Marriage. A unique bond between two people. A bond that only grows stronger and could last a lifetime. A promise to stay. A life long commitment which is to be filled with love, romance, intimacy, bliss, joy, hope, and also pain, hardships and the struggle with understanding one's partner. It is a sacred covenant made with each other and God.

Marriage is a life journey that only ends with death. Not only is the bond physical, but also emotional and spiritual. It is beautiful. It is selfless. It is an honor. It is a calling. A new begining. A new life. Marriages are also the fountainheads of families. Creating little ones that grow up to fulfill their callings in becoming something greater than themselves, contributing to society and to be a part of the world.

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"I do." He said confidently.

"I do." She uttered the words out with raw emotion. A promise that she would never break.

He pulled her close, placing one hand gently behind her neck and the other on her hip. She held on to his shoulders as they kissed lovingly in the middle of the great aisle. Prince Alexander Fay Sindrion Celeste and now, Princess Bethany Hope were officially bonded in holy matrimony.

Everyone cheered inside the sacred nine hundred year old cathedral in Golden Haven. Even the Bishop and his assistants looked ecstatic to see the young, happy couple before them.

The celebration was grand and joyous. The wedding bells were so loud that they rang throughout the entire kingdom.

Speaking of grand, Prince Alexander had called in the finest tailors to ensure Bethany got her dream dress. It was an off shoulder A-line gown, with floral lace on the edge of her skirts. The same lace design was used for the half sleeves that came to her elbows and also the train of her gorgeous dress. Bethany looked breathtaking with bold makeup and a simple transparent veil. Her golden tiara gave the final touch of her princess look.

Prince Alexander was of course dressed in his finest clothes. Just like his bride, he wore all white. White slacks, white shirt, white vest and over it a white blazer made for a royal fae. On the upper left side of his blazer, there was a golden spiral design representing the Core of Life. It was the symbol of their beloved kingdom. Gold covered the tip of his sleeves as well. He looked admirable as his crown rested proudly on his head.

The young fae princess couldn't help but tear up during the ceremony and it did not go unnoticed by the Dark Prince. He kept his eyes on his Little Flower the entire time, not bothering to concentrate on the ceremony. To him, Aeval was his focal point. She had him mesmerized with her plain yet elegant pastel pink bridesmaid gown. He didn't blink when she walked down the aisle with a bouquet of pink flowers. Tonya had walked in front of her and India behind her, as the maid of honor. He didn't care nor did he bother to glance at the bride.

He didn't get emotional at all and he was rather annoyed at the number of people who were constantly shedding tears and sniffing during the entire ceremony. It was noisy and disturbing to him. His Little Flower was the only reason why he attended the wedding. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have turned his head for a second.

Shaking his thoughts away, he was glad that it was finally over. Everyone was happy, everyone was clearing out, he couldn't wait to leave.

His eyes followed her to the entrance of the massive cathedral where they all had a photo session.

'I just have to leave now so no one-'

"Prince Phoenix!"

Fuck! He screamed in his head as Princess Aeval disrupted his escape plan. Changing his irritated facial expression as quickly as possible he looked at her casually.

"Join us for a picture!" she waved at him. Once she so boldly did that, everyone decided to follow her action like puppets. His parents included. Prince Zenas and his Esmie laughed at his misery while they waited for him to join them.

"Please smile. Just this once. Then you can go back enjoying your solidarity, I promise." The young fae princess almost begged him. He just grumbled to himself and when the time came, he forced a smile at the camera. When he looked back at her, his Little Flower was beaming at him.

"Happy now?"

"Extremely. You sure you don't want to come to the reception?"

"Trust me, I've never been more sure about anything."

"Alright then. I'll save you some food."

"You're not mad?" he asked half expecting an argument for not wanting to attend her brother's wedding dinner.

"No. I don't want you sitting there and regretting every second of it. You must want to attend it and if you don't, that's quite alright. I am already pleased that you made it for the wedding." She giggled.

"Aeval!! Hurry!! I want to be there early!!" She jumped at the voice and looked apologetically at the prince.

"See you later tonight or tomorrow morning. Blondie is getting impatient." She laughed and signaled for Kyle to give her a minute. "I think he doesn't know that his seat is already reserved. Anyhow, I have to get going," the prince took her gently by the waist, bringing her close to him.

"I want a goodbye kiss....if that's alright," the princess immediately blushed and she felt her ears heat up. The Prince feeling amused, lifted her chin up. "Your answer, princess?"

Looking deeply into each others eyes, she shyly nodded.

The blonde haired boy groaned loudly at their open display of affection. Kyle then felt another presence beside him. Looking down he noticed Prince Timothy gaping at the duo not far from them. He immediately closed the young vampire's eyes. "Aeval!! Enough!!"

They broke apart with the Dark Prince giving Kyle a deadly glare.

~~~~~~~

The dinner was filled with embarrassing stories, emotional speeches and most of all vigorous and energetic dancing. Bethany did not leave the dance floor after she ate dinner. She simply didn't want to stop dancing. In that process, she pulled whoever she could onto the dance floor to join her in doing some crazy dance moves. Princess Aeval laughed and danced with her beloved friends enjoying the night with them. It was mostly her side of the family as Beth didn't have any family members left.

The fae princess remembered her friend being a little down at the very thought but Aeval did not let that bring down Bethany's spirits. She recalled how her father had stepped in and decided to walk Bethany down the aisle. The girl was beyond shocked and dumbstruck by it. To think that the king himself was going to walk her down the aisle. That was something she never imagined. He was going to be her father-in-law but it still shocked her to the bone. She also wasn't prepared to be called Princess Bethany Hope but it happened. Her crowning ceremony took place a week before the wedding.

Princess Aeval smiled at how far all of them had come. She always had hope, the burning will to survive no matter what the odds were. She knew humans had little to no chance of survival in Red Kingdom but she still had hope. For her and her group. She wanted to live. Now, looking back, every obstacle was worth it. They all made it. Despite the pain, torture and hardships, they all survived.

"Wow, you really shouldn't be crying during Alex's dinner party." Kyle said swinging his arm over his dear sister's shoulder.

"It's not like that," she sniffed. "I'm just so, very happy for them. I feel like my heart is going to explode. I mean look at them. Look at how beautiful they are." She placed her hand on her chest and rested her head on Kyle's shoulder.

"Very soon, we'll see you on the dance floor with a somebody. I say soon because of that heated make out session earlier today." Kyle smirked, winking at her.

"Huh?"

"Can't wait lil' sis!" he laughed and took a huge gulp of his cocktail. Just realizing what he meant, the princess blushed hard, her cheeks turning into a deep shade of red. She was grateful that they were indoors and it was night time.

"It won't happen anytime soon and...."

"Uh huh, yeah it will. Mark my words. Both of you just can't stay away from each other. Like magnets. Oh my gosh!!"

"What?!" Princess Aeval panicked at his sudden high pitched voice.

"Magnets!!" he laughed out loud again. She understood that her weirdo brother was just drunk and began to lead him to a chair. "Listen to me Aeval!"

"Alright, stop shouting."

"Magnets!!!"

"You already said that," she tried to calm him down.

"No, no. You and Darky. Both of you are magnets. Sticking to each other because, hey opposites attract!!" He laughed again. Her face heated up at what Kyle said but he was half right. She and the Dark Prince didn't have any similarities. Their natures were worlds apart yet there was something constantly pulling them together.

"Get it Aeval? You're light, he's Darky. Light and dark. Dark and light. One attracting the other," he threw his head up and started laughing again. This time, the married couple looked over at them from the dance floor. The princess gave them a sheepish grin while Kyle continued laughing his lungs out.

She turned back to Kyle but didn't say a word. Maybe because she couldn't say he was wrong about any of it.

"Come on let's get you to bed."

"Nooooooooooooooo!!" the boy yelled at his sister. "I wanna dance!" He pouted like a five year old. Then he looked over Aeval's shoulder and squinted his eyes. "Hey why is Tonya running?"

"Wh..what are you babbling about now?"

"Far behind you, silly. Lookie there. Oh, don't look, she's striding towards us. Yayyy! Faster sistaaa!" the princess rolled her eyes and signaled for a waiter to give Kyle some food. At least then, he would be eating instead of shouting.

'Where the heck is Timothy?' she questioned herself then she abruptly turned around. Like Kyle, she too squinted her eyes and noticed a very distraught Tonya coming towards them.

~~~~~~

"Tonya? What happened? Are you okay?" her forehead was covered in sweat and she looked frightened. My worry intensified as I took her hands.

"Tonya, talk to me." I could see how she struggled to force a smile.

"Hey, nothing serious okay. I'm not well and I want to go back to the castle. Please can you just help we with the transport?" she tried a little too hard to be calm.

"Tonya whatever you're trying, it's not working. Tell me what's wrong. I know something is wrong!"

"Everything is fine. I just had some stomach issues just now, I threw up. I have a headache and I wanna go back." I touched her forehead and I could feel her burning up.

"Oh my, come with me." I quickly took her towards the entrance of the wedding hall. "Aeval, you have to stay here. Don't come back with me."

"Are you crazy?!"

"Aeval!! This is your brother's wedding dinner. Stay. It's just a bloody fever, I'll take some medicine and sleep. You stay here," she was pleading now. Sensing that she was definitely hiding something, my worry grew. I closed my eyes for a moment. Then looking at her, I held her shoulders. "I won't stay. Not until you tell me what happened. If anyone had hurt you, I swear I will show th-"

"Quit being violent, little sister. It...it doesn't suit you," now she sounded weak. "Please ask them for a ride. Hurry." What the heck was happening to her?!

"Tonya, what. Happened?" Muttering to herself, she abruptly stared at me

"There was this guy okay!!" she burst out unexpectedly. "His presence really made me uncomfortable. He had this weird aura around him and now I don't feel good. That's all. You shouldn't be worried. You stay here and don't forget that your need to take care of him," she said looking at Kyle from the entrance where we stood. He was stuffing his face with cake and every time he swallowed, he would sing along to the song that was currently playing.

"Aeval I need to go now. Please," she said sounding frantic and desperate. Letting out a heavy breath, I nodded at her. I understood what she wanted but I couldn't just stay here and pretend to have fun while she was in a state of panic.

"I need a ride back to the castle. Immediately." I ordered the guard. Seconds later, there was a car waiting for us.

"You stay. Don't come with me."

"What-"

"I want to be alone. Please. Please trust me on this. I will be fine tomorrow, I promise you that."

"Tonya did he hurt you?" I asked dreading the possibilities.

"No, no. He didn't. It was his presence itself. I can't explain it. I just want to go back, to be alone and rest. Can you please allow me that?" I looked worriedly at her and reluctantly I nodded. I then signaled for the car the move.

~~~~~~~

"Timothy?! Timothy?! Where are you?" I called out to the young vampire prince as I walked around the hectic hall. All the different beings were either dancing, drinking or having loud conversations with each other. All in all, everyone was enjoying themselves. Everyone except me and Tonya now.

Where is that kid?!

"Whoa, sweetheart, are you alright there?"

"Prince Z..Zenas?" he was having a conversation with the Alpha King and a few young girls.

"One and only. Why the unhappy face? It doesn't suit you, beautiful." I scrunched up my nose as he repeated a bit of what Tonya said earlier.

"Have you seen your little brother? I need him for a while."

"Tim? I'm not sure. He was looking for that Kyle dude. Then he made some friends and now I guess he's playing with them. I'm sure he'll start looking for Kyle again."

"Well, I need him now. Kyle is drunk and I can't leave him alone."

"He'll be fine princess. Many of us are drunk. Look at us, we're fine aren't we?" Alpha Silvian said casually. He missed the part where Kyle was human. Alcohol tolerance wasn't the same for all the beings.

"Why would he be alone when he has you, beautiful?" I wanted to roll my eyes at Prince Zenas' name calling.

"I have to go back to the castle. I have some things to do." I said seriously.

"Things to do? On your brother's wedding day? Just can't stay away from Phoenix huh? Aren't they adorable Alpha?" Prince Zenas threw his head back and laughed. His actions were followed by the three girls who stood close to him. It wasn't even that funny. Just when I was about to turn around, the alpha king stopped me. He noticed my seriousness. Thank heavens for that.

"Don't worry princess, Zenas will take care of Kyle. You go do whatever is needed. Careful though. Shall I send anyone to accompany you?"

"Thank you so much Alpha Silvian. That won't be necessary. I will be fine." I said in appreciation and ran towards the entrance. Once I was out in the open, I released my wings, and they spread themselves out. I flapped them as hard as I could and took off into the sky.

~~~~~~~~~~

Surprisingly, I saw Prince Phoenix patiently waiting at the entrance of the castle as I landed gracefully on the ground.

"I knew you wouldn't take long." He eyed me carefully.

"How did you know? You saw Tonya?" I asked breathlessly as we walked through the giant doors. Phoenix immediately cupped my face and inspected me all over.

"What-"

"You're not hurt right? You don't sound good. Tonya didn't look good when she came here so what's going on? Was the dinner that depressing?" he cocked his head to the side. I gently pushed him back and gave him a look.

"The celebration is going great. It's just that Tonya isn't feeling too well. I'm worried about her but she refuses to give me a proper explanation and she is adamant about wanting to be left alone." I complained as I paced back and forth.

"She's in her room, and she's sobbing." I widened my eyes at Phoenix.

"What? I can hear her."

"I have to go see her. This isn't like her, I mean Tonya has never acted this way," I can't leave her alone and she can't chase me out. I turned to leave but again I was stopped. Phoenix held my wrist and turned me around.

"Wait, did she say anything? About what happened, anything at all?" thinking back I recalled a few things. "She did say it was a guy. He gave out an unexplainable aura and it just shook her up. I asked if he had done anything to hurt her but she said no and it was his presence itself."

It sounded weird saying it out loud.

When I looked closely at Phoenix, I saw that he was staring hard at the ground, thinking. Seconds later, he loosened up as if he realized something.

"Phoenix what is it?"

"I think you should go see your friend. She doesn't need to be alone." He put on a blank face and didn't answer my actual question. I spotted a maidservant nearby and called out to her.

"Yes, Your Highnesses?" she bowed to us.

"I know it's late but please make some hot chicken soup and bring it to Tonya's room. It's two doors away from my chambers. Thank you."

"Yes, of course Your Highness," she bowed again and headed towards the kitchen.

"Alright, I'll go see her now," I pinched the bridge of my nose. I hope it was nothing too serious.

"Don't stress yourself, Little Flower. How about I wait outside her door and when she's calm enough, I'll join you inside her room."

"Okay. That would be nice."

With that, both of us walked towards Tonya's room. After a couple of soft knocks, she opened the door knowing it was me.

Once I was inside I closed the door and sat with her on the bed. "Tonya?" She looked at me with teary, red eyes. I couldn't take it anymore, I crushed her in a hug and let her cry some more.

"Sshh, you're okay, you're safe now." I cooed softly and rubbed her back. We stayed like that for some time and once she felt better, Tonya laid on my lap and pulled her knees up. I was playing with her hair when the maidservant entered the room with a tray.

"Thank you." I nodded at the woman. Glancing towards the open door, I beckoned for Phoenix to come inside. The servant bowed and left, closing the door on her way out.

The moment Phoenix entered, my dear sister immediately tried to sit up but I assured her that it was alright. He sat on the chair near the bed.

"Damn it, I feel so stupid for crying so much," she blurted out with her stuffed nose. "There, blow." I said handing her the whole tissue box.

"And it's not stupid Tonya. It's better to let it out."

"I know but I don't even get what the hell happened. One minute everything was fine and the next this feeling took over," she blew her nose and sniffed.

"It's going to be fine." I reassured her.

"You said it was due to a guy." Phoenix spoke. Tonya stilled and looked at me. "Don't be upset. Maybe he knows what to do. We don't know much about this," I shrugged at her. She sighed and slowly sat up, resting her head on my shoulder. "Yes it was your highness."

"Well, what did he look like?"

"Um, I didn't observe too much as I just wanted to get away from him."

"You must remember something."

"Okay, um, he was tall, well built like a soldier. He had dark brown hair and that's all I remember about him."