Her Groom

Rain was clueless of what had went on and only felt ease by the presence of her groom.

His aura was aloof and he merely took a glimpse of her, but there seemed to be warmth flowing from his firm hold on her palm to her heart.

As the orchestra slowly played to a finish, she couldn't believe hearing his apology.

"I'm sorry I'm late." The warm air carrying his voice entered her ears clearly.

His focus was forward and when he spoke, he didn't shift his attention.

Surprised, Rain's eyes moved to look at his profile silently. She'd never felt she needed to be apologized to and definitely not from a prince. Even if she'd been offended.

Her heart grew warmer and all her grievances from earlier floated away.

A prince had offered her her very first apology.

Her probing eyes scaled over the prince's broad shoulders and she immediately thought of the wound she'd earlier seen. He didn't look it, but he was wounded_ she was sure of it. His overly paled skin and weary eyes told her it was severe.

She could hardly see his neck, for he wore a high collar black jacket donned with golden buttons and intricate lace designs.

"Are you alright, your highness ?" she asked calmly despite the voice in her head which tried to hold her back. She saw him bend his jaw towards her with a subtle frown as though her inquisitive eyes irritated him.

As fleeting as the blink of an eye, his silver eyes shot daggers at her like the arms of an enemy. His grip on her palm grew so taut that her knuckles went numb from pain.

Then suddenly, like he'd become the prince he usually was, he looked away, gave her palm a quick tug and let go.

The priest at this moment had begun to make proclamations and Rain didn't find the chance to mind what had happened. Echoes of the priest's voice floated over her hazy mind like a bass singer drowning in water.

"Do you, first royal prince of Eragon, take the Princess of Cradya to be your lawfully wedded wife, bounded by God and witnessed under the heavens?"

"I do," came the distinct affirmation of the prince and her eyes rolled to scrutinize him as if she was stunned at his willingness.

"Do you, Princess of Cradya, take the first royal prince of Eragon to be your lawfully wedded husband, bounded by God and witnessed under the heavens?"

Rain was in a daze. She didn't forget to respond, she just hadn't heard. The numbness in her palm lingered and her thoughts wandered. For the thousandth time, she perceived she might be making a mistake by marrying this strange prince coated in gorgeous skin.

Those silent seconds were tense and felt like forever to her groom, yet he didn't for once look at her.

He spoke heavily as though the words were stuck in his throat;

"It isn't late to stop the ceremony. If you do not wish to be wedded, say so now."