Queen of My Immortal Heart

Chapter 3: Nicole

“My beautiful Nicoleta!” Ara Morganthe exclaimed as she left her husband’s side to rush over to Nicole as she finished descending the stairs, Tawny holding up her cape behind her . “Mother,” Nicole said as she embraced her beloved parent. Her mother may be over two thousand years old, but she never looked a day over twenty seven. Of course, vampires didn’t age though. Her long flowing black hair was always thick, glossy, and full of health. Her face was youthful and smooth, with eyes as green as the emerald she wore around her neck. A gift from her doting husband. “You're all grown up now, my heart.” Ara said as she stepped back at arms length and admired her daughter. Her eyes began to mist over with tears. “Now, dear,” Valtar said, coming to stand behind his lovely wife. “no tears. Our baby has indeed grown up, but today is for celebration, not tears. Nicoleta is about to take charge of our kingdom and we must be strong for her.” “I know dear, but the years have flown by so quickly.” Ara sniffed, dabbing her eyes with her satin handkerchief. “They certainly have,” Valtar replied, then stepped in front of Nicoleta. “You, my beautiful daughter, are ready. You’ll do fine and make your mother and I very proud. You are strong and brave like your father, but beautiful, kind, and loyal like your mother. You will make a fine Queen.” Nicole’s own eyes began to tear up as her father spoke. She loved her father dearly and even though he was talking to her proudly, his undertone resounded with an unspoken good bye. This was the end for them. Next week, they'll be walking into the sunrise to end their lives forever. Nicole tried to stifle a sob. “Come come, my dears.” Tawny said. “You’ll both ruin your makeup!” She began to dab Nicole’s eyes as Ara dabbed her own again. Mother and daughter both smiled and chuckled at Tawny’s “mothering.” “Group hug!” Valtar said, opening his arms to his wife and daughter. Nicole and Ara stepped into his embrace. Her father was a handsome man to be sure. He towered above most men standing six feet six inches tall. His shoulder length black hair was thick and the sides were always tied back. He had deep green eyes, like her mother. His body was lean and strong like that of a twentysomething year old’s. Women over the centuries, both mortal and immortal, had either fainted at the sight of him, or thrown themselves at him, but he only had eyes for her mother. “My ladies. Lord knows how I love you both so dearly.” Valtar said, hugging her and her mother, crushing them together. "I love you too, my dear,” Ara said and kissed him on his left cheek. “Me too, Father,” Nicole said kissing his other cheek. They stood in silence for a moment, then the sound of the royal trumpets sounded, announcing the start of the ceremony. “It is time,” Valtar said, releasing them both and resting his wife’s arm on his. Nicole took a step back and smoothed down her dress. Her mother and father entered the Throne room and walked to the center of the dais to stand before the whole congregation. “Are you ready, my pet?” Tawny asked, smoothing out Nicole’s cape behind her. “No, but what choice do I have?” Nicole said nervously. Tawny smiled and kissed her on each cheek. “You truly are beautiful, Nicoleta,” Tawny said. “Now, I’m going in to take my seat. I wouldn’t want to miss your big entrance.” “Thank you Tawny. I don’t know how I’d ever survive without you.” Nicole said. Tawny smiled big and walked away. Nicole heard her father's voice loud and clear as he began to speak. She took a deep breathe and let it out slow. “Here we go, Nicole.” she said to herself. She took another deep breath and prepared to enter the room and face her destiny. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luke stood quietly and watched as Valtar and Ara walked gracefully into the room. Nicole’s mother was lovely as ever, but not quite as lovely as he remembered Nicole to be. How much had she changed in the last two centuries? When he had had to leave her so long ago, neither her nor himself had finished "maturing," as it was called in the Immortal world. Unlike mortal children, they didn’t grow up and age. Immortals grew up, then once they reached a certain age where they were at their strongest, which took much more time, they just stopped. Forever frozen at that age. Unless you were transformed from mortal to immortal, then it’s however old you were at the time. Still, he and Nicole had only been a little over a hundred and twenty when they’d met. That’s “teenage” years for Immortals. She would have stopped her aging around two hundred and fifty years or so. That's when he'd stopped. She had been on the thin side back then, but still the most beautiful creature in his eyes. She'd had no chest to speak of yet, but he hadn’t minded. Her hair had been short, only tickling her jaw line. However, it had been the most lovely shade of white/blond he’d ever seen. Her stunning silver eyes were her most beautiful feature and every day since then, he saw them in his dreams. “Ladies and gentlemen. Distinguished guests from near and far. How wonderful it is to see all of you here this evening.” Valtar said loudly, his voice echoing off the walls in the huge chamber and shaking Luke from his thoughts. He straightened and focused on his King. “Thank you all for coming to help my Queen and I usher in a new era for our kingdom. Tonight, our daughter will take our place on this Throne and we will step down. I can only hope her reign will be as long and peaceful as ours has been.” Everyone applauded Valtar’s speech. The trumpets sounded loudly again behind him and everyone quieted. “Now, my friends, we present to you our daughter and your future Queen, Princess Nicoleta Ara Maria Morganthe.” Valtar said and stepped aside. Luke’s eyes widened and his heart did a flip in his chest as his breath caught in his throat. Nicole stepped forward and walked to the center of the dais, then turned to face the crowd. She looked even more stunning and gorgeous then he could have ever imagined. Her hair was a shimmering white/blond cloak around her and hung to her hips in thick, soft waves. Her pale white skin looked smooth as satin. She was taller, almost five foot seven without shoes, if he was guessing right. She had a woman's body now. Her full, firm breasts stood high on her chest in her dress. Her waist was thin, then flared out nicely to gorgeous hips. He knew her legs had to be long and shapely under her gown. Nicole was a goddess and still the Queen of his Immortal heart.