Lucas's POV
I must have been standing here, in front of the mirror for 15 minutes, not moving and hands trembling at my sides. I glared at reflection, particularly at the offending tie strung itself loosely around my neck. It hung there, taunting me, daring me to tie it up. It's presence reminding me that this was really happening. I was actually going through with this. This overwhelming dread of what I was about to do was never how I imagined I would feel on my wedding day. But yet, here I was. I had made it this far and now, there was no turning back.
I had called Vivienne this morning. I wanted proof. I needed to hear Leah's voice, to make sure that she was still alive and that she was okay. Unfortunately, I only got the latter and my chest tightened with immense pain when it was very clear that she wasn't alright. It felt as though a ton of bricks were pressing against my chest. My demands of Vivienne had only seemed to result in more pain for Leah. As I heard her choke out in pain, I had keeled over, gripping the side of the table. What have I done? Her pain was too much for me to take and I thought I would die from it. I knew with absolute certainty that if she didn't make it out of this alive, neither would I. It was then that I realized how close our two lives seemed to intertwine now.
Knowing I was only prolonging the evitable, I tied the damn tie.
A soft knock, barely audible, gained my attention as I gave myself one last good look in the mirror. I took a deep breath to calm myself down and made my way to the door.
"This wasn't how I imagined your wedding," Tabitha said as soon as I opened the door.
"I don't think any groom imagines killing his bride on his wedding day," I said, stepping aside to let her by and shutting the door quietly. She looked uncomfortable in her unflattering pink bridesmaid dress. The loud sounds of fabric rustling against each other as she made her way to sit on the couch.
"Well, I definitely didn't imagine me looking like a Pepto Bismal bottle on your wedding day either," she said as she fisted the fabric of her skirt in her hands like she wanted to rip the whole thing off before taking a deep breath and smoothing out the wrinkles she created. "But I guess this is a small price to pay for being your best man. But please promise me that when you do this for real, I will not be subjected to this god awful color again."
"Leah doesn't seem like the Pepto Bismal pink kind of girl," I said softly, hoping that I would get my chance at a real wedding.
I took a seat next to her, both of us still and completely lost in our own thoughts. Maybe we were each saying our own prayers in what was to come in the next hours.
"She's heavily guarded," Tabitha said as she broke the silence.
"I figured."
"Something's not right, Lucas. I have this feeling..." she trailed.
"Of course something is not right. I'm planning on killing my bride at my wedding, to save a girl who's family and friends are our sworn enemies." I shot her an ridiculous look.
"It's not that. I feel like we are missing something...something very important."
"Are the blocks you set up not working?" I asked her. Certain senses needed to blocked off for us to successfully carry out our plan, particularly Vivienne's guards and the rest of the guests. Vampires, for obvious reasons would not be welcomed here.
"No, they're fine. It's not that."
I looked at Tabitha, her eyes far away. She bit her lower lip and looked at her watch, shaking her head.
"Something is going to happen. I've never been wrong about my intuition, Lucas. Please...just be careful."
I nodded my head. Her words caused me to worry even more. I know she hadn't meant to make me anxious but I looked down at my hands and realized that they had nervously started shake again. I began to clench and unclench my hands in a failed attempt to calm myself down.
"I have to go. The wedding is going to start soon," she said as she stood up. I turned my head up to her. "I just came here to, I don't know, wish you luck?"
"Luck seems appropriate enough."
She sighed, shrugging her shoulders and bent down to place a small kiss on my head.
"I'm looking forward to your real wedding. It'll happen someday," she murmured. The church music began and I closed my eyes just as I heard the door closed.
The temple was large and ornate. Attached to the castle that I had grown up in, it had the same old, gothic architecture. The emerald stain glass windows reflected colorful patterns against the marble walls, while the large archers and overwhelmingly high vaulted ceiling gave a sense of intimidation and history. Generations of my family have been married, baptized and frequently sought forgiveness here. Thought it is this place that my people considered most sacred, this was where my brother and I had played numerous games with each other when we were young, much to my parents disapproval. I was uncomfortable at the anticipate bloodshed in such a holy place. But I had done everything I could to make sure that this ceremony occurred on my turf, where I knew all the ins and outs and secret passageways that no one else knew anything about.
I stood at the altar, my ears poised to those very same hidden spots Julian and I had found as boys.
"Find out where Leah is first, Lucas. We need to ensure we have that information before we make any moves," Edward said. His voice carrying softly from above me. I looked at Viviane's guards to see if they heard his quite voice.
"They didn't hear anything," I heard Edward chuckle. "Tabitha is pretty talented."
A small smirk formed on my face. Yes, I was very blessed to have her on my side. I stood watching as everyone was taking their seats and the wedding procession ballad started to play. The first down the aisle was Tabitha. She uncomfortably made her way down with Max, my old friend and personal guard , her hand gripping his arm and eyes filled with worry. I nodded to her to let her know that I wouldn't let anything happen to her. She bit her lip and nodded back, as she took her place at the altar while Max came to stand beside me.
It had been a while since I had talked to Max. Our disagreements over my actions these past few weeks had caused a slight rift in our friendship. He looked at me with a smile, all was forgiven in his eyes as put his hand on my shoulder. He must have thought this wedding was me finally coming to my senses.
"Your doing the right thing, Lucas," he said. I kept my face emotionless and kept my gaze straight ahead.
The rest of the wedding party made their way down the aisle and then the music switched to announce the bride. The doors shut, in preparation for the bride, as I closed my eyes. I imagined for just a second, what it would be like to see those doors open and watch Leah come down this aisle. Her long hair loose against her shoulder and that bright smile I had only unfortunately seen a few times. I could almost imagine it perfectly, they way she would look angelic in a simple white dress and felt a small smile lift on the sides of my mouth. But as I opened my eyes, I found a girl who was Leah's opposite. Her hair was pulled back tightly and her body stuffed into a gaudy dress. I watched her with such distaste and hatred as she made her way down to me. A victorious smile plastered on her face as if she thought she already won.
As she held her hand out for me to take, my uncontrollable temper over took me. I wouldn't wait any longer. Not when the person who knew where Leah was so close to me now. She knew where Leah was and if I had to beat it out of her, I would.
"No, Lucas," I heard Edward whisper.
Without another thought, I grabbed her wrist.
"Ow!" she protested softly. She looked around, clearly embarrassed by my actions, wondering if anyone noticed. She stepped closer to me, trying to cover up my actions as lustful eagerness.
"That hurts," she whispered with a fake smile.
The priest cleared his throat to get my attention so he could start the ceremony, but I ignored him. I wanted my answer now.
"Tell me where she is," I growled at her.
"This isn't the plan, Lucas," I heard Seth say from the far corner that he was hiding.
"You know the deal Lucas," Vivienne said trying to keep her voice light but quiet. "Once we are done with ceremony."
"No," My voice came out louder and sharper than I even expected. My patience running thin, I grasped her wrists tighter and shook her. "Tell me now."
"Lucas, you're hurting me," she complained.
"Lucas, what are you doing?" I heard Max say trying to diffused the situation. I could hear the worry whispers from our guests.
"Tell me, Vivienne," I brought her closer to me as I glared into her eyes. She tried to turn her face from me, but I grabbed her chin and made her look at me. "Tell me were Leah is."
She began to panic and I watched her eyes dart around the room.
"Let go of me," she growled back trying to wretch herself free from my grasp.
"I know where she is, Lucas," I heard Edward suddenly say. "She thought of the building where they are keeping her. I know where she is."
Relief was overwhelming but before I could do anything about it I felt a strong hand on my shoulder.
"Let her go, Lucas," Max growled in my ear.
I gave her one last chance to redeem herself and to tell me where Leah was. If she did, I promised myself that maybe I would consider sparing her life.
I let her go and I took a step back. She rubbed her wrists, looking at me with venomous eyes. She stepped closer to me and leaned into my ear.
"Marry me now or she dies," she whispered. "One day you will see I am doing you a favor. If I have to force you to do the right thing, so be it. I am protecting our people."
"Hardly," I said no longer willing to keep up pretenses that our people were her number one concern. "You interests are only gaining power."
"You're being ridiculous, Lucas."
"Ridiculous? I suspect you have plans to kill me after this wedding is over."
"You have no idea