Margot

I am seated in the back of the Escalade for a total of twenty seconds before my father begins his assault. I look around for something to distract me and only find a bottle of wine and glasses tucked into a built-in shelf in between us. Busying my hands, I keep my eyes averted from his exasperated look and wild hands as he speaks of duty and power.

​“You know better, Margot. What the fuck was that? And with the help? You’re supposed to be getting ready to get married, not slumming it with the security team. What if something happened? What if he found out the truth? What if-”

​“Then he would crawl back home and tell his friends the stories of things going bump in the night were real and they would laugh at him, father. Give me a break. I have done everything you have asked since Vivienne died. I know how important this Accord marriage is since her death. I know my role.” I glance up at him, handing him a glass of the chilled white wine that most likely cost more than most people make in a month.

​Taking it he takes a large gulp as if he needs to wash away my sin he had just seen. Sighing loud he started to apologize. “I am sorry alright. This is just how it is. This is our history. This is our family’s legacy and we have to uphold it, me just as much as you. I have already lost one daughter, I don’t want to lose another but it seems like I will the minute we step in there.”

​“It’s not like we could ever say no. Nobody has ever gone against the Accord and we won’t now. This will be good for the family once I have pleased the Eternal Court and the king. But I am sorry for what you saw, I seemed to have picked up a lovesick puppy. It is nothing more than that. It will be forgotten on both sides just as fast as it began.” I give him a tentative smile and pat his hand. Catching his eye, I see a lone tear escape down his face. I shouldn’t have brought her up, I think.

​He chokes out something like, “Mhmmm,” and that is the end of our discussion. We stay quiet and drink our wine in silence. My coffee and breakfast forgotten, I spend the hour ride to the airport reminiscing on the last year. A year without my sister. A year knowing that today was coming, yet I am surprised it’s already here. She was supposed to be getting married this month, not me but I must fulfill the Astor marriage. I’m almost mad at her for this.

​Arriving at Teterboro Airport marked the true beginning of my journey. We were escorted out of the SUV and put straight onto the plane. The Eternal Court made sure it was discreet. My passport stayed in my bag which was carted onto the plane without any commands from me or my father. We were rich, sure, but this was another experience. Nobody made eye contact with me, as if they were told I already belonged to someone much more powerful than them. Although a flight attendant did come by with a glass of red wine immediately after I sat down in the leather seats of the small aircraft.

​This was how I would be treated once the king owned me. I was going to be his and by extension, a property of the Eternal Court. I wasn’t shocked, I wasn’t sad. I was just amazed at how efficient they were while delivering me to the most powerful vampire on Earth. I knew this would be my new life, yet it was still fascinating to watch it play out in real time.

​I was used to security. After Vivienne’s death, my team grew and they watched over me, making sure I would be able to play my role in due time. Typically, I would have just father’s team, but last year the Eternal Order made it clear they didn’t think that was enough and sent their own. This was even more excessive. The ten seater plane was filled with eight security members and they all managed to watch me consistently while also diverting their eyes the minute I tried to make eye contact. I did my best to ignore them completely and drank more wine. At least my hangover was getting cured.

​After a tension filled two hour flight, we descended into the Holy City. I held my head high as we transferred into a car that would take us to our final destination. With a smile on my face, I tried to think of all the great rewards that would come from this marriage. My family was in the real estate business and although it was just my father and I now, we had aunts and cousins, extended family who were a part of our company and were relying on me. During the Crimson Ball and even afterwards I suspected, business deals would be happening behind closed doors. Everyone would want to be in business with the Astor name as my reputation skyrocketed. To the rest of the human population, I was marrying a rich reclusive man who was handsome, young, and a finance genius. To the elite humans who knew the truth, a business deal with my family would be a step closer to the king. I would also be drenched in wealth for the rest of my life, not that I was hurting for cash now, but still it was nice to know that I was taken care of financially after this arrangement. Plus eventually, I would give birth to a baby.

I had always wanted to be a mom. After losing my own, I longed for the conditional love of a parent and was looking forward to doing that for my own blood. I sighed at the possibilities. Not everything about this was about my lack of control in my own life and I would have to look at the positives of doing my Accord duty.

Ignoring the flutters in my stomach as the car approached the black wrought iron gates, I took in the scenery. Blackwell was written in the middle of the gate and vines were covering the brick columns that appeared on each side of it.The mansion sat in the backdrop of the landscape beyond a large circular dive. The road to the house was lined with what looked like oak trees and moss hung over them creating a shaded escape from the October humid heat. White stone with gold accents along the tall walls of the house were visible from the cobblestone driveway. For a sprawling estate that would soon be filled with the Founding Ten, it was odd to see no one here. I assume we were called here early to allow me to digest.

As the car stopped in front of the dramatic steps leading to the front door, I shared a short smile with my father. I took a breath and followed my father outside. Glancing towards the front door, I could see a small woman make her way towards me. Straightening my back, I removed my sunglasses and threw them in my purse. Time to act the part, I thought. I was an Astor and today of all days, I would wear that name proudly.

“Good Afternoon. You are right on time. Welcome home Ms. Astor and welcome to Tencrest Manor Mr. Astor. The king and the rest of the Eternal Court are excited for this year’s Crimson Ball and are eager to meet you. I am Celia Deveraux. Think of me as your lady in waiting. I will get you dressed everyday, help you get accustomed to life here, and do anything else you require. The king thought it might be nice for you to get acquainted and rest so we have a few hours before everyone arrives and the night’s event starts. I have you set up in the most secluded wing of the house so you will have your privacy. If you follow me, I will make sure your luggage gets to your rooms.”

Celia spoke fast and animatedly. I smiled at her happy and engaging attitude. She was human, no doubt about that. Even if she hadn’t mentioned her last name, I would know. She seemed young, something even fresh vampires didn’t outwardly present once turned. Did all the staff here come from the human side of the Founding Ten? I was privy to a lot of information about the Accord and the Eternal Court, but I never thought about the logistics. Obviously, they didn’t want the clueless human population to be so close to them. It makes sense they would rely on help from the elite.

Celia doesn’t wait for a reply and she motions for us to follow her into the grandeur estate. I match her steps and catch up to her listening intently. So close to her, I notice how petite she really is. Her brown hair is styled in a pixie cut that doesn’t move no matter how vigorously she shakes her head during her fast paced tour of the home. The home is decorated to fit the stereotype of disgusting wealth and is decorated with heirlooms and artifacts that would put a curator in cardiac arrest. We see a grand piano, a Picasso painting, and a red flowing fountain in the garden. The whole house is set up as not a place of comfort but a place where history happens. It is intimidating thinking that this is where I will live permanently unless the king decides otherwise.

​I always think of him as The King but as we tour the home, I try to imagine us as a couple together in this space alone. It is odd to know your future, to have decided for you before you can even share a kiss. I grimace at the thought of what kisses lead to. Would I let him take me on the wedding night, is that what is expected? Or should I wait till after the ball is over. That would be weeks after the wedding. What if he didn’t want to wait?

There were so many questions swimming in my mind. The exhaustion of traveling and my hangover mixed with the unknown cause me to flop on the bed once Celia and father leave me in my room to relax. My bags are here and I consider getting properly undressed but don’t. I promptly strip down to my lingerie and climb in the four poster bed and welcome the comfort of the no doubt expensive silk bedding. I pray for a deep sleep, the kind that would allow me to forget and dissociate in dreams. Somehow, I don’t think Tencrest would ever allow me that type of escape.