Tenebrous ↠ Volturi Kings {1} ✓

040

"I want to travel with Dad," I said to Marcus as he, with Demetri traveling shortly behind, escorted me down to the lobby.

"Why, might I ask? Certainly you haven't forgiven him already?" Marcus asked, quirking an eyebrow. I tended to forget, with Marcus being the most even-keeled of the three, that he was no doubt just as displeased about what the Cullens had hidden from me as I was.

"No. But this has become more of a family matter, hasn't it? Now that Emmett's testimony proves that Renesmee is not an immortal child. And it being a family affair, me going with Emmett would serve as a reminder that I am part of the family, too."

Marcus appraised me for a moment before inclining his head. "Others would do well not to underestimate you. You are more clever than you know."

"A worthy queen," Demetri added as the elevator gave a pleasant ding and the doors opened to the lobby.

"Marcus informed us that you declined any breakfast before we depart," Aro said, smiling warmly once he spotted me.

"I'm ready to get this over with," I confirmed.

"I'll follow behind," Emmett said. "I came in the Jeep."

"I'm riding with you," I informed him, which was not only news to Emmett but also to Caius and Aro.

Aro didn't seem particularly bothered by this, especially after I pressed my hand against his to show my reasoning, but Caius seemed to take it as a personal affront; I believed there was a part of him that didn't think I was being quite as severe on Emmett as I should have been.

"Do you forget that he was in on your so-called family's scheme?" Caius snapped.

I raised my eyebrows. "I am well aware, thank you. It is not that I don't want to travel with you, my warrior, but rather to serve as a reminder."

"A reminder?" he questioned, drawing closer. My use of a nickname had effectively settled him, as I had hoped. I reached out to straighten his tie, which had become something of a habit between the two of us.

"Yes, a reminder. However far away I am, I am still a member of the family. I am still a Cullen," I said, smoothing his shirt.

"Perhaps we should change that," Caius said, and I saw the beginnings of a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"Someday, I'm certain," I said, my hand still lingering on his chest, "but at present we have other matters to handle."

"Someday," he agreed quietly, frowning as I dropped my hand and walked over to join Emmett. "We'll go first, everyone else will follow."

"Look, whatever happens, you won't blame Renesmee, right? I mean, she's just a kid," Emmett said as we walked out to his Jeep.

"No, of course not. None of this is her fault," I said.

"I feel like I should also inform you that Bella always wanted to tell you, she was always on your side. Edward just... convinced her to stay quiet." He shrugged helplessly. "I'm not one to throw family members under the bus, I'm not. And I know how close you and Edward are. But you should know that it was him that convinced the rest of the family to keep this quiet."

I sighed. Edward's betrayal stung, but it wasn't completely unexpected. "I warned Bella, I did. If she doesn't stand her ground, he'll walk all over her. But damn if he's not going to regret walking all over me."

Emmett smirked and started the Jeep. "That's my girl. Let's go tear our idiot brother a new one."

When we reached my home, which I hadn't seen in several months, only Rosalie, Jasper, and Carlisle were waiting to greet us.