Thank you for your reviews.
Jat, thanks a lot for your help beta-reading my translated chapters.
Translated: Cleo28
Beta: Moonjat54
28. Wedding
"Agatha, where is Catharina?" Lily asked the maidservant, who was still frantically preparing the food for the wedding ceremony.
"She wanted to go to the grave of her mother," Agatha answered Lily's question briefly and then turned her attention back to the saucepan. When Lily was about to leave the kitchen, she nearly collided with a boy who was bringing a basket of fruit into the room hurriedly. He politely excused himself and hurried past Lily.
Lily took the shortest route out of the building and entered the courtyard. She squinted into the morning sun. In her right hand she held a dress. A dress for Catharina. It was the same material and the same color as Lily's dress. When they had learned more than a week ago, that Walter would marry, Svafa had commanded that Lily should wear a dress which was customary for Valkyries to this celebration. Svafa, Lily and Catharina would wear white dresses. Lily was not comfortable with the idea, because when she went to a wedding, the white dress was reserved for the bride. But not in the Middle Ages. Jack had told her that this tradition wearing a white dress at a woman´s wedding wasn´t so strange. Also Lily had asked Jack, why the dress had to be white and Jack replied that the swans would be white. Vaguely Lily could remember the fact that Valkyries were called swan maidens, also.
Svafa hadn´t ordered Catharina to wear white because as she explained it, there was such antagonism between Walter and the Order. On the one hand Lily hated having to wear this dress to the wedding because Svafa had ordered it, but on the other hand, she liked the dress very much.
A few days ago they had ridden into town and had ordered the dress for Lily from the tailor. Lily knew that Catharina would not wear a festive dress, but just one of her everyday dresses. Walter deemed that it was not necessary that his daughter should wear a beautiful dress on his wedding day and therefore didn´t allow a new dress ordered for her. So, Lily asked the tailor if he knew Catharina's size and requested that a second dress be made for the girl, too. Lily wanted to give it Catharina, because the girl had become so dear to her heart, that it simply was a good idea and she wanted to make her happy.
Yesterday Jack and Albin had picked up the clothes. The tailor had done good work in record time. Of course, Svafa also received a new dress. The clothes were the same color, but they differed in the laces and embellishments.
Lily paused, undecided in front of the small door in the castle wall, truthfully, she should not leave the castle alone. And Catharina had also not been given permission to leave either. If Lily was caught or something would happen again, this time there would be definite punishment. Lily knew that this prohibition was not meant to harass her, but because it was dangerous and the last attack had made that abundantly clear. Courageously, she reached for the doorknob and pushed it down.
Lily walked purposefully across the lawn and headed for the spot where the grave of Catharina's mother was. Her thoughts wandered and she mused again about how it was possible that she had said yes instead of no. She had been one hundred percent committed at the time, to not enter into this alliance. When Gabriel had asked her the question, her mind was thinking no, but her lips had formed the word yes. Was it because she maybe had subconsciously wanted this? Had she not wanted to risk her friendship with Gabriel and Azrael subconsciously? Or had Gabriel been right? Was fate responsible? Had fate changed her no to a yes?
Lily pushed the thoughts aside, when she reached Catharina. The teenager was sitting leaning against the hazelnut tree, staring pensively into the distance. Fresh summer flowers lay on the grave. Lily hid the dress for Catharina behind her back. It should be a surprise.
"Hello," Lily said gently and Catharina jumped up, startled by Lily. She smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, I didn´t want to frighten you."
Catharina nodded and a smile came to her lips. Lily came even closer to Catharina. "My mother didn´t love my father. And my father also doesn´t love this new woman. In the songs they always sing of love. But most marriages are not made for love, but for social or political reasons," the girl said with a sigh. "If I marry one day, I would like to marry a man whom I love and who loves me. But that probably will not happen."
Lily had often thought that two people didn't join in the covenant of marriage without love in this time period, but for other reasons. She did not know what to say. For Lily, it was clear that she would never marry a man she did not love. She was convinced that somewhere was waiting her love, her soulmate. She just had to find him.
"Who knows, maybe you will be lucky," Lily said to her and she smiled confidently. The girl gave her a sad smile back.
Lily took a deep breath. "Today's a happy day. We are celebrating a wedding, and after all the terrible things that have happened in recent times, it's great that we have something that we can look forward to. And I'm sure you'll be on very good terms with the new wife of your father." Lily tried to cheer her up. She really was looking forward to the festival. For once, something joyful was happening. For a short time she could relax and have fun, to finally forget the terrible things for a short while.
"I do not know", Catharina stammered, "maybe she will not like me."
"I´m sure she likes you, Catharina. You're a lovely girl", Lily said with conviction.
"Are you really sure?" She asked again doubtfully.
"Yeah, I´m really sure," Lily responded to her question and continued happily, "there´s a good reason why I've been looking for you." Lily grinned broadly. She was curious to see how she would react. Catharina looked at her questioningly.
"I have a gift for you."
"Really? But ... But why? Your gift for my birthday was all ready too much for me ... Of course, I was very happy, but ..." Catharina stammered.
"No buts," Lily said sternly, and then added gently, "don´t you want to know what it is?"
Catharina nodded excitedly and stood up, her excitement and her joy growing. Lily smiled at her. Slowly, she pulled the dress out from behind her back and said explaining: "I thought that you should also have a new dress and I know you're to be a Valkyrie also, so it is in white."
Catharina's eyes widened when she saw the dress and gasped for air. Seconds later, her tears of joy sprang up in his eyes and hugged Lily in gratitude. "Thanks," she said with enthusiasm and at this moment Lily knew she had made the right decision given Catharina this dress.
"You're welcome!" Lily said. "I think we should head back to the castle, so that we don't get into trouble."
The teenager nodded and said slightly embarrassed: "I do not know what else to say ..."
"A thank you is perfect enough." Lily replied with an honest smile.
On their way back to the castle Catharina thanked her several times for Lily's gift. They quickly slipped through the small door and the next moment they stood in the courtyard. Apparently no one had noticed their absence. Well, Agatha knew they were gone, but the guards had done a poor job of knowing they had gone. Or had they thought that they were allowed to leave the castle and enter when they wanted?
The next moment Lily saw a brown stallion galloping past them, ridden by a man whom she had not seen here before. His dark hair reached down to his shoulders. He was not wearing plain clothes, but that of a nobleman or a wealthy citizen.
Elegantly, he dismounted from his horse and looked around briefly. Grooms ran to him and led his horse into the barn. The stranger saw Lily and Catharina and approached slowly with a friendly smile for them. Lily was not sure how she should behave, because she could not classify this man, whoever he was.
It was all ready too late to disappear quickly. In a charming manner, he greeted the two with the words: "To be welcomed by two very lovely ladies, is something I did not expect" He bowed slightly.
Lily just stood there as if rooted to the ground. Should she remain silent or say something? Medieval manners were still so confusing to her. However, this man did not behave exactly as expected.
"Has the cat got your tongue? I hope that I'm not the reason", the stranger said in a friendly manner in a playfully offended tone.
Lily cleared her throat and tried to remember the medieval forms of greeting. "Good day, sir. Welcome to the Castle Everstein. What´s the honor of Your visit?"
A smile appeared on his lips and he looked directly into Lily's eyes as he replied: "Pardon me, madam. I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Thrain. Michael and Diann sent me a message that they needed my help."
Lily nodded understandingly. She had heard that Gabriel and Diann sent for other vampires. And she had read his name in the dictionary entry. He was a vampire. And also a very handsome vampire. Michael? Did he mean Gabriel? There was no one who lived here who was called Michael.
"May I also learn your name?" He asked after a brief period of silence.
"My name is Lily and this is Catharina."
Lily knew that Catharina had tried to make herself invisible, but he had noticed her. He had definitely perceived her and he asked not only for Lily's name, but also for her name.
"It is my pleasure to meet You." He said, and bowed a second time.
"Thrain!" A delighted voice sounded from the entrance of the castle, "you got here faster than I thought."
Thrain turned and Lily saw that Diann hurried to the strange vampire. The vampires shook hands and hugged each other like brothers.
"Diann, you should have mentioned in your message that such pretty girls live here," he said reproachfully, and he quickly glanced at Lily and Catharina.
Diann shook his head. "Still the old charmer." The vampire just shrugged his shoulders.
"Where's Michael?"
"Gabriel", Diann corrected him, "he now calls himself Gabriel."
"Well, where is Gabriel?"
"Here!" Gabriel's voice was heard now and Lily sighed with relief. She felt uncomfortable to be alone with Thrain and Diann, not because they were vampires, but because she wasn´t familiar with the rules of medieval society. From how the two vampires greeted each other and dealt with each other it was evident that they had known each other for a long time and were friends, too. Thrain was a friend of Gabriel.
"It will certainly be of interest to you, that Sullivan and Fido will also arrive soon. I saw them when I left the city to ride to this castle", Thrain reported to the old vampire. Gabriel nodded understandingly.
Meanwhile, Azrael came over to them. They all seemed to know each other well. Lily did not know whether to stay or to go inside. She decided to leave. But she was prevented from leaving the small group by a grip on her arm and she was shocked to see it was Gabriel who held her. She hadn´t been around him since the bite. After they had told Azrael and Jack what happened he had left the room. Catharina just reached the entrance and went inside.
"Thrain, may I introduce you my new student Lilian Bonengel?" Gabriel said amiably, but hidden in his tone was something that Lily could not explain and it was apparently intended for Thrain. Lily felt uncomfortable. She did not know what to make of the fact that Gabriel introduced her as his student. Since yesterday she had become his student, but she hadn't adjusted yet to the idea. And she tried not to think obsessively about what it meant. She could not blame Gabriel. She had forced him to ask the question to which she had replied with yes.
"We already had the pleasure. But she did not say to me that she´s your student," Thrain replied with gentle reproach in his voice.
Lily ignored Thrain´s statement and tried to say confidently: "I must change my clothes. Please excuse me", her voice trembled slightly, and it certainly didn´t escape the notice of the four vampires. They looked at her curiously. Gabriel nodded and let go of her arm. It had not been a firm grip and she could have easily shaken him off. Apparently Thrain had indicated with his facial expressions a question that now Gabriel answered: "My castellan marries today."
"Oh, a celebration. I have come at the right moment", the foreign vampire said, when Lily walked up the stairs to the entrance.
Almost running she went to her room, arrived and closed the door and standing uncertainly in her room. Relieved, she took several deep breaths. Lily didn´t expect that she would feel so uncomfortable in Gabriel´s presence after that bite. And his touch didn´t make the whole thing easier. Although the word uncomfortable didn´t describe it properly. She felt so self-conscious, it was embarrassing that Gabriel had experienced such an intimate side of her.
She forced her thoughts and feelings aside. Finally today, a wedding was to be celebrated. And today she wanted to have fun and just forget everything else and experience a wonderful time.
She opened the knot of the tie that fastened her dress together over her chest. She let it drop down and stepped out of the dress that fell like a wreath around her feet. She quickly picked it up and went to her bed where lay the white dress. Hesitantly, she wondered whether she should wear it. It was really beautiful, she liked it and surprisingly, she liked the idea that she would wear a Valkyrie dress. But this command from Svafa had bugged her and made her angry. That uppity bitch! Lily's pride wanted to reject wearing this beautiful dress, but on the other hand, it created trouble if she did not wear it today and she wanted no more trouble. She wanted fun. So she grabbed her dress and pulled it over her head. Lily began to work the lacings. Her dress was not really white, it was more like cream and the decorations were woven with a silver ribbon in the fabric. The ribbon that held together the robe, was also silver. Embroidered flowers ran along the hem of the dress, the sleeves and the neckline. The flowers were lilies. However, the lilies were not shown as they were known by coat of arms, but rather natural. They curled like a string around Lily, as she wore the dress.
There was a knock at the door, but before she opened it, she looked around again, if there was anything around that no one was allowed to see from that her era. Agatha smiled at her and said immediately, even before the doors had opened properly. "I thought to myself that I would come help give you a pretty hair style. You look really beautiful in that dress."
Lily smiled back at her and let her inside. Lily sat down on a chair and Agatha began to comb her hair. Lily could feel her work to put her hair up, suddenly Agatha stopped. "I had forgotten about that", she said, more to herself than to Lily.
"What?" Lily persisted.
Agatha touched the bite marks and Lily exhaled. "But we'll make it work."
Agatha broke free some strands from the updo, and they fell on Lily's shoulder. After a while Agatha stopped and sighed: "It´s done. You look beautiful." She held out a small mirror to Lily. Agatha had managed to hide the bite marks, but without being obvious. Isolated strands hung down from her head and her hair was artfully arranged. Lily thanked Agatha and the next moment there was a knock on the door again. Agatha, who wanted to go now anyway, hurried to the door and let in the person that was there. Lily stood up and turned around to see who was at the door. But before she could even see who was there, she heard Jack's voice.
"Lily, are you ready? Any moment the celebration ..." Jack stopped in the middle of a sentence, as Lily had turned around and then released an enthusiastic "Wow"
"What?"
"Wow, you look fantastic, Lily!" Jack complimented her and a smile appeared on Lily's face.
"You don´t look too bad in these ceremonial, medieval clothes."
Jack gave her his arm and asked: "Shall we?" She grabbed his arm, nodded and they left the room.
In the small chapel of the castle there was not much space and most seats were already occupied. Lily discovered Catharina, who was sitting in the front row, beaming at Lily when she discovered them. The teenager looked great in her dress. Lily wanted to go to her and sit beside her, but Jack took her to a different direction. There was a separate part of the altar area, which was reserved for the lord of the manor and his family. Her gaze was still directed at Catharina, when Azrael spoke to her.
"Lily, we should celebrate festivals more often. You look beautiful." Lily's gaze turned around to Azrael, who smiled at her. Azrael had never given her a compliment before, or at least never when it came to her appearance. Lily thanked him with a smile.
Then Gabriel stood in front of her, and her heart began to beat a little faster. She could not prevent it from doing so. Gabriel looked at her in puzzlement and he did not say a word. Didn´t he like her dress and her hairstyle? Didn´t he think she looked beautiful, like Jack and Azrael did? Disappointment spread inside her and the next moment she shook her head at herself. What did it matter whether Gabriel liked her appearance?
They sat down. Gabriel was sitting right next to Azrael. Jack guided her to the seat next to Gabriel and Jack sat down next to Lily. Gabriel had still said not a word. Why not? Not even a greeting. Lily's disappointment came back and she felt ill at ease with each second that passed. She wanted to leave this place, this chapel. She wanted to be as far away as possible.
But suddenly she heard Gabriel's voice in her head. `Lily, you look stunning.' Lily's heart made a little jump. 'Thank you', she replied to him and a smile appeared on her face.
The ceremony began and to Lily's horror, she discovered that the self-righteous bishop was performing the ceremony. Lily was not happy about it. She chatted mentally with Gabriel during the ceremony. They talked about everything, except about the alliance, or what had happened yesterday at the bite. It was a normal conversation, as they had done before. Until this moment, she had not noticed how much she had missed it.
After the ceremony the newlywed couple were congratulated by everyone and Lily also learned the name of the bride. Her name was Martha. She wore a blue, beautiful and certainly expensive dress. At first glance, Martha seemed to be very nice, but then Lily noticed how both Walter and Martha reacted to Catharina, and Lily's opinion changed dramatically. Walter´s behavior was normal. "Catharina, from where did you get this dress?", Walter asked angrily.
"Lily gave it to me," she said sheepishly.
"First, you should call her Lilian and second, you were not allowed to wear such a dress!" the castellan said strictly. Lily could not help herself and had to interfere.
"Walter, first, I allowed Catharina to call me Lily and second, it is impolite to refuse a gift," Lily said determined and Walter´s eyes flashed angrily.
Walter just wanted to start saying something, when Gabriel turned to him. "Is there a problem?"
"No, Your Highness. There is no problem." Walter said intimidated. Gabriel nodded satisfied and took Lily with him. Lily looked back and Catharina smiled at her gratefully but turned away the next moment because Martha spoke to her. "Catharina, if you follow the rules, we will probably get along well together." Lily didn´t like Martha's tone. It was cold and repellent. Apparently, the two, Walter and Martha, fit together really well. But it wasn´t good for Catharina.
At the banquet were everyone was relatively quiet and it began to get late, because some just did not want to stop eating. Finally, the musicians began to play music. Lily knew this music from movies. It was not exactly her idea of good music, but at least it was music. Interested, Lily watched the people dancing. First they danced in Ring around the Rosie style that she knew from her childhood days and then couples stood in rows and did all of the same movements. They bowed to each other, went around each other and followed after each other. Lily probably would not dance now, at least not if this couples dance was taking place.
Lily was sitting almost alone at the table. Gabriel spoke to Diann at another table. Jack had to deal with Albin. Perhaps Lily's expectations have been too big, because she was bored. She reached for her cup and took a gulp of wine and drank it. She reached for the pitcher and poured more wine.
"Do you want to get drunk?" Azrael asked teasingly. Lily did not answer him.
Azrael sat down beside her and then said slowly: "Lily, can I talk to you?"
"Sure," she answered him. She enjoyed talking with Azrael. Why did he ask her to talk to her at all?
"Mentally" he added, and Lily looked at him surprised. He wanted to talk to her about something that not everyone should overhear. Only what about? Lily nodded in agreement.
Azrael took a deep breath. 'I'm not sure how to begin', Azrael began the mental conversation. 'Why did you choose that bite?'
She had told Jack and Azrael, that she had chosen the bite, but not which one. How did Azrael know which bite it was? Did Gabriel tell him? Lily's heart beat faster and she felt her cheeks turn red colored.
'I ... uh ... I ...', Lily stammered in her mind.
Full understanding Azrael continued. 'Lily, I really can understand your curiosity well. And I do not know why Gabriel did this, because normally, a master does not give his student this bite, to cause those feelings.'
'How do you know this? I mean, how do you know which bite it was?' Lily asked now. She had to know how he knew it.
'Lily, I'm a vampire ...' Azrael hesitated. 'Your body betrayed the nature of the bite. I could smell it.' Lily gasped and she felt uncomfortable in her skin. She knew that vampires could smell very well, but could they also smell the ... she didn´t want to think further about that.
'Lily, I know it is not pleasant for you to talk about this with me. And I've been thinking that you were not aware of it because you behaved normally towards me. I could feel that you yourself have felt uncomfortable in Gabriel's presense which is normally not the case and I think that had to do with the bite.' Azrael was waiting for a response from Lily. She nodded shyly.
Then the Assassin said: 'If only Gabriel and I were here, there would be no problem. But there are other vampires here. Whether these feelings are now caused by a bite or because of natural responses, you should know that vampires perceive it and then it even can partially see in their mind's eye what is happening. This also happened in other cases. So, if you should have sex, wash yourself thoroughly afterwards if you do not want them to know what you've done.'
Lily nodded in understanding and at the same time she was also grateful that Azrael told her. 'Did ... you see it in your mind's eye?' Lily said hoping that it was not the case. She liked Azrael. He was her friend. Knowing that he could have seen her in such an intimate situation was somewhat different.
Azrael nodded, then squinted painfully honest and Lily closed her eyes. 'Lily, you must not be embarrassed. Your body has responded to this bite. It was quite natural. Truthfully I've only seen that Gabriel has bitten you and I feel the way you reacted to it.'
Azrael suddenly stood up and greeted politely, but not necessarily happily a new arrival. Lily's gaze swung to the two men who stood in front of her. This had to be Sullivan and Fido who Thrain had mentioned earlier. She had read these names in the dictionary entry, as well. Lily watched as they greeted each other and learned who was who.
Fido looked like a servant. He was standing a foot behind Sullivan. He was small and looked at Lily curiously. She didn´t like the way his eyes studied her. Sullivan did not notice her at all. She immediately noticed that one of his eyes was black. Lily could not help staring. These two men were unfriendly. The way they behaved and how they were speaking, was just unappealing. This arrogance was unbearable. On the one hand Lily was very happy that this Sullivan wasn´t interested in her, but then it was also offensive.
"Sullivan, may I ..." Azrael began politely, as he had intended to introduce Lily to him. But Sullivan interrupted him harshly. "No, you are not allowed. I don´t want to know your favorite blood donor."
"That wasn´t my intention!" Azrael replied unusually angry and then continued, "Lily is a Valkyrie. You should have recognized that by the color of her dress."
Sullivan looked briefly at Lily and then said deprecatingly. "I do not care whether she is a Valkyrie or not." On Azrael's face appeared a brief mischievous smile and he said: "As you wish. I will not force you to be introduced to someone you do not want to know."
The unattractive vampire did not respond to Azrael's statement and said undeterred: "Azrael, you should take me to Gabriel."
Azrael obeyed this request, and Lily was once again alone at the table. Although this wasn´t quite correct because Thrain sat two chairs away facing her. When did he sit down there?
"They don´t like each other. And in your place I would stay clear of their disputes. Don´t get in the crossfire. Just some well-intentioned advice", Thrain said sincerely and slid into a chair, which stood across from Lily. She liked this vampire. She could not say what it was, but she liked him. He seemed to be friendly, honest and to have a good character.
"It´s not my intention." Lily replied honestly.
"You never know what will come. However, I also believe that Azrael will not allow it. And he would sacrifice himself for you." Thrain said thoughtfully.
Silence spread. In Lily's mind again formed questions, but she did not want to ask them of this vampire. She found him sympathetic, but did not trust him yet. Perhaps she would at some point, but still she did not know him.
Suddenly he took a breath, stood up, bowed briefly and said in a casual tone: "May I have this dance?" Dancing? She could not dance in this way and then certainly not with a strange vampire?
"Um ... I cannot dance." Lily dodged.
"I do not think so. Anyone can dance. Or is it that you do not want to dance with me?"
Lily would really like to dance and none of her friends had asked her. Jack didn´t certainly do it, because he did not know these dances either. But Gabriel and Azreal ... She had truly had nothing against dancing with Thrain.
"No, it´s not because of you. I don´t know this dance and I would ruin your rhythm." Lily replied honestly.
"I'll teach you!" The vampire said with a sincere smile and held out his hand to Lily. Lily chewed nervously on her lip. Finally, she took Thrain´s hand, got up and move on the dance floor. Lily wanted to have fun and dancing was fun.
Thrain told her every step, with patient friendliness. After a short while Lily knew the steps. This dance was unusual, but it was fun. While dancing Lily looked around in the great hall. She saw how Walter and Martha sat at the bridal table and talked with the bishop. Catharina sat at another table with Agatha and Johann. After their hard work which took days preparing the wedding, they could finally celebrate. Jack sat bored next to Albin; who seemed constantly to control the conversation between him and Ferdinand. Jack gave her a smile, which Lily answered with a smile, too. Yesterday Jack was at first quite angry and hurt to have been excluded when Gabriel announced that he was her master now. But after she had talked, his anger vanished. They had all four together decided that after the wedding they would join the alliance and before talk about everything.
Svafa was talking to a woman who seemed familiar to Lily. She just did not know from where she knew her. Then it occurred to her. She was one of the blood donors. Other women were sitting next to her. Then her eyes flew to Gabriel. He sat with Diann, Azrael, Sullivan and Fido at the table and they were talking. Azrael also gave her a smile as he saw her on the dance floor. But Gabriel did not seem to be observed. Disappointed, Lily turned away her eyes from Gabriel. Something was wrong. He had not ever behaved this way towards her before. Had the bite destroyed their friendship? This bite which she hadn't requested? Why did he do it? Why had he apologized to her afterwards? Did she perhaps trigger it with her blood? Could it be? She simply knew too little about it.
Musicians stopped playing to take a break. Thrain accompanied Lily back to her place. They talked for a while and when the music start again, he asked her to dance again. The dance did not last long, because Azrael suddenly stood beside them and asked Thrain to let him have this dance with Lily. Lily was glad that Azrael wanted to dance with her. Or was it because he did not like that she danced with Thrain?
"Azrael, why are you dancing with me now?" Lily asked, and added with emphasis, "the truth!"
Azrael smiled at her and said honestly: "Actually I had planned to dance with you before, but then we were interrupted by Sullivan and then Thrain asked you first. And now the conversation is over, I finally had the chance to dance with you."
Lily smiled at him. She believed him. "What were you talking about?" Lily asked now.
"About the Veri Mundi Domini and what we can do about it."
Lily enjoyed dancing with Azrael. It amused her and she wanted to forget everything else now. After some time, Azrael suggested Lily sit down again, because she just needed a break. When she sat at the table again, Lily recognized that Walter and Martha left the great hall, followed by Gabriel.
Azrael had noticed Lily's questioning look, as he answered her burgeoning question of why they left the hall. "It is time that the bride and groom leave the celebration for their wedding night consumation."
"But why ..."
"Gabriel has followed them? In order to claim his rights." Azrael said in explanation.
To claim his right? But Gabriel could not that! Lily knew that Gabriel would want to make clear that Walter knew his position, and it could also be seen as a punishment for his previous behavior. But what about Martha? Lily did not like her, but to sleep with a man on her wedding night, she did not know, that she did not care for. Martha had nothing to do with Walter's behavior. And something else deep inside Lily screamed. She did not want Gabriel to sleep with this woman. She knew that she had no right to feel something like that, but she did.
Lily did not allow Azrael an opportunity to respond. She quickly got up and ran after Gabriel. She heard Azrael exclaimed from behind her: "Lily, wait!" But she did not react to it. When she arrived the hallway and she could see no one, so she ran down the corridor. Breathless, she reached Gabriel and grabbed his arm, shortly before he could enter the sleeping quarters of Walter. Gabriel looked at her in surprise.
"Lily, what are you doing here?"
"Gabriel, you cannot do this." Lily said gasping for air.
"Lily, it is my right and I can do it." Gabriel said firmly and tried gently to push her hand away from his arm.
Lily stood in front of him and blocked his entrance. "No," Lily said loudly.
"Lily, get out of my way!" Gabriel said with a commanding voice.
"No! Perhaps it is your right, but that does not mean you have to do this. Do you think about it what that means for Martha?"
Gabriel shook his head, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. "You protect a woman you don´t know?"
"Whether I know her or not. Whether I like her or not, is irrelevant. It's about morality," she said to him angrily.
Gabriel took a deep breath. "Lily, I do not want to argue with you. Get out of my way! That's an order!"
"No," Lily said in a firm voice, looking at him resolutely. Gabriel then picked her up and set her down on the other side. Now Gabriel stood between Lily and the door. "We will talk later about your disobedience!" Gabriel promised in a threatening voice. Anger bubbled in Lily. Had Gabriel actually always been such a bastard? Was she so wrong about him in recent weeks, since she had met and known him?
With an angry voice, she threw the next words at his head. "You behave like a tyrant, whose feelings of his subjects are completely irrelevant. And I do not want to be friends with a tyrant!"
Lily turned and stomped angrily back to the great hall. When she stood outside the door, she took several deep breaths. When she got her anger back under control, she entered the room. The people were happy at the party and had noticed nothing of the dispute. She could go straight to the table where Azrael and Thrain sat and talked or she could also go to Jack, but he was still sitting at Albin´s table. In her current state of mind that would only cause problems because she would probably express her opinion to Albin and Svafa. However, Jack had been caught long enough with Albin, so she made a bow, and seconds later stood in front of Jack.
"Jack, I can I talk with you?"
Jack gave her a grateful smile and stood up immediately. "Of course!" Together they went to where Azrael, sat down and automatically started a conversation between them and Thrain. Lily's anger had been converted into disappointment and she tried not to show it. Lily was sitting with her back to the dance floor and her eyes fell on the stone wall. The table was on the edge of the room. Suddenly the three men fell silent and Lily wondered briefly why, but quickly got an answer.
"I think it is about time that I dance with my student. Lily, may I have this dance?" Gabriel said gently behind her.
Lily turned quickly and gave him only an approving nod. He was here! He had changed his mind. He was here with her! He wanted to dance with her! Lily's heart leaped.
A short time later, she was on the dance floor. More and more Lily became used to the steps.
"You learn quickly." Gabriel gave her a compliment, and she smiled back.
"Well, it's not so hard."
"No, but it is if you consider that you have just learned it." Gabriel said friendly.
Lily wanted badly asking him why he changed his mind. But she did not want to destroy this moment. And she also wanted to ask him what triggered these feelings during the bite. She could not ask now because other vampires were here in this room. They would be able to hear it. Azrael had talked to her mentally. She would have to wait.
The celebration lasted all night and Gabriel stood outside in the courtyard, just before sunrise. The first birds began to chirp already. Azrael came up to him and Gabriel turned his head to the Assassin. They were alone and no other vampire was within earshot, as Azrael asked his question.
"Why did you follow Lilys´s request and bit her that way?"
Gabriel knew that sooner or later Azrael would ask him about it. He was really grateful to him he had said nothing. Gabriel took a deep breath. Should he tell him the truth or not? He trusted Azrael and he knew that the young vampire would do everything possible to protect Lily.
"She did not asked me for that bite. She wanted a bite that felt good ..." Gabriel breathed deeply through, "but it just happened. It was not intentional ... I do not know what I was doing ...when I've noticed it, I broke it ..." Gabriel answered his question honestly and he could not stop that the guilt and lack of understanding sounded in his voice.
Azrael was silent. Gabriel could see he was thinking. "Yes, that was one thing that I did not quite understand why you stopped it..."
More Azrael did not say. If he had an explanation for it, he kept to himself.
"Why have you changed your mind? Why did you listen to Lily and didn´t claim for your right of the first night?" Azrael asked curiously and Gabriel gave him only a cryptic response.
"It reminded me of something I had almost forgotten."
Both were silent again. Slowly appeared the first rays of the sun, and both were beginning to head into the castle, when Azrael told Gabriel his conversation with Sullivan and how he had behaved towards Lily. Gabriel knew Sullivan very well and his behavior was no surprise. Gabriel had not had the opportunity to introduce Lily correctly. He had been in conversations with Diann and had noticed only in retrospect, what had happened. Gabriel would make up for it tomorrow and introduce Lily to Sullivan correctly. Then Sullivan would be required to behave differently towards Lily. Gabriel knew that Azrael hadn´t told him this to make Sullivan look bad. He had done it for Lily. Lily did not deserve this disrespect, and definitely not because she was his student.
