Third POV

Volturi Castle, Volterra

After the measurements and talking with the designer about what Bella and Athenodora had in their minds, the vampire ladies were off to have a walk in the personal gardens of Volturi, attached to the back of the castle.

Bella was following Athenodora as she guided the way to the gardens. After a minute, Athenodora and Bella stopped in front of a door. Bella looked at Athenodora in confusion.

"This door leads to the private gardens," Athenodora informed while opening the door. Sunshine meet the ladies with open arms, making their skin shine like thousands of diamonds beaded on them.

Bella took in the fresh air. The warmth of the sun mixed with various, pleasant fragrances of the flower filled the gardens. A few butterflies flying from flower to flower, tasting their nectar.

Bella glided in the garden with Athenodora beside her. She was amazed by the number of different flowers around the garden. Small pathways laid down to make the way to the center of the gardens.

A circular fountain with a Greekish statue sat in the center. Bella could easily see the silver-pale water in the fountain. Few water flowers floating in the water, making the gardens look dreamy.

Bella glanced around the gardens. Rare flowers which doesn't grow in normal atmospheric conditions were blooming in the garden, surprising Bella. "Aro, Caius and Marcus makes sure that these flowers are grown," Athenodora said.

Juliet Roses in the right, Orchids of different colors adoring the left, American Waterlilies floating in the waters. Large, bright peonies covering the boundaries of the garden.

As Bella walked towards the fountain, she could spot small Plumerias in the hedge around the fountain. Beside the hedge, four white benches were placed. The whole scene was enthralling.

"It is beautiful," Bella whispered. "Indeed, it is; but the gardens in the Greece were way better than this," Athenodora said. "Really?" Bella was amazed. She was aware of the beauty of the architecture and the gardens of Greece but she didn't knew it was better than this.

"Really. Come and sit, I will tell you all about my time in Greece," Athenodora said with a smile, approaching one of the benches and sitting on it. "Why would you do that?" Bella asked, slightly taken aback by her offer.

"Because you are my friend," Athenodora shrugged. "Come here or are you going to stand there only?" Athenodora asked with a teasing smile and raised eyebrow.

Bella let out a chuckle, walking towards the bench and sitting beside Athenodora. She turned slightly to look at the American Waterlilies floating in the water. They were a magnificent scene.

The middle of the lilies were orange while the outer petals were striking white. "They are my favorites," Athenodora said. "I understand," Bella muttered. "They are really breathtaking," she added.

Athenodora hummed before clearing her throat. Bella looked up at the blonde. "Shall I start?" Athenodora asked with a tilt of her head. "Sure, Athenodora," Bella said.

Athenodora chuckled lightly, confusing Bella. "Call me Dora. No need for such a long name," she said. "Are you sure?" Bella wasn't certain if she should use nicknames with her. "Of course, I am!" Athenodora replied.

"Fine." Bella said, smiling at the older vampire. "So, now, as I said I, originally, came from Greece," Athenodora started. "I was the only daughter of a lord at that time. I was arranged to wed another lord from Greece. Someone who was way older than me, old enough to become my father."

"I ran away a day before I was supposed to marry him. I hadn't been aware of that particular area that much, so I, by mistake, entered the region of the soldiers. Those soldiers had just returned from the war and they yearned for...warmth."

Bella was confused by what Dora meant. "Warmth?" She asked. Dora nodded, her usual smile disappearing, letting a serious expression fall on her face. "Warmth of a woman."