Forever Union

White gold with small diamond's surrounding it.

What was meant as a sign of love and devotion for other couples was nothing but a testament of his ownership of me.

A daily reminder of the golden cage, that I'd be trapped in for the rest of my life.

Until death do us part wasn't an empty promise as with so many other couples that entered the holy bond of marriage.

There was no way out of this union for me. I was his until the end of my life. The last few words of the oath men swore when they were inducted into the mafia, could just as well have been the closing of my wedding vow.

'I enter alive and I will leave dead.'

It was my turn to say the words and slip the ring onto his finger.

For a moment, I wasn't sure if I could manage. The tremor rocking my body was so strong that Fu Shao had to steady my hand and help me.

So I hoped nobody had noticed, but as usual Fu Heng keen eyes rested on my fingers. He and Fu Shao were close that they'd probably laugh about my fear for a long time. I should have run when I still had the chance.

Now as hundreds of faces from the W country and B clans stared back at us, flight was no longer an option.

Nor was divorce. Only Death was the only acceptable end to a marriage in our world.

Even if I still managed to escape his watchful eyes and that of his men, my breach of our agreement would mean war.

Nothing my father could say would prevent his clan's from exercising vengeance for making them lose face.

My feelings didn't matter, never had. I'd been growing up in a world where no choices were given, especially to women.

This wedding wasn't about love or trust or choice. It was about duty and honour, about doing what was expected.

A bond to ensure peace as I wasn't an idiot.

We knew what else this was about money and power. Both were dwindling since the ancestors, the clan's had been trying to expand their influence into our territories.

So I should be honoured to marry the oldest son of the Fu clan's.

That's what my father and every other men relative had tried to tell me since my betrothal to him. I knew that, and it wasn't as if I hadn't had time to prepare for this exact moment, and yet fear corseted my body in a relentless grip.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest said.

I raised my head.

Every pair of eyes in the pavilion scrutinized me, waiting for a flicker of weakness. Father would be furious if I let my terror show, and Fu clan's would use it against us.

But I had grown up in a world where a perfect mask was the only protection afforded to women and had no trouble forcing my face into a placid expression.

Nobody would know how much I wanted to escape.

Nobody but Fu Shao.

As I couldn't hide from him, no matter how much I tried. My body wouldn't stop shaking and his grip on my hands tightened.

As my gaze met his cold eyes, I could tell that he knew.

How often had he instilled fear in others?

Recognizing it was probably second nature to him.

He bent down to bridge the ten inches he towered over me. There was no sign of hesitation, fear or doubt on his face.