This was an extremely bad idea, Cedric heard his mind repeating as his optimistic wife led him through the front gates of the castle, quelling the alert guards who immediately went to the princess to ask after her well-being and if the miscreant on her arm needed dealing with. Cedric gulped and clutched Sofia's hand and arm tightly as she assured the guards everything was fine and that she wanted to see her parents immediately.

With their return coinciding just before the dawn, Cedric didn't expect the king and queen to take audience with them so early, but apparently the two hadn't got much sleep since their daughter disappeared anyway and thus there was no delay to the confrontation.

They met in a parlor room thankfully, away from the intimidation of the throne room. Sofia went into their arms, hugging and comforting her weary mother while her father stroked her hair and heaved a sigh of relief.

Cedric felt immense guilt, not at all intending to have worried the couple so with the abduction of their youngest daughter, but he doubted they'd place the blame on his hunger. Vampires were intelligent and powerful beings, the fact that they could succumb to instinct like mere beasts was indeed known, but usually the results meant the death of a victim, and not a pretty one.

"Mom, Dad," Sofia eased back from their reunion to take a step back towards Cedric, her hand beckoning him to come forward. "This is Cedric."

Roland and Miranda examined the strange man closely, awaiting further explanation to which Sofia gave by nuzzling into his arm affectionately.

"He's my husband," she stated calmly and with great pride, making the vampire blush.

"Husband?!" Both parents reacted normally to such an admittance, but the true revelation was what Cedric was worried about, and unfortunately, by the looks of the sunlight on the horizon, they'd see sooner than they'd be told.

"Sofia, forgive me, I can't maintain this form in sunlight..." He muttered to her, hiding his eyes behind his hand as rays of light started to shine through the window.

Sofia turned as his body shrunk in a puff of soap, condensing into the furry flying critter she first encountered in her childhood. She caught him in her hands, smiled kindly at him, and placed a kiss to his little head, before letting him crawl inside her nightgown to rest.

He felt bad he couldn't explain the situation along with his wife, but time hadn't been on their side. Perhaps they should have waited another night, but knowing the castle would be in a panic over her disappearance, sooner was better than later, and Sofia explained that as well, along with the entire story, and Cedric, though weak, was able to stay awake to listen.

"And you want to be that creature's meal the rest of your life?" Her father asked.

"He needs blood, yes, but it's more intimate than a meal. We're bonded. I'm the only one who can satisfy him," Sofia reiterated. "I know it's sudden, not to mention unorthodox, but I think we'll be happy together. I know he's come across as a little nervous and timid, but he's also a gentleman, and simply ah-mazing! You should see the magic he can do!"

Cedric had to smile to himself to hear such praise. He too felt he'd be happy with Sofia, but marriage bonds rarely included two people. It was two families, and Sofia wasn't just a human woman, she was a princess. Royalty. Of course her parents would have higher standards for their daughter than a cursed man's.

Miranda exchanged a look with her husband before looking to her hopeful daughter. "You understand why we have our concerns... but I suppose we can't rush to judgement without speaking with him ourselves. When will he be... um... able to do so?"

"He'll change back after the sun goes down," Sofia beamed, sensing they now had a chance at being accepted.

With nothing left to be said, all parties retired to their rooms for much needed rest.

Cedric too finally let his eyes close when Sofia placed him on one of her bed pillows and let him snuggle into the scent of her, allowing him to sleep soundly despite his trepidation.

Come sunset however, he awoke with a start, his dreams playing a premonition that in his weakened state he'd be tossed into the sun to be zapped of strength entirely and slaughtered by the king's guard. He was relieved to find such a fate hadn't befallen him, and he forgot the rest of his anxiety to see his wife seated at her vanity across the room, preening her appearance for what he assumed was dinner.

Seeing him rouse via her mirror, Sofia quickly finished and went to his side, her heels clicking against the floor as she swiftly crossed the room to the bed. "You're awake!"

"Mhm," he nodded, looking her over in the dress of lavender and periwinkle and feeling that strange tingling in his groin again. "I see I'm still alive as well."

"I told you my parents aren't that bad," she smiled and took a seat beside him. "Now, while they are aware of your dietary restrictions, you are invited to dinner with the rest of us. My brother and sister are home now as well so you'll be meeting them."

"A-Alright," he nodded again, averting his eyes, much to Sofia's curiosity.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he breathed out. "It's just... you're so very beautiful in royal attire... It makes me want you."

Sofia's already rosy cheeks glowed brighter and she gave him a pleased smile. "That does sound wonderfully, but dessert is best saved for last, isn't it? Besides, I first have to dress you up before I can strip you down."

He tilted an eyebrow while leaning in to hopefully steal a kiss at the very least. "Meaning...?"

"You'll want to look your best for dinner too," Sofia giggled, pecking her lips against his in a kiss so brief, Cedric didn't feel it counted, but her response gave him new concerns.

Cedric never gave his appearance much fuss beforehand, and for a man who didn't usually concern himself with the passage of time, an hour suddenly felt like an exceedingly long time to be subjected to the giggles of Sofia's ladies in waiting as they helped their princess made a prince out of the vampire. They did a good job too, though upon completion, Sofia agreed he looked much better in large robes with loose hanging hair than in a form fitting suit with brushed back locks.

"You're still very handsome," Sofia tried to assure him, but her flirty giggle gave him doubts.

Still, he liked seeing her happy, and if all this made her happy, it seemed a small price to endure a meal with her family.

"This is my brother, James, currently training as a knight, and my sister Amber, she's engaged to a prince to the North and currently staying in his kingdom to prepare for their upcoming nuptials," Sofia introduced the two siblings, twins by the looks of it, given their similar appearances and age.

"A pleasure to meet you," Cedric bowed respectfully and the two responded in kind, but he could sense their apprehension, no doubt speaking to the fact they too had been informed about what he was.

He greeted the king and queen as well, keeping his head bowed a rather long time as he awaited some sort of judgment or comment, but all they did was instruct they all sit down to dinner to enjoy as a family. Family, plus one outsider, Cedric's mind added.

James wasn't a huge observer of social graces, deciding to break through the tension soon after their meals were served to address the vampire in the room. "So do you really only eat blood?"

"James," Amber hissed at her brother, though she too was curious about this interesting dinner guest.

Finding all eyes were on him to answer the question, Cedric cleared his throat. "Um, well, I drink blood for sustenance, but if need be I can consume regular food like you all, it just doesn't fill me."

"Huh, so then do you poop?"

"James!" Miranda scolded this time, but the thought now had her curious for an answer too.

Cedric blushed. This was hardly proper dinner conversation, so he phrased his response carefully. "Ahem, you'll find vampires function very similarly to humans, Prince James."

"Th-The difference is in the curse, right Cedric?" Sofia piped up beside him, hoping to steer the conversation into something more palatable while satisfying curiosities as well.

"Yes, physically there's no difference between us. I only transform into a smaller form during the day to save energy, and it's safer while I sleep."

"Interesting," King Roland said over the rim of his goblet. "Might I ask why you were in our gardens ten years ago that led to this whole 'bonding'?"

"Just passing through," Cedric answered. "Vampires aren't the best keepers of time, so sometimes dawn catches us off guard and we have to roost where we can. I underestimated how long I'd need to fly home and thus had to shelter where I could. Behind the vines of a far garden wall seemed suitable. I assure you I wasn't preying on your daughter."

"But you do 'prey', don't you?" Roland narrowed his gaze, scrutinizing the uneasy vampire.

"Yes..." Cedric admitted. "Blood is to be taken... that's what the curse dictates. I know there are some stories that demonize this, but in reality, most feeds are one time only and we never drink enough to kill someone."

"And you can survive on a minimal amount from my daughter?"

Cedric nodded. "When blood is given, it's more sustaining. Sofia's in absolutely no danger as my bonded. I love her very much and will do my best to make her happy."

Understandably, Sofia's family's expressions displayed their doubts, but with only their prejudice fueling them, hadn't a proper counter argument to make and they all knew it. From her seat beside him, Sofia's cheeks lit up, but she held her tongue until dinner was through and the two retired to the privacy of her bedroom.

"Do you think that was too awkward? It felt awkward. Strange as it seems, I think it'd be more comfortable with death threats," Cedric lightly quipped, not quite able to read his wife's mood as she'd become quiet through the latter half of dinner.

"...You love me?" Sofia finally spoke, blushing at the mere thought he already felt so deeply for her.

The word echoed in his mind whereas before it seemed a natural expression to describe his feelings for his wife. But they'd only known each other a few days now. Blood bonds aside, it was probably too early to speak of such things, but that didn't change how he felt. "Yes."

A small smile crawled across her features as she approached him, placing her hands against the panes of his chest and resting her form against him. "I love you too, Cedric."

"Y-You do?" He squeaked. He knew he was weaker to the bond than she, but perhaps their connection was already stronger than he anticipated.

"If love is caring about you and seeing a future with you..." Her eyes slowly glanced up into his, dilated in the low light of her bedroom and making her look absolutely delectable. "...And wanting to share pleasure with you," she continued, "than I think I'm very much in love."

"That's impossible," Cedric responded softly as his hands moved to cup her cheeks. "My luck can't possibly be that good."

Sofia just smiled at him, drawing him in with a kiss that chased those doubts away and replaced them with want and need.

His passion was still rather tame compared to their first night together, but there was less fear now. He didn't need to drink from her yet, but enjoyed nibbling on her throat, teasing his fangs against her as he spelled away their clothing with a single swipe of his hand and flew them onto the bed. Her throat was lovely, but his mouth made a deeper exploration of her body this night, latching on and sucking on her breasts, kissing her abdomen, and licking between her legs for an experience that surprised them both. For Cedric every part of her tasted delicious and for Sofia, well, the wonders of a man who spent decades sucking made for a natural lover, a talent saved for her and her alone.

In the warmth of the afterglow, Cedric collapsed to her side feeling completely exhausted, but pleasantly so. He pulled his wife against him, fitting their forms together like lazy puzzle pieces content to simply lay there after thorough lovemaking.

"So..." Sofia managed to ask once her breathing steadied. "When can I meet your parents?"

"Heh, soon, I'm sure," Cedric exhaled, planting small kisses against her cheek.

"Mm," Sofia happily sighed, internally a decision having been made. "Cedric, could you prick your finger?"

Sensing why, Cedric poked a fang into one of his index fingers without hesitating, though when he leaned it over to show her, wasn't expecting how excited he felt to feel Sofia gently take the finger with its pin prick of blood into her mouth and delicately suck on it. He moaned helplessly, feeling his body ache with arousal yet again as the bond was completed and Sofia became his for eternity. They had a lot to look forward too.


Author's Note: Well that certainly took a while to finish, and I know one of my weak points is endings so I hope this is satisfactory enough. Hoping I can complete other stories before new ones start, but I've danced with that devil before and I get my feet stepped on frequently so we'll see what happens. Thank you all for reading/reviewing!