The day I most dreaded arrived. I was called to testify. My heart raced and my breathing spiked and Alexandre and Cornelius both looked at me with worry as I stood unsteadily to walk forward. I regretted turning away the sedatives, but I could still feel the headache throbbing in the base of my skull. I tasted metal in the back of my throat and thought I might pass out. Alexandre rose beside me and held out a hand, the expression on his face promising he'd do whatever it took to get me out of the courtroom if I felt I needed it. I shook my head. Cornelius swiftly strode forward and took Mina, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"Are you sure you don't want the sedative?" He asked. I smiled gratefully at him, but shook my head again, then wobbled my way towards the front. I knew it was going to be bad, but all the whispers made me twitch. My anxiety had sent my vampire senses spiraling and I was struggling just to breathe. I hardly understood the instructions for swearing in, but having a vampire place her hand on a bible in a courthouse in front of all those people to swear upon it, was nearly enough to give me the nervous giggles. It was all so absurd! I realized my mind was fritzing and tried to bring my attention back to the lawyer, who was questioning me. Which one was called what again? Defense and? I forgot the other one! Wait, I wasn't paying attention.
"Do you recognize this woman?" The lawyer pointed at the 'Nurse'. Damn, I'd done a job on her alright. Fresh scars mapped her body, none as prominent as the one I'd carved into her face, proclaiming her for what she was. MURDERER.
"Well yeah, everybody does now. She's all over the TV." I responded. There were laughs scattered around the courtroom along with some scandalized twittering. The lawyer looked at me with a slack jaw for a brief second. Apparently I'd derailed his line of questioning. He cleared his throat.
"Do you recognize her from before she became a media presence?" The man asked.
"Should I?" I asked in turn.
"Please answer in yes or no responses unless a more detailed response is requested." I was scolded to more tittering from the courtroom. My anxiety had made me lightheaded and apparently it found the perfect outlet. My mouth.
"I'll ask again. Do you recognize this woman from before she was a media personality?" The lawyer repeated.
"Here's where I'm supposed to answer yes or no, right?" It popped out of my mouth before I could control it. I heard an amused throat clearing over all the other noises in the courtroom and looked back to see Alexandre fighting a half grin. He gave me a look that clearly said 'don't push it Carys'.
"Yes." The lawyer said with exasperation.
"No, ... no." I replied. The lawyer looked at me with confusion.
"You said yes, the answer should be no." I explained. The judge leaned towards me.
"Miss Ayers-"
"Mrs. Rivers, thank you. It's not on paper yet, but it will be soon enough." I responded. There was an exasperated sigh.
"Mrs. Rivers then, if you do not control your tongue and answer correctly, your alleged attacker won't be the only one spending the night in jail. Do I make myself understood?" The judge hissed.
"Indubitably." I responded. I was no longer paying attention to anyone but Alexandre. The moment I had said his last name, his eyes had locked with mine and there was so much heat, passion and love flooding my direction I could almost drown in it. A look of possessiveness took over his face, and my breath caught as he licked his lips. I thought for a moment he might come over the crowd of people and take me right there. Instead, I heard the lawyer say my name sharply.
"Hmm?" I asked returning my attention to him reluctantly.
"You say you don't recognize her. How does someone go through something as traumatic as you and not recognize their attacker?" The lawyer sneered.
"Well I'm sure you have the police reports. Did you do your homework at all honey? They say I was drugged. I believe it. I can't remember anything." I responded, leaning back and crossing my arms.
"Well, why don't you tell us what you DO remember? Ms. Ayers?" The lawyer sniped. Ooh, I was getting under his skin!
"Hmm..." I put a finger on my chin. "Sunshine. Heat. I think I was checking the mail that day? It was a long time ago... Then it was dark and smelled funny..." My voice hitched. This part was true. "And my clothes were wet and sticky and I found out it was my own blood." My voice shrank and I closed my eyes. "I was so tired. I wanted to let go. I could barely move, and it was kind of peaceful, dying that way." There was a loud crack from the back of the courtroom and I looked up to see Cornelius with his hands wrapped around the back of one of the pews. It must have broken under the strength he had applied to it. I could see the death grip he had on the bench. That's right, he'd never heard any of this. Not the true series of events, just what we'd told the cops over and over, and I'd never gone into details. "There was an IV needle and tubing sticking out of my arm and I was confused, my brain was so fuzzy, but I figured out eventually that's where the blood was coming from." I was talking directly to Cornelius now, whose grip had tightened on the seat back, his eyes bored into mine with a fiery look promising revenge. "I don't know how long I was there, but there was a lot of blood. So, so much blood." I tore my gaze from Cornelius' as his jaw clenched. This was where the story became a lie. "I must have removed the needle from my arm. Somehow I found my way out of the building-I was told later it was an abandoned medical complex, and the last thing I remember is headlights. Beyond that-you'd have to ask Alexandre Rivers-the man who saved me." I finished.
"Alexandre Rivers? Is that the same Mr. Rivers that you're claiming is your fiance?" The lawyer asked with a sneer.
"Who's on trial here? A serial killer or my love life?" I responded to titters in the courtroom again.
"I'm just saying it seems convenient-"
"Lies! It's all lies!" The voice of my nightmare broke through and I met the gaze of the person I had been trying to avoid looking at. "I talked to her!" She shrieked and all attention turned to the 'Nurse' who was now standing, pointing one shackled hand at me. "She died! She DIED IN FRONT OF ME! But she came back! She's DEAD! But she's ALIVE! She did this to me!" She screamed gesturing at her face. "She's undead! A monster! She and her guard-dog! I want it! I want that power! That life beyond death!" The courtroom erupted in noise and I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few who heard the bench back break off with a squeal.
"All of this time Carys!" Cornelius nuzzled his nose into my throat on the way to the hotel rooms. "Why did you never tell me the full story?!" He demanded.
"Don't hog my wife Cornelius, you heard her. She's mine." Alexandre growled, tugging me against his side.
"Not even Alexandre heard it all." I objected. "Hell, you didn't hear it all, you heard a diluted and corrupted version to avoid spilling to the world the fact that vampires exist." I protested as Alexandre's growl continued and Cornelius rubbed his forehead against my temple. "Damn Cornelius, why are you rubbing all over me like a cat?" I griped. Alexandre broke free long enough to lay Mina in the bassinet.
"Irresistible urge to cover you in his scent to warn off predators I'd say." Alexandre sighed. I huffed as I sat down, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes. Then rethought Alexandre's tone
"Wait what? Is that a thing?" I asked. Rory sauntered into the room with four glasses of wine.
"I know, I know, vamps don't have any use for it-but after the day we all just had-" Rory offered. It said something when everyone reached for the glasses.
"You know, we'd be better off getting you drunk, then drinking from you." Purred Cornelius, releasing me to pull Rory onto his lap.
"That is an entirely enticing offer." Rory grinned. Alexandre sat next to me and tugged me closer to him. "Any other takers?" I raised a hand.
"Oh wait-can I even do this since I'm breastfeeding?" I frowned.
"Your body will burn through what little you get from Rory quickly. As long as you don't have too much and don't feed her for a couple of hours, you should both be fine." Cornelius responded.
"I brought a can of formula, just in case, so if she gets hungry.." Alexandre offered next to my ear.
"Well, I'm all in. Sorry Rory." I moved to sit closer while he downed the first glass of wine.
"Oh don't be Carys. I'm expecting payment in kind for this." Rory grinned, leaning in to kiss me. Cornelius put a finger to his lips.
"You didn't ask her, or Alexandre. Or me." Cornelius murmured. Rory pouted.
"May I?" He asked the room in general. Looks were exchanged. Alexandre slid over towards me to tilt my face up to his.
"You could use the distraction, couldn't you?" He asked me gently. Once again, it was like he could read my mind, he was so in tune with me. I looked down, embarrassed. "Carys.." He murmured, urging me with a gentle nudge to look at him. "Don't ever be ashamed love.. if you have needs, you need only tell me. Today was particularly difficult for you." He brushed my lips with his own. "If you need us to help you forget the world for a while, then so be it. Don't mind my jealousy so much, you proclaimed your love for me in front of a room full of people. As long as I get to show you my appreciation this night, I don't mind sharing." I felt him rest his fingers on the buttons of my top.
"All you have to do is tell us yes." Alexandre murmured.
I breathed a breathy "yes" and the first buttons came undone.