Zera sat by the golden carved window of the chamber she was given, eyes drifting over the opaque blue of the sky and the silver of the moon.
Her mind ran back to her family. Again. What would be they doing now? Would they be thinking of her, gazing at the same silver moon she was watching? or would they be feasting with the nobles to celebrate the wealth that flowed to them by the trade of their daughter?
A thought about them being happy even in her absence crossed her mind. Tears sprung in her eyes, heart aching in her chest. The only thing she held close to her soul was her family, nothing but them. Now as she stood in the golden chamber of the Fae kingdom, she felt utterly powerless and lonely.
She had already sacrificed her life for them, the least she could hope for was their happiness. She was glad that at least they could have a desired life unlike her. But she can't help feeling betrayed by her own family for letting the Faes take her, their own child.
She wiped away the stray tear that rolled down her plump cheeks, this was no time to mourn. It was what it was. There was no escape from her fate rather than succumbing to it. Maybe she could mould something good out of this bad situation she was thrown into.
A marriage was her dream, a love life was all she ever desired in her life. And even though she never thought marriage would reach her like this, like a death sentence, like a nightmare. This was not as bad as she thought it would be. It came no way near the horrible scenarios she created in her mind.
And this stranger… The man who was betrothed to her was so handsome and gentle. He did not feel like a threat to her. And when he was near, she felt her breath hitch and stomach flutter. There was a spark between them, and maybe, it could birth a beautiful fire of love.
A girl could dream.
By midnight, they would marry. He would become hers. The thought both excited and terrified her.
***
"I'm not marrying Zera." The prince's words made the queen shudder, she almost lost her footing on the step that would lead them both to the courtroom.
Steadying herself, she pinned him with a sharp look. "What nonsense are you taking, boy?" she grunted, "It's no time for your joke."
Hael shook his head, determination glinting in his silver orbs as he repeated his words, stronger this time. "I'm not marrying Zera. And it's not a joke."
The queen ceased her movement up the stairs, body turning to face Hael as she gave him a look of disbelief. Her red-painted mouth pursed together in a thought before she spoke again, "You must be out of your mind."
A chuckle left Hael's mouth as he stepped past her, "To be honest, now is the most sensible I have ever been in my life." he said, walking toward the courtroom with a shrug of his shoulders.
The courtroom was frozen in time, not a single soul hovering around. The silence buzzed, candles flickering as the prince and queen entered the threshold. The time was nearing midnight, they were supposed to be here for the discussion of Hael's marriage. But now, the prince had a different plan.
"Explain." The queen ordered as she took a velvet-cladded chair, sinking into it as her eyes held Hael's gaze quite sharply. "We do not have all the time in this world."
"That I know very well, my queen. And that's exactly what compelled me to take this decision." Hael told her, leaning on the mahogany table, his voice calm yet firm.
The queen's eyes narrowed, the golden light pouring from the candles reflecting the sharpness of her features. "You dare make decisions without my company?"
Anyone would think she was joking. Because her tone was light, her lips curled in amusement. But Hael knew her better than anyone, he could see right through the poorly veiled threat in those words.
"Yes." Two could play that game. "This is about me. If anyone has the right to make decisions, it could be me." A smik pulled at the corner of his pink lips as his fingers tapped against the polished wood of the table.
The queen wavers, yet her sharp gaze follows Hael's every move like a vulture circling its prey. "Big boy now, I see." She scoffed, "Oh, I miss the time you rush to me whenever you need to make a decision." she let out a nostalgic sigh. "Now tell me, are you finally bored of this curse that is circling that human? Ready to move on with your life? Is that why you are not marrying her again?"
There was a glint in her orbs that told Hael that she was amused by the thought of him finally letting go of Zera. The curse had affected not only him but a few others' lives and Fae realm. If he finally let go of Zera now, make an auth to never choose her again and cut off their bond, the curse will break, time will flow to the right path, lives will be better, the Fae realm will thrive again.
Again.
Like before.
Before the curse was placed upon them.
"I care more about her than the realm, our people, and my own life. Call me selfish like you always did. Because I am indeed selfish when it comes to her." His voice echoed in the stillness of the chamber, words holding a resilience steeped from years of agony.
The queen shook her head, disappointment coloring her pale face as she rubbed at her temples. "I knew. You are still very naive. Even after all these years." a sigh left her mouth as she held his steely gaze, "Then? Why are you not marrying her?"
"I cannot risk it." Hael whispered, his voice small and vulnerable. His steely resolve crumbling like a sandcastle at the mercy of waves. "I cannot risk her remembering everything. It's too soon… far too soon."