Cora

She paced around the room, her boots hardened with mud clomped around the wooded floor. The hardened face of her mother appeared in the doorway, her eyes glaring at Cora as she glanced at the dried flakes of mud that now littered the stained wood. "Why are you not ready?" She asked, her voice filled with disgust at the girl, or soon to be woman. "Almost," Cora hesitated, "Almost ready." She said softly, sitting down on the soft, but firm, chair near the back wall of the dimly lit room. Her mother huffed in agitation, slamming the door behind her, not before giving one more look of disgust to the girl. Cora sighed, looking sadly at the door before sliding the caked boots off of her feet.

She glanced around the room, her eyes hovering on the small details of her old childhood room. The small window that covered the top of the outer wall, a bookshelf that was nailed precariously to the wall, warping under the weight of two old, dusty books that hadn't been touched in years. The small bed in the corner, the cool iron frame rusted from years sitting in a damp, dark area and the sheets held holes from the occasional rats or moths. Her eyes watered as she remembered the days and nights she would spend here, crying or occasionally singing the day away.

Her hand ran across the silk of the white, frilly dress she was being forced to wear, a beauty forced to be worn on a saddened day. She gazed into the broken mirror, her eyes wet with unshed tears as she applied the makeup that the monster of a mother had set out for her to wear. The window pattered as rain pelted the glass, the sky mourning her. The white heels hurt her feet as she practiced walking around in them, falling more times than you would think. The monster suddenly knocked on the door, signaling that it was time to leave the safe comfort of the cage she grew up in. Her hands shook as she lifted them to open the door, scared at what was to come. Cora took a deep breath, breathing slowly before cracking open the door, her lime green eyes on the floor. She stepped out slowly, her ankles hurting with every step. She looked to the monster, who was smiling ahead. This was her day, yet the monster would steal the spotlight once again. The monster's hand landed on her shoulder, leading her to a creaking old door, almost larger than the wall itself. The monster gave a sickening smile, her yellow teeth shining in the sun. The long, thin hands released themselves from her shoulder, opening the creaking door to reveal a ceremony, one that brought a feeling of dread into Cora's heart.

She held a bouquet of flowers, ones which would have made her have a horrible allergy if not numb in the moment. The flowers wilted, looked dead against the bright white of the dress and the harsh red from the ribbon tying them together.

As she walked down the isle, the piano played a tune that portrayed sadness, and something else she could not make out. Her green eyes wandered, looking at the groom that she had yet to see. His hair was fluffy, falling into his face at times. She saw the same sadness in his eyes that she held in her own. She smiled at him sadly, a sort of quirk at the mouth was all that he returned. When she reached him, her eyes gazed into his, and an understanding between them was made, a sort of bond as of sorts. They each said their vows, each word less genuine than the last. As they leaned in for the bonding kiss, he whispered softly into Cora's ear, "You've got this." She smiled softly before kissing him, both having no real emotion behind the simple peck of the lips. As though they both thought of the same thing, they pulled away from the kiss, smiling and bowing to each other, confusing the guests. Hazel eyes met green and they laughed, enraging the parents and monsters of the bride and groom. "Why are you laughing?!" The monsters screamed, enraged and agitated by the 'scene' they were creating. They looked at each other before Cora answered. "We are free from you now, of course!" She laughed, hugging the groom who was laughing as well.

The married couple now agreed to end the ceremony early, leaving to the pre-owned cottage near the edge of the town.

Upon their arrive to the cottage, they both changed into some sweats and a t-shirt. When they both flopped onto the couch, they made eye contact, immediately laughing. After the laughing fit they calmed, "So, whats your name?" Cora asked, a giggle still in her voice. "Liome. Yours?" He laughed, an eyebrow quirked up in question. "Cora, nice to meet you." She smiled, looking around the small cottage. The tiny place was well lit, and greatly furnished. The mantle had a fireplace, filled with a crackling flame. The lamps on the side tables were on, and the place felt like home. "The rooms are pretty nice." She said, curling into the plush cushions of the couch, Liome's face full of exhaustion and amusement. "Yeah, they were." He yawned, grabbing two blankets and covering himself with one, giving the other to Cora. She mumbled a thanks, dozing off. Liome chuckled, turning down the lights and going to sleep, curled up on the other side of the couch.

When Cora awoke, she saw Liome curled onto the couch, fast asleep with his chest rising softly. She looked at the time, confused as to what time it was. The sun had just begun to rise as she read that it was half past three. She carefully stood up, making her way over to the kitchen connected to the living room, fixing herself a cup of tea and leaning against the counter. The warm mug felt heavy as it held the earl tea. The honey she had added to it felt warm and soothing against her throat. When he wakes up, we'll set some rules she thought of as she stood leaning against the counter. Yeah, it'll be just fine.