Letting my mind do what it does best, I began connecting fragments of our meeting from the year she saved me from having repeated nightmares to the caring whisper of encouragement to the time I needed something to hold on to.
"She's there when I'm lost..." I muttered carefully, thinking about the time she came into my life till the moment we'd met in person. I sighed. Just recalling that meeting, annoyance was creeping out of me until I recalled those empty eyes, and I sighed again, saying, "She's difficult to read but..." Then, I began remembering the whispered word that I thought I would loathe for the rest of my life, mate, and then to her whispered word earlier, a soft smile formed on my lips. It made me think of a possibility, "...if she'll be my wife, then being in an arranged marriage might not be bad after all."
I gave myself one more look at the mirror, taking a deep breath before heading to a battlefield - my wedding.
The wedding has been decided to be held in the main manor's courtyard. The courtyard was bigger than the place I came from, but there was a certain area, I thought was a mausoleum, because of a small church surrounded by roses and an old wisteria tree. And right now, it was filled with colors, firelight hanging, and lanters serving as a pathway. The entire garden looked magical, calming, and warm.
Everyone who was privately invited to witness our union was undeniably happy, as if they were very pleased with this wedding. It was puzzling how they gave me a grateful look as I passed them, secretly trembling as I gripped my adoptive father's arms for support.
"You're doing great." Alon, my adoptive father, whispered but teasingly chuckled at the way I gripped his arm as we walked closer to the church's entrance.
My heart was throbbing badly, and his teasing wasn't helping. "Dad, please don't."
"Always look straight ahead, Bernila, and if you're shaken, trust your heart." He whispered his last advice to me. Upon opening the door, a soothing melody began playing, echoing throughout the church. I knew the song, and it's one of my favorite songs called Lovely (Center My Universe) by Michelle Tumes. Then he added, saying, "Your wife will be there for sure."
You're the sweet dreams that soothe me
When I can't fall asleep
You're the field
In the middle of the city
I'm rushing by
At the speed of light
"Hope so too…" I whispered to myself, and even behind the veil, I could see her, my fiancée, waiting patiently for my arrival.
She was standing intimidatingly beautiful but unreadable, and by wearing her thorny crown, I felt pure terror and coldness, making me tremble. But then I remember what she told me once, that I shouldn't cower, and I didn't.
You're the strong resolution
When I find no peace
You're the church bells ringing
In the evening
When all is quiet
Your whisper comfort
Lifts my heart
I get so weak
Instead, I carefully studied her. We had matching colors and designs on our wedding dresses, but hers wasn't fully a dress. It was a suit with a long coat, turning it into a dress, hiding her slacks and her inner lace corset, making her undeniably gorgeous. But those cold, distant eyes found mine, and locking, I can't look away. She's breathtaking, and there where it clicks.
"Oh my God..." I whispered, shaking, and it was not because I was afraid; instead, I was overwhelmed to the point my heart was beating hard.
Ooh, You're lovely, lovely
You're the center of my universe
A thousand times, I look around me, and I find
Ooh, You're lovely, lovely
You're the center of my universe
A million ways could not explain
You're lovely
Like the song, she's lovely, and I can't believe that I'm marrying her. "This is surreal…" I thought that because I didn't truly expect my savior and my fiancée to be the same person. I wanted to cry, but didn't.
There was a sudden flicker passing in my head, making the rest fade in the background, leaving just us. Then, I saw my dream, a moment where Sage, the Fenrir, met her chained vampire lover for the first time. It was just a flick of the moment, a second, but it sent a nerve-wracking feeling spreading throughout my body. I can't deny that I'm nervous, walking down the aisle, where my eyes were still interlocked with hers. The closer I got to the small altar, the more my heart tried to break my rib cage from beating too hard, which I was unsure if it was still about the nerves or something else that I didn't want to entertain anymore.
"Breathe, I'm right here. I got you now."
I looked up, and despite a vague view, her gentle whisper calmed me. It was instant when I didn't realize that I stopped in front of her, and my father, gently giving my hand on hers. One simple touch, my heart felt warmth, but I'm still a little nervous. I could tell she felt it as she guided me to meet the priest and gently squeezed my hand. She was caring, and the wedding started.
Honestly, I didn't have time to process the ceremony properly, or when we shared our vows, or when we exchanged rings, until the veil had been out and the loud cheers erupted in the background. Hearing the cheers for a kiss, I snapped and shivered.
Being a wolfless omega, I cowered, panicking and looking down, not even daring to see my fiancé, who is now my wife."Dammit, I can't look...Why can't I look when she's my wife? Dammit..." I thought, mad at myself for being a submissive omega. "Stop shaking. It was just a kiss."
As I was having an internal battle, I felt the same familiar cold yet warm finger lift my chin gently, followed by a cold voice resonating throughout my body, saying gently, "Look at me."
And I did. My eyes locked with hers again, and I got drawn. I'm even stunned, captivated by her beauty this close. But also speechless from clarifying my conclusion in my head, muttering softly, "You…" My savior was my annoying second-chance mate, and she was also the frightening, bloody conqueror queen, Mirxalyn Knightrose, who was now my wife. "You've got to be kidding me."
She didn't say anything, but her lips captured mine. I thought it was just a kiss - a simple, innocent kiss, but I was wrong. I wanted to push her away for taking it longer than necessary, but when her hand draped around my waist, pulling me closer, and another cupped my face delicately, I felt like melting. I'm literally melting, and surprised at myself when I responded with the same intent; passionate, deep, and addictive, like it's not our first kiss.
And now, we're married, I'm in trouble. "Am I going to be kissed like this? Oh God, save me."
I knew it. This kiss wasn't just any simple kiss because my body did not just feel warm, it was fire, and I softly whimpered, clinging to her firm and claiming grip before pulling away. My knees buckled; luckily, she was still holding me, breathless - both of us were. We're even surprised, like it shouldn't feel like that, but it does, and none of us speaks aside from deep stares we interlock. I could feel my heart melting under her gaze, making my eyes glisten, and my body feel hot, making my mark burn, slightly bleeding.
"Aw." I winced, but my eyes went wide when she pressed her lips on my mark before I could touch it. I was speechless, blushing deeply, but that gesture, somehow, worked. And when she pulled away, I looked at her, confused, thanking her shyly in the process, "Thanks…I guess…"
Mirxalyn gave me an intense look, making me feel nude and agitated. But when she wiped the small tear that escaped from my eyes, I was stunned. Then she whispered coldly, "Don't be." And before I could say something, she continued, claiming me firmly. "Your wife now."
I don't know what to feel, but I can guarantee that I was speechless and definitely confused. She was hard to read, and just like that, she left me dumbfounded, as if that breathtaking kiss hadn't happened.
"What the f!" I cussed, watching her greet some guests as if she did nothing, like she didn't kiss breathlessly. I feel hot. She made me feel hot, and it was not about lust. I narrowed my eyes furiously, feeling daunted. I glared at her back, hoping it left holes, before whispering grumpily, "You annoying beautiful wifey..."
"Don't be upset with her, your highness." The old vampire man, the priest who wedded us, chuckled over my annoyed expression before adding hopefully, "The queen has been like that, so be patient with her."
"I'm not upset -" I sighed, stopping myself because I knew he wouldn't believe it based on how he smiled gratefully at me. I just nodded, finding the right word to say without sounding disrespectful to an elderly person, saying, "I wish because she just awakened my temperament." The priest chuckled more before bowing and leaving me. Then I turned my heels, stomping as I met my family, cursing, "…mark my words; I'll get even with you."
The first one who noticed my grumpiness was none other than Talia. "Oh no, something awakened the grumpy Bernila." She greeted teasingly, giving me a hug, making me return it. Then she added, still teasing, "You just got married, and your grumpy mood had been awakened by your wife, am I right?"
I rolled my eyes, annoyed, but instinctively, I looked where Mirxalyn was. She was talking casually with my parents, where I wished she would look at me, but instead, I sensed a teasing grin from my side. I sighed, warning her, "Don't start, Talia."
"I'm not saying anything but…" She said mischievously before adding another remark, teasing more, "Let's enjoy because I've got the feeling tonight you'll be marked."
Hearing that, I rolled my eyes, still annoyed and not in the mood because I don't want to think about it. Yet. I released another heavy sigh, stopping her sadly, "Talia, no. Don't go there."
There was a pause before Talia finally took me seriously. "Bernila, I could tell it from here…" She reasoned gently when Mirxalyn caught me staring at her. I quickly looked away, didn't want to meet my wife's intense but cold gaze until Talia continued, saying, "...her looks might be menacing, but her coldness softened around you."
"Don't. Just don't…please…I'll focus on my healing rather than thinking about it." I told her, reminding her – reminding myself about the meaning of my marriage; it's for my health and not that 'mate bond' thing. Although it's starting.
"But…" she was about to reason, but I cut her off.
"Please, Talia, don't. Can you do that and let it slip, just this once?" I pleaded, and she tried to read me before sighing.
"Okay, fine, let's dance then." She changed the subject and dragged me to the small dance floor.
"I didn't say we could dance." I tried to stop her from dragging me on the small dance floor.
"Too late, we're here." She chuckled, and there was nothing I could do. We dance like we own the dance floor.
We danced off to the beat like stupid teenagers enjoying the moment. I liked this moment with someone who understood what I needed until I felt my wife's presence behind me. Talia pulled away and grinned at me, cheering me. I frowned, hoping she wouldn't leave, but she did, and a cold hand gently grabbed mine. She twirled me and played a slow song called All of Me by John Legend, making us dance like we're alone.
What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind?
I'm on your magical mystery ride.
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright.
As soon as the song played, the lyrics made my chest suddenly ache. It sounded perfect at how my savior, my wife, was affecting me. But I have to play it cool and pretend I am not affected, "Whoever arranged this song definitely didn't know about our situation."
My head's under water.
But I'm breathing fine.
You're crazy, and I'm out of my mind.
And I agree to the song. She's driving me nuts, totally out of my mind from not being able to clearly read her. She's affectionate when just us two; however, it drastically shifts when we're in public. Although her presence alone could make me feel that I mattered. I mattered to her, and perhaps, maybe – just maybe this marriage could start something I'm still afraid of admitting.
"Definitely not for us," I mumbled, dancing, but I saw something.