"You can let her go now," the Prince remarked, waving a casual palm at the bishop. The bishop's hold on Jessica's wrist relaxed somewhat, but not completely. Jessica was undecided about running, according to the bishop. The Prince, on the other hand, smiled calmly at the bishop and said, "Don't worry; I've got her. She is not going to flee."
Jessica cocked her head. What did he mean when he said that? Jessica wasn't convinced, but that was enough for the bishop, who let go of Jessica's hand and shifted back beneath the canopy of dead flowers.
Jessica immediately saw this as an opportunity to run free. Jessica's gaze fell on the distant cemetery gates, and she attempted to move but became stuck. Jessica couldn't move for no apparent reason. "Look at me if you're afraid, my love," The Prince said. Did he just say "love" to me? I couldn't decide if I should be hard or soft... Jessica pondered.
Jessica couldn't tell if her heart was beating faster or slower as the Prince neared the archway where she stood. The man was a sight to behold, but also a horror. He was wonderful in every way, but what he represented was so dark that it terrified her. He possessed powerful features that were artfully arranged in a way that was neither too lovely nor too hard. Jessica was pulled to his eyes, which were two pools of brown gold that gleamed like dark amber in the moonlight, fascinating to the point of distraction. The Prince positioned himself opposite Jessica as he moved beneath the bridge. "You look lovely," he added with a smile. He reached out tenderly and took her hands in his, bringing them up to his lips, then brushing his lips across her knuckles. Jessica's mouth parted slightly in surprise as her thinking slowed to a halt. Was she trying to get away from him or make out with him?
Part of her wanted to back away, while the other wanted to be in the sight of those eyes for the rest of her life. Jessica's senses became increasingly dreamlike as the mist hazed about them. Jessica and he were the only ones remained as the congregation dispersed. Even the bishop's incomprehensible mutterings vanished into thin air.
Jessica felt compelled to give in to this man and accept her fate by an invisible power. Jessica was determined to break free from the compulsion. Jessica squirmed uncomfortably, and the stranger's grip on her hands tightened. He was a formidable opponent. 'Don't argue with me.' Her thoughts were interrupted by an echo.
Jessica cocked her head. Was she hallucinating or hearing his voice in her head?
His eyes twinkled with intelligence, as if he could read my mind. Tears welled up in my eyes, and she thought to herself, 'If you can hear me, let me go.' Jessica felt his hands gently squeeze hers, and a horrible feeling surged up in her stomach.
The echo said, 'I vow to make you happy.'
Jessica had become entrapped. She was hopelessly stuck.
The Prince tore his golden gaze away from Jessica as the bishop cleared his throat loudly. "Do you intend to marry this woman?" the Bishop inquired.
"I do," the Prince answered as he turned back to Jessica and looked her in the eyes.
'Now you're mine, and I'm yours,' he whispered to her.
"No way am I married to a madman!" Jessica exclaimed, suddenly finding her voice.
Jessica could feel his delight as the corners of his mouth tugged upwards, as if his mind was linked to hers. 'GET OUT OF MY MIND!' she cried in her brain, irritated. 'Dear baby, please don't be like this, you're disturbing yourself,' he said, sarcastically.
"You may now kiss the bride," the bishop said forcefully, snapping his sermon book close. The audience erupted in applause, and Jessica turned to face her husband, who had a mix of fascination and terror on his face.
'You'll never be alone, and I'll cherish you for the rest of my life.' As he drew Jessica into his arms, squeezing her against his frame, his words resonated in her mind. Jessica wanted to scream 'get off me,' but her body seemed to crave, even demand, his touch. Jessica's hands were drawn to the warmth and hardness of the muscles beneath his shirt.
The Prince gently raised Jessica's face upwards by catching her chin with his finger. "Forgive me," he said as he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. His head sank to her shoulder and nuzzled her neck. Jessica didn't understand at first, but she realized something wasn't right when she felt his hold tightening around her waist like a boa constrictor.
"Please forgive me," he said again, pressing a kiss into Jessica's neck.
Jessica opened her mouth to inquire as to why, but pain erupted in her neck as she felt the Dark Prince's teeth rip through her skin and begin to suffocate her.