06 | The Midnight Bride.

E L E A N O R

When I wake up, I hope silently that it is all a nightmare and that Dora and my mother-in-law are still alive. I can't cry. Not because I don't want to, but because my eyes are undeniably tired from the task.

Now, my heart is heavy and soaked with vengeance. I will make sure he pays; I will behead him just as he has done to the others, roaming around freely with their blood on his hands.

A maid applies my makeup in silence while another styles my hair. I don’t object or fight them. This is a stark contrast to my first wedding, which had been filled with laughter and joy. Now, the castle is in mourning while preparing to supposedly celebrate.

A maid walks in, bowing before me, and opens a jewelry case. “Lady Dora wanted you to have this,” she says, revealing Tobias' ring in the case. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but nothing comes, so I pick it up and wave for her to go.

Her voice sounds familiar. “Marina?” I call, and she turns. “Y-yes, Your Grace?”

“Pack your bags; you'll leave with me to my new home.” I fake a smile and watch fear spasm across her features, but she knows better than to refuse.

“Certainly, Your Grace,” she affirms.

“You can leave,” I sigh, as the maid begins applying ointment on my lips.

What better way to deal with a loudmouth than to let her face the fate she wants me to be grateful for?

After my hair and makeup are complete, I am taken to the closet to see a stunning white wedding dress on a mannequin. It is extraordinary— a mermaid beaded dress that screams luxury. The long veil hangs over the dress, making the sight even more beautiful as the beads glisten in the light. I walk up to it and hold the veil in my fingers, examining its delicate nature and expensive quality.

“His Majesty had it adjusted just for you; it was his mother's dress. He wanted you to wear it,” a maid explains.

A smirk curls my lips as I scoff. This is what he meant by a different color.

“Get me scissors,” I demand.

Though confused, they follow my orders and bring out a pair of scissors from the cupboard. In one swift motion, I cut open the dress, watching the maids' faces twist in horror. The beads scatter across the floor as I slice through the veil. If not for this castle, I would have burned the thing to the ground.

I am not his doll to play dress-up with. Destroying this dress is nothing compared to what he has done to me. Just as I have done to this dress, I will rip him to shreds, piece by piece, until there is nothing left but a memory.

Ignoring them, I drop the scissors and skim through the rack for my plain black mermaid dress and the veil I wore for Tobias' funeral. Perfect.

“If you're so scared, then leave and get me Marina,” I say to the trembling maids. They seem frightened of what the Lycan bastard could do if he finds out I didn’t wear his dress but ruined it instead.

“We'll clean up the room, Your Grace,” one of them squeaks before she leads her companion to the exit.

I gently put on my earrings just in time for Marina to enter the closet. “Oh my goodness,” she gasps, taking in the sight of the dress barely hanging on the mannequin, with beads scattered everywhere.

“I didn’t call you here to gawk; help me with my zipper,” I instruct, rolling my eyes as I slip into my dress.

She nods and walks over, zipping me up. We don’t speak, but I can sense her panic as her fingers tremble while she adjusts my veil. “You look beautiful. Like a midnight bride,” she says nervously.

I don't respond but point to the black shoes I’ll be wearing. After a few minutes of drowning myself in perfume, I finally feel ready to marry my husband’s murderer.

****

The wedding is an outdoor event, unlike my previous wedding, which was held indoors. Only my father, a few council members, and a cold chill sweep over me when I spot Tobias' father are present. I struggle to hold myself together. The man has just lost his son and wife, yet he still comes to witness his daughter-in-law marry their murderer.

His eyes are bloodshot, but his expression remains stiff as he sits next to my father, who grins like he has won an award. I look away, shifting my gaze to the Lycan delegates. The decor is made with white roses, the aisle adorned with them. Even if it was thrown together at the last minute, this event appears better put together than my previous wedding, as if everyone is working to please the Lycan King.

The groom wears a black suit with a white shirt underneath. His straight black hair falls gracefully down his shoulders. He looks lively, just like last night—like a sick serial killer.

Then there’s the Lycan King’s silver-haired companion standing next to him, with a priest on a podium ready to bind us for life.

Earlier, I had sent a request that my father not walk me down the aisle; I am too disgusted to speak to him, let alone lock arms together.

“You can go now, Your Grace,” Marina whispers, finishing the adjustment of my veil. I nod and take the red rose bouquet from her. Step by step, I walk down the aisle, watching my soon-to-be husband’s smile falter when he sees me in my black dress; whispers ripple through the crowd.

“A black wedding dress? A perfect start to doom.”

“Isn’t her mourning period over?”

“Alpha Kai, did you know about this? The Perseus Cage doesn’t seem pleased with this arrangement.”

It’s clear that my little stunt has annoyed him, but the groom remains composed as his companion whispers in his ear. He merely nods and returns his focus to me. Soon, I stand before him while Marina continues her role as a makeshift bridesmaid, holding my bouquet.

I’ve never had many friends. Growing up, I was a sheltered child. In my previous wedding, Lady Dora’s daughter, Penelope, served as my bridesmaid, but I haven’t heard from her since then. I wonder how she feels knowing I am about to marry the man responsible for her mother’s death. I blink away tears threatening to fall. The atmosphere is thick with tension, but the priest clears his throat.

“We’re gathered today to witness the union of Eleanor Astrid Clawford and Perseus Gray Cage.”

Perseus. That is his name—Destroyer. His touch has scorched villages. His silence has declared wars. His hands has gotten soaked in nothing but blood. And now, somehow, he belongs to me.

“Go straight to the vows,” Perseus snaps. His voice is thunder on a brittle sky. I can tell that my defiance has gotten under his skin.

The priest remains still for a moment, then nods wordlessly.

I step forward. The ceremonial blade is placed in my hand. I raise it slowly, pressing the tip to my palm and dragging it across. Blood rises in a crimson line. Warm. Sacred.

I lift my bleeding hand between us, our eyes locked.

“I, Eleanor Astrid Clawford, offer my blood to my mate.

I vow to walk beside you under every moon,

To bear my teeth when you are weak,

To fight beside you when the world turns dark.

My soul calls to yours—

Not in submission, but in strength.

Bound by fate, not fear.”

My voice does not waver. It is steady, cold, and unyielding; every word is honeyed tradition dipped in steel as I utter the words that I don’t mean.

He takes the blade from me and, without blinking, slices his own palm. Blood drips from his fingers like a promise.

His voice is low and dark—rage barely caged.

“I, Perseus Gray Cage, accept the bond of my mate.

I vow to shield you with fang and fire,

To carry your burdens as my own,

To tear down the stars if they ever threaten you.

My soul calls to yours,

Not in peace, but in fire and passion.

Bound by blood, and sealed with love until the end of time.”

Then he grabs my hand—our blood mingles. The bond hums in the air, ancient and crackling with magic. Despite the pain, I do not flinch, but instead, I stare dead into his eyes.

And then—

Without warning, he leans forward. With the same blade, he slashes down the middle of my ceremonial black dress. The fabric parts like a curtain of night.

Gasps echo. My thigh is bare to the wind, to the stares. But I don’t flinch. I don’t look away.

“Revenge?” I ask softly.

He leans closer, eyes burning. “A reminder.”

I smile, slow and deadly. “Good. I like reminders.”

He crashes his lips onto mine.