Chapter Text
Oh my, you are more beautiful than all the stars in the sky...
"Oddio, sei più bella di tutte le stelle del cielo…" Aro gushed as Bella stepped out of her bedroom and the women hurried out of the room in a flash.
Bella only caught several of the words but she blushed all the same, ducking her head down. She gazed up at the three incredibly handsome vampires through her long lashes. Marcus had his dark locks braided back out of his face, the rest flowing down the top of his back. His deep black suit was clearly of the best quality and perfectly tailored to his measurements. The shoulder pads making him look impossibly larger than average, a perfect triangle leading down into his hips. Caius had his hair slicked back and it brought out the sharp angles of his face handsomely. He was taller than the other two but a tad more slender, however his suit was a deep crimson red and also tailored to him flawlessly. Aro was clad in a white suit that was fitted just as well as the others and brought out the stark contrast of his raven black hair that was tied into a ponytail, flowing down his back. They were so damn gorgeous and she had no idea why she was their mate but she wasn't going to question it anymore. She blushed deeper when Caius complimented her this time.
"Os skoteinós ángelos, pes mou óti epanastátises enantíon tou Theoú móno kai móno gia na mas charíseis ti sotiría?" As a dark angel, tell me did you rebel against God just to grant us salvation?
Bella had no idea what that language was but the way the words left his lips and rolled off his tongue cast a shiver down her spine. Marcus stepped forward and ghosted his hand across her cheek down her neck and arm. He fixed her with an intense look that sank deep into her very being, causing her to ache. His crimson gaze never faltered as he spoke, low and deep.
"As a dark angel, tell me did you rebel against God just to grant us salvation?" His voice was a growl as he pulled her against him quite suddenly, forgetting their company. She gasped in surprise and felt a rush of arousal come over her with the sudden action. Warmth swept through her body to the apex of her thighs, goosebumps rising along her skin, and her head swam a little as the world disappeared around them. Her eyes still never left his as only he was left in the world until Aro and Caius both made low noises of enjoyment.
"Stealing lines much?" Caius teased Marcus and he smirked triumphantly at his brother.
"Mm...As tempting as it is to see you two in such a state, we must be off so we are not late to the show." Aro explained as he gently pulled Marcus from Bella, still somewhat on edge from their getaway the other night.
"Show?" Bella cocked an eyebrow as Marcus chuckled and shook his head.
"It's a surprise, dear one. Just relax and let us treat you to a wonderful night." He murmured.
Bella pouted before nodding in agreement. "Okaayy…" She conceded.
They led her away and down through the lower levels of the castle. The further down they got, the darker and dingier the hallways got. The temperature dropped and the air grew stale as not many souls came through these levels. Bella had to wrap her arms around herself and rub to warm herself up. Aro had anticipated this and pulled from a mysterious pocket inside of his red cloak a black, sheer shawl. Bella gave him a grateful smile before wrapping it around her shoulders and upper arms. It went well with the rest of her outfit and felt like silk against her skin. She silently thanked him for his diligence and good eye. On the last level of the castle, or so she assumed, there were strange noises coming from deep in the dreary dungeon-esque hallway.
Bella felt a curiosity pique her interest. Something was tugging her down that end of the hallway but the Kings were rushing her through this end of the castle fairly quickly. She forgot about this however as they entered a huge garage filled with shiny, impressive sports cars. She gawked in awe of the foreign vehicles worth more than probably both of her parents' houses combined. Maybe even the Cullens' house and garage filled with cars. The Kings ushered her to a silver Audi R8 and they were on the way in no time. She rolled her eyes when they left the castle with two clichè long black SUVs in front and back of their car.
____________
Bella had to be roused from her nap by Marcus shaking her gently by the shoulder. Her head lifted from his lap and she blushed, for the millionth time that day, at the close proximity to a part of him that felt quite cold and heavy under her cheek. Marcus swallowed before she glanced up to meet his gaze, appearing to be completely unaffected by her and where her warm face had been laying on. He gently rubbed his cold fingertip under each eye, to help her wake a little faster.
"We've arrived, princesa. "
Bella shoved her hand against his face playfully, "Nngh...Five more minutes…" She sat up however, stretching her arms out to get rid of the stiffness from sleeping in a car.
She glanced out the window to gasp in delightful surprise. An absolutely gorgeous opera house stood before them. Tall columns held the theatre roof up and there was a long staircase leading up to the theatre doors. A young human man with curly dark brunette hair and dark eyes approached their vehicle to open the car door for them. He was dressed in valet attire with a red vest overtop a white dress shirt and black bowtie. Bella stepped out first with Marcus following right behind, the other two coming along beside her. The valet had a flush of colour to his cheeks as he took in Bella's appearance. Caius fixed the boy with a dismissive and glaring look that caused the poor kid to swallow uncomfortably and rush to the other side of the car to drive off to the parking lot. Felix and Demetri along with another guard member she hadn't formally met yet who had dark skin and matching eyes and dreads shadowed them as they ascended the stairwell up to the opera house.
Bella leaned in to Caius now, her voice hushed, "Was that really necessary?" Her brown eyes flicked to his currently violet ones.
He gave her a haughty smirk, "Don't act as if you didn't enjoy it…"
Bella blushed before she huffed at him and moved closer to Marcus, taking his hand in hers. He hid his enjoyment and surprise well, squeezing her hand affectionately. She smiled up at him as they entered the beautiful building and she gasped in awe again. The entrance hall had a tall ceiling with crystal chandeliers spread throughout, hundreds of beautiful men and women dressed in only the best suits and dresses. Bella clutched Marcus' arm as she took everything in, positively overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of such an old, breathtaking building.
Aro was delighted by her reactions to one of his favourite places to go. He was a lover of the arts, and opera was definitely up there. The drama, the costumes, the makeup, the extravagance represented everything he loved about the world. He wished he could see her thoughts to truly gain an understanding of how she was experiencing everything. He gently took her free hand and kissed her palm, savouring the sensation against his undead lips. "How do you like this so far?"
Bella squeezed Marcus' arm before she turned her full attention to Aro. His large, now muddy brown eyes from contacts gazed into hers with anticipation. "I love it. This place is just...I have no words."
Caius chuckled and cocked an eyebrow at her, "And we haven't even entered the theatre yet."
Bella shot me a half-hearted glare before Aro gasped quite suddenly as he held her hand.
"What is it?" Her brow furrowed as she released his hand for fear she had done something.
"I...saw something…Were—you thinking about slapping Caius?" Aro asked as his own brow furrowed.
Bella's eyes widened, "You saw my thoughts?"
"It was only a brief flash, almost like a crack in a wall." Aro briefly held a look of contemplation and temptation on his face. His mate was gifted . Of course, she was. He had theorized that she had some sort of gift when he found out he couldn't read her thoughts and neither could Edward. But Alice, Marcus, and the empath Jasper's gifts all worked on her. His mind exploded with so many different ideas...he wanted to test her gift and see what worked and didn't work. He wanted to see if she could work on and practice her gift as a human. If it was a defensive talent then she would be able to stay human even longer than she wanted, if she wished…
"Earth to Aro?" She waved her hand in front of him for a few months playfully and Caius smacked him upside the head. It produced a loud strange thwack sound that had Bella bursting into a fit of laughter. Marcus smiled lovingly at his mate and his two brothers. Truly, this was a rare sight to behold. His attention diverted when a jovial, large man with greying hair and green eyes approached them. He was dressed in the most lavish suit that almost rivaled his and his brothers' attire. Aro grinned at the man as he approached.
"Ah, Arturo! My friend, how are you?" Aro kissed the man on each cheek and the man returned the gesture. Bella felt a strange feeling overcome her and a very small growl rumbled in her throat very quietly but each of the vampires picked up on it easily. They gave each other a quick look that said later and returned their attention to the man.
" Ciao , my good friends. I am honoured you were able to make the show this evening. Ahh! And who is this lovely maiden accompanying you?"
Bella narrowed her eyes at the man before she put on a smile, "I am their girlfriend. My name is Bella."
Caius smirked at his mate, at how well she had covered up her discomfort and irritation. "We are courting Miss Bella here. We decided to take her to see your wonderful opera house for the first time."
The man gave her a once over before he turned his attention to Caius, "Well, don't let me keep you from finding your seats. Enjoy the show." And then he turned and disappeared amongst the throng of people.
Her brow furrowed as she watched him leave abruptly, feeling something off about the man. She looked to Aro as he took her hand and led her through the doors leading into the massive theatre. The most grand chandelier she had ever seen hung above their heads and an orchestra played in the air as everyone made their way inside and to their seats. They had a private seating area in one of the balconies closest to the stage above the floor seats and slightly below the balcony seats. There were black and red velvet chaises and loveseats facing the stage and stage binoculars resting on each little end table. As if her mates would need them. She chuckled as they led her to their seats. She took a seat in the middle of one of the large sofas and Marcus sat to her left, Aro on the right as Caius suddenly replaced her seat and sat her across them. Her legs laid across Caius and Aro's laps and she sat in Marcus'.
Bella silently thanked Caius and Aro for respecting that Marcus and her needed to focus on their connection a little more than the other two at the moment. They had to get past whatever had been keeping him from connecting with her and rejecting their bond. She noticed that the tables in their balcony were stacked with different hors d'oeuvres and glasses of champagne, she assumed. Bella bit her lower lip and Caius gave her a knowing look.
"Yes, you are legally allowed to drink in our country. Help yourself, dear one." He winked at her before she eagerly reached for a champagne flute. "But not too much—or else…" He smirked ominously with an air of mystery.
She winked back at him before taking a long sip of the bubbly wine. She licked her lips, savoring the taste of the pleasant drink. Caius's eyes darkened almost imperceptibly if it weren't for the blue contacts over his irises. She was the one to smirk at him now as she squirmed in Marcus' lap to get more comfortable. Marcus chuckled and attempted to not be affected by her movements...and of the growing scent of her arousal and blood. He was thankful for his brothers and the few of their top Guard members being there.
"Delicious…" She paused for a moment to consider her next question. "So...who was that man? I assume he owns the theatre or something like that."
"He is a good friend of ours and yes he owns the opera house here in Milan. He inherited it from his grandfather when he passed away earlier this year. Pity, his old man was a genius. Opened this theatre up almost sixty years ago after he restored it to what you see now. This building is quite possibly as old as we are." Aro chuckled at his joke and Bella giggled as well before the lights started to dim. Bella gasped as squirmed more to finally settle in and Marcus hissed quietly.
Bella flushed with colour before she whispered. "Sorry…" She kissed his cheek to gain forgiveness and he playfully squeezed her sides. She yipped in surprise and jumped up slightly.
"Lovebirds, the show is starting." Caius teased as he squeezed her left knee and she playfully pouted at him.
As the first act began, Bella was enraptured by the performances. She had dreamed of seeing The Phantom of the Opera live and here she was, watching it in Milan of all places. With her three Vampire Kings who were, in a sense, betrothed to her. How was she so lucky? She was two drinks in by the first intermission and feeling a tad tipsy. She stood up and started for the door behind them when they gave her a confused look.
"Restroom break…" Bella blushed and they chuckled at their forgetfulness of her human needs. She ventured out on her own into the weirdly vacant hallways...Finding the restroom, Bella felt a strange feeling almost...nudging at her mind. It felt like a slightly painful throb, as if a headache might come on. She rubbed at her forehead and temple as the sensation grew and she groaned in frustration. She turned and caught sight of a suspicious man staring at her. He was silhouetted in shadow but clearly a masculine figure. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head, turning away to feel the pain come to head for a split second before she turned around to face the stranger again. The pain, and the stranger, were gone just as suddenly as they appeared.
Bella returned quickly after that, immediately taking another champagne glass and returning to her position on Marcus' lap and her legs across Aro and Caius. They noticed she seemed a little on edge and Marcus held her close, leaning into her ear.
"Are you alright, mate?" His lips brushed the shell of her ear as he uttered this and she shuddered as he called her his mate. Bella, feeling the alcohol start to affect her now, let her lips brush against his ear in turn.
"I'll be perfect as long as you keep calling me your mate…" She nibbled on his earlobe and smirked as she heard him hiss in response.
Caius noticed their interaction and was pleased by her confidence and her ability to rouse such a strong reaction from his usually stoic brother. And of course her words and tone were incredibly arousing, causing him to shift with her legs in his lap. Bella noticed this however and fixed her gaze on Caius and he felt his world stop. Her eyes were dilated...black, making her appear more vampiric than ever. Her breathing was accelerated slightly and her heart was fluttering in her chest, causing her bosom to heave slowly and heavily. The way the dress clung to her…
"What's wrong, Caius?" She stood up and crawled into Caius' lap. She settled her warm hands on either side of his neck and sat over the thickness in his trousers as her dress rode up a bit. He settled his hands on her waist and he growled lowly at her seductions.
"Are you jealous? You were staring quite hard at Marcus and me…" Her dark eyes flickered across his face as she admired him and he squeezed her waist suggestively.
"Marcus and I…" He rumbled in a playfully irritated manner.
"Ohh...that does sound much better...both of you at the same time…" She whispered these words like a dirty secret and he felt the last of the contacts dissolve as he hissed. He pushed up against her and she gasped at the sensation. Feeling him...hard against her made her swallow deliciously.
"Oh, I see how it is…" Aro quipped.
Bella clicked her tongue and poured, "Aww, Aro...are you feeling left out?" She leaned across Caius to place a long kiss along his throat and he groaned at the wonderful feeling of her lips against him.
The lights dimmed again as she leaned back to Caius and stared into his eyes—challenging him silently. He narrowed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers, his words a breath against her lips. "We'll finish this later…"
Ya' know, you keep saying that but I don't think you mean it…
He smirked and turned her around to face the stage as the curtains opened. Aro handed her another glass of the sparkling liquid confidence and she smiled at him gratefully. She purposefully squirmed in Caius' lap and he grumbled under his breath. She smirked and sipped her drink as the enchanting performance picked up where it left off.
The second act flew by and during that intermission she took the opportunity to try some of the amazing food laid before her. She tried escargot, something with Italian bacon that tasted amazing , and tiramisu. During the third act, the drinks were really affecting her and of course one of the most sensual songs in the opera was being performed. As the actor playing the Phantom made his way down the stairs to the actress playing Christine, the words felt uncannily accurate to their situation.
" Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end…"
Caius felt her body warming as the actor sang, there was almost magic in the air as it stole everyone in the theatre. It enraptured them and brought them under a spell. The sensuality between the actors was palpable and infectious. He placed his hands on hers and slowly started to run them up her arms.
" Past all thought of if or when
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend…"
As the Phantom circled Christine, he knew what he was about to do and suddenly withdrew his hands from Bella. She practically whimpered in his arms and he smirked.
" What raging fire shall flood the soul?" Caius suddenly grabbed her throat and her hip, squeezing gently but enough for her to feel it. She let out a moan as the magic truly captured them.
" What rich desire unlocks its door?..." Caius slid his hand down her neck to her shoulder and his other hand up her hip to her abdomen, grabbing at her with desire. " What sweet seduction lies before us…"
Bella felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest as she thought she might explode from her need. She was soaked and achy for him. They had played their games for long enough, she wanted him. The haze around her mind was clearing slightly but only amplifying her need for him. Caius was struggling as well, vampires felt their emotions and wants much stronger than humans so whatever Bella was feeling...was ten times worse for him. Marcus couldn't take his eyes off of the stage and her, her pupils blown wide with unabashed lust and plump little lips parted as her breath rushed in and out. Aro was enjoying their display as well, perhaps a bit too much but he was a voyeur and exhibitionist afterall.
The song continued and as it reached it's climax, Caius continued his ministrations...testing to see how far she'd let him go. As the Phantom and Christine began to approach each other from the bridge hovering above the stage, he slid his hands beneath the dress as it had rode up more during their predicament.
" Past the point of no return
No going back now
Our passion play has now at last begun
Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question…"
Caius slowly rubbed her thigh, squeezing and feeling the warm muscle beneath his strong, large hand. He growled into her ear, listening to all her little noises she attempted to stifle in her throat, feeling all of her little movements...feeble attempts to alleviate her current problem. He inched his hand up to her centre and he slipped her lacy panties aside and began to lightly stroke over her lips. She whimpered a little louder this time.
" How long should we two wait before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race?" Caius chuckled as her blood raced and her sounds quickened as she grew close.
" The sleeping bud bursts into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us?" Bella clutched his hand, almost trying to pull his hand away from under her dress to stop him and he chuckled. He began to sing along to this lyrics, lowly into her ear.
"Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return …"
Bella was just on the precipice of coming when he had abruptly stopped. She hissed in anger and turned around to face the blond, smug vampire. She narrowed her eyes at him and attempted to catch her breath as she came down from her high. She was still quite drunk as she whispered lethally.
"Home... now! ”