Chapter 72

A wedding was out of the question. We had hours before Nick had to leave for Kotowa and a simple white dress would have to do. I slip it on and start fixing my hair. A seeker would be here shortly to marry us and I stop, looking at myself in the mirror. My green eyes staring back, looking exhausted. My face was not that of a happy bride, it was of stress and fear. Though my face looked fresh and pretty, my eyes said it all. Shaking my head, I brush my hair, using pearl clips to sweep it up. The satin Channel dress was beautiful as I slip a thin gold necklace on. Taking a deep breath, I step out of the room.

A knock on the door told me it was time. I wasn't ready, but there wasn't time. Two A rank servants were already in my room, folding clothes into bags, dresses that had been shipped over by the crate load to wear in Kotowa.

After that kiss that nearly landed me to my knees, Nick had sat me down and explained the intricacies of high society in Kotowa. So I had been given leave to speak with several A rank clansmen who were still under Nick's household to get what I needed. I had to be extravagant, though I felt silly for it. Stores were open and Tiffany's vaults unlocked. I had no clue how wealthy Nick was till he had me pick out my ring and then proceed to buy half the store.

Now as I open the door, I see Gregor staring down at me. He says, 'Miss, your fiance waits for you in the Presidential Suite.'

Nodding, I follow behind him and notice two other guards flanked me. I glance back at them, Gregor notices and explains, 'You will soon be the Queen of our Clan. Protecting you will be our priority.'

This surprises me and I blink, staring at him. But before I have time to ask him more he opens the door and I see Nick. My breath leaves me slowly, staring at the man who was suddenly about to become my husband. He looked gorgeous in his Armani Tux with slicked back hair and a pin on his tye that held his clans crest. I felt like I was being swept away and was effectively not ready. My hands were shaking and I ball them into fists at my side to still them.

It was time to be courageous, as I pull back my shoulders and let the years of age, experience, and my upbringing as a Duke's daughter take over. Floating towards him, I see him look me up and down in surprise, whispering, 'You look beautiful.'

'Thank you.'

He takes my hand and says, 'The seeker will be here soon. But there are a few things I need to explain to you about a vampiric wedding.'

'We drink each other's blood, mixed in ancient wine.'

'Yes, but... you will see all my memories.'

'I know, your bloodsong.'

'No, you don't understand. This is more than a couple hundred years, but thousands.'

That's when it hits me. Thousands of years. I whisper, 'I understand.'

A Pureblood's bloodsong was enormous, moreso than any other rank. The few tastes of his song had sent me reeling, this however could shatter me. But I was prepared. We were getting closer to the truth and to have his protection could save me from Dante's words that still rung in my ear.

'That is not all, there is also...'

Before he could tell me, the door opens and a man in white robes with runes on them comes into the room. I could sense he was an A rank as he comes up and bows low to Nick saying, 'Prince Nicholi, this is quite a surprise. Who is the lucky la...'

When he turned to me, I saw the surprise as he continues in surprise, 'Oh...I see. What is your name Miss?'

'Nin...Natasha Coleville, the daughter of Duke Fiztwilliam Coleville, it is a pleasure to meet you.'

That old dutchess blanket made me not give him the inch that he wanted to make me feel inferior. I already knew what I was, no point in letting others bring me down for it. The seeker nods and says, 'I am Seeker Orzet, a pleasure. I believe it is time for the ceremony.'

'Yes.' Nick takes my hand and we walk over to a table.

Seeker Orzet pulls a rolled up paper from his sleeve. Unrolling it on the table, I see it is a marriage contract and he says, 'This wouldn't normally be procedure, but seeing at you are in a hurry I brought this with me. I will need both of you to sign your formal names at the bottom of the page. I watch as Nick inscribes, 'Nicholi Vlad Dracul.'

I quickly write my name with which I was born and the Seeker bobs his head satisfied, as another seeker arrives with a bottle and silver cup. I watch as Seeker Orzet takes the cup from the young seeker and shoos him from the room. Turning he says, 'If you stand before me, we will commence with the ceremony.'

Nick takes my hand and wraps it around his arm. I look up at him and notice the gentle smile on his face, like a flash I'm transported back two hundred and a few cents years to the past and I blush. Now standing before the seeker, my heart slams in my chest.

The seeker commences, saying as he pours the wine into the silver cup, 'Two become one, to see and feel what the other feels, a connection that can not be corrupted, this is what we seek. Before you stands the cup of silver, that which denotes what can not be undone, a unbreakable thing to us who knows its power, the wine that represence lust and love to unite. Now with this blade, I ask you both to give a drop of blood to denote your devotion and your trust of the other.'

Nick takes the intricate blade that the seeker had taken from a small bag on his belt. Without hesitating Nick pierces his hand and lets several drops fall into the cup. He hands it to me. Still something screamed at me to wait, to hesitate. He didn't love me? But he was learning to. He didn't remember me? But he would only remember those he had bitten. He was so powerful. I wasn't. I was young. He was ancient. I knew nothing about him, but he knew all about me.

Feeling the frustration at my own indecision, I forcefully slice my palm, upending it and letting five or six drops spill into the wine.

The seeker takes the blade and returns it to his bag, looking antsy. I knew it was due to Nick's blood, it was hard for any vampire not to want a taste. But instead Seeker Orzet continues, 'With this cup, let you each drink, let your memories fill each other, and your unity become complete.'

Seeker Orzet hands it to Nick and he takes a healthy gulp. For a few moments his eyes widen and then he slams them closed, shaking his head, looking slightly pale. I grip his arm hard and whisper softly, 'Are you alright?'

He looks down at me and those blue eyes turn dark and the smell of roses fill the air as he says huskily, 'Yes.'

I knew that smell, it was a smell I would never expect from him, it was of lust. My heart slams hard as I wrench my gaze away from his eyes and back to the seeker as he says softly, 'Miss, you shall now drink and become one.'

Taking the cup, I look down at the dark maroon liquid, knowing after this I would no longer be clanless. In fact I wouldn't even be a clanned lacky, I would be a Queen. This shook me, but I knew I loved this man, this Pureblood that stood beside me, and though something inside me hesitated, my love was stronger. Pressing my lips to the cup, I take a deep gulp and hand it back to the seeker.

Just as he reaches for it, I gasp, the cup dropping as the tidalwave of Nick's history, his memories, his emotions slam into me. My knees buckle, my back burns, and I cry out. Nick grabs me as I fall and sweeps me up into his arms saying softly, 'Hold on, it will pass.'

It felt like a movie being played in fast forward. I could hear my breathing coming in a raspy gasp as I cry out; the burning intensifies on my back and in my body. Was this what it felt to be clanned, or blood-bonded, or...or... But all thoughts left, my mind splintering as I let the tide or memories flood me. His bloodsong was enormous, and his lifetime long.

Just as suddenly as it was there, it was gone and I gasp again. Looking up at Nick, I stare as suddenly waves of love and lust mingle in me and I croak out, 'Nicholi.'

'Natasha.'

That one word was velvet against my skin, and my body aches for him. Slowly he places me down on the ground and I turn to see the seeker say, 'The seal is complete, the marriage bound, may your lives together be good and long.'

With that he bows, leaving the room with the two guards at the door. The door clicks behind them and we are alone. The smell of rose and orange blossom stronger in the room.

Slowly I turn and look up at my husband. His life and memories now my own. Lust slammed into me hard again and I lick my lips asking as I burn for him, 'What is happening to me?'

'It is what is known as the calling. Our minds are now joined and our bodies crave to do the same,' Nick husky voice growls out, teeth clenched.

Without warning he sweeps me up in his arms and turns to the stairs leading to his own room and growls out, 'We have a few hours.'

I cling to him, kissing his neck, my teeth scrapping at it, and he murmurs through clenched teeth, 'Soon.'