Couples moved gracefully across the floor, twirling and spinning to the music, the costumes and masks adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the magical scene. Caelia was still quiet, trying to process whether or not Damon was joking when he said that he was in need of a bride. There was no way he actually meant that. She thought as she gulped hard and gave him a demure smile.
"A bride?!"
She repeated and he nodded.
"As you know, it is my duty as Lord to have a bride. I must fulfil them."
She decided to play along, even though she was thoroughly confused on what he was saying. Lord? She didn't know he was a lord.
"You think I'm a worthy candidate?"
She asked and he nodded.
"From the moment I saw you."
Wow.
She thought as she blushed furiously.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Caelia asked him randomly and Damon chuckled.
"I believe in love... I think it's a beautiful thing."
"And... even though I believe that not everyone is destined for love... it is still one of the most magical of experiences.
"You think you're not destined for love?"
She asked. Damon's eyes shot up at her, Caelia believed she had used too much of her real voice, sounding dangerously like her old self. She cleared her throat quickly and repeated the question in the raspy voice she was adopting.
Damon sighed.
"When you're bound by duty, love isn't on the cards."
"I'm sure you must understand."
He added and she nodded. Even though she had no idea what he was talking to her about.
"Then you can understand why I ask for your name. Do you?"
He asked and she smiled again.
She'll give him a name. She'll give him any name, just not her real one.
"Ella."
She answered and Damon repeated the name.
"Ella."
"That's a beautiful name."
Slowly, the waltz came to an end and they cleared the dance floor, hand in hand.
"Give me a moment."
He whispered in her ear before disappearing among the crowd of people.
Caelia smiled softly, touching her cheeks fondly.
Oh it was even all better than she had imagined. Much more better. The way they had danced, her tummy had fluttered in excitement. She had never felt like that with anyone before. And something told her that she never would.
"And who are you?!"
A voice said from behind. It wasn't rocket science, Caelia didn't need to turn to recognise the voice of Olivia. Annoying as it was .
She turned and looked at her, a small smile blossoming on her lips, she was thinking of how interesting their interaction would finally be, seeing as they could now be considered people of equal standing.
"And who is asking?"
She replied and Olivia scoffed, her eyes roaming all around her.
"Your host if you should know. I'm Olivia Wright. This is my family's ball."
"I'm Ella."
She answered. Olivia raised an eyebrow, Caelia looked around and wondered why Sophia was not with her this time, tagging along like she always did.
"No last name?!"
"I'll leave that bit for you to find out."
"You were dancing with my brother. I'm here to tell you that there's no chance in hell."
She started and Caelia simply shrugged.
"No chance in hell that what?!"
"That you would be his bride. That position is already taken. You should divert your attention elsewhere."
Were they all really serious about this bride thing or was it an inside joke that she knew nothing about?
She found it deeply amusing. This was the second person to mention it.
"Why would I do that when he already asked me?"
She asked innocently.
Olivia's jaw dropped.
Caelia walked away from her.
.....................
There was not a word made by man to describe what Damon felt when he saw the lady in the red dress.
I have to have her.
Those were the words that came to his head as soon as he saw her. He didn't really believe in love at first sight, but he believed he fell for at at first gaze. Almost as if she had seized a part of him so deep and so dear that he wondered who she was to have the audacity to cart away his lonely heart like that.
She was everything rolled all at once, the mystery in her eyes, in the way she picked her words, how her cheeks flushed with colour while her mouth said something different, the unnatural grayness of her eyes that stuck out, cold and unnatural in the soft and lovely features she had.
The red dress, her lips painted red, the demure little mask, the raven black hair that tumbled down her back like a sea of black night. He had never seen a woman so captivating. And he had to be honest, in all his decades of living, he had never met a woman that made him speechless. But she managed to and he wanted her.
Even though he didn't know who she was, Damon was prepared to act on all that he was feeling. He had gone out for some fresh air, because he believed it impossible that he could have fallen so hard for someone so fast. But it had happened and he was finally ready to do it.
He was ready to finally wed the bride he had found.
He reached into his pocket and brought out the ring that was in it. Obsidian black with a dainty silver band, Damon examined the wedding ring. It wasn't just no ordinary engagement ring, it would bound them together the moment that he put the ring on her finger.
"Have you finally found a suitable bride?"
A voice asked from behind. Damon turned and saw his father. He wore a simple black tuxedo and a small mask that he had taken off. His father only attended the ball these days out of duty, nothing more nothing else. Damon appreciated his father's presence thought, even though they didn't always get along.
"Yes. I believe so."
His father nodded. He didn't ask who. Or what. All he probably cared about was him finding a bride and completing the ritual.
"Good. Then you know what you must do. Have her wear the ring and complete the ceremony before midnight."
"I will."
Damon simply answered as he pocketed the ring. He didn't need any more motivation. It was the right thing. he was doing the right thing.
It was his duty, only this time, he had at least been able to pick a bride for himself.
....................
She was tempted to take a drink, even though Sam had given her clear instructions drink, she still wondered if it would do her any harm if she took a drink or two. Sure they might have been laced but a sip or two wouldn't hurt right? Her throat was very parched.
But as she weighed her choices and contemplated, Damon appeared right in front of her. A msile on his face.
"You came back."
"I wouldn't dream of leaving you."
He murmured.
"Oh.. Where did you go?"
"To get this."
He unfolded his palm and showed her something she had never dreamed she would see. A ring. Oh it was gorgeous. She thought as she looked at it with awe in her eyes. The stone was black, so black that it gave off no reflection or bounced on light. It was just really black. The band was pretty, dainty and silver and somewhat resembling vines.
Did he mean to propose?
She wondered as she loooked up at him, confusion clouding her blue eyes. Confusions wasn't even the word, she was dazed, rightfully so. she had expected many things at the ball, but not this. Not this at all.
"Would you do me the honour?"
Damon asked as he got on one knee. The crowd around them turned to watch, they were whispering lowly to themselves now. Caelia smiled nervosuly, well she wasn't about to refuse him in the presence of so many people.
"Yes."
She murmured as she stretched out her hand.
He slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.
She raised up her hand to look at the ring, Oh it really was gorgeous.
The lights in the ballroom deemed. Very very low. Was there to be another dance? Caelia thought as she looked around and saw the guests had started clearing the ballroom.
A man came covered, he had on a robe and a mask that looked like something from the black plague, with the whole bird's face and the beak, it looked ositively ominous.
The air around them had changed too, she couldn't tell why but it was thciker, more ominous.
"Shall we?"
Damon said as he took her hand, they walked towards the man. It felt like all eyes were on them. Everyone in the room was staring at them.
The man nodded at Damon, Damon then turned to Caelia.
"Ella. I have brought you here tonight because I wish to share with you the most precious gift I have to give: my life."
Was this?!
Was this a marriage ceremony? She thought in shock. Caelia stood rooted to her feet, her features contorting in confusion as she wondered and tried to decipher what was going on.
"We are creatures of darkness, but also of life. Life empowers us and sustains us. It is our most precious possession, and the greatest gift we can share. By sharing my blood with you this night, I am sharing with you my life, my vitality, my very soul and you will do the same."
Everybody in the room nodded, they were all listening with rapt attention while Caelia was having an internal crisis.
Damon sounded very serious, his voice firm and he was staring at her with such intensity, how would she get out of this?! She wondered as she listened to him with rapt attention.
"Ella, do you understand the importance of what I am offering you? After tonight, we two will be connected in a way that goes beyond words. Neither you nor I can break the bond that is forged tonight."
"Are you willing to accept it?"
He asked.
She must have gone mad, because the words that came out of her mouth were words she thought she would never speak.