Chapter 12
TWELVE
The moon shines brightly, illuminating the clearing in the woods ringed with stones. Members of the court mill around, most of them seeming at ease with their surroundings. Some of them are chatting happily, while others look at the stones with what seems to be nostalgia.
"Is this where all weddings are held?" I ask Bella.
She nods. "Always under the light of the moon. What the moon makes can't be broken."
"Right, because of the magic in it," I say, remembering what Linc told me about the common belief being that vampires come from a deal with the moon.
Bella snorts. "You don't believe in all of that, do you?"
"Someone once told me that it's just as helpful to know what people believe as to know what's actually true."
"Hmm, never thought about it that way." She seems as if she's genuinely giving it some thought. "I think that's the theory. The moon is sacred, so ceremonies performed under its light are seen as more important. You'll be married here soon enough, as will your brother."
"Something I can't imagine he's thrilled about," I mutter.
Bella snorts and looks over to where Bastian is standing next to Lady Ermentrude looking as if he wants to be anywhere else in the world. "I didn't give you nearly enough credit for your intellect when you arrived."
"Careful, I might start thinking you actually like me if you keep complimenting me."
Bella laughs. "We can't have that, can we?"
I share a smile with my cousin, glad we seem to be on civil terms, even if that's all it is. She's told me more about the world I've ended up in than anyone other than Linc, and I appreciate that.
A hush falls over the assembled guests as Lord Tyberan strides towards the altar at the front of the clearing. He's got an easy grace about him that seems common with vampires, with dark skin and neatly cropped hair.
I guess he's handsome, but other than that, I don't really understand why Eliza is so excited to marry him.
Though maybe that's something I'll understand more when I've been here another hundred years.
A shiver runs through me at the concept.
That feels like such a long time stretched out in front of me, especially if it's going to be the way that Bella and the others have been describing for me.
I can't imagine going that long without falling in love.
My gaze catches on a familiar face in the crowd.
Linc leans in to say something to Marcus, both of them seeming fairly at ease.
I didn't realise they knew each other that well, but it seems as if Linc is good friends with the prince.
I suppose that makes sense, from conversations I've had with them both, they have a similar outlook when it comes to the way things are run at court.
They'd be good allies even if they aren't friends.
Linc catches me watching and raises his hand to wave at me.
A wide smile spreads over my face and I wave back at him.
"I see my advice was wasted," Bella mutters.
"What?"
"I told you not to get your heart involved, but you ignored me," she says, nodding over towards Linc. "I'm guessing that's just your friend."
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I realise she was right about that situation, I did say it a bit too much for Linc to be just a friend, because he's not.
"Nothing is going on," I murmur.
She snorts. "Of course it's not. Maybe if you want people to believe that, you should be better at hiding your emotions on your face."
I do my best to keep my features as neutral as possible.
"You look constipated," she tells me.
I grimace. "That bad?"
"You'll get better."
That almost sounds like encouragement, but I know better than to point it out to her, and I'm saved from any response at all by Lord Fallmartin appearing with Eliza on his arm.
She looks radiant in a black and red dress, with a black lace veil over her face.
She almost bounces towards her intended, and Lord Fallmartin does nothing to hold her back.
I'm guessing it looks good for him to have a willing ward when it comes to this marriage.
He lets go of Eliza's arms and takes his place in front of the couple.
All around me, people fall silent, and I wonder if it's because of something specific, or if they've just seen it happen so many times.
"Welcome," Lord Fallmartin calls.
"Is Lord Fallmartin doing the ceremony?" I whisper to Bella.
She nods. "Anyone can do it, but normally the role goes to the higher-ranking Head of House from the two parties. In this case, House Tyberan is a lower House than ours. Now if you marry the Prince, the King will be the one to perform the ceremony as he outranks Uncle Gerard."
"Right, thank you."
Lord Tyberan lifts Eliza's veil and rests it over the back of her head, a stoic expression on his face. It doesn't quite match the enthusiasm my cousin is showing, but I suppose that could be for a whole slew of reasons.
"Lady Eliza Fallmartin, would you like to begin?" Lord Fallmartin asks.
Eliza lifts her wrist to her lips, and it's only when she pulls it back and I see the spots of blood sitting there that I realise she's bitten herself.
She holds her arm out to Lord Tyberan. "I offer you my blood as a symbol of this union." Her voice is firm and sweet, not holding a hint of hesitation.
"I accept it," he says, taking her wrist and bringing it to his mouth.
My eyes widen. "He's drinking her blood."
"That's how vampire weddings work," Bella whispers.
He lets Eliza's arm drop and bites his own, each movement seeming measured and not at all wasteful in terms of how much energy he's expending for this. "I offer you my blood as a symbol of this union." He holds his arm out for Eliza.
"I accept." She steps forward and presses her lips against the wound, drinking his blood.
I watch in abject fascination and a hint of horror.
In a few weeks, a couple of months at most, I'm going to be standing in front of the court having to drink the blood of a stranger and ending up bound to him.
I thought a wedding was going to be bad enough, but somehow, this seems so much worse, and I can't even put my finger on why.
I almost expect to be on the receiving end of a snide comment from Bella, until I realise she's not privy to my internal monologue, which saves me from any kind of quip.
Eliza lets go of her new husband's arm and steps back.
Lord Fallmartin nods to each of them in turn. "What the moon has made cannot be undone," he says. "You may go forth from this place, united as one."
A cheer sounds from amongst the assembled vampires.
"Is that it?" I ask.
"For the ceremony," Bella responds. "Now it'll be inside for the ball and the feast."
"The feast or the Feast?"
"Both. You have until midnight if you want to avoid the latter."
I do a double-take at her response. "You don't think I should stay?"
"You can do whatever you want, Beatrice, I really don't care. I'll be back in the Rothorne apartments half an hour before midnight. So don't take your friend there or getting him out will be difficult."
I stare at her, trying to think of a good response and coming up with nothing. I hadn't even considered taking Linc back to the Rothorne apartments, and yet that's what she's suggesting.
She turns and stalks off before I can think of anything else to say, with Thomas beside her.
I guess the best thing for me to do is head inside to the ball, and find Linc before midnight so we can go to the library before the Feast starts. If one thing is certain, I don't want to witness another one, not if I don't have to.