Just Call Her Syndre

Chapter 15 | Matrimonial Ends

Timotheus dragged me down the grassy embankment, further and further away from the party. I tried to scream when his was back was turned, so he tied a ripped piece of his shirt around my mouth. The music rose higher from the ballroom, obliterating any chance I had of someone hearing me.

As we moved through the deserted garden, I stabbed my heels into the ground and shuffled against bushes to leave evidence behind. Hope strung my heartstrings, depending on Valor to find me before this beast was successful in his quest. He slowed as we neared the servant's route to the castle, and turned left directly at the road.

Nearly a mile down the drive rested a dilapidated coach. The rounded silver carriage was rusted and turning black in some places and the wheels were pitching inward, turning into ovals from circles. A singular man rested against the side, he was adjusting and readjusting the too tight vest he wore over his bulging stomach.

"Heimer?" Timotheus called out. Immediately the man straightened and saluted him. I couldn't make out much of his features beyond his sloppy blonde hair, crooked teeth and a nose that had been broken numerous times. 

"Tim!" The man greeted back giddily. He turned his gaze to me, exposing his teeth again in a deadly smile. "This her?"

Timotheus nodded. "Yes. This is the lucky lady."

"Do you need help getting her inside?"

Timotheus eyed me for a moment, thinking. "No. I should be fine."

The man now identified as 'Heimer' climbed the front of the carriage and took his seat to drive. Timotheus released me briefly, turning to open the carriage door, and I shot off, running blindly down the servant's road. His voice shouted my name in rage and soon after, I heard the telltale signs of pursuers. Still, I pressed myself forward, tripping through the darkness.

A hand seized one of my arms and I was forcefully yanked backward. My momentum changed directions, sending my body flailing into my captor. Heimer was sprawled out on the cool, damp earth beneath me, breathing heavily. A gleeful grin crossed his features again before he raised his voice to Timotheus.

"Tim!" He shouted. "I've got her."

The lumbering form belonging to Timotheus rounded the tall privacy bushes. He stopped for a moment, leaning over to press his palms against his bent knees. Breath trembled out of his mouth at an awful rate, wafting mouthfuls of bad breath into my nostrils. Heimer kept my struggling frame cloistered to his until Timotheus came near.

Snatching me from his grip, Timotheus stood my upright and dusted my dress clean of dirt. His thick palms swiping over every inch of me. Mortified, I had no choice but to let him finish the job. Heimer moved from the ground to stand next to us, the creepy smile still painted on his features.

"I do believe you two will make an excellent couple." I nearly gagged. "I'll be waiting for you at the coach whenever you're ready."

As soon as Heimer was out of earshot, Timotheus abruptly backhanded me across the face. My head swam and I lost my footing. Tittering to the side, my body careened towards the soft earth at an alarming rate. Just as the world went black, I felt a strong hand secure around my wrist, stopping my fall. Timotheus carried me back to the carriage, squeezing me painfully tight at every cry I let loose.

The city drifted by at an alarming rate as the carriage left the gates of the palace and headed to city center. I glared out of the broken door, watching fireworks beginning to escape from the palace gardens. They were celebrating.

I found myself hoping that it was for Sasha, that her Prince had proposed. It broke my heart to not know for sure. Timotheus' hot breath fluttering along my left ear, reminding me of the sick predicament I was in. My body began to twist against his, fighting to be released when the squeaking carriage came to a full stop.

He dismounted, and reached back inside to yank me out on unsteady legs. I shook my shoulders, tearing away from his hands with what little strength I had left. His arm dropped to grasp around my waist, hoisting me firmly into his arms bridal style. I whimpered as he centered me and began to walk across the narrow roadway.

"Figured I'd practice for the wedding night..." he jeered, pressing closer to me with a sick grin. "You look so beautiful tonight. I can't wait to see what's under this dress."

I cringed in disgust, shifting in his arms to try to get away. He held me fast, squeezing my body to his as he crossed the welcome mat of the small chapel. The sign was hanging half off the makeshift roof and the building was crumbling under the strains of time. Built from large rocks and cement, it looked as though it was erected many, many years ago. Dirt covered the oddly shaped sandstone paved pathway from the road to the door.

My throat clogged as he knocked on it, further chipping the rusty red paint. 

A low stooped man answered, his grey hair sticking roughly in every direction. He pushed his round glasses up his nose and sneezed, then pushed an old handkerchief to his wriggling nose. I coughed hard at the foul smell coming from inside. 

"Tim? Is that you?"

"Mr. Meister," Timotheus warmly greeted back, a smile on his face. "I have brought my bride for the ceremony."

The man switched his gaze to me, taking in my frowning face with a frown of his own. "She's lovely, that's for sure. She does not appear to be willing though, are you sure you found the right woman?"

Timotheus scowled, "positive. Has everything been prepared?"

"Yes, yes, of course. It was prepared exactly as you wished."

The man scurried back, letting us into the chapel without further investigation. He carried me down a short hallway, to a set of crooked black double doors and flung them open. The tiny sanctuary was decorated with red roses, their heady scent perfumed the room heavily. I counted seven pews, eight, if you included the broken fourth one on the right.

Tears gathered at the edges of my eyes as we neared the front of the chapel. An archway had been set up, decorated with the same red roses, the vines wrapped carefully through the delicate webbing. A pain struck my heart as we neared it. Timotheus was chuckling in my ear, happy that we had made it this far with success.

He stood me at the archway, and grasped my upper arms in his hands to keep me near him. "Don't even think about running. You won't make it." My nose crinkled and I turned away to escape his hot breath.

Mr. Meister came around the back, a book in his hands. He fixed his tie and tried to push down his wild hair, righting himself between us. I glanced down at him, eyes watered and frightened, hoping he'd notice the fear I felt. His eyes met mine briefly, but floated away just as quickly. 

A sob caught in my throat as he opened his book and spoke, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today."