Sketch:

"Sketch, that feels so good," Orion groaned and I smiled digging my thumbs into the soft skin, massaging his tense muscles.

"That's cause I have magic hands." I said wriggling my eyebrows and putting up my jazz hands.

He smiled at me, pulling me down on his lap. "You do, maybe we should find other uses for them." he said wriggling his eyebrows right back. I furrowed my brows, he said the weirdest things!

"Don't say that!" I said and he chuckled, sneaking his hands up my shirt and running his hands over my stomach.

"We get to greet the council tomorrow," he said and I groaned, before resting my head on his shirt.

"What if they don't like me? They're Vampires after all." I said and he rubbed my back, resting his chin on my head. His big hands were warm and comforting, but I still didn't want to go to that meeting.

"Of course they will like you, who couldn't? If it makes you feel better Xanthe and Xelia are on the council, so it's not like you won't know anybody."

I frowned against the cloth, Xelia wasn't the nicest person around, and I really didn't like Xanthe since he hurt my brother. "That doesn't make me feel better," I said and he laughed softly, wrapping his arms around me tighter.

"Will you do it for me?"

"I suppose so." I grumbled.

"Ready to see Sam now?" he asked.

I yawned but nodded. Orion knew I wanted to see Sam, and I wanted talk to him for the better part of the day. It's not like I could just go see him since he was on lock down. I saw him today but he looked fine—I think. He was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes, and a sudden sadness overwhelmed them.

I couldn't wait to see him today, we were going outside today too. Of course Xanthe and Orion will be on our trail but at least we get to explore this place.

I stood up and changed into something much more comfortable. Since our wedding was only a few hours ago, I should assume that after I see Sam, Orion and I are going somewhere. Orion made sure I was all bundled up in warm clothing, before we left the castle.

Orion held my hand, leading me out of the castle, into the bright sunny day that tricked you into thinking it was warm, when it was just the opposite. It was a little chilly but I could handle it. "Are you cold?" he asked.

"No I'm fine." I said softly ad before I know it I'm in Orion's warm arms. There weren't that many people out today and if they were out, they had stopped to stare at us. I paid keep my attention on them and only focused on my brother. I could see Sam, he was sitting on a bench with Xanthe whispering in his ear. He saw me and a bright smile decorated his face. I tugged on Orion's shirt, silently telling him to put me down. I ran over to my big brother and gave him a big hug.

"I never thought I would be vampire, and you the Vampire Queen. Anyway, shall we?" he asked and I nodded quickly. We first walked to a shop that was on the corner of the street that had a blinking sign that read 'Rickies'. With Orion and Xanthe on our tail we went inside, and my cheeks were embraced with warm air that made me sigh in content. Toys littered the walls and candy sat by the cash register. I picked up a small wooden car that—I had no idea what model, but thought it was nice anyway. I set it down before looking at all the other things.

The shop owner smiled at me before he looked over at the two vampires and paled. I went up to him and asked him for the best candy bar he had. He frantically looked around almost panicked but I kept telling him not to rush.

"Hey, Sketch, doesn't this look familiar?" I heard Sam ask and I turned to look at him. He was holding up a tea cup from a tea set that looked like the one I used to have. Grandma gave it to me, and I very much enjoyed it for being a boy—thank you very much. Sam would always have tea parties with me, and Mr. Bear and my mom would sometimes come. Dad was always so busy with work and all, I never asked him. He used to go outside with Sam and throw a football while I stayed inside with my bear.

"Orion can I get it?"

"Get anything you want, baby."

By the time we left I had a tea set, three chocolate bars, some rock candy and a box of gummy worms. I had no idea Orion could let me have candy since it wasn't blood and I could actually eat it! We continued on to another store, which was all clothes. I was never one to shop for things like that but of course Orion made me try on some thing. Sam also had to model for Xanthe even though he claimed he hated it, I saw that smile that graced his lips.

When we stopped at most of the stores on the street, I decided it was time to just sit somewhere. I found a park where we could sit, and it wasn't crowded. Just some kids playing on the court or the ramp, and some families by the playground.

I sat on a bench and smiled at Orion who was also my luggage carrier at the moment. Sam sat next to me, looking at the little kids playing on the swing sets.

"Did you get into trouble with Xanthe?" I whispered but I know all three of them heard me.

"Yeah, just a little."

"Did they take Riley?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, Xanthe won't tell me anything."

"Orion where's my family?" I asked.

"Safe." Orion said.

"Where?"

"Safe." I glared at him before turning back to Sammy.

"Sam, wanna go on the the slide?" I asked and he looked over at me with a small smile.

"Don't you think we're too old?" he asked back.

"Maybe you are," I laughed.

He glared but it was playful and all. He got up and raced over to the slide, scaring some kids on the way. I followed after him, watching him climb the slide and then put his arms up and let go of the bars. He slid down the metal contraption, and then smiled at me when he reached the bottom.

I smiled back before racing to the steps of the slide. Sam watched as I slid down the slide, with my arms up like he had them. When I reached the bottom, Sam was laughing at me.

"Your hair is all frizzy from the slide!"

I started to pat my head with my hands with a pout. Sam chuckled ruffling my hair. But suddenly Sam stopped moving and the pupils of his eyes narrowed. He sniffed the air, before closing his eyes tight and clenching his fists.

"Sam?" Xanthe called.

In seconds it seemed, Sam was in Xanthe's arms and had his face buried in his neck. I looked over to the basketball court and saw a little boy with a blood running down his leg. He must of fell, and the boys around him tried to help him up. Orion hugged me from behind, and I jumped a little from the surprise. Sam was clutching onto Xanthe so hard it looked like his fingers would fall off.

"We should get going." Orion said and I nodded smiling to myself at how funny he looked carrying all my bags.

When Sam was all good we called it a day and went back to the castle in awkward silence. Sam was okay it seemed but he looked nervous. He wouldn't look at me, which was making me nervous. I tugged on his shirt and he looked down at me with a timid smile.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. I was just scared to see what you would think of me."

"You're still the same person to me Sammy." I said and he smiled at that, ruffling my hair. We were back at the castle in no time and I was a glad since my face felt numb. Orion carried the bags up to our room and placed them on the table near the bed. I sat by the fireplace, taking off my coat, hat, and gloves.

Orion sat next to me, pulling me into his lap clasping his hands over mine to warm them. I relaxed into his chest and smiled at how content this was.

"And yet you grace me with another beautiful smile of yours,"

I turned to looked at him and before I knew it he was kissing me. His lips were soft, and yet they tasted like mint. Or was it something else? His hand came up to tilt my head back slightly so his tongue was overpowering mine. He was licking at my lips and all I could do was sit there and pant from how good he was at this.

He pulled away, resting his forehead on mine and staring straight into my eyes.

"You know what else couples do after they get married?" he asked.

"What?" I asked.

He wriggled his eyebrows and I felt a sudden heat come to my face.

"So Sketch, be prepared to be amazed."