A Lurid Eternity

Chapter 1

Quite a day for a wedding.

The sky had darkened to a forlorn grey as rain spattered across the land, flooding the once pristine visage of the gardens. Sullivan tapped his gloved fingers on the armrest of his chair as he observed the waterlogged decor of his own wedding venue just outside his window. Rain was supposed to be a sign of good luck for such a happy day, but he never cared for the local superstitions. They came and went every century or so and most would soon be forgotten, especially by those who had only time to spare.

The guests had already retreated inside, gleeful to be attending any sort of soiree hosted by the Drakovich Household. Sullivan thought back to his last marriage, how it began, how it ended. Mostly how it ended as he poached another pretty little wife in order to establish a shadow empire of his own making. Pitiable ambition, but the only one that has made sense long enough that he could not see a single reason to stop now. There was truly nothing else that could curb his boredom.

He stopped his strumming as his hands began to ache, balling them into fists clothed in pure white silk that matched his suit. The stinging pain from burns bone-deep crackled throughout his palms down to his fingertips. There was not much he could do except grin and bear it. It was a blessing to know the nerves within his hands had finally regrown, but the process was not one he endured with glee.

Sullivan's wallowing was soon interrupted by a knock on the door before it opened to allow his cousin, Oliver, to slip inside.

"Well don't you look like a dapper young gentleman, cousin. If I didn't know you better, I'd be fooled into believing it!" Oliver's toothy grin spread wide across his face as he knowingly poked the metaphorical bear. He has what most would call a boyish charm to him with a mischievous grin that could put the Cheshire cat himself to shame if he ever saw it. His sandy brown hair was an anomaly within their household as most if not all of their clan had hair as black as ink, a color that Sullivan himself bore.

Sullivan rose from his seat before walking over to his next of kin. "I don't need your brand of compliments, Oliver." He looked at the time on his watch, already knowing that night would soon be upon them. The darkness in his millennia old eyes could only grow colder as time continued on one small tick at a time.

"You know, most people would be happier on their wedding day." Oliver prodded. "You could smile a bit, maybe?" He wriggled his eyebrows at his cousin, trying to tease him as much as he could, as he always did.

"No." Sullivan replied bluntly, tugging at the hem of his silk glove, mostly out of habit.

This day was more or less like any other to him; it wasn't the first time he had ever been married, and it certainly won't be the last. He can only reason that he should probably try and keep this wife a bit longer, but who knows, his temperament was unpredictable at times and his appetite voracious. He wasn't sure how long he would keep his new little... pet, let's call her, but surely she would make a decent enough meal for him. Even so, the thought didn't please him as much as it should have. "Let's go. I want to get this over with so I can return to my work."

Oliver bowed low, one hand to his chest, the other pointing the way as if he was but a humble servant to his noble master. However, Sullivan knew it only to be a mocking gesture on his part.

"As you wish, cousin." Oliver humbly stated.

Sullivan stood as rigid as stone and waited at the altar for his soon to be wife, his next of kin loyally by his side trying not to doze off from boredom. As the organ played, those lucky enough to be able to attend the union of the century, looked back and waited in silence for the blushing bride to burst through the doors; their hushed anticipation drowned out by the notes in the air as it built itself on the centuries old tune.