The Inauspicious Beginnings Of A Prince
by Laura Spudzmom
~Epilogue~
Jasper stared into the full length mirror as he put the final touches on the suit Bella had chosen for him to wear this day. It was a charcoal grey silk, Italian, of course. The shirt beneath was jet black and the accents that tied the ensemble together, the deepest blood-red.
Settling his Volturi pendant in place, he turned and smiled at his beautiful wife. "Why do you watch me so intently?"
She rose from her chair and sauntered toward him, her red eyes full of passion and a wicked smirk in place as she ran her hand over a lapel. "Oh, I was just thinking how much I prefer you out of the suit, no matter how devastatingly handsome you are in it."
He pulled her close, growling lowly as he kissed her neck, drawing a delighted laugh from her as she tilted her head to more fully enjoy his attentions.
The sound of an adolescent groan caught Jasper's attention and he smirked as he stood to his full height, ready to hear what his son had to say.
"Must you two always paw at each other where I have to witness it?"
Bella turned to face their son, one brow raised. "Must you take such a rude tone Lucca?"
Jasper watched his fourteen year old replica flop into a nearby chair while giving his mother an eye roll and he sighed as he faced his son, keeping one arm draped around Bella's waist.
"Son, would you like to have a week-long training session? It can be arranged quite easily."
The boy straightened instantly, looking contrite. "No Father."
"Then I suggest you apologize to your Mother for your rude attitude, and learn to knock before entering our private quarters."
"Yes sir." He rose and went to his mother, kissing her on the cheek. "Perdonami Mama."
(Forgive me, Mom)
Jasper's brows rose as he watched his wife nearly melt as she smiled and hugged her son, smoothing his hair from his face. "It's all right sweetheart."
Lucca grinned as his mother fawned over him for a moment before kissing her husbands cheek and excusing herself to go spend the morning with Athenadora.
When she was gone, Jasper eyed his smirking son. "It is most certainly not all right, and if I find myself reminding you again, make no mistake, we will be having that training session. I'll see to it personally."
The smirk dropped off Lucca's face and he nodded. "Sì Papà, ho capito."
(Yes Dad, I understand)
Jasper donned his black cloak, preparing to leave for a court session in the throne room. "I assume you came in for a reason?"
"I did. I want to go out with friends later."
Jasper sat down and gestured toward the adjacent chair. "You're being vague."
Lucca sighed and flopped in the chair but straightened at the raised brow of his father. "I wanted to go see a show with Nico and Sal."
He studied his son carefully, feeling no deceit from him. He'd found this necessary as the years had gone by and his son had developed the shield he'd inherited from his mother. He could now mostly block his father's ability.
He'd also inherited empathic abilities; not to the degree of Jasper's ability, but that could certainly change with time, especially if he chose to transition fully when he reached maturity.
Relaxing back in his seat, he kept his gaze steady on his fidgeting son, wondering why he was becoming unnerved. "What time is the show and when will you be leaving?"
Lucca shifted in his seat. "Uh, well the show starts at 9:00 but I wanted to leave at 7:00 so that we could grab some food and hang out for a while first." He glanced up at his father and looked back down almost immediately.
Jasper caught this and smirked mentally. "And who are the girls you will be meeting?" He had to stifle a chuckle as he watched a blush heat his son's face.
"Gi—girls?" Lucca choked out.
Now Jasper did smirk. "Yes son, girls."
Lucca groaned, tilting his head to the side as he ran a hand through his hair. "Papa… Why do you ask such questions?!" He cut his gaze at his father quickly and away again, waiting to see what Jasper would say.
He laughed. "Oh my son, you think I don't know? It hasn't been so very long from when I was in your place, you know. Now," He straightened each cuff as he spoke. "I do believe that you were going to tell me about the girls you will also be meeting, yes?" Jasper had to strain to hear the answer, and for a vampire, that's saying something.
"Lina, Carina and Alessia."
"Look at me Lucca." Jasper waited for his son to meet and hold his gaze. "I trust that you will not put yourself in any dangerous or compromising situations this evening?"
Lucca looked down as he answered. "No Papa, I will not."
"Good, you have the words down, now meet my eyes and tell me."
Lucca huffed, but met his father's eyes. "No Papa, I will not put myself in any dangerous or compromising situations this evening."
Jasper nodded. "You will also make sure that you are home and in your bed by midnight."
He watched a scowl form on his son's face, his green eyes filled with anger. "Ai Papa! Midnight?! That hardly gives us any time to hang out after the show! It's ridiculous, especially since I know that you will probably have Demetri following me!"
Jasper glanced at the clock and stood. "I have court to attend. Those are my conditions for your participation in the nights activities. If you do not agree, then you do not go."
Lucca stood and bowed to his father, his King. "I will be home by midnight…" He trailed off as Jasper cocked a brow at him, hanging his head in defeat as he rephrased. "I will be home AND in bed by midnight."
Jasper smiled and pulled his son into an embrace, smoothing his hair back as he kissed his forehead. "Very soon Lucca, you will be grown and making your own decisions. Until then, you are mine to love and protect. That is my job and my privilege as your father. Perhaps someday, you will understand. I love you."
Lucca looked up and smiled. "I love you too Papa. Have fun in court." He smirked.
Jasper released his son and mussed his hair as he chuckled. "Indeed, you know how I love attending court sessions, especially when your great-uncle feels the need to pontificate ceaselessly."
Lucca laughed, ducking further contact with his hair as he rearranged it back to the stylish mess it had been.
"Such are the perils of the life of a King, Papa."
Jasper slung an arm around his son's shoulders as they left their quarters. "Yes my Prince, and I hope you are taking notes, for such shall be your lot one day."
"Pfft! I won't have to worry with that for centuries to come!" Lucca glanced up at his father and was saddened by the sudden sorrow he could see in his father's eyes. "Yes, so I had thought also son, but you just never know."
"You're thinking of Uncle Marcus, aren't you Papa?"
Jasper gave his son a wan smile as they walked toward the throne room. "Yes Lucca. He was a great vampire; very loyal and wise, but he is with his beloved mate now and I like to think that he is very happy."
They arrived at the king's entrance to the throne room and Jasper glanced at his son with one brow cocked as he grasped the handle of the heavy door. "Will you be attending court with me today son?"
Lucca shook his head. "No Papa, I believe I'll find something else to occupy my time until I meet with my friends."
He opened the door. "Very well then. Why don't you spend some time with your mother? She misses your company greatly."
Lucca sighed and glanced at his father. "I'll try Papa, but all she likes to do is paint, draw, read, or talk about the books she reads. I love her, but it's all so very girly and boring! She doesn't even like to go riding! I don't know why you bothered getting her a horse!"
Jasper chuckled. "All right Lucca, I must go now, but perhaps spend a little time speaking with her? Make an effort son, for your mother's sake."
"Sì , Papà."
He nodded and walked into the throne room, just behind the daïs. Moving the heavy drape aside, he took his throne, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead, as a sigh escaped him.
It seemed he was the first one here and right now, that was a good thing.
Thoughts of Marcus had lead to thoughts of other things best left in the past; things he'd managed to shove to the furthest recesses of his mind. He'd had to, just to get past the guilt and on with living.
He'd never mentioned Leah and her child, his other child, to anyone fourteen and a half years ago or any day since. It was his deepest, darkest secret, not to mention his greatest regret, and he was sure that were it to come to light, it would do untold damage.
Forks, WA; the place still haunted him. It seemed no matter how hard he'd tried to leave it behind, forget about it, things in his life had conspired to see that he couldn't.
His biological mother, Esme, had moved back into the house there with her mate, Garrett just a month after Lucca's birth and had been there since. Consequently, Bella had bugged him about going for a visit several times over the years, which he had of course, refused to do.
In addition to that, his twin had moved there just a year after Esme, with his mate Paula, so now there was even more of a reason to visit in Bella's eyes. It was getting more difficult to put her off, especially since Bella was convinced that Lucca needed to meet and get to know Esme and his Uncle Pete.
He disagreed, and had even refused to tell Lucca about any of the Cullen's, or allow anyone else to tell him either.
The only family any of them needed was right here in Volterra, as far as he was concerned and he had no wish to open old wounds and deal with any of the emotional conflict they brought.
Caius was his father and Athenadora his mother; end of story.
He sighed, covering his eyes with his hand as he leaned on the arm of his throne.
He'd had to make it very clear that, to him at least, Forks, WA was a fucking curse, and he would have no part in it ever again. He and Bella had even had a heated argument over it, not speaking for days until she'd spoken to Caius who had calmly explained what he believed his son's reasoning to be. Bella had accepted it then and they'd had a long talk and finally made up.
One point about the whole thing that he found most curious is that Esme had never offered to come to Volterra in all the times that Bella had spoken to her. Perhaps it was due to memories of the place from when she'd visited here with Carlisle? He may never know because he had no intention to ask her. Although she was his biological mother, he'd never really developed a parental relationship with her. He cared for her in his own way, but that's all it would ever be.
The sound of the door opening behind him brought him out of his thoughts and he straightened in his seat as his father and uncle entered and took their seats.
The guard contingent entered through the main doors and Aro clapped his hands twice. "It looks as though we are all here. Wonderful! Demetri, Felix, I do believe we are ready to begin. Bring in our first guest please."
~o0o~
Lucca wandered the halls after leaving his father's company, debating whether he should do as his father requested and visit with his mother—and most likely his grandmother, since the two were always together—or go exploring parts of the castle he'd yet to see, as free time with nothing assigned for him to do was a rarity.
He groaned with a grimace at the guilt he felt. He really didn't feel like sitting through all their fawning at the moment. What he really wanted to do was see something he had never been allowed to see in the castle; something that had his curiosity piqued; the dungeon.
For some strange reason, his father had been adamant that he be kept from there, and he didn't quite understand why. It wasn't as though he was fragile and he most certainly was no longer a child, so the real reason was yet another curiosity that added to the allure as far as he was concerned.
He stopped walking as a smirk slowly formed on his lips. Yes, that's how he would spend his rare free time this day; once and for all appeasing his curiosity about the forbidden.
Turning on his heel, he hurried along the corridor toward the stairway leading down to the dungeon.
When he arrived at the stairway, he closed his eyes and concentrated every bit of empathic power he had on the guard that he could see sitting just at the bottom. He might not be as powerful as his father, but he had been practicing and knew he could knock out at least one vampire if he gave it everything he had.
As soon as he saw the guard fall on the floor in a heap, he descended the stairs quickly and quietly. He knew that his heartbeat would give him away to any vampire nearby, but he thought he was relatively safe for now. The days prisoners that needed a hearing had already been removed and taken to a holding area just outside the throne room, so no one else should be coming or going for hours; plenty of time for him to look around and be safely gone when they came back. If he was really quick, even his scent would be dissipated by that time and if not, and his father heard of this little excursion, he would deal with the consequences. He was no coward, after all. It was time he faced things as an adult.
Finally reaching the bottom stair, his nose wrinkled at the stench of the place. It was a horrid mix of mold, rot, and all manner of filth causing him to cover his nose and mouth with the crook of his elbow to keep from gagging.
He blinked a few times, swallowing quickly until the urge to vomit had subsided before lowering his arm and moving forward, around the body of the guard he still held under his power.
The first few cells were disappointingly empty and he moved past them quickly, wanting to see the interesting stuff, like the wall covered in various implements that he could see at the end of the row.
It made him wonder who, if any, were unfortunate enough to be placed in such a strategic location. He shuddered just thinking of the horrors those weapons could bring, most looking like they were designed to flay the very skin from a body, even that of a vampire.
He drew closer to the wall, no longer noticing the cells or their potential occupants, so focused on the various tools of torture was he, but the sudden sound of shuffling and pathetic whimpers startled him and he spun to his left, staring in horrified fascination at the creature now huddled in a back corner of his cell.
A voice, raspy from disuse, and most likely abuse, had Lucca's eyes widening as his mouth dropped open in disbelief; not from the sound or even the fact that such a pathetic being was still capable of speech, but from the words he spoke and the information that he unknowingly conveyed.
"Jasper? Jasper son, please don't do this! No more please Jasper! I am your father, you are my son—have mercy Jasper—end my suffering. I've endured enough! Please my son—please?"
Lucca backed away in horror, his back finally contacting the wall, where he stood, eyes locked on the sobbing wraith, trying desperately to take in what he had heard and what it meant as tears began to trace, unnoticed, down his cheeks.
~o0o~
The second to the last guest had just left the throne room and Jasper shifted in his seat, thanking all the gods that he no longer had the need or ability to sleep as he was sure that the droning of his Uncle's voice would have had him snoring away hours ago.
"One more meeting to go and then sweet freedom my son. What shall you do with yours?"
He smirked and began to answer when the sound of his mate's voice had him turning with a smile instead. "He will be with me father," Bella said, perching herself casually on the arm of her husband's throne. She leaned down and gave him a soft kiss, breaking it at the clearing of a throat.
"Please refrain young ones. We still have one more meeting and then you may go play to your heart's content."
Jasper smirked. "Uncle, always such a kill-joy."
Aro looked affronted. "Not so nephew, I just prefer to keep our family above reproach. I see nothing wrong in maintaining proper decorum."
Bella had to giggle as Caius weighed in. "Worry not my children. Your uncle is just an old fuddy-duddy."
Aro glared at his brother but the sound of the large doors opening brought their attention back to business as they all faced front to greet the last visitors of the day.
Surprise filled Jasper as Esme and Garrett entered the room, Esme's arm around the shoulders of a young girl.
She smiled at him and spoke. "Hello Jasper, Bella. How are you both?"
Jasper rose from his throne and walked down to her, taking her hands as he placed a chaste kiss to her cheek.
"We are well Esme. It's been a long time since we've seen you. What prompts your visit today of all days?"
Jasper placed an arm around Bella as she joined him and they waited on Esme's answer.
For some reason that Jasper couldn't fathom, she was feeling quite nervous and she glanced at Garrett who nodded.
She looked back at Jasper as she drew the young girl forward.
She looked to be roughly the same age as Lucca and she was beautiful, her brown hair streaked with gold highlights but her most striking feature was her eyes. They were a beautiful jade-green, just as Jasper's had been and Pete's still were.
Esme smoothed the girl's hair back from her face affectionately before finally speaking. "I would like to introduce you to my grand-daughter, Jade. I have raised her since infancy."
Jasper froze at her words but Bella smiled. "Oh, how wonderful! I had no idea that Pete had a child!"
The girl shook her head, finally locking her green gaze with a silent Jasper.
"Peter Cullen is not my father. Jasper Volturi is."
~Fin
Jasper stared into the full length mirror as he put the final touches on the suit Bella had chosen for him to wear this day. It was a charcoal grey silk, Italian, of course. The shirt beneath was jet black and the accents that tied the ensemble together, the deepest blood-red.
Settling his Volturi pendant in place, he turned and smiled at his beautiful wife. "Why do you watch me so intently?"
She rose from her chair and sauntered toward him, her red eyes full of passion and a wicked smirk in place as she ran her hand over a lapel. "Oh, I was just thinking how much I prefer you out of the suit, no matter how devastatingly handsome you are in it."
He pulled her close, growling lowly as he kissed her neck, drawing a delighted laugh from her as she tilted her head to more fully enjoy his attentions.
The sound of an adolescent groan caught Jasper's attention and he smirked as he stood to his full height, ready to hear what his son had to say.
"Must you two always paw at each other where I have to witness it?"
Bella turned to face their son, one brow raised. "Must you take such a rude tone Lucca?"
Jasper watched his fourteen year old replica flop into a nearby chair while giving his mother an eye roll and he sighed as he faced his son, keeping one arm draped around Bella's waist.
"Son, would you like to have a week-long training session? It can be arranged quite easily."
The boy straightened instantly, looking contrite. "No Father."
"Then I suggest you apologize to your Mother for your rude attitude, and learn to knock before entering our private quarters."
"Yes sir." He rose and went to his mother, kissing her on the cheek. "Perdonami Mama."
(Forgive me, Mom)
Jasper's brows rose as he watched his wife nearly melt as she smiled and hugged her son, smoothing his hair from his face. "It's all right sweetheart."
Lucca grinned as his mother fawned over him for a moment before kissing her husbands cheek and excusing herself to go spend the morning with Athenadora.
When she was gone, Jasper eyed his smirking son. "It is most certainly not all right, and if I find myself reminding you again, make no mistake, we will be having that training session. I'll see to it personally."
The smirk dropped off Lucca's face and he nodded. "Sì Papà, ho capito."
(Yes Dad, I understand)
Jasper donned his black cloak, preparing to leave for a court session in the throne room. "I assume you came in for a reason?"
"I did. I want to go out with friends later."
Jasper sat down and gestured toward the adjacent chair. "You're being vague."
Lucca sighed and flopped in the chair but straightened at the raised brow of his father. "I wanted to go see a show with Nico and Sal."
He studied his son carefully, feeling no deceit from him. He'd found this necessary as the years had gone by and his son had developed the shield he'd inherited from his mother. He could now mostly block his father's ability.
He'd also inherited empathic abilities; not to the degree of Jasper's ability, but that could certainly change with time, especially if he chose to transition fully when he reached maturity.
Relaxing back in his seat, he kept his gaze steady on his fidgeting son, wondering why he was becoming unnerved. "What time is the show and when will you be leaving?"
Lucca shifted in his seat. "Uh, well the show starts at 9:00 but I wanted to leave at 7:00 so that we could grab some food and hang out for a while first." He glanced up at his father and looked back down almost immediately.
Jasper caught this and smirked mentally. "And who are the girls you will be meeting?" He had to stifle a chuckle as he watched a blush heat his son's face.
"Gi—girls?" Lucca choked out.
Now Jasper did smirk. "Yes son, girls."
Lucca groaned, tilting his head to the side as he ran a hand through his hair. "Papa… Why do you ask such questions?!" He cut his gaze at his father quickly and away again, waiting to see what Jasper would say.
He laughed. "Oh my son, you think I don't know? It hasn't been so very long from when I was in your place, you know. Now," He straightened each cuff as he spoke. "I do believe that you were going to tell me about the girls you will also be meeting, yes?" Jasper had to strain to hear the answer, and for a vampire, that's saying something.
"Lina, Carina and Alessia."
"Look at me Lucca." Jasper waited for his son to meet and hold his gaze. "I trust that you will not put yourself in any dangerous or compromising situations this evening?"
Lucca looked down as he answered. "No Papa, I will not."
"Good, you have the words down, now meet my eyes and tell me."
Lucca huffed, but met his father's eyes. "No Papa, I will not put myself in any dangerous or compromising situations this evening."
Jasper nodded. "You will also make sure that you are home and in your bed by midnight."
He watched a scowl form on his son's face, his green eyes filled with anger. "Ai Papa! Midnight?! That hardly gives us any time to hang out after the show! It's ridiculous, especially since I know that you will probably have Demetri following me!"
Jasper glanced at the clock and stood. "I have court to attend. Those are my conditions for your participation in the nights activities. If you do not agree, then you do not go."
Lucca stood and bowed to his father, his King. "I will be home by midnight…" He trailed off as Jasper cocked a brow at him, hanging his head in defeat as he rephrased. "I will be home AND in bed by midnight."
Jasper smiled and pulled his son into an embrace, smoothing his hair back as he kissed his forehead. "Very soon Lucca, you will be grown and making your own decisions. Until then, you are mine to love and protect. That is my job and my privilege as your father. Perhaps someday, you will understand. I love you."
Lucca looked up and smiled. "I love you too Papa. Have fun in court." He smirked.
Jasper released his son and mussed his hair as he chuckled. "Indeed, you know how I love attending court sessions, especially when your great-uncle feels the need to pontificate ceaselessly."
Lucca laughed, ducking further contact with his hair as he rearranged it back to the stylish mess it had been.
"Such are the perils of the life of a King, Papa."
Jasper slung an arm around his son's shoulders as they left their quarters. "Yes my Prince, and I hope you are taking notes, for such shall be your lot one day."
"Pfft! I won't have to worry with that for centuries to come!" Lucca glanced up at his father and was saddened by the sudden sorrow he could see in his father's eyes. "Yes, so I had thought also son, but you just never know."
"You're thinking of Uncle Marcus, aren't you Papa?"
Jasper gave his son a wan smile as they walked toward the throne room. "Yes Lucca. He was a great vampire; very loyal and wise, but he is with his beloved mate now and I like to think that he is very happy."
They arrived at the king's entrance to the throne room and Jasper glanced at his son with one brow cocked as he grasped the handle of the heavy door. "Will you be attending court with me today son?"
Lucca shook his head. "No Papa, I believe I'll find something else to occupy my time until I meet with my friends."
He opened the door. "Very well then. Why don't you spend some time with your mother? She misses your company greatly."
Lucca sighed and glanced at his father. "I'll try Papa, but all she likes to do is paint, draw, read, or talk about the books she reads. I love her, but it's all so very girly and boring! She doesn't even like to go riding! I don't know why you bothered getting her a horse!"
Jasper chuckled. "All right Lucca, I must go now, but perhaps spend a little time speaking with her? Make an effort son, for your mother's sake."
"Sì , Papà."
He nodded and walked into the throne room, just behind the daïs. Moving the heavy drape aside, he took his throne, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead, as a sigh escaped him.
It seemed he was the first one here and right now, that was a good thing.
Thoughts of Marcus had lead to thoughts of other things best left in the past; things he'd managed to shove to the furthest recesses of his mind. He'd had to, just to get past the guilt and on with living.
He'd never mentioned Leah and her child, his other child, to anyone fourteen and a half years ago or any day since. It was his deepest, darkest secret, not to mention his greatest regret, and he was sure that were it to come to light, it would do untold damage.
Forks, WA; the place still haunted him. It seemed no matter how hard he'd tried to leave it behind, forget about it, things in his life had conspired to see that he couldn't.
His biological mother, Esme, had moved back into the house there with her mate, Garrett just a month after Lucca's birth and had been there since. Consequently, Bella had bugged him about going for a visit several times over the years, which he had of course, refused to do.
In addition to that, his twin had moved there just a year after Esme, with his mate Paula, so now there was even more of a reason to visit in Bella's eyes. It was getting more difficult to put her off, especially since Bella was convinced that Lucca needed to meet and get to know Esme and his Uncle Pete.
He disagreed, and had even refused to tell Lucca about any of the Cullen's, or allow anyone else to tell him either.
The only family any of them needed was right here in Volterra, as far as he was concerned and he had no wish to open old wounds and deal with any of the emotional conflict they brought.
Caius was his father and Athenadora his mother; end of story.
He sighed, covering his eyes with his hand as he leaned on the arm of his throne.
He'd had to make it very clear that, to him at least, Forks, WA was a fucking curse, and he would have no part in it ever again. He and Bella had even had a heated argument over it, not speaking for days until she'd spoken to Caius who had calmly explained what he believed his son's reasoning to be. Bella had accepted it then and they'd had a long talk and finally made up.
One point about the whole thing that he found most curious is that Esme had never offered to come to Volterra in all the times that Bella had spoken to her. Perhaps it was due to memories of the place from when she'd visited here with Carlisle? He may never know because he had no intention to ask her. Although she was his biological mother, he'd never really developed a parental relationship with her. He cared for her in his own way, but that's all it would ever be.
The sound of the door opening behind him brought him out of his thoughts and he straightened in his seat as his father and uncle entered and took their seats.
The guard contingent entered through the main doors and Aro clapped his hands twice. "It looks as though we are all here. Wonderful! Demetri, Felix, I do believe we are ready to begin. Bring in our first guest please."
~o0o~
Lucca wandered the halls after leaving his father's company, debating whether he should do as his father requested and visit with his mother—and most likely his grandmother, since the two were always together—or go exploring parts of the castle he'd yet to see, as free time with nothing assigned for him to do was a rarity.
He groaned with a grimace at the guilt he felt. He really didn't feel like sitting through all their fawning at the moment. What he really wanted to do was see something he had never been allowed to see in the castle; something that had his curiosity piqued; the dungeon.
For some strange reason, his father had been adamant that he be kept from there, and he didn't quite understand why. It wasn't as though he was fragile and he most certainly was no longer a child, so the real reason was yet another curiosity that added to the allure as far as he was concerned.
He stopped walking as a smirk slowly formed on his lips. Yes, that's how he would spend his rare free time this day; once and for all appeasing his curiosity about the forbidden.
Turning on his heel, he hurried along the corridor toward the stairway leading down to the dungeon.
When he arrived at the stairway, he closed his eyes and concentrated every bit of empathic power he had on the guard that he could see sitting just at the bottom. He might not be as powerful as his father, but he had been practicing and knew he could knock out at least one vampire if he gave it everything he had.
As soon as he saw the guard fall on the floor in a heap, he descended the stairs quickly and quietly. He knew that his heartbeat would give him away to any vampire nearby, but he thought he was relatively safe for now. The days prisoners that needed a hearing had already been removed and taken to a holding area just outside the throne room, so no one else should be coming or going for hours; plenty of time for him to look around and be safely gone when they came back. If he was really quick, even his scent would be dissipated by that time and if not, and his father heard of this little excursion, he would deal with the consequences. He was no coward, after all. It was time he faced things as an adult.
Finally reaching the bottom stair, his nose wrinkled at the stench of the place. It was a horrid mix of mold, rot, and all manner of filth causing him to cover his nose and mouth with the crook of his elbow to keep from gagging.
He blinked a few times, swallowing quickly until the urge to vomit had subsided before lowering his arm and moving forward, around the body of the guard he still held under his power.
The first few cells were disappointingly empty and he moved past them quickly, wanting to see the interesting stuff, like the wall covered in various implements that he could see at the end of the row.
It made him wonder who, if any, were unfortunate enough to be placed in such a strategic location. He shuddered just thinking of the horrors those weapons could bring, most looking like they were designed to flay the very skin from a body, even that of a vampire.
He drew closer to the wall, no longer noticing the cells or their potential occupants, so focused on the various tools of torture was he, but the sudden sound of shuffling and pathetic whimpers startled him and he spun to his left, staring in horrified fascination at the creature now huddled in a back corner of his cell.
A voice, raspy from disuse, and most likely abuse, had Lucca's eyes widening as his mouth dropped open in disbelief; not from the sound or even the fact that such a pathetic being was still capable of speech, but from the words he spoke and the information that he unknowingly conveyed.
"Jasper? Jasper son, please don't do this! No more please Jasper! I am your father, you are my son—have mercy Jasper—end my suffering. I've endured enough! Please my son—please?"
Lucca backed away in horror, his back finally contacting the wall, where he stood, eyes locked on the sobbing wraith, trying desperately to take in what he had heard and what it meant as tears began to trace, unnoticed, down his cheeks.
~o0o~
The second to the last guest had just left the throne room and Jasper shifted in his seat, thanking all the gods that he no longer had the need or ability to sleep as he was sure that the droning of his Uncle's voice would have had him snoring away hours ago.
"One more meeting to go and then sweet freedom my son. What shall you do with yours?"
He smirked and began to answer when the sound of his mate's voice had him turning with a smile instead. "He will be with me father," Bella said, perching herself casually on the arm of her husband's throne. She leaned down and gave him a soft kiss, breaking it at the clearing of a throat.
"Please refrain young ones. We still have one more meeting and then you may go play to your heart's content."
Jasper smirked. "Uncle, always such a kill-joy."
Aro looked affronted. "Not so nephew, I just prefer to keep our family above reproach. I see nothing wrong in maintaining proper decorum."
Bella had to giggle as Caius weighed in. "Worry not my children. Your uncle is just an old fuddy-duddy."
Aro glared at his brother but the sound of the large doors opening brought their attention back to business as they all faced front to greet the last visitors of the day.
Surprise filled Jasper as Esme and Garrett entered the room, Esme's arm around the shoulders of a young girl.
She smiled at him and spoke. "Hello Jasper, Bella. How are you both?"
Jasper rose from his throne and walked down to her, taking her hands as he placed a chaste kiss to her cheek.
"We are well Esme. It's been a long time since we've seen you. What prompts your visit today of all days?"
Jasper placed an arm around Bella as she joined him and they waited on Esme's answer.
For some reason that Jasper couldn't fathom, she was feeling quite nervous and she glanced at Garrett who nodded.
She looked back at Jasper as she drew the young girl forward.
She looked to be roughly the same age as Lucca and she was beautiful, her brown hair streaked with gold highlights but her most striking feature was her eyes. They were a beautiful jade-green, just as Jasper's had been and Pete's still were.
Esme smoothed the girl's hair back from her face affectionately before finally speaking. "I would like to introduce you to my grand-daughter, Jade. I have raised her since infancy."
Jasper froze at her words but Bella smiled. "Oh, how wonderful! I had no idea that Pete had a child!"
The girl shook her head, finally locking her green gaze with a silent Jasper.
"Peter Cullen is not my father. Jasper Volturi is."
~Fin
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