I sat in the limo, next to Alexios with Clarissa fast asleep on my lap. I was thankful that my gown wasn't soaked, so she could rest. I stroked her hair and hummed a soft song to her.
      "Do you do that a lot?" he asked.
      "What?" I asked confused as I pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.
     "Play in the snow without a coat or proper pants," he clarified.
     "I never really had those things so I never felt a need for them. Besides, the snow helps with the pain," I cringed, I hadn't meant to let that slip out.
     "What pain?" He asked.
     "Its not important, it doesn't matter," I spoke nonchalantly. "Nothing about me does. My only purpose is to protect this little girl right here, and if I had to, I'd die for her," I hummed.
    "Of course you have more purpose than that, everyone does," Alexios replied in frustration.
     "Not me. She's the only reason I'm still here," I replied. It was true, so many times I'd wanted to kill myself, just end my life and move on to whatever was "next" but I couldn't leave her.
      "Are you sure you want to live that way? Simply existing?" He asked.

      "There is nothing else for me, I am just a sacrificial pawn in someone else's game, I always have been. I never really had a choice about anything except my fight to protect her," I mumbled.
      "You had a choice when you sold yourself to me for a measly 10,000," he growled quietly so noone else would hear.
     "The fact that I signed the papers doesn't mean I had a choice, Alexios," she mumbled, the tears slowly slipping from my eyes. "Do you think I wanted to marry a man who so obviously hates me without knowing me or what I've been through? Do you think I enjoy being mistreated and spoken down to by someone that thinks his little manilla folder can tell him everything he needs to know? I did and have done what I needed to, for her."
     "Tabitha-" he started but I interrupted.
     "I am aware of what you think of me. Don't try to fool yourself or me by acting otherwise now," I retorted as I quickly wiped my tears, hoping that none of them dripped on Clarissa and got her wet.
     The reception went by in a blur.    
     Thankfully, Mrs. Henson, a friend took Clarissa up to a hotel room and stayed with her so I could complete my "duties as a happy new bride".
     Alexios and I had barely said two words to each other, but I could tell he was bothered by our conversation in the limo.
     As the reception came to a close, he took my hand, and led me to the elevator. As we entered the doors shut behind us. "Tabitha," he spoke as if he were trying to say something, but didn't quite know the words.
     "Don't, please. I'm too tired to be able to discern your sincerity. Besides, this is new and flashy. Before long, the uniqueness of this moment will fade and you'll be back to treating me like a bug on your shoe. But I can take it, as long as you show Clarissa the warmth you'll never direct at me," I mumbled as my head began to throb.
      We went to the top floor and made our way to the bridal suite. It was a magnificent room with Roses laid out everywhere. There was a kitchenette, a bathroom with a large tub and walk in shower, living room, a hot tub, and a bedroom with its own second bathroom. I made my way to the bedroom to grab my suitcase so I could change.