Margot

It has been a weird 24 hours. Nathaniel unzipped my dress last night and we shared a Binding charged kiss that felt like the world was imploding and then I went and ruined it by asking about Vivienne. His lack of real response made me question if I should even be poking around. But he definitely knew more than he was telling me.

​I had a few days until I had to walk down the aisle and I wanted to try to get answers for my questions. But that was for another day. Today, I did nothing. I couldn’t sleep. The bed was made with the smoothest sheets that must have cost a fortune. But I was suffocating in it last night. I woke up sweating and needing a shower more than once. My head pounded from the drinks yesterday and I desperately needed space from any more eyes.

​I had resigned myself to staying in bed today. And I did just that. If I stayed here, I could almost pretend that my life was not completely changing overnight. Celia stopped by after a few hours of avoiding the intercom requesting my presence at breakfast. She dropped off a tray of delicious chef prepared food which I took greedily. Then she disappeared for a few hours, only to return and insist on dressing me in a short white dress. She didn’t speak as she got me dolled up. There was this understanding between us that I enjoyed. One that told me she understood a lot more than she let on. Once she left, I went back to flipping through the channels on the television and occasionally checking my very dry phone. Most of my friendships back home had disintegrated during my grieving period of Vivienne and I didn’t mind it now when all I wanted was silence.

​The quiet day came to an end though. Sometime after finishing my lunch tray that was dropped off, there was another knock at the door. Nathaniel strolled in like he owned the place. Well he did own it, but he walked with such a carefree attitude, as if we didn’t have this earth shattering bond between us. My body started to get warm just looking at him and I quickly covered my body with the blanket on the bed so he couldn’t see me. As if he could see through my dress and panties and know that looking at him made me clench in anticipation for the possibility of penetration.

​He wore a linen suit, all white, probably a design for the ridiculous hot October that Charleston was experiencing. He was so composed that it unnerved me. Was he not affected by the Binding? I wanted to jump in his arms and let him have his way with me. I wanted to lick the sweat off his body. How was I supposed to live like this? As if reading my thoughts, he smirks at me.

​“It is customary for the couple to be introduced to the Eternal Court. They will explain the expectations of our marriage.” Standing at the foot of my bed, he offers me his hand.

​I did not want to leave my comfortable spot to be put on display for the court, but I knew that there was no getting out of this. Celia had mentioned yesterday in passing that it would be necessary for me to have my formal introduction eventually. And it looked like it would be happening now.

​Throwing back my covers, I rouse from the bed and catch Nathaniel staring at me like a piece of meat. So he’s not so collected, is all I think before slipping on my shoes and allowing myself to be guided by him.

​As we walk to our destination, he places a hand on the small of my back. Being touched by him makes me so aware of the growing need between my thighs. I was in no way a prude, but I wasn’t used to this incessant desire that was coursing through me.

​Tencrest Manor looks different today. The white halls have gold painted accents on the top part of the walls. Gold leaves and gold door knobs line every door we pass. The marble flooring feels ancient in a way that makes it feel like you're walking the halls of an ancient community. It’s the same estate I walked through yesterday, but today it feels heavy with the revelations of the Binding and questionable company here that knew my sister.

​We get to the end of the hallway of the first floor, near the ballroom from last night and stop in front of a door, guarded by two heavily armed men. Nathaniel gives me an encouraging smile despite his words, “You don’t have to talk much. The Eternal court consists of the five heads of vampire houses, the Eternal Order. They will introduce themselves to you and explain their role in our court and our Accord marriage. Just say you understand when they ask.”

​So I am to be quiet and submissive. This was what I expected. My role here was to produce an heir. All the fancy clothes, the beautiful estate, the lavish lifestyle that was presented to me, they were all on the condition that I played my role.

​“I understand,” I say with an eye roll I hope he doesn’t see.

​If he does notice my small act of rebellion, he doesn’t say anything. Instead he motions to the guards and they open the doors. Nathaniel ushers me inside with pressure from his hand that is still resting on my back.

​Inside the room is obviously designed for discussions, a circular table sits in the middle of the room. White and gold chairs with family crests on the back of them surround the table. There are five vampires sitting and watching us as we enter. My heart races knowing their combined ages probably span a few thousand years. They must think of me as a baby.

​Nathaniel’s sister who I met briefly yesterday stands and smiles at me. Abigail is bright and loud, her bleach blonde hair suiting her personality well. She looked like she belonged in a sorority. She and the others are dressed in professional attire and she looks like a powerwoman in her clean red business suit.

​“Welcome Margot. As Nathaniel explained, it is tradition that we, the Eternal Court, explain the Accord marriage expectations to you. Since Nathaniel is a part of the marriage, I will be standing in for house Blackwell,” she motions towards the rest of the members sitting down, “this won’t be long, please sit and we will begin.”

​Nathaniel pulls out a chair opposite of the five which I take without question. He sits next to me and I can feel how tense he is as well. Glad it’s not just me. I feel confident knowing how this works, but I have been surprised a few times already during my stay at Tencrest. Wiping my sweaty palms on my dress, I am thankful when he takes my hand under the table and starts drawing circles in the middle of it. If this is a method for calming me down, it does in a way. I am still so aware of his touch and start to feel the need to be touched in more ways by him growing, but the nervousness that the court produces in me starts to wane.

​The woman who performed the Binding last night stands up, she has a kind face even though her teeth are out. I wasn’t used to seeing them and raised my eyebrows in surprise. She chuckles as if reading my mind and begins speaking, “Ms. Astor, welcome to the Eternal Court. I am Eira Caerwyn. We are the head of the Eternal Order. We each play a role in this court. I personally am in charge of lore and the Binding. It is my expertise as I have performed and examined all Binding marriages in the 200 year Accord existence.” She takes a breath and I nod so she knows I am following along. “The Binding as you have noticed I am sure, will increase your physical and emotional connection. It encourages the Crimsonborn to be made. The Accord was created to find peace between our families but also to help our dying kind. Your child will be half vampire and half human, deciding after they age to eighteen if they wish to turn. Most choose to turn and this strengthens our relationship with the Elite even more.”

​Nathaniel gives my hand a squeeze, so I look over to him and notice him using his other hand to adjust himself in his pants. Is he thinking of how we will produce a child soon? No doubt getting excited for the consummation of our marriage, Ugh. Men.

​Eira continues, “the wedding will be in six days. After then it is customary you will join your husband in his quarters of the house permanently. It is expected that you will consummate your marriage before the end of the Crimson Ball.” The corners of Eira’s lips curl up. So everyone is going to be in the house listening as we fuck.

​Her gaze lingers on me as she speaks, “The longer you wait, the harder to resist the compulsion to procreate will become. By the end of the Crimson Ball, you will find it impossible. Fail by not completing this, and the Accord fails.”

​The room feels colder, the eyes of the five vampires feel like weights pressing down on me. Six days to marry. Less than a month to make a baby or at least start trying. And now the Accord rests on whether I let Nathaniel into my bed.

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