The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 3

LYRA

My skin turned even paler than when I observed myself in the mirror after waking up. What the hell was all of that?

I began banging on the bedroom door—I'm trapped again. With no possible escape this time. Absolutely, there will be none. I remember, the last time I fainted I was in Blade's arms. He held me. He doesn't want me to escape at all. There's a deeper motive behind this. But what will this family gain by trapping me this way? What do I have that they want?

He told me not to return to that place anytime again. But will I listen? That's hard to do. If I want answers about why I am staying here, I have to find the clues. I have to try hard as possible to get to the depth of this.

Blade enters the room, hurriedly.

"Ah, you're already awake?" He's taken by a surprise.

He walks towards me with both of his hands tucked in his pockets. His jacket is off him now that the party is over, revealing his dimmed orange shirt.

"Why does everyone in this house wear orange?" I ask, my fists clenched, my voice firm as I stare straight into his face.

He chuckles like a maniac.

"I think this is your wish, then. You want to die already!" His eyes gleam with something sinister, his lips curling into a devilish smirk.

"Look, if you want to kill me, just kill me already. But I won't die without knowing anything. I deserve to know the truth." I say, stepping closer and meeting his gaze.

"On what basis?" He nudges me back with a single finger.

"You have kept me here as a hostage, I'm already married to you. I'm your wife. On that basis!" I stand my ground as he circles me, his eyes scanning me like prey. I know his tactics by now—he's trying to intimidate me.

"Don't pull the wife card on me. I don't consider you one. This is just a situation you and I are in. Don't expect anything more." His voice is sharp, cutting.

"Please," I scoff. "I have no intention of being a wife to you. Do you think I would? Never. But the thing is I want to know what am I here for. And where's my phone? What did you do with it? I need to talk to my parents."

"I see. So now you are not scared of me anymore. How nice." He smirks, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he leans in.

I immediately look away. I refuse to engage in his pointless mind games. He's just beating around the bush, and I want straight answers.

"Unfortunately, you won't get any answers. That's how it works. And if you want to bang your head and all, you can do so. I DON'T CARE!" he said straight to my face.

Such a heartless creature, I think to myself.

Now that I know arguing won't get me anywhere, I have to find another way. So I force myself to calm down, taking slow, measured breaths. I sit on the bed and tilt my head at him.

"Why are you here?" I ask, my voice soft and composed.

"I came to check on you." He sits beside me.

I glance at him and scoff, "As if I could run. You have made full preparations for caging me. Haven't you?"

"Are you finally giving up?" he asks, his tone almost elated.

I study his eyes for a moment before replying, "I can never give up. I've never even considered it. But since you're so adamant about keeping me in the dark, I'll just find my own answers."

"Wow, so you're just as stubborn. I guess that makes us the same," he says in a teasing tone.

He's trying to get under my skin, hoping I'll snap. But I won't give him that satisfaction.

"Not at all," I say, lifting my head and smiling subtly.

"I'm a famous, successful, and a brilliant novel writer. I write my own stories. And I can turn them according to myself too. So this is the same situation. I will turn this story too." I lift a brow as I speak.

He bites his lip, then lets out a devilish laugh, as if mocking me.

He stands up, "Well, good luck to you. But if you get caught by me or any of my family members while snooping around..... you're done."

He bends down, lifting my chin gently. I try to pull away, turning my face aside, but his grip is firm. His fingers brush against the loose strands of hair on my cheek, tucking them behind my ear. I glare at him. His deep brown eyes are exotic, intense—capable of making anyone fall for him. But I refuse to be one of them. No matter how attractive he looks right now, I am still his captive.

He smells like sweet chocolate and leather.

Then, just as quickly, his demeanor shifts. He tightens his grip on my cheeks before shoving my face to the side.

"Wait," I say, stepping toward him. "If you still have even a shred of humanity left in you, then at least tell me where my parents are. Please—I'm worried about them."

He stares at me for a moment before replying, "If you behave and stop trying to defy me, your parents will remain safe."

"My parents—you know where they are, don't you?"

He nods, his gaze locked onto mine, completely devoid of regret.

Fury surges through me. I grab him by the collar and yank him toward me. He's heavier than I expected, solid and unwavering. But he remains unfazed, maintaining his effortless composure while I lose mine. How dare he stand there so calmly when I'm losing my mind over them?

"Tell me now!" I demand, pulling him even closer.

He clicks his tongue, shaking his head. "Lyra, Lyra, Lyra... why the rush? Sit down. Breathe. Get some rest. No need to fret." His voice is maddeningly casual.

"Are you insane?" I shout.

"What if it were your parents instead of mine? Would you still be this calm?" My voice shakes with anger.

He exhales slowly, then looks at me with unreadable eyes.

"I simply don't want to answer you."

"I asked, even if they were your parents." I glare at him, my voice sharp.

"That's none of your business! Stay quiet, lie down, and go to sleep already. Tomorrow, wake up early for the family breakfast." He ordered me harshly.

I stood still, and did not even move an inch.

Before I can react further, he swoops in and lifts me effortlessly into his arms. My eyes widen, blinking rapidly in shock—I barely register what just happened.

Somewhere along the way, the maids must have changed me into a nightgown. It's soft and comfortable, but that's hardly my concern right now. The real issue is that I'm in his arms, and he's lifting me like I was some sort of a small bug, weighing nothing.

He places me on the bed, and I immediately try to break free from his grip. But before I can, he pins me down.

Now he's on top of me, his intense gaze locking onto mine. We're lying parallel, so close I can feel his breath against my skin. My chest rises and falls rapidly, my breath mixing with his.

I struggle against his grip, but he holds firm. My wrists ache slightly under the pressure.

"Leave me." I snap.

"Or what? You can't even push me," he taunts.

"Just lie down and sleep. I'm done with your tantrums. Don't make me tie you up in ropes." He warned.

"Just leave me! You're hurting me—what the f*ck!" I yell, my voice ringing in his ears.

He chuckles darkly. "Then imagine how much it would hurt if I did tie you up. Is that what you want?" He smacks his lips against his teeth,

"No right? I don't think so. Behave like a good girl and I will let go."

With that, he finally releases his grip. I gasp, rubbing my sore wrists, finally able to breathe freely.

Without a word, he pulls a fur duvet over me, the soft slate-grey fabric heavy against my skin. Then, with a final glance, he gestures—silent but clear—I'm watching you.

I turn onto my side, shifting restlessly as sleep tugs at me. Today's drama has drained me completely. My body is heavy with exhaustion, my eyelids drooping. I shut my eyes and listen as his footsteps recede, followed by the soft click of the door closing behind him.

The moment he's gone, I open my eyes—and all I see is beauty.

The room at night is mesmerizing. Moonlight spills through the transparent windows, casting a silvery glow across every surface. Everything shimmers, bathed in an otherworldly radiance I hadn't noticed before.

Caught up in my fight with Blade, I had completely overlooked this view. The full moon hangs high, its brilliance making the entire room glisten like scattered diamonds.

This mansion is like something out of a dark fairytale—elegant, yet cloaked in an eerie stillness. The air is crisp, a slight breeze whispering through the space. The bed beneath me feels softer at night, as if I'm lying on a field of grass.

I'm rich, but not filthy rich like Blade. He's a billionaire, after all—his wealth surpasses mine tenfold. My house was luxurious, but this... this is what it truly means to live in opulence. At least I describe things accurately in my novels. The thought makes me smile for the first time today, a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the chaos.

I shut my eyes again, willing myself to sleep. But worry gnaws at me—about my parents, this marriage, the uncertainty of it all. My exhaustion is overwhelming. If I don't rest now, I might just faint again.

Then, just as I'm drifting off, a movement catches my eye.

A shadow.

Faint, yet unmistakable.

Someone—or something—is lurking outside the window, hidden within the darkness.