Valentine Morgestern

Valentine Morgenstern Part 5

Weeks blurred past and Maryse was married and my dress was being made. I spent my days planning my wedding, going on the routine patrol and learning how to be a good housewife. My Mother took me through her daily duties and I assisted. Together we did laundry, mopped floors, polished silverware and sewed up holes in clothes. At night so my training would never have suffered my Father and I went through my paces. Most nights after training Valentine would come over so we'd go for a walk or there'd be a meeting of The Circle to attend so we'd do that.

As our wedding day approached I grew nervous. Valentine had been acting strange. The meetings of The Circle were slowly becoming more radical and much more extremist. The purging of Downworld had become crucial to his aims. He described Downworlds as disgusting filthy beasts. The brutality of his ideas terrified me and in the back of my mind I couldn't help but acknowledge that Madeline was right, he had the potential to be evil. He had actually become a bit odd, he had these terrifying black moods where he ranted and railed at things I could not see or things I could not hear. Sometimes he'd rant at me about the lycanthropes who had killed his Father and I wouldn't know what to do so I'd sit there patiently and listen whilst his rant veered out of control. Afterwards he always apologised for being so bad tempered and I always forgave him. I couldn't help but love him because he was so perfect for me. He still bought me flowers every week and took me out for dinner and every Sunday we lay under the stars and looked at the constellations whilst we told each other stories. I pinned a lot of his moods to be caused by nerves approaching the wedding. Such is love as we make excuses for those we adore to try and excuse their faults.

At one particular meeting he ranted about the corruption of the Clave. "Raziel made us and gave us these runes to save the world from corruption! But what have we done? We have this corrupted force of the Clave, they are our government and they seek to make peace with downworld. The filthy warlocks and their magic exchanged for money, the lycanthropes and their savage hearts, the vampires and their bloodlust, the fey and their twisted truths! I say we annihilate them and rid the world of them!" At that meeting I had shrunk back from him, pressing myself against the wall. Some of the more fanatic Circle members called agreements and ideas of how to rid the world of Downworlders. That meeting was by far one of the most disturbing and terrifying meeting of them all.

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The morning of our wedding I rose early and slowly ate my breakfast before starting to get ready. My Mother stood and tied my hair into a bun, leaving some of my hair down to braid which she twisted round the bun carefully then weaved a few pink flowers through it. I slowly applied my makeup, just subtle and light, a soft pink lipstick and golden smoked eyes, with a tiny bit of eyeliner and a touch of mascara. Then twenty minutes before I was due to leave I slipped into my gown. The soft gold fabric shimmered in the light as I turned to glance in the mirror. The slight v neckline exposed a touch of cleavage but not a lot. The flowing skirt emphasised my slim figure and my red hair was set off by the soft colour of my gown. Slowly I turned to face my mother, blushing and beaming with pride.

"You look so beautiful Jocelyn, so beautiful," my Mother said through her tears.

I wiped a tear away from beneath her eye and smiled at her in her soft blue dress. She looked so elegant. "Come Jocelyn, your Father will want to see you before you go," she said.

We made our way down into the bright and open hallway. My Father took my hand as we posed for a few pictures. "You look stunning," he murmured as we made our way to the garden where the ceremony was being held. The music began to play and I made my way towards Valentine and when I reached his side I felt content. I gave him a quick glance in his suit and my heart almost stopped. He looked incredible. The black suit complimented his dark eyes and white blond hair.

We said the words of marriage together and then carefully drew the marriage ruins on each other, on the arm. It was true to Solomon, "Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death." As we sealed the marriage with a kiss, my toes curled as I thought of the prospect of what we could do later.

"Jocelyn, you look so gorgeous. So perfect," Valentine said softly as we pulled out of our kiss.

"You look so handsome," I said as I gazed into his enchanting black eyes.

Valentine took my small delicate hand in his and led me to the dance floor where we shared our first dance as a married couple. I had to admit we had become better dancers than we were when we danced at the ball in Alicante on our first date. This time we managed not to step on each other's feet and even managed it with an element of grace.

"To the first of many dances Mrs Morgenstern," Valentine murmured to me when the music stopped.

"I agree Mr Morgenstern."

We shook hand with friends and family who wanted to offer their congratulations to us. Every person wished us happiness, love and years of bliss together. I have never received as many hugs or kisses on the cheek in my life as I did on that day.