Chapter Thirteen

Today is the day. Today is the wedding. Today is the day I vow to give my life to imprisonment.

I knew it would be bad, but I never thought my anxiety would be as suffocating as it is right now.

The worst part was that Inanis didn't lie. I hadn't seen him since the night of our little argument. I spent the entire day yesterday trying different Bone Harvester outfits for when I appeared on stage, all while Inanis's mother swat at me with a stick for the pettiest of reasons.

I realized I'd take his company, over his mother's.

Now, I'm to be married to him, and move into his house -our house. I admit, it'd be weird living in a house where I could roam freely, without the fear of bumping into a vile middle-aged woman with anger issues.

Inanis didn't scare me much anymore, he only infuriated me. Living with him won't be easy, but it was doable, so long as we stayed out of each other's way.

I had several women help me put on the wedding dress. It wasn't your typical wedding gown, it was a traditional piece worn by the previous wives of the previous Bone Cutters.

It was called The Harvester's dress, and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

It was a crimson red, indicating that blood and passion were connected. There were white diamonds lacing the sleeves and collar, symbolizing purity.

And wrapped around the waist, the signature piece, was a belt of human bone, representing the Harvester's title. There were only five different bones, each one belonging to a precious Bone Cutter to honor them.

Once Inanis dies, one of his bones will be stitched onto the belt.

I refused to think about how disturbing that was.

The wedding was going to be filmed live on television. Every station will be broadcasting it, and I found that ten times more unnerving.

If I make one mistake, the whole world will see it.

How did Inanis do this so well?

Three women together all began to work on my hair. They intertwined jewels in the curls, so when the light shone on me, they'd light up, giving the illusion of luxury.

Even if it wasn't necessarily an illusion. Inanis was an incredibly rich man.

I thought about my father, and how he'd be watching. I thought about the pain it'd cause him to see his only child kiss a national murderer.

Suddenly, I wished I could stop thinking.

I wished I was Inanis, I wished I could be carefree, and think about a million things at once, instead of dwelling on the worst of things for hours.

I wondered what he was doing right now. I wondered if he was feeling like I was. Was he regretting his decision to marry me?

It's not like he wanted to marry me either. He was doing it for the show, not because we made a good match.

We most certainly did not make a good match.

I hope he regrets this for the rest of his life.

When my hair and makeup was finished, it was nearly time for the ceremony. I stared at myself in the mirror, barely seeing my own face. Everything about me looked different. I wasn't typically one to wear makeup, nor was I one to wear pure luxury.

I was not me.

I also found myself getting nervous to see Inanis again. It was true, I wasn't scared of him anymore, but after our fight I wondered how I could see him and act like nothing happened.

I was a terrible actress.

I was guided out of the dressing room and watched as everyone was buzzing around behind the stage. Me and Inanis were not getting married in a typical church, it was going to be on the same stage he does his killings.

Because it's 'symbolic'.

Everything about The Bone Cutter is nothing but a metaphor. I found it exhausting.

I glanced around, not really sure what I should be doing. My eyes landed a tall figure from across the large back room.

Inanis.

He was wearing a suit of crimson red, the same color as my dress. His hair was slicked back, and on his hands were black gloves with white diamonds.

Around his waist, was the Cutter's belt. A belt of every Bone Harvester who ever lived.

One of my bones will be on that belt when I die.

I shivered.

I hadn't realized he was staring back at me, until I met his eyes. I couldn't read the expression on his face, I couldn't tell if he was still angry, or if he has completely stopped caring.

People considered it bad luck to see your partner before your wedding. I didn't care, seeing as my luck couldn't get any worse than this.

Still, I turned away first.

I spotted Inanis's mother who was yelling at some of the behind the stage crew. She wore a black dress, which of course symbolized the death of the previous generation of the Bone Cutter.

I was beginning to hate symbols.

I could hear the audience cheering from outside the stage. The fact that not only will we be on live television, but we were also going to be getting married in front of a live audience was more infuriating than anything.

These people need to find better things to do with their spare time.

One of the directors came up to me, "Are you ready, Miss?" I glanced back to where Inanis had been standing, but he was no longer there.

He must already be out on the stage, no wonder the crowd was making so much noise.

I took multiple deep breaths and nodded to the man.

This wasn't a typical wedding. There would be no pastor, and there will be no vows.

I replayed everything I'd have to do in my head. Inanis's mother made sure she drilled each step in my memory before she even let me step through the door this morning.

I can't forget, or it will ruin everything.

The director counted down for me, but I could barely hear him over the crowd's abundant screams.

3

2

1

I walked out. The stage lights were almost blinding as they reflected on the diamonds of my dress and hair. Inanis stood facing me. His left arm rested behind his back.

But in his right hand, was his cleaver.

I swallowed.

I stopped not even a foot away from him. We stared into each other's eyes, as I was told to do. I immediately knew something was off about him. There was no humor in his eyes, there was no mischief. Either he was taking this incredibly seriously, or he was still angry. I hadn't even seen him smile for the cameras as he usually did.

Something was off, and that filled me with even more dread. I didn't want to have to deal with him when he wasn't himself.

Finally, Inanis spoke when the room quieted down. "Give me your hand, Mirea Dhalmi." His voice was steady, emotionless. I couldn't read him at all.

Hesitantly, I gave him my shaking hand, knowing what was to come next. He paused for a moment as my hand was in his. For a moment I didn't think he would go through with it.

And then he lifted the cleaver and sliced my palm.

Immediately a stinging pain shot up my arm. I help back a wince, as I forced my face to look completely neutral.

And then he slipped off the glove on his left hand, dropping it to the floor. I watched him as he sliced his own palm. If it hurt him, he didn't show it.

We held our bloodied palms up to the crowd, before we pressed our hands together. Our palms touching, our blood mixing.

I held back the urge to throw up.

The worst part was that I'd do this part over and over and over again, if it meant I didn't have to do what came next.

I stepped closer to him, barely an inch apart, I kept telling myself it was only one time, and then I'd never have to do it again.

One time, that is all.

Inanis wrapped his non-bloody hand around me, as he leaned down, and without waiting, pressed his lips to mine.

The audience applauded, whistling, cheering. They were so loud, but somehow, I could barely hear them.

My mind was focused wholly on Inanis.

His lips were soft, and I gripped his jacket, for support or else I was afraid my legs would give out from underneath me.

He held me tightly against him, as if he thought I'd try to run away, or maybe it was because he knew how scared I was.

When we pulled apart, I forced myself to look him in the eyes. That's what I was told to do; keep eye-contact as much as possible.

His face was unreadable, so I didn't bother to try anymore. I'll talk to him later.

But I will not apologize.

We turned to the crowd, and we bowed, a long, dramatic bow.

The Bone Cutter was officially married.

I am now The Bone Harvester.

Inanis was my husband.

I am is wife.

My name is not longer Mirea Dhalmi. I am Mirea Messor.

I think that hurt most of all.

I held back tears, and forced myself to smile to the cameras, to the millions of people watching at this very moment.

The only things my mind would focus on was the fact that Inanis was holding my hand, and the kiss that I realized wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be.

Inanis held me close, as we bowed once more, and walked off the stage.