00:00Deep in the mountain forest, a strange piping melody suddenly rang out.
00:04The fox approaches, all mortals, make way.
00:07Dozens of red foxes materialized from the trees, dense and silent, perching on branches and boulders.
00:13Even in death, I felt my phantom skin crawl.
00:16A fox wearing boots and a hat walked forward on two legs, stopping before my family.
00:21My parents stiffened into a row blocking my body from view.
00:24The fox's voice sharpened to a shriek.
00:27Why is there the scent of mortal blood here?
00:30My parents exchanged a glance.
00:32Cold sweat dripped.
00:33My wraith drifted toward the fox envoy.
00:35I thought perhaps being a creature of the Faeae realm, it could see me.
00:39Perhaps it would avenge me.
00:41Its dark green eyes turned in my direction for a single instant.
00:44Then Lyra raised her hand and said, sweetly,
00:47I accidentally cut my hand just now.
00:49I apologize for dirtying the great lord's domain.
00:52She lifted her pale fingers.
00:54A few drops of blood welled up.
00:56The fox envoy studied her.
00:57Are you the bride the master is to wed?
01:00Miss Alera Vos?
01:02Indeed.
01:03By my father's commission, I am here to fulfill the blood pot made sixteen years ago.
01:08To wed the Fae King.
01:11If you dare deceive the Fae King, you will suffer the flay and shatter bone punishment.
01:17Your soul will be burned by verdant fox fire and know no release for all eternity.
01:23The threat was so severe my mother almost lunged forward to drag Lyra back.
01:28But Lyra was beyond reason.
01:30I am Alera Vos.
01:32I am the promised bride Lord Valen has waited sixteen years for.
01:35The fox envoy turned and led the procession forward.
01:38The hour has come.
01:39The bride enters the palacus.
01:42Lyra lowered her veil.
01:43Her red lips curved into a smile of triumphant desire.
01:46She had gotten everything she wanted.
01:48Countless foxes came running, rising on two legs to lift the bridal palanquin and carry
01:53it into the black depths of the mountain forest.
Comments