Bonds that Burn and Bind

Chapter 9 Part 1

Fredrick dropped my ring, and it rolled into the aisle. The wedding guests, not frozen in shock, fled towards the front of the chapel. Priest Rodger included, practically diving off the stone platform to join them. Someone crashed into the harp as the musicians scrambled to avoid being trampled, and despondent cords bounced off the walls along with yells of panic.

I spotted Daen hauling Viv to her feet, Sophie already in his arms, before I focused on the threat ahead.

The Fae Prince's eyes did an evaluative sweep of the chapel as bright light streamed behind him from an unknown source, and shone through his auburn hair—absent of his golden crown resting upon it.

"How Fae of me, claiming my fiancé on her wedding day," he said, extending his hand. "Come."

A force tugged at my body as if a rope had been knotted around my spine. I took a stumbling step forward and would have taken another if Fredrick hadn't caught my arm.

"Should we run?" he asked, panic in his voice.
"No," I said reflexively, knowing running now would do no good. Maybe I should've gotten on that ship with Orin.

Orin stepped into the aisle, pointing his golden sword at the Fae Prince. "She isn't going anywhere!" He said through gritted teeth.
"Leave unless you want trouble," my father warned, moving to Orin's side, brandishing a dagger, while Lief, armed with a knife, slinked towards the door.

"She crossed No-Land into my land, which means she must."

"Go to him," the forest voices demanded but they were a lot weaker. And when they tugged on my body again, I successfully resisted.

Lief acted first, flying at the Prince from a blind spot, while Orin and my father charged him head-on.

A look of mild disdain crossed the Fae Prince's face as he raised his hand, and an invisible force knocked into all of them.

Orin tumbled backwards, his head, cracking hard against the floor in the center of the aisle. My father careened into a half-empty pew and Lief into a wall. Orin's sword went flying from his hand, its golden blade bending as it struck the ground and came to rest beside the steps of the altar. None of them got back up.

Father Sky, Mother Earth let them all be okay! I prayed silently, unsure what I would do if they weren't.

Fredrick took a shuddering breath. "Valentina, get behind me." He attempted to shove his body in front of mine but I grabbed his arm, preventing him.

"Go with the rest of the guests," I said, nodding towards one side of the altar, teaming with panicking nobles.

"I'm your husband, I need to protect you."
"You can't! Your fighting skills are almost nonexistent! Go!"

Fredrick flinched at my words, but I couldn't spare his feelings as I shoved him hard towards the edge of the altar and he complied this time, melting into the crowd that had gathered in one of the corners.

I picked up a brass candelabra that had been knocked from the altar in the chaos, testing its weight in my hand. It would have to do, I had nothing else. I turned back towards my opponent.

Orin was on his feet, using the nearest pew to stay upright. His eyes met mine before he turned back toward the Fae Prince.

No, you idiot, stay down! I screamed internally.
"You were lucky that I formed a habit of not attacking my enemies with magic." Orin drawled, his hand glowing with bright white light. "You won't be so lucky again."

"You did not get lucky with my attack," the Fae Prince replied cooly. "That was mercy."

"Then show no mercy— I will do the same!" Orin bit back like an arrogant idiot.