Chapter 5

Aurelia

The gown was white, pure and innocent…

It clung to my body like a second skin, revealing everything and hiding nothing. The fabric was soft, luxurious, woven with threads of silver and gold. The bodice was tight, pushing my breasts up, and the skirt flowed down to the floor in a cascade of silk and lace.

I looked like a bride.

I felt like a corpse.

The maids had spent hours preparing me. They had brushed my hair until it shone, applied makeup to my face, and adorned me with jewels that sparkled in the candlelight.

But I couldn't look at myself in the mirror.

Because every time I did, I saw the fear in my own eyes.

"Please," I begged Marisol, who was watching from the doorway with a satisfied smile. "Please don't do this. I'll do anything."

"Anything?" She laughed. "You'll do anything anyway. That's the point."

She strode into the room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was dressed in a stunning red gown, her golden hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. She looked like a queen.

I looked like a sacrifice.

"You're going to die, sister," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "The triplets will fuck you, break you, and then kill you. And I'll be here, watching it all, knowing that I finally won."

She grabbed my face, her nails digging into my cheeks. I gasped in pain, tears streaming down my face.

"You've always been nothing," she hissed. "You've always been worthless. And now, finally, everyone will see it. Everyone will know."

I closed my eyes, my body trembling.

And then I remembered my mother's words:

"The greatest act of courage is not fighting for yourself. It's sacrificing yourself for someone else."

I opened my eyes.

"Fine," I said, my voice steady. "I'll do it. I'll marry them."

Marisol's eyes widened with surprise.

"But on one condition. You leave my mother's journals alone. You let my grandfather live. And you never touch my family again."

Marisol considered this. Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the gears turning in her mind.

Then she smiled.

"Agreed."

The ceremony began.

I walked down the aisle, my hands trembling. The crowd of students and dignitaries watched in silence, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and pity.

The ballroom had been transformed into something out of a nightmare. Dark candles flickered on the altar. Incense filled the air with a thick, cloying scent. And on the altar stood...

Three figures.

They were tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome. Their eyes glowed with ancient power, and their presence suffocated me. They were dressed in shades of gray and black, their suits perfectly tailored to their powerful frames.

Corvin, the first triplet. He had long hair tied in a ponytail and cold brown eyes that seemed to see right through me. His face was impassive, emotionless, like a statue carved from stone.

Kieran who was he second triplet, had short, frivolously styled hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was grinning, his expression filled with dark amusement.

Lastly, Talon Thornwood, had gray eyes and shoulder-length hair that was ruffled and wild. His expression was unreadable, but there was something about him, something that made my heart ache.

They were monsters. Everyone knew that. They were the demon lords of the Infernal Pack, the rulers of the underworld. And they were my husbands.

"Please," I whispered, but no one heard me.

The sorcerer stepped forward, his hooded robes sweeping across the altar. He was old, ancient, his skin like cracked leather and his eyes like pools of darkness.

"We are here to witness the soul pact being formed between the Infernal Triplets and the Earthly princess, Aurelia Duskmoor," he intoned. "A wedding."

He lifted a double-ended dagger, its blade gleaming with a ruby-red light. I stared at it, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Alpha Corvin Thornwood, step forth and create the first soul pact with your bride."

Corvin stepped closer to me. His cold brown eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Look into my eyes," he commanded.

I did.

The sorcerer raised the dagger. "Princess Aurelia and Alpha Corvin, I request you to stab your ring fingers at the ends of the pact dagger."

I curled my fingers into fists, but it didn't matter. Corvin held my gaze, and my body stiffened. I wasn't under my own control.

I stepped closer to the dagger and stabbed my ring finger at one edge. Corvin did the same.

The double-ended dagger sucked in our blood, and the gem in the middle hilt glowed red. A sharp pain ran through my body, and I gasped, clutching my chest.

"Do you, Aurelia Duskmoor, entrust your body, blood, and soul to Corvin Thornwood, your lord, your owner, and your first husband?"

I bit my lower lip, tears streaming down my face.

"I-I do," I said, through the pain.

"Do you swear your eternal loyalty, obedience, and submission to him and his will?"

"I... do."

"Do you promise to accept the punishment if you breach the first two vows?"

"I do!"

"And do you, Corvin Thornwood, tie your soul to hers?"

"I do," he said, stoically.

I stumbled back, gasping for breath.

"Alpha Kieran Thornwood, step forth and create the second soul pact with your bride."

Kieran stepped forward, his mischievous grin widening. His deep blue eyes met mine, and I felt my body stiffen again.

"Do you, Aurelia Duskmoor, entrust your body, blood, and soul to Kieran Thornwood, your lord, your owner, and your second husband?"

"I... do."

"Alpha Talon Thornwood, step forth and create the third soul pact with your bride."

Talon approached me slowly. His gray eyes held mine, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in their depths. Something that might have been... pity.

Do you, Aurelia Duskmoor, entrust your body, blood, and soul to Talon Thornwood, your lord, your owner, and your third husband?"

The pain was excruciating, but I was ready for it now.

"I do..."

"And do you, Talon Thornwood, tie your soul to hers?"

"I do," he said, holding my teary gaze.

"I pronounce their souls pacted," the sorcerer declared. "In the words of the earthly realm, I pronounce them married!"

The double-edged dagger twisted and transformed into a thorny crown. The triplets placed it on my head together, and I felt the thorns pierce my scalp. Blood trailed down my face, warm and sticky.

The crown grew heavier and heavier on my head. My soul was tearing apart, and I could feel it in my veins.

The ballroom spun before my eyes.

Before my failing body hit the ground, Corvin grabbed my upper arms. Kieran held my shoulder. And Talon's firm arm wrapped around my waist as my back rested against his chest.

"You can't be weak, wife," Kieran whispered huskily, tucking my hair behind my ear. "You now have three husbands to please. Tonight's the night we claim you."

"Please..." I whispered.

I succumbed to the darkness before my words could find their voice.