A King's Mate (Volturi Kings)

A King's Mate ~ A short story

CHAPTER ONE

I sat curled up on the couch in my living room, wearing a comfortable set of pajamas with my hip length wavy hair braided over my shoulder as I listened to the fire crackling in the fireplace. I watched as the flames danced together radiating a warmth into the room that was comforting but not needed. I had not needed warmth for over three hundred years.

I focused my eyes on the flames and forced them to dim, becoming nothing more than smoldering embers before I stood and headed for my library. I felt the need to relax with a good book to settle my restless mind.

Once upon a time it would not have bothered me but as the years passed and the loneliness grew inside of me I found myself picking up more and more random hobbies to pass the endless time. It started with art. I found I quite enjoyed sketching and I would often sketch the things I'd see in my dreams. Then I took up combat, learning to fight and protect myself using more than just my immortal instincts and strength. From there it was literature and languages then woodworking and metalworking. The metalworking came easier to me because I could manipulate the heat around the molten metal. It came in handy.

An endless stream of hobbies to fill my endless life.

I sighed as I reached the room at the top of the stairs that was supposed to be a bedroom. I had no need for a bedroom so instead I filled the room with rows of my favorite books. This was my safe space. A place where my mind would ease and I could feel peace if only for a short moment.

My phone buzzed in the pocket of my pajama pants so I pulled it out and saw the name flash on the screen

Alice Cullen

I blew out an irritated breath. Alice was one of the few friends I had in the world but she had not spoken to me in over a year. Why was she calling now?

I hit the answer button and spoke, "Alice, What do you want?"

"Amara please, I need your help." Her panicked voice came over the other end. I could hear the roar of an engine

Well that got my attention.

"What's wrong Alice?" I asked in a bored tone as I reached for the closest shelf to grab my favorite copy of The Crucible.

"It's my brother Edward. He's about to do something incredibly stupid because of a misunderstanding and I need your help! Please! You're the only one who can help us!" She pleads as the engine's roar grows louder.

"He's gone to them, Amara. He wants to die. He thinks his mate is dead and he wants to follow her but she's not! She's here with me!" Alice rushes out sounding a little breathless and I hear her pull away and whisper to the person next to her harshly before speaking again, "Please! I know you and Edward don't get along but he's my brother. I can't let him die!"

I frown and contemplate what to do. If he's gone to the Volturi his life is pretty much forfeit if he provokes them. I've never met them or seen them myself but I've heard the stories. They are to be respected and feared.

I don't like Eddy but I don't want him dead. He's important to one of the only people I can actually call friend on this wretched planet, but going could mean losing my freedom and Alice knows this. She must have seen something with her gift and if that's the case it's probably best to listen.

I set my book back on the shelf and turn to head to the closet, pulling down a suitcase and speaking as I go, "Okay, I'm packing a bag. Are you already on your way?"

"I just pulled up out front. Please hurry, we don't have much time! I already have the tickets." She urges as I hear the crunch of tires on my gravel driveway.