Chapter Text
The hallways of the Volturi castle were grand and imposing, their walls lined with marble and gold accents that glinted in the flickering torchlight. The ceilings stretched high above, adorned with intricate carvings and murals depicting ancient battles and myths.
As Marcus made his way through the corridors, his footsteps echoed softly on the polished stone floors. The air was thick with the scent of centuries-old stone and the faint tang of blood that permeated every inch of the castle.
Tapestries hung from the walls, their threads spun from the finest silks and woven with intricate designs that depicted scenes of vampire history and legend. Massive doors lined the hallways, each one carved from dark wood and adorned with intricate brass fixtures.
The occasional statue or piece of art could be seen, carefully placed in alcoves or on pedestals. These were not mere decorations, but relics of a time long past, imbued with the weight of history and the power of the Volturi.
The castle was a maze, its twisting corridors leading to hidden rooms and secret chambers, each one guarded by ancient vampires whose loyalty to the Volturi was absolute.
As Marcus walked, he could feel the weight of the castle's history bearing down on him, its walls and floors steeped in the blood and power of those who had come before. It was a place of darkness and shadows, where secrets lurked behind every corner and danger lay in wait for those who dared to venture too far.
The human woman Bella Swan consumed his thoughts. He had always been proud of his ability to control his thirst, before Didyme, but after losing her….he had let his control wane. But somehow in the presence of Bella, he found himself struggling to maintain his composure like he was a newborn immortal again. He promised her he would attempt to gain control over his thirst so he could stand to be around her. To kiss her. To touch her. To give her the child she wanted.
He ached.
He approached the door to Edward's chamber and paused, his mind racing with doubt and fear. What if Edward judged him for his weakness? What if he was unworthy of the respect of his fellow vampires? The vampires he had called family for so long.
As Marcus approached Edward's chamber, he could see the ornately carved wooden door looming ahead. It was tall and imposing, with intricate details etched into the surface, almost like a work of art. The door handle was made of gleaming silver, with a twisted design that seemed almost otherworldly.
With a deep breath, Marcus knocked on the door, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.
As he pushed open the door, he was greeted by a sight that was both familiar and eerie. Edward's chambers were spacious and grand, with high ceilings and walls adorned with portraits and tapestries. The furniture was antique, with dark wood and plush cushions that seemed to swallow a person up.
The room was dimly lit, with shadows dancing across the walls from the flickering candles that dotted the room. The air was heavy with the scent of old books and leather, and there was a sense of quiet stillness that hung over everything.
In the center of the room, Edward sat in a high-backed armchair, his posture straight and his eyes focused on the book in his hands. He looked up as Marcus entered, his expression inscrutable. The room seemed to take on a new level of stillness as the two vampires regarded each other in silence.
Edward's now orange eyes piercing as they met Marcus's own. "What brings you here?" he asked, his voice smooth and controlled.
Marcus swallowed hard, his throat dry with nerves and thirst. "It's Bella," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm finding it difficult to resist her."
Edward's eyes softened, his expression one of understanding. "I remember when I first met Bella," he said. "Her scent was overwhelming, and I struggled to control myself as well."
Marcus felt a glimmer of hope at Edward's words, a sense of camaraderie that he had not felt in years. "What did you do?" he asked.
Edward leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled before him. "I focused on the fact that she was a human being, with a life and a future ahead of her," he said. "I couldn't risk taking that away from her, no matter how strong my desire."
Marcus nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "But what if I can't control myself?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper once again.
"Then you must stay away from her," Edward said firmly. "It is better to admit your weakness and avoid temptation than to risk harming another."
Marcus nodded again, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. Carlisle's old words reflected in his son. It was comforting. He had been lost in his struggle, his desire for Bella consuming him, but now he felt as though he had a path to follow.
"Thank you, Edward," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Your words have given me hope."
Edward smiled, a small, almost imperceptible tilt of his lips. "We all struggle with our desires," he said. "It is in acknowledging them and seeking guidance that we can hope to overcome them."
With a final nod, Marcus turned and left the room, his mind focused on the path ahead. He knew that his struggle would continue, but with the support of his fellow Volturi, he felt as though he could face anything that lay ahead.
__________
As days turned to weeks once again, his mind was plagued by a single thought: could he ever control his thirst around Bella? He had sought guidance from Edward, the prodigious vampire who was able to resist the call of human blood. But even with Edward's counsel, Marcus was not fully convinced that he was equipped to handle the allure of Bella's unique scent.
His anxiety led him back to Edward's chamber, where he found the brooding vampire immersed in his books once again. With a sense of urgency, Marcus beseeched Edward for any other method to keep his thirst in check.
Edward's expression was grave, as if he were considering a weighty decision. Finally, he spoke in a low, serious voice, "There is a way, but it is not for the faint of heart."
Marcus's heart would be pounding in his chest, if he was still mortal, as he waited for Edward to explain.
"You must go underwater and stay there until your thirst subsides," Edward said, his voice carrying the weight of experience and solemnity despite his youthfulness.
Marcus's brow furrowed with confusion. "Underwater?" he repeated.
"Yes," Edward affirmed, "it will be a test of your strength and willpower."
With a determined look, Marcus left Edward's chamber and sought out the nearby coastline. The same beach he took his Bella to.
The beach stretched out for miles, its soft and powdery sand glistening under the early morning dawn. The crystal-clear waters of the sea washed over the shoreline, producing a gentle lapping sound that lulled his mind into a state of tranquility. The beach was surrounded by rocky cliffs on either side, creating a natural barrier that kept the area secluded and serene. The cliffs are covered in lush green vegetation, providing a striking contrast to the brilliant white of the sand and the deep blue of the sea.
As he walks along the shore, he could feel the warmth of the sand under his feet and the coolness of the water lapping at his ankles. The sea was an endless expanse of blue, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The water was so clear that Marcus could observe the intricate patterns of the sand below, and schools of fish swimming in the depths. The only sound that broke the stillness of the beach was the occasional cry of a seagull or the rustle of the breeze through the vegetation.
He plunged himself into the warm early morning waters, the shock of forcing himself to have no oxygen causing him to instinctively recoil. The human instinct was strange but comforting in a way…to know those old impulses still lingered. But he forced himself to remain submerged, his mind focused on the image of Bella and the life she had ahead of her. The image of her slightly older with a small child in her arms. The lilt of life a bundle in her arms, suckling sustenance from her breast, the flush to her cheeks. A little girl with hair as dark as his and eyes like hers. Wide and innocent, brown like the earth beneath their feet.
As the moments passed, with that image in his mind, Marcus felt his thirst begin to wane. It was a small victory, but one that he clung to as he emerged from the water, gasping for breath. His heart was filled with a newfound sense of hope, and he knew that he would continue to persevere in his quest to control his thirst and protect the one human that he had grown to care for above all others.
_________
The Kings' study chambers are bursting with grandeur and opulence. The walls are adorned with richly textured tapestries, depicting scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures. The high ceilings are intricately carved, with elaborate patterns that seem to stretch up to the heavens.
In the center of the room stands an imposing wooden desk, surrounded by plush leather chairs. The desk is littered with parchment scrolls and quill pens, evidence of the Kings' tireless efforts to maintain order in their vast empire.
To the left of the desk is a massive fireplace, the flames casting a warm glow across the room. The mantle above it is lined with ancient artifacts, including intricate crystal figurines and delicate vases filled with fragrant blooms. To the right of the desk is a massive bookcase, filled to bursting with leather-bound tomes and dusty scrolls.
Caius stormed into the chamber, his eyes ablaze with fury, his mind clouded by the unthinkable betrayal. How could Bella, the woman he loved, have gone to Marcus without his knowledge? How could she have made such a life-changing decision without even consulting him, her partner in this relationship?
As Caius stormed closer, he caught sight of the thrones at the far end of the room. Each was crafted from gleaming black stone and adorned with gold leaf, with plush velvet cushions that looked inviting and yet forbidding at the same time. Marcus and Aro were seated there, deep in conversation, their eyes flickering with an ancient intelligence and their expressions betraying no hint of emotion.
Aro and Marcus' expressions changed, their faces growing calm and collected, as if they had expected his arrival.
"Ah, Caius, what a surprise," Aro said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"
Caius gritted his teeth, his anger barely contained. "Don't play games with me, Aro," he growled. "You both knew about Bella's decision to have a child with Marcus, and yet you chose to keep it from me."
Marcus rose from his seat, his expression stern and protective. "Isabella made her own choice," he said firmly. "She came to me, and I did not turn her away. We did not think it was our place to inform you of her decision."
Caius scoffed, his eyes blazing. "And you thought it was acceptable to conceive a child with her without my consent?" he spat. "I cannot believe that you would betray me like this."
Aro rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "Caius, Bella is a grown woman," he said, his voice laced with irritation. "She can make her own choices. You cannot control her every move."
But Marcus stepped forward, his eyes filled with a fierce protectiveness. "Bella's desires are important to us," he said, his voice low and steady. "We all love her, and we want what is best for her. And if having a child with me is what she wants, then we will support her."
Caius's anger turned to despair as he realized that Bella truly wanted to have a child with Marcus. He knew the risks of a hybrid child, and he knew that it would be dangerous for Bella to carry it. But he also knew that he could not force her to change her mind.
"I cannot bear the thought of her risking her life for a child," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "Carlisle warned us of the dangers. I cannot believe that you both ignored his advice."
Aro and Marcus exchanged a look, their faces serious. "We are aware of the risks, Caius," Aro said. "But Bella has made her choice, and we will support her, no matter what."
Caius nodded, his eyes downcast. He knew that they were right. He could not change Bella's decision, no matter how much he wanted to. But he also knew that he could not stand by and watch her put her life in danger.
As he turned to leave the room, his mind filled with conflicting emotions, Caius made a silent vow to himself. He would do everything in his power to protect Bella, to ensure that she remained safe and blameless even if he would take the risk for her possible death. And if that meant convincing her to have a child with him instead, then so be it.