On the Other Side

Initiation Part 2

He begins to undo the rope holding my outfit together while sucking my earlobe softly

"Do you mean it"

He stops and breathes out a sigh

"Do I mean it. Of course I do because I'll be damned if I would ever lie to you"

My close my eyes slowly.

"Linwood"

"Yes my love"

I can't say it. As I gaze into his eyes I wonder if I'll ever be able to say it back to him with as much passion as he says it to me. My heart isn't anywhere else but something feels wrong, the words just won't come out. I look so stupid standing there with my mouth open

"Jeana, you don't have to say it if you're not ready. I understand how hard it is" he says as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear

My bury my head into his neck breathing in his scent.

"Promise me something"

"Anything beautiful"

"That you'll be there for me when this is all over"

"You don't have to ask"

I grin and capture his lips with mine

———————————————

"Welcome Elites of Blood Kingdom to Initiation where the contestants from Delectus will become shadows. We all know-"

I see the announcer face for the first time. The man that delivered our fate while I was in that hell hole. A handsome man which such sharp features that I couldn't stop staring at

"Ackerman Pisa" someone whispers into my ear "The Blood Kingdom's favourite personality"

I whip my head towards the voice

"Evan, what are you doing here"

He laughs "Well I was forgiven after one of the winners had a freak accident"

"How nice" I keep my face passive just like Linwood taught me

He fakes a boyish pout and if I didn't know what a freak he was. I would have smiled.

"You don't seem too happy to see me"

"Trying to kill me doesn't get you on my good list" I force a smile and turn towards Ackerman

"Let Initiation begin" he shouts. The crowd erupts in cheers and shouts. It looks like the whole kingdom is here.

Linwood walks through the doorway a cape swooping behind him being carried by two maids. I begin to look around me searching for Cosmo and Elisa but they are no where to be found.

When Linwood reaches the platform he removes the cloak leaving his upper half bare. I can't help but take in his lean figure that carve into muscles.

It's not like it's my first time seeing him half naked but the regal way he looks at everyone, the glory he holds onto himself. It makes me fall in love with him all over again.

I'm snapped out of my drooling feat when a familiar person steps into the light

Sabrina

"Everyone pay respect to the Queen if The Dust Kingdom. High Witch Sabrina" Ackerman smiles

The ceremony begins. I try to stop my hands form shaking but I won't deny I'm nervous and sick to my guts. I know how it goes. Each winner goes up to the platform and drains their blood into enchanted wooden bowls which the king drinks from. When he has drunk from all of the wooden bowls he stands up and chants a few incantations in Latin. The winners than join their cut palms together and chant along with him.

When it's my turn, I step up to the platform with shaky legs. The thought of doing this scares me. What if I'm not ready,  what if I'm not compatible, what if it stops me from the Queen of the Human kingdom, why would the people want a Vampire Queen.

That thought stops me in my path. I hear whispers fill the room and I catch the eyes of Sabrina who tilts her head in confusion.

I can't do this.

I'm ready to turn and run out the doors when Linwood puts his hand out in front of me

"Because I am so stupidly in love with you, My Queen"

I see the hopefulness in his eyes urging me too step forward. I clench his hand in mine and he tugs me forward.

I reach for the knife on the table but Linwood stops me and takes retakes my hand pulling me flush against him. He kisses me not wasting time, he runs his tongue over my lip but I've already given entrance. I begin to kiss him more passionately.

"What is this?! King Linwood seems to have picked his wife" I hear the announcer scream.

The crowd cheers loudly and my eyes meet with Evan's who's nostrils are flared. Anger doesn't look good on him, his eyes begin to glaze over.

I turn my attention to Linwood who is beaming at me as he drops me down

"I love you Linwood" a sudden weight becomes lifted off my shoulders

"I know, my Queen" he whispers back

Sabrina saunters over to Evan and touches his shoulder whispering something to him, he nods in response.

"Jeana, will you share my blood"

"Yes I will"

"Will you share this kingdom with me"

"Yes I will"

"And will you continue my lineage"

"Of course, my love"

He smiles brightly at me and my wanders to little Linwoods running around the kingdom

"Then I declare you, King Linwood Yera and Queen Jeana Yera. Husband and wife, rulers of the Blood Kingdom" the announcer screams

The crowd cheers before bowing down chanting his name and surprisingly mine.

"I want to claim you as mine" he sighs

"You already have" I giggle

"Not in that way" he wiggles his eyebrows

"Fool"

He pulls away from me and picks me up bridal style getting ready to leave. The crowd cheers

I'm happy. I can't remember the last time I felt this feeling.

I'm practically glowing at this point but my smile falters when I catch a glimpse of Evan, he smirks while an arrow suddenly whizzes through the air.

Cutting clean through Linwood's throat