just inside… just enough to tease. I cry out and press my finger a little deeper, to which Caius groans while joining me, “Fucking beautiful. Deeper, Isabella… together.”
Our fingers press just a tab bit deeper, then he curls them slightly upward, causing me to scream as ecstasy rips through me.
When my trembling ceases and my mind starts to clear, I find Caius sucking on the scar where my leg was broken, while his finger is still slowly guiding mine. My orgasm has barely passed, yet he is already building the pleasure inside me again. I can barely grasp the intensity of sensations this incredible man is creating in me now, so the thought of actual sex with him is almost scary.
As if he senses the turn of my thoughts, Caius repeats my earlier mantra back to me, “Slowly, Isabella… one step at a time. Just feel, Darling, and I promise to be with you every step of the way.”
I nod, unable to do anything else with my labored breathing. I let out an embarrassingly loud whine when he slowly removes his finger from inside me, but he presses mine back into me before lifting his mouth away from a new scar on my leg, “I just need to taste you, Sweetling. Your aroused scent is too tempting to ignore any longer.”
Without another word, Caius brings his wet fingers to his mouth, his eyes fluttering as his tongue wraps around the digits. The sight is so sexy, that with a loud moan, my hand travels from my entrance back to my clit, while the other takes turns pinching my nipples. Onyx orbs find mine in response, and Caius groans, “You like that… seeing my reaction to your exquisite taste?”
I whimper as I nod, and Caius hums while eying my core, “I want so much more. Isabella, I have never tasted anything more delectable than you.”
When he takes my hand in his, instead of moving his head closer, I’m confused when his tongue makes contact with my palm.
If he wants to taste me so much, why doesn’t he?
He must see my question in my eyes, because he pauses from licking my palm to say seriously, “You are not ready, Sweetling. Though your body says yes right now, in the morning, your mind would regret allowing me this treasure so soon. I promised I would not rush you, Isabella. I can not allow my desires to overrule my head, only for my actions to push you away in the end.”
I want to deny what he’s said, but I can’t. My body is ruling me right now, with all of the sensations he creates in me, the passion we bring out in each other. My head, on the other hand, would probably do just as he said. I can only whisper in response, “Oh, Caius…”
He gives me a sexy grin as he teasingly licks my fingers, which lets me know he’s content to do just what he’s doing, allowing me to relax back into our intimate moment.
When Caius finally releases my fingers, guiding them back to my entrance, he gives the scar along my inner thigh a long lick while pressing our fingers inside me deeply. I never knew my inner thigh was so sensitive, but as he licks and sucks tenderly at it, I experience another 2 mind-melting orgasms. I am breathless and exhausted by the time our fingers slow to a stop, but he takes care to be gentle as he licks clean both of our hands, placing several kisses just above my mound when he finishes.
After moving to lay next to me, he captures me in a kiss that seems grateful more than passionate, then pulls the plush covers up to my hips. “Stay, Darling. Rest. I will retrieve a cloth, so you are not sticky in the morning.”
I nod as my eyes try to focus on his face, but they are too heavy. They close on their own, only to reopen enough for me to see him with a soft smile as he carefully wipes me down with a warm cloth moments later. I barely hear his whispered, “Sweet dreams, Isabella. Thank you for a beautiful first night,” before I am lulled to sleep by his gentle motions.
I wake feeling too warm, and notice soft light filtering into the room from between the heavy drapes. Caius is not next to me, but in his place is a single large rose and a folded piece of thick parchment. I roll onto my side, hum as I smell the rose, then pull the paper to me.
My name is scrolled on the closed sheet, which smells of Caius. I open it to read the meaningful writing inside:
My Beautiful Isabella,
I disliked having to leave your side this morning, but alas, duty calls. Thank you for sharing such a perfect evening with me. It was the first of hopefully many to come, but will forever remain dear to my heart.
I have instructed your guard for the morning, Jane, that you not be disturbed before you wake. Your breakfast should be in the sitting room when you arise, but if not, please inform Jane to have it delivered. Clothing for today has been placed in our closet, but Jane will accompany you to the Volterra shops, should you wish to add to the limited supply I was able to acquire on short notice. You need not worry about funds, as everything has been taken care of. Just supply them your name, Sweetling.
Should you wish to see me at any point today, you need only have Jane escort you to my location. I miss your presence already, yet I have not even left our suite. Have a good day, My Darling.
Forever,
Caius
It seems my king is a charmer, even in written word. I can’t help but smile as I hold the note to my chest. Thinking quickly, I look to my bedside stand. Smiling when I see a vase already there with only water in it, I quickly put the rose in, then place the note in the table drawer. After a few minutes of remembering last night, I can’t wait to get up and start my day, so I can see Caius soon.
There is a luxuriously silky robe in a rich purple hanging next to my side of the bed, so I slip it on before heading out to the sitting room. There, on the pub table, is a breakfast tray. I smile at Caius’s thoughtfulness, then sit to start enjoying my meal. No sooner do I get to the fourth bite of my decadent cinnamon roll, which is the size of a softball, than there is a knock on the door to the suite. I wipe my mouth before calling, “Enter.”
Jane pokes her head in, “Good morning, Lady Isabella. Mistress Sulpicia is here to see you.”
I smile as I reply, “Good morning to you as well. Don’t make her wait. Please escort her in, then stay. I wish to speak to both of you.”
She nods, then waits for a beautiful and tall blonde to walk in before she follows and closes the door. I stand, but Sulpicia waves, “No need, Isabella. I’ll come to you. Did you enjoy your first evening in the castle?”
I grin even as a blush makes its way across my face. “It’s lovely to meet you, and yes… I did quite enjoy my evening. Thank you for the strawberries and wine. They were delicious.”
She kisses both of my cheeks as she holds my hands, then takes the seat across from me as Jane stands off to the side a little. I can hear them both inhale softly as I settle back into my seat, and instantly know what they can smell.
My blush deepens, but I look at both in turn before saying, “Ah, yes. I told Caius about Phoenix, which I’m sure Aro filled you in on.”
Jane bites her lip slightly, but Sulpicia’s eyes widen as she states, “Oh, Dear… No wonder he growled at Aro this morning when he entered the study. He must have abhorred the thought of leaving you so soon afterward.”
I nod as I finish the bite in my mouth, then wipe it before offering, “His words were that he disliked it, but I can easily picture him becoming more agitated as he left the suite. I’ll need the two of you to fill me in on all these lover instincts he’ll be having. I didn’t understand, at first, when he became so upset during my story. Sulpicia, he was so distraught, yet I could see the worry in his eyes when he thought his beast would frighten me away. I’m the type of person that can handle just about anything, as long as I’m informed, so I need your help. Please, I don’t want to ever see that look in his eyes again.”
In response, she pats my hand on the table, “Of course. We’ll go over everything today if you wish. I have nothing planned.”
I let out a breath in relief, “Thank you. I do need to head to the shops, as I didn’t bring any clothing with me. Caius only managed to gather a few things, from what he said. Would you both like to get out of the castle for a bit?”
Jane grins at that, “Master did tell me you might like to go shopping today. If we leave within the next hour or two, we should be back before the Masters are done with business in the throne room.”
I nod at that, then ask, “Jane, have the rest of the Cullens arrived?”
She shakes her head, “Not yet, Milady, but I will inform you as soon as they do.”
I nod in appreciation, “Thank you. I’d rather not be taken by surprise when they arrive. I’m expecting at least three of the coven to try to dissuade me from staying, just so that you know. It won’t happen, especially with Caius’ treatment of me thus far, but I’m letting you know so that you are prepared for that eventuality.”
They both give me a knowing look, then we talk casually during the rest of my breakfast. They excuse themselves from the suite when I finish, with Jane telling me she will send the tray away while I ready for the morning out.