STEPHANIE'S POV:-
I fluttered my eyes open weakly to the stinging on my back. I was lying on my stomach on the bed of my room in the castle. It was a glorious room to live in. it was huge and the colors were kept light. The furniture was heavy and rich and the walls were decorated with the paintings I made. It also had a small balcony where there were flowers and a place to sit. My back stung again and I squirmed in my position but the pain shot up my body and my body hit the mattress again.
"Dear, you are awake. Please let me clean your wounds."
Nana sat there behind me with cloth covered with blood. Nana was an old woman with white hairs and wrinkles around her eyes. She was like my mother. If I called her my mother this would do justice. My mother pushed me away the day I was born. She refused to feed me. Nana took me in and fed me. Nana was a servant in the castle and had a daughter my age. Her name was Annie and we were like sisters. She was watering the plants in the balcony while Nana aided me. My family never cared for me whether I die or live, it never concerned them.
Flashback…
I was sketching in the gardens over the steps when I heard my parents and brother coming in the garden. They were laughing and chattering. They passed me without a glance. I wanted to cry. I was only four back then. I completed my sketch of a happy family with me. I had sketched a lot of sketches in which I am there because in official family sketches I was not allowed. I was happy so I wiped my tears which were falling continuously over my page and ran where my family was seated.
"Mother, Father Look I made-"
My foot stumbled on a pebble and I fell scratching my knees and palm which came in contact with the ground. Few dirt particles landed over my mother's dress and she stood up fuming with anger along with my father and brother. She marched over me and yanked me hard causing pain in my arm.
"What the hell do you think you are doing girl? You ruined my dress! It was one of the best I had and look what you have done! By the way, who gave you permission to come here, huh? You were a mistake; I wish I never gave birth to you. I thought you would be a boy but look what you are, girl. Guards! Make sure she does not roam around in the castle like this."
She pushed me and walked away stepping over my sketch. My brother smirked at me and father looked angry. They both followed mother and I started crying over the pain where I hit myself and the hurt my mother's words caused me. I picked the sketch and removed the dirt hugging it until Nana came and loved me.
End…..
I let my tears slide as Nana was done with my wounds. Annie came and sat beside me wiping away my tears. Nana cleaned her hands and sat in front of me. Both of them were my true family and I missed them but I still wanted my blood family to love me. But I was just a mistake; why would they love a mistake? Nana caressed my cheek as I leaned in the touch.
"I don't know what to say, dear. They just crossed the limit."
I forced a smile and held her hand. My throat was dry but still I managed to say.
"Nana, just not…..talk about it. It's my fate........I can't....fight it."
Annie brought blood for me and I drank it with difficulty. It was human blood so my wounds would heal by tonight but the slight pain would be there. The venom was strong. I was unconscious for four days and still it hurt.
"The bride trade is on Friday. You are here with us for three days now. I will miss you."
Annie carefully hugged me and I smiled. I knew I would leave but sure I would miss them. From my name to everything I had today was given by Nana. My family never gave me a name. I was just a girl for them. Other than my family everyone knew but not them. I wanted to hate them but I couldn't. I was suicidal when I was a kid but Nana brought me out of it. I was living because of these two people. And I would always make sure they lived happily.
"Stephanie, I am sorry."
"Nana, don't be. You know I love you two so don't cry."
"Soon you will find someone who will love you more than us."
Annie said still hugging and I flinched with pain and she abruptly backed off.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry."
We smiled and I let the darkness sweep me again.
****
I was getting ready for the bride trade. It was the wedding day. I didn't feel anything. It all seemed to go blur. Annie was doing my dress while my hairs were caught up in a side fish tail. My tiara was to be given to me by my father along with my brother's crown but I doubt it would ever happen. I would be leaving this kingdom and this family too and I was sure they would never like to see me again. They were throwing the trash out. Annie was telling me about the decorations and festivals preparations and the blood feast being prepared. I smiled to her enthusiastic self. She was always cheery no matter what. During those beautiful eight years, Annie and Nana would come to see me in Vamparial and we would spend lots of time together. We would prepare feasts, do gardening and I would paint for them. Those were the most precious memories to me.
Vamparial is another kingdom with glorious beauty. It was famous for its gardens and natural beauty. It attracted a lot of eyes and it was good for the progress of the kingdom. Vampshire was famous for the goods, the trade making to earn profit whereas Vampbell was famous for the wars. They were always proud of their defense. Vamparial's King Asher and Queen Sapphire were my friends since childhood. Other than Nana and Annie, they are the people I trusted. They helped me in hardships but they couldn't save me from my fate. Asher and Sapphire were madly in love and after his father's death he married her and ascended to the throne in a young age. He was a strong person from heart and mind. He taught me to continue this harsh game and live on. He kept my secrets and protected me from danger. Sapphire was pregnant with his heir for two months now and I was really glad.
They would be here on the wedding and I would love to meet them again. On Creatia (land like Earth for mythical creatures), there were thousands of allies that sometimes the king could forget the number but some were close and I was happy Asher was among them. I smiled to the thought as Annie put the veil over my head. I was wearing a very heavy wedding gown. As I was the princess, I had to show the wealth and I had no say in it. The gown was pure white and had a long tail. Its huge skirt was extremely puffy. I had my diamond earrings on also the cloth covered my every part leaving my neck exposed with a slight view of my collar bones. I saw Annie crying from the mirror. I turned around with difficulty and hugged her.
"Annie, what's wrong? Don't cry. You should be happy I am leaving."
She pulled back and wiped away her tears. She was dressed in a simple baby pink gown with ruby earrings. Her hairs were caught up in a loose bun and she looked so pretty to describe.
"Stephanie, I am so glad for you but you would be gone and there would be no one to tell us your whereabouts and I would miss you so much. Anyways, let's not ruin it. I don't want to remind you."
I managed a smile avoiding my tears to fall. Today, I would live another nightmare; I wish I could just live happy. I let this thought slide. It's not like that anyone would care. I wore my pumps and looked over myself. I looked presentable. Few maids helped me carry my gown to the throne room. The veil itself was long to carry. I entered the room with my head hung low as I proceeded toward the dais. My parents were busy with my brother to notice my presence even the noblemen were congratulating him on his wedding. He had his crown on. It meant that King Jayden would not do the ceremony for me. Nana was busy with works. She might not attend the wedding at all. I was hurt but again what could I do? I took the tiara and put it over my head.
My mother was checking my brother out and did not care to let my veil down. I pulled it down myself as a tear escaped. The veil was thick so I had my chance to cry over all the pain and hurt by my family. Why didn't they kill me right away? What's my fault that I am a girl? Annie helped me down the dais as I walked out of the castle gates to the carriage. My brother and Father rode their horses as I took a separate carriage because my mother disgusted me so she could not hold me at the same place. Annie could not escort me anymore. She had her work here. I was alone so I cried. The carriage stopped for a while as General Cudro came in the carriage and it started to move again. I kept my gaze low as tears escaped.
"Princess, we are going to reach soon. You should stop crying or it would ruin our image."
Oh, right! I just forgot that I had no right over myself. I wiped my tears for under the veil and pulled it up. I caught the sad eyes in front of me but it was gone the other second. He was all the same since the day I saw him. His uniform was royal blue now but why did I care? He was the one to bring me here.
"I really apologize for my behavior, General. Please forgive me that I cried. I should be happy. It is such a good day. You know my parents love for me that they never left my side for a single while a day and my brother, he kept on cheering me. I am just going to start a new life and...."
I couldn't control myself so I broke down. I didn't care that I had shown my face to someone else before my future husband. I was dying from inside. My heart ached and a thick tension was going on in my stomach. I was nervous and no one was there to soothe me. I heard a sound and felt a slight dip beside me. Then I was in someone's arms. I didn't care. I just cried and cried clutching on the person. I nuzzled in their chest as they caressed my back.
"Stephanie, I know it's hard. I was an orphan and I know what it feels like when there is no one beside you when you truly are in need for someone but I can say now that it hurts more when you have someone but still you can't have them at all. I wish you a good life ahead. Though you are strong and independent but I will still wish for you to have someone you can depend on. I wish you can count on someone to protect you, to love you and I hope that person is not far away."
I pulled away from that person. Cudro looked sympathetic but I know it was empathy. He could feel what I felt. He wiped my tears with his handkerchief and pulled out a water jar from behind our place. I splashed the water over my face thrice and kept my eyes shut for a while until I felt Cudro draw me close to him. He wiped my face with care and did a little touch up to erase any sign of my break down. I was surprised to see a general doing all of it. He smiled at me and my anger toward him vanished as soon as it came.
"If you are going to ask me where I learned to do these female things then the answer is orphanage so do not ask."
I grinned as he smiled. He was a different person underneath that cold stare. He called me Stephanie and I felt as if Asher is here to console me. I pulled my veil down as the carriage came to a halt. Cudro put everything behind and his previous look was back. He walked out of the carriage and lent me a hand. I took it with a new confidence for a new turn out of this game of fate. My parents were already on my brother's side as Cudro left me with them and walked away before squeezing my hand in comfort.
"Son, I am so proud of you. You are finally getting along with your mate."
"So am I, Lord Father. It feels like a dream coming true."
"It is not a dream my son. You are getting married to your love and I am so happy for you."
"Thank you, Lord Mother."
What about me? Am I just a ransom to you people? I sucked in a breath to avoid any more tears. They just ignored my presence like always. The veil was thick so I couldn't see anything and no one guided me but I knew it was a beautiful field. The trade would happen here and the after party in a garden. I loved gardens but nothing could make me feel happy today. The music started and I felt my family walk so I followed them. It was hard for me to walk without help but I managed. I couldn't see properly and stumbled but I felt someone beside me, helping me to walk down to the area.
"Stay calm. It will go good."
It was Cudro. I smiled as he stopped me. I was in front of someone and someone was in front of me. I felt Cudro's hand slipped from mine leaving me all cold until two warm hands took mine in theirs. I knew the trade had started and it was my soon to be husband. Beside me was my brother holding his mate's hands and I could hear people chattering until they were silenced by the person to tie us in a knot. I shivered as the words left her mouth.
"They groom and bride who aren't mate here, please start the binding ritual."
I gulped hard. I felt him caressed my hand and it felt good but binding ritual was scary. He had to bite me and I had to bite him to tie us together without our mate bond. I couldn't drink blood from a vampire also a pureblood. Yeah, I had heard my soon to be husband was a pureblood which meant his bite would hurt like hell. The thought cringed as I felt him tighten his hold on my hands. But this ritual had to be done for our marriage or it would cause problem further. How? I didn't know. I wasn't good in this topic during our studies nor this question came in my exam but I would read it soon. The next word left from the man in front of me. His voice was so velvety and melodic to my ears but the words left me star struck.
"I will not do the binding ritual and this is my final decision. Go on with the marriage ceremony without it. Would you continue, Witch?"
Adrian's POV:-
I hate witches. Who the hell gave them the right to recite vampire wedding vows? Urgh! I made a disgusting face at the witch who ordered me for the binding ritual. She ordered ME? Not in the million years would I take orders from them. I only listen to my father because he is the king and when I would be on the throne no one would get the right to order. Wow! The thought is so amazing but I had to wait years for that. Right now, my focus was on the girl in front of me. She was wearing a heavy, fancy white gown over her small, delicate body. The veil was long and thick to cover her face properly. She was definitely nervous so I held her hands firmly. Her beautiful lavender scent tickled my nose and teased the hell out of me. Also when I first touched her hands, it sent a sharp shiver to my body and the next moment I knew that she was my mate.
Since Elsa found her mate, I had been waiting to find mine desperately and when I found mine, she had to be her. I didn't care though. I just wanted to make her mine no matter what but I was feeling a bit shy to announce that she was my mate and I feared for something. I couldn't get to name my fear. It was there and I could feel it. So, I did the first thing that came up my mind and it was to decline the binding ritual. We were mates so there was no necessity for it. And I knew once we are in blood circle no outsider can trespass it or say a word or it would end up a curse. It was a myth among us but people believed it. I could feel the tension rose up her small frame and also I could hear the commotion among the people. My father tried to enter the circle but my mother stopped him. I knew the binding ritual is important for him but I would tell him sooner or later that it was not needed and I could still give him what he wanted. Once the voices died, the witch spoke. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and she just shrugged.
I eyed her up and down. She was wearing a dark red robe kind of dress actually it was not a dress at all. She was almost naked. All witches wore such clothes. I didn't know her name but I had heard that she was the strongest witch existing. She had her long copper red hairs falling down her hips like a curtain. Her makeup was dark and she was wearing a long pendent with red ruby resting between her almost revealing boobs. I moved my head from her in utmost disgust and rested my gaze on the angel in front of me. As compared to every lady even my sister; she was the most sophisticated and the extreme beauty to my eyes.
The witch began in her low voice. She was chanting the hidden vows and then we had to take ours. Once she was done with them she recited our vows.
"I commit to you that I would love you, cherish you and comfort you in all the matters of life. No thorn, no storm and nothing in this existing world can stop me to protect you, love you and respect you. Our trust and love would be the base of our relation. May we have a life full of prosperity, happiness and affection. Now I take you as my other half, my soul mate, my destiny..."
We four repeated our vows and all I could do was to praise her soft, angelic voice. When we were done with our vows I saw Elsa and her husband Austin sealing their bond by a kiss in the blood circle. When they were done, all the eyes were on me and my wife, my mate. I cleared my voice and pulled up her veil revealing the beauty under it. Her flawless, fair skin looked so smooth and soft and it was complimented by her black her in a long wavy style. Few strands of her hair were flying in the cold breeze. She had her eyes down shielding them with her thick long lashes. I removed the loose locks from her face and tucked them behind her ears. My heart was racing even I was dead; I was feeling alive. She raised her eyes to me and you people trust me, I died once again. She had those beautiful blue eyes that I could just drown in the ocean without any fear.
I was being pleasured. All I wanted to do was claim her as mine. Without any heads-up, I crashed my lips on her soft ones. They were delicate like a petal and tasted far then delicious. I felt her tense but I continued savoring her pink lips. She did not kiss me back but I didn't care. All I wanted was for the time to stop and us to remain like this. I had a firm hold over her body as I tasted her softly yet passionately. She stood like a statue and a realization hit me and I pulled apart. She might be younger than me and did not know about her mate. I saw her totally flushed and her lips had turned red. She looked everywhere but not me. I felt bad for forcing myself on her but soon enough she would feel the same for me. I smiled to my thought as I slid the ring on her finger. She took her hand away from me and I respected her gesture.
"Now I pronounce you man and wife."
The witch spoke and I literally scoffed loud earning a hard glare from her but in return I just smirked. I slid my hand around my wife's waist and started walking us to the reception ground. I was so happy for my wife to be my mate and I loved the idea of having her on my bed tonight. I would mate with her and that thought caused me to blush a little for anyone to notice.