Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

“Do you know who she is?” Freya asked her brother who was struggling to put on his armour. Riley wasn’t concentrating on what she was saying and looked up at her with a face filled with questions. “The girl the Prince is marrying?”

“Oh, no I don’t” he replied. He hadn’t been paying attention to that much, his focus was strained upon Tatianna. This kingdom’s politics did not concern him.

“You have to attend the wedding, right?” Freya asked, her hands brushing through her blonde hair.

Riley just nodded in response, still trying to place his chest plate on probably. The chain mail was hard enough to put on, everything else was just even more difficult. “Can you please help me?” he asked Freya.

“I just am curious, who she is. I’ve heard rumours about the Prince. How everyone was surprised to hear that he was marrying a girl…that he preferred the company of men,” Freya said whilst tying the steel into place. Riley thought about what his sister just said, it disturbed him to think of it, but he didn’t care much what the Prince was into.

“Well obviously not,” he replied. Freya was suspiciously quiet, as if she wanted to say something but had not the courage to do so. Riley determined it mustn’t be important due to her reluctance to tell him. Had it been vital, she would have told him of that, he was sure. He trusted Freya not to lie to him.

“All done,” Freya said, and he looked at himself in the mirror. The armour was locked onto him, causing his movements to be jagged. He grabbed his sword, strapping it around his waist.

“Are you going to attend?” he asked Freya.

“Of course, I would never miss such a romantic event. Plus, it would be interesting to see how the Elven wed,” Freya replied.

“Ok, see you there then,” he told her then left the room. He moved towards the palace, ready to obey the captain’s instructions for the eventful day.

There was already a mass of people gathered, each wearing the same armour as him, all waiting as well to be told what to do like a bunch of dogs. Not even dogs but sheep, just blindly following behind a corrupt leader.

“Ok listen up,” the captain of the guard shouted across the courtyard where they were all gathered. “Those who have been patrolling the streets will continue to do so today. Those who had been assigned palace duty will be standing on guard along the aisle, except for the already notified select few who will escort the Royal family to and from the reception and remain on guard in the palace. Do you all understand your duty?”

A series of, “yes sir,” echoed through the courtyard. Riley followed his cohort to the large Oak tree; the same one he was omitted into the Guard. He knew it had a special name, but he hadn’t been bothered to learn it. The place was covered in all manner of flowers, and he and his fellow guardsmen all lined up to form a passageway for the couple, separating the crowd from the Royalty.

As the day went on more people filed into the area and Riley was grateful that winter was approaching. If he had to stand out for hours in the heat, covered in the heavy armour, he was certain he would have fainted. There weren’t just Elves gathered among them. Riley spotted a few Fae in the crowd talking amongst themselves. One of the Fae was surrounded by her own guarding members, signifying that she was of importance. Riley searched for Freya, but he couldn’t find her among the mass of people crowding the area. He hoped she was safe and not causing any trouble.

The chatter died down and the music commenced. It was the singing of the Elf’s that caused a strange shiver down his spine, their voices dripping in magic speaking in the ancient language. The Prince was the first to walk down the aisle. There were no flower girls to welcome in the bride, whose face was covered by a white veil. Her dress was long and gorgeous, flowing in the soft breeze and brushing against the Queen’s legs. They walked with their arms linked together, up the small steps to the spot underneath the tree where the Prince waited.

An Elf stood between them, looking out towards the crowd whilst speaking to them all. “Today we are gathered to celebrate the marriage of Prince Darvey Hark and soon to be Princess Tatianna Fiducia…”

Every other word just faded away as Riley looked intently onto the bride. His heart froze to an icicle in his chest. He couldn’t believe it was her. Why would she marry the Prince? Then his eyes left the bride and onto the Queen, wondering what scheme she was playing at. Riley had thought Tatianna was a prisoner, he knew that this marriage wasn’t consensual. She couldn’t want this for herself.

“I swear that for the rest of eternity, I will stay by your side. Hold you in sickness and in health,” the two chanted in sync with each other. Riley could see no tears in Tatianna’s eyes once the Prince removed the veil. He could see no sign of distaste or hate; it was all wrong.

The man gave the two a blade, one of Kaddeian steel, and they each took turns slices the palm of their hands. Not even a wince on their faces. No recoil at the touch as the two joined the blooded palms together. No sickness in their eyes as they leaned in and kissed each other.

Riley couldn’t believe the sight as they turned to the crowd, smiling down at them with their hands still joined. It made no sense; had it been forced he should have seen pain in Tatianna’s eyes, but he could sense none. Was she truly happy? Riley felt a pang of hurt in his chest. He had spent months trying to get her back, only to find out that she wanted to be there. She wanted to have this perfect life and become a Princess.

The bride and groom walked back down the aisle; Riley watched Tatianna walked by without even a hint of recognition towards him. Tatianna didn’t want him, Riley realised. She didn’t want his friendship nor companionship. She wanted a nice home with plentiful food and people of her own kind. Tatianna belonged here, he did not. Perhaps it was time that he and Freya returned home. They had no reason to stay.