The mahogany doors to the throne room loomed over her like an impending storm; she was grounded by Demitri's arm that was looped through her own. He was an encouraging presence that she needed and was glad to have in that moment. Despite her earlier bravado she thought if he wasn't there she might have bolted already.

He reached and placed his large hand over her own, eyes conveying a thousand messages to her but they all said the same thing. That it would be alright. With that he melted away her trepidation like the blooming sun does to ice in the winter.

Their moment was broken by the mountain that was Felix appearing in front of them so abruptly it made her flich, a scowl marring her painted lips at his smug smile. Santiago took his place beside him and when she peeked over her shoulder Jane had disappeared, likely to go and find her brother.

Despite what it may seem Felix actually wanted to get to know her like his brother had; she was just too much fun to antagonise. Demitri had begged him to stop and he would, he didn't want to upset him. Driving him to quit more was the fact that if the masters found out he was upsetting their mate, however harmless it was, he'd find himself without a head-or worse; in the dungeons being tormented by Caius's malevolent torture devices.

Her lips curled into a sneer in annoyance at his incessant jarring behaviour and she looked to Demitri, once again seeking the comfort he brought her to replace her agitation with Felix. Rolling his ruby eyes at his brother, he met her eyes and squeezed her hand, mouth pulling into a small grin.

"Ready?" His hushed tone was appreciated, a contrast to the sound of her heart that once again pounded furiously in her chest-at this point she was surprised she hadn't had a heart attack with the way it was working overtime.

Shaking her head, her face contorted into a smile that was more of a wince, doing nothing to hide her irrational fear that she failed to mask. "As I'll ever be, I guess."

The skirt of her dress flowed around her feet when she twisted her body so she could face him, smoky eyes looking into his so intensely it felt like she was seeing into his soul. "I want you to know Demitri, just how much you have helped me cope with this whole ordeal. More than even my own sister has." He seemed startled by this, searching her face-for what, she didn't know.

Maybe he thought she was untruthful; or maybe he couldn't comprehend that someone could like him for who he truly was. But however unfathomable it was, she did, and she would let him know this-know that he was appreciated despite what he was or what he thought of himself. "I couldn't have done any of this without you by my side. I hope that the more time I spend here the closer we will become."

She was surprised when he became a bit emotional, tears shining briefly in his eyes; gathering control of his slip of emotions he grinned boisterously and squeezed her hand that was engulfed in his own icy one for the last time. "Well, my lady, you aren't so bad yourself. I could get used to having you around." Amused, a laugh burst unbidden from her chest, his own joining hers moments later.

Giggling she pulled her arm from his, nudging him with her elbow. "Go on, go. I shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."

Sweeping into a dramatic bow he looked up at her and winked, never growing tired of being the reason for her smile. Standing, he sauntered away, calling to her over his broad shoulder. "I want all the juicy details later, don't hold out on me." With that, he was gone.

She gave a short, quiet laugh and turned to face the black shrouded guards stationed outside the large doors. 'Cheeky jackass.' Locking eyes with her least favourite guard she cocked her brow expectantly. "Well, come on then Fezzick. Let's get this over with."

The sound of the doors creaking open sent her nerves skyrocketing straight to her chest, it was almost painful. She did feel kind of ridiculous and overdramatic for her fear but who could really blame her? She was about to be completely alone with three very powerful men, probably some of if not the most powerful in the world.

There was also the fact that she barely knew them still; the three encounters she had had with them hadn't actually shed much light onto who they really were as individuals. So, forgive her for being slightly intimidated.

She had tried her best to believe their words earlier but she still didn't know if they would suddenly decide she wasn't worth it and kill her-she supposed she just had to trust them.

Entering the chasm-like chamber her mouth hung open in wonder. The room was lit up in a light yellow glow, courtesy of the candles that were everywhere. The heat of them was a welcoming caress against her goosebump ridden skin.

Sat grandly in the centre of the normally empty throne room was a large walnut dining table, which too was littered with varying types of candles and roses. Her mind raced, trying and failing to recognize that someone had done this all for her. There was no denying now how much she clearly mattered to them to put this much effort in-still, it was strange and she felt like crying all over again at their thoughtfulness with everything they'd done for her today.

Movement caught her eye and her attention was placed upon the three men responsible for this. She was suddenly nervous, especially at their very obvious admiration for the way she looked. Their crimson eyes wandered all over her body, looking at every small detail with barely contained desire that made her squirm with embarrassment; she felt naked under their adoring stares.

Overcoming his trance-like state first, Aro, adorned in an all black patterned satin suit that made his alabaster skin glow, approached her hastily with his ever present smile in its rightful place. "Nora, la mia sorprendente belleza. You look absolutely radiant, my darling. I trust the dress is to your liking?" Once again his hands hovered near her but were never placed upon her skin, though this time he was wearing black gloves. 'That's...odd.' She was beginning to become impatient to feel him touch her which was a surprise but...she couldn't deny it was true.

Demurely she smiled and moved towards the table, his cool body tantalisingly close to her back as he guided her. "Yes, it's gorgeous, Aro. You have good taste when it comes to womens clothing, should I be worried?" His laugh at her teasing was different to what she'd heard earlier, much less psychotic-she felt it vibrate through her body, her nerves tingling pleasantly in response.

Caius and Marcus stood at her approach, both looking nearly ethereal in the gentle hue of the candles. Caius was the least formal and laid back; wearing a simple deep green button down shirt and single pleat black trousers, his hair swept in unruly waves away from his face. Marcus wore no suit jacket: only a long sleeve navy collared shirt with a pinstripe waistcoat over the top that accentuated his thin but muscular build, his soft curls tied back in a loose elegant ponytail. To sum it up, they looked fucking amazing and she was sure she looked like a sad, dull potato when she was next to them.

Caius's sculptured face invaded her vision, pink lips upturned in a devilish smirk as he took her hand and kissed it sensually. "Amore mio, you look positively ravishing."

Marcus joined him, nodding his assent. "You certainly do. We are truly blessed to have you, my love."

"Oh uh, thank you." She giggled uncomfortably.

Why did she have to be so awkward? She had no clue what to say in response but she must admit that they made her feel special, that was all a girl could ask for.

Taking Marcus's offered hand she sat down at the head of the table in the grand golden chair; her heart jumped and her stomach fluttered when he pushed it in for her like a true gentleman.

They occupied the chairs closest to her with an odd grace considering they had yet to take their red eyes off her, Aro's smile only ever grew bigger and brighter. They all turned in their seats so they could see her more clearly and she truly felt like the queen they were making her out to be.

"Would you like some wine, my darling? We've picked only the best from our cellar." Aro had every right to sound boastful like he was, the selection of wine on the table looked very elegant and expensive; ranging from rich merlot to fruity roses.

"Um, how about you choose for me?"

He picked up the red, the dark rouge liquid sickeningly reminded her of blood but she tried to take her mind off of that.

"We were beginning to worry at your absence Nora, poor Caius was growing more restless with each second that passed." Marcus hummed with a taunting smile aimed at his brother, impressively not flinching under the man's harsh glare.

He said nothing, instead turning his crimson eyes onto her with a soft smile that suited his face much better than the normally harsh frown that sat upon it.

"I hope you can forgive us for leaving so abruptly earlier, carissima. It pained me-" Marcus interrupted with a cough, raising his eyebrows dubiously, eliciting an eye roll from Caius. "It pained us to have to be separated from you when we were just becoming better acquainted with one another."

"Hey," She waved away his worries with an easy grin, "There really is no need to apologise. I expected such things to happen, you are Kings after all. Besides, we have the time now to get to know one another."

"On that subject, I must admit I am very eager to discover all there is to know about you my darling." Aro pushed her glass towards her as he spoke, his tone light with barely contained curiosity.

Taking a lengthy sip she relaxed slightly when the familiar tartness of the alcohol settled in the back of her throat. Her tongue swiped out to lick her lips, each man seemingly enchanted by the movement; a darkness quilted their eyes and strangely she found she rather enjoyed the looks they were giving her, even if she was...ignorant to the meaning behind them. She leant back into the hard chair, trying her best to find an ounce of comfort. "What do you want to know?"

With a passion that was unfamiliar to her, Aro finally breathed out an answer.

"Everything."

The room was filled with laughter and the sound of cutlery against fine china. With a content sigh Nora placed down her knife and fork as she finished her large plate of mushroom and truffle cavatelli, still laughing at the story Marcus had been telling and washing down her meal with a rather generous gulp of wine. There was no denying she was beginning to feel its effects, this was her...third glass? Or her fourth? At this point she'd kind of lost track.

"You should have seen the look on his face when the nomad insulted his hair." Marcus chuckled, even more amused when Caius just sat there with a grumpy frown. "What was it he said brother?"

With a roll of his eyes Caius begrudgingly spit out the answer. "He asked if it was a wig, implied I was trying to impersonate some...elf called Legolas and then yanked it back to see if I had pointy ears."

Placing her hand over her mouth to muffle her laugh she ultimately failed and with an unattractive snort she completely lost it. Try as he might, it was very hard for Caius to remain angry when she laughed like that-still, he tried to stop her. Curse Marcus for telling that damned story.

"It is not funny." He hissed, though there was no real venom behind his words and she was further assured by the spark of amusement in his eyes.

Nearly gasping with the effort it took to contain her laughter she nodded, failing to remain serious. "You're right, of course." Thanking Aro when he refilled her glass for her she met Caius's eye with a mischevious smirk. "Anyway, you're too grumpy to be Legolas. You're much more suited to be a dwarf with your tempermental attitude."

He gaped, indignant when Aro choked on his glass of blood and Marcus let out an ear shattering laugh at his expense. Losing the battle of containing his own mirth he chuckled, lips twisting into a self righteous smirk when she began to cough as a result of her harsh laughter.

Settling into a pleasent and calm silence for a moment, Aro finished his glass and lounged back in his chair, eyes conveying that he was thinking away about something before looking to her. "Did you enjoy your meal, mio caro?"

Voice airy thanks to the large amount of wine she had consumed, her eyes floated around the room for a moment before meeting his own ruby ones that twinkled with amusement at her behaviour. "Oh yes, it was amazing. Though I think maybe the wine might have been my favorite." She slurred and giggled, almost boneless as she leant against the arm of the chair to talk to him and whispered the end of the sentence like it was a secret.

"I'll say." Marcus agreed, eyeing the empty bottle and the half empty one that sat in front of her with some worry. Mostly though he was just glad that she'd opened up and enjoyed herself, she deserved it after the rough couple of days she'd had.

Feeling pretty drowsy now she closed her eyes, speaking words that she probably wouldn't remember tomorrow. "I'm glad I decided to stay." Sitting straight they listened with rapt attention. Despite opening up about numerous things tonight; like her rocky relationship with her mother, her love for her father and Bella and her passion for art that had igniteted a long debate with Caius on the subject, she had yet to discuss how she felt about their situation.

"Why's that, my darling?" Caius inquired soflty, his voice quiet so as not to break her out of whatever truthfull spell the alcahol had placed upon her.

"Because." She groaned, finding it difficult to even talk with how tired she'd become. "Now I know that I'll be okay. I was so...afraid to stay here, but...I can see now that you really do care about me..." Her voice was growing ever quieter, her mind beginning to be lulled into sleep. It was a relief for them to hear such words from her, to know that she was really beginning to accept everything. That releif was washed away by what she said next, replaced with ardent concern and icy anger.

"Hopefully you...you won't hurt me like he did.."