Islinda stood in the center of her room, surrounded by a swarm of handmaidens who fussed over her like bees around a flower. She hadn’t slept a wink the night before; her mind had been plagued with endless worries and thoughts. The day had barely begun to break when the train of servants rushed in, insisting that they were there to prepare her for the wedding.
It all felt like a surreal dream, a whirlwind of activity she couldn’t quite grasp. If she hadn’t gotten used to being undressed and prepped in front of strangers during her ti at Aldric’s palace, she would have been horrified. But Islinda had grown accustod to it, her skin now numb to the sensation of scrutiny as the servants stripped her bare.
They worked with a practiced precision, removing every trace of hair from her body before subrging her into a bath filled with a concoction of herbs, oils, and unknown ingredients that reeked of autumn spices. The water was warm, but she felt cold inside, her mind blank as the won bathed and scrubbed her, whispering praises about how beautiful she would look for Prince Andre.
When she erged, her skin was radiant, glowing with an unnatural sheen. They draped her in a stunning gown, adorned with the warm hues of the autumn court: shades of orange, brown, and gold, interwoven with leaves that seed almost alive. The off-shoulder design frad her elegantly, and the sheer, voluminous sleeves added a touch of ethereal beauty, making her seem less like a human bride and more like an autumn Fae princess.
As the handmaidens drew intricate patterns on her skin—tattoos laced with magic and tied to the customs of the autumn court—Islinda felt disconnected from her own body. It was all happening too fast. The makeup masked the exhaustion beneath her eyes, and by the ti they were done, she looked like soone else entirely. Only her white hair remained a stubborn contrast to the autumnal motif.
The handmaidens stepped aside, making way for Queen Victoria, who entered with the regal air of a monarch used to command. Queen Victoria was not only Prince Andre’s mother but also the one tasked with giving Islinda the final touches, a role that traditionally belonged to the bride’s mother. But Islinda had no mother to perform the rites, and so the Queen had stepped in, her presence both comforting and intimidating.
"I don’t understand the rush between you and that damned son of mine, Andre," Queen Victoria said, her tone laced with annoyance as she adjusted the folds of Islinda’s dress. "But the least the both of you could have given is more ti." She fussed over Islinda’s hair, weaving golden leaves through her loose updo, and muttering to herself all the while. "It was only by sheer grace that the priest arrived this morning."
The priest’s delayed arrival was the only reason the wedding hadn’t happened yesterday. Fae customs required an autumn priest to officiate, and not even Prince Andre could bend those rules.
Islinda remained quiet, her thoughts spinning. She was painfully aware of the weight of the mont, the finality of what was about to happen. As Queen Victoria continued to fuss, Islinda forced herself to straighten up, trying to muster a semblance of control.
Sensing Islinda’s unease, Queen Victoria paused, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Listen to ," she said quietly, tilting Islinda’s chin so their eyes t. "I don’t know what’s going on between you and Andre, but if you want to stop this madness, all you have to do is say the word. I’ll put an end to this right now."
For a mont, Islinda’s heart surged with hope. But the reality of the situation crashed down on her like a wave. This wasn’t about choice anymore—it was about survival, about the tangled web of deal she made that had led her to this mont. Islinda swallowed hard, pushing her fears down.
"I’ll marry Andre," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. The queen searched her face, clearly unconvinced by her calm façade, but she didn’t press further. Islinda and Andre were old enough to make their own decisions, even if those decisions were clouded in shadows and lies.
Queen Victoria nodded, though the concern in her eyes lingered. She drew the final tattoos on Islinda’s forehead and the tops of her hands, marking her with symbols of the autumn court’s blessings. Then, placing a delicate veil over Islinda’s head, she guided her out of the room and towards the wedding venue.
The ceremony was set outdoors, beneath the canopy of autumn trees. The Fae had always preferred nature’s embrace over stone walls, and today was no different. The setting sun cast golden rays through the branches, making the leaves above shimr like jewels. Though there hadn’t been ti to invite many guests, the seats were still filled with curious onlookers and high-ranking high Faeries.
Islinda could feel the weight of their stares, their judgnt seeping into her skin. She was the human interloper marrying their beloved prince, and the tension in the air was palpable.
Islinda’s heart pounded as she walked down the aisle, each step feeling heavier than the last. She could barely hear the murmurs of disapproval over the roaring in her ears. She stopped beside Andre, who turned to her with a smile so bright it was almost blinding. He lifted the veil from her face, his eyes sparkling with triumph as though he had won so great prize.
Islinda’s stomach twisted. She was really going through with this. The priest began the ceremony, his voice a distant echo in her mind as she stared straight ahead, her vision blurring. Andre squeezed her hand, and Islinda forced herself to smile, though it felt like her face might shatter from the effort.
She glanced around, hoping for so miracle, so sign that this wasn’t her fate—but there was nothing. No escape. No one was coming to save her.
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