Chapter 2

Rasmus bowed to the king then turned to face his bride. Amara was seated at the table to the right of the king. Her red dress against her pale skin made her shine out compared to her sisters who sat next to her. Her blonde hair curled loosely, hung down past her shoulders. He walked over and took a seat across from her.

Amara glance up as Rasmus took a seat. Their eyes locked on each other, his eyes were so deep she thought she might fall into them if she continued to look at them. She glanced back down at her hands as her father raised his glass "A toast to the newlyweds." Everyone raised their glasses and drank. With that the feast was over. Amara stood up from her seat as Rasmus walked to her side.

He led her to the middle of the dance floor as it was traditional to seal the marriage with a dance. Amara was bad at dancing, she had very few lessons growing up as her father never allowed her to attend any of the gatherings in the castle. He told her that a lady of her status and engagement should never dance with any man other then her husband unless he allows it.

As if Rasmus sensed her fear of failing he pulled her close and whispered into her ear "You're shaking, relax and follow my lead." She took a deep breath but couldn't help but shiver as his breath hit her ears. His voice like a siren call in the dark awakening her inner spirit. As if it was an instinct they began to dance moving gracefully as one across the dance floor. She was in a trance trailing his every movement as if she had dance with him a thousand times before this night.

After the dance was over they were escorted out to a carriage. Before climbing in she glanced back one last time at the looming castle that stood behind her. For so long this castle was her prison. Fear began to set in as she contemplated that she might just be trading one prison for another. No this one will be different she thought and climbed into the carriage beside Rasmus. they rode for hours in silence before arriving at her future home. Rasmus climbed out first and offered her his hand as she followed him. Looking up at the castle she had the sudden urge to run for the walls were dark as night and two scary phoenix statues sat at the tops of the gate pillars. This castle looked like that of a nightmare and she suddenly became very terrified.

As if he could sense her fear Rasmus took her by her waist and pulled her close. His warmth was a calming feeling looking into is eyes she began to relax as if she was falling into a beautiful ocean. "Lets go inside." he said as they crossed the threshold of the gate and ascended the staircase across the small courtyard. The castle inside was beautifully lit with candles and bright colors nothing to compare to the outside. "We have been invited to dine with the King and Queen tonight. I will have someone show you to our wing. I have some matters to attend to." with that Rasmus departed Amara followed as two maids lead her down a long corridor filled with many rooms.

As they walled the maids pointed off rooms that were hers now. A large library in on, another a private room for her to use as a study that was right next to the one that belonged to her husband. At the end of the hall was a large door that the maids opened. "In here my lady." one of the maids gestured. Amara walked into a large bedroom decorated with red and gold colored tapestries and furniture. A fireplace stood in the middle of a wall with a small sitting area. A large bathroom led off one end of the room through another set of large doors. Tired from her journey she asked her maids to prepare a bath so she could clean up before having dinner with her new in-laws. As she was being dressed she heard a sharp knock on the door. A man on the other side informed her that dinner will be served soon.