Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16

November 12, 1864Life with Damon is wish closely playing chess with a mad person. I can think of a thousand opposite possibilities to defend against, a thousand different moves he could make, and and then he goes and changes the rules of the game.Its good his newfound p red-facedilection for casual violence that makes him so incalculable, just straightaway the way he revels in it. Though blood is our diet, we as vampires at least require a modicum of self-will. Damon doesnt pee to let his dark array win, and yet he embraces it.I view this change in him with disgust and guilt, as I was the bingle and all(a) who set him round the path of the vampire. Katherine was the wizard who changed him, alone I force-fed him his first human. afterwards seeing his message to me I cant consider leaving the Sutherlands until I have figured out a way to keep them all safe. What my brother did to Callie it obviously isnt beyond him to just dispose of the entire family once they serve t heir purpose. tho when will he take action? At the get married? After the wedding? After the honeymoon? Next year? Could I spirit the girls away nearplace? Could I convince them to hide? Could I compel them to? Damon managed to find me here, could he find me or them anywhere?I have to come up with a plan, in case Damon doesnt just leave town with his newfound fortune.Of course, the dim-wittedst solution would be to kill Damon.Voil?? one maniacal, insane, unpredictable, murderous vampire gone, the world, and myself, a thousand times safer. Thats assuming I could do it. I am so much weaker than he is, it would have to be through by surprise or guile or some social function equally underhanded, akin a knife in the back. Like he killed Callie.There isnt any stratum in thinking that way. I will not stoop to his level. He is my brother. And as awful as he is, he is the only relation back left to me.The next day, time flew by as if it had nothing break-dance to do than gallop me toward matrimony. Before I knew it, Id been stuffed into my suit, force-fed pancakes, and spirited over one light speed 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 hall the bewitching family chapel nearby was far too small for Bridgets tastes. The Richards were kind becoming to let her use their home at the tip of Manhattan Island. It was really more(prenominal) of a castle than a home, with gray towers, parapets, and decorative portcullises, all make from the gray rock that jutted seamlessly out of the rocky promontory on which it sat.not so far from there, outside the arched gothic windows, were the remains of forgather Tryon, the site of a sad defeat of Continental forces under George capital letter by the British.My thoughts drifted as I imagined redcoats and scrappy American s quondam(a)iers and puffs of gunpowder and then something occurred to me. K atherine could have witnessed such a battle. I never asked how old she was mayhap Damon did but she was far older than her appearance suggested. She had probably witnessed events I only read just more or less in history books.I shivered at the thought, but the chill was instantly dispelled by the incredible heat in the room. Damon and I stood in front of a crowd of more than dickens hundred of New Yorks finest socialites, all sitting uncomfortably in hastily pulled together pews. They had no idea how dangerous it was for them to be there.I pulled at my smash and tie, which suddenly felt too tight, my vision blurring. The room shifted and morphed, and for just a second, the finery and skin of every wedding attendee melted off as though theyd been caught up in a blaze. Skin flaked off like corn husks, leaving behind pure-white bone and twisted tendons.Stefan Damon hissed, elbowing me. I realized then that I was clutching his ramification. Do I need to harbinger a medic for yo u? he asked sarcastically.I shook my head, wondering what unwellness had overcome me. The crowd came back into focus, alive, happy, laughing, and fanning themselves discreetly.Even I had to admit that Mrs. Sutherland had done a fantastic job working with Mrs. Richards and her housekeepers. A rich red carpet had been laid out, and it was scattered with so many rose petals you could scarce see the model beneath. Pink, white, and deep, deep red, it looked like a beautiful mark through a magnificent rose garden. Garlands of expensive and exotic flowers hung along the pews, and the scent of orange and lemon was heavy in the air. Overhead hung goliath balls of flowers like fireworks in petals. Vases in every gothic arched turning point and cranny held elegant arrangements of grasses and blooming branches of quince, enhancing the woodland effect.Everyone wore full formal regalia, tailcoats for the men, some with diplomatic sashes. Heavy moire silks for the older women, lighter for the young women, yards and yards of fabric swirled nearly their feet like more rose petals. Hats were decked out in plumes and gems and sometimes entire birds. And the real heirloom jewelry had been pulled out for this occasion, pearls and diamonds and rubies on every get by and wrist, some gems the size of my thumb.All the women had fans, of course, made from silk and painted in japan or England, and they tried to flutter them delicately, but most wound up just flapping them as fast as they could. The ladies countenances remained stubbornly blushful despite their efforts to keep pale.Everyone whispered and talked excitedly, and of course I could tune in to any conversation I felt like listening to with my intensify hearing. I almost didnt mean to, because it was the same in every stern so quick. Only met a month ago. Did you hear the story? He was so chivalrous. lucky girl. I want my Lucretia marries as well.Apparently, the youngest Beaumont threw herself at DeSangue, but he onl y had eyes for Lydia. such a lovely man And a count yes, but whos that other one again? Marrying Bridget?I closed my eyes, wishing I could close my ears. How I longed 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 married already. exclude up, I said. He was right, though. If Katherine hadnt killed my childhood playmate, I would have married her. endure then, I thought a forced marriage with someone I didnt love was the worst fate imaginable. How innocent I was.I proceed smiling, although it must have looked forced by that point. My eyes darted over the crowd, desire out anyone in a badly matched scarf. That morning I had managed to childs play and drain a pair of white 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 planned?Look at us, together, 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 rolled his eyes. Youre no fun, brother. I hope you develop a sense of humor soon, or its termination to be a loooooong eternity.The wedding march began, saving me from having to respond.Margarets husband and Bram, ushers, came down the gangboard first. The remaining ushers were callow youths who flirted outrageously with the bridesmaids they escorted. The girls wore pretty matching let out gowns and absolutely giant hats but I noticed that one had a slightly different accessory from the rest. Hilda wore a hastily tied kerchief around her neck.I glared at Damon.He shrugged. I got a little irritable waiting around.In truth, I was a little relieved it meant he wasnt starving himself in anticipation of something later.Finally came Winfield, proudly striding down the aisle with a daughter on each arm. Lydia walked regally and easil y. She wore a simple white gown of heavy material whose folds rustled with her movements. It went to the top of her neck and the fucking of her wrists, and its only ornamentation was a line of pearl buttons down the front. A net veil hung behind her, floating down her back. She looked like a fairy-tale queen, and smiled with a secretive look that only added to her beauty.On Winfields left arm was Bridget, wearing her brocade and satin. She actually looked quite beautiful, if a bit overdone. An wondrous 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 independent and practical.Thinking of Callie now was a bad idea.Time slowed down. Bridgets foot rose and fell, bringing her a few inches closer to me. Her skirts drew forward, as if of their own accord. Her mouth unfastened and closed in a giggle that sounded far-off and distorted. And then came the typic al scent of lemon and ginger.Everything blurred Katherine?Suddenly, instead of Bridget coming 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, revealing her perfect shoulders and neck. The blue cameo gleamed on her neck. She get 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 feel the way I did about Katherine, trustworthy love or a vampires Power, I was s work on under her spell, obsessed by her. But Damons face was a perfect mask of felicitousness and love.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 non-Christian priest was there, and rings were in our hands.It was, thankfully , a fairly short ceremony. The priest gave a speech about love and read several nice passages from the Bible that I would have liked in any other circumstance. I wasnt sure whether to entreat 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 impediment why these two couples may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it.I looked around the room, hoping someone would expect 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 companion spy, or The oldest sister shook her head and gritted her teeth, but kept silent. I may have imagined it, but I think her mothers hand had an iron 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 els e could hear it.What was going to happen when it was over? Would the Sutherlands make it through this night? Would I be forced, on my wedding day, to fight my own brother to the end?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 given over 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 auditory modality 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 richer, 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 inscribed on the inside. Precious admixture binding 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.