Celeste had risen a couple hours ago, not feeling like wasting time sleeping in bed. She wanted to see Caius, but had forgotten how to get to his rooms.

Felix had brought her a breakfast tray, then left, allowing Celeste time to dress and make ready to meet with one of her mates. She enjoyed making herself presentable, despite Chelsea telling her the masters admired her as she was.

When Felix returned to take the tray back to the kitchen, Celeste asked him to take her to Caius' rooms.

"Is Master Caius expecting you?" Felix asked.

Celeste was offended by the question. Hadn't Aro informed her that, since she was his mate, he had no need to knock before entering her room? "Does it matter? They imposed this status on me, Felix. They have to live with the consequences."

"It's not as if they have a choice, Celeste," Felix said.

She remembered every visit she'd had with each vampire leader since she'd been manhandled from the garden by the big tree in front of her. She recalled how she'd felt with each one. As time passed when they were alone together, she felt drawn to each, both emotionally and physically. It had to be that damned bond.

Even as upset as she was with Caius and Aro when they'd interrupted her shower and bath, she still felt a longing and desire within her she could not explain. She enjoyed being with them. They stirred something in her that made her amenable had any of them wanted her. But so far, all had respected her wishes to wait. And she found she truly wanted to get to know them, their histories, their passions, and their expectations for the future. Maybe she had no choice either.

"Felix, take me to Caius, please."

"Very well. Follow me." Felix held the tray in one hand, and led Celeste to Master Caius' rooms. Once there, he knocked, then giving the human female a smile, sped off to the kitchen.

The right door opened to reveal Caius dressed in Rococo costume. Celeste only knew this because of the books she had read on decor of the period.

"Hello, Caius." Her eyes took in his dress. She wondered if it was indeed a costume, or if it was his from his life long ago.

He smiled at her and took her in his arms, hugging her. "Why are you here, love?"

"I just wanted to see you. That's alright, isn't it?"

"Of course, come in," he said, taking her hand and leading her into the anteroom. He kissed her temple and put down the rapier he had been using. "Come, sit down. And how are you, sweeting?"

"I'm fine. What were you doing before I arrived?"

"I was practicing fencing moves." He grinned. "I enjoy wearing the appropriate clothing."

"Then they are yours, from the time period." She couldn't help looking him over, finding him charming. "And you can fence?"

"Yes, I'm quite good at it. Care to learn?"

Celeste laughed. "Maybe after I'm like you. Less chance of getting skewered."

"Of course. I would not want you harmed, Celeste." He raised her hand to his lips, all the while gazing at her.

"Caius, may I ask you a really stupid question?" When she saw his expression change to one of interest, she continued. "Why don't you have fangs like vampires are supposed to have? How do you feed?" Celeste felt if her life was going to be changed from that of a typical human female to something known only in fictional books and films, she deserved the truth about what she would become.

Caius felt he needed to reveal to her the truth, even if it hurt her a bit. "I want to show you why we don't need fangs, attractive as human females may find them."

Celeste smiled, then that disappeared when she wondered what made these vampires different from legend.

Caius held Celeste's hand, rubbing his cold hand over hers. He brought her forefinger up to his mouth. Parting his lips, he put her finger into his mouth, causing Celeste to gasp. Caius ran her finger over the edge of his teeth.

Celeste felt pain in her finger. "Ouch, Caius, what the hell!"

He released her finger, showing her blood welling up from a tiny slice on her skin, so small it was similar to a paper-cut. "Our teeth are like razors, so fangs are not necessary. We do have to be careful when we kiss you." He eyes darkened as he stared at the drop of blood on her finger.

Celeste looked at her more volatile mate. She nodded slowly, giving him permission to lick the droplet away.

Caius put her finger back into his mouth and sucked. It tasted so sweet, it would be easy to bite harder and suck more of the red fluid. He didn't though. He released her hand so that she could see the blood had stopped flowing.

Looking into the face of her mate, she noticed his crimson eyes lightening to their usual pale red. "Your blood is like an elixir to me, amore mia. L'elisir di lunga vita." Caius held her chin gently, his eyes unwavering from hers. "Never allow me to do that again," he said slowly but firmly. "I may not be able to stop. I wouldn't want to kill you, Celeste, even if unintentional."

She hugged Caius. "I'm sorry. It was my fault." She draped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him. She leaned against him. "I'm not afraid of you, Caius. You've obviously a great deal of control." Sitting beside her attractive vampire mate, Celeste had to admit to herself, the urgent neediness revealed in his eyes gave her a moment of panic. At least now she knew how they fed off humans. Biting, but minus the fangs.

"You have to understand before your change. There's nothing more desirable in the world. Blood is something most vampires can't resist, even with self-control." He brushed his fingers along her cheek, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're too important to all of us, Celeste. The mating bond will become so strong, no one else will be able to please us. If one of us is destroyed, all of us will feel the loss. Even if we are distances apart, we will feel the pull, which can be almost painful until we're back together again."

"Thank you for explaining it to me, Caius. I had no idea it would be this way." She knew she was important to the three masters. She just had to trust them.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Aro went into Celeste's room and found her lying on her bed. He stood at the side of the bed, watching her. Hearing her steady breathing and the slowed beating of her heart, he knew she was in a deep sleep. He removed his shoes and socks, then tossed his jacket and shirt on a chair. He left his slacks on so as not to anger her. He knew she would be furious if she found him lying fully naked beside her.

Lying down on the bed, Aro nestled close to Celeste. He felt the warmth radiating from her body, dressed as she was in a silky full length nightgown, the colour was her favourite blue. He had come into her room around 4:00 am so he would be there when she woke around 8:00 am, as was her habit.

Celeste felt a chill run through her body, and she turned in bed, curling up, her hands under her chin. She sighed, causing Aro to move closer to her. When Celeste opened her eyes, she screamed, seeing a pair of red eyes staring at her. She exhaled. "Aro...oh damn, I forgot where I was for a moment." She sat up, pulling the blanket over her chest. "What are you doing in my bed?"

"I only wanted to be here when you awoke, cara." Aro's refused to look his mate up and down, feeling she would be offended. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on hers. He had to show her in other ways how much he wanted her. Did she want him as much, he wondered.

Celeste leaned against the headboard, noticing Aro's bare upper body. "Aro, would you please dress?"

He tilted his head as he peered at her with longing. "Only my shirt is missing. I've only been here since about 4:00 am. I wanted to be here when you awoke. Is there anything wrong with that? And I don't hear you objecting that loudly."

She ran fingers through her tousled hair. "It's just...it's like you're always trying to gain an advantage over Marcus and Caius. As I said, I want us to spend time together. I already feel love for all three of you when I'm with you, and it's growing stronger every day. It must be your damnable scents drawing me in, or the mating bond, I have no idea. In any case, you have to follow rules of conduct. What would you do if Caius snuck into my bed and tried to seduce me, or if Marcus..."

"I have not tried to seduce you," Aro interrupted. "I'm just here with you." His eyes bore into hers, speaking to her in a way only he and she would understand. He took her hand and kissed the top, then turned it over to kiss her wrist where he saw the blood pulse in her veins. He heard her gasp when he licked her skin, probably realizing that his teeth were this close to her life's elixir, as Caius had called it. One bite and he might not be able to stop himself from draining her.

"But you're right, my love. I had better go. Do not be angry with me for my intrusion, if you have the heart to forgive me."

Celeste felt the draw and shook her head. "There's nothing to forgive. Now, if you please, I'd really enjoy some breakfast."

Aro smiled at her. "I'll let Felix know to bring you a tray." Once he had put his shirt back on, he leaned over the bed to kiss her, saying, "You are a beauty who has stolen my heart." He grabbed his jacket and started for the doors. He stopped and gave her a final glance. "Or...it's just the mating bond," he said with an unnecessary heavy sigh.

Celeste huffed and threw a pillow at him. "Oh, you. Now get out!" Once he'd left the room, a grin on his face, she laughed and jumped from the bed to shower and dress before Felix arrived with her meal.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Celeste met with Marcus outside, finding him tending the garden. He seemed to be talking to himself, and so low, she could not hear what he was saying. "Hello, Marcus. Is there someone out here I can't see?"

"Good morning, my dear. No, I always talk with Didyme when I garden. I like to think she is watching me tending her favourites. Believe me, I am not crazy."

"Oh no, I didn't think that. It's very sweet that you feel she is still with you."

Marcus went to Celeste's side and kissed her cheek. "It will not interfere with our mating bond, dear one."

Celeste took Marcus' arm and walked with him as they examined the rows of bushes sprouting new buds. "I'm not jealous of your love for Didyme. When you find such a love, you can't ever forget it, even if you lose it." She stopped and turned to embrace her vampire mate around the waist. "When we finally do fall in love with one another, I'm hoping it will be deep and long-lasting." She tilted her head up, willing Marcus to understand what she wanted.

He did and leaned down to kiss her. Her breath was warm on his lips and her heart beat faster against his chest. He found himself wishing this introductory period was over because he needed to be with her. Marcus had been alone for so long, to hold this woman in his arms, to feel her warm skin pressed against his frozen flesh. He longed to see her look up at him with trust in her eyes when he took her for the first time. But there was the same question hanging over his dream. Would he and his brothers be equal in her eyes? It tainted the dream, but he knew he would willingly share her rather than lose her completely.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Later that evening, Celeste was sitting crossed-legged on her bed, brushing her hair. Her mind wandered to her recent meetings with her mates. She knew she was beginning to love them, each in her own way. They were so very different in personality, she assumed having all three would never become mundane.

She thought about the mating bond and how it worked, although she didn't have a clue. Caius made it sound like it was irrevocable once mates finally encountered one another. If one somehow perished, all would feel the pain of the loss of that partner. It frightened her.

Since she had no choice, as did none of the male vampires who called themselves her mates, Celeste decided to let things move along at whatever pace fate chose.

Just before she went to bed, she decided to come up with an idea to test Aro. He seemed the most aggressive of the three, which surprised Celeste. She felt for sure Caius would hold that title. She prepared to go to sleep, feeling relaxed and yet eager to find out about the trip they'd be taking. She slipped between the cool sheets and lay down. She smiled, then closed her eyes.

Before the sun rose, Aro went to Celeste's bedroom. He berated himself for his weakness in wanting to be close to her for no other reason than that it gave him pleasure. When she had awakened and found him in her bed, he was surprised she had not tossed him out of her room with curses and flying objects. Perhaps she had not truly minded his presence.

When he reached the side of her bed, he saw her curled up beneath the bed clothes, looking so peacefully radiant. He wondered, if she was this perfect as a human, what would she look and be like after her transformation? He removed his shoes and socks again, then his shirt found its same spot on the chair. He eschewed the jacket before coming to her room.

Aro went back to the bed and lay carefully next to her sleeping form. He didn't touch her lest he wake her, but he was close enough to smell her delightful scent. "Mi amado ángel," he whispered.

As he watched in the darkness, Aro noticed the absence of her nightgown strap. He reached up and pulled down the blanket that was wrapped around her shoulders. His eyes widened when he saw she wasn't wearing her usual satiny nightgown. In her sleep, Celeste's arms covered her bare breasts while her bent legs covered something even sweeter to the vampire.

Had she gotten hot in the night? It was difficult for Aro to know, having no ability to discern what was too hot or too cold. His eyes darkened to crimson in the darkness of the room, but he returned the blanket to its original placement and lay back down. He had to prove to Celeste his honest respect for her wishes.

As the sun began to turn the sky a pale pink, Celeste woke, turning on her back and stretching. The blanket slipped down, uncovering the tops of her breasts, forcing Aro to make the simulation of clearing his throat. She looked over at him, making no move to cover herself. It wasn't like anything was showing anyway. "So you decided to join me again, Aro?" She turned on her side, facing him while supporting her head on her bent arm.

"Good morning, cara mia. This time I have pre-ordered breakfast for you. It will be here in about an hour if you wish to bathe and dress." He licked his lips while gazing at Celeste. "How do you manage to be so beautiful first thing in the morning?"

She laughed. "Me, beautiful? I do believe your vampiric eyesight is beginning to fail you, Aro."

He smiled at her joke, but then merely stared at her silently and waited. He didn't have long to wait before Celeste moved closer and kissed him. Her free hand brushed up his cheek, then played with a strand of his glossy black hair. She lowered her hand down his cheek and neck until it was resting on his bare chest. His skin was hard and cold, and she loved the feel of him. She wondered why there was no fear inside her, but when he was with her like this, he was not a monster, a creature of myth and legend. He was just Aro, and he was trying to do as she had asked. Give of himself. Not what he had but what he was. And he had passed the test. She was naked in her bed, and he had not taken advantage of that. It was all she could do not to allow him the privilege of her body, but that would come later.

"Aro, we can both lie here, not doing what we both want to do. Or I can go shower."

He rose from the bed somewhat reluctantly. What if he had pressed her, would she have given in to him? He put on his shirt and tossed her the blue nightgown that was lying on the dresser, then he turned his back to her.

Celeste threw the nightgown on and before heading to the bathroom, hugged Aro goodbye, giving him a tender kiss.

"You are such a tease, my love," he said with a smile.

"Takes one to know one. Now go, so I can shower or my breakfast will sit getting cold before I'm done." She headed for the bath, calling out to Aro she would see him later.

While she showered, she groaned in frustration. God, she thought to herself, how much do you want that man, yet he passed her test and didn't touch her against her will. Maybe she wished he hadn't passed.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Later in the day, Celeste was called into the throne room. She found all three of her mates sitting on their thrones, smiles on their faces. Aro waved his hand at her, asking her to come forward to stand at the side of his chair.

"Cara, my brothers and I have decided we will take you to one of our villas on the island of Sicily. You may buy whatever clothing you need. Chelsea will gladly assist you with that, and Felix will drive you both. Unless you feel that's flaunting our wealth."

"Oh no, in this case, I won't argue with you, thank you. I have nothing suitable to wear on a beach vacation." She flashed Aro a smile and then looked to both Marcus and Caius, thanking them as well. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, but not before sunrise. We'll be taking one of the private jets..." Aro explained while giving Celeste a smirk, "...and be there in time for supper. This trip will be for us all, cara. We will be together, as you asked, in order to have the time you want to get to know us, and we, you."

Celeste leaned over to give Aro a kiss, then went to Marcus who nodded at her approvingly. "Thank you, Marcus. This will be so much fun and well worth it." She then moved to Caius, bending to kiss the blonde vampire. "You do think this is a good idea, Caius?"

A slow smiled crept over his face. "Of course I do. We'll have some alone time there as well." His smile filled Celeste with a warmth that excited her.

"Go now, make your preparations," Aro ordered. "Felix and Chelsea are waiting at the car out back.

Celeste left the throne room, envisioning being at the beach in what must be a lovely villa with her three handsome