THE THORN

CHAPTER THREE

Chapter Three

I had always imagined my wedding day would never come. Not because I believed myself incapable of finding someone foolish enough to tolerate me, but because marriage had never been something I wanted. I had never dreamed of walking down an aisle beneath a shower of flower petals, never imagined a handsome prince waiting at the altar, and certainly never wasted my time wondering what sort of gown I would wear. I had more important things to worry about and Marriage had never made it onto that list.

And yet, here I stood, staring at the reflection in my mirror while three maids attempted to turn me into a bride.

Your Highness," the older maid said patiently, "the ceremony is in less than an hour. "

"Wonderful. Then you have fifty-nine minutes to find me a way out of this palace."

"Princess."

"Fifty-eight." She sighed making me force a smile. It was the most pleasant interaction I had experienced all morning.

The wedding gown lay against my body in a cascade of ivory silk, its fitted bodice embroidered with silver vines that curled delicately around my waist before spreading across the flowing skirt. Tiny crystals had been sewn into the fabric, catching the light whenever I moved. The sleeves fell elegantly from my shoulders, leaving my arms bare except for the delicate silver bracelets someone had insisted I wear, It was beautiful. I looked beautiful.

I turned slightly, watching the gown shimmer beneath the morning light filtering through the tall windows. "Who chose this?"

"Her Majesty, Your Highness." My aunt had always possessed impeccable taste. It was one of her more irritating qualities. My gaze drifted towards the windows. Beyond them, Aurelith gleamed beneath a pale full moon sky. The gardens glimmered with dew, and the fountains sparkled as though the kingdom had been waiting all its life for this glorious occasion. The courtyard below was already filling with servants carrying flowers and ceremonial decorations. Guards stood at every entrance, their silver armour gleaming in the sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, musicians were rehearsing the traditional wedding procession. The entire palace was preparing to celebrate.

My life was being decided without my permission, and everyone seemed determined to make the occasion beautiful. "Your Highness," the older maid said, clasping her hands together, "you look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you. I shall try to remember that when my husband inevitably ruins my life." I muttered in cohersevively, Her smile faltered.

Walking towards the venue, which was outside, with this dress has proved to be more tiring than killing five Angels in one day. I tried to keep my shoulders straight as I held my water lilies bouquet in one hand and lifting my dress with my other to avoid tripping. My that failed as I walked down the stairs leading outside to find myself slipping from the ground. I tried to steady myself. I really did. It should have been the simplest task imaginable, yet there I was, falling down the stairs while the maids gasped in horror. Then I felt an arm around my waist, pulling towards them.

I was suddenly invaded with spices, addictive scent momentarily making my head spin for a moment. I clenched to the hand that held me then lifting my head to be met with red iris studying me with a blank expression. He was tall, broad and an….angel.

Immediately I pulled myself away from him as if being burnt from fire. Heat immediately flooded my skin in anger and disgust “Your Highness” a maid called out her head low while she shivered in fear. I don't know whether it was from me almost falling and dying here or it was from him, or both

I mean, I wouldn't blame her. He was an angel, after all. A very tall, very imposing angel with red irises that seemed to glow beneath the morning light and an expression that suggested he had never smiled a day in his miserable existence. And I had nearly fallen into his arms. Of all the humiliating things that could have happened on my wedding day, the Mother Goddess had apparently decided that watching me throw myself at a fallen angel was the most entertaining option. This day couldn't get any words. Oh it did, I'm marrying one of his kind.

I straightened my dress, refusing to acknowledge the way my heart had stumbled when his arm had wrapped around my waist. It had been surprise. Pure, unadulterated surprise, Nothing else. His scent, however, was another problem entirely. It was cold and intoxicating, like expensive spices mixed with something darker, something that reminded me of a storm gathering over a battlefield. It clung to my senses even after I had stepped away from him, I hated it. I hated him, too, for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with his face.

Not that I had been looking at it long enough to form an opinion. "Are you hurt, Princess?" His voice was deep, cold and entirely too calm for a man who had just caught a woman moments before she introduced her face to the ground. I lifted my chin. "No."

His red eyes moved briefly towards my feet before returning to my face. "Then perhaps you should watch where you're going." I stared at him. Excuse me?

I had nearly fallen down a flight of stairs, and this was what he had to say? Not Are you certain you're all right? No. Apparently, I had been fortunate enough to encounter the most charming angel in existence.

"Perhaps," I replied sweetly, "you should learn to mind your own business."

One of his eyebrows rose. "I was minding my business until you nearly landed on me."

"Then consider yourself unfortunate enough to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time." I scoffed before walking away from him, the sound of the maids hurrying steps echoed behind me.

“ Look at you all dolled up—”

“ Don't even start Nicole, or else I'll rip your heart” I seethed Nicole's lips curved into a smile. "You wouldn't dare."

"Would you like to test that theory?"

"On your wedding day? How romantic."

I shot her a murderous look. She laughed.

"Honestly, Seraphina, I expected you to be a little more excited. You're getting married! There's a handsome—"

"Finish that sentence, Nicole, and I'll make sure you never speak again."

"How charming. Your angel husband is going to adore you."

"Then I sincerely hope he has terrible taste." She shook her head, still smiling, and fell into step beside me. I wanted to be annoyed with her. I really did. But Nicole had been at my side long enough to know that my threats were usually a sign that I was trying very hard not to lose my temper. And today, I was dangerously close to doing exactly that.

We reached the end of the corridor, where the grand entrance to the ceremonial gardens stood open. Beyond it, white flowers decorated the stone pathway, their petals stirring gently in the breeze. Rows of chairs had been arranged beneath the open sky, filled with nobles dressed in their finest silks and jewels. At the far end stood an elegant archway woven from silver branches and white roses.

The altar. My stomach twisted. I had faced armed angels without hesitation. I had walked into enemy territory knowing perfectly well that I might not walk out again. Yet somehow, the sight of that altar made my palms sweat. Perhaps because, for the first time in my life, I was walking towards something I had absolutely no control over. "Seraphina." I turned.

My aunt stood a few steps away, her emerald gown flowing around her ankles. Her silver-streaked hair had been arranged beneath her crown, and although her expression was composed, I noticed the tension in her jaw.

"You're ready," she said. I looked down at myself. "Unless you've decided to change the groom at the last minute, I'm afraid this is as ready as I'll ever be."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Must you make everything difficult?"

"Must you make everything impossible?"in that moment neither of us spoke. Then her gaze softened before she pulled me for a hug, the scent of wine flooding my nostrils. She looked tired, Older than I remembered the moment we pulled away.

"Aunt," I began quietly. "You could still tell me who I'm marrying." She held my gaze.

"I could."

I waited, She said nothing else. I stared at her in disbelief. "You're enjoying this."

"Not particularly, your grown now, you should know what that means”

"Then I suggest you find a hobby." A faint sigh escaped her. "Seraphina, there are things you will understand in time. For now, I need you to trust that I have made this decision for Aurelith's future."

"And what about mine?" Her expression faltered for a moment "Your future matters to me more than you know."

I looked away. My aunt stepped closer and gently adjusted the silver crown resting upon my head. The gesture brought back a memory I hadn't thought about in years.

I was little again, standing before a mirror while my mother fixed a ribbon in my hair. My father stood behind us, laughing as I complained about the uncomfortable shoes I had been forced to wear for a royal celebration.

‘One day, little thorn, you'll have a celebration of your own.’ I remembered scrunching up my nose.

‘I don't want one.’

‘Then you'll have to make certain nobody arranges it for you.’ If only I had listened to him. My aunt lowered her hands. "Shall we?" I swallowed the ache in my throat and nodded.

She offered me her arm. I simply stared at it. She was my aunt and the closest thing I had left to a parent. Whatever resentment I carried towards her, whatever anger this marriage had stirred within me, she was still the only family I had. I wondered if this was the right choice, I slipped my hand through her arm.

"Don't look so pleased," I muttered. "I'm only doing this because I refuse to let you drag me down the aisle."

Her lips twitched. "Of course."

"And if my husband turns out to be unbearable, I'm sending him back to you."

"I shall keep that in mind."

"Good. I expect a full refund." This time, she actually laughed. It was brief, almost reluctant, but the sound eased something tight in my chest. Then the musicians began to play.The conversations in the garden faded. And my aunt led me towards tge aisle.