There mysterious girl

Chapter 19

Caius's thoughts were far too smug for Aro's liking. It was the evening following his brother's deflowering of their shared mate. The plans Heidi had arranged were moved, much to Aro's annoyance, because his blonde-haired brother had worn Isabella out. They'd ended up watching another movie instead- the film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, the very book he'd read to her in the garden.

Neither Aro nor Marcus breathed a word of their mate's earlier tryst with Caius, lest they embarrass her. Although it was impossible not to notice the discoloration on her throat where he'd marked her delicate skin, or her lips, which were slightly swollen. Her smell was different as well... A strange combination of her own fresh scent, combined with his brother's. A brief touch of Caius's wrist revealed all Aro needed, or wanted, to know.

When they were all more comfortable with one another, there would be time and space for ribbing and one-upmanship, but not yet. Their bond was still too new, too fragile, for such a thing.

But Isabella was not here now, as Aro leaned in the doorframe of Caius's quarters. She was in her own room, allowing Heidi the privilege of doing something with her hair. He'd read Heidi's thoughts, assessing her new and unofficial position as lady's maid to the mistress of the coven, and was pleased with what he saw. Heidi was positively tickled with her new position, and Bella seemed to like her. Renata and Chelsea would be jealous, which was but another feather in her cap. The three women always seemed to be in competition with one another.

Speaking of being pleased with oneself, Caius caught Aro's eye in the reflection of an ornate mirror as he knotted his tie.

"Green isn't your color, brother," he smirked.

Aro ghosted into the room, flicking a priceless vase onto the floor where it shattered. Caius's smirk faltered, his crimson eyes narrowing as he observed the mess.

"That was Napoleon's," he hissed.

"And Isabella is mine," Aro sniffed. "But more's the pity."

"Ours," said Marcus, drifting in with a broad smirk.

"Oh dear," he exclaimed when he saw Aro's sour expression. "I find myself agreeing with Caius more and more these days. Green really does nothing for your complexion, Aro."

"I am not jealous."

He was, of course. They all were of one another to some degree- Aro would hardly be a man if he wasn't. His brother's expressions clearly conveyed that they saw through his charade, but Aro continued on.

"I'm merely curious if Caius is done primping," he drawled. "At this rate, Bella will be ready before you, brother."

"You're one to talk about primping, Aro," Caius scoffed. "I've never seen another man fuss over his hair the way you do-"

"Children, please," Marcus said with a long-suffering, although amused, sigh.

"What happened here?"

Bella was standing in the adjoining doorway, surveying the mess of broken glass. Their bickering had actually allowed her to sneak up on them- or perhaps it was even more proof of her exceptionalism, Aro mused.

Heidi was certainly proving her worth as their mate's personal shopper. The black dress clung to her body without looking painted on, showcasing her figure. Her crest glinted, catching the light where it lay against her sternum. Aro swallowed the venom which pooled in his mouth at the sight of her.

"Carina," He purred, gliding to her on silent feet. "You look ravishing."

She tugged self-consciously at the dress, chewing on her lower lip in that adorably prim way of hers.