The ceremony began without further delays, a pale-haired Vampire in eye-catching red stood behind a decorated podium. The gaudily dressed Vampire that had brought them had slipped away, leaving just the two of them on the stage.
The pale-haired Vampire had a heavy tome open in front of him but he didn't even seem to be reading from it, pale blue eyes hazy as he looked past both Princes standing side by side in front of him to the excited crowd behind them.
"We are gathered here today, to witness the joining of more than just two in eternal companionship, but of two countries…"
Silvan tuned him out as he droned on, partly due to the wine he drank and partly because he would rather not be reminded of all of the reasons he had ended up in this position, slightly drunk and marrying a Vampire.
From where he stood, he could see his father where he sat, as well as the King and Queen of Vallyn. He looked away as soon as he saw his father. He wasn't upset, he just couldn't stand to keep seeing the guilt on his father's face.
Vampires really didn't care for protocols. If they were back in Asten, there would have been a handful of lengthy sermons, as well as a stack of certification decreeing that the woman and everything she had now belonged to her husband…
That was right, they were both men, and it could hardly be called a proper wedding…
"From this day henceforth, they shall walk together in eternity, hands clasped, hearts possessed completely by the other." The priest of sorts paused and peered down at them, "This is not a vow entered into lightly by those who shall not be touched by the withering fingers of time..."
The entire hall seemed to hold their breaths, Silvan's wandering gaze settling on Alessio. The Vampire Prince had solemn gray eyes fixed on him, strangely, Silvan thought he looked really sad, his eyes taking on a glassy quality.
It sobered him a bit, something he quite didn't want, wishing he had drunk another glass of wine as the time came closer for Alessio to give him the customary bite.
"The bond is unbreakable. Their blood shall become as one." The Vampire intoned in a raised voice, an expectant look on his face.
Silvan's thoughts were muddied by alcohol, so it took him a moment to realize that the time had come. Before he could pull back his sleeve and offer his wrist, Alessio had already stepped into his personal space.
His eyes went wide, the realization that no one had ever mentioned to him where the wedding bite needed to be given sinking in as Alessio effortlessly pulled on his cravat, the jeweled silk giving easily under the Vampire's superior strength.
Panic and adrenaline burned through him, mixing badly with the alcohol, which was to his benefit because his immediate instinct would have been to attack Alessio, and that would completely ruin everything his father and sister had worked so hard for.
Silvan closed his eyes when Alessio's sharp teeth made contact with the vulnerable skin of his neck. The Vampire clung to his shoulders, his touch burning even through his overcoat.
Silvan bit down on his inner cheek hard enough to taste blood when Alessio's teeth broke skin. He barely felt the pain of the bite, his head buzzing, he could feel his vision dimming.
Alessio took the lightest sips of his blood, putting distance between them as quickly as he had approached Silvan. He kept his gaze on the ground, a faint flush of red on his face, his red eyes lowered.
Silvan didn't hear the rest of the priest's words, it felt like Alessio's fangs contained venom. His blood was alight, stumbling a bit when the hall rose in polite cheering. His vision swam, and when it cleared up, all he could see was Alessio's concerned face, the Vampire's eyes were back to their cool gray.
"Silvan?" Alessio called his name, but it felt like he was speaking from across the room.
The ground settled under Silvan's feet when Alessio firmly held his arm and led him away, he moved at the other's urging, fighting the temptation to close his eyes. He could barely see so it didn't matter much, but he had an image to preserve.
He heard a door shut behind him, and the noise from the grand hall dimmed, he let himself be guided to a chair, laying down and closing his eyes.
Alessio peered down at Silvan with furrowed brows, guilt and worry settling in his middle. He had bitten the human Prince as gently as possible, barely taking any blood, but Silvan acted like he had been completely drained of blood.
It had to be the wine, he had to keep Luka away from Silvan in the near future, his friend could be vindictive.
He had guided Silvan to lay down on the comfortable couch he had previously been sitting on, they were in the side room, back to being distant from the festivities.
Silvan's face was flushed, suffusing his usually sallow face with color.
Alessio leaned in closer, wondering if he should just leave Silvan to sleep the alcohol off, his gaze dropping to his neck. With his cravat gone and his top buttons undone, the red stain on his neck was easy to see.
Alessio paused, he might have been in so much of a hurry that he forgot to properly seal the bite. He had been about to call to Silvan, to confirm his well-being, but now, he was side-tracked by the drops of blood spilling dangerously close to his pristine white dress shirt.
He naturally moved to seal the bite wound, only to be stopped by a hand around his throat.
"What are you doing?" Silvan rasped, stormy blue-green eyes staring up at him.
Alessio's eyes were wide, completely caught off guard. Silvan's hold on him was far from painful, but firm, it made him swallow slowly due to the constriction. "You're still bleeding," He tried to explain, swiping a tongue over the tip of his fangs. "I wanted to help."
Silvan covered his bleeding neck with his other hand, still keeping his hold on him. "I don't need it," He muttered darkly.
Alessio nodded as best as he could, reaching out to pat the hand around his neck. "Please let go."
Silvan pulled back like he had been burned, his gaze bounced around the room, but his hand never left its protective grip against his own neck.