Chapter 3
Ava's POV
My heart beat wildly in my chest, each thump loud in my ears as I stared down at his broad, calloused hands held out in front of me, waiting, and hoping for me to take them.
My breath hitched in my throat. His offer, though filled with danger, seemed so tempting. For a moment, I nearly flattered and took his hand, his offer but then deep down, I knew his words, it was nothing more than that a fairytale.
There was no real escape from my fate. No hidden place left on the surface of this earth that could shelter us.
Father would find us, no matter where we ran or how far we went. We would live like shadows, always watching over our shoulders, always scared of being caught.
And when I was finally found, I would be dragged back here, back to the palace, back to my duty, to face the marriage that had been arranged for me since birth.
And Thane... Thane would be killed.
Just the thought of Thane dying made my throat tighten and run dry.
My hands began to tremble, my fingers slightly twitching as I tried to keep them still.
I took a single step back, and my eyes welled up with tears, the sting in my eyes causing me to blink faster to hold up the tears.
"I can't," I whispered, my voice cracking, barely louder than a whisper. I couldn't look him in the eyes, not when I was about to break his heart. So I stared at his ear instead, focusing on something, anything, to keep my resolve from crumbling.
I watched his hand, that was streatched out in front of me drop slowly to his side.
Then he turned away from me, the sharp click of his heels echoing down the empty hallway, and finally, the heavy slam of the door behind him as he left me standing there all alone, my shoulders low.
"Ahhh!" A broken cry escaped my throat, and I collapsed to my knees, unable to hold myself upright anymore.
My hand flew up, slapping against my face as sobs wracked my body. Tears poured down my cheeks in endless rolls as I cried not even trying to hold it back anymore.
"Thane… I love you too much to be with you…" I whispered between gasps and choked sobs, my voice trembling under the weight of pain.
Somewhere in the distance, I became unconsciously aware of the restroom door creaking open but I didn't turn to look.
The sound of footsteps approached, and soon gentle hands reached for me. The servants had come, their touch soft but firm as they lifted me to my feet and I didn't resist.
They brought me to the royal chamber that had already been prepared, the one where I was to consummate my marriage and complete the ancient marking ceremony.
I stood still as they dressed me in a flowing red robe, the fabric smooth and heavy on my skin.
My hair was styled and pulled up tightly atop my head, each strand pinned into place with delicate gold pins.
Then warm oil was massaged onto my neck, and a rich, sweet scent filled the air, the fragrance chosen was one that was specifically for the marking ceremony to help reduce the pain.
"Princess Ava, this way please…" one of the servants called gently, and I stood up and followed behind her.
I stepped into the ceremonial bedroom, and my eyes ran through the whole room.
The entire room was draped in shades of red crimson, scarlet, and wine.
Long curtains hung from the ceilings and dozens of red candles flickered on shelves and tables, casting shadows across the walls and lightening the dark rom.
My eyes found the open window, and outside it, the full moon shone bright and cold in the sky, as it stood proudly.
The door closed behind me with a loud thud, and I was left alone.
Yet my thoughts were not in this room. They remained with Thane, still playing back the wounded look in his eyes as he walked away. That look had branded itself into my soul.
"Maybe if I had been a commoner, then we would have had the perfect love story," I whispered softly to myself, tears threatening to spill from my eyes yet again.
Just then, the door creaked open again.
I turned my head as Prince Allude stepped inside, his expression gentle. He wore matching red robes, the same shade as mine. The soft swish of fabric accompanied his movements as he walked toward me.
"Are you fine, Princess Ava? You rushed off earlier and never came back," he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.
He sat beside me and reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine. His touch was warm, yet it made my skin crawl.
"I'm fine," I forced the words out, my voice barely steady. Every part of me wanted to pull my hand away from his, but I didn't.
"That's good to hear, then. Let's move on to the marking," he said calmly. But my body went still.
My eyes flew open and wide in alarm as his hand snaked behind me, moving to untie the ribbon that held my robe closed.
Without thinking, I snapped my hand behind and grabbed his, stopping him.
"Can we just do the marking today… I heard that doing both at the same time can be quite painful for the female…" I stammered softly, my voice barely above a whisper as my eyes dropped to the floor, avoiding his intense gaze.
"Anything you say, Princess Ava," he replied with a gentle smile. His hand, which had been teasingly playing with the edge of my robe, slowly moved away.
Instead, it rose to cradle my neck with tenderness yet his skin on mine still made me want or run away from his touch but I willed myself to remain still.
I felt my heart beating faster against my chest the closer his lips moved to my neck. My fingers trembled slightly as I pinched myself, trying to prepare for what was about to happen. My eyes squeezed shut, bracing for the moment it would all begin.
"Ahhhb!" A short, surprised gasp slipped past my lips as I felt the sharp sting of his fangs sinking into the sensitive skin of my neck.
The sensation was unlike anything I had ever felt, yes it was painful, but it had with it a strange feeling of sedation to it.
Instantly, my eyes flashed a deep red as my Lycan stirred within me.
A sudden itch prickled along my gums as I felt my own fangs push through as my instincts took over.
My eyes flew open, and I found his neck so close, just inches away from my lips.
Without thinking, as though something ancient was guiding me, I leaned forward. My lips brushed his skin, and then my fangs sank deep into the warm flesh of his neck.
A burning heat spread through my veins, as if lava itself was being poured into my veins.
The pain on my neck grew sharper as the mark branded itself into me, and everything around me started to blur. My vision turned hazy. My body weakened.
Then, as if the world itself went still, my mind went blank, and I lost consciousness completely.