Volturi (The Three Kings L.S)

17-Bleak Castle

Voices were heard all around her but it was as though she listened through water, none were distinct and the cold air around her was all that she registered, slamming furiously against her flesh as she was carried in foreign arms as cold as ice. She held tighter, fear in her at the sudden awakening.

Looking up she saw the face of Felix and she relaxed slightly. They were travelling through trees and jumping ditches at an immense speed that her eyes stung and watered. Finally, they reached the castle threshold and she was placed on her feet again. With a sigh, the doors were pushed open and in entered the Volturi guard. Returning once more to their rightful home.

Attarah wasted no time, she now knew the castle like the back of her hand and she headed up the twisted stairs and down corridors to where the chambers of the Kings were housed. In the block contained three bedrooms, two bathrooms and three offices along with a library but as she entered the familiar hallway, she recognized a change. A new door had been polished. She wasn't sure how she had missed it before but when she pushed it open, she found a fully furnished and beautiful bedroom with hat and shoe boxes scattered around, along with a temporary metal rail, holding many dress bags.

"This is for you, as we discussed previously. The wardrobe and bathroom are to the left and a passageway through the library to Aros office is to the right. I hope it suits all your demands.

" You did all this?" She queried, turning to Caius behind her.

"We did. We do everything you ask us to do and more. You're wish is our command. As you already know" he smiled. "Also upon request, we have fitted heating in this floor of the castle."

"You didn't have to do all this" she spoke.

"it's the least we could do." he coughed awkwardly. "All things considered...Attarah you must believe us when we say that we never meant to hurt you. We were going our job and would've reacted identically no matter the family we were dealing with. As hard as it is, this is the life you are now a part of. We can't be biased and unfair because power only works with respect. You must learn this my darling. If anyone were to ever find out that you exist, there would be the reason for a revolution and we'd all be killed. We're protecting you princess but soon it'll be your turn to join us. Then maybe you can get say in the rules."

" I'm sorry. I've acted very childishly and I see that. You talk so reasonably and you understand that you've upset me but it's hard. My loyalties belonged entirely to my sister and that family, I know that they sold me like a pig to the slaughter for peace with you and that now I am utterly devoted to the Volturi. But I'm still human, it's hard to detach myself from people who raised me."

"In time, it'll be easier," he promised her and walked to her, placing his hand on her cheek and stroking it gently. "You will be okay" she pulled her close and cuddled him to her. She was still upset but at the moment. Caius is what she needed and he was there. He would always be there.

"Thank you. I'll try my best to accept everything. I'm trying." she smiled and Caius smiled in return.

"take your time, by all means, my love, you've got time."

"thank you."

"What a sight to see and aren't I glad to see it" a new voice announced and she looked around Caius to see Marcus in the doorway.

"Marcus" she smiled.

"Attarah" he returned and swept across the room, taking her in a hug also. Almost tasting the reunion, Aro entered hopefully but what he had done was far worse. He'd scared and nearly killed his mate.

"Aro" she nodded, slightly hidden by the other two Kings.

"Attarah" he sighed longingly.

"in time brother" Marcus promised in a hushed whisper that Attarah would miss even strained.

"One can only hope."

---

Attarah walked around the pond in the garden, her brown shoes trampling the gravel and splintering it into dust beneath her heels. She was wandering around and breathing in the fresh air, in the cool breeze with Miranda at her side. In an hour she was being locked in the attic as the King's had guests. Only, of course, they did not see it that way. The Kings merely saw it as protecting her in a safe room until the guests had left. She was a human and not allowed to be seen in the castle.

"Come along Attarah" Jane spoke from behind her and she turned, joining her side. The future queen had dressed in a knee-length summer dress with black stripes and brown canvas shoes. On her head sat gold lensed sunglasses. 

"Why is this necessary?" she queried.

"How exactly can the King's enable you to wander around, a human, as their mate and the future queen. When they discover that someone of us is with a human, both are brutally killed. It is the law." Jane questioned.

"But you have human servants." 

"And they know that they will one day be killed or turned. They know what they have done and they chose their own path."

"That's awful Jane. How can we kill people like this?"

"Us, not you Attarah. And it is entirely necessary. Humans hate us if we had any other option we would."

"Is this going to become a regular occurrence?" she asked in worry and they reached the landing beside the door entryway to the attic.

"I think so Attarah, the King's are very busy. They have much to do. They have devoted much time for you, their leadership is slacking and they cannot enable it to be so. Especially considering your sister's recent circumstances. As much as they love and adore you Attarah, they have a duty." she said in sadness." but they have improved the attic, turned it into a large bedroom area for you. They even are granting you the usage of the Internet so you can message your sister. They don't want to upset you in the same way as they have recently."

"It's a prison, Jane. No matter how beautiful it is. It's still a prison." she sighed and walked through the plain, nondescript door that stood in front of her. Within it was gorgeous and fully furnished, with electric and she was certain that the room was soundproof though it was windowless and eery. Silence fell over her and a slight cool settled in the air. "How long will I be here?"

"Not long Atty, a guard will come to check on you regularly to make sure that you are okay and have everything that you need."

"Thanks, Jane." she sighed and went across to the sofa positioned against the far side with an embroidered cyan fabric.

"I'll be back soon," Jane stated and exited swiftly, the door closing in her wake and the inexplicable sound of a key turning resonated around the room, Attarah merely sighed and rolled her eyes. She spent the next moments studying her surroundings, they truly had gone overboard with a small library, easel and painting supplies, TV area and much more. But she wanted none of it. She wanted to be spoken to. She felt lonely in the desolate area, staring at the walls with the blank countenance.

On the bed in the furthest corner, she discovered a box with her name on it and opened it to discover a new phone. She hadn't been up to date with the making of phones, it was the last thing on her mind but they had become sleek and even thinner than ever before. She opened the phone which was surprisingly already set up for her and found the contacts. Scrolling through the many guards and servants names, she found a name she had not expected to discover. Edward Cullen. And even further she found another. Bella Cullen. And the fact hit home that Isabella Marie Swan was no longer her sister. As she stated at the name she registered that only those two were there. None of the others, not her fathers. Nobodies. She knew where the King's newfound friendship had festered from... It had grown from their fascination with Bella's hybrid child and now he families were reconnected.

Hesitantly, Attarah hit the call button.

---

Bella Cullen wondered around the small cottage that she owned with her husband, Edward. She walked to the bookshelf and slid a photo album back into place. She had done well at keeping the cottage in perfect condition. And she loved the little home. She knew that a certain sister of hers would love it just as much but she'd never been able to see it. Instead, Attarah lived in a giant stone fortress with three ancient men who'd recently attempted to kill her and her entire family, including her young daughter.

Edward watched his wife from the doorway, he has come to the cottage to collect her to take her to the main house where everyone else was. She looked up and stared at him for a moment before disappearing through the door knowing he followed. The pair raced and a thrill went through her and she giggled loudly, forgetting her previous worries. Entering her house she was caught in the small arms of her daughter, Renesmee.

"We have to go for Volterra" Rosalie demanded the second everyone was seated and their expressions were shocked.

"What are you talking about Rose?"

"You know exactly what I mean Emmett, Attarah cannot stay with those... Monsters. They tried to kill an innocent child. Even once they knew that she was half-human. How can we leave her there? We thought she'd be okay, that nobody can hurt their own mate but it's going to change her. It probably already has. "

" She hasn't made any complaints, she hasn't contacted us. Maybe she wants nothing to do with us, we can't just go to Volterra on random accusations and assumptions when we'll likely find her happy. She may hate us." Carlisle informed and everyone stared at him." After everything that has occurred recently, heading to Volterra is the last thing we should be planning on doing as we've only just sorted out the last confrontation with the Volturi. "

" I agree" Jasper began, "we will see her soon, we all know that. Alice's visions have given us no reason to worry. The Volturi won't want to spend long without seeing the progress of Renesmee so we'll go there at some point and I agree that I'm sure we'll find her happy and healthy."

" Bella, this comes down to you, I'm afraid. " Esme stated," After all she is your sister."

"I say we do nothing. Not until we need to. Let's just be happy, we all have finally achieved what we wanted, we can live happily and I'm sure she is too." she smiled, her phone buzzed in her pocket, she pulled it out and found an unknown number. Assuming it to be unimportant she cancelled the call. After all, if it were important: They'd call back.

. :*♥️*:. . :*♥️*:. . :*♥️*:.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Attarah gave up and placed the sleek device on the oak wood table in front of her. She stated at it for a moment before turning away and heading to the bed, she lay on her side as a tear escaped her eye, it slid undisturbed along her face before being caught be her nose. She felt the tear slide slowly, picking up momentum before falling and wetting the bedding. She watched the upholstery of the sofa with the interest of a painter on his artwork before her eyes drooped and she escaped to a place where her mind was free.

__

Caius marched up the long staircase to the tower. Their guests had finally left and she felt the upmost desire to take Attarah somewhere away from the harsh confinement of the castle walls. Marcus held a similar desire though would have to wait considering his brother's enthusiasm.

Slung over the King's right arm was a dress bag and he knew that somewhere in his wake was Jane. The door at the top of the stairs was quickly unlocked and he entered to find his sleeping beauty. A smile crept upon his face and he lay the bag on the sofa before returning to her side and caressing her cheek. He moved her hair which stuck to her cheek by what appeared to be tears and crease formed in his forehead.

"Wake up my beautiful" she did not. "Come on my love it is time for you to wake up now." she groaned and her eyes slowly peeled open to reveal bright green orbs that were foggy from sleep. "Hello, my darling."

"Caius" she groaned and rolled onto her back so her hair fanned out around her.

"We have places to be beautiful, and Jane is here to help you get ready. You have an hour until I return." he pecked her cheek and vanished as he was replaced with a much shorter blonde.

"What a way to wake up" Attarah groaned as she sat up, stretching like a cat as she stared into the Ruby eyes of Jane who giggled.

"I'm sure you will not be disappointed tonight, Caius has many plans for the pair of you," Jane smirked and grabbed the small girls hand, pulling her to her feet and across the room to a vanity where hand were instantly moving her hair and touching her face, she groaned and Jane chuckled.

"you are due that injection again Attarah though the doctor suggests a break from it so that it doesn't disturb your body, you've been on it a while," Jane spoke quickly. "If you take the injection continuously when you stop it can take up to a year for your body to return to the way it was before."

"So I'll be bleeding in a house full of vampires?"

"Unfortunately."

"Great" after a large amount of silence and furious work on her face and hair by Jane. Attarah was ready to be dressed. Jane dressed the girl in a shirt dress that flared at the waist it had lace around the cleavage area and gold shoes were slid onto her feet. 

"This is not what I expected," she spoke, used to modest dresses long and beautiful yet often irritating. She embraced the change. 

"The Kings have rather varying interpretations of fashion, I'm sure you'll work this out when you spend more personal time with each of them," Jane assured.

"I'm sure I will."