Blood Inc
Chapter Five
tiffany aka basketcase
--
"…Wake up, Endymion. Wake the fuck up."
Someone was shaking him roughly. Endymion groaned from being jerked back and forth as he regained consciousness. The loud booming music returned to his ears and was arching him a migraine. His vision came into focus as he saw Jonah stood over him, still shaking him.
Jonah pulled back when he saw Endymion was awake, spoke above the loud music, "Where is Serena?"
Endymion sat up in the booth as he shook his head, his bangs falling over his dark eyes. "What?"
Jonah slammed his hands on the table, scowling, "I got a distress message from Serena not long ago, and I had a hard time scrying for her. Where is she?"
Everything came rushing back to Endymion. He remembered he and Serena fighting, her stomping off, her fainting in the middle of the floor, and him being ambushed. Endymion shot up from the booth. His eyes searching the entire club for the blond huntress but she was nowhere to be found. But he knew it was pointless because he sensed that she was far from here.
"Fuck." He bolted out of the club, roughly pushing clubbers out of his way. Jonah followed the vampire prince closely.
As soon as they reached the corner outside the club, Jonah picked up the pace and grabbed Endymion before Endymion ran elsewhere.
"I'm coming Endymion."
He growled and without a word, Endymion grabbed Jonah and ran in lightning speed. Jonah wasn't used to the speed. His eyes were having a hard time focusing to the blurred environments that were giving him a splitting headache, and he felt like he had left his stomach and all its contents back at corner by the club. He started to wonder how Serena had endured this speed.
Jonah was ready to throw up but luckily for him Endymion stopped in front a large corporate building before he could disposed his dinner. He silently thanked him.
Endymion looked over his shoulder and noticed dawn was breaking. "Fuck. We don't have much time."
"Leave the escaping to me."
They walked through the entrance. The six security guards immediately turned to the warlock and vampire and began summoning their spirits. Endymion took down four guards in a flash before their spirits materialized.
Jonah too summoned his own spirit, a puff of light blue cloud. It fought against other two spirits. Jonah threw paralyze spells at the other two. Those two guards froze in their spots.
As soon they took out the Wiccan guards, they ran into an elevator that just opened its doors.
Just from inside the elevator shaft, Endymion could smell an alarmingly strong scent of cold-blood. For the first time, the scent of blood, the very source of his survival, frightened him to the core.
The elevator's doors slid open. The unusually white hall was chilling and still. There was no one in sight but Endymion couldn't risk being caught off-guard. Endymion rushed the hall, following his instinct.
Endymion and Jonah turned at the corner. They found Serena but only to witnessed Serena merciless fighting and killing wiccans. They both froze when Serena suddenly turned around and stared into her cold blue-grey eyes. Her blond hair was soaked with blood. Her hands and dress were covered in blood. Not only it covered her body, the blood that covered her face marred her pale beauty and gave her the aura of a cold-blooded killer.
Endymion felt his heart quenched. He didn't understand why but he knew that he couldn't stand any longer to Serena like that. He reappeared in front of her, grabbed her shoulders, and shook the life out of her.
She felt warmth She felt familiarity. She felt safe. And most importantly, she felt love in her heart.
Endymion began to feel relief the minute Serena's cold bluish-grey eyes refocused to changed back to her crystalline eyes.
"Endy…" Serena breathed. Immediately Serena paled. Her eyes rolled back as she fell back. Her body and mentality couldn't handle the True Hunter essence, and it immediately exhausted her when she returned to normal.
Endymion caught her before she reached the cold tiles. He lifted her in his arms. He reappeared beside Jonah and signaled him for the escape.
Jonah nodded and began to chant with his hands raised. "East is my path, air is my essence, and the sky is my power. Earth to earth, and sky to sky. Convey to the sacred place I call sanctuary. I call upon my guardian spirit, Dahlia."
The wind picked up and white mist swirled around Jonah, Endymion, and Serena. Jonah's spirit, a little puff of blue cloud, circled around them. The wind became violent and prevented wiccans to get close.
Suddenly the wind died down and the white mist evaporated. Jonah, Endymion, and Serena weren't nowhere in sight.
Bale came out of his hiding spot. He was green with envy that he wasn't the one who calmed Serena down. He walked over lifeless bodies and stepped into the elevator as wiccans were helping the injured.
He got out of the elevator when it reached the top floor. He proceeded into a large office that took up mostly of the top floor. His mother sat in front of an oak desk in the middle of the large office, shuffling papers around. She didn't looked up from her documents when Bale entered her office. He walked up to his mother and stood in front of her desk.
"Mom, the True Hunter have finally shown herself," Bale reported, "She have killed a large number of wiccans who have tried to subdued her…"
"But…?"
Bale hesitated, "But Jonah and Endymion showed up. Endymion was able to subdue the True Hunter after countless of tries from our side. They escaped shortly afterwards."
Catarina inched forward, her eyes narrowed, "We cannot have Serena in those damn vampires' hands any longer. If you truly love her, find her."
I do. "Yes mom."
--
Serena stirred in her sleep. She kept her eyes close when she was waking up. She never had a decent sleep but for the first time in her entire life she had her best sleep ever and felt very secure.
She finally noticed that her head was laying on something hard. Her hand roamed the object. It felt warmed and soft. This isn't right. A pillow shouldn't feel this way.
Serena froze when she realized someone's hand was on her hip. She slowly opened her eyes, and to her surprise, Endymion was lying next to her, bearing his unclothed chest. She sat up quickly, but her breath was stolen at how peaceful Endymion looked when he's asleep. Her hand was drawn to his face.
She knew that he wouldn't wake at her touch or anyone's touch when he was in his dormant sleep. Her hand brushed against his cheeks and down to his chest she used as a pillow. Serena silently admired his naked chest.
Someone cleared his or her throat, startling Serena as she pulled her hand away from Endymion's chest as if it burned her. Serena turned to the doorway and saw Jonah standing there, smirking.
"You're quite smitten with him."
"No… Maybe…" Serena whispered softly then glared at him, asking in her normal voice. "How long you were standing there?"
"Long enough," Jonah looked away from Serena to the sleeping prince then back to her, "you acted like a normal person… You didn't sense me at all, didn't you?"
Serena looked down to the person next to her, "I guess I didn't… What time is it?"
"Hmmm roughly 3 in the afternoon… Do you know where you are?"
"Huh?" It was clearly that she wasn't back in her suite back in the Altima Manor. But because of the heavy curtains that blocked the sunlight, she didn't notice the white, dust-covered sheets covering the furniture in the room. It didn't take her a while to realize where she was.
Her breath was still. She was back in her own home: the Dione Manor. But she wasn't in her own bedroom, she was in her parents' bedroom, in her parents' bed. "Oh my god… Why did you bring me here?"
"I didn't."
"Then who did?!"
"I did."
Serena jumped to the edge of the bed, nearly fell off. She looked with wide eyes at Endymion who looked back calmly.
Endymion eyed her, murmured, "Why is it wrong to be here?"
"Because this is my parents' room," Serena looked around nervously, "I don't even go in here, not anymore. There's too many memories; too many emotions still lingering in here." She shot Jonah a deathly glare, "Why didn't you stop him? Why didn't you make him go back to his own home?" Then Serena softened, glancing between Endymion and Jonah. She drew her knees to her chest. "Why am I here anyway?"
Endymion pushed him up to a sitting position, concerned was present in his voice, "You don't remember, do you?"
Serena replied by shaking her head.
"What do you remember, Serena?" Jonah asked from the doorway.
"I-I…" Serena looked down, "I remembered the club, the feeling of something sharp, and passing out… reawaking somewhere I didn't recognized… and Bale was there… He told me about him, Catarina, and-and the Hunter Genocide. And then I blacked out again… What happened?"
Jonah recounted from getting Endymion at the club to leaving the Wiccan Society building. Serena silently sat in bed, letting every detail sinking in. She was shock to hear that the True Hunter have taken over her and afraid if it might happen again.
Endymion lied against a pillow, watching every emotion that flashed on Serena's face. He would have found it entertaining but something wouldn't let him.
"There's also something you should know, Serena," Jonah added, making Serena looked back at him. "Catarina was the one who ordered the Hunters' termination… And Bale was the one who orchestrated it."
Endymion stayed quiet, watching the interaction between Serena and Jonah. He had known everything about the Hunter Genocide since he was a child. But at the moment, he felt that he wasn't needed to say anything else.
Serena whispered, "Why would they do that?"
"They've found out about your betrothal to him."
"Why didn't they just kill me instead?"
"They want the True Hunter to appear and for themselves."
Serena felt cold all of a sudden. "What?"
"Catarina believed that the True Hunter is not only an essence, that it's a gene hidden deep within the Hunter DNA. They believe that a wiccan gene could be bring out the True Hunter gene. That's why Catarina have been pushing Bale on you."
"What?"
"Catarina is obsessed with power. She wants her grandchildren with both Wiccan and Hunter blood to destroy the vampire race just like they did with yours."
Serena just sat there in shock, soaking in the information. All this time I've been hunting and seeking my revenge on the wrong enemy. What have I been thinking?
Serena had been sitting in bed looking down at her hands for a good hour. Endymion was still laying on the pillows and watched her intently. Jonah had left a while ago after telling Serena everything.
Endymion noted at how well she handled it; none of her emotions flared out of control.
"Endymion?"
"What is it?" he looked over to Serena who was staring back.
"Why did you help Jonah saving me? You could have left me there then you would be able to take Vanessa as your mate."
He wasn't sure how to answer that but he did answer with what he thought was reasonable. "You are chosen by my father. I cannot tolerate the idea of being exiled from my home."
Serena was disappointed; she had fallen for him. She secretly hoped that him rescuing her was Endymion's way of displaying his emotions for her like the term 'actions are stronger than words'. She looked sadly into his eyes and the word 'tolerate' echoed in her mind. Am I just tolerable to him?
"I'm going back to sleep, Serena. You should too. We're going to return home once the sun set," Endymion spoke huskily as he lied back down. "I'm sorry about our date."
"Yeah, me too," Serena whispered. She watched Endymion fall asleep as her heart twisted in pain. Deciding she needed a distraction, she went downstairs to the kitchen and shared a tub of ice cream with Jonah, talking about the good old days.
--
Serena wanted to stay another night in the Dione Manor, but Endymion flat out refused, saying that vampires would be combing the city for them and their blood ceremony was tomorrow evening. Even Jonah agreed with him, saying it wasn't safe to stay at the manor for another night because the wiccans were still searching for her. Being out-numbered, Serena had no choice but to let Endymion carried her back to Altima Manor.
When Endymion and Serena arrived at Altima Manor, Serena wasn't expecting a huge welcome but she was proven wrong. A sea of vampires was standing in the foyer, waiting for them. There were many accusing eyes quickly found its way on Serena, and worried and compassionate eyes for their prince. Anastasia maneuvered her way to the couple, expressing her worries to them. She tried to direct Serena's attention to her, away from the crowd's accusing stares.
Endymion looked over to Serena from crowd and noticed Serena was feeling overwhelmed by the crowd, led her back to her suite. As Endymion led Serena, she felt a burning glare on her back from the swarming sea of vampires and her eyes went straight to an angry Vanessa.
--
Serena lied in bed, staring at an empty wall. Tonight was the blood ceremony, and she and Endymion will have to consume their bond. It was the consummation that was bothering her. And every time she thought about her and Endymion and consummation, Serena completely froze.
Consummation… Consummation… God, I know I'm falling for him, no matter how obnoxious that man is. But I don't love him… yet? No! There can't be a yet. It's only an 'I do love him' or 'I love him not'. Simple, right? … Do I even want it? … Does he want it either? And I supposed that Endymion could say that tonight is would be like any night to him and could have picture me as… Vanessa.
Serena groaned at her thoughts. She buried her hurt face in her pillow, whimpering.
"Dear god, this lazy piece of meat is going to be my son's mate?"
Serena leaped up and see Cornelia glaring at her from the doorway.
"What are you doing here, Cornelia?" Serena growled, pushing herself out of the bed.
"What do you think?" Cornelia scowled. Two powerful women in Endymion's life stared down each other, neither of them were backing down. The tension in the room rising.
Cornelia broke eye contact confidently as she walked in and gave herself a tour of Serena's suite. She was already dressed in a dark violet form-fitting gown that flared out at the knees. "I am here to prepare you for tonight's ceremony, you need to be adequate. I cannot have you be a bumbling fool in court."
A tall brunette in a maid uniform stood by Serena's vanity. Serena had learned her name was Jacqueline just after her engagement ball. She was Cornelia's lady's maid. Serena found Jacqueline very cold, much like to her mistress.
Serena was glaring at Cornelia as the vampire queen was throwing insults at her. Anastasia silently breezed past Cornelia and helped Serena into a robe.
"Anastasia and Jacqueline will prepare you for tonight's ceremonies as I will lecture you on proper etiquette."
"Proper etiquette?" Serena spat.
"Mistress Mary requested that I review etiquette to you. I, on the other hand, found you… entertaining," Cornelia coolly spoke as she turned to Serena after examining the jewelries Anastasia had laid out earlier, "Why are you still standing there? Go bathe."
--
Anastasia led Serena to the ballroom, using servant's corridors. It was Cornelia's orders that Serena was to stay out-of sight until the blood ceremony.
Actually Cornelia had supervised and lectured throughout the entire preparation process. She stood in the back yet made sure she was heard. She had instructed Jacqueline and Anastasia to bathe Serena in a rose petals bath and didn't let her out of the tub until she was sure Serena smelt like roses instead of blood. Cornelia had Anastasia styled Serena's hair in a French twist and added little black diamond studs in her hair to enhance her beauty. She instructed that Serena's makeup would be light, allowing her pale skin to glow. Anastasia slipped Serena's treasured golden pendant around her neck when Cornelia turned away who was against it. Serena silently thanked her, firmly grasping her hand.
Jacqueline dressed Serena in a dark, diamond-encrusted gown with a short train. The gown was different than the engagement gown. This strapless gown had diamond encrusted on the bodice and the skirt was gathered with a short train. Anastasia completed the gown with a tiara on Serena's blond locks.
Serena didn't say anything throughout the whole process. Her mind was still gasping the thought of consummation.
"Milady."
Serena broke out of her thoughts, and stared at Anastasia with a blank look.
"We're here milady. Everything is ready." Anastasia stared back. "Are you ready?"
Serena looked around her surroundings and noticed that she was near the entrance to the manor's chapel. The halls were dimly lit, giving an eerie chill to her bones. Its eerie atmosphere projected by the dimly lit halls was completely different than the vibrant lively atmosphere from her engagement ball.
Anastasia detected nervousness in Serena's posture. "Milady, are you alright?" Anastasia asked. Worry was evident in her voice.
"I am," Serena softly said, "Who are we waiting for?"
"You are waiting for me," the low voice sounded from behind the ladies.
Anastasia turned around and saw Endymion walking toward them. Serena was reluctant to look at him. As she slightly turned her head, she couldn't help but blushed at how handsome Endymion was in his tuxedo. She cast her eyes down to avoid Endymion's burning gaze. Anastasia noticed that Endymion was openly staring at Serena who was avoiding his gaze.
"Your Highness, what do think of milady's attire?" Anastasia probed.
"I'm… speechless," Endymion mumbled. Endymion was more than speechless. He was blown away at how beautiful Serena was but he wasn't going to admit it. 'I love Vanessa' as he told himself the millionth times since the Wiccan incident.
Serena didn't look at Endymion because she doesn't want him to see her blushing. She didn't have a layer of make-up to hide her deep rosy cheeks. She knew that she was falling for him but she wasn't ready to admit it to him, knowing that he's in love with another woman, a woman who was a complete opposite of her.
Anastasia felted awkward being around the odd couple so she excused herself. Endymion nodded and waved at her. He held out his arm to Serena who hesitantly took it. He could feel her shaking from her touch.
"You're nervous."
"Of course, I am. I'm going to bonded to you for an eternity," Serena quickly said, covering up her weakness.
"Hmm, then I should be as well, huh?" Endymion muttered under his breath. Serena shot him a glare. Endymion chuckled at her, and nodded at the attendants to open the doors to the ballroom.
The attendants opened the door and revealed dark room lit by candles. There was a priest who stood at the altar at the end of the aisle. The aisle separated the noble vampires who were seated on either side, each holding a candle. Donovan and Cornelia sat on the left side of the aisle, both holding a flute filled with blood. Jonah seated next to Donovan and Cornelia, his flute filled with red wine.
Mary and Dimitri sat on the other side of the aisle, both also holding a flute but Mary's flute was filled champagne. Mary sat there, wasn't please though Dimitri watched with longing as Serena walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with Endymion. Vanessa stood in the back of the ballroom, sipping her flute filled with blood, fuming as she glared at Serena with extreme hatred.
As Endymion and Serena reached the end of the aisle, Serena sensed anger, distrust, and disgust burning into her back. But she didn't let it affect her, keeping a calm face.
The old priest didn't smile nor frown. His lips kept a firm line.
"Dearly beloved," the priest started speaking with his arms raised, "We are gathered here to unite the Light and Darkness. Under the calmness of night and the silver shine of the white moon, tonight will unite these two beings in the hymn of our king, Donovan the Great. Endymion, Prince of the Damned, may now draw blood from the Lady of Light."
Endymion faced Serena with a small grin, leaned in. Serena closed her eyes, could feel his hot breath on her neck but was surprised when she felt his lips on her ear.
"Relaxed, the pain won't last long," Endymion whispered. He placed his arms around her waist as he pulled her closer to him.
She nodded; she immediately grabbed his jacket as her legs were ready to gave way. Her mind were swirling as she stood there at the altar. She felt like a traitor to her own kind but she knew she wasn't the kind of person to break any kind of promise. Her pride would be injured if she did.
Endymion was enjoying the feel of her soft skin upon his lips. He almost felt guilty for about to mar her skin with his mark but he desired for her sweet silver blood was much stronger. He nuzzled the crane of her neck as he bared his fangs. Serena swore when she felt him teasing her, brushing his fangs on her neck.
Endymion finally sunk his fangs in her neck. She gasped at the pain, pulling him closer. He moaned as he drank her blood. He had heard stories of hunter's blood being sweet but her blood was sweeter than any dessert known to man.
Once the pain flushed through her body, the feeling of pleasure slowly took place of pain. Serena moaned in pleasure but the light-headedness clouded her mind. She was losing blood quick and the strength to stand.
"Your Highness," the old priest murmured. Endymion stopped from suckling and glared at the priest. The priest wasn't frightened, "If you continue, you will lose your mate."
Endymion softened up, looked down at the woman who called herself a Hunter. She was limp in his arms. She presented herself to him as a strong, loud, independent woman but all he saw was a frail woman who was ready to break at any moment. He could feel her soul wavering between life and death. The bite mark quickly healed and left a slightly visible scar.
Endymion held Serena in one arm as he quickly bit his wrist. The old priest picked up a golden goblet from a table behind him, and held it up to Endymion's wrist. Endymion let his blood flowed into the goblet. His bite wound healed as the blood filled barely halfway. The old priest handed the goblet to Endymion.
Serena whimpered as she slowly lose consciousness. Donovan was alarmed and furious that Endymion ignored Serena's health.
Endymion quickly held the goblet up to let Serena who generously drank as he tried not to have blood spilled onto her dark jewel-encrusted gown. He pulled the goblet away from her lips before she drown the whole thing. She regained her strength yet continue to lean on Endymion. The priest took the goblet from Endymion.
Endymion leaned down, whispered into her ear, "Can you stand?"
Serena nodded, slightly pulled away from Endymion. Her legs were shaking but strong enough to support herself. Endymion didn't really think she could stand own her own despite what she had said. He placed his hand on her lower back in case she falls.
The priest drew out an ornamental dagger. "With this I will seal your bond."
"Held out your wrist to him," Endymion whispered into her ear.
She did what Endymion said. The priest harshly grasped her wrist and slit it. Serena gasped in pain, glaring at him and pulling her wrist back but the priest tightened his grip, preventing her to pull back. Her silver blood spilled into the goblet, mixing with Endymion's red blood. Serena pulled her wrist back, this time with more force. She cradled her wounded wrist, white light radiated from one palm placed above of the wound.
The priest ignored Serena's actions, instead he held the goblet up to Endymion's lips. Endymion drank from the goblet. Then the priest held it up to Serena's lips. She reluctantly took a little sip, leaving an unusually sweet taste.
"The kiss you will share will act as a final act of bond."
Endymion grasped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. Serena's eyes widened when he grabbed her by surprise.
"Don't be afraid," Endymion mouthed.
"I'm not."
"Good." Endymion placed a chaste kiss on her red lips. Serena softly gasped at how gentle Endymion was. Their first kiss was hard and lack of passion but this was totally different. She melted at how gentle the kiss was.
The old priest raised his arms, "You now both are bonded body and soul."
--
After the blood ceremony, Anastasia whisked Serena away the minute she stepped out of the chapel. Endymion decided to go to the parlor for a small congratulatory party. Anastasia led Serena into another suite, larger than the one she had slept in for the past two weeks. She announced to Serena that this was now her new suite she would be sharing with Endymion.
Serena wasn't shock about it. She knew that sooner or later she would have to share a suite once she started her new life with Endymion. Anastasia left Serena standing in the middle of the large suite as she went into the closet.
Serena stood in awe as the sight of the suite soak in her. It was a larger layout of her old suite and its theme was in tints of black and silver. The walls were painted black though the ceiling was left whitewashed. The larger sitting area near the entrance was decorated to be comfortable in hues of a dark blue theme. The canopy bed placed at center back of the suite, in lustrous white cotton sheets.
What drew her eyes was her katana, a gift given by Jonah, was lying on the bed. Serena walked over to her bed and hugged her katana. She almost had forgotten how heavy it was, seeing that she needed to lift it with both hands. Serena slowly placed her katana down on the floor, leaning on the bed.
"His Highness thought that you would like it back," Anastasia said, walking out of the closet. In her hands was a black silk slip. She came up from Serena, and helped her out of her gown and into the slip. Then she seated Serena at the vanity, taking the tiara and jewels studs out. Her hands were skillfully undoing the French twist.
"I'm still… human, right?" Serena broke the silence between them.
"Yes," Anastasia said, "though you won't experience the painful need for blood but you will have longevity like any vampire I'm sure. And I am sure that your children will take after you and your Hunter traits, Your Highness."
Serena was shock to be call that, "I'm no princess."
"Yes you are," Anastasia smiled sweetly, "You are now Prince Endymion's mate, consequentially making you Princess Serena of the Vamps."
Color was completely drained from Serena's face. She didn't think of that and hoped that her grandfather had thought of that as well. Now I truly betrayed my kind.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Anastasia asked, her voice dripping with worry.
Serena weakly nodded. Anastasia silently took note to forewarn Endymion to avoid the princess bomb for a while as she brushed her hair.
--
The air was full of smoke, booze and blood were being distributed, and women lunged themselves to wealthy males. There were couched littered around the parlor.
The parlor was large enough for all of tonight's guests who seemed to be enjoying themselves and forgotten the fact their prince have recently bonded to their kind's mortal enemy.
Out of all vampires, the Royalties can be easily spotted. Their pure vampiric beauty out-shined any average vampire, pure or bitten.
The Royal Family of the Vampire Court was seated in the middle of the parlor, surrounded by their subjects. Donovan sat next to his mate with a contented grin, fully knowing his family and empire's future were secured. The other family members were also enjoying themselves, conversing with other vampires beside their family. Only Endymion was unemotionally sound, swirling his glass of brandy mixed with blood.
Just moments after escorting his new mate out of the chapel, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about the kiss that bonded them. He wanted more than a kiss from her but his want made him feel equally guilty.
Donovan watched his son with interest. He knew that Endymion was having an internal battle and he was enjoying his son's pain. He raised his glass of bloody scotch to his lips, smirking, "Endymion, shouldn't you make your way to your new mate now?"
Endymion looked into his father's eyes, displeased at his father's enjoyment, "Maybe I shou..."
Endymion stopped talking when he felt manicured fingers raked across his clothed chest, leaving a visible mark. "You should stay longer, for my sake. I haven't seen you at all today."
"Vanessa," Cornelia watched with distaste. "My son recently marked his mate so I suggest you to stay away from him."
Mary and Dimitri stayed silent; both knowing that it wasn't their right and place to say anything. Donovan sat back, silently sipping his bloody-scotch, letting his mate handling the situation. His eyes grew darker with disgust as he watched Vanessa making a whore of herself.
"Oh, Your Majesty," Vanessa laughed, "You are jesting. Surely you dislike the fact your son marked a Hunter as his mate instead a vampire."
"I do find Hunter as Endymion's mate utterly despicable but I am very against a scandalous affair," Though Cornelia spoke directly to Vanessa, her glowing red eyes glared with extreme hatred at Mary. Mary sneered back. As of yet today, both Cornelia and Mary were both fighting over Donovan's affections.
Endymion glanced over at his mother. He had remembered clearly like it had happened yesterday when he and his mother have found out about Mary's pregnancy and at how badly his mother reacted to his father's infidelity.
He roughly grabbed both of Vanessa's hands and detached them from his chest. He looked over at Vanessa who stared back hurt. "My mother is right, Lady Vanessa. I have a mate now. We can't do this anymore..." then Endymion whispered, "in public."
Vanessa frowned. She doesn't like hiding especially what was truly hers. "We have talked about this, Endymion."
"I know," Endymion stood up and weaved throughout the crowd, receiving congratulations and offers on assassinating his mate. As he left the parlor, he made his way to his new suite with, surprisingly, no remorse.
"Lady Vanessa," Donovan glared at the shocked woman, "I will not repeat this again but stay away from my son for now long. Remember my son's mate is still a Hunter by blood. Be sure not to anger her."
Vanessa stood up straight; her plump lips formed a firm line. "My loyalties lied within Endymion, Your Majesty."
"My son wished to discontinue your relationship with him," Donovan smirked.
Her expression changed from displeasure to joy. Vanessa walked away, brisk by May. May secretly tugged Dimitri. Dimitri quickly excused himself and caught up with Vanessa.
"My mother wished to talk to you later tonight, Lady Vanessa."
"Why in the world would I associate with the King's mistress?" she scoffed. Unlike Endymion, she doesn't share his hate for Mary. She actually found Mary as a friend but for appearance's sake, she must look at Mary with disgust.
"Because you are like my mother, unable to be with the person they truly love."
--
Serena sat on the floor, her back resting on the bed. It had been hours since Anastasia had left. But Serena didn't mind. She needed the time to clear her mind and thought about her life thoroughly.
She actually felt peaceful. It had been awhile since she had ever felt that way. No one, within the radius of 15 feet, was around to send her venomous feelings. Usually she had to lock herself underground in the Dione Manor to clear her head.
Finally she could think clearly. Nothing could distract her. I'm twenty-one years old and there was so much shit in my life that no ordinary human sould ever experience. What did I do in my past life to deserve this? Like losing my family, being only one of my kind, being decieved by people who was supposed to care for me, bonding an enemy for an eternity, liking someone who might never like me back, etc, etc, etc. There must be people hate me in heaven.
Serena groaned inward. I can't bitch about it any longer. Because no matter how much I bitch, it won't change the fact that I'm going to spend an eternity with Endymion… I have never lived in complete negativity and I'm not going to start now… And there's the inevitable.
Sleep was about to claim her but a strong feeling jolted her nerves, preventing her to fall into sleeps' weary grasp. Serena narrowed her eyes, focusing at the source of origin. It was a strong emotion, one she couldn't name. Hurt? No. Regret? Not really. Lust? Far from it. Love? Highly doubt it… Contentment? I don't know…
She could sense it coming closer though she couldn't tell whose emotion it belonged to. It felt familiar to her. She racked her brain until the sound of the door opening scared her. Her eyes shot up to the doors.
Endymion stepped through the doors, his eyes instantly locking into hers.
"What are you doing on the floor?" Endymion asked, breaking eye contact. His eyes roamed her petite body. The slip she wore was short and Endymion could see what her body could offer. He felt hard when he laid eyes on her thigh her slip failed to cover.
Serena ignored the lust resonating from him as she approached him. "I've been thinking since you took your sweet time coming back," she spat bitterly, "No matter what I think, do, or say can't change the fact that I'm stuck with you for an eternity until I die. So I suppose I should make something out of tonight."
"And yet you say it with such a bittersweet aftertaste," Endymion arched his brow, "and what do you mean about tonight?"
"There are a greater chance that I might die before you and there's no absolute chance that I could 'divorce' you so I'm going to treat tonight as my wedding night that I have dreamt of since I was a little girl."
"Then I suppose I will make it worth the wild, hmm?"
Serena shot him a glare. "But I'm warning you, Endymion. I won't be easy the next time."
"Right." Endymion grabbed Serena harshly, laid his lips upon hers. This kiss was raw as hell, just like their first kiss in the park.
Endymion didn't lose any time as his hands explored her body. She suppressed a moan when he trailed his lips on her neck. He led her to the bed, his lips not leaving her soft warm flesh.
--
Endymion fastened the buttons on his cuffs. He glanced at his reflection in the full-length mirror in the closet, checking for imperfections. Once he straightened his appearance, he proudly walked out of the closet and into his suite he now shared with his mate. He cast a last look at the petite, pale creature that was deep in her slumber in bed.
To Endymion, something changed last night. It was physical, something on the line of emotional. Last night opened a part of him he had never known.
As Endymion walked further away from Serena, her face distorted in discomfort.
--
Sorry this chapter took so long but I made it extra long as compensation. Thank you for all of your patience, I blame school. My summer classes were all of above.
I know how all you guys thinking since it was a while the last chapter came out: when will the new chapter come out? I got sick of writing this chapter myself as you guys must have got sick of waiting. I was jumping for joy when this chapter was over (chapter, not story).
I hope you all love it because it was freaking hard and long to write.
Please Review.
-tiffany aka basketcase
