Blackheart

.XVIII.

The date set for my coronation was December twenty-fifth. I sat in the windowsill, rocking a fussy Okoye.

"It's ok mon belle," I whispered to her, "I am here. I will always be here.". I kissed her forehead and put her down beside her brother, lying beside them myself. I watched out the window as the snow fell. I draped my tail over them and closed my eyes. December twenty-fifth came in the blink of an eye. My grandmother had a dress specially made for me, and I wasn’t allowed to see the dress until I had to get ready. As she brought the dress into my room, my excitement for the dress grew. She unzipped the dress bag and took the dress out. My breath hitched in my throat as my eyes fell on the dress. It was a silver-blue pants dress with a low cut stopping at the center of my back. The neck of the dress formed like a choker and glided down into the pants. The skirt of the dress, which was attached to a large, broad belt, was detachable, and I could shape it any way I chose. I shook my head as my grandmother helped me into my dress. As soon as I had finished putting my dress on, my grandfather walked in.

“You look just like your mother, my little thunderstorm,” he said as he stood in the doorframe. I looked at him and smiled. He walks up to me and hugs me. He turns around, facing the door.

“Someone’s here to see you,” he said. I looked at the door, and coming from around the corner was Phoenix. My grandmother ushered everyone outside to give us a moment alone.

“H-hey,” he said nervously, looking at the ground and his shoe.

“Hi.”

“Look, I’m really sorry I was such a-” he began, but I raised my hand and cut him off.

“It’s okay, I forgive you,” I said. "I've already lost one brother." Tears began pouring from his eyes, and I opened my arms for him to come. I held him as he cried on my shoulders, thankful that I had a towel on my shoulders as I didn’t want to stain my dress. As he finished crying, we spoke for a little while before grangran and Calypso said it was time for us to leave. It was a two-hour drive to Gran’s castle. We exited the SUV and walked up the grand stairs, adorned with a red carpet with white trimmings and Prairie Star rose petals. At the top of the stairs stood Atto in a white and gold tux. Hanging off his arm was an Omega from his pack. Cato and Asu took the twins from my arms, brushed past Atto, and Cato bore his fangs at the Omega, who was apparently trying her hardest not to be seen glaring at me. She bowed her neck in submission, and Atto growled at him. I roared back and she slunk behind him. Alphas like Atto made me sick. Yes, we know the scent of an Omega's pheromone makes an Alpha attracted to them, and that an Alpha's ego is stroked by their submissive nature, but Alphas also have the ability and capability to override that instinct. My grandmother ushered everyone along, kissed me, and went to ensure the twins were properly settled before the ceremony began. Cato came back with Phoenix, smiling that mischievous crooked smile. I stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for my grandfather to walk me down the aisle. My grandmother was already upfront on the altar, waiting for me to get there. As grandfather came up behind me and Phoenix and Cato let go of my shaking hands, grandpa took it, holding me up as I thought I was about to faint. Today wasn't just my coronation, it was also my wedding to Matteo. My breath hitched and tears pooled in my eyes as he led me down the aisle, handing me off to my mate. Gran smiled at me, and my nerves relaxed a bit.

“We are gathered here today to bear witness to the binding and union of these two individual souls,” grangran said, "Matteo, your vows.". He looked me directly in the eyes, his pupils dilating, just a bit.

"Ororo, you aren't just my mate, but my friend, and my heart. You are my light in the darkness, my Northern star. and my way home. No. You are my home. I promise to love you, to cherish you, in sickness and in health, in life and death. I promise to never hurt you, to always put you first, forsaking all others, I promise to hold you, not just in my heart, but my very soul, now and forever.". My eyes glistened with tears.

"Ororo, your vows,"

"Matteo, when we met, I didn't even know what love really was, but you showed me over the months we got to spend time together. You loved me when I was broken and didn't even have the strength to love myself. You are my moon, my Lua. You are the melody I dance to in the winds, you are the silver spotlight that shines down on me; mo leannán, you are my life, my driving force. You are my friend, my confidant, my lover, my life. I promise to take you as my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health. I promise to keep you safe and loved to always put you first, forsaking all others, now and forever.”

“A ring is a circle; it has no beginning and no end. A symbol of undying and eternal love. We wear the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. It is said that finger holds the vein leading to our hearts,” Gran said, as Calypso walks up and gives us each our rings, we slip them on, and Gran continues.

"Matteo, Ororo, look back into each other's eyes," she said, "Will you honor and respect one another and seek to never break that honor?"

"We will!" we both answered as the first cloth was draped over our hands.

"And so the binding is made! Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?"

"We will!" we again answered as the second cloth was draped over our hands.

"And so the binding is made! Will you share the burdens of each so that you may grow in this union?"

"We will!" we again answered as the third cloth was draped.

"And so the binding is made! Will you share each other's laughter and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?"

"We will!" we yelled as the final cord was draped and braided.

"Here before witnesses, Matteo and Ororo have sworn their vows to each other. With this cord, I bind them to these vows. Even though the binds are tied, neither partner is restricted by the other; the only true enforcer of love is the will to love.".

"Heart to thee, body to thee, always and forever so mote it be," Matteo and I said.

"SO MOTE IT BE!" the pack and coven yelled out, making me laugh

"Kiss your bride!" Gran smiled. Matteo pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss that felt like it lasted forever. The pack howled up to the midnight moon, whilst the coven chittered and flew around, whooping.

“Hold on everyone!” grandpa said getting up, “We still have the coronation of the crowned prince and princess to hold.”. There was even more screaming than before. Grandfather beckoned for a young vampire holding a small chest to come forward, he opened the chest, and in it was a ceremonial dagger. He took it and the small steel bowl out and placed them on a mini table.

“Cato, come.” our grandfather called. Cato came up to the alter.

“Ororo, step forward.” grangran said, “Do you, Ororo Niha Akio Blackheart, agree to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the Queen of the Were creatures, Lycans, magical and mystical creatures alike? To guide and rule with a fair, just, and loving heart.”

“I do.” I said.

“Then, it is with great pleasure that I, Aphrodite Akio Tika Blackheart, step down as queen and pass the title unto you.” grangran said, “Your right hand please.” I placed my right hand forward and she took it, slicing my palm and doing the same with hers, we let the blood drip into the bowl and watched it mix. Next was Cato’s turn. Grandfather watched him with an undecipherable expression.

“Cato. Step forward.” grandfather said, “Do you, Cato Apollo Ozymandias Marvel, agree to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the King of Vampires, Witches, and Demons? To rule and guide with a fair, just, loving, and unbiased heart.” Cato place his right hand on his chest and answered a simple, ‘I do.’. Grandfather smiled and spread his arms.

“Then, it is with great honor that I, Demitri Ozymandias Titus-Marvel, step down as king, passing the title unto you, my dear grandson.”. Cato stuck out his hand and grandfather repeated the same process as gran had done with me. They placed custom-made crowns on our heads and we turned around to face our family.

“Ororo, would you like to join the packs and coven?” my grandparents asked. I looked at Cato, then Atto who nodded and I turned back to them.

“Only the royal pack and the coven.” I turned back to the crowd. Atto looked at me, shocked and bewildered that I didn't merge his pack with the royal pack as I had done with the coven. He may be my mate, but I will never make him my king. That title will be saved for my true mate. The screams and hollers of excitement and joy were heard throughout the forest. I am Ororo Niha Akio Blackheart, and I did it, because I can.