All of this is to say that the morning's news report didn't surprise me in the least. I awoke to the news that there had been a vampire-werewolf attack. The first day of break, and already the two sides are back at it again. It's infuriating. Eight weeks. Can't the two sides ignore each other for eight weeks until our third year begins?
But what then? Romelia and I will be forced apart again for forty-four straight weeks if we attend. We need to talk about the future more. As much as I would like, we can’t live in a bubble, and that is more my fault than hers. A pack of two people. Would that work? If we can’t have any children, then the pack would remain that small. The thought of not being a father… I’ve always assumed I would one day be a dad. Will being an uncle be enough for me?
It’ll have to.
There have been all kinds of paranormal creatures that are hybrids. Romelia is one herself. As a living vampire, she's both a vampire and a demon. Our children will be… what? A werewolf and a living vampire? Will they be able to shapeshift and have a thirst for blood? Will they be able to control themselves, or will they be wilder, more feral, like the first werewolves who acted on impulse alone? Romelia and I will, of course, do our best to help guide them, to teach them morals, to help them be the best that they can be, but there is only so much we can do. It will be on them to be good and decent, upstanding members of the pack and the community at large.
The outside world, how would they view a living vampire who can shift into a wolf? Then again, I suppose that the oldest vampires, the most powerful ones, might have been able to shapeshift into wolves. I don't think vampires can nowadays. Can demons shapeshift into animals? If that's the case, then maybe living vampires can shift into wolves too. Honestly, I don't know much about what demons can do, the abilities they possess, and, unfortunately, I can't ask Romelia because she suppresses that side of herself. She might not know the answer herself.
I’ve thought about talking to her about her demon side, seeing if she would be willing to learn what she can. She’s so strong already, but she can be even stronger. The only reason why I haven’t broached the subject with her is because I don’t want to appear as if I want to change her. I love her for who she is, not for her abilities. Still, with the world being so tumultuous, the more abilities she has mastered, the greater her chances of survival.
With a sigh, I push my troubling thoughts aside, lean against a towering pine tree, and text my love.
Is there anything you need me to do? Anything you need me to acquire? Flowers? I do have rings for us.
No, no, Julian. I only need you.
But I want to help.
Everything is already prepared.
Including who is performing the ceremony?
I wince, hating that I have no idea what will happen for our wedding. If we were human, we wouldn’t have to worry about this.
If we were human…
A human can officiate! I send, grinning broadly.
Everything has been taken care of.
Everything? Romelia, I would have gladly helped to plan this.
And that’s why your volunteering now, at the midnight hour.
I can hear her giggle, but I scowl. I’ve volunteered before.
I know, but I enjoyed planning everything.
A minute passes with no more texts sent by either of us.
Are you upset that I planned it all?
Even her text reflects her nervousness, and I picture her biting her lower lip.
No. No. It’s just that I feel as if I have no control over anything. Not my life, not the wedding…
How can I help?
It’s such a simple question, and I love her all the more for it.
Honestly, I don’t know. I think this is something I need to work toward myself. Discovering who I am, what I want to be… that’s only part of it. There’s so much uncertainty about the future.
There’s a long pause before she sends her next text.
Do you want to push back the wedding?
No!
That’s emphatic.
I can hear her giggle, and I wish I could hold her, rub her back, kiss her forehead.
I have no doubts that I want to marry you. That’s not the issue.
It’s everything else. I know. Believe me, I have some worries about the future too.
Some worries? Just some?
Let’s pretend some is accurate.
I grin despite myself. You never fail to make me smile.
I’m glad.
The nature all around me is so peaceful and serene, and I relish in my solitude, feeling very much comforted by Romelia's presence. She might not be with me beside me, but she's still here with me anyhow.
Are you alone? I text, feeling like a fool for not calling her in the first place.
No, actually. I’m with Tyra.
She doesn’t know, does she?
About the wedding? Of course not. No one knows.
You, me, and the officiant, right?
Yes, yes. I told you. I have that covered.
Someone you trust.
Clearly.
Good. Then everything is settled.
It will be small and unideal. I just hope you can be happy. I know that your parents being away won’t make it easier on you, and your brothers and sisters…
We have to do what’s best for us. My convictions strengthen, and I nod. She gives me so much strength without even trying. This is for the best.
I love you, Julian. I always will.
You’ll always have my heart.
I should go. Tyra’s been going through some issues, and I’m trying to help her.
She’s lucky to have you as a friend.
Your friends are lucky too. If you’re feeling down, why don’t you talk to them? Or spend time with your family.
It’s a little painful to be with my family right now. I feel like such a terrible son because of it. I’ve spent how many months away from them, and now I’m going to get married and they don’t even know my future wife? And to marry without my alpha’s consent…
It’s not done, is it?
No. Not ever.
You might be forced to form your own pack for this, won’t you?
A pack is more than one person. A pack doesn’t have to be more than two.
Are you certain about that?
Yes.
I’ll trust you on that, but, please, Julian, if it’s not enough, you have to let me know.
I will always let you know. There won’t be any secrets between us.
She doesn't respond again, and I leave her to her friend. I meant what I said. As much as Tyra hates werewolves, I know that Romelia loves her dearly, and honestly, who am I to judge others for being taught hatred? The humans have a saying about how Rome wasn't built in a day. It will take time and effort for the walls of division between the vampires and werewolves to be removed, and in the rumble, as cracks are formed in the wall, there may well be bodies. Sometimes, war has to come about for there to be peace. There has to be a change in thinking, a change in mindset and heart, and that might only come about one werewolf at a time, one vampire at a time.
Romelia and I can lead the charge as patient zeroes, and we will work to infect the other vampires and werewolves with peace and understanding and open hearts. We can pave the way to a brighter future.
That can be our cause. That can be our career.
That can be how we live out the rest of our lives together.
I just hope that those lives are long-lived.
Chapter 22
Julian
Today has been amazing. My sisters and brothers don’t fight for once, and my parents are great, not asking me to help with chores. It’s almost as if they know that tonight, I’m going to be a changed man.
Tonight, I’m going to be a married man.
Earlier, Romelia texted me a location and a time.
Blackhope Manor. Midnight at the dot.
It's eleven p.m. now. I stand in front of m
y mirror, all dressed and ready to go. Black tux? A white one? In the end, I went with a white sportscoat with black lapels, a buttoned-down white shirt, black bowtie, and black paints. I look sharp, if I do say so myself.
It's an hour's drive to the manor by car, and I drive there. My heart beats double time. This manor is old, ancient, and rumored to be haunted by humans and supernatural alike. Three stories tall, the manor has turrets that give it a gothic feel rather than medieval. Made of stone and with a wrought-iron fence, the manor is a place no one has dared to visit in quite some time. It's situated near a cliff, and the nearby trees never bloom. They always appear as if it is the dead of winter. A stairwell carved out of the stone leads down the cliffside, and there are balconies that overlook the cliff as well. Beyond the cliff are mountains made of stone. The only animals around for miles are the ravens encircling the manor's roof. No, not ravens. Crows.
I park and climb out of my car. If ever there is a perfect setting for a vampire to wed, surely this is the place.
No one is in sight, so I fix my sportscoat and march up to the front door. The awning is held up by marble columns that cast a shadow on the dark door.
I knock, my knuckles producing a dull thudding sound against the material. No answer. My fingers curl around the knob which turns, and the door opens with a faint creak.
Rose petals lead the way to the basement, which isn’t at all dank or frightening. Warm, soft candlelight in metal scones illuminate my journey, and while all around me appears like a catacomb, I feel very much at ease.
After the long stretch, I realize there is a figure at the end. A male figure. He is too tall to be Romelia, and he's dressed all in black. Dark reddish-brown hair sets atop his head, and the candlelight cast a few shadows on his face so that his eyes appear to be black. A few sniffs have me alerted to just what he is.
A vampire.
I’m shocked but not alarmed, and then I even chuckle to myself as I approach him. Who else would Romelia ask to wed us but one of her own kind?
I nod to the vampire as I halt before him. “I am—”
“Julian Moonblaze. I know. I am Professor Marius Cross.”
“One of Romelia’s professors.”
“Ah, has she mentioned me?” He grins, seeming quite pleased.
I can’t say if she has or if she hasn’t for that matter, so I keep quiet.
He coughs slightly and nods behind me.
I shift to turn around, and then I see Romelia. She is lovely, so very lovely, a vision in her sleek, form-fitting black gown. A white tiara with a white lace veil that falls to her hips flows behind her. A beautiful, circular garnet is attached to the collar of her gown. The small cap sleeves are a sheer black material that goes along the top of her gown until the main dress starts with a sweetheart neckline. Along her hips with an asymmetrical hemline is ruched material, the rest of the skirt a simple, smooth black. The gown falls to the ground, covering her shoes, and she's wearing new gloves, the same sheer black as the top of her gown. These are fingerless, unlike her other pair, and I'll be able to touch her fingers at least again. In her hands are black silk roses, and her breathless smile and the light shining in her red eyes are the finishing touches to her gorgeousness.
“You’re breathtaking,” I murmur as she finally reaches my side. She shifts her bouquet to one hand, I hold the other.
The professor grunts. “It’s my turn to talk, not yours.”
“My apologies, sir,” I murmur.
He chuckles, my only clue that he's amused because I will not glance at him. My eyes are set on Romelia and no other.
“Don’t mind, Professor Marius,” Romelia murmurs, looking up at me through lowered lashes.
The professor sighs. “Are we to begin, or will you two prefer to talk as you wish and delay the proceedings?”
“I would love to kiss her, but I suppose that’s not allowed.” I grin wolfishly.
Romelia giggles.
“You can kiss her later. Now is too early,” the professor grumbles.
“Or I can kiss her now and later,” I suggest.
“You are trying my patience.”
At this, I do peek at him, but he’s just shaking his head, smiling all the while. “Ah, to be young and in love.”
“Love is so simple,” Romelia says.
“Ah, you’re a bit naïve yet,” he says, his smile falling some.
“I can clarify. Our love is so simple. It’s easy, effortless, yet I would fight for it. I would die for it. I know not everyone will understand. Hardly anyone will, but that doesn’t matter to me. It’s enough for me. Julian—”
“This sounds a bit like we’re venturing into vow territory here, and I really must protest,” the professor says. “Let’s just get started.”
“Is there a formal ritual for a vampire and a werewolf wedding?” I ask.
"You're a troublemaker, aren't you?" the professor counters dryly.
“No,” I protest.
“I’m more the troublemaker,” Romelia says.
“You two.” The professor shakes his head and clears his throat. “Shall we begin?”
I nod, and Romelia giggles.
“We are gathered here today so that we might experience love, true love, the kind of love that is not experienced in every lifetime. There has been so much hatred between vampires and werewolves. The beings have been locked in a battle of animosity and distrust for nearly their entire existences, but you two have proven that that does not need to be the case. When minds are open, hearts can be open, and when hearts can be open, one turns to love first, not hatred. Your hearts and minds are both open, I trust?”
“Yes,” I murmur.
“Indeed.” Romelia squeezes my hand.
“Despite the violence, despite the chaos, despite the fighting, you two have remained loyal and true to one another. You have found a way despite distance to grow even closer together. I know it is hard for you two to plan your future with the current state of affairs facing the vampires and werewolves both here at the academies and even worldwide, but you two will be bound together throughout this ceremony so that two shall become one, and no one can tear you apart. Nothing and no one.”
I shiver at the finality of his words. My being married to Romelia will not stop others from wanting her to marry another. I have no doubt that Constantine and her father will try to declare this wedding null and void so that they can have their way. What is it that they hope to gain from the alliance? Whatever is it, they will not have it. Romelia and I love each other, and that love binds us. Even if we weren't to be married this night, no one could tear us apart. We will be together, and we are together, and that's all there is to it.
“You can state your vows now,” the professor says, sounding amused again. “Who wishes to go first?”
I eye Romelia, whose grin has me nodding.
"Julian, I will be there for you always. When you need my heart, when you need a listening ear, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, I will be there. When you are sick, when you are healthy, when you're hurt, I will be there. If vampires should face you, fight you, try to destroy you, I will stand by you and fight alongside you. You will never have to face the darkness alone. If there is no moon, I will be your moon shining always. My love for you will never wane, only grow. I will love you always, with every breath I take and every second of my life. Even death will not separate us."
My heart swells, beating so fast that I can hardly breathe. “Romelia, you’re so sweet, so kind. You are fierce and proud, and you know how to live. Daring, adventurous… you live by your own standards. You don’t let anyone dictate your actions, and you’re willing to do what you need in order to survive. Your heart is so very full, and I love everything about you… your strength and drive, your smile, your giggle, your grit… You inspire me. Because of you, I am more than willing to tackle anything and everything. At first, I was a bit immature, loving you to the point of ignoring the world around me, but I’ve changed. Your love has cha
nged me so much, and you’ve made me a better man.”
“I love you, Julian.”
“And I, Romelia.”
It’s so hard to not kiss her right now, but I behave.
“Before the exchange of the rings,” Professor Marius says, “it’s time for the drinking of the blood.”
I eye Romelia. “The drinking of blood?”
The professor turns behind him. I hadn’t realized there was a boulder behind him that serves as a table.
“It’s a vampire custom,” Romelia murmurs.
Professor Marius holds up a gilded goblet. Romelia bites her wrist and lets her blood drip into the goblet. I shift one of my fingers into a claw and slice my wrist to allow my blood into the goblet.
Romelia sips some and then hands me the goblet. The blood, the smell of it… My stomach churns, but I take a deep breath and then drink.
Professor Marius accepts the goblet. “I did some research on werewolf rituals.”
Romelia turns to me. “What do I need to do?”
“We’re supposed to bite each other to mark each other.”
“Bite where?”
“Anywhere. Even a tiny nip on the finger is enough.” I hold up my finger.
She opens her mouth, and I shake my head.
“With your fangs.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she protests.
“You have to.”
Romelia nips the tip of my finger. A tingling sensation washes over me.
I reach for her hand to return the favor, but she hands me her bouquet and then removes one of her gloves, the one that hides her scar.
“Are you certain?” I ask.
She nods.
I brush my fingers along the scar, press my lips to it, and then bite it, trying to be a gentle as possible. Romelia breathes in deeply.
“Did that hurt?” I ask.
“No,” she murmurs.
Professor Marius accepts the black silk roses from me, places them on the boulder beside the goblet, and faces us again. "Now, we can exchange the rings."
I remove them from inside my sportscoat and hand Romelia the ring I am to wear, a platinum band with a swirl of onyx throughout, making it appear marbled.
Blood Haven: Year Two: A Mayhem of Magic World Story Page 14