《 FIVE 》

"Marcus, good morning" I said cheerfully as The Chancellor of the Vampires sat across from me at the wide oak table.

He ignored me and glanced at my husband, a weird look in his eye. Austin looked up, glancing at Marcus briefly before looking back down at the new report Dorian had sent this morning.
I frowned at Marcus leaned on his elbows, folding his hands under his chin.

I went back to my breakfast. "Your majesty" Saorise's quiet voice said.

I tilted my head in her direction and she leaned in. Marcus watched me. "Someone would like to speak to you in the private room" Saorise whispered.

I looked at her, raising my eyebrows. She just gave a shrug of the shoulders. "Excuse me"I said quickly as Austin nodded.

Following Saorise, she led me to the room and disappeared from my side. I knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. Frowning, I opened the door when I didn't get one.

A single rose laid on the table as I wandered over to it. A folded card sat next to it. Touching the silk texture of the petals, I picked up the card and opened it.

Remember what they mean.

I frowned, looking back down at the rose. Looking all over the card, I couldn't see any more writing.
What did that mean?

I picked up the rose, hissing as I touched a thorn.  "Beautiful aren't they?" Another voice said, half scaring me.

I turned around, the rose pressed against my chest. Marcus leaned on the doorway,staring straight ahead. "Did you do this?" I asked, looking at the note.

"Well do you?" he asked, finally looking at me.

His dark hair fell perfectly across his eyes, shielding them mysteriously but enough to make someone look. "Do I what?" I asked, frowning..

"Do you remember what they mean" he replied.

I glanced at the rose in my hand. "Depends, the official terminology is love and passion" I replied.

He tilted his head. "Than what does it depend on?" He asked.

"For us, it meant friendship" I replied, stiffly.

Darkness fell across Marcus's face, making the shadows across his cheekbones more prominent. "You and I both know it meant far more than that" he said, his tone cold.

I placed the rose back on the table, before looking at Marcus again. "I'm married Marcus, you are just going to have to accept that" I replied, stern.

The vampire stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. I swallowed heavily. "No" he said, stepping closer.

I raised my head higher. "Marcus, don't do this" I said, taking a step back.

My hip hit the edge of the table. "I waited 17 years for you, died in a war with your photograph because you were the reason I wanted to come home, my father gave up his life to save me so I could get to you, I traveled across the world and through portals and you seem to think I will let that wolf take you away from me?" he asked, his volume rising.

"Control your temper" I snapped.

He stepped closer again. "Do you honestly think I stopped loving you? That seeing you with him doesn't feel like a stake to the heart?" he asked, the passion in his voice making me watch him.

"Marcus" I whispered, unknowingly starting something.

An emotion flashed across the Vampire's face. "So I ask you again, do you remember what the Roses meant?" he asked, standing in front of me.

My breath caught. "They meant-t you would love me forever" I replied shuddering a little.

"We are both immortal, Diana.. forever is a long time" he whispered, as I felt his hand trace a circle across my wrist.

Goosebumps fled up my skin. "I can't" I rasped out.

He looked up, making me suck in a breath as his nose brushed against mine. "Says who?" he asked before I felt a faint brush of his lips against mine.

My eyes had automatically closed and desire had taken over. I felt his lips brush over mine again and something within me gave in. I caught his lips, kissing him. He let out a short groan, his arms lifting to encircle my waist, pulling me closer.

I had shortness of breath with each kiss. I couldn't describe the feeling that I had when I was kissing him, it felt like I had needed this.. craved this.

It felt like walking out of a freezer and straight into an oven. I felt the chills on the inside and outside. I didn't even know I had moved closer to him until my hands slipped past his jacket. "Fųck Diana" he ground out as I did so.

Our tongues clashed, my hip bumped into the table again causing me to fall slightly.
Fresh air burned my lungs as Marcus helped steady me. "You okay?" he asked as my hand slid into his.

I glanced at him. "Yeah I'm okay" I replied.

He picked up the rose, deliberately pricking his finger on a thorn. "I mean it Diana" he said, handing me the rose.

My skin tingled. I took the rose, glancing back at Marcus. "I've waited too long for you" he said before turning on his heel and departing.

I watched him leave before turning and looking out the window. I lifted my pointer finger to my lips, tracing them lightly.
I shouldn't have done any of that, I shouldn't have let him win.

Now, my entire marriage was in strife if Austin was to find out about this. I knew Marcus would never say anything but he did get angry quite easily and could let it slip.
I had to tell Austin myself.

I looked down at the rose in my hand. "I think you are going to ruin my marriage" I said, the rose staring back at me.

I held it to my chest as I left the room.

A/N

Finally! A Marcus and Diana moment!
Yay!

But what does this mean for Austin and Diana?
Will their marriage survive?
Do you want them to be together?

And hello again!
😂

Love, T xoxoxo