A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-three.

W is for Wedding.

She stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. She brought her hand up to trace her jaw, running pink painted nails across the bone, pressing a little harder on a bruise covered by makeup. She winced and smiled, looking into her grassy green eyes.

"It's finally time," she whispered and smoothed her hands down the white lace wedding dress her mother made for her. The only nice piece of clothing she ever received.

"Kyra?" Her mothers voice came through the door. "Are you ready?"

Kyra looked herself over once more, making sure the bruises were covered. A daughter of the Kings Royal Knights must always look immaculate. She walked to the door and pulled it open, smiling at her mother.

"You look beautiful, dear."

"Thank you, mother."

Kyra's mother took her arm and led her away from the room, heading outside towards her family's courtyard where the carriage awaited to take her to her new home. A tradition here in Toron for centuries, and one that helped girls like Kyra flee their fathers.

Her mother helped her into the carriage and Kyra smiled as she sat down and let her mother close the door. It was just her in the carriage and she relaxed back into the seat as it pulled away. She couldn't seem to stop smiling. The carriage took her away from her family where she'll be able start over, be who she wants to be.

It didn't seem like much longer before the carriage was slowing. She looked outside and gasped when she saw the carriage pulling around the courtyard of the castle. It stopped in front of the door and the driver opened the door with a bow.

Kyra stepped out slowly, unsure what was happening.

The doors opened to reveal the King. "Welcome, Kyra of Toreld," the King said and gestured her forward. She slowly ascended the stairs. "You are a sight for sore eyes," he laughs.

She smiles at him and curtsies when she reaches the top of the stairs. "Why am I here?"

The King grinned. "Your husband-to-be is visiting us today, and I wanted to make sure you got everything you wished for."

Kyra blinked. He wasn't from Toron?

"Come my dear," the King gently took her arm and led her inside the castle, directing her past rooms that she tried to glimpse into. They entered a study where the prince sat with another man, both holding a glass of scotch.

"Prince Coltrane," the King said and Kyra's eyes widened. "This is Krya of Toreld."

Coltrane stood up with a smile, placing his glass of scotch on the table beside the couch. "It's nice to meet you," he said and stepped forward.

Kyra studied his face, unbelieving that he was to be her husband.

"I suppose you think this is a joke," Coltrane said even as he held out his hand for her to shake. She placed her hand in his and he twisted it, bringing the back of it to his lips. She felt her face grow hot, even as a smile stretched her lips.

"It's nice to meet you," Kyra responded.

"You look lovely," he said, keeping a hold of her hand and using it to tug her towards the couch where he was sitting.

"I'm not sure I understand, though," Kyra said.

Coltrane laughed. "I'm not surprised. It's unusual for a Prince to choose a wife this way."

Kyra nodded.

"We have met before," Coltrane said as the King and Prince excused themselves to let them get to know each other.

"We have?"

"Years ago," he said. "It was when my first trip to Toron and you were there with your mother and father, at the ball held on behalf of our treaty being reassigned."

Kyra nodded slowly, trying to remember all those years ago.

"I knew how he treated you," Coltrane's voice was hard. "I wanted to take you with us then, but father forbade it, said you weren't worthy." His fist clenched around her hand and she brought her other hand to their combined ones and held his bigger hand in both of hers. He took a deep breath. "About a year ago I was told I needed to find a wife. I wanted you, told father I wanted you. He was furious." Coltrane laughed. "I said I wasn't the heir, I should be able to choose who I wished."

Kyra smiled and brought his hand closer to her chest, shifting on the couch to be closer to him.

"He didn't have an argument for that. It was a couple of months later when King Gerrit told me of this tradition and that you were on the list."

"Why did you wait so long?" Kyra asked.

"I wanted to make sure we had a place to go to, a home for us." He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her. "I wanted everything to be perfect for us."

Kyra leaned her head on his shoulder. "Just being with you is enough."

He clutched at her. "We'll have a proper wedding back home," he said. "Where you can choose the dress you want to wear, with flowers and whatever else you wish."

She laughed. "I don't want much."

He pressed a kiss to her head. "I'll still give you the world."