Vampire's Bride

Father

The next morning it was rainy and cold, dark and muggy. I put a red robe on and gracefully walked downstairs to the kitchen. The palace was silent, I'd be afraid of a mouse squeaking.

I took a sip of dandelion tea and Arthur didn't look up from his newspaper "Are you okay this morning?"

I frown "Could be better."

He glances up and smiles "Hopefully tonight's slumber is better than last night's slumber."

I take a sip of tea and study his body language. Arthur is as handsome as he was a year ago. Beautiful chestnut hair, gorgeous green eyes, cold pale skin, tall, and a smooth and elegant voice. Our friendship ended last year due to distance and Persianian rules. The courts say that Witches and Vampires mustn't have contact or be friends. Of course I've missed Arthur, he was a dear friend while inside the bunker. Until we were released, I didn't hear from him after the Persianian rule prohibited our speaking.

"Maria is on her way over."

"You didn't tell her about last night did you?"

He never looked up from his newspaper "Absolutely not, she's out of summer school and your father thinks she should be with both her adoptive parents."

The only way we contacted each other was by letters through Maria's visitations to Rolumpus. But we kept our conversations solely on Maria. I would keep her from January to May and August to December and let him have her every two weekends. During May-August he'd keep her and she'd spend two weeks of the summer with me in Persiania. Our conversations were closely monitored to make sure we didn't have conversations that weren't about Maria. Arthur did though state in one letter he missed having my bright smile light up the room. I told him that I missed his kindness and courtesy. I haven't been in love in a long time, last time I was in love it was with a Werewolf from the 'moonlight' pack. My 1st love was a Warlock from my childhood when I was 15 and 16. Sometimes I question myself if I ever loved Arthur. He's such a kind and generous man. But I have to stop myself from thoughts like that it's forbidden to feel love towards a Vampire. He assisted me in many ways before. In our letters sometimes I'd voice some Persianian issues and he would give me ideas to correct those issues. I would definitely get in trouble by the courts, but who am I to really care? Our daughter, I rest assured she is being taken care of by the best parents ever. Though me and Arthur both never had kids individually with other partners, the parenting nature comes natural. Seeing the way he reacts to Maria is quite the show. She is his little golden apple, she is my adorable mini me. Though I never birthed her, she looks exactly like me. Her parents created the cutest little thing ever.

"Well I must go upstairs and get into something more..." I walk towards Arthur "suitable for our visitor."

He rubbed his stubble "I really need to shave."

I giggled "I quite like the beard you have coming in."

He smiled "I miss the soft baby face of mine."

"If I didn't know any better Arthur I'd guess you were in love with yourself."

I ruffle his hair up and he grabs my hand "Well I am in love with myself, but I could be in love with a lot more than just me."

I blush and rush upstairs to change into a slim orange dress. I put my hair into a high ponytail and rushed back downstairs. Just in time to meet Arthur in his black suit.

I frown "You really did get rid of the beard."

He chuckles "I don't think a beard would become necessary till I'm married and my wife gives birth to a beautiful baby girl."

I grin "What if it's a handsome baby boy?"

He grabs my hand and kisses it "That will be just as splendid."

The palace doors open as our precious little girl comes flying through "Mommy! Daddy!" she jumps into our arms.

Arthur picks her up and kisses her forehead "Our darling little Princess."

I kiss her cheek "It's such a pleasure to see you baby."

She giggles "It's nice seeing both my parents together. It's been a very long time."

I rub her cheek "I know Princess, but since I'm going to be stationed over her in Rolumpus for a while you can see me and your father together for a while."

She grins "This is one of the best gifts ever."

He moves a strand of hair out of her face "This is the moment you run away from your mother and you to go to your fancy big room and read murder mystery books?" he grins.

She grins back "Oh yeah daddy, you bet."

He places her on her feet and she takes off towards her bedroom. I've been in Rolumpus a little under a week, trying to get comfy inside my temporary home. It's quite amusing how Vampires live their lives in so much peace here.

Arthur turns to me "Princess, I want you to follow me somewhere."

"To where?"

He smiles "Do you trust me?"

I look at the floor thinking of what would be an appropriate response and then it hits me, I'm not at home "I've trusted you since I first laid eyes on you."

He grabs my hand and leads me upstairs, around many hallways, with a lot of wild turns before we get to his designated destination. When he opens the doors I'm greeted with the biggest library my eyes have ever seen in my whole life.

"Oh my gosh, this is freaking beautiful!"

He nervously smiled "When this palace was built my mother had this specially made as a wedding gift to my wife whenever I decide to marry."

I'm speechless. The room is so pretty and I'm not his wife but he's giving me this glorious beauty.

"I'm not married but I have a dignified woman in my presence and while you're here I want you to feel welcomed as a resident in my home. So this is my gift to you while you're here."

I smile "Thank you so much, King Arthur."

He rubs my cheek "There is no need for titles anymore, Elena."

I grin "Thank you, Arthur."

A box sits on a table surrounded by a sofa in a circular shape. He walks me into the little dome and grabs the box. He hands the box to me. It was a white box with a blue bow. I open it to see a beautiful agate gem on a silver chain.

"My mother told me to give this to the right person when they come."

I smile "Arthur, you know Persianian rules..."

He places a finger on my lips "This isn't to announce a secret love. It's to show my appreciation of you."

My eyes glow orange "Appreciation for what?"

He moves my hair behind my ear "For letting me be a father to Maria and for being the greatest mother to her."

I hand him the necklace and turn around then he places it around my neck "Thank you, Arthur" I kiss his cheek since I can't kiss his forehead I'm too short for that.

Arthur is the sweetest man. When I first met him I knew he was a good person, his energy was so pure and relaxed. Calm, playful, and mature. Generous, brave, and courageous.

King Arthur Adelrick Nikolaus of Rolumpus may be the best man I've ever met. God only knows if there is better, he is the best.

I hope our friendship can be restored now that we're so close and I'm out of Persiania.