A/N: Well that's it folks, the end of another story. Hope you all enjoyed it xx Alexis

All that could be heard on the island once known as Isle Esme was the sound of fluttering heartbeats. All others were still and silent in their relief and sadness. Relief it was over, after many centuries and sadness that so many had been hurt by the greed and arrogance of one vampire. His misuse of power, his rule more cruel than the ones who'd been deposed. The way ahead would be fraught with enemies and dissenters, but the Queens of the Voltunas Coven were ready and more than able to meet the challenge.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we the Queens of Voluntas, thank you. What you have helped us do here has elevated your covens to an exalted position. Your covens above all others, no matter the lineage have the undying respect and admiration of the ruling house of Voluntas" Dora said smiling at them all,

"We would also like to ask you all, to select one member of your coven to be ambassador to us for your area. But because we expect our American ambassador to control Mexico too, Major we need it to be you!" Pica said and Jasper nodded understanding why.

So Carmen Denali was to be ambassador for Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. Major Jasper Whitlock for mainland America, Mexico and the surrounding Islands and Countries down to Panama. Zafrina would take responsibility from Columbia downwards to the end of Argentina and any outlying Islands. Siobhan would become ambassador for Northern Europe; the rest would be sorted out later once other covens had been contacted.

Huilen, Yesenia and the older children were given coven status and were now no longer hidden nomads, but the Guaraní Coven, as most were originally from these peoples and spoke this language. The Queens asked Esme to sell them the island so it could be used as the ambassadorial seat for this area. Due to its hidden from human eyes location. With the proviso the burial sites for the young mothers would never be disturbed. Zafrina was very pleased as she did not want the Amazon jungle trampled beneath the feet of many vampires.

"Although Pica and I will be the face of the Voluntas, we will also be heading a council of seven. Marcus, Caius, Heidi, Santiago and Esme will be joining us on this council. There will be no badgering or bullying to make decisions, but true discussions and debates" Dora said smiling at those around her, Esme was shocked but nodded her agreement.

"Jane and Renata have asked to leave us for now, going to Renata's home in Malta. They will offer Luca the position of ambassador for Southern Europe, so that we do not seem to be ruling unfairly and Luca's position is above reproach as it is" Pica now told everyone.

"There will be new laws or old ones will be revised. Aro corrupted everything we once stood for and it will take time to put it right. But first will be the feeding tours, they will be banned. That fool nearly revealed us all with his arrogance. So from now on we hunt for our own food, spreading our net wide" Pica announced and everyone nodded agreeing that with today's technology they were in danger of exposing the vampire world.

"We will be moving out of Volterra still in the countryside, going to our own castle in Anacona, the Rocca di Bolignano. Aro was in the process of selling it, so we will appear to buy it. The Volterra tours will continue as just that, real tours. Hopefully taking the attention off of the Citadel now" Dora told the quiet audience before her.

"In fact we will be buying many old castles and fortresses. They will be a good way to make the vampire world revenue, turning parts into hotels and conference centres. This will be your job Esme, we know you are more than capable" Pica said taking Esme's hand and patting it.

"Marcus, the Volterra Citadel will become the archive for all the others, we have enough treasures to fill them and many more. You and Heidi will take charge of this and organise exhibitions all over the world, let's use what we have to make money, we have no need of criminal activities. Unlike Aro we are above that, we are better than that!" Dora said to her brother of many years, knowing this was one of his dearest wishes.

"It is time my fellow vampires to give back to the humans who sustain us. We will utilise their technologies, their inventiveness and their capacity to survive, make it our own and along side of the humans we too will survive and endure" Pica stated to her enraptured audience, who broke out into applause.

"Caius, you and Santiago will build a guard, one never seen since you yourself were human. They will be rotated amongst the castles and outposts as a sign we are very much in control. You first order of business is the removal of Stefan and Vladimir, their days are numbered and they will pay for the death of Didyme very soon!" Dora told her mate, he and Santiago shook hands and left to start planning the Romanians demise.

With that all decided the time to leave was upon them all. The boat Aro had hired would ferry them all back to Rio and from there they would all head home. The Queens reminded the Irish and Denali covens not to be strangers as the three children had a sibling bond they could not ignore.

"Go forth my friends, today starts the 'Et principium novi Imperii', we are pleased and proud to have you with us now and for all time" Pica said as they all bowed before their true leaders and all felt hope for the first time that a fair and just era had begun.

IIBOIIN

"Wow, they are awesome. Literally born to rule, don't you think Peter?" Bella asked snuggled up to Peter on their flight home to Seattle,

"They sure are Suga', I can see a lot of changes comin' out of Italy for a while. The old guard became complacent in their absence; they'll be gettin' a rude awakenin'. Aro left them be, because he didn't want the Queens reinstated. Now they might not be so happy they're back, fun times ahead" Peter said, seeing some grime times in the Queens future as they drag their world forward into this century.

"So what happens now? If Jasper's busy being ambassador and you with him. What happens to the business?" Bella quizzed, worried their way of life would change too much,

"I'll only be helpin' out, when there's trouble. Ashley will be with him at functions and meetings occasionally. I was thinkin', we should have a more online approach, so it don't matter where we are! How does that sound? We'll have to leave eventually anyway, so doing it online means we don't have to stop" Peter suggested and the other all agreed, that would work out for all of them.

"But first off Suga' we're havin' a honeymoon. We'll go see the world through your vampire eyes. Learn all there is to know about each other. Would you like that my Bella?" he asked her sweetly,

If her heart could have beat it would have been fluttering, as Peter in his usual or should that be unusual manner proposed to her. Venom filled her eyes as she saw him holding out a stunning Art Deco 18KT Gold & Platinum Emerald cut Aquamarine Solitaire Diamond Ring from about 1940.

"Yes, I'd like that very much Peter" she answered kissing him soundly, after he placed it on her finger and the others groaned as they deepened the kiss.

"Reign that in Peter before Jasper starts projecting it to the whole plane. How they gonna explain we crashed cause the pilot was jerking off?" Emmett griped and everyone burst out laughing.

So not only a new era for the Queens, but the Whitlocks too. Jasper proposed to Ashley not long after they reached home and Emmett decided what the hell, he'd never married Rose under his real name before and on a dull wet Seattle day a justice of the peace married the three couples at the Monroe house, with the Denali's and Esme in attendance. Little Ulyana was acting as flower girl for them all and she was an angel, that girl would be a heart breaker when she finally stopped growing.

For once it was a relatively quiet affair, no over the top signs of wealth or any unneeded fancy trimmings. Just three beautiful women in dresses of their choice and their mates resplendent in their tuxes. Bella's was of course a 40's style strapless tea length gown with a lace bolero type jacket, all white with matching shoes and gloves. Rose opted for a white floor length silk shift dress, with long sleeves and a short flared train; it was a definite 30's style and more stunning in its simplicity. Her statuesque figure only one of a few who could carry it off so well.

Ashley decided on a very short backless white lace dress with lace sleeves and hers was of course the most modern looking. It was cheeky and flirty without being tasteless, suiting her personality perfectly. The three women walked down the short aisle arm in arm, basically giving each other away. With nothing to prove they were just three couple all in love and ready to spend eternity with each other and their friends. Each couple went on the honeymoon's of their own choosing, only agreeing to return three months from this day to begin moving their combined business' to Montana.

They had bought three massive plots of land side by side and each couple intended to build their own style of home, stamping their own mark on it. All six would start on one and then move on to the next until all three were built. Jasper and Ashley were aiming for a plantation house, but not stark white and standing out. They wanted it to have a weathered look as if it had been there a while. She was basing it on the Melrose Plantation and it would look good once completed, theirs would be the first to be built.

They would be far enough away from all humans that hiding wouldn't be a problem and staying long term wouldn't be either. Jasper and Ashley's would double up as his ambassador head quarters, but they doubted they would have that many visitors or functions as most vampires were nomads and America held very few large covens. They were bigger in Mexico and beyond, but they would be there if anyone needed help or a place of refuge.

Bella and Peter were looking at a ranch style home, sprawling and wooden. The perfect place for her cowboy to relax and be himself. They too were aiming for aged timber, so it would look like it should always have been there. Rose and Emmett were building a Spanish style hacienda, a two storey house with hidden and open courtyards complete with fountains. Rose wanted someplace she could just be herself without anyone seeing her. Emmett wanted an Olympic sided swimming pool.

IIBOIIN

"Oh Peter, this has been the best trip ever. We've been to the bottom of the deepest ocean, the top of the tallest mountain and even Antarctica. I've seen things I could never even have guessed existed, thank you" Bella said kissing him with a passion that would never ebb,

"Yup, suga' being a vampire has some advantages, we get to go places others wouldn't dare. I'm happy to have made you happy baby. I love you!" he replied making her smile brightly at him.

They were getting ready to make their way home to America, where Peter had bought a helicopter to get them all to Montana. He was intending to teach Bella how to fly it, so she would be able to get about if she wanted. It would be great for the business to he felt. The three women had kept in contact throughout their separate honeymoons, sharing secrets and finding out what the others were up to.

"Come back to bed cowboy, we'll be too busy over the next few months for much us time" Bella said holding out her hand,

"Never, I'll never be too busy for you my Bella" he growled as he crawled up the bed towards her.

Making love slowly all through the long night, each knowing just where and how to touch the other for maximum effect. Inside Bella's shield the world could explode and neither would know. She found it impossible to keep down when they were like this; Jasper said it was a mate thing and her way of protecting Peter while he was otherwise occupied. Peter was happy to accept it, as it seemed to make it all more intense there in her bubble he was content and free. It also didn't harm matters being soundproof, they could not be heard or hear anything themselves.

Lying in each other's arms afterwards was the time Peter loved the most, they would talk and make plans. Share their wants and desires, this was when they got to know each other the most and he revelled in it. Finding Bella was without a doubt in his mind the best thing that had ever happened to him, how he'd ever thought what he had with Charlotte was love he now couldn't understand.

IIBOIIN

As they headed to the airport Bella got word from Anacona, the Romanians were dead along with some of their supporters and most of the dissenters now fell into line in the face of retribution. Esme was having a great time restoring castles to their former glory and adding more modern stuff the hotel and conference centres too. The rest of the world had appointed their ambassadors.

Amun was angry that he had not been chosen. But nobody trusted him with any type of power. He had proven himself untrustworthy in the past and leopards don't change their spots, as they say! Everyone was going to Italy in a few months, all the ambassadors would meet, swear fealty to the Queens and then get down to business after that.

As they arrived back at the house in Seattle, Bella was happy to see her sister's and her brother's too. Jasper and Ashley were flying down with them, but Emmett and Rose would be driving. In a huge juggernaut of a truck, containing everything Emmett needed to keep them in contact with not only their own world, but the human one too. Strange as it might seem they could run all their businesses from it.

Ashley and Bella had bonded over their love of antiques before the weddings. Not only spotting fakes but with on touch Ashley knew the provenance of each item, if it was stolen they found a way to reunite it with its rightful owner. Thus began their newest venture, the buying and selling of antique furniture and books. Bella intended to have one room in her home dedicated to the written word. Her love of books had not diminished at all.

In the exact centre of their new home she was having a library, which would connect the two wings. No central entrance but two further along the wings. Where the front entrance should have been would be a tinted plate glass window. It would filter out the UV waves, but still let in the light. The same at the rear of the property, but in the centre of the bookcase lined room would be a circular fireplace. Giving a warmth to the room in the winter and a cosy feel as well.

They had discussed having a pool, but felt it would clash with the surroundings, so Peter would later build a lake, maybe stock it with fish and it would be a haven for passing birds. Giving them a much needed break in their journeys. Their way of giving nature a helping hand, nothing outrageous or over the top. Just a small lake out back, where they could swim when they wanted to.

They would all be roughing it for a couple of weeks until they got Jasper and Ashley's house built, but it would be an adventure and they were all looking forward to it. Once they were there all the building materials would start to arrive as well. The foundations of each house would be laid first and then they would commence with the building of each one. Peter and Bella's home would need the least, whereas Emmett and Rose's would need the most.

So that's the order they would lay them, Hacienda. Plantation and Ranch. With one house being made of only wood, the second half and half and the third all stone, Bella couldn't help but be reminded of the three little pigs and prayed no big bad wolf would ever come to try and blow their homes down. In reality everyone knew if an attack came they would all retreat to Bella's home where she would protect them all under her shield.

Some night they lay under the stars around a campfire, talking and reaffirming their filial bonds, others when the weather was bad they all clamoured inside the juggernaut and watch Emmett work his magic to find them some entertainment. It was then that the first bit of business came their way. Emmett was sorting out a payment for the materials for their house, when he froze. Then rolled up his sleeves and started literally attacking the keypad in front of him.

"Cheeky little fucker, I'll get you!" he hissed and we all raised our eyebrows,

"Someone had been siphoning money from the banks accounts, including ours" he said, his eyes never leaving the screen.

"What? How much?" Jasper asked concerned,

"Not much from us, it's slow and well paced. But accumulatively from the whole bank, one million over the last six months. I need to borrow the chopper and go to the banks headquarters tomorrow. Show them my findings, offer our services and plug the leak. Then I'm going to beef up their security, if they are dealing with our money they'll need it" He said decisively.

Once the bank's chairman of the board understood what Emmett was telling him, he was hired to find the thief and given total clearance to find where the stolen money was going. It didn't take much for Emmett to set up a program to collated all monies going out to other banks and find the common account where it was being deposited. Obviously it was in a fake name and the address didn't exist, but Emmett wasn't deterred at all.

He just hacked into the second bank; put a trace on the account and waited for a withdrawal to be made at a cash machine or a payment for a service. Then another quick hack into CCTV at that location and he had him. Ran his photo against bank employees and bingo he had a winner, a low level executive who seemed on the surface squeaky clean. But with loads of digging Emmett found what they were looking for gambling debts and large ones at that.

The sting would come next and for that he needed one of the girls, not Rose she'd scare the pants off of him. So Bella and Ashley tossed a coin for it and Bella won. Emmett would return for her and Peter and they would set the guy up for a big fall. Bella was posing as a rich new client and he would be handling her new account opening for her. Playing a shy recently widowed young woman who knew nothing about handling her own finances.

It was easy to get him to fall for her needy pathetic act and before long he was taking her out to dinner on the bank of course and grilling Bella for as much information as possible. Looks like he had a new game in mind, fleece the widow! That would certainly pay of all his debts in one go. Once he found out Bella was an obscenely rich orphan, whose husband just died last month in strange circumstances.

He thought he'd hit pay dirt for sure, convinced Bella was stupid. Her husband died of a heart attack in another woman's bed and she thought it strange!

"I'm destined to be alone forever, poor little rich girl! That's me" She said adding a strangled sob, then sighing said,

"That's why I moved down here from New York, I couldn't stand the pitying looks anymore. What goods money when you're all alone" she now buried her face in her hankie.

But she saw the unbridled greed flash across his eyes before she did so. It was only two days later he brought papers for her to sign, unaware she could read that fast as he quipped them in front of her and then away. Bella saw the will, leaving everything to him, if anything should happen to her. So he really was going for pay dirt and he expected her to die very soon.

Too bad that wasn't happening any time this century. First he paid someone to kill her in a mugging gone wrong! But was horrified to find the mugger died instead, Peter got a little carried away with him. Next it was an accident with her car that also didn't kill her; he'd paid someone to cut her break lines. She walked away unscathed. He'd have been horrified to see Bella open her car door, put her foot out and bring the car to a stop.

Time to do the job himself he'd thought, paying fools just wasted what money he had. Inviting her out for a drink and a meal he drugged her drink. Bella pretended to feel unwell, dizzy and finally passed out in his car. He drove out to a canyon and set the scene, trying to make it look like suicide, he also tried to move her into the driver's seat but could not budge her, gave up as he thought she'd be thrown through the windshield anyway. At worst thrown about so much with no seatbelt they'd never know where she'd started.

He slowly drove the car almost to the edge, got out and let it roll forward. He turned around to see two police cars pull up; he was trying desperately to think up a plan. A movement to his left made him turn and that new guy from the bank was there. Another guy stood with arms crossed looking as if he wanted to kill him and finally her, she walk from the edge kissed the cheek of the angry guy and turned to look at him.

The cops arrested him on three counts of attempted murder with intent to defraud the victim and theft of monies from his place of work. He spluttered and yelled,

"Why couldn't you just die?" Bella smiled for once showing her teeth and he stepped away from her,

"Not my time asshole! I've so much to live for" she said as Peter wrapped his arms around her as the police lead him away.

'My venom ran cold as the car plunged over the precipice! I knew she was fine, but for one long solitary moment I felt the pain, the pain I'd feel if I ever lost that woman, my woman! I never wanted to feel that way again, it was worse than dyin' and I should know, cause I've already done that!'

When the case hit the courts Emmett was inundated with people wanting their security updated. The firm had cases stacked up for months and the houses were finished. Bella had enjoyed her time helping out like that. But wouldn't want to do it often, too much stress she told them all and they laughed shaking their heads at her. But Bella wanted a semi quiet life with Peter. Doing the odd PI cases and selling antiques with Ashley.

She even thought she might write some articles on personality disorders, because that guy was definitely not normal. Who knew maybe when they all returned from Anacona, she might do that. After all she had all the time in the world to decide, because like she'd said 'She had so much to live for'.

Et principium novi Imperii (Latin) - The Beginning of a new Empire