The Princess Broken Wolf

15

Rosamund recalled the reply she had written as a reply to Ruslan’s letter. He had asked her for her consent and acceptance and she had replied with three words of her own that had crossed her heart deeper than a rotting wound.

“I am happy,” she had written as her reply, not explaining or providing any more information about what she was going through. The answer seemed to have satisfied him, for no further inquisition occurred and the ceremony began as scheduled.

The trance-like moment was broken when the doors to the chapel opened with a loud bang. Someone had left, in an extremely disrespectful way, but Rosamund or Ruslan could care less. Rosamund could feel the constant heat from Ruslan. He was looking at her like he was looking at the moon for the first time. His golden brown eyes made a secret that he was impatient, waiting for the ceremony to come to an end. The priest continued with his blessings and the tokens were ultimately exchanged. The beautiful white band with an intricate design fit perfectly on Rosamund’s finger. Just as he was about to draw back, Ruslan’s fingers grazed her fingers accidentally. The moment she felt his light touch, a spark of warmth and cold went through her body for an instant in equal measure. Goosebumps rose on her body, her blood pumped painfully faster in her veins and when she made eye contact with Ruslan, she knew. She knew that this moment would change everything. The clear brown eyes of her Groom had darkened to almost black, an excellent turquoise color flashed in his left eye. His wolf had woken up from its slumber.

It was a well-known fact in the Kingdom that Ruslan Karkonz was a child of unknown whereabouts. He wasn’t the legitimate child of King Gerald Karkonz and Queen Mavis, but, rather, they had adopted him since infancy. Where he came from, who he really was and who his real father and mother were, no one knew. But being the First Commander of Marigold, Rosamund had access to certain classified information. Unlike every other shape shifter in the Kingdom of Karkonz, a wolf shape shift had never existed before. The people of Karkonz could simply dissolve themselves into shadows or small animals. Some could even change themselves into cats and birds, but to change into a wolf, it was unknown. There was a legend that not long ago, the elder sister of Queen Mavis, Princess Asteria, fell was the mate of an old tribe that lived deep in the woods of Karkonz. But during the War of the Doom, that tribe, along with the princess, were completely annihilated, leaving no one behind but King Ruslan. Their union had been against the Queen’s family, but in the end, they married and lived happily before the war. No one knew much about that tribe, many had forgotten the name of it. Even Rosamund couldn’t recall the specifications of that tribe, but one thing was for sure, as she looked closely in the eyes of this man, seated infront of her, he had a wolf governing half of his consciousness and the touch that they accidentally shared, was threatening the power of rein.

Ruslan made no movement to conceal his eyes, instead he allowed one of his eyes to glow turquoise blue and the other golden brown. A doom feeling crept at the back of her spine. Killing this man would be next to impossible.

There is no way in hell I would be able to kill him, Rosamund thought, just as the priest commenced their vow ceremony. Ruslan was firmly holding her hand in his, not letting her go. The prickly sensation kept on irritating her. She tried freeing her hand. More than once had she jerked her hands backward, but the more she did, the tighter he gripped her wrist. Irritation marked Rosamund's face under the heavy veil. A hint of amusement was clear in Ruslan’s eyes as she saw him before he strode down to the seating area.

They had completed the first step of their marriage. If they were a normal couple, they would have already begun celebrating their reception but for royalty, especially in their care, it was a bit more difficult to be renounced as husband and wife. They had to have the first vow ceremony, then the bride had to go to the Groom’s palace, stay there for a week and then make their way towards the Blood Mountains to complete the wedding. As far as Rosamund knew, there would also be a marking ceremony because of Ruslan. When and where, she didn’t know and what happened during it, she didn’t want to know.

Different delegations were congratulating them as both of them made their way towards the awaiting carriage. Rosamund would have her selected maid with her as well as Demir, who would follow her to Karkonz and come back once he had settled her. Edward had made a big fuss when the body guards were selected for her, but as she was now stripped of the First Commander title, and Edward being appointed in her place, he had things to take care of and duties to perform. Rosamund knew it was hard on him, but it would be harder if he were to go with him. She could not deny him the title of friendship. He was her dear friend and that would always wound his heart.

Maxim had made his way towards them just when Ruslan was in a heated conversation with Seika. Directly addressing her, Maxim said,

“I congratulate you on your marriage, Your Highness.” a mocking bow was given to her. Maxim was such a male child, Rosamund couldn’t help but smile at her thoughts.

“I accept your congratulations. You did everything to make this union possible.” Rosamund replied with a smile fixed on her face.

“Ahhh… Of course. It is my obligation to do so, my dear. I would have done that for my own kin if I had a daughter.” Maxim was a horrible and cunning man.

They were speaking with outstanding courtesy but Rosamund knew, Maxim was seething inwardly because of the tokens she had given to Ruslan. He never gave up chances when he could belittle Rosamund.

“I believe you have gotten everything that you need for your journey, Your Highness?” Maxim inquired. His inquisition may sound perfectly normal but the secret message in them was clear to Rosamund.

He was asking about the blade and the poison that she had tied under her skirts. All her lugage had already been sent to Karkonz. A few possessions were left behind for her, like a change of clothes, her daily essentials and a few more items. Her sword was already shipped to Karkonz as it was forbidden by the Karkonz laws for brides to carry any metal with her, in any form.

“I do. Thank you for asking and making sure to rely on my message to the King and the Queen.” Rosamund said, inching closer to Maxim to tell him the message.

“I hope you can live with the decision you have made and I vow that under the light of Goddess Lucina, a day will come and you will mourn for me like you would for the Goddess herself and that day, I will have been long gone. We are no longer family. My ties will cut the day my neck will, and as for all those who assisted in this, their ends are near..” she stopped, looking directly into Maxim’s eyes, and continued, “very near indeed.” and stepped back. Maxim’s eyes were as wide as sausages, his face was turning dark red from anger and frustration. Even though everyone’s attention was on Ruslan, Rosamund could feel the anxious emotions emitting from everyone around them. They all feared Ruslan, to an extreme end. It was similar for those who knew about the reality of their marriage as well as for those who were unaware. Strangely enough, she didn’t fear Ruslan, even one bit. She was well aware of the strength he possessed and the difference in their experiences. He could snap her neck in a second, yet she didn’t fear him. Rather, she respected him and felt regret that their meeting would lead to only their deaths. And this somewhat saddened her.

Without any words, Maxim made his way back towards the Elders and Advisors, his hands clenched in tight fists. Rosamund couldn’t help but smile a little, feeling slightly better.

“Should we depart, Your highness?” Unexpectedly, Ruslan was directly addressing her and asked her. As far as rumors go, Ruslan Karkonz didn’t ask, never asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” a small frown fell on his brows. She could see he wanted to reply to her but didn’t.

Bidding everyone goodbye, both Rosamund and Ruslan made their way towards the awaiting carriage, which was as big as a merchant's house. It was decorated with gold and world stone, the doors with handles made of lions' jaws, with shaded windows. The horses were pitch black with beautiful long hair. They were large and magnificent, like Pegasus. Rosamund had always loved horses, the freedom that they possessed, so far away, so fearless. She had always loved being in the presence of a horse and to see such a beautiful horse, she couldn’t help but strike towards the larger one, looking threateningly towards her. A chorus of cautions startled her frozen. She was astray from Ruslan, but in just two strides he made his way towards her, by her side.

“This is Abhar.” Ruslan introduced the horse to her, to which she became confused.

Heaving a sigh, Ruslan went on to explain.

“He is my horse, a very stingy, clingy and dramatic one at that. If I hadn’t made introductions, he wouldn’t have moved an inch and I assure you, no man can move him without his consent.” Fondness and admiration were etched on his face. Rosamund could tell he loved his horse. Leaning her hands on, she softly patted the mane of the beast called Abhar. A small protest escaped the giant horse but was followed quickly by a cat-like purr. Horses truly made her happy and Rosamund couldn’t help but relax in front of a beastly horse and a beastly man.

No one knew what tomorrow would happen in her life, but one thing she was certain, the man that was her partner, was so much less cruel than everyone else she had known. Rosamund couldn’t help but hope, a foolish hope to stay just a little longer under his warmth that had been missing in her life.