Journee's POV:
I woke up to the sound of Rosette's footsteps and the warm sunlight pouring through the parted curtains.
"Good afternoon, miss. It's a beautiful new day," Rosette exclaimed cheerfully. However, I couldn't help but stifle a yawn.
"Did you sleep well, miss?" she asked.
"Not particularly. I kept tossing and turning all night. I suppose it's because of the unfamiliar bed," I replied. Today is a day I dread, but I know I have to go through with it to prevent my father from getting into trouble.
"I understand, miss. Being separated from your family like this is not something I would wish for either," Rosette sympathized.
"Yeah... it's not exactly an enviable life," I said as I stretched and got out of bed.
"Shall I prepare a bath, miss?" Rosette inquired.
"You know, you can call me Journee," I suggested, starting to like Rosette. Life in this mansion might not be so terrible after all. At least I have found two people I genuinely like - Granny and now Rosette.
"Oh no, miss. The Lewis family is quite formal. Once you are married today, I will address you as 'mam'," Rosette explained, slightly flustered but with a hint of affection in her eyes, as if she felt honoured to be seen as an equal in some way. "How would you like your bath, miss?"
"Hot. As hot as boiling fires of hell," I replied truthfully, albeit with a touch of sarcasm. Rosette, however, took it as a joke.
"Oh, you're so funny, miss... I know today isn't what you had imagined for your wedding, but I promise you will be pleased with what you see. The Lewis family has put so much effort into every detail! It's truly beautiful," Rosette assured me.
"I'm sure, Rosette. But I really do prefer my baths steaming hot," I insisted.
"...and your room temperature below 3 degrees, miss?" Rosette's tone was matter-of-fact.
"Why, yes. Do you find that odd?" This conversation reminded me of my mother when we lived in Ireland, how she teased me about being an alien from another world. I would always open the windows at night, even in the middle of winter. It was the best way for me to sleep—freezing cold nights that would lull my body into a semi-comatose state, only to wake up and take a bath that was around 50 degrees.
My mother used to say that my relationship with temperature made no sense at all. As a part Chinese, she held onto traditional practices like drinking warm drinks, keeping one's head and feet covered at all times, and many other health-related customs. But those practices didn't help her live longer... she passed away at the young age of 40. How I wish she were still here, present in all my dreams, by my side.
"Miss?" Rosette's tap on my arm brought me back to reality.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just lost in memories," I reassured her, though she still looked concerned that I might faint. "I'm alright, really. I'll just take a shower now. Don't worry about the bath. You can attend to your other tasks, Rosette. I'll manage on my own."
I am determined not to be a burden on anyone, just as my mother always told me. "Honey bunny, when you are ready to give and not just take, that's when you're ready for marriage. Remember, when you marry, you become a part of the whole household. You must strive to be pleasant and avoid causing trouble for anyone."
"Alright, miss. I'll be back in 45 minutes to escort you to the ceremony," Rosette informed me.
I am not fully prepared to be selfless, but this is my destiny—a path I must follow.
***
Ma'oz 's POV.
"This is fucking maddening!" She makes so much noise from the moment of stirring from sleep. I had spent most of the night trying to meditate but her tossing and turning was ridiculous. I had used my powers to make her pass out when the sun rose. 4 hours was all I got, before she started being noisy again.
I mind-linked Damon. "How is your search so far? Anything"
"Not yet my Lord."
"Well, hurry! I want this bond broken." There must be some way I can get all this frustration out. A duel or two would do nicely. All I want is to tear up something or anyone. To rip their flesh and bones apart. It is a sound I have come to find comfort in. It is one that means I have maimed the enemy and reduced their strength significantly.
But its impossible right now. I must abide by the rules of the Demon Kingdom.
1. Never harm humans unless they first provoke us by causing physical damage to us.
2. Never harm a human who doesn't have the means to fight back.
I slammed my hand on the wall. "Argh!"
"Fuck!" Solomon's ring…my father's ring flew off my finger. It flew through the wall and landed among the human's wedding jewellery.
I rushed as flew into her bedroom to receive it but it's too late. She is holding it, gazing into its depths with a wonder in her eyes. There is no way I can get it back now.
***
Journee's POV
I sat at what I gather is a custom-made Bohemian vanity with drawers lined in velvet. Looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror, I sighed. Regardless how I feel, I must at least seem to put in some effort. I studied my freckled complexion and the dark rings under my eyes.
"Clink" I looked at where the sound came from. A simple ring dropped from the 3-tiered jewellery case into my hand.
"What's this?"
Bronze with wing carvings on other side. The centre of it, a pentagon encased within a green stone of some kind. "Emerald? No, it doesn't look like it." I don't know much about gemstones, but it looks rather ancient. Maybe something that used to be popular in the BCEs.
Somehow, holding it makes my fingers look daintier than they truly are. There is a beauty that draws me in. It calls to me like a lover's caress. I touched the pentagon gently and it opened. "Wow!" Such perfect engineering that I thought it was one stone. Instead, its perfect halves revealed within its oval shape, numbers.
"1290…? What is 1290?" I felt the ring's pull, beckoning me to ask the question is I wish to know most of all.
"Am I going crazy?" I laughed aloud, finding myself to be plain stupid. "Oh, what the heck." Allowing my consciousness to touch into the deepest part of my mind, I let it overtake me as I whispered, "when…will I be free?"
I half laughed at my silliness. "You silly girl." I told myself in the mirror. Still looking at myself, the ring move and close. "I like you." Putting it on my index finger, I applied my makeup, ensuring to cover all my flaws, but still ensuring it isn't over done.
A few wedding gowns hung by the wardrobe. The first, champagne satin fit and fare trumpet, embellished with Swarovski crystals around the heart-shaped bosom that stops at champagne wrap from the mid-drift down to the hips which reminded me of being tied very tightly to this marriage. "Ew…" I muttered to myself.
The second gown next to it is the fluffiest I have ever seen in my life. White mostly, its shoulder embroidery which tapers down the chest seems ok. "This is nice, at first." Layers of tulle would either make me look like I am floating on water as I walk or an overwrapped present with that huge bow at the waist. But I have never liked the Basque Gown style. The protruding flares to give excess volume is way over the top for me. Especially with the huge tulle ribbon that is supposed to adorn my hair. "Nope."
Looking to my right and plain in comparison to the other two, I notice the straight cut white gown that flows. Simple white satin with two small bows at either side of my hips. "Maybe…" I have never been one for excessiveness." I touched its material, imagining myself walking down the aisle. Circling to the back, to see what the back looks like, a fourth gown caught my eye. "Wow! I have found my dress."
Slipping it on, my reflection was one of grace. This dress perfectly hugged my figure, flaunting my assets while covering all my flaws. Lace and cotton interwoven into a beautifully intricate pattern, I liked how it seemed to say, "now I'm here, but I could be gone in a moment." Lace wings hugging my breasts as it follows the curve of my body to my back. Allowing movement through the clinched waist, the lace falls elegantly down the front-centre of the gown, and from my hips, cotton is attached to a lace mermaid tail.
"Yes. I need no other adornment. I am me." Letting my tresses free with a simple short veil attached to a hairband.
I took a deep breath and walked out to the garden, almost bumping into someone.
"I'm so sorry."
Looking up, his black eyes as dark as the abyss looked at me in surprise. Chiselled with a strong jaw, I stared. The black wild curls of his hair tussled like he has just awoken. Standing a head taller, he was the most magnificent man I had ever seen. As his lips moved, like rose petals, its softness spoke to me of a tenderness of which he is capable.
***
Ma'oz 's POV
The human walked out. I turned to find my heart had both stopped and sped up at the same time. A vision of beauty, she waltzed down the path towards me, like the Goddess Athena in all her glory. Only she did not see me…or so I thought.
"I'm so sorry." Words fell from her lips like pearls over the ocean. Was she ever this alluring? That light within her was growing with the passing moment, enthralling my senses. I breathed in its gentleness, its promise of blessing to wash away my worries.
I felt my entire being bow, my sanity and spirit at her feet, worshiping the grace before me.
"You can see me?" I whispered under my breath.
She stared at my lips, unmoving as she took another step towards me. My mind stilled as I looked into her hazel eyes so clear through the veil. An uncertainty flickered through them as hints of gold sparkled in the sun. Surely, I must be dreaming…no human's eyes ever do that.
***
Journee's POV
What am I thinking?!
"I am sorry. I am simply so flustered by everything." I was not lying. I knew under my veil, my face was flushed red. "You must be one of the guests. The wedding I am told is at the main building. I would show you the way if knew…"
"No matter. I'll get by just fine." His deep voice like a lion's roar. I sensed the power within it, one used to give commands. Without so much as another word, he walked away. I couldn't help admiring his graceful gait, like a panther on the prowl in his black suit.
"Miss! Oh, how beautiful you are." Rosette's voice broke the trance. "Come. I will bring you to Mr. Lewis."
"Isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?" I asked while falling into step with Rosette.
"Oh no. It is Mr. Humphrey you will be seeing first. He will be taking the place of father of the bride."
My heart sank. That oily hyena will be walking me down the aisle. I felt like I would puke when I saw him smiling at me.
"My my my! What a beautiful bride you make. Such difference some sleep and a good dress makes, eh?" Without even asking if I was ok, or if I minded his presence, he grabbed my hand and placed it on his arm.
Breath, Journee…just breath. I will be out of his clutches soon.
We walked into the main hall, and I froze. Twin statues of matrimony stood on either side of the aisle. We were still hidden from sight, but I marvelled at how the Lewis family spared no expense.
Four staircases led to one meeting point – the dais on which I was to say my marriage vows. White roses lined the rails in every corner as the guests stood in anticipation at the balconies and corridors surrounding it. A glamorous square room in which to trap me, forever.
"Watch closely. This is what the family like." Humphrey whispered in my ear, inches away from my lobes as I almost recoiled in disgust.
So instead, I turned to look at the little ballerinas looking at us with watchful eyes. They moved mechanically through to the open space as the Ave Maria played. There is grace in their steps, yet I can't help but feel many of these children rather not be there.
Humphrey half dragged me out to the open and numerous cameras clicked and flashed in my eyes. Hardly able to see, I allowed my uncle-in-law to guide me up the stairs, lest I fall. My heart isn't in, but I must smile and that is precisely what I am doing. We reached the top without a hitch and Humphrey released my hand to hug Montgomery.
"You're a lucky bastard, nephew. Careful that I don't steal her away." I'm not sure if Humphrey meant for the entire wedding party to hear what he had said, or my hearing had heightened from all the stress.
Montgomery however didn't pay his uncle any heed. Taking my hand, he lifted my veil and placed a solitaire diamond ring on my finger. His eyes never leaving mine, as if to tell me "DON'T RUN."
I looked around to see the ring I was to place on him but saw he was already wearing it. Well, this isn't the typical wedding.
Behind us, Mr. Montgomery Lewis Sr. motioned us to sign the marriage certificates and proclaimed us husband and wife.
It was a blur and my toes curled in my white sport shoes. The deal was sealed. I am now, officially Mrs. Lewis. Life as I know it, is now over.