The Guard
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 06
"…so, as I lay dying from being run through with a sword, Marcus found and turned me. Though I ask that you not bring that up in Demetri's presence, dolcezza, as he gives me all manner of shit over the whole 'dress and sandal thing', as he calls it," Felix murmured into his whimpering mate's ear. "Of course, when he does, I am then obligated to kick his ass…"
He'd been speaking to her endlessly about anything and everything, never once leaving her in the three days she'd been changing, especially after the bath incident. It had taken him hours to calm her once the little psychic had dressed her, and he'd regretted ever letting her out of his arms. So much so, that he'd only allowed Demetri into the room, and then only to deliver blood and leave.
At the sound of her quickening heartbeat, he whispered, "Not long now, tesoro. The end of your pain is near, I promise." He traced her delicate features with the tip of his finger, only pausing to gauge the softness of her lush bottom lip, his gaze lingering there as he whispered, "I wonder, will you reject me when you wake?"
Something in the center of his chest ached at the thought.
She screamed then, and arched in his hold as her heart gave one last lurch and stopped. With that, she gasped and tensed as her eyes snapped open, her red gaze locking with his from where she lay in his arms.
He was still softly purring, but other than that, remained silent as they regarded each other for long moments. Then she closed her eyes and snuggled close as she too began to purr. "You saved me," she said, glancing up at him.
"I did."
She blinked. "You spoke to me … through the whole thing."
"Yes."
She smirked. "You must've used up all your material, because you certainly don't seem to have much to say now."
His full lips twitched into a smile. "I am simply wary, dolcezza. You are a newborn, and I am unknown to you."
"You're wrong there. It's impossible to listen to someone chatter away for three days solid and not get to know them."
He arched a brow, stating flatly, "I do not chatter, dolcezza."
Her brow quirked in challenge. "You do so chatter."
"I would never engage in something so unmanly as chatter."
Her lips tilted into a smirk. "Okay, then. It was very manly chatter. How's that?"
He laughed lowly, the sound rich and sultry to her ears, and her smirk bloomed into a warm smile as he conceded with a gracious nod, "All right, dolcezza, have it your way."
She looked around the room then, shifting her body to sit up in his lap. "This is my room at the Cullen's home."
"It is."
Her brow creased. "You brought me here?"
"Yes."
"I … don't remember that," she said with a frown.
"What do you remember?"
She paused in thought, then hissed and bolted from his lap, landing next to the bed in a crouch, fangs bared as a growl ripped from her chest. "That insufferable bastard," she hissed before locking her black gaze with Felix's, who calmly regarded her from the bed. "Where is he?"
"Who, my little spit-fire?" he asked with a raised brow.
"Edward!"
"Not here," he said, swinging his long legs over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Oh," she said, rising from her crouch as she eyed his form. He was clad in tailored, black slacks and a fitted white dress shirt, the sleeves of which had been rolled to his elbows.
Could forearms be sexy? She hadn't considered it before - hadn't had reason to - but now…?
She then took her time checking out his whole physique; her gaze taking in the firmly muscled legs, narrow waist, firm chest, and wide shoulders before coming to rest on his face. His eyes - when she finally met them - sparkled with amusement as one dark brow slowly rose.
If she could have blushed…
'Yep, definitely busted, Swan…'
She wasn't sure when her mouth had dropped open, but she closed it now, then swallowed and licked her dry lips. She was now desperately trying to remember what she'd been thinking about before her minor short-circuit over the man-candy smirking at her from the bed.
It had been important… Right?
Oh, yeah, Edward… The slimy, unhinged bastard who'd destroyed her life… "Well then, where is he?" she asked, picking up where she'd left off.
As she watched, he tensed and his eyes darkened. "We don't know at the moment, but rest assured, dolcezza, we will find him."
Her brow creased and she glanced away, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. "Aro sent you, right?" She looked back and he nodded.
"Yes, he sent me and Demetri. I would have caught the mind-reader, however, you were dying, so I…had to make a choice."
"You saved me instead."
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"You are quite welcome."
She canted her head. "You're really not that talkative, are you?"
"Not usually, no."
"And yet, you spent three days chattering to me," she said wryly. "Why is that?"
He looked down for a moment, then glanced up through dark lashes. "I…like you?"
A warm feeling spread through her chest at the tentative — almost shy — way he'd answered her, and a slow smile tugged her lips as she stepped toward him. She cupped his cheek and placed a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth. "I like you too, Felix."
He began purring and rolled his eyes. "Ah, that noise," he grumbled.
She chuckled and nuzzled his cheek, causing 'that noise' to get even louder. "I like that noise…very much. It's adorable." She drew back and he looked equal parts affronted and horrified.
"Adorable? No…" He rubbed his brow and shook his head. "I've sunk to new lows…"
"Shh," she whispered near his ear while placing her hands on his broad shoulders. "I won't tell anyone. It'll be our secret."
Somewhere, in the back of her mind, the human Bella was gobsmacked at how forward she was being, but for some reason, touching him, being affectionate, felt…right.
His arms circled her and pulled her close, and he placed a soft kiss over his mark on her neck while murmuring, "You are so soft and sweet, my little spit-fire…"
Just then, the door opened and Bella scrambled over his lap and onto the bed, hissing and growling as she hid behind Felix who stood and snarled.
"Stow the fangs, brother, it's just me," Demetri said as he stuck his head in the door. "I see your fledgling has awoken. Is all well?"
Felix fought back his instincts and nodded. "We are both well."
"Would you like some bags of blood brought up?"
Felix glanced at Bella who was busy peeking over his shoulder. "Yes, I believe we would. Best to get her fed sooner rather than later and the bags will have to do until we get her home."
Demetri's brows inched up. "You believe she'll do well on the jet?"
Felix set his shoulders. "She seems to have kept her mind about her. I'll reserve judgement until after she feeds."
Demetri held up a hand. "I trust you, brother. I'll return in a moment with the blood."
He ducked out and Felix turned to Bella, caressing her cheek as she stood on the bed. "Are you thirsty, dolcezza?"
"Yes," she said, her hand going to her throat. "It burns…that's the thirst, right?"
"It is."
She canted her head. "What does that word mean? The one you keep calling me?"
He looked down, his fingers fidgeting with hers for a long moment and she grinned. He was just so sweet… "Come on," she urged, trying to catch his gaze, "tell me."
"Sweetness," he murmured before looking up. "It means sweetness."
Her smile was soft as she cupped his cheek, her thumb running over his supple lower lip as she murmured, "I like it."
His lips curved into an answering smile as he shrugged a shoulder. "It fits you."
"Awe," Demetri teased with a grin as he peeked around the door. "It's like watching one of those disgusting Lifetime shows Aro's addicted to."
"Cazzo," Felix muttered with a scowl as Demetri eased into the room looking supremely amused. He remained cautious though, and with good reason. He knew his best friend all too well and would never make the mistake of pissing him off for real. That was a line he knew better than to cross … but, that didn't mean he wouldn't dance right up to it on occasion. That's what best friends and brothers are for, after all.
"I'll just leave these on the table, shall I? Do call for me if you require anything further, Your Majesty," he teased while performing a flawless, formal bow.
"Ma vaffanculo," Felix muttered while jerking his chin toward the exit.
With a snicker and a wave, Demetri ducked out of the room and closed the door.
"Come, Bella," Felix said, offering his hand. She grasped it and hopped off the bed, following him to the table where he picked up a bag and handed it to her. "Go ahead," he urged. "Just bite and drink."
She stared at it before meeting his gaze. "It's human blood?"
His brows inched up. "Yes."
She bit her lip and looked away. "I had planned to hunt animals…I mean, you know, before, when I thought…"
He hung his head and rubbed his brow. How could he explain this without alienating her? "You are to be part of the Volturi, dolcezza, and the Volturi … we do not drink from animals." He cupped her chin while holding her gaze, silently willing her to understand… "Doing so would make us weak, tesoro. We cannot afford to be weak; not in our world, not with our responsibilities, you understand?"
At length, she nodded, a frown marring her otherwise perfect brow. "It's just… I just…"
When words failed her, he brushed a curl from her cheek and enfolded her in a gentle hug as the deep timbre of his voice soothed her. "You are young, tesoro, your heart is tender, and you are still very close to your humanity… Feeding will be difficult at first, but with time, you will adjust," he said as he carded her hair with one hand, the motions gentle and relaxing.
She realized he was doing his best to explain — to help her understand — and it warmed her heart that he cared enough to try. She barely knew him, but what she knew so far, impressed her.
God knew he was big enough to force her — to force anyone, really. She'd seen him throw Edward around like a rag doll and he'd made it look effortless… Yep, he could have simply told her how things were going to be, and tough shit if she didn't like it.
But here he was, being patient, being sweet…
And her regard for him grew.
But the really shocking thing…? She felt safe with him — as if nothing in the world could ever harm her again. And after the last two years she'd had? This was a welcomed change of pace.
"If you like," he continued, "I shall hunt criminals for you when we return home to Italy. But, until then, Dr. Cullen has provided these bags of donated blood. Is that acceptable to you?"
"I guess so," she murmured against his chest.
Finally pulling back from the comfort of his arms, she brought the bag to her mouth and bit into it, nearly growling at the taste as it flowed over her tongue and down her scalded throat.
When she'd finished the first, she grabbed another, then another, until she'd finished five of them. "I think that's all I can take for now," she said, a bit embarrassed at how much she'd taken once she'd had a taste. She glanced up. "I didn't leave much for you. I'm sorry."
He leaned down and kissed away a smudge of blood from her lip, then murmured, "That's all right, tesoro, I am very old and don't require as much as a newborn." He straightened and smiled. "I usually only feed once a month."
She looked startled. "Wow, really? Because the Cullens hunt way more than that."
He didn't look surprised. "It's because the animal blood does not sate their thirst—not really. They are vampires—made to feed from humans. The animal blood is a substitute, yes, but a poor one."
He drained the one remaining bag and threw all the emptied bags in the trash.
"What now?" she asked, drawing close to him to play her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. She had to stretch up onto her toes, but she managed it.
He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her closer. "Now?" he said while tipping her chin up with a crooked finger. Her eyes drifted shut as he brushed his lips over hers before murmuring, "Now, if nothing else happens to delay us, we return home to Italy."
***Anyone else want a Felix of their very own? I know I do.
"…so, as I lay dying from being run through with a sword, Marcus found and turned me. Though I ask that you not bring that up in Demetri's presence, dolcezza, as he gives me all manner of shit over the whole 'dress and sandal thing', as he calls it," Felix murmured into his whimpering mate's ear. "Of course, when he does, I am then obligated to kick his ass…"
He'd been speaking to her endlessly about anything and everything, never once leaving her in the three days she'd been changing, especially after the bath incident. It had taken him hours to calm her once the little psychic had dressed her, and he'd regretted ever letting her out of his arms. So much so, that he'd only allowed Demetri into the room, and then only to deliver blood and leave.
At the sound of her quickening heartbeat, he whispered, "Not long now, tesoro. The end of your pain is near, I promise." He traced her delicate features with the tip of his finger, only pausing to gauge the softness of her lush bottom lip, his gaze lingering there as he whispered, "I wonder, will you reject me when you wake?"
Something in the center of his chest ached at the thought.
She screamed then, and arched in his hold as her heart gave one last lurch and stopped. With that, she gasped and tensed as her eyes snapped open, her red gaze locking with his from where she lay in his arms.
He was still softly purring, but other than that, remained silent as they regarded each other for long moments. Then she closed her eyes and snuggled close as she too began to purr. "You saved me," she said, glancing up at him.
"I did."
She blinked. "You spoke to me … through the whole thing."
"Yes."
She smirked. "You must've used up all your material, because you certainly don't seem to have much to say now."
His full lips twitched into a smile. "I am simply wary, dolcezza. You are a newborn, and I am unknown to you."
"You're wrong there. It's impossible to listen to someone chatter away for three days solid and not get to know them."
He arched a brow, stating flatly, "I do not chatter, dolcezza."
Her brow quirked in challenge. "You do so chatter."
"I would never engage in something so unmanly as chatter."
Her lips tilted into a smirk. "Okay, then. It was very manly chatter. How's that?"
He laughed lowly, the sound rich and sultry to her ears, and her smirk bloomed into a warm smile as he conceded with a gracious nod, "All right, dolcezza, have it your way."
She looked around the room then, shifting her body to sit up in his lap. "This is my room at the Cullen's home."
"It is."
Her brow creased. "You brought me here?"
"Yes."
"I … don't remember that," she said with a frown.
"What do you remember?"
She paused in thought, then hissed and bolted from his lap, landing next to the bed in a crouch, fangs bared as a growl ripped from her chest. "That insufferable bastard," she hissed before locking her black gaze with Felix's, who calmly regarded her from the bed. "Where is he?"
"Who, my little spit-fire?" he asked with a raised brow.
"Edward!"
"Not here," he said, swinging his long legs over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Oh," she said, rising from her crouch as she eyed his form. He was clad in tailored, black slacks and a fitted white dress shirt, the sleeves of which had been rolled to his elbows.
Could forearms be sexy? She hadn't considered it before - hadn't had reason to - but now…?
She then took her time checking out his whole physique; her gaze taking in the firmly muscled legs, narrow waist, firm chest, and wide shoulders before coming to rest on his face. His eyes - when she finally met them - sparkled with amusement as one dark brow slowly rose.
If she could have blushed…
'Yep, definitely busted, Swan…'
She wasn't sure when her mouth had dropped open, but she closed it now, then swallowed and licked her dry lips. She was now desperately trying to remember what she'd been thinking about before her minor short-circuit over the man-candy smirking at her from the bed.
It had been important… Right?
Oh, yeah, Edward… The slimy, unhinged bastard who'd destroyed her life… "Well then, where is he?" she asked, picking up where she'd left off.
As she watched, he tensed and his eyes darkened. "We don't know at the moment, but rest assured, dolcezza, we will find him."
Her brow creased and she glanced away, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. "Aro sent you, right?" She looked back and he nodded.
"Yes, he sent me and Demetri. I would have caught the mind-reader, however, you were dying, so I…had to make a choice."
"You saved me instead."
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"You are quite welcome."
She canted her head. "You're really not that talkative, are you?"
"Not usually, no."
"And yet, you spent three days chattering to me," she said wryly. "Why is that?"
He looked down for a moment, then glanced up through dark lashes. "I…like you?"
A warm feeling spread through her chest at the tentative — almost shy — way he'd answered her, and a slow smile tugged her lips as she stepped toward him. She cupped his cheek and placed a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth. "I like you too, Felix."
He began purring and rolled his eyes. "Ah, that noise," he grumbled.
She chuckled and nuzzled his cheek, causing 'that noise' to get even louder. "I like that noise…very much. It's adorable." She drew back and he looked equal parts affronted and horrified.
"Adorable? No…" He rubbed his brow and shook his head. "I've sunk to new lows…"
"Shh," she whispered near his ear while placing her hands on his broad shoulders. "I won't tell anyone. It'll be our secret."
Somewhere, in the back of her mind, the human Bella was gobsmacked at how forward she was being, but for some reason, touching him, being affectionate, felt…right.
His arms circled her and pulled her close, and he placed a soft kiss over his mark on her neck while murmuring, "You are so soft and sweet, my little spit-fire…"
Just then, the door opened and Bella scrambled over his lap and onto the bed, hissing and growling as she hid behind Felix who stood and snarled.
"Stow the fangs, brother, it's just me," Demetri said as he stuck his head in the door. "I see your fledgling has awoken. Is all well?"
Felix fought back his instincts and nodded. "We are both well."
"Would you like some bags of blood brought up?"
Felix glanced at Bella who was busy peeking over his shoulder. "Yes, I believe we would. Best to get her fed sooner rather than later and the bags will have to do until we get her home."
Demetri's brows inched up. "You believe she'll do well on the jet?"
Felix set his shoulders. "She seems to have kept her mind about her. I'll reserve judgement until after she feeds."
Demetri held up a hand. "I trust you, brother. I'll return in a moment with the blood."
He ducked out and Felix turned to Bella, caressing her cheek as she stood on the bed. "Are you thirsty, dolcezza?"
"Yes," she said, her hand going to her throat. "It burns…that's the thirst, right?"
"It is."
She canted her head. "What does that word mean? The one you keep calling me?"
He looked down, his fingers fidgeting with hers for a long moment and she grinned. He was just so sweet… "Come on," she urged, trying to catch his gaze, "tell me."
"Sweetness," he murmured before looking up. "It means sweetness."
Her smile was soft as she cupped his cheek, her thumb running over his supple lower lip as she murmured, "I like it."
His lips curved into an answering smile as he shrugged a shoulder. "It fits you."
"Awe," Demetri teased with a grin as he peeked around the door. "It's like watching one of those disgusting Lifetime shows Aro's addicted to."
"Cazzo," Felix muttered with a scowl as Demetri eased into the room looking supremely amused. He remained cautious though, and with good reason. He knew his best friend all too well and would never make the mistake of pissing him off for real. That was a line he knew better than to cross … but, that didn't mean he wouldn't dance right up to it on occasion. That's what best friends and brothers are for, after all.
"I'll just leave these on the table, shall I? Do call for me if you require anything further, Your Majesty," he teased while performing a flawless, formal bow.
"Ma vaffanculo," Felix muttered while jerking his chin toward the exit.
With a snicker and a wave, Demetri ducked out of the room and closed the door.
"Come, Bella," Felix said, offering his hand. She grasped it and hopped off the bed, following him to the table where he picked up a bag and handed it to her. "Go ahead," he urged. "Just bite and drink."
She stared at it before meeting his gaze. "It's human blood?"
His brows inched up. "Yes."
She bit her lip and looked away. "I had planned to hunt animals…I mean, you know, before, when I thought…"
He hung his head and rubbed his brow. How could he explain this without alienating her? "You are to be part of the Volturi, dolcezza, and the Volturi … we do not drink from animals." He cupped her chin while holding her gaze, silently willing her to understand… "Doing so would make us weak, tesoro. We cannot afford to be weak; not in our world, not with our responsibilities, you understand?"
At length, she nodded, a frown marring her otherwise perfect brow. "It's just… I just…"
When words failed her, he brushed a curl from her cheek and enfolded her in a gentle hug as the deep timbre of his voice soothed her. "You are young, tesoro, your heart is tender, and you are still very close to your humanity… Feeding will be difficult at first, but with time, you will adjust," he said as he carded her hair with one hand, the motions gentle and relaxing.
She realized he was doing his best to explain — to help her understand — and it warmed her heart that he cared enough to try. She barely knew him, but what she knew so far, impressed her.
God knew he was big enough to force her — to force anyone, really. She'd seen him throw Edward around like a rag doll and he'd made it look effortless… Yep, he could have simply told her how things were going to be, and tough shit if she didn't like it.
But here he was, being patient, being sweet…
And her regard for him grew.
But the really shocking thing…? She felt safe with him — as if nothing in the world could ever harm her again. And after the last two years she'd had? This was a welcomed change of pace.
"If you like," he continued, "I shall hunt criminals for you when we return home to Italy. But, until then, Dr. Cullen has provided these bags of donated blood. Is that acceptable to you?"
"I guess so," she murmured against his chest.
Finally pulling back from the comfort of his arms, she brought the bag to her mouth and bit into it, nearly growling at the taste as it flowed over her tongue and down her scalded throat.
When she'd finished the first, she grabbed another, then another, until she'd finished five of them. "I think that's all I can take for now," she said, a bit embarrassed at how much she'd taken once she'd had a taste. She glanced up. "I didn't leave much for you. I'm sorry."
He leaned down and kissed away a smudge of blood from her lip, then murmured, "That's all right, tesoro, I am very old and don't require as much as a newborn." He straightened and smiled. "I usually only feed once a month."
She looked startled. "Wow, really? Because the Cullens hunt way more than that."
He didn't look surprised. "It's because the animal blood does not sate their thirst—not really. They are vampires—made to feed from humans. The animal blood is a substitute, yes, but a poor one."
He drained the one remaining bag and threw all the emptied bags in the trash.
"What now?" she asked, drawing close to him to play her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. She had to stretch up onto her toes, but she managed it.
He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her closer. "Now?" he said while tipping her chin up with a crooked finger. Her eyes drifted shut as he brushed his lips over hers before murmuring, "Now, if nothing else happens to delay us, we return home to Italy."
***Anyone else want a Felix of their very own? I know I do.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.