The Crimson Chains That Bind Us

Chapter 3: A Wedding to Remember

I woke up early the morning of my wedding, the sound of rain pounding against my window only brought me grief. My heart was heavy with the thoughts of the day to come. I reluctantly gave way and slid out of bed. I slowly made my way to the window, the rain was pouring down, washing away the fog outside, mirroring the internal turmoil within me.

With a soft sigh, I began to proceeded to do a routine of gentle stretches to ease the tension from my limbs. It was difficult to ignore the urge to stay under the blankets and just escape. But I was a lady of high status, and escape was a luxury that I couldn't afford. Not today, at least. With a deep sigh, I rang for my maid and began the arduous process of getting ready for my busy morning.

Beth worked in silence and knew that I needed no early morning chatter, only an attentive ear. However, my usual enthusiasm for fine silks and jewels was absent as I picked a silk somber gown of deepest blues. Delicate gold thread was embroidered along its hems, and dark furs lined the neckline. Beth helped me change into a new cream colored chemise and knee-length stockings before helping me into my dress.

As she fixed my long blonde hair, my thoughts swirled like the storm outside. An arranged marriage had been my duty as the daughter the Duke of Brecht, but the anticipation of it left me with a feeling suffocation. I never thought it would be so soon, mother hadn't been buried long. And when she finished the final touches with a gold belt and my dark blue cloak attached with a simple brooch. I stood in front of the looking glass, I saw nothing but a stranger staring back at me, skin pale as alabaster. When I finally thought I looked presentable, and with a gold circlet upon my head. I uttered a weak smile of thanks to Beth. I wish mother was here. I thought somberly.

Brother had brought rumors of unrest that was throughout the kingdom had weighed heavily on me, and King Edward's oppressive policies only heightened the feeling of despair. After I dressed and made my way through the gloomy stone corridors, I felt the ache in my breast grow. I wondered what could be done to fix the situation, beyond the gilded walls of the castle. The storm outside reflected my own turmoil, and I prayed for some clarity in the mists of uncertainty. I cautiously approached the dimly lit banquet hall in the oppressive castle. The roaring hearth failed to dissipate the ever-present chill from the drafty stone walls. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the journey ahead. I vowed to enter into the marriage as planned while continuing to search for ways to ease the suffering of my kin, with my mother's blessing.

Father was waiting for me outside our family chapel where just days ago mothers body had been laying for view. I took a deep breath as I took father's outstretched hand. "You look beautiful, my daughter." I looked up at him, his face worn from years of worry. It wasn't until this moment that I noticed father age. "A spitting image of your mother." He squeezed my hand, my heart twisting in my chest. Tears wanting to fall from my eyes at the thought of mother. I have been compared to her many times, and it often brought me joy, but now that she was gone it only brought sadness. "Shall we head in?" He gestured to the closed door in front of us.

"Yes, father." I gave him a soft smile as the doors opened up. Diaphanous drapes and floating lanterns bathed the towering limestone pillars in a warm, inviting glow. Letters of Snowdrops and winterberry wafted their sweet fragrance on the breeze. A noble murmur trickled through the assembly as I entered on my father's arm. At the far end of the hall, my betrothed Lord Ashton stood, flanked by King Edward who leaned down and whispered something into Ashton ears, rumors had spread that Lord Ashton was the kings lap dog, and after the few days of seeing the two here I could see why the rumors had started. The two were close, or perhaps it was a one sided closeness, I could never tell Ashton's emotions or thoughts. His face was always blank and void of any emotions.

As our eyes met across the crowded expanse, I found myself probing his face for any inkling of what lay hidden beneath his placid visage. Would he prove to be a compassionate partner, or would he rule over me with the same unyielding chill as the winds that blew through his native land? For the first time, I pondered the murmurs that perhaps all was not as it seemed within House Dragmyr.

The ceremony unfolded in a blur. I recited my vows numbly, my mind elsewhere as an electric force seemed to charge the air. Only when Lord Ashton leaned in to seal our union with a chaste kiss did I feel a flicker of awareness surge through my veins - as if activated by some unseen force stirring the dormant magic coursing through my ancestral bloodline.

But before I could contemplate the ramifications, a thunderous explosion rocked the cathedral. Screams pierced the air as flames licked through the shattered windows, and tendrils of smoke curled across the ceiling as ash rained down from the sky. Pandemonium erupted as armed men burst into the hall, their eyes and faces burning with the fiery hue of rage.

My father sprang into action, calling forth knights to quell the attackers. But amid the chaos and the roiling flames, I caught a glimpse of something far more horrifying - King Edward, his face twisted into a malevolent grin as he hacked his way through the rebels, blazing a path toward me. With Ashton standing fearlessly by my side, he shielded me with his sword as they braced for the onslaught.

"The crown is mine by God, brother," Edward snarled, his voice malicious. "I'll not see it stolen by the likes of you." The second prince strolled through the crowd, his hand resting on his sword as he stared down King Edward.

"You are unfit to rule, a vermin of the court. Your death shall be celebrated, Edward." The second prince snarled, Edward walked backwards, as if he was retreating and he came to a stop at Ashton and my side. Mad laughter erupted from the king. "I shall be king, and you shall die." He raised his sword pointing his blade to the king. I shrunk back, hiding myself from the feud before me. Edward laugh continued.

"Kill my foolish brother, Duke of Dragmyr, and you shall be rewarded." Ashton simply nodded and without a second glance he stepped forward, greeted by the edge of thirty swords.

"Duke of Dragmyr, join us!" The second prince plead. "Join us and take revenge for your parents, their deaths caused by King Edward!" Ashton stopped mid-step, his back went rigid. I wanted to see if his face held emotion but he kept his back to me.

"Kill him, Ashton!" King Edward laughed. "He is but a fool, and you are my dog. We all know you would never betray me like my own blood had." Lord Ashton turned, looking at the King and then to me. The room was still, not a single sound broke the silence. Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. I am sure to die if he betrayed the king.

In a swift, fluid motion, Ashton whipped through the air. Inhumanly he swiped down a rebel. I felt a growing sense of dread as I witnessed Ashton being overpowered - and in that moment, her instinct took over. I rushed forward to help, but was stopped by the king grabbing my arm.

"Just watch the entertainment." He chuckled, in my ear. His hands resting on my shoulders, I squeezed my eyes shut. Not wanting to watch the scene. I could feel Edward breath hot on my neck. "You sure are beautiful, Lady Farrah." I opened my eyes just as if a bolt of lightning has struck Lord Ashton, I watched Ashton fall and pushed a man up off him in a single breath. He then stalked to the second prince, his face covered with blood. His sword plunging into the second prince chest, a scream ripped through the air.

The second prince crumpled to the ground, rage etched onto his face as he spat out his final words of hatred and disbelief. "Damn you." He spit at the Duke. A hush fell over the guest and rebels, stunned and awestruck. I met Ashton's eyes, realizing with a jolt that nothing would ever be the same again. He stood over the prince's body, the rebels where quickly apprehended by the Kings guards.

"That's why he's my most loyal dog." Edward whispered in my ear, his lips brushing my earlobes causing the hair on the back of my neck stand as his fingers trailing down my arm. "He'll do anything I tell him. Like marrying the Duke of Brecht youngest beautiful daughter." I pushed his words from my ears, trying to ignore him careful not insult the king. "Pity I didn't find you first. If I knew you were this beautiful, I would have snatch you first." I shuddered, pretending to he didn't exist as I tried to read my new husbands face, wanting to see if regret of killing a human being but it was blank. A void of any emotion. The face of a cold hearted murder.