I walked down the candle-lit pathway leading towards the altar. Red petals that were akin to drop of blood on the floor, intense pairs of crimson eyes that vibrantly glowed like rubies in this barely lit palace chapel… what a wedding.

At the end of the aisle stood the man I had imagined marrying countless times. But unlike the loving and gentle smile I had expected, Sam was… it felt like the devil itself was smiling at me.

It didn't give me a bit of excitement, but I didn't hate the thought of marrying him. Perhaps it was just the eerie and thick atmosphere. Or maybe because of the poisonous flowers in my hand?

I had no idea.

'Strange, isn't it? You love him, but you feel restless.' My subconscious mind whispered. 'Hmm… like, as if you're marrying the wrong person?'

I stomped down the voice that had been talking nonstop inside my head. The wrong person? Sam was never the wrong person. I could never imagine a life without him.

I didn't know why that thought instantly riled me up inside. But it was truly frustrating.

For reasons unknown, my eyes shifted to the other man standing in the middle of the altar. The man who would facilitate this wedding, His Majesty, the King, Stefan La Crox.

My heart ached as soon as our eyes met. Hence, I immediately averted my gaze.

'Why?' I wondered, as my steps felt heavier each time I walked forward. 'Was this because I'm sired to him?' It must be.

I gritted my teeth as the bouquet of beautiful yet deadly flowers trembled under my grip. There's no other answer why I was feeling utterly guilty marrying the love of my life, to the point I had the urge to run away.

But this guilt… was growing stronger because I felt bad for Sam. This was supposed to be our special day, night. But my heart was aching because of another man.

'What kind of torture in this?' I scoffed internally, holding my anger in. 'It's your wedding… calm down, Lilou.'

"Lilou," Sam startled me back to my senses just in time I arrived in front of him. I just smiled under the veil and hooked my arms with him.

I flinched when he whispered, "You look guilty, my bride." His voice was cold, mixed with restrained anger.

Who wouldn't? I was angry with myself for having such thoughts. That's why I could understand where he was coming from.

As we stood before Stefan, I couldn't stare at him straight as my grip around Sam's arm trembled. It was as if once I meet his eyes once again, I wouldn't be able to continue.

The eyes behind us were watching, observing even how my shoulders moved whenever I breathe. It felt suffocating.

"Calm down," Sam whispered as he patted my hand that was clinging onto his arms. But his pats only gave me a sense of dread. It didn't soothe me at all.

"Samael Vaughnn Caecilius La Crox…" Stefan trailed off as Sam suddenly spoke.

"Who the f*ck is that?"

I bit my tongue as all the anxiousness that was creeping inside my heart was slightly forgotten. It reminded me how I also got confused when Sivi mentioned his full name.

"Hell," Stefan said in a warning tone. "Please."

"Right, manners." Sam nodded before he added in sarcasm, "Please, tell me who the fuck — I mean, who is that?"

If I was trembling earlier, that was because of the strong anxiety I had been feeling. But that was now replaced as I held my hysterical laughter in.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. This groom is merely trying to make my bride laugh a little." I turned to Sam, and he offered me a slight smile.

This subtle gesture of his seemed truly charming, especially after hearing the intention.

"Thank you," I whispered, as that surely took off a bit of my nervousness away.

"Don't mention it." He cocked his head to me playfully.

"Will you, Samael Vaughnn Caecilius La Crox, son of night, swear by the blood that fills you, to devote yourself completely, eternally, without a question or doubt, to this mate? To hunt with…" Stefan paused, which made me look up at him and notice his hesitation.

"… No. To shield her with your life, give her impossible warmth, and choose her life over her blood because you love her? And if she is taken from you, will you stay with her ashes until yours coalesce with hers?"

Stay with my ashes… I pursed my lips at the thought.

"I will," Sam answered in a low yet stern tone. I smiled at the conviction in his voice.

"Will you," I flinched as I faced Stefan squarely, feeling the strange pain in my heart.

Stefan continued, "Lilou Roux, daughter of the glowing sun, swears by the life granted to you, to spend your days protected with his arm? To quench his…"

I tilted my head, as it was obvious Stefan never facilitated a wedding. Or maybe he never facilitated a wedding between a human and a vampire?

"To spend your days protected with his arm? To feed him from your own veins until he is quenched? Because you love him?"

Unaware of time, I stared at Stefan, who seemed to look at me straight in the eye despite the veil covering my face. The pain in my heart… why? No, I won't submit to the power of his blood over me.

So, I opened my mouth and answered, "I will."

Sam and I faced each other, exchanging rings while Stefan uttered, "May the glow of the moon protect you as you start this journey together and shall not end until the end of time."

"You may now kiss the bride."

Sam slowly lifted my veil, only to frown as his eyes glinted dangerously upon seeing me. "You're crying."

My breath hitched as I realized the tears rolling down my cheek. But I kept my surprised inside as I blurted out.

"Out of happiness."

He smiled, but almost bitterly. "My wife," Sam whispered as he leaned in and kissed my lips… before biting it, which made me wince.

"Liar," He muttered under his breath and his eyes glinted menacingly as he drew away.