Page 49 of The Caged Girl

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Mr. Alister Ivory and Demi in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred bond between not only two humans, but two souls. Demi, you may repeat the vows after me, and Mr. Ivory, you will do the same after your bride.” Father John nodded to me.

“I, Demi, take you, Alister Ivory, to be my husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer…and richer.” I paused, and Father John nodded as I repeated what he had said. I knew for sure Alister had edited the original vows.

“In sickness and in health, until death bring us even closer.” Marisha nudged me and handed me a black wedding band. My fingers shook as I looked up at Alister. His jaw clenched as he held his hand out for me. Sliding the wedding band on, I realized I wasn’t okay. I wasn’t as strong as I thought I’d be. This was the second time I was getting married against my will into this sick family. But this time, I knew I had to keep myself composed. The most powerful person aside from an Ivory man had to be an Ivory woman.

“I, Alister Ivory, take you, Demi, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer and richer, in sickness and in health, with death never parting us. Even in your after life, you will serve me, worship me, and pleasure me.” Alister’s words poured out smoothly as he slid a massive, radiant-cut diamond ring onto my finger, followed by a thin band.

I glanced at the guests and squinted. I’d been so nervous on my walk in that I didn’t focus on them. I took a step away from Alister, but he quickly gripped me.

“Are they…” I felt faint. There were a few rows of women that alternated between white and black dresses and hair.

But they weren’t alive…they were corpses, somehow sitting upright. I recognized one. Jamie.

Gasping, I turned back to Alister. “Alister, you killed her…”

“You may now kiss your bride!” Father John called out as Alister cupped my face and dipped me downward. His lips locked onto mine as my eyes stayed open in shock. Lifting me upright, I looked at Bradley, whose eyes glistened.

“They are dead. What… Why did you kill Jamie?”

“It’s to show you, my beloved, that even when you’re no longer here earthside, I’ll never let you go. And this is what happens if you dare disrespect me.” He smiled and lifted our hands into the air as the bridesmaids cheered and clapped. We walked down the black-and-white-checkered aisle.

Alister leaned in and kissed my neck. “You are mine forever, even in death.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

I stoodin front of the mirror wearing the black lingerie Alister had selected for me. I missed the white. I suddenly missed the Ivory estate. Had my life really become this way that I was missing one hell over another.

“Demi, my beautiful raven, I’m ready for you…” Alister called out. I walked out of the room wearing the four-inch Christian Louboutin stilettos he’d left for me to wear as well.

“I could have worn white…” I mustered up the courage to say as Alister looked up and down my body.

He was shirtless and sliding his pants off.

A small smile curved on his face. “No, my sweet Demi, I prefer you to wear black for me tonight. White is pure and clean and doesn’t depict the darkness I know is scorched into your soul from what they put you through. I know you don’t want to hear this, but…I think you are quite the favorite girl around here. It doesn’t seem like it now, but that’s far better than being the caged girl. Now come sit on my lap and let me adore you.” He guided me into his bedroom. The fragrance from the fresh flowers scattered everywhere and the candles flickering set a romantic stage if this was a normal newlywed dynamic. But here I was, Mrs. Alister Ivory. I knew I’d hold more power if I succumbed to him. This was my final chance of survival. I’d escape this hell eventually, I just had to be patient.

Pulling the blanket back, I screamed.

There was a dead woman wearing a white lingerie set.

“What is it, my beautiful precious raven?” Alister came racing around toward me and looked at her.

“Alister…” My body shook violently as I stumbled backward and clutched my chest.

“My bride, what is it? What is it?” Alister grabbed me and tugged me back toward the bed.

He began kissing my body and taking the lingerie off. “No, please…” I whimpered as my skin grew cold.

“Lay next to her,” he whispered in my ear as he pushed me onto the bed.

I felt nauseous.

“No, Alister, please…don’t do this.”

He slid his briefs off and exposed himself.

I slowly turned my head and looked at her. She had short blonde hair straggling around her decomposing face.

“Alister,” I cried, “I’m begging you…”

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