Aro's Heir by SubtlePen

Aro's Heir by SubtlePen
Official Description: Edward, Bella and Alice are drawn into a no-win scenario in Volterra after Edward's attempted suicide-by-Volturi in the Palazzo dei Priori. Aro forces Edward to make a choice that may leave him unable to salvage any relationship with Bella. MATURE WIP

I was listening to one of the older episodes of Twigasm and Alice recc'd the shit out of this fic. Thought I'd check it out and I found an initially disturbing but utterly original story.

The premise is pretty dark. I'm used to reading stories where it is revealed that Bella or Edward experienced some heinous trauma in their past, and the story involves them working through it. Aro's Heir isn't like that. In this story the reader bears witness to the traumatizing event. Definitely NOT for everyone.

Although it was a disturbing scene to read, perhaps it gave me a heightened understanding of what the characters are going through as they attempt to heal. The details of what happened play such a big role in the challenges Edward and Bella face.

There are some truly original twists and turns in this story. Some highlights: a Volturi willing to go to shocking lengths to acquire more power; UST that is prolonged not because of Edward's supernatural Vamp bloodlust, but because of a healing process that Bella and Edward must struggle through together; an interesting development with Jane.

The negative: it seems to be on hiatus. I would be really interested to see where SubtlePen takes it. However, it was far enough along to enjoy the original twists in the story, and to gain a sense of closure as far as the ExB tension goes (ahem, fuckhot lemon).

The description: Edward, Bella and Alice are drawn into a no-win scenario in Volterra after Edward's attempted suicide-by-Volturi in the Palazzo dei Priori .  Aro confronts Edward to make an impossible choice, with Alice as Aro's unwitting accomplice.  How will Edward's choice affect his reunion with Bella, and what future can they hope to salvage in the aftermath?    WIP


Author's notes:
Story begins in New Moon, during Chapter 21, "The Verdict," but enters the AU when Aro reads Alice's mind... AU, but canon through New Moon, with canon pairings.

~*~ warning ~*~  story contains very dark themes, including a sexual assault in the first chapter.  if this subject is a trigger for you, please do not continue. 




BELOW ARE MY REVIEWS AND THE AUTHOR'S REVIEW REPLIES. AKA SPOILERVILLE, USA. If you haven't read the story yet, you might want to avoid.





My Review for Chap 3
I am tearing up as I read them trying to heal by remembering the little moments of love and comfort expressed to one another amidst the grotesque way Aro forced Edward to violate Bella.
I'm totally drawn into this story - very interesting and different!



My Review for Chap 6
Most romantic proposal ever. With the photographs and the ring that Edward's mother is wearing in the photographs. And it's beautiful how the whole family is in on it.



My Review for Chap 9
OH NO THEY DI'INT.

Those Volturi are some sick bastards. I hope Carlisle does in fact use that little package of depravity as evidence to rally the friends of the Cullens - to motivate them to act out against the Volturi's clear abuse of power.

And how sweet is Emmett in his feelings of powerlessness in his inability to protect his brother from such ridiculous violation.

Assemble the troops and kick some Volturi ass! Seriously, bloody sheets AND a commemorative DVD. Too far, Aro. Too far.



My Review for Chap 10
I'm curious which other covens signed the petition. I'm assuming it's everyone who mobilized in Breaking Dawn.



My Review for Chap 11
What a satisfying chapter all round!
I love the insight Emmett and Rose are able to share. Love the pale-legged, playful Edward and playful, chasing Bella. Love jacuzzi chillin, skivy sportin Bella and her toe-kissing, bikini brief clad Edward. Love the shared intimacy of post-wank shower Edward and humming, blowdrying Bella. And LOVE LOVE 'in-the-heat-of-the-moment-ward' and his diabolical accomplice, faster-harder-don't-stop-Bella.

Show me what you got, Cullen, indeed.



SubtlePen's REVIEW REPLY FOR CHAP 11

"What a satisfying chapter all round! I love the insight Emmett and Rose are able to share. Love the pale-legged, playful Edward and playful, chasing Bella. Love jacuzzi chillin, skivy sportin Bella and her toe-kissing, bikini brief clad Edward. Love the shared intimacy of post-wank shower Edward and humming, blowdrying Bella. And LOVE LOVE 'in-the-heat-of-the-moment-ward' and his diabolical accomplice, faster-harder-don't-stop-Bella. Show me what you got, Cullen, indeed."

i LOVE LOVE LOVE this review sofuckingmuch!  thank you thank you!!



My Review for Chap 12
Yay for Isle Esme! ::crosses fingers and prays for no fade to black::



My Review for Chap 13
Frickin Volturi. They seem to be the c0ckblockers of the vampire world. And now the wonder twins will be surfacing stateside to get territorial all up in Bella's baby-bearing lady business. Have they no shame? I pray for little Vlad or Edwina.



My Review for Chap 16
I'm pretty pleased with Jane's turnaround. It's like she was transformed by the love she witnessed when she spent her week with the Cullens. In murdering Alec, she proved that she's willing to protect the Cullens against the tyranny and injustice of the Volturi. And I thought it was interesting to hear her refer to herself as being used as a weapon, a loaded gun pointed by the Volturi. It makes me see beyond her role as the deliverer of pain and evil, and see that she was initially just a young girl who was manipulated and enslaved by the Volturi. An original take on Jane.



My Review for Chap 18
To deflect my emotional response to this birth scene, I shall share my goofyass reaction to a great line early on in the chap, when the Volturi are discussing Aro's potential blunder in his heir plan.

I love this line:
// You believe we will acquire the ultimate weapon, but Caius and I fear we may have created the ultimate foe."//

For some reason the image that pops to mind is a totally Rambo-ed out Carlisle holding a machine gun... mild mannered Carlisle being turned into "the ultimate weapon" in response to the Volturi's antagonism.

Don't mind me, I'm strange.



My Review for Chap 19
SubtlePen,
I have really enjoyed this story -- so original. And I'm loving this Jane. Seeing her relate to the various family members' experiences and seeing her attempts to acclimate herself into this very different lifestyle -- I'm finding it very fascinating. And I can't wait to read how the Cullens attempt to wriggle out from the nefarious claws of the Volturi. I LOVED what Jane revealed about how relationships are thought to undermind the guard's focus. It seemed almost like Jane was pointing out to Jasper a potential weakness that could maybe exploited by the Cullens. Who knows, but it's very interesting how Jane is able to recognize the strengthening power that love has amongst the Cullens.

Do you have plans for when you might update? In the meantime, I shall put you on story alert and send you lots of love and thanks for all that you put into your story!
Much love, Althea

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