The large main chapel space was illuminated by stained glass windows in the same hues as outside, with the largest bay window capturing the last bit of dying light. Time did not exist in this space as guests rose from their seats in the same pews I once sat and sang in as a girl.
Mama took hold of my arm with a death grip and strapped me to her side. “They are all waiting for you, my dear. Just this little bit and you can go peacefully.”
“I’m better off dead. This is just cruelty, Mama, and you know it. They’ll know eventually you sold me to my death,” I said, shaking her arm off me while standing in front of the large doors. I took a shuddering breath as all eyes shifted toward me.
I gripped the flowers, crushing the stems with gloved hands.
William stood at the altar with a smug grin in a rumpled suit. Everything in me demanded I run, but with Mama firmly planted against my side, I began my descent down the aisle to his deepening grin forming into an otherworldly smile, which sent chills through my ill body.
Panic set in.
I focused on taking one step at a time to try and get it over with. Running meant I’d be caught and brought back to where my family is confirmed to be destitute with far-reaching implications. Hiding meant I’d condemn us all to the streets, but I’d be free from William and Mama.
Sweat dripped down my neck and into the bodice of my dress. I was not even halfway down the aisle as the crescendo heightened into the march and the stares of the people began to crack.
I stopped short, my legs refusing to go any farther.
“What’s wrong, child?” the priest asked, his wise gaze casting down into my soul, reading it as if I was the scripture in which he knew of.
William grunted, his toe tapping the soft, velvet carpet.
Mama and Miriam covered the exits for me, seated on opposite sides of the aisle.
I shuddered a breath, shuffling my feet along the path and making it up the steps onto the altar.
The priest motioned for the crowd to sit, their faceless stares beaming at the happy couple in front of them.
William grabbed my wrist, nearly sending me into him.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Valeria Thorne McCallister and William Duke Sharpe on this happy day. In holy matrimony, do they share their pledge of devotion with one another under the gaze of the mighty gods above us who watches and protects us from all harm.”
Blood drummed in my ear, the ringing becoming louder the longer the priest talked, eclipsing and absolute. As the world spun, the church and the faces blurred.
I glanced toward the pews, finding my own shadow watching, awestruck by the events transpiring before me. The expressionless shadow’s gaze spoke all that there was to convey, eyes glazed over, sunken deep into her skull. Her body was badly emaciated to the point her clothes were nothing more than a bag on a frail frame.
From the crowd, she mouthed,Vita et mors.
Life anddeath.
With my chest constricted against my corset, my own ragged gasps climbed to my ear. I nearly did not catch the words. The anxious gaze of the priest,William’s, and the rest of the congregation’s pinned me into place.
“I’m sorry, what?” I whispered, shame burning my cheek.
“Do you take William Duke Sharpe to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have to hold until death do you part?” He motioned to a disinterested William.
The words caught in my throat as I tried—no, could not bring myself to say those two little words.
William turned toward the crowd, his words echoing off the walls of the church in a ghastly manner. “She is overcome with such emotion and love for me she cannot speak.” He gave the crowd a convincing chuckle, leaning into the small space between us, and whispered, “Say the damn words.”
I gritted through my teeth, forcing the words to come. “I-I...”
The doors to the church slammed open, and a loud crack of wood against stone boomed into the quiet space. All eyes trailed to the man who stepped forth out of darkness into the dying light of the church’s warm embrace.
The figure, cloaked in shadows, approached the altar with ease and arrogance. “I don’t have a head for dates, but it appears that I arrived just in time.”
His sweet, silvery words turned whispers into silence.
“Who the hell are you?” William said, digging his nails into my wrist, shoving me behind him.
