The Human Countess {J. Hale}

Marcus Volturi

Yasinya, Ukraine, 2020

"So, Marcus. Tell me about your life, please. I'd like to know my ancestor better." Eliza said as she sat beside the brunette king.

"Alas, my dear, I cannot tell you about my human life. Time and Venom has robbed me of my human memories."

"Then tell me of things that you remember. I just want to get to know you, through your life experiences or otherwise."

"Well then, I shall tell you about what I remember."

And so he did. He told her what he can, and watched the way her emotions flashed on her face with amusement.

"What or who is the most precious thing to you?" Eliza asked him as she came back with a blood bag for him and Caius who now joined their conversation after Caitlyn left to give the others their own share.

Marcus Volturi had been an enigma to those that encounters him. He is known as the quiet king, the silent overseer. He is known as the Heartbroken king, whose beloved wife was killed in unknown circumstances.

Didyme.

She was not as powerful as Aro had hoped, but her ability to spread joy to those around her had been useful in keeping the bloodlust at bay.

Oh how Marcus loved her.

And she loved him back.

They were perfect for each other.

No one was ever able to draw him out of his shell until she came around.

Despite her ability, she wasn't happy, until he came around.

But then he lost her.

He lost the only person that had understood his uniqueness. The only person that understood his quirks. The only person that understood him.

He lost his beloved mate and it destroyed him. Made him retreat back in his shell, deeper than before.

The mystery that surrounded her death had been unknown.

Unknown circumstances to those that had no idea.

No, it wasn't an unknown circumstance. He knew how she died. How couldn't he, when she was killed in the same castle he was in.

By her own brother, nonetheless.

Eliza's eyes widened impossibly as the revelation made Aro stop walking midstep and made Caius lose all decorum as the blond king gaped.

"Y-you knew?" Aro said, stuttering as he hesitantly walked towards his brother and most trusted. If it had been possible, Caius' mouth had dropped even further at the Aro's unspoken admittance.

"You killed your own sister?!" The blond king all but screamed as his mind whirled with the fact that his coven mate had killed his own biological sister. And for what? For power? To assert his dominance? Caius felt anger before, but he sat in his chair, frozen, as he felt another emotion overpower the anger.

Fear.

"Calm, Brother Caius, and let me explain the circumstance as to how I knew." Marcus said as he stood up to help his shaken brother-in-law to a chair.

"Didyme had done immortality well, but immortality had not reciprocated it. Aro, your sister had suffered so much under immortality. It was the only way to free her." Marcus said, his eyes shining with sorrow, betraying the blank mask that is on his stony face.

"Wait so, Didyme is Aro's sister, who he killed?" Eliza asked, her mouth hanging open at the complicated pandora's box that she unintentionally opened.

"Yes, and she was my wife. He did not kill her, more like he gave her mercy. She had suffered under the hands of the venom. As much as I loved her, I couldn't allow her to continue suffering. We devised a plan because we knew that you wouldn't release her. Despite your disappointment on her ability, you wouldn't let her go. So we planned, and it worked. She's released from the clutches of the venom, and I know in my heart that she's happy wherever she is now." Marcus said as he smiled sadly.

"How? How did I not see it?" Aro asked a few minutes later.

Marcus held his hand out to Aro, and Eliza knew that no one else but them will be able to know Marcus was able to hide that from Aro.

Caius, who had been silent since Marcus had told him to, asked something that had shocked Aro even further.

"Didyme was not your true mate, was she? Why did her death affect you that hard?" Marcus smiled slightly and nodded.

"She wasn't. I loved her as my best friend and my wife, but she was not my mate. She had been the only person to actually understand me as me, and it's the reason why I loved her. Losing the only person you loved and had understood you is devastating. Imagine losing Athenodora, Caius. Half that pain and that's what I felt."

Eliza tilted her head slightly as she observed Marcus' strings, smiling slightly as she finally noticed an extremely faint red string around his pinky, telling her that he hasn't met his mate yet.

A knock on the front door distracted them all as the smell of the ocean breeze and old stone drifted in.

Eliza stood up to check on the door, Alec behind her after Caius' command, stating that Eliza is able to defend herself, but should not have to, especially in her own home. She opened the door, only for her hazel eyes to meet piercing blue eyes. She gasped loudly as her mind worked furiously to name the familiar man infront of her.

The man she had nearly fallen in love with, nearly a century ago.

Nearly, because there was a mishap that prevented it.

"Valentin?!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi~

Sorry, It's been a while.

I had hit a block as I started to write this, and I'm so sorry for being late.

And, while I hit my block, I got so fed up that I made myself some bangs...

What do you guys think?

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter!

We hit 11K and I am extremely, extremely, extremely, thankful to you guys.

Much Love,

Roannieeeee