“Inside the church, the bondsmaids were walking slowly down the aisle,with the little petal girls. Trinity turned to give Mimi her last words ofmotherly advice: 'Walk straight. Don't slouch. And for heavens's sake,smile! It's your bonding!?' Then she too walked through the door anddown the aisle. The door shut behind her, leaving Mimi alone.Finally, Mimi heard the orchestra play the first strains of the 'WeddingMarch.' Wagner. Then the ushers opened the doors and Mimi moved to the threshold. There was an appreciative gasp from the crowd as they took in the sight of Mimi in her fantastic dress. But instead of acknowledging her triumph as New York?s most beautiful bride, Mimi looked straight ahead, at Jack, who was standing so tall and straight at the altar. He met her eyes and did not smile.'Let's just get this over with.'His words were like an ice pick to the heart. He doesn't love me. He hasnever loved me. Not the way he loves Schuyler. Not the way he loved Allegra. He has come to every bonding with this darkness. With this regret and hesitation, doubt and despair. She couldn't deny it. She knew her twin, and she knew what he was feeling, and it wasn't joy or even relief.What am I doing?"Ready" Forsyth Llewellyn suddenly appeared by her side. Oh, right, sheremembered, she had said yes when Forsyth had offered to walk herdown the aisle.Here goes nothing. As if in a daze, Mimi took his arm, Jack's words stillechoing in her head. She walked, zombie-like, down the aisle, not evennoticing the flashing cameras or the murmurs of approval from thehard-to-impress crowd.”

“The rose fell into his lap, and he looked up, startled. Mimi grinned."Hey handsom" Mimi sent."What's up?" Jack replied, without speaking."Just thinking of you."Jack's smile deepened, and he threw the rose back at her so that it landed in her lap. Mimi tucked it behind her ear and fluttered her eyelashes appreciatively.”

“You've won," Jack said softly. He looked at Mimi with such fiery hatred that she almost cowered at his words. But she was no weakling. She was Azrael, and Azrael did not cower, not even to Abbadon."I've won nothing," Mimi replied coldly. "Please remember that almost all of the Elders are dead, that theDark Prince is ascendant, and what is left of the Conclave is being led by a broken man who used to be the strongest of us all. And yet all you seem to care about, my darling, is that you no longer get to play with your little love toy."Instead of answering her, Jack flew across the room and slapped her hard across the face, sending hercrashing to the floor. But before he could wield another blow, Mimi leaped up and slammed him against the window, knocking him completely out of breath."Is this what you want?" she hissed as she lifted him up by his shirt collar, his face turning a ghastly shade of red."Don't let me destroy you," he sneered."Just try, my sweet."Jack twisted out of her grasp and flipped her over, kicking her down the length of the room. She sprung up with her hands clenched, her nails sharp as claws, and fangs bared. They met halfway in the air, and Jack put a hand on her throat and began to squeeze. But she scratched at his eyes and wrenched her body so that she was rolling on top of him, her sword at his throat, with the upper hand.SUBMIT. Mimi sent.NEVER.”

“The Code of the Vampires decreed that anyone who violated the Sacred Law was condemned to death, the blood burning. Charles had refused to subject Allegra to the sentence. But Mimi was a different matter. Mimi walked out of the church, knowing that if she ever saw Jack again, she would have to kill him.”

“He lifted his gaze to the framed photograph of Tanya and him taken on their wedding day. God, she had been lovely. Her smile had come through her eyes straight from her heart. He had known unequivocally that she loved him. He believed to this day that she had died knowing that he loved her. How could she not know? He had dedicated his life to never letting her doubt it.”

“Now with her eyes closed and fist clenched at her side. She was as off balanced as he was. Lilith took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She looked at Ian and did what took every ounce of will power she had; she walked away and out the doors. Ian watched as Lilith left the study and was shocked. He wanted her and she walked away from him. Then anger stormed his emotions and now he was royally pissed off. He was getting fucking tired of the cold and hot treatment she was giving him. Why the hell was she running?”