“Antoinette! Please! Come back!” Antoinette rolled her eyes as she turned to face a very flustered Leon.
“What Leon?” She demanded impatiently.
“Please Antoinette, don’t do this just because…” He trailed off slightly.
She cut in, “Just because? Just because?! Just because you decided to cheat on me? Not just cheat though you cheated with my little sister! Ha! You’re funny. Go away before I have you sent away, I have bigger things to deal with.” She left swiftly, leaving him standing around looking dumbfounded at her angry outburst.
As she reached the dungeons she hesitated to collect her emotions before she continued down the stairs. At the bottom she followed the long hallway down to the very last door and upon entering found a few women surrounding the man who must be the latest catch.
“Hello ladies, if you could kindly exit, I think I can handle it from here,” The woman all turned and left giving her accusing looks as they passed by, Antoinette had decided early on that if she was going to be on the throne someday that she would never let what others considered appropriate keep her from doing what needs to be done. As the door closed behind the last old biddy she faced her opponent.
“Well hello there miss,” he greeted gentlemanly.
She raised an eyebrow, “Hi… so you are?”
“I’m King Damien Lance and you? You seem slightly familiar,” He said courteously.
She rolled her eyes at his formality, “I’m Antoinette Carpe, Princess of the clan of vampires you seem to have been intercepted by.”
The man’s seemingly permanent smirk was making Antoinette’s stomach do these funny flips. “And what clan would that be?” He asked, “I’m of the forest pack and I wouldn’t mind returning, my brothers and sisters must be worried that I haven’t returned.”
Antoinette groaned and threw up her hands, “Your Damien! That Damien! What idiot brought you in here? You’re a freaking ally!”
He chuckled, “Renabette, I believe she’s your younger sister?” He questioned.
Antoinette huffed and nodded, “That and the bane of my existence.”
He chuckled some more, causing a small smile to play on her lips as he spoke, “Sisters do seem to be like that with each other, or so I’ve noticed at least.”
Antoinette nodded, “Okay man. Come one let’s get you out of here and back to where ever you want to be.” She gestured for him to follow her out of the room.
“Yes, that would be great,” He agreed as she lead him swiftly out and away from the dungeons. Until that is, she heard a thud from behind her and a low mutter of “Crap.” She turned to see him on the ground holding his head and looking dizzy.
“I feel a little light-headed,” he announced as she kneeled down beside him.
“You seem to have lost a lot of blood; Ren must’ve gotten you pretty good out there. I think it might be best if you stayed the night and held off on transforming, but it’s up to you.” Antoinette suggested, and then shivered involuntarily as she couldn’t help but smell his warm, sweet, alluring blood calling out to her.
He nodded still holding his head but smiling at her anyways, “Yeah that sounds like a great idea.”
“This is going to be your room,” She said leading him into the best guest room in the entire house, “I hope you find it very comfortable.”
He nodded as she helped to lead him to the bed so he could sit down, “I’m sure it will thank you Miss.” He assured her.
She laughed, “Please call me Antoinette, I’m not queen yet you know.”
Just then Renabette came running through the open door, “Annie! We have to go! There is an enemy pack here! Mountaineers, we have to hide please hurry!”
Antoinette’s eyes grew wide, “Crap! Run Ren! I’ll catch up!” Renabette nodded and continued running down the hall as Antoinette turned back to Damien, “We have to get out of here.” He nodded in agreement so they exited the room and headed down the way they had seen Renabette go. Upon turning the corner though they saw Renabette being tackled and tied whilst she continued trying to kick the men who were holding her. Antoinette went to run to her but it was not even a second before a great gray wolf stood before her, one of the men must’ve noticed her and transformed. She turned looking for Damien only to see him slowly falling to the ground. She saw what was happening before her mind registered it, he was transforming.
Once the transformation was complete he jumped in front of her growling threateningly at the wolves that began averting their attention from the now tied Renabette to Antoinette and Damien. She panicked, they were greatly outnumbered and Renabette was useless to them since she was securely tied.
Just when she thought they were all doomed Leon came stumbling out of a room by where Renabette sat immobilized. He saw the ordeal the sisters seem to have gotten themselves into and began to head toward Damien and Antoinette to help. Antoinette shook her head though and he took the hint heading back and picking up Renabette instead. He looked at Antoinette helplessly knowing there was nothing he could do to help further that would make any difference. Antoinette held her head high though as the wolves took no notice of Leon and began their strategic approach. Leon took that as his cue to run back into the room he had come from. There was a hidden door there that would lead him and Renabette out of the castle safely and secretly.
Damien began to howl and more gray wolves began appearing around Antoinette and the lone black wolf that was Damien. Antoinette knew then that everyone else was either gone or unable to help them, her demise had come much sooner then she had expected. Renabette would be the one to take the throne now, more than likely with Leon at her side. With Antoinette gone there would be no reason for them not to become public with their relationship. Ren had always been the luckier once when it came to guys, the prettier, more gentle, more giggly, and girly of the sisters whom any sane vampire would totally go for. She was blonde tiny and beautiful, practically a doll and perfect for any guy.
Antoinette though was a completely different story, more serious and sarcastic, dark and all around intelligent. She was a brunette tall and stick-like and she would rather not show off her body. The sisters were complete opposites and now Antoinette was going to die by the side of a complete stranger and with no one fit to give her eulogy. ‘Gre-e-e-eat,’ she thought to herself sarcastically.
The wolves growled but Damien would not let them past him. Antoinette was shaking but more in anticipation than fear of death. Antoinette and Damien both unknowingly crouched in unison, ready for a fight. Before Antoinette or Damien had even moved though the gray wolves began backing away slowly. Antoinette was surprised to hear a noise coming from behind her; she turned out of instinct to see many black wolves had appeared behind her. The move to turn was a mistake though because upon seeing her sudden moment of distraction one big gray wolf jumped at her catching them all by surprise. Antoinette had been caught off guard and fell back with surprise at the sudden attack. She felt her head hit something sharp and a bunch of tiny little cracks were heard as her head hit a ton of glass, which must’ve come from one of the windows which had been broken, as a searing pain swept through her. She held back a scream that had almost escaped her throat but she refused to make a single sound. Letting the enemy know they had hurt you was a bad idea, it only showed weakness. The wolf didn’t have a chance to make any further damage though as the black wolves got to him.
“Antoinette?” Damien questioned as he appeared back in his human form at her side worriedly.
“That would be my name,” she answered trying to suppress emotion as black wolves ran past the two, probably to scare off the mountaineers. Two men appeared at Damien’s sides then, Antoinette took their silence as a moment to take in fully their appearances. The one thing that Antoinette was very much trying to ignore about the three of them was their lack of shirts. She tried focusing on their faces, thoroughly embarrassed to have three shirtless men assessing her. Damien was the only one with dark hair; it was almost raven black and hung messily in his face, sticking up slightly in the back. His earthy brown eyes shone brightly in the moonlight and entranced her almost immediately. Focusing on the other two she suddenly realized that they were twins. Both of them had light brown hair and matching blue eyes with boyish faces still shining with youth.
“Antoinette, are you okay?” Damien questioned looking at her with a face full of concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little minor headache,” she sat up trying to prove her point but immediately regretted it. A searing pain shot to her head in protest to her movement and she grabbed her head trying to find a way to ease the pain.
“Oh geez, she’s bleeding a lot. Where’s Mike? Jarr go get him please, she’s got glass shards stuck in her head.” Damien requested as Antoinette tried to ignore the boys and her pain by curling up in a tiny ball on the floor and closing her eyes.
“Antoinette? No please, come on stay awake,” Damien was at her side immediately, she remained completely still, ignoring his please. “Annie please?” He placed a hand on her shoulder but she ignored him as she felt herself start to drift.
The remaining twin’s voice rang in her ears then, “Don’t worry Damien, Mike can fix her right up. She’s a vampire, she’ll be just fine.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Antoinette, darling, wake up,” a voice called to her from far away.
“No, I’m tired,” Antoinette answered lazily, trying to hide from whoever was beckoning her out of her little dreamland.
“Annie please? It’s been two days, I think it’s about time you got up,” the voice called pleadingly.
Antoinette scrunched up her face at this comment, “Only two days, that’s not much, just a little longer? Please?” She pouted at the unknown voice who was invading her private sanctuary of that comfortable between being awake and being asleep.
“Two days is plenty of time, come on and open your eyes. We have some news that you really need to hear,” the voice announced.
Antoinette sighed dramatically, “If you just tell me now that’ll make it a whole lot easier.”
The voice took a long time to answer but eventually it did, “Annie, I’m so sorry… It’s your mom, she’s dead. You’re the new queen.”
Antoinette was suddenly pulled back out of her comfortable dreamland into the cold dark and lonely world. She sobbed hopelessly as the tears stung at the backs of her eyes. She didn’t pay attention to the fact that she was in a big mansion in the middle of the forest or that she had no idea where the rest of her clan was, she was lost. Damien pulled her into his arms and she clutched helplessly onto his nice collared t-shirt and cried into his shoulder. He rubbed her back and let her cry herself out until the sobbing stopped and her breathing became normal. She pulled back and looked at his with glazed eyes.
“I’m a… a queen.”
Damien nodded, “Yes you are.”
She remained silent and expressionless for a long time but looked up her face looking suddenly strong and confident, “I’m thirsty.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When she had come back from hunting Renabette was there waiting for her. “Annie? Are you okay?” She asked as they hugged.
“Yes of course Ren, I’m perfectly fine,” she lied bitterly; she knew she would never be fine again. Leon came from behind Renabette looking at Antoinette guiltily.
“Hello Leon,” Antoinette greeted him politely.
“Hey Annie,” he answered sadly.
“Where is everyone else?” Antoinette asked Renabette.
“Back cleaning up the house after the attack, they’re waiting for you,” she answered half proud half sad.
“Then I’ll thank Damien and we shall go,” Renabette nodded as Antoinette headed up the stairs. The super fast healing was one of the best advantages to being a vampire. Without it and Damien’s packs help Antoinette knew she would probably be dead.
“Looking for me?” Damien’s voice came from her right where she turned to see him leaning against the wall, smirking again.
“Yeah actually, I have to head back; my clan is awaiting my return. So, I just wanted to say thank you, for taking care of me.” He understood the multiple meanings behind her statement and smiled pushing off the wall and kissing her cheek. Her face blushed crimson immediately and she cursed the blood she had just drunk for making her seem human.
“I’ll see you around little darling,” he said smiling as she turned and dreamily headed back the way she had come, still feeling his lips on her cheek.
“Antoinette!” Thundered the cries of all her friends and family who had been worrying about her endlessly, she was soon surrounded by people crying from both relief and bitter sorrow. Eventually she made it out and to her room; the color scheme of black and purple made it different from most other rooms in the castle. She looked around for awhile just remembering all the times her mother had been in there.
“Annie?” Renabette questioned softly from the doorway.
“Yes?” Antoinette answered slightly dazed.
“Damien’s here, we have to do the crowning and you have to reinstate the peace treaty.” Renabette explained cautiously.
“Okay, help me pick a dress,” Antoinette mumbled sighing softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So we meet again,” Antoinette said as she sat down next to the smirking werewolf.
“Indeed, but may I inquire as to why everyone but the Queen herself is celebrating her reign?” He questioned raising an eyebrow curiously.
“Only if I can inquire as to why the King of the werewolves isn’t celebrating another solid treaty with the vampire clan for as long as I am alive,” Antoinette countered.
“I can’t dance,” he answered.
“I’m not happy.” They looked at each other for a long time before Damien stood up and held out a hand for her, helping her to stand also and then leading her away.
“Why aren’t you happy?” He questioned as they wandered around the castle together.
“My mom just died, my boyfriend cheated with my little sister, I’m going to end up like Queen Elizabeth, and the only friend I even have anymore is a werewolf.”
He chuckled, “What do you mean by ending up like Queen Elizabeth?” He questioned curiously.
“The Queen who ends up never getting married and saying her country is like her husband or whatever; I’m going to end up being too busy to find love.” Damien chuckled some more at her statement.
“Your boyfriend was an idiot by the way,” he said as he became serious once more.
“The sad thing is I can completely understand his need to cheat! And why not with Renabette?! She’s… the perfect blonde sister!” Damien laughed really loud this time and for nearly five minutes straight.
“Okay and go back to the part about the werewolf friend.” He said still chuckling slightly.
“I’m serious! You’re like the only one I can talk to anymore! I’ve also just met you and you’re the king of the forest pack! This whole friendship thing is so not going to be easy.” He chuckled and she glared at him. “What is so funny about my problems?” she questioned seriously.
“Just the fact that your beliefs are completely absurd, you will find love, I promise. If that idiot cheated then move on and get a new guy, any guy who’s a big enough jerk to cheat on you with your sister isn’t worth your worries or woes. Renabette isn’t perfect, she has flaws too, maybe guys like her more but your love is worth more and some lucky vampire will realize that eventually. As for our friendship, it won’t be as hard as you make it sound. Friendships are easy especially between werewolves and vampires; it’ll look good and strengthen our alliances.” He smirked looking proud of himself and she couldn’t help but smile.
‘Maybe being Queen might not be so bad’, she thought to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Where were you all night? Caeden was looking for you,” Renabette stated with a wink. She was sitting on Antoinette’s bed when Antoinette walked in.
“Caeden? The kid who doesn’t know how to say more than like three words at a time? Are you trying to set me up with Caeden in the hopes that I’ll forget that Leon cheated on me with you?” Antoinette asked rolling her eyes.
“Maybe just a little bit…” Renabette answered pouting slightly.
“Well it’s not working, besides I can find my own guy, and you can have Leon.” Antoinette rolled her eyes some more as Renabette watched her seriously. After a few minutes of silence Renabette got up and began to leave.
She stopped when she was halfway out the door though and said, “Don’t fall in love with him Annie, it won’t work, he’s a werewolf.” Then she left, leaving Antoinette staring at herself in the mirror wide-eyed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So marry him then,” Damien said simply shrugging his shoulders.
“I don’t want to though…” Antoinette mumbled watching the river water flow by her. Caeden had proposed to her, it wasn’t out of the ordinary or anything, a queen was supposed to get married soon after they were crowned and she had known Caeden most of her life.
“Then why are you even considering him?” Damien asked seriously.
She shrugged, “I guess because I know Mom would’ve approved of him, that she would’ve wanted me to marry someone like my dad, even though she had never really loved him.” The last part was a mere whisper as she looked up at the stars shining brightly above them.
“But… do you mind marrying someone you don’t love?” He asked as he watched her quietly.
“I don’t know… I guess not… I’ve never loved anyone… So I can’t really mind losing something I never knew existed.” He heard the pain of realization in her voice and he knew what that single sentence could mean for her whole future.
“Don’t you even believe anymore? Just the other day you were afraid you’d never find love, and now you’re willingly giving up all chances of being able to know it at all.”
She turned to see him watching her intently, “But… you’re a King, you should understand. What if you had two choices, one that was better for your pack, and one that was better for you? Which would you choose?”
He sighed, “You’re right.”
Antoinette took a deep breath and watched the stars sadly, “yeah.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“This is so exciting! You’re getting married! I’m going to be an aunt!” Renabette squealed happily.
Antoinette’s eyes grew wide, “What?! Says who?!” She screeches already feeling like backing out.
“Well duh silly Annie, you have to have an heir!”
Antoinette grimaced, “No thanks, you can have the throne once I’m gone, how about that?” Antoinette tried to reason.
“I’m pretty sure Caeden is going to want kids Annie,” Renabette reasoned worriedly as she watched the woman fitting Antoinette for her wedding dress.
“Ugh… When did you set the date for again?” Antoinette asked as the woman told her to stand up straighter.
“Uh… three weeks from yesterday…,” Renabette answered looking at her planner. As the little sister and maid-of-honor Renabette was in charge of planning Antoinette’s wedding, since, as the Queen, she is suppose to have more important things to do.
“Okay… Three weeks…. I can do this…,” Antoinette said slowly calming herself.
“Leave us,” Renabette commanded the women who was fussing around them and waited until the last had gone before she spoke. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She questioned obviously worried.
“No, I’m not,” Antoinette admitted sadly.
“You didn’t listen to my advice did you Annie?” Renabette questioned watching her sister sadly.
Annie shook her head and looked down, “No but that doesn’t matter my duty is to my clan. All of you, not to him whom I could never be with.”
Both Renabette and Antoinette sat in a sad silence for awhile until Renabette spoke, “Then I guess the question is can you do this?”
Antoinette thought on it for a long while until she finally nodded, “If Mom could, then so can I.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So you’re really going to do it then?” He questioned her as she skipped a rock across the river.
“Yeah I guess I am,” she sighed heavily.
“I can’t believe you told Renabette you didn’t think you were ready and she’s still letting you go through with it.” He stated shaking his head. Antoinette had told him a slightly edited version of hers conversation with her sister, leaving out the parts about him of course.
“She knows the responsibilities I have now, for her to think I’d even reconsider would’ve been quite insane of her.”
He shook his head, “I hope you’re not making a mistake Annie.”
She swallowed hard wishing to tell him that she knew she was. That she had found the love he had promised she would find. Willing away the thoughts of them running away together and telling her thoughts to behave she answered simply, “Me too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Annie?” Leon questioned knocking again at her door.
Antoinette sighed, “Come in Leon.”
He entered hesitantly as she motioned him forwards. His eyes looked everywhere but at her face as he spoke, “Antoinette, I’m sorry about what Renabette and I did. It was wrong and I’m very sorry I hurt you. I do love Renabette though Annie, for real. I know I do.”
Antoinette smiled, “I can tell you speak the truth so all bad feelings are forgotten.”
Leon smiled looking relieved, “Thank you Annie but that’s only half of the reason I’m in here.” Antoinette raised an eyebrow which he knew meant for him to continue, “I want you to know love is real Annie. You don’t love Caeden, I can tell and I know he doesn’t love you, no matter what he might say to the contrary. I know you had always wanted to have more than your parents Annie, please don’t throw away your chance if you aren’t completely devoted to being with Caeden forever. Don’t do this if you’re going to spend the rest of your life regretting it.”
Her smile faltered momentarily but she composed herself quickly and took Leon’s hand gently, “Leon, you know I must do this. I’m glad my sister can be happy with you in your love but the love I seek is not something the clan can afford.”
He nodded understandingly, “Okay Annie but please, just remember, your mother’s true love was dead and gone when she married your father. If your love is insight you will have to remember the love you can’t have every time you see him.”
She nodded solemnly, “The wedding my sister has planned for me is two weeks away, I will not back down from it, it is what is best for the clan and also for myself.” Leon nodded and gets up taking his hand back and beginning for the door, “Leon.”
He stopped and turned, “Yes?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Thanks,” Antoinette smiled at him. He returned her smile and then continued out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“One week away! I’m so excited! Aren’t you Caeden?” Asked Renabette as she bounced around the room where they were setting up for the engagement party.
“Oh yeah definitely, ecstatic,” he smirked eyeing Antoinette who was standing awkwardly between the two.
“Annie let’s go get changed for the party so you can help me pick a dress,” Renabette suggests. Antoinette feels relieved as they excuse themselves and head into the halls and away from Caeden. “Come on Annie, you can’t be so distant from poor Caeden. He’s going to be your husband soon.”
Antoinette shrugged, “I just need to get used to it then I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Antoinette reassured a now very worried looking Renabette.
They reached their connecting bedrooms that after the wedding would no longer be theirs anymore. Antoinette sighed and picked a dark blue dress out of her closet for her to wear and a light blue one for Renabette.
“See perfect, you always pick the most appropriate outfit for every occasion Annie!” Ren squealed with delight was they admired themselves in the mirror. Their pale skin made the perfect contrast to the blues; Ren’s light blue eyes matched the dress perfectly as did Annie’s dark blue ones. Renabette’s perfect curly blonde hair was looking completely gorgeous as Antoinette messed with her straight brown hair trying to make it look more alive.
“Don’t mess with your hair Annie; it looks perfect you’re just going to make it knotted!” Renabette scolded, slapping Annie’s hand away from her hair.
“Ren… do you think I’m doing the right thing?” Antoinette asked biting her lip nervously.
“Do you love Caeden?” Renabette asked looking through her dresser.
Annie shook her head, “No… I don’t.”
Renabette stiffened then, “Do you love… Damien?” She questioned quietly seeming almost scared of Antoinette’s answer.
Antoinette looked down guiltily, “Yeah Ren, I think I do.”
Renabette came behind her then and placed a crown of dark blue jewels on Antoinette’s head, “Then no Annie I don’t think you’re doing the right thing. However I think you’re doing what any Queen would think was the right thing to do.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Announcing the engagement of my dear sister, Queen Antoinette Carpe to Caeden Balm is the greatest honor a sister could ever have. So sis’ I wish you the best and Caeden, good luck dealing with her.” Antoinette could see Damien smirking from where Renabette had assigned him and his comrades to sit. Antoinette hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him for even a moment all night and he hadn’t taken even once glance at her to her great disappointment. Caeden took her hand then and squeezed it as the music started up again.
“Would you like to dance?” Caeden asked.
She was about to say, ‘Not really’, when Renabette kicked her under the table. So she instead agreed saying, “Of course.”
He led her out to the dance floor gracefully and they started dancing to the slow song that was playing. “So, the weddings only a week away!” Caeden said seeming semi-excited and semi-nervous.
Antoinette nodded, “Yes, so it would seem.”
Caeden nodded also and then they were silent for a long time just moving to the music with expertise that came with over a hundred years of practice. “Antoinette?” Caeden finally questioned nervously.
“Yes? She answered with a raised eyebrow still not completely taking her eyes off Damien.
“I love you, and I know you don’t know me that well yet because I almost never talk to you and that the only reason you probably even agreed to this is because of what’s best for the clan. However I promise that if you give me a chance out lives can be perfect, you’ll see. Though, if there’s someone else, please tell me, I don’t want you duties to the clan to force you to marry me if you still yearn for another.” He said remaining completely serious throughout his whole little speech. She remained quiet and distant for a long few moments, for once taking her focus off Damien and really examining Caeden’s face. “Annie?” He questioned quietly as she snapped back to the present.
“No, there’s no one else,” She answered, and then as Antoinette looked back to Damien she saw his eyes on her for the first time all night. However, this did not bring the glee it would have usually brought, for in his eyes was pure and complete pain and sadness, nothing else just totally and complete agony and suffering. It almost made her cry just seeing such a pained expression on his beautiful face, it was so bad she had to force herself to look away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Antoinette was sitting quietly and alone by the river where Damien and she spent their time together. Her feet were in the water as it flowed freely around her toes. She sighed heavily thinking about the wedding now being only five days away. Then she thought about Caeden and how perfectly he fit into the role of King at her side. Then she thought about her father, and remembering how Ren took after him in most aspects, he was the foundation of her mother’s rule, until he died that is. He hadn’t been her mother’s true love though, he who was had died the year before she was crowned therefore she decided since she would never truly love another, that she would marry who was best for the clan. Now Antoinette was doing the same thing but her ordeal seemed so much worse, she loved a man who was still very much alive whom she just couldn’t bring herself to be with. She wanted to do what her mother would have done and she knew her mom would never have considered marrying a werewolf even if just to strengthen the bonds between the pack and the clan. It had never been done before and for all they knew it could end up very badly. Suddenly there was an outline on the water of someone standing behind her, she froze utterly terrified.
“Why Annie?” She turned with relief to see Damien watching her sorrowfully.
“Why what?” She questioned wearily, avoiding eye contact with him.
“He gave you the chance to turn back and you didn’t, you lied to him,” He whispered dejectedly.
“I did not lie to him, there is no one else,” she replied still watching the water.
“Annie… do you love him?” He asked quietly almost as if he were afraid of how she might answer.
“No, not yet at least,” she answered as he sat down next to her.
“Annie, your Mom would want you to be happy, not to just marry some guy for the sake of it. She had love at one point, she’d want you to give love a chance too.”
She shrugged, “Who said I’m not, who says I won’t grow to love Caeden? Renabette seems pretty positive of that fact.”
He growled under his breath, “Stop lying Antoinette.”
She shrugged again and remained silent.
“Antoinette look at me.” He demanded, she did so reluctantly, he held her gaze, “Do you love me?” He asked watching her.
It took all her strength from years of practiced lying to keep her face straight, “No.”
He stood up then almost mechanically and just walked off into the woods. Annie watched her tears make ripples in the water as she listened to the distant howling of a far off werewolf.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“It looks so completely perfect on you Annie, I’m not lying one bit either,” Renabette gushed as the two sisters examined the bride-to-be in the mirror in front of them.
“Yeah, it’s really pretty,” Antoinette stated looking at herself in the mirror with mild interest.
“Can you believe it? Only three more days until you and Caeden are married! I’m so excited!” Renabette squealed loudly.
Antoinette smiled, Renabette and she hadn’t gotten along this well since they were children and sometimes even then they didn’t get along so well. She was happy that at least one of them could be so happy. Antoinette hadn’t seen Damien since the night after the engagement party which was two days ago. He was never at their spot by the river anymore and he didn’t pop out of the forest to talk to her when she was there either. Antoinette missed him but more than that was growing extremely worried toward what might have happened to him. She knew though deep down that it wasn’t physical injury that was keeping him away, she had lied and broken his heart and hers too along with it. She could still feel the pieces of her cold dead heart floating around in her stomach making her eyes water just thinking about it.
“You okay Annie?” Renabette questioned suddenly worried.
“I don’t feel so well,” she teetered on her feet for a second then all of a sudden the floor seemed to be flying up at her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“She’s going to be fine Caeden, don’t you worry, she’ll just rest today and tomorrow and then she’ll be perfectly fine,” Renabette assured the obviously worried Caeden as he paced in front of her,
“Is the wedding maybe too soon? Will she be okay by then? Should we postpone it a little while?” Caeden asked, Renabette could tell how concerned he was for her sister’s health and she felt her heart warm.
“No, I’m sure Antoinette wouldn’t want us to do that, she’ll be fine.”
He nodded to himself as he paced, “Yes that’s true she’ll be fine, can I see her?” Renabette stuttered for a second not completely sure if Antoinette would want anyone to see her in her weakened state, it was almost human what had happened to her, Vampires don’t often get sick unless they’re over a thousand and Antoinette was still in her early hundreds. Something must be so troubling Renabette’s sister that she had made herself ill by worrying over it. “Renabette,” she turned to look at Caeden where he had stopped pacing in the middle of the room, “Please.”
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Antoinette was lying down with her curtains tightly shut to keep the sun out of her room. Vampires could not go out in the day because of the sun but they didn’t sleep through it either, they usually just took naps but by the orders of Renabette, Antoinette was confined to her bed. She still felt slightly odd, she had never felt sick before but she guessed this was how it felt. No one had any idea what was wrong with her except herself. She figured she had done exactly what her mother had after Antoinette’s father had died, had a sort of worry overloads and “fainted”, whatever that meant. Renabette was not fully convinced with Antoinette’s story of having absolutely no idea what was wrong with her but didn’t bother her about it. Renabette had gone to inform Caeden about Antoinette’s little “faint” before he heard a blown out of proportion version of it from someone else. She was wondering on if Damien would hear and maybe if he would come visit her when Renabette entered the bedroom.
“Caeden is here to… uh… see you.”
Antoinette’s eyes went wide, “Right now?! I’m a mess!”
Renabette giggled, “Yes well, he insisted.”
Antoinette was struggling to sit up when Caeden entered the room. He rushed over putting a hand on her shoulder, “Please don’t bother sitting up, I’ll only be here a minutes, I promise.” He took his hand off her shoulder and sat down on the comfy chair beside her bed reaching out and grabbing her hand. “How do you feel?”
He was watching her intently as she spoke, “Oh I feel fine, Renabette demanded that I rest though so I’m just sitting around,” she lied, feeling guilty.
He smiled, “Well that’s probably for the best.” He swallowed hard.
“So the weddings not far off now, only a few days,” she commented.
He nodded at her statement, “Yeah today and tomorrow and then it’s here. Are you going to be well by then? Do you want to postpone it?”
Antoinette panicked, she had to convince him not to postpone it, and she knew if he did she would never be able to go through with it at all. She still wasn’t sure how she would be able to handle is even after they were married. “No, I’ll be fine, I assure you, and if not for Renabette I would already but up and about.”
He seemed to struggle with himself for a second then asked; “Are you sure?”
She faked a frown, “Have you changed you minds about marrying me Caeden? Please tell me if you have,” he heart secretly jumped with hope but that hope was smashed as his face looked instantly upset at her statement.
“No Antoinette, I would never give you up!” her heart melted slightly but also broke at his kind words. She longed for Damien but knew she could not leave Caeden for Damien ever, no matter how much she might love him.
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“How are you feeling today, Annie?” Renabette asked as she entered the room, opening the window to the dark night sky.
“Fine I guess, mostly bored since you won’t let me leave my own room,” she joked smiling as her sister laid down next to her on the bed.
“It’s just a precaution… has he come?” She asked, her mood changing completely.
Antoinette shook her head, “No, I haven’t heard from him in awhile. Do you think he’s coming tomorrow?” She turned over to watch as her sister thought over the ordeal.
“I think he has to… or else people will panic and think there’s something going on.” Renabette stated.
Antoinette sighed, “Make sure I can’t see him from where I stand or I’m not sure I can do it.”
Renabette shook her head, “Mom wouldn’t have liked this at all Annie, and she would’ve wanted you to marry your true love.”
Renabette watched as her sister struggled to find her voice, “I can’t marry a werewolf Ren.”
Renabette sat up, “Who says? You’re the Queen, Antoinette; no one can tell you who to love!”
Antoinette sighed, “Some things just can’t be done Ren.”
Renabette stood up, obviously very flustered about the whole ordeal, “It would be like an alliance Annie! A better one then we already have! The pack and the clan could be bonded together by your love! Werewolves and vampires! We’d be unbeatable! Plus you could be with Damien, forever.”
Antoinette shook her head, “We aren’t meant to mix, what happens when they, the pack I mean, wants to turn against us? For him, his options would be leave me or die, I don’t want that to happen…” She looked up to where Renabette stood visibly debating with herself.
“Fine,” she answered, “I’ll be in my room, call if you need me.”
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Antoinette was dozing off when she heard a knock on her window. She sat straight up in bed, looking at the clock, it read: 3:01 AM. She turned to the window, walking over and opening it, a dark shadow came in, and when her sight was restored she saw it was Damien.
“Damien, what’s going on?” She asked.
He scratched his head and looked down sadly, “I… uh… head you were sick, so I came to see how you were doing.”
He heart beat wildly in her chest, “Uh… thanks. It was really nothing, I’m fine.”
He smiled slightly, “Oh okay then. If you’re okay I guess I’ll just go then.” He walked back toward the window and was half-way out when he suddenly turned around, rushing over to her and taking her up in his arms.
“Come away with me,” he whispered into her hair, “We can go, just leave. We can be on our own, live like humans.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she clutched at his shirt wanting to scream, ‘Yes! Let’s leave now!’
But she just listened as he continued on, “Wouldn’t that be great? Just you and me, they’d never find us, they’d never look, Renabette could take the throne and my pack could find a new King, I could take care of you Antoinette and love you like you feared no one ever could. Please come with me.”
She couldn’t answer, she could barely breath through her tears, and he stroked her hair lovingly and led her over to her couch. Sitting down her pulled her into his lap and let her cry. “I love you Antoinette,” he whispered, “I know you love me too even though you lied.”
She looked up at him now, “I’m sorry I lied.”
He smiled, “Its okay.”
She shook her head, “I have to marry him Damien, even though I could never love him like I love you. You know I can’t leave, you know just as well as I what I must do.”
He sighed, “I know what you will do and that you won’t abandon your clan.”
She buried her head in his shoulder for a minute before standing up, “This’ll be hard.”
He smirked, “No offence love, but I’m rooting for you to fail.”
She sighed, “Not you too…,” she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat, “Well okay, I guess then this is the end of us… this thing we have going on I mean.”
He rolled his eyes, “We’ll see if you can even say, ‘I do’ tomorrow, then we’ll know.” She frowned at his as he walked to the window and left.
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Antoinette was almost there; she just had to say their vow-like things and then drink from the cup filled with blood from both of their wrists. It symbolizes the acceptance of who the person is and the bonding of marriage as the blood bonds them together also. This was the main part that would actually signify their marriage, Damien had been mistaken she wouldn’t have to say ‘I do’ at all.
“Now both of you, take up your cups please.” The noble who was asked to do the bonding at their marriage said. They lifted their cups up off the table and it was Caeden’s turn to take the first drink.
“Antoinette…,” Caeden’s voice faded off into the background as she looked past him where in the third row Damien was seated. Jarrett and Jeremy, the twins from the night of the attack, were sitting on either side of him. He was staring back at her intently, his face showed sadness and pain. She tried to focus on Caeden’s speech but couldn’t, she felt her eyes begin to leak; she wiped the tears away as Caeden finished, she smiled at him, trying to play it off as an emotional moment and her having been so moved by Caeden’s speech. Caeden smiled at her brightly clearly feeling the happiness Antoinette could not bring herself to feel.
She watched as he took his drink, he put down his cup and smiled at her, it was her turn now. She smiled and searched for the words that would begin her memorized speech about her childhood with Caeden and her love and trust for him. They would not come though and she could not think of what to say.
“I…,” she began weakly but suddenly there was a huge explosion and both Antoinette and Caeden were thrown to the floor.
When Antoinette jumped up werewolves were running into the hall, vampires were rushing about as the wolves came in to attack. Renabette appeared at Antoinette’s side, “Annie, it’s not just wolves; the mountain clan is here with them, they must’ve formed an alliance also.”
Antoinette nodded as a wolf ran for her, she searched frantically for something to use in defense, there was nothing. She prepared to fight with her teeth and bare hands but there was a quick movement in front of her and Renabette as the wolf flew off backwards hitting the wall bloodily. She looked around and saw Caeden on the floor bleeding with a stake in his chest.
Antoinette kneeled beside him as Renabette ran away, “Caeden, what, how, why?”
He grinned, “He had a stake in his mouth, and I know you didn’t see so I jumped to save you, because I love you.”
Her eyes watered, “What… I don’t… what do I do Caeden? I don’t know how to save you…,” she stuttered.
He smiled slightly, “You can’t sweetheart, calm down.”
Her eyes grew wide, “What are you talking about?! I need you Caeden! Tell me how to save you!”
He shook his head and as his eyes began to close for the final time he whispered, “I’ll tell you what to do Annie, live.”
As she stood up she saw the mountain vampire’s clan king waiting for her attention as she saw Damien’s werewolf clan begin filling the room also.
“Well hello Miss Antoinette, tell me are you prepared to die?”
She felt a chill go down her spine at his word but she picked up a sword and got into a dueling position, “Not quite.” She could feel each clashing contact that their swords made beating in her veins. Every breath was focused on living which wouldn’t have been so hard if the king wasn’t the most accomplished swordsman in the vampire community.
“Come now little one, you don’t really think you can win do you?” He laughed loud and boisterously.
“Actually,” She almost landed a fatal strike but he dodged just barely, “I plan to.” Ducking and dodging, jabbing and clanging the fight continued.
“Well,” he began, “If I can’t kill you I’ll at least have the pleasure of knowing I took down Damien, the almighty werewolf leader.”
Antoinette’s mind froze for a second and he took advantage, missing her heart but piercing her shoulder. The pain brought her back to reality though and ignoring her shoulder she swung wildly. She didn’t expect to hit him but his throat began bleeding and he fell to the ground. He was just in shock though so taking a stake she found in his sleeve she pierced his heart then she took the sword, cutting off his head to finish the job. He was dead.
The arrival of the pack helped finish off the remaining enemies, they had miraculously won. Antoinette’s hair was a mess, her dress was stained with blood and her heart was stone cold. Walking among the bodies that littered the floor she saw it, the raven black hair she had grown accustomed to. She fell to her knees knowing instantly the shape of his limp body; she turned him over laying his head in her lap. She watched his face, believing him dead until his eyes opened slowly and he was staring up at her.
“Annie? Where’s Caeden?” She felt sadness swell inside of her.
“Dead.” She answered.
“So… what does this mean?” Damien asked as he pulled himself into a sitting position and turned to face her.
She smiled slightly, “He told me to live.”
Damien smiled and pulled her into a hug, “I love you Antoinette.”
She felt her heart explode, “I love you too Damien”
Even with the newly formed wars they would be facing and the deaths that struck them they remained happy. Antoinette was from then on reassured about Damien and she did exactly what Caeden told her to do, she lived. They both knew from then on, no matter what wars might rage they’d always have each other.