Justine Ch. 22

"Touch yourself baby." Quinn panted.

Justine widened her legs, reached town and began to frantically rub her clit. She ground against Quinn as hard as she could.

"Harder!" she moaned.

Quinn slammed into her so hard that had he not been holding on to her she would have flown head first into a wall. Justine flexed her vaginal muscles, pinched her clit. She held off on her release until she heard Quinn moan deep in his throat. As soon as she felt him thicken, she squeezed her clit even harder and came just as Quinn released the first spray of his seed inside of her.

Afterwards, Quinn stood her up and turned her so that she faced him. He looked down at her, smiled and then kissed her. Seconds later they were dressed and standing in Emmanuel's cell.

He was sitting on the cot with a forlorn expression on his face. He stood as soon as he sat them.

"I'm sorry!" he said before either of them could speak. "I was stupid! You were right but surely you know that I am no traitor! My only error was in not telling you what I knew. Please... I throw myself on your mercy. I swear my allegiance to you and yours... please!"

"Calm down." Justine said firmly.

She moved so that she was standing in front of him. Justine looked into his eyes and willed him to calm.

"You now work for us. Anything that you hear regarding treason will be reported to Maurice Delgado, Lorenzo Delgado or Mikhail. You are now under our protection and no harm will come to you. Do you understand?"

"Yes my Queen."

"You will also forget anything that you may have inadvertently heard. If asked, you did nothing more than prepare our clothes for the gala. In fact, you won't remember being arrested. Now go, the wedding is in three days. We will meet you in your rooms for the final fitting."

"Yes my Queen." Emmanuel said.

Justine and Quinn watched Emmanuel as he was led away by a guard.

"Well." Quinn said. "I should have told him to stop looking at your ass."

"Will you please let that go?" Justine said laughing. "My ass belongs to you now come on; Mikhail wants to go over things again.

*********

Justine looked at the wedding dress and was surprised that she actually liked it. Other than the color, it didn't look like the same dress. She still wished that her mother and David were going through the ceremony with them, but she understood.

In three hours she would be going through another wedding. She tried to keep in mind what David told her. She wasn't kissing ass but cultivating allies. She wondered how Quinn was holding up. They hadn't seen each other since the evening before. Each of them had things to do that only they could take care of.

"He did a good job on it didn't he?" Josephine asked from behind her.

"I actually like it." Justine replied. "Now if we could only get this thing over with so that we can have some fun..."

Josephine chuckled and then turned serious.

"You've made David very happy. Thank you."

"He's a good man." Justine replied. "It was above and beyond the call of duty for him to offer the use of your island. Thank you ...mom, I can see why you love him and I can see why he loves you. I'm glad that both of you are here. What's he got planned for Lana's dad?"

"An entry position at one of his companies." Josephine replied. "He'll provide whatever education that he needs and set up a repayment schedule."

"What are your thoughts about Thomas' family?" Justine asked changing the subject.

"They'll be here." She replied. "But Thomas is ready."

"He talked to me about his mother." Justine said. "I'll give her a choice to go free or go with her husband."

"Which do you think she'll choose?" Josephine asked.

"Her husband." Justine replied as she started to head toward the shower and then turned back. "Have you seen Quinn?"

"Yes and he's as anxious for this to be over as you are." Josephine replied.

"How many people are here?" Justine asked as she peeked through the curtains.

"The room where the ceremony will be held is already half full. The guests for the gala started arriving an hour ago. So far no major problems have been reported."

"Good." Justine said. "Whatever's going happen isn't going to happen until the end of the week. All of the guards are hyper vigilant but by the end of the week they'll be fatigued."

"But that's when Gremlin's clan steps in isn't it?"

"Yes but half of them are already here." Justine replied.

"You need to start getting ready." Josephine said. "Do you need to feed?"

"No, I'm good but can you just check on things for me?"

Justine started to take a shower but opted for a bath. She added bath oil, turned on the radio and got in. she fidgeted around trying to get comfortable. The back of the tub felt rock hard against her back and she wished that Quinn was in the tub with her.

Unable to relax, she got out of the tub and took a shower instead. Josephine was waiting her when she came out along with the same makeup artist that did her makeup for the first wedding ceremony.

"It's a pleasure to see you again my Queen."

"You too... just remember no clown faces." Justine replied as she sat in the chair.

"I remember." He replied. "I brought Felicity to do your hair this time."

"Yes I know." Justine replied. "The other girl just had a baby."

"How are you doing?" Quinn asked telepathically.

"I'm alright and I learned something." Justine replied.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Quinn asked.

"Taking a bath alone isn't any fun." Justine replied telepathically. "I ended up taking a shower."

Quinn laughed. "I'll tell you what. As soon as we get to our room we'll sit in the tub for as long as you like."

"Deal... I just want this part of it over with." Justine said.

"I know you do. So do I." Quinn replied. "But I've decided to look at it as another chance to show the world how much I love you. When I look at it that way, I look forward to it."

"You know what?" Justine asked still speaking telepathically, "You're right and I'm holding you to our date in the bathtub. And Quinn, I love you too... thank you."

"I'll see you in an hour."

******

An hour later, Justine was waiting to make her entrance. The room was filled to capacity and camera crews were everywhere broadcasting the event live to every part of the world that had the technology. Josephine stood to her left holding her hand while David stood to her right.

The red dress shimmered whenever she moved, the rubies catching the light. Small rubies were placed in her hair adding to the shimmering effect. Justine moved her feet; they were already bothered by the three inch heels on her feet. She had already decided that the shoes would be the first to go.

"You look beautiful." David whispered.

"Thanks and thank you for walking with me."

Suddenly everyone was standing. Justine could hear the monotone voice of the officiator from where she stood. She started to complain and then stopped herself. Both Quinn and David were right in how they looked at the event. She closed her eyes and blocked out the music and the murmurings of the guests. She decided to focus on Quinn. Nothing would be possible without him.

"Josephine, are you ready?" Mikhail asked.

Justine watched as Mikhail escorted her mother down the red runner. Quinn was already standing next to the officiator looking handsome in his gray tux. Apparently he could choose what he got to wear which irked her.

As soon as Josephine was seated and Mikhail was sitting next to Zoe, it was time for Justine and David to walk in. The music had stopped and the man standing with Quinn was speaking in a foreign language that Justine actually understood. He was saying the same words over and over.

"All hail the Queen of Queens... All hail the Queen of Queens..."

He said this in the same monotone voice until Justine and David were standing in front of him and then he said something else. Justine let her mind wander only half listening to the man. Finally, he asked David who he was.

"I am David Sheffield, mate to the Queen Mother, friend to the Queen of Queens and her mate. It is with great honor that I hand her over to our king."

The man droned on for another ten minutes before holding his hand out to Justine and effectively dismissing David.

Justine took the cold clammy hand of the official and looked at Quinn.

"God Jussie, you're gorgeous!" Quinn said out loud and earning a dirty look from the official.

"So are you." Justine replied ignoring the official.

"Excuse me." the official snapped, "But you are not permitted to speak to each other until the ceremony is complete."

The green flames around Quinn's eyes jumped to life as he stared at the official. The room was silent as everyone waited to see what was going to happen. Justine took Quinn's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You cannot..."

"Don't you dare say that we can't talk." Justine growled. "You have forty --five minutes to get this done."

"You cannot shorten the ceremony!"

"She just did." Quinn said. "You've just used five minutes."

Obviously flustered, the official sputtered as he looked through his book trying to see what he could eliminate.

"Look." Quinn said. "Say your prayers without all the repetitions, say the prayer of fertility, sing your song, bless everyone and we're done."

"Do you need an official command?" Justine asked when the official still hadn't started.

Maurice looked over at Mikhail trying not to laugh and then looked at Lorenzo. They had tried to warn the official before the ceremony but he hadn't listened.

Maurice took a quick look around the crowded room and liked what he saw. Justine and Quinn had just established themselves as no bull shit rulers.

David put his arm around Josephine, pulled her close and kissed her temple.

"That's our girl!" he whispered.

He considered Justine as a daughter even if she didn't see him as a father figure. He was immensely proud of her. Like Maurice had done, David looked around the room. He had seen the dubious looks that several people had given Justine as they walked by during the processional. He noted with satisfaction that those looks were replaced with looks of respect and surprise.

"Good girl." He muttered under his breath.

Exactly forty minutes later, the ceremony was over. The official had gotten over his ire and was smiling. There was something to be said about a shorter service.

"Everyone rise and acknowledge our Queen of Queens Justine and her mate and King Quinn!"

As one, everyone stood and bowed their heads and said the equivalent of the Pledge of Allegiance. Undercover security guards took note of who did not say the pledge, but left them alone. As soon as the ceremony was over, Quinn and Justine vanished to a room set aside for their use.

"I wish that we had time for a quickie." Quinn said as he changed into less formal clothes.

"Me too but duty calls." Justine replied.

A few minutes later, they were greeting their guests. Justine took quick peeks around looking for signs of trouble. Sensing none, she turned her attention back to greeting the guests. All was well for the moment.

*******

Wallace Dunham felt uncomfortable in the formal clothes that he was wearing for the first night of the gala. He hadn't dressed up in centuries and wished that he could get rid of the bowtie that felt as if it was choking the life out of him.

"Stop picking at it!" Dawn Rhys, Thomas' sister and Wallace's date for the week snapped. "Do you understand what you're supposed to do?"

"I'm just supposed to walk around." Wallace replied. "But I don't understand... why am I being paid so well to just walk around?"

"You're also being paid to do as you're told and not to ask questions." Dawn retorted.

The feeling of disquiet was back. Wallace began to wonder what he had gotten himself into; but asked no further questions. He had the feeling that it wouldn't be in his best interest. He reached for the neck of his shirt again and stopped when he saw Dawn glaring at him.

It was going to be a long week.

*********

The first four days of the gala flew by. There were a few minor issues and several dignitaries had been asked to leave. Apparently they hadn't believed that the guidelines stated in the invitations would be followed.

"Ambassador Kenda, you received a copy of the guidelines for the gala with your invitation did you not?" Maurice asked.

"This is an outrage! I demand to speak to the Queen!" Kenda shouted.

Maurice looked at the ambassador unfazed by his anger.

"The outrage is that a man of your intelligence would do something so stupid as to try to sneak an unauthorized guest into the gala. Not only that... it was a human. The guidelines were very clear about that."

Maurice paused to let the vampire defend himself. He hadn't delivered the most damning piece of information yet. While he waited for the ambassador to think of an excuse, he touched Regina's mind with his.

"I'm fine; I'm with Naila and Lorenzo." She sent back.

"Look here... can't we over look this? It would save me a great deal of embarrassment." The ambassador said with a smile. "It was such a small thing and he is gone isn't he?"

"Ambassador, the young human male that you brought with you is a hunter. He was here to gather information."

"You're lying! A hunter hasn't been seen in centuries! He is much too young!"

"He confessed under compulsion." Maurice replied. "By bringing him here you endangered all of us. You've especially endangered those of us who don't have the luxury of having security teams to help keep them safe. You're fortunate that he was found before he did any real damage."

"What do you mean?" He asked nervously.

"I mean that your young man was caught talking to his contact." Maurice replied. "You're fortunate that you're not in a cell."

Kenda blinked and then paled.

"Surely you don't think that I knew what he was? I...."

"Had you followed the guidelines we wouldn't be talking would we?" Maurice asked. "You have thirty minutes in which to pack after which a guard will escort you off the property. If you are found anywhere near here, you will be arrested. Your thirty minutes begins now."

"Wait... what happened to the young man?" Kenda asked.

"He's safe for the moment." Maurice replied. "Twenty-nine minutes."

Maurice watched the ambassador rush off and shook his head. There would be no helping Regina undress before bed. The hunter had to be interrogated.

It turned out that the hunter was new and wanted to make a name for himself. The information that he had gathered was important enough that it could have caused a great deal of trouble for all of them. Thankfully a security team member had stopped to listen and apprehended the man. After finding out who he called, Maurice compelled the man to call the number back and tell them that the information had been incorrect. After the phone call, Maurice compelled the man to give him the names and address of the hunters in the area.

"It was stupid of you to come here." Maurice told the hunter. "You're lucky that you're still alive. It is well within our rights to kill you."

The hunter's eyes widened; but he didn't say anything. He had to admit that the vampire was right; he shouldn't have come.

"I don't understand this hatred that you have of us." Maurice said. "The majority of us are law abiding citizens. We have families that we love just as you do. We are doctors, lawyers and many of us struggle to live day to day just as you do. There are those of us who are evil and who make no effort to mainstream. Those we hunt and destroy. They are an enemy to you and to us so why do you come after those who do you no harm? Answer me."

"It's what we are taught." The hunter replied. "We only know that your kind lie, steal, rape and murder."

"Has one of my kind ever hurt you or anyone in your family?" Maurice asked.

"No... but..."

"But what?" Maurice interrupted. "You blindly believe everything that you've been told? You don't have a brain?"

"Are you going to kill me?" The hunter asked in a shaky voice.

"I could but I won't" Maurice replied. "I have a better idea."

"W... what are you going to do to me?"

"Silence!" Maurice said as he looked into the dark brown eyes of the terrified hunter.

"You will be escorted away from here. You won't remember how you got her or anything about this place. You will remember what I'm about to tell you. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"When you leave here, you will go home. You will tell the leader of your group about the rogues and convince him that they are the true enemy. You will suggest to him that he work with us to eliminate this common enemy. When he finally agrees... and this may take some time, you will say one word; oyez which means call to attention. That word is only to be used when you need to reach me. Is that understood?"

"I understand." The hunter replied.

"Repeat my instructions." Maurice commanded.

Satisfied that the hunter would do as he was told; Maurice had him taken from the premises. He found Mikhail and told him what happened.

"Good thinking." Mikhail replied. "I'm going to send someone to watch him and the leader."

Fortunately the other incidents weren't nearly as serious but exceptions couldn't be made. Part of the reason for the gala was so that the reigning Queen could set the tone for her rule. Justine and Quinn had done that nicely. Everyone now knew that they would take no nonsense, but on the other hand; they were seeing a Queen and King who weren't afraid to intermingle with and have a good time with their subjects.

Maurice watched as Quinn talked with vampires who were obviously struggling to survive. Whatever Quinn said to the vampires made them happy. Their toothy grins could be seen from across the room. Justine was handing a drink to a woman who looked to be in her seventies... the age at which she had been turned.

All and all, things were going well; but three days remained. He watched Gabra and Jian was they walked from table to table sometimes stopping; but most times not. He was beginning to wonder if anything was going to happen but...

He looked behind him to see Anthony Rhys talking to a group of vampires. The thought that they might get through the gala with no further incidents flew out of the window. Maurice looked around the room to see if he could spot Thomas. When he didn't, he sent out a group telepathic message.

"Anthony Rhys is here."

One by one he got a response acknowledging the message.

"Let's go make ourselves known." Mikhail said from beside him.

*******

Thomas hadn't let his guard down even though Lottie was much more relaxed. He wasn't going to relax until the gala was over and his father was in prison. His arm was around Lottie's waist when he felt her tense.

"Lottie? What is it?" He asked looking around.

"I... I thought that I saw someone that I haven't seen in years... but I must have been mistaken."

"Who was it that you thought you saw?" Thomas asked.

"My father... but he would never come to something like this. He would be too embarrassed. Many of his old business associates are here."

The wheels started turning in Thomas' head.

"Lottie if he tries to get you to go with him; don't. He's working with my father."

"What? Thomas are you sure?" Lottie asked.

"Remember we couldn't figure out how they were going to take you." He replied. "The only way would be for you to go with them."

"My father... that's why he's here." She whispered. "He was the one person that we didn't think about."

Thomas looked around the crowded room looking for his family.

"They're here." He said. "Maurice just spotted my father. They're waiting you to wander off."

"I won't... I promise." Lottie said.

*********

Wallace walked around the large building still confused as to why he was there. He ran into a few business associates who while polite; were standoffish. Dawn Rhys was never far from his side, but she never spoke to him unless it was to berate him for something. It was clear that she didn't like him, but then; he didn't like her either.