Chapter 70
The morning sunlight streamed through my window, casting a golden glow over the room, but I felt none of its warmth. The events of the past day still weighed heavily on me, and I barely managed to eat the breakfast left on my table. I was lost in my thoughts when there was a knock at my door.
Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Lucian stepped in, a wide grin plastered across his face. What was he so happy about? I couldn't believe he had the nerve to show up and act like there was no problem after everything that had happened.
"Good morning, Arin," he said cheerfully, his voice unsettlingly light.
I stood, smoothing down the creases in my dress. "Lucian," I said cautiously. "What brings you here so early?"
"I have a surprise for you," he said, his grin widening. "Come with me."
My heart sank at his words, and I hesitated. "A surprise? At this hour? What is it?"
"Yes," he said, motioning for me to follow. "Hurry, we don't have all day."
I had no choice but to trail after him, my steps heavy with dread. As we walked through the winding halls, I tried to steady my breathing, wondering what he had planned. Lucian was uncharacteristically quiet, and that only made me more nervous.
"Lucian what is going on? Where are we going?"
Lucian shrugged.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise would it? Why are you so anxious? We're almost here."
Finally, we arrived at the temple of the Moon Goddess. Its towering spires seemed to loom over me, and the intricate carvings on the doors felt more ominous than beautiful.
"What are we doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Lucian turned to me, his expression serious now. "We're getting married," he said simply.
My heart stopped. "What?"
"I thought about it all night," he said, stepping closer. "We've waited long enough, Arin. I am tired of all the distractions. Let's just do this and let's do it now. I don't want to waste another moment. This is the perfect time—just the two of us, no interruptions, no chaos."
"Lucian," I said, taking a step back. "This isn't right. We talked about this yesterday at the temple. We agreed to postpone the wedding remember? Let's do that."
"It's the only way," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If we wait, something else will come up, and I won't risk losing you. Not now."
My mind raced as I searched for a way to reason with him. "But everyone else... King Rowan—"
"He'll have no choice but to approve it," he interrupted. "My family want this union as much as I do. And besides, this moment is about us, not them."
I felt a lump rise in my throat. "Lucian, please," I whispered. "This isn't what I want. It's too soon.... I'm not exactly in the right frame of mind."
His eyes darkened, and he grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful. "You have no choice, Arin," he said, his voice low. "You're mine now. You agreed to this when you came here. I asked you if you would marry me and you said yes. What's the rush?"
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away. I glanced around the temple, hoping—praying—for someone to appear, for someone to save me. But there was no one. Just the two of us and the priest waiting patiently at the altar.
Lucian pulled me forward, guiding me up the steps toward the altar. My feet felt like lead, and my chest tightened with every step.
The priest began to speak, his voice a distant hum in my ears. Lucian held my hands tightly, his eyes locked on mine. I couldn't bring myself to look at him, my gaze fixed on the intricate carvings on the altar.
"Do you, Arin, take Lucian to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the priestess asked, her voice cutting through the fog in my mind.
My throat closed up, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. Lucian's grip on my hands tightened, a silent warning.
"Yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"And do you, Lucian, take Arin to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Lucian said confidently.
The priestess smiled and raised her hands in blessing. "Then by the power vested in me by the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Lucian leaned in, pressing a kiss to my lips. It was brief but possessive, a reminder of the chains I now wore.
The ceremony was over in minutes, but it felt like an eternity. As we stepped out of the temple, the sunlight seemed harsher, mocking me with its brightness.
Lucian turned to me, his smile triumphant. "We did it," he said. "You're mine now, Arin. Forever."
I nodded numbly, my mind a whirlwind of fear, regret, and despair. I was married to Lucian, and no one had come to save me.
.........
The golden sunlight that streamed through the window felt cruel, indifferent to the turmoil inside me. Married. The word settled over me like a heavy chain, each link forged from my helplessness. I glanced down at the ring on my finger, its polished surface gleaming mockingly.
I was married to Lucian.
I had hoped for a delay, for Rowan to intervene, for anything to stop it. But now there was no going back. The ceremony was done, the vows spoken. I was his wife.
The door creaked open, and Lucian stepped in, his usual self-assured smile plastered across his face. "Arin," he said, his voice warm yet commanding. "It's time to move your things to my chambers."
My heart sank further. "My things?" I asked weakly.
"Yes, of course," he replied, gesturing for the servants waiting outside. "You're my wife now. It's only proper that we share quarters."
I stood frozen as the servants began gathering my belongings, each item a reminder of the life I'd just lost. My room, which had been a sanctuary, now felt like a crime scene—a place where I'd been stripped of my freedom.
Lucian leaned against the doorframe, watching the process with a pleased expression. "You'll love my chambers," he said. "They're twice the size of this room, with a balcony that overlooks the gardens. And the bed..." He trailed off, his smile turning predatory.
I looked away, my stomach twisting.
"Speaking of the bed," Lucian continued, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone, "you should get ready for tonight. Our wedding night."
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