Her Three Kings {Volturi Kings}

Chapter Twenty-three

Liliana returned to the throne room when Alice arrived. When she entered the room, she saw not only the pixie but her cowboy as well. Lily ignored her mates and made a beeline for her soul brother. She wrapped her arms around Jasper and buried her face in his neck as he spun her around. "Hello, princess."

"I missed you, cowboy." She held him a moment longer before leaning back to look him over. "I have to go be queenly now."

"Of course." He released her and gave her a little bow.

She shoved him playfully before hugging Alice as well. Alice took her hand when they separated and led her to a brunette girl with what seemed to be a permanent sneer on her face. "Lily, this is Bella. Bella, this is our sister Liliana."

"You better not have hurt Edward," was the girl's response.

The queen merely arched a brow and made her way to Caius. She settled on his lap and trained her gaze on the human who rolled her eyes when she saw Lily's preferred seat. Oh, she wasn't going to last long at all. Not with that attitude. Not around here.

Caius looped his arm around his mate's waist and pulled her more tightly against him. He laid his lips alongside her ear to speak without being overheard. "What does your brother see in her?"

She snorted a laugh but didn't bother to otherwise answer. Edward was led into the room and released so he could go to Bella's side. Lily just watched it all with crimson eyes. Alice stood near the couple while Jasper stood to one side, hands stuffed in his pockets. It was evident he didn't like the human much.

Edward kissed Bella then pushed the hair back from her face to look her over.

"See, young Bella lives after all. It is most fortunate our queen failed to give in to your request," Aro said.

Edward shifted his gaze to Lily and gave her a nod of thanks. She simply smiled and shook her head. No thanks were ever needed for her doing what was best for her family.

"There are other matters which must be discussed," Marcus said. "First, you should be aware that this human is most assuredly not your mate."

Jasper ducked his head to hide his smirk but not before Lily caught sight of it. Edward jerked in surprise and Alice's eyes went wide. Oh, pixie. Lily sincerely hoped it wasn't one of Alice's visions that brought the two together. Even if Edward was only uncertain, a word from her could have easily pushed him into believing he belonged with the human.

"What would you know about it? Edward is my mate. We're meant to be together forever," Bella demanded, stepping toward the thrones. Edward held her back but she ignored his efforts to get her to shut up.

Lily stood, ignoring Caius' groan of protest as she did so. She stepped down so she stood on the same level as the girl. "My mate has a very special gift that allows him to see the bonds between people. So I assure you that he knows far better than you whether the two of you are mates or not. He's been reading the connections between people for thousands of years."

Bella frowned and shifted her gaze to examine Caius. "But he didn't say anything." She then gestured to Marcus. "It was him."

Lily glanced at Edward. He shrugged and scratched the back of his neck. She rolled her eyes. "It seems introductions are in order. I am Liliana Montgomery Cullen Volturi. I am queen of the Volturi. And these three are the kings and my mates. Marcus, Aro and Caius."

"Three mates?" And there couldn't have been more disgust in her voice if she tried. Though the curl of her lip was a nice touch as well. "Don't you think that's a bit...much?"

"I really am quite tired of your attitude, Miss Swan. Leeway is given for formality as it concerns Edward, Alice and Jasper because they are my siblings. They are family. You are not. You are in the presence of kings. I suggest you start acting like it."