Ben helped around the
house during his suspension. He struggled to be a model son. His normally
indifferent grades improved. But soon enough his life changed forever.
Blade and Ice stood
silently in the doorway. “Come with us, Ben.”
“Why? What have I
done?”
“Nothing. This is not
a punishment.”
“Where are we going?”
“To see the Council,”
Blade sounded tired and old.
“Why?” Ben asked
again, his eyes widening. He knew about the Vampire Council of course, but
didn’t understand what they wanted with him. He was just a twelve year old boy.
He hadn’t broken any of the Laws.
He sat in the backseat
of the car as Blade drove the three of them to the Council chambers. Ice was
his usual unreadable self, but Blade seemed angry. They didn’t talk to each
other during the long drive. Ben got the impression that they had argued over
something. Which was impossible, they never argued.
The car stopped and
they got out. They went into an underground corridor.
“Wait here, you two,”
Blade said breaking the awkward silence. He entered the plain wooden doors.
“Why am I here, Ice?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t.”
The door opened and
Blade gestured them inside. The Council was waiting for them in their rainbow
of colors. A slender pale woman stood before the Council. She did not look
happy about being here.
“Fabian Dickson, Ice
King, Benjamin King, you stand before the Council. Fabian Dickson, do you
acknowledge that this boy, Benjamin King, is the son of your body and your
blood?”
“I do.”
“Do you acknowledge
that the Council holds the right to dispense of those your blood as it
chooses?”
“I do.”
“Ice King, you stand
for the boy’s mother, do acknowledge the rights of the Council?”
“I do.”
“Benjamin King, you
have not yet reached your majority, yet you are old enough to understand. Do
you acknowledge the Council’s right to determine your future? The punishment
for refusing to submit to the Council’s will is usually death. Do you
understand this?”
“I understand. I
submit to the will of the Council.” Ben said. He knew perfectly well that the
Council ruled the vampires and half-vampires with an iron will. Comply or die.
It was an effective means of control.
“Good. Blizzara Frost,
do you submit to the will of the Council?”
“I do,” the woman
said. Her body language and tone said “Go to hell.”
“It is the will of the
Council that these two individuals be joined in matrimony. However, since one
of the participants is underage, consummation will wait until the boy reaches
his majority in six years.”
“Do you, Benjamin King,
take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?”
Ben struggled to find
his voice. This was completely unexpected. He was only twelve, far too young to
be married.
“Benjamin, you must
answer the question,” Blade prompted quietly.
“I do.”
“Do you, Blizzara
Frost, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”
“Man?! He’s an
untried, ignorant boy!” Contempt colored her words.
“Blizzara,” Lord
Diamond warned.
“Very well. I agree to
shackle myself to this child.”
:Then I now pronounce
you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
She snorted. “Shall I
get a ladder for him? Or perhaps an instruction manual?”
Ben flushed. He knew
he was inexperienced, but there was no reason to mock him for it. He leaned
over and gave her a quick peck on the lips. She wiped her lips off afterwards.
“If this farce is
over, may I leave?”
“You may accompany
your husband to his house.”
She fumed beside Ben
the entire trip home. His parents weren’t talking either. He was struggling to
wrap his mind around the fact that he was married. Married to a woman who
clearly despised him. He had no idea why it had been necessary to do this, but
he would wait until he could get Blade alone to ask the questions bubbling
through his mind.
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