Well, it is a bit of a damper when the people who you thought, for the majority of your life, were your parents aren't. However, I have, in fact, made it this far without them so who's to say I'll need them.

No need to dwell on that heart-wrenching thought, I bury it in the back of my mind and move on.

Freya decides it is time to take her leave and promptly exits the room as Ash comes in.

"Hello my Sweet," his lips meet mine in a short embrace that doesn't fail to erupt butterflies in my stomach, "I'm really sorry that I'm late but I promise to make it up to you." A cheeky smile stretches across his face so infectious that I smile in return.

"And how do you plan to do that?" I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

Eyes glimmering with mischief Ash sweeps me up in his arms, "you'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see," he breathes into my ear.

I giggle at his antics as a heat flares replacing the butterflies, "until tomorrow it is," I echo.

"So," I start as Ash places be back onto the ground, I keep my arms around his neck, "when were you going to tell me about the party tonight."

"There's a party tonight?" He teases, forehead pressed against mine and arms secured tightly around my waist.

"Asher," I whine.

"Ok, you got me. There's a party tonight, it's this traditional vampire ceremony, blood, darkness and angst. What's not to love," he explains, humour clear in his tone, "I do hope that you'll join me and make the night bearable."

"I thought you'd never ask," I tilt my head upwards to reach his lips, giving him a quick peck before breaking out of his hold and releasing my own. "I'm going to take a shower before getting ready and no you cannot take one with me, I don't care if it's more time-efficient. Be out in a bit."

"Anything for you my sweet Elouise," he speaks annoyingly, his voice sickly sweet.

"Oh please, you're going to make sick," I fake gag, putting my hands to my stomach and tipping slightly forward for extra effect.

Ignoring my plea to stop, he continues making the smile on my face grow, "no, no it's ok, take your shower, I'll be alright by myself, all alone," he falls on the bed adding to his dramatic flare.

"Well if you insist," I walk into the bathroom, making sure to lock the newly installed door and take a shower.

.....

Finishing blow drying my hair, I decide it's best to put my dress on before anything else. I open the tightly wrapped box labelled 'coronation eve' and pull out the white coloured dress from inside. Plain at first glance but adorned with many features: thin spaghetti straps a tight bodice to accentuate my chest and hips, a pleated skirt with a slit exposing my left leg all the way to mid-thigh.

Slipping into the dress, I pull out a similar pearl coloured heel and carry them out of the closet with me. Ash's gaze travels over my body then to the shoes in my hand, "don't worry about shoes," he says which I return with a confused look, "part of the tradition," he answers.

I throw the heels back into the closet, "vampire traditions are weird, is it also apart of the tradition to wear white?" I ask observing his matching white attire.

"Yep," answers again simply, gaze returning to my body once more.

"I feel like I'm about to be sacrificed, thrown into a volcano to appease some god. So why white? Why not blue or pink?" I question while sitting down at my vanity and start to do my hair.

"White is worn to showcase the blood we will bathe in," my face reflects my surprise in the mirror and meets Ash's gaze.

"We have to bathe in blood?!" I say, voice rising slightly, as I turn to face him.

"Well not literally," he chuckles with a grin on his face, "there will be a surplus of drinks when offered one you must take it and make a show of it. Let it spill down your chin and stain your clothes, it's a symbol of high status."

"Ok," I respond, "sounds interesting." I turn back to my mirror and finish straightening my hair, then continue to do my makeup.

After applying a light layer of shimmery eyeshadow, highlight and mascara, I lined my lips and coloured them with a dark red to fit the theme.

"And I'm ready, let's go make our entrance," I announce.

Taking my hand, Ash leads us to the party, "you look lovely by the way," I open my mouth to thank him but he interrupts, "not as lovely as me though."

"Of course, no one compares to the beauty of Asher Nightshade," I say giving his arm a playful nudge.

.....

The party was alive with upbeat music and chatter. The hall lined with waxy candles and golden decorations to accent the multitudes of red.

Goblets stacked on every open top and provided by a number of servers filled with various scarlet coloured drinks. People dressed in white adorned in streaks of crimson differing in thickness and quantity.

Ash keeps a hand on my back, gently guiding me towards a group of familiar faces. Simultaneously we are greeted by Lily and Alex who stands slightly rigid next to another, who I don't recognise.

"Hey Alex," I smile at him, "Lily," I pull her into a quick hug then kiss her cheeks before returning to Ash's side.

"Hello," I say extending a hand to the unfamiliar face however meeting his eyes a flash of realisation strikes me. "We've already met. You were that douche that called me 'dinner on wheels'" I say bitterly.

His eyes widen in panic, "I- I'm very sorry. I wasn't myself, I hadn't eaten that day, I was totally hunger-crazed. I'm really sorry" he rambles an apology, lowering his head.

A silence befalls our little group as they await my response, "it's alright, I know how it is to not feel yourself. Plus I was equally a douche for going all berserk on you," I say with a small smile.

Alex lets out a quiet exhale putting my attention on him which he quickly notices. "Elle meet my little brother Mathias," Alex introduces with a grin.

"You're only older by 3 minutes," Mathias retorts.

"Oh is little Matty angry," Alex teases.

"You guys are twins?" I assume.

"Yup fraternal," they both answer, "but too similar looking for either of our likings," Mathias adds, "and please call me Matt, Mathias is so pretentious."

I laugh, "of course Matt, and you can call me Elle."

"Clyde! Eli!" Ash calls, "fashionably late?" He jokes as they join with us.

"Eli," I chime happily kissing both his cheeks, "Clyde," I smile hugging him, "you two look dashingly handsome, I'm glad to see you both."

"Expect nothing less from me, in this suit I should be modelling on a runway," Eli boasts.

Clyde interrupts Eli next remark, "thank you, Elle, you look lovely yourself," he politely returns the compliment on his and Eli's behalf.

"Drinks?" A server politely asks holding a tray abundant in beverages.

"Yes, thank you," I gently handle the closest cup to me but before I can drink Ash stops me.

In a hushed voice he says, "that's blood, are you sure you want to drink that? I can call for wine instead."

"No it's alright, I don't drink alcohol and a little blood never hurt anybody," I smile hiding such a blatant lie.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Eli shoot me a look. I had drunk alcohol before with him on many occasions, he must suspect something to be wrong for me to decline now especially for blood.

I return his look with one of my own, his thoughts become active in my mind. "Is everything alright?" He mentally asks.

Taking a sip of the blood I gently nod my head giving him an answer. I take another sip then another and another until the goblet is empty, a drop falls from my chin joining the strains of red on my chest.

My cup is replaced with a new one until eventually, I lose count of how many I've consumed. The rest of the night goes by smoothly filled with excited chatter for the day to come.

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Eek, I'm sorry that there isn't much going on this chapter it's just more interactions between characters and a bit more of an introduction to this fictional universe lol.

School starts on Monday so I'll be writing less frequently again but I promise to get this story over with. I hope everyone is doing good!!

See y'all later.

Enami out ;-)