Lux Ex Tenebris

"Please refrain yourself from moving your head miss,"

Said one of the maids who were attending me and preparing myself for my wedding that would take place in a moment, the wedding that I didn't want, the wedding that I had no choice to refuse not only because it supposedly would 'unite' the two kingdoms that had been in eternal feud but also because my uncle, who took over my father's throne, wanted to banish me far away from his now kingdom.

My name was Clara, the only daughter of Julien, Lord Lysander, the now deceased King of Lumien, the prosperous kingdom in the north that had made close allies with other kingdoms. I lost my mother when she gave birth to me and my father raised me with so much love, but he also trained me to be a fighter since he knew that I would have to be able to defend myself in case things turn bad. Indeed, things turned bad when my uncle Martinien, my father's own younger brother, finally made his dream come true, which was to claim the throne for himself. Shoulder to shoulder with my guards I fought like all hells broke loose with my sword when Martinien's army attacked the castle and I was only a few feet away to give a deadly blow to Martinien when he ran to my father and swung his sword at his thigh and arm before plunging it deep in his heart. I was shocked and couldn't move from witnessing the terror that was happening before me when one of Martinien's guards disabled me.

Later I learned that he had made an agreement with the Tenebris Kingdom, the arch nemesis of Lumien, that he would give the princess of Lumien, me, to marry the King of Tenebris in return that Tenebris would be a close ally of Lumien. To add more hatred in my heart to Martinien, he made me promise, with the tip of a sword right under my chin literally, that I would be his spy and take over Tenebris. I couldn't help but being amused at how idiotic that plan was; not only because he thought it was brilliant -no it wasn't- but also because he believed that I would work with him after what he had done to my father. In less than 48 hours he sent me away in a carriage on a torturous 14 day journey to Tenebris Kingdom in the south.

So here I was in Tenebris that suited its name. Everything here was dark and gloomy. No vibrant colors, no laughter, everything and everyone was so intimidating. I watched the maid through the mirror who was making an elaborate coif of my hair for the wedding and the others preparing the dress and whatnot. The Tenebrians were all huge. The women were at least 6 feet and the men were at least 7 feet and I couldn't help but feel like a dwarf as I was only 5'3 feet and 101 lbs. A huff from them and I might get blown away in the wind. After being here for 2 days I learned that the caste system was applied in the kingdom; those who had no wings worked as maids and servants and other blue collar jobs, those who had dark blue wings were appointed as the guards, those who had blood red wings were the royalty, and there was only one who had a pair of black wings, the King himself of whom I had yet to see.

The maid slightly tapped on my shoulder when she was done with my dark brown hair and I stood up so they could put the dress on me. It was a really nice deep emerald dress made from silk with thick golden threads around each of the long sleeve and the long skirt. The collar was high up my neck and covered with yellow gem stones that I didn't need any necklace as the collar was a statement in itself. Sadly I didn't feel pretty nor any kind of positive feeling knowing that I would be wearing this to the wedding that would be held without my consent. I didn't try to make any conversation with any of the maids as it was useless because the response would be silence. Upon my arrival in Tenebris I tried to strike up a conversation with Marsila, who was appointed to be my personal maid, and she didn't utter a single word. I didn't know if it was because I was their enemy or if it was their nature to not converse. Whatever the reason was I felt like I was mute and frustrated because I was a cheerful person in nature who loved to talk.

One of the maids placed a transparent veil on my head that draped down covering my face when one of them opened the door to inform the guard that I was ready. I took a deep breathe and dragged my feet out of the room with so much misery in my heart. 3 guards on each of my side in their armor suits walked me through the castle that was like a labyrinth until we reached a huge double door. There were 2 women with blood red wings -the royalty, I whispered to myself- waiting at the closed door and they looked at me without trying to conceal their disgust. I was instructed to put my arms around theirs and so I did. The door opened to a large hall filled with tall huge people and creatures and my knees almost buckled. Immediately I felt intimidated; I was the only human in Tenebris. I walked down the aisle and couldn't help but notice the large man with a pair black wings on the altar that even though the wings were tucked in I knew they were large and wide. The women guided me up to the altar and one of them flipped my veil back. The man, the King himself, didn't even bother to take a glance at me.

I forced myself to look at the old priest who had white wings -a stolen angel perhaps?- and began to speak in a language that was foreign to me. The speech or whatever that was was going on forever that I had to stiffen my yawn when the priest finally took a chalice in his hands. He motioned me to face the King who already turned his body around and I looked up to his face and my breath was stolen. He was beyond words. Standing at 8 feet tall the word handsome didn't even do justice to his masculinity. His black eyebrows framed his deep brown-red eyes perfectly, his nose was long and seemed like it had been broken for more than once which only added more to his manliness, and his jaws were just perfect. The black suit he was wearing couldn't conceal his muscular body. Everything about him was perfect except that he didn't smile at me -he didn't seem to be the person who liked to smile anyway- and he looked at me without any expression on his face. I gulped and gained my composure while maintaining my gaze at his.

The priest took the King's hand and placed a knife on the tip of his forefinger while chanting something before piercing it and pressing on the finger to extract blood that dropped into the chalice. What the...?! Before I had the chance to react the priest took my hand and did the same. The priest then took the chalice and offered it to him of which he took and sipped on. What the fuck??? I felt nauseated but he already offered the cup to me and I had no choice but to take it and do the same. I sipped on what tasted like wine but not really since I knew there was blood in it. MY blood and his. Apparently that was how the Tenebrians held their wedding. After the priest chanted some more the King offered me his arm that I took and we walked down the aisle out of the hall to another larger hall with long tables and plates and cutleries on them. He led me to the central table and sat me to his left. After the guests sat themselves on their appointed seats the footmen started to fill the cups with wine and placed appetizers on the table. I stared at the plate in front of me and couldn't identify what it was. I took my cup and sipped on it while trying my best not to let my gaze around as I could feel people's eyes on me. What was more unnerving was that throughout the four course meal the King didn't utter a single word to me.

When the ordeal was finally over the King stood up and offered me his arm once more. He led me out of the hall, went through another labyrinth, ascended a few flights of stairs and took me to a huge room. I stood at the entrance looking at the masculine room that appeared to be his.

"From now on you sleep here."

I heard the deep masculine voice that was his. I looked up at him who was looking at me before he bowed slightly and walked away. I had no idea if it was the custom of Tenebris for the groom to leave the bride after their wedding but I was relieved because his presence didn't comfort me to say the least. I stepped in and the double door behind me was closed by the guards who were standing outside the door. I stood in the middle of the room and studied it. There was a huge fireplace on the left side of the door with low sofas and cushions neatly arranged on it. There was a huge canopy bed in the middle with curtains nicely draped around it. I walked to my right and found a large walk-in closet with nothing in it save for women clothes, shoes and accessories that seemed to be mine. That got me wondering of how he dressed up especially with those huge wings. I walked out of the closet to another door that revealed a large bathroom with a large tub that looked like a pool. Everything in this place was large.

I walked out of the bathroom and walked to the door on the other side of the room with tall windows installed along the wall. I opened the door to a large balcony that overlooked the vast forest. I walked to the railing and looked down. I estimated it to be a 7 story flight down to the ground. Looking back to the forest I contemplated on my life in this kingdom. I didn't know what to make of my life here that seemed to be a banishment from my own people and an isolation from the Tenebrians, and I didn't know what my marriage would be as it seemed like my own husband, whose name I had yet to know, didn't have the slightest interest in me. I sighed and watched a few figures flying over the forest. How I wished I had such freedom to just fly away from my damnation here.

***

I woke up to a gentle shake from Marsila who informed me that I should be getting ready for my first lesson. I asked her what lesson it would be and she ignored me by going into the closet to do whatever. I sighed and got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. I took a shower in the large shower cube stone next to the pool that I didn't notice yesterday. Going out of the bathroom in a robe I saw Marsila standing outside the closet door waiting for me. She motioned me to follow her and sat me down on a seat of a dresser and started to brush my hair and made an intricate bun. She then helped me dressing up. Apparently I couldn't choose what to wear and this time I was wearing another long dress in blue that accentuated my blue eyes. She bent down and was about to put a dark brown leather boot on when I refused and told her I could do it myself. She gave me a stern look that unnerved me but I returned it with my own. She finally retreated and let me put the boots on myself. I then followed her out of the room to a long hall, took a turn to the left and opened a door to a room that looked like a library. I saw the priest from my wedding yesterday on the floor below standing behind the desk. He looked up at me and smiled, and for the first time since my arrival in Tenebris I felt like a subject and not an object. I smiled back at him and descended the spiral staircase. He walked around the desk and bowed down to me,

"Good morning, my Lady. I hope you had a refreshing rest from a rather exhausting day yesterday."

"Good morning sir, and yes I rested well thank you."

"Oh please just call me Lorant."

He motioned me to sit down on a seat when a maid came in with a tray. She placed the tray in front of me and I noticed it was my breakfast. Lorant continued,

"I heard of your father's death and I'm sincerely sorry to know that."

I felt a pang of sadness and nodded at him,

"Thank you. You knew him?"

"Yes, I did. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times, that was before you were born. He was a good king and I pray he rests in peace."

He smiled and continued,

"I believe that Marsila has informed you of a lesson you are going to get, but before we begin please have your breakfast."

I poured a cup of tea and offered him to which he refused,

"There is no need for me to eat anymore, my Lady."

I looked at him quizzically that made him smile,

"I am an angel you see, thus there is no need for me to eat or drink or sleep."

He paused for a moment to watch my response,

"I understand you have a lot of questions not just about my being but also about this kingdom and everything in it so ask away."

I sighed with relieve and said,

"You know Lorant, this is my first conversation ever since I got here. The people here, even Marsila, never answer any of my question and I can't help but feel like I'm mute!"

I continued with my complaints and Lorant listened patiently.

"With all honesty my Lady, I am truly happy to have you here as I, too, have no one to converse with. Tenebrians tend to keep things to themselves and it is in their nature to not talk much. And as for their attitude towards you, I'm sorry to inform you this but they still see you as their enemy despite the wedding. It may seem hard and unattainable but I believe it is not impossible to make a truce between Lumien and Tenebris. I do hope the wedding between you and the King will make a change sooner or later."

I idly nibbled on my toast,

"I do hope so. Speaking of the King, what's his name?"

He looked at me in surprise,

"You don't know?"

I shook my head.

"His name is Vidor, Lord St. Anguis-Antanelis. There are many things you ought to know about him but all in good time,"

"I see."

I looked at Lorant and blurted out a question before I could hold my tongue,

"If you're an angel, why are you aging?"

He chuckled at my question,

"It's a rather long story my Lady, but to sum it up Tenebrians kidnapped me with the purpose to educate their children, the royalty children, at the cost of me being mortal. Thankfully I still got to keep my wings. Shall we start the lesson?"

I nodded at him.

"First thing you need to know is the King. His mother was Tenebrian and his father was Cimerian who belonged to the most powerful demon clan that went extinct with his death, which is why he is the only one who has black wings. He is a very quiet person and one may point out that he lacks of emotions, but that is understandable since the royalty especially the King is expected to never harbor any feelings that will lead to make any weak decision. He is a very smart and brilliant leader, and cold blooded too. I understand to you know that Tenebrians aren't fully human?"

I nodded,

"Yes, from what I learned they're a mix of human and demon,"

"Indeed, they are. Before we go on to another subject, I'm going to inform you of what you have to do for the King himself. He doesn't sleep but he does eat regular food. Don't expect him to be around for breakfast and lunch, but as it is the custom of Tenebris, when it's dinner time you have to be in the room waiting for him, the food will already be prepared by then. You will have to feed him with your own hand and you will eat from the same plate with him. Regardless of the situation you may not strike up a conversation with him unless he starts it first."

I felt my jaw dropped,

"What??"

"I know that's a lot to take especially it is not in your culture to do so. But since you're in Tenebris now you have no choice but to follow the customs,"

"I... I don't know. The thought of sharing my plate with anyone is beyond my imagination, especially with a stranger. And the fact that I cannot freely speak is like an imprisonment of my own freedom!"

"I understand my Lady, but that's all you can do,"

He smiled at me apologetically.

"I'm going to ask you a question that might make you uncomfortable. Did the King sleep with you last night?"

I felt my cheeks flushed and slowly shook my head. He nodded in understanding,

"I thought so. But in this case I can only advise you to wait for his advance."

"Okay, alright."

My response came out too quick but I hoped it would stop right there as it greatly made me feel uncomfortable. He smiled at me and moved on to another subject. He explained to me that the places in the castle I had access to besides my own room were only the library and the garden beneath. And if I were to read, I must do it in the library and never bring any book to my room as it would be a distraction from getting enough sleep.

"Great. Locked in my own house."

He smiled. We then talked about my life back in Lumien and it made me longing to be home that wasn't my home anymore. Sensing this he changed the subject to the culture and traditions to which I gladly answered. After the lesson that was more of a casual conversation with Lorant was over he left me alone in the library. I got up and walked to the lines of shelve filled with books and studied them carefully. It was a good thing I liked to read. Taking a book from the shelve I read the writing on the cover, 'The History of Cimerians and Tenebrians'. It got my attention so I took it with me to a cushioned nook with a large window overlooking the garden and forest in a corner of the room with small cushions on it. I sat down and made myself comfortable and started reading. I was so immersed in my reading that I didn't notice Marsila's presence until she cleared her throat for the second time. I looked up from my book.

"It is almost dinner time my Lady, you have to get yourself ready."

Putting the book down I nodded at her and followed her. After taking another shower and changing into another long dress, this time it was chocolate brown, I sat down on the low sofa in front of the fireplace that was already lit on and waited for the King. I looked at the food array that was set up on a low table and saw grapes, my favorite fruit. The waiting seemed to be forever and I started to become anxious when the door opened and the King walked in. He towered over me who was sitting down, and still towered over me when he sat down next to me. Stay calm Clara, he's not going to eat you. Yet. I reminded myself. He put his right leg on the sofa and left the other one of the floor and turned his body around facing me.

I took a plate and started filling it with bread, a little bit of broth with a chunk of meat, cheese, and some other things I couldn't make out of. Imitating his posture I faced him and put the plate down on my lap. Tearing the bread and filled it with the meat and cheese I folded it and brought it up to his lips. Here's my first service as a dutiful wife to her cold blooded husband. He opened his mouth and let me put the food in his mouth. Apparently I put it a little bit further as his lips brushed against my finger that made me tremble slightly. This would be one of the most awkward things ever happened in my life, feeding a stranger who happened to be my husband with my own hand. He didn't say anything although he watched my every move. I maintained to lower my head and never returned his gaze when I took my turn in eating. After the food on the plate was finished I filled a cup with a wine from the jug and handed it to him. He took it and drank from it before handing it back to me, clearly expecting me to drink from it. I took a sip and put it back on the table. I heard myself asking,

"Would you like to eat some more my Lord, or would you prefer the fruit?"

I bit my tongue and cursed myself for breaking the law of no-talk-unless-he-talks.

"Yes, I'd like to eat some more."

I felt the tension on my shoulders slightly eased and refilled the plate. When the food was finished I began to feel comfortable with this new routine. Putting down the used plate I took a smaller plate and filled it with fruits. He turned his body around more and I felt his interest when I expertly peeled an orange off and fed it to him. I took a grape off its stem and put it in my mouth, closed my eyes momentarily to savor the taste. I opened my eyes to see him watching me with a gleam in his eyes that I had to look down. I couldn't hold his penetrating gaze. When the plate was empty he stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door and paused there for a moment to look at me who was looking at him. I felt my cheeks burned and lowered my head down once more before he walked out.