Chapter Text
Prologue:
It was May the 30th, a balmy ungodly hot day for a wedding, but it was the wedding day Greyson had chosen. Looking out the window it seemed the entire town had arrived inside the estate. Horses and carriages filled the yard and stables. Nervously I glanced out the window and swallowed; hard. I hated attention, or at least I did now with this many people. A causal party where I could dip into the crowd and out of sight was one thing but this…this was entirely different.
“Elain.” A soft voice said with a gentle knock on the oakwood door.
I turned away from the window to see Feyre dressed in a purple satin gown, hair pinned lazily in a bun buy someone elegantly.
“I’m ready,” I said, ruffling my skirts, “there’s a great deal of people here.”
Feyre smiled sheepishly, grabbing ahold of my veil and fluffing it, “is that a problem? You love parties.”
I sighed, “yes, when I can leave when I’d like,” turning I faced my sister who was smiling, “this is a party I cannot leave I’m afraid.”
Feyre chuckled, “you’d be right at that.”
I took in a deep breath and exhaled exaggeratingly, “have you seen Graysen? Or Father?” I looked around the room, “and where the hell is Nesta.” Anxiety rising in my voice.
“Graysen looks amazing, Father is patiently waiting down the hall and Nesta I believe is following the officiant around with a whip.”
I chuckled at the thought, “Graysen, he’s ready?”
Feyre’s fingers grazed my shoulder, tucking her chin in between my neck, “yes, he’s quite handsome.”
I blushed, “yes.”
A swift knock knock knock pounded at the door and Nesta came flying in, “are we ready?” She said puffing as if she’d run from the courtyard.
I rolled my eyes, “yes, mother I'm ready.”
Nesta’s eyes blazed before settling, “Just today.” She said with a pointed finger.
Feyre and I chuckled together, painting even a small smile on Nesta’s face. I knew all Nesta’s tells, being the middle sister, I'd become quite a keen observer.
I inhaled and exhaled once more and stood straight up, “alright then, let’s get married shall we?”
Meeting my father in the hallway. He had tears in his eyes the moment I stepped out of the room and into the dim hallway. The first thing I would be doing with this dreadful estate is bringing some much needed light and life into this cold and damp place. Grasping my father’s rheumatoid ridden hands I felt tears in my own eyes.
“My beautiful girl,” he said and then glanced around, “all of you.”
I could feel Nesta rolling her eyes but Feyre placed her hand atop of ours.
“Graysen is a lucky man,” he said continuing, he held out an elbow and I whispered goodbye to my sisters who both took off down the stairs, “let's bring you to him shall we?”
I kissed his cheek as we began our march.
Walking out into the sunlight oooh’s and aahs were hushed all around me, but I could see nothing but Greyson who smiled brightly, his bright blue eyes shining. The slow march was the longest moment of my life before my father gave me another gentle kiss and found his seat in the front.
After the worst was over, or so I’d thought the party began. I’d shaken so many hands I thought my arm would come loose at the socket and I was utterly starving.
“Graysen,” I said digging in my elbow slightly as he sweet talked to another Lord or Duke, “Graysen I’m starved can’t we sit and eat?”
Graysen turned from his conversation letting go of my hand, “go sit, I’ll be there shortly.”
I happily obeyed and found myself sat with a plethora of options for food. My stomach ached as I reached for one of each, mouth watering.
Suddenly there was a clamor, likely someone already indulging a bit too much even before twilight. I chuckled at the thought when my father came tumbling through the crowd.
“Please…” he said, hands raised, “not here, not now.”
Three large beastly looking men stalked my father with a chilling stillness, the entire wedding had gone utterly silent.
“I canna do that,” said the largest man in the center. A single scar seemed carved along his neck, “ye already owe us too much ya see.”
My Father seemed so weak as he scurried away from them trembling.
“What is the meaning of this!?” Graysen boomed, pushing through the crowd that had gathered.
The man on the right pulled out a large club and pointed it at Greyson but the man in the center spoke again.
“It dinna concern you Lord,” his mouth curved into a smile, “best go back to your bride.”
Greyson’s neck was bright red but he stood still as frozen as I was.
“I’m truly sorry about this.” The man in the middle said as the one on the right swung down his club.
My fathers bone shattering scream shook even the trees.
“Stop!” Feyre said, grabbing onto the man on the right who grabbed her by the neck, tossing her into the crowd.
I looked around frantically for something, anything when I saw Nesta frozen, shaking, eyes locked on to mine.
My skirt was too large and I was too far when the next blow hit.
Instead of my father Nesta let out a blood chilling scream as our father did not raise his head again.