Predatory Marriage

, watching as she walked onto the carpet, holding the skirt of her dress in her hands.
It was a pleasant day, with a cool breeze blowing lightly under a warm sun.
The hem of her long gown trailed behind her.

There were many people gathered at the far end of the carpet, but her gaze focused on only one.
Ishakan was wearing a long robe embroidered in golden thread and gazing back at her as if he were hypnotized.

As she came to stand before him, he blinked and shook himself, leaning down to bite the flower from her lips gently.
Swallowing it, he straightened and turned to face forward.

Before her, Morga held out a box and opened the lid to reveal two daggers, each trailing silk ribbons.
Ishakan drew out the small silver dagger covered in amethysts and tied it to her waist, then extended a gold dagger so she could do the same to him.

Handing the box to a nearby attendant, Morga took two glasses and handed them to Leah and Ishakan.
Each glass held a clear liquid, a potion to strengthen their vows.
With the points of their daggers, the bride and groom pricked their ring fingers and let a drop of blood fall into each glass.
As the blood blended with the clear liquid, it turned light red.

Exchanging their glasses, Leah and Ishakan slowly drank, gazing into each other’s eyes as the warmth of the potion spread through their bodies.
When he had drained his glass, Ishakan spoke.

“I am your world.
And you are the center of my world.”

The words emerged stiffly, almost as if he was nervous, which was very unusual.
Leah had to take a deep breath herself to calm her nerves.

“Let us be a sole existence to each other,” she said.

They spoke the final vows together.

“Then I will swear to call you my husband, my wife.”

Those watching applauded thunderously, and the Kurkans seated in the front row rose to throw colorful flower petals.
In the shower of petals, Leah’s smile glowed, and Ishakan wrapped his arms around her, beaming.

“Ishakan!” She whispered to him.
She wanted to tell him something she hadn’t been able to say until that moment.

I love you, Ishakan.

She had repeated it in her mind over and over to make sure she wouldn’t stumble over it.
But when she parted her lips to speak, firmly, so her voice wouldn’t tremble, nothing happened.

“……!”

Suddenly, under her feet, black smoke billowed.