Instantly tears spring to my eyes, and I must let them fall or raise my eyes to stop them. I take a breath and raise my eyes, looking at you for the first time. My striking, bright grey eyes have a distinct green cast to them, giving them the appearance of smooth marble.
"My..." I hesitate, not certain if I could call him my husband. They hadn't allowed me to take his name, after they found out the union wasn't consummated. One tear falls on my cheek, but I make no move to brush it away. "Zacharias died a hero. He went in the manor for his sister. She made it out, but..." My breath catches and my hands clench the folds of my skirt. "I loved him so much!" I finally stammer. "I was so happy, I was going to have my fairy tale dream come true." My voice grows quieter as I speak. "Now I have nothing. I wish I'd died with him. I should have gone with him!"
I finally brush the tears from my cheeks angrily, struggling to push the overwhelming grief away. Three days ago I was living a dream. Now I was being handed to a stranger with nothing. Anger at my husband's family, for not knowing what to do with me, at my father, for giving up at the worst possible time, and at myself, for all the anger I feel when I should be sad, makes me ball my fists up in my black skirts, only stopping when I hear fabric tear.