hed ceilings created vibrant patterns on the stone floor, but the beauty only served to highlight the cold air

ake smiles. As I went down the aisle, I felt like they were watching me and tracking

tiful," in a guilty tone. However, the burd

lemn in his well-tailored suit, he stood at the altar, waiting. His pier

d when the offician

ed here today,

on's calm, aloof look because my heart was pounding in my ears. His hands clasped in front

nsider this man to be you

ed for too long, and my throat felt dry. There was a murmur am

ed, my voice hard

n. "And do you consider this woman to be y

succinctly, and withou

, his fingers touched mine. Even though I made an effort not to recoil at his contact, my heartbeat accelerated. My hands shook so much when it was my turn t

give the br

poseful, his lips briefly touching mine. It was a meaningless kiss, frigid and hollow. His eyes met mi

-

' laughter and dancing felt phony, like a thin veneer covering the reality of this union. As one person after another came up to con

tant. He hadn't spoken a word since the ceremony, and I c

inquisitive eyes. My gut churned with the weight of what had just happened. This wasn't a marri

nning away

im standing only a few steps away, his hands in h

oment," I res

r as he took a step closer. "Isn't this

like you're helping me out. This

grinned. "All OK. However, you concurr

y hurt. "What makes you this way?" My voice trembled as I asked. "Y

aw a glimpse of something-pain, perhaps, or r

ruth?" "Neither did I desire this. However, we

trance. A man rushed in, his face flushed with rage, as the doors spra

h his voice. "You believe you can get away with what y

w clenched. I looked at him, trying to

that?" I

in his tone, he answer

me. He pointed a finger at me and added, "And

room, and my heart was pounding. "What are y

and me. "That's sufficient," he declared in a st

p me quiet? Creed, the truth always comes out. She

e I could ask him what he meant; his hold was tight but not unpleas

looked at me as we ent

embled with a mixture of ra

," he remarked in

to me." "What is he disc

led at last and combed through his hair. "Lyra, there are aspects of

and my gut roiled. Kensingt

de me shiver, and

er to bury