Centuries

Before: Part One

"Welcome back." he smiles at me as my head clears.

Looking around, I can tell that I am in a bedroom. Naked. So is he.

He must have seen the look on my face because I refuse to believe that  he could have read my mind.

"My sweet, I did not, would not, rape you while you were unconcious.  We will wait to have sex. I believe in a proper marriage. I will not make love to you until our wedding night."

I try screaming, yelling, but I can't.

He laughs.

"I see that you have discovered that you are unable to do anything. I have taken control of your mind. You do not do anything without my say so. Watch. Stand up, next to the bed."

"Yes," I breathe, no matter how much I don't want to. I stand up, next to the bed.

"Very good!" he smiles, "Now, sit. Smile."

Again, I do as he says.

He gets out of bed, stark naked. He walks over to a door.

"Don't move. I will be back momentarily."

A few minutes later, he comes out. He is fully dressed in a tuxedo. He hands me a beautiful dress.

"Go change." And I do.

When I come back, he commands me to sit on the bed with a smile on my face. I hate this. He gets down on one knee and pulls a velvet box out of his jacket pocket. He looks into my eyes.

"I have been alive for a long time. For all of that time, I have been alone. My wealth has accumulated through the years, although I have no mate to share it with. I have decided to brand you, to take you as my mate.  For all eternity, you will be mine as long as you agree. In my own words, I'm asking you to marry me. Say yes, please."

Even though there was a please,  he added enough authority to the words that I have no choice. The word almost makes me vomit.

"Yes," I breathe.

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One Month Later
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"Are you ready?" she asks.

"Yes," I reply, almost like a robot. I can't give away emotions, can't scream out how much I object to this wedding. I have no choice.

She fluffs my veil and fixes the train on my dress. The wedding march begins and she opens the door. I lock eyes with Carter.  My captor. My forced fiancee. My husband.

We stare at each other as I begin walking towards my future.

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Carter's POV
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My buddy Allen stops speaking to me and returns to his place as my best man when the wedding march starts.

I turn and gaze expectantly for Jennifer. I know she is the one for me.
She resisted our entire relationship, but she is young. She will learn that we are meant to be together.  Then, she will be grateful for me.

The doors open. There she is. Jennifer. Black hair in a stylish updo with a tiara on top that connects her lacy veil. The flowing white dress that suits her figure perfectly. The very light sheen of makeup that shows off how naturally beautiful she is. It's absolutely stunning. We lock eyes.

Jennifer.  My creation, my absolutely beautiful fiancée.  My wife.

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Jennifer POV
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The wedding passes in a whirlwind of activity.  The next thing I know,  we are at the reception. I try to look happy, I really do, but I think Carter notices that I'm not. He appears agitated. I hope it's not because of me. I still don't understand what happened that night when I woke up and he was talking of transitions and compelling and shit. All I know is that I am not alive. I'm a vampire. I am dead. Well, undead.

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Carter POV
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The wedding drags on and finally we get to the vows.

"I do."

"I do."

At the reception, something is off.  It's Jennifer. All of our time together she has been reserved. Now, she appears almost, sick, or something. She is just there. Not mentally or emotionally. It's obvious that she wishes she wasn't there physically either.  As much as I wish she is unhappy because it's taking so long and she wants to start the honeymoon, I know that's not true. Soon, she will learn just how much I love her. She will learn to deeply love me in return. Then, 50 or so years from now, we will renew our vows surrounded by any family and she will be able to enjoy her wedding since she didn't enjoy it the first time around. I look at the clock and realize that we must leave and catch our plane. Finally.

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Jennifer POV
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The music from the dance floor cuts off, amid many boos.

"Hey everybody! It's time to see the newlyweds off on their honeymoon!" the DJ announced. People begin cheering and crowd around us as Carter leads me through the door, rice pellets hitting my face. Before I can escape to the car, I hear shouting.

"Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her!"

Carter lopes his arms around me and kisses me. It's long and sweet and if I was here willingly, I might have enjoyed the kiss.

He ushers me into the car, gets in himself and closes the door. He tells the driver that we are good to leave.

"Where are we going?" I ask, feeling better now that the crowd is gone.

"It's a surprise, my dear." He looks at me, smiling.

I wonder if Carter has some abilities he has not told me because as the car moves along the highway, he kisses me, and something happens. I don't know how to explain it.

The knots in my stomach disappear.  The butterflies fade away. I can ignore how uncomfortable the lace is on my body. I melt.

As I fall into an easy sleep I can here the voice in my head.

Everything will be alright. You are going to be ok.

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A/N: Hey people! So, what do you think of "Before:Part 1", chapter 3 of Centuries? Comment and let me know!
Laters,
-KS