The Taste of Seduction

"How are you feeling?" Marcus asked softly.

"Good." Meredith replied.

Marcus nodded curtly and he held out his hand, "Let\'s go."

Meredith took it tentatively, "Do I have to behave like a princess or have to be myself?"

He chuckled. "Yourself, princess. You don\'t have to create an image that isn\'t you. Feel free."

Meredith swallowed and nodded, "Alright."

They walked in silence and met people along the way who glanced at her curiously but she was too nervous to pay them any attention.

They finally stopped in front of a door and Marcus opened it leading her in.

There were several people hanging out. Some

were playing video games and others chatting. It

was clear their presence caused quite a commotion because they all fell silent as they walked by.

And Meredith noticed more than one female glared at their joined hands, their expressions were a mix of surprise, jealousy and outright animosity.

Her throat bobbled, and her heart sank inside her chest. It\'s like they wanted to kill her.

Marcus squeezed her fingers lightly. He must have

heard her increase in heartbeat and sensed her nervousness. She looked up at him.

His lips curved into a small reassuring smile but it disappeared so fast she thought she was hallucinating.

Meredith inhaled and released the breath to calm her nerves.

If she didn\'t know any better, she would swear they had stepped into a nightclub. There were several

couches set in groupings, a bar at the far side of the room and multi color lightnings.

Meredith and Marcus made their way past several

groupings of furniture until they reached a couple

seated in two very comfortable-looking high-back

upholstered chairs, close to the bar. There was

a small table between them.

As they got closer,she realized it was Timothe and a woman. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her skin was autumn brown and as smooth as a moonstone. She had blue eyes and her hair was coral-black and it crashed over her shoulders.

Marcus introduced her, "Meredith, this is Katrina."

She pulled Meredith into a hug, "I have been dying to meet you!"

Meredith returned the hug with a smile on her face for the warm welcome. She was the only female who didn\'t look like she wanted to kill her.

Meredith and Marcus sat across them on a couch.

"So tell me how the earth is? Is it filled with hot guys like the ones in the books? Are the men so loving like they describe in the books? It must be so nice!"

Katrina gushed with a dream-like look on her face.

"Do you also like books?" Meredith asked equally excited to meet someone who was obsessed with books like her.

"Yes of course! We have a huge library filled with all kinds of books anyone wants to read. I\'m obsessed with historical romances and mafia books! Are the mafia men hot like they describe in the books?"

Katrina questioned.

Meredith smiled and began to talk about books with Katrina, both of them forgetting about the men sitting beside them.

Marcus leaned down to her ear while she was listening to Katrina, his breath tickling her neck as he growled low, "You look so beautiful with that beautiful smile on your face. You should smile more.

His words and tone sent shockwaves of heat

through her system. She stared up at him with wide

eyes.

Meredith knew he was acting and wanted people to see them as a happy couple.

Suddenly, he glanced over her shoulder. A muscle

in his jaw clenched and his expression hardened. Meredith turned around to find the source of his irritation.

A stunning woman with purple hair and red

eyes glared intently at them. Her hands were balled

into fists and she was almost vibrating with fury.

"Arya." Timothe hissed.

"I will be right back. Wait for me okay?" Marcus said softly before he stood to his feet and walked across the room to her.

They spoke too softly for Meredith to hear their words, but her body language said it all.

Her clenched fists and her biting her lips trying to hold her tears told her what she had to know.

Meredith stared at them silently. She felt kinda bad taking Marcus from this beautiful woman.

Without warning, Marcus took the woman by the arm and they both walked out the door.

Meredith frowned, she hoped everything was okay. She would hate to be the source of another woman\'s pain.

Her expression must have given away her internal

struggle, because Katrina suddenly joined her in the

couch and took her hand. She murmured softly,

"It\'s not what it looks like."

"Huh?" Meredith asked, confused. What was she talking about ?

"Marcus was the most eligible bachelor and he is quite popular with the ladies. Even though Arya was the only one he was sleeping with. Their relationship was purely contractual and she knew what she was getting into."

Katrina explained.

"Oh…" Meredith trailed off. She didn\'t know what to say.

"Yeah, let\'s go to the biggest library. We can find some books together." Katrina suggested

"Alright."

Meredith was grateful for the company of Katrina. She was so easy-going and fun to talk to.

Meredith was surprised when she told her she had grown together with Marcus and Timothe.

Even though Marcus was the only vampire in their circle they seemed to get along well.

Marcus had a sense of responsibility for maintaining peace between the vampires and the werewolves.

Meredith was quite surprised at this information.

"Your parents basically raised him so he had always wanted to complete their vision. I\'m so happy that you\'re here princess."

Meredith smiled and gave a small nod.

Meredith and Katrina browsed through the vast books and at the end of the day, Meredith had enough books to accompany her throughout the month. Marcus still wasn\'t back and she couldn\'t help but worry.

She glanced a worried look around hoping to see Marcus but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Tomorrow I will come pick you for your dress fitting! I can\'t wait. It\'s been so long since we had a joint ball."

Katrina said once they reached Meredith\'s chambers.

"Alright I will wait for you then."