The Vampire's Court

Chapter 24- London

Seraphine jolted upright in bed, her heart pounding fiercely against her ribs. The remnants of her dream—or had it been real?—clung to her like a second skin, leaving her breathless and disoriented. The intensity of Dimitri's kiss, the dangerous brush of fangs against her skin, all of it replayed in vivid detail, sending a tremor of fear and something inexplicably akin to longing through her.

Quickly, she swung her legs out from under the covers and made her way to the mirror across the room. Her reflection stared back at her in the dim morning light that struggled to pierce through the heavy clouds outside. With trembling fingers, she touched her neck, tracing the skin where she had felt his fangs. Nothing. No mark, no sign that his vampire nature had come perilously close to claiming something from her. All a dream. She exhaled slowly, a rush of relief momentarily steadying her shaking hands.

Her eyes then drifted to the gleaming emerald set in her wedding ring—a stark reminder of the new, irrevocable chapter of her life. She was married now, bound to Dimitri not just by the laws of men but by those of the supernatural world he seemingly navigated—one fraught with dangers she was only just barely beginning to understand.

As she stood there, the looming reality of their impending departure to London settled in. They were to leave for their honeymoon today. A honeymoon that, under normal circumstances, would be a cause for excitement and joy. But for Seraphine, the very thought sent a shiver down her spine. The mix of dread and anticipation was a confusing maelstrom of emotions that she couldn't quite sort through.

Determined to not let her fears dictate her actions, Seraphine turned away from the mirror. She began to dress, choosing her outfit with care—something suitable for travel yet elegant enough for a newlywed on her way to the honeymoon, in ivory lace dress that had a conveniently high neck. As Effie buttoned her dress, her mind wandered to the unknowns awaiting them in London. What would this trip hold for them? Was it merely a continuation of the facade of their wedding, or might it become something more, something real and tangible between them?

As she packed the last of her things, the first drops of rain began to tap softly against the windowpane, a rhythmic sound that matched her conflicted heartbeat. Today marked the beginning of something new, something potentially life-changing. And whether for better or worse, Seraphine knew she had to face whatever lay ahead with as much courage as she could muster.

As Seraphine prepared to leave her room, a soft shimmer caught her eye. At the corner of her dressing table, her small group of pixies hovered, their tiny wings casting delicate reflections on the surface. They were a mysterious part of her life, invisible to everyone but her, and somehow Effie, a magical link to a heritage she had yet to fully explore.

"Are you all ready for a little adventure?" Seraphine asked, her tone playful yet reassuring as she approached the worried cluster of tiny beings. The gentle sound of her voice seemed to soothe them; their fluttering wings slowed as they listened.

"Yes, we can't leave you behind," she continued, her decision firm despite the complexities it might introduce. She opened a small, intricately carved wooden box—a piece she had designated as their traveling home. It was compact enough to fit into her suitcase yet spacious enough for them, lined with soft moss and small bits of fabric to keep them comfortable.

One by one, the pixies darted into the box, their movements quick but graceful, a dance of light and color that brought a fleeting smile to Seraphine's face. She watched them settle amongst the cozy nooks she had prepared, their tiny faces peeking up at her with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Don't worry, I'll keep you close," she assured them, closing the lid gently but leaving enough of a gap for air. "But you must stay hidden, and don't stray off. It's crucial, especially in London."