The Valiant's Bride

CHAPTER 2

ALINA POV

“I now pronounce you husband and wife”, the pastor said. There was a glimmering shine on my face as he cupped my face in his hand and placed a light kiss on my lips. It was soft, subtle and quick. It was also my first.

There was a cheer in the background, people applauding and smiling. I turned to look at my father, there was a big smile on his face and Ayla. She didn’t seem happy at all, her brows were furrowed and Clara seemed to be in disdain and anger at the same time, folding her arms and a snag look on

her face.

I was sure she was feeling all too disappointed. She had once told me that Andreas always had a face scar and that’s why he was always masked, but here he was, a light smile on his lips but a handsome

Face to cover up for such a stone-cold expression.

****

Thereafter, the wedding processions came to an end, and it was finally time to head home. My new

Home, perhaps.

I didn’t bother to look back at my father and his wife, but Clara seemed to get my attention as she glanced in the direction of my newly wedded husband.

Ignoring her completely, I walked to the black Cadillac parked right outside the venue, Andreas holding my wrist so gently, his scent lingering in my lungs as the thoughts of his personality had been painted into my mind.

He did look dangerous, but there was something about those eyes of his. They always stared at me with such softness, it made me feel comfortable around him and whilst we sat in the back seat of

the car, I could feel my face flushing red, my body trying its best to suppress the feelings of anxiety stirring in me.

There was an awkward silence in the car. I looked out the window, my eyes catching sight of the beautiful buildings we drove past. My heart raced at the thought of staring back at him as I could feel his eyes glancing back and forth.

After an hour, I felt my body become weak. I was told he lived quite far away, but I hadn’t stayed for a car ride for an hour. I had never really gone anywhere so far in my life, not even college, so my legs had begun to cramp, and my body had grown weak in the car.

Let me get some sleep in before we get there.

I thought.

But then the questions ran through my mind.

What is he like? Would he consummate the marriage immediately? Worse, does he hit women?

My mind wandered, and I felt my heartache from anxiety and worry even as I felt too weak to move.

“We’re almost there,” he said softly. I looked at him, his hand on his chin as he looked straight.

forward. His expression was cold and unflattering.

Maybe she was right. He might not be a gentleman.

“But you can rest a bit before we get there” he added, his eyes still fixated on the front, whilst I looked at him, trying to figure out why such a beautiful being could be this cold.

“Oh..okay” I answered in a low tone, clasping my hands together, hoping to get a bit of rest before we got there.

I finally had my eyes closed after minutes of our awkward conversations, and it played once more in my head.

The choking sounds as I reached out for my mother's hand, her body plopping to the floor as I rushed to her aid.

I squirmed, my body shivering as I called out to her, placing a hand on her body to wake her up, an attempt that seemed futile.

“Alina..” I heard a subtle tone as I forced my eyelids apart to see who had been calling me. I turned to look, it was him, my husband. He was outside the car, his hand gently on mine as he stared calmly at me.

“Oh..we’re here” I muttered, my eyes still in a daze, his scent clinging to my nostrils, his gaze

Piercing through mine as I quickly put my face down whilst holding onto his hand to get down.

I couldn’t understand the rapid thumping in my chest, but I felt somewhat uncomfortable from the prickly dress to glancing at my husband, who seemed too nonchalant to stare at me as we walked into the house.

Staring at the grandeur of his home, I couldn’t help but stare in awe of such a house, the high

Pillars with men on either side, the huge door that stood at the front and I couldn’t help but look at the garden at the side of the house.

At least there’s something as beautiful as that right there, I thought to myself as the doors opened.

“This place is huge” I said, immediately taking my hand over my mouth as the realization hit me that I had indeed said that aloud.

“It’s your new home” he answered casually, letting go of my hand.

I hadn’t been too aware of our clasped hands until he let go of me. He turned to one of the numerous maids whose head was bent low.

“Make sure she’s taken care of” he said immediately, turning his back to me before leaving.

I turned to look at him, heading for the door. I felt something lodge in my throat. I tried to call out to him. Weren’t a married couple supposed to talk to each other after marriage since they didn’t speak before it? But here he was, walking away, leaving me to my own thoughts.

“Miss,” the lady said calmly, walking closely to me.

Just as I nodded, looked at her, I felt my head spin, my body felt weak, my legs had become numb, and my eyelids seemed to be shutting down.

What’s happening?

I suddenly noticed the tiled floor getting closer to my view. This could mean only one thing. It was happening again and now at my husband’s house.

Would he hate me even more now?

Just as I felt my body lose hold of strength, I felt a hand on my waist, just as I did this morning, it was firm, a hand to my back, stopping my fall. I looked to see. It was him again, my husband, his

Face above mine.

“Alina… Alina, wake up” he mouthed, or I thought it wasn’t audible. A smile formed on my lips. At least he wasn’t pouring a bucket of cold water on my face, and he was trying to know if I was okay, but it didn’t change the fact that it happened again, my illness.