Wedding with the Enemy

I feel as though I’m dressed in blood. The deepest, richest gown of ruby red that shimmers as though it’s wet. My people are warriors, our emblem is a sword on a red field. I’m not a complicated person and I’m shivering. Hating myself for the strength of my emotion. For the fear and and the hurt mixed with my undying hatred of the man that I’m going to marry, Thade.

It’s been nearly two years since we first met, and almost as long since I’ve seen him. The chapel is filled with all the noblemen and women from Illure, ready to watch their King make his Queen. A string quartet plays a soothing, hopeful melody that rises and falls in soft expectation. They’re waiting for me to move forward and seal my fate. I feel like I’m in a nightmare, detached from myself and everyone around me. I’m floating, waiting to wake up.

He’s not the man I thought that he was. I’m stuck at the entrance, and I can see the crowd whispering back and forth. I must be shy, the innocent youngest daughter of Duke Nix. The one who never ventured far from home. Little do they know.

Rune’s standing behind me. My dress is huge, endless ball room skirts in satin and a corset that’s making it even harder to breathe. My mother gave Rune a red dress to wear as my attendant. A sign of great favour from my house. One that she deserves. She shuffles and I glance up at her, meeting her pale blue eyes. She nods at me, and I want to growl in response. It’s time to move, I can’t hide in the door any longer.

I straighten and fix my gaze on the beautiful stained glass window. I Vowed to marry Thade, but then I can kill him. Unease pulls at my middle, I’m not afraid of the consequences for myself. I’m not afraid to die for treason, but they don’t know that the King plans to destroy the Kingdom. They don’t know that he killed the old King and manipulated the council, to step into his place. I helped his ambition and I can’t forgive myself for that. That’s the evidence I gathered. The information my Father wouldn’t read. The King is in bed with the enemy.

Dread grows within my stomach, coiling like a spring. My muscles taught, my back straight. Breathe, I remind myself. Keep breathing. You can’t do anything if you pass out, I tell myself. I just have to get through this ceremony.

But I can’t force my feet to move faster. They’re heavy, as though I’m walking through thick mud. Thade already took so much from me.. He’s a liar, a cheat and he’s not going to survive the ceremony. I might be forced to marry him, but I’ll be a widow before nightfall. That’s the plan.

Weapons aren't allowed in the chapel, but they didn’t take the decorative knife attached to my belt. A small, dainty little gold blade and a handle covered with pretty red flowers. It matches my dress. It can still kill a man.

The flagstones are strewn with red petals and there’s a gentle, expectant hush as I walk past. Before Thade I would have been frightened, overthinking what they thought of me. Were they disappointed in the way that I looked? I’m taller than most women, with long dark hair that’s been plaited in a crown across my head and pulled into an elegant knot, exposing my neck. . I can feel little wisps tickling the back of my neck and the sides of my face. I want to scratch my skin or push the hair away, but I grip my hands together like a good noble daughter.

I’ve run out of aisle and the music is slowing down. It’s getting quieter and the whispers among the crowd are getting louder. My heart is thumping against my chest. My fingertips are tingling and my face feels numb. Panic curls in my body but I’ll be ready. My little knife sparkles among the shine of my dress and I concentrate on the weight of it. I can’t let a cursed man be the King and I won’t rule by his side.

I can’t avoid Thade any longer as the priest steps between us and ushers the gathered crowd to silence. I hear someone whispering that I look very pale and I swallow. I turn and lift my eyes to his. He’s devastating in his perfection. Handsome to a chiseled fault. He could have married any woman, and he agreed to this farce. He glares back at me, dark eyes hard and cold as the ice that covers the mountains in winter. His jaw clenched tight, pulse flickering against his neck.

He hates me. I can feel it burning through my body. His raw, visceral hatred. He hates me, as much as I hate him.

The ceremony moves in a blur. I make my promises, to honour the King and the Kingdom. I’ve never been an actress, but I manage to stay calm, repeating back the words I’m given. Holding his gaze and watching as his dark grey eyes simmer with intensity. I can feel his anger, but the crowds around us are delighted. I can hear their excited whispering, their gossips.

‘The King seems pleased with the youngest Nix daughter One whisper passes us and I struggle not to flinch.

‘Such a sweet girl,’ another one mutters from behind me, ‘it’s such a shame-’

‘Oh she’ll be a beautiful Queen,’ another voice cuts them off and I can feel the pride radiating from my parents as all their dreams come true.

I can’t take my eyes off Thade and he’s staring back.

‘I announce you, Husband and Wife,’ the Priest calls loudly to the congregation, lifting his hands to his sides as he introduces us back to the noble families that fill the room. There’s cheering, the sound of applause ricochets through the stone walls and I reach for my knife. But Thade shocks me, reaching out, snatching my hand before I can touch the weapon.

Burnt by his touch I try to snatch my hand back, but he grips it. Holding it tight between his own. My eyes narrow with disgust as he holds me trapped with his gaze, intent as he lifts my hand. Don’t you dare, don’t you dare touch me! I want to scream it at him, but with everyone watching I grit my teeth.

He’s intent, eyes locked on mine as he lowers his head and brushes his lips against the back of my hand. I hold back my growl of anger, I’m not an animal but he brings out the worst in me. I flinch again but he’s unrelenting. Far too aware of the flush that’s starting at the base of my neck. I curse the red dress without shoulders. I don’t want him to even imagine I feel anything for him. Sparks race over my skin and my body contracts.

I hate you, I think it as strongly as I can, desperate to free my hand and take hold of my knife. I need to end this. But turns my hand over and my body betrays me. In sight of all the nobility, Thade is unashamed as he touches his mouth to my palm and then my inner wrist. A gesture far too intimate for public viewing. One that turns my insides to fire. I pant then grit my teeth again as the crowd around us erupts in cheers. I want to run but he’s still got my hand and he steps closer. I freeze, shutting my eyes as though that could block out my awareness of the man.

But I can feel the brush of his body against him, his breath on my cheek as he moves to whisper against my ear.

‘Don’t even try,’ his voice is a growl that rumbles through my body, ‘step out of line, and Rune dies.’