Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 2-Judge and Jury
I frowned at the way he pronounced the name — with respect, almost gratitude. The idea of the Volturi as the good guys in any sense was hard to accept.
Bella Swan
There was something to be said for immortals, they didn't make swift decisions. Bella considered that in having all the time in world one would have leisure for discussing all possible outcomes of a choice.
They had been guest of the Volturi for three days now. Alice having pegged the time down to the minute in her uncanny fashion. Edward had done little beyond mope and appears for all practical purposes like someone's lost puppy sent for a time out in the doghouse speaking to no one and generally brooding in a fashion more suited to his 17 year old appearance than his age. Each day Jane would appear at a suitable hour, escort Bella to the same elegant room and allow her time to attend to those needs basic to all her kind. Then as she joined Alice, a meal was set before her. So far she had been treated to the best of Italian cooking. Pastries, fresh bread and fruit served with the best strong coffee. Afterwards she was left reasonably to her own devices so long as one of Cullen's kept an eye on her, from a discrete distance of course.
For Alice this translated into a never ending excuse to go shopping come nightfall as most shops tended to stay open later than was usual. clothing tea and car dealers all felt the gentle touch of her little black credit card as she preceded to gleefully spend more in two days then Bella had ever known existed. Their purchases all vanished after the sale was completed save the few items for Bella's personal use. When questioned she merely smiled gently and explained they were being taken to a room in the hotel she had booked but never set foot in.
For Edward this meant long periods of silence sitting mournfully just out of sight while she visited the open air market or bookstores the area supplied. Bella didn't mind the solitude, too caught up in enjoying the spectacle of hustle and bustle on the streets as she nibbled a sandwich close to the town fountain, the gentle splash of the water soothing her apprehensions of being so far from home, and least of all what her father would have to say when he found out. Alice had in one phone call bought them more time by begging in her typical fashion for Bella to stay at their home a few days while they completed a school project. Charlie had agreed easily enough but sooner or later someone would notice her failure to report to class regardless of how much of a donation was made.
Pushing these gloomy thoughts aside Bella focused instead on the here and now. Each person with their own history and story to tell. Patterns quickly formed in the relationships of the people passing by. Lovers with their heads held close breathing in the scent of the day, a mix of fresh bread and flowers. Older couples enjoying the fine weather sipping at a glass of wine. Her favorite slice of humanity however was the pair of old chess players that gathered without fail at the strike of noon to battle.
Senior Batista was what Bella would have called an elderly friendly goofball, always ready with a good natured wave or gentle remark on how she, Bella was wasting her time watching life pass her by, what she needed was a good man, to" make love to and have little babies with" as he proclaimed complete with hand motions of rocking an infant.
Senior Black was more reserved giving her a nod of his head or a lifting of his ever ready glass of wine as he passed her each day. He was a simple soul who lived only for chess. The game would always begin with a handshake and a sip of wine between friends and always conclude with a heated debate and proclamations of cheating across the board with one of the two declaring an end to their friendship complete with one or both stalking off in a rage dramatically. The next day however as always the two would meet again and the pattern would repeat much to Bella's amusement.
Then on the afternoon of the fourth day the summons came.
She had been informed by Alice that very morning to be back inside the castle before noon, and to be sure to wear something "nice". So in accordance with this request as the clock struck 11 her feet obediently traced the now familiar path to the great hall, no longer noticing the way they echoed in the vast stone hall. Her outfit comprising of an elegant creamy white layered skirt accented with a rather elaborate belt and sensible top of the same color. Alice gleefully fussed over her hair, the brush whispering through her tresses until they gleamed with a deep red hue against the pale fabric.
Jane appeared at the strike of noon with as great a ceremony as before, bidding them follow her in the same tone of deference for her Masters and pausing with the same dramatic effect as she pushed the doors open. Just as the first time Bella was struck with the room, its lovely marble floors worn with the centuries of use, high windows and elegant tapestries. Then as before her eyes fell to the three thrones in the center surprised to find all three vampire kings on their feet to welcome them board smiles adorning their faces. However it was not a greeting that met their ears on entering but something else entirely.
"Edward, step forward"
The simple request held all the weight of a command. Alice let out a soft gasp as her brother shook his head in defiance. The movement causing his bronze golden hair to shift catching the light. Before Bella could blink Edward was restrained by two other quite burly vampires, they put thoughts of muscle men from an old gang film into her head as they physically dragged the young man forward with ceremony and threw him down in front of the finely ornate thrones taking up ready positions on either side should he again decide to rebel.
"Come now Edward, I have asked nothing difficult of you. I merely ask you to obey a simple request; that do difficult?"
Aro stood looking down at the kneeling younger immortal with a touch of sadness in those crimson eyes, rather like a disappointed father whose son just stole the family car, or in this case, the Volturi plane was probably closer to the mark. Extending a hand he offered it to Edward a soft trace of a growl breaking the tomb like silence. Bella's soft breathing being the only other sound heard inside these walls. Looking up it seemed Edward recognized he had no choice in the matter and it was with great reluctance he took the offered hand and was "assisted" to his feet by the elder vampire. Almost at once the pleasant expression of Aro's features shifted, like the ocean right before a hurricane. The foreboding rumble coming from the region of his chest was the same.
"Foolish boy!"
The whispered hiss caused Bella to flinch and step back on nothing but instinct as a tremor of fear went through her. The slight movement caught the attention of the others and instantly Aro threw Edwards hand off like a human would an ugly spider crawling on their skin and came toward her with a soft rumbling sound rather like a felines purr, his features smoothing into something that looked like compassion or at close as someone who had roamed the earth since before the birth of Christ was able. Bella did not realize she'd continued moving until her back was pressed against the marble wall frozen like a sparrow caught in the gaze of a snake as he reached her. Extending a hand gently to brush a stray piece of hair from her face.
"Tesoro mio, it is alright, you have nothing to fear"
The tender tone washed over her like the familiar scent of bath salts after a long day. Though Bella did not speak the language it had the desired effect, soothing her instinctive panic almost in an instant, yet still his hand lingered barely touching her skin as his eyes gazed on her, their crimson depths softening to a degree she would bet no member of her species had before witnessed. The fragile moment was broken as Edward let out a snarl before making a run toward them clearly intent on doing harm. His beautiful features twisting into something truly menacing as venom dripped from his ivory fangs, only to be held in check by the two bodyguards.
Bella had closed her eyes , entranced by his touch; seeming to have momentarily forgotten the world outside this one moment. Edward had always been either pushy or greedy in the rare moments of contact he allowed, never had he once touched her like an equal, but something of possession and great monetary value.
Aro's touch was in stark contrast, infinitely gentle, his marble hand might have been a butterfly for all the sensation it caused her as it rested for a scant few moments on her left cheekbone.
"Open your eyes Luce mia"
The words were spoken softly with something close to reverence or a plea, lacing his accent and she was helpless but to obey, rewarded as she was by that achingly beautiful face mere inches from her own. Once more Bella was drowning in his eyes, but it was Aro who stepped away, regret clear in his features as he returned to his throne before surveying them both. The moment for a decision had come at last and in a tone colder than the icy tundra, he addressed Edward.
"When you first arrived young one you asked for death, when denied you sought your own destruction. This I can only attribute to the foolishness of youth. Rest assured that had it been anyone but my dear companion Carlisle who sired you that the punishment for such foolishness would be swiftly and most severely dealt with. As it was, you were only saved from your own folly by the rather foolish intervention of a human girl"
Soft chuckles escaped the other two royals who had by this time resumed both their seats and expressions of bored unconcern. Their eyes however told a different story, Marcus was glaring at Edward and the other was staring off into the distance as if transfixed by something no one else could see.
"For your other crimes some punishment is necessary I regret"
The silky tone unsettled Bella, his anger was easy to except. It was afterall a very human emotion and easy to relate to, but this ageless cunning was not. She would have bet her favorite Jane Austen novel something bad was going to happen. Alice broke the moment by nudging her gently. The single eyebrow raise was indication enough that her thoughts had not a trace of her trademark vision blurry pattern. With a soft sigh Bella realized the novel was lost as he spoke once more.
Momentarily dazzling her as with the passing of time a single ray of sunlight had slanted through one of the high windows as he stepped forward and struck his skin, causing it to shimmer with a brilliance that made Edward look almost plain by comparison. It also set his hair alight, burning with rich tones of red and rich brown that reminded Bella of her favorite chocolate bar.
"My crimes, what else have you to weigh against me Aro?"
The words had barely escaped his lips when he was thrown into the nearest wall. Held in place several inches off the floor by Aro's right hand. Whatever was said Bella could not have heard, the volume being below her range of audible sounds, Alice however caught every word thickly accented in his anger.
"Bella is your crime! Young Cullen, one you will pay for endlessly. Such beauty and innocence carelessly destroyed in a single act of selfish cruelty, she was never yours to claim, yet you smashed her heart like the last summer rose underfoot as you walked away. Foolish child!""
Whatever he had said Edward seemed shaken to the core, it was the first time since the ill-fated birthday party she had ever seen fear written across his flawless features. All at once the confrontation was over. Edward standing rumpled but still existing in the place he landed and Aro standing as if to give sentence and Bella held her breath waiting.
"For these crimes you are forever banned from this land, you shall be escorted to the hanger and flown back to Washington this very night."
Without any further ado the two vampires hauled him away, Bella and Alice was now left alone standing off to one side. Alice with an expression of gratitude, Bella silently quaking in fear. Looking where Edward's head had rested mere moments ago the marble was smashed nearly beyond repair, little spidery cracks spreading through the wall with so great an impact. Once again it was Aro who approached her brushing by Alice as if she never existed.
"Easy Amore mio"
It was Alice who reacted to this statement Bella momentarily having lost the ability to speak in the sensation of his hand once more brushing her left cheekbone. This close his scent clung sweet to his clothing, robbing her of precious brain cells so she was for the moment unable to grasp the enormity of the moment as he spoke in a lowered tone beyond the range of human ears.
"As long as your decision remains the same there is great happiness for you both Aro, vary from it and there will be ruin and despair"
I frowned at the way he pronounced the name — with respect, almost gratitude. The idea of the Volturi as the good guys in any sense was hard to accept.
Bella Swan
There was something to be said for immortals, they didn't make swift decisions. Bella considered that in having all the time in world one would have leisure for discussing all possible outcomes of a choice.
They had been guest of the Volturi for three days now. Alice having pegged the time down to the minute in her uncanny fashion. Edward had done little beyond mope and appears for all practical purposes like someone's lost puppy sent for a time out in the doghouse speaking to no one and generally brooding in a fashion more suited to his 17 year old appearance than his age. Each day Jane would appear at a suitable hour, escort Bella to the same elegant room and allow her time to attend to those needs basic to all her kind. Then as she joined Alice, a meal was set before her. So far she had been treated to the best of Italian cooking. Pastries, fresh bread and fruit served with the best strong coffee. Afterwards she was left reasonably to her own devices so long as one of Cullen's kept an eye on her, from a discrete distance of course.
For Alice this translated into a never ending excuse to go shopping come nightfall as most shops tended to stay open later than was usual. clothing tea and car dealers all felt the gentle touch of her little black credit card as she preceded to gleefully spend more in two days then Bella had ever known existed. Their purchases all vanished after the sale was completed save the few items for Bella's personal use. When questioned she merely smiled gently and explained they were being taken to a room in the hotel she had booked but never set foot in.
For Edward this meant long periods of silence sitting mournfully just out of sight while she visited the open air market or bookstores the area supplied. Bella didn't mind the solitude, too caught up in enjoying the spectacle of hustle and bustle on the streets as she nibbled a sandwich close to the town fountain, the gentle splash of the water soothing her apprehensions of being so far from home, and least of all what her father would have to say when he found out. Alice had in one phone call bought them more time by begging in her typical fashion for Bella to stay at their home a few days while they completed a school project. Charlie had agreed easily enough but sooner or later someone would notice her failure to report to class regardless of how much of a donation was made.
Pushing these gloomy thoughts aside Bella focused instead on the here and now. Each person with their own history and story to tell. Patterns quickly formed in the relationships of the people passing by. Lovers with their heads held close breathing in the scent of the day, a mix of fresh bread and flowers. Older couples enjoying the fine weather sipping at a glass of wine. Her favorite slice of humanity however was the pair of old chess players that gathered without fail at the strike of noon to battle.
Senior Batista was what Bella would have called an elderly friendly goofball, always ready with a good natured wave or gentle remark on how she, Bella was wasting her time watching life pass her by, what she needed was a good man, to" make love to and have little babies with" as he proclaimed complete with hand motions of rocking an infant.
Senior Black was more reserved giving her a nod of his head or a lifting of his ever ready glass of wine as he passed her each day. He was a simple soul who lived only for chess. The game would always begin with a handshake and a sip of wine between friends and always conclude with a heated debate and proclamations of cheating across the board with one of the two declaring an end to their friendship complete with one or both stalking off in a rage dramatically. The next day however as always the two would meet again and the pattern would repeat much to Bella's amusement.
Then on the afternoon of the fourth day the summons came.
She had been informed by Alice that very morning to be back inside the castle before noon, and to be sure to wear something "nice". So in accordance with this request as the clock struck 11 her feet obediently traced the now familiar path to the great hall, no longer noticing the way they echoed in the vast stone hall. Her outfit comprising of an elegant creamy white layered skirt accented with a rather elaborate belt and sensible top of the same color. Alice gleefully fussed over her hair, the brush whispering through her tresses until they gleamed with a deep red hue against the pale fabric.
Jane appeared at the strike of noon with as great a ceremony as before, bidding them follow her in the same tone of deference for her Masters and pausing with the same dramatic effect as she pushed the doors open. Just as the first time Bella was struck with the room, its lovely marble floors worn with the centuries of use, high windows and elegant tapestries. Then as before her eyes fell to the three thrones in the center surprised to find all three vampire kings on their feet to welcome them board smiles adorning their faces. However it was not a greeting that met their ears on entering but something else entirely.
"Edward, step forward"
The simple request held all the weight of a command. Alice let out a soft gasp as her brother shook his head in defiance. The movement causing his bronze golden hair to shift catching the light. Before Bella could blink Edward was restrained by two other quite burly vampires, they put thoughts of muscle men from an old gang film into her head as they physically dragged the young man forward with ceremony and threw him down in front of the finely ornate thrones taking up ready positions on either side should he again decide to rebel.
"Come now Edward, I have asked nothing difficult of you. I merely ask you to obey a simple request; that do difficult?"
Aro stood looking down at the kneeling younger immortal with a touch of sadness in those crimson eyes, rather like a disappointed father whose son just stole the family car, or in this case, the Volturi plane was probably closer to the mark. Extending a hand he offered it to Edward a soft trace of a growl breaking the tomb like silence. Bella's soft breathing being the only other sound heard inside these walls. Looking up it seemed Edward recognized he had no choice in the matter and it was with great reluctance he took the offered hand and was "assisted" to his feet by the elder vampire. Almost at once the pleasant expression of Aro's features shifted, like the ocean right before a hurricane. The foreboding rumble coming from the region of his chest was the same.
"Foolish boy!"
The whispered hiss caused Bella to flinch and step back on nothing but instinct as a tremor of fear went through her. The slight movement caught the attention of the others and instantly Aro threw Edwards hand off like a human would an ugly spider crawling on their skin and came toward her with a soft rumbling sound rather like a felines purr, his features smoothing into something that looked like compassion or at close as someone who had roamed the earth since before the birth of Christ was able. Bella did not realize she'd continued moving until her back was pressed against the marble wall frozen like a sparrow caught in the gaze of a snake as he reached her. Extending a hand gently to brush a stray piece of hair from her face.
"Tesoro mio, it is alright, you have nothing to fear"
The tender tone washed over her like the familiar scent of bath salts after a long day. Though Bella did not speak the language it had the desired effect, soothing her instinctive panic almost in an instant, yet still his hand lingered barely touching her skin as his eyes gazed on her, their crimson depths softening to a degree she would bet no member of her species had before witnessed. The fragile moment was broken as Edward let out a snarl before making a run toward them clearly intent on doing harm. His beautiful features twisting into something truly menacing as venom dripped from his ivory fangs, only to be held in check by the two bodyguards.
Bella had closed her eyes , entranced by his touch; seeming to have momentarily forgotten the world outside this one moment. Edward had always been either pushy or greedy in the rare moments of contact he allowed, never had he once touched her like an equal, but something of possession and great monetary value.
Aro's touch was in stark contrast, infinitely gentle, his marble hand might have been a butterfly for all the sensation it caused her as it rested for a scant few moments on her left cheekbone.
"Open your eyes Luce mia"
The words were spoken softly with something close to reverence or a plea, lacing his accent and she was helpless but to obey, rewarded as she was by that achingly beautiful face mere inches from her own. Once more Bella was drowning in his eyes, but it was Aro who stepped away, regret clear in his features as he returned to his throne before surveying them both. The moment for a decision had come at last and in a tone colder than the icy tundra, he addressed Edward.
"When you first arrived young one you asked for death, when denied you sought your own destruction. This I can only attribute to the foolishness of youth. Rest assured that had it been anyone but my dear companion Carlisle who sired you that the punishment for such foolishness would be swiftly and most severely dealt with. As it was, you were only saved from your own folly by the rather foolish intervention of a human girl"
Soft chuckles escaped the other two royals who had by this time resumed both their seats and expressions of bored unconcern. Their eyes however told a different story, Marcus was glaring at Edward and the other was staring off into the distance as if transfixed by something no one else could see.
"For your other crimes some punishment is necessary I regret"
The silky tone unsettled Bella, his anger was easy to except. It was afterall a very human emotion and easy to relate to, but this ageless cunning was not. She would have bet her favorite Jane Austen novel something bad was going to happen. Alice broke the moment by nudging her gently. The single eyebrow raise was indication enough that her thoughts had not a trace of her trademark vision blurry pattern. With a soft sigh Bella realized the novel was lost as he spoke once more.
Momentarily dazzling her as with the passing of time a single ray of sunlight had slanted through one of the high windows as he stepped forward and struck his skin, causing it to shimmer with a brilliance that made Edward look almost plain by comparison. It also set his hair alight, burning with rich tones of red and rich brown that reminded Bella of her favorite chocolate bar.
"My crimes, what else have you to weigh against me Aro?"
The words had barely escaped his lips when he was thrown into the nearest wall. Held in place several inches off the floor by Aro's right hand. Whatever was said Bella could not have heard, the volume being below her range of audible sounds, Alice however caught every word thickly accented in his anger.
"Bella is your crime! Young Cullen, one you will pay for endlessly. Such beauty and innocence carelessly destroyed in a single act of selfish cruelty, she was never yours to claim, yet you smashed her heart like the last summer rose underfoot as you walked away. Foolish child!""
Whatever he had said Edward seemed shaken to the core, it was the first time since the ill-fated birthday party she had ever seen fear written across his flawless features. All at once the confrontation was over. Edward standing rumpled but still existing in the place he landed and Aro standing as if to give sentence and Bella held her breath waiting.
"For these crimes you are forever banned from this land, you shall be escorted to the hanger and flown back to Washington this very night."
Without any further ado the two vampires hauled him away, Bella and Alice was now left alone standing off to one side. Alice with an expression of gratitude, Bella silently quaking in fear. Looking where Edward's head had rested mere moments ago the marble was smashed nearly beyond repair, little spidery cracks spreading through the wall with so great an impact. Once again it was Aro who approached her brushing by Alice as if she never existed.
"Easy Amore mio"
It was Alice who reacted to this statement Bella momentarily having lost the ability to speak in the sensation of his hand once more brushing her left cheekbone. This close his scent clung sweet to his clothing, robbing her of precious brain cells so she was for the moment unable to grasp the enormity of the moment as he spoke in a lowered tone beyond the range of human ears.
"As long as your decision remains the same there is great happiness for you both Aro, vary from it and there will be ruin and despair"