Shadow Queen (20 page)

              He...had it covered.  “What does that even mean?”

              He pulled back enough to look at me.  “Anastacia, I have waited for this day for longer than I can remember.  Everything will be ready.”

              I looked down at my really pretty pencil skirt and matching top that, of course, he bought for me and said, “In this.  I can't do it justice for that kind of event.”

              He let go of me.  “Go up to the guest bedroom on the other side from your own to the left.  In the closet.  Everything you need is there.”

              I narrowed my gaze nervously and bit down on my bottom lip.  “And you've had this how long exactly?”

              Sheepishly smirking, (which is hard for a vampire to do) he admitted, “Long enough.”

              Wow!  This man really wanted to marry me.

              More than anything else in this world.

              In a state of shock really, I nodded for no reason. 

              The door half opened, “One hour, my love.” 
And then you are mine.

              His soft kiss landed on my lips and left too quick.  We were moving back through the kitchen with some very blush worthy stares eyeing our retreat.  I heard myself make the same clickity steps with the heels back and noted the instant way everyone stood the second the door swung open to the dining room. 

              Holy cow!  Why are they standing?

              Cas pulled me beside him and tucked me into his side.

              “Anastacia Anat Hathown has agreed to become my bride tonight.  If everyone would please exit into the bottom floor den for drinks.  The guards will escort you in one hour to the courtyard.”

              They all knew.

              Liam, who was putting his phone away, started shuffling everyone towards the den.  I was in such a state of shock still I didn't register anyone talking except the few gasps and giggles, smiles and mumblings coming from all of them.  I traced Calum's steps as he left without a word.  I couldn't console him on this.  He was on his own.  Cord congratulated me with a playful pat to my arm that he quickly yanked away.

              “Seems my actions have pushed him over the edge like was needed.   You should thank me.” Afterward he gave me his usual joking self that hid his true feelings.  “Just remember you were my betrothed first.  I will always be waiting in the wings when you realize this guy can't come close to this.” Cord waved his hand over his assets like they were something to behold.  Maybe to someone else. 

              I rolled my eyes and looked for Maze.  She was heading my way, but Szar cut her off and hugged me first.  He told me he was happy for both of us.  The twinkle in his eye confirmed he'd pushed for it like Cord.  Maybe they had my best interest.

              The amount of giggling coming off Maze and Liz was catchy.  Several girls all started in getting doe eyed looks.  I wanted to tell them to get a grip but I myself didn't have hold of the firm grip at the moment. 

              “In the guest bedroom, Maze.  In the closet.  Everything you need is there.  The bathroom is stocked with anything else she may need.  You have one hour.”

              Like a factory worker and employee, Maze saluted her superior.  “Not a problem.  Lead on Vamp girl.”

              I looked up at Cas who all but ordered my friends around but had yet to move at all.  He rubbed a thumb across my cheek and looked back at Maze who took this as her cue.

              She jerked my long sleeve gauzy blouse into her hand and dragged me over to the stairs.  I made her stop on the first step so I could look back one more time.  Within a second he was out of my view and my body felt numb. There was no turning back now.

             
Soon, my love.

              In tune.  Sometimes it feels like a song that doesn't break its melody.  That's what we were.

              The dress was just...wow.  Maze and Liz were busy opening and laying out shoes, products, hair pins.  He had everything all planned out. 

              I wasn't sure how long I touched and stared at it, but it was amazing.  I didn't even look like myself when they finished.  The velvet was softer than silk.  The white wasn't a pure bright white either.  It was dark and feathery looking just asking for hands to run over it.  It was strapless other than the one-inch shoulder sleeve that fit tightly under my arms and dipped somewhat low in the front more than I was accustomed to. 

              The bodice was tightly snug showing off curves and my length and fitted out nicely all the way to the floor over my shoes.  It hit perfectly like it was sewn to my height.  Behind me a feather light train followed but I couldn't find it uncomfortable in any way.  Not a single bead graced the beauty of this velvety giftwrapped honor to be wearing. 

              The toe peep shoes were exactly the same velvet.  I watched Liz bend down to snap, not buckle, the sides where little diamonds covered the snap on the sides.  I arched my foot sideways to admire them holding myself steady with Maze's arm.  One last look in the mirror to enjoy the work my friends had done and I was ready.  I barely touched the little diamonds on the sides of my head where my hair was all pinned up and sparkling in the bedroom lamp.  He'd left nothing spared in the goods he left in the bathroom.  The makeup job was magnificent.  Not too much for me who rarely wore more than mascara and lip gloss.  I looked like a Barbie doll with an elegant pose.  Either way, I felt beautiful. 

              Behind me Liz squealed.  In her hands was a little black box.  My first reaction was that he'd done too much.  I'd spent a lifetime growing up with gifts like this from my father.  But coming from Cas I knew well enough now he didn't give anything that didn't have a meaning behind it. I couldn't wait to find out what it was and puzzle out the whys.

              Inside sat two teardrop diamond stud earrings.  No other jewelry.  This was it besides the little diamonds nestled in my hair and on my shoes.  And my ring.

              “It's time,” Maze whispered giddily.

              I snatched a look at the wall clock.  Eleven fifty-seven.  I couldn't believe we'd done all this in one hour.  What else had he cooked up without me knowing?

              The door squeaked open and Liz held her hand out.  I walked on a cloud in four-inch heels.

              Around the corner and five steps away from the bottom, I could hear soft music playing towards the back French doors that faced the courtyard.  Now at the point I couldn't stay away from him any longer, I walked a little faster and rounded the corner where I could see people standing facing away in two groups.  I saw Calum's head sticking above the rest and at the back.  His eyes on mine the second I stepped out, I froze not knowing how he would act next.  His smile was brittle, but then he gave me a small nod.  When his shoulders shifted and he faced the front, I let out a small ounce of thankfulness that was hiding in my inner core.  I needed him to approve for some reason.  And he had.

              I should be stepping to the music keeping the slow sway it held but I wanted to see him.  Know he was here.  Three more steps.  Above the faces turning and making all the little “ahh” sounds I saw his face. He was in the air, giving me what I needed.  A second letter he was gone.  I walked fast enough to not look too odd with my eyes now focused on a single target, but another hand took mine before I could get any farther.

              My father's beaming face that rarely smiled was looking down at me.  His hand took mine and folded it into Cas'.  He stepped back and indicated for me to step up beside Cas.  I finally found the other part I'd missed.  Cas in a tux was just something I wanted to savor.  The tightness was in all the right places.  He eyed my feasting before he chuckled and faced the man in front of him. 

              The dark skinned vampire smiled friendly enough for what a Vampire can.  I haven't met one who looked...nice.  Many were, but they didn't look it.

              I barely remember the words he had us repeat or the sound of Cas' voice saying them, but I heard the man in front of us clear his throat when he saw I was tuned out and way too tuned into watching Cas’ face.  I watched his mouth say the words aloud picturing them coming to me in my head though I think I made up what he said in my eyes though.

              “Eh, em.”

              I heard him say that Cas could kiss me.  Later, I couldn't remember much else but this kiss.  What was more key for me to remember was what no one else would ever know happened in that moment.

              His lips curved softly against mine.  Slow like a soft wave over the ocean, his rhythm never changed.  Inside, at the part where each wave would crash against the sand, he said something only I could hear.

              Kissa.  I. Can't. Wait. Till. You. Are. All. Mine.

              The kiss did break and we were walking back through the middle of an attentive crowd.  People followed behind us all the way to the lower den where they saw us off. 

              “Thank you all for being great about the change in plans for the night.  The guards will see you to your cars.”  Cas was all business, but I detected a hurried tone.

              Calum side hugged me the best he could from where Cas still held my waist tight against him.  Cord did the same, as well as Szar and the girls.  My father told us both we had his blessing, which sounded totally weird to me, but oh well.  I realized only then that I'd not once really spoken to my friends since walking out of that kitchen door other than playing dress up. 

              My father walked me to the side and hugged me like he'd never done.  After he closed the door, I kept my hand on the delicate curve of the door handle.  I felt him behind me whether it through our vibrant connection or just the fact that a certain amount of static held itself in the air when we were separated.  The back of his thumb left a score of heat across the straight line of my shoulders, and lingered on the edge of my neck. 

              My breath hitched. 

              “Will you join me for something to eat? I know you never finished your dinner.”

              He knew just what I needed when I needed it.  When my shoulder relaxed underneath his fingertips, I turned and faced him.  Roving eyes following him head to toe.  I couldn't stop the feelings that welled up inside me.  I knew what I wanted, but I was scared to death. 

              His eyes doing the same, I refused to move.  I wanted his eyes on me.

              Up the stairs we went, around the corner, and to the room I'd only been in once before. When I saw it this time, I knew he didn't have time to pull this part off alone.

              “When and how did you do this because I know you had help?”  I blushed buckets at who might know what they were setting a room full of a hundred candles up for.  Across the middle of the floor was the same picnic basket and carefully picked treats that I knew were exclusive to my tastes alone.  A single candle, barely two inches long, was lit and angling the dancing shadow that fell across his face.

              The massive king sized bed screamed out to me in my head. It looked different.  The wooden posts stood out to me more. The delicate carvings tapered up into intricate double delta shaped patterns just like on the front door and main entrance to signify the Vampire faction.  In fact, they were everywhere.

                                                                     
^^

              Liam might have taken care of the majority.

              Seating me on the dark forest green all velvet chair that rivaled my dress in softness, Cas bent down on one knee and started unsnapping the sides of my shoes one at a time handling them like they were delicate gems.  Afterward he leaned up and kissed my shoulder.  My palms gripped the chair arms trying to expel the nervous energy I was holding in.

              His hands smoothed over the length of my dress from my thighs to my knees.  Trying to appear calmer than I felt I told him, “I love this dress.  I'm not sure I'm as elegant as the dress is but I love it.  Anyway.”

             
I love this dress on you.

              Thank you.  For getting it.  For me
.  “And I love the shoes.  They’re beautiful.  They look like they were made with the dress in mind.”

              His smile flashed. 

              “And thank y--

              His finger went to my lips and stayed there as he kissed the soft corners of my neck.  Between his fingers I mumbled that I loved the earrings.

             
Anastacia Cross.  I love the earrings on you.  I'd like them to also be the only thing on you.

              If I wasn't red as a beet by then, I was now. 

              As if he was very aware of my beating like a drum heart, he asked, “Come eat with me, love.”  His voice was all husky and low.

              It was then I remembered that my husband was a Vampire.  Right on cue, he said without hesitation. 

             
That is not a problem for me.