Farron ran into the area where everyone was supposed to be first. Adailia and I just waited after that.
Adailia pats my shoulder before slowly starting me off. She’s walking me up to Ponce. Apparently she planned a very simply and rather contemporary ceremony. The plan is for me to walk up to Ponce, we do whatever, and then we’re married. Just like that. I can’t complain. I never wanted a super lavish wedding anyway.
With each step I feel more and more like I’m going to die. From what, I’m not exactly sure. I know that nine out of the eleven people in the room are vampires---myself not included. That means that all of them can sense me internally combusting.
When Adailia and I reach Ponce and the man that is going to marry us---I think his name’s Benedict or something or another---she releases my arm and leaves me. Ponce smiles slightly at me before stealthily taking hold of my hand.
“As I must, I command all witnesses to state their names before the Cardinal Aide,” the Benedict man orders.
The small little sickly-looking creature that was hiding off in the corner comes scurrying out with a scroll and a feather pen with an ink bottle. It’s sort of twitchy and I can’t help but wonder what on Earth the thing is. As far as I know there aren’t any other ‘mythical’ creatures running off around the world.
“King Bleiddudd Wistan,” Bleiddudd says first. The creepy creature’s head jerks as it writes the name down quickly and moves on.
“Queen Adailia Wistan.”
The process continues for everyone. “Prince Fintan Wistan” “Price Baine Wistan” “Princess Milana Wistan” “Alexander Robert Meadows” “Fallon James Darfael” “Farron Darfael” “Zayden Blythe Blackwood”
“Excellent,” Benedict says. “Now I need for the bride and groom to do the same.”
As soon as the creepy thing comes up beside Ponce, he stiffens slightly. The think twitches again before he gives his name.
“Poncecles Milonicus Winchcombe,” he pronounces flawlessly, just as he did the first time I ever heard him say it. I feel a strange pull in my mind as the creature turns it’s face to me. When I finally see it I feel like closing my eyes and never opening them again. It’s like an evil troll from some scary movie, no lies.
“Ameille Bel Amour Fletcher,” I murmur. After the thing writes my name down it scampers away and I swallow the lump in my throat.
“And now we may continue the ceremony. Miss Fletcher, I must ask if you are truly prepared to be bound to a vampire as his wife. Are you?”
I nod.
“Yes.”
“And you are aware that you are never to mention the existence of such creatures to anyone or so help your soul, for you will be punished?”
No, not really...
“Yes,” I whisper anyway.
“Are you also aware of the dangers you will face by being bound to our High King Winchcombe?”
I practically choke. High King? What is that all about?
“Yes,” I whisper, slightly angered by the fact that Ponce never mentioned that.
“Then I must now ask if you are prepared to be bound to Poncecles for as long as you shall live. Are you?”
“I am,” I tell him firmly, finally pulling myself together.
“And my Lord Poncecles, you are prepared to be bound to Miss Fletcher forever?”
“I am,” Ponce says gently.
“Then I now would like for you to slip the rings on to your fingers.”
Ponce produces two expensive-looking silvery bands and slowly slips them on to his and my fingers. I can’t help but stare at it in awe. It’s so beautiful and perfect...
“I now am lawfully allowed to pronounce you husband and wife, as regulated by the Cardinal Court. You may now take your bride home,” Benedict proclaims loudly. My hands are already in Ponce’s and he squeezes them. I look up shyly to see him smiling more brightly than I have ever seen and can’t help but smile back. His friends---I guess they’re mine too---clap cheerfully and Ponce tugs me with him to leave.
I’m a little awestruck by the whole thing, but I oblige and follow him with my eyes glued to his face the entire time. Outside is dark and silent. It seems that no one followed us out of the cathedral, but I’m not going to complain.
Ponce releases my hands and then rests his on my hips. Before I know it he’s pecking me on the cheek and I blush.
“Close your eyes,” he orders me softly, speaking into my ear. A shiver goes down my spine and I smile. I can’t seem to focus on anything, really, but I manage to close my eyes just the same.
With my eyes closed I feel myself being picked up. To steady myself I wrap my arms around Ponce’s neck when I find it and then rest my head on what I believe to be his shoulder with my face in his neck.
“Don’t open them until we get home,” he states firmly. I nod slightly even though I want to say something. More than anything I just want to ask him if he really wants to send me away for four years. Personally, I don’t think I can do it. I love him and even just a few hours away from him is too much. But as much as I want to ask him, I don’t.
I don’t ask because we just got married and that is all I want to think about for as long as I possibly can.
Suddenly I feel myself moving, but at the same time I feel safe and secure. I feel like nothing is going to hurt me, even if I may be going just about as fast as some rocket. It doesn’t matter because Ponce will keep me safe and I know that for a fact.
