Chapter 16

Marked.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews guys. As far as going strictly by the Kresley Cole series. I am not. The story is greatly inspired by Immortals after dark but of course I have my own little twists. D: I try so hoard to make this story likeable. Sorry for my typos. Enjoy the new chapter!

Promise - Ciara

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Regina arrived at the coven in her room, heavily breathing as her mark started to throb. Pulsing against her neck, reminding her of the pleasure and pain of the previous pleasure.

'So much pleasure.' the brunette grudgingly admitted.

The young Valkyrie slowly opening the heavy front doors of the mansion and inwardly cringed, ready for the fireworks. She figured it was better to get it over with sooner than later instead of hiding the mark.

Regina blinked and looked around the empty foyer and also the staircase. Turning around before the doors closed she noticed the lack of cars and music playing. The brunette was so focused on her problems she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

"They have all gone to search for your mother." A clear voice rang out from above. Sitting on the chandelier was Nix the Ever Knowing with a playful smirk.

"She has just left for her mission, how could she be missing?" Regina inquired with a confused expression.

Nix decided to jump down gracefully at this point, landing lightly on her feet before turning to Regina. The older Valkyrie eyes glowing silver as she focused on the brunette with her lips pursed in disappointment.

Regina stiffened when she noticed her aunt looking at the throbbing mark on her neck. "Is there a way-" She started, only to be interrupted.

"There is a way." Nix said with an eyebrow still raised, now crossing her arms over her chest as the bat continued to fly overhead, uncharacteristically silent.

The brunette glanced around, eyes furrowing with confusion to the fact that her aunt did not elaborate. "Who-" she started.

"The witch Mariketa the awaited." Nix said with a shrug, going over to the tall grandfather clock by the door and effortlessly sitting on the top with her legs crossed, observing Regina curiously. Mariketa the awaited was the most powerful witch in the 'House of Witches' Half goddess half witch.

Regina processed this new information with mixed feelings. Nix knew there was a way to get rid of the mark, then why make her go through the process of obtaining it. Also why would her aunt tell everyone her mother was missing? The brunette growled in frustration.

"Your mother is on a trip, but she is also being held captive." The older Valkyrie said with wide eyes, her mouth forming an 'O' shaped before shrugging again.

The young teen inhaled for patience, rubbing her temples before looking up at her aunt again.

"How painful will the spell be to an immortal or non-immortal?" Regina asked, knowing there was always a catch to powerful magic.

Nix was quiet for a moment, mercury eyes swirling as she stared into space as if sifting through all of the visions and various outcomes. Finally the older immortal blinked and looked down at Regina as if she didn't remember who she was.

"I'm sorry, you were saying?" Nix asked with a secret smile. "You also smell nice." She said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"The spell Nix!" Regina snapped testily, causing her aunt to purse her lips in displeasure.

"Valkyries always have a choice in falling for their mates, you can thank Wodén for that. All you will feel is a slight pinch, as if a needle has poked you." She stated calmly.

Regina hesitated, as if scared to ask her next question. "And for Emma?" the brunette said softly.

Nix blinked down at her for a moment, lost. "What about Emma?" she in confusion.

"Will she be hurt Nix." Regina hissed through her teeth, tired of her aunt's games.

The room was quiet for a moment as they both gazed at each other. "Why do you care?" Nix asked.

"I don't care." Regina barked grouchily.

"Then have the mark removed and Emma will no longer be a problem." The older Valkyrie said with a small smile, amusement shining in her eyes.

"Fine." The young brunette threw her hands up in surrender, turning and walking towards the stairs.

"I'm sure those Nymphs at school would love an unmarked demon." Nix shouted after her, laughter clear in her tone.

A bolt of lightning striking close to the mansion sounded throughout the empty coven along with a door slamming upstairs.

Bertil screeched overhead before flying down and landing on the older Valkyries shoulder.

"In all due time Bertil, she will learn the hard way." Nix mused, talking to the screeching pet.

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Regina took a deep breath as she waited in front of Emma's locker. Her heart was beating out of control as she would get wordless stares and looks, some focused on her neck. She cursed under her breath as she grew nervous, their last parting was nothing if not hostile.

The brunette would be lying if she confessed anything about not missing the blonde. Her dream last night if anything was evidence that the mark wasn't the only thing Emma claimed that night.

Regina decided to miss school for two days until Wednesday. Two things happened or well…didn't happen which had her frowning. Emma did not contact her at all during the time she was away. Secondly her aunt Nix was suspiciously absent for those next two days until this morning. The young brunette's lips formed a thin line as she remember what was discussed.

Flashback.

"Have you informed Emma she will be 'Annuled' soon?" Nix asked when she walked into kitchen, making Regina shriek in surprise and ready both hands with purple flames.

"WHY do you always do that!?" The younger brunette shouted angrily, trying to calm her racing heart and prevent permanent trauma. Her aunt loved to infuriate people.

The older Valkyrie tilted her head in confusion and scratched the top of her head.

"And no, I haven't. But I have spoken with the House of witches." An odd look of confusion came over Regina's face. "They told me that you called them and requested the removal three weeks ago." The brunette's eyes narrowed.

"I brought pie?" Nix said with her lips pursed, as if trying to hold in laughter. Her eyes were shining in amusement once more.

"Fine, keep your secrets Nix. I am telling Emma today when I arrive at school. Hopefully things will go smoothly." Regina said with a sigh.

"It will, no trouble or fights to worry your pretty little head about. All's clear in the world of immortals." Nix stated as she made an 'O' with both of her hands and put them over her eyes.

The young brunette face scrunched up in confusion. "Nix what the hell are you doing?!" she growled, making her aunt pause as the older Valkyrie started to put a finger inside the 'O'.

"Do you even know what that means?" Regina squinted, exasperated with her aunt at the moment.

Nix looked up startled and then looked back down at her hands. "I thought this is how the young people held donuts." said in amusement.

Before Regina could make a comment, a crash sounded in the mansion, followed by a loud screech.

"Bertil, you are in 'Time Out' if I find out that isn't Cora's favorite vase but my own!" Nix yelled out, stalking towards the living room and leaving Regina alone and slightly confused again.

End Flashback.

Regina bit her lip as Emma's enticing scent started to hit her all at once. She realize the Vemon was currently right in front of her. They stared at each for a moment, the whispers in the background fading away.

The Vemon cleared her throat and nodded to her locker with a small smile. "I need my books."

Regina felt her face become heated as she stepped out of the way. "Right, sorry." The brunette mumbled.

It was silent between them as the rowdy high schoolers continued to have loud conversations all around them. Regina watched as Emma quietly retrieved her books, once she was finished the blonde turned to face the young Valkyrie.

"I need to talk you about the mark Emma, I think I have found a way to remove it." Regina said in low tones, watching the blonde stiffen to her words.

"I know." Emma murmured, looking around.

The blonde took Regina's hand and led her to an empty room while everyone else was rushing to class. Sparks of desire and need pooled inside the brunette's core. One touch from her Vemon and she was lost in a daze.

Once they were inside the classroom, Emma shut the door and locked it.

"Nix told me yesterday, I would be free of the mark and we both can go back to normal." The blonde gave her a small grin.

Regina mind started to race one more. "So … you don't want the mark anymore?" she asked quietly, managing to talk around the lump forming in her throat.

"I thought it would be best for both of us, the witches and Nix discussed with me the drawbacks of the spell, which I think I can handle-" Emma continued to explain, oblivious to the turmoil rising in the Valkyrie.

Regina couldn't understand why Emma was being so calm while she was in turmoil. Of course she wanted to get rid of the mark for her coven but, something about the acceptance in the blondes voice sent panic and hurt throughout her body.

"So we planned to have the removal done at the House of Witches on Friday." Regina caught the last part of what the blonde stated, snapping out of her daze.

Regina was speechless, somehow her aunt worked out everything for her and yet she couldn't understand why this knee buckling pain almost crippled her. Letting out a shaky breath the brunette nodded, clearing her throat.

"That is the plan, yes." Unable to speak above a whisper, Regina finally turned her gaze to the blonde, seeing nothing. No emotion or passion of whatever they experienced four days ago.

"Are you okay Regina?" The blonde reached out for her with a hand, confusion in her gaze.

Regina stumbled back a step, not wanting, the brunette just couldn't understand what was happening. "I-I'm fine." She breathed out.

"You sure? I could call Nix." Emma started off, concern in her voice and she moved closer.

Unable to control the emotions inside her, purple flames started to engulf her body as electricity charged the air. Regina could feel herself losing control, she hasn't felt this way since she was younger. She needed to focus, if she could just focus on her breathing-

A large sum of water splashed all over body, soaking her clothes. The brunette gasped loudly, ready to kill the blonde.

"What in the actual fuck?" Regina shrieked, water dripping everywhere as she started to shiver.

Sheepishly in front of her stood Emma, guiltily holding a bucket. "I thought it could help?" the blonde squeaked out, taking a step back and chuckling nervously.

'Don't kill her, don't kill her, don't blow her up into tiny pieces.' Regina chanted inside her head, eyes flashing to mercury and back again.

"I don't ever need your help." The brunette spat coldly.

Hurt flashed in Emma's eyes, nodding she sat the bucket on a desk and mumbled an apology, unlocking the door and walking out of the classroom without a backwards glance.

Regina wanted to pull her own hair out, her emotions were a wreck. She couldn't think straight throughout the day as Emma continued to avoid her and ignore her in class. The next few days were a blur to the young Valkyrie. The brunette did not think her heart could feel any heavier in her chest. She actually missed Emma, craved to be next to her constantly. It was an addiction that wouldn't stop clouding her thoughts. Emma seemed to be unaffected by everything.

Friday finally arrived and Regina decided to stay home. At the moment she was currently in her pjs, fluffy slippers and a white tank top with her long robe tied at the waist. Using a big spoon she continued to shovel Rocky Road ice-cream in her mouth while she sat perched on the island counter.

"So today is a big day." A voice whispered beside her ear, causing Regina to drop the whole container of ice-cream on the floor.

"Nix how many times!?" Regina shrieked angrily, so loudly that glass began to crack.

"How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" Nix asked innocently.

The young brunette let out a growl of annoyance and hopped down from the counter.

"You are cleaning that up." Regina said in a huff, she bent down to pick up the carton and place it back on the counter, crossing her arms.

"Are you ready for the removal?" Nix asked once more with a raised eyebrow, ignoring Regina's statement.

The teen looked down towards the ground, feeling her heart speed up at the thought of seeing Emma once more.

"I don't know." She whispered.

Nix tilted her head as if she didn't hear Regina. "You don't know what exactly?"

The young Valkyrie sighed and looked at her aunt with a guarded expression. "I don't know if I want to get rid of the mark. Alright? Isn't that what you wanted to hear?" Regina tightened her arms around herself in a protective manner.

"I don't know what I want anymore." she whispered, turning away from her aunt once more to stare outside the window.

Nix the Ever Knowing hummed thoughtfully. "Why don't you just keep the mark?" she inquired.

Regina's head snapped up at her aunts words, giving her a look of confusion.

"My mother and the coven would banish me. I am pretty sure she would kill you as well for helping." The young brunette said, looking at her aunt as if she'd grown two heads.

"I think that Cora will….have a change of heart by the time she returns." A secret smile once again tugged at Nix's lips.

"Nix, what have you done with my mother?" Regina hissed.

"Go to her Regina." Nix said interrupting the young Valkyrie.

"What?" Regina's heart started to beat a little faster.

"Go." Her aunt barked.

Startled, Regina took a step back away from Nix. Her aunt never raised her voice at anyone. Biting her bottom lip the teen went to get ready.

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Emma sat in the chair, already feeling the numbing effects of the potion wearing off as she tapped her arm for a vein. This was her life now, the blonde felt like a shell of her former self. She didn't want to eat or drink. Moving throughout the day felt like a chore. Feeding from others wasn't an option since her fangs seemed to reject anything that wasn't her mate.

'Former mate.' The blonde said with an inward sigh.

Nix informed her the worst of the side effects. 'Unimaginable pain' didn't seem to cover what would happen to any immortal who removed a mating mark. Your bones would break and repair itself as your body tried to regenerate. Emma read that most who have even attempted the spell ever recovered. Vampires and Lycans alike tend to go insane from the loss.

Shaking her head from the dark thoughts, she continued to search for a vein. Making a grunt when she finally found one.

"You would think as pale as I have gotten this would get easier."Emma grumbled to herself.

Just before she could inset the IV in her arm the door sounded, causing the blonde to growl in frustration. She needed to feed and take another dose of the numbing potion before the spell occurred or else she was screwed.

Sighing, the blonde made her way downstairs and unlocked the door, opening it wide and finding Regina giving her a small smile.

"Hey I just wanted-" Emma slammed the door in Regina's face as she rushed upstairs, her heart was racing in her chest. The blonde could already feel the pain coming back as she fumbled with the potion and IV.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" The Vemon cursed under her breath when she felt electricity charging the air inside her room, she turned around to face the brunette, hiding the IV behind her back.

Emma could feel the waves of fury coming from Regina as her own emotions started to slam inside of her. As if someone turned an on a switch, Emma felt hurt, arousal, desire, pain all at once, causing her knees to buckle.

Regina walked towards her with lips pressed in a thin line, grabbing Emma's arm and forcing it in front of them both.

"Open your hand." The brunette glanced up at Emma then focused as the blonde opened her palm.

Regina grabbed the bottle of potion and started to read. "A Numbing Elixir?" the brunette shrieked. "Why Emma?!" she cried out.

"Because unlike you, I can't chose Regina." Emma roared back, shriek and the inhuman roar causing vases and mirrors to break, pictures began to fall off the wall. "Because unlike you, I can't ignore how I feel." The blonde said, quieting down.

There was silence throughout the room as both of them stared at each other. Their eyes showing more expressive emotions than either of them have displayed the entire week.

Regina made the first move, hesitating before finally cupping Emma's cheek. "I want the mark, I want you as my mate." She whispered.

A lone tear slid down Regina's cheek as she continued. "I know I don't deserve another chance, but I-"

Emma leaned down and kissed her soundlessly, the blonde could feel Regina's soft lips tremble against her own. The young Vemon slid her arms around the brunette, pulling her as close as possible as Regina let out a soft moan. Emma couldn't help herself as she continued to devour Regina's lips with her own, exploring the Valkyries mouth with her tongue and swallowing any sound her mate made.

After a while they broke the kiss, the Vemon could feel her heart beat rapidly as her demon instinct finally calmed. Regina's hands caressed Emma's horns gently, causing her to shudder. Relief and Euphoria swept throughout Emma's body at the brunette's confession.

"I'll take that as a yes." Regina whispered breathlessly against her lips, leaning back and looking at Emma.

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A/N: Like if you Like. Please Review and let me know what you think.