Her fire and His Shadow

Then It Began

Father! You cannot possibly accept that man’s proposal!” she exclaimed, shaking with raw emotion. “He can be a murderer from the Land of the Empty.”

That only made her father snort loudly. “That man is now your husband, and seeing the ring he wore, he obviously isn't from the land of thieves.” bringing a cup of wine to his mouth.

The window in his office was always kept open even during the coldest of nights. Aurora had removed her gloves immediately after the stranger's man declaration.

She wasn't going to marry a stranger, especially someone that could make a man unconscious with little to no effort. He can murder her in her sleep!

“He could have stolen it! He looks so dangerous, I can never feel safe around him.” she whined, staring at nothing in particular.

Caspian sighed, lost of the right words to console his daughter, but he was an elite, a custodian of the traditions embedded in Efire. He couldn’t believe his sweet daughter, Aurora, would be marrying a man that shook him to fear just by speaking.

He sat upright, holding a glass of wine to hide the turmoil that raged in his heart. “Aurora. You know this is tradition.”

Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “What are you trying to say, Father?” beads of sweat trailing down from her forehead. “You are planning on giving me out for marriage to a complete stranger?”

Emptying the cup with a loud gulp. “You know this was never my desire. If only Johan won the match-”

“The same fight I never agreed to.” she counted with a deadly calm, running her fingers through her hair.

“Hmm,” he muttered, lost at words again. “You know how your mum can get, especially when she wants something.”

“She is not my mother, at least she never behaved like one to me.” muttering under her breath. “And I will not marry that man.”

“Incase you haven't realised yet,” a familiar mature voice started from the door. Aurora silently sighed in exhaustion. “But nobody, including your father, is asking for your permission.”

“Victoria-” Caspian warned but she waved it aside, dismissing his speech.

“Oh please! You are too soft on her every time.” she complained, with disgust reigning in her eyes as she stared at Aurora. “Any daughter of yours that can't honour traditions should not even be seen as your blood.”

“By the gods,” he whispered, massaging his forehead, he could not stand to look at his daughter whenever his wife started her drama. “That is enough, Victoria. I pleaded with you to let me have this conversation with my daughter, so why are you here?”

Aurora was already used to the demanding taunts from her grandmother, but it broke her heart a little when her father never stood up to defend her. She was surprised Ophelia did not trail behind her mother inside to remind her of the misfortune.

The emerald gown her step mother had adorned herself with glittered with the help of the numerous candles hanging on the wall. The tail of the gown swayed with every step she took, making her look majestic.

She wondered why the colour of her own wedding was themed green and blue by her mother and her opinion was never asked of. Of course she would have chosen the darkest of red.

“Yes darling, you said that though I don't know why I am excluded from such an important meeting.” she responded, dragging her fingers along the soft exterior of Caspian’s clothed right shoulder. “But I came with a message.”

“Which is?” he asked impatiently.

She ignored his tone and continued drawing invisible circles on his back. “Our inlaws sent a footman-”

“Please tell me they did not have a change of mind already. It is against the law of Efire.” he abruptly said, with seriousness in his voice.

Aurora could not keep silent again. “Father, you are an Elite. You can do something-”

“By the gods!” Victoria groaned with an unavoidable rage. “Shouldn’t you be glad that you even at least have a suitor? Or that you are marrying before your elder sister? It is no one’s fault your former lover was a weakling-”

“He is not a weakling.” she muttered under her breath with her face bent, thankfully no one heard her. She blinked repeatedly trying to control the tears that were already gathering.

“I must say…” Victoria clearly was not finished. “Your choice of men is fascinating. If they are not poor and weak, they are strong enough to kill and hide their faces like thieves.

Aurora felt her heart shattering little by little. She could literally feel the pressure or pain that stemmed from her chest, but she has gone through this plenty of times. It won’t be one she will begin to show signs of pain she has mastered hiding over the years.

“Victoria…” Caspian called gently, dropping the gold plated cup for the time. “You have not yet delivered the message.”

That brought a fake smile to her lips. She dramatically smacked her forehead. “I cannot believe I have not shared the beautiful message.” dragging the last two words. “The footman said our inlaws will be arriving very soon.” staring down at Aurora. “We have to get you ready before they arrive.”

Aurora’s eyelids were already dripping wet, she found her father’s eyes studying her and she stared back at him hoping for him to say something, anything that will give her hope. But the eye exchange did not last long.

“I know this is something you didn’t prepare for. But do it to respect your family and our traditions.” he sighed, then stared at the traditional clock on the wall. “Evening is quite close. Go prepare.”

“You heard your father.” Victoria said with finality, with that unnerving smile of hers.

When she entered her room, the maids were already at work, folding her clothes and stacking them into a large red cotton bag. This was actually going to be her reality.

She was going to marry a stranger, someone likeable to be a thief. She managed to stroll to her bed side and grabbed a petite picture stand. It held a young woman in her early thirties, beautified by a flowy sharp shade of red hair that touched her back. The hair flowed in the direction of the strong woman.

A strange tattoo located on the upper side of her right arm seemed to glow under the sun. Aurora always wished she was alive to ask her about it.

“Mother,” her voice cracking with wavering emotions. “I need you now more than ever.”