Add to that the bright lights, colorful decorations, and diamond headdresses that sparkled with a brilliance that burned his eyeballs.
Seated at the wedding table, he sipped on amber, scorching whiskey.
It helped to strip the rising bile and disdain at the scene before him, while cleansing the lingering bitterness from his encounter with thesachemcreature.
Brooding, he swirled the tumbler in his hand, fighting the urge to flee the heft of social expectations and artificial pleasantries, suffocating him in a sea of forced interactions and superficial chatter.
Fokk, he could not wait to steal away.
His mood was dark, and it radiated, so most avoided the bridal dais.
Sensing his simmering ire, even his fellow strong guards moved away to meet guests and exchange small talk.
He slumped into his chair, his heated, pensive eyes navigating the crowded room as the tinkle of laughter and the hum of conversation filled the air.
His gaze paused on one woman.
She’d stepped into a gaggle of women who surrounded her, laying their congratulations and jostling to be acknowledged by the newŠarim.
His narrowed, angry eyes locked on her amid the sea of faces.
He had never wanted to destroy anyone as much as her at the altar when he’d set eyes on her face and realized her deception.
He’d waited seven long years for one promised bride and another seven for the next. Only to find out she was not the one he had been waiting for all this time.
Fokk the lies, the betrayal, the subterfuge.
He hated it all.
He loathed the fact he’d been swindled again.
Yet, he was unable to ignore her.
Despite her stated plainness, she had an aura that captured every shard of illumination from the dripping crystals above, giving her a glow from within and without.
Her luminosity contrasted with her actions.
Damn it all to hell, but much about her drew him in against his will.
Her understated, natural beauty was a stark contrast to the room’s overdone makeup and loud fashion choices.
She’d claimed she was not considered a prize by most standards, but he begged to differ.
While ropable, he wasn’tfokkin’ blind.
She was different, no doubt, from many of the overblown beauties and drama mamas he’d met in the past.Severalof whom were swirling around the room, casting doe eyes on hishermanosand him.
She was not trying to impress anyone, yet she exuded a quiet confidence that drew his gaze.
Her features were classic, not overdone.
Her skin was sun-kissed and smooth.
Her lips were soft and full, begging to be caressed.
He scoffed, yet his mind would not let go of the fantasy of tasting her mouth. He imagined they’d be an utter temptation, pliant, yielding, and sweet.
Below her trailing veil, her hair was simple, with loose waves cascading down her back, rather than being styled into an intricate and impossible bouffant.
