✔️TOUCH | Caius Volturi

13.

"Caius always was the funniest soul," Athenodora hiccuped while Donnatella watched on affectionately and even Noah had to laugh at the joy in the blonde woman's voice as she voiced the embarrassing moments of Caius Volturi. Athenodora was the only person in existence who he would forgive for such brutally savaging his good name as she had been. Noah knew that the night in Caius' overly grand apartment would go down in his memories as one of the best nights he'd had in Italy-- in his life, perhaps. They'd stayed up late laughing over fond memories and he'd fallen asleep beside his partner. In those morning hours, they awaited a guard with a car to collect them and Noah soaked up the last of the morning air before returning to the dingy castle for the ball of the century.

"I do very much wonder what shall occur this evening," Donnatella spoke mostly to herself, deviating the conversation and making it bitter all in one sentence. They had all tried not to think of the ball-- they knew it was by no means set to be a fun occasion. They weren't simply going to socialise, the ball was for their alliances and that was all that mattered. Noah did not like to think about such business strategies so instead, he focused on simply staying alive in a room full of murderers. Though, he supposed he was the strongest one there-- a human with the ability to take down any vampire with the touch of his hand.

"It shall be a frosty reception, I'm sure," Caius returned calmly.

"Certainly for you," Athenodora shot him a scolding look that Noah couldn't place but she thankfully elaborated. "The last time we saw the Cullens and Denalis, you were ripping the head off of one of their sisters and condemning them all to death."

"They shan't have been so aggravating if they wished to be spared," Caius made light of the situation. There was no use in dredging up old conflicts but Noah knew the Cullens would not have recovered from their battle with such fond nostalgia as Caius. The blond kings only begrudge was that they were made to look like fools for walking away. Noah just laughed when he thought about what Caius' expression must have been.

"Noah, Sweet love, how are you feeling about this evening's celebrations?" Athenodora inquired, sipping from her glass of Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc mixed with blood. Noah was proud to have a wide knowledge of wines but in his opinion, it had been thoroughly ruined by the addition of O-negative.

"I do not mind," he returned though his heart was nervous despite it. Vampires would be arriving in the castle that very day and none of them could be ordered to spare his life. He did not know why he was so afraid when he could so easily kill them all. Something in his gut was simply telling him to run, telling him that going to the ball would be one of the stupidest decisions he could ever make. "I suspect it will be an uninteresting evening."

"Well, you shall have one of the very best dates," Athenodora smiled, glancing fondly at her wife. As Athenodora would be accompanying Caius, Noah would be taking Donnatella-- a rare occurrence as she usually preferred to stay hidden in her room. Noah had tried to convince Caius that the world was much more accepting now but he still simply did not wish to show his true self to the world. Noah could, at least, understand that. Still, he slipped his hand into the king's and Caius seemed to be shocked at the gesture-- it was still surprising to them both when Noah accepted touch so easily. But his tolerance when it came to Caius knew no bounds.

"And so shall you, Tella," Caius smiled, looking over Noah with warm eyes-- a look Noah had rarely seen him grant another. The night would most certainly be eventful, at the very least.

--

"You can admit that you are nervous," Caius mused, fixing his shirt in the mirror. He looked like an ice king. Since they returned to the castle, Noah had not left Caius' rooms-- vampires had been arriving all throughout the day and his skin seemed to prickle, hyper-aware of their presence. He knew his nervousness must have been clear as day on his face.