Dragon's Bride is a Vampyress (Vampire Love Series Book 3) *editing*

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'Dracon'

I woke up to her jerking in her sleep; whimpering, I rub my hand over her head. I wonder if doin these death warrants are disturbing her peaceful sleep. Did she sleep peacefully before she came into the forest though she slept fine next to me after the execution in the city.
"Shhh! Beautiful, it's ok I'm here I haven't gone anywhere."
"Dracon?"
"Yes, Beautiful, it's me it's ok I'm here." I pull her closer, I pushed few stray strains of hair from her face. She wraps her hands round my waist, buries her face in my chest. Sweet goddess! Thank you, for this.

A few hours go by, I wake up find Beautiful's still out cold stretched out across me. I can't help it run my hands over her perfect satin skin, I didn't want to. I needed to I wiggled my way out from under her, she made a noise.
"Dracon?"
"Shhh; it's ok, Beautiful sleep I'll be back, I promise but nature calls."
"Hmmm ..." I quickly dress, I put one of my tees on her just incase. I grab her phone on my way out of my room. I step into the main room see everyone as I look up from her phone.
"What?" I ask I looking round
"Just trying figure out when we're gonna have a ceremony to attend to in the vampire tradition? Already half-way there in sense of dragon tradition?" I arched an eyebrow at my sister
"Well it's one of the things we were suppose to tell you bout it last night, she was interrupted by the phone call from her brother that lead to this" I answer
"When is this ceremony to happen and where?" asked my sister'n law, I sent a text to her father from her phone the response I got was it's no problem he could track her any day of the week, his other children take a little more work... I let out a sigh
"Suppose to happen this night under the moon, by the light of the moon out near the lake... I suspect her to be waking soon, the sun is starting to drop below the horizon. I'm going hunting I shouldn't be long, she's in my room." at that I head for the door I step out into crisp Scottish air take in a deep breath, I shift take to the sky find my dinner. Once I've eaten, I head back to my family lair. I walk through the door, I head for the kitchen to get a drink with my dragon hearing I hear whimper.
    'I'm not far, Beautiful, your safe. I'm only getting something to drink, I'm coming back promise.'
    "Dracon can I ask?"
"What's that Crayla?"
"How long?"
"What do you mean?" I answered interrupted by our father as he stands near the doors to our family lair.
"Guys, we have a guest" I look over at my father to see my soon to be father'n law
"My lord Craven Evening." we smiled at each other shook hands "You've met my father Marc.... this is my mother Alayn and my sister Crayla."
"Evening ladies, I see I've arrived in time my daughter not yet risen then?"
"No! I suspect anytime now that the sun is goin down."
"I agree, my Mistress Crayla you were asking something in regards to Mydnyte, perhaps I may be of some help at least in regards to her past?"
"Oh! Yes, my lord I was asking how long she had been sleeping unfit?"
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean mistress? Mydnyte, has always slept peacefully right from birth, never once did we have to get up for middle of the night for night feedings like my other children... You mistress study vampire culture and traditions much like my, Mydnyte did Dragon lore and culture."
"I am my lord even more so now that my brother has vampire for a mate. I want to understand my new sister 'n law, now her inability to sleep peacefully worries me."
"How do you mean, mistress?"
"I've now heard her whimper in her sleep a couple of times my lord, I was trying to figure out how long it was going on for."
"I see mistress, it would have to be since her coming to stay in her beloved forest, has something happened to her of late? Dracon that may pose upsetting to Mydnyte."
    "Serving a public execution death warrant in the city. I don't think that's what it was that upset her, she has served many warrants to my understanding. I believe it was the fact she found the guy had been beating his pregnant wife."
    "Did she say anything to you about it?"
    "The sight of the guy made her sick to her stomach through she wasn't sure if the woman knew that she was pregnant yet or not. My personal thought on the matter is seeing a man beat a woman bloody while he claims he loves her I think is what upset her, sister."
    "I agree, as a vampire we are raised with the understanding that women are to be worshiped, their ability to bring new life into the world. It takes great courage to do things we men will never understand nor are we meant to. It's by the grace of the goddess we have the privilege to love and care for them." then my father spoke up
    "We dragons are raised with much the same thought process, my lord Craven."
    "If we are to be in-laws please, just Craven. You can meet the rest of the family later tonight." it was then we heard a piercing scream, everyone jumped at the ready "She's awake! In unfamiliar surroundings; be ready, I sense her coming forth." slamming of the doors to my room come flying open she comes flying out "Grab her!" I grab one arm, my father the other. I don't like strong arming her, it's what must be done. "Mydnyte Samaire Lynn" his voice raised half an optic, she struggles against our hold hissing fighting to get free "Hear me!" she's glowing all aflame she sees nothing, her eyes all one color "Mydnyte Samaire Lynn Darkdream, hear me." Fangs free hissing fighting
"Free me" she hisses out
"Marc, is there another who can bring us something with a pulse? Please. I'd call my son but in her current state of mind she'd kill him, he is the reason we are in the this situation."
    "Yes, of course Craven... Angus hurry up."
    'Hey! Beautiful it's ok, I'm here, we are all here calm down for me please my beautiful'
    "Yes! father, what's up? Wooo who's that?"
"Make do with the pleasantries later right now, I need ya to go find us something with a pulse to feed to your brother's mate."
"Just to clarify, I need to bring it back alive."
"Yes!" answered Craven
"On it" my brother was gone maybe 5min when my brother 'n law came into the room
"Can I be of any help?" asked Daimine
"Sure, son take over for me." as my father and brother switched places I looked to Craven when my sister chimes in
"Craven, is there something, anything in Mydnyte's usual morning or rather evening routine that she does before she starts her nights on duty that might make things seem normal in a manner of speaking?" I could see him think for a moment
"Music, who has her phone... she listens to music every morning or evening while she gets dressed says its calming."
"It's in my pocket Craven."
"Google a 'cluich ceòl:" Craven called out the room filled with music then Angus returned with a deer. "Good hold it tight for a minute," he took a blade drew blood from the deer sticking a little on his finger "Mydnyte Samaire Lynn Darkdream, hear me, open your mouth." she struggled hissed pulling hard against my brother and I, but opened her mouth. "Show me your tongue, Mydnyte." hissing again following directions he put the drop of blood on her tongue I saw her eyes dilate snap in direction of the source. "You can have it" Craven looked to my brother and myself  "Things are bout to get messy, Angus is it? Hold it steady till she has grip on it" he stepped back "Everyone else, please step aside... release her" we let go and like a bat out of hell she flew cross the room fangs bared arms outstretched. She had it on the floor; her face buried deep in its neck, it wasn't until her father walked up put a hand on her shoulder saying, "Mydnyte, sweetheart the heart has stopped it's done." Did she bring her head up her face covered in blood, fangs still bared eyes slowly return some recognition. "Come we must get you some clothes, take proper hunt." she nodded and rose to her feet,
"More!"
"I have some clothes she can wear Craven..." then looks at Mydnyte "Uh, Mydnyte... I have something you can wear to go hunting in." my sister ran off to her room returning quickly with a pair of leggings and a tee, I had grabbed her boots from my room. "How do we get her to cooperate to put them on in her current state of mind?"
"That's were the witch in us and being able do magic comes into play, miss." putting all the clothes in his hand he holds up the other palm facing her "crey pli fer lida" my shirt was gone replaced by a pair of my sisters leggings, a tee shirt and boots, my sister walked up behind her quickly braided her hair. "We shall return. I hope it's alright Dracon, I told the rest of the family to meet here before the ceremony. I thought it fitting the 2 family's get to know each other." I look to my parents as it is their lair.
"Oh! No, of course it's fine, Craven. We'll be waiting their arrival then." He nods grabs Mydnyte hand guides her out into the night air. I've never seen her like that it was, Wow. It like she here but wasn't if it makes any sense, I mean she is here in the physical sense but mentally she's not. it's just blank! I pace round, I go into my room pick up Mydnyte's clothes. I feel round; for find one of 2 switch blades in a pocket, I smile as I continue to feel around I find the pen in the waistband. I place it all on the night table and her sword up against the wall. I make the bed when my sister walks in.
"What are you doin Dracon?"
"Anything, I can to not go crazy with Beautiful out there hunting with her father, me here." I stop and sit on the side of the bed look at my sister "Hell! Crayla, I don't even know. what exactly is going to happen at this Ritual how does it work?"
"Now that big brother, I only have partial answers to but," some sounds came the main room "From sounds of it there's some people here that would know. Come on let's go find out." we head main room were, I'm pulled into a hug by my soon to be mother 'n law.
"Dracon, there you are."
"My Lady yes, I see you've met my parents Marc and Alayn, this is my brother Angus his mate Lilian and my sister Crayla her mate Diamine... this is Beautiful's mother Lady Lydia Darkdream I'll let my lady introduce the rest of the family as I'm still figuring out who is who."
"Right in order of birth so my trouble maker the cause of tonight's drama my eldest son Orin his bride Minuetta, Tara her mate Tristin then Kiara her mate Sloane then the baby of the family Keenan his bride to be Ryesen... now did my vampyress ears deceive me or did someone ask bout vampire mating ritual and terms?"
"I did my Lady, I've been studying vampire traditions and culture. I wanna understand my new sister's upbringing."
"I see you are highly intrigued you should come visit my library young one but as to your question, what do you wish to know?" I watched the exchange between my sister and Lydia.
"How does the mating ritual work? During the introductions you referred to the ladies as brides and the men as mate."
"First we will deal your want for vocabulary when a male vampire takes a mate she is called a bride and thusly so till she sees her grave. When a female vampire or vampyress takes a mate it's just that a mate or husband her terminology is of her choice. When she makes reference to him for example Craven is my husband verses Craven is my mate it's simply a matter of choice for me. Where for him he would say this is Lydia, my bride or my bride, Lydia... now on to your question bout the mating ritual."
"I know a few things like, holy ground and under the light of the moon. I read there is something bout a dagger it all seems confusing to be honest. I thought read something bout there being special robes needing to be worn."
"Yes! There are special robes we're suppose to wear in which we brought spares. Yes! There is a dagger involved and an overseer usually someone of high rank like the king. There is an opportunity to exchange rings, there is an exchange of blood a bond is created and blessing is giving. Now, I'll explain how it works both parties arrive at the location the eldest female blood sibling or the mother must present the would be mate to the overseer. They must make sure that they are doing this of their own free will, Yes! Even if it's contracted. Basically they have to say they accept the blessing ect, the eldest blood brother or father must do the same with the bride. They can not remove the hood of the robes and they cannot show their faces until they are told to do so. The overseer will instruct them to hold out their left hands palms up, he will then slice both open they are to put together their hands meet. 'Palm to palm, blood to blood' overseer will wrap a ribbon or scarf round the two joined hands. As blood drips the overseer will place the hilt of the blade in the united hands. Overseer will say the Ritual blessing context as blood drips down to the tip it's stab it into the holy ground by the couple together. The overseer will remove the fabric binding at which time they are given chance to exchange rings and lower the brides hood or give instruction to the mate to do so. They are announced this usually collides with human world format of a wedding ceremony in the whole 'I Do' type of thing that is more or less just basic paper work mind ya that's only the ceremonial end of things. Ritual is not over now comes the fun, in a manner of speaking once the newly formed couple take off into the night. It's all sexually related they are not to be disturbed for a week, a nejah will be assigned to the couple..."
"What's a nejah?" Lydia giggled sounding a little like Beautiful
"That is what we call the vampire who has to play ninja basically, sneak in undetected while the couple is having sex and leave a bottle of donor blood sneak back out as if never there. Normally it's one per couple sometimes it's 2 but that is only if the couple is getting fresh blood from donors at which point they take the donors in blindfolded leave them, come back in bout an hour or so later remove the passed out bodies without the couple knowing they've come and gone."
"So a week of sex? Is that like what the mortals would call the honeymoon or something?"
"Yes and no... Yes because mortals would call it that but then they don't share blood or magic just hormones" she smiled that's where Beautiful gets her smile from "No because during the week long sexual marathon 2 things happen 1 is called a blood letting where they drink from each other. The 2nd is called claiming not a marking Dracon that my boy is what you did that is the dragon way, now you have to do it the vampire way. You must call out that she is yours at climax during sex." I looked at her in shock my sister giggled.
    "Dracon, son don't be shocked some of us are lucky if we find our mates much less a rider. Yet you found a rider and mate all in one." says my mother I smile at her as I hear Beautiful's voice.