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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Whispers in the Dark

The wedding was a blur.

It happened with a speed that left me breathless, a whirlwind of silk and shadows. One moment, I was Elara Thorne—grieving sister, fiercely independent. The next, I was Elara Vex, bound to a man shrouded in mystery, the mistress of a house that felt more like a cage.

The ceremony was a somber affair, held in the grand hall of the Vex estate. The air was thick with tension, the only sounds the hushed whispers of the guests and the rhythmic cadence of the officiant's voice. Kaelen's touch was cold, his eyes distant, as he slipped a heavy gold band onto my finger. It felt like an iron shackle, binding me to a fate I hadn't chosen.

Anya, dressed in a delicate white gown, stood by my side, her small hand trembling in mine. She was a fragile beacon in the darkness, a reminder of why I had made this sacrifice. I forced a smile for her, trying to convey reassurance I didn't feel.

After the ceremony, there was a reception—a lavish display of wealth and power. Guests, their faces masks of curiosity and intrigue, offered their congratulations, their eyes lingering on Kaelen and me with a mixture of awe and speculation. I felt like a spectacle, a puppet on a string, forced to play a role I didn't understand.

Kaelen remained by my side, his hand a possessive weight on my waist. He was the perfect picture of a powerful, enigmatic husband—his every move calculated, his every word measured. But beneath the surface, I sensed something else. Tension. A guardedness that mirrored my own.

As the evening wore on, I found myself drawn to the shadows, seeking escape from the suffocating scrutiny of the guests. I slipped away to a quiet corner of the grand hall, desperate for a moment of solitude.

A voice startled me from behind. "A beautiful bride, hiding from her own wedding."

I turned to see a woman approaching, her smile warm and genuine. She was older, with a kind face and a gentle demeanor.

"I'm Eleanor," she said, extending a hand. "Kaelen's… aunt."

I hesitated before taking her hand. Her touch was comforting, a stark contrast to Kaelen's coldness.

"Elara," I replied, my voice still trembling slightly.

"It's been a difficult time for you," Eleanor said, sympathy softening her features. "Losing your brother… and then this."

I nodded, unable to speak. The mention of Liam's name brought a fresh wave of grief, sharp and unrelenting.

"Kaelen… he's not always the easiest person to understand," Eleanor continued, her voice gentle. "But he has a good heart, deep down. He cares about Anya. And… I believe he will care about you, too."

I wanted to believe her, to cling to the hope that there was kindness beneath Kaelen's icy exterior. But the memory of his cold eyes, his calculated words, made trust impossible.

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

Eleanor's smile widened. "If you ever need anything, Elara, anything at all, please don't hesitate to come to me."

Her kindness was a welcome respite in the sea of uncertainty that surrounded me. A flicker of hope, a small reassurance that I wasn't entirely alone in this strange new world.

As the evening drew to a close, Kaelen led me to our chambers. The room was opulent, even larger than the one I had been given earlier. A massive bed dominated the space, its silken sheets a stark invitation.

A wave of panic washed over me. This was it. The moment I had been dreading.

Kaelen turned to me, his expression unreadable. "It's been a long day," he said, his voice low. "I trust you will rest well."

He walked toward a door on the far side of the room.

"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice unsteady.

"To my own chambers," he replied, calm. "I do not intend to… intrude upon you, Elara. Not tonight."

Relief flooded through me. He wasn't going to force himself on me. Not yet, at least.

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

He nodded, a flicker of something—sadness?—in his eyes. Then, he disappeared through the door, leaving me alone in the vast, silent room.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my body trembling with exhaustion and relief. The night was mine, for now. But what the dawn would bring—I couldn't be sure.