Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
I nodded, trying to absorb everything, though it still felt overwhelming.
"And what about you?" I asked, hesitating for a moment before adding, "I've heard you referred to as Domina. Mistress of Shadows?"
She smiled. "You've been reading the doctrine. That's good. Knowledge is power here." She paused, her eyes studying me for a moment. "As for me being the Domina, you could say I'm like an advisor for you. Well, I will be, officially, after you and my brother's final Rite."
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening as I realized what she meant.
Our final Rite—nuptials. The very thought made my pulse race, a mixture of dread and curiosity twisting in my gut. I forced the words out before I could second-guess myself. "I’ve been wondering what marriage is like here."
Esther’s gaze softened, and she stepped closer, her tone turning more thoughtful. "More respected than the marriages not of the Isle. More sacred."
She said it with such reverence that it felt like the word marriage meant something entirely different.
"Marriage on the Isle," she continued, "is not just a personal commitment, but a vow that ties you into the very fabric of our society. Every union here has a purpose, far beyond love or convenience. It’s a partnership that commands respect and requires sacrifice."
“Sacrifice?”
She nodded, her gaze growing distant for a moment. “Yes. You’ll understand in time, but just know that marriage here is not just a bond between two people. It’s a merging of legacies, bloodlines, and the roles we play within the Isle. You will never just be his wife—you will always be a symbol for the people of Impío.”
I looked away, the weight of her words pressing on me.
That certainly wasn’t what I had ever imagined when I thought of marriage. This was something far deeper, more dangerous, and more powerful. I wasn’t just marrying him. I was marrying the Isle, its history, and its secrets.
Esther watched me closely as if reading the thoughts that flitted through my mind. “It’s intense,” she admitted softly. “But it’s also beautiful in its own way. You’ll come to see that.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I simply nodded again, my mind whirling with the possibilities and the unknowns that lay ahead. The nuptials, the Rite, the role I would play—it was rushing toward me faster than I could prepare for.
After a long moment of silence, Esther placed a hand on my arm, grounding me back in the present.
“You’ll do fine,” she said with certainty. “You were chosen for a reason, and I will be with you every step of the way.”
I gave her a small, tight-lipped smile, though it did little to ease the knot in my stomach. "I hope you're right."
Her grip tightened slightly, and she leaned in closer. “I know I’m right. You’re stronger than you realize. And once you’ve completed the Rite, you’ll understand your true power.”
The conviction in her voice was both reassuring and terrifying. My eyes flicked to Pandora, who sat calmly, sipping a drink with her ever-present blindfold. Tonight, it matched her painted face perfectly. She looked like a painting come to life.
I wondered how she navigated all of this without seeing the world around her, yet somehow managing to be more aware than anyone else. As the night wore on, music swelled, and the laughter around me grew louder, more vibrant. Despite the noise, I felt distant, disconnected from it all. I glanced over at Alexander, who was deep in conversation with someone I didn’t recognize, his face unreadable as always. For a moment, I wondered if he ever felt like this, if the weight of his position ever suffocated him the way mine seemed to be suffocating me.
Then again, he thrived in this world. He was born for it. I was still trying to figure out where I fit in. When it came time for everyone to eat, Alexander led me to the table situated on a small dais above the rest. The air felt thick with anticipation as we approached, and I couldn’t help but notice how once again, every head turned in our direction.
My grip on his arm tightened reflexively, and he pulled me closer. The chair at the head of the table caught my attention first. It was unlike any of the others—made of what looked like blackened bone, twisted and intricate, almost grotesque in its beauty. I did my best not to stare at it too hard, unsure if I was seeing it correctly or if my mind was playing tricks on me. Alexander pulled out a chair for me, not with the casual elegance he usually displayed, but with a sense of ceremony. I sat down, trying to ignore the strange weight of everyone’s eyes as he claimed the grotesque-like throne.
Across from me, a man with a painted face, much like the rest of us, smiled broadly. His features were familiar, his sharp profile unmistakable—Emilio. I’d seen his face many times in the photos that lined Alexander’s office. His grin was too bright for the occasion, and it threw me off for a moment before I forced myself to return the smile, albeit hesitantly.