The Vampire Council

New Beginnings

Natalie

My wedding dress was exquisite and perfect for a lady on her special day; however, I am not that lady today. This dress is just a bad omen of this forced marriage to Darrien, and I loathe every second of this hateful day.

I am standing in front of my full-length mirror, with my make-up perfectly applied by a qualified artist and my hair flawlessly styled by a personalised hair stylist Darrien had explicitly hired for today.

"You look breathtakingly beautiful, Natalie," my wedding planner murmured with a slight smile and a dream-like look in her eyes.

I breathed in deeply, turning towards the clock to check the time. Darrien had demanded that the wedding be held at eight in the evening; obviously, this was to fit in with the schedules of vampires that would attend. I didn't know about his fixation on having the wedding on the same night when he was expected to pass judgment on Aries. Just after to be careful!

I realised he believed Aries should be punished and had to endure pain; however, I felt something was off, as if something secretive was happening around me.

There was a little tap on the door. I turned unexpectedly towards it, my heart hoping it would be Aries, but my rational mind reminded me before the door was opened that Aries was imprisoned and wouldn't be coming to rescue me from this sham of a marriage. It was something moronic to want, considering his judgement was happening tonight. Yet, I actually couldn't resist the urge to expect the unimaginable.

I was frustrated when I saw that it was not Aries, but my frustration ebbed when I noticed Lily's head peeping through.

"Lily, oh my God!" I squealed as I ran towards her; well, I attempted to. It was difficult with the executioner outfit I was wearing; however, I figured out how to get to her in record time without falling flat on my face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her as I pulled away from our embrace.

"Well, I'm hanging around for Aries' preliminary and, obviously, your wedding," she said, rolling her eyes.

I could see the sadness and the worry in her eyes when she mentioned Aries, and my heart squeezed.

"You're here to check if I really offered myself to Satan, aren't you?" I asked.

Lily pulled away but maintained her hold on both of my arms as she looked at me thoughtfully.

"Assuming that were the situation, I would never have consented to be your matron of honour, would I?" she asked, trying to stifle the sadness.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me. You didn't have to go through this with me. Your family has had to deal with enough."

She smiled gently.

"You are family, Natalie; Aries wouldn't have wanted me to turn my back on you," she said softly and sighed before adding. "Well, I'm here to take the lady to the front lobby. Evidently, the Council meeting is finished. Individuals have already started to fill the main hall."

My eyes filled with tears at the mere reminder of the nightmare about to occur; I was desperate for news on Aries.

"Has Darrien condemned and sentenced Aries?" I asked.

"I left not long before the judgment was passed; I promise that when we have more time, I will find out what happened and then come and tell you. But, Darrien has demanded that you should be brought to the primary corridor for the function immediately," she said delicately but expertly managed to somehow give me a glimmer of hope.

I failed to see why I wasn't given a straight answer; surely Lily would know what had happened with her brother? But I didn't want to cause any further hassle for Lily by defying Darrien's orders and delaying my arrival. I gestured to Lily I was ready, and she took my hold and assisted me out of the room into the cold, dark empty corridor.