A/N: jenn72stamper was looking for a sequel to 'The Death Of Love', so here it is xx

Posting early as I'm off to see the Terracotta Warriors in Liverpool tomorrow xx Alexis

'Il mio spirito libero' that's what Felix called her in his head; he loved the zest she had for this her second life and how she embraced being a vampire. Everything about Bella Volturi called to him, her compassion for others, her innocence, her lack of guile and most of all her ability to be herself. Becoming a vampire did not change her in the slightest. She was still that cheeky, sarcastic, irreverent young woman who came to save the Cullen child from himself.

Felix's love for her grew every day and he was aware that although she had not changed. She had changed him; he laughed more and began to see things around him in a different light. He had lost his jaded, bored stoicism, he saw the world through her eyes and he liked it. He actually felt like the young man he once was, so long ago. He like many of the other wasn't exactly sure how old he was but felt he had been probably about twenty or twenty-one years old, before his change.

"Felix, what are you doing out here?" Bella asked as she finally came upon him in the outer courtyard,

"Thinking" was all he said smiling,

"It's overrated you know. Do you want to come hunting with me?" she said bouncing on the balls of her feet, acting a little strangely.

Unaware of how appealing she was and how much he wanted to crush her to his body and kiss her smiling red lips. For the most likely, one-millionth time he thanked the gods for his cloak, as it hid his body's automatic reaction to her presence. Over the last year, she came to him more and more for company, he didn't know if she realised it or not.

But he loved and hated to accompany her hunting, loving to watch the erotic dance of it and hating not to be able to show her how much he wanted her afterwards. She was his pain, as well as his pleasure, but every day, felt like one step closer to him and he would wait. His patience was endless where she was concerned.

"Okay, where to this time? Do the Masters know we're leaving?" He asked rising to tower over her,

"Yes, yes, I told them we'd be gone three days. You don't mind, do you? I wanted something a bit bigger this time. Something that would put up a fight!" she laughed nervously and grabbed his hand to drag him back inside to pack.

Once again he wondered if she felt the constant buzz of electricity, which he felt at her touch. She never reacted and it worried him, but Marcus said the bond went both ways and to give her time to accept it. But how much time would she need? What he didn't see was the look in Bella's eyes as their hands met. If she'd been human she'd have sighed with relief, she felt complete. His mind was on why she would be nervous!

He was unaware of the half-truths, lies and misconceptions Bella had to wade through before she understood the meaning behind his touch. Edward had told her the tingles she felt when they had touched were the sign of a mate. This was a lie, all humans felt the tingle when touched skin to skin by a vampire. But they were only on the initial touch each time and not a constant hum.

Mates felt the sensation constantly, at every touch and caress. That's why neither Carlisle nor Emmett ever took her hand, they would hug her instead. Touching her body which was clothed, to disguise the tingle. As did the kissing on the top of her head, her hair acted as a barrier and she was misled into thinking only Edward's touch gave her any reaction. Jasper, of course, had never touched her, except for that once briefly in Phoenix when he told her she was worth it.

She had been too stressed then to notice he also made her tingle. In fact, she now knew he had avoided her most of the time. Was this because he didn't agree with what the others were doing? But went along with it for Alice's sake? Probably she guessed; after all Alice was his mate and he'd never hurt her. But Bella was sure Alice would know all about it and have felt his displeasure.

So when Felix's touch gave her a more powerful constant feeling before she was changed it confused and upset her. Then afterwards when he was the only one to affect her she had to stop and think about it and accept the Cullens had lied to her once again. Several long talks over the last year with Marcus had dispelled many of their so-called facts.

Although she had been physically controlled on her awakening, everything was new and confusing; her emotions were all over the place. She would not jump blindly into a relationship ever again, so Bella had avoided the whole thing. Buried it deep inside until she felt she had total control of her emotions once again.

Slowly she let herself be drawn to Felix and got to know him, like him and now accept she loved him. If they were fated to be together for eternity, she wanted him to be her friend first, then her lover, and her all. This trip would change everything for them both and she was nervous but excited too.

Her other decision that Felix was also unaware of was to change her diet; she had given it much thought and talked to almost everyone in the citadel. If the Cullens had lied about everything else then it stood to reason that being a human drinking vampire would not make her evil or dangerous. It would not steal her soul away or make her a monster.

But she would not participate in the tourist feedings that she could not stomach. It smacked too much of shooting fish in a barrel. So she wanted Felix to take her hunting the old fashioned way and they could pick those among the humans who were anything but innocent.

As Felix entered his room he found his suitcase packed, ready on his bed, beside it sat Demetri. These two men were the closest of friends and knew each other's secrets and desires after all these years as friends and colleagues.

"I took the liberty," he said waving his hand over the case.

"Why a suitcase? It's only a three-day hunt, is it not?" Felix quizzed and Demetri shook his head.

"She wants you to teach her to hunt properly! I also think you should be ready for anything or everything" he said cryptically and Felix's head shot up, if he had a heart it would be pounding.

"Enjoy my friend," Demetri said as he swept out of the room. He felt it was only fair to give his friend at least an inkling of what might be going on.

The Citadel had been suspiciously devoid of female guards over the last couple of days and Demetri sensed them all in one place, this could only mean trouble for some poor male vampire. When he realised Bella was involved then he knew it would be Felix. Thanks to the deities she'd made up her mind at last.

But he knew his friend would be oblivious and felt he should at least warn him. It warmed his cold heart that Felix would, at last, get his girl; he'd been more patient than Demetri himself ever would have been in the same position.

TROH

"Felix? I want; no I'd like you to teach me to hunt humans! Human criminals preferably" Bella said in a rushed quiet tone as he drove them out of Volterra.

"It would be my pleasure little one. When did you decide this? I know we've talked about it and your dislike of the tours. Why now Bella?" he asked casually, but desperate to know.

"I've been so blind and stubborn, clinging to a lie. I'm a vampire, a predator and not a human. I know now most of what the Cullens told me was lies, so why am I trying to be like them? I want to be like you Felix, but I can't do the tours it's cruel and well lazy really!" she said and he laughed.

"If you'd ever been in the feeding rooms you'd have noticed I rarely join in. I agree it's lazy and I only participate when I'm desperate. I like the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of being my true self" he said smiling warmly at her eagerness.

"That's what I want and I know that if I am ever desperate I can catch an animal and be sustained for a short time. But I want to be able to go longer between meals and this is the natural way. I'm sick of living a lie, I'm a vampire!" she told him ardently and he knew she was happy and content in her decision.

"Then my dear I suggest Venice, there are always undesirables lurking in the underbelly of La Serenissima," he said winking at her as he set a course for Venice.

Bella was happy to sit back and relax; knowing one part of her plan was underway. The Volturi had residences in every major city so they would have a base to work from. She wanted to have some fun as well whilst in Venice. Maybe sightsee, go dancing or just spend uninterrupted time with Felix before she brought up the matter of mates and therefore mating.

As they both relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, Felix couldn't help but notice how often Bella touched him. It might be a pat on the arm or a squeeze of his hand as it lay on the gearstick to gain his attention. But it was more often than ever before and he smiled internally. His heart swelled with love for this beautiful vampire, his mate, his free spirit. He wanted to do something special whilst in Venice, but what?

Then it struck him if this was the beginning of their life together he wanted something to mark the occasion. Something tangible, something Bella could pick out for their new suite. Both had their own rooms, but mated couples were allocated a suite and theirs sat empty at present. He had many antiques and things he'd collected over his long life, but Bella had very little and he wanted her to choose something for them both to appreciate and remember this time by.

"Bella, Venice is renowned for its antique vendors. Would you like to spend some time with me checking a few out?" He asked and was happy to see her face light up,

"Oh, that would be wonderful. I've never had time to just wander around looking for things of my own, yes Felix I'd be delighted" she told him sincerely.

As luck would have it Venice was under a pall of cloud and fine rain, so after depositing their cases in the safe house, Bella and Felix set out to find something special to take back with them. Later he would take her hunting but for now, he wanted her to relax and enjoy Venice's sights and wares. As it turned out Bella had a good eye for things, not flashy or overly ornate. But understated and good quality.

Felix showed her how to spot a fake and by the end of the day she had found an inlaid French ladies writing desk that he was pleased to see would compliment his own.

"Oh Felix, this is the one for me. Look it's like yours but for a woman. Do you think I can afford it? Aro gave me my own card, but I don't know how much money I'm allowed to spend!" Bella said in a rush.

"No worries little one, the card has no limit," Felix said and Bella gasped,

"No limit? Wow, that's scary, to tell the truth" she said stroking the desk longingly.

"Okay then, let's do it," she said smiling at him.

That and a couple of first editions was all she bought and this made him smile, she wasn't wasteful or greedy, just buying a couple of tasteful things and when he mentioned clothes she screwed up her face and said no.

"When I bought my desk they gave me a pair of chairs. One I use the other is just for show would you like it little one" he asked casually.

Bella was not aware that yes they were a pair, but a his and her pair and it would fit her desk perfectly.

"Yes please," she whispered.

Thinking that their desks would look so good either side of a window embrasure that had seating where she could read. While beside her Felix was thinking the same thing and he knew just the room to put them in.

TROH

They were waiting until it was dark before going to hunt, cliché Felix knew. But that was when the human predators were at their most abundant. He wanted Bella to get a real sense of just how evil their prey could be, hoping this would offset any guilt she might feel. Showing her that by taking this one life she could save many others.

Just because they were the top of the food chain, didn't mean they needed to be callous or blasé about it. He had been advocating for change in Volterra for many years. Knowing the humans would eventually work out that all the missing tours all went to Volterra and that would be disastrous.

Dear god even in the humans own movies they had make-believe vampires running blood banks and having numerous ways of handling this more ingeniously than they, real vampires did! It was time for a change; Aro's medieval fishing expeditions were no longer safe or practical. All the guard were capable of hunting, they did so on missions. This was the only time he laid down the law, no children, no innocents!

Bella was nervous, but Felix expected that in fact, he would have been worried if she wasn't. The price of being too cocky could be very high, his thoughts strayed to Jane and Alec. They thought that this would be easy and went at it like a bull in a china shop. The cover-up had been immense, but thankfully it was hundreds of years ago and the humans accepted the story of a Smallpox breakout. That fiasco took the mighty Jane down a peg or two.

He watched from above as she took out the pathetic excuse for a human, no matter the species Felix hated rapists. If it has to be taken by force then it's not sex, its violation. Though there are fewer vampire rapists, as they tended to forget and lose their heads to their victims. It's the ones who still prey on humans he loved to kill, sick bastards.

Bella looks up at him smiling and very pleased with herself, there was a small trail of blood on her chin and before he could stop himself Felix was beside her licking it off. She stiffened momentarily, then he felt her arms snake around his shoulders and they kissed for the very first time. It was tender to start with and then became more animalistic, as their mating hormones kicked in and the need to claim each other damn near overwhelmed them.

"Ah, slowly il mio cuore, amore mio, lest I embarrass myself," Felix said and Bella giggled.

He scooped her up and returned them to their lodgings within a couple of minutes. As he set her down at her door she took his hand leading him inside,

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long, but I was confused and needed time to adjust. But I know you are my mate, you are my love, my only love" Bella said as she slowly helped him shed his cloak, jacket and shirt.

Felix hugged her to his chest and Bella inhaled deeply sighing loudly as he began to purr. Then he too slowly peeled off the layers of Bella's clothing. She was nervous and tried to cover herself,

"No, Sei bellisima my Bella" he murmured and she relaxed knowing he would never lie to her and for once she felt beautiful and desired.

The sun rose and set twice before they finally stopped and just lay side by side in quiet reflection. Bella knew now without a shadow of a doubt, what it felt like to be loved, physically and emotionally and it was a heady sensation. Felix told her about the empty suite and how he hoped she would like to share it now, with him.

"Yes, I would be delighted, il mio guerriero, la mia anima gemella" she replied surprising him with some Italian. She'd been studying with Marcus and had at last mastered the language now her newborn emotions had settled down enough to let her concentrate properly.

Their last day was filled with sightseeing and dancing, romance and love. No one was surprised at how gentle and attentive the giant of a man was, his face told its own story, he was in love with the little woman in his arms and just as she was with him. They were perfectly matched in their own mismatched way.

Volterra heaved a sigh of relieve on their return, it had been a long tense year of uncertainty. But all could see that at last, they were very much together and in love. Many were sure she'd lead him on a merry dance, but that he would go willingly and happily after his free-spirited mate. Life was looking good for the new couple and they settled back into the routine of the guard easily.

Neither aware that a selfish spoiled child was making ready to attempt to ruin their idyllic life. Wanting to once more have his toy back and to hell with what she wanted! Though he was oblivious to the fact she was now mated to the Captain of the Guard. As usual, he was too late, but this time it could cost him his life.

il mio spirito libero (Italian) - My free spirit

Venice is known as La Serenissima (Italian) Bride of the Sea

il mio cuore, amore mio - my heart, my love

Sei bellisima - You are beautiful

il mio guerriero, la mia anima gemella - my warrior, my soul mate