Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 52

The group walked out from the portal and were back in the hallway of the vampire kingdom. Derek took in a deep breath and a warm smile rested on his lips. He was home. And finally he would be able to act like this was his home. "You're back..." Ryan came from down the corridor his eyes immediately rested on Derek with Lucy still clinging to his arm. "Are you planning to make the announcement early?"

"I need to speak with my parents first. But that is my plan." Derek said and he watched as Ryan's eyes trailed to Lucy and back to him. He understood what he was thinking. "Mira."

"My lord." The small pale young woman appeared in a kneeling position.

"Tell my parents I request their audience in my chambers." Derek watched as the girl instantly vanished. "Let's go." He nodded to Ryan to join them as well. They were in a private hall that was reserved for the royal family so keeping Lucy at his side here wasn't a problem. He led her to his room with the others following.

They walked into the room and all made themselves comfortable except for Abaddon who remained standing.

"Please have a seat." Lucy nodded to another chair. She noticed how he hesitated until he locked eyes with her then he obediently walked to a chair.

"Hey if this works out you won't have to swap spit with Ryan again." Aiden's eyes flickered as he stared up at a very pale and uncomfortable looking Ryan. Derek squeezed his hand around Lucy's and sighed heavily. "You are lucky I can read Lucy's mind."

"That takes a lot of the fun out of it." Aiden said with a disappointed snort.

"Aiden! I thought we were bros." Ryan sighed in relief, shooting Aiden daggers.

Aiden chuckled. "We are, but tormenting my new family is sort of my thing. But with Lucy and him connecting memories it is hard."

"Speaking of bros..." Ryan turned and looked at Justice who had been quietly observing him. He felt like he had a predatory glance on him. "You must be Justice."

"I must be." Justice said, trying to hide his personality for a moment longer. "The word I have heard is that you happen to like the ladies... I am also one who likes the ladies."

"Once I am off the hook from playing pretend fiancé you want to be my wingman?" Ryan grinned widely.

"No. But you can be mine." Justice snorted and the two men chuckled together.

Lucy giggled and shook her head. She knew they would get along splendidly. The door to the room opened and King Alaric and Queen Willa walked in. They all stood up and Derek walked up hugging both of his parents.

"Is everything okay? We weren't expecting you." Alaric watched as his son nodded while adjusting Lucy more to his side. He was making sure they could notice the mark that was now upon her neck.

"Breaking tradition?" Willa said, clicking her tongue.

"Yes. And I need to break it again." Derek said firmly. "There is someone that is claiming the elite leader Ryan is their steady boyfriend. The girl doesn't know who I am so she doesn't understand how damaging her lies are. Furthermore, she has fabricated a video that isn't true either. I ask to announce myself to my people. I want to clear my name."

"No. You can't announce this until you are crowned. The day you are back here permanently will be when you are announced the crown prince. You know this is for a purpose." King Alaric said firmly.

"And I have accomplished that purpose, haven't I?" Derek said in exasperation. The purpose was to find faithful allies and he had with his soldiers.

"You must finish the task you set out with and bring your soldiers home." Alaric said firmly.

"I already told Jasper to tell them who I am." Derek said and watched his father's eyes turn dark.

Alaric sighed angrily. "Well, what is done can't be undone. But I still won't allow it. If there is a rumor go and dispel it as Ryan. It is not time for you to join us here at the palace."

"I fail to see why not. Could you explain this to me? Other than breaking tradition, what is the problem with him announcing who he is?" Lucy met with the king and queen in a confident stare. Her eyes pierced against them. "Derek must prove himself." Willa said quietly.

"And he hasn't? And he can't if his identity is revealed?" Lucy felt irritated. She could feel how upset Derek was and yet he felt trapped. Well they couldn't trap her. "Furthermore, this is the price I demand for keeping the soul Abaddon a secret." "Lucy." Derek hissed and tugged on her arm.

"No, Derek. You may have made a deal for the prince and Ryan to put on a charade but you never made this deal with me. You have chosen to show me a fake fiancé. And want me now to continue to play this role. I should have been made aware from the beginning. I went through a lot... feelings of being unwanted. And not being good enough. When had I been made aware from the beginning all of that could have been avoided. What is being asked of me isn't fair. I won't wear another man's scent anymore. I am not letting someone else bathe me in their spit. And I am not going to pretend to be another's mate." Lucy's green eyes attacked them. She could feel how nervous Derek was and he was waiting for his parent's reaction with bated breath. But not Lucy. This was enough. Everything that had happened to her recently was because she couldn't simply have her mate by her side.

Finally, Willa smiled. "Lucy, you are perfect. Isn't she perfect dear? If only I could have had a daughter but I imagine she would have been so much like you." She looked up to Alaric and a small smile escaped from his lips as well.

"You have a leader's heart. You are right we should have thought things through better. And my guess with you as the new queen a lot of traditions will be getting broken." Alaric said with a quiet sigh.

"Yes. I will not have any son of mine participating in some quest where he has to prove himself. I understand the identity thing to find loyal soldiers but having to prove themselves? No. Won't be happening. No child of mine will have to prove themselves to me." Lucy felt Derek pull her into his front as he beamed down at her. She blushed slightly as his thoughts entered her head. She could feel his pride, adoration, love, and l**t. "She is perfect." Derek leaned down and gently pecked at her lips.

"I am so happy that you two ended up being mates." Willa said with wet eyes. "This is more than I ever hoped for. And seeing you two together makes me so happy." "Alright son. Do what you feel you need to. But how do you plan to handle the situation?" Alaric asked curiously.

Derek smiled. "Just leave it to me. I'll handle everything. I just need you to organize a formal event for tonight."

"We can do that." Alaric looked from Derek to Lucy. "You two are a good match together. You will have strong children together."

Derek chuckled and watched as Lucy's ears turned red. Her embarrassment was adorable. "I couldn't agree more. There will never be anyone else for me but my little mate."

Lucy put on a long formal black sleeveless dress and put the finishing touches on her face. She was left alone to get ready but was to meet Derek in the main ballroom. She wasn't sure where that was but Abaddon and Mira were left with her. She walked out of the bathroom to see them both dressed nicely as well.

"Princess, you look stunning." Abaddon said with a half bow.

"My lady." Mira said, curtsying low to the ground.

"Nuh-uh, you two. Don't you dare! It is a friendship relationship with me, you got it?!" Lucy tilted her eyes at them sternly and watched as they both smiled at her.

"Now... do either of you have any tips for me? What should I expect? Derek disappeared so fast before I could read the plan in his mind. So I guess he is surprising me too, huh?" Lucy watched as they both shrugged slightly.

"We weren't told anything. Probably so you couldn't order it out of us." Abaddon chuckled.

"The king has arranged for a formal dance tonight. It is considered a ball of sorts. People will be dressed in their finest. And will be waiting for some special news. Usually, these things announce a new mate, visitor, or an expectant pregnancy..." Mira gave Lucy a side smile.

"Oh my gosh. They will be thinking I am pregnant." Lucy slapped her forehead with her hand. She could hear the gentle laughter from Abaddon and sweet giggle from Mira. She looked between her fingers at the two of them before laughing a bit herself. "I guess it may not be entirely wrong though." She watched as the two of them immediately quit their laughter. Their eyes darted to her stomach and back to her eyes.

"Are you pregnant my lady?" Mira suddenly asked with a protective air about her.

Lucy giggled. "Well, I hardly can know that after just a couple days. Just after my heat, I can't say it isn't a possibility."

"We should maybe take precautions then," Abaddon said with pursed lips. His eyes wandered over Lucy with protectiveness. He could feel himself reacting to the possibility of there being a life growing inside of her. And it made him want to shield her to protect her and the future.

"Don't be silly. You know you fought my grandmother while she was pregnant. And she ended up being just fine. I am from a strong and resilient bloodline. And I am not about to be locked away. Which makes me think..." Lucy grinned and looked at Abaddon. "Can you block the mate link if I ask you to?"

Abaddon furrowed his brows and set his jaw. "I wouldn't want to do something like that."

"But you can?" Lucy asked raising her eyes.

He let out a loud sigh. "Yes, I probably can...but-"

"Relax." Lucy giggled. "I'm just thinking that when the day comes and I am pregnant I would like to surprise Derek. Instead of him just knowing I would like to tell him myself." She watched as Abaddon smiled and shook his head. "Okay. Yes, I can do that." Abaddon relaxed.

"So are you going to be my escort?" Lucy asked, looking at Abaddon.

"No. Mira and I will be doing our job and keeping an eye on things from the shadows. Your escort is waiting for you in the hall." Abaddon motioned his head to the door.

"Speaking of which..." Mira said with a smile. "You should probably get going."

"Yes I know..." Lucy inhaled deeply to settle her nerves. She wasn't a big fan of these public events especially when she felt a bit in the dark over it. She walked over to the door opening it. In front of her Justice stood dressed in a black tuxedo. "You look amazing Lucy." Justice beamed and extended his arm to her.

She glanced behind her to say something to Abaddon and Mira but they were already gone. "I hope you were shown the way because I don't know where I am going." Lucy turned back to Justice and bit her lip smiling.

"Yes, I know where I am going and I already had a nice peek. There are some delicious specimens here... and maybe I have a chance being the mysterious new guy." Justice winked down at Lucy who only shook her head with a laugh. He may be her guardian but he was still her same lecherous Justice. She walked with her arm on his down several halls that led to two double doors where two guards were waiting. She wasn't exactly sure what was being planned tonight but she was curiously excited.