The fangs bit into my neck, causing me to cry out in pain. The pain was intense and unbearable. I closed my eyes, hoping to shut out the pain. I could feel something warm and wet slide down my neck and underneath my t-shirt making me squirm. Where was Adrian? Why wasn't he here saving me? I needed him right now. My assailant removed their fangs from my neck and I opened my eyes. Brilliant green eyes ringed in red looked back at me, a look of coldness was reflected in those eyes and it sent a violent shiver through my body. I tried to struggle out their grasp, but found I couldn't move an inch. I was trapped in their steel-like grasp. I pulled my head back a tiny bit, just so I could get a better look at my assailant. I let out a disbelieving gasp. No. No! Please, no! Anyone but him. Stylishly messy brown hair, brilliant emerald green eyes now ringed in red and palest skin ever.
"Hello Sage." A voice I'd know anywhere said. Only this voice now had an icy, evil edge to it.
"Adrian?" I was confused and scared. His bared his fangs in a feral snarl. My blood dripping from his mouth, down his chin and neck staining his shirt. "What happened to you?" My voice was a deathly whisper. Was this a nightmare or was it real life? I didn't know. I really didn't.
"This won't hurt. I promise you. Once it's over, we can be together forever Sydney. We can stay like this for all eternity, drinking the nectar of the Gods. We'll be Gods. We'll rule over the Moroi, the Dhampirs and the whole of the human race. Do you want that Sydney?" Adrian crushed his mouth to mine. He was cold, so cold. I didn't want to be kissing him, yet I couldn't find it in me to pull away, to run from him. My Adrian; the one who was a little crazy, the one who loved me, protected me, he was gone. And replaced with this monster.
"Adrian?" I sobbed against his lips. Adrian's hand was on my throat, tipping my head to the side. His moved his mouth back to my neck, fangs still bared, lips curled back in a snarl. My heart was beating erratically and I couldn't control it.
"No! Adrian!" I screamed as his fangs pierced my flesh again. "Adrian!"
I shot straight into a sitting position in bed. Someone was screaming, a high-pitched blood-curdling sort of scream and distantly I realised it was me. The mattress moved under me and someone wrapped their arms around me. I started screaming again, terrified that it was Adrian back to continue drinking my blood.
"Sage?" Someone with a familiar voice said pulling me into their lap, pushing my head to rest on their chest. "Ssssh! It's okay. You're okay. It was just a dream." I looked up and a pair of emerald green eyes stared down at me. The eyes. I froze and moved back for a better look. It was Adrian. Immediately, I began screaming again.
"Stay away from me!" I screamed jumping out of his lap and running to the other side of the room making myself as small as possible. Adrian moved off the bed and towards me. I held up both hands. "No! Don't come any closer! I won't let you drain me again!" Adrian halted a wounded look in his green eyes. Then he took a few more steps towards me.
"Please, don't come any closer." I whispered. But Adrian didn't listen he walked forward until he stood in front of me. He got down on his knees, studying me, the wounded look still in his eyes. Only now, it was joined by confusion, fright and longing. I looked away from him and stared down at my hands. They were clenched tightly into fists, nails digging into my palms.
"Sydney? Why would you think I would drain you?" Adrian reached out to touch my face, but when he saw me flinch, he limply dropped his back to his side.
"Vampire!" I shrieked, fear flooding my senses. "You're a vampire. It's what you do." This time Adrian didn't hesitate, he reached out to me and pulled me into his arms. I struggled violently, but he was strong and succeeded in pulling me to him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, gently rocking back and forth, all the while; I was still struggling and crying hysterically. Why couldn't he understand that I didn't want him to drain me of my blood again?
"Sydney. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. I would never hurt you. I especially would never try to drain you." He cupped my face and turned so I was facing him.
"Adrian?" I whispered. A small smile graced his features and I shook my head, blinking. I brought my hands up to hold his face. I searched his eyes. Green and not ringed in red. His skin was the normal colouring for a Moroi. His hair just as messy as usual. And none of my blood was on him. Quickly and discreetly, I ran a hand over my neck and throat, checking for bite marks and warm, sticky blood. Nothing. I let out a sigh of relief and sagged in Adrian's arms. His arms tightened around me.
"Want to tell me what all that was about?" Adrian asked. I let out a shaky breath and looked up at him. He was looking down at me, concerned.
"I had a dream that you were Strigoi and you were trying to drain me. You wanted to turn me, to make me Strigoi. You wanted us to rule the world. Just so we could be together forever." I was shaking and Adrian ran his hands up and down my arms trying to comfort me. He leaned his head down and kissed my forehead.
"That will never, ever happen. I would never turn Strigoi and then forcefully turn you. I love being alive. I love you being alive. But I do want us to be together forever." My whole body tensed and Adrian laughed quietly. "Not like that." He looked down at me then, he looked so honest, yet so scared at the same time.
"What I meant by us being together forever is; I want us to grow old and grey together, die together and then live out eternity in Heaven, or wherever, together."
"You're not..." I asked pulling away slightly.
"Proposing? No, at least not yet. One day maybe. But not right now." He smiled shyly, staring right into my eyes. "I love you, Sydney Sage. And one day...one day, I'll make you my wife." My heart thudded painfully. Did I want to marry Adrian one day? I don't know. Did I love him enough to want be Mrs. Ivashkov? Only time will tell.
"Let's just enjoy the relationship we have now, before we think about things like that." I suggested. Adrian nodded and went to kiss me but I pulled away. His eyebrows pulled together into a frown and I laughed.
"Morning breath." Was all I said before I got out of Adrian's lap and walked over to my bag and pulled out my toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste and made my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I didn't even make it halfway when I felt arms snake their way around my waist and yanking me back.
"What do you want Adrian?" I say grinning.
"I don't care about morning breath, Sydney," He whispered into my ear. I sighed and pulled out of the circle of his arms.
"Really Adrian, I actually do need to brush my teeth. Plus, I need time to myself so I can calm down. Even though I now know that it was just a dream and that you'd never do that to me, it still scared the hell out of me." I turned in the direction of the bathroom. I only took one step when Adrian reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me in for a hug.
"Take all the time you need." He murmured into my hair and let me go, watching me with a sad expression on his face. I smiled at him and he smiled weakly back at me.
Shutting the bathroom door behind me, I slumped against and slid to the floor. I pulled my knees up, wrapping my arms around my knees and leaned my head against them. I let out a shaky breath and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. A thump on the other side of the door made me look up.
"Adrian?" I called out.
"Yeah? What's wrong?" He asked from the other side.
"What was that thumping sound?"
"Sorry. I kicked the door." He said quietly. I unwrapped my arms from around my knees and stood up facing the door, hands resting lightly on them.
"Why'd you kick the door?" I asked.
"Because I can."
"Adrian." I warned. I heard him sigh and heard another thump following by Adrian's "Ow." I couldn't help it, I laughed. The door swung open all of a sudden and I had to scurry out of the way. Adrian was leaning against the doorframe smirking. I just stood there, in the middle of the bathroom, arms behind my back.
"I kicked the door because...hell, I don't even know why." He stepped into the bathroom and towards me with a purpose. He reached me and grabbed ahold of my hips, pulling me to him. His lips crashed to mine, static electricity sparking violently between us. My hands worked their way up to Adrian's neck and wrapped themselves around pulling him even closer. He pulled away, breathing heavily.
"Good morning." He said.
"It is now." I said. Adrian laughed and pulled away from me entirely. He walked out the bathroom and took hold of the door knob.
"See you when you get out." He said pulling the door shut. I turned to the bathroom sink and squirted some toothpaste onto my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth. A few minutes later, I walked out and found Adrian lying on the bed, his head dangling off, looking at me upside down, a huge grin on his face.
"Even upside down, you look beautiful." He said. I smiled and sat on the floor in front of him. I ran my hands through his hair. He closed his eyes.
"What do you want to do today?" He asked still upside down and not opening his eyes.
"Well, I have a wedding to get ready for and you're not allowed to tag along," I said. Upside down Adrian frowned at me.
"But..."
"No. No buts. Actually, you're not allowed to see me until tonight so get out." Adrian sat up quickly and swayed.
"Woah. Dizzy." He muttered. He slowly turned around and pulled me up onto the bed.
"Why aren't I allowed to see you until tonight?" He asked curiosity getting the better of him.
"Because I want to surprise you." It was as simple as that.
"Oh."
"Out."
"No."
"Now, Adrian!" I demanded pointing at the door. Adrian huffed and stood up. He pulled me up with him and pulled me into my arms, he walked towards the door. I was walking backwards. My back hit something hard, the door presumably. Adrian let me go and placed his hands on the door, on either side of my head and leaned in.
"Out Adrian." I said slipping away. He turned to me and I smiled. Adrian groaned and left. Now I was left with the whole day to kill.
The day had quickly slipped away and now it was time for me to get ready for Sonya and Mikhail's wedding. Reaching into my duffel bag, I pulled out the red dress I'd worn to the Halloween Dance back at Amberwood. I was anxious about wearing it again, but knew that everyone had liked it. I grabbed a coat hanger out of the closet and hung the dress on that and hung the coat hanger on the back of the door. I sat on the edge of the bed and just stared at the dress. I never thought I'd be wearing it again. I sighed and got up, walking into the bathroom for a shower.
After my shower, I got out the hair dryer (really?) and dried my hair. I'd decided to curl my hair and then brush it out so then they were in soft semi curls. My makeup was the same as on the night of the Halloween Dance, when Jill had gotten hold of me. I sat in my bathrobe until about half an hour before the wedding was to start.
I slipped the dress on, being careful not to ruin my hair or smudge my makeup, and then slid the silver heels I'd bought. I grabbed a small silver purse off the dressing table and headed out.
As I walked into the greenhouse I was instantly impressed. Despite the cold weather outside, it was actually quite warm in here. The greenhouse was vibrant with colour, tiki torches lined the aisle, flames glowing faintly. There were seats on either side of aisle for everyone to sit on. There were only a few people here and I immediately sought out Mikhail, to wish him good luck. I found him; he was standing not far ahead of me, greeting guests. Eddie, Dimitri and a few other Guardians were standing with him. Adrian was with them as well. Eddie and Dimitri both looked very handsome in their tuxes. A shadow fell across me and I turned to find Rose standing next to me, glaring. She didn't recognise me.
"Are you checking out my man?" She demanded. I coughed.
"No. Just thinking how handsome he looks in a tux," I said thoughtfully and then turned to Rose. "I've never seen him so dressed up." Rose looked at me then, a blissful smile on her face which then turned into a frown.
"Who are you?" She asked. "I've never seen you around here before."
I smiled and turned my face further, revealing my cheek.
"No way! Sydney?" Rose gasped loudly. Eddie, Dimitri and Adrian all turned in our direction at the sound of Rose's voice. Quickly I turned away and shushed Rose. But it was too late. The three of them were walking over to us.
"Guys! You'll never guess who this is?" Rose said as they reached us. "It's..."
"Sydney?" Adrian asked. I smiled and nodded my head. "Wow! You look...you look..."
"What I think Adrian is trying to say; is that you look incredible!" Rose said for him. Adrian could only nod, mouth hanging open.
"hey. Isn't that the same dress you wore for the Halloween Dance?" Eddie asked gesturing to my dress. I could feel a blush work its way up onto my cheeks. Adrian was still staring.
"Adrian shut your mouth or you'll catch a fly." I snapped even though I was smiling at him. He shut his mouth and smirked, pulling me to his side.
"You look breathtaking." He whispered into my ear.
"Thank you," I whispered back, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "You look handsome in a tux."
Mikhail ran past us, a couple of guardians close behind. Thinking something was wrong Eddie, Dimitri and Rose sprang into action. Mikhail saw them and waved them off, a smile on his face.
"It's okay!" He called out. "We're not under attack. Sonya's just arrived." We all breathed a sigh of relief and moved to our seats. Once everyone was seated the music began. It was a lovely piece. Probably by some important Moroi musician. One by one, the bridesmaids; Jill, Vasilisa and Emily Mastrano, made their way down the aisle. As if on cue, the music shifted and a different, but equally beautiful, piece of music played. We all stood in anticipation, as Sonya stepped into the greenhouse and made her way to her future. She looked radiant. Her flaming hair was pulled back in an elegant knot at the base of her neck, a few wisps fluttering loosely about her face. Her wedding gown was gorgeous; it was a classic ball gown with a full skirt that was fitted to her body perfectly, in an off white colour. The bodice was embellished with small crystals; the skirt was trimmed with lace and more crystals. We all sat down again when Sonya reached Mikhail. I took a quick look at his face. He was grinning like a fool and there were tears in his eyes. Odd, I thought the brides were supposed to cry? The priest began and instructed Sonya and Mikhail on their vows. Their vows were beautiful and as soon as the priest declared them husband and wife and that Mikhail could kiss Sonya, the whole green house erupted into applause. I turned to Adrian and he was staring at the newlyweds, a wondrous smile on his face. I nudged him and smiled. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to his side.
"That'll be us one day." He said quietly. I looked up at him and he kissed me. "I can't wait for you to be my wife." I rolled my eyes at him and he flashed me his trademark smirk.
"When we've grown up and still together." I said. Adrian's eyes widened and he stared at me in surprise.
"Is that a promise?" He asked in disbelief. I shrugged my shoulders and moved out into the aisle, Adrian close behind me, his hands on my waist.
"Well?" Adrian asked into my ear. I sighed and without turning around, I replied,
"Yes Adrian. It's a promise."