╔═══*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*═══╗

╚═══*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*═══╝

Caius' POV

The light that had once filled my human eyes, those emerald green eyes, was lost so long ago. No matter how many times I came back to see what had happened to our home, all I saw were the same burned remains of the house I had tried to go back to. I should have killed him for what he did to me, but how was I supposed to know that tearing him apart wouldn't be enough to rid him from the universe?

Pain had been what made me, and it was what stayed with me throughout all of these years.

Even if I knew I could have hurt them, I needed to tell them that I loved them. I tried. I tried so hard, but it was too late. The house had burned down in a fire. If they did survive the fire, they clearly moved away. No signs of my family's old life lingered after a decade of life, washed away like Cain's body parts in the ocean.

It wasn't like I didn't want to spend more time with everyone. There was nothing more that I would dream for than having the bonds that my coven has with each other. Attachments were almost impossible for me to form. I couldn't let myself be hurt like that again.

I was not weak and I would never be weak again.

"Give her a chance, Caius," pulled out of my thoughts by none other than my best friend and 'wife', Athenodora walked over to me with her own form of grace. "That is the first step you must take. It will always be the first step. Stop avoiding your mate and give her your attention. It is not fair for either of you to be doing this."

Screw you, Athenodora. I hate that you're always right. "You gave me a chance, did you not? Someone who is not your mate. I do not want to have to push you together like I had to with Aro and Marcus. We will not have that part of our history repeat itself."

"History..." I trail off.

"Don't do this to yourself, Caius," Athenodora pleads, "You don't have to hurt yourself like this. You aren't going to ruin her or taint her."

Feeling myself start to get upset, I stand up, ready to leave the room. "I'm going-"

"Please, Caius, don't do this. Stay with us. Let her in," Taking in a deep breath, I let out a sad chuckle before looking right at her. "Let her in, Caius."

"That's the problem, Dora, I don't know how to."

---

Killing myself from the inside wasn't what I wanted, but it was what I had done. Stuck immortally heartbroken in some way, my body stopped functioning, paralyzed just like when he stole my humanity.

I hadn't even been able to pull myself onto the bed, just falling to the floor. My legs frozen together, all I could do was look at the door while I waited for my heartache to pass.

---

Marcus' POV

Finding any way to keep our family together was what I did best. Years as the mediator between Aro and Caius' bickering had taught me many things about what it really took to be a leader.

Something had been off with both Astraea and Caius ever since Aro and I left them together. Not only had there been no new developments in their bond, but from what it looked like through my bondsight it seemed as if their mate bond was in fact weakening, a horrendous sight. Once a glittering gold, the sign of finding and triggering the bond, their strings had dulled in both brightness and color, almost turning a mustard yellow. Why this had happened was unknown, but something told me that this was not Astraea's doing.

Caius had always been quite a difficult person to get through to. Often hiding himself from anyone who tried to make a friendship with him, his trust issues would constantly prove to do him more harm than good. I understood why he cut himself off from people, but to remove himself from the life of his final mate, the mate that would complete his soul, was simply absurd.

It was when I felt a sudden pang through my chest that I knew something terrible had happened. Checking myself, I let my eyes glaze over to see the world around me in a much different way, looking down to where my bonds connected to my soul.

My completed bond with Aro burned with sadness as I stared down at it, a call out to me. Cosa c'è che non va, mio ​​caro Aro? Chi ti ha ferito?

Putting down the ancient book I had previously been reading, my body leaves to find my upset mate. It was my duty to keep them happy, no matter the time or place. If Aro was unhappy, I had failed my duties as a mate. They should never be upset, not after everything that we have been through together. Giving them happiness would always be my favorite pastime.

Following the bond to right outside the great library we had built so many centuries ago, I find my mate holding back whatever emotions he was feeling. Aro's face was filled with mixed emotions, both pain and frustration fell across his maroon eyes as he turned to face me, a fake smile plastered across his pale face.

"Amore," I whisper, wrapping my arms around him in a means to comfort. "Cos'è successo, il mio amore? Per favore dimmi cosa c'è che non va."

My raven-haired mate is quiet, not answering my urgent question. I feel my body start to rumble, a low purr being released in an attempt to make him feel better. It was all I could do if he did not explain to me what had happened. I did not have the same gift as him. Looking into his thoughts and memories of whatever had occurred was not an option.

"Aro," I say again before kissing the side of his head, "If you do not tell me what has been bothering you I cannot help you fix it."

"There's nothing anyone can do," he whimpers, holding onto me much tighter than before, almost too tightly. This was not the Aro that I was used to. My Aro had optimism, wished for the days where we could walk outside and be open about everything. He believed that anyone and everyone can change if given the chance. Most importantly, he had hope.

What had made my mate give up?

"Tesoro, we can fix whatever happened," I try to shape his view, "I promise that we can work on it. If you tell me I will do everything in my power to help you."

No words came out of Aro's mouth, his breath nearly stopping. His broken down face terrified me to no end. The bond between us had shaken so hard that I had been worried that something physical had happened to him. Although clearly he was in emotional distress, he was safe inside the castle. He would always be safe inside of this castle. It was the reason we stayed here in the first place.

Running my hands through his long hair, I kiss the top of his head, purring. My younger mate let out a sob as he buried his head into my chest, not able to let out any tears that filled his immortal eyes.

"Il mio amore, va bene. Ti amo più di ogni altra cosa. Il mio compagno, luce mia, le cose andranno bene. Andrà tutto bene," my voice was low as I held onto my mate, who simply cried into my shoulder. "Ti amo mio re."

"Δεν θα μου πει τι συμβαίνει," I hear him say in our native tongue, voice low and hitched, "Νομίζω ότι την αναστάτωσα. Έτρεξε μακριά μου."

Taking in a deep breath as I understood what had made my mate so upset in the first place, I held my mate closer, if that were even possible. "Do not fret, tesoro, I shall speak with our Astraea and figure out what has happened between the four of us. I suspect that Caius and her have had some sort of fight. Their bond is nowhere near as strong as it should be."

"Their bond is not strong?" Aro's voice turned to worry. "She has been here for three days, the bond should be growing exponentially."

"I am afraid that Caius has not been quite as instinctual as he should be. He may be blocking her out like he did us when we first met," Aro grimaced at the harsh memories of our first meeting, "Things will change. We shall all be complete now. I do not think Astraea would ever mean to harm you in any way. What did she say?"

"She yelled at me," I sigh, knowing just how much my mate hated yelling of any kind. "Told me to go away and to leave her alone."

Moving over to kiss his cheek, I feel him relax as he explains what had happened. Why Astraea was being so secretive about the way she truly felt was unknown to me, but it was obvious that if she had yelled, something I had never seen her do, it was serious. One reason she could be upset is simply because of the mate bond slowly dying due to her potential bickering with Caius. Any fights could cause deep upset and I knew that she was quite the sensitive person. So much like Caius in her own way. Keeping her feelings to herself when she should be telling us what is wrong.

"Let me go speak to her. Do you know where she is?" Aro shook his head in ignorance, "That is alright. I should be able to find her scent anywhere in the castle or otherwise."

"She's upset," I nod, "She may yell at you too."

"Then I will let her yell at me," I say, even if her doing so would hurt my heart. "I cannot allow this to go on. Whatever differences we may have, we are mates and our problems must be solved before they tear us apart."

"Σε αγαπώ Μᾶρκος."

"Σ 'αγαπώ πολύ αγάπη μου."

---

Looking out at the gardens, I could see my mate sitting on one of our older benches. The bench itself had to have been made over a century ago, with its brighter colors and intricate design. Not the kind of thing you would see in a modern furniture store.

Astraea's face was littered with tears as she looked at the ponds in front of her, tapping her feet as she cried. Not wanting to get yelled at or scare my dear mate, I approach quietly as to not worry her or overwhelm with my presence.

Not making a single sound as I approached her, I tried to get her attention, "Tesoro."

My mate let out a startled noise and I cursed myself for being so insensitive to her human nature. When she turned to face me, her face was red and puffy from her crying. At every tear that streamed down her face I felt like I was being torn from the inside, all of my instincts begging me to stop her from crying and to comfort her. "Don't cry il mio bellissimo angelo."

It seemed that my words did nothing to help her, tears still leaking from those gorgeous blue eyes of hers. Please, I only wish for you to be happy. That is all that I would ever wish...

"Amore," I whispered, taking another step towards the bench, "What happened with you and Aro? Tesoro-"

Astraea cut me off, exclaiming, "I'm sorry, okay? I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I didn't mean to make him upset."

"I know, tesoro," I say, wrapping my cold, pale fingers around some of her platinum blonde hair. Truly so similar to Caius in many ways. If only you knew just how much he does care for you, for all of us. I believe that with time you shall be able to see his love and know his limits just as Aro and I do. "I will ask you the same question he did: what's wrong? We can't fix anything if we don't know what's going on with you, il mio amore."

"I don't want to ruin things," I sigh again at the unnecessary insecurity.

"Nothing you could do would ruin things between us, my mate. We are meant to be," my voice goes much softer than I originally intended. Kissing her crown, I let out a plea, "Please?"

"Caius is avoiding me," her admission hurt my heart. Why would he do such a thing. He spoke to us, but he was cruel in the beginning. Even that was better than for him to not speak to us at all. My darling... "It hurts so bad. I don't know what I did wrong. He just hasn't talked to me at all. He spends time with you but he doesn't speak to me."

Hearing her feel so rejected not only made me upset, but also a bit angry with Caius. He had no right to be treating his beloved mate like this, the mate that he was not only destined to be with but who had also opened up her heart to him. She felt crushed and it was his ghosting that hammered at their bond. I thought they were fighting when we were away at trial. I thought they had been together the entire time. Has my mate just been alone?

Giving her another loving kiss to the head I say, "Let me carry you. It is far too late for you. You need your rest."

Astraea nodded, tired after all of the distress she and her bonds were put under. Using my strength, I hold her up in my arms, easily able to hold her small form. She truly was a tiny woman, only standing at a mere 5"2. My mate's blonde hair fell over her face as her eyes closed, cutting off access to her crystal blue orbs.

Walking out of the garden, I could see many of the guards turn away as we walked, not wanting to do or say anything to set their king off. It was good that they had done so, for I was not in the mood to chat. I had a job to do. Fixing what had happened between my mates would be my top priority until it was finished. Don't worry, my love, I shall always keep you safe in this castle. We will be happy together.

The vast corridors led me to our room, where I could smell my mates inside. Caius' scent was much different now that Astraea had come into our lives, taking a more floral tone to the once sharp scent of wintertime.

Opening the door without a care to knock, I find Aro sitting down at the window, looking outside. He does not say anything, but turns his head to see our mate in my arms, unable to give a smile after what had happened. His somber look haunted me, but I turned away, looking at Caius, who was in our large bed.

"He's..." Aro trails off, seemingly unable to say the other part of the sentence. I knew what the change in his scent was now. No florals could cover up the way he smelled when he got like this.

"Comatose," I look down at the floor below, not wanting or willing to see my mate in such a state. It killed me to know that Caius had upset himself to such an extent. "The last time he did this..."

"Three weeks," Aro finished for me, "He was like this for three weeks last time. I don't know what to do."

His voice cracked as he spoke, looking over at his mate who could not move or say anything in response. I knew that he could hear us, but there was no way that he could respond. This has gotten out of hand already. Caius... my love... come back to us...

My attention was diverted to Astraea, who had woken up in my arms. She let out a whine as she looked up at me. Her eyelids drooped as she turned away from me, looking at Aro and Caius. She doesn't know how he gets...

"Συγγνώμη," she apologized to Aro, a clear frown on her face. Our raven-haired mate sniffled before running over to us. The telepath gently took her out of my arms, holding her in his own, before kissing her head.

"Δεν έπρεπε να σε ωθησω Λυπάμαι που σε αναστάτωσα, αγάπη μου. Σε παρακαλώ συγχώρεσέ με," Aro apologized next, burying his cold face in her neck.

"You aren't in the wrong," Astraea tells him, "You tried to help and I yelled at you. I messed up. I messed up really bad."

Aro gave her a saddened look before kissing her head again, not allowing her any room to escape his grasp. "No, I am in the wrong. If you don't want to tell me something I should not pressure you. We may be mates but you should never feel pressured. I have failed in my duties to make sure you feel safe enough to tell me something that you believe should change. I still do not know what has happened, but I know that I should never pressure you again."

"You didn't pressure me," she denies. "I didn't want to ruin any chances at you all being happy."

Taken aback, Aro looks her in the eye before firmly whispering, "There is nothing you could ever do that could make me not want you, not want to be with you and make you the happiest woman alive. I would stand by you through everything no matter the cost. I would burn the damn world down if it meant that we could all be happy. Whatever has happened here today is mendable. We bend, not break."

Our mate nods in understanding. We would really do anything for her and for our mates. Nothing was off limits unless it involved breaking our own laws. She could have whatever jewels or castles she wanted.

Looking over at Caius, Astraea gulps at the sight. Simply staring over at the wall, Caius had not moved, blinked, or taken a breath for quite a while. How long was unknown, but he was clearly in emotional pain. This is what happens when you reject your mate's presence. Caius, don't harm yourself in such a way.

History had truly repeated itself.

---

ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ:

Cosa c'è che non va, mio ​​caro Aro? Chi ti ha ferito? What is wrong, my darling Aro? Who has hurt you?

Cos'è successo, il mio amore? Per favore dimmi cosa c'è che non va. What happened, my love? Please tell me what is wrong.

va bene. Ti amo più di ogni altra cosa. Il mio compagno, luce mia, le cose andranno bene. Andrà tutto bene. it's okay. I love you more than anything else. My mate, my light, things will be okay. Everything is going to be alright.

Ti amo mio re. I love you my king.

Δεν θα μου πει τι συμβαίνει. She won't tell me what's wrong.

Νομίζω ότι την αναστάτωσα. Έτρεξε μακριά μου. I think I upset her. She ran away from me.

Σε αγαπώ Μᾶρκος. I love you Marcus.

Σ 'αγαπώ πολύ αγάπη μου. I love you too darling.

συγγνώμη. I'm sorry.

Δεν έπρεπε να σε ωθήσω Λυπάμαι που σε αναστάτωσα, αγάπη μου. Σε παρακαλώ συγχώρεσέ με. I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry for upsetting you, my love. Please forgive me.

---