Chapter One

Chapter One.

                  Mirah

“Do you Mirabella Aurel, take Jayden Damion as your lawfully wedded husband?” The presiding priest asked, his voice bouncing off all the four walls.

There was a momentary silence as I turned to meet the gazes of all those present. Those who'd come to witness my marriage. 

I spotted my father. Flanked on both sides by my mother and elder sister, he stared hard at me. As if he dared me to go against him.

They were waiting for my response. A response that could change my life forever. A response that'd ruin my life.

My mother smiled brightly at me, and my sister gave me a thumbs up. 

“No.” I said, turning to face the priest. Gasps, and muffled voices followed my answer. I didn't turn back to meet the face of my father which I knew would be covered with fury.

Neither did I spare the man who was standing beside me, a glance. 

“What are you doing, Mirabella?” Jayden asked, calmly. But I could sense the fury beneath his tone. No one liked to be turned down after all. Especially at his wedding ceremony.

Slowly, I turned to face everyone. And in a loud voice I repeated, “No, I would not marry Jayden.”

My father rose abruptly to his feet, his nose flaring. “You dare go against me, Mirabella?” He hissed.

My heart raced, as my gaze darted between my mother, and his fury covered face.

Three days ago, I didn't see myself doing this. Didn't see myself turning down the offer of getting married to the son of the most wealthy man in the country.

But at that moment, I didn't care. I couldn't marry someone I didn't love. Even at the expense of my own life.

“I can end your life, Mirabella. Are you sure you want to do this?” Jayden asked in a low voice, beside me.

Putting on a cold smile, I faced him. “End my life? In your dreams, Jayden.” 

And that angered him all right.

“Retract your words this instant!” My father ordered.

My legs wobbled, as my vision failed me. Here was the one who was supposed to protect me.

Tilting my chin defiantly, and narrowing my eyes, I said, “No father, I've made my decision.”

His eyes narrowed into slits, as he approached me. 

“And since when have you begun making your decisions?” he asked, placing emphasis on the 'your.'

I didn't flinch. I studied the entrance to the church, wondering how long it'd take me to get across there, with the godforsaken gown I was putting on.

I counted my father's steps. He'd be in front of me, within two minutes. Jayden could try to stop me, but I've got the element of surprise.

“As your father, I command you. You'd marry Jayden, right now.” His voice went a notch higher, as he got closer.

“Never.” And that was the last thing I said before I dashed towards the door. I missed a step, and almost fell, before I regained balance.

“Get her! And don't you dare return without her. I don't care if you bring her dead, or alive.” I heard my father order the head of his men, Fred.

Rolling my gown into hands, I dashed into the open. Jayden had insisted we get married before sunset because he'd be quite busy during the day. Ever heard of someone who'd be busy even on their own wedding day? It was my so-called fiancè.

My eyes stung with unshed tears, as I raced on. To think a day would come when my father would give me up, in exchange for a business deal.

My mother and sister had been excited at the prospect that they'd be addressed as the in-laws of the Damion family.

No one cared about me. About how I felt, about the wedding. If I even wanted a wedding, in the first place.

My father had just returned from his company three days ago, and had given me the news of my own wedding.

I had to be the most pathetic bride ever.

Jayden's decision to get married before sunset was to my own advantage, as I meandered my way through the different paths that led to the church.

I remembered seeing an alley, when the car had brought us to the church, earlier on. The thought hadn't even formed, before I darted towards it. 

I panted as I ran through the dark path. It'd only be moments before his men caught me. I didn't stop for a moment, as I ran on. Just then, a car screeched to a stop, right before me. 

Without hesitation, I rushed towards it. Whoever was in the car could help me get away from here. But once the window rolled down, my blood ran cold.

Maybe it was how cold his face looked, or how his emotionless eyes bore through me. But the man who sat in the passenger seat looked like danger itself.

My skin pebbled, and I hugged myself.

“Please, can you help me get away from here? I'd pay you whatever you ask for.” I was desperate. Desperate to get away from there, to the point where I ignored the dangerous stares the man was shooting at me.

Some men got down from the car that tailed him, and came over.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I thought I heard him say, “Bind her.”

And that finally lubricated my hitherto numb legs. I turned to run, when I bumped into a hard wall. Or rather, a hard body. 

He held me in place, forcing me to look back at the man in the car. My lips parted to speak, but no words came out. I felt the sweat running down my back.

“Mine,” I heard him say, as his eyes turned a bright shade of red. Maybe I should shout for help. Or hit one of his men, who was holding me in place.

My heart stirred at the sound of his voice. 

“I always get what I want.” He continued. “And I'm taking you with me.” He stared directly into my eyes, and my breath turned raspy. He looked scary, yet I wasn't afraid of him. 

He was out of his car in a flash, standing directly in front of me. The man behind me moved away. As the stranger touched me, I almost gasped at how cold his touch was.

I turned back towards the dark alley. If I didn't go with him, I'd be caught by those killers sent by my father.

But this man didn't look human. I took a deep breath, and made my decision quickly. 

“Yes, I'm yours.”

                 ***

I tried to steady my breathing, as I leaned on the passenger seat. But that didn't help either.

I couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

He hadn't spoken a word, since we set out. Since I made the decision to get into the car of a total stranger. 

But everything had been spiraling out of my control, all day. I cleared my throat, and turned to the side.

“What's your name?” I wasn't sure if I heard it right. But the little butterflies in my stomach confirmed it.

“Mirah.” I said. “Mirabella, my name's Mirabella.” As I stole a brief glance at him, I couldn't help but admire how good looking he was. And it wasn't in that young and fresh kind of way.

This man had a rough and dangerous tone to his demeanor. His sharp and well chiseled jawline was set in a prim frown.

“Done looking?” His voice made me jump. I swallowed, and balled my hands into fists.

“I'm sorry.” I whispered, and I didn't know why.

Silence reigned for a little while, and then he broke it again. “You're human.” It wasn't a question. But his words were weird enough.

Was I supposed to be an immortal?

“I don't understand.” I said softly. He roamed his eyes over me. On each part of my body his gaze touched, it left a scorched feel in its wake.

“Did you escape from your wedding?” His voice turned low, lower than before. And I felt the temperature in the room drop down a few degrees.

For whatever reason, I felt he wasn't pleased about it. And it made my heart race. I suddenly felt conscious of my wedding dress, as I stared down at my clasped hands.

“Yes.” I muttered.

His eyes darkened, as he leaned in towards me. His cold hand encircled my neck, forcing my gaze to meet his.

“Has he ever touched you?” He asked.

I found myself nodding in negative. His breath fanned my face, and my breath turned irregular.

He studied me for a while, before he nodded. “Good. No one can touch you, or hurt you. Only I can.”

I couldn't tell if it was a vow, but whatever it was, gave me a vague hint of what I was getting myself. Getting? Scratch that. Of what I'd gotten myself into.

I nodded again. That should make it the twentieth time. “Yes, only you can.”

As he moved away, and I leaned back on the seat, I realized that I didn't even know his name. And I hadn't asked…