Eliora and her father slowly walked down the aisle.
All around them, the crowd was loud and full of life. The humans cheered happily and threw more flower petals. But on the other side, the beasts stood still. Many of them looked at her with cold eyes, their faces twisted in disgust at the human girl taking the throne. Yet many of them still stared at her in awe.
"Look at her hair... red like fire."
"Is she truly strong enough to be our queen?"
"She looks like an angel."
Eliora kept her eyes straight ahead, holding her head high.
At the end of the aisle, Zarek stood waiting in an emerald green fur cape.
When they reached the front, Eliora's father stopped and bowed to the king. Then he kissed Eliora on the forehead, his hand shaking a little. Finally, he placed her hand in Zarek's palm.
Zarek's fingers tightened around hers at once, holding her like she was the only treasure in the world.
