The Volturi

The Right Choice Pt. 2

Felix stood with an undrunken glass of blood champagne, focusing solely on the individual across the ballroom. Cassidy was oblivious to Felix's staring as she held onto Marcus's arm and conversed with Aro's queen. Felix watched as Cassidy raised a hand to her mouth- her smile hidden from view as Sulpicia said something humorous.

Renata fought her urge to growl as Felix watched the human girl move about the room with the Volturi coven and introduce herself to the heads of other covens. Much to Renata's dismay, Cassidy never faltered in her pleasantries, always smiling, polite, and mindful of her manners. The girl acted more mature than her years could give her credit as if she had prepared her whole life for this moment.

Cassidy shook hands with a coven leader, a short ginger in charge of the small yet proud Irish coven.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, " Cassidy said, shaking her hand before turning to her mate and shaking his. "Both of you. I hope you're enjoying the party."

Liam and Siobhan shared a look as Cassidy turned her attention to welcoming another guest. Marcus was notorious for attending Volturi events alone, to see a woman, nay, a mortal on his arm was the talk of the night. Everyone who was anyone wondered who the brunette beauty was that managed to capture Marcus's attention.

"Cassidy," Marcus whispered.

Cassidy excused herself from the brief conversation she held with a member of the Russian coven and turned to her date for the evening. "Yes?"

Marcus gave a small bow and held out his hand. "May I be your first dance of the evening?"

Cassidy couldn't help but smile as she gave her hand to Marcus. "You can have as many dances as you want," she replied.

She squealed in surprise as Marcus pulled her into his arms. "Then I want them all."

Cassidy let Marcus guide her to the dancefloor and took her stance as his hand rested on her back and the other held hers. She felt someone staring as Marcus began their waltz and turned her attention to the familiar set of red eyes.

Cassidy took note of how Felix held a vise-like grip on his drink, his attention torn between the placement of Marcus's hands on her and her face. Cassidy held Felix's gaze as Marcus gave her a twirl before she turned her attention back to her date.

Marcus spun his partner around the room, aware of her torn attention. "Would you like to dance with Felix?" he asked.

Cassidy held Marcus's gaze as he began to slow their steps, a silent invitation for her to end their dance and date if she wanted to. "No," Cassidy answered truthfully, "I prefer being on the dancefloor with you."

A smirk tugged at the corners of Marcus's lips as he once more changed to the rhythm of the band. Cassidy followed beautifully, her dancing lessons with Demetri paying off. The band played out, ending the song and the dancers applauded. Marcus couldn't help but steal a glance at a smiling Cassidy, still barely comprehending how he managed to call her his date.

Aro and Caius knew of Marcus's growing attraction to the human and his plans to ask her to accompany him to the annual ball months before. Alas, when he had finally worked up the courage Aro had informed him that she had already accepted Felix's request. Marcus had nearly given up when he heard that Felix had unceremoniously left Cassidy for a "proper" date. Quickly, Marcus had swooped in.

"Where'd you guys find that band?" Cassidy asked, her attention turned to a passing server with a tray full of champagne, "They're really good."

"They were the lucky winners of this year's competition," Marcus explained as he took a flute of blood champagne from a different server, "I can see why they won."

Cassidy blinked away tears for her sip of the bubbly and motioned to the empty table the Volturi coven had on reserve for themselves. "Wanna sit with me?"

Marcus held out his arm which Cassidy gladly took. "Lead the way, Miss Swan."

The pair made it off the dancefloor in time as the band began another song and more guests ventured onto the dancefloor. Marcus moved Cassidy's chair out for her and took his own once she was seated and content.

Felix absentmindedly spun Renata, his gaze locked solely onto where Cassidy and Marcus sat. He watched as Cassidy tucked a strand of Marcus's hair behind his ear and Marcus returned the gesture making Cassidy blush. Felix flexed his hand and heard Renata hiss in pain as he turned his attention to her just in time to see her yank her hand away from his grip.

"Control your temper," she snapped, "I don't want to lose my hand!"

Felix had begun his apology when he saw a flash of red caught his eye. He turned just in time to witness a smiling Marcus and blushing Cassidy leave hand in hand.

Demetri and Heidi had come to a stop beside the guard as the king and girl made their escape.

"Looks like Cassidy may find out why vampires are better in bed tonight," Heidi giggled.

Demetri shot his date a warning look that went unheeded as Heidi watched Felix charge through the crowd, shoving all who were in his way as he made his way to the door.

Heidi cackled once more as Felix made his departure and tugged on Demetri's arm. "Wanna be nosy with me?"

"Do you live for anything other than drama?" Demetri asked.

Heidi shrugged. "You're not the least bit curious? Don't you want to see why Master Marcus is the most feared king?"

Demetri rolled his eyes, of course, Heidi knew he was. "Let's use the secret passage, spy on them that way."

Together they ran off into the hall, using the hidden passage behind a statue, heading towards the Master's side of the castle.