Last time on Blind Hope

Dorian crawled into the bed and pulled Hope to him. "Sorry for making you wait." He kissed her forehead and relaxed, feeling her melting into him. She trusted him completely, and he felt that responsibility. But it was a good responsibility; one he wanted to see through to end and come out of the other side better for it. He sighed, hearing her gentle snore. He closed his eyes to sleep, but then sat up slightly, remembering. "What did you do to make William mad? He's literally trained to go with what whatever hap--"

Snore.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hope snuggled her head against Dorian and let out a little yawn. "Wake up, sweet," Dorian said softly, gently nudging her away from him. "We need to prep ourselves for tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes, Ms. Luna Queen Knight." Hope sat up slowly, a grin forming on her face.

"And what of... after tonight?" Dorian looked down at her devilish grin, vaguely aware of her staring intently at his nose. Hope squirmed closer to Dorian, pressing herself against him and rubbing her head on him.

"Yo-you're scenting me again..." He closed his eyes as her sweet smell permeated the room. He felt like taking her then and there, and he trembled, pushing his wolf back.

"You know," Hope said softly, guiding her hands slowly up to his face. "A marked queen would be better than an unmarked one. It would show the people our love and dedication." Dorian's breath hitched. Her little hands... so soft... His wolf was pressing just as hard as Hope was.

"My Queen," his voice wavered, "I think you have a point." He pushed her down on the bed, kissing her neck. Hope moaned and exposed herself to him as best she could. Dorian's canines extended, and he gently bit down.

~~~~~~~~~~

"What's that noise?" Vivian asked the attendants who were to help Hope prepare for the ceremony. As they approached the royal quarters, Vivian noticed William and Hector standing impossibly still with stoic expressions. The attendants snickered.

"Maybe we should come back in an hour."

"Who are you kidding!? At least two hours! You know His Majesty won't settle for less than two." The attendants continued to snicker, and Vivian's eyes narrowed on William. He glared at her, remembering the previous night.

"What's going on in there? It sounds like-" Vivian's voice was cut off, but none other than Hope herself. And her screams of bliss filled the chamber. Vivian's voice paled instantly. "O-oh. Ye-yeah. Never mind." She backed away, embarrassed, and practically ran away.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dorian and Hope lay next to each other, panting. Hope moaned just thinking about what had happened. "Sweet, unless you want to go a fourth time, I'd stop that."

"I need to dress." She attempted to move, but gave up. "Too much effort." Dorian laughed and picked her up bridal style.

"Shower?"

"You read my mind."

~~~~~~~~~~

Vivian and the attendants came back to the royal chamber nearly two hours later. Hector had left, but William was as stoic as ever. "You cannot enter." He sighed, noticing the attendants smirks. "They're... showering."

"Together!?" Vivian squeaked, still pale.

"Yes."

"Why aren't these walls soundproof!?" Dorian stepped outside the door in sweatpants, revealing his scarred torso. Vivian, if possible, paled even more. To her horror, she thought how lucky Hope was to be blind.

"They aren't soundproof because," Dorian's hard voice boomed, and Vivian flinched. It was way different from the voice he had been using earlier. She shuddered, remembering that this man had.... filled her best friend. "The Elders of the Kingdom are stingy idiots who need to know the King and Queen are fulfilling the duties of an heir." There was a strained silence, and Dorian huffed. "You're free to enter." He moved to the side, and Vivian darted past him. The attendants followed, snickering. Dorian growled, and they're laughter fell away. "William," Dorian nodded, standing out in the hall.

"Your Majesty."

"You were out here the whole time?"

"Yes, Sir." Dorian winced, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Next time, just leave." William nodded, but still couldn't look Dorian in the eyes.

"Thank you, Majesty." Dorian walked away, muttering under his breath about protocols, and William sighed in relief. Though he doubted leaving would do much. The whole castle staff had pretty much heard their morning.

From inside the room, William heard Vivian squeal, "HE MARKED YOU BEFORE THE CEREMONY?!" His eyes widened in shock, but it was Hope's whimper that brought him back to focus. He darted into the room.

"Highness, are you-" his words fell away when he saw Vivian apologizing profusely for yelling. He backed away and closed the door.

Vivian and the attendants fussed over Hope. The attendants picked out several gorgeous dresses that would have looked absolutely stunning on her, but Vivian stopped them instantly. "No, no," she murmured, peering at all the dresses they had brought. "It needs to be soft. Maybe silky?" The attendants rolled their eyes, but Hope agreed instantly.

"Yes! I've very sensitive to feel. Dory bought me... what was it..." Hope hummed to herself, but ended up just waving her arm. "Try the closet. He bought me really nice feeling clothes."

"I can imagine!" The younger attendant yelped. "This is all cashmere!" Vivian gasped, and then smiled.

"That's so sweet." The attendants quickly began listening to Vivian, and Hope was dressed just in time for the beginning ceremonies.

"What's going to happen?" Hope asked nervously. The attendants had already left, so Vivian settled on the little sofa and sighed.

"I figured you ask, so I've been asking around." She took a bite of a sandwich that had been brought up some time ago. "First, you will walk through the castle to the Luna Queen ceremony, showing off to everyone how great looking you are."

"But I can't-"

"I got you, girl. I've been given permission to walk with you, AND I dressed up too." Hope's eyes brightened, and a huge smile broke out on her face.

"I'll leave you in Dorian's arms, much like a human father for his bride daughter. You'll recite vows and slit each other's wrists. This is the disgusting part. Y'alls blood will be poured into a separate cups, and you'll have to drink it. But don't worry! Since your mates, it shouldn't taste bad." Hope nodded, giving Vivian her full attention. "After this, everyone will bow and accept you..." Hope noticed Vivian's voice trailed off, and her brows furrowed.

"Is there an, or?"

"Uh, yeah? So, if someone wants to be Luna Queen or doesn't think you're fit, then they can challenge you. But since Dorian marked you, I'm sure no one will oppose because they would lose a King and a Queen." Hope paled and tears pooled in her eyes.

"I... I asked him to mark me. We should have waited, like he said." Vivian sighed, knowing that to be the truth. He should have waited.

"It'll be fine. You both know you can take out anyone who dares, and quite frankly, I may oppose if no one else does just so they can see much of a bad mama you are." Hope scoffed, but didn't disagree. They entered into a silence in which Vivian made quick adjustments to her and Hope's outfits. "Anyway, after the opposition, we'll have a ball! The new Alphas will be introduced."

"New Alphas?" Hope's milky eyes seemed to cloud over, but then immediately cleared. "Oh, my family..." Vivian smiled and took Hope's arm, helping her to stand.

"Ready?"

"Ready."