Shadows Of Flames: Tales Of The Forbidden

The wedding hall radiated elegance. Chandeliers shone brightly over the rich green carpets covering the floors, their golden embroidery catching the light.

Tables adorned in fine linen and delicate China, stood poised, awaiting the royal feast.

Dressed in impeccable satin and the finest lace, the guests arriving exuded sophistication as they took their seats.

The Crown Princess' wedding was about to begin.

Far away from the grand and lively chatter in the hall, in an elegant, tastily furnished bedroom, Myra stood in front of a mirror.

Her maids moved around her, tightening her corset, adjusting her veil, making sure she looked perfect. Making sure she was perfect.

Despite their quick movements, she felt a tight knot form slowly in the pit of her stomach.

Why? Today was the day her fate would be sealed in the form of a marriage. A marriage she didn't want but had no voice to oppose.

“Stop frowning milady, you'll ruin your beauty" one of the maids said.

A cynical smile formed on Myra's lips. “This beauty can't be ruined. It has a big purpose today Anna"

Anna frowned and covered Myra's hand with hers. “You don't want this, don't you?"

“My needs and wants are insignificant Anna. What Vespera wants is more valuable."

Vespera needed this marriage, with or without her feelings.

“I am so sorry you have to sacrifice for us milady. A chance to meet your true love thrown to the ground" Anna murmured, stroking her hand.

Myra turned and clasped Anna's palm with a sad smile.

Anna had been her maid since birth and literally her mother since she lost hers also at birth.

Anna was her mother, mentor and a friend. She didn't want to imagine life without her. But knowing she would have to eventually, saddened her.

“This kingdom is my true love Anna. Besides, there's no chance of meeting a man I want. If I refuse to marry Prince Henry, my father will arrange another man immediately."

“What about the man you've been seeing in your dreams lately? Couldn't he be your true love?" Anna questioned thoughtfully.

Myra stilled and released Anna's hand. “T-That's just a meaningless fantasy"

A fantasy that tormented her dreams at night and her thoughts at day. A fantasy of an insanely handsome man that visited her mind and drove her heart wild with foreign emotions.

The dream was so real. A man stood by the edge of the forest. He drew closer, steeping out of the shadows.

His piercing gold eyes sought hers and held it. “My sweet love" his voice was a whispered caress that touched her heart and sent sparks flying. “Did you miss me?"

She parted her lips but no words came out. She wanted to run, but her feet were rooted to the spot. She wanted this dream to stop but her will power was not enough as the man advanced closer.

His hand shot out and held her chin. “My sweet love" he repeated softly, though his eyes said otherwise. His eyes were sharp and predatory, observing her like he would do to a prey.

He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “You are mine to claim"

“Milady? Are you still here?" Anna snapped her fingers in front of her face, drawing her back to harsh reality.

Startled and embarrassed for daydreaming, Myra looked away from Anna. “I'm here. I was always here" and never there with that man, she completed in her mind.

“You're thinking of him again, aren't you?" Anna asked softly.

“No" she lied quickly “and even if I was, that's just my imagination. My reality is with Prince Henry"

Anna gazed at her with a knowing smile. “Fate works in mysterious ways. Never doubt that"

Myra dismissed her statement with a wave. She didn't believe in fate—or so she thought.

“You look beautiful Myra" Lady Rose complimented as she entered the room, ending any further conversation between them.

Myra shifted her gaze to her aunt. “You're just saying that to make me feel better"

“Not at all. You are truly beautiful"

“I hope so" she murmured, studying her reflection in the mirror.

The white silk dress with pearl embroideries fitted perfectly to her figure, flowing out at her waist. Her hair had been caught back from her face in glossy curls.

She knew she looked beautiful. She looked every bit of the queen she was going to be.

The thought alone was heavy on her stiff shoulders.

“Myra is everything okay?" Rose asked, noticing the tense expression on her niece's face.

Myra nodded, her voice impersonal to her feelings. “Everything's okay. Why wouldn't it be? I'm a happy bride"

A frown touched the older woman's features. “This marriage is for the good of this kingdom Myra"

For the good of this kingdom. It was for this same good she was getting married to a man she barely knew, a man she had no feelings for.

Her father had arranged this marriage to secure an ally; the neighbouring kingdom of Borthoris. They needed the protection of Borthoris in the current war against the Silvercrest Pack.

The most feared pack in the werewolves territories. Myra had caught on to the whispers that had been floating about this pack. And their Alpha.

“They say the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack is a brutal man, a beast. Fear him"

“The Silvercrest Pack is one you shouldn't dare to mess with. Even in your sleep"

Myra brushed those thoughts off, though her stomach churned with dread. It was just a rumour, a false claim.

She had heard many rumours about the Alpha who was fearless and merciless. Though she had never met him, the rumours made her body shiver. Her father detested that pack greatly—she could see it in his eyes everytime he spoke of them— and had always warned her never to cross paths with them.

Little did she know she was going to find out why very soon.

“If it will help us in the war, I will marry Prince Henry. Nothing can stop me" Myra stated seriously.

Her aunt's frown dissolved into a smile and she sighed in relief.

“We're very lucky to have a princess like you—"

A knock on the door cut into her sentence, soon followed by slow footsteps.

“Evelyn" Myra smiled at the young woman who just stepped in.

Evelyn returned the smile affectionately as she moved her hands to say, “Today is your day sister. I'm so happy for you"

“Your encouragement means the world to me" Myra said and embraced her sister.

Evelyn was her twin sister but was born dumb and sickly. It was easy to tell from her very pale skin and weak eyes.

“I will miss you" Evelyn admitted with a sad expression.

Myra blinked away tears at the thought of moving to another kingdom, another life. Where she wouldn't see her dear ones.

But realizing it would have to happen someday, she held herself from crying.

For the good of Vespera, she reminded herself.

“Sorry to ruin the sisterly moment but time to get a move on. The groom could be there any moment" Rose informed them.

The carriage stood outside the castle, waiting for them.

As Myra stepped into it, she heard a faint howl from the forest beyond the castle, sending a sliver of fear through her.

She could feel something wrong in the air. Somewhere out there—someone was coming, she could feel it.

“Take a deep breath Myra. You look stiff" Rose advised with concern.

Actually, she looked like she had seen a ghost.

“I am stiff" Myra admitted, clutching her bouquet tightly.

’Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine' Evelyn assured her.

With faith in her sister's words, Myra smiled and closed her eyes, trying to relax. This was her big day.

Less than an hour from now, she would be married to Prince Henry of Borthoris.

But she felt no excitement. Only dread of the unknown.

She tried to brush it off as nervousness but it kept on ringing inside her, like a warning.

When they arrived at the chapel, the coachman announced, “Your Majesties, we have arrived"

“It is time" Rose clapped her hands excitedly and walked out with Evelyn.

“Milady" a guard peeked inside and stretched his hand out.

She exhaled deeply and with the help of the guard, stepped out of the carriage with practised grace.

Her father was waiting outside the hall.

“You're just as I want you to be" King Williams nodded approvingly at her while adjusting her tiara. “Make me proud"

“I will father" She slipped her hand under his crooked elbow and walked past the wide doors of the hall.

The walk to the altar felt endless to her though it was only a minute. She could feel the heavy stares of everyone as she walked down the aisle.

She dragged her gaze to the altar and saw her soon-to-be husband, Henry.

As she let go of her father's arm and stepped onto the pavilion, he acknowledged her presence with a mere nod.

“Brothers and sisters" the officiating priest called out. He was a huge man and his voice resonated loudly.

“We are gathered here to....."

Myra zoned out on the priest's words. At this point, she could barely hear him over the deafening roar of her rapid heartbeat.

With a death grip on her bouquet, she glanced at Evelyn who offered a smile of encouragement—which did little to fulfill its purpose—then at her father who sat rigid yet composed.

Regardless, she could see the tension behind his practised facade, evident in the restless drumming of his fingers on the armrest.

She frowned, sensing something amiss. She had grown up knowing how to read danger even in pure bliss. And this.....this was danger.

“.....Henry Wilson do you take Myra Winters to be your wife, promising to be with her for better or worse?"

“I do" Henry's voice was solemn but detached.

“Myra Winters do you take Henry Wilson to be your husband, promising to be with him for better or worse?"

Myra knew this was it. No turning back now.

“I d—"

A loud howl split her words like thunder.

Then the doors to the church snapped open and a flood of creatures trooped in.

Werewolves.

They were massive, twice the sizes of humans with wide eyes that glowed a dangerous light. A crest-shaped mark shone faintly on their furs.

The hall was thrown into chaos.

Guests screamed and panicked, pushing over one another to escape. They didn't get far.

Many of the wolves stood at the church's entrance, attacking anyone who dared to come close while the others dove in.

Glasses shattered. Tables and chairs were overturned.

Guards rushed to the scene but they were a weak match for the werewolves.

“Protect the princess!" King Williams shouted, rising to his feet with his sword drawn out.

Myra stood there, reeling from the shock with wide eyes.

She barely had time to process anything when a hand grabbed her arm. It was Cedric, the head of the royal guards.

“Follow me Your Highness" his voice was steady but urgent.

“No!" She shouted, pulling her arm off his grip. She glanced at her father who was defending himself against three wolves. “I can't leave him!"

“I've been ordered to protect you princess!" Cedric snapped. “Let's go!"

She fumbled for a reply as he pulled her toward a secret exit but it was blocked.

A werewolf lunged at them but Cedric met it with a clash of his sword.

It howled but didn't stop his advances on them.

Cedric deflected them all, swinging his sword in random but accurate directions.

“Run princess! I'll keep him busy" he shouted above the sounds of steel and panic-filled screams.

She took a step back, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She had to—needed to— do something. But what?

A piercing scream drew her attention. She turned just in time to see a little boy being chased by a wolf. It was closing in on the boy.

She didn't think twice before rushing to the boy's aid, her movements slowed down by the heavy layers of her dress.

She grabbed a nearby shard of glass when she was close enough and clumsily threw it in the wolf's direction. It pierced the wolf's chest, blood spurted everywhere and the wolf fell down limply.

“I told you to go princess! Damn!" Cedric growled as he finished the wolf with a strike in its chest.

“The boy....he's little" She struggled to say but he had none of it.

“You need to leave princess. Please" he added, urging her. “I'll take care of the boy"

She glanced around her. There were no routes for escape.

The werewolves were everywhere.

The Silvercrest Pack is one you shouldn't dare to mess with. Even in your sleep

The room was in shambles, the air soaked in cries and the metallic scent of blood.

Her eyes frantically searched for any of her relatives.

She spotted her father at the centre of the hall, his sword moving seamlessly in the air as he fought off four wolves at once. But his movements were slow. Too slow.

“Father!" She cried out. She started towards him but Cedric pulled her back.

“I need to save him! Let me go!" She snapped, trying to break free from his grasp.

“You can't princess. It's too risky"

She heard none of that as she sighted another wolf aim for her father.

King Williams turned but he wasn't quick enough.

Myra's world stopped as the claws of the wolf sunk into her father's chest, sending him to his knees with a cry of pain.

Blood stained his robes and spilled onto the floor.

Time came to a halt as she watched the life seep out from his eyes, leaving them cold and hollow.

“FATHER! NO!" Her scream echoed through the hall, blending with the cries of others.

She dropped to her knees, her mind blank to the urgent pleas of Cedric.

My father's dead.

Her world spun, sending her into dizziness.

Cedric tried to pull her up but couldn't. She didn't move.

Her father was dead. Her kingdom was being attacked.

Her eyes blurred into tears then unconsciousness. The next she saw was darkness.