Chapter 73

I look at my back in the mirror, and take count of the bite marks and bruises. Nick had left to make final arrangements, while I showered and changed, seeing as my white dress was now a tattered, bloody mass on the ground in Nick's room.

A blush slams hard against my cheeks, and I wrap the large towel around me hard. I was now a married woman to a Pureblood royal. How on God's green earth had that happened?!

It was like eletricity had gone off in that hour, and our bond was sealed. I couldn't help looking at my back again. Nick had shown me his own and I could still remember asking him, 'What are these?'

'The wine is special and creates a seal on a blood-bonded pair, ours is this,' he says, brushing the outline on my back and making me melt.

Now as I stared at the intricate dragon on my back, with a ray like crown around its neck, I am curious as to how the wine can mark us. Not only that but what it symbolized. Nick had explained that he was the dragon and I must be the crown around his neck like a collar. It made me frown and I rember asking why it wasn't adorning his head. Nick had simply shrugged as he stood up, muscles rippling under skin. I remember blushing to my roots as I watched him dress. But I chuckle, shake my head, and say to myself, 'Alright Natasha, enough. There is much we have to learn about the world of vampires and their strange ways.'

Slipping on the blouse and high waisted pants, feeling sore but great, I hum the waltz Nick and I had danced to so long ago.

The sound of Nick's voice calling out made me rush from the room which had been thoroughly destroyed during our... honeymoon night?

Coming down the stares, I see him and smile, as he does to me. I can hear him whispering into my mind, Beautiful.

Blushing, I brush my damp hair behind my ear, get on my tip toes and plant a kiss on his check. His smile warms, as he says, 'Mrs. Dracul, if you will follow me.'

'Of course, Mr. Dracul.'

As we step into the hall I see Ki. He looked darker, anger burning in those red albino eyes as he says in a bland voice, 'Is it done?'

'Yes,' Nick says coldly.

I look between them with confusion, but just shrug it off as we walk past Ki and into the waiting elevator. Whatever was between them was their problem not my own, even as I felt Nick's cold resentment infiltrate my mind and I look up at him in curiousity.

--D--

The Curriculum's train was majestic, sleek mirror finish and design was amazing. Inside was no different as Nick showed me through a dining area, living space, down a hall and to the front of the train.

It was a large room, with seating, books, and even card games on tables as Nick explains, 'This train is used only by A rank and above. Other Curriculum train's can be used by B rank and lower and have a different design.'

'Am I even allowed to be here?'

'Yes, you are my wife and have all the privileges of a Pureblood,' Nick says and I can sense his hunger as a servant comes over with a tray containing two glasses filled with blood.

Nick takes them both as I sit beside him in the chair to his left as I look out the window. It shows the pale blue light down the long tube tunnel. I ask, 'With a blood-bond, or I should say our marriage can you sense the others hunger?'

'Yes, and feelings as well. I can sense your confusion and... happiness?' Nick tilted head and small frown as he looks at me and takes a sip.

I smile, blushing and murmur, 'It can't be helped, especially since... um...earlier.'

'Oh you mean that explosive sex.'

I smack him on the arm as Ki comes in with a lifted brow as I hiss, 'You don't have to say it out loud.'

'Should I come back?' Ki asks coolly.

'No,' Nick says, smile fading and that emotionless exterior returning to him.

Still I could sense a little jovialness inside me that I knew was Nick and a knowing smile comes to my face as Nick gulps down his wine and my own. He didn't have to ask if I would drink mine, as only his I could stomach. My hunger was satiated since earlier. A fresh blush of embarrassment slammed into me, I place my cool hands on my cheek. This would do as I hear a small chuckle beside me.

Standing, I walk over to the window as the ship starts to move. The aches and bruises had already faded, but I could still feel Nick's imprint on me. Shaking my head, I look over at Ki. He was reading a file and looked somber. Questions bubbled to the surface of my mind I needed answers to. Taking a fortifying breath, I walk over to him and plop down opposite him.

He glances up at me from over the top of his file paper and back down, asking softly, 'Something I can do for you Madam Dracul?'

'Oh god, please don't do that, I'm still Nina,' I reply quickly, waving my hand.

Ki puts his page down and looks at me for a long moment. I notice this cool change in him and can sense Nick's protectiveness. Ignoring that sensation, I stare back at Ki and say, 'So...is this how it's going to be? You can't be my friend anymore?'

'It's different now Nina, you are clanned and thus have the interest of your clan in mind, while I have to keep the safety of all vampire and human alike in mind.'

Snorting I quickly say, 'Ok, and I don't. I don't care if I am clanned, my goal is the same. It's true the reasons why Nick did so...'

'And you agreed.'

'I...Well...'

Ki's eyes narrow and he asks, 'Did he even ask you your thoughts?'

'Yes! He did and there is more he told me when you and Igor weren't around.'

'Hmm,' Ki says, returning to his paper to signal the end of the conversation.

Unfortunately for him, I wasn't finished. Letting out an aggravated huff, I explain, 'This isn't easy for me. My teacher always told me never to become clanned and I do understand his reasoning, however I also know I can't survive this alone.'

'You weren't, you had three Pureblood's on your side at all times, one of whom...' Ki stops himself, growls and continues, 'Irrelevant, you didn't have to marry the feiry dragon to be safe.'

'All of you were going to Kotowa, a place I couldn't have followed.'

'True that may be, but we would have several Night Hunter's to protect you, and any information we found we would have brought back to you.'

'Even with an A rank Night Hunter, Beck killed Jerry, what would prevent the Phantasma from truly doing me harm while you three are away. As a matter of fact, I have discovered things you haven't while on location.'

'Ok, ok! I get it,' Ki finally says, putting down the paper and chuffing as he lets his head fall back.

For a few ticks he stays that way, his fingers tapping the page as he seemed to mulling things over in his mind and finally lifts his head to look at me. His eyes shift to where Nick is and then back to me before replying, 'You do realize how annoying you can be.'

'Without question.'

A small quirk of a smile comes to Ki's face and he puts up his hands saying in defent, 'Fine, I relent. So what is it you really want to talk to me about?'

'Why are you so cool to Nick suddenly?'

'Let's just say certain things have transpired that we weren't expecting.'

'Such as?'

'Alright nosy, it has to do with history between Nick and Igor, and to put it lightly they had an argument about it late last night. It took a while too,' Ki coughs a little to keep a smile from forming on his lips, which was useless, I could see it, 'To come to a concensus.'

'Ok.'

Ki's smile fades he he leans forward and asks, 'Do you even know how dangerous it is going to become for you?'

'What do you mean?'

'Life among humans is easy, you wre the dominant species, it is here you must fear. We have all gone easy on you, and you haven't seen the extent of any of our abilities. When we reach Kotowa everything will be hard on you due to your ranking, your class of vampiric power. I can't stress it enough.'

A deep frown furls my brow as I ask, sudden icy fear gripping me, 'What must I do?'

'You must learn more about the vampiric society,' Nick says from behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Ki glares at him but nods his reluctant agreement. I look between them as Nick says to Ki, 'My pheremones will no longer effect her as her mate, but yours will. Will you assist us?'

I stare at Nick with a confused frown and back towards Ki who nodded, looking put out by the thought of what he would have to do. Finally I ask, 'What are you two speaking of?'