"They don't trust her."

"She lied to them."

"They regret ever bringing her here."

Whisper after whisper made its way to Liliana's ears. And what made it worse was that the only people she'd discussed the situation with were her guard. So, they'd either betrayed her or the kings were talking. Besides, the 'facts' were totally skewed and blown out of proportion. Or maybe the kings were saying those things themselves. Lily didn't know what to think anymore.

She did know that her mates' theory that it was her affecting the bonds was absolutely incorrect. For one thing, she hadn't touched any of her bonds. She'd only blocked her feelings from flowing through them. It was the only way to keep people from knowing how they'd affected her. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

And now she had no one. Not really. She could no longer trust the guard with her secrets it seemed. And her mates couldn't discuss the situation without becoming angry. So, she remained alone. Sometimes surrounded by people, but still alone. She grew quiet and more withdrawn than before and her mates had no idea how to draw her out again. Everything had fallen apart quite spectacularly.

***

All of the kings were irritable and not only with their mate. The Volturi were avoiding them as much as possible lest they become the target. They weren't even spending much time in each other's company, preferring solitude in their own rooms. They'd taken to avoiding Liliana as well as it seemed they devolved into an argument every time they were around each other.

After another unsuccessful attempt to get Lily to lift the blocks, followed by the usual argument, Caius removed himself to his studio. He hadn't been painting much and thought perhaps the release would take the edge off his temper. He needed his mind to focus elsewhere. Literally, anywhere else.

While his mind did roam while he worked, it apparently didn't roam far enough. He stepped back from the painting and tilted his head with a chuckle. Of all the things he could have painted, he chose the bare back of his mate, her hair hanging down with her fingers buried in it. He licked his lips. Obviously, the lack of such a view in his life lately had only been contributing to his frustration. Gods, he missed his mate. This shit needed to stop. (Painting by Darren Baker)

Determined to speak with his brothers, Caius headed toward the door when something caught his eye. Lilliana's easel was draped. He frowned at the cloth hiding her work from him. She never covered her work. Never.

He stepped closer, grabbed the sheet and paused. Art was intensely personal and he hesitated to invade her privacy in such a manner. But they needed answers. They needed all the help they could get to return things back to the way they used to be. Decision made, he yanked the cloth away in one quick gesture.

A weight instantly settled in his belly. His gaze ran over the painting that was so unlike her usual work. He calculated how long it had been since Lily had stepped into the studio. How long she'd been feeling this way. That heavy feeling only got worse. Things were much worse than he'd thought.

He grabbed the painting from the easel intending to show it to his brothers. What he saw behind it was somehow even worse. He paused to send a text to meet in Aro's office off the throne room before grabbing the second piece as well. They needed to be somewhere Lily wouldn't walk in on them. Some serious decisions had to be made without the interference of their little mate.

"We have a problem," Caius said as he walked into the office and found both of his brothers already in attendance.

He laid the sketchbook and the canvas on Aro's desk and stepped back. They examined the art in silence for a few minutes before turning to look at him. (painting by marysdfghjkl on deviant art)

(art by clara lieu)

"This is rather dark for you, brother." Marcus' brow furrowed in concern.

"They aren't mine."

"What do you mean they aren't yours?" Aro snapped. He obviously knew what that meant but didn't want to believe it.

"They are Liliana's. She left them draped in the studio." Caius dropped into one of the chairs. "We already know we need to find a resolution to this, but this makes the matter more pressing. It's obviously affecting her more than we thought."

That had been part of the problem all along. Lily was so damned good at hiding her emotions, amongst other things. They had been operating on the assumption she was relatively unaffected.

"What else were we to think when she discards all of our suggestions without thought?" Aro asked.

"Don't get defensive," Marcus said, ever the moderator. "There are no accusations being made. We are all at fault. At least this proves that she didn't want any of this. It wasn't intentional."

Caius raked a hand through his hair. "I wasn't aware that was ever considered."

"Well, it had to be, didn't it? We have no idea what is causing this. All possibilities needed to be considered," Marcus said.

Aro sat and gestured at the pictures with a wave of his hand. "Please remove these. I don't wish to look at them any longer."

Caius leaned them facing the front of the desk so the haunting images were hidden from them all. "So, what do we do?"

"We quit giving her a choice. We force her to deal with this. To deal with us," Aro said.

"I'm not certain that is the best tactic for our Liliana. Especially with how fragile her emotional state seems to be," Marcus said.

Aro arched a brow. "Then what would you suggest?"

"A letter, perhaps?"

Caius thought for a moment before nodding. "It would make sense. She prefers the written word and it would give her time to process what we are trying to say without immediately starting an argument as she seems prone to do lately."

Aro clapped his hands together. "That's settled then. Now, what is such a missive to say?"

***

Lily had her legs tucked up beneath her in her seat as she typed a response to a coven that had a minor question. Work kept her brain busy. Unfortunately, this was one of the few inquiries in her inbox so she intended to send correspondence to some covens they hadn't heard from in a while. Just something to refresh the connection between them and let them know that they weren't forgotten. Or beyond the Volturi's notice should they think to break the law.

A knock sounded at the door. "Enter." She glanced over to see Sebastian enter her office. She nodded in greeting and returned to her email so she wouldn't forget what she intended to say. Once she finished and hit send she turned to the guard with a small smile.

"Hey, Sebastian. What's up?"

He shook his head and shrugged. "Nothing. Just thought I'd see what you were up to. I stepped on this when I came in. It looked like someone had pushed it under the door. Sorry."

She took the letter from him. Sure enough, a shoe print emblazoned the front right across her name. She'd recognize that handwriting anywhere. Marcus.

"Give me a moment, would you?" she asked.

"Of course. I'll wait in here." He headed into the theater room.

Liliana broke the seal on the letter and unfolded it. She skimmed over the words quickly before going back to read each word slowly and carefully. Surely, she misunderstood. This... Her stomach churned. This couldn't be right.

Our Dearest Liliana,

When this all began many weeks ago, we had hoped that you would come around to see our point of view. We have decided that your time to do so is at an end. This animosity and discontent that surrounds you is neither welcomed nor wanted.

Our peaceful existence here in Volterra ended the moment you stepped into our castle. You are a whirlwind. Admittedly, we were swept up in it with everyone else when you first arrived, but one can only spend so long in such a state. We are exhausted.

We should never have claimed you as our mate. Not so young at any rate. Perhaps in time you will find the maturity that you clearly need to fill your role as both our mate and the queen. We have made the decision that it would be in everyone's best interest for you to leave Volterra for the time being. In time, we would be willing to consider your return provided you have grown into the woman we would be proud to have by our sides.

The bonds will not be broken as that would only cause unnecessary suffering for all of us. We suggest you return to the Cullens for the time being. We leave it to you to discuss this matter with them, but do not be surprised to find that, they to, are disappointed in you. Much was expected of you. Too much perhaps. Should you have need of anything, please send a request via the appropriate channels. While we may be sending you away, we will not forgo our responsibility to care for you as you are still our mate.

Please see to an expedient and swift departure. There is no reason to prolong the inevitable.

Signed,

The Kings of the Volturi

Aro, Caius, and Marcus Volturi

Tears streamed down Lily's face as she blocked her emotions the best she could. While she long ago mastered keeping others from feeling her emotions, she had never done well at keeping them from herself. She sniffed and swiped the tears away as she pushed to her feet. Folding the letter, she shoved it in her pocket. She had a feeling she'd need it in the days to come to remind herself of why she left. And why she couldn't come crawling back.

She reached the doorway to find Sebastian watching a movie. Noticing her, he shut it off and stood, immediately making his way to her side. "What is it? What's wrong?"

She licked her lips and shook her head once. "I have to leave. I want you to come with me."