Awakenings: The Rise of an Empire

Ceremony Part 2

Annie

After dinner, Kristoph and I decided to relax in our suite for the rest of the night. We were both anxious about our ceremony tomorrow. We talked about my day with Dannie and my fitting with his mom and mine. He told me how impressed the guys were with Des Krieger’s School, I was excited to hear about it, I looked forward to seeing the grounds. Kristoph and I decided our home would be built on the grounds close to the school. As future rulers of the entire realm, we wanted to play a major role in the training and education of the next generation of warriors, and our future children.

We both decided our children would be trained warriors no matter what their royal position with the ever-looming threat it is important they know how to protect themselves. My thoughts began to drift to the ceremony tomorrow, and I wanted to know how he felt.

“Kristoph,” I said, gaining his full attention. “How do you feel about tomorrow, are you afraid?”

He pulled me into his lap, “No I’m ready for it, but I have had more time to adjust, everything is new for you. Tell me, what is it that you fear?”

I stared at my hands not sure how to answer. I had not realized I was chewing on my bottom lip until he gently freed it from my teeth. “Annie, you can tell me anything, you know that. Don’t you?”

“I know,” I say, other than Dannie I trust him completely with all my thoughts. “I do not want to let down the people of Etolis, you, or my parents. I know I can do this, and I know we still have time before we officially take the throne. But I did not realize how important this would become to me in this short period of time. On top of all my worries, I must worry about some psycho vampire that is determined to take my life.” I sink into his arms further enjoying the smell and feel of him. Somehow it comforts my anxiousness.

“Annie you are going to be a great ruler. Your compassion for others drives you to do your best for them. Not once have you mentioned any type of gain for yourself? That is the trait of a great leader, they think of others. We will deal with Cadoc and his Klan. I promise I will do everything to keep him from hurting you.”

Marcus

I stood examining the map of the grounds around the castle with my father, and Kristoph’s father King Aldrich. I was attempting to keep myself calm I did not want my link to Annie to cause her any extra anxiety. It has been rolling off her and waves, and I was determined to make sure that she did not suspect anything.

I slammed my fist on the desk, “How are the rogues getting through our warriors, we have scheduled patrols every half hour, not to mention the warriors on the post.”

“Marcus, I understand your frustration, your father and I have been going over every possible route to figure out how the rogues are bypassing our men. There must be a spy in place, and we need to w**d them out. There have been strategic attacks near the cathedral they are obviously attempting a practice run.” Aldrich said as he paced the length of the office.

“Cadoc is determined to get Annie, and we have to do everything to protect her,” Alois said as he entered the office. He walked up to the map examining it. “We have to keep my daughter safe at all costs.”

“Kristoph is a mess, he is trying his best to keep it together in front of Annie, but he is desperate. I promised him that I am going to do my best as her guardian to keep her safe.”

My father walked over and put his hand on my shoulder, “Son we all are going to do all we can to protect Annie. She is the key to peace in Etolis. But more importantly, she is your best friend, she’s family and that means more than anything else.”

“Marcus, go get some rest. Aldrich and Alois will work with me to continue to structure security for tomorrow. Go spend time with Dannie, I know she’s on your mind and she can comfort you.”

He was right, my mate was the only thing on my mind even Batair was pacing back and forth and whining for Dannie, ever five minutes he would show me her face. “I miss mate, I miss her smell and I want to hold her.” I miss her too, let’s go see her.

I took the stairs two at a time, within seconds I was outside our suite and her sweet scent engulfed my senses and calmed the storm that was raging inside. When I entered, she is on her side with her curls spread out above her head. She is beautiful, and she is mine. I thank the goddess every day that she chose Dannie as my mate.

I walk over to our bed and lift her up into my arms and kiss her forehead. She opens her eyes, and I am greeted with her smile. She reaches up and places her hands on either side of my face and pulls me in for the sweetest kiss, every time she touches me, I feel electricity surge throughout my body.

I break the kiss and look into her emerald green eyes and everything in my world feels right.

“What’s wrong?” she asks as she looks into my eyes. “You know I can feel when something is off with you.”

“I know, it’s our mate bond. It will grow stronger after we mark each other. You will be able to feel everything I feel including pain.”

“So, tell me what’s going on.”

“Even though we are doing everything to tighten security for the ceremony tomorrow, the rogues are still getting through somehow. I’m trying to keep it together because I do not want to worry Annie.”

“Do you think someone is helping them get through security?”

“We suspect there may be spies in our midst. I have a plan that I am going to put in place to catch the traitors. I plan on only discussing it with Kristoph, Matt, and our fathers. Only the trusted warriors will know the original plan.”

“You have to do all you can to protect her, I can not loose my best friend. I feel helpless in this, I hate that I will not be able to help until you mark me, I do not like being on the sidelines while you and the others face dangers.”

“I know you want to be by my side to help defend the pack and the people, especially Annie. That is why you are going to be a great Luna. But I do not think I am ready to put you in danger, I couldn’t handle it if something were to ever happen to you.”

“I plan to be by your side to defend the pack and the people, it is my role. I will train just as hard as the others, and I will train with the women in our pack. You do not get a Luna only in name, you get a partner in every aspect.”

She pulled me down to lie with her and wrapped her arms around my waist. I was content to lie with her and leave the rest of this day behind. I breathed in her scent once more, it was such a lovely mixture of wildflowers and strawberries. Batair settled it seemed she soothed his worries as well. Our mate is the balm to all the madness. I drifted off to sleep finally at peace at least for now.

Annie

I rolled over to search for Kristoph but found a note from him instead. It read…Happy coronation day, Meine Liebe I will see you at the church. Coronation day, I am ready more than ready. I stretched and sat on the side of the bed waiting for my mother and Dannie to arrive. I put my Kristoph’s note away and headed for the shower. Before I could make it to the bathroom, my mother, Dannie, and a few servants came rushing into my room.

“Good morning, thank heavens I’m alone,” I say sarcastically as I roll my eyes.

“Good morning to you too sweetheart,” my mother says patiently. “We knew you were alone, we spoke with Kristoph earlier, he decided to let you sleep in.”

“Your mother and I decided since it’s a special day that we would arrange for you to be pampered in preparation for your ceremony, grumpy girl,” Dannie says as she lays out make-up and hair supplies on my dressing table. “So not another word of complaint, just relax and let us do our job.”

“Okay, okay but remember we have to be at the cathedral by 3:30,” I say as I am ushed into the bathroom by the two servants. I am bathed and buffed, then led into my room where I receive a manicure and pedicure. While I am relaxing and enjoying the special attention, my mother begins to work on my hair. Blow drying and taming my wild curls. It feels good to have someone else managing my hair. She brushes it and braids it into two long braids then pins them up with two rose gold pearl combs.

Dannie does my make-up applying very minimal amounts she highlights my eyes with brown eyeshadow, some mascara, and clear lip gloss. They help me with my dress. It's beautiful, its rose gold and white with a lace applique sweetheart strapless bodice and lace-up back with a Basque waist that gives away to a   flowing ballgown skirt. It is amazingly beautiful with a sheer rose gold shoulder veil to match.

The reflection that stares back at me is unrecognizable. The pearl earrings and matching necklace was given to me by my mother and Kristoph’s mother cause my skin to glow, and my eyes shimmer the first hint of unshed tears to come.  

My mother was the first to cry, “Annie, you look beautiful. I am so proud of you. I know you will be a wonderful Queen.” She pulled me into a tight embrace. I welcomed it; it calmed my nerves.

“You really do look amazing,” Dannie said with a smile.

“Thanks to the two of you,” I said a little shaky. “It’s time, we should head to the cathedral.”

Kristoph

I waited anxiously with my parents in the Chapter house of the Cathedral for Annie’s arrival. Alec the head Elder reviewed the order of the ceremony with my parents while we waited. It was still early so I was not worried about the start of the service.

I was just nervous about seeing her for the first time, I can only imagine how nervous I will be at our wedding ceremony in only a few weeks. Once we are married, we will become the official rulers of Etolis. I looked myself over one last time to make sure everything was in place. My black and gold mandarin tuxedo jacket complimented my white pants well. I feel strange dressed so formal, I ran my hand through my unruly red curls; that are wildly on display, they seemed to have grown overnight.

I wanted to look my best for when Annie arrived. It amazes me how much she dominates my thoughts. Ever since Cadoc’s threat her safety and her happiness have consumed my actions. She is the most important thing in my life and being away from her causes stress.

“What is wrong son?” my mother asks as she walks over to where I am standing. “You look worried.”

“I am worried,” I say as I look out the window towards the road. Conspicuously searching for Annie’s car and security detail.

“Everything is going to be okay; she will be here soon. She has plenty of time before the ceremony.”

“I’m not worried about the ceremony. I am worried about her safety. We still have not figured out how the rogues are crossing our borders undetected. I know we have increased security, but I am still worried.”

“Between you, Marcus, Alois, and your father, you have made all the necessary changes needed to secure Annie. At least for today, we will focus on the ceremony and the celebration afterward. We will continue to do everything we can to protect her from Cadoc.”

I heard her vehicles approaching the Chapter house and I automatically began to relax. It was almost time to start the service, and make our pledges to Etolis and the ceremony would end and I can spend the rest of the day focusing on the one thing I can not live without, my mate.

I watched in awe as she exited the car and approached the house. She looked beautiful, her skin glowed and her eyes were bright and shined with anticipation. I wondered what she was thinking, and I received my answer when she entered where I was standing. Our eyes met and she smiled. It seems we feel the same stress when were apart. It was evident in her smile how relieved she was to see me, and I just stared in awe at the woman I love.

Elder Alec ushered us along with our families into the cathedral where the people of Etolis were gathered to watch us pledge our lives in service to them and promise to protect the monarchy forever. Annie and I were both given silver scepters with crystal blue globes that represented the realm. We were crowned and Alec told the account of our birth how our destinies were tied forever, and how our union would unite together the entire realm. Our rule would begin the day of our wedding when the sunset.

After the ceremony ended the people were invited to the castle to celebrate with us.

We headed back to the castle together. Finally, alone I could tell Annie how beautiful she looked. I pulled her close and whispered, “You look lovely, I could not take my eyes off you the entire time.”

“And you, my handsome Prince,” she said as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed me passionately. “I desperately wanted to do that the moment I saw you standing in the Chapter house. Do you know how devastatingly handsome you are, with your beautiful curls surrounding your face? Your eyes lit up with such passion when you saw me that all I wanted to do at that moment was be in your arms.”

I returned the kiss trying desperately to be gentle I had to be careful not to rip her dress off in the back seat of the car, I’m sure our guests and our families would not appreciate us arriving with our clothes shredded.

“You are killing me, Annie,” I say as I put some distance between us. “I cannot wait until we are married.”

“I cannot wait to be your wife in every way. Thank you for always thinking of what is best. Now it's time to focus on our celebration.”

“I want you to stay close to me tonight. You are not wearing your amulet, and I want to keep you safe.”

“Even though I am not wearing the actual amulet I have its permanent mark on my skin, it will protect me in its absence. It is always with me, and if something happens to me it will help you find me, I am not worried. I trust that you and Marcus will always find me and keep me safe.”

“You never have to worry about that, we will always make sure you are protected. Dannie as well, Marcus told me her biggest wish is to be able to fight beside us to keep you safe.”

“I am grateful that you all desire to keep me safe, but remember I am capable of fighting and protecting myself as well. I want to be able to protect all of you as well. I will not allow Cadoc to make me feel helpless. I refuse to be his prey.”

“And I refuse to let him anywhere near you, I promise I will end him first.”

Gabriel

I watch Kristoph and Annie’s motorcade drive off heading toward the castle. I notice the increase in security around Annie.  I need to get a message to Natalia to halt the plans we have this to grab her this evening. We need a better opportunity and tonight does not present an opening.  I growl in frustration I am not looking forward to Cadoc’s reaction to the change in plan, but if we are going to be successful, we need a clear opening. I want her dead, but for some reason, he wants her alive. I want them all dead before they have a chance to end us. I move through the shadows at lighting speed I know when I am close enough Natalia will sense me, she is the best choice for a spy. Her tracking senses are superior, and she knows when I am near. Once I reach the outer perimeter of the castle,

I wait at our meeting spot an old welding shack at the edge of the property. I sense her before I see her. She approaches in wolf form. As she reaches where I am, she begins to phase.

“You were quick today.”

“I sensed you the moment you arrived on the property, master.”

“We have to change our plans; we do not have a clear path to her. Her security is too tight. We must wait for a vulnerable moment. Once we have that moment, we will act on it. Stay close to her and watch their plans closely. At least I know the spell our sorcerers have placed on our werewolves is working they are able to breach the borders undetected.”

“They have been discussing at length how the rogues are able to cross their borders without the warriors detecting them. That is why they have increased patrols and security.” Natalia informs me of what I have suspected.

“This will please Cadoc.  I must get back to him now and give him an update he is not going to be happy, but at least we are making progress. We will meet here again in a few days. Get back to the castle they will be arriving.”

“Yes, master. I will keep close to her, and let you know their plans.”

I watched as she phased and headed back through the woods to the main property. I want this over; I want them over. I will have more rogues placed along the borders in place now that I am sure they are undetected. Soon very soon.