Disclaimer: These are not Stephanie's vampires.
Chapter Twenty Six
Isabella Swan
I didn't think it was physically – or literally – possible to be so tired from planning an event, but my mind was completely exhausted. Lights and fabrics and colors and music and what would I, one of the only humans in attendance, like to eat?
And then there was this gem, right from the Queen's mouth: "By the way, dear, which of our ceremonial knives would you like to use?"
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Alice was helpful though – she was close enough in age that she understood I didn't exactly like crystal chandeliers and gold lined goblets of blood and she kept the tedious process a little fun by purposefully picking outrageous choices to counteract the Queen's very royal taste. In the end, compromises were made and though I had never been to a vampire wedding-slash-coming out party, I had every confidence that tomorrow night would go on without a hitch, besides the obvious one.
There was only one more matter to discuss and, even as tired as I am, Edward had better be prepared for an earful.
Not telling me that it would be a wedding? I mean, how does that slip his mind? He's a vampire.
It was ridiculous.
Of course I'm happy about it – I love him and though I hadn't actively thought about marrying him, I didn't see any reason not to.
Edward didn't need to know that though, not yet at least.
Still not knowing my way around the royal compound, I rely on Alice to lead me to Violet Hall, where, upon arriving, one of the many vampire guards offers to escort me to Edward, who is in his personal office.
He had two offices, apparently. One in the main building and one that was for personal use; this made me curious. Who needs two offices?
Better yet, who needs two identical offices?
Stepping into the room, my perfect memory relays an overlaid image of his other office – this is a carbon copy and I instantly feel like it's a bit frivolous, especially when I see Edward not doing much of anything.
Playing Farmville didn't count.
I blink, watching him harvest crops with such intensity that I feel stupefied.
He failed to tell me that we're having a wedding tomorrow but he can remember to harvest his strawberries every four hours?
My fingers twitch and, before I can stop myself, I feel the tips of my fingers close around the top of his ear, tugging harshly.
Edward pulls a face, letting his head be pulled in my direction by his ear. "Bella?"
"Do you have something to tell me?"
He swallows. "Uh, yes I do, princess."
I glare at him. "Don't even try to princess me," I tell him, letting go of his ear and closing his sleek little laptop, hoping that his little farm bursts into flames or something because it wasn't fair that he could be so relaxed while I spent the last three hours of my life dealing with our wedding.
A wedding I just found out about – at this point, I didn't care that I was on cloud nine because of the upcoming nuptials.
I make direct eye contact with Edward, raising a single brow. "There have been a lot of sudden changes for me, Edward. Don't you think it would have been nice if I didn't have a wedding bomb dropped on me? By your mother?" I rage, tossing my hands in the air. "Do you even realize how out of my element I was? How foreign all of…all of this is?" I ask, gesturing to his extravagance.
"Bella-"
"Edward, I come from near poverty," I tell him quietly. "I have worked for everything in my life. You cannot just come in, sweep me off my feet, make me love you and then leave me out of the loop about things that affect me. This is my wedding, Edward!"
He frowns and I realize quite suddenly that it hadn't even crossed his mind for a second of how much changes I'd been going through – or how learning of our wedding - would affect me.
I sigh. "What about a proposal? Don't I get at least that much?" I snort, shaking my head. "A ring would have been a great hint, Edward."
Instantly, Edward has me wrapped firmly in his arms, his lips ghosting across mine. "Forgive me," he begs softly, ducking his eyes down to connect with mine. "I forget human customs. It was never my intention to upset you or bombard you with planning our final blood exchange ceremonial wedding."
He kisses my cheek – soft, sweet, perfect.
Instantly forgiving, especially since I wasn't too mad in the first place, I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into his solid chest.
"I do have a ring," he whispers.
I pull back, unable to hide the eager smile on my face. "Can I see it?"
"No."
"Please?"
He pauses. "…No."
I huff. "That's not fair."
Edward grins. "I would rather it be a surprise, princess."
Futility, I poke his chest. "You're lucky that Alice is coming to take me away soon."
It's Edward's turn to frown. "What do you mean? Why do you have to leave?"
Grinning deviously, because I suddenly had fair revenge for being out of his vampire customs loop, I laugh at him. "Human tradition," I say. "You can't see me until the wedding."
He scowls. "It's a blood ceremony."
"In which we exchange vows and promise eternity to each other."
"But it's mostly for the final blood exchange."
I quirk a brow. "I just heard something about a ring," I respond. "To me, this is sounding more like a wedding than a blood exchange."
Edward rolls his eyes. "I do not like this human tradition that takes you away from me."
"And I don't like not knowing things," I tell him pointedly.
He sighs with reluctant acceptance, releasing me from his gentle hug just as Jasper and Alice arrive, each dropping into a bow. "My Lady, your rooms are ready."
I look back up at Edward's scowling face, rocking onto the tips of my toes to brush my lips against his in a too-brief kiss. "I will see you tomorrow at noon."
I do not give him time to respond as I slip past a relaxed Jasper and follow Alice down the hallways and into my temporary rooms.
Alice and I agree, rather quickly, that it would be best for me to go right to sleep because I certainly wouldn't be getting sleep tomorrow night. She insists on staying with me and I welcome her soothing, quiet presence as I settle into sleep.
When I wake, I feel like it's dawn – judging from the sky outside, it might as well be. Even at college, I wasn't in the habit of waking up early and seven seemed too early.
To my surprise – and mild embarrassment – Alice is not the only vampire in my room. Behind her stand two other female vampires and both are completely silent as all three lead me into the large bathroom.
Horrified, I look at the collection of beauty products lining the long counter and the various bottles balancing on the deep garden bathtub. "We're using all of that?"
Alice looks un-phased. "Of course, my Lady. Please remove your clothing."
I glance warily at the stranger vampires but conclude that they won't be leaving any time soon and Alice did look awfully determined.
I shed my clothing and stand before them nude, battling my own modesty because I'd very abruptly came to accept this as my life – and Edward was worth these fleeting uncomfortable moments.
One vampire hurries to the tub, working quickly with salts, oils and flower petals while the other vampire directs me into a soft chair; in her hand, she holds a small rectangular object that I soon realize is a permanent hair remover. Each vampire works deftly as Alice combs out my hair.
I force myself to relax, feeling the soft heat on my legs from the hair remover and the sure, forceful scrubs of some sort of pad against the newly hairless skin. I am even able to keep my eyes closed as Alice moves away and the shaving vampire works on my underarms, repeating the process. With a soft voice, she breaks into my stubborn meditation. "My Lady?"
"Yes?"
"What of your nether region?"
Heat blooms on my face. "I-I can do that."
The vampire blinks at me. "It is no trouble, my Lady."
"Charlotte," Alice whispers. "I think our Lady is fine with how she trims her nether area. It looks fine to me."
The vampire, Charlotte, nods and then helps me stand, leading me into the garden tub. As I soak, the vampires tackle my fingers and toes, buffing and filing my nails, pushing back cuticles and scrubbing my heels while Alice fills me in on the progression of the ceremony plans.
"The cooks have finished preparing all of the vampire meals and all of the maids have finished decorating the ball room," she tells me as she lathers my hair with an odd creamy cleanser that held almost no scent. "Once we are done here, you will go back to the bedroom to pick out your dress. I've looked over the selection already and have eliminated the more…revealing choices."
"Thank you, Alice."
"I think you will be pleased to know that guests are arriving on time and are being settled into the eastern wing. Violet Hall will be solely yours tonight."
I nod in understanding, clenching my eyes shut when Alice rinses my hair with a hand-held shower, immediately dousing my hair in sweet, almost fruity smelling oil and quickly rinsing the hair again.
The vampire women move out of the bathroom as Alice assists me up and into a fluffy white robe. Feeling fully pampered – and more than a little anxious – I step into soft slippers and go back into the bedroom, blinking in shock at the three racks of dresses.
"Shall we start with color?"
I nod, allowing Alice to take the gleeful lead in picking out my dress; we first eliminate colors, holding the fabrics up to my skin, and then cuts of the neckline and skirt. Managing to get the selection down to three, the vampires help me into the dresses and, while I am standing in the last dress, Alice and I share a satisfied smile – then, it's right back to business.
Again, I am in the bathroom and helped as I use intense moisturizers on every inch of my skin; then I am seated in the comfortable chair while Alice blow-dries and styles my hair as Charlotte, and Petra, the other vampire, work on painting my nails and toenails matching ruby red shades. With nimble fingers, Alice manages to curl and pin my hair easily with tiny white pearl pins, sliding an ivory and pearl comb into one side of my hair.
And then, before I can really process the fact that my face has been lightly covered with sheer foundation, my eyes dusted with sparkling cream and bronze and my lips covered in shiny bright red glossy, I am standing in front of a full-length mirror in my dress.
The first thing I notice is how smooth and pale my skin looks - and how large my eyes seem to be and how full my lips are. Random tendrils of curled hair spill from the loose up-do, framing my face and one long lock trailing down the side of my neck, curling just over my breast.
The dress is stunning – and classic, a modernized shadow of something Isobel would have worn with a diamond shaped neckline that shows off my neck, the sharp jut of my collarbone and the smooth swell of my upper breasts, pushed up by the white lace corset I wear underneath. The sleeves are tight and a little too long, covering up my knuckles and buttoned with white pearls on the sides of my wrist. The skirt flares in gentle folds from my hips, the back forming a small train about a foot long; creamy white lace overlays the soft silk a shade darker than nude that makes the dress. Standing behind me, Alice attaches a light silver, single pearl necklace, the little treasure cradled neatly in the hollow of my neck.
I exhale, blinking.
"You look beautiful, my Lady."
"Like a true princess," Charlotte agrees in a whisper, Petra nodding enthusiastically behind her.
I smile slightly, feeling my shoulders standing tall, my chin parallel to the floor – feeling essentially like real royalty.
Like I really do belong next to Edward.
"I'm ready," I say to them, allowing Charlotte to help me into the nude pumps that Alice had picked out.
Three male vampires are guarding my door; one is Jasper, who immediately moves to my side, Alice taking my other elbow with my other two maids behind me and the larger male guards escorting us out of the building. Jasper smiles kindly, quietly complimenting me.
My heart beats a quick tattoo as we enter through the back of the main building and go up a single flight of stairs that will lead to the grand ballroom.
I knew Edward would be standing at the top of the stairs, in front of the double doors, waiting for me so we can make our entrance together; I was not expecting him in full royal regalia. His suit is made of the darkest black, shining silver armor covering his shoulders and chest, a black cape lined with red falling behind him, a black sash holding an intimidating sword at his side. His fangs are fully drawn, his eyes a shade lighter than normal and his lips a shade darker; he looks at me hungrily, appreciatively.
Holding his hand out, he takes my small fingers into his grasp, pulling me into his side and pressing his nose into my hair. "You are stunning, princess," he growls.
My eyes and fingers trace the graceful line of his long sword and it's sheath. "I didn't know you use a sword."
"Merely a formality, now. I haven't needed it for hundreds of years," he answers, pressing a slow kiss onto my neck.
I feel my face flush, finally remembering that several guards and maids were surrounding us. I glance back, feeling my brows furrow when only Jasper and the other two guards are in sight.
"Where-"
"To join the crowd, love."
I take a deep breath, gazing into the mint eyes of the man I love. Decision and nerves cemented, I turn to the stairs, holding my chin high with innate grace and pride, the vampire Prince at my side doing the same thing.
The double doors open and we step onto the first step – and I accept my new future wholly.
A/N: Well…I think you guys can guess the next chapter. Hello, climax – in more ways than one!
*reviews on this chapter – I'm having a bad case of "I'm a writer and I'm in online college and my fingers hurt from typing all the time" so the only reviews that are being replied to are here. I truly cherish everyone and I love you guys! Next chapter will be better for reviews!*
Shout out to the first 10 reviews of the last chapter (including guests):
Krystalwinds1990 – I don't think I would survive a pouting Edward!
Zakhariahz – Sexy piece of vampire man-meat? I totally want a piece.
Jessica – More more more is coming!
james3142 – Yeaaahhhh….Edward kind of failed on the proposal thing, huh?
Twilight Rocker 12 – I give you amazing smutty, beautiful love and you get pleasure from giving me gross imagery? The irony kills me, Kiwi.
Tonia Rains – Nope, this ceremony doesn't make her immortal; that's a totally different thing and is more than just a bite like in the Twilight universe. And they will exchange bloodstones! Lol Good guess!
Headinthecloudsss – I hope the wedding doesn't disappoint!
Love M Go Blue – You'll see just how "human" the wedding will be!
NorthmanCullen – Carlisle is still alive! He's just…I dunno, being a king or something.
LunaDiSangue85 – Crazy people wouldn't wanna marry him!
Edward's spouse – Next chapter should blow your socks off!
Holidai – I think some miscommunication is wonderful lol I enjoy it.
Pumpkinmykitty – Her monthly visitor is long gone (thank God).
Kaygou – Well, at least she's getting a wedding, right?
Super special shout out to the first review of the last chapter, nessiehugs – don't swoon too hard over our Vampward! You might miss his, uh, other assets!
As always, be brutally honest. I can take it.
~cupcakeriot