Her Marriage To Hades

The zipper caught halfway. “Hold still,” the stylist muttered behind her, yanking it up. The sound scraped down her spine. Her stomach twisted. Juniper watched a stranger in the mirror. Ivory silk, crystal bodice, a neckline that looked like it belonged to someone softer. Someone who wanted this.The girl in the mirror had her face. But her eyes were hollow. Almost dead. Devoid of hope. “Beautiful” her mother whispered behind her. Dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Juniper stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress hugged her perfectly. The crystals shimmering softly each time the light touched it. It was beautiful. Perfect. But her fingers itched to hold the dress. Rip it into pieces. She wanted to run barefoot down the highway and keep running until the ocean took her. Heavy footsteps rang in her ears. Reminding her of the guards by the door. Especially now that she was getting married to most dangerous man in the country. Her lungs felt too small. The room was shrinking like it was going to crush her between its walls. She couldn't breathe.... She couldn't.... “Your makeup is done” the artist said, stepping back. “Try not to cry, sweetheart” her mother spoke again, with a smile too bright for the moment. Cry? She should. At least ruin the makeup and delay the wedding. But her tear glands betrayed her. Never produced any since yesterday. A knock came. Then the door opened without waiting for an answer. Her father. “Dewdrop” he looked at her like a gem he was admiring. “You are stunning. As always” His smile, too bright she almost thought it was fake. “Dad” she said, her voice small and broken. “Don’t do this to me. Please…” “You will do this” he cut her off. Not cold, but final. “The Reyes family keeps to their word and so do we. You’re his betrothed. That was the agreement even before you were born" Juniper's hands shook greatly, the crystals rattled. She looked at her mother. Who gave them the right to betroth her to someone she barely knew, someone she had never seen before? Without her permission. Worse....he was Hades. The king of hell. A ruthless monster. She looked at the maids that dressed her up. Hoping, just praying for someone to save her. But instead, they attached a cape to the bodice of her dress. Fixing her veil as well. She thought of him. The boy her heart ached for when no one was looking. She can never be with him again. Her dreams were shattered. Her life is over. “Ready?” Albert voice came again. Her stomach dropped. Her legs felt numb. No. She can never be ready to marry the king of hell. Never. “You’ll be fine, dear” Catherine said, stroking her cheeks gently. “He’s a good man, you’ll see” She almost laughed. Almost. Albert held out his arm for her. She stared at it. Trying to force tears in her eyes. “Go on, dear” Catherine said. Juniper looked at father. He stared back. Patiently. Like he wasn’t forcing her to get married against her will. If it was a contract marriage, or a marriage where she had to save her family's business, she would have done it willingly. Even though it would hurt, she could manage. But she was betrothed. Who does that these days! Slowly, she hooked her arm with his and he gave it a gently pat. *…*…*…* The huge doors opened. The music filled her ears. It sounded more like a funeral opening., not her own wedding. “Smile, dewdrop. Smile” Albert said. She couldn’t . Her lips were numb. Her father walked her down the aisle. Down the path to hell, while her cape trailed behind her like a grim reaper. Every eyes watched her. Their lips curved in a sweet, warm smile. But every step she took felt like she was sinking. Every breath she took burned her lungs. Goosebumps threatened to crawl up her skin. Albert patted her arm gently again. Like everything was okay. Like she was just a nervous bride. They reached the end of the aisle. Albert placed her hand gently on the groom’s. Juniper looked at her father with pleading eyes. Silently saying, ‘don’t give me away, dad’ Her groom took her hand, guiding her to the altar. His skin cold like he had been holding ice. Shivers went down spine. Juniper risked a glance him. He was tall. Has sharp jaws. Inky black hair combed back, and a tailored black suit that fitted him perfectly. She swallowed. His features were like a warning. The priest started speaking. She could barely hear. Just watching her groom who stared back at her like a predator who wished to devour her so bad. She saw his jaw tighten when he said ‘I do’ When it was her turn, she almost choked on her own saliva. Then the ring. Silver band. A black diamond that fitted too perfectly. He slid it onto her finger. She didn’t look. Even though her eyes were on it. “Now,” the priest said, “you may kiss the bride” Her heart dropped to her stomach. Her body felt numb. And the air around her dropped below freezing. He looked straight at her. Studied her face for the first time. The terror. The way her lips trembled. Then he cupped her face. His hand was huge it could snap her neck. He leaned forward. Slowly. Deliberate. And then his lips brushed hers. Not a kiss. Just a brush. No warmth. No tenderness. Someone clapped. Then another. And then the whole room. He leaned back. His eyes still locked on hers. Dark and viscious. She swallowed, for the nth time now. The priest cleared his throat and gestured to the small table by the altar. “The register, Mr. Reyes. Mrs. Reyes” God, she was now a Mrs. A leather-bound book. A gold pen. Her mother, father and her in-laws standing by as witnesses. He went first. No hesitation. Like he too just wanted to leave. His signature was sharp. Slashing across the line like he was carving his name into a stone. Zayn Reyes. Sharp like a warning. He dropped the pen and inched back. Her hand shook when she tried taking the pen. The nib hovered over the paper. She swallowed again, pressed the pen down. The ink bled. Juniper Reyes. The priest stamped it. Wax seal, red as blood. The priest closed it with a loud thud. She was now married. To the king of hell. To Hades.