Victor Calinte
Anger. Regret?
I didn't even know what I was feeling anymore. I've had to divide my time and energy between various duties and responsibilities. Because of this, rest has been far from me. Esmien feels darker than it has been today in these 6 years of Denora's absence. Early this morning, a few people were reported to be missing.
A rookie Knight was brought back from the patrol team to the city of Selvinor. Got wounded by a strange shadowy figure. He's lucky to be a hybrid wolf, else he would've been dead by now. He was taken to the vines,(plants) where they would wrap around him to keep him in this world, to heal him if possible.
Besides that, I currently have more delicate matters at hand. Ever since the last airnote I sent to Denora, I haven't been able to sense her. Did she break our connection? Is she okay? I can't help but blame myself for everything.
Maybe I was too harsh.
Shit.
Why did I tell her I was getting married to someone else? That must have hurt her. I would kill myself if she ever did such to me. Maybe I could even do it now, end it all. Thalia wouldn't wed a dead body, and I would be free from her. But if Denora finds out I'm dead, it would break her even more so I have to face this.
Belana glowed vibrantly with colors, plants that danced on their own, animals that talked and blessed the city with various kinds of enchantment. Musicians sang in the streets, playing instruments that brought a calm to my troubled mind as I heard them.
Kids ran around, excited for the event that was to come. Today was the day. Thalia Orion and I, to be united in holy matrimony, sealed with the marriage sigil, alongside the symbol of the moon goddess.
There was no going back after, unless the goddess rejects our union. But cases like that were rare. Maybe I could go to the royal family, plead for the Alpha to intervene in the wedding.
He is very much aware that Denora and I are mates. Who was I kidding? He won't give a toss about me because he never accepted me for his daughter.
"A hybrid vampire for a mate? I forbid it!" I suddenly remembered his words years ago, at the mating ceremony, when he found out that I was his daughter's mate.
Ouch. Guess I was stuck.
My friend Zac barges into my dressing room, instantly shifting my thoughts. Thalia's family gave me a room to dress for the wedding when I arrived in Belana this afternoon.
"How's my favorite groom doing?" Zac said sarcastically, shifting from the door across to stand beside me in the blink of an eye. He tapped my shoulder gently, handing me the rings in a box as we both walked out of the room.
"Shut the fuck up, Zac." I replied, shooting him a death stare. He knew perfectly well about the whole story behind it all, yet he chose to say that.
In a flash, we were both in the hibiscus garden, standing on the altar. People were already seated, some were still arriving. My other grooms men aka fellow knights, were around me as well. My mother was seated in the front row, smiling at me with contentment and joy written all over her face. This is what she wanted, not me.
Zac moves to me again, toning his voice down to be a whisper.
"Look Victor, it's not too late to call off this wedding. You and I both know it's Denora who has captured your heart."
He was right. Denora is my heartbeat, my everything. But this situation, it's complicated. She's not here and I've waited. For six years I've waited for her with high hopes and dreams that she would return. And yet, here we are.
"I've already come so far Zac, how can I stop it now?" Zac sighed, nodding as he withdrew a step back and waited for the ceremony to start.
Moments later, the musicians began, singing softly, and playing tunes that made the whole wedding feel like a dream.
Little kids walked first, creating a pathway of petals and magic.
Thalia came right after, dressed in a white dress, decorated with purple hibiscus flowers.
That color.
It reminds me of Denora.
'Oh goddess. Why is this happening?'
I thought to myself. Thalia looked absolutely gorgeous. Her hair was styled neatly, and her skin glowed to match perfectly with her dress. Air fairies circled her head, moving with her till she got to the altar.
I could hear them, the whispers of the crowd.
"Lady Thalia is absolutely stunning"
"The knight is lucky to have her"
"The dress is amazing"
"At least Esmien will have something good to talk about."
Something good huh. I sighed internally, tuning them out so I could focus on the wedding.
Thalia was standing in front of me.
Despite the odds, I smiled at her. She smiled back, both of us, turning to face the valorian, the elder who is to wed us both.
My mind wasn't fully present, but I was glad when the whole vow thing was already coming to an end. I said my vows too. Kept them simple and brief, but regardless of that, vows are still important and need to have the biggest factor: love.
Thalia knew my heart belonged to Denora.
The Valorian placed the marriage sigil over our hands, and wrapped it. Then he placed a fabric over it as well, inscribed with the mark of the moon goddess.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
This was it. The end of the line. We were finally married, tied together in unity. Now I had to seal it with a kiss. I cleared my mind and moved closer. I could do that.
I could pretend she was Denora and kiss her. It would be easier.
The crowd of guests anticipated it in excitement, fairies and talking animals joined them as well.
I grabbed Thalia by the waist, pushing her veil further away, so I could see her face properly.
she smiled at me with joy, signaling me to make a move. And I did.
I leaned into her, choosing to make her happy, choosing to please the guests. But in that moment, something shifted in me.
An energy pull. I began to sense Denora again, like she was right beside me. It was the strongest feeling I've had in six years.
I kissed Thalia. The crowd cheered, but it wasn't for long because out of nowhere, a heavy wind blew over us on the altar. I tried to keep the kiss going but I froze instantly.
A familiar voice.
That scent.
I'd recognize it anywhere.
"VICTOR!" I hear my name from a distance.
Loud, bold. Audacious.
I turned from my bride, my eyes instantly landing on Denora Seigfren.
Was this a dream?