Author's note:

Hi, I just wanted to explain a little here. I'm writing a story with a friend of mine, and one day while I was considering different outcomes in the arc we were in, I was listening to the corpse bride songs. I started wondering if our characters were in that story, who would be whom, and THIS HAPPENED! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! Have a wonderful day!


Before the small city of Aurum even existed, two groups of families crossed paths; the main family on each side being the Lightwalks and the Blackthorns. The Lightwalks were proficient in healing magic while the Blackthorns in necromancy. Almost immediately their different views on magic and life caused a war between them, which included the families they had traveled with as well. It was a long, bloody battle, which both sides suffered great casualties from. Although the war had ended, the remaining Blackthorns- still filled with anger and hate- had sworn to end the Lightwalk family lineage one day. On the other side, the Lightwalk's had seen the errors they had made, and felt remorse for all those that had died, and vowed to one day find a way to bring the two families together in friendship. In that, countless generations passed without any progress...


Blue eyes watched as the sun began rising over the little city below him. Sunlight glinted off of every building, as every one was carved out of white polished marble, with pillars in front of each. But the blonde man wasn't interested in the buildings, he was solely focused on the beautiful oak tree that stood in his front lawn. His eyes darted back and forth from between the plant life, and his conte drawing. He was so absorbed in his work, he almost missed his name being called by a woman.

"Zayne, come down here, it is time for breakfast,"

The young man stared sadly at his drawing desk, but with a sigh replied, "Coming Mother."

Putting his coloured sticks into their box, he left his room. Following the pastel halls he knew so well into the dining room, he sat down. The table was oval, with six tall backed dining chairs. As it was, only three were eating there now at one of the ends; Zayne, his mother, and his father with him in between his parents.

"Are you excited dear?" His mother asked, making the young man look at her with confusion.

"Excited for..?"

"Why, the wedding rehearsal," Zayne's father replied, "You will finally meet your bride to be."

"I suppose so, father," the blonde said in a resigned tone that was not lost on his parents.

"Zayne, dear," the older female started, "you know why we are so ecstatic for this union,"

"Of course, to bring together us- the Lightwalk's- and the Blackthorn's."

"Yes. Our two families have been on bad terms with one another for countless generations. Which is why we had to jump at Lady Blackthorn's offer to marry her eldest daughter to you. You want to be the one to one to bring our families together, do you not?"

"It's a great honour," the young man replied, not giving a true answer.

His parents accepted his words, and continued chatting on through the whole meal. When midday came the family prepared to visit the Blackthorn estate for the very first time.


Across town, the Blackthorn residence stood. It was a polished white house with an enchanting and organized front lawn. The building was three floors tall, modern, with some Gothic and Victorian touches, including a five-floor tower at the back. Inside one of the back rooms with a balcony, was a young woman. She was pale, with slightly wavy black hair that reached her waist when it was down, and unusual purple eyes. She was dressed in a red and black vex ruffle skirt, with an under-bust corset, and white blouse. She was just pulling on her fingerless gloves when another girl burst in. She had blonde hair, azure blue eyes, and was wearing a pale pink dress. It was her younger sister.

"Jade, mother's coming, and you know she doesn't like you wearing things like that when company's coming!"

The dark woman scoffed, not turning around, "Like I care Sierra. If she hates this outfit, she can get me out of it."

A squeak sounded behind the older girl, signaling their mother's entrance.

"Jade Blackthorn, what are you wearing?"

"One of my favourite outfits Mother," the dark-haired girl replied innocently. Turning, she looked into steel-grey eyes, unyielding. Lady Blackthorn was a tall, strong woman with straight platinum blonde hair, and she looked angry.

"You will not be wearing that when you meet your fiancée," Holding her hand upwards, the older woman snapped her finger, and made a whirling motion. Jade couldn't contain the involuntary gasp as her clothes shimmered and were replaced with a fancy plum dress. The dark haired woman frowned as her mother smiled, walking around her daughter.

"Lovely, and so very deadly. You must not do anything to jeopardize this task. You are our weapon against the Lightwalks."

"I know mother; I am the one to end the Lightwalk lineage once and for all," the pale woman recited the words branded into her memory.

"Yes. Lady Lightwalk is unable to bear anymore heirs, and with your own barrenness, if you marry their son Zayne, he will never have children, thus their family will die out with you."

Jade wanted to roll her eyes. Her parents had been training her since she was only a few years old to take down the rival family. When she became a young woman, but hadn't entered womanhood her parents had taken her to a doctor. They found that her womb was underdeveloped, and very likely would never function properly. That was when her mother and father created this plan, and Jade just dealt with it. It was better than letting them try to corrupt her younger sister.

Sierra was sweet and innocent, which their parents highly detested. They had tried to change her, but Jade couldn't let them, so protected her, while simultaneously teaching her of the darkness of the world.

"I shall not disappoint you, Mother."


When the Lightwalk's got there, Zayne was surprised to see the tall, white antique granite walls that surrounded the estate. Most places in this town either had no barrier, or- like his own- had beautiful golden fencing. 'How unusual…' helping his mother from the carriage, he quietly walked behind his excited parents. Reaching the front door, his father was the one to knock. There was hardly a pause before a smartly dressed butler opened the wooden barrier.

"The Lightwalks, I presume?"

"Yes," the blonde's father replied.

The older man widened the space and ushered the family inside. The main room was gorgeous; large, with dark wood floors, metal wall sconces and chandeliers keeping the whole place lit.

"Welcome Amber, Valence and Zayne Lightwalk to our home."

The trio looked up the grand stairway, revealing the platinum blonde mother, and a tall, dark-haired man.

Lady Lightwalk smiled, "Ambriel, Balthazar, it is a pleasure to be here."

The two couples exchanged a few more formal niceties, before Balthazar motioned to a hallway

"Let us move to the sunroom; Jade will be down shortly," his voice was like silk- silvery and smooth, but cold. He wrapped his arm around Ambriel's waist, and came down the stairs, before turning to the left.

The Lightwalk family followed to a bright room made entirely out of glass filled with ferns, Venus flytraps, and a variety of other plants. The four parents talked in comfortable tones while Zayne studied the plants, just itching to draw them.

The blonde man turned when he heard footsteps, and when the figure came into view, his eyes went wide. There stood the tall woman with deep violet eyes. He watched as her own orbs opened the slightest bit.

"Zayne Lightwalk, this is our eldest, Jade Blackthorn."

Standing the blonde took her fair hand, and bending, he pressed a butterfly kiss across her knuckles. Their eyes met, and they shared a small smile. They knew each other.


One night a month ago the young man couldn't sleep, so decided to go into the forest and draw. It was simple to get out, and he was used to exploring the darkened forest. He quickly found himself at a cypress tree, and began the first lines of the giant plant, his motions illuminated by the moon.

He heard a sound to the left of him and tilted his head. There was a feminine grunt, and a young woman appeared through the creepers. Glaring at the offensive greenery, she seemed to notice the blonde's presence and turned to him. They stared at each other for several moments, before the mystery woman twisted on her heel.

"You don't have to leave," Zayne heard himself say, "This glade is large enough for both of us."

The pale woman studied him, "Uh huh," she drawled with no small amount of sarcasm. But she still came closer and sat down, acting as if he wasn't there.

"What's your name?" The gentleman asked.

"None of your business," she replied snarkily.

"I'm-"

"I don't care," she said bluntly.

"Why not?" Zayne inquired, surprised.

"Because I'm not interested in getting to know you."

"I need something to address you as," Zayne was adamant.

The dark-haired woman sighed, "Fine. Call me Dark One," she smirked.

The blonde's eyebrows raised at that, but they went into his bangs when she added,

"And you'll be Fluffy."

"What, why?"

The "Dark One" shrugged, "Because that's the first word that comes to me for you."

The man chuckled, shaking his head, "If that's what you wish to call me, then you may."


They had spent several hours that night in the forest and had met up three other- albeit more planned- times. The last time they had been sure they would never be able to see each other again…


Zayne jogged into the glade, his breath labored. His mother had hosted a party that night, and while it was good to see friends he seldom saw, it lasted for much longer than the blonde had anticipated. 'I hope the "Dark One" has not given up and left… who knows when I will see her next…'

He scanned the moonlit area, his heart sank when he didn't see the mysterious woman.

"I didn't think you'd come."

Jolting, the young man whirled around, his eyes taking in the sight of his dark-haired acquaintance. Smiling, the man took her hand- glad she didn't stiffen up like she usually did- and laid a soft brush of his lips against her fair skin. "I could never miss a meeting with you."

Blushing, the woman turned her head, "Yes, well… this will be our last meeting."

"How come?" the blonde asked, a pain in his chest at the notion.

"Because soon I am to be married, and my time will not be my own. Not that it really is mine now…" she whispered the last part so quietly the young man figured that was not meant to be heard.

"Then let us enjoy our last night together in peace then."

And they did. They conjured up some instruments, he made a piano, she had a cello, and played them. They took turns starting pieces to play together and found they had similar interests in music. Eventually they grew bold enough and created their own piece; it was calm but frantic, dark but bright, and it showed their common desire to be freed of their cages. For several moments they were silent, just sitting as the last echoes of music faded from their shelter.

"That was…"

"Beautiful?" the blonde supplied with a smile.

The dark-haired woman smirked back, "Sure, let's go with that. You're not too bad with the piano fluffy."

"And you are not bad with the violin my Dark one."

Violet eyes widened, and Zayne realized his mistake. Before he could say anything the pale woman, let her violin disappear.

"I should be returning now," she said abruptly, before turning on her heel. She took two steps and stopped, and turned her head to look at Zayne behind her, "Don't come back here expecting to miraculously meet me; It'll never happen again. Good bye," and she continued walking away.

"Fare thee well," the blonde man replied softly as she disappeared from view.


Zayne was glad that they had been incorrect. As she sat down, the two families began talking. Before they knew it, it was time for the wedding rehearsal. They made their way to the beautiful church where they had an uneventful practice. When the Blackthorn's were going their separate way Zayne took his fiancé's hand and gently kissed it.

"Will I see you tonight, Dark one?" He asked quietly.

The dark-haired woman smirked, "Perhaps. We shall have to see."

The blonde smiled as he watched the woman depart before going to his own carriage.

The trip was quiet, and once they entered their estate Zayne made his way up to his room, but not before being stopped by his mother.

"Dear, what did you think of Miss Jade?"

'Does it matter if I liked her or not? I will still be made to marry her.' "She seemed quite interesting; I certainly wish to know more about her," he replied, telling the truth, "Now Mother, if I may be excused."

She waved her hand, grinning widely at his words, "Of course."

The hours passed slowly to Zayne, but finally the sky was dark, and his parents had gone to bed. He changed into black clothes, pulled on his cloak, and went onto the balcony. It was a beautiful marble, but what made it better were the thick tendrils of ivy that had grown from the ground, up and around the banister. He had tied a rope ladder to the left side of the balcony, and the plants had wound their way around the rope, concealing it from view- Even Zayne had to take a few moments to find it. Once he did though he was over then on the ground. Pulling his hood up, he swiftly moved into the unilluminated trees.

Twelve minutes later he'd reached his destination, and he looked around. The glade was silent, and he couldn't see anybody. Turning, he took a better look, and finally noticed a feminine shadow. That must be Jade; she is the only one who would be out here, especially at this hour. Smiling, he moved closer, only to frown when the figure began walking away.

"Wait," he called softly, following.

There was no reply, but the shadow slowed her movements somewhat.

Zayne heard a voice- the woman's if he had to assume- singing something softly. He knew it wasn't Jade's, for it was too soft, too gentle. The blonde slowly started to feel tired, but he still walked on until he stumbled. The man placed a hand on a tree in front of him, noticing it, but not comprehending anything.

His eyes became heavy, so he rotated his body until his back was to the huge tree, and he let it slide down, hitting the ground. He looked up one more time before seeing the female figure one more time, although this time illuminated by the moonlight. She had pale skin, long wavy dark hair, and beautiful green eyes. Then he knew nothing.