Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16

November 12, 1864 action with Damon is exchangeable playing chess with a mad person. I can work out of a chiliad contrary possibilities to conduct against, a thousand different moves he could obtain, and then(prenominal) he goes and transmutes the rules of the game.Its just his newfound predilection for casual violence that makes him so incalculable, solely the management he revels in it. Though blood is our diet, we as vampires at least afford a modicum of self- pass on. Damon doesnt break to let his dark side win, and n wizardtheless he embraces it.I view this change in him with horror and guilt, as I was the ace who set him mow the pass of the vampire. Katherine was the peerless who changed him, yet I force-fed him his maiden human. after(prenominal)wards seeing his message to me I cant consider leaving the Sutherlands until I beat figured out a way to keep them all safe. What my brother did to Callie it simply isnt beyond him to just dispose of the full fami ly once they serve their purpose.But when will he keep back action? At the hook up with? After the wedlock? After the honeymoon? Next year? Could I spirit the girls away roughwhere? Could I convince them to hide? Could I obligate them to? Damon managed to find me here, could he find me or them anywhere?I buckle under to dart after up with a plan, in end Damon doesnt just leave town with his newfound fortune.Of course, the simplest solution would be to kill Damon.Voil one maniacal, insane, unpredictable, murderous vampire gone, the world, and myself, a thousand eras safer. Thats assuming I could do it. I am so lots weaker than he is, it would have to be make by surprise or hocus-pocus or fewthing equally underhanded, care a knife in the tail. Like he killed Callie.There isnt any point in idea that way. I will non stoop to his level. He is my brother. And as fearful as he is, he is the however relative leftfield to me.The next sidereal daytime, eon flew by a s if it had nothing die to do than gallop me toward matrimony. Before I knew it, Id been stuffed into my suit, force-fed pancakes, and spirited everyplace one ampere-second blocks north to the altar, where I stood awaiting my fate, as the Sutherlands unknowingly awaited their own.Damon and I stood side by side in Woodcliff Manors great hallway the pretty family chapel nearby was remote too small for Brid guides tastes. The Ric solids were kind exuberant to let her use their home at the tip of Manhattan Island. It was really more of a castle than a home, with gray towers, parapets, and decorative portcullises, all made from the gray disceptation that jutted seamlessly out of the rocky promontory on which it sat.Not so far from there, external the arched medieval windows, were the remains of gather Tryon, the site of a sad master of Continental forces under George Washington by the British.My thoughts drifted as I imagined redcoats and scrappy American s honest-to-goodne ssiers and puffs of gunpowder and then something occurred to me. Katherine could have witnessed much(prenominal) a battle. I never asked how old she was perhaps Damon did but she was far erstwhile(a) than her appearance suggested. She had probably witnessed events I merely read about in explanation books.I shivered at the thought, but the chil occupationss was instantly dispelled by the incredible passion in the fashion. Damon and I stood in introductory of a crowd of more than ii hundred of New Yorks finest socialites, all seance uncomfortably in hastily pulled in concert pews. They had no idea how dangerous it was for them to be there.I pulled at my collar and tie, which short felt too tight, my vision blurring. The room shifted and morphed, and for just a second, the finery and skin of any wedding attendee melted strike as though theyd been caught up in a blaze. Skin flaked off like corn husks, leaving behind pure- etiolated prepare and twisted tendons.Stefan Damon hissed, elbowing me. I cognise then that I was clutching his arm. Do I need to call a trefoil for you? he asked sarcastically.I shook my head, inquire what illness had overcome me. The crowd came support into focus, alive, happy, laughing, and fanning themselves discreetly.Even I had to admit that Mrs. Sutherland had make a fantastic job on the job(p) with Mrs. Ric exhaustings and her housekeepers. A rich red rug had been laid out, and it was scattered with so numerous lift petals you could scarcely see the fabric beneath. Pink, white, and deep, deep red, it looked like a charming trail through a splendid rose garden. Garlands of expensive and exotic flowers hung on the pews, and the odourise of orange and lemon was weighted in the air. Overhead hung giant balls of flowers like fireworks in petals. Vases in every gothic arched nook and cranny held fine arrangements of grasses and blooming branches of quince, enhancing the woodland effect.Everyone wore full establi shed regalia, tailcoats for the men, some with diplomatic sashes. Heavy watered-silk silks for the older women, lighter for the young women, yards and yards of fabric swirled around their feet like more rose petals. Hats were decked out in plumes and gems and sometimes constitutional birds. And the real heirloom jewelry had been pulled out for this occasion, pearls and diamonds and rubies on every neck and wrist, some gems the sizing of my thumb.All the women had fans, of course, made from silk and painted in Japan or England, and they tried to pother them delicately, but most wound up just flapping them as lush as they could. The ladies countenances remained stubbornly rosy patronage their efforts to keep pale.Everyone whispered and talked excitedly, and of course I could tune in to any discourse I felt like auditory modality to with my enhanced hearing. I almost didnt repute to, because it was the homogeneous in every set so quick. Only met a calendar month ago. Did you he ar the story? He was so chivalrous. lucky girl. I entrust my Lucretia marries as well.Apparently, the youngest Beaumont threw herself at DeSangue, but he only had eyes for Lydia. such(prenominal) a handsome man And a count yes, but whos that other one again? Marrying Bridget?I closed my eyes, neediness I could close my ears. How I immenseed to be back in my grotto in the park.Seems like old times, doesnt it, brother? Damon sighed, adjusting one of his cuffs. In another life, you and Rosalyn would be get hitched with already. Shut up, I express. He was right, though. If Katherine hadnt killed my childhood playmate, I would have married her. keister then, I thought a squeeze marriage with someone I didnt make do was the worst fate imaginable. How innocent I was.I continued sunny, although it must have looked forced by that point. My eyes darted over the crowd, seeking out anyone in a heavy(p)ly matched scarf. That morning I had managed to childs play and drain a pair of wh ite doves, initially intended to be released as a romantic gesture after the wedding ceremony. But when was the last time Damon had fed? Or did he have a big, bloody feast intend?Look at us, unneurotic, Damon whispered, nodding at someone in the crowd and smiling. We make quite a handsome pair.Im doing this, I whispered, to save lives. Now be quiet.Damon furled his eyes. Youre no fun, brother. I trust you cultivate a sense of humor soon, or its going to be a loooooong eternity.The wedding march began, saving me from having to respond.Margarets husband and Bram, ushers, came crush the aisle first. The remaining ushers were callow youths who flirted awfully with the bridesmaids they escorted. The girls wore pretty matching peach gowns and pure(a)ly giant hats but I discover that one had a slightly different accessory from the rest. Hilda wore a hastily fastened kerchief around her neck.I glared at Damon.He shrugged. I got a little peevish waiting around.In truth, I was a l ittle relieved it meant he wasnt sharp-set himself in anticipation of something later.Finally came Winfield, proudly striding down the aisle with a young charr on each arm. Lydia walked regally and easily. She wore a simple white gown of unfathomed material whose folds rustled with her movements. It went to the cover song of her neck and the rump of her wrists, and its only ornamentation was a line of pearl buttons down the front. A pull in veil hung behind her, floating down her back. She looked like a fairy-tale queen, and smiled with a faithful look that only added to her beauty.On Winfields left arm was Bridget, wearing her brocade and satin. She really looked quite beautiful, if a bit overdone. An big lace veil perched on top of her head like a crown. It was hard to imagine, now, that Id ever seen anything of Callie in her. Where Bridget was frilly and immature, Callie had been free-living and practical.Thinking of Callie now was a bad idea.Time slowed down. Bridget s foot rose and fell, speech her a few inches closer to me. Her skirts pull forward, as if of their own accord. Her mouth open up and closed in a express joy that sounded far-off and distorted. And then came the distinctive scent of lemon and ginger.Everything blurred Katherine?Suddenly, instead of Bridget approaching toward me dressed as a bride was the woman who had brought me to this place. Her thick black hair was caught up in a lace veil, telltale(a) her perfect shoulders and neck. The blue cameo gleamed on her neck. She let down her head demurely, but beneath her long lashes her eyes danced mischievously in my direction. She pursed her lips and I felt my knees weaken.Did Damon see her, too? I looked askance at my brother, to see if he was thinking or seeing the same thing I was. Whatever compelled me to timber the way I did about Katherine, authorized tell apart or a vampires Power, I was still under her spell, haunted by her. But Damons face was a perfect mask of hap piness and extol.Time started back up again. Bridget resumed her place in my sight, smiling excitedly up at me.And then the girls were before us, and the priest was there, and rings were in our hands.It was, thankfully, a fairly short ceremony. The priest gave a speech about spang and read several nice passages from the parole that I would have liked in any other circumstance. I wasnt incontestable whether to pray that the priest go on, and on, and on, and give me as much time as possible before the inevitable, or if he should just hurry up and get it over with.If anyone here knows of any obstruction why these two couples may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now witness it.I looked around the room, hoping someone would acquit up and object. Maybe Margaret would speak out, with some sort of proof that Damon DeSangue wasnt who he said he was, or that I was some sort of Confederate spy, or The oldest babe shook her head and gritted her teeth, but unbroken silent. I may have imagined it, but I think her mothers hand had an constrict grip on her knee.Damon went first, marrying the elder bride. I wasnt listening there seemed to be a dull roar in my ears that was so loud I was surprised no one else could hear it.What was going to drop dead when it was over? Would the Sutherlands make it through this shadow? Would I be forced, on my wedding day, to fight my own brother to the finish?Repeat after me, the priest finally said. I did as I was told.I, Stefan Salvatore, take thee, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.I almost choked, and could only hope that the audition thought I was overwhelmed with emotion.I, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, take thee, Stefan, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for ri cher, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. She forgot my surname, and from the look in her eyes it was because she was thinking about the night before.And then there was a ring in my hand. A simple gold band with my and Bridgets initials engrave on the inside. Precious metal grooming me to my fate.I took Bridgets hand. My voice came out surprisingly clear and calm. With this ring, I thee wed, and with my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. I slipped it on her finger. She squealed in joy.I kissed her. It was hard and quick, hopefully long enough for the audience to appreciate. Bridget clung to me, trying to make the moment last. She tasted of mint. I felt terrible.And just like that, I was a married vampire.