Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

01

"How is he?" Caius' back was to me as he stared out the window, hands clasped behind him.

"How do you think?" I walked slowly over to where he stood, leaning my head against his arm. "The same as he's been for the past two months."

"This is a disaster. Word has already gotten out. It's only a matter of time before the unrest begins." His tone was flat, voice emotionless, but he was worried. I could tell from the tautness of his muscles, the slight tension in his jaw.

I stared out the window. "We'll figure it out."

"I cannot lead on my own."

"You aren't alone," I said softly.

Caius turned to me, resting his forehead against mine. He exhaled, eyes closed. "We are all that stands between the vampire world and anarchy."

I traced one of the purple shadows under his eyes, so dark they looked like bruises. "You need to feed."

"Amore, I am carrying the responsibilities of three men on my shoulders. Your calling this meeting is the only reason I was able to find some peace. I do not have the time." He opened his eyes, onyx black, and pressed a kiss to the near-constant crease between my eyebrows. I worried for him. I worried for all of them.

"Perhaps Aro-"

"No," he snapped tersely. He exhaled again. "Apologies, amore. I didn't mean to lash out. You know why we can't let Aro govern. Marcus would believe us to be taking sides. That is the very last thing we need at present."

"You're right. I will try talking to Marcus again. You can't keep on like this," I said.

He smiled slightly. "I will keep going for however long I must."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"You do not need to fear for me, amore. I will be fine."

"Who else will, if I don't? You need someone to care for you," I said, surveying him with concern. "I hate being useless, Caius. I know it's a touchy subject, but if you change me-"

"You know as well as I that, with the state of the Volturi as it is, you would be more of a liability than you are now. I don't mean that to sound harsh, but it is the truth. We do not have the resources to handle a newborn at present; the guard is already stretched thin and the unrest has barely begun."

"I understand," I said. He was right, of course, but I loathed not being able to step into my rule as queen and take some of the burden off his shoulders. "Please feed, Caius. You're vulnerable, even if you won't admit it. You can't handle these responsibilities when a part of you is focused on your thirst."

"Heidi comes at the end of the week. I will feed then, if only to ease your mind," he said. The clock tower tolled, and he frowned. "I must go. You know I cannot be absent for long. I've missed you, amore."

"I've missed you too, my warrior. I will try to talk to Marcus again. Maybe he will heed my advice as you do, on occasion."

Caius chuckled. "Ti amo. Please be careful. I am afraid, at present, I am failing in my duties as your mate to be there to protect you."

"You're doing the best you can. The guard are just as competent as they were, even if their loyalties are divided. They will take good care of me, they always do," I said. "I love you."

He kissed me briefly, fingers fisting around the sleeve of my shirt for half a moment before he released me and was gone. I sighed, my head falling against the window with a light thump as I bit back tears. But that seemed like all I was doing now. Desperately trying to keep the Volturi together and not crumble along with it.