Forbidden Essence

Forbidden Essence : Wedding Gift

Chapter 22 : Wedding Gift

The carriage rocked side to side as if an earthquake had arrested the earth. I was holding tightly to the seat from being thrown side to side, except it was near impossible to stay putt. I would have said something outloud about the path my lovely husband and his generous father had chosen, but decided that it would be better to keep mum.

My husband sat across from me, with his head lazily leaning back against the seat and his eyes half lidded. I had a suspicion that he was watching me, but his eyes were so hodded and dark that it was hard to differ. I let out at grumbled cry as a rather large bump cause me to nearly fall off my seat, but luckily, my lovely husband smacked his arms against the seat next to my shoulder to stop my fall.

I jerked away from his touch, and eyed him as I smoothed one of the many tight dresses he had been so kind to have bought for me. As if the corset had not already been suffocating enough, its laces had to be yanked by three women so that I would be able to fit in this God forsaken dress. I couldn't breath, I couldn't move, and I was sure that the horrid man was avenging me. He had smiled satisfactorily several times as I was being thrown all over the carriage while he calmly stayed put and even had the audacity to snores while I had barely gotten any sleep. The night was restlessly spent as I pondered why Johnathan had not come to see me, and even as I was getting into the carriage in the morn, he was not in sight. My mood had taken a plunge right off the cliff and into the dark deeps.

My mood had turned from depressed to murderous within moments. Of course the sound of snores had nearly made me strangle him in envy, I glared at him throughout the ride. Many times while I glared, I noticed my mind taking a different route... I denied myself the thought that I was admiring him.

I was not. 

I glared at him again, for his visage and infuriating person induced such thoughts in my head.

In fact, I was driving myself insane wondering what he is planning to do next to make my life more miserable. My mind travelled back in time to remember the sweet moments; this was the same man who had admitted his admiration for me after giving me such a difficult time. Now that he hates me, what he will, and can do makes me want to gather a bundle of belongings and run for the hills. I would have, and I should have, but now its too late. My dear father-in-law has forced me to show myself to the world, now everyone knows that the daughter of the great King Jerediah is alive! Now everywhere I go, they will know. 

I look out the shaky scenery, and ponder on how my life would be like in ten years. I sigh, loneliness, sadness, and nothingness, that is what I see. He will not touch me; I will not even have children to lighten my days... but for how long? Edmund will need a heir, will he use another woman? A prostitue? My heart wrenched, and so did my stomach as the carriage came to a stop. I watched as Edmund wordlessly climbed out the carriage and stretched his legs. I waited for him to turn and stretch his hand towards me, but he simply glanced back at me and then walked away, waving to a servant to help me down. I kindly pushed away the servant's arm and climbed off very unlady-like. If I cannot be his wife, then I can be own woman. I can go riding as I used to, I can read, and write, and dance, and visit the village, I am simply tied to a man now. If he will do whatever he can to make my life sordid and sad, then I will make his same! 

A man who wants nothing to do with me, is a man not worth it. Is it not good this way? I can do as I please!

Feeling slightly better of the control I have, I made my feet walk towards my husband and his father in reluctance. 

"Welcome to your new home, daughter in law! Edmund take her to your new chamber, I reckon she's had a rather bumpy ride and needs rest." King Reddings smirked, looking down at the taut cloth at my breasts. I shifted in discomfort, and made to fix my bonnet, when really I was attempting to divert his eyes. He grinned slyly and turned in a flourish, walking inside the castle.