TAINTED BLOOD (Aro Volturi X Reader)

Blue Vervain

In the hushed confines of the Volturi library, Y/N found herself immersed in the company of Aro. Aro's piercing gaze scanned the dusty leather-bound  with an air of insatiable curiosity, his elegant fingers tracing the faded ink of forgotten stories.

As the late afternoon sun cast golden rays through the stained-glass windows, casting a warm glow on the library's opulent furnishings, Aro paused in his reading. A sudden fit of coughing wracked his his thin frame. Y/N watched in concern.

She noticed a crimson stain spreading across the pristine cream tunic that Aro wore. The blood, a vivid testament to his ancient and deadly nature, seeped through the fine fabric like a macabre tapestry. Aro's coughs subsided, leaving him breathless and clutching his chest.

"Sorry" he wheezed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N quickly fetched a goblet of water that sat on the table in the libraries corner and offered it to Aro, who gratefully accepted. As he sipped, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. Despite his usual fearsome reputation within the Volturi, he seemed so frail and vulnerable in that moment.He was her Aro.

"Aro, are you alright?" she asked gently.

"I will endure," he replied with a weak smile. "These coughs are but a temporary inconvenience."

Y/N remained by Aro's side. "Aro, you must listen to Carlisle" She spoke. "what do you mean?" he gave her a questioning stare. His eyes narrowed in his realization as the gears in his head began turning. Y/N just realized what she said. He now knew her knowledge about his illness. There was no turning back. "I mean... never mind" she shook her head slightly. "No, tell me what you know" Aro stated. His voice was gentle. Yet, his glare was determined. "Look, I know you are sick" she finally spoke. "and" Aro added. He wanted her to tell him everything she knew. "Carlisle told me you are sick. He is concerned and I am concerned" she added the last part with a gentle grace. She really did care about his well being. Earlier should've proved that. "I am sick, Y/N" he confirmed. "I thought the tea was helping" she added. Aro's features changed with that last sentence. Y/N noticed this change and quickly answered for an unspoken question. "I been giving you medicinal tea to help" Y/N smiled slightly. As if she been caught red handed. "Have you now" Aro stated. With a short held silence he released a held breath. "I don't want you to worry about me." he continued. "Aro, we are mated. I will always worry about you" she reassured. "I will always worry about you, my orchid" Aro spoke back.

Suddenly he began coughing again. This time it seemed worse than the last coughing fit he endured. He then stood up. "I must take care of a few things" He stated. something felt eerie to Y/N. She knew he was leaving because of his coughing. He didn't show her, but she saw the blood earlier on his sleeve. She notice how he been hiding it since his last coughing fit. "ok, I'll be in the garden with Elrond if you need me" she confirmed her whereabouts. "I expect you in our chamber before dark" Aro questioned her. Aro had one rule for her, and she needed to meet him in their chamber every night by a certain time. "I will, I promise" she smiled.

With that, Aro followed his path from the library and into their chamber. He looked at himself in the ancient golden mirror that hung over the grand sink. The reflection revealing a sick vampire. His hair now tousled, his eyes faded and contained black circles underneath. He even remembered the blood stain on his sleeve from his coughing fits. He began to wash his face, then changed his clothes. He needed to look well in front of the council. He needed to seem well as he sent Jane, Dimitri and Felix away with the elves to Rivendell.

Y/N left the library. As she entered the corridor, she noticed movement from the corner of her eye. Thus bringing her full attention . There was a woman hurriedly rushing doing the corridor, in the opposite direction of Y/N. She recognized this woman. She knew the woman was a worker in Volturi. This was the same woman that served them drinks at dinner. It was Anya. Little did they know, Anya over heard their conversation in the library. Anya was still an ear to Marcus, and she needed extra funding from the vampire.

Y/N didn't think much about it. She shook the thought and made her way to the gardens. There she met with Elrond as she promised. "Y/N" he greeted her with a slightly bowed head. "Elrond" she mirrored the gesture. "You know why I asked you here" he stated. "I believe I do, we need to figure out what this mixture was" she held up the small bottle in her palm. "Precisely" Elrond confirmed. Together, they strolled through the garden path. They spoke about medicinal plants within the garden and about the different species held at Rivendell. As they continued their path with scouting eyes. Y/Ns attention was brought to a specific plant. It was almost hidden by a large rose bush at the end of the garden. Y/N could have sworn she never noticed it there before. "Elrond" she stated as she pointed in the plants direction. Elrond and Y/N made their way in front of the plant. Both of them bending down to take a closer look.

Y/N plucked a piece of the flowering plant onto her palm. "Blue vervain" she looked upon the plucked plant resting within her palm. "Are you certain?" Elrond asked her. "Aro explained blue vervain to me. He explained their effect on vampires. Containing two different effects depending on how it's used" Y/N explained "I'm certain this must've been what made him go rogue" Y/N looked up at Elrond. "Are you absolutely certain?" He questioned her. "Aro knows his flowers. I have absolute trust in his knowledge." She spoke with slight concern as she held onto the plucked petals.

"Someone else must have the same knowledge" Elrond added with a suspicious glance. "Who else ..." Y/N was about to finish her sentence. Though, a smack of realization struck her. It had to be Marcus. Only he would want revenge for his punishment. Why would she ever think he would change. The only person in Volturi who wanted Aro gone was Marcus. Elrond kept his gaze on Y/N. Finally she spoke. "I think I know who did it" she quickly stood straight up. Elrond slowly rose. "If you do. You must bring it to Ari's attention, no one wants another rogue vampire in the near future" Elrond explained. Y/N agreed with Elrond and decided to keep the petal. She needed to keep evidence. After the eventful stroll through the gardens, it was time to send Jane, Dimitri and Felix off. It would be a while till they would return back to Volturi. Y/N would miss Jane for a while. Even though Jane had a strange demeanor, Y/N still found friendship and trust within her.

Y/N and Elrond made their way to the front of Volturi. The elven guards had the horses prepared and ready to leave. Y/N quickly made her way to Jane and embraced her. Jane did not know how to fully react to the gesture. Though she did attempt hugging Y/N in return.

Aro was there with the rest of the Volturi. He reminded Dimitri and Felix of their duties. He knew he didn't need to remind Jane. He could always count on her to follow through. Aro and Elrond then stated their goodbyes and spoke about the upcoming Elven meetings. Arwen sat upon her horse and smiled in Y/Ns direction. Both woman keeping silent. Yet, they upheld a fond friendship towards one another.

As the elves and the three Volturi members disappeared in the Volterra distance. Y/N began to yawn. She had an exhausting day and she knew by the looks of it. Aro did too. Aro noticed her yawning and waited for everyone to disperse before coming to her side.

"My orchid" he spoke gently. "You must rest" he added with softened eyes. He then leaned his forehead on hers as she reached her forehead to his. Together they grasped each other's hands and held them up between eachother. "I will join you soon, I must finish a few things" Aro whispered to her. "Ok, I'll be waiting for you" she whispered back. He then kissed her forehead and made his way back inside. Y/N was tired and she needed to rest. So she made her way back inside the Volturi fortress and came face to face with the bed within their chamber.

Y/N felt more exhausted than usual and she knew she would need her rest in order to fulfill her daily duties. Only she needed to wait. Her mate would be joining her soon.