The Blood Prince

004

I hear music as the doors open. I look up, seeing the crowds roaring in either side of me.

At the end of the long isle, I see the prince standing in ceremonial robes.

"Walk."one of the aunties says from behind me.

"You must walk."

My lips quiver before I speak quietly.

"I can't."I whimper.

Suddenly two of the aunties link arms with me, and they begin walking with me.

I look up, through the veil. I see Xavier's cold expression growing closer.

Tears fall from my eyes as I look down at my white gloved hands.

Finally we reach the alter, and Xavier offers his hand to me.

I look up at him, placing my shaking hand in his, and he pulls me up to step where I see an elderly priest.

We face each other, and the sunlight finally breaches the mountains. His crown glistened in the morning light, nearly blinding me.

.....

Xavier reaches over, lifting the veil over her face.

He sees tears glistening on her cheeks and clenches his teeth.

Using the back of his hand, he wipes her tears away with his glove.

Then he glances to the priest.

"Ladies and gentlemen. People of Pogisa. Rejoice, for today we wed this Prince and Princess, and crown them the new king and queen of this land."

"And by doing this, we the kingdom of Pogisa will unite the world's of magic, and non magic. Your highness', your gloves."he says.

Xavier grips my left hand, pulling the glove from my hand.

Then he offers me his right.

I look up at him.

"Remove the glove."he says.

I let out a shakey breath as I pull the glove from his hand.

Instantly I see a brand on the back of his hand.

A strange symbol.

He flips it over and shows me palm, I do the same.

The priest then brings out a long, strange dagger that makes me whimper.

"The bond of marriage is sacred, we seal it with blood."the priest says, holding the dagger in the air.

The crowd roars with excitement and the priest brings the dagger down slowly.

"Do you, Prince Xavier of Pogisa, take Princess Tatiana of Evandor to be your wife, and queen?"The Priest asks.

"Yes, I do."

His voice was deep, and nonchalant.

The priest then takes the blade, and strikes it across Xavier's hand twice, cutting an X into his palm.

"Do you, Princess Tatiana of Evandor, take the Prince of Pogisa to be your husband, and king?"

My lips tremble, not wanting to part to speak the words. The prince notices.

"Speak, Tatiana."he demands, making me jump.

"..i-i.."I say before whimpering softly.

"I do.."I say quietly.

I look away as I feel the cold blade of the knife on my palm, and I yelp as the priest cuts my hand.

I feel fingers seeping through mine, and I look up to see that Xavier had interlocked our hands as blood leaked from our wounds.

The priest begins to bind our hands together with white silk as he speaks

"We bind these two in blood, and in holy matrimony."he says loudly.

My hand stings as he wraps it tightly against Xavier's.

I watch as the priest walks over and takes the cover off of a cushion.

There, was a skull. A skull that wore the crown of the king. A skull with 3 large scratches across the face.

The priest slowly lifts the crown off of the skull. Then he turns, placing the crown on Xavier's head.

Then, I feel something cold be placed on my forehead, and I look back, seeing the auntie's placing a gold crown on my head.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may seal this sacred bond, with a kiss."the priest says.

My lips tremble as I look at Xavier. His free hand comes to cup my face, and he pulls me in, placing a kiss against my lips.

His lips were hot. Almost burning.

The crowd roars with excitement, and the priest raises his hands to the sky.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The new king and queen of Pogisa."

...

I sit, looking down at my bandaged hand as the celebration unravels before me.

Xavier and I sit in thrones once belonging to his parents.

The crown on my head was heavy, and cold.

Suddenly, two well dressed men approach me.

"You're majesty."one of them bows.

"The Duke of Basilton."

The man behind steps forward, he bows to Xavier and then to me.

"It's good to finally see you in the throne, Xavier."he says.

I look over to Xavier as he speaks.

"Twas long overdue."he says in his deep voice.

"And what a beautiful queen you've blessed us with."he says, offering me his hand.

As I go to place my hand in his, Xavier stops me.

"No man is to touch her but me."he says.

"My apologies your highness. Well, I'm thankful for the invite, cousin."he says, backing away.

"You are welcome."Xavier glares at the man and he walks away.

I look back down as Xavier looks toward me.

"I mean it. Your mine, and only mine."

His words send shivers down my spine and I sit up a bit, still not looking at him.

Suddenly I hear metal clinking against glass.

I look up, seeing Nadia in the crowd, gathering attention.

The room quiets down as she speaks.

"As per tradition, I'd like the new king and queen to have their first dance as husband and wife. Brother?"she says.

Xavier sighs and then stands. He offers me his hand, and I reluctantly take it.

We both stand as the crowd applauds, and we make our way to the center of the room.

He carefully moves me into the waltzing position. The music starts, and he leads as we begin waltzing.

"You're looking incredibly somber for a princess who was just queened."he says quietly as we dance.

I look at his shoulder the whole time.

"..it wasn't supposed to be like this.."I say softly.

He remains silent for a while as we dance, glancing around at the party goers watching.

"We'll speak in private."he says quietly.

My lips quiver and I release a shaking breath as we continue to dance.

...