.

.

Chapter 49 - The Epilogue

"What did you get?" Bella asked, climbing out of bed, walking behind Aro to put her arms around his waist. She was completely naked and he was in his robe, but she didn't care, pressing her body up next to his back.

It had been a week since the Saturnalia Ball and Aro was still getting Christmas gifts from business associates.

"It's the Fruit of the Month club," Aro said, tossing the letter on the dresser. "Humans always send me food. I wonder why?"

"They do it to torment you," Bella teased, kissing his neck.

Aro laughed. "Yes, humans are very devious. So are young ladies," he mused turning around to kiss her back.

All week they had been like this, lying in bed, talking, telling stories, and making love. She never got tired of it either. Aro could ravish her every day of the week as far as she was concerned. She was so in love with him, it almost made her feel like she was floating.

However, she was starting to get a little concerned about Katya. So far, Aro hadn't done a damn thing about moving his quarters to the offices down below. In fact, he seemed to be under the impression he wouldn't be moving at all, which made her suspicious. There were also various organizational changes that had occurred, which had thrown the castle in chaos. Several guards were not happy.

One of them was Alice, who was absolutely furious, saying she would never have agreed to join the Volturi if she knew she was going to be working directly under Caius. "He's is a colossal douchebag," she grumbled. "We've got to get Aro back in charge."

"But I'm not sure Aro wants to be back in charge," Bella argued.

"Well, you're his lover. Make him want it," Alice demanded. "Because I swear, if I have to spend the next hundred years serving Caius, I'm going kill him. It's just going happen. I've had a vision. So talk to Aro."

"All right, all right, I'll talk to him," Bella said, throwing up her hands.

Renata was furious too. In fact, Bella had never seen her so angry. When Bella went to visit her, she found her friend packing her bags.

"What's going on here?"

"Santiago and I are going to leave the Volturi," Renata explained. "We're going to go to Malta and join my Uncle Luca."

"Renata, you can't go," Bella pleaded.

"Actually I can. I joined the Volturi voluntarily. I have no desire to just serve Master Caius."

Obviously, things were getting out of control.

Of course, Aro just brushed these problems away, telling her not to worry.

Now kissing her, he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed.

"Do you think we have time?" Bella asked, glancing over at the clock. "We have a meeting in less than an hour."

"Sure, why not," Aro said happily, removing his robe, crawling into the bed next to her. "I'm no longer a presenter, so now all I have to do is show up. How easy is that?"

"I suppose that's true. This will be Caius' first meeting without you."

"Yes, it is," Aro said with an evil chuckle, bending over to kiss her breast.

"You know, I went down and checked out our new living quarters yesterday and I have no idea how you're going get all your stuff into those small four rooms. It's not going to fit."

Aro waived his hand. "Don't worry about it."

"But I am worried about it. Illya says Katya want's us out by the end of the week."

"Yes, I know."

"So don't we need to start packing?"

Aro moaned in frustration. "Why do you always bring these things up right before we're about to make love."

"Well, I've been meaning to ask you about it, and I was afraid I would forget."

Aro eyed her. "So you decide to bring it up now?"

"Yes, is that wrong?" Bella said, giving him her best 'innocent bunny' look.

"Yes, my love, it's very wrong. You should keep your mind on the task at hand."

"Oh, I see." Chuckling, she pulled him down on top of her and gave him a kiss. "All right, you have my full attention."

"Very good," Aro said with a smile, pulling her into his arms. "However, if you must know. We're not moving, so don't worry about it."

"What do you mean we're not moving?"

"Exactly what I said. We're not moving."

"But Katya-"

"-is a harpy. Yes, I know. But to be honest, I don't care if she complains. In fact, I told her yesterday that it would take us at least six months to move out of here."

"Was she okay with that?"

"Not really. She threw a ceramic cat at me, but she'll just have to get used to the idea. And of course, in six months, I will be back in the Volturi. So no, we won't be moving."

"How do you know you'll be back in the Volturi? Did Caius say that?"

"No, he didn't. Just take my word for it. It will happen."

"But-"

"My dear, please, you're straying again. You must keep your mind on the task at hand."

Bella laughed and put her arms around him. "All right, you have my full attention."

"Molto bene. It's good when we can talk these things out," Aro teased, before thoroughly ravishing her.

..

Of course, this meant they were running late for the meeting. However, they weren't the only ones. Walking down the hall, they spotted Illya and Jane coming out of Jane's bedroom. Something Aro definitely did not approve of.

Immediately, Aro started berating them in Italian, using loud hand gestures, telling them this was inappropriate behavior and that they were way too young to be carrying on in this type of fashion.

"I was just waiting for her," Illya argued.

But Aro was having none of that. He just berated them some more and told Illya if he caught him in Jane's room again like he did the other night, there would be severe consequences.

Both Illya and Jane looked so miserable, Bella actually felt kind of sorry for them, and after they left, she decided to defend them. "Come on Aro, is it really so bad if Illya sleeps in Jane's bedroom."

"Yes, Jane is just a child. She's much too young to be having carnal relations."

"Yeah, but she's never going to get any older. She'll always be thirteen. It's not like she's going to get knocked up. Is it really so wrong? I mean, they're in love, and you told me yourself that all they do is kiss."

Aro shook his head. "It won't stay that way. Eventually, they will take things too far."

"But isn't that their choice?"

"Isabella, please, they're children."

"Yeah, but do you plan to keep them apart forever?"

Aro sighed. "We'll see. If they are still this devoted to each other in two or three years' time, I might relent. But right now the answer is no, It's out of the question."

"Oh my God, you're such killjoy."

"Yes I am," Aro snapped back. "I won't have that Russian pickpocket breaking my dear sweet Jane's heart."

Bella just rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

..

When they got to the meeting, Caius scowled at them, glancing down and his stopwatch as they took their seats in the back.

However, since Marcus wasn't there, they had to wait anyway, and after another fifteen minutes, it was obvious Marcus was not going to show.

Caius scanned the room, clearly annoyed, and he was about to speak when Katya stepped into the room. Dressed in a tailored, mid-length, black dress suit, she looked sleek and sharp, her white hair pulled back in a clip, falling elegantly down her back. But the most noticeable thing was the ruby encrusted 'V' necklace she wore. It was Marcus' necklace.

Immediately, the room broke out into whispers.

Katya imperiously took Marcus' seat and apologized for being late. She then made an announcement. "The great and noble Marcus has decided he no longer wishes to attend any meetings or trials. Therefore, he has asked me to sit in his place as his proxy. He has given me his seal," she said, holding up the necklace, "to show that I have his full support, and the power to make decisions on his behalf."

Caius just glared at her, his hands curling into fists. Clearly, he was enraged and probably would have walked over and ripped off her head if could. He held it in though, his body stiffening. "Then I suggest you do your best to make it on time, Madam," he said curtly.

"Of course," Katya said, glaring right back at him. "Again, I apologize. This was a last minute decision I'm afraid."

"I'm sure it was," Caius grumbled, pulling out one of his maps, rolling it out on the table. "When you go back to the shop, tell the great and noble Marcus that I will be by to see him later."

Katya shook her head. "I would strongly advise against that, Caius. You are not Marcus' favorite person right now."

"With all due respect, Madam, I don't give a damn. And I don't remember asking for your advice."

Katya rolled her eyes. "Fine, do whatever you want."

"Thank you, I will," Caius grumbled. He then preceded to go into another long, strategic dissertation about the werewolf attacks in Siberia.

Bella had heard about these attacks so many times she was beginning to dread meetings almost as much as Marcus. However, this time Caius decided he wanted to do something about it.

"This has been a pressing concern for a long time," Caius commanded, bringing his fist down on the table. "We need to act on this, and we need to act now. It's our obligation to hunt these creatures down and stamp them out. They are a threat to our existence."

Bella couldn't help but notice some of the guards looking over at Aro. That's because Aro had always managed to talk Caius out of pursuing the werewolves, saying they weren't a major threat yet. However, Aro now had no voice, and Caius was intent on hunting the werewolves down.

"I want everyone ready in one week's time," he ordered, eyeing Alice and Jasper, pointing his finger. "You two will need to be ready as well."

"Wait a second," Katya blurted out.

But Caius just ignored her and turned to Santiago, "And because of this new development, you and Renata's request to leave is denied."

Renata was incensed. "But that's not fair."

"Fair or not, I cannot let anyone leave at this time. We need everyone to bring down this menace."

Bella turned to look at Aro only to find him bent over, his face partially hidden by his hand. Was he crying, she wondered? But then she realized no, he wasn't. He was laughing. "Aro," she scolded, keeping her voice a whisper.

Aro just shook his head and silently reached out and grabbed her hand.

Katya stood up, irritated that Caius was ignoring her. "Don't we get to vote on this?"

Caius whipped around to face her, his gaze boring into her. "Marcus is not here, so he has no vote."

"No, I'm his proxy and I will have my say," Katya demanded.

If Caius had hoped to intimidate her, he was much mistaken. Katya stood her ground.

"This hunt of yours is a ridiculous waste of time," Katya bellowed. "Stanislav and Oksana are not threats to you. They are tortured souls. That's why they fled to Siberia. They don't want to kill anybody so they went where there were no people. They are not a threat to you or anybody else."

"You actually know their names?" Caius asked accusingly, walking over to her. "You associate with Children of the Moon?"

"Yes, of course, I associate with werewolves. I come from the North. We have a truce with them. Believe me, I know all about werewolves, probably more than you do."

Caius shook his head. "No you don't. Not really. You've never been mauled by one or ripped to pieces. You have no idea what they can do."

"Actually I have," Katya snapped, unbuttoning her blazer, pulling up her blouse. "See." Right above her hip on the left side was a nasty bite mark, all mangled and red, and about six inches long. "I was almost killed by one. Believe me, I know what werewolves can do. Stanislav and Oksana are not a threat to you. With all the enemies that the Volturi have, do you really want to spend a month to a year trekking over the frozen tundra trying to hunt them down?"

"It will not take a month to a year."

"Yes, it will," Katya insisted, raising her hand. "They're not dumb. They will see you coming and werewolves are faster than you. Stanislav is very old. He can change whenever he wants, and Oksana is almost able to do that as well. And of course, while you're out there playing in the snow, Yuri and the Caucasus Coven will take this opportunity to invade Volterra and rip off your finance minister's head." Katya gave Aro a scathing look. "Although that would probably be an improvement."

"Why thank you, Katya," Aro said sweetly.

Caius was livid, glaring at Katya like he wanted to throttle her, but she just glared right back.

"I'm going to go find Marcus and then I'm going to wring his scrawny, worthless neck," Caius grumbled, disappearing out the door.

"Fine, go do that," Katya hollered after him. She then looked around at the sea of faces in front of her and was now somewhat flustered.

"Does this mean the meeting is over, Mistress Katya?" Aro said sweetly.

Katya glared at him. "Yes, the meeting is adjourned," she muttered before storming out the door.

"Well that was fun," Aro said cheerfully, standing up, escorting Bella out the door.

Once they were out of earshot, he smiled at her. "I don't think it's going to take six months for me to be reinstated back into the Volturi."

"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Bella said.

"Yes, I did. The Volturi needs me. They always have. Caius cannot run the coven alone. He's much too abrasive."

"You're devious, Aro."

"Ánd you are so very lovely," he murmured. "Let's go back upstairs."

"Don't you think we should check on Marcus?"

"Absolutely not. I don't want you anyway near there."

..

Aro, of course, was right. He was reinstated back into the Volturi in less than a week. Which in turn enraged Josephine and the Cévennes Coven. But somehow Aro was able to smooth things over. Bella wasn't quite sure how he did it, but he did. She didn't even ask anymore.

However, Marcus still refused to come to meetings, making Katya his proxy, which irritated both Caius and Aro. She took her job seriously too, which surprised Bella.

A couple weeks later, Aro officially announced their betrothal. Bella wanted to have a fall wedding, so they set the date for September, and everyone raised their glass in a toast.

That's when Bella got a twenty-page letter from Jean. It was quite scathing, calling Aro a butcher and a sadist for the way he killed Vladimir. She then went into a demoralizing diatribe about Bella, condemning her for marrying a despot, and reproaching her for being with the man who humiliated and disfigured her lover Edward.

Aro just smiled at her when she finished reading and sat down on the loveseat next to her. "Jean's quite the poison pen writer, isn't she?"

"Yes, she pisses me off."

Aro nodded in agreement. "She's magnificent though. If only I could have talked her into joining us. I think she would have made an excellent addition. Now regrettably the Bisquri metal will most likely drive her to madness. It's really a shame. "

Bella shook her head. "Aro, I don't' know how do you do it. Jean has just written the rudest and most horrible things about you, and it doesn't bother you at all?"

"Oh my dear, if you think that's bad, you should read other people's deepest and darkest thoughts. Some people absolutely loathe me. Jean is just angry because I've destroyed her coven. And she probably should be angry. However, to be effective as a leader, you can't indulge in petty hatreds. You must always look at the broader picture. For me, power is a game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you will never achieve anything if you don't play."

Bella shook her head. "I think it's much more serious than that."

"Yes, it probably is, but if I let myself think that way then I'm afraid I would lose my nerve."

"I don't know, Aro, I don't like playing games."

"Yes, I know," he said softly, touching her hand. "Don't worry, I will never play games with your heart ever again."

"So would you still take Jean into the Volturi if you could?"

Aro's brow furrowed, as if in deep thought. "That's a good question. I think not. I cannot forgive her for what she did to you. You are the one person who makes me draw the line."

Bella was touched by this. "I know it's crazy, but I'm hopelessly in love with you, Aro."

"I love you too, Isabella," he murmured, giving her a light kiss. "You have no idea how much."

Actually, she did know.

.

The End

.

.

Well, this is the official end. I hope you enjoyed my story. I want to say thank you, everybody, for all your feedback. It was a great learning experience. I know there are some loose ends. Some of this is due to the sequel. Others are due to mismanagement. For instance, originally, I had a plan to bring back the Romanian Coven, which did not materialize. I'm sorry about that. My story took off in another a direction and I just wasn't able to incorporate them back in, without creating a side plot which I think would have detracted from the story overall. So obviously, I wasn't completely happy with this story, but I was bound and determined to finish it. Maybe later I will do a rewrite and fix it.

Anyway, I hope some of you will check out my sequel. I'm writing a Marcus/Katya story.

Thanks again!