CHAPTER TWO

Slowly she opened her eyes to the first rays of morning light having fallen asleep in her window seat. With no more life in her than a zombie she dragged her tired, aching body to her bed and dropped down under the covers, letting sleep claim her immediately.

She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep for but when she woke up again the sun streamed in through her windows, brighter and warmer, her dress stood in the corner of her room as did all the garments she would need to wear with it and jewels. Her servant had just finished preparing her bath and stood with a warm yet sad smile on her face as she looked at her mistress.

Tia yawned and stretched out feeling her lack of sleep the previous night hit her the minute she stood up. Her stomach was in a nervous knot as she eyed the gown she would wear. With a deep sigh she allowed the servant to help her and slipped into the comforting warmth of her bath letting May wash her hair for her and soap her back. Once she was done she was wrapped in a soft, fluffy white towel and seated in front of a vanity where May gently dried and brushed out her locks. In silence she styled her mistresses hair threading pearls and crystals in it. Once her hair had been seen to May helped her into all her under garments and then helped her into her corset tightening it diligently.

She again led her mistress to the vanity and seated her there while tending to her nails. Once her nails where perfect she started on her makeup making sure she covered the dark marks beneath her mistresses eyes from her lack of sleep and bringing a natural glow to her pale cheeks. After a light dusting of eye shadow, a touch of liner and mascara she painted her lips with a red tint. Tia stared at her reflection the red on her lips instantly reminding her of the fateful night she had seen him and survived. The knot in her stomach wasn't helping much either. She refused to eat or even drink for the sheer fear that any contents in her stomach would severely relocate itself. She was scared and nervous as she stared into her empty golden eyes that stared back at her.

Lastly May helped her into the dress she was to wear. Adorning her neck, arms and fingers with heavy diamond encrusted jewelry which glistened with every breath she took. Her shoes were slipped on and laced up and lastly her cloak was draped over her shoulders and its hood delicately placed on her head, everything in a beautiful crisp shade of white and a creamy ivory. The magnitude of what was happening to her hadn't fully hit her yet until she climbed into the carriage that awaited her. No one was to lay eyes on her from that very point.

Tia felt guilty for all the lavish treatment she had received, the luxurious items she had been given and the way everything she wore was of the finest quality, she didn't feel worthy of it at all. The knot in her stomach only seemed to tighten and make her feel sicker. She watched with sad eyes as the town's folk watched her carriage with horror, some with fascination.

It was soon that all that was replaced by thick forest as they made their way up to the castle. The sun was slowly starting to set over the mountains as they reached the main gate. She was taken only as far as the courtyard. When the carriage door opened a man with a blind old helped her out and soon after he left.

Suddenly her knees felt weak, her lungs starved of oxygen and she felt downright sick. Staring in wonder at her new home she slowly willed herself to walk as gracefully as she could. She jumped when the giant doors opened for her. turning she eyed the beautiful garden behind her and the setting sun then turned and stepped into the castle, knowing that there was no turning back ever.

The heels of her boots clicked daintily on the marble floors, echoing off the walls as she walked down steps into a large room. The room was dark at the furthest end. She caught her breath when the candles in the room suddenly burst to light without warning. Ahead of her was a throne and standing behind that very throne was him. His back turned to her as she stood frozen, her steps faltering.

He listened carefully to her light yet strained breathing and the rapid fluttering of her heart. He could tell she was nervous as she stood there like that night he first saw her. Slowly he turned to face her, his gaze locking with hers as he did.

Ludwig caught his breath even though he really didn't need to breath, he was socially awkward and that was the reason he had rejected every human sacrifice the village had sent, yet before him stood the most beautiful human he had ever seen. With confident steps he walked towards her not wanting to startle her like his brother had in the forest. He knew though he had already when she first saw him covered in that mans blood. He was intrigued with the way her heart sounded how it stopped as he slowly reached for her cloaks hood and slipped it down. A light flush dusted her cheeks as she radiated warmth. Such a delicate creature had been given to a monster like him.

Slowly he took her in from the soft shimmer of her auburn tresses, to the glow of her skin, the warm golden hue of her eyes. Her painted lips stained with a beautiful red. Slowly he unclipped the clasp of her cloak sliding it off gently as his eyes brushed over the rest of her. Delicate shoulder bones, the warm inviting skin of her neck down to the soft swell of her breasts dragging his eyes to the curve of her waist. It didn't take much for him to deduce that she found the corset she was in extremely uncomfortable.

He reached out a giant gloved hand to her bowing his head formally. He couldn't deny that he was shocked when she placed her own tiny glove clad hand in his looking at him with those confused golden orbs.

"May I have this dance my lady?" his deep, smooth voice broke the silence as he lifted his head placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

With wide eyes Tia simply nodded and allowed herself to be led across the marble floor as soft violin music echoed hauntingly through the room.

"You look beautiful Tia." He spoke in a low tone, his voice washing over her and tugging at her very soul.

She looked up at him shocked. "How do you know?" she whispered.

"I'm positive you already know that answer my dearest." His voice held a hint of amusement.

She felt her cheeks warm up substantially as she looked at the man before her. She couldn't quite believe that she was the bride of a vampire. Been who she was though she was curious and fascinated by the man who held her in his arms as they danced, she wanted to see if her assumptions about hi had been correct all along or if what Lady Eleanor had said was right.

"Don't be nervous my love." He whispered coaxing her.

"This is all just hard to believe still, I don't even know your name."

He smiled down at his bride. "Ludwig." Was his simple yet sufficient reply.

"Ludwig…" his name fell gently from her lips as she stared up at him.

Gently he pulled the small figure of his bride close to him bending slightly so he could rest his chin gently on her head. He couldn't help but enjoy the warmth she radiated. He loved the sound of her heart beat, her delectably sweet scent, the feeling of her blood coursing through her veins, the sensation of her breathing against him. He felt deeply protective and possessive over the small female in his arms, he had never been given a human offering before and in so he planned on keeping her for himself forever.

In his town Tia was well aware that the customs of the modern world did not exist, she couldn't help but worry about her family and if anyone was even looking for her or if they just thought she was dead. What all her friends would think if they knew she was married to a vampire, though it wouldn't shock them as she was always the one striving to be the non-conformist. She wanted to know what her parents would think of their only daughter marrying a supernatural being she had only ever seen once. She looked up at Ludwig a gentle smile on her lips as she gently cupped his cheeks in her hands.

His skin was smooth and soft yet cool beneath the fabric of her gloves. Gently she brushed her fingertips through his hair at the nape of his neck.

"What seems to be on your mind my love?" the look in his eyes softened as a gloved hand cupped her cheek.

She looked up at him a small smile touching her lips as she simply shook her head. She didn't want to worry him with her own train of thought. All she really wanted was one last chance to see her family and tell them that she loved them, to give them a final hug and tell them she would be alright and that they no longer had to worry about her because she believed she was in good hands.

Gently he twirled her and led her from the empty floor to show her, her new home. The servants he had smiled warmly at her welcoming her. The last stop of her long tour was their bed room they would be sharing a light blush tinting her cheeks as she looked at their bed. Her been a human simply fascinated him, the way her cheeks tinted sweetly and the way her heart raced increased each time her cheeks tinted. The lively glint in her golden eyes when she smiled at him, he wondered how things in happened outside of his town and how much she had to change just to live in the town, how many sacrifices she had to make even if it went against everything she knew.