wedding day

The wooden door of the little church creaked softly as it opened. The scent of ancient timber, fresh lilies, and incense greeted them as they entered. Inside, it was silent. The congregation, seated neatly on long pews, turned to look behind them. It was Sunday, and morning mass was happening by coincidence.

But everyone's attention immediately focused on Athena, gripping Asher's hand tightly, her breath trembling. She felt as if she were in a strange dream, wearing a wedding gown in an unfamiliar church, surrounded by strangers, and with a man she didn't know… who somehow felt like home.

Asher appeared calm, his eyes sweeping around in awe. The black suit he wore borrowed from Celine's husband made him look almost unreal. His silver-gray hair was slicked back, and his gaze was fixed on only one thing: Athena.

They walked slowly toward the altar, met with curious looks and hushed whispers from the congregation. The priest, an elderly man with a kind face and wise eyes, was already standing and waiting. A church staff member stepped forward and whispered in his ear, likely explaining their situation.

The priest just nodded, then smiled warmly at Athena and Asher.

"Welcome, children," he began softly. "Today… we are here to witness something more beautiful than usual."

Athena and Asher stood facing each other at the altar. The soft toll of a small bell from the mass echoed in the background.

"Asher…" Athena whispered, barely audible.

He stared at her intently, as if the rest of the world had ceased to exist. "You are stunning," he said quietly. "You will have me as your protector forever."

A small smile touched Athena's lips, though her eyes glistened with tears.

The priest opened his Bible and looked at them. "Before we begin, I ask you, do you come here with sincere hearts?"

Asher answered without hesitation, his voice deep and steady. "I come because I want to protect her. Forever."

Athena looked into Asher's eyes, then nodded slowly. "And I… come because I know…I don't want to live life without him. Let us complete each other in all circumstances."

The priest's smile widened. "Then let us begin…"

And bathed in stained-glass light, held in the hush of the congregation, and surrounded by trembling emotion, this unplanned wedding—born of escape—became something far deeper than ceremony.

In the front row, Lucy sat beside Celine. They looked half-moved, half-adorably giddy. Lucy wore her leather jacket with sunglasses perched on her head, while Celine, still in her store apron, resembled a spontaneously excited bridesmaid.

"They're taking this so seriously," Lucy whispered, smiling wryly.

Celine rested her chin in her hands. "I still can't believe it's actually happening. They're like… the couple from a Valentine's special romance novel!"

Lucy nodded slowly. "Yup. Snow Prince and Runaway Bride."

They nearly chuckled, then fell silent as the priest turned pages and looked solemnly at Athena and Asher.

"Friends, today we gather in love and wonder. Two souls have chosen to unite, under unusual circumstances, yet with genuine hearts…"

Asher gazed deeply into Athena, and she returned his look with a gentle smile that held a thousand meanings.

The priest continued, "Athena Kingsleigh, do you willingly take Asher Kingsleigh, in joy and sorrow, in light and darkness, to love and be loved in return, today and always?"

Athena nodded, tears in her eyes. "I do."

He then looked at Asher. "Asher Kingsleigh, do you promise to take Athena Kingsleigh, to cherish and love without condition, through every season of your life?"

Asher stared deeply at Athena and replied, "I do. More than anything."

Celine squeezed Lucy's hand, unable to hold back a joyful grin.

"Now," the priest said, closing his prayer book with a kind smile, "exchange rings, symbols of your eternal bond."

Athena opened the small box Asher held and took one of the rings. Her hands trembled as she slid it onto Asher's ring finger.

"This ring… is a reminder you're not alone I'll always be there, teaching you many things," she whispered.

Asher then took the other ring and carefully placed it on Athena's finger, as though it were fragile. "This will remind me that I have a reason to stay…I'm yours; I'll protect you."

The priest beamed. "By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. And now… Asher, you may kiss your bride."

Asher froze.

He glanced at the priest, then at Athena, then back to the priest. "Kiss? Where?"

Lucy stifled a giggle. "The lips, Asher. The lips!"

He looked at Athena, his eyes wide with nervousness. "May I… kiss you?"

Athena met his gaze for a moment. Her lips curved, then without hesitation, she stepped forward, cupped his face, and kissed him softly warmly and deeply, as if the world around them ceased to exist.

Immediate applause and cheers broke out. Lucy and Celine stood cheering, clapping enthusiastically.

"Woohoo! That's my girl!" Lucy shouted, clapping hard. "Finally!"

But in an instant…

The applause vanished, as if the world's volume was turned off.

Athena blinked and saw Asher sway.

"Asher?"

He grasped his forehead, his face drained of color. His eyes lost focus, and his body started to sway.

"ASHER!"

In one instant, he collapsed to the altar floor, lifeless.

A soft gasp went through the congregation. Celine leaped up in panic, and Lucy rushed forward.

Athena dropped beside Asher, cradling his face in her hands.

"No, no… Asher, wake up! Hey, look at me!"

But he remained still, his skin as pale as ice.

"Asher, please… open your eyes…"

Athena shook him gently; no response. Her breath caught as her hand touched his cheek, cold, colder than any chill she'd ever known.

"Asher… don't do this. Not now… oh God!"

Suddenly, Asher's body trembled. His fingers, once limp, clenched as though resisting something unseen. Athena stared in terror as his skin slowly shifted from its pale hue to a bluish-white, nearly translucent. Pale blue veins crept beneath his skin, branching like ice fractures.

"Oh god…what is happening?" Athena stared into his face, and saw something strange: his eyelids fluttered wildly, as if trapped in a nightmare he couldn't escape.

"Asher… can you hear me?" her voice shook. She looked around in panic. "Can someone get water?! Call an ambulance!"

Celine dashed toward the back of the church while Lucy fumbled for her phone. The congregation that had cheered now stood frozen, uncertain what to do.

Suddenly, Asher's chest rose and fell rapidly but not like breathing. More like his body was reacting… to something internal. His fingertips blackened, as if freezing from within and wisps of pale blue-white mist began wafting from his palms.

"No… no… this isn't fainting," Athena whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What is happening to you?"

Asher groaned softly. His body arched briefly and then went limp. Under his collar, something glowed faintly like a luminous pattern spreading from his chest to his neck. Athena gasped.

That glow… it wasn't of this world.

"He's literally burning from within…" Lucy whispered, stunned, standing right behind Athena.

Athena turned her head, then looked back at Asher. Panic twisted her face not only because she feared losing him, but because she had no idea who or what he really was.

"Asher…" she whispered again, with equal parts love and dread. "What's really happening to you?"

Asher suddenly ground his teeth and in the next moment, his eyes shot open.

But they were no longer merely blue.

Their irises blazed with white light, cold. Untouchable.