6 FIVE

ALANNA

"What is he, then?" I ask but just before she can give me an answer, the door to my room swings open and Valdrin walks in, his facial expression unreadable. Taera bows politely and he nods curtly. "You can go, Taera" he says and she scurries out of his sight instantly. "Why are you here?" I ask and he stares at me for a moment, his face blank. "Get up. Today, you will be meeting with the queen mother and you're also going to be preparing for a wedding"

I blanch instantly, my head spinning as a result of the new information I've just received. I'm supposed to meet the queen mother?! What if she doesn't like me? What if she tries to kill me because I'm human? "The queen mother? Wait, what wedding am I supposed to prepare for?" I ask and he sighs. I gaze at him, anxiously waiting for his reply. I can't possibly be getting married so soon, right? "Your wedding with the winter king"

.....

No! This can't be happening! I can't marry the king. I'm not ready! I pace back and forth in my room, unable to wrap my head around the reason why king Zeron decided to make me marry him. "There's no time for this. Come on, the queen mother is waiting" Valdrin states and I flinch. Caught in a web of thoughts, I had become oblivious to Valdrin's presence, only to be startled by his statement. Hesitantly, I follow him as he walks out of my room with large strides. I struggle to catch up with him especially because my dress is floor length and I can't move quickly with the dress. Valdrin leads me to the Queen's chamber silently. He bows in front of the queen and leaves the chamber, leaving me alone with the queen mother. She's wearing a glittery golden dress today and her hair isn't in a braid unlike before. A crown of pure gold rests atop her head, glittering even under the sunlight that is streaming inside the chamber. "You must be Alanna" she comments, giving me a chilly smile that sends shivers down my spine. "Sit" she orders as she lowers herself onto what looks like a very fancy silver chaise lounge. Timidly, I sit down on the opposite chaise lounge, my gaze fixed to the ground. "You know that you're my son's cure, yes?" She states and I look up to meet her cold gaze. "Yes" I reply and she grins; an evil grin that makes my stomach churn with unease.

"Good. Very good. My son has not been in his right mind lately and you're nothing but a cure to him. He won't love you, you know. You are just a means to an end, human. I want you to have that in mind. In no way are you allowed to control my son or make him go against me. If you dare to try, I will make sure that you never live to see the light of the day again"

I swallow hard, my heart plummeting to the ground. "Now, let's talk about your wedding" she states and I stiffen. "Your wedding is tomorrow and after the wedding, you are expected to move your things to my son's room. You will be there when he needs you and you will not complain no matter how he treats you. You will ask no questions and do as you are told" Again, I nod like a dummy. I'm terrified and I can feel my heart threatening to explode. All of this is too much for me! How do I handle the king, especially since he's not what I thought he was? I zone out as the queen asks a maid to bring in the wedding dress, only to snap out of my daze when the maid finally brings in the dress. It is a startling golden dress that is without sleeves. It glitters like the rays of a thousand suns and it's several feet long. I stare at the dress, mouth agape. Is this real? Is this really happening to me?

"Put it on, let's see how well you fit in this dress" the queen says and I rise to my feet. Soon, I'm being led into another room by the maids.

...

I stare at my image unable to believe that I'm actually wearing such a flamboyant dress. I'm wearing my golden wedding dress and by tomorrow, I'm going to be getting married to Zeron, a creature that would never love me. Tears fill my eyes and try as hard as I can, I can't seem to keep my emotions in check. The queen had said that I didn't deserve the dress because I was a filthy human. After that, she'd left me to wallow in my misery. I squeeze my eyes shut wondering what I've done to deserve such a cruel fate. "My lady?" A feminine voice says and I turn to see Albina, one of the maids.

"I have to tell you something really quick" she says and I nod. "Whatever you have heard about the king is true. But, he's not past salvation. You can still save him. You can't change the fact that he's gone dark but you can help him control his darkness. You can make him a better king" she states and walks away, leaving me confused

....

ZERON

  "Your majesty, the queen has fixed your wedding with the human" Zylon informs me as I bring a glass of fruity wine to my lips. I'm sitting in the throne room, sprawled on the throne with my crown lying on the stool beside me. "When exactly is this wedding?" I ask, not exactly pleased by what my mother had done. "Tomorrow, by the appearance of first light" Zylon replies and I clench my jaw. I am not in any way willing to get married to the human girl so soon. "Sire?"

"What do you want?" I respond, brusquely. Zylon lowers his gaze, shifting his weight to his left leg. He's so stiff and tense. No doubt, he's uncomfortable with my presence. When is anyone ever comfortable with a demon, especially a cruel one? The slender glass of wine in my grip shatters into pieces when I start to get even more annoyed. Zylon rushes to me and tries to examine the new gashes on my palm. I scowl at him and yank my hand out of his hold. "Spit it out" I hiss and he chews his bottom lip nervously. "Sire, I think you should tell the human girl what you really are" he says and I narrow my eyes. "Oh really?"

"If you keep lying to her she will find out the truth one way or the other and she might do something drastic. Humans are sensitive creatures, my king" he says and I rise to my feet, my blood boiling in my veins. How dare he lecture me on what to do? He used to be one of my very close friends but ever since he noticed how much I was worsening, things became awkward between us. Maybe it's my fault but I don't really care anymore. "My king-"

"Get out!" I roar and he vanishes out of sight after mumbling a string of apologies.

...

ALANNA

  I lie awake in bed, unable to sleep. I know it's normal to have cold feet the day before one's wedding but my case is different. I am terrified. I might be getting married to a monster for all I care. But I can't deny the fact that he'd treated me nicely the first few times he was with me. This makes me even more confused. If he is as brutal and dangerous as everyone else has said, then who was the person who had embraced me? I sigh heavily, rubbing my temples. My head is already starting to hurt from how hard I have been thinking. Right now, I'm feeling a ton of emotions and I just can't handle it. It's just too much. All of a sudden, someone appears in the center of my room. I gasp when I recognize him as the red haired male who had told me that he wanted me. I sit up quickly and eye him cautiously. He is dressed in red pants and shirt as well as a hooded cloak and black boots. "Missed me?" He asks with a lopsided grin on his face. "Why are you here? If the king finds out-"

His eyes darkens and I freeze. "You didn't tell anyone about me, did you?" He asks, his voice dangerously low. "No, I didn't! Why won't you tell me who you really are?" I ask and he shrugs. "Like I told you, you don't need to know who I am" he says and my frown deepens. "Are you someone the king hates?" I ask and he chuckles. "Your king and future husband isn't exactly fond of me" he responds and I sigh.

"Just leave me alone, please"

His grin widens. Then, he steps closer to my bedside. "I'm here to rescue you" he states and my eyes go wide. "How? Why?" I ask and he moves to stand in front of the full length mirror in my room. "Your king has been lying to you. You are to be sacrificed not bonded with him" Blood drains from my face and I stare at him, trying not to believe him. "You're lying"

"But am I?" He asks.

"He's a heartless monster, darling. He's not what you think he is. He's only marrying you because his mother said so"

Tears fill my eyes, the ache in my chest gradually increasing by the minute. "What is he?" I ask and he smirks. "Are you sure you want to know that?" He asks. "I want to know"

"Your future husband is a demon. He became one as soon as he was cursed. He is popularly known as the shadow king. His winter magic has been replaced by shadow magic which can only be possessed by a demon. He would never be free from his curse, darling. Not even you can save him"

Tears roll down my cheeks as I crumble to the ground, heartbroken. "Are you leaving with me or not?" He asks and I bite my lower lip, conflicted. I remember Albina's words clearly and she'd told me that I could still save him. Who should I believe? Who was telling the truth and who was lying? What do I do?