*~Aurora’s POV~*
It was the morning of my wedding, and I was trying my hardest to be happy. I’d gotten my hair done, my dress was ready, and Rebecca and the other stylists were doing wonders to my face, applying heavy makeup and straightening my hair.
"Ouch, it’s hot," I said as Rebecca yanked my hair with the comb.
"Sorry! It’s your day, Aurora. You must be resistant to pain."
"Resistant? You’re about to cut my head off."
"Sorry, not sorry," she said, continuing to straighten my hair.
When they were done with the makeup, I gazed at myself in the mirror. Wow. I must say, I looked very beautiful....The thought of wearing my red dress made my stomach flutter. I couldn’t even speak. I stood up and excitedly slid into the red dress, and as I did, they brought out matching red shoes, making a full red bride.
I gazed at the mirror again, my stomach fluttering as they handed a white bouquet of flowers and covered my face with a white veil. Then they all turned to . My chest tightened with excitent as I realized what was happening—I was about to walk down the aisle.
The only reason I was excited was because I was wearing the red dress, my dream wedding gown... but I wasn’t getting married to my dream man.
I started shaking, and Rebecca held my hand. "I was waiting for this mont—for this particular emotion, I must say. Don’t worry, the wedding will only last a couple of hours. You shouldn’t be shaking yet. It’s not ti to consummate your marriage. So enjoy your last few monts of being a free girl."
Rebecca kissed my cheek, and I shivered. Then, every single one of them began leaving.
"Why are you guys going?" I asked.
"Oh, Darius will co. Unfortunately, the two of you are supposed to get dressed right in front of each other—to ease the tension when you consummate your marriage. But since you’re already dressed, he’ll be coming here to get dressed himself. I hope that doesn’t make much of a difference. After that, he’ll walk you down the aisle and marry you. You’ll make the most beautiful bride—the boldest woman I’ve ever seen, except you’re wearing a red dress, of course."
She winked. "Adios. Bye-bye," she said as she walked out.
I stayed there, tears threatening to fall. I imdiately dropped the white flower.
"Calm down, Aurora. Calm down," I whispered.
"Versa," I said, hoping to magically teleport myself away from this place—but nothing happened.
My powers still hadn’t co back.
Why? Why?
I just stood there, my heart pounding in my ears. Then, the door suddenly burst open, and my gaze t Darius—only half-dressed, wearing a tight shirt that barely covered him, holding a bunch of clothes.
I quickly turned my head away, my face heating up in embarrassnt. So Rebecca really ant it. We were actually supposed to get dressed in front of each other.
He shut the door behind him. "Didn’t Rebecca tell you about this?"
"She did... she did," I stamred. "I just didn’t expect it to actually be real."
He chuckled. "You know, this is just to amuse . And why are you dressed? You’re supposed to get dressed in front of ," he said, his tone sounding mildly disappointed.
I imdiately clutched my gown tighter. "I can’t get undressed just to get dressed again in front of you. I’m sorry."
"Well," he said with a sly grin, "if you get mad, you’re only going to make it tougher for yourself tonight. Because we’ll still be seeing each other naked later."
My stomach twisted at the cringeworthy comnt. I can’t get married to this man. No, no, no, no. I’d convinced myself I could live a happy life with him, but I couldn’t. Not like this. Not with this demon.
He started dressing, while I stood in the corner with my eyes squeezed shut, refusing to look.
"I’m ready," he finally said.
When I looked up, I couldn’t help but pause. He was wearing a strange, elegant white suit that contrasted sharply against his pale skin. His long white hair was neatly tied back, and his blue eyes stood out even more vividly. I couldn’t deny it—he looked good. Too good. But that didn’t change the fact that he was literally a demon.
Then he stretched out his hand toward . "Shall we?"
I hesitated, then placed my hand in his. His skin was cold, almost chilling, and it sent a shiver up my spine.
"Are you ready, wife?" he asked.
My stomach churned again. The word wife sounded foreign, wrong, painful. And yet... in a few minutes, I was about to be his wife for real.
Please, I silently prayed. Hazel. Alice. Caspian. Caden. I’ve always co when you needed help. Please... co for now. I can’t—
I can’t get married to this man.
If there was truly such a thing as luck, today was the day I needed it most.
As Darius opened the door and led out, I took a deep breath—my heart pounding harder with every step—as we began walking down to where everyone was waiting.
We started walking down the aisle, a strange song playing in the background. I tried to steady my breathing as I saw Aurora and the others standing below the altar, smiling strangely. George, the Serpent Demon Lord, sat on a huge throne right before the aisle. I just stood there, my stomach growling again.
Darius turned to . "This is the millionth ti your stomach is growling. Are you hungry?"
"No," I said quickly, forcing a fake smile.
He chuckled. "You know, I was really against the idea of you wearing that red gown at first, but I must say—you look splendid in it."
I faked a blush and turned my head slightly. "Thanks," I muttered.
We reached the altar, and I stood there, my stomach churning again as he chuckled under his breath. We heard faint footsteps as an old lady ca forward, who I assud was their priest. She stood right in front of us and cleared her throat.
"Hold hands," she said.
I hesitated. I had no idea how demons got married, but I really hoped it wouldn’t involve sothing absurd—like stripping naked or making blood oaths. These people were strange creatures, and I didn’t trust their traditions one bit.
The old lady’s raspy voice carried through the hall. "Today, we are witnessing one of the most extraordinary and rare weddings of this season. Our Demon Lord, Darius, is marrying a very special, unique creature—a witch!"
"Hooray to Darius!" she shouted.
"Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!" the crowd chanted.
Darius smiled proudly and waved like a king accepting his people’s praise, while I stood frozen, forcing another awkward smile.
"Together," the priest continued, "they will give birth to the strongest child in Decresh the only union ever seen between a demon and a witch. A very powerful witch, for that matter!"
"Hooray to Darius once again!"
The crowd cheered louder, while Darius continued to smile confidently.
The priest turned to us. "Now, your soon-to-be husband will say his vows. And you—have you learned yours?" she asked .
I rembered Rebecca giving a sheet of vows earlier while we were picking my outfit. I was supposed to read it last night... but I forgot.
"It’s fine," Darius whispered. "Just say sothing from your heart."
From my heart? If I said what was in my heart, I’d curse him, destroy this entire hall, and run for my life. But my powers were still gone. I had nothing.
"I’m not sure I have anything in my heart," I muttered under my breath.
"You don’t have anything in your heart for your husband?" the old lady whispered, clearly irritated.
"I think I can manage," I said quickly.
She nodded. "Then let us begin."
Darius went first. His lips moved, his tone soft and full of fake sincerity. There was a faint blush on his pale face. His vows blurred into aningless noise as my mind drifted away.
When he was done, he stepped back, and the priest turned to . "It’s your turn," she said.
Her voice sounded distant, like it was underwater. My ears rang until she tapped my hand, snapping back.
"Lady Aurora—it’s your turn," she said again, motioning for to step forward.
I walked slowly, my heart pounding violently in my chest. My eyes t Rebecca’s, and she gave an encouraging nod.
"Today," I began, my voice trembling, "I stand before everyone and I say... I accept..."
What was his na again? My mind blanked completely. What was his na?
I turned to him. Darius smiled at , giving an encouraging nod. The silence stretched unbearably. My hands shook, sweat sliding down my forehead. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.
Everything was too heavy.
I stumbled backward, and Darius imdiately caught . "Hey, are you okay?" he whispered.
"What’s your na?" I blurted out without thinking.
He blinked. "Huh? Darius," he said softly, helping back up.
The crowd began whispering. I swallowed hard and tried again.
"Today," I said, my voice cracking, "I stand before everyone, and I accept Darius to be my—"
But before I could finish, the doors burst open with a violent crash. A gust of wind swept through the hall, blowing out half the candles.
Every demon stood up alert imdiately.
I froze, my hand instinctively lifting as if my powers had returned. But nothing.
No one stood at the door.
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