Chapter 1:
Cossette's POV
I never thought loving someone could kill me.
Yet here I was, about to marry my own death without even knowing it.
The church looked straight out of a storybook - old stones, colored light from stained glass dancing on marble floors. White flowers filled every corner, their sweet smell mixing with burning incense. Perfect, like something from my dreams.
And there I was, the bride.
My dress was custom-made and expensive, the kind girls wish for when they're young. It fit just right, trailing behind me like flowing water.
My red hair fell in curls down my back, and my blue eyes felt heavy with worry. I could see the light freckles on my pale skin - marks I'd always tried covering up. Right now, they didn't matter. All I saw was him.
Frost.
He stood like winter in human form - tall, black hair, black eyes, pale skin. Cold and unreadable, like this was just business. Maybe for him, it was.
I still couldn't believe he'd asked me to marry him. One day he just kissed me and said, "Let's start a family."
I loved him too much to refuse.
So here I stood, marrying the man I'd wanted forever.
I looked at his face, hoping to see something real, but found nothing. Just that beautiful iciness that made me want him more.
Then I spotted her.
Anika.
My stepmom, my only family since dad - Anthony Jonas - died last year. She sat in front wearing silk, smiling that fake smile she knew so well.
Too pretty. Too young to have been my father's wife.
Betha, my best friend, sat next to her. She waved, smiling big. I gave a small smile back, happy someone here actually cared about me.
The priest's words brought me back.
"Sir Frost Thomas," he said clearly, "do you take Lady Cossette Jonas as your wife?"
Quiet.
My heart skipped.
Then his deep, cold voice:
"...I do."
I almost cried - not from sadness. Just stupid, total happiness at hearing those words, even if they sounded empty.
"And you, Lady Cossette Jonas," the priest said, "do you take Sir Frost Thomas as your husband?"
I smiled.
"I do."
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Frost kissed me, gentle but hollow.
Everyone clapped.
I felt weightless. Finally... I belonged to him.
If I'd only known...
That kiss would end up killing me.