ELISSA
The morning approached quicker than I'd expected. My eyes were thick with sleep, mainly because I kept replaying the scene of that poor man getting burned and also I couldn't help the thoughts that swam through my head.
What if Lysandra does something?
What if he doesn't come and I got taken away?
What if he...
" Elissa," My train of thoughts swerved to a curb. My lashes fluttered as I blinked, the mirror appeared before me, my reflection stared back at me but I could barely recognise her.
She was the definition of beauty and perfection. Foundation smothered my face, covering the wounds and scars that hid beneath it. My hair was styled in a bun, some curled strands fell over my face. My wedding dress clinged to me, the corset snatched at the waist.
To anyone who saw me, I was the perfect bride. But I felt quite the opposite- I felt disgust, fear, dread and quiet hope.
" I'm done with your makeup." The make-up artist said, her voice slowly coming back to focus.
I offered a light smile. " Thank you," she nodded and left, Scott walked in a few minutes later, clad in a black suit, his hair slicked back and this cold glint in his eyes.
He reached me and curled his fingers around my shoulder, a chill ran through my bones as he leaned close, placing his face right beside mine, his cheek giving mine a gentle brush. " You look so beautiful sister,"
He brushed his tongue over my cheek. Smudging a bit of the makeup. " I badly want to rip this dress off you," he pulled away and I could finally breathe. " But I can't, your husband is down there, waiting..."
Husband.
The word irritated me so much.
I stood and he extended his hands towards me. I gave it a glance then met his gaze, his eyes like calm before a storm. I placed my hand in his and he gave it a hard squeeze, bringing it to his lips and placed a light kiss. I looked away, itching to peel my fingers from his grasp but his grip remained firm.
He led me out the door, the guards gave me weird stares as we walked, some with pity, others just didn't care.
A few minutes later, arrived at the hall, his hand still tightly wrapped around mine. The door opened and all eyes turned to us but I barely acknowledged them, my eyes finding my groom waiting at the altar.
He had this glint in eyes, one I chose to ignore as sweat gathered in my palms. There was no sign of Ruslan, not a single one of his men were in sight and I knew he wouldn't attack at the wedding, but at least hoped for something.
Scott led me to the altar and when we got there, my groom's outstretched hand welcomed me. His teeth white with a few specks of gold. His hair black and streaked with grey, he looked fit, handsome even but I knew the monster that hid beneath.
I pushed a hushed breath and took his hand as he helped me up the stairs. Finally, I met his gaze, his eyes sweeping over me like I was a meal he wanted to devour.
" You look so beautiful wifey..."
I didn't respond, my mind a haze as my panic rose.
Lysandra climbed the podium and began officiating and with each word she said I was drowning deeper and deeper into panic. My eyes wandered, looking for signs but nothing came.
I guess Lysandra was right, no one could save me from this.
" Do you, Santoro Dimitri, take her to be your wife, in sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty till death do you part?"
" I do..." he said in a heartbeat. I gulped.
" Do you, Elissa Antonovich, take him to be your husband, in sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty till death do you part?"
My throat closed involuntarily, words too heavy to utter.
The silence ate the entirety of the hall as my heart raced so loud I feared they could hear it.
" Elissa?" Lysandra called with a tight smile.
I was about to say something when Santoro pulled out a gun, the cold metal pressing against my forehead- oxygen clogged my throat. " Say I Do, Darling..." His eyes were dark, his words were as cold as the barrel.
" I D-Do," I stuttered, sealing my fate.
No Ruslan to save me.
No one would come for me.
As he pulled the gun away, my eyes itched as tears gathered threatening to fall.
This was it.
" You may now kiss the bride." She said and he drew me close, kissing me roughly. Just like Scott always did and I knew this was going to be me life now.
Constant forced kisses.
And so much pain.
His lips tasted bitter, I stopped myself from emptying my stomach mid-kiss till he pulled away breathless, leaving me more irritated of my own skin than before.
The crowd cheered at my downfall as Santoro led me down the altar and into a room, Lysandra trailed behind us shortly.
He pulled out a seat and forced me down and pulled out another for himself. " I don't have time to waste Lysandra, get me the documents,"
" Yes, Yes, I know." She replied and opened a drawer, bringing out a file. She slid it across the table till it got to him. He opened it and signed it immediately then he gave it to me.
I flipped through the contents, my face grew pale as I read it. These weren't just marriage certificates, these were asset transfers. All the properties that belonged to my father which he'd left for me, we're now being transferred to him.
This was the reason for this marriage.
He wanted full control of both Russia and Italy.
I turned to Santoro, tossing the folder to him. " I will not sign this..."
" Yes you will," Lysandra ordered.
" I will not! Do you think I'm a fool?"
The sound of a chuckle stopped me cold. Santoro, reached for my chin and turned my face towards him. " I'm sure you're aware of who I am and the terrible things I could do to you..." Goosebumps covered my skin.
The mental image of him doing things to me bled into my mind and I immediately snatched my chin away from him. Hesitating a second more as I slowly signed what was left of my father's legacy to him.
