Rated M for language,adult situations,and the possibility of sexual situations in later Chapters.Not intended for anyone under 18.
Chapter 9:Caius' Past and a Crazy Dream
The next three days were basically the same. I spent time with both families, was tested on the laws, played in the pool and various other things. Marcus had called me to his office to tell me that he had gotten me a special gift. He explained the gift was a little wedding present, but with him and his brothers a little gift was not very little. My first little gift from him was a car, a black Audi A-8, my second little gift was the pool, and now I was wondering what my new present was. With him it could be anything, a house in France or England, expensive jewelry by Cartier, or and island in the Mediterranean. After making a fuss about the car, I learned to accept the gifts without complaining. However I was not expecting a beautiful hand carved gloss black mahogany Baldwin grand piano. He told me it was placed in the room next to mine. I thanked him with a hug and went to find Aro.
He, as usual, was in his study reading. When I asked what he needed, he told me to take a seat. He said he had a few things to tell me and needed me to be open for anything. When he spoke it was with a tone that made him seem exhausted. He said, Bella, you will always be my first concern and it pains me to see you have not been privy to why Caius is the way he is. I know you know about his first wife but what you do not know is how badly she acted towards him. When she first came here to the castle, he was struck by her unusual beauty and totally taken with her. They had a whirlwind courtship and appeared to love one another deeply. For the first fifty years everything was peaceful, but as the years passed Athenodora (growl) became restless. She took a lover and yes he was a member in our guard. The first few times she was with him she was filled with guilt. This went on behind his back for months. She began to think he suspected what was going on and ended it. Things between them became like they were before the affair until her desire for power emerged. Caius would go out on missions and she would remain here. She became restless again and took several lovers but could never get the two she wanted most, myself and Marcus. She tried several times and we declined the invitation as we didn't want her form of comfort. Marcus approached me and told me of her unscrupulous behavior on his part and I disclosed what she was doing to me as well. Marcus then told me the bonds between Caius and Athenodora were irrevocably broken as she no longer cared for him in any way. When he would return, Caius would choose to leave again on more missions as he could no longer stand the sight of her. I took it upon myself to tell him to rid himself of the problem and get on with his life. He had her followed every time so he would know exactly what was going on. His trust in her as well as his heart was crushed beyond repair. He retreated within himself and became cold-hearted, vicious, and more inhumane than even I had ever seen him. He devised methods of torture and extinguished vampires for the tiniest of infractions. He then became hell bent on destroying the children of the moon. During one of his attacks on them, he was wounded and we feared he was dying. The creature tore him apart. Marcus and I called Carlisle to help us as he had gone to pursue his happiness. Carlisle came and put him together again but he needed the care and love of his wife to completely heal him. As much as she tried, she kept her lovers and he found out about them. Several times he forgave her until she tried to have him torn apart and burned. They subsequently divorced and she was immediately cut off from funds and exiled. Her appearance here the other day was a ruse of hers for him to take her back, but we know where his heart lies. You brought him back and for that we are deeply indebted to you. Bella, you gave Marcus and I the greatest gift anyone could have given us, our brother.
Tears fell from my eyes as he told me this unbelievable story and I vowed that NO ONE would ever hurt Caius again. Aro called in Carlisle and Marcus to tell their sides of the story. Marcus told the same one but Carlisle's was more horrific due to Caius' state when he arrived. Carlisle said: As much as I want to protect you, you have the right to know the things I will tell you. Aro is right on how badly Caius was harmed. The brother's were concerned Caius was close to death and called me to repair the damage that had been done. The werewolf had physically mutilated him. He was in many parts, a literal puzzle that took the utmost of care to reassemble. I put him back together but he needed human sustenance for the melding of his parts to take place. It took several feedings for the fusing to take, but we found him to be emotionally repressed. Athenodora's treatment towards him left him beyond repair, until you came. Bella, he was void of any emotion but cruelty. You managed to bring him back from the brink of total destruction. He wanted to take revenge on his former wife but that was not his place. In order for him to totally heal you must become one of us and seek the revenge he desires.
Marcus then spoke by saying: Mia figlia, you are the only one to hold such power. We all will be behind you when the time comes for her to be brought to her knees. You have to figure out whether or not you possess the strength to rid the world of her destructive ways. I know that this a lot to process and take in, but you needed to know what possessed Caius to be so heartless. We wish not to upset you but these are the very tools you'll need to help him. He needs to know he can trust you and your love is eternally his.
As my tears continued to fall, I looked at them all and said with determination: Right now I may be only human but believe me when I say; My love for him is undying and I WILL do whatever it takes to prove he can and will trust me. I will never leave him or turn to another, as he and only he is my forever. I promise to take the steps necessary to make sure that bitch gets what she deserves. Whether or not I live forever, SHE WILL DIE for the pain she has caused you all.
I stunned them into silence with my tirade, but they needed to know that when it came to Caius, I will protect him at all costs. I knew I was vehemently entertaining, but once I complete the change, Athenodora will be the object of my wrath. I thanked them for being honest with me and told them I loved each one of them. I walked to the door and said I'd see them later. I needed to find Caius and hear his voice. He had a calming effect for me and I needed it now more than ever before.
I walked along the hallways not paying attention to where I was going and was stopped by Jasper. He sent me waves of calm and asked what I was up too. I told him I was going to see Caius and he asked if I wanted to swim first. Jasper then said: Bella, don't' worry so much; we'll get the rest of the family and have some fun so you will be calm for him. You know if you need to talk, I'm always around and willing to listen. Let's go and get our family and have fun.
I told him ok and followed him to Cullen rooms and we all went out to the pool. I chose a bikini in a dark shade of crimson, Alice wore black and white, and Rose wore magenta. Jazz and Emmett both chose Navy trunks. They all chose to jump in as I sat on the edge of the pool itself. They could tell something was bothering me but left me to work it out myself. I decided I wanted to be near the waterfall but I had to swim across the pool to get there. As I settled under the falling water, Caius came out to investigate what we were doing. He stood in the shadows but I felt his presence, no one else noticed. I looked right at him and he emerged with a grin. I got out of the water and he asked how I knew he was there and all I could say was I felt him watching me. I told everyone to enjoy the pool and walked with Caius into the castle.
We went to my room so I could change and talk. I grabbed jeans and a button down in sea foam green to dress in. When I came out of the bathroom Caius watched me with a guarded expression. He asked if I was alright and scowled when I asked him to tell me more of his past.
He watched my expression and found I was interested in knowing all of him. He asked what I wanted to know and I said I wanted to know the real him. He then started talking:
I do not like the person I was, that part should not matter. But I want to explain myself to you. My brothers and I grew up in Greece. We were changed about 2,973 years ago, so I imagine my age is approximately 3000. My life as a vampire is far from anyone's imagination and just as incomprehensible. We were men of war and conquered our opponents admirably. Until the night we were turned. A man we did not know changed Aro and three weeks later he turned Marcus and I. At first the burning was hard to deal with and then the thirst afterwards felt like it would never be quenched. We hunted the man who was responsible for Aro's change and ended him. We formed the Volturi and worked hard to become the great ruling body of our world. After the first fifty or so years we were talking and Marcus told me it was time for all of us to take a wife. Aro married and mated with Sulpicia, then Marcus with Didyme, Aro's sister. It was 15-20 years later when I with Athenodora. She and I married but the mating pull wasn't there. We were happy for the first twenty or so years then things changed. We began arguing and as much as I loved her I started to bend to her will. We grew apart so I started going on missions. She took a lover and she thought I never knew but the man she was with was one of my personal guards. He told me everything. She broke it off with him and we reconciled. Things were fine for years then she started to change in ways that even I didn't understand. She became power hungry and she wanted to rule, not with us, but alone. Athenodora took up with more lovers and I took on more missions to stay away from her. One mission I was on dealt with the children of the moon, you know them as werewolves. My men and I annihilated almost all we encountered but one hung back until I was alone burning the rest of the remains. It attacked after my men took their leave and we began fighting. I don't know how long we went at it, but the dog managed to get the upper hand. The wolf's strength confounded me and I began to fight harder. After some time, the men came back and told me they found me, of all things, in pieces. They picked up all my pieces and brought me home. As I hung I the balance, my brothers called Carlisle for help in putting me back together. It took several days for my body to mend enough for me to feed. I required many feedings for the true healing to begin, but the one thing I needed the most was the love of my wife. She was told what I needed and shrugged me off. She laughed and said that love was a pain game played by mortal men and we deserved not to share in it because we were above that feeling. As we began fighting more, I withdrew into myself and became calculatingly vicious and cold hearted. I devised many methods of torture and plotted battle strategies. I then moved my chambers to the wing it's in now, the west wing, as I had no need to be in her presence. I filed the necessary documents for divorce when I finally had enough of her lies and trysts. She tried telling me she loved me and that she had changed. Of course I sneered and told her she was a wildcat and couldn't change the pattern of her coat. Aro, Marcus, and I cut off her funds and she was exiled and told never to return. The other day when she was here, she tried to regain my affections. I told her to go back to the depths of hell she rose from as I had no need of her. I told her I was betrothed to a lovely woman whose pure heart and soul called to me. She laughed and told me I was a fool for falling in love. I told her your love is pure and the mating pull had begun when we met. As she was leaving that day, she came across you on her way out, hence your confrontation with her. Now you know the truth and what I can remember of my past.
While I listened to him tell his past, silent tears fell for his pain. I didn't feel pity for this wonderful creature but unconditional love the same I feel for the man he became. I threw my arms around his neck and said to him in Italian: Niente di ciò che erano o abbia mia fatto potrebbe negare la mia amore. I sarà al vostro per sempre enoi sconfriggere I propri demoni. (Nothing you were or ever did could never deny you of my love. I will be at your side forever and we will vanquish your demons.)
I don't know how long we held each other; I enjoy having his body against mine. I became intoxicated and relaxed by his scent of sandalwood, the ocean, and a hint of lavender. Now I understand what Edward meant by "his own personal brand of heroin". I will never get enough of this man's scent; I love it almost as much as I love him.
I wanted to discuss with him the physical side of our relationship, but I was unsure of how to approach it. I pulled myself away from him and he asked if something was wrong. I looked him in the eye and started talking about it. He surprised me by taking my hand in his and explaining: Bella mia, I came from a time when men didn't take part in relations before marriage. It is a decision based on that and a couple of other things. One of these things is based on morality and the other is virtue. By your scent I know that you are untouched by a man, a virgin, and I wish you to remain that way until we are married. This has nothing to do with causing you physical harm as I can never hurt you. Please do not think you are undesirable, you, amore mia, are very desirable. Sometimes I have a hard time controlling how much I truly want you. Our first night as man and wife will be unforgettable for you as I have planned something very special for you.
I thanked him for being honest and explaining he felt. I now understand why we never went farther than kissing. I then explained that in this time where I come from, that sexual pleasure before marriage is very common and it is the one thing I want to experience before I change. He promised I would enjoy the act several times before my change, after we are married.
He asked what I was thinking and I said to him: I keep asking myself what I did in order to deserve you. I never would have thought that I would ever get a wonderful man after Edward and here you are. I never knew I could possess so much love for another being. I was broken when he left me, I fell into a deep depression and if it hadn't been for Jake, I don't know what would have happened to me. I'm kind of glad that Edward came here or I never would have met you. I probably would have continued to watch vampire shows on cable TV, laughing at them, and wishing one would come help erase the pain of him leaving.
He pulled me into his arms, held me close, and said: I am the lucky one. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm grateful, Edward left you or I never would have found you. When you came here I didn't want to take a chance on feeling anything for you. I was given no choice in the matter as the pull had begun the minute I laid eyes on you. It's like my heart called to you and yours answered. You know, love at first sight. That's what the mating pull to us is. I could feel a shift in everything I ever felt for anyone. I no longer feel lost, angry, and alone. Isabella, I promise you will never be alone again. When we start the process of your change, it will be a pain you have never felt before. I love you, so I'm not going lie and tell you it will be butterflies and roses. You need to be prepared for what is going to happen. I will bite you in several places, pulse points, and force my venom into your bloodstream. When I have finished with that I will inject the venom straight into your heart with a syringe. You will have three days of transforming. During this time I will stay with you if you wish but you will feel like you are on fire and the pain will be excruciating. Your heartbeat will speed up to force the venom around, and when it is almost over, your heart will falter and stop. Your eyes will open and they will be like bright red. It will take a few months to the red to dim, unless you choose the Cullen diet then they will change to amber then a golden color. During your first year, you will have very little control over things. Your strength and speed will be more than the rest of ours too. Everything will become more manageable and we will have forever to be together. We shall call Eleazar again and find out for sure what gifts you have and go from there.
I asked if Carlisle will be around for my change and Caius told me if I wish it I needed to discuss it with them. He told me I could have all of them or some here it was up to me. I definitely wanted Jasper around as he had the experience with newborns and his help would benefit me in more ways than one.
We spent the rest of the evening chatting about various things and cuddling. When I managed to make it to bed he stayed and stripped down to his boxer briefs and held me. I always slept better with him than alone, as vivid dreams and nightmares would occur if he were elsewhere. He must have gotten called sometime during the night; I was sucked into a dream. It was one of Athenodora.
It began with: I was walking through the corridors to Caius' office.When she came out of nowhere and began her tirade, "What do we have here?Where is yourprotector now,hmmm?If you think you can get away from me now,you're sadly mistaken.You are going to die and Caius will be mine,forever!"
She grabbed me and threw me into a wall, cracking my head open in the process. Blood oozed form the wound as she picked me up and bit into my neck and proceeded to try and drain me, when a white light surrounded me and forced me to fight her off. I pushed her into the opposite wall and taunted her. "Is that all you've got? No wonder the brothers think you are useless and exiled you." We began circling each other, our steps matching, in a deadly dance. She lunged for my throat again missing by a fraction of an inch. My hair began to billow around my shoulders, as if a wind were blowing, causing it to fly. When she lunged for the third time, I reached out and grabbed her round the neck and threw her into another wall and sneered, "You think you will beat me and that is where you're wrong. I will tear you apart and burn every last piece. Caius is mine and will never be with you again. You destroy everything that comes around you, where I give love and understanding. When will you get it through your head that he doesn't want you?"
Her face morphed into an evil apparition as she said, "You think you have all the answers! He never wanted you, a pitiful insignificant human, He needs me! Someone who is a challenge for him, someone who refuses to put up with his bullshit. He deserves passion and a fight. Not some lowly creature to quench his desire and make him less than he is. He's making you think he loves you; don't you see, it's all a ruse. He wants to change you and then leave you alone in the guard. You are no match for him.
The wind whipped my hair around as flames came up through the marble floor. For every step I took forward she took two back toward the flames. She lunged again, only to find the flames surrounding her. The brothers came around the corner and stopped dead in their tracks, mesmerized by the sight in front of them. I looked her in the eye and said, "Today you will die for all the pain you have caused me and my family. I may not be able to undo what you have done but I can help the healing. You've destroyed everything and everyone that has crossed your path, NO MORE! I told you to stay away and not come back! I warned you to never try to hurt my family. Every time you come here, you try to piss me off and take my family away from me. This is the last time you will ever walk through these halls! What I am about to do to you will be worth the wrath the gods may have in store for me; but you will feel their wrath first for everything you have done!"
Jasper and the Cullen family came to see what was happening from behind me and watched. Athenodora then said, "This is nothing compared to what I will do to you. I will end you and Caius will suffer the loss of his mate. I will prevail in this little game of yours."
All I did was cause the flames to close in on her, saying, "I call upon the ancient powers of the gods from the four towers, earth, air, water, and fire; bring the end for this destructive force and put her on your pyre. Have her enter the devil's door, where we will see her nevermore."
The flames kept closing in until she was engulfed in flames screaming, "I will have my revenge on you. Caius will see your wicked ways and turn away from you. You will be lonely forever and never have a chance of redemption. Mark my words, you weak and insignificant fool! I curse the ground you walk upon."
I watched the flames as she turned to ash and said, "Athenodora you cannot curse a force of pure love ridding the world of evil like you. Especially when that force of love is working to correct your mistakes and bring love and life to those who truly deserve to have it." When a pile of ash was all that remained Aro looked at me, smiling, and called Felix to clean up the mess on the floor. I collapsed in exhaustion and passed out.
I woke to Caius gently rubbing my back and telling me to wake up. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He said I was having some sort of dream and was calling his name. He hugged me and asked if I remembered what it was about. I told him it was weird and explained what I remembered of it. His expression was masked as he told me I didn't have anything to worry about as my dream would never take place. He also reminded me that we were getting married tomorrow and to look forward to that instead.
He, as usual, was in his study reading. When I asked what he needed, he told me to take a seat. He said he had a few things to tell me and needed me to be open for anything. When he spoke it was with a tone that made him seem exhausted. He said, Bella, you will always be my first concern and it pains me to see you have not been privy to why Caius is the way he is. I know you know about his first wife but what you do not know is how badly she acted towards him. When she first came here to the castle, he was struck by her unusual beauty and totally taken with her. They had a whirlwind courtship and appeared to love one another deeply. For the first fifty years everything was peaceful, but as the years passed Athenodora (growl) became restless. She took a lover and yes he was a member in our guard. The first few times she was with him she was filled with guilt. This went on behind his back for months. She began to think he suspected what was going on and ended it. Things between them became like they were before the affair until her desire for power emerged. Caius would go out on missions and she would remain here. She became restless again and took several lovers but could never get the two she wanted most, myself and Marcus. She tried several times and we declined the invitation as we didn't want her form of comfort. Marcus approached me and told me of her unscrupulous behavior on his part and I disclosed what she was doing to me as well. Marcus then told me the bonds between Caius and Athenodora were irrevocably broken as she no longer cared for him in any way. When he would return, Caius would choose to leave again on more missions as he could no longer stand the sight of her. I took it upon myself to tell him to rid himself of the problem and get on with his life. He had her followed every time so he would know exactly what was going on. His trust in her as well as his heart was crushed beyond repair. He retreated within himself and became cold-hearted, vicious, and more inhumane than even I had ever seen him. He devised methods of torture and extinguished vampires for the tiniest of infractions. He then became hell bent on destroying the children of the moon. During one of his attacks on them, he was wounded and we feared he was dying. The creature tore him apart. Marcus and I called Carlisle to help us as he had gone to pursue his happiness. Carlisle came and put him together again but he needed the care and love of his wife to completely heal him. As much as she tried, she kept her lovers and he found out about them. Several times he forgave her until she tried to have him torn apart and burned. They subsequently divorced and she was immediately cut off from funds and exiled. Her appearance here the other day was a ruse of hers for him to take her back, but we know where his heart lies. You brought him back and for that we are deeply indebted to you. Bella, you gave Marcus and I the greatest gift anyone could have given us, our brother.
Tears fell from my eyes as he told me this unbelievable story and I vowed that NO ONE would ever hurt Caius again. Aro called in Carlisle and Marcus to tell their sides of the story. Marcus told the same one but Carlisle's was more horrific due to Caius' state when he arrived. Carlisle said: As much as I want to protect you, you have the right to know the things I will tell you. Aro is right on how badly Caius was harmed. The brother's were concerned Caius was close to death and called me to repair the damage that had been done. The werewolf had physically mutilated him. He was in many parts, a literal puzzle that took the utmost of care to reassemble. I put him back together but he needed human sustenance for the melding of his parts to take place. It took several feedings for the fusing to take, but we found him to be emotionally repressed. Athenodora's treatment towards him left him beyond repair, until you came. Bella, he was void of any emotion but cruelty. You managed to bring him back from the brink of total destruction. He wanted to take revenge on his former wife but that was not his place. In order for him to totally heal you must become one of us and seek the revenge he desires.
Marcus then spoke by saying: Mia figlia, you are the only one to hold such power. We all will be behind you when the time comes for her to be brought to her knees. You have to figure out whether or not you possess the strength to rid the world of her destructive ways. I know that this a lot to process and take in, but you needed to know what possessed Caius to be so heartless. We wish not to upset you but these are the very tools you'll need to help him. He needs to know he can trust you and your love is eternally his.
As my tears continued to fall, I looked at them all and said with determination: Right now I may be only human but believe me when I say; My love for him is undying and I WILL do whatever it takes to prove he can and will trust me. I will never leave him or turn to another, as he and only he is my forever. I promise to take the steps necessary to make sure that bitch gets what she deserves. Whether or not I live forever, SHE WILL DIE for the pain she has caused you all.
I stunned them into silence with my tirade, but they needed to know that when it came to Caius, I will protect him at all costs. I knew I was vehemently entertaining, but once I complete the change, Athenodora will be the object of my wrath. I thanked them for being honest with me and told them I loved each one of them. I walked to the door and said I'd see them later. I needed to find Caius and hear his voice. He had a calming effect for me and I needed it now more than ever before.
I walked along the hallways not paying attention to where I was going and was stopped by Jasper. He sent me waves of calm and asked what I was up too. I told him I was going to see Caius and he asked if I wanted to swim first. Jasper then said: Bella, don't' worry so much; we'll get the rest of the family and have some fun so you will be calm for him. You know if you need to talk, I'm always around and willing to listen. Let's go and get our family and have fun.
I told him ok and followed him to Cullen rooms and we all went out to the pool. I chose a bikini in a dark shade of crimson, Alice wore black and white, and Rose wore magenta. Jazz and Emmett both chose Navy trunks. They all chose to jump in as I sat on the edge of the pool itself. They could tell something was bothering me but left me to work it out myself. I decided I wanted to be near the waterfall but I had to swim across the pool to get there. As I settled under the falling water, Caius came out to investigate what we were doing. He stood in the shadows but I felt his presence, no one else noticed. I looked right at him and he emerged with a grin. I got out of the water and he asked how I knew he was there and all I could say was I felt him watching me. I told everyone to enjoy the pool and walked with Caius into the castle.
We went to my room so I could change and talk. I grabbed jeans and a button down in sea foam green to dress in. When I came out of the bathroom Caius watched me with a guarded expression. He asked if I was alright and scowled when I asked him to tell me more of his past.
He watched my expression and found I was interested in knowing all of him. He asked what I wanted to know and I said I wanted to know the real him. He then started talking:
I do not like the person I was, that part should not matter. But I want to explain myself to you. My brothers and I grew up in Greece. We were changed about 2,973 years ago, so I imagine my age is approximately 3000. My life as a vampire is far from anyone's imagination and just as incomprehensible. We were men of war and conquered our opponents admirably. Until the night we were turned. A man we did not know changed Aro and three weeks later he turned Marcus and I. At first the burning was hard to deal with and then the thirst afterwards felt like it would never be quenched. We hunted the man who was responsible for Aro's change and ended him. We formed the Volturi and worked hard to become the great ruling body of our world. After the first fifty or so years we were talking and Marcus told me it was time for all of us to take a wife. Aro married and mated with Sulpicia, then Marcus with Didyme, Aro's sister. It was 15-20 years later when I with Athenodora. She and I married but the mating pull wasn't there. We were happy for the first twenty or so years then things changed. We began arguing and as much as I loved her I started to bend to her will. We grew apart so I started going on missions. She took a lover and she thought I never knew but the man she was with was one of my personal guards. He told me everything. She broke it off with him and we reconciled. Things were fine for years then she started to change in ways that even I didn't understand. She became power hungry and she wanted to rule, not with us, but alone. Athenodora took up with more lovers and I took on more missions to stay away from her. One mission I was on dealt with the children of the moon, you know them as werewolves. My men and I annihilated almost all we encountered but one hung back until I was alone burning the rest of the remains. It attacked after my men took their leave and we began fighting. I don't know how long we went at it, but the dog managed to get the upper hand. The wolf's strength confounded me and I began to fight harder. After some time, the men came back and told me they found me, of all things, in pieces. They picked up all my pieces and brought me home. As I hung I the balance, my brothers called Carlisle for help in putting me back together. It took several days for my body to mend enough for me to feed. I required many feedings for the true healing to begin, but the one thing I needed the most was the love of my wife. She was told what I needed and shrugged me off. She laughed and said that love was a pain game played by mortal men and we deserved not to share in it because we were above that feeling. As we began fighting more, I withdrew into myself and became calculatingly vicious and cold hearted. I devised many methods of torture and plotted battle strategies. I then moved my chambers to the wing it's in now, the west wing, as I had no need to be in her presence. I filed the necessary documents for divorce when I finally had enough of her lies and trysts. She tried telling me she loved me and that she had changed. Of course I sneered and told her she was a wildcat and couldn't change the pattern of her coat. Aro, Marcus, and I cut off her funds and she was exiled and told never to return. The other day when she was here, she tried to regain my affections. I told her to go back to the depths of hell she rose from as I had no need of her. I told her I was betrothed to a lovely woman whose pure heart and soul called to me. She laughed and told me I was a fool for falling in love. I told her your love is pure and the mating pull had begun when we met. As she was leaving that day, she came across you on her way out, hence your confrontation with her. Now you know the truth and what I can remember of my past.
While I listened to him tell his past, silent tears fell for his pain. I didn't feel pity for this wonderful creature but unconditional love the same I feel for the man he became. I threw my arms around his neck and said to him in Italian: Niente di ciò che erano o abbia mia fatto potrebbe negare la mia amore. I sarà al vostro per sempre enoi sconfriggere I propri demoni. (Nothing you were or ever did could never deny you of my love. I will be at your side forever and we will vanquish your demons.)
I don't know how long we held each other; I enjoy having his body against mine. I became intoxicated and relaxed by his scent of sandalwood, the ocean, and a hint of lavender. Now I understand what Edward meant by "his own personal brand of heroin". I will never get enough of this man's scent; I love it almost as much as I love him.
I wanted to discuss with him the physical side of our relationship, but I was unsure of how to approach it. I pulled myself away from him and he asked if something was wrong. I looked him in the eye and started talking about it. He surprised me by taking my hand in his and explaining: Bella mia, I came from a time when men didn't take part in relations before marriage. It is a decision based on that and a couple of other things. One of these things is based on morality and the other is virtue. By your scent I know that you are untouched by a man, a virgin, and I wish you to remain that way until we are married. This has nothing to do with causing you physical harm as I can never hurt you. Please do not think you are undesirable, you, amore mia, are very desirable. Sometimes I have a hard time controlling how much I truly want you. Our first night as man and wife will be unforgettable for you as I have planned something very special for you.
I thanked him for being honest and explaining he felt. I now understand why we never went farther than kissing. I then explained that in this time where I come from, that sexual pleasure before marriage is very common and it is the one thing I want to experience before I change. He promised I would enjoy the act several times before my change, after we are married.
He asked what I was thinking and I said to him: I keep asking myself what I did in order to deserve you. I never would have thought that I would ever get a wonderful man after Edward and here you are. I never knew I could possess so much love for another being. I was broken when he left me, I fell into a deep depression and if it hadn't been for Jake, I don't know what would have happened to me. I'm kind of glad that Edward came here or I never would have met you. I probably would have continued to watch vampire shows on cable TV, laughing at them, and wishing one would come help erase the pain of him leaving.
He pulled me into his arms, held me close, and said: I am the lucky one. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm grateful, Edward left you or I never would have found you. When you came here I didn't want to take a chance on feeling anything for you. I was given no choice in the matter as the pull had begun the minute I laid eyes on you. It's like my heart called to you and yours answered. You know, love at first sight. That's what the mating pull to us is. I could feel a shift in everything I ever felt for anyone. I no longer feel lost, angry, and alone. Isabella, I promise you will never be alone again. When we start the process of your change, it will be a pain you have never felt before. I love you, so I'm not going lie and tell you it will be butterflies and roses. You need to be prepared for what is going to happen. I will bite you in several places, pulse points, and force my venom into your bloodstream. When I have finished with that I will inject the venom straight into your heart with a syringe. You will have three days of transforming. During this time I will stay with you if you wish but you will feel like you are on fire and the pain will be excruciating. Your heartbeat will speed up to force the venom around, and when it is almost over, your heart will falter and stop. Your eyes will open and they will be like bright red. It will take a few months to the red to dim, unless you choose the Cullen diet then they will change to amber then a golden color. During your first year, you will have very little control over things. Your strength and speed will be more than the rest of ours too. Everything will become more manageable and we will have forever to be together. We shall call Eleazar again and find out for sure what gifts you have and go from there.
I asked if Carlisle will be around for my change and Caius told me if I wish it I needed to discuss it with them. He told me I could have all of them or some here it was up to me. I definitely wanted Jasper around as he had the experience with newborns and his help would benefit me in more ways than one.
We spent the rest of the evening chatting about various things and cuddling. When I managed to make it to bed he stayed and stripped down to his boxer briefs and held me. I always slept better with him than alone, as vivid dreams and nightmares would occur if he were elsewhere. He must have gotten called sometime during the night; I was sucked into a dream. It was one of Athenodora.
It began with: I was walking through the corridors to Caius' office.When she came out of nowhere and began her tirade, "What do we have here?Where is yourprotector now,hmmm?If you think you can get away from me now,you're sadly mistaken.You are going to die and Caius will be mine,forever!"
She grabbed me and threw me into a wall, cracking my head open in the process. Blood oozed form the wound as she picked me up and bit into my neck and proceeded to try and drain me, when a white light surrounded me and forced me to fight her off. I pushed her into the opposite wall and taunted her. "Is that all you've got? No wonder the brothers think you are useless and exiled you." We began circling each other, our steps matching, in a deadly dance. She lunged for my throat again missing by a fraction of an inch. My hair began to billow around my shoulders, as if a wind were blowing, causing it to fly. When she lunged for the third time, I reached out and grabbed her round the neck and threw her into another wall and sneered, "You think you will beat me and that is where you're wrong. I will tear you apart and burn every last piece. Caius is mine and will never be with you again. You destroy everything that comes around you, where I give love and understanding. When will you get it through your head that he doesn't want you?"
Her face morphed into an evil apparition as she said, "You think you have all the answers! He never wanted you, a pitiful insignificant human, He needs me! Someone who is a challenge for him, someone who refuses to put up with his bullshit. He deserves passion and a fight. Not some lowly creature to quench his desire and make him less than he is. He's making you think he loves you; don't you see, it's all a ruse. He wants to change you and then leave you alone in the guard. You are no match for him.
The wind whipped my hair around as flames came up through the marble floor. For every step I took forward she took two back toward the flames. She lunged again, only to find the flames surrounding her. The brothers came around the corner and stopped dead in their tracks, mesmerized by the sight in front of them. I looked her in the eye and said, "Today you will die for all the pain you have caused me and my family. I may not be able to undo what you have done but I can help the healing. You've destroyed everything and everyone that has crossed your path, NO MORE! I told you to stay away and not come back! I warned you to never try to hurt my family. Every time you come here, you try to piss me off and take my family away from me. This is the last time you will ever walk through these halls! What I am about to do to you will be worth the wrath the gods may have in store for me; but you will feel their wrath first for everything you have done!"
Jasper and the Cullen family came to see what was happening from behind me and watched. Athenodora then said, "This is nothing compared to what I will do to you. I will end you and Caius will suffer the loss of his mate. I will prevail in this little game of yours."
All I did was cause the flames to close in on her, saying, "I call upon the ancient powers of the gods from the four towers, earth, air, water, and fire; bring the end for this destructive force and put her on your pyre. Have her enter the devil's door, where we will see her nevermore."
The flames kept closing in until she was engulfed in flames screaming, "I will have my revenge on you. Caius will see your wicked ways and turn away from you. You will be lonely forever and never have a chance of redemption. Mark my words, you weak and insignificant fool! I curse the ground you walk upon."
I watched the flames as she turned to ash and said, "Athenodora you cannot curse a force of pure love ridding the world of evil like you. Especially when that force of love is working to correct your mistakes and bring love and life to those who truly deserve to have it." When a pile of ash was all that remained Aro looked at me, smiling, and called Felix to clean up the mess on the floor. I collapsed in exhaustion and passed out.
I woke to Caius gently rubbing my back and telling me to wake up. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He said I was having some sort of dream and was calling his name. He hugged me and asked if I remembered what it was about. I told him it was weird and explained what I remembered of it. His expression was masked as he told me I didn't have anything to worry about as my dream would never take place. He also reminded me that we were getting married tomorrow and to look forward to that instead.