Chapter 1: One

Today is supposed to be the most joyous day of my life since I was the bride. Instead, I am filled with terror.

The fear I have for my husband knows no bounds. Everybody knows that King Chandler doesn't do love; he deals with ruthlessness. I don't know why my father wanted his only daughter to get married to a tyrant...

That was the reason there. I was his daughter, who had no use for him except to broker the best connection there is, and there is no greater connection than having a man whose military might was unmatched across the lands.

A man who gained the majority of his population from fighting wars. He transformed a small kingdom into one of the largest, rivaling my father's own.

Sharing a border with the God-king as he is usually known by must have scared my father to offer me for marriage to King Chandler. If any mishap happens to my brothers, he is set to inherit the throne, and I am certain that was what attracted him to this marriage.

"My lady, you are the prettiest one here," Garnet whispered as she rested my veil over my face. There were tears in her eyes, and I was not sure that they were tears of joy.

"It is expected for no one should outshine me on my day," I replied softly through my knotted stomach that seems to squeeze my chest anytime I take a breath and has nothing to do with the fact that my corset was tight.

That wasn't even my choice. I had to look comely for my husband, a man I have never set my eyes on, and the dressmakers were instructed to make me look my best even if the end result was not something I wanted.

"And is it?" A voice sounded by the door, sharp, and angry, and also familiar.

I turned to watch my brother Aiden walk into the room and directly to me then he gave me a hug. Affection was minimal among royals and even more so among those of different genders. Even with that rule, I still was not protected.

"Your day that is?" he added.

I gave a nod because I didn't trust my voice not to betray me.

"Sister, you know better than to lie to me. I would pinch your face now if that would not mar this beautiful work which your lady maid did. Although, I don't understand why you chose to wear this gunk on your face when you are prettier without," Aiden complained as I could help but laugh at his words.

Aiden was such a man for there were no other words to describe him.

"Thank you for giving me, confidence brother." I smiled at him.

"Even if this isn't your choice Tiana, I wish you happiness and peace."

"You know that will not be possible. I am defective." I sighed, turning my face away from my brother, so he would not see how terrified I am of being alone with my future husband. I will be his in less than five hours.

"If he cannot see past that to see your heart of gold, then he is the defective one, Tatiana," Aiden returned, and even though I nodded my thanks to him for his kind words, I still was not convinced.

"You are not supposed to disturb your sister today, for it is a very special day," a voice said from the doorway, and my eyes flew there to see my father scowling at my brother.

"I will not see her in a while, I want her to be sent off properly," Aiden answered defensively. Father had been extremely hard on him for little things, some of which were out of his control.

"Very well. However, it is time for you to say your goodbyes to your sister as the ceremony is about to commence. I suggest that you find your seat while you think of your toast to the bride and groom at the reception because I am certain that you have not thought about it. Am I wrong?" My father raised his eyebrow at my brother who shrugged when I turned to him to see if what my father said was indeed true.

"I like doing things at the last minute, father," Aiden said before he sighed and stood up.

Placing a hand on my shoulders, he gave me a squeeze while muttering. "Be well, sister of my heart."

By the time he left the room, I got my tears under control, and I was no longer in danger of ruining Garnet’s finishing touches on my face.

"Get going. I will escort your mistress to the cathedral, and from there, we will do our procession. You are no longer needed," my father ordered Garnet who nodded and after bowing to both me and her king. She left the room.

"You fare well?" The king asked, and I knew it was not a question.

There was no other way for me to be even if I was going to be used as a sacrificial lamb to a cause that doesn't concern me. It is my cross to bear, both as a woman and as a princess.

"That is the only way for me to be," I answered my father, straightening my spine and looking my father in his eyes.

I watched as a proud light entered my father's eyes. "I trained my princess well. Now, my daughter, remember that you will be alone in a foreign land. You remember the rule which I taught you?"

"Be the fiercest among all, and if you can't be the fiercest, try to control the strongest," I recited as my father smiled with pride.

"Good daughter. The strongest is your husband, you should have him eating out of your palm as soon as possible..."

"Father, he is the God-king. He will feel cheated at having me, and you know this," I voiced my fears, he was going to seek reprisal for the wrong which my father was trying to do.

"Nonsense, no daughter of mine will be lesser, no matter the circumstances," my father added.

"But I am lesser, his culture values virginity even more than ours, and I am no virgin," I cried out.

My father gripped my shoulders in a punishing hold and shook me, fury evident all over him.

"It never happened. You are whole, and you are pure. You will not cry off this marriage because you are scared. You are going to get me this alliance, or I am going to take a whip to your back if you don't get through with this. Do you understand me?" he yelled as I nodded in shock.

My father has hit me once or twice, but I have never seen my father with this ugly rage.

"Yes, father." I cried out of pain, and he let go of me immediately.

"Sort yourself out, I will be here to collect you in five minutes," he said as he turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Never has my father shown me the anger he just did.

And what was it about this alliance that meant so much to my father?