The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 2

LYRA

Wearing orange and white, I was trying to adjust my wedding reception dress. I have so many questions to ask, but in this house, given how mysterious it is, I need to slow down on my impulsive nature to dig for better answers. The gown is pretty, with lots of orange roses adorned and there are white laces in the form of a terrain. It's an off-shoulder design, which hugged each of my arms in a cross-knitted pattern. I gave out a 'phew' from my lips as I saw the hairdresser coming in with all her materials. There's so much going on as if the wedding did happen with my permission and happiness!

She started to ask me how I wanted my hair done. I said, "Anyway you like it." She was taken aback! I rolled my eyes, and she was surprised in return. She doesn't know that this wedding is not what I wanted, so she doesn't have to bear my drama. But I was already frustrated!

She tied my hair up into a messy bun and left some side curls hanging. My brunette hair looked pretty. I moved my face left and right in the mirror to see how the hairdo looked on me, and it was wow! She even braided my hair from my forehead and attached it to the bun. She left without saying a word! She must be thinking I'm mad. Anyone would, seeing the bride behaving this way for her own wedding reception.

I was adjusting my dress when the bedroom door which I was in suddenly opened with a loud thud, like someone has pushed it open in a rage. A gorgeous lady, dressed in silk ombre orange and yellow gown, came in and stood near the bed with her arms folded. She was glaring at me. "Looking mean hun," I thought to myself. Here goes another one.

“Come down quickly! I'm here to take you,” She said in a sharp yet notorious tone.

I cleared my throat and nodded.

I took a final look at myself in the mirror and started walking toward her.

“Fast!” she gritted her teeth at me.

I looked at her—she was pale, like Blade. She looked quite similar to him.

“Actually, this gown is getting caught under my foot, and these heels aren’t helping," I said, smiling sheepishly.

“No excuses!” With that, she grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the door. It hurt so badly.

It was the first time that I was going to see what lay beyond this trapped room. And as expected, it was humongous. Everything was precise, luminous, and resplendent. The staircase leading from my room opened into the vast living hall of the mansion, a grand spectacle.

The lights were dazzling—I could barely make out any faces clearly—but there were many people there, all waiting for me to descend. Their eyes were fixed on me, as if I were some rare artifact on display in a museum.

At a distance, I spotted Blade, holding a glass of wine in one hand while the other rested casually in his pocket. His expression was effortlessly swoon-worthy. Even from this far, I could see his ring shimmering like moonlight.

The mean lady nudged me to get down the stairs already. I made a twisted face, biting the insides of my cheek and picked up my gown elegantly to get down. She plastered a big smile on her face—one that was clearly fake. Like a show has been put on and everyone is acting.

When I reached the bottom, I twirled a bit, glancing above the massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The floor was covered in a rich, velvet-red carpet. Blade approached me and held out his arm.

“Oh, right, I'm his wife now!” I thought to myself, and gave in.

He leaned in close my ear and whispered, “Remember to not say a word until asked,” he warned.

I looked at him straight into his eyes. How much should I obey him? Would I get some answers or not?

“Oh my, looking so pretty!” Blade's grandma cooed, patting my cheek. I gave her a shy smile.

“Let's go, let's meet the people,” he said in a detached tone.

Why so arrogant? It's not like I forced him to marry me? It is the opposite!

“Wait, I can't walk due to this dress, it's so big,” I whisper at him, shadily.

“Who told you to pick someting you can't even wear?” He raised an eyebrow.

“There was nothing else I liked anyway!” I huffed, rolling my eyes.

“Then why complain now? Just keep your mouth shut and walk with me. There are people watching, and if anything happens because of you, you're dead!” His voice was sharp, his warning clear.

I looked at him again in disbelief and shook my head.

“Listen, I know who you are—you are rich, powerful, etcetera, blah, blah, I don't care. Just let me know why I am here…” Before I could finish, a guest appeared in front of us.

“Great night, Mr. Blade!” He was slender but the same height of Blade.

“Don't behave so formal with me, Noah! I'm not interested in your little act.” Blade ignored him and rolled his eyes, slightly smirking.

“Hello Lyra!” The man turned to me.

I simply nodded.

“You should know—I'm the younger brother of Blade, Noah. He won't introduce me to you, but I myself will do so!” He chuckled, sipping his wine and then moving past us.

How weird was that?

“Just how big is your family?” I whispered to Blade again.

“You have a grandma, a younger brother, and a sister!” I started counting on my fingers.

“A sister? How do you know?” He sounded surprised.

“I mean, isn't it obvious? The lady standing over there with the mean demeanor—she has to be your sister.”

“Half-sister, and Half-brother! But don't get surprised so soon, I have my parents, an aunt, an uncle and some cousins too. We all live here. Under one roof.” He didn't sound proud and let out a dry chuckle.

“Well, at least now I know something,” I muttered to myself.

“Come here, I'll show you something. A place where you should never go—or even talk about.” He gestured forward. We were still arm in arm, holding onto our fake smiles.

A large door opened as we stood in the mystical chamber. It was adorned in gold and silver, like a portal to something deep ams unknown. As we moved further, the space felt cavernous. The labyrinth walls were lined with tiger fangs—hanging ominously. Is this family obsessed with tiger hunting or what? Inside, the cavern was made of jagged rocks, shrouded in darkness. It felt sinister.

I swallowed hard with a slight fear creepin in. Blade heard that.

“What? Are you scared already?” he chuckled.

I shook my head.

“That is why I'm showing you this—to show you how dangerous it can be to come down here. Never come here. Never. Ever. Hear me?” He enjoys that I'm getting scared, but he really sounds genuine and serious about this. His eyes tell something different this time. He is being real!

At the same time a deep roaring sound echoes frighteningly from the cave and I cling hard to Blade. Is that an animal? Are there real tigers inside? The tiger fangs already seemed like an omnious warning.

“What was that sound?” I shivered, clutching Blade's white and orange coat.

“Get off me!” he snapped, glaring.

I take myself off him and adjust myself, trying to regain composure.

“You never know. It can be a tiger ghost! Or a tiger itself.” He laughs, adjusting another ring on his right hand. An ornate, fang-shaped piece that glinted in the dim light.

My breathing grew unsteady.

“Who are you?” I asked, stepping back.

He smirked, his expression shifting into something unfamiliar. Something unsettling.

“What is all this? Why am I here? I want answers, you ba*tard! Please!”

Panic surged through me, and I turned and ran.

I could not help myself—I was terrified. A shudder ran through me as I reached a pillar, gasping for breath.

What I think is not just about the people here—but there's more to it. It's something like I'll never write. Who are these people in real life?

★★★

“Hey, sister in law! What are you doing here? Did something evil happen to you?”

I frowned at her.

She bursted into a laughter, loud like a witch!

I didn’t wait. I turned and ran straight to my bedroom, pushing past people, slamming the door shut, and locking the windows.

I folded myself into a corner, quivering. My heartbeat’s racing. I pressed my hand to my chest, struggling to breathe. I could hear only the roaring sounds so I covered my ears tight and let out a scream. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I was afraid to death!

These people are going to eat me alive.

No, No.

I have to escape the mansion. Right now! Leave the marriage! I thought it was a joke, as just a marriage of some convenience, but it's not. I'm in hell! I can feel it already! I saw that already! These people.....they are not normal.

Hurrying, I open the windows, wiping away my tears with my trembling hands and try to get down from the mansion with the help of a long cloth that I have already available with all the clothes that came in. I detached the extra piece of terrain and tried to hang from the cloth, and began climbing down.

I was halfway through, shaking, but then I saw Noah’s face in my bedrooms' balcony, staring down at me, and my eyes widened.

My grip slipped.

And then, I was falling.

I landed softly, instead of hitting the ground. Slowly, I opened my tightly shut eyes, there was Blade who was carrying me in his arms.

“Not so soon, moonlight.” he murmured, smirking. And then, I fainted in his arms.