by E. J. Powell
“You are not leaving these chambers until you are properly dressed!” Marymagglyn says, giving me a shake of her head. Her gray hair is long and curls around the top of her shoulders. Her fingers are nimble as I drop my hand from her arm, and she fusses with the long sleeve of my wedding dress.
Augustine had proposed and although it saddens me that I can never venture outside during the daylight, he thought perhaps a beautiful sunrise ceremony would be perfect for us. I was overwhelmed because we had known each other for five years after my awakening as the first vampyr in creation, all thanks to the lovely witch who is still sleeping in her own curse to this day.
Prince Draken did not want to take any chances that Sarabi would come back with a vengeance. After all, she did not get what she wanted in life, to rule the kingdom that the villagers had forgotten about their begotten princess of the briar wood.
Cogin and London, both come inside my chambers to assist me as I walk out of my chamber once my hair is properly adorned with jewels and pins, and helped me walk down the grand spiraling downcase to meet Augustine.
However, the strength in my legs could have helped me through the long wedding procession. My eyes focus in front of me, and my heart pounds against my chest, when I see Augustine standing in the center of the ballroom. He cannot see me, but I can see him clear as day.
The ballroom has been lit with a thousand candles, and everyone is excitedly whispering in hushed voices as I descend the stairs. Blue eyes are sparkling, beautiful brown hair tied to the nape of his neck, a smile on his lips. Wearing golden armor that symbolizes his wealth and social status, as now king of his kingdom, he holds out a hand as I leave Cogin, London, Marymagglyn, and Chester behind.
For my legs have carried me to the man of my dreams, even as they did over six years ago, after losing all my family and friends to a village fire due to a jealous princess who just wanted to rule.
“Here is to forever,” Augustine says, as he grabs a wine stem glass and hoists it up in the air, to toast our ceremonial vows. My eyes flicker to his as I grab my own glass. Fear stabs at my heart like a blade, twisting with Augustine’s words.
I will not have forever, because as a vampyr, Prince Draken says I will live forever as an immortal. Augustine is on borrowed time. Already his human body is beginning to wane, while I remain young, beautiful, and dangerous; raving blood and solitude of night. His curse had been broken, and even now Prince Draken searches for a cure, although he has yet to find one.
But that does not matter to me, for I will find a way to be with Augustine forever, even if my new body does not tire.
A smile graces my lips as I raise up my glass, “Forever.” I raise the glass to my lips and watch as Augustine drinks his wine, and my eyes zero in on the glass in my left hand. The drink is murky and smells divine. I down the glass before Augustine finishes his and give him a bashful smile. Blood is now the main thing I want, sometimes more than Augustine.
However, blood will not stop me from loving Augustine. Sometimes, I find myself often wondering how my life became this way. All because of one rose. I was the last petal to fall into place in a world filled with monsters and magic.
Augustine pulls me into his arms, and we dance the night away. Maybe a cure to the curse could be found. Maybe not. Either way, forever I will take as long as my beloved is by my side.
THE END