• The semi finale •
"It's rather easy to shine in the light
but to glow in the dark... that's mastery..! "
-Rick Beneteau
♚ ♚ ♚ ♚
In less than an hour, I would be Haden's wife. However, I would be so much more than just a married woman. I would be his queen; his possession. When the ring is slipped onto my finger, and after our vows are recited, it was likely there was no going back. I knew bits and pieces of the day's events. The main thing I knew was that we would be married in the ruins of an ancient church, one likely built in Hades' honor.
A while later Haden stopped by my room, daring to step inside although he knew I wanted nothing more than to slap him across his perfectly chiseled face.
After all I've been through; all I've done to achieve the life I've always wanted, my actions came back to haunt me. I abandoned my only friend and loving family just to end up like this. I left my peaceful island only to be captured and forced into marrying a villainous demigod. My presence here since the start has disturbed the balance of the Isle. Because of my actions, people lost their homes to Haden's fire. Harry, Uma, and the crew were severely mistreated, and Felix was undeservingly whisked away to the Underworld.
All because of me.
During his brief visit, his loyal servants rolled in a tray of food. There was a wide variety of exotic, potent looking fruits and other peculiar treats. I hesitated, recalling the lotus flowers he'd lured me into trying. Though he insisted he couldn't have a hungry bride at the altar, I informed him that I'd rather starve.
Before he left and after seeing I wouldn't take a bite, Haden revealed to me my wedding gown. I hated to admit how stunning it was. When I tried it on I felt as if I were already a queen; his queen, as gross as the title sounded. He wanted me to stay true to my roots, and by wearing this goddess-like, sea inspired dress, it would serve as a reminder to our guests that the two of us together would rule both on land and water. If I wasn't mistaking, it would make us the most powerful couple in the Isle of the Lost, if not the entire world.
Every bone in my body wished I was marrying Harry instead of Haden. I hoped he'd realize I did this because I love him, and because Haden left me with no other choice. Every time I thought about how much I loved and missed Harry, the skin of my neck would burn like crazy. I found it mind blowing how Haden could still control my thoughts even when he wasn't in the room.
For hours I paced back and forth in the room. Every now and then I would have a burst of built up rage, and found myself turning into a wild animal in an attempt to break the metal bars on the window. I quietly pushed the bed beneath the window and stood on top to look out. The Isle never looked so terrible; so dreary.
As far as I could tell I was in a tower hundreds of feet, maybe even thousands, above the ground. A jump from this height would be fatal; I would never survive.
Now more than ever I missed my parents. I missed my comfy room which in every way I took for granted. I missed Ally and our crazy sleepovers on the weekends. I missed my garden fountain and eating ripe apples from the ground. If being a villain means innocent people dying for no reason, than I really don't want to be one.
I knew there was a greater purpose behind our wedding; it obviously wasn't the result of his undying love and admiration for me. I feared that after the wedding I would be discarded or hurt worse than before. Regardless of my purpose in his life, it was as if Haden's mortality was dependent on us living happily ever after.
• • •
Evening fell upon the land as dark shadows were cast upon the tower. Two of Haden's servants returned to my room and demanded I stand up at once.
"Oh dear, don't look so nervous! You're marrying a god! Be happy! He can give you whatever you want!" The older woman of the two cackled hysterically, almost feeling envious of my fate.
I couldn't help but snort. "No. He can't give me what I want ...because what I want is to be as far away from here as possible."
The younger servant stepped closer and slapped her hand across my cheek. I gasped, fighting the urge to strangle her in response. I stumbled backwards and found myself holding onto the bed.
"That is not how a lady should speak, let alone our future queen." The woman who'd slapped me scolded. "You shall respect us and your king. We may be servants but we will not be spoken to as if we are trash."
"Well, you are trash. All of you are trash." I mumbled bitterly. "Slap me again and see what happens. Soon I will be your queen. I'm above you, I always will be. The next hand to touch my face will be broken." I snapped, unaware that a smirking Haden had overheard the entire conversation through his two servants.
Silenced from my harsh words, the two of them began to dress me in my gown. They laced it tight in the back, tying the loose strings into lovely bows. But before the dress itself was placed on me, a tight, stiff corset was strapped around my torso to give me a 'nicer, more womanly figure.'
Chests of flashy jewelry was brought to my room and I wasn't allowed to pick out what I liked. There was an impressive array of gold, silver, and diamond earrings, necklaces, rings, yet I couldn't decide; I didn't want to.
As disgusted as I felt, I had to admit that my hair was styled to perfection. It was beautiful, yet wild and free. One side of my hair was braided like a powerful viking woman while the rest of my hair was a flowing lion's mane down my shoulders. Each small braid was woven tight, leaving me an uncomfortable headache.
I couldn't help but notice the way the servants moved. There was something off about them, inhuman, even. I felt like I was amongst robots, or else women under someone else's control. Their eyes would glow from time to time, leaving me to believe Haden was pulling their puppet strings; the strings attached to their minds and free will.
I couldn't wait for those strings to be cut.
Roughly an hour later Haden's servants left me alone in my confinement to complete last minute preparations. I watched as they carefully stepped into the hallway and diminished into hideous, grey troll-like creatures with tufts of blue fire at the tips of their horns and tails. The demonic beings were scaley and hideous like the products of a bad dream.
Trembling with fear, I dropped down to my knees as if to pray. Instead I allowed myself to cry softly into my dress. As if Harry could hear me I whispered, "I love you so much. I miss you... I'm so sorry. I hope one day you'll forgive me and understand why I got myself into this." Wiping my tears away, I rose to my feet just as a familiar -- suddenly human again -- servant appeared in the doorway.
"Erina? It's time to go. The ceremony is starting soon."
I sent her a weary look and shook my head. "You're a demon!"
She simply chuckled and sighed in annoyance. "No, my dear. I'm human, see?" She took a firm hold of my upper arm and smiled. I watched as her canines elongated to form vampiric fangs. Trembling with fear, I took a few steps back before she caught me by the elbow.
"Don't." She waned and dragged me down a spiral staircase. We must have walked down five flights of stairs before making it to the main entrance of the tower. I kept my head down low, not wanting to look again at my future home. I dreaded everything that was to come. I was a dog being forced to visit the vet; I was terrified of the torture and embarrassment that tonight held for me.
Once across the street and into the church's ruins, I peeked behind the worn curtains to see a full room of people I didn't even know. They were all locals, I knew that. But why they were here, I had no idea.
"Why are so many people here?" I asked one of the staff members who Haden likely compelled into working for him.
"He forced them. Everyone in the Isle will be attending your wedding whether they want to or not." She quickly replied as if she wasn't suppose to. I nodded, eyes falling to my fingers which played with the material of my dress.
My palms were sweaty, and from time to time, my vision would blur and my head spun.
I wanted to be happy, and I knew the only person that could make me feel that way was Harry, who by now could be anywhere. My mouth was drier than a desert, and my stomach felt like the ocean's rough waves. I found myself pacing behind the curtains again, as a couple of announcements were made on the other side.
I need to run away. I need to get out of here. I can't go through with this.
I could hear a piano begin to play Haden's favorite wedding tunes.
"Show time, Erina." Haden's wedding coordinator announced, taking my damp hand in hers. Since my father wasn't here to walk me down the aisle, I would have to do it alone.
The coordinator led me outside, and around to the entrance where I would walk through. A long, black rug lined the aisle between dozens of rows of chairs. Unfamiliar faces would blindly watch as I was wedded to my worst enemy.
"Go." The coordinator shooed and handed me a bouquet of dead, burnt roses to carry. I closed my eyes, and reminded myself that everything would be okay, even if it really wouldn't be.
I took my first step. Then my second. And before I knew it, I was standing before Haden, who wore a crisp, white suit that surprisingly went well with my wedding gown. For some reason he was nervous; he didn't even try to hide it.
I could feel the sweat dripping off my face and hands.
Setting down my roses, Haden took both of my hands in his, scoffing briefly at the wetness of my palms. I couldn't look him in the eyes but the moment I looked away the mark was there to remind me who was in charge.
"Today, we celebrate the joining of Haden and Erina." A short, bald headed man spoke to the audience behind us.
"Haden, do you take Erina to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Haden grinned, eager to get this over with. "Yes. Yes I do.. take her to be my wife."
The bald headed turned to me. "Do you, Erina, take Haden to be your husband?"
No. No you don't! You stupid girl! Just say no!
"Yes." I croaked, receiving a couple gasps from the audience.
"Is there anyone in the audience who thinks these two should not be married? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace." Our minister spoke loudly, then frowned, as if he were expecting someone to object the wedding.
"I said..." he began again.
"No one objects." Haden snapped.
"Please. Have some patience." The minister calmly spoke, turning to the crowd once more.
Haden scoffed. "I don't have patience! Marry us already!" His eyes ignited into flames and his hands burned against mine.
"Okay, okay!" The frightened minister whimpered.
"Please, if there is anyone who objects to this wedding, please do! For this poor girl's sake! Someone please object!" The minister cried, jumping off the stage to avoid being harmed by Haden. Everyone in the audience began to panic after seeing the minister run for his life.
Haden held onto my wrists, glaring at the commotion as he sent a line of fire after the runaway minister.
"Oh come on. We need someone to marry us!" He yelled yet no one offered.
Throughout the commotion of chairs being knocked over and thrown, mothers and fathers taking their children away from the scene, and even separate fights breaking out in the crowd, I couldn't help but see a very familiar face. The face of an angel, my angel.
My hero; my pirate prince.
Having arrived to the wedding late, Harry Hook breathlessly shouted from the tops of his lungs, "I object!" ... and the entire church fell silent.
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Alright guys, this really is it. The last chapter before the finale...! I hope you enjoyed Pirate's Curse so far! If you have, please leave a vote on this chapter. :)