All noises blended inside of Joel's head until they became one chaotic cacophony.
After the ceremony ended, he was barely able to remember what was happening. All greetings he did with Coral vampires were completely blurry; he would speak and nod to everyone automatically, without even giving it a thought. Even a brief conversation with his mother, Katarin, and his other acquaintances was completely foggy inside of his memory.
The only thing he was aware of was Nikolas's presence.
His tight grip around his hand, his spicy yet gentle scent of ginger, the depth of his velvety voice, all of his presence was enough to take all of Joel's attention. Just remembering his sweet blood on his tongue made Coral's heart skip a beat…
All because of Nikolas Keighley.
Joel's mind, however, was fighting strongly to oppose the wishes of his body, making him remember his current circumstances.
He was now married to a vampire he didn't even have a chance to meet before, his presence swiping him off the feet with such easiness it would make anyone suspicious. Joel could feel younger's amber eyes on him every now and then, but Nikolas would hurriedly avert his gaze, hoping the pink-haired vampire didn't notice. Joel himself wasn't sure whether to consider those actions creepy or flattering, but one thing was for sure: he was not ready to surrender to that vampire.
At least not just yet…
As they observed their guests at the small banquet Keighley family organized due to the rushed wedding, Joel was able to feel Nikolas's gaze on his face ye again. This time, however, younger didn't avert his eyes.
- I apologize because of the lack of communication before, I just want to let you know I am glad you are here.
Older had to chuckle at that statement, noticing how careful Nikolas was in his speech as if he was talking to a cobra that was about to jump at him and kill him with no mercy.
- You don't have to be formal with me. We shared a kiss and drank each other's blood. – older said, making Nikolas chuckle this time.
- I'm sorry, I just didn't want for you to feel uncomfortable-
- You are really enjoying this, aren't you? – Joel suddenly asked, annoyance very prominent in his voice. – We are complete strangers that had gotten married to save our families. Actually, it was me saving my family because as I can see, you are living a very good life, sir General.
Nikolas just stared at him, his amber eyes full of confusion as his eyebrows furrowed. Older, however, didn't allow him to react and continued his barely audible rant:
- If you think just because we've gotten married I'll be your little doll that you are going to pound whenever you want, you are terribly mistaken. I will stay here because it is my duty, but don't expect anything from me.
- B-but-
- No buts! This conversation is over. Let's go greet other guests. – Joel pulled younger by the hand and headed toward the group of noble vampires. In the corner of his eye, he could see Nikolas's confused expression but as soon as they approached the group, his façade was up again.
You are a real Coral, I'll give you that…
***
Three hours later, the banquet was over and all guests departed towards their homes, leaving newlyweds alone in huge a mansion, only Joel's mother and Katarin staying the day due to big distance between Bellerose and Keighley residences.
Despite the fact Joel felt slightly bad for treating Nikolas rudely earlier, he refused to show it on his face or in his actions. Younger had to learn Joel was not ready to make any kind of compromises when it came to their current relationship…
He had to admit though Nikolas was a very admirable host and knew what to say in every moment. He was also a great actor, older's previous outburst not affecting his performance in front of his guests even the slightest. He maybe wasn't swooned over by other vampires like Joel or Horea Ardelean were because of their dashing elegance and ethereal beauty but he still got a lot of attention due to his respectful reputation.
Joel did notice the way younger would look at him from time to time, his eyes showing some kind of cloudy emotion, but older didn't want to care about it. He needed to stand behind his principles and the things he had said.
However, when he realized he and Nikolas were practically all alone in that huge mansion, Joel couldn't help but panic a little. Despite Joel being older of the two, Nikolas was far more muscular and bigger than him he was easily able to push him down if he wanted and have his way with him, his sharp facial features and hungry glances he would direct towards the pink-haired vampire from time to time only added the oil on the fire.
As they walked towards the first floor of the mansion where their shared bedroom was stationed, Joel refused to hold hands with him. He just wanted to be as far from him as possible. Nikolas, however, didn't oppose him even in the slightest.
When they finally approached the bedroom, Nikolas stopped in front of the door and said:
- Come in, you must be tired.
Joel's eyebrows furrowed, his mind refusing to believe anything younger said, but he was right, he was tired indeed.
- Don't get any ideas. – pink-haired scolded as he came closer to the door. Younger smiled before pushing the double door, revealing a magnificent room.
Walls were painted dark red color while big Persian carpet covered the majority of the floor. On the opposite side of the door, there were three huge windows that reached from floor to ceiling, the light shade of reddish and orange smiling from the horizon as the sunrise approached. On the right side, there was a king-sized bed covered in gold and black sheets, canopy hovering over it like a rooftop. In the left corner, there were two sofas facing fireplace made of black marble with an elegant wooden table placed in the middle. Few paintings hanged from the wall, their vivid colors giving the final touch to the marvelous bedroom.
- Do you like it? – Nikolas suddenly asked, waking older up from his trance.
- Y-yes, very much. – Joel stuttered, his face becoming hot and reddish with embarrassment.
To shake off the feeling, older reached in his hair and took out a small tiara he was wearing, taking off the veil together with it. As he ruffled his hair and sighed with relief, he could feel younger's stare on his back.
- Now that I see you like that, you're even more beautiful.
- I know that, but flattering won't help you get closer to me. – Joel huffed as he headed towards the bed and threw tiara on it.
That's when he heard the sound of door locking, Joel immediately turning around and seeing the younger leaning against the door, his amber gaze heavy and hot on Joel's skin as their eyes locked together.
- What are you doing?
- Can't you at least give me a chance? – Nikolas's voice became deeper and Joel could only gulp at the sound. As much as he was terrified at that moment, he had to admit younger looked incredibly alluring.
- I told you not to get any ideas, idiot! Don't you dare to move from that place! – older rose his voice as he stepped back, almost tripping on the bed.
- Why are you so afraid of me? I won't hurt you… - younger straightened up, his crimson gown embracing his body perfectly as he took off his white cloak. During all those motions, Nikolas didn't take his eyes off the pink-haired vampire.
- I'm not afraid of you! I just don't want anything to do with you! Just leave me alone!
Nikolas's chuckle had a lot of bitterness in it as he directed his eyes towards the white fabric in his hands before folding it. When his eyes locked with Joel's again, older could see his expression becoming softer.
- Don't forget that we are married now, Joel. – the sound of his name made the older's body shiver, but he refused to make it too obvious to the other vampire.
- Who says I ever wanted to marry you?! I don't even know you! You should at least know the person you will be marrying!
Nikolas's face turned stern again, his features seeming much sharper than before.
- You were offered to meet me, but you refused. It's not like you didn't have a choice to meet me. It is your own fault for not accepting the offer.
- Why would I meet you when I didn't even want to marry?! What was the point!? Just leave me alone already! I don't want to sleep with you in the same room, who knows what you're going to do!
Nikolas chuckled again in the same bitter manner as he averted his eyes, frustration obvious on his face. But his calm demeanor didn't drop even for a moment.
- I won't sleep with you, do not worry. This is your room from now on. – he said in a low voice as he headed towards the left side of the room, away from Joel, the older only then noticing another double door.
- I will be sleeping in this room. – younger pointed towards the door. - If you need anything, just come here and I will do my best to help you. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Sleep well, Joel.
With those words, Nikolas disappeared behind the door with a gentle thud.
Joel just collapsed on the bed, his heart racing like crazy. The moment he heard the doors locking, he wasn't able to control his panic and the way Nikolas looked at him didn't help the situation at all. He just wanted to be left alone.
But he still felt a sting of guilt after seeing younger's disappointed face. Maybe he was not supposed to be that harsh with him, but he couldn't help it. He didn't like to be cornered, especially by someone as big and intimidating like Nikolas Keighley.
Maybe I should apologize…?
No, he will see it as an opening to strike. I just won't repeat it again, that's all…
As he came up with a resolution in his head, Joel stood up from the bed, remembering how beautifully his name sounded after crossing younger's lips.
What is wrong with you, Joel Bellerose? You don't know him…
***
As he finished all of the paperwork for the night, Nikolas sighed and rubbed his eyes.
He was supposed to spend his first day with his spouse, but there he was, working like every other night until then. He honestly didn't know what emotion he felt more: anger or disappointment. He really wanted to show off in front of Joel and present himself in the best way possible, but everything he would try would be perceived as an attack by the older and would be brutally shut down.
He really wanted to be angry with the older, but he also couldn't bring himself to do so. The vampire was married off even though he didn't want to, he came to an unknown environment and felt confused and angry, of course, he would act the way he does.
Still, Nikolas couldn't help his immerse frustration which he didn't know where to direct..
As he leaned in his chair, morning sun hitting his back, he thought about the previous night.
If he had to be honest, he was so scared of that night. The marriage came to him so suddenly, not even five years after his parents tragically passed away due to an attack of Flamings while they were visiting their soldiers on the borders. For these past years, Nikolas tried to put his life back together and put Keighley name back on its feet and despite being the only son of the family and prepared to be an heir his whole life, it was very difficult for him. But he succeeded, gaining the trust of soldiers inside and on the country borders. His reputation was also helped by the fact that he was one of the most famous generals during the Great War and things had just gotten better from that point on.
But then one day Joel's mother, lady Sibylle Bellerose, came to visit him with a very peculiar request. Nikolas at first wasn't interested in the offer to marry an unknown person, but as soon as he heard the name Joel Bellerose, his attention was immediately grabbed. As their conversation progressed, Nikolas found himself surprised by the fact that he had met the young master of Bellerose family before and the fact that he had a completely wrong picture about Joel for centuries which only made his curiosity bigger.
Nikolas leaned back in his chair, a memory of their first meeting centuries ago suddenly playing before his eyes.
It was the Crimson Ball that Bellerose family themselves had hosted and Nikolas attended it with his parents. At age of only 100 years old, Nikolas looked like an 8-year-old human boy at the time and the world seemed really big from that perspective. That was his first time attending the Crimson Ball as well and he wasn't feeling very comfortable around so many powerful and intimidating vampires. But as soon as he noticed Joel, everything changed for the young Coral.
Nikolas could still recall older's appearance from that night: his hair was a bit longer, reaching under his shoulders, and the white gown he wore made him look as if he was wearing a skirt and not a fluffy pair of shorts. He also had a blue ribbon that held the front locks of his hair and he was so unbelievably beautiful.
Young Nikolas immediately concluded he was a girl.
And the fact that the name he heard name Joelle instead of Joel didn't help his conviction.
A pink-haired vampire approached him and spent time with him during the whole ball, his cheerful yet shy personality charming Nikolas all over again with every step and movement he would make.
Just the fact that a beautiful vampire turned out to be a male intrigued Nikolas enough but he never doubted his conviction and determination of marrying that very vampire, no matter his gender or age. He was very excited when lady Sibylle proposed their meeting and the deal was made.
Nikolas was soon to meet the person that tickled his fancy so many centuries ago and was hoping to click with him in the same way as that night at the ball.
However, two days after the meeting, lady Sibylle informed Nikolas that Joel refused to meet him but that wedding was still going as planned. It was needless to say younger was disappointed and so he put all of his hope on the wedding day.
Before the ceremony had started, however, Nikolas panicked, questioning his choice and his sanity because of this crazy arrangement.
But as soon as Joel entered the room, there were no more doubts in Coral's mind.
Even with his short hair, much more muscular body, and extremely wide shoulders, Joel Bellerose was stunning beyond belief. His facial features were perfect, his lips so full and waiting to be kissed, his skin pale and flawless while his light pink hair and deep pink eyes contrasted perfectly while giving older vampire even more of an enchanting aura. As he stood beside him, wrapped in white fabric and with the veil on his head, Nikolas was convinced the angel has descended from the heavens to marry him.
But he could see Joel wasn't happy with that situation at all. His eyes were full of fear and frustration and when it came to accepting the marriage vows, Nikolas was afraid older would refuse to marry him and leave then and there, but to his big surprise, everything went smoothly.
When they exchanged a kiss and few drops of each other's blood, Nikolas had almost lost all of his composure because of how sweet yet thick older's blood was while his fresh scent that reminded the sea breeze only added to temptation. He really wanted to pin him down then and there, but he knew older would only be scared of him even more.
Their interactions during the banquet were minimal, but Nikolas was still unable to take his eyes off Joel. His frustration was growing right in front of the younger's eyes and he really hoped to help him somehow, but with every move younger would try to make, Joel would roughly push him away.
- You really don't remember me, eh? – Nikolas said to the empty room as he stood up from the chair and headed towards the door. It was already late and the next night will also be busy.
As he took the last glance towards the rising sun, the young vampire really hoped pink-haired Coral will eventually give him a chance…