Her Majesty (Volturi Kings)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sorry guys for the late update, I got really busy with schoolwork and Christmas shopping. I'm still quite busy, not gonna lie. I just had an ounce of free time and thought it would be well-spent on finishing this chapter that's been left alone for three days. Anyway, here's Chapter Fifteen. Enjoy!

Sliding in the last hairpin, I was ready. I stand up from the expensive, gorgeous golden chair in front of my dresser and Chelsea smooths out my pink, floral-patterned dress that had become tangled at the bottom.

The door flies open and Heidi glides in. "Ah, perfect!" she exclaims when she sees me. "You're ready. The masters are awaiting your arrival. They're jumping at the bit to see you in that gorgeous pink dress. The floral patterns are my favorite, by the way." she takes a pause to look at the clock. "We must go. Your arrival is due in ten minutes. You should be at the door in five minutes. The Queensguard is waiting."

"Indeed, we are." Santiago walks in with his cloak having a golden outline, the Queensguard cloak. Aro appointed Santiago as the lead for he had excessive strength like Felix's, though a bit weaker, but still strong. The second-in-command was Afton, who was promoted from his lower guard rank. I convinced Aro to promote him since Alexandra wasn't experienced enough yet in the vampire world and Afton could shield me anywhere, unlike Alexandra who relied on shadows for her gift to work properly. "Ready to go, my Lady?"

I nod. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Don't worry. You'll do great!" Corin reassures me.

I smile at her. "Thank you, Corin."

Chelsea whips Corin on the back of her head. "We promised we wouldn't use our gifts on her!"

"My bad. It was an accident. You just looked like you needed some encouragement, Lady Amity." Corin says.

I shake my head with a smile. "It's fine. We're wasting time, let's go." I grab Santiago's arm and we walk to the throne room's doors. Chelsea once again flattens out the end of my dress. "Who are our guests? My mates won't tell me." I ask Santiago.

Santiago shakes his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you either. It's supposed to be a surprise."

I groan. "I hate surprises."

"Well, too bad." Corin teases. "Come on, come on! I want to go in already! We haven't had a ball in forever! It's the first time in forever. They need to open up the gates. The gates being doors."

Afton groans. "Why are you so hyper? Lastly, why did you have to sing two of the sentences? You sound like a Disney movie. I wouldn't be surprised if a Disney movie comes out with a song called 'For the First Time in Forever.'"

Corin squints her eyes. "I'm just excited! And hey, Disney's great."

Heidi laughs. "You all crack me up. Anyway, we're about to get announced. Get yourselves together."

No longer than two minutes, the doors open, allowing the announcer to be heard outside of the throne room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my Kings, please welcome Her Lady, our future Queen, Lady Amity!" The doors open and I gracefully walk in with my guard escorting me in. Cheers erupt in the room and I look around. My eyes widen when they land on a group of people. I couldn't believe it. They were here.

"My dear." Aro greets me and kisses my hand, finally being able to have physical contact. "You look beautiful, love."

"Indeed." Caius agrees. "The dress suits you."

Marcus nods. "So beautiful."

I bow my head. "Thank you." I look behind me to see my friends before returning my gaze to Aro. "Why didn't you tell me you had invited the Cullens and the Denalis, especially Garrett?"

"We thought it would be a nice surprise." Aro tells me.

"You weren't wrong." I say.

"Come, dear. Sit." he leads my hand over to the throne and I plop myself down onto it. Aro turns around to the crowd and spreads his arms wide. "Welcome, friends! Welcome to Volterra! My brothers and my mate and I would like to thank you for joining us today to celebrate. To celebrate the arrival of my mate and future Queen, Amity!" the gathered crowd cheers. "Glasses of human and animal blood, for our dear Cullen and Denali covens, is at your disposal." he gestures to the tables. "One table is human, the other is animal. I hope all of you have a good time. With no further note, may the ball begin!"

As the guests and some of the guards greet their partners and lead them to the center of the throne to dance, a finger taps my shoulder. I turn my head towards the direction of where the tap came from and find Caius there with his hand stretched towards me. "Would you like to dance?" he asks me.

I place my hand in his. "Certainly."

He gives me a rare smile and leads me over to the dance floor before putting his hands on my waist as I put my hands on his shoulder before being led into a waltz. He twirls me around before pulling me back in. "You look beautiful," he compliments me. I smile and thank him. "Absolutely memorizing."

The dance continues and I'm passed off to other partners, namely Marcus and then Aro, before a finger taps my shoulder. "Ugh, Caius, we're having a moment--" my eyes fall onto a familiar brunette man. Garrett. "Garrett!" I launch myself towards him.

"Amity!" he greets as he hugs me back. "How's royal life?"

"Expensive." Garrett snorts. "Anyway, how's vegetarian life?"

"Harder than I thought. I almost jumped a guy in Juno. I'm getting used to it, though." he replies.

"That's good." Suddenly realizing Aro was standing there like a third wheel, I turn around to him. "Oh my gosh, Aro, I'm sorry! Aro, this is Garrett. He sired me back in America in 1780. He was a continental soldier back then. We ran together as nomads until Christmas Eve."

Aro nods. "A patriot, I see. I must thank you for keeping my mate safe for nearly three centuries. Amity, I assume you'll want to catch up with him alone?"

"Aro, you don't--"

"No, amore. Take time to catch up with one another. I'll see you later." Aro walks away and I'm alone with Garrett.

I look at Garrett. "Well," I say. "Are the gardens okay? We have a gazebo we can talk in."

He smiles. "Certainly." 

Translation(s): 

Amore - love.