SIX

ALANNA

Do I run away with Lochan or do I stay and get married to a total stranger? Come to think of it, they're both strangers and I can't trust anyone of them. I'd promised that I would try to help Zeron and I have to fulfill that promise. I'm not a coward and I won't run away because I'm afraid of him. I don't really have much to loose. Besides, Lochan might actually be the real enemy here.

With every second that bounds by, my resolve is thickening. I have made up my mind to stay and get married to the king. I know it's risky business but I have to try to help him. Besides, I can't really tell what the red haired stranger wants from me. Why would he want to save me? Maybe he knows that I have a chance at saving Zeron from himself and probably doesn't want me to do just that.

"What's it going to be? Are you coming with me or not?"  the stranger asks and I rise to my feet, slowly. "Why exactly do you want to save me?" I ask and the corner of his lips twitches slightly. "I told you, you deserve to be saved. No one deserves to-"

"My lady!" Taera calls out from outside my room and before I can give her the permission to come in, the intruder vanishes from sight. "Come in" I say with a sigh and she walks in. "Are you alright?" She asks, worry etched on her face.

I force out a smile.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I heard that you will be getting married to the king tomorrow" she whispers and I shrug.

"Are you really okay with it?"

I exhale slowly and amble across the room. Then, I lean against the window and stare at the starry night sky. "If that's the only way I can get to him, then yes I'm okay with it" I reply and she walks up to me and halts beside me. "You know, I'm glad I was right about you. You might be the king's saviour after all. You're so brave, my queen" she comments and I smile. "I'm not your queen, Taera. Your people will never accept me because I'm human" I say and she smiles.

"I accept you and princess Azalea accepts you too. Believe it or not, you do have fans in this castle. I'll be here for you whenever you feel so overwhelmed. I know that all this is too much for you. But, you're so strong and you're handling it quite well"

"Thanks" I say and she grins. "You're welcome, my queen"

....

Hours fly by in a blur and soon, I am fully dressed in my wedding dress and accessories. I can barely recognize myself. I look so beautiful and stunning. My hair is in a bun with few curls framing my face. Several golden hair pins hold my hair in place and glowing jewelries of all kind adorn my neck and hands. I'm so nervous, I think I'm going to be sick. I stand in front of the full length mirror, gazing at my reflection. My life is about to change drastically and I have to be ready for the tempest. I have to be strong. My mother would want me to be strong. I close my eyes and take a deep breath."You look beautiful" Azalea, Zeron's sister compliments me as she places both hands on my shoulders. She's wearing a glittery emerald dress and her black hair is in a chignon with a few curls framing her face. "You're nervous" she points out and I nod. She turns me around to face her."I understand how you're feeling but I want you to know that for a human, you're handling it all so well. You are perfect for Zeron" she says and I smile. Then, she suddenly embraces me. "Thank you so much for doing this for my brother. I'm forever indebted to you, Alanna" she whispers, her voice heavy with emotions. "I'll be right back. Give me a minute" she says and leaves me alone in the room. The door suddenly creaks open and I stiffen as the temperature of the room drops several degrees lower. I slowly turn to look at the intruder. It's him, my soon-to-be husband.

He looks so handsome. His violet eyes are unreadable at the moment and his face is totally expressionless. He's wearing dark wedding clothes as well as a red cape. A golden crown lies on top of his head with his hair braided on the left side of his head. His black boots are laced with red and his fingers are bare. Now, that is unusual. His fingers are usually adorned with several rings. He stares at me, quietly and suddenly, I feel less nervous. So, I straighten my spine and walk up to him. Up close, I can see the turmoil in his eyes. I notice the half healed cuts lining his hands. Frowning, I reach out to touch his hand. Something shifts in his eyes and I suddenly feel so drawn to him. "Why?" He asks, his voice hoarse. I continue to gaze into his eyes, pushing the negative thoughts aside.

"Why what?" I ask softly. He swallows hard. "Why are you doing this?" He asks and I smile.

"I really want to help you and no, I'm not doing this because I pity you. No one deserves to suffer" I say. His eyes widen only slightly and when he parts his lips to say something else, the door jerks open and Azalea walks in.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Alanna, quick! Close your eyes! You're not supposed to see your fiance until during the wedding!" She exclaims and glares at Zeron. She quickly covers my eyes and leads me out of the room. I can't help but smile to myself. I feel ready. I can do this, I will do this.

....

ZERON

I watch my sister as she ushers the human out of my sight. Then, I move towards the window and rest my forehead against the glass. Fog instantly appear on the glass as soon as my cold breath touches it. I close my eyes, feeling my heart squeeze. I don't deserve her. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into my mess either. She deserves better. No matter how much the darkness has infiltrated my mind, each time I see her, it feels like I'm just waking up from a deep sleep. I have no idea how she manages to do that. One minute I'm thinking about hurting her, the next minute, she gazes at me with her beautiful eyes and I swear, my heart falters. Holding back the darkness is getting harder and more painful as the days go by; but if it means I'll get to see her not being afraid of me, then it's worth it. I don't want to know how she'll react if she knows that I am a demon. Despite the fact that I crave her affection, I know that I can't really have it because one day, she'll see the real me, the monster- the one who derives pleasure from hurting others, the one who is incapable of affection. I am what nightmares are made of, even my people know that. "What are you thinking about? The wedding is about to start" mum says as she walks into the room with a smile on her face. I turn to look at her and let out a sigh."Don't tell me you're nervous" she says, her smile growing. I scoff at her and walk out of the room, still deeply bothered. I quietly make my way into the throne room, the whole place suddenly going quiet. That's how much my people fear me. I'm not complaining though. I really don't care anymore. I stand directly in front of Hera, the oldest ice witch among us. She bows in front of me and I give her a curt nod. "We are gathered here this day to witness the union of our king and his beloved bride" Hera begins and everyone turns to look at the entrance of the throne room. The singers begin to sing and my bride walks in, arm in arm with my mother. My cold heart suddenly starts to thump harder and my breath hitches in my throat. She's so breathtakingly beautiful. Her green eyes are glittering like precious stones. Stars above, she's smiling. She's about to get married to a total stranger and she's smiling. She looks so happy and contented....I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check.

I don't deserve her. I really don't. I can't love her. I can't give her the affection she deserves. Mum brings my bride to me and moves to sit on her throne. Alanna gazes up at me, her eyes still twinkling. She has to be something other than human. How is she doing this? How is she making me feel like this?

"Alanna Rivers from the human realm, do you take and accept our king, Zeron from the G'yak clan as your other half, husband, lord and king?" Hera asks and Alanna smiles, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, I do" she proclaims and my heart jumps in my chest. "King Zeron from the G'yak clan do you take Alanna Rivers from the human realm as your other half, wife and queen?" Hyra asks and I exhale slowly. I hope that this is not a mistake. I have no idea if she'll be able to handle me in my demonic form. I have no idea if I'll be able to control myself and I really hope I don't break her. "I do" I respond and my people begin to hail and chant my name. "Through pain and joy, through happiness and grief, through failure and success, through thick and thin, you will be each other's oxygen and will to live. From dusk to dawn, from season to season, you will love and support each other. You will be each other's shoulder to lean on. You will be each other's warmth in cold days and you will be each other's strength in every way. I declare you both bonded as a royal couple" Hera pronounces and I slowly pick up the marital necklace and ring from the open velvet box she's holding. Alanna beams at me as I place the necklace around her neck and the golden ring on her finger. I watch her as she slips on the second golden ring onto my finger. Then she puts on a golden earring on my left ear according to the tradition. Her cheeks turn pink from embarassment and at the moment, she looks so adorable and just looking at her, hurts my cold heart. "You may kiss your bride" Hera says and Alanna blushes harder. I'm guessing that she's not experienced in this area and that's okay, because I'm not either. I lean closer and cup her cheek. Her eyes flutter close as soon as our lips meet. When we kiss, warmth wraps itself around me and suddenly, the darkness begins to claw at my heart, trying to push itself to the surface. I instantly pull away and she stares at me, concerned. "Don't hide it" she whispers and my heart jolts painfully against my rib cage.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough for you but I'm going to do my best. I'll save you. So, don't hide it. Show it all to me" she whispers and I storm off, my heart unable to take it anymore. How can she be so... beautiful inside out?