#athenodora

Once a year, the Palazzo dei Priori would open its doors to vampires and humans alike. It was a festive occasion, dating back to older times beginning with the Romanians. No one ever brought their name up, the Volturi insisting this was their celebration. Aro would invite the city's leaders and their spouses, along with a special invitation going out to any vampires within the area, with requirements for behavior to be strictly observed. This applied to civilized covens and nomads alike. It was important, because this was one of the few times humans were guaranteed to be completely safe within the walls of the castle. Any vampire who attacked a human guest would be instantly destroyed.

The invited humans were aware of the nature of the Volturi, having worked with them for decades. Due to their sworn, and paid for, silence, the vampires could be themselves during the ball.

You were crucial in the preparations, helping the current secretary in compiling a list of invitees, then sending the invitations out. Yet, as the mate of one of the masters, you were also to play the role of hostess, along with the other wives, Sulpicia and Athenodora.

In the rooms you now shared with Marcus, you searched through your wardrobe, disappointed in not finding anything suitable for such a grand affair. He came into the bedroom, seeing you sitting on the bed looking so forlorn. Sitting at your side, he embraced you with his arm. "What is wrong, dear one? You look so sad. Is there anything I can do?"

"Marcus, this is the first Summer Ball I'm taking part in, and to sound cliché, I haven't a thing to wear. I will be representing you and the Volturi, and I have to be impeccable."

It was all Marcus could do not to laugh at his mate's very human concern. Still, he felt some anticipation for the first time. The Spring Ball never concerned him, and he would only make an appearance to placate Aro. Now he had a reason to go. It was you. He'd planned on asking you to dance with him, something he had not done since Didyme was alive. He was so pleased that you had embraced her memory, and felt no jealousy where she was concerned. It made Marcus love you all the more. So he had an idea.

"My love, I will ask Corin to come get you and take you to the Queens' Tower. You may meet Aro and Caius' mates there. I'm sure they would be happy to help you find a new gown to wear. They usually hire the best dress designer in Rome to make their gowns. This one knows what we are and we pay him a great deal of money to be on-call and to keep his silence. He may think you are a vampire at first, but I'm sure he will notice the difference once he takes your measurements."

You grin, delighted with this plan. "Oh, Marcus, thank you," you say, hugging your mate. You stand to face him, moving between his spread legs and sitting on one. His right arm holds you while his left hand takes your hand and kisses the wrist. "I love you so much," you say, happy to see him smiling. "I'll wait right here until Corin arrives."

Marcus hates to let you go. These small interludes with you give him his greatest joy these days. But to speak with Corin, he must leave for the tower. He pushes you up and stands himself, kissing your cheek and leaving.

You sit back on the bed, imaging what type of gown you want.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Later, Corin brings you to the Queens Tower room, where you are greeted by both Aro and Caius' beautiful mates. You feel intimidated by Sulpicia, Aro sometimes taking the liberties of an unmarried man with you. But she smiled and hugged you as her new sister. If she knew about Aro's attentions to you, she didn't say anything.

"Welcome, sister. This is Athenodora, as you must know. Congratulations for making our Marcus so happy. At last, our leadership is complete." She stepped to a table covered in books and fabric swatches. "Come here, child," she calls to you. "These are designs and fabrics sent by Master Cervelli. He's one of the best designers in Rome. See if anything here calls to you, my dear."

Sulpicia gave you the strangest look. "Aro has kept you happy, hasn't he?"

She must have known about the day you spent with the masters at the park. "My lady, I am sorry if that information offends you..."

"My dear, there is nothing to offend me with. Aro asked me before he and the others took you out that day. We gave them our permission."

"He asked you? Then you knew we...my lady, it will never happen again. I'm with Marcus now. He's my heart and soul," you reassure both women.

"We were glad to hear that you two are mated. Dear Marcus deserves love after all this time," Dora said.

"And child, you need not call us 'my lady'. I'm Sulpicia and this is Athenodora, although she prefers Dora. Come, sit by us so we can discuss your gown for the ball."

The rest of the afternoon was spent with your new sisters, each of you trying to find the best fabric and dress design. You had wanted something in teal, but Sulpicia convinced you that crimson was your colour. The dress would be slightly tight around the torso, but full in the skirt. There were no sleeves, only off-the-shoulder straps that bared them and your toned upper arms. The chosen designs would be sent to Master Cervelli, who would get the basic gowns made, then he would come to the castle in person to take care of the final fittings.

It had been fun getting to know the wives, and you hope Marcus will find you beautiful when he first sees you ready for the ball.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

A month or so later, after a lot of hard work, all the preparations had been completed. The audience hall had been decorated with candles and imported blood red roses. Refreshments had been set up on long tables, those for the human guests kept separate from those unique to the vampire guests.

The ballroom, usually closed up when not in use, was opened and aired out. Red and gold drapings now covered the walls. The candles in the bronze sconces were lit. A chamber archestra had set up in one corner and were practicing. Everything was ready, with guests set to arrive in an hour.

You had dressed in your gown, with Heidi helping you with your hair and make-up. When she was finished, you looked into the mirror, hardly recognizing yourself. "Thank you, Heidi. It's perfect. And you look gorgeous yourself. So will you be attending with anyone in particular?"

"Demetri asked me to be his partner, but we both enjoy dancing so agreed not to pair off exclusively." She flashed you a sparkling smile and a 'see you later', before leaving you alone.

You had just stood up from the desk slash dressing table, when Marcus entered the room. He had dressed elsewhere to allow you the privacy of your rooms to get ready. When you see him move to your side, you can't believe how beautiful he is. In a white shirt, bowtie and westcoat with tuxedo and tails, he looked handsome as sin. His hair was tied back with a leather cord, the way you liked it. He had even splashed a bit of human cologne on to fit in with the human guests. It made your nose twitch in interest since it was one of your favourite scents, Drakkar Noir.

"You look...absolutely fabulous, Marcus. I still can't believe what I've done to deserve you."

"I feel the same, my dear. After so much loneliness, I have found the perfect mate in you." Your crimson gown fits you in the right places while baring your shoulders. He leans down and kisses one shoulder, then your lips, careful not to muss your hair. Right now, Marcus would love to tear your gown off and spend hours pleasuring you, but he thinks that might only upset you. He holds out his hand, covered in a black cotton glove.

"Marcus, will you keep your hands bare? I much prefer that to gloves. No part of you is too cold for me. And if you're worried about the humans, you can shake their hands. They all know what you are."

To please you, your mate removes the gloves and drops them on the bed. Then he crooks his arm through which you slide your arm. One more kiss, and you both leave your chambers.

On arrival to the audience hall, you see people entering from the inside staircase in couples and small groups. There are faces you recognize as Marcus greets them, mostly the humans who run the city government. You smile in welcome at the mayor and the chief of police arriving with their wives, and the bishop who runs the Catholic Church here in Volterra. You'd had meetings with all of them since living here, finding them all friendly and aware of the vampires, grateful for their financial aid and protection. The Volturi knew they could be trusted as they had worked with their fathers and grandfathers before them.

Many faces you do not know, but when you see their red eyes, you know these guests are vampires. Confusion hits you when you saw a group of handsome people with golden eyes. Not red, yet they were obviously vampires.

"Marcus, who are they?" you ask, pointing at the group.

"That is the Olympic coven along with their cousins, the Denalis. Carlisle, the head of the family used to live here with us several centuries ago, before heading to the New World in America. He and Aro were once close friends."

"Once were?"

"A story for another time. Let me introduce you to them, my dear." He led you over to the well-dressed group. "Carlisle Cullen, welcome to you and your family. I wish to introduce you to my mate..."

"But she's human," interrupts a beautiful blonde woman.

"Rosalie!" Carlisle chides her. "She is one of our hosts, so be polite. I'm pleased to meet you," he says to you. "My wife, Esme, and my children, Emmett and his wife Rosalie, Jasper and his wife Alice, and Edward and his wife, Bella. Then there is Eleazar and his wife Carmen, Garrett and his wife Kate, and her sister Tanya, our cousins from Alaska."

"Children?" you ask, going back to Carlisle's prior remark.

"Adopted. My family, for all intents and purposes." The blonde coven leader nodded at you with a proud smile.

"Now it's my turn to apologise. Welcome, everyone. Carlisle, Aro is in the ballroom, if you wish to find him and say hello." The Cullens leave you and Marcus, all of them gazing around the rooms' splendour.

You exhale loudly, making Marcus glance at you. "I'm a terrible hostess. At least they're friends of Aro."

"Not all of them, my dear." Marcus leads you into the ballroom, the smile on his face almost invisible.

You see lots of people talking and mingling. Music fills the air but not so loudly you can't hear. Aro, on seeing you, grins broadly. He comes over to you both, his hand taking yours and kissing it.

"You're a vision, my dear. An absolute vision. I assume Sulpicia assisted you."

"Yes, both Sulpicia and Dora were of immense help. They were wonderful to me, Aro."

Aro turns to Marcus, saying, "Brother, you are a lucky man indeed. I'm going to continue my conversation with Carlisle before I ask Sulpicia to dance. Enjoy yourselves. You make a lovely couple." Aro left you, looking as if he were preparing an army for battle. He greeted everyone he passed, offered them refreshments, and in watching him, you noticed how talkative his hands were tonight.

Once you were alone, you smile and tell your mate, "We are a lovely couple, aren't we."

"Of course we are, my sweet." Moving to the middle of the floor, Marcus holds out his hand to you asking, "Will you do me the honour of a dance?"

"I thought you'd never ask." You let him lead you in a waltz, aware you know how to dance it. If the orchestra plays other music, knowing that many of the vampires are very old and remember music from other eras, you might not know the moves to those dances. He decides to play it by ear.

Marcus takes you in his arms, one hand holding yours, while your other rests on his shoulder. To the side, you see Caius dancing with Dora. They both look gorgeous and very much in love. Soon, Aro is with Sulpicia, having ended his talk with Carlisle, who was now dancing with his wife Esme. Everyone seemed to be having a marvelous time.

The music continues while Marcus slowly spins you around the floor. It's all so magnificent and perfect. You marvel at how your life has changed since the masters saved your life from a street robber what feels like only a short while ago. And your life will alter once again as soon as Marcus changes you into a vampire.

As the hour moves into early morning, the human guests partake of the catered food and drink set out for them, while the vampire guests enjoy drinking fresh blood from crystal goblets.

You enjoy a glass of red wine and a few tidbits, not feeling very hungry. Marcus drinks nothing. He prefers not to have the smell of blood on his breath when he is with you.

You and Marcus slip away from the crowd, going out to the large balcony. Marcus takes you into his arms and kisses you, almost bending you against the balcony railing. You respond to him, your arms around his waist. You eventually smile into the kiss, then pull back, looking up into his crimson eyes.

"This has been such a magical night, my love. And you're a wonderful dancer, so graceful. Thank you for choosing me from every woman on this planet."

"I did not choose you, dear one. Our hearts chose one another. We are just going along for the ride. Just know that I love you, my heart of hearts." His cool fingers caress your warm cheek, then he nuzzles your bare neck, kissing your sensitive skin.

You laugh and hug your mate tightly. "I love you, mio marito." The night has been heavenly indeed.