Into the Dark
3

Calypso rose with the sun from a fitful night of sleep. Her latest dream still stuck in her brain. She knew it was a dream but it had felt so real. She could feel the ghost of his hand around her neck. Her anger towards the King of Vampires increased tenfold. She would make him pay for the torment he caused for her kingdom and the restless nights he caused her.

Her servants helped dress her in silence; they were not permitted to have conversation with her. The ball was to be a masquerade because of the Vampire King’s secrecy. No one aside from his subjects had ever seen his face.

The wedding dress she was to wear matched the one that frequented her dreams of late. The black diamonds on her mask glittered as she tilted her head to the side. She and her future husband would be the only two attending that were permitted to wear black.

Her servants quickly left once they were finished leaving behind her personal maid to check over their work.

Calypso cleared her throat before speaking though she knew she would not receive a reply,” I assume he is as wicked as they say. I know what happens on wedding nights. I will not let him near me and if he tries anything I do not know if I will be able to keep my manners in check.”

Unsurprising to Calypso, her maid did not reply as she fixed strands of her hair.

“You have been my maid since I was a child. You know me better than anyone else. So you must also know that I will likely not make it through the year. I refuse to die by the hands of one of those disgusting creatures. Before you left yesterday I asked you to get something for me,” she did not continue knowing her maid was aware of what her request was.

Without a word, her maid slipped a small vial into the locket on the bracelet Calypso never took off.

“Thank you,” Calypso whispered.

Before her maid departed, she leaned down and whispered into Calypso’s ear,” Do not be fooled child. Things are rarely what they seem.”

Her maid straightened and pushed her cart down the hall whistling as she went. Calypso stared at the now empty spot in her mirror in shock; that was the first she had ever heard her maid’s voice.

Her father’s head knight appeared in her doorway,” your father is waiting for your arrival princess.”

Calypso stood with the grace of a thousand queens and accepted the arm of the knight. Her father’s lessons went farther than survival. She had been taught a number of subjects from etiquette to a vampire’s weaknesses to poisons and more.

" You look beautiful, my lady,” the knights voice broke through her thoughts.

“Thank you,” Calypso replied quietly.

They soon stepped through the double doors that led to the front lawn and together made their way to the carriage waiting for her. The horses pranced impatiently as she turned to look at her home one last time. Movement in one of the upstair windows caught her eye and for the first time in her eighteen years of life she saw her mother and sisters, each one far more beautiful than her. They did not wave at her and she did not wave at them. Instead, she turned away and climbed into the carriage with the help of her father.

“Are you prepared for today’s events daughter?” the king asked as they pulled away from the castle.

“I am,” Calypso shifted uncomfortably in her seat. During the ceremony the King will drink from Calypso in order to mark her as his; however, she was aware that he was referring to what should take place after the festivities are over.

He stared at her blankly for a moment before continuing,” Do not be ignorant child you know what I am referring to. Do not fight him tonight Calypso. Whatever he wants you will give him willingly. You do not have time to make him doubt your loyalty. You must be cunning on the inside but you must appear innocent on the outside. Once you gain his trust you will be able to end him and then you shall face the repercussions of your actions with your head held high. Understood?”

“Of course, father,” her voice sounded calm but on the inside she was steaming.

The rest of the ride passed in silence which Calypso was beyond grateful for. The last thing she needed was her father worsening her anxiety with his speeches.

Before she knew it, her and her father stood outside the ball room doors. She could hear the chatter on the inside as people waited for the ceremony to start. Her chest tightened as light music began to play and the conversation died. She subconsciously tightened her grip on her father’s arm.

“Calypso,” she looked into her father’s eyes as she waited for him to continue,” do not disappoint me.”

The doors opened before she could reply and her father pulled her forward. She was grateful for his presence because without him she was sure she would have fallen by now. The pair slowly made their way down the aisle allowing everyone to have a good look at their future queen. Calypso lifted her head with false confidence. She stared forward not sparing any vampire a glance. She did not dare to look at the Vampire King even when her father handed her away to him. The Vampire King’s muscular frame towered over her and she told herself that she was not intimidated.

Staring straight ahead at his chest she allowed the priests words flow in one ear and out the other. The vampires did not usually have marriage ceremonies; they just mark each other with a type of bite that only their mates receive. The priest and marriage ceremony was for the humans’ sake. Calypso spoke when told to and stayed silent when her voice is not needed as did her future husband. From the corner of her eye she could see her father and his knights sitting on her side of the room. His most trusted advisors sat beside him in the front row.

“You may now kiss your bride,” the priest addressed the King.

Calypso closed her eyes as her husband leaned down and gave her a small peck on her lips lingering a bit before straightening again. She still had not looked at his face for fear that it would match the one who she saw in her dreams. She did not want to think about what that would mean.

" The King of Vampires will now give his mate his mark to claim her as his. I kindly ask for the girl’s sake that everyone turn to the back of the room to allow her privacy during this moment,” the priest waited until everyone was turned before turning himself and continuing,” you may begin the final step of your marriage King.”

Though she was grateful for the priests request, Calypso’s cheeks grew red from embarrassment; feeling as though she were a small child. Her embarrassment was soon forgotten when one of her husband’s arms wrapped around her waist as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

" Do not be afraid, my wife,” his velvety voice matching the one that haunted her sleep,” you will feel no pain; only pleasure,” he leaned in closer and dropped his voice to a deep whisper,” try not to moan.”

Calypso eyebrows creased in confusion but she did not get a chance to question his words. His teeth sank into the pulsing vein on her neck and his free hand threaded into her hair holding her in place. A small gasp escaped her lips and her hands clutched each of his arms as she tried to ground herself. His grip on her tightened as he continued to mark her. A shock traveled from her chest to her core causing her legs to weaken. The Vampire King was the only thing keeping her upright.

Once he finished, his lips found her ear once more,” Are you able to stand?” he whispered.

She gave herself a chance to breathe before nodding not trusting herself to speak.

He pulled himself away completely before addressing his subjects,” You may face forward,” he continued after everyone had settled themselves again,” We will move to the dining hall for dinner while the servants relocate the chairs in here. Once we are finished eating we will return here for dancing and champagne. When the clock strikes twelve we will begin the Hunt. Please rise and replace your spot in the dining hall.”

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Unedited

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