Karry felt nervous as she stood next to Malachi at the small altar that had been placed at the head of the large marble conference room. She wasn't sure why to be honest, she knew that this was nothing more than a business marriage, yet standing next to the man beside her she simply felt anxious. Malachi was wearing some thing akin to a suit, though the leather pants he wore was a bit odd to her, yet she had to admit he looked excellent in them. She glanced once more at him shyly before returning her attention to the words that were being spoken by the man who was wedding them.
Malachi felt each glance from the woman, felt the surge of heat each time she glanced over his body with open speculation but he ruthlessly pushed aside the lust. She was his tool, nothing more could come of it. He admitted to himself that the gown draped over her thin body was alluring in a way that he hadn't expected, yet his heart still belonged to Kyrin. He glanced at Kyrin who was standing next to Lucian and tried his best to keep his brother from noticing the longing on his face. With a inward sigh Malachi returned his attention to the woman in front of him, knowing that once he had what he wanted he would discard her as he did all useless tools.
Karry fidgeted as she held her hand out as she was asked, her eyes widening a bit as the ancient dagger was sliced across her palm then Malachi's. They pressed their palms together as the magic man made minister wrapped a length of white ribbon with several colored ribbons around their wrists. There was a meaning to each color and the man spoke of them as he wrapped them around over the white, but the words didn't process in her brain, she was to startled by the feel of Malachi's warm hand. Several more nerve wrecking minutes passed and they were declared husband and wife, king and queen. Malachi leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, and she felt it all the way down to her toes.
People rose from their seats and bowed to her as Malachi lifted their bound and bleeding hands for all to see. Karry knew that color rose to her cheeks and she lowered her head to allow her hair to cover her flaming face.
"A Queen never bows her head." Malachi whispered into her ear
Her head jerked up and she shot a sideways glance at Malachi who was no longer speaking to her but carefully slipped their hands free of the binding placing them in a glass case above the twin chairs. He took her hand and led her to the room next to the conference room, the ballroom that held a long table covered in food. All waited until her and Malachi were seated before they too sat down and enjoyed the feast before they would dance.
Karry was very careful not to look to long at anyone person and was even more careful to not look at Malachi. Half way through the meal a messenger arrived announcing that the group that had been searching for her, using the simple term Hunters, had arrived and were demanding entrance into the dining hall. Malachi nodded his head as he stood,his brother moving to stand behind him while his sisters moved to stand behind her, almost as if they were protecting her.
Malachi glanced at Karry as they waited for their unwanted visitors to enter, he watched her take a deep steadying breath even as her left hand clenched into a tight fist. Her eyes flashed briefly with worry but it was quickly hidden behind a mask of arrogance and indifference and he had to admit that he was impressed. Most women he knew with a few rare exceptions would have been unable to school themselves so quickly, yet he should have expected such a thing from this woman, she was more warrior than a female in his eyes. He returned his cold gaze to the oaken double doors just as they burst inwards and several rough looking men entered.
"We are here for Karry Strayer and we demand that she be handed over." the apparent leader spoke out in a harsh tone
Malachi looked at the man and smiled darkly as he saw the man grow paler under his gaze.
"You have interrupted my wedding feast and make demands without even offering your name. I find this very rude." Malachi said his voice holding a whip of authority