Lucline and Rasina stood before the Priestess of Mara as their friends and the Dufrey siblings sat down. Tira, Lucline's daughter Tiara Dufrey, formerly Riatira Alcine, came down the aisle with a cushion with the matching Rings of Mara resting on it.
The priestess raised her hands. "It was Mara that first taught us to love…"
The words of the ceremony rushed over Lucline as her hand went and squeezed Rasina's. She felt a slight squeeze back and knew they would be alright. She felt the eyes of the group on her as the ritual continued. She had a wedding dress of white silk while Rasina was wearing a wedding garment from Hammerfell. She felt a pang of sadness, she knew her soon to be wife was missing the desert. Finally the priestess reached the end.
"Do you agree, Lucline Dufrey, to be bound in love, now and forever?"
"I do." Lucline said, smiling at Rasina. The look she got made her heart flutter.
"And do you agree, Rasina at-Sentinel, to be bound in love now and forever?"
"I do." Rasina said and Lucline grinned widely.
"Then by the power invested in me by Mara, the goddess of Love, I pronounce you both wed. We grant you these matching rings, born by the daughter of the Dufrey bride. These rings are engraved with your partner's name on the inside, to carry with you at all times."
Rasina picked up the left right that had her own name on it. "This is my ring, it is a symbol of how much I love you, Lucline. Will you wear it as my wife?"
Lucline held out her hand. "Gladly, until my dying day."
Rasina put the ring on Lucline's left ring finger. Lucine then picked up the right ring.
"This is my ring, it is a symbol of how much I llove you, Rasuna.Will you wear it as my wife?"
Rasina raised her left hand. "Gladly, until my dying day."
Lucline put her partner's ring on her ring finger. Then they stepped in together and shared a passionate kiss.
They broke the kiss as the merger guests applauded them. Lucline reached over and ran a hand through Tira's hair. Her daughter smiled at her and hugged Rasina.
"I can finally call you Mother now, Rasina."
Rasina blushed very prettily, she thought. "And I get to call you daughter, Tira. Still going to kick your butt in training."
Tira pouted. "I would expect no less! It's so nice, not being naturally good at something like I am with magic. It's actually challenging to use a sword."
They walked outside where they had set up a small reception in the street near the chapel. Lucline saw her sister, Abee, approaching them.
"Congrats, sister. And now I can call you sister, Rasina. I was surprised you took my sister's name. It's clear who is the top in this marriage."
Lucline blushed and hid her face in her bride's shoulder. Rasina just laughed and Lucline felt her comforting hands on her shoulder. The morning sickness had started earlier this morning. She wasn't sure yet but she was pretty sure she was carrying Rasina's child now. She had not told her partner but she had seemed to just know it. Rasina had been far more protective of her and keeping her from falling over the last few days. Magic was a powerful tool, allowing even same sex partners to have the miracle of children together of their own combined blood.
Rasina replied. "I look forward to getting to know you and my new brother as well. When he is not busy flirting with Talsma. She is a lovely Khajiit."
Abee laughed. "I look forward to it. Are you girls taking a honeymoon? I hear High Isle is nice time of year."
"High Isle is always nice, sister. And sadly, not yet. We have much to do if we are going to get the Dufrey affairs in order. It turns out our parents were lax with record keeping when they were bankrolling that criminal enterprise. The King is not pleased and wants everything from the last few years gone over with his scribes. I'll likely be doing that for most of this year."
"Not to mention," Lobamog approached her. "You're the new Branch Leader of the High Rock Society of Magic. I'm surprised the Society was able to survive the stigma of the death of Tira's first body."
"That was in large thanks to the efforts of Archmage Arco from Skyrim. Turns out the Dragonborn has a lot of pull in the affairs of the world. Are you going to replace the Wrothgar Leader, Lobamog?"
The orc laughed and took a swig of his beer. "Oblivion no! I'm staying here, with my friends if it's all the same to you. I would much rather work with people I trust. It's always going to tickle the back of my mind now that most Branch Leaders could be using me."
"Well, I would need a second in command, so that job is yours if you like, Lobamog. We are also going to have to recruit. Most of the High Rock members were arrested for being involved with the Brotherhood of Galeron. Might you also want to help with the Estate?"
"It would be my pleasure. Numbers and figures are my calling after Illusion Magic. Can I start tomorrow afternoon?"
"Planning to get roaring drunk, are we?" Rasina teased lightly.
"Yep, and then I might see if that pretty Orc lass I met last time I was in town is still around. We had some fun together last time."
"Good luck, Lobamog." Lucline picked up a pitcher and refilled his mug. "Drink one for me. I'm avoiding alcohol just in case I am expecting another little Dufrey."
"Well, that would be another party this year if so. How lucky am I?"
The orc wandered off. Rasina wrapped her arms around Lucline from behind.
"Shall we sneak off, my bride? I would like some alone time with you and our daughter for awhile."
Lucline leaned into her arms. "A quiet moment before we have to clean up this mess would not be amiss. Lead on, my love."
Elder-Scrolls*
Her thrall leaned back as she drank freely from the young woman's neck. She loved the way the scarlet blood flowed down her throat and warmed her cold stomach. She removed her fangs from her moaning victim and licked the wounds, allowing them to close. She examined the light skin of her thrall, completely naked from the sex they had before the feeding. Her victim was very lovely. Then she looked down at her pale white as snow skin. She knew her lips were dyed as red as her eyes.
"Will, I become like you soon, my mistress?" Her servant begged. The vampire shuddered as her thrall touched her so intimately.
"Soon, my pet. I need you in the daylight for a bit longer. Once you secure me Abee Dufrey, I'll give you my dark gift as your reward. In the meantime, how fares passing the laws that will allow the city to be ruled by vampires?"
"Well. I am greasing palms and swaying opinions on those I know can be discreet. Such political changes, even in a Duchy as Camlorn, can take time. Soon the Duke will be surrounded by our supporters, clearing the way for your rightful rule, Mistress."
"Good, and you at my side as one of my brides. Do not fail me, my pet."
"Never, my Mistress. I am yours forever."
The vampire laughed as her servant dressed and left her den. How right she was on that last statement. Those who became vampires while her loyal thralls would be under her complete control. She looked now as fifteen female vampires came out of hiding. None were clad in anything but their skin. Most were Bretons but there was some redguards and imperials as well. She had one elf, a bosmer girl that was the leader of her harem. She had created these brides over the course of five hundred years. They were not just vampires; she had seen each a master of a weapon or spell even before she infected them with Vampirism and made them eternal. She had been busy, oh so busy.
"My rightful place as Queen approaches. Ready yourselves for war, my brides. I shall have what was taken from me all those centuries ago."
The Fifteen Brides cheered and applauded their Dark Lover, calling her name to the darkness.
"Mirada Dufrey! Queen Mirada Dufrey! May she reign forever!"
A/N: A new chapter begins. I hope your looking forward to move of the Dufrey Diaries. See you next chapter