Chapter 4 : First Night,First Fight

Chapter 4: First Night, First Fight

The night had finally come. The sky above the Night Realm was covered in thick clouds, hiding the moon and stars behind a veil of darkness. Shadows stretched long and deep across the land as if the very realm itself sensed the tension in the air. The Dark Temple stood tall, carved into the side of a jagged mountain, its black stone walls illuminated by the flicker of torches that cast eerie shadows along the ground.

Inside the temple, both kingdoms had gathered for the ceremony. Representatives of the Wolf Kingdom stood on one side, their eyes sharp and guarded. The Night Realm’s people were on the other, their expressions cold and calculating. At the center, standing before the altar, were Selene and Kael.

Selene wore a gown made of black silk that clung to her curves, a symbol of her impending union with the Night Realm. She had refused to wear anything more traditional, opting for something that allowed her the freedom to move, to fight if necessary. Her hair, normally tied back in a practical braid, cascaded down her back in wild, untamed waves. A silver circlet rested on her forehead, marking her as the Wolf Princess. Despite her regal appearance, there was nothing soft about her. Her golden eyes gleamed with defiance, her posture rigid as she stood next to the prince she was about to marry.

Kael, dressed in dark ceremonial robes, stood beside her with a stiff, unreadable expression. His eyes, like black fire, flickered with intensity. He looked every bit the prince of shadows, his tall frame exuding an aura of power and control. But beneath the cold exterior, his thoughts were as turbulent as the storm brewing in the sky.

The officiant, an ancient figure from the Night Realm, began the ceremony, his deep voice echoing through the temple. The words spoken were meant to bind their fates together, but Selene barely listened. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat a reminder of everything she was giving up—her freedom, her pride, her very soul, or so it felt. She stared straight ahead, refusing to even glance at Kael. The last thing she wanted was to acknowledge him as her equal, let alone her husband.

Kael, for his part, kept his gaze on the officiant, his mind similarly conflicted. This was just a formality, he reminded himself. A necessity for peace. But every time he caught the scent of the wild, earthy fragrance that clung to Selene, it stirred something inside him—something primal. He didn’t want to feel anything for her. She was an enemy, a woman who would no doubt challenge him at every turn. But still, her presence demanded attention.

“Do you, Selene of the Wolf Kingdom, accept this union, binding your life and loyalty to Prince Kael of the Night Realm?”

The words hit Selene like a blow. She clenched her jaw, fighting back the growl that threatened to rise from her throat. This was her duty. For her people.

“I do,” she said, the words bitter on her tongue.

“And do you, Kael of the Night Realm, accept this union, binding your life and loyalty to Princess Selene of the Wolf Kingdom?”

Kael’s voice was steady, though his eyes flickered with something darker. “I do.”

With those simple words, it was done. The officiant raised his hands, and dark magic swirled around the two of them, sealing their bond. It wasn’t a bond of love or affection, but one of necessity. And yet, as the shadows curled around them, there was a sense of finality, as if the very night itself acknowledged their union.

The ceremony ended, and the crowd erupted into subdued applause. Selene’s people remained stoic, their eyes cold as they watched their princess walk toward a future they could hardly comprehend. The people of the Night Realm whispered among themselves, some intrigued, others disgusted by the union. But no one dared speak too loudly.

As the newly married couple was escorted to their private quarters, the tension between them was palpable. The castle, cold and foreboding, seemed to reflect their mood. Stone walls and shadowy corridors stretched out before them as they were led to the rooms they would now share.

Once the heavy door closed behind them, Selene let out a sharp breath and immediately moved to the window, her back to Kael. The weight of the situation crashed down on her now that they were alone. She felt trapped, caged in by both the walls and the invisible chains of this marriage.

“I suppose this is the part where we pretend to care about each other,” she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kael remained silent for a moment, watching her with a cold, steady gaze. He removed the heavy cloak from his shoulders and draped it over the back of a nearby chair. “No,” he finally said, his voice low. “I don’t expect either of us to pretend anything.”

Selene turned, her eyes flashing with defiance. “Good. Because the last thing I want is to play nice with you.”

Kael smirked, though there was no warmth in it. “Believe me, Princess, the feeling is mutual.”

The tension between them crackled like electricity, the air thick with unspoken words. Selene crossed her arms over her chest, her posture defensive. “I may have agreed to this marriage, but don’t think for a second that it means I trust you. You and your people have done nothing but bring suffering to my kingdom. You’re nothing more than a snake hiding in the shadows.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. “And you’re a feral beast who thinks brute strength is the answer to everything. Your kingdom is on the brink of collapse because of your stubbornness. This marriage is your only hope, and yet you stand there acting as though you’re above it.”

Selene’s lip curled in a snarl. “You think this marriage saves us? It chains us.”

“Chains you,” Kael corrected, stepping closer, his voice dangerously soft. “But that’s what it takes to bring peace, isn’t it? Sacrifices. I’m making one too. Don’t think you’re the only one who didn’t want this.”

They were mere inches apart now, the heat of their anger radiating between them. Selene could feel the shadows that clung to Kael like a second skin, and it unnerved her. He was as much a part of the darkness as she was of the wild.

“I’ll never be yours,” Selene spat, her golden eyes burning into his.

Kael leaned in, his voice a low, dangerous growl. “I don’t want you to be mine. But you are my wife now. And that means we’ll have to find a way to live with this.”

The silence that followed was thick with tension, their anger hanging in the air like a storm about to break. But neither of them made a move, as though both were waiting for the other to strike first.

Finally, Selene turned away, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t want to admit that, as much as she hated Kael, she could feel the pull between them. Something deeper, darker, and more primal than either of them wanted to acknowledge.

“This doesn’t change anything,” she muttered, moving to the bed, her back to him once again. “We may be married, but I’ll always be your enemy.”

Kael’s eyes followed her movements, his expression unreadable. “We’ll see about that.”

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