My head hurt. My eyes watered. I stood there not knowing what to do and when to do it. As I continued to watch Triscon and Lenoir struggle in their ropes and chains, my mouth opened. A soft, sad sigh escaped my lips as I tore my gaze from the men I had come to trust to Laurin and Aunt Lora.

'Please...It isn't true. They- No it can't be.'

Aunt Lora emitted an almost motherly aura around her. She stepped towards me once again, reassuring me with her fond eyes, and I immediately jerked back.

'Don't touch me. Stop! Just...just leave me alone!' I snarled moreover to the whole room. I ran out to a small courtyard they had a few doors down. It was in the center of the place we were. I stared up at the blue sky, longing to go back to that first day. Damn Laurin for asking to go into that club. Damn me for listening to her!

I fell to my knees on the pavement, which only made my skin bleed and my body shiver with pain. A small pain...nothing like I was used to. Frowning, I stood from where I had kneeled after a moment. Noticing a basketball afar, I walk over to the rack of sports' balls. There was volleyball, softball, etc, but I settles on the orange ball lined with black stripes.

My hand habitually dribbled the ball between my legs as I approached the western side of the courtyard closer to the basketball courts. Outside it was marvelous. The sky was freckled with small, wispy clouds and the grass surrounding all courts was fresh. The smell of roses and lillies lifted into the air and momentarily distracted my thoughts.

Playing basketball was hard because I let all my frustrations out while doing it. I genuinely felt bad for whoever owned the ball which now appeared to be an orange and black pancake.

I was going to play a game of tennis when I heard someone from by the southern door enter. Instinctively I exteneded my nails into sharp claws, set my footing into a fighting position, and felt my muscles thoughout my whole body flex.

Thankfully, it was a man I had not seen before. Also, he seemed too interested in something in his grasp that he paid no mind to me. It was a concept I was unaware of. The thought that someone in this world could no be drawn to me was new now. I smiled, returning back to my harmless self, and was instantly walking beside him

The man, around sixty I believe, continued to stare at the small doll in his hands. I furrowed my eyebrows at the doll that hung limply. He then glanced peripherally at me and frowned.

'You Blood?'

I simply nodded in response.

His eyes seemed to frown with his smile. I wondered what he was so sad about and my face easily began to mimi his.

'I los' a little girl a year ago. She would'a been six today. Damn vamps murdered her...police foun' her body strangled and without a drop o' blood. She wasn' mine, but I promised her Ma...I'd keep her safe...'

He then started to leak sorrowful tears from his grey eyes, the salty water dripping onto the pavement creating dark spots. I straightfacedly nodded to the old man as he excused himself from my presence. I trailed his weak body all the way to the north passageway where he disappeared.

Sadness wasn't a trait I was unfamiliar with, unfortunately. My eyes flicked my eyes back to the south door where I had also arrived from.

'Now or later, Blood, now or later,' I continued to mumble to myself as I slowly treaded to the southern door. After going down a few halls I returned back to where Triscon and Lenoir were held captive. Laurin and Aunt Lora had went to deal with business and three guards situated themselves at different exits of the room. I nodded once to each guard who only nodded back in response.

Triscon innocently furrowed his eyebrows at me while Lenoir kept his gaze steadily on the floor. They were guilty, and yet I loved them. I don't understand though why they would help me if they were Ashes' spies? And why would Lenoir take Triscon away when they needed one to be with me at all times?

Shaking my head at the two males, I crossed my arms over my chest. I was about to speak when Lenoir struggled against his chains. Immediately I extended my claws, but Lenoir stopped. Retracting my nails into my skin, I asked Lenoir and Triscon, 'Are you two going to say anything to me?'

Triscon was about to say something when Lenoir answered, 'Ashes is our Queen, our Leader, and we will never answer to anyone other than her. You are a mission and we have completed it to the best of our abilities.'

His words were cold and striking like a snake striked a mouse. My reaction was a hurtful wince as I turned away from Triscon and Lenoir.


After sleeping through that day, I once again returned to where the males were held. Lenoir's words had kept me awake all night. I mean....Lenoir, I would be fine with, but Triscon too? You'd think God might spare me any more hurt in my life, but just as I accepted the fact the two males were spies, a guardswoman ran through the eastern door.

She bent over to regain her breath and informed me,' Vamps attacking our perimeter, Ashes is with them!' Then she continued to breathe deeply.

My eyes widened and I flew out the eastern door. After reaching the far eastern side of the building, I found Laurin and Aunt Lora settled by the outside of the door I exited.

'Blood, Ashes wants to speak with you. She's threatening to bring the whole god damn vamp army on us now if you don't,' Laurin breathed through her teeth angrily.

Afterwards, Aunt Lora added,' We contacted our units in the city, but since this was so suprising...they won't be here in time before she flicks her wrist for the signal to attack. We told her we wouldn't send you out if she was going to hurt you, but she swore under oath that you'd be perfectly safe.'

Basically, I was supposed to talk to Ashes. Laurin, by her expression, was pissed and I noticed a bit of jealousy among her sharp features. Aunt Lora was indifferent to the whole ordeal. I nodded to them and stepped out into the clearing.

I hadn't seen Ashes since escaping and now, as she stepped out from the black car she came in, I knew she hadn't changed at all. If she had changed at all, she would be even more elegant and beautiful. I swallowed harsh words and patiently watched as she approached me.

'Blood,' Ashes greeted while fixing her exquisite dark blue dress that came just to her mid-thigh. Ashes noticed where my eyes traced and smirked. She added, 'Come with me and you'll see past the hem of this raggedy thing.'

The image flashed through my eyes and I nearly blushed. Composing myself was a hard task but I did so and shook my head expressionlessly at Ashes,' What do you want?'

Ashes slightly flinched at my harsh tone. She slowly nodded and smoothed her dress so that it returned to its full length.

'Blood, I want you to return to me.'

'Well we can't all have what we want now can we?'

Her eyes found my eyes and she glared. Finally after what seemed like years she said,' I will propose a peace offering. Even though vampires such as myself would win, no doubt, I am capable of giving your humans a life.'

My ears seemed to not be working. Ashes? Handing us a peace offering when now she could take us down? I subtly nodded to Ashes so that she would continue.

'The offering is this...You will represent the humans as their President. As I will represent the vampires as their President. Under all laws, vampires will not be able to hurt a human unless a human strikes them firstly, and we will expect the same from you in return. Both races will live in harmony and we will continue living on this pathetic planet.'

I had followed her words, but was shocked at what she was offering. There had to be a catch.

'What, in return, do you want Ashes?' I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.

Ashes' eyes found mine again and she spoke easily,' You will marry me.'

Every one within the range to hear us gasped at what Ashes stated. I wanted to, but was dumbfounded. I opened my mouth and tried to speak but an uknown sound came from my sensual lips.

Ashes explained further, 'We will marry and we will run both races. On the night of our honeymoon, I will finally taste your blood and you shall drink from mine once more. We will be bound to each other and then this world will be fine.'

There was the sneaky catch. She was still wanting to get her fangs into my skin! Well, Ashes, I've learned why and I'm not so ignorant anymore.

'No,I will not marry you,' I replied.

The vampire leader seemed confused and a bit shocked at my words. She then asked, 'Why not? I am offering complete peace between us!'

'I know about our blood, Ashes, and I know how if you taste my blood you might be able to create half breeds such as myself. I'd be supplying you another army, and I won't.'

Ashes anger spiked and she exclaimed,'You think I care about that, Blood?! I don't give a shit about creating more half breeds. I just want you, Blood!'

She then surprised me by saying in such a affectionate way,' I just...want you, Blood. Just you and...and no one else.'

I let my arms drop to my sides and nodded thoughtfully to Ashes. I asked,' Give me a moment?'

'Of course.'

My feet found their way back to Aunt Lora and Laurin who were generally as unknowing as I was. At least Aunt Lora somewhat hid it, but Laurin had her mouth opened and eyes widened and...and everything.

'What do I do? Do I accept?' I asked Aunt Lora unsurely.

Aunt Lora thought about my questions and finally, to a sad knowledge, replied, 'Blood, if she charges us we're screwed. She's giving you the power over every one alongside her. She's offering a marriage and to be bound to you. To my complete defeat, I would say that she has won by handing us the power to win. I would accept, but be cautious because she still might try to create half bloods.'

Laurin turned to Aunt Lora madly, 'That's it then? She asks to marry Blood and all is fucking fine! What the hell? She killed our friends, our family, and now that she's offering peace we're just going to accept it! No! It isn't fair!'

My aunt turned to her and sharply replied, 'Laurin watch your tongue. Remember I'm a vampire too. I know them, I know their laws. If she is offering this under blood marriage, we will be forever in peace. We would finally live in harmony. It is only intelligent to take her offer with gratitude.'

I watched as Laurin fought battles in her head and then turned her pleading eyes to me. Beneath all the pleading, I saw love for me shine through. Laurin...loved me? My eyes seemed to show that I finally noted her love for me and she asked me longingly, 'Say no, please...Blood, say no. We can win, we can hide away and win someday. Blood...?'

Shaking my head, I said,' Laurin, I love you, but I have to. I am sorry, but I know who Ashes is...and I know this offer.'

My friend since birth exclaimed to me then,' And who is she, Blood? Who is she that makes you want to crawl back right into her arms and forget all of this?!'

Facing Ashes ane, I whispered into Laurin's ear, 'My soulmate.'

Laurin's face dropped at my words and she started to sob. I watched as Laurin ran back into our place and slammed the door behind her. My heart went out to her, but Ashes, even unintentionally, held most of my heart closest to her own heart. Aunt Lora nodded once to me businesslike.

Once again I found myself in front of Ashes and nodded to Ashes,' I will marry you, Ashes, but on one condition.'

Ashes smiled at me, which caused me to momentarily forget my statement, and nodded,'Anything.'

'You will stay with us until the wedding, without any vampires to surround you. I promise, under sword oath, that no harm will come to you here with...with my humans.'

I closely studied her expressions which went from unknowingly to acceptingly. She smiled at me lovingly, 'Alright. I will stay with you

in your

room.'

It was obvious at what she meant by that and I slowly agreed with her. Ashes then turned to her vampires and waved them off in a stern voice, 'Return to your homes, party, sleep, and prepare for your Queen's...both of your Queen's wedding. Now!'

All the vampires that had once flocked out building dispersed in one seemed a second. Humans from our side were happy that they were gone, but wary of Ashes staying though I noticed hope spreading across their features.

We all went inside and after an hour or two of introducing Ashes to a few leaders of the humans, aside from me who was their main leader now according to Aunt Lora as well, I directed Ashes to my room Aunt Lora asigned to me.

Ashes watched me as I made my way to my closet to grab two nightgowns. I gave her one then proceeded to undress and slip it on over my head. Ashes had already done so quickly. She handed me her clothes and I caught her eyes glancing at the underwear in her pile. My eyebrow rose barely, but I put the clothes in my basket of dirty clothing.

Returning to the bed, Ashes stretched out comfortably sighing, 'Mm, a bed. I haven't slept in awhile on one of these. Last night, I hadn't even an hour of sleep because someone

was up.'

Her eyes trailed my body and as I sat down beside her, Ashes traced the flower patterns on my dress, ending at my hem. She blinked her otherwordly eyes at my bare skin on my thigh and then ever-so-slowly she lifted the hem of my dress. I stopped her immediately.

'No, Ashes, not tonight.'

The vampire Queen was about to argue when she realized that I was no longer her "understudy" but her wife. The thought at first had to sink in but when it did she smiled a radiant smile that melted my cold heart.

Laying down, I felt Ashes arm slip across my stomach in an embrace and I turned to her. We stared into each other's eyes before Ashes whispered, 'You are mine now, Blood.'

I smirked at her words which even she found amusing, 'I was always.'

Ashes leaned in and brushed her heavenly lips against mine, moaning softly at the longing. I felt my body heat up in places I would be too ashamed to tell Aunt Lora, then we seperated. That night, both of us slept, and we dreamed of our wedding and the chaos but peace that would follow.


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Next Book Prieview:


His heartless, black eyes twinkled at Ashes' limp body sprawled by my feet. He thanked me and then into the shadows, he was gone.

I worried to myself, 'Oh god, Laurin, oh god what have you done to yourself. Blood will never love you now!'

Running out through the alley, I desperately tried to find Lora and knew informing her of what just happened would not go well.

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Publication Date: 06-13-2011

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