A Vampire's Bride

Chapter 14 - Grey

Her sensual moves against my body as we danced to the hypnotic music were driving me insane. Everything about her was perfect. From her curvaceous body to her tantalizing blue eyes. I fought for as long as I could before I finally gave into the urge of biting her. No one would dare touch her if they smelt me on her and that kind of power was enthralling. Addicting even.

We continued to dance until her human legs gave out. She asked for a drink and though I didn't want to leave her alone, I could never say no to her. I pushed past dozens of people to reach the two servers. One was compelled to slit his wrist and fill the glasses with his blood to serve the vampires. While the other just served plain champagne for all the others. Of course, the blood was appetizing, but I didn't want Mariella to see me any differently. So, I grabbed two glasses full of champagne and dashed back to the place I left her last.

When I caught a whiff of her sweet lilac scent, I found her standing near a table. I sped towards her but suddenly stopped in my tracks. Was that... was that Lucian? I thought he would have regarded my warning the first time, but apparently, he needed a reminder. They were arguing about something but I could care less. All I could focus on was the fact that he was around her after I told him not to be. I took a step closer but was stopped when a hand came between me and my target.

"Do not make a scene," It was my father, and of course, he thought I was going to sit back and watch Lucian talk to my woman like that. Hell no. I dropped the flutes of champagne in my hands and pushed him out of my way, continuing my walk towards them with one goal on my mind. When again, my father stopped me. "You do not know what you're doing, Grey!" I was already growing angrier by the second and seeing the very man who threatened my wife's life wasn't helping.

My anger only increased as he continued to patronize me, and before I knew it I did something that couldn't be undone.

I punched my father. I was shaking with fear as I stared at him in shock. His expression mirrored mine, but I didn't have time to focus on that because I heard a voice call my name.

"Grey!" Mariella shrieked. I turned around to see Lucian pulling her away from the crowd by her wrists and I lost it. The next thing I knew, he was on the ground and I was on top of him delivering punch after punch. Titus tried to stop me, but I pushed him away and punched even harder. Lucian's body had gone lifeless a while ago, but I didn't care. The idea of his life at my fingertips fueled me to keep going and nobody stopped me.

"Enough!" My father shouted and the room went silent. I backed away from him and realized how much damage I'd done. His face was nearly unrecognizable. The silence was in order to listen for his heartbeat, and when it wasn't heard, my father finally spoke.

"You two meet me after the gala! And have this shit cleaned up!" He ordered and stormed off. I kept a straight face but on the inside, I was freaking out and when I saw Mariella I only felt worse.

Her hand was on her chest as she tried to control her breathing. She was staring at what was once Lucian. I quickly rushed to her side and pulled her into my chest where I could feel her tears soaking my shirt as she cried. "I am so sorry, my love," I whispered. I should've never let my anger take over like that. Now, I put her life at more risk than it was before. I continued to console her until the perfect idea came to me. Gently, I pulled away from her and looked into her teary eyes. "We need to run." I whispered and she began shaking her head no.

"Grey, i-it's o-over. We can't win-"

"I don't care if you are willing to expect death because I am not."

"But-"

"No buts. We are going back to the room to pack a bag and then we are getting the hell out of here." I finalized. I wiped her tears and kissed her lips like it was the last time I would be able to before we ran out of the ballroom.

~

The car sped towards the airstrip as my nerves only increased. I looked over at Mariella. She was now wearing a black hoodie with matching sweatpants. She was staring out into the night and her hand was firmly locked in mine. We hadn't exchanged words since we left the palace and the silence was suffocating me. I didn't know what to say, so I kept my thoughts to myself until we arrived.

She let go of my hand to get out of the car and I couldn't help but feel cold inside. Instead of saying anything I walked onto my private jet behind her. When I got in, she already had her seatbelt buckled in next to the window as she continued to peer out into the night sky. I sat next to her, buckled up, and put an arm around her.

The plane started to rise in the air and I felt something I hadn't felt in weeks.

Relief

If my plan worked, I would never see my father again, and Mariella and I would live happily ever after. Her head suddenly slumped and I knew sleep had fallen upon her, so I tilted her head onto my shoulder as a servant came to ask me what I wanted.

"Is there anything I can do for you or the princess?"

"Yes, bring me a cigar." I said, not sparing her a glance. She left to get it and came back promptly with my cigar and lighter on a golden platter. I put the cigar in my mouth and lit it before taking a long drag; letting it relax my tense body. The servant pulled an ashtray out of her pocket and handed it to me before walking away. I took another inhale of the smoke and pulled out a box from my pocket. It was my mother's ring. I plan on proposing to Mariella at some point and I just hope she says yes.

She didn't get a choice the first time, so now I want to give her one. Of course, it could end horribly, but I don't want her to feel like she is forced to deal with me for the rest of her life. I kissed the box before putting it back in my pocket and kept smoking until the flight had ended.

By then, my phone was already filled with threatening messages. All of which saying to bring her back. I ignored them and gently unbuckled Mariella. Carefully carrying her off the plane and into the passenger seat of my car.

I bought a personal island soon after my mother died so I had a place to escape everything. It was not my best decision, but it was proving to be very helpful now. I started the car and drove to our new home, thinking back to one of the last things my father said to me before I left.

You don't know what you are doing.

Perhaps, but when I look at her and think of all the things we can become together, it feels worth it.