The Perfect Duchess (Completed)

Chapter 12. 1795 

Three days after the engagement, Camille was making her way to her bedroom after spending a few hours with Felicity and Louisa, when she heard a growl from within the library. Curious, she poked her head into the library and felt her heart squeeze as she saw James standing before a blazing fireplace. His posture was tense, his body rigid. She noticed that his eyes were deep red, his canines exposed.
Raising his head, James turned his hungry eyes to his beloved and growled viciously. "You shouldn't be here."
Camille took a tentative step toward him, closing the library door behind her. "My love what's wrong? Have you not fed today?"
James swallowed hard, taking a shaking breath through his teeth. "No, my last feeding was three days ago. I need more unicorn blood, but Richard doesn't have any left."
Camille took another step towards her beloved, and once she was in front of him, she took his face between her hands. "Take some of mine. You need your strength."
James shook his head. "No, I won't do that to you. Not now at least."
Camille. "Why not? You need blood."
James closed his eyes, his facial muscles twisting with agony. "Darling, if I take some of your blood at this moment, our bond is going to be solidified before our marriage. And I want to do this right."
Camille's eyes went wide as realizations struck her. Of course, their bond wasn't sealed yet. There was the marriage, and then their wedding night and blood drinking. Once they claimed each other, they would easily be able to hear one another's thoughts and experience one another's emotions. Not only that, but their power would be unbelievable. She gave him a soft kiss. "All right, I can wait until our marriage for that. But right now you need blood. Where can I get it for you?"
James returned her kiss, smiling softly. "Can you check in the blood room if there's another flask of unicorn blood? I looked about an hour ago and there wasn't any."
Camille. "Of course my love. I'll return shortly.."
James. "Thank you darling."
Making sure that her fiancé was comfortable, Camille stepped out of the library and walked into the blood room. Row upon row of small flasks of blood stared at her from the shelves. Moving towards the shelves of flasks, her eyes flew across the third shelf until she found two flasks of unicorn blood. Grabbing both of them, she quickly moved out of the blood room and back to the library.
James was waiting for her, his eyes still dark with need for blood. He gave her a soft smile as his eyes landed on the small bottles. "Well done my love. I had a feeling they would show up."
Closing the door behind her, Camille went to her fiancé and sat down next to him on the chaise by the fireplace. Removing one of the caps from the flask, she handed him one before opening the other for herself. "We may as well both be at our best."
James took the flask from her. "I agree."
Once they had their blood intake for the next three days, they put the bottles onto the coffee table and snuggled close together. Their lips came together before they had time to react, their tongues swirling together in a delicious dance of pleasure. They held one another tightly, their bodies pressing together.
James brushed his knuckles against Camille's cheek. "I love you."
Camille smiled. "As I love you. I cannot wait to become your Duchess."
James smiled back. "And I cannot wait to become your Duke."
Camille. "I believe we should head to bed. I believe Richard is going to the Gentlemans club tomorrow, and you're going with him."
James rolled his eyes. "Not by choice. I would much rather stay here at Windsor Castle with you. Or take you to Remington Hall. We have to plan our wedding."
Camille stroked his cheek tenderly. "I would love to have you all to myself tomorrow as well, but I need to make sure that Genevieve is taken care of. And make sure that Rebecca doesn't cause any trouble."
James brushed his lips against hers. "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow night."
Camille returned his kiss. "I'll be counting down the hours."
Exchanging one last kiss, they stepped out of the library and walked into their separate chambers. They would both be counting down the hours the following day until they could be together the following night. They hated being separated from one another, but duty needed to be performed. They couldn't disappoint the king and queen.
***
On the evening of the second Christmas ball one week later, Camille was wearing an elegant gown of deep red velvet with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her hair was fixed into a chignon and cream silk gloves completed her ensemble. Her eyes landed on the beautiful diamond ring on her left ring finger, and she smiled. That night, she and James would be leaving for Remington Hall to begin their new lives.