Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Still Waters

By SkyDancingHobbit

Chapter 12: Answers and Agreements

All of a sudden it’s not gravity holding you to the planet, it’s her. Nothing else matters.

---

Almost without conscious thought Bella knew in that moment what her answer had to be. Kneeling as he was Marcus was almost of a height with her diminutive frame his crimson gaze kind and knowing as he waited for the words to tumble from her a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as the wind took his hair blowing it about his shoulders the sunlight warming the color and bringing out the rich dark red highlights she had only just discovered.

“I want to be with you Marcus. Would you, change me?”

She cringed, perhaps not how she had thought to say it but there it was. He blinked whatever he was expecting that clearly had taken his aback. Almost as quickly he nodded pulling her close and taking the opportunity Bella nuzzled into the space where his shoulder met his neck inhaling his spicy scent happily as the rumble of his purr vibrated through her body as he nuzzled her in return his cool skin sending a chill down her spine as it always did when he was this close.

“If that is what you wish dear one though, there is a Volturi tradition that needs to be completed first, then it would be my honor.”

Curiosity got the better of her and she smiled as stepped back so he resume his feet taking her place by his side as they continued their stroll Bella taking note of the roses Caius had grudgingly allowed her to plant where blooming their bright red blooms bringing in butterflies to flit here and there between the other blossoms as they trailed up the arbor with abandon. She grinned remembering the blond grumbling as he attempted to get them in order muttering about willful stubborn plants.

“Another one? Very well I am curious Marcus what is it?”

“You… may not… be as enthusiastic about this one knowing you as I do”

The possibilities ran through her mind rapid fire getting progressively darker as she went and Marcus laughed outright as her expression shifted from curious to something akin to mild distress and he gently brushed her knuckles with his lips bringing her back to the moment gently.

“Don’t fret Bella, I assume Aro has been filling you;re head with vampire lore again. Most of his stories have been embellished for his own entertainment no sacrifices no full moon rituals no chanting I promise you”

She exhaled with a smile feeling a little sheepish

“Guilty as charged he caught me after you went to a meeting and decided I should polish my history lessons if I am to. And this is a direct quote ” understand the greatness around me”

One crimson eye regarded her with interest as he raised one delicate brow seeming to choose his words with care as a lower guard member passed by intent on some errand or other making sure to give the king and his mate a wide berth.

“And to this you said?”

“Greatness is something you have or become. Something is not just great because you say it is”

It took a split second to register and the entire castle seemed to fall silent for just a moment while Marcus threw back his head in a full bodied laugh for a entire minute before recovering his composure with difficulty.

“I would have paid a great deal to have seen Aro’s face and deeply regret I let a guard meeting get in the way my sweet”

Grinning Bella found herself sitting in their spot in the gazebo once again glad of the rest before she continued no little feeling of pride welling in her that she had shaken Aro’s composure so it was good for him. After all she was his little sister, she was only doing her job.

“I think I heard Caius even chuckle, either that or he chocked on a passing bug the odd rasping sound from behind the dusty shelves was rather hard to identify… I checked but he had his nose buried in a book so I could not confirm”

“However we have wandered way off topic Marcus, this tradition. What is…”

She trailed off as for the second time in a the space of an afternoon Marcus knelt before her but this time there was one difference, he was on one knee holding a very familiar black box in his pale hand, wait was he going to?

“Marriage my Bella, its traditional that mates, particularly royals wed before they are changed. So I Marcus first of my name ruler of the Volturi ask you Isabella Swan,

Will you marry me?”