30-2

"Yes. Now don't go overboard, or it's going to hurt as hell when it wears off." Selene smirked. The woman actually smirked! Why did I get the feeling she did not go easy with her pinch? "Erick, Alina," Kenna called out, "please step up to the altar. Everyone, please make way for the couple." We turned towards the altar as the audience parted to make way for us. Erick stepped up and extended his hand for me to take. I picked up the skirt of my dress and stepped up to the altar, making sure I don't trip and fall because of the veil covering my face. I didn't want to make a fool of myself on my own wedding. That reminded me of my papa once again. He should've been here to walk me down the altar. He should've had the right to hand me over to my husband, but he couldn't be here. He was confined to his hospital bed because of his illness and also because of this stupid vampire tradition. "All hail the King!" A chorus of voices was heard at that instant, followed by the tune of several trumpets blowing right outside the Constantium. Inside, the prodigious amount of people that had gathered parted like a sea wave and a path was formed from the entrance to the altar. At the next wave of trumpets, every single soul in the room dropped down in courtesy, even Kenna. The only exception were a tiny group who stood just before the altar made up ofMiaka, two gentlemen, two little boys, and of course, Erick and I. That was when a man entered through the tunnel and the entire room held its breath. He wore similar clothing to Erick's, only in gold. A sword similar to Erick's rested on his hips, only this was larger and much more magnificent. However, it was the vibe of power that came off him that was a clear indication of who he was, even if you overlooked the diamond encrusted crown on top of his head. It was the Vampire King. It felt out of place to even think of him as my would be father-in-law. However, at the same time, I couldn't reject the fact that he did indeed look like an older version of Erick, only his hair that reached to his shoulders was of a darker honey than blond. As he approached the altar, Erick motioned for me to bow as he too dropped down on one knee. I followed suit and managed to make a somewhat modified version of a courtesy bow. The king came to stand in front of us on the altar, and everyone rose to their feet. I was about to rise too when I saw him extend his hand. Taking it, I stood to my feet. It struck me anew how similar he looked to his son. He hardly looked ten years older than his son "Alina," he said with a smile, "we finally meet. I must say, you're just as lovely as Erick described." "T-thank you." I stammered under the influence of his power. "Let's not delay the ceremony any longer, shall we, Miaka, dear?" He held out his hand for her. A servant came up to Miaka and handed her a silver plate. On top of the plate, was a branch filled with large thorns. It must be the branch from a Tangenina tree Erick talked about. It would prevent our blood from clotting over so it drips onto a bowl or something. She handed the branch over to the king. He took it and brought the branch over to Erick, who was already rolling up his sleeves. The king wound the branch around his wrist and then came over to me. Reluctantly, I raised my hand. I knew I wouldn't be able to feel it, but I had never been a big fan of thorns. I closed my eyes shut as he tied the branch around my wrist. When I opened my eyes, Erick was looking at me, and his hand was entwined with mine. Blood was already pouring out of the cuts that the thorns had made. My blood will heal the cuts before the anaesthetic wears off. Erick reassured. I nodded, but my heart was beating out of my chest. This was really happening. I was really getting married to Erick. The king took our joint hands and positioned us on the corner near the statues. Our blood fell as one to the floor, forming a tiny puddle which rolled through a drain and pooled into a crucible at the feet of the Gods which was placed lower than ground level. As the blood slowly collected, I heard Miaka's voice from behind me. "Oh great Lord of the Underworld, protector of the dark, this blood we offer you as a sacrifice for the joining of two souls. May they forever be connected by this bond of blood, by the bond of matrimony. Bless them with your holy powers oh Creator! Be their guide, their protector. This I ask of you as your disciple, as your daughter. May your guidance be with us, forever." Suddenly, the branch around our wrists began to glow with a blinding light and several gasps sounded all over the room. I covered my eyes with my free hand until I could feel the redness fade. When the light was gone, I opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was that the blood that gathered in the crucible had vanished. I looked at Erick with a stunned surprise, but he only smiled. "The Gods have accepted the union!" the king roared, and the entire dome vibrated with the sound of cheer that followed after. Kenna rose to the altar with a silver cup and held it under our hands to collect the drops of blood that still fell. Then she held the cup to her son. "Finish the ritual, son. Be united by the bonds of blood." Erick took the cup from his mother and brought the cup to his lips. He drank one gulp and then held it to my lips. I looked at him nervously. The only other time I had tasted blood, except for that fateful night when Emiel attacked us, was when I fell down the stairs as a child and uprooted a tooth. I wasn't really a fan of that weird salty taste. But this was ritual, so I took the cup from Erick, threw back my head, and gulped down the remaining blood. Thankfully, there wasn't much to drink. As I swallowed it down with much difficulty, another round of cheers sounded. This time, it was louder than ever. After the ceremony, the branch was finally removed from our hands. Erick's skin healed instantly, but mine took a few minutes before it was flawless again. Then the crowd was led back to the palace where the reception was being held. Erick and I hadn't had time to have a proper conversation, it's like it hadn't even set in yet that he was my husband now. However, I didn't have time to think about him right now. I was pretty sure there were over five hundred supernatural beings present in this room, and not all of them were vampires. I spotted two of the mystics earlier, both with snow white hair and near translucent skin. The others, I couldn't recognise, however. Several servants handed out blood and champagne to the guests, but I did spot a couple trays of refreshment and.... wait, was that raw meat? God, I didn't even want to know who they were for.