"Goodbye, Sulpicia."

Bella wrapped her arms about the slender vampire's waist. Their curls mixed together, black with chocolate brown. "We will miss you," she said sincerely.

Sulpicia laughed. "Not all of you will." She threw a brief glance at Aro. His lips were tightly pursed, as if fighting an inner emotion. How long did she have to stay?

His wife kissed Bella's cheek, murmuring a soft goodbye. "Enjoy your new life, Bella." Demetri stepped behind her, a soft cloak laid over his arm. She reached for it. "I will not ask for your farewells, Aro," she said briskly. "We understand each other well enough."

He smiled. "Farewell, Sulpicia."

"Ha! You would not say that if I hadn't reproached you. Good-bye, Thena, Caius." Smiling at Bella a last time, she walked through the doors, swaying with the movement characteristic to her.

"Well, that was uneventful," Thena observed suddenly.

"What are you talking about?" Aro snapped.

She turned a mild gaze on him. "Sully is a troublemaker, my dear. I thought we all understood that. I was merely saying that her visit here was more peaceful than—"

"Grazie, Thena," he interrupted, still flustered. He glanced down at Bella, who was looking back at him with a sweet, puzzled expression. He reached for his new bride, saying "come" sharply as he did so. They glided from the room, leaving the rest equally puzzled.

"What did I say?" Athenodora asked her husband.

Caius smiled slyly. "Rivalry, my pet, rivalry. Their relationship was hell, was it not?"

"As yours will be, if you don't visit my chambers soon." Her lovely lips pouted. "I see you so little these days."

Caius' form flashed, brushing her throat momentarily. She shrieked, and they fled the room amidst flying hair and robes.

Aro heard them, halfway down the hall with Bella. From the look on her face, she did as well. He sighed. Though his arm was tight round her waist, his gift was as useless as ever. "You have something to say, my love?" he asked softly.

She bit her lip. "I never thought… I mean, I never imagined Caius was capable of…" She shook her head, curls bouncing. "No, it's disrespectful."

Aro smiled. "That my brother was capable of love? We all are, cara mia, whether merely physical or otherwise. You will learn many things about us you didn't know previously. Benefits beyond comprehension as a human."

She leaned against him. "You are all I need."

Aro giggled. She was a romantic, like himself. He stroked her hair, taking great pleasure in the rich, lustrous shades. Her next remark, however, wiped the smile from his lips.

"Aro?" she whispered.
"Yes?"

"Will you lock me up, too?"

He drew back, staring at her. "Of course not, my love. Why should I do so?"

She sighed. "It's just that… I had never seen the wives until I came back here, nor heard of them. Where are they kept? Why such seclusion?"

"They are not locked up," he told her soothingly. "Many years ago, when my brothers and I were unsure of our security here, we asked them to hide away for their own safety. Thena remains secluded by her own choice, and Sulpicia…" He chuckled. "Well, you know about us already." He gazed down into Bella's worried face. "You see, my angel? Everyone has a choice here, provided they obey the law. You may be as free as you please."

She smiled. "Can I trust you?"

"No one does, cara. But you may, if you wish."

She took his hand, now warm to the touch. "Then come."

They fled down the hallway, Aro's laughter colliding giddily with Bella's more musical peals. She dragged him to the now familiar room. The door nearly shattered as they burst in, wrapping themselves inexorably around each other. Such raw, animalistic pleasure would have shocked any member of the Cullen clan, had they seen it. But Bella didn't hold back anymore then her mate did. There were moments when Aro may have feared for his life, even (had he been paying the slightest attention to something so trivial). His Bella was so strong, so beautiful. He found a vicious delight in the way she kept hurting him.

"Are you alright?" she gasped, as if reading his thoughts. They both panted heavily from the aftermath of their kiss.

Aro traced an invisible line down her cheek. "I am whole, my love."

Her crimson eyes smiled, red as her lips. "How can I tell if I hurt you, though? Vampires don't bruise, do they?"

"Not in the way you'd expect." Lifting his left hand, he showed her a tiny crack where she'd squeezed him too hard. Bella gasped, but he hushed her softly. "Look," he whispered.

The crack, so disturbing to her young eyes, began to seal itself, closing up until his palm resumed its normal, flawless surface. Healed.

"Isn't that intriguing?" he asked, smiling.

Bella ran delicate fingers over his skin, as if trying to find the mark. She looked up at him, pretending to scowl. "You didn't need to frighten me."

"But all is well, love, so why does it matter?"

Bella watched him, her face softening. The room was lit only a single candle, but she had an immortal's eyes. Reaching up, she touched his smooth, arched throat.

"What is it, Isabella?"

She shook her head. "It's just so bizarre… how warm you are."

"As warm as you were to me, principessa."

She smiled. "'Princess?'"

"Yes… which reminds me, I need to start giving you lessons in our tongue."

Bella sighed as his lips touched her forehead. A few more sessions like this, and she would be fluent enough to cuss out Caius or Jane. Aro was always more… well, verbose when being intimate with her, and it certainly wasn't in English.

"I think…" Aro said, murmuring against her flesh. "You will find my skin… much more inviting this time."

"It wasn't not inviting before," she protested. "Just a little uncomfortable."

"Why?" he laughed loudly. "Did it remind you of death?" He slid experienced hands down her waist. She gasped a little as he touched her sensitive spot. "I will not be as gentle, I'm afraid."

Bella grabbed his hand, hissing a little between her teeth. "Neither will I, darling."

Aro's black eyes widened, a combination of lust and delighted surprise. He let his mate push him back towards the bed, growling quietly as she did so. The wood groaned softly. Her fingers, sweet and scented as rose petals, skittered down his chest, taking his clothing with them.

"Lie back," she told him.

The Volturi leader slid his shoes off, then edged further back on the coverlet. He had a feeling it would not remain whole for long. His mate crawled towards him. Her eyes were gorgeous; a blazing red that could only be seen in newborns. He loved the enhanced seductiveness this life had given her. She was truly made to be immortal.

Her clever hands slid up his legs. He chuckled, despite his groans. "This wouldn't be as fun," she smirked. "If you could read my mind."

"Oh? Shall I pretend I can?"

"Don't count on it."

A startled snarl ripped from his throat. She was licking his chest gently, sighing at his reactions. Aroused as he was, he looked closely for a weakness in her position. He did not intend to play slave all night long.

"Isabella," he hissed again. His hands lashed towards her face, but she was there already, pinning him against the covers. Her tongue, honeyed like wine, edged between his teeth. "You taste better than ever," she moaned. "How is that possible?"

She closed her eyes, lost in pleasure. Something whistled in the air, and she gazed up in astonishment at Aro's impish face.

"That's not fair!"

He raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "I hardly know the meaning of the word." She had scarcely adjusted herself before tiny screams began ripping from her throat. He lathered his lust on her, using each reaction to fuel the next maneuver. As a human, such actions would have shocked her considerably. But now that she was immortal—now that she was sempre morti—it all took on a completely different light. Sexual need was as fascinating as the hunt itself, and just as primal.

Needless to say, the ancient did not remain in control for long. The fallen lovers fought back and forth, sacrificing the bed and most of their clothes into the bargain. Laughter echoed. Bodies broke, delighted, then healed. Foul play, but beautiful, nonetheless.

Bella thought of Edward briefly, and her sadness was replaced by a curious apathy. What vampire, however overtaken by grief, would allow that grief to consume him? She only had to look at his father for an example. Carlisle had suffered terribly, too. He had spent over three hundred years living entirely alone. Yet even before he found his family, he had searched for peace. He did not sit dumbly, hating himself and his existence. He found his calling in others, and pursued that with the same selfless determination with which he pursued his life.

But Edward? Pitiable, young, continuously moping Edward? Bella was at a loss there. That apathy as an immortal had softened her regret at leaving him. It no longer seemed like such a betrayal. He was out of her life now. Gone. She wouldn't think of him anymore, nor would she pity him. If he brooded 'til the end of time, it would be the fault of only one person. Himself.

Bella sighed. Black hair drifted over her mouth, subtly sweet. Aro lay beside her, cupping each side of her face in his strong hands. She looked into his red eyes. There were centuries engraved there. Secrets. She would never read them all. However long she lived, however long she traveled down those crimson depths, she would never fully understand her dark angel. This did not sadden, nor did it anger her. Did she not keep enough from him? They were perfectly equal, making their love all the more precious.

"Why close your eyes, cara?" breathed the angel. "You will sleep no longer."

A blissful peace settled over Bella. No, she would sleep no longer. She'd been sleeping for years, sacrificing her soul for this final, undying light.

"We don't have to rest," she giggled suddenly. She turned, kissing Aro. "We can do this forever."

He laughed, echoing her in his own tongue. His arms lifted her against him. She traced the shape of a crest on his chest, bare and white in the now pitch-black silence.

"Good night, Aro," she said.

"Good night, Isabella," he whispered, with the mocking tone she loved. His fingers tugged at her hair, impatient and pleasantly warm. Bella smiled, curling up into sweetest darkness.

Hello, eternity.