The notion that vampires live forever is a nice one. It would solve so many of my issues right now—the heartache I feel at losing Andres last night, the anxiety I feel about becoming the vampire king, and the fear I feel that I will never measure up to one of the greatest beings I ever knew. But bodies don't last forever. Andres had lived through some of the toughest moments in history. He had been through more than any living vampire.

I knew my time with my sire was limited once the situation with my brother was handled. He was ready to pass on from this life, although, I believe he could have lived many more years. It is a choice for our kind to detach the soul from the body and cross into the next life. Andres was ready to do just that.

I sat by Andres' side as he took his final breath. Watching him pass away reminded me of the loss I felt when my parents were ripped from the human realm. Thankfully, I didn't have to bear the hurt from the loss on my own. Cordelia didn't leave my side, just as she stands beside me now.

The flames consume Andres' body on the pyre, engulfing him into their burning embrace. Cordelia slides her hand inside mine and rests her head on my shoulder. We are the last to leave the courtyard of the temple, wanting to show our utmost respect by waiting until the end.

"Are you ready?" I ask, turning to Cordelia.

She is beautiful in the dark blue gown she chose for today. I told her that she could go with the formal white dress of her people. She compromised by skipping the all black attire vampires prefer for a form fitting, floor length dress. It is beautiful on her with its plunging neckline and delicate lace.

Her sweet laughter fills the open space, bouncing off the bleached stone walls. "You've laid a lot on a girl for one day—a wedding and a coronation."

Her happiness is a blinding light in what was one of the saddest moments of my life. "Go big or go home. Isn't that the saying?" I ask.

She smirks and raises an eyebrow. "You always go big, though."

I roll my eyes and pinch her side. She giggles and bends into my touch. "Let's go. They're waiting for us."

"Okay, okay," she says, shaking out her hands. "No more goofy Cordelia...for at least the next three hours. That's all I can promise."

I shake my head and kiss her temple, brushing my palm over her hair. "No. I don't ever want you to change who you are, not even to become a queen. Do you understand me?"

She shivers and looks up at me. "Yes, sir."

The throne room is decked out in white roses laced with crystals and pearls. White candles burn brightly, their flames flickering across the arched cathedral ceilings. Row after row of supes in their finest sit with straight spines waiting for the ceremony to start. But not one guest matters as much as Cordelia's parents.

Her mother sits in the front row with an empty seat beside her. Her face beams with happiness. She wasn't upset to learn that her daughter chose to live a life with me here. Instead, she jumped up and down when she learned we were getting married.

"I'm going to go up front now, okay? Your dad is waiting for you right over there, and I'll see you in a minute," I say, placing my palms on her cheeks.

She nods, tears filling her eyes. "Thank you for making sure they got to come to the ceremony. That means a lot to all of us."

I press a kiss to her forehead. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

I turn and leave her to share a moment with her father, and as I make my way up the aisle, the thoughts of what it will mean to share this life with Cordelia consume me.

I always thought that I'd rule as vampire king alone, if at all. I knew in the back of my mind there was a chance I wouldn't beat Cane. And even if I did, I knew I'd do it alone. I'd given up on having anyone by my side. But her mother and father sending her to Wicked Encounters and Lorelai pushing me there for one more summer...I owe the three of them everything.

When I reach the front of the throne room, I turn to the crowd and meet the eyes of as many of my subjects as I can, finally locking eyes with Cordelia's mom, and then my best friend. They are the only two who don't wear curious stares. A wedding ceremony like those found in the human realm is not common here. Supes are more likely to conduct their vows in private. Not because they fear an audience, but these moments are sacred and stay between those making the promise.

Cordelia's mother gives me a bright smile as Lorelai wears a smug grin. She is more than happy to take credit for bringing me and my soon-to-be wife together.

An orchestra of strings begins the song for Cordelia's walk down the aisle. I tear up as she makes her way toward me. The next time she approaches me it will be as my wife.

Her dad leans in close as she whispers something to him, and he smiles down at her. When they reach me, he pulls her into a hug and when he pulls back, they both have tears in their identical grey eyes.

Her dad takes his seat and Cordelia places her hand in mine as I gently guide her in front of me. "Hi," she whispers, and even though I just saw her less than five minutes ago, it feels like everything in the world is about to change.

"Hello, belle rêveur."

With that, we vow to love each other through the best and worst moments of our lives. It is an easy promise to make. The harder oaths come when we tie ourselves to the vampire people. If I'm being honest, their wellbeing will never come before Cordelia's. I say the words because I must, but in my heart, they are a lie. She is the only one who will ever truly own me.

I think she already knows that, but of course, I'll make sure of it when all this is over. But for now, I watch her as she makes the same vows I just did with zero fear, just like she did when she walked into that dining room the first day I saw her, wearing that ridiculous witch's costume. She may have been a little embarrassed for a moment back then, but she never let it tear her down. She sat there at that table next to me without running and hiding, and she's standing here now with all the boldness of a natural born vampire taking her place as queen.

The moment the crown encrusted with blood-red rubies is placed on her head, the room collectively stops breathing. It is the kind of reverence that is reserved for the worthiest, and my queen is just that.

The moment I pull her into my arms on the dance floor is the first opportunity we have to ourselves. It doesn't matter that we are under the watchful eye of countless people. Here in the circle of our arms, we are finally in our own little world.

"So what is it that I should call you now? Mrs. Dagon? Queen Cordelia?" I playfully ask.

"Wife sounds very nice."

"It does."

She looks up thoughtfully and pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. "But Queen Cordelia also sounds nice...how about 'my queen' when we're..." She looks around and wiggles her brows before standing on her tiptoes and breathing in my ear, "in the sex dungeon."

I pull her in closer, pressing our bodies tightly together. Keeping my voice low, I say, "But you're so submissive in the dungeon. I always thought letting you know that you are my good girl is what got you wet."

She inhales sharply and looks up at me with wide eyes. "It is. I love it when you call me your good girl. Please don't ever stop. But I think you calling me your queen could be really hot too...don't you?" she asks, and I can tell she's second guessing her request.

I can't stop the corner of my mouth from lifting up. "Tell me, my queen, would you also like to take control of me in the dungeon?"

Her lips part and her cheeks turn pink. "I—I...that depends."

"On?"

"Would you ever want me to do that?"

This is the one and only time that I would ever use my bride as a shield. Just the thought of her having control over my body makes my cock hard. "Yes," I say, pressing my hips forward so she understands just how much I like the idea.

"Done. We can start tonight," she says with an excited giggle.

"After I have my way with you first. I've been dying to see what you wore under this dress."

She turns us away from the crowd and slides her hand between us, gripping my erection over my slacks. "What if I told you I didn't wear anything under here because I was hoping you'd find an excuse to drag me to some old, abandoned hallway to consummate our marriage?"

"Fuck. You will always be my dolce tentazione."

It is true, she will forever be my sweet temptation. She will always tempt me to give up my responsibilities just to spend another minute with her. And I will always be tempted to keep her all to myself. I waited so long for this woman. She changed me in ways I didn't believe were possible. And I know she will continue to push me to grow and be better.

Most importantly, she is the reason I now believe in a love that burns eternal.