Chapter Ten

Darrain `s convoy waited outside the wrought iron gates of Livett City. The hum of the cars was dimmed by the everyday chatter of the citizens of Livett City behind the protective wall. The City itself was surrounded by a massive stone wall, impenetrable by any force. Livett City was the largest vampire city in the Realm. Darrain , ruled over the second largest city, Bennett City. He had come to introduce himself to his bride to be. She didn't know about their engagement and the wedding was only three days away. Athien would have the wedding room inside the castle ready the day before the wedding. It was a tradition for the bride and groom to marry in the Coven that the woman originated. It was a way for her to bid goodbye to her old life as she is ushered into her new one. Soon, he would come face to face with his bride and tell her of the wedding. He only hoped she didn't try to kill him. He didn't want to have to hurt her and start their relationship off on the wrong foot, or worse, accidentally kill her.

The gates to the city spread open to admit them. Darrain rested his head against the back of the seat and closed his eyes. Here we go. He thought to himself as the car rolled through the streets, making its way to the large mansion that served as the castle.

Lorena looked at herself in the floor length mirror. She couldn't believe she had been promoted to Lady and she wondered if there were ulterior motives behind the decision. Her hair was braided all the way down her back. She had been dressed up in the clothes of royalty. The diamonds she wore sparkled and gleamed. She hadn't been this dressed and made up since she was Turned. She wondered what was going on. She had been told nothing but it was obvious that something was going on. Servants were hurrying down the elegant halls at all hours. They all always seemed far too busy to bother to stop and tell her what was going on, even when she asked. She had been here only a few days. She had been promoted just a few days ago and she had been in this mansion every day since. She knew Micheal must be worried. She hadn't seen him or her friends. Lorena bit her lip nervously. Something was going on and it bugged her that she didn't know what it was. She played with her necklace, the one she never took off, as a soft knock came from the heavy gold double doors of her chambers. Without waiting for a response, the door opened and her friends stepped through. Her face lit up but theirs were dark. Lorena felt fear rise within her. Sire was the first to speak as Adam couldn't bring himself to tell her and Ian was visibly angry with her.

"Lorena, I am so sorry this is happening to you."

Adam looked at her apologetically.

"We tried to stop it, but we couldn't."

Lorena gave them a worried look.

"What is happening?"

She looked from face to face but only Ian would meet her gaze.

"Were you ever going to tell me about Micheal? Let alone your engagement to him?"

Siree turned on him, completely stunned.

"With what is going on right now, you pick this time to discuss this? We have more pressing matters at the moment!" She hissed.

Ian only grew angrier.

"I just now found out that she was engaged to Darrain let alone Micheal!" He screamed back.

Lorena was shocked.

"Who is Darrain and did you say I was engaged to him? Micheal and I are going to be wed in five days."

Ian turned to her.

"Your wedding to Darrain is in two days. Your wedding to Micheal is not going to happen."

" I didn't agree to marry anyone but Micheal!"

Siree gave her an apologetic look.

"I know. We know. Darrain will be here in a few moments. Athien asked him if he would marry you and he agreed."

" Athien did what!? If I explain to Crystal she will fix all of this."

They all three shook their heads at her. Siree ran and hugged Lorena.

"I am so sorry Lorena!"

Lorena could feel the despair creeping up on her.

Darrain was directed to Lorena`s chambers and he knocked on her doors. There was no response so he quietly leaned on the door to listen. He could hear soft crying on the other side. He carefully opened the door and poked his head in. He could see Lorena crumpled on the floor blood streaked tears running down her cheeks as she turned her head to look at him.

"How could you do this to me?" Her pain was evident in her voice.

He stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. He slowly knelt down beside but she didn't protest.

"I was going to marry the man I love; I was going to have a life with him. You took all that away. Why?"

He smiled at her.

"I know you are upset. I understand. You will come to love me and I will give you the life you want."

She tried to punch him but he caught it and twisted it behind her, pinning her.

"I don't want you! Please let me go, please!" she cried.

Darrain hovered his face only inches from hers.

"Don't ever try that again. Our wedding is in two days. Tomorrow we will spend the day together so we can get to know each other before the wedding. On the wedding day, I expect you to behave." He warned.

Lorena could sense the power rolling off of him in waves. Lorena felt herself truly fearing the man on top of her. Lorena turned her face away from his.

"I understand." She whispered.

He stood and helped her up but she refused him. She got up herself. He nodded at her.

"I will come by tomorrow and your attitude better be fixed. Goodnight Lorena darling." He said as he retreated out the door and closed it behind him; leaving her alone in the darkness with nothing but her fears and sorrows to keep her company.

Micheal stood outside the gates of Livett City. Kellen was by his side. They were being watched by armed vampires. Micheal had hear about Lorena`s forced marriage to a vampire male. The wedding was to start in ten minutes. Micheal hoped to get Lorena out undetected but he doubted that would happen now. He slowly raised his hands in the universal sign for surrendering. Kellen followed suit.

Lorena thought that the dress was very pretty and elaborate. The dress was crimson red, detailed with black lace and skin tight with a deep v neck. The large slit up her thigh made her uncomfortable. The black lace train was a few feet long that stretched behind her. Her vial was also made of black lace with red streaks thrown in. Her bouquet consisted of red and black roses. She eyed herself behind the vial as she tried to keep herself from clawing her way past the guards that watched her every move. The music that served as her cue began and the doors opened. Lorena hesitantly stepped through and the guests, all the Lords and Ladies along with some other people of importance, rose. Lorena very carefully began walking down the aisle and to the alter where Darrain stood smiling at her. She desperately wanted to run, but she knew it would have deadly consequences. Her friends sat in the second row, but she wouldn't dare ask them to help her, they would be killed for treason. She kept her eyes locked ahead, not really seeing. She only wished that it would be over soon. She went through the motions, not allowing herself to feel anything or to think. Time seemed to slow, making her suffer through it. When she was helped into the car at the end of the wedding, she didn't protest, nothing good would come of it. As they left the lights of Livett City behind, she didn't ask where they were going. She already knew and it bought a kind of coldness that seeped into your bones and never left. She knew she would never see Micheal again and her heart grew sorrowful. She choked back her tears; she wouldn't give Darrain the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She knew that he was a kind, charming, and humorous but he wouldn't let her leave. She hoped that one day she would be returned to Micheal and Darrain would find someone who really loved him, but all she could do was hope. As she watched out the window, she swore she saw Micheal out there, in the darkness, watching with a heavy heart as she was taken away, the new bride of a man she didn't love as the man her heart yearned for was left behind.