Lord of the Damned - A Viktor Bartholy Story

Chapter 5: The Wedding Night (Mature!)

** this chapter contains language and material of a violent and sexual nature and in intended only for mature audiences**

What followed was the world's quickest wedding ceremony. Darox sensed his king's impatience and skipped over most of the time-consuming speech he usually gave during such a sacred rite. If the high priest dared mention anything beside what was absolutely necessary, Rubobostes flashed his green eyes toward him in a threatening manner.

"Get on with it," the king of the Apuli muttered, making Darox swallow his words. "We don't have all day, priest."

"Very well, my lord," Darox nodded humbly. Inside, he was seething at the insolence of the man standing in front of him. "One day, you will pay for all of your sins... for your pride and for your ruthlessness," Darox thought while outwardly reciting the sacred words that would bind Rubobostes to Aleena for eternity.

Upon looking at the bride, the high priest was struck by her stony expression. Here was a woman who was being forced into a marriage she clearly did not desire. Aleena's face was pale and there was no readable emotion in her blue eyes — certainly no love for her groom. The particular observation filled Darox with joy. What was Rubobostes getting himself into? Did he have any idea how much Aleena disliked him? Darox came to the conclusion that the king's ego was bigger than his reasoning. The priest couldn't help but smirk thinking about how foolish the man who was binding himself to a sworn enemy was.

"What's so amusing, priest?" Rubobostes's voice suddenly boomed throughout the chamber, disrupting Darox's reverie.

"Nothing, my lord," Darox quickly replied in his meekest voice. "I am smiling because I am so happy for you. You have finally found the life partner you fully deserve."

Rubobostes narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the priest. He didn't trust Darox as far as he could throw him. Unfortunately, he was stuck with him... at least for the time being.

"Very well, then," the king replied brusquely. "Finish up, will you?"

"Of course, my lord," Darox deeply bowed down. His intelligent eyes briefly met those of the bride. What was it she was thinking at that very moment? Did Aleena understand the meaning of his carefully chosen words? The priest believed she did. Not only that, but the princess seemed to appreciate their hidden meaning. The slightest shadow of a smile crossed her face before she resumed her stoic composure.

"Before the eyes of Zalmoxis and everyone here present, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Darox spoke the words loudly and clearly despite the fact that there were only five people in the room.

Rubobostes's face broke into a wide grin. He turned toward Aleena and cupped her chin in one of his large browned hands.

"There, my sweet. It's now official," he growled before his lips captured hers greedily.

Darox saw the princess stiffen as her husband enveloped her in a rather brutish embrace, making no secret of the way he felt about her. The priest couldn't stop a look of disgust from crossing his face at the king's lewd display of affection. Rubobostes was groaning as he deepened his kiss while running both hands up and down Aleena's back, eventually grabbing her bottom and pulling her even closer.

Nobody in the room dared make a peep until the king appeared satisfied. When Rubobostes finally released his wife, Darox inquired quietly:

"Would you like us to leave now, your majesty?"

Rubobostes scoffed. "Am I making you uncomfortable, priest? Are you unable to watch a real man loving his woman?"

The king exploded into a mocking laughter, making Darox seethe once again.