Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 4- Of Suggestions and Chess Games
If not for the Volturi, the rest of us would be quickly exposed.
Jasper Hale, Eclipse, Chapter 13, p.288
"Congratulations?" "Congratulations?"
A muttered mantra was all Bella could manage upon returning to her room as her feet traced a studied path, moving from comfortable paneled wall on one side to the mirrored vanity on the other. So distracted had she been that she had even failed to savor her wonderful meal prepared by the wonder of food prep. Qish was one of her favorites. Yet Aro's words seemed to echo in her mind like the scent of a perfume. Bringing with it a swirl of confusing questions. What did he mean? Congratulations on what? Why and how? Five successive passes over her room floor in quick succession had produced nothing of merit in the way of ideas, Bella finally realizing the futility of such an exercise, gave up with a sigh. Her musings after all, only having come to one very solid conclusion
"I think Vampires enjoy confusing me"
Happily for her it seemed at least on this occasion she was not to be left long in the dark. An unfamiliar knock at her door sounded nearly an hour later, just after she had happily settled on the small balcony that her room provided with a copy of Romeo and Juliet in Italian. Roused from this interesting comparison Bella answered the door finding with some surprise not Alice standing in the hallway but Jane, whose golden hair and crimson eyes appeared less threatening than before as she spoke.
"Master Aro has requested your presence Miss Swan"
Having delivered her message in something of the air of a bored receptionist the vampire was on the point of vanishing off to her own pursuits when Bella spoke quietly, choosing her words with care, as it never did to offend anyone, especially if that person happened to be one of the inner guard of vampire royalty
"Thank you Jane, may I inquire where your Master might be presently?"
Perhaps it was merely her overactive imagination but Bella thought she detected something like approval in the short pause that ensued before the immortal answered her. With her golden head tilted and porcelain skin she might have passed for some artistic dark rendering of an immortal child had it not been for her eyes, they were definitely that of a hunter. Something to be respected if not outright feared.
"He is in the Library"
Nodding gently Bella found herself alone, Jane having departed without waiting for a reply. This was no hardship for Bella she knew the location well enough having been graciously giving a short tour by Alex the day of her first arrival. Remembering those first few hours she smiled to herself. How swiftly things had changed. Then she had been cowering in fear behind the only immortal she trusted; now it seemed nothing to her to be summoned like some prized show dog at the whims of one of the so called vampire kings. Despite everything she had heard of this place no one ever bothered her regardless of the hour she appeared in the hallways. Tucking her books into a bag she hastily made her way through the twisting hallways shadowed even in this late hour of the afternoon and she was glad of the wrap Alice had given her as the castle tended to be a bit drafty. Reaching her destination and finding the door closed she raised a hand to knock politely in case of interrupting some important vampire business when it was thrown open unceremoniously and a blurred figure rushed past her nicking her shoulder, throwing her painfully against the solid wooden frame and forcing a yelp of surprise and pain from her lips.
The answering snarl was immediate as another figure appeared. What happened next Bella never knew for a hand was gently placed over her eyes a soft swishing sound and a resounding cracking thud that made her instinctively flinch, was the end of the matter for the unfortunate soul, whoever it might have been. A few moments longer and the hand was removed, as a soft familiar voice sounded in her ear as she rose rather shakily, soft tremors ghosting their way down her body.
"My Apologies Mia Cara, are you injured?"
Aro Volturi stood before her, regal,as handsome as ever, and in that moment Bella had never been happier to see him as she quickly took stock of her person as he bid her slowly testing everything to be sure all was well. She was nearly ready to answer there was no damage done when her left ankle choose that moment to make its rather painful sentiments known, without a word powerful arms had swept her off her feet and tenderly cradled her close almost before she knew what had happened.
The same musky scent proclaiming it to be Aro, the immortal who had for the last few nights haunted her dreams with his air of mystery and allure. A low rumbling growl in his chest made an odd vibration against her jaw as it rested against his finely tailored jacket. Aro moved swiftly of that there was no doubt; but almost with a dancer's grace. Left, right, and through endless doors they went until at last they came to rest in what looked like a private garden. Lush roses and the familiar scent of lilacs greeted her nose. She found herself settled into a plush swing with Aro kneeling before her removing her right shoe with something near reverence. His dark hair blowing gently in the wind and skin that shimmered with ageless beauty nearly robbed her of any remaining breath. It was not until that moment, did Bella realized what the old tales of classic romance meant when they described the aching intimacy of such a simple thing. It seemed impossible that a being so different and so unnaturally beautiful could exist at all. Yet his touch was so gentle she would never have felt it, had not she watched those graceful fingers trace gentle patterns across her skin. Finding her apparently uninjured he seemed to relax his words were nearly a whisper as they fell on her ear.
"Amore mio, Sei un dono"
At once the moment was broken as he looked up, staring into her eyes before a gentle smile curved his perfect lips as he rose and offered her a hand, now more confused than ever Bella accepted the silent invitation slowly rising to her feet surprised to find the pain had fled, whether it had ever truly been injured or if he had something to do with this she didn't choose to question as he spoke.
"Forgive me Cara Mia, in my haste I quite forgot all semblance of good manners, however I had to be sure you were unharmed"
Almost without her permission one eyebrow shot up in silent question and he shook his head gently. Instead offering his arm in courtly ease as he lead the way slowly down one of the paths, the gentle murmur of a splashing fountain making a pleasant backdrop as he seemed to gather his thoughts.
"You are confused, perhaps I should explain"
"I would be most grateful if you would Aro, it seems everything since my arrival here has been designed to frustrate or confuse me"
He seemed to find great amusement in her moment of candor, Bella having realized what she'd said clapped a hand to her mouth in horror, but he waved her forming apology away with an elegant flick of his wrist instead throwing his head back and laughed outright, the movement causing the sunlight to fall directly on his features, distracting and dazzling her all at once, his laughter was deep rich and seemed to fit his personality. Bella found she quite liked it as even the few birds seemed to fall into silence to listen. In that moment he never seemed more human to her. Then he reigned in his mirth, as he spoke his manners returning to the lordly seriousness of a vampire royal.
"I cannot tell you all, Mia Cara for you are not yet able to understand our ways, but in fairness to your mortality I will at least answer one question, what is it you wish to know?"
Here Bella thought was Pandora's Box; he had laid before her an invitation worthy of any mortal longing. Information she didn't doubt nations would long for given half the opportunity, Yet she could not find the words, he seemed to take no notice of her bafflement merely leading her through the endless walkways for a time allowing her to gather her thoughts. She came to a stop some 4 minutes later to open the proverbial box, her question coming out in rather a rush,
"What will happen to me, now that Edward is gone?"
It seemed the only question that had dogged at her these last few days, selfish perhaps but with Alice off studying art history and the rest of her familiar surroundings so far away it seemed the most pressing detail of her life. It did not take him by surprise and they continued along the path once more as this time it was the immortal who seemed to pause; At last when Bella was nearly going mad with waiting he uttered these words.
"That depends a good deal on your decisions Mia Cara, you know too much of our world, so you present a rather interesting problem for the three of us"
"On the one hand, the law dictates you must be slain else our secret is revealed and the peace we have fought for is destroyed, on the other you could prove valuable to us and should be preserved so, my brothers and I in short are not sure what to do with you"
Not entirely sure what to make of this information Bella was silent, it seemed she balanced on a knifes edge, walking a very thin line between interest and destruction and yet something he said nagged at her, glancing at him she found herself lost again in those eyes of his, it was only the remaining force of will that shook her for her reverie.
"Yet despite this you spoke of a choice?"
A soft rumble of approval answered her before he did; it sent a rush of warmth through her, to know she had pleased him. Rather foolishly a part of her wished to do it again just to earn the look he now gifted her with,
"I did, you have several of them in fact before you Mia Cara, and the Volturi are not the wanton killer you might have pictured us to be, in general we have the good sense not to destroy something of beauty unless it becomes necessary, in your case I think we can afford to be patient"
"Meaning? You're going to wait until my mortal beauty runs out before killing me? Forgive me if I don't find that very reassuring"
"She has a fair point brother"
The voices of the other two remaining rulers caused Bella to jump as they materialized from nowhere and sounding off in one tone. Standing in the doorway as if they had all called a meeting at some prearranged time. Caius regarded her with something close to disdain, rather like a human would a dirty stray cat that had taken up residence on their porch.
"Perhaps we should allow her time to heal before forcing her hand. Anything that may shade her judgment would be a poor reflection on all of us... I think"
"Heal? But Aro said"
All at once Aro's cool hand rested gently on her lips effectively silencing her, before lifting away, his tone had softened once again and for all his gentle nature she would have thought them alone once more.
"My brother did not mean physically Mia Cara"
His hand slid from where it had rested on her cheekbone to rest gently on her chest right above where her heart still beat.
"But rather here"
She flinched, rather out of habit than any inflicted harm. Any mention of the past dark months was something best avoided but she knew well enough by now, one did not say such things to someone as old as Aro Volturi and expect to keep breathing, yet he seemed to read it in her eyes all the same.
"When, Edward left"
His name was spoken with such loathing, it made Bella very glad the youngest Cullen was safely back on American soil and out of the reach of the elder immortals as he continued on.
"He shattered that which is most protected and treasured among our people ,for even the most deadly of us can love, Mia Cara, the heart is valued above all else in Italy. It is best we give you time needed to heal from such a wound before asking any more of you"
“Your father has already been visited by one of my most trusted guards, he will never know you left the country so you need not fear on that point, after graduation you shall receive among your other offers for higher education one I think most likely to do you the most good. Should you choose to return to Italy at that time we shall of course welcome you back as a guest in our home"
"And If I should, refuse the generous offer?"
The soft growl was answer enough even as his words confirmed her suspicions.
"Then you would regrettably force our hand Mia Cara, and I would regretfully find the results most, unpleasant"
If not for the Volturi, the rest of us would be quickly exposed.
Jasper Hale, Eclipse, Chapter 13, p.288
"Congratulations?" "Congratulations?"
A muttered mantra was all Bella could manage upon returning to her room as her feet traced a studied path, moving from comfortable paneled wall on one side to the mirrored vanity on the other. So distracted had she been that she had even failed to savor her wonderful meal prepared by the wonder of food prep. Qish was one of her favorites. Yet Aro's words seemed to echo in her mind like the scent of a perfume. Bringing with it a swirl of confusing questions. What did he mean? Congratulations on what? Why and how? Five successive passes over her room floor in quick succession had produced nothing of merit in the way of ideas, Bella finally realizing the futility of such an exercise, gave up with a sigh. Her musings after all, only having come to one very solid conclusion
"I think Vampires enjoy confusing me"
Happily for her it seemed at least on this occasion she was not to be left long in the dark. An unfamiliar knock at her door sounded nearly an hour later, just after she had happily settled on the small balcony that her room provided with a copy of Romeo and Juliet in Italian. Roused from this interesting comparison Bella answered the door finding with some surprise not Alice standing in the hallway but Jane, whose golden hair and crimson eyes appeared less threatening than before as she spoke.
"Master Aro has requested your presence Miss Swan"
Having delivered her message in something of the air of a bored receptionist the vampire was on the point of vanishing off to her own pursuits when Bella spoke quietly, choosing her words with care, as it never did to offend anyone, especially if that person happened to be one of the inner guard of vampire royalty
"Thank you Jane, may I inquire where your Master might be presently?"
Perhaps it was merely her overactive imagination but Bella thought she detected something like approval in the short pause that ensued before the immortal answered her. With her golden head tilted and porcelain skin she might have passed for some artistic dark rendering of an immortal child had it not been for her eyes, they were definitely that of a hunter. Something to be respected if not outright feared.
"He is in the Library"
Nodding gently Bella found herself alone, Jane having departed without waiting for a reply. This was no hardship for Bella she knew the location well enough having been graciously giving a short tour by Alex the day of her first arrival. Remembering those first few hours she smiled to herself. How swiftly things had changed. Then she had been cowering in fear behind the only immortal she trusted; now it seemed nothing to her to be summoned like some prized show dog at the whims of one of the so called vampire kings. Despite everything she had heard of this place no one ever bothered her regardless of the hour she appeared in the hallways. Tucking her books into a bag she hastily made her way through the twisting hallways shadowed even in this late hour of the afternoon and she was glad of the wrap Alice had given her as the castle tended to be a bit drafty. Reaching her destination and finding the door closed she raised a hand to knock politely in case of interrupting some important vampire business when it was thrown open unceremoniously and a blurred figure rushed past her nicking her shoulder, throwing her painfully against the solid wooden frame and forcing a yelp of surprise and pain from her lips.
The answering snarl was immediate as another figure appeared. What happened next Bella never knew for a hand was gently placed over her eyes a soft swishing sound and a resounding cracking thud that made her instinctively flinch, was the end of the matter for the unfortunate soul, whoever it might have been. A few moments longer and the hand was removed, as a soft familiar voice sounded in her ear as she rose rather shakily, soft tremors ghosting their way down her body.
"My Apologies Mia Cara, are you injured?"
Aro Volturi stood before her, regal,as handsome as ever, and in that moment Bella had never been happier to see him as she quickly took stock of her person as he bid her slowly testing everything to be sure all was well. She was nearly ready to answer there was no damage done when her left ankle choose that moment to make its rather painful sentiments known, without a word powerful arms had swept her off her feet and tenderly cradled her close almost before she knew what had happened.
The same musky scent proclaiming it to be Aro, the immortal who had for the last few nights haunted her dreams with his air of mystery and allure. A low rumbling growl in his chest made an odd vibration against her jaw as it rested against his finely tailored jacket. Aro moved swiftly of that there was no doubt; but almost with a dancer's grace. Left, right, and through endless doors they went until at last they came to rest in what looked like a private garden. Lush roses and the familiar scent of lilacs greeted her nose. She found herself settled into a plush swing with Aro kneeling before her removing her right shoe with something near reverence. His dark hair blowing gently in the wind and skin that shimmered with ageless beauty nearly robbed her of any remaining breath. It was not until that moment, did Bella realized what the old tales of classic romance meant when they described the aching intimacy of such a simple thing. It seemed impossible that a being so different and so unnaturally beautiful could exist at all. Yet his touch was so gentle she would never have felt it, had not she watched those graceful fingers trace gentle patterns across her skin. Finding her apparently uninjured he seemed to relax his words were nearly a whisper as they fell on her ear.
"Amore mio, Sei un dono"
At once the moment was broken as he looked up, staring into her eyes before a gentle smile curved his perfect lips as he rose and offered her a hand, now more confused than ever Bella accepted the silent invitation slowly rising to her feet surprised to find the pain had fled, whether it had ever truly been injured or if he had something to do with this she didn't choose to question as he spoke.
"Forgive me Cara Mia, in my haste I quite forgot all semblance of good manners, however I had to be sure you were unharmed"
Almost without her permission one eyebrow shot up in silent question and he shook his head gently. Instead offering his arm in courtly ease as he lead the way slowly down one of the paths, the gentle murmur of a splashing fountain making a pleasant backdrop as he seemed to gather his thoughts.
"You are confused, perhaps I should explain"
"I would be most grateful if you would Aro, it seems everything since my arrival here has been designed to frustrate or confuse me"
He seemed to find great amusement in her moment of candor, Bella having realized what she'd said clapped a hand to her mouth in horror, but he waved her forming apology away with an elegant flick of his wrist instead throwing his head back and laughed outright, the movement causing the sunlight to fall directly on his features, distracting and dazzling her all at once, his laughter was deep rich and seemed to fit his personality. Bella found she quite liked it as even the few birds seemed to fall into silence to listen. In that moment he never seemed more human to her. Then he reigned in his mirth, as he spoke his manners returning to the lordly seriousness of a vampire royal.
"I cannot tell you all, Mia Cara for you are not yet able to understand our ways, but in fairness to your mortality I will at least answer one question, what is it you wish to know?"
Here Bella thought was Pandora's Box; he had laid before her an invitation worthy of any mortal longing. Information she didn't doubt nations would long for given half the opportunity, Yet she could not find the words, he seemed to take no notice of her bafflement merely leading her through the endless walkways for a time allowing her to gather her thoughts. She came to a stop some 4 minutes later to open the proverbial box, her question coming out in rather a rush,
"What will happen to me, now that Edward is gone?"
It seemed the only question that had dogged at her these last few days, selfish perhaps but with Alice off studying art history and the rest of her familiar surroundings so far away it seemed the most pressing detail of her life. It did not take him by surprise and they continued along the path once more as this time it was the immortal who seemed to pause; At last when Bella was nearly going mad with waiting he uttered these words.
"That depends a good deal on your decisions Mia Cara, you know too much of our world, so you present a rather interesting problem for the three of us"
"On the one hand, the law dictates you must be slain else our secret is revealed and the peace we have fought for is destroyed, on the other you could prove valuable to us and should be preserved so, my brothers and I in short are not sure what to do with you"
Not entirely sure what to make of this information Bella was silent, it seemed she balanced on a knifes edge, walking a very thin line between interest and destruction and yet something he said nagged at her, glancing at him she found herself lost again in those eyes of his, it was only the remaining force of will that shook her for her reverie.
"Yet despite this you spoke of a choice?"
A soft rumble of approval answered her before he did; it sent a rush of warmth through her, to know she had pleased him. Rather foolishly a part of her wished to do it again just to earn the look he now gifted her with,
"I did, you have several of them in fact before you Mia Cara, and the Volturi are not the wanton killer you might have pictured us to be, in general we have the good sense not to destroy something of beauty unless it becomes necessary, in your case I think we can afford to be patient"
"Meaning? You're going to wait until my mortal beauty runs out before killing me? Forgive me if I don't find that very reassuring"
"She has a fair point brother"
The voices of the other two remaining rulers caused Bella to jump as they materialized from nowhere and sounding off in one tone. Standing in the doorway as if they had all called a meeting at some prearranged time. Caius regarded her with something close to disdain, rather like a human would a dirty stray cat that had taken up residence on their porch.
"Perhaps we should allow her time to heal before forcing her hand. Anything that may shade her judgment would be a poor reflection on all of us... I think"
"Heal? But Aro said"
All at once Aro's cool hand rested gently on her lips effectively silencing her, before lifting away, his tone had softened once again and for all his gentle nature she would have thought them alone once more.
"My brother did not mean physically Mia Cara"
His hand slid from where it had rested on her cheekbone to rest gently on her chest right above where her heart still beat.
"But rather here"
She flinched, rather out of habit than any inflicted harm. Any mention of the past dark months was something best avoided but she knew well enough by now, one did not say such things to someone as old as Aro Volturi and expect to keep breathing, yet he seemed to read it in her eyes all the same.
"When, Edward left"
His name was spoken with such loathing, it made Bella very glad the youngest Cullen was safely back on American soil and out of the reach of the elder immortals as he continued on.
"He shattered that which is most protected and treasured among our people ,for even the most deadly of us can love, Mia Cara, the heart is valued above all else in Italy. It is best we give you time needed to heal from such a wound before asking any more of you"
“Your father has already been visited by one of my most trusted guards, he will never know you left the country so you need not fear on that point, after graduation you shall receive among your other offers for higher education one I think most likely to do you the most good. Should you choose to return to Italy at that time we shall of course welcome you back as a guest in our home"
"And If I should, refuse the generous offer?"
The soft growl was answer enough even as his words confirmed her suspicions.
"Then you would regrettably force our hand Mia Cara, and I would regretfully find the results most, unpleasant"