Dark Desires Ch. 20
Georgia was leaning over in the training room, breathing hard, her eyes never leaving Ruby's, "I thought you liked me." She said, still trying to catch her breath.
Chuckling at her, "I do. That's why I am pushing you." Moving to stand in front of her, "One more, then you are done." Smirking at her face. Ruby could appreciate that she wasn't going to just give up.
Nodding, Georgia straightened her back, and went through the moves, moving and ducking under Ruby's punches, seeing her opening, she grabbed her wrist and used the momentum to flip Ruby onto her side. Applying pressure onto her wrist, she waited for Ruby to tap, but instead of her calling an end to it, her bright green eyes were staring up at her.
Ruby knew that she was holding it back, but in a real fight that could cost her life, "Don't hesitate, break it." Remember that's how Mercury trained her, and it was how she trained Angela and now Georgia.
Not relenting Georgia looked down at her, "Are you serious?"
"Yes. DO IT!" She barked. Needing her to push herself past the fear.
Closing her eyes, Georgia let out a frustrated sigh, and with a twist she heard Ruby's arm snap. Dropping her arm, she kneeled down, "Are you OK?" she breathed out, scared that she hurt her friend.
Ruby cradled her arm, using the other to re-align it, feeling the relief of her arm starting to heal, "I'm fine." Moving to a standing position, she could see the worry all over Georgia's face, "You my dear, did wonderfully." Lightly touching her shoulder, "But a glass of blood wouldn't hurt." She teased. Moving towards the elevator, Ruby punched the code to the main floor, smirking when Georgia stepped in, while her body was still showing signs of worry, she was standing a little straighter, and that brought a smile to Ruby's face.
Stepping into the kitchen Georgia grabbed some blood from the fridge and started the process of warming it, while she knew that Ruby was more than capable of doing it herself, she felt that she should, she did break her arm after all.
Sitting down at the island, Ruby watched as she got everything ready, rolling her eyes, she knew why she thought that she needed to do that, but it really wasn't necessary. But soon enough, Georgia slid the glass in front of her, "Thank you." Bringing the glass to her lips, she couldn't help but enjoy how it slid down her throat.
Watching Ruby finish her glass, she couldn't but wonder all about how it tasted. "Does that taste good?" she asked, but immediately feeling like an idiot for asking.
Wiping her mouth, Ruby couldn't help but smile at her question, "Yes. When I was human, the thought of drinking blood would probably make me cringe, but now that I'm a vampire, the smell is like walking into a bakery, pleasing. Now, human food smells like food, but it doesn't make me hungry or anything like that."
Standing, she carefully washed out her glass, placing it in the drying rack, Ruby leaned against the counter, her eyes taking in Georgia seeing that she was full of questions. "You know you can ask me anything." Folding her arms across her chest, waiting.
Georgia just smiled, "You were changed on the fly, is there something you regretted not being able to do before you were a vampire?"
Taking a second to think about it, "Yeah, one thing, I would have loved to have a last meal. A nice porterhouse steak, some roasted asparagus, and maybe a loaded baked potato." Smiling at her face, "Everything else, sex, love, and everything else that someone might regret not feeling or do, I was lucky enough to have all that."
Moving towards her, leading her towards her room, "The house will be waking up soon, go shower."
Nodding, "OK." Georgia quickly double timed it to her room, not wanting to take too long.
Ruby smirked as she watched her practically run to her room, shaking her head, Ruby plopped on the couch, tilting her head as she heard Blade walk into the living room, "Evening." She said to him.
Finding a seat across from her, he could only just smile. While in the past he would have sat next to her, but with his new mate, he didn't want to upset her, but he was worried Ruby would be offended. Looking up, "Ruby….." he started off.
Holding up her hand, "You don't need to apologize, until you are a fully mated pair, neither of you will like the other near a potential threat." Leaning back, "You've had the day to think about everything, how are you doing with it?" She asked, curious to see how he was dealing with it.
Chuckling at her, of course, she knew she was the first. Taking a second to formulate his thoughts, he knew that he was feeling the pull, but other than that, he felt like she was a complete stranger. "I feel the pull, the electricity that flows between us, but I don't know her, yet I've told her things that I never shared with anyone." He wasn't sure how he felt about that, never in his life has he been so exposed, it was very unsettling.
Ruby understood his issues, he spent so much time hunting vampires, and only in the last 3 months was there a peace, he was hard wired to be suspicious. "That's normal. She's feeling the same you know." Chuckling at his face, "Look, for me, I was drawn to Deacon, when he was near me, my body hummed, and when he touched me, it was like this calming effect, it scared me how at ease around a vampire I was. But, as time passed, he talked to me, I talked to him, we learned about each other, and eventually the love came, it wasn't instant."
Looking over at his friend, "So, what you're saying is no need to rush, everything starts falling into place." That made this a lot easier, not having to rush.
"Exactly." They sat in comfortable silence, but soon the room was filled with vampires, her eyes tracking Deacon as he made his way towards, "Sleep well?" she asked him.
Lifting her up and sitting down with her in his lap, "I did." Gently kissing her, not caring that the room was filled with guests, she was his and he would always greet her this way, company be damned.
Blade stood as Mitsuki moved towards him, "How was your sleep?" he asked her, hoping that she was able to get enough rest in a new place.
Placing her hand in his, she took a seat, smiling when he sat next to her, "I slept well. Thank you." Looking around, she found her father watching, but with love in his eyes, "Father."
"Daughter." Taking a seat, he watched as the workers provided everyone a glass of blood, as he took a sip, he could see that Blade wasn't drinking. "Do you not drink blood?" he asked, more curious than accusatory.
"I haven't had blood since I was a child," his eyes falling to Whistler, "I didn't want to be led by the bloodlust." But it was something that he was reconsidering, seeing how as long as you were properly fed, it didn't seem to affect the others, perhaps after Whistler passed, he'd consider it.
Sato looked over at him, "I can understand. As long as you are getting what you need, who are we to say it's wrong." Leaning back, he could see the relief on the man's face, "I spoke to your mother before I went to sleep, she is happy for you, so are your brothers." Turning his eyes to Blade, "However, her brothers said if you hurt her, they will kill you."
Mitsuki was pleased, her family accepted her mating, but of course her brothers would say something so stupid, "Father, please tell me you told them not to be so ridiculous." But knowing her older brothers, that was almost too much to ask.
Shaking with laughter, "You know they will not do anything to harm him, but you're the baby, it is their job to protect you." His eyes falling to Blade's, enjoying that he seemed unfazed about the whole thing. "You will do well with them; they've all wanted to spare with you." Standing up, "Let's go, I would love to see your skills."
Slowly standing, Blade followed the man towards the training room, Mitsuki's hand firmly placed in his. As the elevator's doors shut, he could see that Ruby was smirking, Deacon and Quinn looked pleased, but it was Mercury that made him chuckle, she looked almost jealous.
Ruby snorted, "Yeah, now that's a real match. Warriors." Her eyes landing to Whistler, "And you, how are you doing?" Knowing that his love for Blade was that of a father.
Enjoying some of the whiskey that was poured for him, "I'm happy for him. I don't got much time left, now I can die in peace." At least now he could leave this world and not worry about what would happen to him.
Ruby stood and moved to sit next to him, gently wrapping her arms around him, "You're a great dad." While she didn't have that much time with the man, she felt a connection, and she knew when he was gone, it would break her heart.
Deacon watched as his mate held the human, in the past he probably would have killed him on the spot, especially since he was the one that provided Blade with all his fun little gadgets, but it made sense with how Whistler was introduced to vampires, even in at his worst he never played with his food, at least not like that.
Chuckling as he heard Georgia stub her toe as she opened the door, 99% of the time she was pretty graceful, but that 1% she was a total klutz, he wouldn't let anyone know this, well anyone outside of Ruby, but she reminded him of his little sister. Turning his eyes to see her walk in, everything happened all at once.
Quinn was sitting on the couch, his mind wandering about how things have changed so drastically since Ruby entered their lives. In the beginning he hated the idea of having to change, but in the time before she was changed, her natural loving, caring, and supportive nature, it wasn't a hard choice to evolve. His life specifically was better, Deacon no longer looked at him like he was an idiot, the guilt of killing that he held onto for years was finally fading, and not having to entertain stupid younglings anymore freed up his time to refocus himself on his training.
As he started to turn his attention back to what Whistler was saying, a wave of lilac hit him like a freight train, his eyes searching for the source of that smell. Hearing the thumping of a heart, his eyes turned up towards the sound, unable to keep himself seated, he zipped in front of the red head, his nose in her neck, enjoying the smell coming from her.
Georgia froze, she was somewhere between terrified for her life and relaxed. But feeling his nose in her neck sprung her into action, bring her hand up she hit him in the chest sending him back a foot or so, "Please don't hurt me." She said, her voice trembling with fear.
Ruby moved to stand in front of Georgia, her eyes locked on Quinn, "What the hell?" she yelled. Feeling her fangs slide into place, as much as she loved Quinn, she wouldn't allow him to harm her familiar. Keeping her eyes locked on his, she could feel Georgia holding her hand, giving her a tentative squeeze, Ruby kept her eyes on him, and she could see his distress, "No Fucking way." She said out loud.
Deacon looked at Ruby, "What?" not seeing what she was seeing, a little annoyed that he was missing something.
Relaxing her stance, "Georgia is his mate." Extending her hand to Quinn, "You can't come at her like that, she doesn't have many good experiences with vampires."
Quinn just nodded, placing his hand into Ruby's, his eyes looking into her hazel ones, "I'm sorry I scared you." Feeling like a piece of shit.
Ruby looked behind her, "He's not going to hurt you," grateful that Quinn was keeping himself still for her. "Are you OK?" she asked her.
Nodding, "Yes. I'm OK." Looking into his blue eyes, "It's OK. Please don't do that again."
Pulling Georgia from out behind her, "Lightly touch his hand, you'll feel a little current run through your body, it will relax you. Promise." Gently pulling Quinn, "You need to take everything slowly." Giving him a pointed look. Bringing their hands together, Ruby took a step back, letting them come to grips with their new realities.
Quinn couldn't help but feel like he won some fucking lottery, "I'm Quinn." Feeling a little stupid for just blurting it out, and not saying something more witty or romantic.
Georgia looked down at their hands, enjoying the warming sensation that was flowing through her body, while she was still a little terrified, she knew that this was a good thing, Ruby was happy with Deacon, and she could see Angela was happy with Alexander. So, perhaps she would be happy with Quinn, but would he still want her after everything that she's been through?
Ruby could see what was going through that head of hers, "Don't you think that way Georgia, all the good and the bad, he'll accept, just as you will for him. It will take time to build the trust, but it will happen, I promise."
Lightly touching her shoulder, "Why don't you take him to the sunroom." Knowing that was her favorite place to sit and read.
"Would you like to go out there with me?" she asked, almost worried that he would say no.
Quinn couldn't keep the smile off his face, not caring that he probably looked like a fucking idiot, he had a mate, and she wanted to talk to him.
Everyone watched as the pair made their way outside, Ruby rubbed her face, "So that's two familiars turned mates." Looking around the room, "Seriously this doesn't leave this house, I don't want to become the match maker to the vampire nation."
Raquel snorted, "That's wishful thinking." Leaning her head against her love, "People are already talking that you were able to find Alexander a match, Blade is associated with this House, and he's found his mate, and now Quinn who is part of this House. It's going to spread like wildfire." Giving her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry Ruby."
She knew that she was right, people would just make an assumption, moving towards Deacon, "I'm sorry. This wasn't what you expected, was it?" Feeling like he would have to deal with the people that would start coming towards their House, for different reasons.
Shrugging, "I don't care, we'll deal with it as comes." Nuzzling her neck, "It's not your fault you have a sense for this shit." Moving to stand, keeping her in his arms, "You and I need to finalize our wedding plans, because tomorrow night, you my dear will not only be mine as my mate, but you'll be also my wife."
Kissing his lips, "I guess we should go handle that." Looking around the living room, but her eyes landing on Raquel, "Please keep an ear out for Georgia." Wanting to make sure that if Georgia felt overwhelmed that someone would help her.
"You know I will." Looking over at Mercury, "Shall we sit outside on the porch, knowing that it would be the quickest way to the sunroom.
Taking her hand, Mercury chuckled and led her outside, knowing that the after the wedding, she was going to ask Raquel to marry her, while there was a chance that they could meet their mates, given what was happening around Ruby, but that wasn't going to stop her from experiencing everything she could with the love of her life.
Sitting closely to Georgia, but minding on crowding her, Quinn waited until she seemed relaxed, once her shoulders looked like they weren't strained, "Would you like me to tell you all about myself?" Wondering if she was curious about him the way he was about her.
Feeling a little relief that he was leading the conversation, "Yes, please. How old are you?" She blurted out.
Chuckling a bit, "I'm going to 140 in a couple months." Smirking at her face, "Not as old as some, but not as new as others." Sitting back, he turned his body towards her, wanting to show that he was relaxed around her, "I was turned in 1859, I just turned 31 not too long before that. I was living in Nebraska, several years before it was added considered a state." Rubbing his face, "We were farmers, I had a brother, and a sister, I was the oldest of us." Going into great detail about his childhood, and his favorite things to do, but knew he needed to get to the meat of what she was probably curious about.
"My family died of smallpox, but for whatever reason, I didn't succumb to it." Closing his eyes, this was the first time in years that he spoke of his human life, "After I buried them, I sold the farm, and started making my way east, eventually came to New York, met Deacon, became his familiar, and I guess I did my job because he turned me, been with him ever since." Clearing his throat, he looked down at her, enjoying how she reached over and touched his hand, "What about you, peaches?" he asked, enjoying how she blushed slightly.
Looking up at him, Georgia couldn't help but smile at him, "Thank you for telling me." Looking down at their hands, so Ruby was right, she would start reaching for him, that was a little unnerving, but she was going to take everything day by day. Letting out a sigh, Georgia went into how her life was, how when her mom died that was when her dad went searching for something and ended up finding Jason. "I was about 15 or 16 when I first heard the word vampire and it not be some kind of joke. I was scared for my dad, a human dealing with vampires, that doesn't exactly seem like a good idea, but he did what he did. I think he was dealing with his own mortality after mom died." Wiping her face, she took a second to compose herself, going into detail of how she ended up at that house, and what she did to punish her father, jumping a bit as he hissed.
Realizing he scarred her, Quinn lightly tucked a piece of her red hair behind her ears, "Sorry."
Leaning into his hand, Georgia didn't seem to mind, "It's OK. I felt that way too." Letting out a sigh, "I don't hate him, because he's not worth the time or energy to hate. When his time is up at the farm, he can do whatever it is that he wants to do, it will be no business of mine."
Unable to resist the urge, Quinn pulled her into a hug, "No matter what peaches, I'm going to stand with you."
Closing her eyes, she gently wrapped her arms around him, feeling the weight of her demons starting to lift off her, while she was always a little reserved about the idea of becoming a vampire, knowing that she would have a mate, made that choice a little easier, but in her mind, there wasn't a rush for it, she wanted to get herself healthy physically, and mentally first before she took on the stress of turning.
"I know that this mating makes the decision for me in becoming a vampire, but I have a lot of work that needs to be done for my mental health first before I can consider transitioning," leaning back to look into his blue eyes, "Are you OK with me being human a little longer than what Angela or Ruby was?"
Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, "While I want you to be turned as quickly as possible, I will support your choice, however, if it's a life-or-death situation, I will turn you. Is that a fair compromise?" he asked, trying to find some middle ground.
Unable to hide her excitement, Georgia hugged him harder, "That's absolutely more then fair." For the first time since she opened her eyes in this house, not only did she feel safe, and cared for, but she finally felt at home, Quinn was her home.
They stayed in the room, talking, but as he felt the sun start to come up, he knew it was time for him to rest, for tomorrow evening, Deacon was to marry Ruby. "Peaches, it's time for us to get some sleep," he said, but as he looked down, he could see that she was out like a light. Gently picking her up, he moved carefully through the house to her room, following her scent, he could hear Raquel and Mercury coming into the house.
Gently placing her on the bed, he pulled her covers up, and kissed her forehead, "I know I'm not going to perfect at this mating shit, but I promise I'll do my best to make you happy." Taking a few steps back, he found Ruby watching him, "I don't know how to thank you for her." He said as he shut her door.
Ruby couldn't help but smile at the man, "You sir, don't have to thank me. Just do right by each other, that's all I ask." Giving him a swift hug, "Off to bed, tomorrow I'm going to become an honest woman." She teased.
Darting to his room, Quinn showered and quickly fell into bed, his dreams were filled with the possibilities of such an amazing future, one he was certain he would never have had if Ruby didn't enter their lives.
Standing in the Great Hall, Deacon could feel his nerves were starting to show, he wasn't nervous on marrying her, he loved her more than his own life, it was the waiting that was starting to get to him. Taking a glass from a passing waiter, he downed the blood, but it was the chuckling to his left that caught his attention.
"What?" he snapped. Not caring that he was the head of the council.
Alexander held up his hands, "Nothing. You seem on edge. Why is that?" He asked, generally curious.
Blade couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, "He's worried she's making a break for it." He teased, which earned him a glare. "Don't worry pretty boy, she's all in love with you." While he would have loved to keep prodding him, he knew at some point Alexander, him, and Quinn would be in the same position, so figured it was best not to push too much.
Quinn looked over at them, "I can't believe that eventually we're all going to be standing here, doing this." The realization of what the next few years would look like for each of them, "Could be worse, we could be like most of them, only attaching ourselves out of necessity." His eyes falling to the crowd that was starting to gather in the Great Hall.
Deacon snorted, "Yeah." Feeling his body start to come down, his eyes kept looking towards the doors, he could hear the heart beats of Angela, Georgia, and Whistler. But who he didn't see in the crowd was Mitsuki, he could see Sato and his wife, "Where is Mitsuki?"
Blade turned towards the doors, "She's with Ruby," looking at their faces, "She said that now that she is aligning herself with House Vangr, because of our mating, it would be imperative that the rest of the Houses see that." Trusting her judgement, this was her world for several hundred years, he was still relatively new
Alexander nodded, "She isn't wrong. It shows that we are strong allies, my mate was the familiar to Ruby, now she is the Lady of Von Esper. We are bonded gentlemen, all through the relationships that Ruby cultivated."
Before anything could be said, the clock struck midnight, and the bells started ringing, Alexander looked at Deacon, "It is time my friend."
Deacon let out a breath, and took his spot on the stairs just under Alexander, his eyes never leaving the doors, waiting for the moment she would walk through and towards him.
"Welcome," Alexander's voice boomed, he waited until the eyes of the Houses were upon him before he continued, "Tonight, we join Lord Deacon Frost and his soon to be bride, Lady Ruby in the holy union of marriage." Lifting his hands, "What makes this evening special, is not only is it two vampires joining together to having children, but they are two bitten vampires that were fated to be mates, such a rare thing in this life to find." Clearing his throat, "So, tonight we show them our support," looking at the young man at the door, "Open the doors."
Deacon held his breath as the two vampires grabbed the handles, his eyes never once wavering, he wanted to see her more than his next breath. Gasping at the sight of her, he swore he could feel his undead heart beating.
Ruby looked down at her dress, smiling at how it came out, it was a mermaid styled wedding dress, but instead of the white, she had the dressmaker make it a deep navy blue. The beading was finely detailed, from the hem all the way up the bust, woven into the crystals was the symbol for Vangr, wanting it to be represented in everything that she wore. While tradition said she should wear a veil, Ruby chose to go with a crown of blood red roses.
Hearing the speech that Alexander gave, made her giddy, but taking a few deep breaths, she was able to center herself. Giving a once over to her ladies, smiling with how they dressed, black dresses with deep sapphire jewelry. "You all look fantastic."
All 5 of the women hugged their friend, each one giving her words of encouragement.
Angela looked over at Georgia, who was fidgeting, "I hated being away from Alexander in the early stages too." Linking her arms, "It still feels weird, but it's manageable now."
Hearing that was a great relief to her, she didn't always want to feel like a clingy girlfriend. Looking over at Ruby who was biting her lip, she couldn't help but smile, soon they would all experience this moment with their mates, in due time.
Taking a second, Ruby was able to hear the call to open the doors, "Ladies. It's time." Taking her place, she looked over at Whistler who extended his elbow towards her, "Why thank you kind sir." Linking her arm with his.
Smiling down at this moment, while she wasn't his biological daughter, he cared about her like she was. "You are most welcome," seeing the doors open, "you ready kid?" Smiling at her face.
"More than ready." Taking a deep breath, she watched as her friends stood in front of her, starting the procession down the aisle.
Letting Whistler set the pace, while her eyes wanted to take in the room, and even the people standing around, but her eyes focused on the man waiting for her at the top of the stairs. His dark navy tux, with a black silk shirt, was enough to make her lick her lips, but she refrained.
Moving up the steps, she could see that her ladies took their places on the steps, and Whistle kissed her cheek as she moved up towards Deacon. When she was finally standing in front of him, she couldn't help but smile at him.
Deacon knew that she was going to be stunning, but here he was in awe of her beauty. Taking her hand he pulled her towards his body, "My goddess."
"My vampire." Her eyes never leaving his.
Alexander cleared his throat, bringing their attention towards him. "Tonight, you both join into the lifelong commitment of matrimony." His hand reaching for Deacon's, his other for Ruby, carefully wrapping their hands together with a blood red silk sash. "Joining your hands forever binds you together." Looking down at the pair, "Ruby, do you swear to honor, cherish, and give your fidelity to your husband and mate?"
Looking into his ice blue eyes, "I do."
"Do you Deacon Frost, swear to honor, cherish, and give your fidelity to your wife and mate?"
Staring into her glowing green eyes, "I do."
Giving them a smile, "As the head of the Council, I honor your union," looking into the crowd, "If anyone has an objection to this union, speak now."
Deacon turned towards the crowd, his eyes settling on everyone, almost daring them to say something against his union to his mate. Smirking as they kept their mouths shut.
Alexander couldn't help but chuckle at the looking of satisfaction on Deacon's face when no one dared to speak against him. "Ruby please offer him your wrist to your husband." Knowing that this was an intimate moment between a vampire couple, but this was how it was done, humans exchange rings, vampires exchange blood.
Ruby lifted her unattached wrist towards his mouth, "I offer you my love, and blood."
Deacon carefully took her wrist, and gently bit down, enjoying how her blood tasted against his lips. His eyes never leaving hers. After a moment, he let her arm go, "My favorite flavor." He teased.
Alexander smirked, "Deacon, please offer her your wrist to your wife."
Looking down at her, he gave her a smirk, lifting his unattached hand towards her mouth, "I offer you my love, and blood."
Gently taking his hand, Ruby bit into his wrist, enjoying how his blood always sent a soft burn down her throat, smooth and tangy. Letting out a content sigh, Ruby let his arm go, her eyes finding Alexanders.
"Two have become one in the ways of Ancient Rites," clasping their hands with his, "It is my pleasure and honor to proclaim you husband and wife. Kiss your bride, Deacon Frost." He said, taking a step back, knowing that he would make a show of it.
Wrapping his hand around her neck, he pulled her towards him, letting his lips crash into hers, enjoying how her lips tasted on his. Letting his tongue control hers, he needed to claim her in every way he could in front of this crowd, she belonged to him, and he belonged to her.
Ruby enjoyed this moment, always being turned on by his domineering side. Wrapping her arm around his neck, Ruby knew that this was a moment stepping towards their future, they were a Lord and Lady of their own House, they had several strong allies, soon they would have their family, and that was the part that she was looking forward to, telling him the moment she was finally pregnant with their first child.
Pulling back his eyes looked down into her green ones, "Ruby Frost, I you have made me the happiest man on the planet." While he would never fully show his emotions in front of the world, he couldn't contain himself in this moment. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, he would never know what he did right in this life to have someone like Ruby as his, but whatever God sent this angel into his life, he would do everything in his power to always be worthy of her and her love.