Chapter Two

My heart beat increased when I heard the rustling of feet behind me.

I was scared stiff.

I wonder why I haven't passed out yet.

With my hand by my side, I raised my gown. My legs were shaking, it was just a matter of minutes before it gave way.

Slowly, I spun around with my dress sweeping across the garden.

I didn't look at the owner of the voice immediately. It took a while before I raised my face.

A man as dark as the shadow stood before me with his hand by his side. The night was dark so I couldn't see his face but I knew his eyes were fixed on me.

I noticed he was standing beside three SUVS.

His long black hair and coat shone in the moonlight as he stood beside a tree that was covered in frost.

The more I stared at him, the more the bad feeling I felt in my heart increased.

Goosebumps crept up on my skin and I felt completely uncomfortable.

Even in the darkness, I could still feel his eyes piercing mine with intensity and I blinked rapidly.

Although I was nervous, I was able to put up courage “Who are you?” I asked the strange man as I wondered where he came from.

I didn't see him when I came in earlier nor did I see him entering.

It was as if he had been waiting for my question because as soon as I shut my mouth, he began to walk towards me without saying a word.

If not for anything, his menacing gaze and the shadows on his face terrified me. Overall he had a creepy appearance.

It was then I suddenly became conscious of how far I had strayed from the castle and the fact that I was alone.

Back there at the ballroom in the castle, I was certain it was lively and filled with loud music and drunk guests.

If I was in danger, would anyone know?

Even if I screamed, would anyone hear me?

Oh, I was being ridiculous.

For God’s sake, I was in Northern California. There was no more secure or welcoming environment than this city.

Also, no one could come close to the castle to hurt me for any reason.

I folded my arms over my white dress, ignoring my instincts that warned me to turn and run.

I raised my chin, waiting for his response.

It was funny how I switched from being feeble to a badass within a split second.

Deep down I knew it was just for a while but I hoped it lasted long enough to put him away.

The stranger came to a complete stop in front of me with his body just a few inches away from mine.

I was certain he was nearly twice my weight because he was muscular and had a broad shoulder.

His height was so great that the top of my head barely touched his shoulder.

His black eyes glowed at me as he spoke.

“Are you alone by yourself, little one?”

A chill crept across my arms, which were bare beneath the white lace sleeves.

The way he spoke caused my body to quiver. I shook my head before I could even think.

“Hundreds of people are inside the ballroom. Who are you and what do you want?” I gathered courage to ask

He curled his lips upward making it look cruel and sensual.

I wanted to follow my instincts which was to run but I was curious. I wanted to know who he was, his mission and what he was up to.

I was also drawn to his deep black eyes so I remained in my position.

“But you aren’t in the ballroom. You’re on your own. He said. “Do you know how cold it can get on a winter night?” he asked softly.

I was scared of the way he was speaking to me. I didn't know him yet, he was acting as if we had known each other for a long time.

Cold shiver ran through my spine.

It wasn't a new feeling to me though because no matter how high the thermostat or heater was set in the castle, I never felt warm.

I was always cold around Arnold.

Even as I stood outside the palace, I was cold from fright.

I could tell I made the wrong decision by marrying Arnold but it was too late to turn back now.

Now, speaking to a complete stranger alone didn't help a bit; rather it intensified the chills I felt but I couldn’t tell him that.

I wanted to keep acting tough to put a bridge between us.

Acting tough had always helped me to pull through life challenges and this wasn't in any way different from one of the numerous challenges.

“I don’t mind a little snow. It’s quite beautiful.” I replied the question he had asked earlier

“What bravery.”

The stranger’s black eyes traced over my body, burning me wherever they came into contact.

Heat rushed to my face as I noticed his gaze.

“Yet you understand why I’ve come.”

“Of course,” I said, perplexed.

Sincerely, I had no idea about what he was talking about but I pretended to know.

My thoughts were racing non stop and I was struggling to hold them in.

“But you didn’t flee? Why?”

“Why would I run?” I blinked

Also immediately, my feet inched backward on their own accord.

What was he talking about?

Why would I run away from my wedding?

His dark eyes sifted through mine as if he was sifting through my soul.

“Do you accept responsibility for your crime?”

I didn’t know if he was joking but his tone sounded serious.

Something nudged me to run back to the palace but I felt it was too late.

His face was too brutal and his body was too rigid as he stood his ground.

Getting a good look at his face was difficult because the night was dark.

He was like a vampire in the moonlight, who was out to suck up every bit of light despite the illumination from the sky.

The darkness surrounding him extended beyond the black color of his hair, eyes, and long coat.

Something about his posture made me nervous.

He was risky.

A danger that had slipped into the palace.

Nonetheless, I forced myself to remain motionless.

I returned my gaze to the castle to reassure myself that everything was going to be okay.

I was confident that my husband and family were nearby and they were certain to come to my rescue if anything happened.

I had no reason to be concerned.

I was stressed out that I was imagining things and feeling scared for no reason.

“By ‘crime,’ do you mean the wedding?” I asked lightheartedly. “It may have been a little overdone, but that’s hardly a crime. You know how extravagant weddings are these days.” I said with a calm tone

To my horror, the man didn’t even crack a smile.

I swallowed my spittle then cleared my throat.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I shouldn’t be joking. You must have traveled a long distance to attend our wedding only to be an hour late. That would irritate anyone. I hope you are not upset about that.” I recited the words as they came to my head.

“Are you upset?” he mumbled.

“I’ll bring you some champagne,” I said as I took steps backwards. I was trying to use that opportunity to get away from him.

My feet increased the pace at which they retraced toward the castle.

“Arnold will be overjoyed to see you.”

The man burst out laughing.

“Wait, is that another joke?” I came to a halt almost immediately

“Aren’t you one of his business partners or friends? I assumed that since you are here for the wedding, you must be a good friend of his. Am I wrong?” I asked as the man approached me.

“No,” he replied.

“I’m not your friend and I will never be his friend.” he added to his earlier response

His body towered over mine without touching me as it casted a shadow over me.

I perceived his physical strength as a threat. His eyes gleamed with mischief and his jaw tightened in the dark.

It was at that moment that I suddenly realized that my instincts had been correct all along.

There was something dark about him and I was in danger.

The bad feeling I was getting about the wedding had something to do with him.

I need to flee for my life right now else I'll be in great trouble.

“Excuse me,” I choked as I staggered back.

“My husband is expecting me. I have been gone for a long time. Hundreds of people, including security guards and police officers, are waiting for our first dance as a married couple…” I sang like the canary I had become that night.

The man’s hand shot out to grab my upper arm over my lace sleeve. He gripped me tightly thereby stopping me from fleeing.

“Married?” he angrily asked again.

I wondered why he was acting as if he was about to kill me for saying something so simple and obvious?

“Yes, it’s our… You’re causing me pain!” I muttered

His grip on my arm had become painfully tight but that didn't stop him from reducing his grip on them.

His black eyes were filled with deep, unfathomable rage as he moved his gaze from my breasts, which were pushed up by the tight dress, to the massive diamond ring sparkling on my left hand.

When his eyes met mine, it was like a blast of fire as he said quietly,

“You both deserve to burn in hell for what you’ve done.”

I looked at him with wide eyes as fear washed over my frail body.

“What? What are you talking about?” I asked.

My eyes were at their widest now. I hoped the muscle holding them would not slack, else my eyes were definitely going to fall off their sockets.

He yanked me so close to him that my wide dress swirled around his muscular legs.

My heart jumped into my mouth before it returned to its position then began to beat widely.

I was certain the stranger could hear my heart beat.

“You know,” he said quietly and solemnly as he looked me over

“And you already know why I’ve come.”

“I don’t!” I screamed as I struggled in his grip.

“Are you crazy? “Please let me go!” I cried in anguish.

The stranger made no head to my plea.

The rate at which my hand was aching, I wouldn't be surprised if it came off with him whenever he let go of it.