Chapter 5
Disclaimer: SM owns it all; I like to play with her characters in my world.
Chapter 5
Bella POV
I was in Marcus' office, and we were chatting of our favorite authors and artists when I decided to approach the subject of Caius' trip. He looked at me with thoughtful crimson eyes and asked, "What is it, Piccola? You do know you can talk to me, right?"
I looked at him, smiled a small smile and stammered, "Yes, Marcus, It's just…I'm…"
"Isabella, I realize you are upset about something and I cannot figure it out if you are going to be so cryptic. Take a deep breath and tell me and maybe I can help."
He waited patiently as I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before beginning, "It's Caius; I don't want him to leave because being apart from him hurts and I don't understand it. I want to go with him and he said no, maybe next time, because he feels like I'm ready. I mean, I can handle being away from him here, but when he's away in the mountains, I'm afraid the pain will be much more. Marcus…what is going on? Why does it hurt to be away from him? Why do I feel this way for him when we just met?"
"I was afraid of this," he said with a weary sigh. "You are feeling what we term as the mating pull…. Its more intense for vampires. It happens when we meet our true other half. If the mating has not been completed you feel an ache when not with your mate. Long distances prove to be much more taxing if one of the mates is human." He raised an eyebrow, giving her a pointed look. "Oh Stella mia, Aro and I will keep you distracted while he is gone on his trip and he will be back before you know it. Maybe we can get Alice Cullen to help."
"Caius is my soul mate?" I asked, unable to keep the shock hidden from either my face or voice.
Marcus laughed, finding my outburst amusing. "Yes, child, he is. As I said, Aro and I will keep you distracted and I will talk to Ms. Cullen and she can be of service to you as well."
I kept my eyes on him, my vampire 'father', but decided to keep quiet. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to see Alice Cullen.
Marcus decided to show me some of the art in the halls. He took my hand and tucked it into the crease of his elbow. I knew walking human pace was not one of his favorite things, but he did it anyway. He told me of the artists and described their style when we came upon one that was simply beautiful. The painting was of a girl facing the sea at sunset, wearing a flowing white gown, dark hair fanned out around her as if caught in the breeze.
I gasped when I saw it and Marcus asked, "Isabella, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Who painted this?"
His eyes narrowed at me before turning to the painting. "Caius did. Painting is one of the things he loves to do, besides playing the piano. Aro plays piano as well, and reads. I play the violin, piano, and cello. When not involved with music, I sculpt as well as paint. All of us enjoy art, the classics in novel, and music. We have different tastes in novel, while Caius and I enjoy the dirty work in art."
I laughed at this. The thought of Caius getting paint all over him was too funny, while Marcus was elbow deep in clay.
"You should laugh more often," he commented. "It's a beautiful sound and I'm sure Caius would think so as well. Do you mind sharing what you thought was so comical?"
I shook my head and replied, still giggling, "You elbow deep in clay and Caius…covered in paint."
He joined me in laughing and I said, "You should laugh more often too, Marcus. It makes you look younger and happier. I'm glad I can make you laugh."
He was about to say something as we rounded a corner and saw Aro and Caius in a heated discussion. I looked at them and asked, "What is going on, Caius? I will know what soon enough? And, Aro, I'm a bit disappointed in you. He asks that you don't antagonize him and that's exactly what you are doing. Now all I heard was naming your friend. Not that I want to intrude on your little get together, but you both are being impossible. Can't you two have a normal conversation without it ending in a shouting match?"
Caius POV
I wandered through the halls in the castle and came face to face with Aro. I looked at him for a moment and asked, "What is your plan, Aro? I am asking because of your presence in the library earlier. Isabella was quite upset by that petulant boy; and I don't want you thinking about any games where she is concerned."
"Games, Caius, whatever do you mean?" he asked, quirking a brow. "I have no intention of playing games with Isabella. I'm merely toying with Edward is all."
I looked at him skeptically. "Hm. Well, do not involve Isabella in whatever it is you are doing. I will not tolerate her being hurt by anyone again. And before you start, do not antagonize me."
He regarded me calmly. "I really have no intention of antagonizing you, brother. The comments I made earlier were for her safety. You know as well as I you are not yourself and gods forbid if Bella were near you as you went off half-cocked." He then stopped and thought carefully what to say next. "Brother, are going to tell her of your friend in our young Major Jasper? How is she handling you so far?"
"Aro, she is handling me just fine. As for my friend, I told her about him, not who he is just yet. Tread lightly where my relationship stands with her, brother. You know as well as I do if we were separated for too long it would kill her. Teach her Italian and about your precious books, but do not interfere in our space beyond that. My Isabella is a feisty one and just may well put you in your place, brother."
"Caius, Caius, Caius…this girl has enraptured you! It is so good to see such fantastic changes in you. I see you are beginning to be the king you used to be. This is a most unexpected and happy surprise, brother. Just do not forget to name your friend."
"Aro, you are being unpleasant and exasperating. She will know soon enough. DO NOT antagonize me."
He looked up and saw Isabella and Marcus round the corner in the hall. They stopped when they saw us, disappointment and anger flitting across their features. At once, Isabella demanded to know what was going on.
"Not that I want to intrude on your little get together, but you both are being impossible. Can't you two have a normal conversation without it ending in a shouting match?"
Aro sniffed. "Shouting? Who is shouting? Not I."
I growled lowly, mentally cursing him for never losing his temper.
Isabella kept a steady glare on him. "Aro, I know it's not my place to say, but you should be ashamed of yourself. You know as well as anyone else here not to upset Caius around the moon phase. He explained it to me. For someone who's almost three thousand years old, you're awfully immature. If you don't have anything nice to say, then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!"
All I could do is look at her as she knocked him down a few pegs and watch as shame crossed his face. My beast was cheering her on in his cage and said to me, Caius she is perfect for us…Look how she handles Aro, a seasoned Vampire…She is absolutely perfect for us. She can scold me anytime. She is beautiful when in a temper; so much better than that witch, Athenodora.
Marcus then spoke after shaking out of his daze. "Come, Aro, let us leave them in peace. We have the next few days to spend with Bella and maybe we can smooth out the bumpy road between you two. Bella, see you in the morning. Caius, have a safe journey, brother, and return soon."
Chapter 5
Bella POV
I was in Marcus' office, and we were chatting of our favorite authors and artists when I decided to approach the subject of Caius' trip. He looked at me with thoughtful crimson eyes and asked, "What is it, Piccola? You do know you can talk to me, right?"
I looked at him, smiled a small smile and stammered, "Yes, Marcus, It's just…I'm…"
"Isabella, I realize you are upset about something and I cannot figure it out if you are going to be so cryptic. Take a deep breath and tell me and maybe I can help."
He waited patiently as I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before beginning, "It's Caius; I don't want him to leave because being apart from him hurts and I don't understand it. I want to go with him and he said no, maybe next time, because he feels like I'm ready. I mean, I can handle being away from him here, but when he's away in the mountains, I'm afraid the pain will be much more. Marcus…what is going on? Why does it hurt to be away from him? Why do I feel this way for him when we just met?"
"I was afraid of this," he said with a weary sigh. "You are feeling what we term as the mating pull…. Its more intense for vampires. It happens when we meet our true other half. If the mating has not been completed you feel an ache when not with your mate. Long distances prove to be much more taxing if one of the mates is human." He raised an eyebrow, giving her a pointed look. "Oh Stella mia, Aro and I will keep you distracted while he is gone on his trip and he will be back before you know it. Maybe we can get Alice Cullen to help."
"Caius is my soul mate?" I asked, unable to keep the shock hidden from either my face or voice.
Marcus laughed, finding my outburst amusing. "Yes, child, he is. As I said, Aro and I will keep you distracted and I will talk to Ms. Cullen and she can be of service to you as well."
I kept my eyes on him, my vampire 'father', but decided to keep quiet. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to see Alice Cullen.
Marcus decided to show me some of the art in the halls. He took my hand and tucked it into the crease of his elbow. I knew walking human pace was not one of his favorite things, but he did it anyway. He told me of the artists and described their style when we came upon one that was simply beautiful. The painting was of a girl facing the sea at sunset, wearing a flowing white gown, dark hair fanned out around her as if caught in the breeze.
I gasped when I saw it and Marcus asked, "Isabella, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Who painted this?"
His eyes narrowed at me before turning to the painting. "Caius did. Painting is one of the things he loves to do, besides playing the piano. Aro plays piano as well, and reads. I play the violin, piano, and cello. When not involved with music, I sculpt as well as paint. All of us enjoy art, the classics in novel, and music. We have different tastes in novel, while Caius and I enjoy the dirty work in art."
I laughed at this. The thought of Caius getting paint all over him was too funny, while Marcus was elbow deep in clay.
"You should laugh more often," he commented. "It's a beautiful sound and I'm sure Caius would think so as well. Do you mind sharing what you thought was so comical?"
I shook my head and replied, still giggling, "You elbow deep in clay and Caius…covered in paint."
He joined me in laughing and I said, "You should laugh more often too, Marcus. It makes you look younger and happier. I'm glad I can make you laugh."
He was about to say something as we rounded a corner and saw Aro and Caius in a heated discussion. I looked at them and asked, "What is going on, Caius? I will know what soon enough? And, Aro, I'm a bit disappointed in you. He asks that you don't antagonize him and that's exactly what you are doing. Now all I heard was naming your friend. Not that I want to intrude on your little get together, but you both are being impossible. Can't you two have a normal conversation without it ending in a shouting match?"
Caius POV
I wandered through the halls in the castle and came face to face with Aro. I looked at him for a moment and asked, "What is your plan, Aro? I am asking because of your presence in the library earlier. Isabella was quite upset by that petulant boy; and I don't want you thinking about any games where she is concerned."
"Games, Caius, whatever do you mean?" he asked, quirking a brow. "I have no intention of playing games with Isabella. I'm merely toying with Edward is all."
I looked at him skeptically. "Hm. Well, do not involve Isabella in whatever it is you are doing. I will not tolerate her being hurt by anyone again. And before you start, do not antagonize me."
He regarded me calmly. "I really have no intention of antagonizing you, brother. The comments I made earlier were for her safety. You know as well as I you are not yourself and gods forbid if Bella were near you as you went off half-cocked." He then stopped and thought carefully what to say next. "Brother, are going to tell her of your friend in our young Major Jasper? How is she handling you so far?"
"Aro, she is handling me just fine. As for my friend, I told her about him, not who he is just yet. Tread lightly where my relationship stands with her, brother. You know as well as I do if we were separated for too long it would kill her. Teach her Italian and about your precious books, but do not interfere in our space beyond that. My Isabella is a feisty one and just may well put you in your place, brother."
"Caius, Caius, Caius…this girl has enraptured you! It is so good to see such fantastic changes in you. I see you are beginning to be the king you used to be. This is a most unexpected and happy surprise, brother. Just do not forget to name your friend."
"Aro, you are being unpleasant and exasperating. She will know soon enough. DO NOT antagonize me."
He looked up and saw Isabella and Marcus round the corner in the hall. They stopped when they saw us, disappointment and anger flitting across their features. At once, Isabella demanded to know what was going on.
"Not that I want to intrude on your little get together, but you both are being impossible. Can't you two have a normal conversation without it ending in a shouting match?"
Aro sniffed. "Shouting? Who is shouting? Not I."
I growled lowly, mentally cursing him for never losing his temper.
Isabella kept a steady glare on him. "Aro, I know it's not my place to say, but you should be ashamed of yourself. You know as well as anyone else here not to upset Caius around the moon phase. He explained it to me. For someone who's almost three thousand years old, you're awfully immature. If you don't have anything nice to say, then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!"
All I could do is look at her as she knocked him down a few pegs and watch as shame crossed his face. My beast was cheering her on in his cage and said to me, Caius she is perfect for us…Look how she handles Aro, a seasoned Vampire…She is absolutely perfect for us. She can scold me anytime. She is beautiful when in a temper; so much better than that witch, Athenodora.
Marcus then spoke after shaking out of his daze. "Come, Aro, let us leave them in peace. We have the next few days to spend with Bella and maybe we can smooth out the bumpy road between you two. Bella, see you in the morning. Caius, have a safe journey, brother, and return soon."