Ceremony Planning

Ceremony Planning
Opening my eyes, I looked around the familiar office as my heart beat rapidly and a light sheen of sweat dotted my forehead.

"Welcome back." Geofrey spoke, drawing my crazed eyes to him. "Are you alright?"

Taking in a few deep, calming breaths, I tried to catch my breath.

"I'm okay." I managed to rasp. "I just wasn't expecting..."

Eyes widening, I stopped talking, realizing that I was about to admit to meeting Elias. I couldn't let anyone know what happened. Otherwise, I would be in a lot of trouble.

"Expecting?" Geofrey urged, curiosity coloring his expression.

"My death." I lied, hoping that he would buy it.

"Did you at least go out in a blaze of glory?" He asked, seeming disappointed with my response.

Feeling a surge of annoyance rush through me, I held back my initial response. What kind of person shows that much excitement over someone's death?

"Would be boring to just die in your sleep." He continued to muse. "Would be better to die battling, or at least imploding, maybe?"

"Do people who die due to being rejected by a body implode?" I asked, unable to hold back.

Instead of responding, Geofrey let a bellowing laugh escape him. Confused, I waited as he worked to compose himself before responding.

"I wouldn't know." He admitted wiping a tear from his eye. "I've never seen it firsthand, and there haven't been any reports of what exactly happens."

Frowning, I felt a wave of disappointment. If I were to die because the body I was in rejected my soul, I would at least like to know what happened.

"Are you actually disappointed?" He asked, bursting into another round of laughter.

"WOULD YOU STOP?" I screamed, my irritation hitting its boiling point.

Trying to control himself, Geofrey sputtered. It was clear that he lived life with a devil-may-care attitude. Of course, my outburst wouldn't affect him.

"Sorry, sorry." He finally managed. "You shouldn't be so uptight, you know. Life is too short. Especially in your case. "

Shivering, I tried to ignore his last sentence. If there was one thing I absolutely needed to do, it was stay alive, at least until I could get out of here. I couldn't imagine leaving this world without making up with Elias and possibly seeing where our relationship could go.

Opening my mouth, I prepared to respond, only to stop after a loud knock sounded, indicating that our lesson time was over for the day. Wincing, I pushed myself up and walked to the door. Turning, I gave a wave before heading out, where my guard waited with an impassive look on his face.

"Let's go." I sighed, motioning for him to follow.

"The sire has requested that you join him for dinner this evening." My guard, whose name I wasn't bothering to ask for, said, causing me to halt my steps.

"Join him for dinner? I asked, turning and fixing my gaze on the man's caramel one. "Why?"

"I am not authorized to ask those questions." The man said easily. "Please don't give me a hard time completing my task."

Narrowing my gaze, I watched my guard for a second longer before turning and beginning to walk again. He was right; I didn't need to make things harder for him. He was simply doing what he was instructed, and he wasn't my enemy.

"I need to change first." I conceded, quickening my pace. "Come on."

When we arrived at the dining hall, the man bowed and quickly disappeared, leaving me alone in front of the massive entryway. Peering inside, where a long table sat, I tried to figure out exactly what was going on. At one end, sat Vladimier in formal attire, while two people that I had never seen before sat across from him, talking animatedly.

Sucking in a breath, I squared my shoulders and headed in, instantly earning myself looks from everyone present.

"Valerie." Vladimier beamed, standing and making his way towards me. With his demeanor as it was, he was like a completely different person from the one that had hit me and decided to bind me. "I was just about to go check and make sure you were okay."

Reaching out, he took my hands, then leaned in and kissed my forehead. Controlling my tongue, I forced a smile while looking towards the two men who were now watching us with curious gazes.

"Come, let me introduce you." Vladimier said, beginning to lead me forward.

"Gentlemen, this is my beautiful bride to be, Valerie." He announced proudly while pulling out a chair for me to sit beside him. "Valerie," he continued, motioning towards the first man who wore a sour expression. "This is Gerald. He will be officiating our engagement ceremony."

"Nice to meet you." I murmured, deciding it was better to behave while I was biding my time. "Thank you for what you're doing."

Beside me, Vladimier seemed proud as he motioned towards the second man, who seemed to be decades old.

"This is Harold. He will be in charge of performing the blood tying and hand fasting on the day of the wedding." He continued. "I wanted everyone to meet before the day. I hope that this wasn't too sudden for both of you."

"Of course not." Gerald said, smiling happily. "It is an honor to be part of your highness's ceremony."

"I would have been offended if you asked anyone else." Harold added, his ancient face crinkling in what I could only assume was a smile.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Vladimier chuckled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close. "I only want the best of the best to be in charge of bonding my love with me."

Feeling a chill run down my spine, I tried to keep a fake smile plastered on my face. I could only hope that Elias would rescue me before any of that could happen.

Once I was allowed to take a seat, I began to zone out so I didn't have to listen to the discussion that was beginning to erupt around me. I had no interest in knowing what would happen at the engagement ceremony, nor did I care about what would happen at the forced wedding. By this point, I was set on attempting to escape myself if it reached that point for me. No way would I let any of this happen. Even if I had to kill myself.

"Valerie..." Vladimier's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing me back to the present. "Harold was asking if there were any particular vows you would like included in the engagement ceremony."

"Whatever you feel is best." I responded, trying to seem interested. "I'm not too terribly picky."

"Right." He murmured agreeably, though I didn't miss the slight darkening of his expression. "Anyway, shall we continue the plans?"

With that, he and the others jumped back into their discussion, and I found myself wondering exactly how I could kill myself if it came down to it.