Impressions of Three Men in Black

Impressions of Three Men in Black Part 20

Impressions of Three Men in Black - A Poly!Volturi Kings tale

Chapter Twenty

Free me or kill me for love

Celeste is having second thoughts about her place in the Volturi. The days pass with little support from her mates, the three vampire leaders now busy with issues in the vampire world. Celeste is finding she missed the human world, and the castle's inhabitants provide no solace while she drowns in her doubts.

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Lately, Celeste was feeling like a newly built building, abandoned after the money runs out. Her mates had started out fawning over her, giving her clothes, jewelry, and gifts, and doing their best to please and entertain her. Lately, their attentions had been drawn elsewhere. She hadn't even been able to speak with anyone about her upcoming change. There were things she wanted, needed to know, and now it seemed it was going to be delayed. Celeste preferred that, for reasons she wasn't yet able to convey to her mates, none of them. She was beyond frustrated at the moment.

Her days lagged on for hour after boring hour. She would sit in the garden, enjoying its beauty and the fresh air, but feeling quite alone. She was not allowed to go into town without an escort, but no one had the time to take her. Not even the guards were free at the moment. Celeste's frustration only built up the longer she was ignored. She had actually been tempted to run away, not permanently, but just for the day. Get out, see the nearby market, and perhaps have a meal. Her enforced seclusion was damaging her mood. If the Volturi knew what was good for them and truly wanted her to stay with them, they'd give her a bit more freedom.

It was a warm day when Celeste was outside, smelling the roses as she passed up and down each row. Marcus had not asked her to help with his portion of the garden, he was so busy, yet he had not explained why the coven leaders were unavailable to her these recent days. He must have been taking care of them in the dark, since the bushes were not lacking in water or care. "You can't even ask me to help, Marcus. Just sneak out here while I sleep. Must be your only free time." Her voice sounded raspy with anger as she mumbled to herself.

The sun became too warm, so Celeste went to the gazebo to sit in the shade. She had no desire to go back inside the castle. Why? She could go to the kitchen for lunch. She could visit the library. She could go to her room to nap or watch Italian TV. Or she could go up on the roof and scream herself hoarse. Would they even bother to come up to see what the ruckus was about? This was not the life she wanted. Her freedom was important, but even if she were to accept the change and become a vampire, what would she do? Living forever in boredom was a real fear for her. She'd thought long and hard about that, thus her growing doubts.

Sitting in the gazebo among the scent of the hanging Wisteria, Celeste's attention was drawn to a flock of birds circling in the sky above the town. She watched as they dipped and flew as one, a phenomenon she had seen on a nature documentary.

Aro stood off to the side of the building, observing his mate. He worried about her mental state, even if he'd said nothing to her the last few days. He could not yet tell Celeste why they had been ignoring her. That would come soon. But he decided to take a few minutes away from the others to check on her.

"Do you like birds, my dear?" Aro asked, stepping out from the shadow of the castle, and entering the gazebo.

Celeste stood at Aro's voice and held out her hands to him. When he took them in his, kissing one, she sat back down, waiting to see if he sat beside her. "Yes, in fact, I do."

Aro did just that, sitting on her right, their bodies pressed against each other. He had briefly read her when he had taken her hand, now knowing how sad and neglected she was feeling. This was his fault, but it could not be helped. There was trouble in the vampire world that had to be resolved before he and his brothers would be free to continue the indoctrination of their mate into their world. He promised himself they would make it up to her, he and his brothers.