Chapter 3

DIANA

The doors swung open with a groan.

Four warriors stepped through the threshold. They didn’t look like the regular palace guards we had seen yesterday. These men wore black armors with silver and long capes.

Mother instinctively stepped closer to father while Lisa grabbed his hand tightly.

They marched to the center of the room, ignoring my parents and Lisa entirely. Their leather boots clicked against the stone floor before they stopped in front of me.

Then all four bowed.

“Princess Diana.” The one in front spoke, his voice deep and devoid of emotion.

My heart was hammering so hard against my ribs I was afraid they could hear it.

The warrior lifted his hand and immediately, servants entered behind them carrying large wooden chests.

“These are gifts sent by Prince Draven for his bride.” He said.

My eyes widened as they lifted the lids. Lisa gasped, even mother took a step back.

Inside the chests were bars of gold, jewels, rubies the size of eggs, strings of flawless black pearls, and golden artifacts that looked older than our entire kingdom. Everything practically screamed how wealthy and powerful their master was. But it didn't feel like a beautiful gesture.

It felt like a down payment on a sacrifice.

Another servant approached carrying a velvet box and unlike the others, this one was handled carefully.

The warrior who had been talking took it himself before holding it out to me. "The wedding attire," He stated.

I slowly reached out, my hands trembling as I took it.

"The joining ceremony will hold tonight," the leader continued coldly. "You have three hours to prepare. Immediately after the vows are spoken, we leave for the Prince's palace."

“Tonight?!” Mother cried out, panic cracking through her voice. “But the invitation said tomorrow-”

"Tonight," the warrior repeated, cutting her off without a shred of respect.

Father stepped closer, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait. Does the Prince not reside here? We were under the impression that he stays here, in the Supreme King’s palace."

The lead warrior turned to my father. "The Commander does not live under another man's roof," he replied flatly. "The Prince has his own palace. In the North."

My heart dropped. The North was a frozen waste and the land of endless winter.

Mother opened her mouth again. “Will we be permitted to-”

“We will return for the Princess shortly.” They cut her off smoothly.

Before father could ask another question, the leader barked an order in the dragon tongue and the four warriors turned on their heels in unison, their capes snapping in the air.

They marched out of the room, leaving the doors wide open behind them. They didn't stay to answer any other questions. They probably didn't even care about our confusion or our fear.

They had delivered their orders, and that was it.

I looked down at the dark velvet box in my arms, my breath fogging over the smooth wood.

In three hours, I was going to marry the Dark Prince. And then, he was taking me away into the ice.

...........

Few hours later, I was standing at the altar waiting for my groom.

I was in a blood red gown the warrior had handed me. A color mother had called barbaric, but I had to wear it anyway.

My gaze swept across the hall.

Everyone was present. The Supreme King and Queen sat on their thrones, watching with cold eyes. The three other princes sat behind them, whispering among themselves. None of them looked surprised that Draven was missing.

I kept my chin lifted, even as my stomach twisted painfully.

Beside me, the seer shifted awkwardly, clearly unsure whether to continue or not. Then suddenly, the heavy doors at the end of the hall opened.

“MAKE WAY!”

The Skyblade Warriors marched in, their black armor gleaming under the light. The crowd immediately went silent, parting to clear a path down the aisle.

But Prince Draven wasn't walking between them.

Instead, a warrior stepped forward, holding a massive and terrifying blade. The steel was dark with silver markings.

The warrior stopped before the altar, bowing a little to the King before turning to the seer.

"The commander has sent his sword to represent him in the binding." the warrior's deep voice echoed through the silent hall.

A wave of murmurs instantly swept through the crowd.

"How humiliating..."

"The human princess is being bound to a piece of steel."

Mother looked like she was about to faint, and Lisa covered her face. The dragons were openly laughing now. It was a blatant insult meant to show everyone exactly how worthless I, a human bride was to the Dark Prince.

I swallowed the burning lump of humiliation in my throat, then kept my spine straight, staring directly at the old seer.

"Proceed," I said, the calmness in my voice surprised even me.

The seer blinked in surprise, but nodded. He placed my hand on the sword and began some ancient chants in their tongue. He then poured ceremonial oil over my hand that was on the blade, and as the final words left his mouth, a flash of silver light appeared around my hand.

"By the laws of the realm and the ancient blood pact," the high seer intoned, his voice booming through the chamber. "The bond is forged. Princess Diana Blake of the human Kingdom is now declared the chosen mate and wife to Prince Draven Volk of the Dragon Kingdom. May the Creator guide your union."

There was no cheering or music. The moment the words were spoken, two Skyblade Warriors moved toward me at once.

“We must depart now, Princess.”

They didn't give me a chance to say goodbye. They led me out of the ritual hall immediately.

"Diana! Wait!"

I heard my father's voice shouting from behind. My family was rushing out to follow us out of the palace, struggling to keep up with the fast pace of the warriors.

A black carriage lined with iron armor was already waiting, attached to two giant horses. Beside the carriage were several other armored horses and further away, almost hidden in the show, stood a massive white and very beautiful horse.

"Stop! Please!" Mother cried out, running up to the warriors as they led me to the carriage door. "Can we at least escort her halfway? Let us ride with her!"

"No," the lead warrior barked, blocking her path with his body. "The princess belongs to the North now. No other humans are allowed."

"This is madness!" she screamed, pointing a shaking finger back toward the castle. "The groom couldn't even pay respect by showing up to his own wedding! He sent a sword! A piece of steel! My daughter was married to a blade like some forgotten offering!”

"Silence, woman!" the warrior roared. “Watch your tongue when speaking of the Commander."

He drew his blade as he charged directly towards my mother. Father stepped forward to shield her, but he was too slow.

"Stand down." A terrifyingly calm voice spoke from a distance.

The warrior froze, his blade stopping inches from my mother's face. My family and I went completely rigid as the air in my lungs turned cold.

I slowly turned my head, scanning the dark courtyard to find where the voice had come from. My gaze traveled past the carriage and landed on the white horse standing in the distance.

There was a man sitting on its back now.

He was dressed in a long fur cape with a hood that cast a shadow over his face. He hadn't been there a second ago. It was as if he had appeared out of the falling snow itself.

The warriors immediately struck their fists against their chests and bowed their heads.

"Commander," they echoed.

My heart dropped.

It was Draven.