Chapter 7 Out With The Old

Elle’s POV

Elle paced back and forth in her dressing room. “I can’t. I can't do this.” She said, swinging her arms passionately.

Arya sat in Elle’s spot. “Corvin has some rough edges, but you will learn to love him in time. His heart is full of love for those around him.”

Elle groaned deeply. “If that freak hurt my mother, I will kill him.”

Arya laughed delightedly. “You are exactly what Corvin needs right now, Luna.”

Elle stopped and looked at her, confused. “Luna? My name is Elle. I told you that.”

Arya sighed. “Luna is the title of the feminine leader of our family. It is a title, not a name, spoken with great respect. When you marry Corvin tonight, you take that place.”

Elle considered her conversation with her mom earlier that night. “So, I will be the queen?” She asked Arya for confirmation.

Arya giggled, covering her mouth. “Something like it. You will be able to dress like one and shop like one. But there is something even better. I prefer to think of it more like ‘mother,’ so welcome to the family.” Arya hugged her.

Elle sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair and makeup were beautifully done. If she didn’t know any better, she would say she was looking at the best artwork she had seen. Elegant and beautiful. But the look was incomplete.

“I guess he was right,” Elle said softly. “If I am getting married, I better finish getting ready.”

Arya jumped up energetically. “That’s my Luna!” She exclaimed before busying herself around Elle. It felt like a whirlwind was whipping around her faster than any person could go. 

It wasn’t long before Arya sat back, breathing heavily and examining her handiwork. “Vision achieved!” She laughed and motioned at the mirror. 

Elle gasped at her reflection as she examined herself in her wedding dress. It was glamorous yet simple. It fit her as if it had been made just for her. Her hair and makeup masterfully completed the look sublimely. She twirled her skirts. “You did so great!” 

Arya laughed. “I practice and play. It is nice to have a Luna to use these skills on finally.”

“I was accepted into Parson in New York. I really enjoy fashion.” Elle explained. The thought felt like it was letting air out of her balloon. “I will never go. Will I?” She dropped her hands in front of her.

Arya shrugged. “Only time will tell. You may change your mind about wanting to go by the time it comes around. But if it is something you truly want, I think I might be able to talk Corvin into it.”

Elle doubted that. She couldn't see anyone being able to rationalize with that giant mountain of aggression. But she didn’t give her doubts words.

Arya put an arm around her shoulder. “Things are going to get better.” She promised.

“This isn’t some beauty and the beast story. I have been kidnapped. I am being forced into marriage. It won’t all end in rainbows and butterflies.”

“Maybe it will end with puppies and moonlight?” Arya’s suggestion was cheerful. “I understand what you are saying. Often in real life, the shadows overpower the light. Your situation isn’t ideal. I totally get it! But if you listen to Corvin carefully, he will keep you safe and well cared for. He has lived his life overpowering shadows.”

Elle didn’t want to listen to riddles. It was almost time to go down the aisle. She needed to call Jimmy and tell him it was over. Then she needed to tell Tara about all this insanity! She was surprised she had not thought of calling them yet.

“Can I call some of my friends and say goodbye? I don’t think that I will see them again.” Elle asked despondently.

Arya nodded and threw Elle her phone. “Sure!” Elle smiled gratefully as she stepped to the door. 

As she turned the handle, someone on the other side did too. She let go. Then Elle’s mom stepped in the room looking contrite. But when she saw Elle, her face lit up. “You look gorgeous, baby girl.”

Elle smiled and curtsied. “I am going to go make a couple of phone calls. I will be back in a minute.” 

Her mom laughed lightly. “I will see you in a minute then.”

Arya grabbed Aspen’s hands and led her to the seat that Elle had just gotten upfront. “Your turn!” Arya exclaimed excitedly.

Elle stepped out of the room and began dialing. She wandered through the church, not paying attention to where she was going. It was dark in the church as most of the lights were off. 

But there were huge windows all over the place that let steady streams of moonlight in. The moon was full and bright tonight. It illuminated the interior well.

Jimmy did not answer and the phone went straight to voicemail. But Tara picked up on the first ring. “Hello?”

“Hey, Tara. It’s me!” Elle breathed out, barely able to talk because of all the pent-up emotions rolling through her.

“Elle!” Tara yelled through the phone line. “When that guy kidnapped you, your phone was in your purse on the nightstand. How are you calling me? Whose line is this?”

Elle sighed deeply. “It’s a long story. I just wanted you and Jimmy to know that I was alright. But he isn’t answering the phone.”

Tara paused. “He went up to his room with Samantha. She has a reputation for being… easy, you know?”

Elle blinked. He was up in his room with another girl when who knows what kind of danger Elle was in. 

“How soon after the police arrived?” Elle asked.

“Honey, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up there the moment you left. She protested along the way.” 

Elle growled and hit the wall. It hurt. She heard a crunch and immediately regretted it.

“Ow!” She exclaimed angrily. “I guess I am glad I didn’t go all the way with that bastard!”

“Are you-? Wait? All the way? You didn’t tell me you were going to go all the way?”

Elle laughed bitterly. “Well, he asked, and in the heat of the moment, I said yes. I figured we would live together in New York soon, anyway. It just made sense, ya know? Then Corvin showed up and…” She didn't finish her sentence.

“Yes. So it was that CEO billionaire Corvin CrimsonNight? What does someone like that want with you?”

“Marriage,” Elle blurted out and realized how insane she probably sounded.

“Marriage? What the hell? Elle, do I need to come kick some ass? Or are you going to become some rich bitch worthy of a crown?”

“I am already worthy of a crown.”

“Damn Right, girlfriend! So you are going to get married? And I am not there to help you get dressed and walk you down the aisle.”

“A father is supposed to walk someone down the aisle.” Elle was smiling now. Her mood had improved a lot, although her hand throbbed. What had she done to it now?

“Anyway, I can’t get into it right now. But I am going to be gone for a while. Would you do me a favor and break up with Jimmy for me? You know, with style?”

She heard Tara laughing on the other end, and somehow she knew everything was going to be alright. Arya was correct. 

“Thanks, sis. I’ll call you when I can. I'm not sure what my life is going to look like.”

“Who thought you were going to be so important so far ahead of me? Don’t you worry, I will catch up!” Tara teased. “Oh! I forgot to tell you. When you were in the bedroom with Jimmy, Jason kissed me! I think I might actually have a boyfriend for once.” 

“That's great!” Elle said, thrilled for her. “No going all the way.” She teased. “Apparently, when a girl makes that decision, some scary man kidnaps her and forces her to marry him.” 

She looked up at the window, and saw the moon. It was bright and full, enchanting. Captivated, she stopped moving.

Tara was silent for a moment. “Do you not want to get married? I gave the police his description and all. If you tell me where you are…”

Elle interrupted. “No, I am fine. It’s just been a long day.”

Tara didn’t respond for several moments. “Alright. Well, call me when you can slacker!”

She turned towards the door that she had used to enter this room and saw Corvin standing there watching her. “Talk to ya later, Tara.” After Tara said goodbye, Elle dropped the phone to her side and faced him.

“Don’t you know it's bad luck for the groom to see his bride before their wedding?” She asked haughtily.

Something sparked in his eyes. He snorted. “Silly human nonsense.” He demanded harshly, “Who are you talking to?”

“My best friend. She was worried about me. Something about being carried off by some giant crackpot without any explanation deeply bothers a girl.” She stood with her feet shoulder-width apart—her head at a confrontational angle.

He didn’t hesitate to respond. Growling, he stalked up to her. She stepped back until she hit the unyielding wall. Corvin pinned her between the hard brick and his massive muscular chest. 

The scars on his back flashed through her mind. A curiosity followed the memory- did the front match? She blinked, trying to clear her thoughts. Now was not the time for that! 

“You best mind your tone when you speak to me.” His voice was low and guttural, threatening.