THE THORN

CHAPTER FOUR

His sculpted back was the first thing to tunnel my vision. I fought the urge to swallow the rage inside at sight of more angels looking directly at, probably murdering me in their mind for killing their kind for years, now I'm getting married to one of them. The deal were simple, either marriage or they'll take the heart of thorn.

The ancient source of our kingdom's magic. The reason our forests still bloomed when winter swallowed the rest of the world, why our rivers shimmered with enchantment, and why the protective barrier surrounding Aurelith had endured centuries of wars. Without it, our kingdom would be nothing more than another piece of land for Noctis or other supernatural Kingdom to conquer. And my aunt had agreed to surrender me to the enemy to protect it.

My fingers tightened around the bouquet until the delicate stems threatened to snap. I could feel the gazes of the assembled angels crawling over me, their expressions ranging from open hostility to cold amusement. Some looked at me as though they couldn't believe the notorious Thorn had actually agreed to stand before them in a wedding dress. I dragged my attention back to the man standing at the altar. His broad shoulders were cased in black ceremonial attire, the material fitting him with infuriating perfection. Silver embroidery traced the edges of his coat, and his dark hair brushed the nape of his neck. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, perfectly still, as though waiting for a kingdom to surrender was an ordinary way to spend a morning. I hated him already and I haven't even seen his face. He looked unfazed by me as if he had never seen my before, my stomach stirred at his cold glare and touch.

The priest stood before us, dressed in flowing white robes embroidered with the ancient symbols of the Mother Goddess.

He raised his hands."People of Aurelith and Noctis, we gather today to witness the union of two powerful bloodlines. May this marriage bring an end to the hostility between our kingdoms and usher in an age of peace." I nearly laughed. Wasn't it wonderful how easily people could dress up a threat in pretty words?

The priest continued, speaking about unity, sacrifice, and the sacred responsibility of those born to rule, I tuned him out. Instead, I focused on the man in front of me. His hand remained around mine, his thumb resting against my knuckles. He didn't fidget or glance at the crowd. He simply stood there, listening to the ceremony as though he had attended a hundred weddings and expected to attend a hundred more. I wondered whether he had ever killed anyone. Then I remembered the black wings, the burning skies, and the bodies left behind after Noctis invaded our lands. Of course he had. Perhaps he had even enjoyed it.

My grip tightened around his hand.He glanced down at me. I hated him.

I hated him so much that I could practically feel the thorns beneath my skin stirring in response. The priest cleared his throat. "We shall now proceed with the formal declaration of the bride and groom."

At last. Perhaps after this, I could stab someone.Preferably him. The priest unfolded a scroll, his expression solemn.

"Princess Seraphina Thornvale, daughter of the late King Aldric and Queen Evelyne of Aurelith, do you stand willingly before the Mother Goddess to enter this sacred union?"

I stared at him. Was this man serious? I glanced towards my aunt, who stood perfectly still among the guests. Then I looked at the angels watching me with undisguised anticipation. If I said no, they would take the Heart of Thorn. Thousands of lives depended on that ancient magic. The kingdom's protective barrier depended on it. Every child sleeping safely in Aurelith depended on it. And apparently, all of them depended on me being a good little princess and marrying a stranger.

I swallowed my fury. "I stand before the Mother Goddess," I answered carefully.

The priest hesitated, clearly expecting more, I smiled sweetly. The priest hurriedly continued. "Lord of Noctis, do you stand willingly before the Mother Goddess to enter this sacred union with Princess Seraphina Thornvale?"

"I do."The priest nodded, apparently satisfied, and turned towards the assembled guests. "Then let the names of those bound by this sacred vow be declared before both kingdoms." My stomach tightened. Something about the moment felt wrongas lifted the scroll."By the authority of the Celestial Throne and the crown of Noctis, I present to you the groom, the Lord of Shadows, commander of the fallen legions, and rightful ruler of Noctis—" He paused. My heart gave a strange, uncomfortable thud.

"—Lucien Veyr." The world stopped. No.

For one absurd second, I thought I had misheard him. Perhaps the priest had said another name. Perhaps there were a dozen Lucien Veyrs in Noctis, and the Mother Goddess had decided to play a particularly cruel joke on me. I turned my head, Slowly. The man beside me was already looking at me.

Those red eyes, That sharp jaw. The faint scar cutting through his eyebrow. Lucien Veyr.

The bastard responsible for turning my childhood into a graveyard of memories. My husband. Something inside me snapped, I dropped the bouquet. White petals scattered across the stone between us. "YOU!" The word tore from my throat before anyone could stop me.The priest stumbled backwards immediately stunned.

Aunt Isolde called my name, but her voice sounded distant, swallowed by the roaring in my ears. Lucien didn't move. He merely watched me with those infuriating red eyes, as though he had been waiting for this exact moment.

That expression.That calm, unreadable expression. I had seen it before in my nightmares. My hand flew beneath the layers of my wedding gown, searching for the familiar hilt concealed against my thigh. My father's dagger. My fingers closed around its hilt. And before a single guard could react, I drew it.

Gasps erupted throughout the garden. Someone screamed. I didn't care.

I lunged towards Lucien, bringing the blade up between us. He moved with infuriating ease. One moment, I was advancing on him. The next, his hand had closed around my wrist, stopping the dagger a breath away from his chest.

I froze. Lucien Veyr stood nearly seven feet tall and looked as though stopping an enraged princess from stabbing him was a minor inconvenience.

His eyes narrowed at me his face still blank “continue” he said directly at the priest but his eyes were still Burned on me

“ Don't you dare–”

“i now pronounce you husband and wife you may now kiss the bride”

“ You f*****g ba–” The next thing I felt was a hand sliding around my waist. Before I could finish the insult, Lucien pulled me towards him. My eyes widened. “Don't you dare—”

Too late, his lips descended on mine.

For one brief, horrifying second, my mind went completely blank. Then reality came crashing back.

THE BASTARD WAS KISSING ME.