The Missing Werewolf

Chapter 2

The evening had flown by. Karina had fallen asleep and woke up, and rushed to dinner. She had expected to meet Zakariah at dinner but was told he was called away on important business. What that business as she was unsure of, but it must have been necessary. She dined with the king and queen and retired to her room after supper.

She had bathed and rested, knowing that today would be the busiest day of her life. She was being attended to by servants. The queen had had Karina’s wedding dress specially made and flown in from Milan. As she stood in front of the mirror, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She had never looked so beautiful before. She had a white princess cut dress, with a long train and atop her head, a silver crown inlaid with sapphires.

There was a knock on the door, and a woman with long brown hair wearing a blue gown walked in. She rushed over, wrapping her arms around Karina. Squealing with delight, “I’m Sadie, I’m so excited to have a sister finally.” Karina stepped back, looking at her and smiling. Perhaps she would be happy with her. She felt like she may have a friend.

“You look lovely, and my brother is a lucky man,” Sadie said as she answered a knock on the door.

As Sadie opened the door, Karina smelt a strong scent of fresh-cut grass and Vanilla. It was intoxicating to Karina.

“It’s time,” an usher said to the women.

As if in a trance, Karina walked towards the door, slightly sniffing the air.

“Do you smell that? It’s intoxicating,” she said, breathing in the scent. No one answered her. Instead, everyone lined up and began walking into the throne room in wedding precession order. Karina stood at the entrance to the room and looked forward. On each side of her were crowds of people she had never met. She slowly stepped forward and noticed as she got closer to the altar that had been set up the scent of fresh-cut grass and vanilla was getting stronger.

As Karina reached the alter, she handed her bouquet of white roses to Sadie, her maid of honor. She turned to face her soon to be husband and felt something stir inside her when she looked into his eyes. She saw the shock in his eyes, but he quickly hid it. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, the minister began the ceremony.

It seemed to her as though time sped up and slowed down at the same time.

“Prince Zakariah, your vows please,” the minister said,

Zakariah took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

“Princess Karina, Today I say, "I do," but to me, that means, "I will.” I will take your hand and stand by your side in the good and the bad. Today I join my life to yours, not simply as your husband, but as your friend, lover, and biggest supporter. Let me be the shoulder you lean on and the companion of your life. I dedicate myself to your happiness, success, and smile. I pledge to honor you, love you, and cherish you as my wife today and every day,” zakariah said as he looked into her eyes.

“Princess Karina, your vows” The minister turned to her.

“Prince Zakariah.I pledge today to have all the patience and passion that love demands. In the laughter and the silence, I'll be forever by your side. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful, honorable man as my husband. As time grows, our love will deepen. I hope to be a blessing to you and hope to be blessed with a family when the time is right. I pledge my love, devotion, faith, and honor As I join my life to yours,” Karina said with a hint of tears in her eyes.

The minister continued the ceremony and finally announced that they were man and wife.

“You may now kiss the bride,” he said.

Zakariah leaned in and lifted the veil, and somewhere in the back depths of her mind, a voice from the darkness whispered. Mine. His lips touched hers, and she felt sparks. The scent of vanilla and fresh-cut grass intoxicating her was coming from him. His lips were so soft and tender. She could feel the desire building up in both of them. He pulled away slowly and quickly masked a confused look in his eyes as he put his hand gently on her back and led her out of the throne room.