Unwilling Bride

She was known as a Goddess, one always in a hot spring in her temple. It was small compared to the other gods, but she was visited more often than the others. People travel from miles to see her, and to ask her to grant them a wish. And she does, as long as they offer her something just as valuable. But doesn't take it as far as others have. Never shorten someone's life, never has some trick up her sleeve to deceive anyone. From her generosity she has became a well known name, and also a big target for some.

Many have tried ways to kidnap her, trap her, or threaten her to obey to them. And only grant them wishes. All have failed, and as punishment by her. They were publicly humiliated for trying. And usually I would have never thought of trying to take her, she was a goddess, minor or not she could easily have done worst. But when my father started getting ill, we needed the money to survive. After many jobs, late nights, and exhaustion from still never making enough. Soon a group of thugs came to offer more money to do some of their dirty work. 

If my family wasn't in such a bad spot I would've said no. I would've kept working, not caring if I was breaking my body to get us by. But even with my mother's and I effort we could hardly make it. I usually went to bed hungry weeks at a time. Making sure bills were paid, and the rest of my family had something to eat. They paid decently enough, and most of what they had me do was scout out a location for them. Be a look out guard, or deliver things for them. I told them I never wish to know what it was I was dropping off, it keeps my soul at ease to just be ignorant of what I was helping with.

But this new task, was different. They told me that I was going to see the Goddess, and ask her to be my wife. They said she would yes, they had a reliable source that said it is the only way to capture her without her punishing you. I was reluctant, but the amount they offered was enough to sway me. It could get my family to a stable place, so we won't be fighting an endless battle trying to get ahead. And I could still ask her for a wish, then I could make sure my family never has to struggle again.

So I agreed, and spent a week trying to work the nerve to go there. Her temple was just at the outskirt of the town. There were always people there, all waiting to see her. Many came with offerings, she had a few beings made of boulders as her guardsmen to keep the peace. As some were inpatient to see her, and tried to push through. I finally worked the courage to go to her temple, it was later in the night. Fewer people around, and the the cool autumn air easily showed the steam coming from her temple. Leaving a light fog around her temple.

I didn't wait long to see her, an hour at most. And when it was my time, I heard my blood rushing in my ears. I concentrated hard to just breathe, nervous to put the plan in motion. A water nymph escorted me to her, the room was heavy with steam, but yet it wasn't suffocating as it would be in a enclosed space. In the middle of the room was the spring, the Goddess floating inside. The room was lit from candles surrounding the springs, illuminating the Goddess. 

Dark hair floating elegantly in the water, eyes closed as I approached. As I got closer I realized she was floating on her back, and steam surrounded her body to hide what she didn't want to be seen. Only her arms, legs, shoulders and head were visible. Golden brown skin had an unearthly glow to it, memorizing. She soon opened her eyes and looked right at me. I felt a blush creep in my face as I realized I'd been staring. Looking away to regain my composure she spoke. 

"Hello human, what is it that you wish for?" She ask, voice so calming and soft. I looked back at her when she stood up. The water reaching her midriff, steam still covering her chest. I had to remind myself as to why I was here, to stop getting distracted. I'd heard of her beauty, as most Goddess are inhumanly beautiful, but to be in front of an attractive woman was harder then I thought it to be. 

I cleared my throat to get myself prepared to accomplish my task. "I do not come for a wish, I-" She looked at me confused but said nothing, curiosity filled her dark eyes. "I would be honored if you would marry me." I said, my voice shaking. Even with the thugs assurance she wouldn't punish me, the memory of seeing all those she had filled my mind. She no longer spoke with a soft calming voice, it was filled with anger.

"Marry you? I-" She was cut off, having submerged in the spring. I stood frozen as I saw her figure thrash under the water. After a moment she emerged, coughing violently as if she was trying to catch her breath from drowning. Her face hidden from my view by her hair. Which no longer held it's previous elegance. It cling to her body as she continued to catch her breath. 

She spoke again, voice hoarse from the coughing. "How dare you?" She moved her hair from her face. Her skin lost it's unearthly glow, she sneered at me. My heart tried to leave my body as my head raced with all ways she could hurt me, she might even kill me for this. "How dare you!? You selfish man! You have taken me away from my child because you wanted a bride!!?" She yelled, voice echoing off the walls, her words pierced my body. A child? "I could've granted you money, power, status to gain a bride! You fool! You've taken my power!" While glaring at me tears began to fall from her eyes. 

"I-What? I-I didn't know. I'm sorry I-" I stopped when she got out of the spring, her body fully exposed but fear over took any interest to look. She began charging at me, I knew I should move but I couldn't. My feet were frozen to the spot, and a small part of my brain told me whatever was to come was deserved. Just as she was about to slap me, I saw her body twitch and she moved at the last moment. Swinging at nothing, and her momentum flung her body to the ground.

Hearing her hit the ground, I snapped out of my fear and tried to help her up, when she screamed. "Don't touch m-AH!" She screamed again and curled into a ball. Holding her left hand out, I watched in disbelief as a ring formed on her finger, the ring was glowing as if hot. The skin around turned red, being burned by the ring. It soon dimmed and looked like a simple silver band on her finger. The skin still red as she sat up and looked at me. 

Tears continued to fall. "I hope you're happy. You have taken the power of a Goddess, taken me from my child. My lifespan less than half of theirs. They'll be alone, because of you. Nymph!" She yelled out, one quickly ran in and looked shocked at her. "A robe." Was all she said as she sat in a fetal position. I remembered she was still undress, and looked to the nymph leave the room. The nymph quickly came with a robe and helped her put it on. 

"I am now your bride, an unwilling one. And while the ring won't let me hurt you, I will still make our lives together torture." She said as she stood up, her eyes red from the tears. But she still looked at me with hatred. My stomach seemed to jump to my throat, this wasn't what was supposed to happen. What am I supposed to do now, I didn't think I'd actually have a bride. How could I handle taking care of someone else now? I started breathing rapidly as she spoke to the nymph. "Call my sister and have her bring my daughter." 

Daughter. She had a child, one that aged slower than humans do. I took her away from her daughter. I took away her powers, all because of money. The guilt began to eat at my insides as a bright light filled the room. Next to the former Goddess was another that looked similar to her, which makes sense if she calls them her sister. Golden brown skin, dark hair, in regal clothes. And holding a small bundle that began to coo as soon as the Former Goddess reached them. 

"My sister! What happen? What-" The other Goddess looked at her in shock, lightly touching her cheek. "The curse?" She barely whispered, receiving a nod. The Former Goddess took the little girl from her sisters arm and held them close, whispering to the child. The sister looked at me and glared. "You did this to her." She raised a hand and lifted the water out from the spring, and was aiming at me. Just as the water almost hit me, the Former Goddess left hand shot out and pushed her sisters arm. Making the water miss me, hitting the wall with a lot of force. That the building shook on impact. "What?" The Goddess looked to her sister in confusion.

"Ugh, stupid ring. Forcing me to protect him. Gah." The Former Goddess said, see looked at me and it was easy to tell she wished she let her sister hit me. "Don't waste your effort sister, it has already been done. I am now mortal, and wed to him." She looked back at her sister with sad eyes. "Please watch over her, let her know of me. Even after I've passed." They stared at each other, speaking in a silent language. The little girl between them, unaware of the misfortune I've placed on her and her mother.

"Wait, I'm sorry. This wasn't my intention. Is there a way for me to reverse what I've done?" I said, their heads snapped in my direction. While my blood ran cold, I didn't stop talking. "I wasn't told of what asking you to marry me would cause to you. I'm sorry, I know me just saying so doesn't mean much to you. But please, is there a way to reverse what's been done? Whatever it is, I'll do it."

"Would you die to fix your mistake?" Asked the Goddess in a cold tone. My mouth went dry, die? What about my family? 

"Wait sister." Spoke the Former Goddess, she still held to the child tightly, but looked at me with more curiosity than hate. "What do you mean you weren't told of what would happen? Were you sent here?"

"I-I was sent by a band of local thugs. I was only told to come here and return for a reward that is supposed to get my family to a more financially stable place. So we won't struggle, had I'd been told that asking you would do this to you. I would've said no, and I know you have no reason to believe me. But what I say is the truth, so is there something I can do to fix what I've done?" I pleaded, the Former Goddess looked at her sister who just stared at me. As if looking into my soul to see if I spoke the truth. 

"He isn't lying, but even so. We don't know how to break the curse. It was place upon her by our loving mother." The Goddess spoke, venom on her lips. The Former Goddess looked hurt for a moment, before concealing her thoughts.

"And we haven't spoken to her in centuries, not as if she'd tell us if we asked. Our... our mother is a wicked one. It's best to just make due with what she has thrusted upon me, instead of trying to stop her." She said, guilt ripped through my being again when she looked to her daughter, a small tuff of dark hair was visible from the bundles of blankets. The baby girl still cooed at her mother, small chubby arms wormed their way out of the blankets and reached for her mothers face. "Oh my darling. What I'd do to stay with you." She brought the baby up to her and gave a kiss, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I will do all I can to see if there is something that we can do." Her sister said, placing an arm around her in a side hug. Looking at the baby girl, "Even if she isn't yours by blood, she's taken after you." She spoke softly, I shifted weight from foot to foot. not knowing what to do in this intimate moment. "It's better than not trying."

"True, but my hopes aren't high sister."

"Then I'll keep my hope high for the both of us." She turned to me again, anger still in her eyes. "And you, since she is now your wife I expect her to be well taken care of. She may be a former Goddess, now mortal. But she must be taken care of rightfully. That work, you do for the thugs will not be suitable to take care of her."

"I-But-" My mind was racing, now thinking of how I was going to go home with a bride. Someone else to care for, not as I could ask her to do work to help my family along. 

"Sister, enough badgering. I may have been a Goddess but don't forget who I was before becoming well known." They shared a knowing look. "I can handle myself, and it seems you forget he was send here to get me for payment to take care of his family. I can still live here-"

"No, that is not proper, this marriage wasn't proper, let's not dwell from tradition so much." They continued to talk as if I wasn't here. "And if he needs money so much your dowry should be enough."

"Oh no, don't tell me you kept that? Dowries haven't been used in years sister."

"And? Wasn't it good that I saved it? Look now, married to someone who isn't worthy. Let alone someone who can't take care of you. At least with this I can sleep well knowing you'll be okay." Her words struck me, and filled me with more guilt. "You, since you truly regret what you've done to my sister I will spare your life. As long as you take care of her while I find more out about the curse. I will visit her often, and if I hear just ONE thing that you've done. Like hurt her, or deprive her of anything she is worthy of. You will suffer the consequences." 

"Sister enough, you know I am more than capable of handling my own issues." The Former Goddess stepped in, looking at her sister with a look I understood since I've seen my younger sister give me. 'I can handle myself, I'm no longer a child.'

"Which I would usually agree, but with the ring now stopping you from harming him. Then it will be up to me to punish him." She took the baby girl back, rocking her back and forth. "Mortal I will be back in a days time with her dowry, you will live together and be a couple. I won't let my sisters imagine be tainted. Understood? So you will tell no one, and I mean not a soul of the curse or this plight." My throat felt tight, so I could only nod to let her know I understand. She soon left, in a blinding light just as she came. 

"I love her, but she can be so old fashion." The Former Goddess said, looking at me expressionless. "As for her, request. It would be best no one else knows of what is going on, it could cause more issues. So ground rules, if ever in public we are a happily married couple. Though beware of your hand at all time. We will live here, I don't want to join your family and risk being found out. And lastly, don't EVER expect me to fulfill ANY wifely duties in private. Or so help me I will find a way to hurt you. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am." I choked out, reality fully hitting me full force. Married, to a former Goddess because asking for her hand took her powers. How am I going to explain this to the thugs. It will cause a lot of issues with them, I though biting my lip.

"Good. Nymph!" The same nymph from earlier runs in. "Close my temple, without my powers I can no longer grant wishes. Say I've decided to simply be worshipped through prays and offerings. Anyone who tries to come in without permission, have the guards punish them. Severely." She said in a hard tone, she looked over to me briefly. "And I guess since he's my husband now, that he is to be tended to. But as only a guest. His own room, far from mine. He can only give simple orders, anything higher must come from me. Now go and get another guard to go with him to gather his personal things." The nymph looked at me suspiciously but nodded and left us alone.