A Secret Ceremony
Dawn broke, painting the sky in soft hues of gold and pink. The town remained quiet, save for the distant clatter of carts and early risers going about their business.
Emma stood by the small basin in their attic room, splashing cold water onto her face. Her reflection in the cracked mirror looked back at her, eyes filled with uncertainty.
Was this truly happening?
Behind her, Ruby laced up his worn boots, his expression unreadable. The weight of the day hung between them, heavier than the air itself.
"Are you ready?" he asked softly.
Emma turned to him. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They couldn't risk a grand wedding, not when Ruby's family was closing in. Instead, Martha—who had taken a reluctant liking to them—had arranged for a priest to perform the ceremony in secret.
"A friend of mine owes me a favor," she had said the night before. "But you need to be quick. No fancy vows, no celebration. Just the words, and then you disappear."
Emma and Ruby had agreed.
They had no other choice.
---
A Vow of Love and Defiance
The chapel was small and dimly lit, nestled at the edge of town where few people ventured. The old priest stood waiting, his wrinkled hands clasped before him.
"You understand what you're doing?" he asked, his gaze shifting between them.
Ruby nodded. "Yes."
Emma swallowed hard. "We do."
The priest sighed. "Then let's begin."
There were no guests. No flowers. No music.
Just the two of them, standing close, hands entwined.
"I, Ruby Caldwell, take you, Emma Hayes, to be my wife," Ruby said, his voice steady despite the storm raging around them. "To love and protect, for as long as we have."
Emma blinked back tears.
She knew his words carried more than just love—they carried a promise of defiance, of standing against those who would tear them apart.
"I, Emma Hayes, take you, Ruby Caldwell, to be my husband," she whispered. "To love you, to fight for you, no matter the cost."
A flicker of pain crossed Ruby's face, as if he knew the cost might be greater than either of them were prepared for.
The priest gave a solemn nod. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
There was no applause. No cheers.
Only the quiet exchange of a single, desperate kiss.
---
A Moment of Peace
They returned to the inn as husband and wife.
Martha met them at the back door, her sharp eyes scanning the empty streets before ushering them inside.
"It's done?" she asked.
Ruby nodded. "Yes."
Martha exhaled, shaking her head. "You two are either the bravest fools I've ever met, or the stupidest."
Emma let out a shaky laugh. "Maybe both."
Martha's lips twitched into the closest thing to a smile Emma had ever seen from her. "Rest while you can. I have a feeling you won't get many more nights of peace."
Emma's stomach twisted, but she nodded.
Martha was right.
Their time was running out.
---
A Storm on the Horizon
That night, Emma lay awake beside Ruby, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
She should have felt safer now that they were married.
But instead, an overwhelming sense of dread settled over her.
"Ruby?" she whispered.
He stirred. "Hmm?"
"What if they find us?"
Ruby's arm tightened around her. "Then we'll run."
Emma turned, pressing a hand to his chest. "And if we can't?"
For a long moment, he was silent. Then, softly, he whispered, "Then I'll fight for you."
Emma closed her eyes.
She had no doubt that he would.
But she also knew—
The fight was coming.
And it would change everything.