"Nothing is sweeter than love, all other riches second: even honey I've spat from my mouth"

— Sappho's Lyre: Archaic Lyric and Women Poets of Ancient Greece

Chapter XII - III: Closer

Part III

When Altheia comes around in the afternoon, the rain is still in heavy downpour outside her window. She makes her way down the staircase unhurriedly and follows the flow of dulcet tones coming from the living room piano. She finds Marcus on the upholstered couch, eyes closed in restful bliss as he listened to Caius' slowed rendition of Schubert's third waltz.

Leaning on the doorframe, Altheia's heart swelled with emotion as she watched the vampire play. Her mother would approve. If there was one musician Adrienne and Luciano always agreed on, it was Schubert. And how lovely it was to hear his music in the house after so many silent years.

"You play beautifully," she tells Caius when the piece ends. "I'm relieved the piano is still in tune."

Caius promptly closes the lid and faces her blankly. "Your parents," was all he said.

Ah. She tilted her head at him and hummed. "Would you like to meet them now?"

Later, it was clear to the Campanian native that Marcus had fully anticipated the drive to lead to the local graveyard. The bondreader knew she was orphaned, after all. But not Caius. The platinum-haired monarch realized when they stepped out of the car, under the shade of their umbrellas, only to be greeted by the signage at the cemetery gates.

Mortem obire, it read. Extremum vitae spiritum edere.

"To face death, give up the ghost." Marcus translated absently. "Fascinating."

Caius shifted his gaze to the woman next to him. Altheia didn't meet his gaze. Under her breath, "I just wanted to pay my respects to them. Before I go."

Luciano and Adrienne Beneventi's resting places are beside each other at the corner lot of the cemetery, guarded by a graveyard angel holding a closed book on one hand and a sword in the other. Altheia kneeled next to their tombs and offered an arrangement of white lilies she'd bought at a nearby flowershop on the way.

"My mother's favorite were gardenias," she told Marcus. "But they didn't have it at the shop earlier."

He hummed. "I'm sure she appreciates it just the same."

Caius watched over the brunette silently as she proceeded to recite memorial prayers for the departed. The heavy rain subdued slightly as she said her invocations. Perplexed, his brows drew together when he heard her start talking to the dead.

"Papa, mamma, thank you for watching over me." She whispered. "I brought Marcus and Caius with me. Aro would have liked to be here, but he's a busy man. They'll have to do." She cleared her throat, too embarrassed to meet their gazes when she stood again. "And you don't have to worry about me anymore. I'm where I want to be." She then nudged Caius with her elbow. "Come on, say something."

He looked back at her nonchalantly. "They're dead."

Marcus pulled back a snicker. She rolled her eyes at him and turned away to leave. "Let's go back to the car then."

When Altheia was at a considerable distance away, Caius and Marcus shared a look.

"You first," Caius said.

Marcus scoffed at him. "Fine." He huffed, then directed his attention to the tombstones. "You raised your daughter well. I would have loved to meet the both of you. I'm sure she got her snark somewhere." He paused, deep in thought. "I'll make sure we come to visit after she's turned."

Marcus promptly leaves after his speech and doesn't look back. Now on his own, Caius stood idly, awkwardly, lips pursed as he considered what he could possibly say after that. He didn't really have to say anything, did he?

Eventually, he sighed.

"Apparently, it's my turn to worry about her." He exhaled through his nose in annoyance. "Not that I had a choice in the matter. She's human and annoying. Which of you did she get it from?" He felt stupid talking to nothing. And then, "Rest in the afterlife."

"Caius?" Altheia's voice called over from the graveyard gates. "For the fastest creature on earth you sure are taking your time!" He hears Marcus' faint laugh.

Caius scowled, throwing one last look at the lilies adorning the tombstones before turning away.

»»—- ❈ —-««

THE NORTHERN CHAMBERS, VOLTERRA. . .

The dialogue with the shifters goes better than Ariana could have ever hoped. Initially, Ariana intended for the coven scholar to participate in the discussion of the accord, but the secretary couldn't find her in the castle premises at all. Nonetheless, the treaty was well under way now, and all those present in the legislative chambers beheld that the master's command of the law and diplomacy was simply... unparalleled. As they tackled delicate and nuanced matters, it became evident that the world of the werewolves operated by instincts – packs, territories, phasing, imprinting... Telepathy was an efficient ability to have in negotiation, and Aro was quick to write comprehensive passages on significant topics as the meeting progressed.

"These imprints," Aro echoed curiously. "You have no control over them whatsoever?"

"Not at all." Jacob answered with a shrug. "It just happens."

"It's not the same for vampires, you see," Aro murmured distractedly as his fountain pen continued to glide over passages. "We are mated, but courting and assent precedes the relationship. Otherwise the bond becomes damaged."

"The human who was in the throne room," Leah inquired as she propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on entwined fingers. "She's your mate?"

Aro stilled briefly. "Not yet."

Jacob and Leah shared a quick, knowing glance. "Courting, then."

Aro hummed absently.

Ariana dropped her pen in the hush that fell over the room. Heidi and Renata's crimson eyes widened in shock. Jane, who had been listening impassively throughout the meeting, smirked.

Aro paused from writing again. He scanned the room. "Where's Alec?"

Jane's grimace was almost imperceptible.

»»—- ❈ —-««

THE QUEENSGUARD CHAMBERS, EAST WING, VOLTERRA. . .

"These quarters will be yours after you have been turned." Alec trailed his gaze on Bella's back as she passed him and walked into the bare room. "Until then, you will stay in the west wing."

"Okay." Bella turned about the amply-sized room with a considering hum, but the space was practically blank, save for the furniture. She promptly made her way back to Alec's side with a question. "When are we leaving for Washington?" She needed to help Charlie.

Alec shrugged. "As soon as the accord is ready for signing, I suppose."

"And, after we deal with the newborns... you'll be..." Bella trailed off and flushed pink under him, dropping her gaze to the ground.

"Changing you, yes, as the masters have decided." He finished for her, a smirk pulling at his lip. His gaze shifted mischievously. "Where would you like to be changed?"

Bella's eyes widened, but she kept them locked on their feet. Her cheeks felt hot. She tucked a lock of her hair behind an ear nervously. "A-Anywhere, I guess. I'm not picky." Her voice and heartbeat stuttered.

Alec breathed in slowly. With half-lidded eyes, he took a step toward to her. "Anywhere?" He pressed.

Bella swallowed and nodded, taking matching step back. "I—I mean, as long as it's far from people... The Bermuda triangle, maybe..."

"Bermuda triangle," Alec echoed with a low chuckle. "I'll remember that." He continued to saunter into the brunette's space with careful, languid steps. Bella kept walking backwards until, suddenly, her back hit the wall, and a surprised gasp left her. "You misunderstand me," Alec murmured, one hand resting on the wall near her face, the other ghosting over the side of her figure, rising slowly to lift her chin. He forced her to meet his heated gaze. "Where would you like to be changed?" He asked again, face leaning in closer, close enough for Bella to see the meaning in his eyes, his breath tickling Bella's mouth. His cold, index finger dropped from her chin to trace soft routes to tease the sweet spot behind her ear, "Here?" He murmured. Down to the side of her neck, "...Here?" Bella shivered involuntarily, wide, brown eyes focusing on the shape of Alec's mouth as he spoke to her. A sharp moan escaped her as his hand roamed past her shoulders, feeling, moving down the side of her hips, and then slightly back up again. His hand moved past the hem of her blouse, and with a firm tug, gripped at the flesh of her waist. "Here?"

"Ah!" Another gasp left her. Her eyes squeezed shut and she bit her lower lip tough. God, her entire body was humming with excitement, and she didn't know how much she could take with the feeling that was burning within her. A shaky breath left her parted lips, and she whispered low, "Anywhere." Please. "Anywhere."

Alec paused, scarlet eyes not leaving the brunette's face even for a second. "Anywhere?" He moved his face closer and nearly growled into her ear, "I like that."

Bella couldn't help but moan again, low and guttural, and when his nose nuzzled the shape of Bella's ear, she shivered deliciously under him.

"Tell me, little swan," His breath ignited the blood under the skin it touched. "Did you stay here for me?"

Bella's heart stuttered again, and her breath hitched in her throat. Barely a whisper, "Yes."

She could feel his answering smile stretch on the side of her face. Dark orbs gazed at her when he pulled back slightly. "You feel it, too?" His hand was still on her waist, skin on skin, firm and grasping, and oh god, was she going to come apart on his voice alone? He tugged her to him again, hard, and a soft cry left her. "The pull," he pressed. "Do you feel it, too?"

Words, she reminded herself. She could still think, she could still speak, couldn't she? "Yes," she was sure she looked like a writhing mess under him but she couldn't care less, "I do."

A satisfied smile settled on his face, and Bella was mesmerized. "Good."

Her lips parted freely when Alec dove in.

»»—- ❈ —-««

CAMPANIA. . .

The gloomy weather allowed the trio to continue with their visit around the province unhampered. Altheia takes them around town amongst other vacationers, dipping into secret wine libraries, galleries, and antiquated landmarks as a way for her to reminisce and sightsee at the same time. Peculiarly, Caius rivaled her interest in monuments and vintage pieces, and being knowledgeable about the history of her town worked in her favor as she toured them around. For the most part, Marcus stayed behind and watched them walk ahead, piping up with pleasant conversation here and there, more often opting to watch the bonds between the two morph into lighter colors in happy silence instead.

Campania was a province with its own little world, and a lot of the locals recognized the coven scholar when she passed by their shops in the mainland. There was no lack of ogling at the men that accompanied her, and despite their standoffish behavior, Altheia's friends and relatives wasted no time in telling animated stories about the brunette's embarrassing childhood anecdotes. Marcus warmed up to their intentions as the day progressed, and by the time sunset came, Altheia had had to pry him from her aunts so that they wouldn't miss the night market, or the sunset at the driveby to the seaside cliffs.

Caius was just Caius when people were around. If anything, Altheia was just relieved to end the day without accident.

They return to the entryway of the hillhouse past midnight, and the brunette stubbornly insisted on collating the photographs she'd taken for the day in a new album before she turned in. Smiling faces, friends, family... places she wouldn't see again.

She shook the feeling away and focused on the novelty of having Marcus and Caius in her childhood home. The sight of them in it is really something else – akin to two vast worlds crashing and blending. She tells Marcus just as much, pasting another film onto the scrapbook and going on to say, "Aro would have liked to see all these. It's why I'm taking so many pictures!"

"Like he can't read out minds or something?" Caius snarked. Altheia grumbled under her breath.

Marcus rose from his place on the leather couch and made his way to the hallways. Altheia paid him no mind as she busied herself with the photobook once again. Some time later, he heard Marcus call her over to where he was in the house, and that she was to bring her camera with her.

Marcus was standing outside, past the open frame of the front door when she found him. She made her way to the patio curiously and nearly dropped her camera in shock.

Aro was standing in the driveway, leaning on an Italian vintage car parked behind the Mercedes, folded map in one hand.

"Take a picture," Marcus told her fondly. "It'll last longer."

The smile on Altheia's face was blinding. "Aro!" She nearly launches herself at him and buries her laughter into the collar of his trench coat. "You're here," Altheia whispered, looking up to him in bright awe. "But the treaty?"

"The shifters have left with their copy. It is awaiting receipt and signatories, but otherwise fulfilled." Aro answered with a chuckle. "Have I missed much?"

"Worry not," Caius shouted from inside the house. "She's taken a thousand images for your perusal."

Deep laughter rumbled from Aro's chest as he set the brunette on her feet. He reached into the open window of the car behind him and pulled out a bouquet of gardenias from the passenger seat. "Caius tells me your mother loves gardenias?"

"I..." Tears of happiness start flowing from the edge of her eyes. "She does." She blinked and blinked, but happy tears kept flowing. "She'll love you." She breathed in a sniffle. "But how did you know?"

"Really now," He intoned at her with an unimpressed stare. "Caius messaged me."

She bit back a surprised laugh. "You have a phone?"

"How primitive do you think we are?"

"Quite, Aro." She laughed softly. "After all, you're holding an actual map."

With a scowl, he threw the map back into passenger seat, and levelled her with a lighthearted glare. "Well, I'm still learning is all."

"Yes," she murmured up at him with glassy eyes. "Yes, you are."

Aro leaned in imperceptibly, and Altheia's breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes closed of their own accord as soon as their noses grazed and suddenly—

"Come in already!" Marcus complained loudly, holding the door open with an open hand as they jumped apart. Altheia reddened and buried her face in her hands. "It's starting to rain again."

Aro deigned Marcus with an annoyed look when they passed him in the entryway. Marcus, with a smug and self-satisfied grin, crossed his arms on his chest and muttered low under his breath, "All is fair in love and war, brother."

"Then may the best player win." Aro replied darkly.

»»—- ❈ —-««

THE SWAN RESIDENCE, FORKS, WASHINGTON, USA. . .

Sulpicia pocketed her phone. "The Cullens have settled back in. We'll meet at the meadows to scout the area again later tonight."

Charlie cleared his throat, hovering around the living room. "Well, if you need anything. The entire house is..." He gestured awkwardly to the entire space with a flailing, open hand. "...at your disposal. Or. My blood, if you're tempted to sample the neighbors. Er, your highness."

Sulpicia blinked once, twice, and then broke out in half-hooting, half-snorting laughter, pausing to look up at the chief and promptly bursting into giggles again.

Charlie nearly turned scarlet. "What?"

"Don't ever speak like that to me again. It is laughter fuel." Sulpicia's laugh is a wonderful sound. "I'll be fine, Charlie, thank you. Don't worry about me. The objective is for me to keep you as safe and comfortable as you can possibly be." She walked to the kitchens and opened the fridge to see it empty. Sulpicia frowned. "You haven't been eating well. That won't do at all."

Before Charlie could say anything, Sulpicia was out the front door, calling over her shoulder, "I'll drop by the grocery before we meet with the Cullens. That'll be in two hours. Send me a message if you need anything else."

Charlie looks around his house. His living room, his kitchen. "I'm.. alright." The place could use a little cleaning in his absence, but otherwise... He pulled his gaze away to settle on Sulpicia. "I have everything I need."

"Silly human," Sulpicia tutted at him. "To be on the safe side, Mele will trail you if you step out of the house. Monsters crawling in the woods and all that."

"Well... alright." When Sulpicia's car pulled away from sight, Charlie hovered around his residence again. Was it possible to feel lost in your own house? Apparently, yes. He turned about the rooms, the hallways, and then made his way back down to the kitchen. "Mele?"

A woman appeared at the edge of his vision, and Charlie startled. By instinct his hand moved to the gun holster on his hip.

"Yes?" Mele sniffed, pert nose in the air. "That won't work on me, signore Swan. May I suggest an atomic bomb?"

Charlie took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers.

"No, Mele, you may not."

»»—- ❈ —-««

THE BENEVENTI HOUSE. . .

The night of Aro's arrival, when Altheia was already settled in her bedroom for the night, two knocks rapped on her bedroom door. She peeked an eye open from under the comforters and called out hoarsely, "Come in?"

The door opened, and she heard faint music playing from her mother's piano again. This time, it seemed that Marcus had exhumed her old violin from somewhere in the house and tuned it to play along with Caius. Sitting up on her bed and yawning, she smiled warmly as her visitor closed the door behind him.

"Hey, Aro."

"I was curious," Aro said as he sat on the edge of her bed. "What your room would look like."

Altheia shrugged and let him rake his curious eyes over the room. "Fai come fossi a casa tua," Altheia told him. Make yourself at home.

Altheia leaned against the headboard of her bed as she watched Aro go over her desk. He trailed his fingers over her notes, her old sketches, books she'd dog-eared years before. By the time Aro turned back to Altheia, she was undeniably half-asleep, head resting on the knob of her bedpost. Her comforter pooled at her thighs, and unbeknownst to her, the strap of her satin slip had slid off a shoulder.

Moonlight cascading her form from the open window, hair tousled around her face and past her shoulders, she smiled at Aro softly. "Are you done looking?"

Aro's eyes darkened. No, he wanted to say. Instead, he sauntered over to sit next to her. Gingerly cupping her face, he told her, "You're too defenseless, merendina."

"Pray tell, signore, what would I need protection from?" She leaned into his touch and savored the coolness of his skin. "You?"