Chapter 44:

As I was sitting in the main room, I heard a knock on the door.

I lifted my head up, glancing at the front door briefly before getting up and answering it.

William stood on the other side of the door, a cigarette in his mouth.

He smiled. "Hello, love."

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Well it's the day of your wedding; I came to wish you a happy day."

I looked at him doubtfully."Really?"

"Well no but-"

"Go away, William." I said.

"What's the matter? Not so happy about the mistake you're getting ready to make?"

I sighed, getting tired of having to say this. "We're not getting married."

"Oh? Was it postponed?"

"Yeah, forever."

His eyebrows rose. "Trouble in paradise?"

I rolled my eyes and slammed the door shut.

As I was turning away there was another knock on the door.

I groaned and opened the door again.

"Are you going to explain to me what happened?" William asked, walking past me into the house.

I closed the door and turned to him, his eyes scanning the place. "Why should I?" I questioned.

He looked at me. "You might as well, I'm already here."

"But I don't want you here."

"You let me in."

"I didn't let you in," I protested. "-you came in."

He shrugged in his long leather jacket. "Same thing."

"Not really,"

"I'm starting to get the feeling you don't like me, love." He stated.

"I don't. Don't take it personally though; I'm kind of in a bad mood."

"Why's that?"

I sighed. "...Corey broke up with me."

He looked at me seriously. "When did this happen?"

"About twenty minutes ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry, love. I'll go then, I didn't mean to upset you." He walked towards the door.

"You didn't. I mean, I was already upset, it wasn't you." I paused. "I'm sorry-for being kind of rude to you. It's just we didn't really get off to a good start in the first place with you wanting to kill my fiance'- ex...fiance'."

He nodded. "At least you won't have to worry about that now. I don't need to kill him if you're not getting married. Though I would do it anyway, but I don't want to upset you anymore."

"I don't know if I'd care as much anymore."

"Well if you ever want revenge, pet just tell me and I can take care of him for you." He smiled.

I laughed. "You're joking, right?"

He shrugged. "If you want me to be."

"Wait, how did you get-I mean the suns out."

"I ran. To the porch. Good thing it has a roof." He explained.

I heard footsteps approaching so I turned to see my Dad walking in the room.

He stopped when he reached us, his eyes fixing on William. "Who's this?"

"William, sir. Nice to meet you." He said, extending his hand.

My Dad shook his hand. "Same. So how do you know Arabelle?"

"Oh well, I am a vampire slayer. I was a mutual acquaintance with Nick and I met her through him. I just came here today because of the wedding but..." William trailed off.

Dad nodded. "I see, so you're a vampire slayer?"

"That's correct."

"Interesting I thought there weren't anymore since the last one died in...what was it, 1950?"

.William nodded. "1951."

Dad looked at me."You should get dressed. You're still becoming Queen."

"What? But I'm not getting married." I said with surprise.

"I know but we have decided you should still become Queen and just marry later when you find a more suitable partner."

"Oh, okay."

"So get ready and meet us in the throne room, William you're welcome to stay and join us for the event."

William smiled and nodded and Dad walked out of the room.

"Congratulations," William said to me.

"Thanks, I guess." I replied.

"So I'll leave you to get ready."

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"You could go find my brother he's probably in the kitchen drinking coffee."

"Okay," He smiled.

I sprinted up the stairs and went to my room.

Corey was leaning against the wall by the door; he looked at me when I came in the room.

I barely looked at him, heading to my closet and then to the shower.

I got dressed in a pair of worn out looking black skinny jeans that had a few holes and an off-white 'Beatles' band T-shirt.

I slipped on my combat boots and put on mascara and eyeliner then left the bathroom.

I walked out of the room but caught a hold of the door frame, pulling myself back in.

I looked over at Corey; "You going to come downstairs with me?"

"If you want me to." He replied.

"You can come if you want to."

"It's not my decision."

"Fine, just come then." I continued out of the room, descending the staircase.

I glanced behind me to see if Corey was following me which he was.

I went to the kitchen where I found Drake and William.

"Yeah, and he-" Drake cut off when I entered the room. "Oh, hey Bells, I was just talking with Mr. Vampire slayer here."

I saw Corey's attention go to William.

"What were you talking about?" I asked.

"Oh nothing," Drake replied.

William stood up. "That's what you're going to wear to become Queen?"

"Yep," I answered.

"I'm starting to like you even more." He smiled.

Drake stood up. "I'm going in my pajamas, do you like me now?"

William breathed a laugh. "I already like you."

Drake smiled. "I made a friend. Anywhoo, we should head on over to the throne room so the ceremony can begin."

We headed to the throne room, it was filled with people from the town and all of their attention went to me.

Dad came up to me, "I knew you wouldn't wear the dress your Mother had picked out for you so I let you dress to your own accord. But you're not going to make a big deal out of wearing the crown are you?"

"Mmm, probably not." I replied.

"I wanna wear it." Drake chimed in.

"Good. Now take your seat in the throne. We'll add another chair when you get married."

I nodded.

"Can I go up with her?" Drake asked.

Dad looked at him. "Sure,"

"Yeah!" Drake pushed me in the direction of the throne.

I walked down the small space blocked off from the people and walked up the two steps; Drake took his place beside the chair as I sat down.

"This is so exciting." Drake said to me.

"More like nerve-racking." I replied.

And so the ceremony began, it didn't last very long and at the end the crown was placed on my head, everyone cheered, ending the ceremony and officially making me Queen.

Less than 24 hours ago I thought I'd be doing this with Corey but instead he was standing by the door, watching from a distance while I sat up here in my sole throne.

"Congratulations." Said a dark, melodic voice from beside me.

I was still in the throne room, but was now standing amid the crowd; Drake was walking around the room talking to random people.

I looked over and a man was standing beside me who stood out from the rest of the people here.

He was dressed in a white old-fashioned suit and black top-hat.

Black pieces of hair stuck out from the hat, with the ends sweeping up. His skin was quite pale and he had prominent cheekbones, and dark, deep-set eyes that were surrounded by black but I wasn't sure if it was makeup or not.

He smiled at me. "I'm Reaver." He held out a black-gloved hand.

I shook it. "Nice to meet you."

"And you as well. I've heard so much about you."

"Really?

"Oh yes, I'm here to help you through your journey in being a Queen. I'd like to speak with you privately if you don't mind?"

"Um, sure. Follow me."

He nodded.

I led him out of the room and to my parent's office, which would now be my office.

I closed the door, muffling the sounds from the other room.

I sat down on the couch against the east wall, I took off the crown and placed it on the arm of the couch as Reaver sat down beside me.

"So why are you going to help me?" I asked him.

"Well I imagine running a country by yourself is going to be rather difficult. I know quite a bit about the country and a lot about how to run things. I'm here to offer you advice whenever you may need it." He explained.

"Oh well that's very nice of you."

I don't know why but I felt an unexplainable attraction to him, I'd felt it almost immediately after seeing him.

There was something about him that was so charming and enthralling.

He smiled at me; it was sinister but yet pleasant.

"Can I tell you a secret, your majesty?"

"Please, call me Arabelle and yes, you may."

"Arabelle, I'm a demon."