At seven-thirty the following evening, I was roused from my book by a knock on the door. I set the book down on Aro's desk and headed to the door. I was vaguely surprised at the knock, as Alec and Jane had taken to the habit of simply walking in after Demetri and Felix had started doing so when they were on guard duty.

I was instead met by the one vampire I perhaps wanted to deal with the least: Santiago, who was staring at me with a lazy grin.

"Good to see you again, kid. The twins were called to court by the kings along with Felix and Demetri, so I'm your escort tonight," he said.

"I'm honored," I said dryly, but waved him inside anyway. "I thought the movie didn't start until eight?"

"It doesn't. But I figured I'd drop by earlier. Didn't know if you'd want any snacks," Santiago said, looking around the room with interest. "I've never been in Master Aro's quarters before."

"Not many of the guard have," I said. "We can leave now if you'd like."

"As long as you're ready. Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't get lost," he said with a smirk.

If it weren't for the fact that it would break my hand, I probably would have punched him. I settled for sarcasm instead. "Oh, my hero."

"Please, kid, I'm only doing my job," he said, motioning towards the door. "After you."

"And I thought you didn't have manners," I quipped, walking past him and out the door. "Oh, how wrong I was."

"Your sarcasm wounds me, queenliness."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm sure."

"Truly." Santiago had schooled his features into a serious mask, but he grinned and clapped me on the back instead, causing me to nearly fall flat on my face. He grabbed my arm the next second to steady me. "Sorry about that. Forgot how fragile you humans are."

"This human is about to go off," I grumbled.

He smirked. "Please don't, I doubt that's good for your blood pressure."

"You're not good for my blood pressure."

"You don't mean that." Santiago placed a hand over his heart in mock hurt.

I snorted as we walked into the kitchen. "You'll get over it."

"Already am, kid," he said, leaning on the counter. "What do you even do around here all day? I mean, the masters are in court half the time, and that leaves you with a fair chunk of free time. Doesn't that get boring?"

"Not really," I said with a shrug as I put the popcorn in the microwave. "I read, talk with the guard or my family, draw, read some more... I really have no life, do I?"

He laughed. "Come now, queenliness, that's not true. You just need a hobby."

"I already do art. What kind of hobby did you have in mind?" This ought to be good.

"Well, mine is murder, but I suppose we could figure out something for you. What are your thoughts on larceny? Vandalism? Pushing over old people?" I stared at him, not sure whether I should laugh or call Felix to escort him away immediately. Santiago snickered. "Relax, I'm kidding. You need to lighten up, kid, seriously. Though I wasn't joking about you getting a hobby - from the sound of it, you really need one."

The microwave beeped. "Are you saying I'm boring?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Santiago replied. "What about learning an instrument, growing a garden, or learning a language?"

"Those are actually pretty good ideas," I said, surprised. I hadn't expected him to give a serious answer, even the second time around.

"I have them on occasion," he drawled. "Want me to carry the popcorn?"

"Please," I said, passing it to him. We walked out of the kitchen and back into the halls. "The kings promised to teach me Italian, but they've been busy and we just haven't had the chance."

"I could teach you," Santiago offered.

If I had been holding the popcorn, I probably would have dropped it. "What?"

"I said I'd teach you, kid. You going deaf or something?"

"No, I heard you, I just didn't process it," I said. "Why would you want to teach me?"

Santiago shrugged. "You don't annoy me as much as everyone else here. Besides, hanging with the queen? Instant street cred."

"Gee, thanks. I'm glad you have my best interests at heart," I said sarcastically. I don't know what I expected, really.

"Oh, don't take it the wrong way. There are worse ways to spend your time, you know," he pointed out. "Just giving you the option, kid. You can say no if you want. But if you ever change your mind..."

I sighed. What was the harm, really? It wasn't like I had anything better to do. "Alright, Santiago, you can teach me Italian. But I want my guard there, too."

"What, don't trust me?" he asked, pushing open the door to the guard's lounge.

"More like I don't trust myself not to punch you," I responded.

Santiago laughed loudly, attracting the notice of every guard that currently occupied the room. "You crack me up, kid. This ought to be fun."

"Oh, leave her be, Santiago." A girl I had never seen before materialized beside us. She was shorter than me by only a couple inches and looked to be about twenty, with ebony hair and eyes that sparkled with mirth. "You're Queen Rowan, aren't you? The masters' mate?"

"Yes, that's me," I said, aware of all the eyes that were fixed on me.

"I'm Renata, Aro's personal guard. Come with me, I'll introduce you to some of the others. I doubt you want to be stuck with Santiago all night," she said lightly, seemingly immune to the glare he sent her.

"As always, Renata, your sense of humor leaves much to be desired," Santiago drawled. "Go on, kid, I can tell that you want to. I'll guard your popcorn with my life."

"I think I can handle carrying my popcorn," I said with a grin. "Thanks for the escort, Santiago."

He gave me an exaggerated bow. "It was my pleasure."

"Come on, I'll introduce you to some of the girls," Renata said, looping her arm through mine and pulling me away. She reminded me of Alice, with her bubbly manner and small stature.

"So you're Aro's guard?" I asked as we walked.

"Yes, I'm a shield, not unlike your friend Bella. My ability allows me to repel attackers, it's really quite useful," she said cheerfully. We stopped in front of a group seated at one of the long couches and I lit up at seeing Afton among them.

"Afton! It's so good to see you!" I exclaimed.

He stood when he saw me. "Rowan, I'm glad you're doing alright. Sorry I had to make myself scarce, but I figured it was best to do so until the masters weren't quite so mad at me."

"You should be good, Afton. Stop by sometime, it would be great to talk," I said easily.

"I will. Oh, how could I forget? This is my wife, Chelsea. Chelsea, this is our queen, Rowan." Afton held the hand of his mate, whose light brown hair was just a few shades shy of Esme's caramel.

Chelsea offered me a smile after standing lithely to her feet. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my queen. Thank you for standing up for Afton after the incident."

"Of course," I said easily. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"And lastly is Corin," Renata said, gesturing towards a woman who swept her choppy blonde hair out of her face with an infectious smile.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Queen Rowan. We've all heard so much about you," Corin said. "Will you be sitting with us?"

"I'd love to," I said.

The church bells tolled as the clock struck eight and Demetri came bursting through the door, nearly tripping in his haste. He was followed by Felix, Jane, and Alec, who were all wearing bemused expressions of varying intensity.

"Not late, we get to watch my pick," Demetri announced, strolling into the room as if he hadn't just nearly knocked the door off its hinges.

"It's eight," Santiago pointed out.

"Bells are still tolling. Not late," Demetri said. He caught my eye and shot me a grin. "Glad you made it in one piece, Queen Rowan."

"Yeah, but whoever decided to send Santiago to get her deserves to be fired," Renata said.

"Contrary to what you may believe, Renata, I am not the worst company you can keep," Santiago said.

She rolled her eyes. "Perhaps not, but you're quite high on the list."

"Oh, settle down. It's time for Predator!" Demetri said cheerfully. Half of those present groaned and the other half rolled their eyes.

"Don't you watch any other movies, Demetri?" asked a vampire I hadn't yet met.

"Not if he can help it," Felix said, grinning when Demetri shot him a glare. "Please, you know I'm right."

"He's right," Corin whispered to me.

"I see you've met the big three," Felix said, walking over to lean against the back of the couch.

"Big three?" I echoed.

"He's being dramatic," Chelsea said, rolling her eyes from where she sat on the couch, tucked under Afton's arm.

"Not really, you're just being modest. The big three: Renata, Chelsea, and Corin. Renata keeps us untouchable, Chelsea keeps us together, and Corin keeps us happy. By all definitions, women rule the world," Felix said, sitting down in a loveseat nearby and stretching across the length of it.

I vaguely remembered a conversation with Carlisle from long ago regarding Chelsea. "So Chelsea, you can manipulate relationships, right?"

"Don't look so worried, love. I can, to an extent. But my abilities have been quite exaggerated. For example, contrary to popular belief I cannot destroy the relationships between families or mates, the bonds are simply too strong. I can strengthen relationships, keep us close, but first there has to be a foundation," she explained. "There are some things that simply can't be created."

"Chelsea works closely with Master Marcus, as their abilities complement each other so well," Afton added proudly.

"You said Corin keeps the guard happy? What does that mean?" I asked, directing the second question towards Corin herself.

"Happy is perhaps the incorrect word to use in description of my gift. I can make a person feel content or at ease, but not happy. There is a difference," she explained.

"Oh, like Jasper!" I exclaimed.

"He's the Cullen's empath, correct?" Corin asked.

I nodded. "Yes. He can manipulate the emotions of others as well."

"To make one feel any emotion... What a gift," she sighed, leaning back in her seat. "But we work with what we're given."

Demetri shushed us. "The movie is starting!"

"Like we haven't seen it before," Renata muttered to me. "But I suppose its better than Santiago making us watch Wolfman so much that we ended up banning it. The version from 1941, mind you."

"It's a good movie!" Santiago called from across the room.

"It's really not," Alec stated.

Demetri glared at us. "Would you all shut up!"

"You know this movie by heart, it's not like you're going to miss anything," Renata said, but we lapsed into silence regardless.

Jane and Alec took their normal spots as my guard when we left the lounge. It was nearly ten and the darkness was kept at bay by lanterns that filled the halls with flickering light.

"Who lights these?" I asked curiously.

"Some of the lower guard," Jane answered. "There are normal lights installed, but the masters prefer the more medieval look. Do you need more light, my queen?"

"No. I could see even if these lamps weren't lit, it comes with my gift," I said.

"That's useful," Alec said as we came to a split in the halls. "Would you like us to take you to the kings, or back to Aro's quarters?"

"Take me to the kings, please," I said, and we walked the rest of the way in companionable silence. They led me to the throne room, and the three kings looked over when the doors were thrown open.

"Ah, mia cara, you've returned. How did you enjoy your evening spent with the guard?" Aro asked, walking over to meet me.

"It was lovely, I had a great time," I said with a smile, accepting his offered hand with a smile.

"It seems you did," Aro said after a moment. "I'm glad you're making friends."

"Everyone has been very kind," I said, greeting Caius with a kiss on the cheek before taking a seat in Marcus's lap. Said vampire wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his lips to the side of my head in greeting.

"So Santiago has offered to teach you Italian," Aro said, picking up his book and retaking his seat.

Caius hissed. "What is his meaning behind this?"

"Settle down, Caius. Marcus?" I prompted, encouraging him to glean the answer from his gift.

"Santiago is no threat, brother. His request originates from a perfectly familial place," Marcus said after a moment.

"I told him yes, I didn't think it would hurt to have something to do while you are in court," I said, resting my head on Marcus's shoulder.

"We could still teach you, amore," Caius said, a sullen look on his face.

"I think my time with you is better spent not studying," I remarked. "And you did promise to help me with painting, did you not?"

Caius inclined his head in agreement. "I suppose you make a good point."

"Though we'll be happy to help you learn, if you so desire," Aro said.

I grinned at them. "I'd like that."

I felt bad for Marcus. After the kisses I had shared with Aro and Caius, the two kings had taken it as an open invitation to steal kisses whenever their hearts desired; I didn't mind this, of course, but when I caught Marcus's longing look after Caius kissed me for the third time that day, I decided to do something about it.

"Marcus," I said, standing up.

He stood as I did. "Yes, tesoro?"

"We're going for a walk," I announced.

"Oh? Well, your wish is my command," he said, and reached out to take my hand in his. I twined our fingers together, his larger hand easily swallowing my smaller one.

"Have fun," Caius said idly, flipping a page in his book. He hummed in contentment when I brushed my hand through his hair as I walked by.

"So, where are we going on this walk of ours?" Marcus asked as we walked down the hall.

I offered a shrug in reply. "Anywhere and everywhere. Is there a place you'd like to go?"

"How about outside to the gardens? You mentioned it was a pleasant morning," Marcus said.

"That sounds nice," I agreed. When I had left Aro's chambers a couple hours ago, the corridors outside were cool and slightly damp, and Demetri had mentioned that there had been rain showers overnight.

It was now nearing eleven and the day was warm and breezy. The wind was clearing the last of the fluffy white clouds from the horizon, and wind chimes tinkled merrily from trees as we strolled around the garden paths.

Marcus reached out, his hand skimming over a rose bush before he plucked a flower deftly from the thorns. "For you."

I blushed as he tucked it into my hair. "It's lovely."

"As are you," he countered, brushing his thumb across my cheek.

I ducked my head, smiling. "I'm not very good at this."

"Nonsense," Marcus said.

"When I was with the Cullens, I always loved watching Emmett and Rose. You could just tell that they're in love," I mused. "Obviously I'm not related to either of them, but Emmett and I are alike in that we are much better at showing than telling."

"You've lost me now, my dear," Marcus said, looking perplexed by this change of subject.

"I also picked up on some of his boldness," I said. And then I grabbed his tie and pulled him to me, crashing my lips onto his.

Marcus melted into me - or perhaps it was the other way around - his fingers curling into my skin and drawing me to him. His lips were cool but the kiss was all fire and desperation, the crescendo to a song I didn't know was playing. When I pulled away for breath, Marcus kissed any inch of my face he could reach: my cheeks, my forehead, my nose, as if he was drunk on the taste of my skin.

He pressed our foreheads together, cold clashing against warmth, and pressed a final kiss to the space between my eyes. When Marcus spoke, his voice was reverent. "Perfection."

I smiled, and instead of responding simply captured his lips with mine once more.

Edited 4/19/2021