Her Three Kings {Volturi Kings}

Chapter 18

Late the next morning, after making sure she fed again, Marcus escorted her to Aro's rooms. He said he simply wished to extend their time before they separated, but she had a feeling he was there to run interference in case they ran into Caius.

Marcus rapped on the large doors to Aro's office. "Come in, Marcus," Aro called.

"I have a delivery," Marcus announced as he opened the doors. He kissed Lily's head and then was gone in a blink.

The moment he saw his mate, Aro was on his feet. A wide smile covered his face as he took her in. "You look lovely, cara mia. I have missed you."

As she studied him, Lily realized that she could feel his joy and his hesitation. She could also feel his anger at Caius, his worry over whether she would accept her new life. And the beginnings of love for her. She'd never been able to do this before, only getting a general idea of emotions from her bonds. Interesting. She'd have to experiment later. Right now, she wished to speak with her mate.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked.

His expression quickly became more serious. "Of course."

Instead of sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk, she moved around it. She motioned for him to sit then she leaned against the desk beside him, almost touching but not quite. "Marcus told me that you wouldn't touch me unless you were wearing gloves while I was turning."

His gaze softened when he smiled. "I did not want you revealing anything that you did not wish to. It was unknown if your block would remain in place while you were unconscious. I would not violate your trust that way, Liliana."

She nodded to let him know she understood then held out her hand. He looked between it and her face with a frown.

"You do not owe me anything, cara mia. Do not feel as if you must do this."

She ran a hand through his hair and he closed his eyes at the sensation. Just the joy of being touched by his mate. "I'm doing this because I want to, Aro. I want you to feel comfortable touching me. I want to be able to hold your hand without worrying about a stupid block."

He grinned at that and took her hand in his. She watched him as he dug through her memories, her thoughts. His scruff had progressed into light beard territory, but it suited him. His hair was a mess and it made her want to run her fingers through it again. She wondered how she had gotten so lucky as to have these three as her mates. They were gorgeous and kind and so much more than she ever thought she would have. She didn't deserve them. Didn't think she could ever possibly measure up to what she needed to be, but she was damn sure going to try.

Aro was on his feet the instant he released her hand. His hands cupped her face as his lips found hers. He fed at them hungrily as his tongue danced with hers. While Marcus' kisses were tempered and patient, Aro's were needy, longing. When they finally pulled apart, Aro was grinning.

His hands continued to frame her face. "I am sorry, cara mia, but I was overwhelmed when I read your thoughts concerning me. Even those I consider friends, fear me. Think poorly of me. And I see it all. But you have never feared me. Never thought poorly of me. You defended me to your family before you even knew me. Thank you. Thank you."

She smiled. "You have never given me reason to fear you or think poorly of you, Aro. In fact, I'm rather fond of you if you didn't figure that out."

He kissed her again. "I am yours until midnight. What would you like to do?"

"I just want to spend time with you." He took her hand in his. Seeing what she had in mind, he led her through the door and into his room. Lily looked around as they moved through the room draped in reds and browns.