I suspect it's normal for a bride to cry on her wedding day but my tears aren't tears of happiness. Anger, sadness, confusion, those emotions more aptly describe my feelings. Why? Why are they making me do this? Marry someone I've never met. "Trust us"
How can I?
Why would I?
Just because they found some vague prophecy in the Gtimness book?
I would laugh if it weren't so pathetic!
As it is I can't laugh.
No sound has passed my lips since I was thirteen. My voice snatched in the dead of night shortly before my birthday. Poor, pitied princess. Poor silent princess. That's what the visitors say when they think I can't hear them.
It hurts.
I wonder I wonder if my mysterious groom is as put off by this idea as I am.
Christina closed her diary, chucking it against the wall. Downstairs. All over the castle and outside was a blizzard of activity as servants put the finishing touches on the wedding decor. There were flowers everywhere, in vases, in garlands, hanging from the ceiling, cascading down the walls. Wisteria, jasmine, lavender, carnations, roses. All her favorite flowers from the garden meant to cheer her but it did nothing but make her scowl. Standing from her desk she pulled the balcony door curtains back just enough to peek without being seen. They were still hanging flowers intertwined with crystals. A perfect recreation of her childhood wedding dreams.
Yanking the curtains closed once more she paced the room, restless, wanting to run. She would have had it not been for the plethora of enchantments and guards that had been hired for this day. To keep her from escaping.
A caged animal.
...
"I'm like, not sure about this," Shaggy fretted to his mother.
"This is for our people, Norville, the western wars have left the kingdom devastated, blast Rupert and may he remain six feet under"
"But, I've like never even seen Christina and neither have you"
"No, but I've heard the stories-"
"Which ones, the tales of the kindest most powerful fae there ever was or like, the ones about the weeping girl in the window?"
"Hush," Stacy swatted his arm, "We have to get downstairs"
...
Shaggy couldn't help but fidget standing at the altar under the flower-covered wedding arch. This was unheard of in the werewolf kingdoms, they were better known for finding their mates first but his kingdom was so ravaged by war, so desperate, so broke that when his parents had received the mysterious letter they had agreed right away. He had, of course, asked what was going on but they. .had remained tight-lipped assuring him it was for the best. All he knew was that he was to marry the reclusive Princess Christina.
It felt like hours but it was only a few minutes before the double doors finally opened. His breath hitched in his throat as the world fell away. The few contradicting stories he'd heard didn't do Christina justice.
She's beautiful.
...
I hate being stared at. Christina kept her eyes to the ground trying to ignore the feeling of hundreds of eyes on her.
"You're okay," her father quietly assured.
I don't feel that way, she tried not to step on the skirt of her purple-trimmed wedding gown. When they reached the altar she handed her flowers to her mother, kissed her father on the cheek, and turned to face the groom. The sooner this wedding ends the sooner I can go back to my room. For the sake of their audience, she had to play the part of a happy, excited bride. So, she took her groom's hands and turned to face her grandmother who was officiating all while fighting the urge to flee. She didn't want to do this prophecy be darned she would've been perfectly content to spend her days alone in her library where no one could see her.
"Please be seated," Maleficent spoke, smiling at the guests, mostly members of the fae courts and monster royals. Her family sitting in the front row seemed so small in comparison, "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Christina to Prince Norville-"
"Shaggy, Like, everyone calls me Shaggy"
"Very well, Prince Shaggy if anyone has reason to object speak now or forever hold your peace"
I object not that anyone cares.
"Now," Maleficent took Christina's wand from the box beside her, "If you'll each hold the wand"
Keeping her frustrated tears at bay, Christina did as she was told, finding little comfort in the warm heat of the magic flowing through her wand.
"Do you, Shaggy, promise to love, cherish and protect Christina forevermore?"
"I do," Shaggy smiled at her.
"And do you, Christina, promise to love, cherish and protect Shaggy forevermore?"
She nodded slowly stuck with no other choice. Her wand flared, the marks forever linking them appearing on their skin. Even though they couldn't be seen, Christina knew they were there. All part of the prophecies.
"Then by the power vested in me I pronounce you man and wife"
In lieu of kissing her on the lips, he kissed her hand. As the audience rose to their feet clapping she had to keep from flinching away. As soon as they were out of the room, she dropped his hand and fled. Back into her room and into her library, getting lost among the shelves until she could run no more crumpling to the ground. Letting the tears she had been holding back flow.
"Christina"
Flinching away from her mother she chose to glare at the empty fireplace.
"I know it was hard but-"
Hard? Hard? Is that what she thinks?
"Butterfly, please look at me.
No.
...
Alissa slowly neared her daughter. It broke her heart to see how her shoulders heaved with silent sobs.
"Please," she lightly touched her shoulder, "Look at me"
Christina turned with a scowl.
"I know this was hard but this wasn't done to hurt you, I know you know that"
Christina's hands couldn't move fast enough, "Hard? Hard? This was awful! Why couldn't you just let me be alone?"
"I know you don't want to be alone for the rest of your life-"
"I don't want to be a bargaining chip for an alliance either!"
"Baby, that's not what this is at all-"
"How would you know?"
Christina broke down all over again. Alissa dropped to the floor, pulling the sobbing girl into her arms despite the resistance.
"Shh, shh, shh," Alissa tried to calm her, "It's all going to be alright, I promise it's going to be alright, you're not going anywhere, you're both going to stay here with us and your Grandmother's staying"
Christina continued to cry. If she had been able to scream it would have broken the windows such was her anguish.
Radu stepped out from the rows of shelves, "Christina, please don't cry, ve didn't do this to hurt you"
"I told her that," Alissa said, still trying to comfort the shaking girl.
"See? Vhen has your mother ever lied to you, Christina?" Radu sat on the floor beside the two, "Everything is going to be just fine, you might even enjoy yourself down there if you try"
"Your father's right," Alissa beamed, "Now what do you say we pick out a more comfortable dress and give it a try"
I don't want to try. Christina thought bitterly but she nodded anyway.
...
"She just needs to collect herself"
Shaggy had slipped into the meager shadows as the wedding hall emptied, guests flocking to the ballroom for the reception. He thought he'd done a good job hiding but Maleficent, the last to exit, easily spotted him. She smiled comfortingly as he stepped out of hiding.
"She doesn't like me," Shaggy declared.
"She just needs to get to know you, she's very sweet but very guarded"
"like, she really can't talk at all?"
"No, her voice is gone, forever" Maleficent seemed far away, "You'll learn to communicate with her in time"
"I don't think I should like, go out there without her" he glanced at the doors leading to the ballroom.
"Here we are!"
Alissa and Radu walked on either side of their daughter. Christina had changed from her intricate wedding gown into a simpler wine-colored gown. Her veil had been removed, replaced by a gold tiara, her hair free from its braid now cascaded down her back.
"Just needed a change," Alissa assured.
"You like, look beautiful, Christina," Shaggy reached for her hand only to pull back at the last second, "May I?"
She nodded hesitantly.
"Let's go before we're missed," Maleficent nudged them along.
...
The applause was deafening as they entered the ballroom. The large glass doors were open to the gardens, the breeze carrying the sweet smell of roses and cheers from those around the castle anxious to see the married couple. As they moved to the raised table at the head of the room Shaggy snuck curious glances at the hybrid beside him. She appeared calm at first glance but she paled a bit when approached by anyone who wasn't family, her free hand scrunching the fabric of her gown, shaking with little tremors. Hoping to help, he quickened their pace as much as he could without being considered rude,
"Christina"
All at once the color returned to her face. She dropped his hand to hug the fire-haired fae who stepped into their path.
"Hello, Cadfael," Maleficent greeted kindly, "We were worried you weren't going to make it"
"Yes, I had a slight delay but I wouldn't miss this for the world," Cadfael smiled radiantly, "I am sorry I missed the ceremony"
"I missed you"
"I missed you too, Christina,"
The two were quickly caught up in a conversation Shaggy watched with interest. He had heard of silent languages as the books described them but he'd never seen them.
"Ahem," Alissa lightly coughed, "Christina everyone's waiting on you and Shaggy before they bring out the feast"
Christina turned scarlet, hands stilling instantly.
"No, it was my fault," Cadfael squeezed Christina's hands, "Please" he motioned to the table waiting for them.
Slowly, Shaggy took Christina's hand once more startled by the fleeting scowl on Cadfael's face. He put it quickly out of his mind, guiding Christina to their place of honor. A splendid meal followed each course better than the last. Shaggy found it hard to pace himself he noticed Christina, however, didn't eat much at all. When the last plate was cleared away their guests lined up to offer their congratulations. Christina paled all over again, trembling hands hidden in her skirts as she forced a smile, nodding thanks at every compliment. It was clear to him, even if it weren't to their guests that Christina would rather be anywhere else.
...
I don't like this. I don't like this I don't like it at all!
almost four hours later and the party was still wearing on. She had danced, had smiled at every congratulations and every stupid compliment. Forced to entertain forced to put on a show not by her parents, never by them but by expectation and the fear that the thief who so callously took her voice to weaken them might still be lurking just waiting to strike once more. Desperate for solitude she slunk from the gardens back through the doors to the deserted ballroom, scurrying up the steps to the balcony area where she dropped to the floor, drew her knees to her chest, and curled herself into a tight ball.
"Most of the courtiers are drunk, you could slip away unnoticed now"
Cadfael pulled over a chair with his magic and sat down.
"I can't, I'm hexpected to stay through the entire event"
"That's never stopped you before"
"I wasn't married before"
"True, I wish I could help"
"Just be my friend"
"Always" Cadfael smiled, "Always"
Silence for a few beats and then:
"I don't believe I got my turn to dance with you"
"I always have a dance saved for you"
"Well then?"
Smile spreading across her face, Christina allowed Cadfael to waltz her around the vaunt ballroom and for the only time that day, she felt okay, maybe even, happy.
...
Why must royal weddings be days upon days long? Christina furiously wrote three days later, there are far, far too many people Stupid dances, stupid pageantry. I just want to be left alone.
"Christina, it's time for breakfast"
The hybrid shuffled to her library magically closing the entrances before climbing to the second floor. The magical murals of the library took on her emotions so instead of cheerful blue skies with fluffy white clouds it was an overcast gray, the animals who roamed the forest landscape were nowhere to be seen, deepening her frown as she settled into her favorite chair and turned to the window, watching the ant-sized guests mill about the gardens before being invited to breakfast.
Where was I? She returned to her diary. I'm done. I'm done being stared at, I'm done accepting shallow compliments and false pleasantries. I'm staying here today where I can't be bothered
...
"She won't open the door," Maleficent informed her daughter quietly.
"What do we do? She's hexpected, she knows that!"
"Perhaps, ve let her rest?" Radu calmly suggested, "Just for today?"
"But-but-but-" Alissa began to fret, "What are we supposed to say? We're supposed to be a unified front if we aren't the thief could come back, could do something else and-and-and-"
"Shh," Radu laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "It's going to be okay, Christina just needs rest, she'll come out of her room vhen she feels better"
"Radu is right," Maleficent nodded, "Come let's go to the dining hall"
...
"Where is Christina?" Cadfael asked before anyone else could.
"I'm afraid she doesn't feel well today," Maleficent gently informed the guests, "She's resting but please be seated, Christina wouldn't want you to go hungry"
Shaggy awkwardly sat at the head of the table, glancing at the empty seat beside him.
Some marriage this is turning out to be.
Christina was so reserved that it was like talking to a wall. Nothing he could say or do could get a reaction but still, he worried for her. Worried and wondered what he might do to help her feel better. After all, it had been an exhausting few days. With any luck, their guests would depart at dusk and things would settle downstairs. So, after the meal had finished Shaggy crept to Christina's door, knocking lightly, he nervously cleared his throat:
"Christina, I like, heard you didn't feel well, is there anything I can do?"
He didn't know what he was expecting. A magical response?
"Christina?"
"Allow me," Cadfael arrived, knocking briskly on the door, "Christina, may I come in?"
The doors opened quickly, Cadfael, edged him out of the way, smirking before the doors shut once more.
What's his problem?
Trying the door he found it unlocked so he followed silently a few steps behind.
...
"Christina," Cadfael quickly found her in her usual place, "Dis you have another nightmare?"
"Yes"
"I'm sorry, I know it hurts to think about your voice"
"It's not fair"
"I know, you had such a beautiful singing voice, what a shame," he continued seemingly oblivious to the tears welling in Christina's eyes, "You couldn't go a day without singing"
"Hey!" Shaggy burst out from behind the nearest shelf, "Like, can't you see you're like, upsetting her?"
"I am not we're merely having a conversation, a conversation you're so rudely interrupting"
"She has tears running down her face and you like, think you aren't upsetting her?"
"Please if anything, you are upsetting her, this whole fiasco is upsetting her and no one else realizes it but me, isn't that right, Christina?" Cadfael stepped behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders, "Isn't that what you told me at the wedding?"
Christina looked between the two, hands frozen she crumpled out of the chair, curling into the fetal position on the floor with a sob.
"WHAT do you two think you're doing to her?" Maleficent suddenly appeared, "I believe Alissa said Christina was not to be disturbed, she needs to rest"
"Like, I was only checking on her," Shaggy squeaked, overcome with fear.
"As was I," Cadfael, confidently swooped in, "I found her this way," he fibbed, "She's inconsolable"
"Cadfael, please go join the other guests," Maleficent calmed, "You too, Shaggy, I'll put Christina to bed"
The two boys glared murderously at each other but exited the room as requested.
"What was that?" Shaggy demanded in a harsh whisper.
"I don't know what you're talking about, excuse me" Cadfael brushed him off.
Shaggy ground his teeth but forced himself downstairs to entertain as was hexpected of him.
I really don't like that guy. Not at all.
...
Cadfael doesn't mean to upset me, he's just forgetful, Christina wrote as soon as her grandmother left, He was so supportive after the incident, so kind. He used to visit me as soon as I awoke from the nightmares as if he could sense I'd had one. He would hold me and let me cry out all my tears. He's my very best friend. We've known each other since we were small children. Some of my best memories are running through the halls playing tag with him or having little tea parties. Cadfael was the only one who could liven up those stuffy formal gatherings though I suspect it displeased his father, a little. We were expected to be on our very best behavior at every moment but that's such a large undertaking for small children with no concept of time or patience.
The festivities continue to drag on downstairs, there's nothing the fae love more than a party but Grammy wants me to remain here. As i wrote earlier that was my plan anyway so I suppose it's worked in my favor but what was Shaggy doing in here? Does he think he can go wherever he pleases now that we're married? I just want to be left alone with my books. Is that so much?
Stupid prophecies.
One in sunlight.
One in Moonlight.
When wed their unbreakable bond will bring the shadows to light and expose the monsters hiding in plain sight.
Who knew such a little thing was capable of upending everything, what does it even mean? It's so obnoxiously vague that it could have been about anyone had it not been for the pictures beneath it. Things were okay the way they were! more than okay. Mom won't admit it but I know she and Daddy were discussing the idea of me marrying Cadfael instead. He's here often enough that he's practically part of the family anyway.
Oh well, that's in the past now.
Christina shut her diary, burrowing into her covers.
Would she ever stop crying?