3. Dimitri

CHAPTER 3

Dimitri

Ice Dragon Chalet

Night of the Wolf, November 30, 201

I sit on the bench near the window watching as Aurora gets her wig pinned in place. She is almost a mirror image of her mother. Nicodeamus voices exactly what I'm thinking as I watch Aurora prepare for tonight's farce. "Da, except Aurora is a wee bit taller and has more muscle tone." My tone is reverent as I compare Aurora to her mother. I can't help but feel that something is missing as I watch her mentally prepare herself for tonight.

I made sure I talked to her about how sexist Bane is and how little value he places on females of any species. Nicodeamus kisses Aurora's cheek and moves away just in time for the twins to bring in a tray of food from the Prince. Alaric has thought of just about everything, even invoking the old tradition of wearing the cloaks for the procession. It will be to our advantage to be able to hide Nicodeamus for as long as possible.

Aurora is already pissed off about having to hide everyone and now add to that her having to destroy a dress she actually likes. I never thought I'd live to see the day she would like to wear a dress. Aurora moves around the room adjusting our cloaks making sure everyone looked perfect. I have to give Aurora credit she hates being handled but she allows the handmaidens to adjust her dress and train. I'm shocked when she sets her wedding procession the same way her mother did, I briefly look to Nicodeamus and we start to laugh. Our laughter causes Aurora to growl at us, then Nicodeamus tells her what she's done. I guess history can repeat itself.

Aurora smiles and bares her canines at us, her beast made her eyes bleed liquid mercury within those fathomless orbs black dragon slits adorn the centers. Aurora is pleased with her upgrade and moves to apply her blood red lipstick. I swear to the Gods that girl loves to tease me, she knows that she looks damn sexy with that color. I'm already on high alert after the five minute warning knock had come a few moments earlier. My bear is on edge and wants us to shift to protect her.

Aurora tells us it's time to reign in blood then turns around and starts humming "Heathens". Shit I thought we were going to start singing a little Slayer "Reign in blood" yet another perfect song for our girl. Aurora looks so detached from what's going on around her, she calls it a resting bitch face, I call it someone is going to die face. We arrive at the double doors standing there in silence as we wait to be brought in.

Go time, we move as a singular force and immediately whispers erupted throughout the hall. Aurora is a carbon copy of her mother, right down to her I don't give a fuck attitude. I watch Bane's reaction from under the hood, apparently the photos we faked didn't do Aurora justice. I can understand where he's coming from, I feel like I've gone back in time looked at Aurora with that wig on. I watch Aurora play the part of the submissive female. It makes my stomach turn watching that strong female act like a weak dejected woman.

Bane starts to man handle Aurora like a worthless piece of meat and my blood boils, my bear and I want to rip him to pieces. I watch the twins flinch and tense as they fight their animals trying to restrain them from attacking Bane. The idiot finally acknowledges Aurora is Anca's daughter then verbally degrades her next. How Aurora is keeping her cool right now is beyond me, I'm ready to rip Bane's spine from his body and beat him with it. Bane finally makes his smartest move to date and hands Aurora over to Alaric.

We listen to the Friar proceed with the ceremony as planned, blah blah blah.. I swear I can't even hear his words anymore. It's like listening to Charlie Brown's teacher talking. He finally says the line we were all waiting for. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

Aurora rips off her wig and the rest of us throw the cloaks as if they were on fire. My bear is ready to destroy anyone that even attempts to come at Aurora. I watch Aurora and Alaric shift their arms to their armored gauntlets, their long black talons glisten in the light. Nicodeamus and I move forward together, he announces who he is and the confusion is evident in the crowd. Nicodeamus is the true Dragon King.