you are mine

"I'm starting to regret this. I think I should have ran away when I had the chance." Crown pulled her brother aside to talk when the night had reached a crescendo. She led him to a quiet area away from the crowd. 

"What do you mean sister?" Trian asked, he was having a good time so far and had gotten a little acquainted with Hawthorne.

She shook her head like she was trying to collect her thoughts. "This just doesn't feel okay. I should be all smiles, a happy heart, a calm soul, that's all the feelings I should be having on a day such as this but instead I am filled with uncertainty and fear and anger. Tell me, tell me I am not crazy Tiran."

Tiran said nothing but simply pulled her into a hug. He tightened his hold when she settled into it.

"That's not the arms of the mam you should be in right now." Miss Neoma's voice broke them apart.

"Greetings miss Neoma." Crown spoke first.

"If you need me, come find me okay." Tiran said before leaving them to talk.

"Greetings your highness." Miss Neoma greeted. "And congratulations."

"Please, address me as normal."

"Why ever would I do that. You are a princess now. The princess." She said happily.

"You once told me, you once said to me that I am meant for this. You said that there was no one else in Ashford that can do this." She looked at the crowd of people dancing then back at Miss Neoma. "Why? Why me? And more importantly. What in actuality did you mean by that?

"Oh princess Crown, I have said it before, you truly have a wonderful mind."

"Don't use such words to avoid the question."

Miss Neoma laughed in response to the tone crown had used. "Not even a day yet and you already speak like one with power. I love it." She paused like she thought of her next words. "It had to take one who was spiritually aligned to her destiny to do this."

"Have you met me? I am not aligned to even my physical life, I make mistakes, I cause trouble, I do what isn't befitting for a girl, or lady. I am the worst candidate." She was almost yelling. "But I guess it's too late now," she raised the hand a silver ring graced. "I am the wife to a werewolf!" 

"That's a beautiful ring."

"That isn't important! You haven't even given me a clear answer to my question. I'm lost Miss Neoma."

"You aren't. More than ever, you are doing exactly what you were meant to do."

"What's that?"

"Saving us all, my darling Crown." Her tone got serious and so did her face. "You are the silver string that pulls us back from falling off an edge. And... You are...the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

"Miss—"

"Here. I already have a few gifts sent to you for your wedding night, or honeymoon but here," she smiled then and handed her a small box. 

Crown opened it to reveal its content. It was a candy. "Sweets? You are giving me. . . sweets?" She looked up with more questions in her eyes.

"Well I had to make it into something enticing. It's more than it seems. It will protect when you need it the most. One is all you need."

"Well, I guess such is my life now, so many things that do no make sense but I am expected to keep moving and functioning as normal in the midst of it all. . . Thank you." She closed the box. 

"You are welcome your highness."

"Do not—"

"I wondered where you've gone." Zaccai's voice came from behind her almost startling her. He came to stand beside her. "And you are another friend of hers that she likes I presume."

"You are correct. I consider myself fortunate. Maybe my friendship with your princess will bring some good luck to my business seeing as she's now royalty."

"What business is that?" Zaccai asked coldly.

"Wouldn't you like to know, young prince." Miss Neoma replied with a coy smile. 

"Excuse me!" Zaccai raised a brow at her, she sounded familiar.

"Forgive me your highness. And my sincerest best wishes to your marriage." Neoma took a bow and turned to join the party.

"You've been gone a while." Zaccai spoke after a few seconds had passed.

"I always thought a bride could do whatever she wants on her big day."

"Leaving her groom alone isn't on that list."

"Well, marrying a beast wasn't on my list of things to do in this life but yet here I am." She turned to look at him. "Why did you choose me as your bride? Why did you even come to Ashford looking for a wife? What was it?"

"Like it's been said. There is an evil coming and we need to join hands to fight it together—"

"That sounds like you've practiced to say those words over and over again."

"Does it matter now, you and I are one. You are mine."

"Let me be clear, I do not wish to be your wife in every sense of the word. I had no choice but to marry you. You will have no choice but to accept that fact." She stepped closer to him then, he smelled fantastic, she noted. It was a unique blend of earthy musk and the crisp freshness of the forest, it stirred something in her almost reminding her of something. She ignored the feelings it started in her, though it was dark, the light from the party illuminated them and casted a warm glow on his face. "I will never be yours." With that she walked past him and back to the party.

Zaccai stared after her. He looked unfazed but sad. What had really happened to his little Crown. Now he was curious.

The final moments of the ceremony was now close. Crown did her best to be cheerful, she danced with her parents, even danced with Zaccai again as well as the King who seemed to be having fun and looked too relaxed in their midst. He almost seemed familiar. She had also spoken briefly to Lanai Keros who seemed like a nice lady but one with only few words to spare. Nalu and Danika had given their good wishes and promised her that all was well. 

"Your husband will protect you," Danika had said "Surely he will." She had also commented on his looks, praising him over Darius.

"I never liked Darius anyway." Nalu added. "This is most likely who you were meant to be with."

Everyone else seemed to be happy, even her father who had not had it easy but she noted Darius was absent, she wished him well and prayed he didn't habor any hate towards her. 

It was now time for everyone to leave, so the couple gave a final thanks to all that came. King Zadok addressed the crowd then, promising that the union was going to bridge the gap between their world's and bring true peace to their lands.

And with that, they all raised cups in gallant toasts to the new couple.