Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 53

The large black metal double doors opened as they approached. All eyes were on Lucy as Justice led her inside. She felt Justice pat her hand on his arm and he winked down at her. She scanned the room but didn't notice Derek or Ryan anywhere. Towards the front of the room her eyes met with Aiden. He was also wearing a black tuxedo and was talking with a few gentlemen. He gave her a small smile as he continued his conversation.

Justice led her through the curious eyes. They were looking at the stranger next to Lucy and were probably wondering where the prince was. Yeah... she was wondering that too. A man approached in front of her. One she had never seen before. His eyes set upon her neck and his lips curled up in disgust. "So he really did it? He really claimed a pup as his mate... No offense to you. But to preserve our kind only the purest have been mated to the throne. This whole concept of you having pure blood just doesn't make sense and is mind boggling. As if we need a treaty with the wolves anyways."

Justice pulled Lucy behind him slightly with enraged eyes. No one would disrespect her. He felt a strong hand land on his shoulder and he turned his head to see Jester standing there. "I'll handle this. Continue on." Jester nodded his head to them before turning a dark gaze on the man in front of him. "I see you think you know more than the royal family? Above all of that she is his soulmate. You know our rules about that."

Lucy wanted to hear the rest of the conversation but Justice led her away. She looked up at him and his tense expression on his face.

"You don't need to be bothered with that stuff Lucy. That's not the point of tonight." Justice said firmly.

"And what is the point of tonight?" Lucy asked with a small smile. She watched as Justice chuckled and shrugged.

"I guess we will find out." He winked down at her.

For a moment Lucy was also looking for Jasper. And she frowned as she remembered he wasn't there. This witch business was taking longer than it should. Why hadn't she been found? She must be shielding herself well. After this long, she was probably really good at hiding.

"Lucy." Queen Willa said and motioned for her to join her at the center of the front of the room.

Lucy looked up at Justice and he nodded at her. "I'll be waiting right here."

Okay, there was something being planned here for sure. Lucy walked up beside Willa who smiled down at her. She watched as Alaric stepped forward and the crowd came to a hush.

"Today is a day I have been waiting for... for a very long time. Not only has my son claimed his mate... but I am happy to introduce you to the real face of my son." Alaric's voice rang with clarity. The double doors opened and both Ryan and Derek walked in side by side. Ryan was wearing a formal military suit while Derek was wearing the colors of the royal family. Derek's suit was black with gold and purple mixed into it while Ryan's was purple with gold and black. The crowd's voices whispered as they watched the two men walk to the front.

"I would like to introduce you to the first knight of the elite soldiers, Ryan. Who you have all thought to be Derek. And to my son who has been leading the elite soldiers in battle up to this point. Today we make his face known to all." Alaric moved to the side as his son reached the front.

Derek's eyes met with Lucy's and he reached his hand out for her to join him. He squeezed her hand gently and turned his attention to his people. "As you know, the elite soldiers must be the most trusted and loyal soldiers to the royal family. To ensure this I have been undercover since I was young. I have discovered many things this way but most importantly I know the sincerity of the loyalty of my soldiers. I am showing you my real face now in light of some disturbing news I have heard. Know this. I have loved Lucy since I was a child. Even before I knew she was my soulmate she was in my heart. She is the reason I live. My everything." He looked down and smiled at her.

"At no point was there ever anyone else. Anyone who claims otherwise will be saying treacherous words. The banshee and our newest bound servant will deal with any treachery according to our laws. We will forgive only this once. Because any accusations were not done knowingly about your prince." He scanned over the area until his eyes found Stella's nervous eyes. A clear warning was shot at her then he continued to look over the crowd.

"I know many of you were concerned about the strained relationship. Well, that's because it was a feigned relationship." Derek chuckled and looked over at Ryan then back to his people. "I don't want there to be any doubt in your mind at how important my mate is to me. None. Not only have I claimed her as such but I have already marked her as my own. Furthermore..." He spun Lucy to face him. His eyes trailed over her, landing on her soft lip and inviting neck. "I will publicly show you our committed unbreakable bond." He leaned his head down and bit into Lucy's neck. He knew she wouldn't be shocked since she could already read his thoughts and what he was planning. Vampires don't just mark, they also signify their unbreakable bond through the exchange of blood. Those who exchange blood can never take another mate again. It is more permanent than just marking their mate. It makes it that only your mate could ever satisfy you. And it is something done quietly and privately among only the most devoted couple. But by doing this publicly a very clear statement is being made. And that is there is no future to the vampires without Lucy.

He licked her neck clean before smashing his lips into hers desperately. He panted against her lips and kept his eyes on her. Now it was her turn. She also had to do the same thing now. He smiled as he felt her bashful emotions coming forward. To make it easier he lowered himself in front of her.

A heads-up over all of this would have been great. This was like the public marking with dragons. Only they at least knew what was coming ahead of time. And Lucy had never drunk blood before. Sure, she marked Derek but it wasn't the same thing. She inhaled gradually and gained her composure. She leaned forward to his neck and brought her fangs forward slowly sinking them into his flesh. She felt the warm liquid trickle into her mouth and was surprised how her insides filled with desire. It was as if his blood was an aphrodisiac and it made her lower part heat up with desire. She had heard about how vampires crave the taste of their mate's blood. It made no sense to her before but it did now. And she knew no other blood could ever quench her thirst but his. How was he able to break apart from this? She felt like she wasn't getting enough and she wanted to devour the rest of him.

She expected his blood to taste bad but it was nothing like that. It was like drinking pure insatiable desire. She felt Derek's desire flowing into her while he drank from her. Hers was more intense. And what she was wanting from him now she couldn't get this instant. No... wanting wasn't right. It was what she NEEDED from him now.

Goddess Lucy if you don't stop those thoughts I will take you right here and right now. Derek's voice rang into her mind. She could feel his lustful thoughts that were only fueling her more.

The only thing that was able to snap her back was knowing how many people were watching them. And that she was really afraid he would publicly cross the line in front of them. So, with great restraint, she pulled her fangs out and licked his neck clean of any blood droplets.

He rose back up and she wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him into her face. She pressed her lips into his as their two types of blood mixed together. She dug her nails into him slightly, she was having a hard time fighting the desire inside of her off. It was Derek who pulled away from her. Though she could see from his eyes it was the opposite of what he wanted. His thoughts were screaming in her head and promising her of everything he planned to do to her.

The sound of cheers and applause snapped Lucy from her unquenchable hunger. She turned to face the crowd shyly and felt Derek's arm come around her, pulling her deep into his side.

"We will be having a formal wedding ceremony at the end of the summer. However, as you can see this is now a bond that will never be broken. I know as my subjects you will both respect and support our relationship. I trust you will also protect any future heirs with your lives. I plan to well secure our future lineage." Derek said with a wry smile. The crowd chuckled and Lucy felt the heat spreading over her face.

"I'm sure many of you would like to speak with your prince now that you know who he is." Alaric spoke up, giving his son a glance. "Derek will now come among you so you can each get to know him." He knew this wasn't what his son had immediately planned but it was important. Regardless of how badly he wanted to escape privately with his mate.

Derek sighed inwardly but kept a warm smile on his face. He and Ryan had already addressed Stella. She was shocked seeing the two of them at her door and immediately knew the jig was up. She was mortified hearing that she was actually implying about being with the prince. She was feeling left out hearing about her friend's trysts. So she decided to make up having a boyfriend. And Ryan was perfect since the elite soldiers weren't around. Not to mention he was incredibly attractive. It was all too perfect. So she took some pictures of the two of them and during her video she edited voices in. The camera wasn't on his face when she reached in to give him a hug goodbye.

What wasn't shown was how Derek immediately pushed her back and told her it was inappropriate for her to hug him. In the video, she froze the scene to look like they were hugging for a long time. And she played with the sound and audio to make it all look and sound real. She went all too far for her elaborate lie. And now she was humiliated. Her friends would know she was lying now after the speech the prince had just given. They would also know he was referring to her. This is what she gets though. It was her fault for not just being honest about not wanting to mess around with others.

Derek leaned over and pecked Lucy on the side of her head before leading her out into his people. As they walked through the crowd Lucy noticed the man from earlier. She felt Derek's grip tighten around her as he saw her memories from before. With the soul mate bond, everything flowed between them when they were close. It just happened. And instantly he knew everything while they were apart and the same for her. She knew what happened with Stella as well.

"Count Basil..." Derek's eyes pinned the man down as his voice let out a lethal chill. "I know my uncle already spoke with you some but I won't tolerate anyone not approving what is mine. And just so you know... I've tasted her blood. It is a miracle but the purity is unquestionable. My bond with her is securing our lineage. And if you have a problem with my bride you know you can always go rogue. Your position can be filled by another. I don't need anyone part of the kingdom who is not completely loyal." Lucy watched as the count's face fell. He lowered his head and almost shrank himself down. "Forgive me, my prince. I won't misspeak again."

"That's not good enough. I need more than you not speaking. I will need your blood oath of loyalty to the family. You'll give it to my father or you will leave." Derek wasn't going to play around with the chance of betrayal. And a blood oath would prevent him from ever betraying the family. This was the price the count would pay for his words. He wasn't forgiving when it came to Lucy.

"Of course my lord. I'll give it to him immediately." Count Drake Basil said and slinked away towards the king.

Not into making friends? Lucy tilted her head up to Derek who rubbed his hand lovingly over her side.

I am their leader. They don't follow me for my friendship. They follow me for my wisdom and protection. I will guide them into the future. And I can't have anyone around that I don't trust. And anyone who would dare speak to you like that... calling you a pup... he is lucky I didn't shred him. Derek looked around as people started lining up seeking an audience. This was going to be a long evening. And after the moment he had shared with Lucy the thoughts were plaguing his mind. The desire she had for him was overpowering. Knowing she wanted him so much at that moment showed how much they were meant for each other.

It is true drinking the blood of your mate binds you together. But the more you desire your mate the deeper the connection is. Derek purposely put some vervain in his system to help weaken the effects. He was going to give some for Lucy to drink as well but Abaddon came and warned him it wasn't a good idea. Not after she just finished with her heat. Which made sense to him. But she had to experience the full onset of want and desire. And through her, he felt it too. Knowing she wanted him that much though showed just how much they were meant for one another.

He loved her so much. He watched as her eyes twinkled up at him and he felt her love flow into him. She was feeling the exact same way. And now finally everyone could know she was his. No more hiding. No more her having to pretend to belong to another. She was HIS and he was hers.