Page 2 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

She takes out a handkerchief from her purse and steps toward me. “I can fix it up for you before—”

My splayed palm stops whatever she wants to say, and without answering her, I shake my head and adjust the veil on my face, partially hiding me from the prying gazes of the monsters who are ready to find all my exposed spots in order to strike me where it would hurt the most.

Although at this point, they should give up. They’ve already delivered so many blows to my fragile heart it bleeds with invisible blood, drop by drop, letting my life slowly fade away.

Giving myself one last glance, I hold my chin high and walk out of the room, my heels clicking on the marble as the woman trails after me.

She tries to shuffle my long train and help me carry some of the weight since the lacy, silky material is heavy, but I snap over my shoulder, “Don’t touch me.” She leads me toward slaughter because a man she considers a brother set his eyes on me and declared war on my family. Nothing but marriage to the monster can stop it.

Because he wouldn’t rest until he got his hands on me, and God knows how many people will fall when everyone chooses the path of revenge.

How could she even for a second think I would welcome her help or allow her to speed up the process just so she can breathe easily and not worry about the consequences that will inevitably follow?

She freezes, her hands fisting, and annoyance flashes on her face, hinting at the character she failed to show me so far by agreeing to anything the monsters have dished out.

Straightening up, she says, “Very well,” as she passes me by and walks toward the wide-open double doors leading to the church’s altar. The music becomes louder and louder with each step we take.

She motions with her hand inside before entering, and I reach the opening in two short strides, pausing at the entrance.

Gulping for breath, I press the bouquet to my chest, and will all my self-control and bravery to push to the surface. I pray to everything that’s holy to send some kind of intervention and stop this madness—even though, deep in my soul, I know no one will come to save me.

Fate proved to me a long time ago it has no mercy or compassion, and all the begging only angers it more, making it send more deadly arrows my way.

No matter what happens, I’ll always be there. You just have to say the word, and I’ll slay all the dragons.

Father’s voice rings in my ears, urging me to run toward him and ask him to do what he promised, finding solace under his protection.

Even my father, though, cannot save me this time around, because doing as my heart wishes would mean subjecting him and all the people I love to so much suffering and death that I’d never be able to accept.

They gave me everything, so giving my life and future in exchange for their peace shouldn’t be such a hardship.

Or that’s the lie I tell myself while bitterness fills my mouth, and with a swift intake of air into my shrinking lungs, my legs move forward of their own accord.

The music stops for a second as the organist blinks at my presence, and then he resumes playing, his hands flawlessly hovering above the keys while my eyes roam around the space and widen at the picture before me.

The church they chose for the ceremony has expensive stained glass in the windows, and the ceiling is curved in an oval shape, which almost gives a fairy-tale-like experience, creating a magical atmosphere. I’m surprised angels haven’t descended from heaven to sing in tune with the music.

The golden marble glistens under the candlelight, pointing at the various expensive artwork displayed on the walls, matching the exquisite design.

Despite its beauty that can mesmerize a person into a constant state of awe, the place reeks of doom and hopelessness that nothing can hide.

Especially not the masks of deceit its occupants wear.

Slowly, I start to walk down the aisle while the men sitting on the benches stand, their hawklike stares trained on me, and I can physically feel their gazes sliding down my form, expecting rebellion from me at any moment.

Or maybe hoping?

Because despite supporting the evil monster who decided to claim me, even his family would have preferred not to unite us in the union that brings more trouble than good.

Raising my chin high, I speed up, passing by them all quickly, but tense as the familiar sound of guns’ safeties clicking rocks off the walls, and the men on either side of me aim their weapons at each other. The only thing keeping them from killing each other is me standing in the middle.

And if I just tip the scale to anyone’s side, they won’t hesitate to shoot.

All while the man waiting at the end of the aisle watches me intently. His brown eyes scan me up and down; such deep satisfaction fills them as his mouth curves into a sinister smile, showing his true nature that even his dark three-piece suit can’t hide.

A barbarian who wrecked my world.

Breathing heavily, I walk faster, noticing the swirling energy around us all that indicates everyone’s patience is wearing thin.

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