A/N: Wow...I actually made it to the Wedding Day! Am I rambling too much with this story? I tend to get caught up in details... Unfortunately I can do any of this to the real Yu-Gi-Oh Characters because I don't own them...PLEASE R&R...thank you all ever too much!

Chapter 12

All too soon it was morning, Iolite felt like it was the gallows waiting for her, not Seto Kaiba. I must be mad, am I seriously going to go through with this? She paced in her room until she was dizzy. She glanced at the black dress looming on the bed. By noon today she would be a wife. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

A knock on the door brought her around. She walked over to it and found Raine on the other side.
"Good morning Princess," He smiled radiantly at her. She seethed at him. She hadn't forgotten that he and Kaiba were working together against her.

"What do you want?" She asked, thinking of merely slamming the door in his face.

"I wanted to ask you something. Do you think I could come in for a few minutes?"

She glanced over her shoulder at the dress on the bed; she knew he would forbid her to wear it. Heck he'd probably burn it to make sure she didn't. "I'll meet you in the library in 20 minutes." She shut the door, locked it, and then leaned against it. She showered quickly and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. She didn't want to wear the dress until it was time. She hid it in the closet so no one, save for Tea and Mai, would know what she planned.

She arrived in the library a few minutes late. Raine was there, waiting for her.

"What do you want? Did Kaiba and you come up with new methods of torture for me? Have you decided to 'bind and gag' me for the ceremony?" She asked.

He smiled at her, "I know you're nervous Princess. I also know that you realize that I wouldn't have done that to you." She looked at him as if he were insane. "Be that as it may, I would like to ask you something."

"What?"

"I know your Father can't be here, so I was wondering if I could have the honor of giving you away." He asked with sincerity.

"It's not a real wedding," she reminded him.

"I know that's how you feel, but it has to look real. It would be a privilege."

He looked at her, knowing how torn up she was inside. His heart was breaking that she was so upset, but another part of him believed that this could be an amazing match. Hopefully the two would realize how well suited they were for each other, then again they were both stubborn to a fault.

"All right Raine," she conceded. "In order to make it seem authentic I will." Part of her was glad, when she passed out from the stress of it all he could then carry her as a sacrifice to Kaiba. "I have to start getting ready, I'll see you a little before two at the bottom of the stairs."

He smiled at her back as she left him. He wondered if it was marriage she was scared of, or if the thought of a wedding night with Kaiba.

She slowly climbed the stairs with a cup of coffee that she had grabbed from the empty kitchen. She wondered where everyone was. She shrugged as she went on her way to prepare for the upcoming nuptials.

Kaiba heard the knock at his office door. He was in the middle of researching something, so he ignored it. When it happened again he admonished the fact that nothing would get done today.

"Come in," he growled at the offending door.

When Yugi entered Kaiba smirked. "What do you want Yugi, I'm busy."

"I want to talk to you about this wedding." Yugi said with uncertainty, "Why are you marrying her? There must be another way to save her." He was sure Kaiba wouldn't hurt the girl, but sometimes Kaiba had to be warned against his own stupidity.

"There is no other way Yugi. Don't you think I've exhausted all the options?" Kaiba was glaring fiercely at the boy standing before him. Who the hell was Yugi to question him? "You're lucky I'm allowing your presence in my home, you'd be smart to hold your tongue on my personal matters."

"She's special Kaiba," Yugi snapped, "don't hurt her feelings, she's been through enough already."

"Her feelings aren't your concern." Kaiba whispered menacingly.

Yugi was beginning to see a similarity between the way Kaiba reacted to Iolite and the way he reacted to dueling. He smiled, she had gotten under his skin.

"I want to wish you luck Kaiba." Yugi offered.

"Luck has nothing to do with this, it's a done deal and soon life will move on. I do wish everyone would stop dwelling on it." He shook his head, "Is there anything else you wish to annoy me with? Or can I get back to my work? It might be my wedding day, but I have far more important issues to deal with."

"Nope, nothing else," Yugi turned and walked from the room.

No one seemed to understand that this was an ordinary day to Kaiba, it was a contract, and he had entered into many contracts in his life. However, this one brought no money, just a title, and a girl who set him on fire. He gazed out his window, he wondered if she looked at him as a savior, a fiend or a man.

Ioloite pulled the dress over her head and smiled. It was so wicked what she was doing. Mai walked behind her and tried to pull up the zipper.

"It's a bit tight, don't you think?" Mai asked as she struggled with the zipper.

Iolite suddenly realized that her curves had filled her out a bit since the last time she had worn the dress. "You have to get me in this," she begged Tea and Mai, "This wedding wouldn't be half as much fun if I have to wear something else!"

Tea pulled the two sides together and Mai tugged the zipper up. Iolite's breath caught. She knew, now, that she had lost her mind. She still intended to wear the thing.

"Well, if Kaiba can get past your cleavage you may still be able to piss him off." Mai snickered.

Iolite regarded herself in the mirror. The dress was acting like a corset. She smiled, she could anger him and tease him at the same time. It was a delicious game she was playing with him. Raine would be furious, Kaiba would be livid...she prayed she could control her giggles.

"Just don't breathe too much," Tea suggested, "You may pop the stitches.

"I wonder if Kaiba will even notice it's black," Mai sniggered.

"Oh," Iolite began, "he'll notice. He ordered me to dress in white, I'm defying a Kaiba order. I'm not asking 'how high,' and he'll be aware of it."

There was a knock at the door, Mai rushed over to see who it was, without revealing the bride-to-be.

"Everything is waiting," Joey chimed, "Kaiba's a bit annoyed, which is nothing unusal, but other than that we're waiting on you girls now."

"We'll be down in a minute Joey," Mai said before she kissed him quickly.

She slowly shut the door.

"It's that time," Tea smiled at Iolite, "are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Iolite said as she picked up the bouquet that had been sent up to her room, by Kaiba most likely.

The girls descended the stairs first. Iolite tried to remember how to breathe. Between her nerves and the tight dress it wasn't an easy task. Slowly, regally she descended the stairs. Raine was waiting at the bottom. His face told her that he was up in arms. She smiled so pleasantly at him, suppressing a giggle that threatened to escape her lips.

"At least you wore your hair down," he grumbled when she took his arm. "I can't believe your gall Princess."

"I get my nerve from my Mother, Daddy always told me."

"God help us all." Raine led her into the living room.

Silence followed her progress to Kaiba. All eyes were on her, especially his. He watched her approach; his body was at ease, though she could clearly sense his anger.

Motionless, he stood before the Judge waiting for her to join him. His cobalt eyes followed her progress with the intense stare of a falcon, or a God. He dressed like night, but instead of being cold he exuded fire. She shivered as Raine handed her over to him. She took Kaiba's arm, the small contact felt like electric coursing through her. He closed his other hand over hers, as if to hold her there. Her breath came in and stayed.

His hand over hers, the gentle contact, consumed her thoughts so much she could barely follow what the judge was saying. It felt like a dream, nothing seemed real. The only tangible piece of evidence she had that this was indeed happening was her arm intertwined with his and his hand over hers. He felt warm and almost reassuring.

The judge looked at her sharply, "I ask again...Do you take this man to be your husband?"

She swallowed hard and tried to pass the words through a throat that was constricting. She looked up at Kaiba. He was watching her as though his will alone could force the agreement from her lips. He knew nothing could, there was panic in her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered, "I take him as my husband."

Kaiba's agreement was more readily given. She could hear the singsong way the judge was talking, but couldn't make out his words. She had just given up her freedom to a man she hardly knew and couldn't quite trust.

"Finish it," Kaiba interjected.

The floor seemed to move under her feet, she gave more of her weight to Kaiba in an attempt to steady herself. Her world was turning dark around the edges, she begged her mind not to let her pass out. She was aware that Kaiba was turning her to face him. He gently tilted her chin up with his finger. His lips on hers were soft and gentle. It almost felt like he was tasting her. The kiss lingered too long for it to be labeled chaste. It was too short for it to quench either one of their thirsts. He smirked at her still closed eyes. He ran his tongue over his own lips...peaches again.

Her eyes slowly opened. Suddenly, the room spun, she realized it was over. The judge shook Kaiba's hand and held it out to her.

She took the man's hand, "Congratulations," he said smiling. "I must admit it's this first wedding I've done that the groom and bride wore black."

Kaiba wanted no suspicion cast on their marriage, "I thought it was appropriate that we matched. I'm not very conventional as you know." The judge nodded his head, he certainly knew that. He made his apologies that he couldn't stay to toast the happy couple, but there were other pressing matters on his schedule.

"I guess it's time to eat then," Joey shouted. Mai elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Is that all you think about?" She asked seriously.

He eyed her mouth hungrily, "No, but the other thing I'm thinking aren't appropriate for public knowledge."

He actually made her blush. Everyone walked over and congratulated the couple. Kaiba kept a steadying arm around her. She could hardly keep her hands from shaking; her brave face was failing. They all started leaving the living room and entering the dining room, save for her and Kaiba. After getting hugs from Mokuba, Kaiba motioned for the boy to follow the crowd, leaving them behind.

Kiaba turned to his reluctant new bride. His eyes weren't as cold as they usually were. He must realize I'm on the verge of snapping. That's the only reason he isn't yelling at me.

"I think it's time you changed out of that dress Highness." He took her by the wrist and began leading her up the stairs. She supressed the urge to fight him, it would only postpone the inevitable and she really did need to take a deep breath. Once in her room he closed the door and faced her.

She looked at him with clouded eyes.

"I don't think you're getting enough oxygen to your brain to reason."

He knew damn well she wore the gown to infuriate him, the color had, but the way she looked in it set him on fire. She was magnificent and now she was his.

He circled around her back and unzipped her. She took in a deep ragged breath. It was all over she realized. His fingers trailed up and down the soft skin of her back. She shivered. Her eyes closed. "You're delicious to look at Highness."

He started slipping the gown from her shoulders. He began kissing the skin that he was slowly exposing.

Suddenly, she understood his intentions. She quickly turned on him and raised her hand to slap him. This time, however, he caught her wrist. "You'd do well not to slap me again."

"You'd do well not to touch me!" She yelled at him.

He smirked, "glad to see you're coming to your senses." The dress slipped off her shoulder. She caught it before it exposed too much of her. His eyes devoured every inch of her, she could almost feel his gaze.

"Get out so I can get dressed," she snapped turning away from him. Get out before something happens that we can't take back. It's only to save me, not for any other reason. Please don't push, I don't know how long I can hold back...

"Try to wear something other than black Highness, you made your point." He said bitterly. His eyes closed without her noticing. He bit off more than he could chew and now he realized it. He didn't need any complications in his life, least of all a girl, especially one who tempted him constantly. Hell, she doesn't even know what a seductress she is, if she ever found out I'd be ruined...

He left and her head spun. She sat down on the bed and rubbed her arms. She could still feel the trail of his hot kisses along her neck and shoulder. Yet, he stopped when she asked him to. There was no need for her to kick, scream or claw at him. The only other man who respected her boundaries was Ryan... Her head snapped up...Oh Ryan what have I done?!

A/N: I decided to put this down here after the story from now on...

SSP: Intriguing thought...I do have major plans for Ryan. Never thought of making him a liar. I have to see if that fits. You do have my wheels spinning-thanks

SetoLover: I wish I could help you on your quest to marry Seto, I think I'll hop on line after you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story and that I'm doing better with a certain little brother. There will be more to come on him in coming chapters, he's so sweet! I would love to play this type of 'table tennis' with Kaiba, though I think I would have given in already...lol

Dragon Master's Mistress: My Harry Potter books are showing tons of wear too! I'm re-reading Goblet at this point. I'll be throwing some of that in here at some point. I could see Mokuba reading it for some reason?!

Ayala: I'm sooo thrilled you're addicted to reading, because I've become addicted to writing this.

WhitejellO: Love the clam theory! I was hoping the tension was building. I take it that I'm successful? They are beginning to faulter...I know I would around Kaiba. Did I disappoint you by making her say yes? I hope not. I had to go with it, though I did toy around with having her refuse him at the alter because of you...