✔️The Embers| Caius Volturi (BOOK 2)

19. The Gardens

Adolpha Blackwood hummed to herself as the sweet scents and warmth of the gardens graced her. The softly patterned blue summer dress she wore flowed around her like waves as she softly proceeded down the garden path, her soft white shoes emanating no sound as she rounded the corner and she couldn't help the smile that split across her cheeks as she did. Sat beneath a brilliant summer canopy, on a raised podium; Were two of the three kings and one queen.

Aro and Sulpicia sat side-by-side, wearing black though being completely unaffected by the heat as they glittered in the sunshine, goblets in hand that Adolpha was certain were filled with something she did not want to know of. And Caius' eyes whipped around to her the second she appeared, lightening though it went unnoticed to her as she softly made her way up the stairs to take a seat beside him.

"Ahh. Adolpha" Aro smiled at her, a sincere smile that was so utterly rare from him. Too often he beamed large, false grins that made your skin crawl and so, to see the gentle smirk that tugged at his lips- she couldn't help but return it despite the dark cloud that liked to follow her wherever she travelled. "How are you?"

"Better, thank you Aro" she nodded, blinking and looking up at Caius when he offered her a wine glass. Her tanned fingers gently took it and she assessed it with a sceptical gaze, aware of the way Sulpicia stared deeply at her.

"It's wine" Caius informed her calmly though his eyes rolled in exasperation and she narrowed her own gaze at him, making him smirk as he rose his hands innocently. Adolpha took a very small sip and was glad to see that for once, he was telling the truth. "Adolpha, this is Sulpicia Volturi, I don't know how you have not met before but" he shrugged and the tanned girl turned her gaze somewhat uncomfortably to the queen.

"Hello, Adolpha" she smiled softly.

"Hi... It's nice to meet you Sulpicia."

"And you, Dear... I like her" the Queen decided, nodding to her husband who just chuckled in response. "She has the courage to stand up to Caius." The blond king just scoffed, much to Aro's amusement as Adoplha grinned along. "Please, walk with me, Adolpha. So we may gossip all about them" she winked and Aro's eyes flashed around to her quickly, gaining only a cheeky grin in return. Adolpha giggled as she handed Caius her glass again and proceeded to follow Sulpicia.

"Hey, I'm not the butler" he called somewhat seriously and she winked back at him, waving playfully.

"Oh, but you'd make such a good one" the Alpha pouted teasingly and was aware of his glare as she rounded the corner with Sulpicia at her side. The moment their partners were out of sight, Sulpicia looped her arm with Adolpha's and grinned.

"They are a handful, aren't they?"

"Can't they still hear us?" Adolpha giggled shyly.

"Probably" the older woman winked and Adolpha couldn't help but instantly warm to her. There was something so kind about the vampire Queen, something that didn't fail to make Adolpha feel completely calm. "How is Caius treating you? He can be... "

"Moody, miserable, bitter?" she offered and Sulpicia laughed softly. "I never knew which Caius I will have to deal with. He's like three different people smushed together."

"Aro is the same. It is the court, it can be difficult for them, stressful. Their moods reflect that. We cannot do much to help except be there for them, as infuriating as that is." she huffed and Adolpha smiled tightly. "They are going away soon, to visit a coven. They shouldn't be gone for long but... It is always hard when they're away. Especially when we spend so much time with them usually."

"Caius didn't say anything" Adolpha frowned.

"He probably did not want to cause you stress, Adolpha. He knows you're having a hard time at the moment. He has been very sweet actually, very concerned. Which is something I have never seen from him... How are you coping?"

"Better every day. When people said it would get easier, I didn't believe them but I suppose I must be. I can talk to you about this right now and not sob which is an improvement." she frowned.

"It is Caius," Sulpicia stated simply and Adolpha frowned in clear confusion. "Soulmates, they are... Special. It isn't just destiny, you two need each other. If the world came crashing down, you would survive, with them at your side. But if they were to leave the world, you wouldn't be able to cope. He makes you feel better. And I know that that feels wrong, to be better. It isn't a sign that you don't care, Adolpha. Your brother would want this for you. You are strong, resilient. You are a survivor. And your brother would be so proud now to see that from you."

"Everyone keeps telling me to get a move on with my relationship with Caius, that I will be so much happier and... I'm sure I will be but I.. I don't know how."

"You have to kiss him, Darling" Sulpicia offered softly and Adolpha knew that they were too far away now for Caius to overhear. "He wants to kiss you but he knows what you are going through and he will take this relationship as slowly as you would like. This is so new from him, this selflessness. Don't let it go to waste."

"Dol!" A panicked voice called and she frowned, quickly running back toward the canopy where she found Aro and Caius looking at Kurt with a raised eyebrow of curiosity. The second Adolpha rounded the corner, her eyes lit up and she couldn't contain the laugh that flew through her lips. He was noticeably distressed. "Stop laughing!"

"Who?" she questioned between giggles and Kurt pouted. "Who was it, Kurt? A vampire?"

"What's happening?" Sulpicia questioned softly.

"Kurt imprinted." Adolpha grinned and her Beta instantly looked down at his shoes.

"I didn't bloody mean to, did I? She was just sat there and I hadn't seen her before and... ugh, Jesus." he ran a hand over his face and Adolpha grinned again.

"Who?" Aro implored again and Kurt side-eyed Caius for a moment, who rose an eyebrow when he noticed.

"Athenodora."