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Disappointment coursed through me. I didn’t want him to witness this, but I had also just hoped for a glimpse at his handsome face. I could see the disgust on their faces as I walkeddown the aisle. I looked like I had been beaten to a pulp, which technically I had been.

The air outside was hot but not unbearable, and the sun shined brightly on the large blue and white flowers that lined the aisle. The decorations were pretty, but nothing to my taste. I preferred dark colors, like black and crimson red. My heart pounded sadly in my chest. Not that long ago, I thought maybe Cassius would be the one I walked down the aisle toward, but now when I looked, all I saw was a monster disguised with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes.

Jesper smiled at me, like he was truly happy to see me. I wanted to glare, but I didn’t. My mind flashed to Cassius. I would have married him in a heartbeat, but he hadn’t asked to marry me. Dread filled the sadness. I didn’t want to belong to Jesper.

I didn’t want to live with him, kiss him, sleep with him, or bear his children. One of us would end up dead soon enough because I couldn’t live like that. I needed to save the families of those from Exile before I killed Jesper.

King Sybrien stared intensely at me as I walked slowly. His dark eyes looked as if he were trying to communicate something to me. The chairs reserved for Crimson were empty next to him.

Cassius said he would never let me belong to another man. So where the hell was he? He had once told me he was feral with the thought that he was the only man to know what I felt like; did that cross his mind anymore? Had he forgotten how good we were together?

I glanced around and silently pleaded for anyone to ruin this rehearsal.

The band restarted the song as I took my leisurely time getting down the aisle. My eyes looked over everyone present. I didn’t have a single friend here. No one. Jesper held out his hand for me when I was close enough. I hesitated for only a momentbefore I slipped my hand into his. His skin was soft and warm as he held tightly to me. We faced each other, but my eyes looked anywhere but at him.

The priestess started the rehearsal, telling us how it would go and what we were to say in response. I couldn’t even focus on her words. My mind called out to me, asking why I wasn’t running. Leave him, it seemed to say; we do not belong to him. My darkness swarmed inside of me, trying desperately to escape. Jesper squeezed my hands in his softly and brought my attention to him. He gave me a breathtaking smile, but I knew the monster that lurked under it.

I didn’t give him any sort of response. I kept my face passive and indifferent through whatever spiel the priestess was saying.

“I, Jesper Alcove, take Thea Alzara to be my wedded wife…” I blocked out his voice. My heart pounded in my chest. Would I be able to recite those words out loud? I didn’t care who interrupted this rehearsal, but I wished someone would. I didn’t want to do this. I would rather die than be tied to this prick.

“Thea?” Jesper barked softly. “It’s your turn,” he said gently, but there was a warning in it.

“I, Thea Alzara, take...” I couldn’t spit out the words, even though this was only a practice. My eyes focused over Jesper’s shoulder and widened in surprise to see Della standing close by. Her dark skin was peppered with faded freckles over her nose, and her star-colored eyes shined brightly as usual. Her black hair was styled perfectly. She was breathtaking.

This time, I realized she wore a small, dainty black and silver crown on her head. I realized she was wearing a crimson red dress instead of her usual signature black.

She frowned at me as I stared at her dress. My head pounded when a memory of Cassius escaped.

“You and me, viper, we’re what the stars and gods created the realm for. Happiness, belonging, and love.” Cassius smiledat me. He wore beautiful black and crimson robes that were far fancier than I had ever seen him in. “I belong to you, and if anyone thinks they can take you from me, then they sealed their own death for thinking such foolish things.”

The noise that ricocheted through the crowd stopped my memory immediately. Jesper had been grasping my hand to the point of pain, but I hadn’t noticed because of Della. King Sybrien had accidentally knocked over a flower vase, shattering it.

“Oops.” He frowned up at Jesper. My heart plummeted because, for a split second, I thought Cassius had shown up. My eyes flickered at King Sybrien when he gave me a small, friendly smile and made a gesture I couldn’t quite understand. Was he warning me of something? My eyes flickered around the crowd, but I didn’t see anything unusual.

“Try again, Thea,” Jesper demanded.

“I…” I swallowed hard. “Thea…”

Jesper’s eyes were wild with impatience as I stumbled with my words, but it wasn’t intentional. Something odd soaked into my thoughts, and it was like I couldn’t think of anything for myself. I stared at Jesper as my mind went completely blank. Then my eyes flicked to Della as she moved closer to us.

I will find a way to stop this. Just stall a moment longer;her voice spoke into my mind.He is late,she sighed, but I didn’t understand her. I watched as she moved down the aisle. No one else turned to watch her.

“What the fuck are you staring at? If you think I won’t punish you tonight because our wedding is tomorrow, you are mistaken,” Jesper whispered harshly.

I ignored him.

Della smiled at me when she turned my way. Her hands lifted slightly, and the sun started to disappear. Everyone stared into the darkening sky. I could hear mutters from guests wonderingwhat was happening. She lifted her hands up more and focused on Jesper and I.

Don’t move, Thea,she spoke into my mind.

I went deathly still. Then a bolt of lightning struck at the base of the arch that Jesper and I stood in front of, immediately setting it ablaze.

Our guests gasped.

“How’d you do that?” My father questioned me.

“I didn’t do anything,” I snapped back.