I'd only been asleep a few hours, when I'd been awoken by a loud tapping at my door. Groggily dragging myself out of bed, I trudged to the door and yanked it open. Bright light from the hallway filled my vision and I winced, blinking rapidly.

"Do you have any idea what the time is?" I slurred my eyes still trying to adjust to the light.

"I'm sorry. I keep forgetting you live on a human schedule." Came a voice I knew well.

"Adrian?" My vision cleared, though it was still a bit blurry, but I could make out Adrian's tall frame. He was leaning against the door frame. "What are you doing here?"

"I came over to see if you were all right. What with your father and everything." I got a closer look at Adrian and saw that his eyes were bloodshot and it was then that I realised he smelt like alcohol.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked suspiciously narrowing my eyes. Adrian grinned lopsidedly and pushed up from the door frame stumbling a little bit.

"I have." He laughed. His grin slipped and he frowned. "Though I'm not sure why I decided to drink." I reached out and pulled him inside, slamming my door shut.

"Is Spirit bothering you? Maybe that's why you decided to drink?" I said but Adrian just shook his head and then slapped both hands to either side of his head, his eyes squeezed shut tight. He swayed and I reached out to steady him. At my touch his eyes flew open and he pinned me to the back of my door, his lips crashing violently to mine. I was expecting the kiss to be rough and painful but it wasn't; it was the most sweetest kiss Adrian and I had ever shared. Adrian pulled away a moment later and stuck a hand inside one of his pockets, pulled something out and dropped to his knees. I reached down to help him up, but he waved me away and looked up at me.

"I know I've already asked you, and you've already given me your answer. But I wanted to do this properly, ring and all. But you've already got the ring, so I'm using something else. I know we haven't been together for very long, but I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you, watch our children grow up and have children of their own. I want all of that...with you. And no one else. So, will you, Sydney Katherine Sage, do me, Adrian Nathaniel Ivashkov, the proud honour of being my wife?" I stood there in front of Adrian, staring down at him, mouth open in shock. He held up the object he'd pulled out of his pocket; it was a small black box with Hartley's Jeweller's engraved on the top. Adrian pulled back the lid and nestled inside was a small gold cross on a thin gold chain. Adrian lifted the delicate chain out of the box and held it up carefully between his fingers. Moving my hair out of the way, I removed the gold cross I already had and placed it on the dresser. Adrian moved behind me and gently lowered the cross so it sat neatly below my collarbone. Once he'd clipped it and moved my hair back, Adrian stood behind me and looked at the two of us in my mirror. My hand immediately moved to my new cross and I gently ran my fingers along it. Adrian was smiling as he watched me.

"Flip it over." He said. Looking down, I flipped the delicate cross over and gasped. Engraved in an elegant script was a series of letters; they were our initials and a tiny heart in between.

S.K.S.

3

A.N.I.

"I love you Sydney," Adrian spun me around so I wasn't looking at him through a mirror. "Please say yes, so we can make it official." I took hold of his hands and looked up into his green eyes. They were wary yet so full of hope, just like when he asked me the first time. I reached up and pressed my lips to his. Our kiss was a gentle, sweet, caressing kiss, but soon grew more urgent as the minutes ticked by.

Eventually, we parted, both of us gasping for much needed air. I vaguely realised that I was still pinned between the door and Adrian, and that he still smelt-and tasted- like alcohol. He leant in to kiss me again, but there was another knock at my door. Reluctantly, I moved away from Adrian and towards the door.

"It's Jackie." He said staring intently at my door.

"How do you-oh right. Spirit." I opened the door and standing on the threshold was Ms. Terwilliger.

"Miss Melbourne. Good, you're awake. I'd like to teach you something. A full moon cleansing ritual. To help you get rid of all the negative energies in here." She said as she walked in. "Oh, Adrian. I didn't expect to see you here." Ms. Terwilliger turned to face me.

"Boys aren't supposed to be here in the girl's dorm. Especially ones that don't go to this school." I shot Adrian a look and he just shrugged a smirk on his lips.

"I know that ma'am," I turned to Adrian. "How did you get passed everyone without being seen?" Adrian grinned outright and tapped the side of his head.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." He replied mysteriously and a little vacantly. I briefly wondered if he was having a small Spirit episode.

"That's what I'm trying to find out." I stepped in front of Adrian and held his face in my hands. "Are you having a Spirit attack?" I asked him quietly. He didn't answer so I shook him gently and called out his name. His head snapped back and he blinked, his eyes focusing on me.

"Sorry. What were you saying?" He said frowning slightly.

"How did you get here without being seen by everyone?" I asked again,

"Oh. That was easy. A little bit of compulsion here, a little bit of compulsion there." He said waving his arms about in demonstration.

"You used compulsion on them?" I asked in angry disbelief.

"I had to! Otherwise they wouldn't have let me in to see you." He said. I glared at him and pointed at my door.

"Go home Adrian. And sleep off the alcohol consumption. I'll see you tomorrow for Jill's feeding."

"I'm sorry for using my magic Sydney." He apologised as I walked him to my door and opened it.

"You know how I feel about it." I hissed. Adrian turned and looked at me then.

"It was irresponsible of me to use my magic. Especially when I've been drinking and the alcohol usually numbs the magic."

"You're right; it was irresponsible. Good night Adrian." And shut the door, but Adrian's foot got in the way and it sprung back open. "What now?" I asked irritated.

"You never actually answered that question I asked you." He said.

"Good night Adrian!" I successfully slammed the door in his face and stormed away.

"You'd better go after him, Sydney." Ms. Terwilliger said from the back of my room. I jumped; I'd forgotten she was there. "You may quite possibly regret it if you don't," She then began shaking violently. I hurried to her side, but as soon as the shaking started, it ended and Ms. Terwilliger stared vacantly at me. I waved a hand in front of her face and she blinked, shaking her. "Something terrible will happen to him if you don't go after him." She said eerily. The way she said it scared me, and I was immediately scared of whatever she was talking about could hurt Adrian. I scooped up my phone, sliding it in my pocket and hurried to the door.

"You might want to contact Eddie Castile." Ms. Terwilliger said sounding normal again. I turned to her my hand on the doorknob. "He will protect you." I gave her a sharp, understanding nod and pulled open the door, dialling Eddie's number as I went. The phone rang a few times before Eddie picked up.

"Sydney? What's wrong? Is Jill okay? Angeline?" He sounded alert and ready for battle, though I detected a hint of weariness.

"They're fine. I need you to meet me in the main foyer now. We need to find Adrian before something happens to him." I heard the sound of a door shutting and the sound of heavy breathing.

"I'm on my way." Eddie said and hung up. I put my phone back in my pocket and ran down the hall.

A few minutes later I met Eddie outside the main dorm. He looked up as I pushed the door open and ran outside, clutching my new cross tightly in my hands.

"Do you know where he is?" Eddie demanded as soon as I reached him.

"No. But he shouldn't be too far ahead of us; he left my dorm room about ten minutes ago." I said as I began walking off, Eddie following me.

"What was he doing in your dorm room? After curfew? He doesn't even go to Amberwood." Eddie asked suspiciously. I stopped and turned to face him.

"He came over tonight to ask me to marry him. Then, Ms. Terwilliger showed up to show me how to do a full moon ritual. Adrian admitted to using compulsion to get inside. And I kicked him out before I even got a chance to tell him my answer." I stopped to take a breath. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest that I was surprised Eddie couldn't hear it. Eddie looked up in surprise.

"Adrian asked you to marry him?" He asked incredulously. I nodded my head and smiled shyly.

"Technically, he asked me ages ago," I looked away, not meeting Eddie's eyes. "At Sonya and Mikhail's wedding. I initially said no, but then changed my mind and said yes. We were trying to keep it secret, but then when he showed up tonight, he asked me properly."

"And then Ms. Terwilliger showed up, right? And you never got the chance to answer?" Eddie finished for me. Slowly, I nodded my head.

"Ms. Terwilliger told me that something was going to happen if I didn't go and find Adrian." I turned around and cupping my hands around my mouth. I yelled out,

"Adrian!" When there was no reply, Eddie did the same. We started walking and calling out Adrian's name. We walked around for about an hour just calling out Adrian's name. Finally, when we were about to give up, I heard a faint noise come from around the side of the building.

"Adrian?" I called out tentatively.

"Yeah." I heard him sigh.

"Thank God." I heard Eddie mutter under his breath. I walked the few extra steps around the building and found Adrian sitting on the ground, back against the wall and fiddling with a small piece of grass. I knelt down in front of him and took his hands in between mine.

"I heard you calling out for me." Was all he said.

"Then why you didn't you answer?" I asked him calmly; even though on the inside I was shaking with the fear that he'd been attacked by Strigoi. Adrian merely shrugged. I removed my hands from his, causing him to finally look up, and pushed his legs down.

"What are you doing?" He asked watching me. By way of an answer, I promptly sat in his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled in. Adrian pressed his lips into my hair and I felt him smile.

"Yes." I said quietly. Adrian's lips stilled in my hair and he tilted my head up.

"What?" He asked me searching my eyes for a clue.

"Yes."

"Yes what?" Adrian frowned. I tipped my head up and pressed my lips softly to his.

"Yes, I will marry you." I put my hand up to my new cross and held it between my fingers, all the while, smiling down at Adrian from my position on his lap. Adrian's face lit up like he'd just gotten an early Christmas present. He punched the air and let out a whoop. Eddie stood on the corner, a smile on his face.

"Congrats guys." Eddie said. Adrian looked up at Eddie, grinning.

"Thanks man," Adrian turned to me. "Now we can tell everyone." Adrian's smile was infectious and I found myself smiling along with him.

After we'd all gone our separate ways, I returned to my dorm room and found a note attached to my door.

Dear Sydney,

Congratulations on your engagement to Mr. Ivashkov.

I've left the full moon ritual for another full moon so you can enjoy your newfound happiness. And to also get some sleep.

Also, we'll be having a quiz during tomorrow's lesson, so I hope you have studied hard! (Which I know you have).

Once again, congratulations on your engagement!

Ms. Terwilliger.

I smiled and pocketed the note and swung my door open. How did she know I'd said yes? As I climbed into bed, my hand stole up to my collarbone, where my engagement present from Adrian nestled comfortably. I lay in bed for a while afterward thinking about the History quiz Ms. Terwilliger had in store for us and idly wondered if I should tell Eddie or just let him find out during class.

Three Years Later!

Jill stood behind me lacing up the back o my dress as I stood, arms braced against the side of an intricately carved, floor-length mirror. I flinched as the metal rods in the corset bit into my torso.

"Relax Sydney." Jill scolded looking at me through the mirror, a small smile gracing her lips.

"I'm trying! But the metal rods are digging in and making it hard for me to breathe!" I breathed. Jill stopped the lacing and put her hands on my shoulders and spun me around so I was facing her.

"Just take deep breaths and think of Adrian's reaction when he sees you walking down the aisle." I couldn't help but smile as I thought about my Husband-to-be; Adrian Ivashkov. My hand stole absentmindedly to the small cross Adrian had given me the night he'd properly proposed to me, before realising I didn't have it on. I began panicking.

"My cross," I said pulling away from Jill and began searching for it. "Where is it?" Behind me, Jill snickered.

"Sydney, calm down." I turned on Jill.

"Calm down? I can't calm down until-" I stopped when Jill raised a hand, a small delicate gold chain hung from between her fingers. A small gold cross glittered from the chain as it swung gently. I let out a sigh of relief and held out my hand to take it from her, but Jill pulled her hand back and shook her head.

"Not until we've finished lacing you into your fabulously gorgeous dress." Jill teased. I pouted but stalked back over to her and braced myself against the mirror again, glaring at Jill through the mirror. She was smiling smugly as her fingers began expertly lacing me back up.

There was a knock at the door and Jill and I shared a look.

"If it's Adrian; go away! You're not allowed to see her yet!" Jill yelled in the direction of the door. The door opened a few inches and Dimitri Belikov stuck his head in.

"Only me." He said a faint Russian accent lacing his words.

"That's okay then," Jill said smiling. "You can come in." Dimitri walked in and quickly shut the door behind him. I took this opportunity to check Dimitri out. Not in the I-want-to-have-him-because-he's-so-hot way, but just getting a good look at what the groomsmen were wearing. Despite their differences, Adrian had asked Dimitri to be one of his groomsmen, and acting out of shock, Dimitri had said yes. Dimitri was in a pair of black dress pants, a purple button-down shirt and a black vest. He looked quite handsome. And in his hand was a large bouquet of lillie's.

"Eyeing off my man, are we Sydney?" Came Rose's teasing voice as she emerged from another room to my left. I let out a little laugh as she sashayed up to Dimitri and wrapped an arm around his waist. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and she snuggled into his embrace.

"You have no need to worry Rose. I'm not going to run off with your man. He's all yours. Mine's waiting for me out there." I said pointing in the direction of the chapel. Everyone, Vasilisa Dragomir especially, had insisted that Adrian and I get married at the Royal Court, but Adrian didn't want to. Something about there not being just vampires there, but humans as well. And that was okay with me. Something cool slipped down my collarbone and I reached up to wipe it away. It was my cross. Jill must have slipped it on without me noticing. My hand immediately reached up and traced the cross. I looked down and flipped it over, staring at the inscription on the back and smiled as I remembered the day Adrian and I had told everyone we were engaged.

Jill, Rose, Lissa and Angeline had squealed, while the rest, apart from Eddie as he'd been there, stood open-mouthed and in shock. Rose's hand had snapped out and grabbed mine. She turned it over, studying it intently.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked. Rose frowned.

"Ring. Where's the ring?" She demanded. Oh. Right. She wanted me to show everyone the ring. I reached up and pulled out the gold chain with the ring and cross on it. Rose extended a hand and with her thumb and forefinger carefully picked up the ring.

"Wow. That's gorgeous. Hey guys? Come and have a look at the...hey! That's not the cross you had before! This is a completely different cross!" Rose exclaimed. Adrian came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"The ring was only a promise ring. The cross is new and what I used to properly propose to her with." He said.

"When did you propose?" Lissa asked Adrian. I answered this one.

"Well, technically he asked the night of Sonya and Mikhail's wedding. But he properly asked last night."

"Oh I'm so happy for you guys!" Squealed Jill and she enveloped both Adrian and I in a hug. Soon enough, everyone else had joined in. I was quickly getting crushed and starting to panic. Adrian sensed the tension in my body.

"Alright guys. Sydney's starting to freak out about our proximity." Everyone backed off and I started to feel a little bit better.

"Sydney?" Someone snapped the fingers in front of my face forcing me to come back to reality. I blinked and waited for my eyes to focus. When they finally did, I found Rose standing directly in front of me, her hand in front of my face. "Wakey wakey."

"Sorry, I guess I zoned out." I said sheepishly.

"You think?" Rose snorted. I mock glared at her and she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Mature Rose. Real mature." I laughed. Rose just shrugged and slipped her feet into her shoes. My gaze focused on Dimitri, who was still standing in the room , bouquet of lilies' still in his hand.

"I don't mean to be rude Dimitri, but why exactly are you here?" I asked.

"Good question." Said Rose standing up and adopting a hands on hips pose. "Why are you here?"

Dimitri let out an uncomfortable laugh and ran his free hand through his hair.

"Adrian asked me to give you these." He said handing me the bouquet and walked out. There was a note attached and I plucked it out of the bouquet. It was from Adrian. Obviously.

Sydney,

Hurry up and get here!

Apparently patience is a virtue, but today I am not a patient man.

I've waited three years for you.

I love you so much

Adrian xxx

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Typical Adrian. So impatient." I said. The skirts of my dress ruffled and lifted and I felt a pair of hands lift my leg up and slid something onto and up my leg.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?"

"Putting your garter on." Jill said as she re-emerged from under my dress. "Put your shoes on and take your bouquet. We're ready to go."

My pulse quickened, breathe coming in short gasps. This was it. I was about to marry Adrian Ivashkov. After today I would no longer be Sydney Sage. I would be Sydney Ivashkov. I vaguely recalled putting my shoes on and have my bouquet pressed into my hands. I barely even remember the short walk to the chapel. One after the other, Jill, Lissa, Rose and Angeline began filing out. Leaving me standing alone. Someone came up beside me and I looked up into the kind eyes of Clarence Donahue.

"No bride should be walking down the aisle by themselves." He said as he tucked my arm into his just as the massive double doors swung open and everyone stood up. I couldn't see Adrian but I knew he was there. Clarence and I stood there and waited for our cue. The music began and Clarence and I made our way down the long aisle. I began my first steps to a new life. A new life with Adrian Nathaniel Ivashkov.