After losing her entire family from a tragedy involving a cursed one, wild, headstrong, and untamed Shia Hyanessa Aifendel, who possesses a curse herself and had thus far lived a nomadic life away from the Capitol, suddenly finds herself face to face with the probable murderer – Langrion Zephiry Romualdi, the mighty and powerful Imperial Prince of Gascone and the prophesied Demon King who is bound to start a war that would break the world. In an unexpected turn of events, Shia found herself agreeing to be Langrion's pretend-betrothed. Working her way through the politics of the nobility, the fight for the throne, and the struggle to overthrow the discrimination against cursed ones, can she uncover the mysteries of her family's death, keep her promise of vengeance, and keep her life at the end as she starts to deeply fall in love with the would-be Demon King?
My satin veil billowed against the wind as I walked down the aisle in the cream-colored wedding gown that the villagers have presented to me as a tribute for today's occasion. My head is lightly pricked by the crown of baby's breath that keeps my veil in place, and I clutched the bouquet of peach roses and lilies nervously and sighed as the wedding march starts to play.
I start my way towards the end of the aisle where my would-be husband awaits. It was a slow, steady, but equally nerve-wracking walk; Butterflies of every shape and color swirled all around me as flowers start to bloom where I have previously treaded. This was perhaps the final salute of the plants that have grown to love me my whole life. It pains me to think I might leave them all too soon today.
My beloved's eyes seemed to look at me with awe and anticipation. Thankfully, I did not falter with my walk. I stood high and felt more confident with each step that brought me closer to the altar where I will soon be wedded.
I never imagined my own wedding to look like this. As a young girl, I have always imagined it to be surrounded by so many people – the people whom I loved and the people whom I have met along the way in the perilous journey I have undertaken, but here I am now accompanied only by the Royal Officiator and my own groom. There was not a single human guest; we could not risk putting anyone else's life in danger. Only the wind, the trees, the flowers, the butterflies, and the other magical creatures of the island are bearing witness as we profess our love for each other today. The silence drowned my own heartbeat against the wind, but it did not dampen my spirit even the slightest bit.
My soon-to-be husband – the man that I love, but also the man that many had and will come to loathe and fear - is waiting for my coming. Some might call me mad for choosing him, but my choice rested fully on the fact that I trust and understand him and the fate that has brought us together – the same destiny that I pray will pull us through this ordeal that we are about to face. Other people do not know him as well as I do. They were never privy to all of his struggles – our struggles. Now that we have reached this crucial moment, I knew there was no coming back to the old ways. If I – or rather if we - can survive this, I know that we will have to become renewed people. We cannot simply go back to our former, wily, and reckless ways and think solely of our own needs. I have to consider my husband's needs before that of own, and he must consider my own welfare before his. But at this very moment, we are putting aside our own happiness for the happiness of those who are dear to us. I pray that this sacrifice will be all worth it in the end...
This was of course not an ordinary wedding. This can well be my funeral rest. The ritual that we will undergo in a few minutes involves the union of our souls forever. Should I survive this ordeal, it will only be the beginning. Should I perish here, my groom must make the arduous journey ahead alone and persevere with all his might towards victory.
My beloved and I have discussed all the possible scenarios a million times before. I told him I was ready for any of the possible outcome even though, in reality, I was not. I have never feared losing my life, yet my heart quivered in fear of him losing his life should I not come out of here alive. He was resolute in his disagreement to this ordeal, but I convinced him otherwise. I reminded him that before he is my husband, he is the nation's leader and that he knew the danger that lies ahead if we do not attempt to do the ritual. People's lives depended on his success. Should he lack the will to go on in this journey, millions will perish. Thus as his soon-to-be wife, I must make the ultimate sacrifice too. I must be brave enough as he is for we are each other's only source of strength. I must not look weak or fearful in his eyes, especially at this very moment of our union.
Finally, I have reached the end of the aisle. My beloved stood side by side with me looking dignified and calm as always. In contrast with the thick fabrics and armor that he usually donned, he was wearing a simple white suit that I have weaved myself for the occasion, and this makes me swell with joy and pride. His face was as impassive as when I first met him, but his eyes that contain the whole of my universe say it all. He took my hand gently, and he walked a little further with me until we stood in front of the Royal Officiator.
"We have gathered here today for the union of two hearts and the forging of two souls," the officiator turned to me, "Moreover, when this ritual commences, we will begin the purification process that will put your life in peril. Should there be any protests at any point from the two of you, we will cease to proceed further on. Do you both agree?"
I smiled slightly towards the Royal Officiator. He wore a grim look on his face and his brows were full of unspoken worries. Above everyone else, he knew what was about to happen. He was the one who planted the seed of this possibility in our minds several moons ago. I remembered the countless times he had tried to coax me out of this marriage in the past, but I have always declined his pleas knowing that the apparent pros of my decision outweigh its one and only disadvantage which is losing my soul forever.
"Are you sure about this? From here on, there will be no turning back..." he trailed on in a half-pleading voice.
I met the stare of my groom and saw the eyes that spoke only of love. It was the eyes that knew trust. We are not sure what the outcome of this ordeal might be, but we are sure of each other's love. Furthermore, we know each other's strengths and capabilities. We both know that we can pull through this if we trust each other enough. This fact filled my heart with the encouragement I needed to go on.
"I know, and I am ready," I said, and my dearly beloved nodded in agreement.
The Royal Officiator presented us our wedding rings which he had especially blessed for this occasion. My beloved put the ring on my finger, and I felt a small twinge of electricity coming from it. I did the same, and judging by my beloved's reaction, he also felt the sudden jolt of electricity emanating from it.
We each took turns and spoke our vows of undying love for each other – something that seemed so in contrast with the possibility of death that loomed over us. We spoke of how each of us has changed each other's ways and perspective. We spoke of snippets of the special times we have shared together, the fondest memories we have of each other, and we pledged our loyalty – even with death at the forefront – to each other until we meet again in the afterlife.
Later on, the Royal Officiator began tying the red ribbon symbolising our union over my left hand down to my wrist and my beloved's own left hand down to his wrists. He began citing the rituals of marriage using the Elder Tongue, and our wedding rings began to light up in the most amazing way. Throughout this part, my dearly beloved clasped my hands in a protective manner, just as we have done so countless of times in the past, and I knew that he will protect me no matter what is to come to me today.
Finally, the spoken rituals have ended, and now the final and hardest part of our wedding will begin. The Royal Officiator wiped the sweat that had formed over his brows in a nervous and grim manner. "Now," the Royal Officiator said, "the real ritual is about to begin. Starting this moment, you will truly become the bride of the Demon King. If you both concur, let this agreement be sealed with your kiss!"
My body shuddered in a mixture of fright and excitement, but my heart was at peace as my groom, and now my husband and my Lord – the would-be Demon King – pulled my waist closer to his body and planted his soft lips against mine in an apparent kiss of eternal union and death.
Year 992 - twenty years after the infamous Shadow Rune Wolf Pack had mysteriously perished, the vampires and werewolf clans continue with their lifelong feud, making the werewolf kingdom of Talandor one of the most dangerous places to live. Destined to be the next-in-line queen with her impeding engagement to the prince of Talandor, Lady Dahlia Hurst wanted to experience freedom and true love – two feats that seemed always out of her grasp. What will happen once she meets her real mate in the persona of the mysterious Tristan Dmitri Abell? Will they be able to overcome odds after she discovers that he plans to use her solely for his revenge, or will they find true love despite the dark histories of their pasts and the dangers of their present?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Stella Judd worked hard for her entire life, in return, she only got endless deception and oppression and died without dignity. However, she was reborn with time turning back. She vowed to never again let anyone who had bullied her get anything out of her. She got away from a very vicious family and got rich by her own hands. Nevertheless, she felt in love with a cripple. Although he was a cripple, Stella wanted to protect her husband and live in peace, but she didn't expect that her crippled husband suddenly turned into the distinguished Prime Minister! What's more, not only he was not lame anymore, but also he walked with her through life and death.