Crimson

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We walked down the stairs to the first floor. The sound of voices grew louder and louder the further down we went and when we got to the first floor, it was clear that they had already started the party. The majority of the sounds didn't come from the dinning room, but from one further in.

"Ballroom," Lamech answered my unspoken question as I looked towards the room.

"Ballroom? When was the last time it was used as one?" I laughed and had fun imagining Lamech in a tail-coat waltzing around. Then quickly realized that the image looked rather good in my mind.

"You'd be surprised. At least once each five years someone gets the idea of having a ball for no real reason."

I kept imagining Lamech at a ball and me dancing with him. I guessed I would have to get myself some proper clothes to wear for such an occasion.

We had reached the door and stopped outside of it. I felt butterflies in my stomach and Lamech squeezed the hand he held a bit. I turned to smile at him and pushed my anxiety away. What did I really have to be nervous about? In worst case some didn't like me and then I would just have to use whatever charm I had used to win the others over on them.

Lamech opened the door and we stepped inside.

It was lively. Full of chatter and laughs. One vampire that I didn't know the name of looked our way as we entered.

"Crimson!" the vampire gasped.

As one, the rest of the vampires turned to look in our direction and went silent. Then, again as one, they all bowed their heads and tilted them to the side, exposing their necks as well as put one fisted hand to the palm of the other over their chest.

I just stood there and didn't know what to say or do. I turned to look at Lamech and watched as he took a step back from me and did the same action as the rest of them, adding to my awkwardness.

Why would they? Who was I really for them to show such a sign of respect? Already when it had just been Alair doing it, had I felt that it was all wrong. But now... A whole freaking room of vampires basically put me on a pedestal.

Lamech was the first to break out of the salute and when he had, the others followed. Then came a slight awkwardness in the whole hall, before Everett broke out among the vampires and hurried over to me. When he reached me, I was ready for just a simple hi and then some talking. But he grabbed hold of me, hugged me and lifted me off my feet. He spun me around a few laps before setting me back down, but still not letting go.

"Fuck you," he told me. "Never get hurt like you did before ever again."

His action had broken the tension and some went back to talk among themselves, while the few I knew a little came forward, like the ones that had been in the car while driving to the wolfpack and a couple that I had fought and beaten.

Saida came up as well, flanked by Stuart. I wondered briefly if she had told Stuart the truth yet, though after some observing, I knew she hadn't. I introduced her to the ones around me and all of them seem far too excited about another witch being there and started talking to her about all things possible.

It was somewhat funny to watch how Stuart stayed closed to her and the glares he cast those who he likely thought acted too friendly with her.

Aideen came up as well and I felt a special type of prideful happiness watching her and Saida getting along.

After the first wave of eager conversation was over, I got a moment alone with Everett. He had stayed by my side and in the conversations, it felt like he acted as an overprotective brother, which felt as strange as all things considering how poorly our first encounter had been.

"Hey, Everett," I started my question. "Why is everyone so... happy to have me here? And why did everyone bow like that? Why is everyone acting the way they are to me?"

He scratched his head slightly and wrinkled his nose in contemplation before answering. "Well, you are Lamech's mate, so of course we'll show you the same respect we show him. On top of that you are very likeable."

"Likeable?" I frowned.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. You are a pain in the ass and can be highly insensitive. But you are a straight shooter and... You went against Lamech's order. And not for selfish reasons, but to help others."

"So?" I asked and felt my frown deepen. "What does that matter?"

"Lamech's word is the law," Everett said and shrugged. "Of course there are times when people disagree, but no one goes against him. From what others have been saying, they've been worried about who his mate would be but the fact that you went against him to help and protect others earned respect from everyone. The fact that you are a damn good fighter also is a reason."

"But you also went against Lamech's order?"

He shook his head and gave me a somewhat embarrassed smile. "If it had been for anyone else than you, I wouldn't have. But I was sure that you would have protected me from any type of punishment, because that's the type of person you are."

"If that was part of your reasoning, then maybe I should reconsider not punishing you," Lamech's voice broke into our conversation as he put an arm around me. He had kept back while the others had been bombarding me, but he had obviously decided that he had left me alone for long enough.

Everett didn't give an answer with words, but took a step back and exposed his neck. I took myself out of Lamech's hold and placed myself between them, facing Lamech.

"You won't. You know perfectly well that I was the one that wanted to go there and fight, and honestly if Everett hadn't helped me, I would probably still have found a way there," I said and crossed my arms.

Lamech's eyes narrowed and looked about to argue against me. But then he sighed and shook his head.

"Alright, alright. I won't. But Everett, don't you ever dare put her at risk again," he said.

"Yes, sir!" Everett exclaimed immediately and then disappeared into the sea of people. "Thanks," his voice came into my head and there was a certain amount of amusement in his tone.

"Is it alright if I steal you away from here for a bit?" Lamech asked and tugged a little at me.

"Of course," I smiled at him and followed.

He simply brought me into the room next door, the dining hall. When the door closed, he had me against the wall, his lips pressed against mine. I put my arms around his neck and answered the kiss with the same passion as he had. Our tongues met, my hands were in his hair, his hands found their way to my skin under my shirt.

"Can we not go back in there?" he asked me while kissing his way to the mark on my neck. I gasped as he reached it. "I just want you all to myself."

"You already do. I am all yours. For the rest of eternity."

"Eternity," he echoed in a low and hoarse voice that sent shivers down my spine.