𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 ; volturi kings

CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER XVI

THE 25TH OF DECEMBER, 2004.

Jasmine giggled as she kicked a pair of white toe-strap heels away from her aching feet, collapsing into the soft couch cushions beneath her.

The evening had been beyond odd- despite none of them needing to eat, the Cullens had decided to make a full-blown festive buffet, which was far more than what the human girl's stomach was capable of.

They had awkwardly attempted to make conversation, but them just sitting there whilst she ate was exceedingly uncomfortable.

Their efforts to have a proper celebration were admired by Jas, especially after Esme snuck her a few glasses of wine.

The silver tinsel was strung elegantly across the glass walls, whilst a large spruce tree was heaved down by multi-coloured baubles and flashing lights.

They had sprinkled themselves across the living room- a few on the sofas, Esme in an armchair, Rose and Emmet on the floor- whilst Jasper and Alice cleared up in the kitchen (Jasmine was sure that the male vampire just wanted some space from her human-ness, which was perfectly understandable).

Golden flames crackled and flickered as Jas made herself comfortable with a third glass.

A thought suddenly occurred to her, one that she considered quite smart and reasonable in her state, "how awkward would it be if you guys suddenly broke up?" She chuckled nasally as she looked at Emmet and Rosalie.

"Wh-"

"Well, I mean, you all live in the same house... and you asked Carlisle to turn him into a vampire cause you wanted to save him and to be with him, y'know?" She gazed thoughtfully for a minute, "what if he turned but then you found him super annoying and wanted nothing to do with him?"

"That would never happen, they're soulmates," Carlisle piped up.

"A bit dramatic but, whatever term suits you, I guess."

Edward snorted slightly at his girlfriend's obliviousness.

"No, Jas." He leaned over and held her hand, "supernatural soulmates actually exist..."

"You never told her this?" Esme turned to her eldest adopted son.

Edward held his hands up in mock defence, "I didn't think it was important."

Jas gawked at him confusedly for a few minutes, and Emmet could almost physically see the cogs turning in the girl's brain.

"Holy shit!" She suddenly cried, "you guys literally get love-at-first-sight stuff?"

"One of the few advantages of becoming what we are," Edward replied.

Jas looked around the room, "and you guys are all soulmates, right?"

"That's right." Alice's cheerful voice cut through as her and said soulmate exited the kitchen, hand in hand.

Edward already knew what the next question would be as Jas looked at him suspiciously, "we're n-"

"No offence, sweetheart, but I really don't think we're soulmates. I think I would've felt it, y'know- plus, there's no way I could put up with your mood swings for the rest of forever."

Edward looked at her in mild shock as she downed the remainder of her glass.

"Hey- you'll both find your soulmates one day, though." Emmet interrupted.

"Amen to that." The girl replied with a small smile.

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

CURRENT DAY

Well, she had definitely felt that.

It was more of a struggle on her side than theirs, as she couldn't decide who to focus on- the small pulse she felt dragged her eyes to each of the three hauntingly beautiful men.

"Grandi dei."

First, there was Caius- who had instantly moved to be closer to her- with his strikingly light, almost-white hair and sharp edges. His normally cold, calculating eyes were held with a wonder, as his long, pale hand was reaching halfway up.

Within the long moment their scarlet eyes met, which still felt too short, Aro had ordered the room to be cleared. He found himself to be far more composed than his blonde brother, walking to her with a posture that was evident of his grand age; as he met her at the bottom of the stairs, Jas found herself ensnared by his blinding smile.

It took Jasmine a few moments to realise that the man in front of her was talking, "I am Aro, and these are my brothers Caius and Marcus."

Despite the audible annoyance from the other king beside her, her thoughts had centred around one thing.

His voice. Was it possible to describe the true feeling of a cool glass of lemonade on a warm summer's day?

It was that pure, nicotine-like honey that ran shivers through her and caused her to need to clench her thighs discreetly.

Well, as discreet as you could be around millennia-old vampires.

"Would you be so generous as to enlighten us to what your name is, mia cara?"

"I'm Jasmine." She replied instantaneously, a small smile on her face.

In spite of the niceties, Jas couldn't help but notice how a presence seemed to be missing, how a small pull still lingered at the edge of her conscious.

Against the dimly-lit, marble backdrop, a tall, lone figure lounged upon the throne to the left. The way his gentle eyes met hers was seen as an invitation, as he finally moved down to greet her.

His soft voice eventually spoke, "I don't believe I have ever seen a creature of such bellezza before."

She offered him a shy grin and, if she were human, she was one hundred percent sure she would be blushing right now.

Well, she thought whilst looking at each of her soulmates, I could certainly put up with the rest of forever like this.