novelnext Chapter 5: Intertwined
Chapter 5: Intertwined
Chapter 5: Intertwined
Blinking, Mineah finally dragged her eyes away from them. She stopped reading their minds as it would only end up draining her energy.
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Mineah sighed softly, her gaze now fixed upon the man she was about to marry. Surprisingly, she could feel his stare locked onto her from the moment she entered the chapel.
The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine, making her feel as though he was peeling away her very skin. However, she quickly dismissed it thinking he was simply curious about her.
Despite the haste with which the wedding was arranged, the wedding ceremony went relatively smoothly, without much fanfare.
With war looming over the horizon, there were more pressing matters that needed their attention. Spending time and resources for a grand wedding ceremony was a luxury they simply couldn't afford at the moment.
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The sentence barely reached Mineah's ears, drowned out by the toll of bells that flooded the silent chapel signifying the end of the wedding ceremony.
Their officiant did not even bother with the customary pronouncement of 'you may kiss the bride'. Instead, they swiftly moved on to the signing and sealing of the necessary marriage documents and alliance agreements.
As the ceremony concluded, Nikolai wasted no time and guided Mineah outside to their awaiting carriage. Mineah quietly followed him.
"I will first escort my wife, family, and delegates back to Valcrez for their protection," Nikolai explained to her father, who along with the rest of her family had accompanied them to the carriage. "Once they are secure, I will then return with additional soldiers and join the battle."
"I understand," King Stephan promptly replied, the sadness evident in his eyes as he had to bid goodbye to his youngest daughter so abruptly. "I am more than grateful that you are placing my daughter's safety as your top priority and for honoring our traditions."
Taking a brief moment to steal a glance at him, Mineah studied Nikolai. His short, wavy hair, reminiscent of winter gold, complemented his amber eyes perfectly. The locks, touched with specks of gold, only made him look all the more mesmerizing.
Well, if there was a silver lining to her situation, it was that she found herself married to an undeniably handsome man.
"What is it, my lord?" she couldn't help but ask, wondering if there was an underlying meaning to his gaze. She surely wouldn't take it as him being stunned by her so-called ethereal beauty.
As she awaited his response, she noticed his eyes shift towards her hand. "The ring... It suits you... I hope you like it."
It took a moment for Mineah to realize what had caught his attention. 'Ah right, the magnificent ring!' she thought to herself.
A broad smile unconsciously formed on her face as she glanced down at the exquisite ring that Nikolai gave her during their wedding ceremony.
It was a cocktail ring, one surrounded by diamonds with a shiny big ruby as its centerpiece.
"It's a blood ruby, isn't it? It's very lovely," she voiced out, her eyes still fixed on the captivating ring on her finger. Surprisingly, it fit her finger perfectly as if it was meant to be there.
"That's a relief then," Nikolai whispered. "I personally selected it, and it seems like it found its rightful owner."
Mineah's brow furrowed slightly, and she was about to instinctively raise her head to face him, but quickly stopped herself. Her breath hitched as she realized Nikolai was leaning closer to her.
He was so close that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. He was quite warm for a vampire. But then again, he was no ordinary vampire; He was a pureblood with Exordium Blood. Exordiums were the first vampires that ever existed and the most powerful of their kind.
"Your life and my life are now intertwined, Princess," Nikolai whispered, his words causing her to freeze in her seat.