Taking a deep breath, Grace gazed at the bridge before her. The old, worn-out structure of woods and ropes which held the power to punish anybody who would cross it. Yet, even after promising her mother that she would never put a foot on it, Grace was here to cross it the second time in her life.
Only, she had never thought she would have to do it in her bridal dress. Raising her hand, Grace pulled the veil above her face making the vision before her blur in white, and then held her white skirts. Her other hand went to the roughened rope of the bridge and she walked ahead on the old structure.
Her mother's farewell sobs echoed behind her from the land of Runecliff. Her lovely dog barked painfully for her to return.
Grace's lips trembled, her chest ached strongly at the seperation. But she ignored everything. She would not look back. It would only make her weaker.
And even if she looked back, what was it's use? It wasn't as though she could speak consoling words to them. She had been a mute since a year. Since the last time she had crossed this bridge. This very bridge she was walking on now had taken away her precious voice and had left her mute as a punishment for crossing. Many had told her that it was mecriful than a burnt face. But only Grace knew how she had to suffer without a voice. She, who had once been known as the nightingle of Runecliff had been silenced for life. She couldn't even speak, let alone sing.
But it was only a matter of minutes until she got her voice back. Until she stepped on the other side of the bridge once again. Only this time, she would have to marry the king of that land. The mighty king of kingdom Nectaris.
Dorian Learmont.
The river beneath the bridge flowed with rage, drops of water eventually splashing over her skirts.
The stable boy and her maids had informed Grace how Dorian Learmont was rumored to be deadly and dangerous. He was known for having a new woman in his bed every night. The king who was merciless to anybody who trespassed his land.
Just like Grace did a year ago.
But, rather than kill Grace or declare a war against Runecliff, Dorian Learmont had written to her father demanding her hand in marriage. He wanted to marry Grace to give Grace her voice back. And in return, he had asked for a large amount of iron and gold which was found in scarce in his kingdom.
Grace's mother had agreed instantly, eager to get her daughter's voice back. But Jack Haddow - the king of Runecliff and Grace's father, had to think. Eventually, He'd broken Grace's engagement with his friend's son and Grace was free to marry Dorian Learmont now.
Her chest heaved painfully as she stepped away and away from her land. It was common for princesses to leave their home after marriage with the probablity of never seeing their family again. But in Grace's situation, it wasn't a probabilty, it was the truth. A firm and unchangable truth. This forbidden bridge would prevent her from seeing her family ever again.
Nectaris was in front of her. The colourful and fertile land which was going to be her home now. She would speak again and she would no more be the pathetic, shy Grace she had been her entire life, she had promised this to herself. So, even though her heart wanted to wail loudly, she stabled it.
Her white skirts fluttered against her legs as she walked. The bridge didn't shook much this time. Grace didn't know if she couldn't feel it through her numb mind or because it was morning hours with bright light or because she had done this before. But Grace felt less frightened now.
As she reached the middle of the bridge, she saw figures emerging in her vision. They were waiting for her on the other side-People of Nectaris and her groom. Grace counted, six men and one woman. One tall man stood at the front, wearing black overcoat, regal than anyone else's clothes. Her heart skipped a beat.
Her to-be-husband.
Her feet haulted for a moment as she saw him through her veil. He was tall, lean but muscular. Grace began walking ahead, her eyes only on him. She observed his features getting closer. At one moment, she was able to examine his clothes. His overcoat was open in the front, inside he was wearing a white shirt, golden waistcoat amd a black coat with white cravat. Impeccable dressing. His dark hair was almost till the back of his neck. His hands were clasped behind his back as he watched her. He looked every bit a handsome man. No doubt, a woman was available to him every night. But as Grace reached closer, she could feel the wickedness. She could feel the danger around him that made him merciless. He was powerful, enough to never fear anyone.
As Grace reached the end, he too, walked ahead and stood near the large rocks that were laid to cover the height between the bridge and the land. Her viel made it impossible to see his eyes and she immediately averted hers down to step on the rocks.
A broad, strong hand lifted up to her. Without looking at his face, Grace placed her hand over his. Long fingers engulfed it and a tingle ran through her body at the warm contact. Her chest heaved as she raised her eyes to meet his.
A gasp left her lips seeing the golden blaze in those irisis. She knew those eyes! These eyes belonged to the man who had saved her the last time she was here.
Oh dear.
The king of Nectaris himself had saved her on that dark night! He had seen her cross the bridge after trespassing his land.
The realisation made her miss a step and she stumbled. His grip on her hand tightened and she straightened. When she next saw him, his lips were tilted up in a smirk.
He knew she had recognised him!
Grace immediately looked down, embarrased. But then she remembered the list of the promises she had made to herself. One of them was that she would never shy away. She'd shied enough in her life.
Yes.
Taking a deep breath, she looked back up again meeting his eyes.
His smirk grew and his eyes twinkled. Was it amusement?
She held her skirt and clutching his hand, stepped on the first rock. Before she could step down on the second one, he raised his other hand.
"Wait."