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THE HIGH PRIESTESS

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The First High Priestess?

The Vampire King's blue eyes were wild, and he seemed spooked by something he can only see.

Did he mean that Lilith, who had used Hecate's magic for her gain to claim the Vampire King for herself?

Was it that evil witch who forcefully bounded an Archdemon's soul to the Vampire King's body as revenge?

Luna shot him a dark look. "I didn't play any tricks, Apollyon."

The Vampire King threw back his head and laughed.

It was a black sound that rolled through the courtyard in mirthless waves even as he set Luna firmly in his hold.

This time his sharp eyes did not shy from her as they studied her critically. "I swore I heard that witch Lilith calling my name instead of your voice."

Why would she do that?

Why would she taunt him for no reason?

Why would he even care?

Did the Vampire King had a deeper relationship with Lilith than that one memory shown to her?

Well, if he still insisted that it was her own doing, maybe she could try that some days when he least expect it to get back at him for accusing her.

"Believe what you want," Luna said sharply as she shrugged. "Suit yourself, then."

The Vampire King opened his mouth, no doubt to add further insult to injury, and he wisely shut it again.

Perhaps, this time he had trusted that her words rang true.

+++++++++++++++

THE VAMPIRE KING

+++++++++++++++

The fragrant tropical nights mocked the High Priestess' agitation as primrose blossoms and violets surrounded them.

Luna had activated her glow lights to illuminate their paths as they walked, followed by Apollyon's most loyal attendants and her assigned maidservants.

The sultry perfume of jasmine caressed his sharpened senses.

Spiraling around them were green garlands and arum lilies reaching up towards the sky.

The High Priestess had subsided into doleful silence.

It heightened his impression that Luna felt like she was marching to the gallows instead of the altar.

The blood bond had become stronger that he can sometimes feel what her mate had been feeling at the moment or random thoughts seemed to flutter into his mind.

Apollyon knew for a fact that they were not his.

But as time goes by, Apollyon was having a hard time differentiating which emotions were his and the High Priestess'.

They followed the High Priest as he summoned the both of them to meet at this living birch tree he was talking about.

He was adamant that they pledge their marriage vows in front of this useless maypole.

The High Priest was superstitious, and for Apollyon, it was just total nonsense.

Apollyon didn't think that it mattered.

The Vampire King had married countless females here—past Empresses who betrayed him--when he was used to be under the control of the Archdemon of Gluttony.

This would probably be the first time he wouldn't kill an Empress with his own hands because the curse of the Blood Beast had been broken already.

There was no need to feel guilt and shame for his past wrongdoings anymore.

The High Priestess was his salvation, and it was the right decision to keep her and marry her—tie her down to him for eternity.

His beloved mate.

His everything.

A cooling breeze teased his brow.

Arum Lilies, or 'kings and queens' as they are also known, symbolized the male and female union that brings fruitfulness and harmony within the Vampire Realm—seeking emotional riches at the deepest level.

From this, love blossoms, entwining them ever more deeply into a state of being where differences vanish and the dross of greed and possessiveness was burned away in the sweet fires of eternity.

It was unfortunate that the High Priest wasn't aware that this marriage wasn't based on love.

This marriage ceremony was rushed because Apollyon couldn't wait any longer for the High Priestess to be his and his alone—bound to him, mind, body, and soul.

There was no question that she was his and anyone who might protest and get in the way will be killed without mercy.

That was why he desired this marriage to be exclusive from the Consortium for the meantime, not until he made sure that it was also the High Priestess' wish to announce this in public.

The grand celebration at the castle will follow after a week of keeping the High Priestess to himself at his remote lair at the other side of the Valley of Kings—where he could play with his new Empress to his heart's content.

++++++++++++++

THE HIGH PRIESTESS

++++++++++++++

The moment they arrived at the location, the Vampire King had mercifully banished all his attendants from the ceremony, leaving only Apollyon, Luna, Cederic, and the High Priest.

Apollyon dutifully took his place, and they stood side by side, clothed in the finest garments in the entire realm.

Between them raised a maypole made of an ancient living birch tree prepared by Fei as a symbolism of their energy exchange.

The Vampire King summoned the High priest to perform the wedding vows.

"True love is an mutua exchange of passion, not the surrender or domination of either but of voluntary willpower and respect. Learn to befriend the states of each of your personalities, male and female, light, and the dark to be truly whole."

The High Priest closed his eyes as he continued, lecturing the Vampire King and the High Priestess about what this marriage should mean to them in the future.

"To truly love is to be truly whole. We must accept every aspect of our personality as well as accepting the wholeness of another person. The joy of union is simple and easy. Love is its reward to the generous heart."

"Bring the light of love with you and allow it to shine the darkest corners of your world to support each other's dreams and goals." The High Priest said as he looked at the both of them, giving them a sincere smile.

As the High Priest's invitation, The Vampire King recited his wedding vow, rendering them without pause or intonation.

"Are you prepared to recite your vows, Luna?" The High Priest asked, interrupting her dangerous musings.

Luna's courage had turned into fear and then to dread until she reached the final and most solemn promise.

There was no turning back from this.

"I am." Ignoring a pang of regret, Luna did so, shyly ducking her head to recite her vows as she struggled to hide her discomfort. "I worship thee ... I worship thee with . . ."

The Vampire King cocked an eyebrow as if mocking her for being a stuttering nervous wreck.

"Calm down." The High Priest said as he nodded with encouragement.

Luna did not miss that playful grin before she moved her eyes downcast.

She cleared her throat and tried again, reminding herself that she was the mate of the Vampire King.

There was no way she could break out of the blood bond so she might as well do it.

Luna couldn't live without Apollyon since he was the only vampire she could ever drink from and take his blood down.

"I worship thee with my . . ."

Luna's hesitance had shamed her.

They had an agreement.

If they could not feign love for each other, she could at least summon a measure of compassion.

At her prolonged silence, the Vampire King gently gathered her hands in his, gazed deep into her eyes, and said, "I worship thee with my body."

The Vampire King's deep, husky voice coupled with his possessive touch as he prodded her to repeat the words sent a jolt of lightning through Luna.

A tiny wave of dismay had followed when the unsolicited memories of the Vampire King's sexual prowess filled her head.

She had learned from her experience how hard and unrelenting the muscled length of his body could be.

The Vampire King's lips twitched with mischief, and Luna shot him a glare.

She wondered if he could hear her nasty thoughts.

As if testing her resolve of not catching feelings for the Vampire King, the High Priest declared, "You may honor your bride with a kiss."

The Vampire King leaned down to shorten the distance between their heights, closing his eyes when his lips were a hairbreadth from her face.

A quiver of anticipation danced down her spine as if her body had been hardwired to respond deliciously when Apollyon was near her.

Luna puckered her lips, terrified that they would betray her by melting beneath his persuasion just like what happened back at the Vampire Castle.

She was helpless when it came to the Vampire King's physical touch and passionate kisses.

Luna had to train herself not to react too much, or Apollyon would assume that he was in control.

Her caution proved unnecessary when Apollyon's lips brushed her brow in the chastest of pecks.

Luna had never felt more insulted in all her life.

She bobbed a simpering curtsy, bewildered by the unfamiliar sensation of being snubbed, "You do me the honor, my King."

The Vampire King's expression was grave, but the twinkle in his blue eyes had that unholy light in them. "I am your husband now. You may call me Apollyon and I shall call you Luna."

"Fuck you," Luna muttered, and Apollyon's brows rose in surprise at her sudden outburst.

He just shrugged nonchalantly, tipped his head towards her, and smirked before turning away to discuss something with Cederic, who stood behind him.

Luna then added faintly, "If you wanted to play games with me, Apollyon, I will make sure that I win no matter what."