Call of the Night

Part 11

Finally, the day of my wedding arrived. My mother and my sister is not with me to help me get ready for the big occasion. No one in my family to share the happiness and sadness of having to devote my whole life to the one I will be promising myself to. My father is not by side to tell me how proud he is that I found a husband that has both wealth and power. Instead I was aided by Jiang shi maidens that neither speaks or make eye contact.

I merely stood there and let them dress me with fine set of clothes. One after another they wrapped me with tons of cloth then stabbed my head with multiple hair accessories that is pure gold. From head to toe it feels as if I am dragging a ball and chains around. If it is going to be like this then this wedding is not moving fast enough. I don't think I'm feeling the sweetness and happiness of the wedding coming. I feel anguish and frustration. 

"You look dashing" a familiar voice spoke. Lin Shao stood by the door way in his adult form, grinning.

"Shouldn't you be in your child form? If the emperor sees you in that form while you are with me he will be furious." I say looking at him through the mirror.

"He does not need to worry anymore. At dusk you will be his wife, both by name and in truth." he let himself in and pick up something from the table. He approached me from behind then put another hair pin in my head. It was the tigers eye. He then settle both his hands on my shoulder and look at me in the mirror. "So why the long face? What's eating you?"

I merely looked at him then at myself, "nothing".

"Is your clothes not pleasing? " Lin Shao also looks at my clothes.

"It's nothing" I repeat.

"Maybe what hinders you is not for me to know but for the emperor's" he says as he let my shoulders go. He took a red veil from the bed and covers my face with it. Through the veil I see him offer me his hand. "Shall we royal empress?"

...

The wedding is taken place at the very top of the castle where all the flowers are in fool bloom, surrounding me and the guests. In my right is the view of sunny day in the human realm and in my left is the darkness of the demon realm as if despair will never end. The guests all look human but I could see under the covers of their skin that they all cringe at the sight of a real human. They are all demons of high ranks, probably senates, commanders or chiefs. No humans. They are not pleased at the sight of me.

At the altar Tai Rong waits as he watch me with sharp eyes. The tenderness I felt before long gone and I am left with cold deep inside. What will become of me when I stay imprisoned in this walls? I am overcome with fear of not being able to ran to anyone. All of a sudden I feel so alone and terrified. I walk frigidly and hesitant. As if feeling my anxiety Lin Shao gave my hand a gentle and warm squeeze.

"Be calm my lady. They can smell your fear and uncertainty. Do not fall prey in their eyes" Lin Shao whispers in my ears as he leads me towards them "Look to your right again and when u get a chance behind too."

As we approach closer. Behind the crowd I saw Hui Lang, Ju-Long and Li Hua not far from Tai Rong. Hui Lang is crying like a proud mother while he holds on to Ju-Long who cannot take the moment of emotion and tries to ran away. Li Hua looking hits Ju-Long with a. fan for not standing still while he watches me with the same smirk in his face. Seeing them acting like themselves brought a smile in my face. Fear flew from my fingers as fast as it came. I stood by Tai Rong with his gentle smile as if not long ago he had a stricken face. We turn to look at our attendees to greet them. In the back Xin Wei and his heads are trying to steel food from the maids. Maybe it won't be so bad after all.

...

Night fall I sat uncomfortably in bed with the veil over my face and heavy clothing, waiting for my groom to share the night and consummate. My neck hurts because of the heaviness of my hair. Finally my patience won me, I rested my head on the pillow careful not to ruin my hair.

Only one candle is lit in the corner of the bed. Every windows are closed. Not even the moon will be able to witness us.

Creek... the sound of the door open slightly. He steps inside.

Like I was strike with a bolt I sat straight up fast. 

Slowly from the darkness he approach me as if he too is nervous. His hesitance made me chuckle inside. He acts as if this is our first night together. A thrill lifted from my chest.

"Is something wrong?" I ask since he stop on his steps.

"Tai Rong?" I finally stood and make my way towards him.

He reaches out and grab my arm. He is cold and darker than the night. A shadow. He's not Tai Rong.

"Let go!!!" I struggle to out of his grasp.

He took out an empty sack and put it over my head, to shoulders, to arms down to my waist. He tied something around me which I would consider a rope so I can't move. He swang me over his shoulder and turn around sharply. I hit my head somewhere hard and the pain made my conscious face slowly away.