Vows of Darkness

Giorgia~

The music started, a slow, haunting melody threading through the warm night air. People moved to the edges of the dance floor, their chatter fading into an expectant hush. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I felt Javier's presence beside me, his hand sliding against mine, firm and inescapable. A shiver curled up my spine, the contrast of his warmth against my cool skin making my fingers twitch before I forced them to still. My pulse betrayed me, a steady, betraying thrum against my ribs.

I swallowed hard, keeping my chin up as he led me to the center. The lawn stretched around us, the distant glow of lanterns flickering in the night, casting elongated shadows. The weight of countless eyes settled on my skin, prickling like an unspoken challenge.

Javier turned to face me, his dark gaze settling on mine. His hand found my waist, fingers pressing in just enough to remind me who was in control. Heat spread beneath my skin, a flush creeping up my neck, my body tensing for a second before instinct took over, melting into his grip. I hated how easily he commanded a reaction from me, how my breath stuttered, caught between resistance and surrender. "Relax, wife," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "You look like you'd rather be anywhere but here."

I forced a breath, my fingers tightening against his shoulder. "Maybe I would."

His lips curved, slow and taunting. "If you're this nervous now, I wonder what you'll do when we're alone." His voice dipped lower, enough that only I could hear. "Will you tremble just as much?"

My stomach clenched. He was toying with me, enjoying the way my body betrayed me, the way my breath hitched despite my efforts to stay composed. I wanted to snap back, to tell him I wasn't afraid, but my tongue felt heavy, my mind unable to form a sharp enough retort.

The music carried us in slow, deliberate movements. I was acutely aware of the strength in his hold, the way he dictated the pace with effortless control. My dress whispered against the polished wood of the platform beneath us, the night air cool against my skin despite the heat burning between us.

His fingers traced the curve of my waist through the thin fabric. "You keep looking at our audience." He smirked. "Are you hoping for a savior?"

I met his gaze, my nails digging slightly into his shoulder. "No."

He chuckled, low and knowing. "Good. Because no one here would dare."

My pulse jumped, but I refused to look away. This was the game he played—pushing, prodding, watching me stumble so he could revel in it. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

The song neared its end, the final notes stretching between us. As he pulled me in for the last turn, his lips brushed close to my ear. "I think I'm going to enjoy tonight more than I expected."

My breath caught, but before I could respond, the music stopped, and the applause broke through the moment, shattering whatever lingering tension had wrapped around us.

After Javier, I barely had a moment to catch my breath before the others took their turn. Ivan was the first, spinning me around with a dramatic flair, grinning like he was enjoying this far more than he should. My father was next, his grip steady, his expression enigmatic—proud, maybe, or just relieved that I hadn't run. Then Antonio, tense and distant, as if this dance was nothing more than a formality. Each step, each new partner, blurred together until a voice cut through the haze.

"May I have the honor of a dance with the bride?" Omar's voice cut through the applause, smooth yet carrying an authority that left no room for refusal.

Javier's posture shifted.

It was subtle—just a fraction of a movement—but I noticed. The set of his shoulders, the way his fingers curled slightly at his sides, the sharp glint in his eyes. He wasn't pleased.

Still, I placed my hand in Omar's, and his grip was firm, leading me to the center of the dance floor once more. His gaze dipped, lingering for a second too long at the exposed curve of my collarbone before dragging lower. His other hand settled at my waist, heavier than necessary, and an unsettling sensation crept along my spine.

"You make a lovely bride," he murmured, his voice smooth, calculated.

I felt it—the way his eyes hovered, not quite meeting mine, drawn instead to the shape of my dress, to the bare skin the heart-shaped neckline left exposed.

I forced a polite smile, but the air between us felt suffocating. The way his thumb brushed absently against my side, the way his grip seemed to tighten just enough to make me aware of his strength—it was enough to send a ripple of unease through me.

I forced myself to keep my expression reserved, but the urge to pull away grew stronger with every slow, deliberate sweep of his eyes.

And yet, what unsettled me more was Javier.

Even as I moved with his father, I could feel his gaze, sharp and unwavering. Not a single flicker of amusement or disinterest—just something dark, something territorial, burning in his eyes as he watched us.

If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that Javier didn't like his father anywhere near me. He hadn't looked twice when I danced with Ivan but with Omar… it was different. It was like a slow-burning rage simmering just beneath the surface.

A fresh round of applause followed the final dance, and as I stepped away from Omar, Javier was already there, his hand firm around my wrist. His grip wasn't bruising, but it left no room for argument. The air between us crackled, heavy with something unsaid, and I barely had time to register the shift before the crowd erupted into cheers.

"The garter!" someone called.

I stiffened.

Javier smirked, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "Try not to look so mortified, wife. We wouldn't want our guests thinking I married an prude, would we?"

My throat dried. The warmth of the night suddenly felt suffocating.

Before I could protest, he was guiding me to a chair at the edge of the dance floor, the crowd forming a semi-circle around us. My pulse pounded as I sat, my dress pooling around me. The anticipation in the air was almost tangible, the knowing grins, the expectant gazes. My heart lurched when Javier knelt in front of me, dark eyes gleaming with mischief.

He ran a slow hand down my shin, his fingers dragging against my skin, teasingly deliberate. "Spread your knees a little for me, cariño," he murmured, just low enough for only me to hear.

Heat flared across my cheeks, but before I could react, he was already dipping beneath my gown. The fabric shifted, swallowing him whole. A ripple of laughter and whistles filled the air.

I tensed when his fingers found the garter, his touch skimming higher than necessary. My breath caught as his lips brushed my inner thigh, a featherlight tease that sent a shiver up my spine. Then—warmth. Wet. The unmistakable graze of his tongue, slow and deliberate, followed by the sharp nip of his teeth.

I gasped, my fingers gripping the edge of my chair.

The crowd, oblivious to what was really happening under the layers of tulle and lace, whooped and cheered as Javier's hands smoothed up my legs, leisurely taking his time.

"Javier," I hissed, barely keeping my voice steady.

His chuckle vibrated against my skin. "Something wrong, cariño?"

Bastard.

A sudden tug, and the garter slid down my leg. When he finally emerged, garter caught between his teeth, his expression was nothing short of victorious.

The crowd roared.

Ivan, of course, wasted no time. "Damn, Javi. I think you took longer than necessary. What were you doing under there, marking your territory?"

Victor laughed. "Knowing him? Probably."

"Can you not be disgusting for once? Some of us actually have to keep our food down." Martina said with a sicken expression.

Ivan smirked, eyes flicking over Martina's unimpressed expression. "Funny, princesa. You talk a big game, but when I get my hands on you, I bet you'd be making sounds that'd ruin everyone's appetite."

Martina scoffed, shooting him a glare. "Keep dreaming, asshole. I wouldn't even let you touch me."

Ivan leaned back, grinning with arrogance "We'll see about that."

I pressed my lips together, fighting the heat rising to my face as Javier shot his friends an unapologetic smirk before standing. He snapped the garter into his hand, turning to the crowd with a satisfied look.

I exhaled, trying to gather myself, but Javier leaned in again, voice dark and knowing.

"Consider that a preview for later."

My stomach twisted, and this time, I didn't look away.

Because for all the arrogance in his words, there was something else in his gaze. Something perilous.

Something that promised I wouldn't be sleeping tonight.

The laughter and chatter had started to die down, the night stretching into its final moments. The warmth of the lanterns flickered against the dark sky, casting a golden glow over the remaining guests. I could feel the exhaustion settling into my bones, but it wasn't the weight of the long night that made my stomach twist. It was the anticipation of what came next.

Javier stood beside me, calm as ever, his hand resting against the small of my back—a touch that was more possessive than necessary. The cheers started slowly, a few murmurs and knowing smiles passing between guests, and then Victor clapped Javier on the back with a grin that made my skin crawl.

"About damn time," he said, his voice loud enough to carry. "Go on, brother, don't keep the lady waiting."

My pulse spiked, heat creeping up my neck. Before I could even process the moment, more voices joined in—cheering, teasing, a few of the older guests giving polite smiles while the younger ones reveled in my discomfort. The implications were clear, each word laced with expectation.

I fought the urge to shrink back, to find some excuse, some way to stall, but there was none. My fate had already been sealed.

Javier exhaled a quiet chuckle beside me, his fingers pressing slightly against my back. "You ready, wife?"

No.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. My gaze flickered across the sea of faces until I found the only one I was searching for.

Martina.

She was watching me carefully, lips pressed together before she gave me a small, reassuring nod. A silent You can do this.

I almost wanted to laugh. If only she knew the war waging inside me. If only she knew the kind of night I was about to step into.

My eyes shifted, scanning for Antonio. But he wasn't there.

A breath of relief slipped past my lips before I could stop it. At least I was spared that mortification.

Javier must have sensed something because he leaned in slightly, his voice brushing against my ear. "Looking for someone?"

I forced a blank expression, turning my attention back to him. "No."

His lips curved, unreadable as always, but he didn't push. Instead, he nodded toward the entrance of the mansion. "Let's go."

The cheers followed us as we moved, the weight of every step dragging down on me. My heart pounded in my chest, a steady, suffocating beat. The hallway stretched before us, dimly lit, silent compared to the chaos outside. Each step echoed in my ears, the distance between me and the inevitable closing in.

And then we reached the door.

Javier pushed it open, stepping aside to let me in first. My breath hitched as I crossed the threshold, the air inside heavier than the night breeze outside.

And he shut the door behind us.