Chapter Three - The Wedding

Liora

I sat down facing the mirror as the maids prepared me for the wedding. I felt hopeless and drained. Can't determine what would be after this wedding. There's no place I could run to that would be willing to accept me, all because I'm a slave born from the bloodline of witches. I had a mark on the left side of my shoulder on my back.

I had the mark at a very young age given to me by my mother; the mark was like a small helix shape from a heated helix-shaped metal placed on my skin during her rituals. She said the mark shows that I'm a witch and it will protect me also, but funny enough, I've never practiced any spell, nor do I have a witch power.

Finally, the maids were done; for a lifetime, this was my first time applying makeup. I look way different from my natural looks. The maid went beneath my gown and tied a chain on my waist then came out from the gown

“What's that?” I asked curiously “ A waist chain. It would be removed by your husband after the wedding to show he accepted you” she explained.

I arrived at the Great Hall of Lykos Keep. The hall was vast and imposing, built from dark stone. Massive wooden beams arch overhead; their carvings represent battles of the past. The floor is a mosaic of black and silver marble polished to a ghostly sheen.

The Great Hall of Lykos Keep stood silent as I walked through to the altar, where I stood with the priest. ''Can the prince step forward and face the bride?'' the priest's old voice echoed in the hall.

The second prince stood in front of me like a tall statue carved from obsidian and steel. I thought they said he wore only golden armor. Why bluish black? He wore no robe of nobility, no golden embroidery or fine silks; instead, he wore armor. I was thinking I would finally see his face, but he was wearing a helmet, and he was so tall that I didn't reach his shoulder length.

''Perfect.''

The priest opened the book and read out loud, ''Before the gods, before the ancestors, and before the blood that binds us, we stand witness to this union. A bond not of choice but of duty, not of passion but of sacrifices.

''That was very deep, true, but what duty and sacrifice?'' I thought. The priest turned to the second prince, ''Kieran of the Draven household…'' Kieran, His name is Kieran; I barely even know his name,'' I thought.

“Son of Lykos, bound by blood and sworn by honor, do you take this woman as your wife, sworn partner… your mate? To shield her with your strength to claim her as your own and to honor the bond that now chains your fates together.

Kieran hesitates, then the nobles, lords, and wealthy subordinates begin to whisper behind this goblet, their voices hissing like wind. Since he was silent, the priest hardened.

''Before the gods, there is no refusal!''

The crowd was silent. ''…I do,'' he faltered with his smooth, cold voice, and then the priest turned to me.

''Liora of no house, bound by war and sworn by fate, you stand before the son of chaos, given not by choice but by degree. Do you take him as your husband, your keeper, your sworn mate, to walk beside him in duty and in sacrifice until the gods themselves see fit to break the bond?'' I was afraid to answer, but my silence would be a defiance. Eventually I must answer ''I do.''

''Then let the bond be sealed. By blood, by vow, by the will of the gods, you are bound. Until fate, death, or the heavens sever the chains, let none undo what is forged here today,” he concluded and closed his book. The final vow, the words like iron locking into place. “Now Prince Kieran, place the ring on her hand and kiss the bride with your helmet off,” King Malachai ordered from his seat.

Kieran then took the ring and wore it on my left index finger, and then he removed my veil. I couldn't look up to his face. Then I sighted Aunt Mallory and Talia; both of them dressed like they were rich. Aunt Mallory stood at the front of the subordinates, looking at me in disgust. I just put my face down, but Kieran lifted my chin, not in defiance but in unshaken dignity.

He was looking into my eye while I just stared at the darkness in the helmet.

A storm brewed within me, something between anger and sorrow, resolve and grief, but not submission. I didn't avert my gaze till I saw his eyes reflect an amber golden color in the mist of his helmet, and then I felt a sharp pain exactly where the helix mark was. ''What are you waiting for, Kieran? Take it off!'' Alistair said out loud, and then Kieran just walked out, exiting the door without saying a word.

I was feeling embarrassed and confused about what just happened. I stood on my own, watching the people and nobles and the king making merriment, then someone was up to me. He was dressed in midnight and silver, his tailored black coat lined with intricate embroidery that shimmered under the touch light.

His raven black hair was perfectly styled; it made his features sharper, more defined. His complexion was pale, smooth, untouched by hardship, but his pale silver eyes unsettled the most. They held no warmth, no sentiment, only amusement, laced with something unreadable.

He approached with slow, deliberate steps, each movement measured, unhurried, like a man who already knew the outcome of the game before it began. ''Oh, our lovely bride,'' his voice smooth, almost mocking, though not unkind.

He smiled, ''Care for a drink?'' he asked, stretching his golden goblet to me. ''No thanks a lot,'' I said, adjusting my wedding gown so he wouldn't step on it.

He sighed and said, “I imagine this is not quite the wedding you dreamed of.” I looked at him, trying to study more about him. I was about to reply to that statement, and then he quickly said, ''I apologize, my lady, for not introducing myself at first. I'm Cassius Draven.''

''Oh, you're Kieran's brother.'' I said, I felt free talking to him at once '' Perhaps half brother but I'll advise you nor to call him Kieran especially in the royal family as a married woman ''  he said '' What should I call him then ''

''My husband, my Lord… and so on," he said, rolling his eye. “Do you think I can deal with this?” I asked.

“Take heart, little bride. You may yet find that monsters can be tamed," he said. “What do you mean by that?"

''Mmm, as time goes on, maybe you'll understand. Got to go somewhere," he left.

Immediately after he left, Mallory came to me, stared at me for a while, then said, ''Don't expect me to congratulate you, and if you're happy, you're just happy, you're a prisoner.'' ' I've never been happy.'' I said coldly, ''Your happiness is worthless, and even as you're married, you are still a slave.'' She said a sip of his drink, “Must you remind me I'm a slave?”

''Shut up. You're even worse than a slave now, but nevertheless, I wish you good luck and try to figure out the prince's curse before it finds you, and I guess tonight you'll no longer be a virgin. Wonder if you will survive," she smirked and left.