A/N: Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

At the end of the last fic someone asked me if Erin could become pregnant.

Would anyone else like to see it? I'll go with the majority.

Chapter 2: Induction

Erin hovered nervously outside the door to the 'feast hall' as Bertrand had dubbed it. The inside of the hall was packed with visiting clan leaders and the Council, not to mention the slayers and Vlad's uncle and cousin. His mother wasn't there, not that she was surprised.

This wasn't as nerve wracking as the ceremony itself but it was still a daunting feeling. The whole purpose of this 'event' was to accept her into the family formally. Once this was done she could become Vlad's Queen officially with another ceremony.

She paced slightly, tugging her cloak collar down as it rose up slightly around her neck. She didn't want anyone thinking she was trying to hide it because she was ashamed. The collar never stayed flat, she had no idea how Vlad could always keep his down and she couldn't.

"Bring in your mate." That was her cue. She stopped moving and waited behind the doors, her fists clenching and unclenching. She heard a familiar click and they opened evenly revealing her to the rest of the hall.

The centre of the hall had been carpeted in black (typically) for her and Vlad to walk along. Around the edges of the hall rested tables laid with all sorts of delicacies. Vampire food and breather food. The vampire food that contained vile things like breaded frog, slime water soup and honeyed ocelot with worm stuffing were along the west wall and the breather food such as gateaux, salad and cake was along the east wall.

Vlad had won the argument against the cobwebs, effectively kicking Renfield out of the hall until this evening. He hadn't lost his temper and for that Erin was proud.

The only other decorations in the room was the large crest hanging from the ceiling coming to rest in front of Vlad's slightly ornate throne.

Vlad had insisted that his throne be wooden and its natural colour, no gold and no gold leaf. On his coronation he'd been presented with a highly polished mahogany throne. It didn't stand out as much as other thrones; it was smaller than most but perfect for Vlad. He didn't want to show off his power unlike the other vampires.

Vlad's throne had the crest of the Dracula's was carved ornately in the centre of the throne, however his crest was slightly different to the rest of his family's. In between the two open wings of the dragon nestled an icon to represent his crown. This new crest could only be used by Vlad, his wife and his descendants to show their importance in the vampire world.

Erin wouldn't receive a throne until the day she was crowned his Queen. Vlad wanted her coronation as quickly as possible. He didn't want to have to see her stand at the side of his throne all the time while he had to conduct business.

Her eyes looked on Vlad's serious face; he wasn't allowed to smile during this bit. It was from the days when matings were forced and they had to make sure the mate wouldn't run away. While his face was serious his eyes twinkled and danced. Erin locked her eyes with his and refused to move them away. She immediately felt calmer as he walked towards her until he stood directly in front of her.

Vlad was wearing his plain leathers, matching her dress perfectly. They weren't ornate like his mating ones. The mating leathers had decorative leather ribbing and ornate patterns along the front, similar to a Celtic pattern. His collar was the same as all of his clothes, it came half way up his neck, that was another reason why his bite had been awkward.

Vlad gently took her hand, tradition said he should take her arm but lacing their fingers together was much more personal, slowly he led her into the hall.

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Steph looked at Erin trying not to cry, Tom had steeled himself for the endless ceremonies. The worst part in his mind had been watching his daughter being bitten again. Vlad still didn't trust Erin's family but it wasn't fair to exclude them from the ceremony. Erin still preferred his family to hers, she knew they'd finally come to accept that Vlad was a permanent part of her unlife now and nothing could or would change that.

Ingrid smiled softly at her new sister-in-law; even Bertrand had a soft smile on his face.

Erin saw the Council directly behind them, disapproving looks on three of their faces. Baylor, Jorgen and Mikhail. Erin didn't trust them as far as she could throw them.

Erin stood before the clan patriarch on Vlad's left. The Count couldn't smile at her but he gave her the smallest of nods.

Vlad gave her a soft smile, which Erin nervously returned. Usually in these ceremonies it would be the bride's first acceptance into the family but she'd already been accepted – three years ago.

Unfortunately it had to be done publicly as the mating ceremony had been a private affair after some battles and a number of arguments. Usually Vlad, Erin, Ingrid and Robin against everyone else.

Erin stood proudly and stiffly before the Count letting him study her. He tilted her neck gently and with care looking at the scar and gave a firm nod. The Count did the same to Vlad, looking at his matching smaller scar.

The Count nodded to Vlad accepting her. "She'll do." To anyone else it might have sounded like a grudging acceptance but she could see the humour in his eyes.

The pair slowly turned to face each other and Vlad took a small step towards her. Erin trembled slightly and he nodded to her, there was nothing to be scared of. He gently unclasped her plain cloak from around her shoulder letting it fall harmlessly to the floor. She wouldn't be needing the plain one anymore. Erin felt exposed then without her cloak. She started to worry as Vlad froze and stared at her.

"What I done wrong?" She asked him quietly, desperate to try and fix it publicly. She didn't want to embarrass him in front of everyone, especially not on such an important occasion.

His eyes snapped to hers, his eyebrows rising as he blinked and shook his head. "Nothing." He whispered.

Erin tipped her head to one side, "Then what…"

His mouth was slightly dry, he licked his lips before speaking, "You look amazing."

Erin ducked her head down, she hadn't realised his reaction would be similar to when he saw her in her mating dress.

She'd picked complete black this time, not leather but satin instead. The dress reflected the lights of the room, the dress was straight cut and fell to the floor. It didn't have sleeves this time, not even straps but it clung tightly to her. Once again she was laced into it. The makeup she wore was subtle and highlighted her features. Underneath she wore more sensible shoes, shoes she could definitely walk in and Vlad once again towered over her.

Someone cleared their throat behind Vlad and he rolled his eyes before taking the cloak held out to him.

He shook it to remove any creases before gently draping it around her shoulders delicately; she felt the smooth red silk brush against her shoulders. He fastened the chain before kissing her chastely but sweetly. She heard a growl from somewhere and knew it was from the Council at Vlad's open display of affection.

He stepped back from Erin admiring her new cloak. Erin looked down at the Vlad's version of the Dracula crest on either side of chain. She knew there would be another on the back of her cloak, much larger. She was now allowed to wear it being accepted into his family, usually a plain cloak meant disgrace as if you didn't have a clan you didn't have honour – strangely no one had looked down on her because of it – now she was part of the nobility in their world.

The Count began in a large voice, "With the presentation of the cloak, my son has inducted his new bride publicly and officially into our family. Welcome to the Dracula clan – Erin Elizabeth Dracula."

Erin relaxed with the ordeal finally coming to an end as Vlad pulled her into a tight hug, he didn't care that people were watching them. She gripped the back of his cape tightly, fisting the leather between her fingers as she held him.

"Love you." He whispered into her neck.

"Love you too." She replied with a large grin.

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Vlad rested his head back against his throne, he'd had enough after the nineteenth insincere congratulations, now they were on the two hundred and seventh and it was really wearing thin. Erin reached across and ran her hand up and down his arm. He was growing more frustrated at the way some of the clan leaders had deliberately ignored her.

Robin held an overloaded plate of food before dropping it on the table with a loud bang. Some of the food flew across the table and onto the floor with the force.

"Is it weird being married to a vampire?" Robin asked her curiously, stuffing his face as he did so. He saw Vlad's look and completely misinterpreted it, "Sorry, *mated* to a vampire?"

Vlad shook his head, Robin as right he wasn't impressed with his wording but it hadn't been that part of the wording. "Robin, Erin's a vampire."

"She wasn't originally." He defended his original comment.

"She was living with me though…"

"Actually she wasn't 'living with you', living with you." Robin told him completely confusing the pair of them, "She was living with your entire family in separate rooms."

Erin bit her tongue trying not to laugh. "The answer's no Robin." Erin decided to end their argument before it began. "Its just the same as before, just… better." She couldn't explain why but the thought of him being officially hers made her heart swell and made her feel giddy. Vlad was her mate and it couldn't be revoked.

Robin was roughly grabbed by the collar and pulled away from Vlad and Erin. Immediately Vlad and Erin stood looking for the person guilty of attacking a breather.

"Congratulations Vladimir." The gravely voice spoke making Vlad look up. Vlad looked his Uncle Ivan. Ivan hadn't changed one bit in nearly six years. He still was an impressive but fearsome sight.

"You made it."

"Wouldn't miss the Grand High Vampire getting mated to such a beautiful creature, could I?" He spoke his eyes lingering on Erin.

There was something about the way he said Vlad's official title that set her teeth on edge. She could just be paranoid but then she remembered that Ivan's only male heir had been killed by Vlad's crown. It clearly brought up bad memories for him.

Ivan bowed down and gently kissed the back of Erin's hand, she curtseyed in respect for him although she didn't have to or rather wouldn't have to for much longer.

"Olga." Vlad gave a curt nod to his cousin who seemed to enjoy taunting Robin with her fangs until he quivered. Olga was far worse than Ingrid had ever been.

Ivan looked up and glanced towards the buffet table with the blood. "I think I need a drink." He began to pull away from them. "Olga!" He barked sharply and his daughter raced towards him.

"Things still awkward between your family then?" Robin asked him quietly.

It was obvious, wasn't it? "Yeah."

Once Ivan and Olga had gone far enough away so they couldn't overhear, Robin lowered his voice; he believed that Vlad had a right to know this next piece of information. "Chloe wanted to be here for everything" Robin watched as his best friend bristled. "I told her no, you didn't need that."

"Thanks." Vlad whispered, while Robin had been forgiven long ago for the part he played in Erin's early transformation but he couldn't forgive Chloe. He wasn't sure he ever could.

"You okay?" Erin asked her husband, she paused as she felt light she loved thinking of him that way. Robin felt guilty telling him but he had a right to know. He couldn't trust Chloe not to do something stupid.

"Fine." He kissed her softly to reassure her. He went to pull away but Erin didn't let him, she nipped his bottom lip between her teeth making him groan before opening his mouth. Erin's tongue gently found his, as soon as they brushed Erin's arms wrapped themselves around his neck. Vlad's slipped under her cloak, wrapping around her waist and pulling her much closer.

Robin blanched. "That's just gross."

That did it, Erin pulled away from Vlad laughing, he chuckled along with her.

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It was about half way through the congratulatory speeches that Vlad had enough. Vlad couldn't take sitting on his throne anymore with Erin standing beside him. He stood quickly and sent a fireball careening into the air.

Immediately everything hushed and everyone turned to face him. Vlad took Erin's hand and pulled her upwards, Vlad pulled Erin close, wrapping an arm around her waist; she mimicked his gesture stopping just short of resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you all for coming to the feast to celebrate my mating." He began with a slight glance towards his father and the Council. He looked down at Erin and saw the encouragement in his eyes. "As you know I am the first Grand High Vampire to ever take a mate, and I fully intend to make her my Queen," There was a silence so Vlad continued, "And my equal."

There was even more stunned silence. Never before had a woman been made his equal. Ingrid was his seconds but Erin would have the same power as him.

Vlad and his family had been keeping this a closely guarded secret so the Council couldn't pull anything or so they hoped.

The Council stared at each other they had no idea that Vlad meant to make her his equal. Queen and equal were completely different things. They were even more insulted that he hadn't consulted them on it.

"And I plan on holding my wife's coronation within the next two days." A pin could have been heard to drop, everyone's faces were open mouthed and their eyes were blank. It had never been done before.

There was a reluctant applause before the women joined in clapping enthusiastically. Soon the entire hall was full of applause. Although it was hard to tell if it was genuine or forced, in that moment Vlad didn't care he was expressing his authority.

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Half of the Council had left the room before the applause even stopped. If you looked closely at them you probably would be able to see the steam coming out of their ears in their anger. They knew this would happen but they didn't expect her as his 'equal'. It was more of an insult than disbanding the Vampire High Council.

Mikhail, Baylor and Jorgen didn't stop until they found a quiet secluded spot where no one would over hear them.

Mikhail looked at Baylor, "Is everything sorted?" This needed to be done quickly.

"We've had three years to get this sorted, now is the perfect time to use it." Jorgen snapped at his, well 'friend' was too strong a word to use more along the lines of 'associate'.

Baylor ignored Jorgen's comment, it had taken three years but they were finally ready. This plan couldn't be rushed it had involved waiting just like he'd said it might. "It's all set for your signal."

"Good." Mikhail let out a shallow laugh. "Its about time we took the power from him."

"When are you planning on doing it?" Baylor asked him quietly.

Mikhail smiled – he had the perfect opportunity planned.

TBC

A/N: What do you think?

Thanks for reading.