Lidiya never thought her life would lead her here-to a marriage with a man she barely knew in the remote village of Roxana. But as a poor farmer's daughter, her fate was never truly hers to choose. She hadn't imagined her wedding night would be one...
The days passed with agonizing slowness, the wedding preparations ongoing, yet Lidiya felt an unsettling change in Jorden. He appeared more cheerful, almost sinister, as if relishing the chaos surrounding their upcoming marriage. The flickers of his earlier anger transformed into an unsettling glee, an evil sort of joy that left Lidiya deeply unnerved.
On the eve of their wedding, Lidiya felt a compulsion to seek him out. As she walked toward the pond, she heard muffled sobs. The soft sound echoed against the tranquil water, and she stepped closer, heart pounding with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Peering through the trees, she spotted Jorden—or Zindane, as she would soon realize—sitting at the water’s edge, his head bowed, as if cradling someone in his arms. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. “I will always love you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, but I had no choice.”
Lidiya felt her breath hitch, her heart racing as she strained to hear more. “You will always be in my heart, and I will make sure he suffers. I will not let him stay in peace, even after his death.”
Who was he talking about? Her heart raced as she pieced together the fragments of his words. Something told her he was speaking of Oswen.
Jorden pulled a small knife from his pocket, the moonlight glinting off its blade. Without hesitation, he pressed it against his palm, a sharp gasp escaping Lidiya’s lips as he drew blood. He let several drops fall into the water, along with a handful of ashes. Lidiya was rooted to the spot, her heart pounding in her ears.
As the blood mingled with the water, an ethereal glow began to emerge. Lidiya's breath caught as a beautiful woman’s spirit materialized, her translucent figure shimmering with an otherworldly light. She had a skinny appearance and a beautiful structured face with long black hair.
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“Zindane,” the spirit said softly, gliding closer to him. “You need to let me go. I can’t be here anymore.” Her voice was haunting yet gentle, filled with a sorrow that resonated in Lidiya’s heart.
“I can’t! I won’t!” Jorden—no, Zindane—clenched his fists, anguish twisting his features. “You deserve to be here, Aurora, and that peasant girl will never be my wife!”
Lidiya’s heart sank hearing him say that, and a wave of rage flooded through her. The truth was clearer now—this man wasn’t merely Jorden. He was Zindane Witchane, a name whispered in fear among the villagers. The spirit reached out, her fingers brushing against his cheek, her voice trembling.
“I love you, my husband, but I can’t stay here. Let it go . You must find peace,” she implored, her eyes glistening with tears that shimmered like stars.
As Aurora leaned in, she kissed Zindane softly on the lips, the connection palpable. In that moment, Lidiya felt a pang of heartbreak, jealousy mingling with her confusion. Zindane’s expression twisted into one of fury as the spirit began to fade.
“NO!” he shouted, rage seeping into his voice. “You will not leave me!” But it was too late; Aurora vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint glow in the water.
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Lidiya’s mind raced as she backed away, heart pounding. She felt a mixture of hurt, confusion, and a desperate curiosity. What did this mean for her? How could she marry him knowing he was entwined with another?
Determined to uncover the truth, Lidiya resolved to go through with the marriage, but not without a plan. She would stay close to him, unravel his secrets, and understand the dark intentions behind his charm.
That evening, the wedding preparations resumed, the air filled with laughter and excitement. But Lidiya felt like an imposter, a storm brewing within her. She donned her wedding attire, each piece of fabric a reminder of the chaos that was to come.
When the time came for the ceremony, she walked down the aisle with her heart heavy, every step a battle against the emotions raging inside her. Jorden stood at the altar, his face a mask of satisfaction, a predatory gleam in his eyes that made her skin crawl.
As the priest began the ceremony, Lidiya locked eyes with Jorden, determination burning within her. “I will find out the truth, Zindane Witchane,” she silently vowed. “You may think you can control this, but I will not let you win.”
With each vow exchanged, she felt herself being drawn deeper into the web of deceit surrounding him.
“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest asked, his voice echoing in the charged atmosphere.
“Yes,” Zindane replied, his voice smooth yet dark, a smile creeping across his lips.
“And do you, Lidiya, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Lidiya paused, the weight of the moment crashing down on her. She forced a smile, masking the turmoil inside her. “I do,” she said, each word laced with the resolve to uncover the truth.
As they exchanged rings, Lidiya felt a fire ignite within her. This was not the end; it was merely the beginning of a battle that would shake the very foundation of their lives.
Lidiya Witchane
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