Chapter 1: The Unwilling Vow
The grand hall of the palace was abuzz with nobles and dignitaries, all gathered to witness the union of Princess Eliana and Prince Ryker.
Eliana stood at the altar, her heart heavy with dread. She had never wanted to marry Ryker, but duty and obligation had left her no choice.
"Are you ready to begin?" the priest asked, his voice low and solemn.
Eliana nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes."
Ryker, on the other hand, seemed entirely too pleased with himself. His eyes gleamed with triumph as he gazed at Eliana.
"You look lovely, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Eliana felt a shiver run down her spine as Ryker's gaze met hers. She knew she was trapped, bound by the vows she was about to make.
"Let us begin," the priest said, his voice cutting through the tension.
The ceremony began, and Eliana's voice was barely audible as she spoke her vows. Ryker's voice, on the other hand, was clear and strong.
As they exchanged rings, Eliana felt a sense of finality wash over her. It was done. She was married.
The hall erupted into cheers and applause. Eliana forced a smile onto her face. Ryker's eyes narrowed as he gazed at her.
"You're mine now," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.
Eliana felt a surge of fear. She was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
The reception was a blur of faces and voices. Eliana went through the motions, smiling and laughing. But inside, she was dying.
Ryker, too, seemed distant. His eyes kept straying to the doors.
"Is everything all right?" Eliana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryker's eyes snapped back to hers. "Everything is fine," he said, his voice cold.
Eliana wondered if he was looking for an escape. As the night wore on, Eliana's anxiety grew. She was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
Ryker's voice cut through her thoughts. "Shall we dance, my dear?" he asked.
Eliana's heart sank. She didn't want to dance with him.
But she had no choice. She placed her hand in his. Ryker's eyes gleamed with triumph. Eliana felt a shiver run down her spine.
As they danced, Eliana couldn't help but feel like a prisoner. Ryker's grip on her hand was like a vice. She tried to pull away. But he held tight.
"Let me go," Eliana whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "You're mine now," he repeated. "You'll do as I say."
Eliana felt a surge of fear. She was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
The music swirled around her, a maddening melody. Eliana's thoughts were a jumble of fear and desperation.
She was married to a man she didn't love. A man who seemed to care little for her feelings.
As the dance ended, Eliana felt a sense of relief wash over her. But it was short-lived.
Ryker's eyes gleamed with possession as he gazed at her. Eliana knew she was in for a long and difficult night.
The palace seemed to loom over her, a prison of stone and steel. Eliana felt trapped, with no escape in sight.
Ryker's voice cut through her thoughts once more. "Shall we retire, my dear?" he asked.
Eliana's heart sank. She knew what he was implying. And she knew she had no choice.
She nodded, her voice barely audible. Ryker's eyes gleamed with triumph once more.
And Eliana knew she was doomed.